Tantra describes five elements, known as panchamakara, for sadhana. The five elements have symbolic meaning in Tantism. The five elements are: madya, wine; mamsa, meat; matsya, fish; mudra, silver coin; and maithuna, sexual union. These five categories have different meanings for different classes of worshippers — but in all cases it is important to understand that what one is required to offer is the principle or essence, not the article itself. It is impossible to think that Shiva would have advised people to have all five experiences and assured them illumination. Many people enjoy these things. Are they illumined? People don’t need to practice tantric rituals to have sex and enjoy wine. Some people with animal nature want to spiritualize their self-indulgence, and Westerners sometimes portray tantric rituals in this way. The panchamakara should be understood from a spiritual perspective. Symbolic Meaning of Wine – Meat – Fish – Coin – Sex in Tantric Wors...

Sundar Narayan Temple in Nashik is situated at the corner of Ahillyabai Holkar Bridge near Ramkund, This is an ancient shrine famous for its antiquity, holiness, architecture, intricate carvings, sculptures and unique event of sunrays falling in the sanctum sanctorum. The story of Sundarnarayan Mandir is associated with Vrinda (Tulsi Plant) cursing Vishnu. Vrinda was the wife of demon king Jalandhar. He had got a boon from Shiva that he would be invincible as long as his wife was chaste. The character of Jalandhar turned upside down after getting the boon. He became cruel, evil and vicious and harassed all the living beings in the universe. Adharma prospered and now it was the duty of Vishnu to protect Dharma. Once, when Jalandhar was on a mission, Vishnu took the form of the demon king and copulated with Vrinda. Chastity of Vrinda was broken and soon her husband was killed by the Devas. When Vrinda Devi came to know about the treachery, she cursed Vishnu to become deformed...

 In Hinduism and other spiritual practices, egg cleansing (also known as "egg healing" or "egg limpia") is often used as a method to cleanse negative energy, remove blockages, and restore spiritual balance. Though the ritual itself is more commonly found in shamanic and indigenous traditions of Central and South America, many practitioners in Hindu and spiritual communities believe in its benefits. Here’s a deep dive into its spiritual benefits, practical uses, and how it aligns with holistic well-being. Spiritual Benefits of Egg Cleansing Absorption of Negative Energy An egg is believed to have an absorbent quality, meaning it can capture and hold negative energies surrounding an individual. By moving the egg over the body in specific ways, practitioners believe that it absorbs negativity, which can be analyzed later by looking at the egg’s contents for patterns or abnormalities. Cleansing and Purification of the Aura Hindu practices often involve rituals to cleans...

Santoshi Mata Vrat is one of the popular Vrats in North India. It is observed mainly on Friday. Here is a brief description on how to perform Santoshi Mata Vrat and Udyapan. The Vrat is observed for 16 consecutive Fridays. It can be started at any time of the year. You can perform the vrat during monthly periods. On the first Friday of the vrat, a devotee has to take a yellow color thread. Tie twenty-one knots on it and wear it around the neck during the vrat period. Men tie the thread on the right wrist. No sour food is to be consumed or offered by the person performing the Vrat. How to Perform Santoshi Mata Vrat? After taking bath on Friday morning, the devotee has to wear the thread. Perform simple puja and prayer to Santoshi Mata. Fast on an entire day. In the evening, the devotee reads or listens to the Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha. The devotee breaks the fast by eating a handful of baked horse gram (Chane kid al) and jaggery. You should water plants on...

Visha Tithi in Hindu astrology is considered bad. Auspicious activities are avoided in this yog. The tithi is the result of a combination of certain days and tithi. Following are the Visha Tithis Sunday – Chaturthi (fourth day of fortnight) Monday – Sashti (sixth day of a fortnight) Tuesday – Saptami (seventh day of a fortnight) Wednesday – Dwitiya (second day of a fortnight) Thursday – Ashtami (eighth day of a fortnight) Friday – Navami (ninth day of a fortnight) Saturday – Saptami (seventh day of fortnight)

 Eggshells are not widely discussed in Hindu spirituality, as Hindu culture typically avoids eggs due to dietary preferences in many Hindu traditions that emphasize vegetarianism. However, in certain folk practices within Hinduism, eggshells and other natural items are occasionally used for their supposed mystical and protective properties. Here is an expanded exploration of the spiritual and practical benefits of eggshells, especially as they pertain to protection, purification, and subtle energy work. 1. Protection from Negative Energies Benefit : It’s believed that eggshells can ward off negative energies and entities due to their natural purity. Practical Use : Crush the eggshells and sprinkle a bit around the corners of your home. This is thought to create a protective boundary against harmful or negative forces. Chanting Mantra : “Om Dum Durgayei Namaha” (dedicated to Goddess Durga for protection). 2. Purification of the Surrounding Space Benefit : Eggshell powder can be used...

Chanting of the Kanya Rashi Navratri Mantra helps, Kanya Rashi born person to attain wealth, prosperity, property, job and desire fulfillments. The mantra should be chanted after taking bath in the morning. You should sit in your pooja room or in a quiet place and chant the mantra. The mantra is टो पा पी पू ष ण ठ पे पो ....... ॐ   क्लीं ऐं सो :  The mantra should be chanted 21 times. Chanting of the mantra also helps in overcoming your enemies.

Thousands of Hindus undertake one of the toughest pilgrimages on earth to have darshan of the naturally formed ice Shivling in the  Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Here is a trivia on the yatra mainly focusing on the numbers. More than 200,000 people participate in the annual Amarnath Yatra. Amarnath Cave is located around 145 kilometers from Srinagar. It is a 5-day trek to reach the cave. The cave is located at an altitude of 3,978 meter from sea level. The cave is around 160 feet in length and 100 feet in breadth. The size of the naturally formed Ice Shivling varies from 10 feet to 19 feet. The cave is used for worship for more than 5000 years. Apart from the naturally formed Ice Shivling, there is also a naturally formed Ganesh Peetah and Parvati Peetah in the cave. Some people believe that a Bhairav peetah is also formed naturally in the cave. It is believed that having darshan of Amarnath Shivling is equal to visiting 23 teerth or sacred places. There a...

 Yoni eggs, also called jade eggs, are smooth, egg-shaped stones historically associated with enhancing pelvic floor strength and feminine energy. Though they are often connected to Taoist practices, in recent times, yoni eggs have found a place in Hindu spirituality as well, aligning with the principles of Shakti energy and chakras. While direct references to yoni eggs may be less prevalent in traditional Hindu texts, their modern integration into Hindu spiritual practices has highlighted their benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. 1. Connection to Divine Feminine Energy (Shakti) Spiritual Benefit : In Hinduism, Shakti represents the divine feminine force, symbolizing power, creativity, and fertility. Yoni eggs are believed to awaken this energy, helping practitioners connect with their inherent feminine power and spiritual essence. Practical Solution : Meditate with the yoni egg placed near you or held in your palm, visualizing the Shakti energy within awakenin...

Budh or Mercury is one among the Navgraha or nine planets in Hindu Vedic astrology. In this ancient system of astrology, each graham or planet has a ruling god or Grah Devta. The god associated with Mercury or Budh Grah is Goddess Durga. The Grah Devta of Budh is Durga Devi. The color associated with Budh is Green. The number is 5 The direction is North. Ratna or stone is Panna.

For those people looking for new job, success in work and career improvement, there is an ideal Hanuman mantra. It should be chanted on Tuesday morning and evening. The person chanting the mantra should take bath early morning on Tuesday. He should then visit a Hanuman temple and offer his prayers. Return and sit in a silent place on red color cloth or blanket. He should then chant the mantra. ॐ हुं हुं हनुमतये फट् ॐ पवन नन्दनाय स्वाहा ॐ हं हनुमते रुद्रात्मकाय हुं फट   ॐ नमो हनुमते रुद्रावताराय विश्वरूपाय अमित विक्रमाय प्रकटपराक्रमाय महाबलाय सूर्य कोटिसमप्रभाय रामदूताय स्वाहा। ॐ नमो हनुमते रुद्रावताराय सर्वशत्रुसहांरणाय सर्वरोगाय सर्ववशीकरणाय रामदूताय स्वाहा। ॐ नमो हनुमते रुद्रावतराय वज्रदेहाय वज्रनखाय वज्रसुखाय वज्ररोम्णे वज्रनेत्राय वज्रदंताय वज्रकराय वज्रभक्ताय रामदूताय स्वाहा।

Kottuvallikavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess Bhadrakali. The temple is located at Kottuvally Village near Paravur in Ernakulum District, Kerala. This shrine is about 15 km from Aluva Railway Station. The age of the shrine is unknown. But it is more than 1000 years old. The murti worshipped in the temple was discovered by a woman in an open field. It was first worshipped under an Elanji Tree and the tree is still located near the temple. The famous Azhvanchery Thamprakal conducted the tantric pujas and rituals associated with the shrine. The annual festival in the temple coincides with the famous Kumbha Bharani (February – March) in Kerala. The main rituas on the Kumbha Bharani day includes Ayiram Thiri Pooja and Ayiram Thiri Ottam. Aal Thookam is also observed in the temple. The subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple include Shiva, Sastha, Nagaraja, Brahmarakshas, Yakshi, Ghandakarnan Swami and Pithrukkal.

Panchtarni is located in Anantnag District in Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is an important holy spot on the way to Amarnath Cave. The story of origin of Panchtarni Sarovar is associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Goddess Parvati wanted to know the secret of immortality of Shiva. Shiva chose the Amarnath Cave to reveal the secret. On his way to the cave with Goddess Parvati, Shiva left five elements here. The place where Shiva left the five elements later came to be known as Panchtarni. Symbolically dropping of five elements is dropping the body which is made of earth, water, air, fire and sky. On this way to the cave, Shiva had first abandoned Nandi, then his matted locks and Chandra, thirdly his Nagas, fourthly Ganesha and finally the five elements.

The breadth of Hinduism must not be narrowed, nor its wide extent be lessened. All aspects of truth are necessary, and all the coloured rays combine to make the one white beam of truth; therefore each should try to learn from others those aspects of truth that his own vision does not easily distinguish, and thus enrich and widen his knowledge. If truth is to rule the minds of men, differing in temperaments, differing in type, differing in the stage of evolution reached, it must be presented in different ways. India and Hinduism are one…make no mistake. Without Hinduism India has no future. Hinduism is the soil into which India’s roots are struck, and torn out of that she will inevitably wither, as a tree torn out from its place. Annie Besant Explanation: The quote, "If truth is to rule the minds of men, differing in temperaments, differing in type, differing in the stage of evolution reached, it must be presented in different ways," speaks to the necessity of tailor...

If you are having trouble in horoscope of related to Mangal or Mars in Kundali or horoscope, then chant the 21 names of Mangal Graha. It is considered highly meritorious. The person finds relief to all mars related troubles in horoscope. The names should be chanted on Tuesday morning and evening. 21 Names of Mangal Dev ॐ मंगलाय नमः ॐ भूमि पुत्राय नमः ॐ ऋण हर्त्रे नमः ॐ धन प्रदाय नमः ॐ स्थिर आसनाय नमः ॐ महा कायाय नमः ॐ सर्व कामार्थ साधकाय नमः ॐ लोहिताय नमः ॐ लोहिताक्षाय नमः ॐ साम गानाम कृपा करे नमः ॐ धरात्मजाय नमः ॐ भुजाय नमः ॐ भौमाय नमः ॐ भुमिजाय नमः ॐ भूमि नन्दनाय नमः ॐ अंगारकाय नमः ॐ यमाय नमः ॐ सर्व रोग प्रहाराकाय नमः ॐ वृष्टि कर्ते नमः ॐ वृष्टि हराते नमः ॐ सर्व कामा फल प्रदाय नमः

Today there is lot of confusion and wrong meaning attributed to Tantra in Hinduism. Today tantra is considered a license to indulge in the sensual but tantra is anything but that. Tantra is not sex or a license to wanton lifestyle. Tantra is the channeling of human weaknesses by directing them towards God. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that if you want to cry, cry for God; if you want to desire something, desire God; and if you want to love, love God. Channelise or direct your impulses and instincts towards God. That is tantra. Tantra has various streams, but the goal of all the streams is to channelize all desires towards God. The basic philosophy of tantra is the divinization of desire — albeit in a different way — not by acceding to desires but by superseding them, by divinizing them. Desire creates problems. You take this desire away and channelise it towards something divine, something godly, something ennobling, and something that will elevate you. That is tantra. B...

Mughal Emperor Jahangir argues with a Bengali Brahmin about the usefulness of idolatry. The emperor says that “Hindus make idols of clay, wood and stone, and by infusing life into these by means of spells, only worship evil spirits. The Brahmin retorts: Clay, wood or stone, all things movable or immovable contain God according to the Puranas as well as the Quran. He who makes images of Him with these only makes the intangible God tangible. He who contemplates only the intangible without the help of the tangible drops the gold and only ties an empty knot in this scarf. Nirad C. Chaudari - Hinduism (page 91 - 92) Explanation: The quote, "Clay, wood or stone, all things movable or immovable contain God according to the Puranas. He who makes images of Him with these only makes the intangible God tangible. He who contemplates only the intangible without the help of the tangible drops the gold and only ties an empty knot in this scarf," reflects a profound aspect of Hindu...

In Hinduism, animals and creatures often symbolize spiritual messages, omens, and insights into divine guidance. Wall geckos hold a place within these beliefs, primarily observed in the beliefs associated with Pakshi Shastra and Gouli Shastra (gecko science), which interpret the significance of different animal sightings or behaviors. According to these ancient texts, the wall gecko is associated with various spiritual meanings, positive omens, and messages from the universe. Here’s an expanded look at the spiritual significance, benefits, and practical ways to connect with the symbolism of wall geckos in daily life. 12 Spiritual Benefits of Wall Geckos Good Fortune and Prosperity Spotting a gecko is believed to indicate upcoming good fortune and prosperity. Its appearance in a household, particularly in the southeast corner, is seen as auspicious and suggests financial growth. Spiritual Protection Wall geckos are thought to absorb negative energies in their environment, acting as pr...

 In Hinduism, generosity (Dāna) is a sacred act that extends beyond the simple giving of material items. It reflects a deep, spiritual alignment with universal dharma and creates positive karma. The philosophy of generosity in Hinduism emphasizes compassion, detachment, and the universal principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family). Here is an expanded view of the spiritual benefits, practical applications, and impacts of generosity as understood in Hinduism. 12 Spiritual Benefits of Generosity in Hinduism Purification of the Mind and Heart : Generosity helps clear negative emotions like greed, jealousy, and anger. By giving selflessly, one purifies the mind and opens the heart, aligning oneself with spiritual purity. Accumulation of Good Karma : Every act of generosity builds positive karma, which is believed to determine one’s future, including future births and spiritual progress. Attaining Inner Peace : Giving creates a sense of inner peace as it reduces...

 In Hinduism, sleep (Nidra) is regarded not merely as a physical necessity but also as a spiritual practice. The scriptures teach that adequate sleep enhances one’s mental clarity, spiritual awareness, and overall well-being, connecting it with one’s dharma (duty), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure), and moksha (liberation). Here is an expanded look at the spiritual and mental benefits of getting enough sleep, practical solutions, and relevant mantras to enhance sleep quality. 1. Improved Mental Clarity and Focus In Hindu philosophy, mental clarity ( Sattva ) is essential for spiritual growth. Sleep clears away mental “noise” and helps rejuvenate the mind, leading to better concentration and focus in daily spiritual practices like meditation and prayer. 2. Enhanced Memory and Cognitive Function The Hindu scriptures state that the mind is purified through rest, enhancing smriti (memory) and cognitive function. Regular, quality sleep strengthens memory, a vital attribute for spirit...

Mateshwari Jagadamba Saraswati Mamma was the first administrative head of Brahma Kumaris. Her Punyatithi, or Remembrance Day, is annually observed on June 24. In 2025, it is the 60th death anniversary of Mateshwari Saraswati. She was born in 1919 in Amritsar as Radhe and after the death of her father, she moved to Sindh Hyderabad. Once, she happened to visit the satsang of Dada Lekhraj of Om Mandali. Dada Lekhraj realized the potential in her and she saw a spiritual guide and father in him. Soon she became an active member of the institution. She realized that all the sensual happiness the world had to offer was without taste or merit. She resolved to devote herself to spiritual service, and her total dedication to spiritual teachings soon brought about a transformation in her consciousness as well as bearing.  In due course of time, she started giving spiritual discourses. When Brahma Kumaris took shape, she became a mother figure in the institution, earning t...

 In Hinduism, gemstones hold a significant place in the spiritual, astrological, and health domains. Each gemstone is associated with specific planetary energies, believed to enhance positive traits and minimize negative influences. Practitioners wear these stones to harness these energies for better physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Here’s a deep dive into the spiritual benefits, uses, and ways to incorporate gemstones into daily life for overall wellness. 1. Spiritual Benefits and Symbolism of Gemstones in Hinduism In Hinduism, each gemstone represents a different planetary influence. The Nine Gems or Navaratnas (Ruby, Pearl, Coral, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite, and Cat’s Eye) are associated with the nine major planets ( Navagrahas ), each impacting certain aspects of life. Key Spiritual Benefits: Strengthening Planetary Influence : Gemstones amplify beneficial planetary energies, reducing obstacles and boosting areas of strengt...