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Showing posts from December, 2017


Kalubai Yatra and Festival 2025 date at Kalubai Devi Temple

Kalubai Yatra and Pilgrimage to the famous Kalubai Devi Temple at Mandradev in Satara District in Maharashtra is held during the Paush Purnima (December – January) period as per traditional Marathi Hindu Calendar. Kalubai Yatra 2025 date is January 13. The festival attracts thousands of people. Kalubai Devi is an incarnation of Goddess Shakti and is a hugely popular deity in this region of Maharashtra . The Yatra and the festival is held for two weeks and the most important days are the Paush month full moon day or Shakambari Purnima. On the previous day of Purnima, there is a jagran during which a procession with the Kalubai Devi's idol sitting in a silver palkhi goes through Mandradev village and culminates at the temple. On Paush Purnima nearly 300,000 people gather at the temple. Devotees offer green colored sari to Kalubai Devi on the day. Kalubai Temple is about 18 km from Wai and 120 km south of Mumbai. The temple is located atop a mountain of

Panchdhatu Benefits

Panchdhatu includes various religious items that are made using five metals. Panchdhatu composition (original) is gold, silver, copper, iron and zinc. It symbolizes strength and power. Panchdhatu benefits are detailed below. Today, utensils, murtis and ornaments made of any five metals are referred as Panchadhatu. Thus there is Panchdhatu made using copper, brass, aluminium, iron and zinc. Panchdhatu Swastik Keeping Swastik made of Panchdhatu on the front door of the house will help in ushering peace and prosperity. All kinds of fights and diseases will be kept out from the family. Panchdhatu Kada Wearing Panchdhatu Kada will help a person in attaining strength and power to overcome physical difficulties. It helps in strengthening the mind and will power. Panchdhatu Ring Panchdhatu ring helps in overcoming weakness especially sexual. It also ushers in peace and prosperity. It helps in early marriage. It also keeps out heart ailments. Panchdhatu Ganesh Murti

Bagalamukhi Devi Puja – How to perform Bagalamukhi Devi Puja?

The puja of Goddess Bagalamukhi Devi is performed to attain victory over enemies, to talk properly, to win in debates, improve public speaking, to avoid stage fear, and to overcome various difficulties in life. He is a brief idea on how to perform Bagalamukhi Devi puja at home. Things needed for Bagalamukhi Devi Puja Yellow color cloth Yellow color bhog or Prasad Yellow color flowers Regular puja materials. Turmeric The puja can be performed on Tuesday, Thursday, Chaturdashi (14th day of a fortnight) and when Sun is on Makar Rashi. How to perform Bagalamukhi Devi Puja? After cleaning the house and taking bath, the person performing puja needs to sit facing north. The person should wear a yellow color dress. Make a small line using Turmeric and place the picture of Bagalamukhi behind. Light a lamp and place it on the turmeric line. Put a yellow color cloth on the picture of Bagalamukhi Maa. Offer yellow color flowers and fruits to the Goddess. Prasad offere

Shivling in Dream – Meaning and Interpretation of Shivling in Dream

As per Hindu religion, seeing Shivling in dream will bring positive changes in life. The meaning of seeing Shivling is that the person will find relief to ongoing problems.  In Hinduism there is an ancient scripture known as Swapna Shastra, which gives interpretation and meaning of various dreams. Those who have dream of Shivling should make offering of water or milk to Shivling in a nearby temple. Seeing Shivling and snake together is also auspicious. This indicates fertility. The person will soon get married and will have healthy children.

Benefits of Namaskar Mudra – Atmanjali Mudra

Namaskar Mudra, also known as Atmanjali Mudra, is one of the important mudras. Practicing mudras have numerous benefits especially health related. They are good for both body and mind. Namaskar Mudra is performed by joining the two palms and bringing them close to the chest. This mudra is also a popular symbol associated with Hinduism. It symbolically expresses reverence and gratitude. Hindus pray and greet using this mudra. It also symbolically represents the merging of the individual soul with the universal soul. When we do Namaskar to another individual, we symbolically state that we both are one. Again, it means am one with Brahman. The most important health benefit of the Namaskar Mudra is that it activates and harmonizes the left and right brain hemispheres. It assures in peace and stability.

Anantheshwar Temple at Manjeshwar in Kasargod – Kerala

Anantheshwar Temple at Manjeshwar in Kasargod is dedicated to Narasimha, Lord Shiva and Subramanian. This is one of the oldest temples associated with the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins. The temple is around 1.5 kilometers from the Manjeshwar Railway Station and around 23 km from Mangalore. The main deities worshipped in the temple are Lord Shiva in Shivling form, Narasimha and Subramanian. The Shivling is Swayambhu. The Subrahmanya murti here is associated with nagas and is known as Nagaroopi Subrahmanya. Narasimha is worshipped here as Sri Bhadranarasimha. The murti is flanked by Bhudevi and Sridevi. The subsidiary deities worshipped in the shrine are Sri Vittala, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Laxminarasimha, Keshava, Sri Krishna, Karalanarasimha, Hanuman, Ganapati and Garuda. A unique aspect of the shrine is anthill Ruvvani or Rohini. It is believed to be the abode of Snake Vasuki. The main murtis worshipped in the temple are on the top the anthill. The sacred temple pond is

Story of Menaka, Mother of Goddess Parvati

Menaka was the wife of Himavan, the king of mountains. The story as to how Menaka became the mother of Goddess Parvati is mentioned in the Puranas. In her previous birth, Menaka was the mind-born daughter of Swadha and Vairajas, a pitr. Once, during a visit to Vaikunta she did not show respect to Brahma’s manasaputras – Sanaka, Sanadana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara.  Sanaka cursed Menaka that she would be born as human being on earth.  A devastated Menaka begged for mercy. Sanadana told Menaka that the curse could not be taken back. However, on earth she will marry Himavan, the lord of mountains, and she will be the mother of Goddess Shakti, when she incarnates as Goddess Parvati on earth. As a result, she would earn untold merits and will get back her position in heaven.

Aurva Rishi – Vedic Seer

Aurva Rishi is known as Aurva Bhrigu in the Rig Veda. There is confusion among scholars as the Aurva and Bhrigu are two different Rishis or one Rishi. Sayana, the famous commentator of Vedas, consider Aurva Bhrigu as one name. Aurva, meaning “descendant of Uru or Urva”, seems to be a patronymic name of Bhrigu himself. Aitareya Brahmana (VI. 33) also indicates that it is a single name. Pancavimsa Brahmana (21.10.6) refers to two Aurvas (two sons of Uru Sayana Bhrugu was the son of Varuna. However among the list of rishis belonging to Jamadagnya Vatsa family, Aurva is mentioned as the fourth one preceded by Bhargava, Cyavana, and Apnavana. From this list of pravara rishis, it is clear that Aurava was the name of a rishi belong to the Bhrigu family.   As per Taittiriya Samhita, Aurava Rishi had no sons and he prayed to Sage Atri with a desire to have a son. Atri granted him an offspring. In Aitareya Brahmana (VI.33), the descendants of Aitasa are called the worst of the Auravas

Four Female Companions of Goddess Lakshmi

As per Lakshmi Tantra, Goddess Lakshmi has four female companions. They are Riddhi, Vriddhi, Samriddhi and Vibhuti. All four companions have two arms. They are beautiful and have the color of the inside of a lotus. In their hands they carry branch of a wood apple tree and a fly –whisk. The four companions are seated in lotus posture and they gaze at the face of Goddess Lakshmi. The Bija Mantra associated with Riddhi is Om Rim Tam Riddyai Swaha The mantra associated with Vriddhi is Om Vrm Tam Vriddhayai Swaha. The mantra associated with Samriddhi is Om Sim Tam Samriddhyai Swaha. The mantra associated with Vibhuti is Om Vim Tam Vibhutyai Swaha.

In Discovering The Inner Freedom Lies Our True Manliness

Self-discipline is the way to overcome the compelling force of the senses and their impressions. This man is strong in body, but weak in mind. He can lift a stone weighing 1000 kgs, but cannot bear the weight of a single unpleasant word. Sculpture At Ramappa Temple - Warangal - Telangana Blaming others or fate or God for our actions and circumstances in life is a sign of weakness and slavery. Restraining our senses, disciplining our thoughts, sublimating our emotions and expanding our ego to embrace the whole world are essential steps in the path to freedom. To be free from all forms of misery, we should take full responsibility for our lives. When we accept the fact that we are the makers of our own destiny, we shall rise to our highest and best and our character will be transformed. Self-faith and self-dependence will awaken our inner divinity, our true nature. In discovering the inner freedom lies our true manliness. Vedanta Kesari August 2017 issue

Punnapra Aravukad Sreedevi Temple near Alappuzha - Festival

Aravukad Sreedevi Temple is ancient shrine dedicated to Mother Goddess Devi. The murti here is the fierce form of Mother Goddess Bhadrakali just after annihilating Demon Daruka. The popular belief is that the Goddess washed her sword filled with blood of the demon in the pond located here. The temple is located at Punnapra, which is around 8 km from Alappuzha on the way to Kayamkulam (National Highway 48). Although the main murti present here is of the fierce form of goddess, she takes the motherly form Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvati to bless her children. The murti of Shiva worshipped in the shrine is carved out of Krishna Shila. The pond in which Goddess Kali washed her sword is part of the temple complex. The main festival in the temple is observed from Bharani Nakshatra to Pooram Nakshatram. The 10-day annual festival is held in such a manner that it concludes on Pooram nakshatra in Meena Masam. The most important event during the festival is the Thiripidutham – hold

Brahmeshwar Temple at Bamhani Village in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh

Brahmeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at Bamhani Village in Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh. The temple is around 11 km from Mahasamund. The temple is famous because it is believed that after offering prayers here couples are blessed with healthy children. The shivling worshipped in the temple is believed to be swayambhu. Legend has it that once an attempt was made to shift the Shivling to a big temple. When people tried to remove the Shivling, they could not find its end. The attempt was dropped. There is a pond in the temple complex. It is believed the pond is filled with water from Ganga River. The pond is known as Shwethganga kund. Taking bath in the pond is believed to cure skin diseases.

Panchamrit Mantra – Panchamrut Abhishek Mantra

Panchamrit abhishek is an important ritual performed especially during elaborate puja. Panchamrit mantra is given below. This Panchamrut abhishek mantra should be chanted before offering the five items – milk, curd, cow ghee, honey and sugar. Panchamrit Mantra पयो दधि घृतं मधु चैव च शर्करायुतम्। पंचामृतं मयानीतं स्नानार्थ प्रतिगृह्यताम्।। The mantra can be also chanted before consuming Panchamrit as food or Prasad. It is believed that consuming Panchamrut helps in attaining peace, prosperity and good health.

Sarpa Dosha Remedies

A person, or family, suffers from Sarpa Dosha when a family member has hurt a snake or naga intentionally. The curse of the Sarpa (serpent) constantly haunts the family. Here are some important Sarpa dosha remedies.  The most effective solution to Sarpa Dosha is the worship and puja of peepal tree. On Ayiliyam or Aslesha Nakshatra day, after taking bath visit a peepal tree located in a temple or in a sacred place.  Offer milk to the roots. Mix petals of rose flower, white til, chandan and black til in water and offer it to the roots of the peepal tree. Perform annadanam or food donation on an auspicious day. Feed animals. Feed fishes Distribute dress to poor children. Distribute books to poor children. Plant trees. Protect sacred groves. 

Pure Heart Is The Best Mirror For Reflection Of Truth – Swami Vivekananda

A sage once told me, ‘To teach others, much intellect and learning are necessary, but not so for your own self illumination.’ Are you pure? If you are pure, you will reach God. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’ If you are not pure, and you know all the sciences in the world, that will not help you at all; you may be buried in all the books you read, but that will not be of much use. It is the heart that reaches the goal. Follow the heart. A pure heart sees beyond the intellect; it gets inspired; it knows things that reason can never know, and whenever there is conflict between the pure heart and the intellect, always side with the pure heart, even if you think what your heart is doing is unreasonable. When it is desirous of doing good to others, your brain may tell you that it is not politic to do so, but follow your heart, and you will find that you make less mistakes than by following your intellect. The pure heart is the best mirror for the reflec

Upside Down Hanuman Idol at Sanwer near Indore in Madhya Pradesh

The unique upside down Hanuman Idol is located at Sanwer near Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The temple is located around 25 km from Indore city. The Hanuman murti worshipped here is also known as Patal Vijayi Hanuman. The story of the temple is associated with Mahiravana, also known as  Patalravana or Patal Ravan . Mahiravana kidnapping Sri Ram and Lakshman and Hanuman rescuing them is a famous story found in Puranas and local traditions. It is believed that Hanuman entered Patala or the underworld from this spot. Therefore the murti of Hanuman is depicted with head below and feet up. Visiting on five Tuesdays in the temple is considered highly meritorious. It is believed to help in desire fulfillment. The temple complex also has a separate shrine dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram.

Quotes On Overcoming Desires

The first and the most important step in transcending desires is to become aware of one’s true nature, which is beyond the body and the mind. However, one might argue that the desire to know God or Brahman is also a desire. However, such a desire is not really a desire, because such a desire becomes the nemesis of all desires. It is a desire to kill the mind, which is the source of all desires.   This desire to realize one’s true nature is the beginning of the path to attain a never-ending bliss and the only way to get liberation. Transcending desires is possible only by abstention from fresh desires and the eradication of old desires. This can be achieved only by a process of continuous introspection and discernment. Dispassion towards sense-objects and the withdrawal of the senses from such sense-objects would result in a detached attitude in all day-today dealings and this practice would eventually lead to desirelessness. Source – Prabuddha Bharata magazine July 20

Indrastra Weapon - Showers Arrows

Indrastra is a powerful arrow mentioned in Epics and Hindu Puranas. The weapon is associated with Indra, the king of Devas. The person who has the knowledge of Indra Astra can summon it when required. The arrow brings shower of arrows from the sky. It can be used against an army or against and individual. In the Ramayana, Sri Ram used the Indra Astra against Kumbakarna. It killed Kumbhakarna. Indra Astra was terribly sharp and it had wings. It could move like the wind. In the Mahabharata, Indra had blessed Karna with Indra Astra. Karna had given earring and armor to Indra in charity. Indra was moved the Karna’s charitable nature and blessed him with Indra Astra. Karna saved the Indra Astra to kill Arjuna. But he was forced to use it against Ghatotkach during the night battle in the Mahabharata.

Adhyayana Utsavam

Adhyayana Utsavam, also known as Vaikunta Utsava or Prasanna Utsava or Moksha Utsava, is observed in the famous Tirupati Venkateswara Temple and Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple. It is the day when Sri Nammalwar merged with Srihari Vishnu. The Divya Prabhandas are chanted during the period. It begins on the first day of the waxing phase of moon in Dhanur Masam and ends on the following Krishna Paksha Dasami – 10th day during the waning phase of moon. It is chanted for nearly 22 days. It coincides with the famous Vaikunta Ekadasi festival. Divya Prabandhas are the recitals composed in Tamil dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It contains 4000 verses. All the important Vishnu temples chant the Divya Prabandhas. The place where it is recited is treated as Divya Desams. Divya Prabandhas are divided into 4 parts as Mudhal Ayiram, Periya Thirumozhi, Iyarpa Thiruvaaymozhi The first 2000 verses are chanted before Vaikunta Ekadasi and the next 2000 verses are chanted after the Va

Simple life means wedding the essential and divorcing the non-essential

A simple life means wedding the essential and divorcing all the non-essential in life. When we decide to marry simple life, we are parting with chaos. We have zeroed in on what is important to us in life. We have decided to be with people we love and do things that we love and make us happy. Definition of a simple life varies from person to person. What is clutter and what is of value is different for different person. The definition of simplifying life is easy. It means to accept only what is important and eliminate the rest. But becoming simple is not as easy as the definition. Learning to say no to oneself and to others is an important task when we want to adopt a simple life. This is very crucial. Avoid unwanted communication. Stop interfering in other people’s life. Avoid listening to each and everything. Limit all forms of media to the essential. Instead of buying new things recycle and make use of what you have already invested in. Decide to do what you love and to sp

Liberation Is Only Possible Through Self-Realization – Vivekachudamani

A father has got his sons and others to free him from his debts, but he has got none but himself to remove his bondage. The trouble such as that caused by a load on the head can be removed by others, but none but one's own self can put a stop to the pain which is caused by hunger and the like. The patient who takes diet and medicine is alone seen to recover completely,—not through work done by others. The true nature of things is to be known personally through the eye of clear illumination, and not through a sage: what the moon exactly is, is to be known with one's own eyes; can others make him know it? Who but one's own self can get rid of the bondage caused by the fetters of ignorance, desire, action and the like, aye, even in a hundred crore of cycles? Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by work, nor by learning, but by the realization of one's identity with Brahman is liberation possible, and by no other means. Vivekachudamani (51 to 56) of Adi

Story of Kappe Chennigaraya Temple – How the Temple Got Associated With Frog?

Chennigaraya Temple, located to the south of the world famous Chennakeshava Temple at Belur in Hassan District, Karnataka, is associated with Kappe - frog. Here is the story as to how the temple got associated with frog. Jakkanacharya, a famous sculpture who lived during the 14th century AD, was given the work of the Chennigaraya temple. He completed the main murti of Chennigaraya and it was about to be consecrated and installed in the temple. However, Dankana, Jakkanacharya’s son, came in search of his father and objected to the consecration of the murti as he considered it unfit for worship. Jakkanacharya challenged his son and took an oath to cut off his right hand if the sculpture was defective. Soon sandal paste was applied all over the murti of Chennigaraya and the portion near the belly did not dry up at all. When a flake was taken out of that portion, a frog jumped out. Accepting defeat, Jakkanacharya is said to have cut off his right hand. This te

Sheetala Devi Temple at Agam Kuan – Goddess Shitala Mandir at Agam Kuan near Patna, Bihar

Sheetala Devi Temple at Agam Kuan is dedicated to Goddess Shitala Mata. The mandir is located near the famous archeological site of Agam Kuan near Patna, Bihar. The shrine is located around 8 km from Patna Junction Railway Station. The murti of Mother Sheetala worshipped in the temple is carved out of black granite stone. The vehicle of mata is an ass and the murti rides on it. Mother holds broom in one hand and khappar in another. Goddess Goriya, sevika of the deity is on her right side of the main murti, while on the left is the marble murti of Angar Mata, sister of Sheetla Mata. Unique offering – Devotees release pigeons for fulfillment of desires. Women assist in performing Solah Shringar on the murti of Sheetala Devi worshipped in the temple. Childless couples offer prayers and seek the blessings of Mother. Newlywed couples perform Chauthari Puja by offering cold and stale food. The temple attracts maximum devotees in the month of Ashada (June – July). Tu

Hindu Concept of Moksha Has Nothing To Do With Death

Moksha (liberation, salvation or Mukti) is an important concept in Hinduism. But many people associate it with death and afterlife. This is a wrong notion. Moksha has nothing to do with death and afterlife. It has to happen when you are living on earth. Moksha is realizing the oneness of all living beings. It is understanding that all animate and inanimate is part of that Supreme Truth – that there is no second here. Dropping all forms of fear, incompleteness, anxiety, anger, sorrow…and all other negative energy and replacing them with positive energy like joy, contentment, love, and goodwill… is the path to moksha. We chase worldly happiness and we enjoy them, but soon the same happiness becomes the reason for sorrow. Moksha is achieving that happiness on earth, which is eternal. This happiness does not convert into unhappiness in future. The term Mukti in this context means achieving freedom from ignorance that is enveloping us. We do not search for moksha outside. It i

Story of Madhavi in the Mahabharata

Madhavi is the daughter of King Yayati in the Mahabharata. Her story narrates the importance of forgiveness. Sage Galava once asked King Yayati for 800 white horses each with a black ear. The Sage wanted to present the horses to Sage Vishwamitra. King Yayati was unable to fulfill the demand, as he did not have these types of horses. The King did not want to turn away the sage empty-handed therefore, he offered Sage Galava his daughter, Madhavi. Madhavi was destined to give birth to four kings. Therefore, King Yayati asked Sage Galava to present her to four men who wish to father kings and ask for two hundred horses in exchange. Sage Galava found three kings who accepted his offer. He thus got 600 hundred horses. The Sage was unable to find another king, so he presented 600 hundred horses to Sage Vishwamitra and asked him to accept Madhavi as the equivalent of the remaining two hundred horses. Vishwamitra had a son by Madhavi. Having given birth to four sons, s

Jalpa Mata Mandir at Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh – Jalpamata Temple

Jalpa Mata Mandir is a popular shrine dedicated to Goddess Shakti in Rajgarh district in Madhya Pradesh. The temple is located atop a hill and is about 4 km from Rajgarh town. The main murti worshipped here is Goddess Jalpamata. Jalpa Mata Mandir is a Siddha Peetah. Apart from the large murti of Jalpa Mata, the temple complex also has a shrine dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Chunari is the main offering here. The shrine is accessed by a flight of steps. There is also a narrow road to reach the shrine. The shrine attracts maximum crowd during Navratri and Durga Puja. More Temples Temple Dedicated to the Kurma Incarnation of Lord Vishnu A rare Hindu Temple exclusively deicated to Kurma Avatar of Lord Vishnu is the famous Sri Kurmanatha temple at Srikurman in Andhra Pradesh. The murti consists of two feet long two scared stones coming out of the ground. ( Read more....on Kurmanatha temple ) Alarnath Temple at Brahmagiri in Orissa – Lord Jagannath Manifests Here

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 28

But, O mighty-armed, the one intuitive into the nature of Guna and Karma knows that Gunas as senses merely abide with Gunas as objects, and does not become entangled. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 28) Every action is really performed by the Gunas, but man deluded by his egoism thinks: “I am the doer.” And so the unwise gets entangled in their acts. But the wise learn to see that the Atman, the true Self, is but the detached witness, serene and impartial. Actions cannot blind the Atman, as weapons do not pierce the Atman. In this knowledge, the wise man offers his actions to Krishna and takes his part in the great battle against suffering and sin, against the evil of his own lower nature. (The Bhagavad Gita – The Song of Life - Sadhu Vaswani) More from Bhagavad Gita Bhagavad Gita and Communism Marx lost sight of the differences seen in human beings living at a sensory level, out of which emerges all the evils in society, namely crime, violence, evils of caste and racia

Sajan Kasai – A Muslim Devotee of Vithal in Maharashtra

Sajan Kasai was a Muslim by birth. He was butcher by profession. ‘Kasai’ means butcher. He was drawn into the Bhakti movement that spread across Maharashtra during the middle ages. It is believed that he hailed from the Solapur District of Maharashtra. Very little is known about his personal life. What we get to hear about his life is from folk material. His mother tongue was Hindi and he sang in Hindi about Krishna and danced in ecstasy. He used to visit the Vithal Mandir in Pandharpur. He thus became famous among the Warkaris. It is said that Aurangazeb ordered his imprisonment on the charge of blasphemy. But he was soon set free as the Mughal Emperor realized that he was a genuine devotee of Lord Vithal.

Chintaman Ganesh Mandir – Chintaman Ganesh Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Chintaman Ganesh Mandir is a very popular temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Here some important facts about Chintaman Ganesh Temple: ‘Chintaman’ literally means ‘remover of worries’. The Ganesh murti worshipped in the temple was consecrated by Lord Ram during his exile period as mentioned in the Ramayana. Three forms of Ganesha is worshipped in the temple. They are: Chintaman Ganesh Icchaman Ganesh and Siddhi Vinayak Riddhi and Siddhi, the wives of Lord Ganesha, are enshrined on both side of the Chintaman Ganesh. The artistically carved pillars in the assembly hall of the temple belong the Paramara period (9th – 14th century AD). Couples come here to seek the blessings of Chintaman Ganesh before or after their marriage. The temple also has a murti of Lord Vishnu in the complex. Temple timings 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM Banganga Water Tank in Chintaman Ganesh Temple in Ujjain Bangana water tank is a sacred water body in the p

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 27

The Gunas of Prakriti perform all karma. With the understanding clouded by egoism, man thinks, “I am the doer.” (Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3 Verse 27) Karma is inherent in nature, which is constituted of the three Gunas – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. But there is no karma whatsoever in Atman. The ignorant man is incapable of distinguishing between the action ridden nature and the actionless Self. It is egoism to identify the Self with the non-Self. Two trains stand side by side in a railway station. A passenger in one train fixes his gaze on the other. When the other train moves the man fancies that his own vehicle moves. Likewise, the mobility of Prakriti is imposed on the immobile atman. Egoism is brought about by mistaking Prakriti for Atman. Bondage persists as long as egoism lasts. The egoistic man thinks himself as the doer while actually he is not. Egoism and agency are the outcomes of ignorance. Source – Bhagavad Gita commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda published in

Parashiva Vishwakarma Temple at Ajanur in Kasargod District – Kerala

Parashiva Vishwakarma Temple at Ajanur in Kasargod District, Kerala, is located around 3 km from Kanhangad Railway Station. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishwakarma, the architect of the universe. Here Vishwakarma is associated with Lord Shiva. The main deity in the temple is five-faced Vishwakarma - he is described to have 5 faces, 10 hands and 15 eyes. The temple follows Lingayat tradition. The temple follows the prayer and achara tradition set by Lingaguru Swami. The main deity faces east. The temple belongs to the Vishwakarma community and they perform the puja and prayers. The subsidiary deities worshipped in the temple are Sri Kalika Parameswari, Mahalakshmi, Ganapati, Navgraha and Nagalinga. The important festivals observed in the temple are Shivratri, Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti (Annual idol consecration day), Ganesh Chaturthi, Rishi Panchami, and Navratri. The main festival of the temple in the temple is observed on Vaishakh shukla paksha panchami tithi or the Adi

Main Door of the House South Facing as per Vastu – Good or Bad?

If the main door of the house is south facing then it is not good as per Vastu Shastra. The main bad effect due to it will be on the head of the family. Problems Due to the South Facing Main Door in the House Financial problems Illness Accidents Lack of Mental Peace Solution Shwetark Ganpati should be installed near the main door. Keeping shwetark root is highly beneficial. Planting the shwetark tree near the main door is also helpful. The head of house should fear seven-face Rudraksha.

Story of Sunita, Daughter of Yamraj

Sunita was the daughter of Yamraj. Her story is found in the Padma Purana. From a young age, she found joy in tormenting and hurting other living beings. She found sadistic pleasure in hurting people. Once she whipped a Gandharva who was sitting in meditation. The Gandharva got angry and cursed her that her son would suffer for her actions. Years went by and it was time for Sunita to get married. But no one was ready to marry her due to the curse.  Kings and Saints rejected her saying they did not want to become the father of a son who would only bring trouble. Apsara Rambha came to her help and she taught her the tricks to enamor a male. One day Rambha took Sunita with her and they roamed on earth. They happened to see Anga son of Sage Atri. Anga was a king and he was performing meditation on the banks of a river in a forest. Sunita was attracted to him and she used the tricks taught by Rambha to entice Anga.  She succeeded and when Rambha found them to be attracted to each

How To Perform Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat And Puja? – Ganesh Sankashti Chaturthi Puja Procedure

Sankashti Vrat and Puja is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is observed on the fourth day after Purnima or full moon. Here is how to do or perform Sankashti Chaturthi Puja and Vrat. Sankashti fasting is from morning to the sighting of the moon. Sankashti Puja is performed in the evening. Observing Sankashti Chaturthi is believed to help in removing all difficulties and obstacles in life. For most people, Sankashti Chaturthi is a complete fast which is broken after sighting the moon and performing puja. There are also people who observe partial fast. Sankashti Chaturthi Morning Puja After early morning bath, prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha in the usual way by lighting a lamp or Aarti. Start the puja with the mantra  गं   गणपतये   नम : Always do a simple puja avoid complicated rituals. Anyone of the prayers dedicated to Lord Ganesh is chanted. The fasting begins after puja. Food that can be eaten by those observing Partial Fasting Those people observi

Two Important Divisions of Scriptures in Hinduism

The two important divisions of scriptures in Hinduism are Shruti and Smriti. Shruti Shruti comprises of those scriptures that are divine revelations.  They are the most authoritative texts. They are composed in Sanskrit. Transmitted orally from one generation to another. No additions, deletions or amendments are made to the text. Shruti includes: Vedas  (Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda) Brahmanas (treaties on ritual) Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Smriti texts explain and expand on the ideas in the Shruti texts. The texts are attributed to different authors. Transmitted orally and through writing. They are composed in Sanskrit and regional languages. Open to interpretation, addition, expansion and deletion. Smriti includes Vedangas Mahabharata Ramayana Puranas Dharma Shastras Sutras and Bhashyas

Sant Namdev Story – His House on Fire

There are numerous stories associated with Sant Namdev and Lord Vitthal of Pandarpur. One evening suddenly Sant Namdev’s house caught fire. But as Sant Namdev saw Lord Vitthal in everything, he gave everything he had as offering to the fire god. He then prayed to Lord Vitthal to accept all the things as his offerings. Moved by his devotion, Lord Vitthal appeared before him and blessed him. Lord was amazed that Sant Namdev saw him in all animate and inanimate – even in the fierce fire and even in the soft butter. He was able to witness baby Krishna in the fierce hot flames that engulfed him house. He remained a mute witness when his house was burning. To this Sant Namdev told Lord Vitthal that the house belongs to Vitthal and how can I not allow him to enter it (burn it). Lord Vitthal was pleased with the devotion. Soon the fire was doused and the house appeared in its original form.

Square Symbol in Hinduism

Geometric symbols are an important part of Hinduism. They represent creation, union, male and female principle etc. Square is also an important symbols. It represents earth. Two squares one within the other, symbolize heaven and earth together. Square can be found in various yantras and chakras. It is also an important element in tantric puja and worship. The sanctum sanctorum, which houses the main deity in a temple, is a square. In Tantric concept, the four corners of the square depict the four elements that surround and protect. They are Prithvi (earth), Agni (Fire), Varuna (water) and Vayu (wind). In Tantric Puja, square is drawn inside a circle and a triangle.  Square outer perimeter represents male.  The outer coverings of Mahavidya Yantras are squares. Fire pits or Havan Kunds are square. They are at least 9 inch, 18 inch or 27 inch square. Square contains two vertical and two horizontal lines. The horizontal lines represent stability. Vertical li

Symbolic Meaning of Kaliya Mardana of Bhagavan Sri Krishna

Through the episode of Kaliya Mardana (the defeat of Kaliya), Paramatma taught the world a sublime and beautiful lesson on individual constitution and bashing up of ego. The venomous and arrogant serpent, Kaliya, surrendered to Lord Krishna when his entire prowess was systematically destroyed. Sri Krishna, the Lord of all moving and non-moving things, upon the surrender of Kaliya along with his family, graciously advised Kaliya to leave the waters without polluting it and causing any further harm to life. This was also part of His purpose of visit to the earth – the preservation of Dharma. The banishment of Kaliya from the river has important worldly and spiritual significances. Beings with malicious intent try their level best to infect the nature with malicious dispositions. They get some initial success in their sadistic thoughts. With this background, they try to make a direct attack on Dharma and sometimes even the Lord. However, the embodiments of unrelenting cruel

Worship of Surya - Sun God - in Paush Month for Prosperity and Progress

Paush Month (December – January) in Hindu calendar falls during the peak winter season and it is considered highly meritorious to worship Surya (Hindu Sun God) in this month. The popular belief is that Sun increases his luster in this month to give warmth to all living beings on earth. Surya is worshipped in the form of Bhaga ( भग ). Bhaga form of Surya is associated with auspiciousness, Dharma, prosperity, fame, wealth, knowledge, dispassion and detachment. As per Aditya Purana, a devotee should take water in copper vessel, put red chandan and red flower in it and then offer to the rising sun. Gayatri Mantra should be chanted while making this offering. Observing vrat on Sunday and saptami tithi (seventh day of a fortnight) in the month is highly auspicious. A devotee observing fast should offer bhog or Prasad made with Til (sesame) and rice. The benefits of observing Surya Vrat in Paush month include fame, intelligence and progress. How to Do Surya Puja in Paush Mont