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Showing posts from March 16, 2018


Shakti Worship in Hinduism

Shakti Worship is an important aspect of Hinduism. Shakti is Mother Goddess. She is popularly known as Parvati, Kali, Durga, Ambika, Uma, Bhagavati, Amba etc. Shakti is the power or energy – the feminine principle. The term Shakti is from the rook ‘sak,’ which means to have energy to do or to act. Energy is symbolically conceived as the all-pervading Mother Goddess. In tantric Shakta tradition, she is the supreme creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe. The one who performs Shakti worship is a Shakta. Shakti worshippers are also known as Devi Upasakas and they worship the goddess for wealth, success, moksha or libration, knowledge, and infinite happiness in after life. The roots of Shakti worship can be traced to primitive societies, Indus valley civilization and the Vedic period. Shakti worship spread fast and wide during the period of epics especially the Mahabharata. Stories and symbolism in the Puranas helped Shakti worship reach commoners. Devi

Story – How Naimisaranya Got Its Name?

Naimisaranya forest is believed to be the holy spot where Sage Vyasa divided the Vedas into four and compiled 18 Puranas. There are two stories which explain how Naimisaranya Got Its Name. The first story is associated with Brahma. Legend has it that Devas and saints approached Brahma and asked to suggest a spot where they can do penance and other austerities. Brahma took a ring and threw it on to earth. He told Saints and Devas that they should do penance where the ring fell. The ring fell in the place that is currently known as Naimisaranya. ‘Nemi’ in Sanskrit means a circle. Another legend is associated with the Sudarshana Chakra of Bhagvan Vishnu. Legend has it that once Bhagavan Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to slay thousands of people who were indulged in Adharmic practices. He then asked Sudarshana Chakra to clean itself up in the place now called Naimisaranya. As the holy Sudarshana Chakra bathed here the place became holy. Puranas states that Saunaka Rishi