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Showing posts from March 22, 2018


Bhaktraja Bheekhajana – Story of Sant Bhaktaraj Bheekhajana and Laxmi Narayan

Bhaktraja Bheekhajana was a very popular saint of the 16th century especially in Rajasthan and northwestern parts of India . A popular legend of Sant Bhaktaraj Bheekhajana is associated with the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Jaipur. Laxmi Narayan is a form of Hindu God Vishnu. It is said that the Saint was once denied entry into the Lakshmi Narayan Temple . Bhaktraja Bheekhajana went to the back side of the temple and started fasting and he also told those gathered that Bhagwan Lakshmi Narayan will appear before him. The fast continued for several days. Bhaktraja Bheekhajana sat meditating on Bhagwan Lakshmi Narayan. Then one day the walls of the temple fell down and the murti of Bhagavan Lakshmi Narayan Temple moved to where Bhaktraja Bheekhajana was sitting and gave him darshan. Reference about this incident can be still found on the walls of the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Jaipur. The popular Bhakti song of Bheekhabhawani in Rajasthan is credited to Bhaktra

Coconut Covered in Red Cloth Offering to Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu

Coconut covered in red cloth is offered to Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu in some regions in India. Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Vishnu. Special puja and worship is offered to this incarnation on Phalgun Shukla Paksha Dwadashi (12 th day during the waxing phase of phalgun month (February – March) and on Narasimha Jayanti (also known as Narasimha Chaturdashi in Vaishakh month). Coconut covered in red cloth is offered to find relief to all kinds of problems in life. A good coconut is taken and it is covered with red color cloth. Some small amount of sindhoor and chandan is smeared on it. It is then offered in a Narasimha Temple. The same offering is made to overcome fear of darkness and ghosts. Those people who have sleep issue due to dreadful dreams also make the offering.

Ashoka Sashti

Ashoka Sashti is observed in the Chaitra Month especially in Bengal and eastern parts of India . Ashoka Sashti 2024 date is April 14. Shasti or Shashti is the sixty day of a fortnight in a Hindu lunar calendar. Ashoka Sashti is observed on the sixth day during the waxing phase of moon or Shukla Paksha. The flower buds of the Ashoka tree are consumed on the day by people. Ashoka tree is seen as a symbol of love and is also associated with the Kamdev, the Hindu God of love. On the same day, Skanda Sashti is observed in Gaya and Surya Sashti is observed in North India. The name Ashoka means that which removes grief from heart. The tree is a symbol of love. It is also a symbol of chastity because Mata Sita survived in a garden of Ashoka Tree in Lanka as Ravana's prisoner.

Reason – Symbolism – Importance of Touching the Feet of Elders in Hinduism

Touching the feet of elders and Gurus (teachers) is of great importance in Hinduism. It is known as Charan Sparsh. Symbolically, the act of touching the feet shows respect. However, there are many other reasons. It is part of Hindu culture. An individual performs it without fear or coercion. Like all tradition in Sanatana Dharma, this one is also not forced by any rule. The origin of the tradition of touching the feet of family members, elders and important people in Hindu society is lost in time. No one knows when this tradition started. When we touch the feet of elders and Gurus, we connect with the positive energy in them. This energy is passed on to the person touching the feet. There is an exchange of positive energy. It is also a way of suggesting that we all are connected to each through the invisible power of the Supreme Truth. As per Hinduism, all animate and inanimate rises, floats and transforms in Supreme Truth (God). There is nothing outside. It is our ego (

Story – Escape from Depression and Suicide by Making Others Happy

A story on how to escape from depression and suicide by making others happy. A young man was suffering from severe depression without finding any meaning in life. The only way open to him was to end his life, and he was going towards a river with that intention. When he approached the bank of the river, he found some fish wriggling in despair, being swept to the ground by the current of water. Seeing their plight, he picked up one fish and put it back in water. Seeing the fish gleefully swim, it struck him that he could find meaning in life by making others happy. Then he gave up the idea of committing suicide and returned home. Depression and suicide tendencies in people are mainly because they limit their world. The world is so vast, even bigger is nature and its miracles and even bigger is the glory of the Supreme Truth. Open up and change your mindset. Story Source -  The Psychological Aspects of Spiritual Life by Swami Nityasthananda  – March 2016 issue of Prabuddha B