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Showing posts from May 2, 2018


Yuyutsu – Son of Dhritarashtra and Maid in the Mahabharata

Yuyutsu in the Mahabharata was the son of Dhritarashtra and a maid. He was born during Gandhari’s extended pregnancy. The name of the maid is not mentioned in the scriptures. Some later texts give the name as Vishakha, she was the eldest maid servant of Gandhari. The name of Yuyutsu's wife was Bhadra. Kauravas, the 100 sons of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, considered him inferior and therefore Yuyutsu did not get the respect of a prince. Duryodhana, who was always insecure, saw him as a threat to his throne; just as he considered the Pandavas as a threat. The character of Yuyutsu was different from the Kauravas. He stood for Dharma and questioned the unethical practices of Duryodhana and his other brothers. He argued against Draupadi being staked in the game of dices and disrobed in the Hastinapura court. When it was time for the Mahabharata war, he gave primacy to Dharma and crossed over to the Pandava side. He was an important and key member in the Pandava side

Sankashti Chaturthi Mantra and Simple Pooja – Meaning of Sankashti Chaturthi

Sankashti Chaturthi is dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ganesha and it is observed on the Chaturthi Tithi (fourth day during the waning phase of moon in a Hindu lunar fortnight) after Purnima or the full moon day ( Sankashti Calendar for monthly dates ). Here is a brief description of Sankashti Chaturthi Mantra and Pooja: Sankashti Chaturthi Mantra श्री गणेशाय नम : – Shri Ganeshaya Namah ॐ गं गणपतये नमः – Om Gam Ganapataye Namah Anyone of the above said mantra have to be chanted 108 times on Sankashti Chaturthi day. Sankashti Chaturthi Meaning Sankashti means end to problems in life – it literally translates into Sankat Se Mukti – Sankat means difficulties or problems and mukti means liberation. Chaturthi is the fourth day during the waxing or waning phase of moon in a Hindu lunar calendar. An only Ganesha can give mukti from Sankat and therefore he is worshipped on the day. As per Hindu teachings, Ganesha is associated with the element water. No work will b

Vajra or Thunderbolt – Symbolism in Hinduism

Vajra or Thunderbolt is a symbol of selflessness in Hinduism. The Vajra according to ancient tradition denotes honor and sanctity, strength and sacrifice, purity and power, wisdom and energy, and above all, absolute selflessness. Indra killed the demon Vritasura with the Vajra Sister Nivedita Writes about the Symbolism of Vajra or Thunderbolt The gods were looking for a divine weapon, par excellence — and they were told that only if they could find a man willing to give his own bones for the substance of it, could the Invincible Sword be forged. Whereupon they trooped up to the ashram of Rishi Dadhichi and asked for his bones for the purpose. The request sounded like mockery. A man would give all but his own life-breath, assuredly, for a great end, but who, even to furnish forth a weapon for Indra, would hand over his body itself? To Rishi Dadhichi, however, this was no insuperable height of sacrifice. Smilingly he listened, smilingly he answered, and in that ver