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Showing posts from June 4, 2018


How Pandu Married Kunti in the Mahabharata?

Information regarding the marriage of Kunti and Pandu is found in the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata. Kunti was an ideal princess. She was beautiful, virtuous and followed dharma. When Kuntibhoja, father of Kunti, announced her swamyamwara hundreds of kings arrived to participate in it. Kunti was attracted to the handsome Pandu, the king of Hastinapur. She chose Pandu as her husband. Kuntibhoja was happy to approve the choice, as an alliance with the Kuru clan would increase the prestige of his kingdom. And his kingdom would become even more powerful with such a powerful ally. But Pandu and Kunti did not have any children. He then married Madri, the princess of Madra. Did You Know? As per some calculations, Pandu was born in 3224 BC to Sage Vyasa and Queen Ambalika. The original name of Kunti was Pratha. She was the daughter of Shoora who was the father of Vasudeva and the grandfather of Sri Krishna. Bhojaraja was his friend and his relative. He had no daughter.

Ashtabhuja Temple at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur – Maa Saraswati Temple

Ashtabhuja Temple is an ancient cave temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati at Vindhyachal in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. Ashtabhuja Devi Temple is part of the Trikon Parikrama or Yatra of three temples here. The other two are Maa Vindhyavasini Temple and Kali Khoh temple. Trikon Parikrama at Vindhyachal – The temples of the three goddesses forms the three corners of a triangle, and the area encompassed by the triangle is like a yantra. Devotees visit all the three shrines in a day. Ashtabhuja Temple is located on the northernmost part of the Vindhyachal Mountain. Ashtabhuja means one with eight arms. A flight of 222 steps takes one to this cave temple. There is also a motorable road. One can have a panoramic view of Ganga River and the surrounding areas from atop the temple. The main murti of Maa Ashtabhuja is located inside a cave. The entrance to the cave is very low. The murti of Maa Saraswati here is noted for large eyes, which is decorated with a silver ornamen

Pancha Shila Concept in Hinduism

According to Hindu scriptures, the twin ideals of material prosperity and spiritual emancipation are complementary. In fact, real material prosperity is possible and meaningful only when it is oriented to spiritual emancipation. That is why in ancient India the chief purpose of education was to acquire and impart knowledge for one’s own welfare and for the welfare of other people. It is only then that knowledge becomes fruitful. For the attainment of this purpose five basic principles (pancha shila) have to be adhered to: Jijnasa, or the desire to know The desire to exist, the desire to know and the desire to enjoy are the three basic desires of a human being. Of these, it is the desire to know that governs the other two. Therefore, its proper cultivation occupies a primary place in education. By jijnasa is meant not mere curiosity but love of knowl edge for its own sake, and the longing to know the ultimate Truth. Shraddha, or faith Faith is more than just belief.