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Showing posts from June 6, 2018


Cuckoo Bird – Koel – in Hindu Tradition

Cuckoo – known as koel, kuyil or kokila in India – in Hindu tradition is a symbol of fertility. The bird is the Vahana or vehicle of Jayakara, a companion of Kamadev, the god of love in Hinduism. Sometimes Jayakara is depicted as riding a chariot drawn by Cuckoos. A popular legend of Goddess Sati is also associated with the Cuckoo bird.  There is a legend that Goddess Sati spent 1000 celestial years as a cuckoo before she got back her shape and merged with Shiva. This happened after the incident mentioned in the  Puranas in which Sati immolated herself . It is said that she took the cuckoo form as a punishment for not listening to Shiva’s warning. Shiva had warned that She will be insulted at the yajna of Daksha Prajapati. She went to the yajna in spite of the warning and had to self immolate Herself after hearing insults hurled on Shiva by Daksha.  There is also a popular vrat known as Kokila Vrat in North India in Ashada month (June – July). It is performed by woman for the

Eight Features of Veerashaivism

Eight Features of Veerashaivism, a Kannada Shaivite sect are as follows: Guru – the spiritual guide Linga / Shivling – a symbol of reality – symbolically represents   Lord Shiva Jangama – wandering mendicant who preaches morality and spreads the teachings of Veerashaivism Padodaka – water rendered holy by washing the feet of the Guru Prasada – Holy offering Vibhuti – Holy Ash Rudraksha – sacred seed from Rudraksha tree believed to be the tears of Shiva. Mantra – Holy words Veerashaivites have complete faith in the holiness of their Guru and the Jangamas. The Guru is expected to live a chaste and pure life. He does not compromise on morality. There is no distinction between a Guru, Shivling and Jangama. All objects touched by the Guru are holy and the sect revere them as prasada.

Housewarming in Ashada Month – Kannada – Telugu Ashada Masam Grah Pravesh

There are many communities that believe that housewarming or grah pravesh should not be performed in Ashada month. Some people even do not shift to rented houses in Ashad Masam. There is no Hindu scripture backing for this belief. This taboo is not followed in neighboring Maharashtra and Gujarat during the Ashada month. Here people perform house warming ceremonies etc. If you look for housewarming dates in Panchang and calendars you will not get any dates in Ashada month as most of them do not mark dates in Ashada month. If you want to perform puja or ceremony in Ashada month then look for shubh dates in the month. This is marked in most calendars and use them for your rental and housewarming purposes. Not performing housewarming is not based on Hindu scriptures. This is purely regional belief. Hinduism does not ask anyone to follow any such rules. It is for you to take an independent decision and do what is best for you. Stop discussing such things with others

How to Perform Puja of Rishabh Dev form of Vishnu with Mantra? – Rishabha Deva Puja Vidhi

Rishabh Dev form of Vishnu is one among the 24 incarnations of Vishnu. Puja and prayer of this form of Vishnu is performed to beget children and for a healthy and strong body. Rishabha Dev Pujan Vidhi along with mantra is given below. Please note that this how to perform guide is ideal for performing puja at home. When to Perform Rishabh Dev Puja? On Krishna Paksha Navami – ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon. When there is Swati Nakshatra in a Hindu month. Highly meritorious to perform the puja when there is a rare combination of Krishna Paksha Navami and Swati Nakshatra. Benefits of Rishabha Dev Pujan For begetting children. For a healthy and strong body. For the welfare and prosperity of family. For better relationship in the society. How to Perform Rishabh Dev Puja? The puja is to be performed in the morning after sunrise. The puja is to be performed in the northeast corner of the house. The murti of Vishnu preferably in Rishaba f