In Shaiva Siddhanta, En Gunattan is the Shiva. He is the one who has eight attributes and the Supreme entity of all the world and souls. The Eight Attributes of Shiva are: Independence Natural Intelligence Complete Wisdom Limitless Power Infinite Bliss Supreme Grace Natural Freedom Pure Body Shiva has sovereign independence otherwise, He cannot be the Lord of all. For this reason, He is the only Lord of all that exists.  He does not take any Avatara (incarnation). However, he appears as a preceptor or a savior when necessary. A completely independent God must also be naturally intelligent. He knows everything without depending on any external source. The intelligence of lesser beings must be informed by the Shiva’s intelligence. Shiva is omniscient, capable of knowing the past, present and future at the same time. He perceives all things individually and collectively. Shiva is omnipotent as His will is irresistible. Shiva is th

Onam, the most popular festival in Kerala, is the day when the legendary Asura king Mahabali visits his subjects. As per story of onam, Mahabali had turned his kingdom into a virtual paradise on earth and the ‘devas’ could not tolerate this and they sought the help of Lord Vishnu to eliminate Mahabali or Maveli. Onam is perhaps a rare Hindu festival in which Lord Vishnu, the vanquisher, is the villain and the vanquished King Mahabali the hero. According Hindu Mythology, the Asura or demon King Mahabali made the utopian kingdom a reality. His fame spread all over the earth and the netherworld and slowly into the heaven. Indra, the king of Devas and the ruler of heaven, felt threatened by the growing popularity of Mahabali. Aditi, the mother of Indra, observed a penance called 'payovrata' to help her son and pleased with her devotion Lord Vishnu was born as Vamana, a dwarf, to Aditi. Vamana approached Mahabali who was conducting a yajna. King Bali asked Vamana to ch

Naimisharanya is a sacred place that finds mention in various Hindu scriptures. It is of great importance in Hindu Religion. Puranas states that Saunaka Rishi and 80, 000 other stages performed a yajna here dedicated to Shiva and thus making it a sacred Tirth. The place of yajna was decided by Brahma. A chakra or disc that was thrown by Brahma landed at Naimisharanya. This holy spot is located in Uttar Pradesh. Naimisharanya is around 220 km northwest of Ayodhya. It is around 90 KM northwest of  Lucknow  and 34 KM from Hardoi. Haridwar is around 484 km north of Naimisharanya. Varanasi is around 406 km southeast of Naimisharanya. Naimisharanya is around 303 km south of Allahabad. The Reasons Why Naimisharanya is Holy When the Kali Yuga was about to begin, holy men and sages approached Brahma to suggest a place to stay during Kali Age – so that they won’t have to face the bad things of the era. The place that Brahma suggested was Naimisharanya. The area then was a fo

Onam, which breaks all barriers of caste, creed and religion, is the most anticipated festival in Kerala and by Malayalis around the world. Thiruvonam 2023 date is August 29. Thiruvonam is the day when the Asura King Mahabali (Maveli) comes to visit his subjects. Each house in Kerala decks up to welcome King Maveli, who during his reign made the ideas of a utopian rule a reality. In 2023, the date of Onam is August 29. Onam is celebrated over four days – first Onam or Onnam Onam is on August 28. Second Onam or the most important day of Onam is Thiruvonam and it is on  August 29. Third Onam or Munnam Onam is on August 30. Fourth Onam or Naalam Onam is on August 31. The preparation for Onam begins on the Atham nakshatra day in the Malayalam Chingam month (August – September). Atham falls around 10 days before Thiruvonam. Onam festival begins on Atham day, around 10 days before Thiruvonam. People begin purchases for the onam which include new dresses for all the people in t

Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj (17 April 1897 – 8 September 1981)  was an Avaduta who imparted lessons on the Self to those who desired to know That.  Nisargadatta Maharaj quotes are from various sources. They have been collected over a period of more than 10 years. Nisargadatta Maharaj Quotes Those who know only scriptures know nothing. Love says: “I am everything.” Wisdom says “I am nothing.” Between the two my life flows. What you are now is the result of inattention, and what you become will be the fruit of attention. Mind is interested in what happens, while awareness is interested in the mind itself. The child is after the toy, but the mother watches the child, not the toy. To be always on the move, learning, discovering, unfolding, is your eternal destiny. Living is life’s only purpose. To live without self-concern. You are quite satisfied with pleasures (external). There is no place for happiness (internal). Empty your cup and clean it. It cannot be fil