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Showing posts from August 30, 2018


Science Behind The Extraordinary Purifying Power Of River Ganga

Millions of people bath in the River Ganga, or Ganges , during Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela and on other auspicious days? But rarely have we heard about the breakout of a major epidemic like Cholera or other waterborne diseases. Industrial waste and human waste is dumped into Ganga at several points but Ganga continues to amaze everyone with its purifying power. So what is the science behind the extraordinary power of Ganga ? And does science have the all the clues to the purifying properties of Ganges ? In Hinduism, there is frequently a connection between mythology and science. Hindu scriptures say that bathing in Ganga purifies the sins of this birth and previous birth. Ganga Ma, or Mother Ganga, is a Goddess in Hinduism. Puranas and epics extol her greatness and she descends to the earth from the matted locks of Lord Shiva. A dying Hindu’s last wish is to have a few drops of Ganga water. Hindus have always believed that River Ganga has extraordinary power and it prevents disea

Five Forms of Supreme Being in Pancharatra Agama

The Agamas are important Hindu Scriptures and can be termed as guidelines for worshipping the Supreme Being. ‘Agama’ in Sanskrit means attaining knowledge. There are different schools of agamas dealing with Shiva, Shakti and Vishnu worship. Pancharatra Agama is one of the most important Vaishnava Agamas and it considers Lord Vishnu as the Supreme Being and the path to liberation. According to the Pancharatra Agama the Supreme Being has five aspects Para – the transcendental form Vyuha – the form at the time of creation Vibhava or Avatara – the form during incarnations Antaryami – the form present in all animate and inanimate Archa – the image form in temples A devotee can worship the Supreme Being or Brahman in any form. And all the paths ultimately lead to Brahman.

Story - Hanuman and Goddess Shyama – Khir Bhawani

The story of Khir Bhawani (Goddess Shyama) and Hanuman is found in some versions of Ramayana. Legend has it that Ravana to increase his powers propitiated Shiva by doing intense austerities. To gain more strength, Shiva asked Ravana to appease Goddess Shyama, an incarnation of Goddess Shakti.  Ravana offers intense austerities for several years and Goddess Shyama agrees to reside at Lanka. With the presence of Goddess Shyama, Ravana becomes more powerful. Goddess Shyama resides at Lanka with thousands of nagas. Ravana defeats all his enemies and conquers heaven during this period. There was no one as powerful as Ravana. The demon king then kidnaps Mata Sita But Goddess Shyama disagrees to Ravana kidnapping Mata Sita. When Sri Ram arrives at Lanka to rescue Mata Sita, Goddess Shyama decides to abandon Lanka. She requests the help of Hanuman to carry her and nagas from the Island . Hanuman carries Goddess Shyama and nagas on his back and reaches the Himala

Mountains in Hinduism - Importance of Hills in Hindu Religion

In Hinduism, mountain is a place where the divine resides and therefore a living symbol and a source of strength. The thousands of hill shrines and several revered mountains are a testimony to the fact that Hinduism is deeply rooted in Nature. The most famous mountain in Hindu religion is the Mount Kailash in Tibet , the abode of Lord Shiva. Thousands of Hindu temples are located on hill tops like the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple , Amarnath Cave Shrine, Vaishano Devi Shrine and Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . Mount Meru is the center of the world in Hindu religion and it acts a pivot for the three worlds. Himavan is the mountain god in Hindu mythology and is the father of Goddess Parvati. Mount Mandara was used as a churning pole to churn the ocean to get amrit (Ambrosia). Puranas and epics are filled with legends associated with various mountains in Himalayas , the Vindhyas, the Satpuras, the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats . The Markandeya Purana

Buguda Sun Temple in Odisha - Biranchi Narayan Temple

Talk about Sun Temple in Odisha, the first thing that comes to our mind is the Sun Temple in Konark. But there are two other (even more) sun temples in Odisha. One is in Buguda in Ganjam District and another is at Palia in Bhadrak District. The Sun Temple at Buguda is made out of wood and is sometimes referred as the Wooden Konark. The temple is also known as Biranchi Narayan Temple. But poor maintenance and other natural causes have pushed the temple on to the verge of collapse. Lack of funds and lack of people with knowledge to repair the 18 th century temple are two main impediments in protecting the structure. Dedicated to Surya The temple is dedicated to the Sun God and is popularly known as the Biranchi Narayan temple. There is a belief that the idol is the lost idol of Konark’s  Sun   Temple . Apart from the five-foot main murti (idol), the temple has two small replicas of the main idol made from copper and wood. The main murti (idol) of Biranchi Naray

Gowri Ganesh Puja Details in Kannada – How to do Swarna Gowri Vratam? – Puja and Procedures of Gowri Habba

If you are performing Gowri Ganesh Puja or Gouri Habba at home and are looking for puja procedure, mantras and other details in Kannada, then the Sumadhwa Seva website has uploaded a pdf document on How to do Swarna Gouri Vratam. It contains all mantras and puja procedures associated with Gowri Habba. Link – Gowri Ganesh Puja Details in Kannada You will need pdf reader installed to download or read the puja procedures. Related How to perform Gowri Ganesh Puja at home?

Ganapati Puja Vidhanam in Kannada – How to do Ganesh Chaturthi ? – Puja and Procedures

Ganapati Puja Vidhanam in Kannada for Vinayaka Chaturthi is presented by the Sumadhwa Seva website. It contains details about performing Ganesh Chaturthi puja at home and other details in Kannada. The puja details have uploaded as a pdf document. It contains all mantras and puja procedures associated with Ganapati puja and clears most of the doubts. Link – Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Details in Kannada You will need pdf reader installed to download or read the puja procedures. Related How to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at home? in English

Persian Words in Hinduism – Persian influence on terms used in Pre Vedic and Vedic Period

An interesting article in Cybernoon by Ruby Lilaowala, a well known columnist and writer, discusses Persian words in Hinduism especially in the Pre-Vedic and Vedic period. The article talks about similar words in Rig Veda and Zend Avesta and the Persian influence on various terms used in the Vedas. Some of the important inferences in the article The word ‘Hindu’ is a Persian word coined by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century B.C. to describe people who lived beyond the Sindhu River ( Indus ), which was the eastern boundary of the ancient Persian Empire . The Persians were not able to pronounce ‘S’ and Sindhu ( Indus ) became Hindu. ‘Hoama’ in Zend Avesta became ‘Homa’ in Rig Veda. ‘Shudra’ in the Hindu caste system is from Persian ‘Hatoksha’, people who joined Persians on their travels. ‘Vaishya’ caste in Persian language was ‘Vastrayosh’, cattle herders. Persian ‘Veeg’ for seed became Sanskrit ‘beej.’ ‘Ratheshwars’ were Persian warriors and this in Sanskrit bec

Maya Beej Mantra - Benefits and How to Chant The Mantra of Bhuvaneshwari Devi

Maya Beej Mantra is associated with the Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi form of Goddess Durga. The mantra becomes powerful when a person chants it during the Navratri Vrat and Puja. It is believed that the mantra helps a person overcome all forms of money related difficulties. Through the mantra a person can attain wealth, vehicle, home and property. The beauty of the mantra is that it helps in pleasing Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Devi instantly. Sphatik Mala (mala with crystal or glass beads) should be used to chant the mantra. Rose color flower should be offered to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari before chanting the mantra. Wearing rose color dress is considered highly beneficial. The mantra should be chanted 108 times. Maya Beej Mantra ह्रीं Hreem Beeja mantras are very short but highly powerful. It should be used judiciously. Related Ten Incarnations of Vishnu and the Ten Shaktis or Mahavidyasof Each Avatar

Sri Ram Stuti in Hindi – Text in pdf Format

Shri Ram Stuti is a popular prayer dedicated to Bhagavan Sri Ram. The prayer extols the glory of the Maryada Purushottam Avatar of Hindu God Vishnu. This is a pdf version of the prayer in Hindi. There are a couple of versions of Shri Ram Stuti. This particular one is one of the most popular versions. Chanting this prayer is highly meritorious and helps in attaining peace and prosperity. Link - Shri Ram Stuti in Hindi in pdf.

Poleramma Amavasya – Importance and 2024 Date of Shravan Polala Amavasya in Telangana - Andhra Pradesh

Polala Amavasya is observed on the Amavas (No moon day) in Shravan month in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and Orissa. Polala Amavasya 2024 date is September 2. It is dedicated to Goddess Poleramma who is the protector of children. Mothers observe Polala Amavasya Vrata for the welfare of their children. Goddess Poleramma is quite similar to the Goddess Shitala worshipped in North India . The popular belief is that the Goddess protects children from various diseases, especially chicken pox. Monsoon rains are at its peak during the Shravan (July – August) month. Diseases spread quickly and those most vulnerable are children. The prayers are meant to keep children healthy. Special pujas and rituals are held in Poleramma temples.

Yoga Vasistha Quotes

Quotes and Quotations from Yoga Vasistha. He is a happy man whose mind is inwardly cool and free from attachment and hatred and who looks upon this world like a mere spectator. He who has understood well how to abandon all ideas of acceptance and rejection and who has realized the consciousness which is within the innermost heart – his life is illustrious. When pots are broken the space within them becomes unlimited. So also when bodies cease to exist the Self remains eternal and unattached. Nothing is born. Nothing dies. It is Brahman alone appearing illusorily in the form of the world. Arise and accept an antidote to ward off old age and death; it is the knowledge that all wealth and prosperity, all pleasures and enjoyments are harmful to us unless devoted to the good of others; if not, they tend only to sicken and enervate our frames. Burdensome is the scripture to the person who has no discriminating sense. Burdensome is wisdom to the one who is swayed by attachment. Burdens