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Showing posts from September 15, 2018


Chandali – About Goddess Chandali

Chandali is a fierce goddess occasionally mentioned in the Puranas. Her stories are mostly found in folklore. She has a terrifying appearance. She is one of the Goddess mentioned in a group of eight Goddess associated with Gauri. It must be noted that in regional worship one comes across numerous such Goddesses. They all are the manifestation of Mother Goddess Shakti. They provide protection and blessing. They are invoked to overcome diseases. They are also invoked to destroy enemies. King used to worship fierce form of Durga like Chandali to achieve victory in battles. She is also invoked to overcome internal enemies. Some powerful kings used to perform animal and human sacrifices to appease Goddesses. The color associated with Chandali is red or blue. She is also associated with flames. She is worshipped for overcoming diseases and for defeating enemies. Related Goddess Matangi – Story of Shiva and Goddess Matangi

Do We Hindus Worship A Monkey God? - Proudly Say We Do Worship Hanuman

Do we Hindus worship a monkey god? - Do not shy away proudly say we do worship Hanuman. This question can be asked by your child or friend or colleague. Hanuman is the greatest of all devotees, a sadhaka and a brahmachari with single-minded devotion for Lord Rama. Hanuman’s one-pointed devotion gave him unparalleled strength and assurance of attaining his goal. Hindu saints and seers encourage students to develop such single pointed devotion. Hanuman is the symbol of unwavering mind. Only an unwavering mind can achieve success in the world. As a great warrior, a great scholar, a sincere friend, minister, ambassador, as one wedded to truth and righteousness, a servant and an outstanding devotee, Hanuman reveals the traits that no other living being does. Therefore it appears that the Indian mind visualized “The Perfect Man” not in the image of a man, but in the image of Hanuman. Born as the son of one of the elements, Vayu (wind), appearing as a man perfect in all fields o

Meaning of Mantra in Hindu Scriptures

Meaning of mantra in Hindu scriptures mean the 'sacred utterance' but is explained in a different way. In Agamarahasya (XXIII. 2.), the word mantra is analysed in terms of manana (contemplation) and trana (protection). Manana is explained as the knowledge of the world. Trana means freedom from the bondage caused by the world of experience. A similar definition of mantra, namely, “that which helps to free the individual from the bondage of samsara is found also in the Vatula Suddha Tantra (V.7.) Such power of the mantra issues from the fact of being the same thing as Sabda Brahma. Every mantra used for japa is supposed to have a presiding deity, called the adhisthatri devata of the mantra. For instance, the devata of the famous Gayatri Mantra is the sun god – Surya.

Valmiki Story - The Story of Life of Rishi Valmiki as Ratnakara the Robber

Valmiki, the author of Ramayan, led the life of a robber before he became a saint. Scholars have different opinion regarding the early life of Sage Valmiki – a group suggests that he lead a pious life from the beginning but others stick to his early life as a thief. It is said that in his early life Valmiki was known as Ratnakara. It was a meeting with Sage Narad that changed his life. One day Ratnakara attacked Sage Narad in a forest. The sage asked, “Why are you killing and injuring people and robbing them.” Ratnakara replied that all this was for his family. Narada then asked, “Will they pay for your sins.” Ratnakara said that they will as he was doing it for them. Sage Narada said that no one will share sin. A debate took place between them. Finally, Ratnakara decided to ask his family. Ratnakara went home and asked his wife and children whether they will share his sins. They said no. His wife said that her job was cook and look after children; and you provide for

Annapurna Devi - Information About Goddess Annapurna - Story

Goddess Annapurna is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati and she is the Hindu Goddess of Food. Annapurna means ‘Bestower of Food.’ ‘Anna’, though translated as ‘food,’ has a wider connotation and includes all material objects/wealth, which are food for the five-sense organs. Goddess Shakti as Annapurna symbolizes nourishment without which the universe is dead. Goddess Annapurna Story  The most popular image of Goddess Annapurna is that of Her serving food to Shiva. There is an interesting story associated with Annapurna serving food to Shiva. Once Goddess Parvati was told by Shiva that all that is here is illusion or Maya including food. Goddess Parvati was not ready to agree to this and She disappeared from the world taking with her all the food items. Her disappearance caused havoc in the universe. Shiva soon realized that salvation or Moksha is not possible in an empty stomach. Goddess Parvati then appeared as Annapurna at Kashi and served food to Lord S

Ramayana Teachings - A Collection of 108 Teachings From The Ramayan

This collection of Ramayana Teachings is mainly from books and the holy epic Ramayan. The teachings have been collected over a period of 10 years from books, magazines and newspapers. This page is an attempt to collect 108 teachings from the Ramayana. Anger destroys the best virtues, so keep calm. The desire to possess is at the root of all anxieties. Devotion is not difficult. All it needs is simplicity and contentment. Even the minds of those who follow no other path but that of Dharma, who have been taught all the rules of conduct, even they are very rarely happy at the sight of the good fortune which has befallen others. The mind of man is very unsteady. A fool thinks that wealth is the only way to happiness. When knowledge dawns, all earthly sorrows appear as hallucinations. The mighty army of Maya pervades the world. Her generals are lust and other kindred evils; her warriors are pride, hypocrisy and heresy. Peace and prosperity come without a