--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September 18, 2018


Difference between Goddess Durga and Bhagavathi

Goddess Durga and Goddess Bhagavati are manifestations of Goddess Shakti. The Goddess Durga form of Mother Goddess is worshipped throughout India . The Bhagavathi form is worshipped mainly in Kerala and few temples in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Goa . There is a difference between Durga and Bhagavathi worship. Bhagavati means 'goddess' ‘holy one’ or ‘divine one’ and it is a common epithet for Goddess Shakti in India. Today, for a Hindu devotee there is no difference between Durga, Bhagavati and Bhadrakali. The names are used by a devotee to describe Mother Goddess.  Bhagavati is an important Goddess in temples in Kerala especially those associated with Shaktism. She is worshipped as the main deity in many popular temples like Attukal, Chettikulangara, Kodungalloor, Chottanikkara etc. Almost all villages had a Bhagavati temple in Kerala. She is the benevolent virgin mother. She also takes the fierce form of Bhadrakali to annihilate the

Sabda in Hinduism – Dhwani and Varna in Hindu Scriptures

Transcendental sound in Hinduism is known as Sabda Brahma. As per Hindu scriptures, Sabda is of two kinds, i.e, unarticulated or unlettered sound, called dhwani, and lettered sound, called varna. Dhwani includes all extra linguistic sounds, e.g., the sound of flowing water, the sound of clouds, or that of the sea, thunder, movement of trees in forest or of a thing falling, and so on. Varna means a word or syllable. It is a sub class of dhwani. Varna is produced by the movement of vocal chords, lips, teeth, tongue, and the palate. The convention associated with it differs from language to language. Actually, as a happening in the world (as a vibration), both varna and dhwani are the same. Both of them are a vibration of Sabda Brahma. Dhwani is vibration which is not connected by convention with any meaning. A varna on the other hand involves something more than being just a sound vibration. It also has a meaning, depending upon convention in the minds of human being

Vaishnavism in Nepal – Worship of Hindu God Vishnu in Nepal

Although Shiva is the most popular deity worshipped in Nepal, Vaishnavism and worship of Lord Vishnu is prevalent in Nepal. Vishnu is invoked in the aniconic form of Salagrama, a black stone of fossilized shell that is found in the Kali Gandaki River of western Nepal, at 16,000 feet in the Himalayas near Muktinatha. This is an important Vaishnava pilgrimage center in Nepal. The oldest inscription found in Nepal regarding Vaishnavism describes King Manadeva of the Licchavi dynasty as a devout worshipper of Vishnu in the true spirit of the contemporary Bhagavata kings of the Gupta dynasty of India. The Krishna temple at Patan in Nepal attracts thousands of devotees. It is a fine architectural monument of the medieval period. Janakpur is a sacred complex dedicated to Rama and Sita. It is the important center of Rama worship in the country. The place is identified with Mithila, the capital of King Janaka. It was discovered and resettled about three hundred years ago by the V

What does Jatin mean? - One Of The 108 Names Of Lord Shiva

Jatin is one among the 108 names of Lord Shiva. It means ‘one who has matted hair.’ The mantra with Jatin is ‘om jatadharaya namaha’- Obeisance to Lord Shiva who is with matted hair. The matted hair of Shiva is mentioned throughout the Puranas and the epics. The mighty Ganga could not flow on to earth because her fall to earth would have destroyed it. When Ganga falls, Shiva captures her in his matted locks. Shiva receives Ganga on His Head one of the one thousand and eight names of Shiva is Gangadhar, that is, the holder of Ganga in his matted locks (Jatin). Bhagirath did severe penance and austerities to make Ganga descend on the earth from heaven. He wanted to free his kinsmen from the curse of Rishi Kapila. And this could be achieved only if the holy and heavenly river Ganga cleansed all their sins and moistened their ashes. Brahma pleased with Bhagirath's tapas granted him the boon. But then how can the earth survive the mighty fall of the Maa Ganga.

Brihad Gowri Vrata – Brihad Gauri Vrat

Brihad Gowri Vrata is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and it is observed in the Bhadrapad month. Brihad Gauri Vrat 2024 date is September 21. Gowri or Gauri is one among the numerous names of Goddess Parvati. Brihad Gauri Vrat is observed on the fourth day during the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapad month as per traditional calendars followed in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The corresponding period in North Indian calendars is the Krishna Paksha or waning phase of moon in Ashwin month. The importance of Brihad Gowri Vrata is mentioned in the Bhavishyottara Purana. The rituals include prayers to Goddess Parvati. The fast and prayers are observed for getting a loving husband. Some people observe a fast on the day from sunrise to sunset. The day annually coincides with the Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat dedicated to Ganesha.

Indra Puja in Mithilanchal

Indra Puja is a unique ritual observed in the Mithilanchal region in North India and is dedicated to Devendra or Indra, the king of demigods. In 2024, Indra Puja begins on September 18/19. In most places the festival is a ten-day affair and is held during the Krishna paksha, or waning phase of moon, in Ashwin month as per traditional calendar followed in North India . In Bengal the festival is known as Indra Parb. Indra was widely worshipped by people earlier as it was believed that it was he who created rains and thunder. The end of the worship of Indra came during the incarnation of Vishnu as Sri Krishna. It was  Krishna  who asked the people of Vrindavan to stop praying to Indra. An angry Indra sent torrential rains flooding Vrindavan but the people and their cattle were rescued by Krishna who lifted the Govardhan hill and gave them shelter. Special pujas are held during the period at the Baba Baidyanath Dham at Deoghar.

Dadi Janki Quotes - A collection of 108 Quotes of Dadi Janki of Brahmakumaris

Dadi Janki (born in 1916) is the spiritual head of Brahma Kumaris spiritual organization. Dadi Janki quotes is a collection of thoughts and sayings of Dadi Janki, a true Raj Yogi. This collection of 108 quotes are mainly from newspapers, books, magazines and talks. When your mind creates upheaval, practice self governance. As you learn to rule your own thoughts with patience and kindness, you will better serve your aims. Sometimes you must burrow to find the good qualities in your nature that have gone underground and then coax them to the surface. Stopping for a moment and being silent can bring the steadiness you need for this task. Self respect is not a matter of what you are doing in your life, but rather of how you are doing it. It requires that you bring quality and virtue into each action, whatever that action maybe. Gentleness is not lack of strength but a quality which doesn’t disturb, doesn’t push, yet knows its own power. To be of real help without tak

Panchdev Shakti Kavach - Protection of Ganesha - Vishnu - Shiva - Durga - Surya

Panchdev is the name given to the five important deities in Hinduism. Panchdev Shakti Kavach is the amulet worn by people who believe in the protection offered by it. A person by wearing it can overcome enemies. Panchdev are: Ganesha Vishnu Shiva Durga and Surya. Offering prayers to the five deities before the beginning of any venture is considered highly meritorious. The mool mantras associated with the Panchdevatas are etched in the Kavach. The kavach is worn by those people who are facing constant failures in life. It is believed that the Panchdev Shakti Kavach provides with the necessary confidence to face tough situations boldly. Other Benefits of Wearing Panchdev Shakti Kavach Those having fear of darkness will find relief. It is an excellent Kavach to overcome bad dreams. The kavach helps in having a peaceful sleep.