--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September 22, 2018


Origin of Puri Jagannath Temple

Lord Krishna, who appears as Jagannatha at Puri, is believed to have directly played a role in the origin of the temple. Also in the unique wooden idol that is worshipped in the Puri Jagannath Temple . Puri is also known as Purushottamkshetra and archeologists date the present shrine at 1198 A.D. King Indradyumna who ruled Puri, during the medieval age, had obtained all the worldly success and now he wanted to create something that would make his name immortal. Finally, the King decided to build a magnificent temple. But he was not sure to whom it should be dedicated. Soon Indradyumna had a dream in which he had a vision of blue image of Krishna or Madhava. He saw a finely carved statue of Jagannatha in a cave shrine on a hill but the king could not identify the place. King then sent out his forces to find the cave shrine. After a prolonged search, a soldier discovered the hidden cave shrine and the idol and it belonged to a devotee named Viswasu. The soldier

Nakshatra Mala in Hinduism – A Necklace of Twenty Seven Rudraksha - Pearls

Nakshatra Mala in Hinduism is a necklace made using 27 pearls. The number 27 corresponds to the 27 nakshatras or birth stars in Hindu astrology. Rosaries made using 27 pearls are also referred as Nakshatra Mala. Earlierst references of Nakshatra Mala are found in the Arthashastra, Amarakosha and Harshacharita. Depending on the financial status of the owner, Nakshatra Malas are made using pearls, gems, rudraksha, cowrie, rare stones, bronze, copper, gold and silver. In some cases the pearls and gems are covered using gold. A figure painted in Cave 1 of Ajanta, which is dated to 5th Century BC, wears a Nakshatra Mala. Benefits of Wearing Nakshatra Mala The main benefit of wearing nakshatra mala is that keeps away all kinds of negative energy. There will be peace and prosperity in life. The wearer of the 27 bead mala will have change of luck. It is an ideal solution for those facing financial setbacks. Those having property related problems will find relief after

Stories of Murugan – 9 Lord Muruga Stories

This is a collection of stories of Muruga, who is known as Kartik, Subramanian, Skanda, etc. Lord Muruga stories are based on Hindu Puranas. Son of Shiva, Muruga is Deva Senapati, the commander of the Devas. He is worshipped widely in South India especially in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of Karnataka. Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and South Africa have huge followers of Lord Muruga. Story of Devasena Consort of Muruga Story of Devasena, consort of Muruga, is found in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata. Indra was once defeated by the demons and he went into exile. One day while he was thinking about ways to regain his lost glory, he heard the cry of a female. The female was calling for help. Indra soon discovered that the woman was being forcibly carried away by demon Kesin. Indra asked the demon to release Kesin but he did not budge. The demon threw a mace on Indra. Indra cut the mace with his Vajra and chased the demon away. The woman then told Indra that she was D

Palash Tree in Hinduism – Religious Significance of Palash Tree

Palash means having sacred leaves and is an important tree in Hinduism. As per Hindu belief, the tree originated from the fallen feathers of a falcon soaked in Somarasa – the drink and offering made to Devas in Vedas. The religious significance of the tree starts with the trifoliate formation of the leaf – the middle part of the leaf represents Bhagwan Srihari Vishnu; Brahma on the left and Mahadev Shiva on the right. Palash Tree in Hinduism  Palash Tree, in scriptures, is also referred to as treasurer of the gods. In some text it symbolizes the moon as the moon shining through the flowers is a spectacular sight. As per Hindu belief, the tree originated from the fallen feathers of a falcon soaked in Somarasa – the drink and offering made of Devas in Vedas. It is believed that once Gayatri in the form of eagle went to get somarasa from the celestial mountain Mujavana. While carrying back the somarasa, a guard of the mountain shot an arrow at the eagle, and a feather dipped in

Significance Of Gayatri Mantra - Who Is The Author Of Gayatri Mantra?

Gayatri Mantra is a verse in Rig Veda (3.62.10) and is addressed to Sun. It is found in Rig Veda book 3 hymn 63 line 10. The significance of Gayatri Mantra is that it is dedicated to the visible god or 'pratyaksha brahman'. The author of Gayatri mantra is Sage Viswamitra. Who Is The Author Of Gayatri Mantra? Vedas are believed to have been directly conveyed by God to saints on earth. Thus Vedas contains the hymns written by several sages. These sages had attained divine power and they lived for a very long period and could travel around the universe. It is widely believed that  Sage Viswamitra  composed the Gayatri mantra. Vishwamitra Maharishi  played an important role in many major incidents in the Hindu Puranas. Gayatri Mantra ॐ   भूर्भुवः   स्वः तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं   । भर्गो   देवस्य   धीमहि धियो   यो   नः   प्रचोदयात्   ॥ Om Bhuur Bhuvah Svah Tat Savitur Varennyam | Bhargo Devasya Dhiimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Pracodayaat || We meditate on the great

Swami Sivananda Quotes - A Collection of 108 Quotes of Swami Sivananda founder of the Divine Life Society

Swami Sivananda (September 8, 1887 – July 4, 1963), founder of the Divine Life Society, was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta. Swami Sivananda Quotes are mainly from the numerous books authored by the Swami. The quotes have also been taken from the monthly magazines published by Divine Life Society. This collection of 108 quotes of Swami Sivananda have been collected over a period of 12 years. Religion gives solace to the weary pilgrim in this earth plane. It explains life's mystery to him. It shows the path to the immortal abode. Be what you say. Say what you are. Be simple like a child. The greatest truths are the simplest; and so are the greatest men. Sadhana (spiritual practices) is catching hold of one ideal and sticking to it at all costs, even at the risk of life. Brahman or the Absolute is ever free. Know this. Know this and be ever free...free...free! The real spiritual progress of the aspirant is measured by the ext