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Showing posts from September 27, 2018


Lakshman Did Not Sleep During The Exile Period In The Ramayana

During the exile period in the Ramayana when Bhagvan Sri Ram and Mata Sita slept, Lakshman stayed awake watching over. He never slept and for this reason he is also known as Gudakesh. One night when he was keeping watch over Sri Ram and Sita, a luminous light appeared before him. It was Nidhra, the Goddess of Sleep. She came to warn Lakshman that he would not be able to stay awake during the entire exile period as no living being can survive without sleep. Lakshman then wanted the blessing of the goddess to survive the exile period without sleeping. Goddess Nidhra then told Lakshman that he could survive without sleeping if someone else could sleep all the sleep that he needed. Lakshman then told the Goddess that his wife, Urmila, would surely sleep for him. Goddess Nidhra then went Ayodhya and asked Urmila whether she would be able to help her husband. Urmila readily agreed and took Lakshman’s share of sleep. Thus, Lakshman could survive without sleep during the

Shivling with Face of Shiva – Mukhalinga

Mukha Linga is a unique Shivling with face of Shiva etched on it and are found many Shiva temples. Some these Shivlings are covered with metal sheaths and the face is etched on the metal. Some Mukhlingas have the entire image of Shiva carved on the surface. On of the most popular form of Mukha Linga is the Panchamukha Shivalinga . In this Shivling, four faces are in four directions and in some Shiva Lingams the fifth face is shown facing the sky and in some it is the southeast direction. The five faces are known as Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojatha. The different types of Mukha Linga are: Ekamukha Linga, Dvi-mukhalinga, Tri Mukhalinga, Chaturmukha Linga and Panchamukha Linga The Shivling worshipped in the famous Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal have five faces of Shiva etched on the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum. The Shivling as per devotees is not manmade and appeared on its own. Sarvato Bhadra Mukha Linga Sarvato Bhadra Mukha Linga i

Different Colour of Saris That are offered to Hindu Goddess

One of the most important offering that is made to a Hindu Goddess is traditional sari and blouse – cotton saree or silk sari. The sari offering is traditionally made to incarnations of Goddess Shakti – Durga, Bhagavathy, Parvati etc. But saris are also offered to various other goddesses in Hindu pantheon like Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati. The color of the sari depends on the purpose of manifestation – thus most Shakti incarnations are given red saris as they appeared to restore Dharma by annihilating Adharma. Durga is offered only Red color saree. In some cases, she is also offered green color saree - this is mostly associated with fertility. Goddess Lakshmi is offered orange, yellow or red color – mostly a mix of yellow and red or mix of orange and red. Goddess Saraswati is offered White color sari or Yellow color – or a mix of yellow and white. When it is a mixed color yellow will be the border color. Goddess Kali is offered Purple color saree in most regio

Importance of Amavasya Vrat in Hindu Religion - No Moon Day Fasting and Rituals

Amavasya, also Karutha Vavu, is the no moon day in a Hindu Calendar. Amavasya Vrat is observed for the welfare of dead ancestors, parents and other relatives. People observing fast on the day only take a single meal. It is believed that by observing the vrat family will attain peace and prosperity with the blessings of ancestors. The popular belief is that Pitrus (dead ancestors) receive the light of the moon on Amavasya night. Therefore the day is ideal for performing Shradh, Tarpan and Tila Tarpan. Bathing in holy rivers and performing the rituals is highly meritorious. The rituals on Amavasya day is dedicated to all dead people in the family. When Amavasya falls on Monday it is known as Somavara Amavasya and Hindus should perform vrat, holy bath and Daan (charity) on this day. Devotees also should do pradakshina (going around) of Peepal Tree for 108 times on the Somvar Amavasya day. The single meal on Amavasya day is usually taken after sunset. The fast should

Patal Ravan – Story of Patala Ravana in Regional Ramayana

Patal Ravan is not one of names of Ravana, the king of Lanka. Patala Ravana was a dear friend of the ten-headed Ravan. This demon got the name 'Patal Ravan' after he took refuge in Patal or the netherworld. His story is popular among the regional Ramayana stories in North India. Legend has it that fed up with the atrocities of Asuras (demons), Srihari Vishnu decided to annihilate them. Fearing the attack of Vishnu, a group of demons took refuge in Patala. The leader of this group was Ravan and thus he got the name Patala Ravana. Patal Ravan did intense tapas and pleased Brahma. As boon, Patala Ravan asked for the power to fly and also that he will only be killed when the ruby Bramarendra Neelam that he wears will be broken. Patal Ravan is also the nephew of Demon Malyavan - who was the chief advisor of demon king Ravana in the Ramayana. He also had a brother named Kumbodaran. Ravana, the king of Lanka, was impressed with the powers of Patal Ravan. They soon beca

Devi Mahatmyam pdf English – Download - Read Durga Saptashati Text - English Translation

Devi Mahatmyam, which means the glory or the majesty of the Devi, extols the greatness of Durga in 700 Slokas. It is found in the Markandeya Purana – Chapter 81 to 93. As it consists of 700 hymns, it is also known as Durga Saptashati. This particular english text is a translation of Devi Mahatmyam. This particular Devi Mahatmyam  for download for free was once uploaded to Geocities but as the site is now closed we are publishing the same again. You can read it online also download it if you have pdf reader installed. Link  – you can  read or Download Devi Mahatmyam pdf Devi Mahatmyam is also referred as Chandi Patha or Candi Path and it details the exploits of Mother Goddess in her three major forms – Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati, which symbolically represents strength, wealth and wisdom.

Ramesh Balsekar Quotes and Teachings

Ramesh Balsekar (May 25, 1917 to September 27, 2009) was a teacher of Vedanta. This is a collection of quotes and teachings of Ramesh S. Balsekar. The quotes have been collected mainly from books, magazine and newspapers. The question of free will versus predetermination is really not free will versus, or free will against, predetermination. The free will is part of this predetermination. You consider free will as something you have as a result of a certain thought. But that thought occurring, leading to what you think is your free will is part of the totality of functioning. So it is really a misconception to consider free will as opposed to predetermination. Self-realization is effortless. What you are trying to find is what you already are. The whole point is that the mind-intellect, which is ego, is conditioned from the beginning that everything must have a purpose. Life must have a purpose. Why, because life is precious. You watch Nature and you see that life is anyth