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Showing posts from September 30, 2018


Conch Shell Mala or Shankh Mala in Hinduism – Conch Shell Rosaries in Hindu Prayers

Small malas or rosaries made from small conch shells or shankh are considered lucky and auspicious in Hinduism. Shankh is an important puja item and is used in Hindu pujas. Conch Rosaries are dear to Goddess Lakshmi. Conch Mala is used usually in the sadhana of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi or while chanting mantras and prayers dedicated to Goddess Laxmi. It is believed that wearing of small conch malas bring peace and prosperity. Some people keep this mala along with account books and in cash lockers for luck and business prosperity. People who constantly give speeches wear the conch shell mala to overcome stage fear and to gain confidence. Some people wear it to overcome speech problems. Some people also make offering of Conch shell mala to Goddess Lakshmi. You may also like to read Significance of Shankh or Conch Shell in Hinduism

Symbolism of the Crescent Moon on Lord Shiva’s Head - Meaning of Moon on The Hair of Shiva

Lord Shiva is shown with a crescent moon on his matted locks. There are several stories in the Puranas regarding how the crescent moon appeared on Lord Shiva’s head. The Crescent Moon on the hair also has a symbolic meaning – it represents the cyclical nature of the universe and is also the nectar of life. There is a belief that the rays from the moon fall on earth and nourish the animals and plants on earth – thus it is the nectar of life. Thus Shiva is the Supreme Force that nourishes the earth. Another symbolism is that the crescent moon represents the cyclical nature of the universe. The waxing and waning of the moon symbolizes the cycle through which creation evolves – birth and death. This cycle of creation and destruction is controlled by Lord Shiva – who is time, creation and destruction. Some scholars are of the view that the crescent moon Shiva wears on his crown, is a symbol of love – the nightly love of creation and thus a fertility symbol. I

The Story of Vastu Purusha - Story of Vastu Bhagavan in Hindu Scriptures

Vastu Purusha was a demon who was pinned down on earth by the Devas (Demi – Gods) and is today present in all plots. Each god is the ruler of the point where he holds the demon down. Thus the north is ruled by Kubera ; South by Yama; East by Indra and West by Varuna. The center point of Vastu Purusha is held down by Lord Brahma . There is an interesting story in the Matsya Purana which narrates about the story of Vastu Purusha. Story of Vastu Bhagavan in Hindu Scriptures Legend has it that during the fight between Lord Shiva and demon Andhaka a man was born from the sweat of Lord Shiva. This man later started doing Tapas and penance to please Lord Shiva. His Tapas was so intense that Lord Shiva appeared before him and asked him to ask a boon. The demon wanted Lord Shiva’s permission to eat the three worlds. Lord Shiva granted him the boon. But when he was getting ready to swallow the earth, the gods lead by Brahma pinned him down on to earth and each god held him

Bel Fruit - Shiva and Goddess Lakshmi – Importance of Bilva Fruit in Worship of Shiva

The most important fruit offering to Shiva is the Bel fruit – Wood Apple in English. Bel, or Bilva, is widely associated with Shiva – the leaves of the tree is an important offering as its leaves are equated with the three eyes of Shiva and it also resemble the trident and; Shiva is believed to meditate under the Bilva tree; the fruit is offered and consumed as Prasad by Shiva devotees especially during the Mahashivaratri. The story of origin of Bel Fruit is associated with Goddess Lakshmi. Symbolically, Shiva is like the bell fruit – hard outside but soft inside. A story mentioned in the Brihad Dharma Purana states that Goddess Lakshmi offered 10,000 lotus everyday while worshipping Shiva. One day she fell short of two buds. She the decided to offer her breasts instead of lotus flowers. She cut a breast and offered it. When she was about to offer the next, Shiva appeared before her and stopped her. It is said that the cut breast became the Bel fruit. Bel is widely

Dnyaneshwari Audio – Listen to Pravachan on ज्ञानेश्वरी mp3

You can listen to pravachan or lectures on Dnyaneshwari ( ज्ञानेश्वरी)  at the Swami Samarth website. The audio is mp3 format. There is no option to download. The pravachan is by Shri Mukundkaka Jatdevlekar and Ramdasi Shri Chincholkar. Link – Listen to Pravachan on Dnyaneshwari in mp3 Dnyaneshwari is the first and the most popular Marathi commentary on the Bhagavad Gita. Gyaneshwari continues to be read and discussed in Maharashtrian homes and its translation into various languages continues to inspire millions of people around the world.

Jivitputrika Vrat Katha – Story of Jitiya Fasting - Story of Jimutavahana

Jivitputrika Vrat Katha, or Jitiya Fasting story, is listened to by all mothers observing Jivitputrika fast. The fasting is observed women in Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh  for the welfare of their children. When Kali Yuga began, mothers were worried about the fate of their children. Kali Yuga, the last Yuga or Age as per Hinduism, is the age of vice and all bad things is believed to take place before the total annihilation of creation. So mothers wanted to know what they can do to protect their children from evil and death. To find a solution on how to save their children from the effects of Kali Yuga mothers approached the learned and wise Sage Gautama. The pious saint agreed to find a solution and narrated a story that happened during the Mahabharata period. Pandavas were very unhappy after the end of the 18-day Mahabharat war as all their sons were killed. Draupadi, the mother of the children, approached a learned Brahmin

Garuda Purana Quotes - Teachings from Garud Puran

Death is certain for those who are born, and birth is certain for the dead. This is inevitable and therefore a wise man should not grieve over it. Nobody should form an excessive attachment to anybody; the body is only a dream, what then of other persons’? As a traveler, taking resort in shade, rests awhile and then departs again; so is the coming together of beings. The good things eaten in the morning are destroyed by evening; how can there be permanence in a body which is sustained by these foods? (Chapter 9) The evil are ever prone to detect the faults of others, though they be as small as mustard seeds, and persistently shut their eyes against their own, though they be as large as Bilva fruit. Unhappiness comes from the sense of “I” and “mine”. As long as these feelings are there, true knowledge is impossible. Eliminating these means the elimination of one’s ego. Those who are learned chop down the tree with the axe of knowledge. It is such p

Panar – Musicians in Ancient Tamil Society

Panar were musicians in ancient Tamil society. The word Panar is derived from Pan, which means a song. Different Category of Panar Panars were also known as akavar, cutar, ovar, matankar, ceyiriyar, ampanavar, cenniyar, and vayiriyar. The first five refer to vocal musicians. Akavar and cutar were bards who roused the ruler from sleep with songs in the morning. Ovar and matankar were minstrels who extolled the ruler by singing his glory. Ceyiriyar were musicians who sang in combats (from cevir, combat). Ampanavar were those who played on a stringed instrument in the shape of a turtle (ampanam). Cenniyar were those who played on a skull-shaped drum. Vayiriyar were those who blew through horns, and matankar were those who played on a matankam, a small drum. Panars are said to be of three kinds Isaippanar (vocalists), Yalppanar (stringed instrumentalists) Mantaippanar (percussionists) This classification shows that they were categorized on the ba