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Showing posts from October 1, 2018


Bhutas in Hindu Religion - Bhutas are Not Ghosts in Hinduism

Bhutas are divine beings mentioned in Hindu Puranas. In Hindu religion, some people mistake Bhutas as ghosts but they are not ghosts. Brahmanda Purana states that Shiva as Nilalohita Rudra created Bhuta. This happened after Sati’s death. Rudra Shiva created Bhutas in Sati but resembling Nilalohita form. Shiva as Rudra controls the Bhutas. The leader of Bhutas is Ganapati. It Matsya Purana, it is Nandi who is the leader and in Vamana Purana it is Veerabhadra who is the leader. Vamana Purana states that there are 110 million Bhutas. Bhutas have lean body, fat protruding and hanging lips, long ears, red eyes, sharp and long teeth, long nails, pointed and big eyebrows and the body color is blue. They wear snakes across the body as sacred thread – poonol or Janai. Bhutas are experts in using Trident (Trishul), bow, sword, etc. They do not like music. They have fought along with Devas in many battles against demons. In folklore and rural traditions, Bhutas have numero

How Alcohol Became Intoxicant: Story of Origin of Madya in Hindu Scriptures

A story in the Devi Bhagavatam explains how alcohol (Madya) became intoxicant. Legend has it that Ashwini Devas (Ashwinikumar) were once banished from Devaloka (heaven) by Indra, the king of devas. Madya the drink associated with Devas were also banned to Aswini Devas. Ashwini Devas took refuge in the Ashram of Sage Chyavana. During this period the Sage conducted a special yajna and invited Ashwini Devas to partake the Yajnamsha. Indra objected to this by stating that they were banished from heaven and were not allowed to drink wine. Sage Cyavana was not ready to accept Indra’s arguments. A fight ensued between them. Sage Cyavana produced from the sacrificial fire a demon named Mada. The demon fought with Indra and defeated him. When the demon was about to kill Indra, he took refuge at the feet of Sage Chyavana. Sage Chyavana forgave Indra and withdrew the demon. As the demon had no place to go, Sage Chyavana asked him to reside in alcohol, dice, hunting an

Gomateshwara Bahubali – Story of Shravanabelagola Bahubali – About Jaina God Gomateshwara

Gomateshwara Bahubali is a Jaina God and He is also simply known as Bahubali and Gomataswami. He was the son of Rishabhanatha (Adinath), the first Tirthankara. Yasavati and Sunanda were the two queens of Rishabhdev (Adinath), the first Tirthankara. Bahubali was born Sunanda while the other queen gave birth to Bharata and many other sons and daughters. Story of Gomateshwara Bahubali of Shravanabelagola  Rishabhanatha divided his kingdom between his two sons: Gomateshwara and Bharata. Bharata embarked on a trip to triumph over other kingdoms, in pursuit of becoming a Chakravarti, a world conqueror who subjugated six continents. He expected Bahubali’s submission as well – Bahubali refused and the brothers engaged in duels, Bahubali won the first two and in the third duel he showed his superiority by lifting Bharata in his arms to dash him to the ground. Bharata called for his divine disc weapon (Chakra Ratna).   The Chakra Ratna appeared but instead of harmin

First Roti to Cow and Last Roti to Dog Helps in Solving Janam Kundli Problems

The core teaching of Hinduism is seeing the Divine in all animate and inanimate. Based on this teaching, Hindus have come up with numerous totke (small processes) for solving problems in life. Offering the first roti (chapati or wheat flour bread) to cow; and the last roti to dog helps in solving Janam Kundli problems. Now many people think this is just a superstition and it will not bring any changes in life. This is not true such processes help in the person connecting with other living beings. This develops positivity and weeds out negativity. Janam Kundli problems are due to the bad positioning of Navagrahas or the nine planets. This period results in negative and destructing thinking. Such small processes helps in keeping out all kinds of bad thoughts and energy. Such beliefs are not common among all Hindus. It is only believed by a few Hindus in a specific region. This belief is more common in North India.

Why Lord Jagannath is known as Daru Devata?

The murtis of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra worshipped in the temple is made from neem tree. Daru means neem tree in local language. Jagannath is known as Daru Devata. The neem tree from which Vishwakarma carved the murtis of the three deities was found floating in the sea. Floating of Daru in the ocean is also mentioned in the Rig Veda. Prayers are chanted for taking shelter in the Daru in the ocean. Symbolically meaning the only hope in the ocean of misery is by taking refuge in Jagannath. Jagannath is also referred as Daru Brahma, godhead manifested in a wooden image. Pandit Nilakantha Das is of the opinion that in the Vedic literature of Rig Veda (10-81-4) the word 'wood' (Daru) is used to indicate the material of which the universe (Jagat) is made of. (source – Orissa Review July 2005) Jagannath is also referred as Darudevata and Daru Brahma Purushottam. The concept of Daru Brahma was made popular through the Sarala Mahabharata – the Oriya vers

Puranas in Audio – Listen to All Hindu Puranas Online in Hindi

Puranas are a perfect amalgamation of mythology and religious doctrine in Hinduism. They contain stories and teachings based on the principles of Vedas and Upanishads. Now you can listen to the Hindu Puranas Online. All 18 Puranas are available in audio. Please note that you cannot download them. You can only listen online in Hindi. Link  –  Listen to Puranas Online The Puranas that are available in audio format are Vishnu Purana, Narada, Padma, Garuda, Varaha, Bhagavata, Matsya, Kurma, Linga, Shiva, Skanda, Agni, Brahmanda, Brahma Vaivarta, Markandeya, Bhavishya, Narasimha, Vamana and Brahma Purana. This unique opportunity to listen to the Puranas online is provided by the Ved Puran website.

Gita in Odiya – Download Bhagavad Gita in Odiya in Pdf format for free

Srimad Bhagavad Gita in Odiya in Pdf format for free is provided by Swami Shri Adgadanad Ji’s of Yatharth Geeta. This downloadable Oriya Bhagavad Geeta is strictly for personal use. You can only download the eighteen chapters in Odiya separately and not as a single book. The Oriya Bhagavad Gita is in pdf format and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. You can download the Bhagavad Gita in Oriya from this link –  Oriya Bhagavad Gita. If the above link is not working you can trying downloading here - Odia Bhagavad Gita Note – the chapter headings are given in English. On clicking each chapter you will get the Oriya Gita.

Suvarna Hasta– The Hand of Goddess Lakshmi Showering Gold

Certain images of Goddess Lakshmi are shown as showering gold coins. This hand of Goddess Lakshmi which showers gold is known as Suvarna Hasta. It symbolizes wealth, prosperity and peace in society. For a spiritual seeker, it symbolizes the spiritual values that are timeless and universal. In modern society, Suvarnahasta of Goddess Lakshmi is limited to material prosperity alone. We often forget that material wealth cannot be truly enjoyed and sustained without proper spiritual values. This is one of the tragedies of present day as we find in spite of good wealth many people are unhappy. To truly enjoy the blessings of Suvarna Hasta we need to follow Dharma. Wealth should be earned through dharmic means. We should learn to curb our desires through spiritual understanding. Peace, prosperity and happiness will be constant when Dharma is followed. Know About Another Symbol Khatvanga – Staff with Human Skull Attached to Bone

Mata Amritanandamayi Teachings

Mata Amritanandamayi, popularly known as the hugging saint of India , provides spiritual guidance and solace to millions of people around the world. The teachings of Mata Amritanandamayi is from talks, books, articles, newspapers etc. Talking high philosophy often confuses people, whilst a look from an egoless person can lift the clouds of pain and despair in others. The most serious problem facing the world today is the pollution of the human mind and the increase in selfishness and cruelty. This is the root of all the other problems facing the world today. Everything in the world is changing — with one exception: our negative mental state! Our personality is a reflection of our mind. The ability of human beings to rise up to a situation and act is slowly disappearing. In the name of stability and competition, mankind is allowing their lives to be led by hatred, revenge and stubbornness. In life, things rarely happen according to our expectations. This is why it

Pan – Musical Modes in Ancient Tamil Music

Pan means musical mode and associated with ancient Tamil music. It is made up of the musical notes, namely, Kural (C) Tuttam (D) Kaikilai (E) Ulai (F) Ili (G) Vilari (A) and Taram (B). When these notes are produced without embellishment, the resulting musical phenomenon is known as palai (scale); but with embellishment, the palai becomes pan. A musical note is embellished by such vocal techniques as Etuttal (raising) Patuttal (lowering) Nelital (gliding) Kampitam (vibrating) Kutilam (producing a falsetto) Oli (emphasizing) Uruttu (rolling) and Takku (attacking). Thus these ordinary musical notes become pan when the vocal organs shape them with proper embellishments into a delectable sound artifact. Pan also went by the name yal, which in act was a stringed instrument. By extension, it also referred to the musical mode produced by that instrument – as mullaiyal, kurinciyal, palaiyal, marutayal, and neytalyal. This was possible because yal c