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Showing posts from October 2, 2018


Story of Navratri and Durga Puja in Hindu Religion – Durga slaying Mahishasura

The story associated with Navratri and Durga Puja is found in the Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is referred as Devi Mahatmya and is recited during the Navratri and Durga Puja. It symbolized the victory of good over evil.  Devi Mahatmya extols the greatness of Durga in 700 hymns grouped into 537 sections and therefore it is also known as Durga Saptashati. It details the exploits of the goddess in her three major forms: Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, representing the three fold energy: strength, wealth and wisdom. The most famous episode is Durga killing Mahishasura. Birth of Mahishasura Legend has it that two sons of Danu called Rambha and Karambha performed penances to gain more powers. Rambha performed the austerities by standing amidst five ritual fires called Panchagni and Karambha by standing in neck-deep in water. Indra, the lord of the gods, fe

Tail of Hanuman – Story of its Power and Greatness

The Tail of Hanuman was part of many important incidents in the Ramayana like the burning of Lanka. Legend has it that the power in the Tail of Hanuman is that of Goddess Parvati. When Shiva decided to take an avatar in the form of Hanuman, Goddess Parvati was worried she will become lonely. Shiva then convinced her that Hanuman will only be a partial Avatar (Amsha Avatar) and he will be present in Kailash with her. When Shiva took the form of Hanuman, Goddess Parvati was so impressed that she wanted to be part of the Avatar. Parvati then decided to become the tail of Hanuman. This is the reason why the tail of Hanuman is so beautiful and imbued with Shakti – the power of Mother Goddess. The tail was used by Hanuman to burn Lanka and play numerous tricks on the demons. It had the power to elongate and grow thick and thin. The tail is so powerful that Bhima, the second of Pandava brothers, found it impossible to move.

Gajalakshmi Puja Vidhi – Mantra – How To Perform Gajalakshmi Puja at Home?

Gajalakshmi puja and vrat is observed for overcoming various kinds of financial difficulties including debt, loan etc., and property related problems. Gajalakshmi Mantra ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं गजलक्ष्म्यै नमः॥ Gajalakshmi Puja Vidhi After taking bath in the morning offer prayers to Ganesha mind. Spread a red color cloth on the northeast corner of the house. Make Akshat using kesar and chandan – uncooked rice mixed with saffron and sandalwood powder. Draw eight petal rangoli design ( अष्टदल ) using the akshat. Keep a kalash atop the Ashtadal. Keep a kuber yantra near the kalash. Keep two elephant made using mud and a picture of Gajalakshmi. Light lamp using cow ghee with five wicks. Dhoop or agarbatti should be of natural flowers. Offer roli, chandan, pink color flowers, fragrant water, supari, coconut and lotus flower. Offer sixteen beauty items. Naivedya (prasad or bhog) should be a sweet made using wheat. Take a thread dip it in turmeric powder and then ma

Paaran Ritual – End of Jivitputrika Vrat or Jitiya Fasting

Jivitputrika, popularly known as Jitiya Fasting, is observed by mother for their children in Ashwin month and is a three-day ritual. Paaran Ritual is observed on the third day of Jivitputrika Vrat and the priests in the region provide the time to end the fast on the day. Paaran 2024 date is September 25. The fast that begins on Jivitputrika Vrat day ends on the Paaran day. Time of Paaran in 2025 is at 4:58 PM on September 25. The paran ritual is also held on the morning of September 25. Paaran Ritual ends when the Navami day begins. It must be noted that these days people perform the ritual as per the popular English calendar and end fast on morning after Jitiya fasting day. In 2024, Nahai-Khai Vrat the first day of Jivitputrika is on September 24. Jivitputrika Vrat or Jitiya Fasting is held on September 25. Special dishes are prepared on the day with herbs and Mahua flour and are eaten by women for breaking the Jitiya fast. Other dishes that are prepa

Gandhi Ji Quotes - A Collection of Quotes and Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi Ji quotes are from books, magazines and newspapers. This collection of quotes and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi have been done over a period of 12 years. The problem with lying is that one has to remember one’s lies. There are times when you have to obey a call which is the highest of all that is the voice of conscience even though such obedience may cost many a bitter tear and even more, separation from friends, from family, from the state to which you may belong, from all that you have held as dear as life itself. For this, obedience is the law of our being. Man must choose either of the two courses, the upward or the downward; but as he has the brute in him, he will more easily choose the downward course than the upward, especially when the downward course is presented to him in a beautiful garb. Man easily capitulates when sin is presented in the garb of virtue. Knowledge comes spontaneously to a bhakta. He does not have to wade through big volumes. But h

Download Shiva Sahasranama in Hindi in pdf for free - How To - Benefits - When to Chant Shiva Sahasranama

Shiva Sahasranama is one of the most popular mantras dedicated to Hindu God Shiva . This Shiva Sahasranama in pdf format in Hindi is for free download. The prayer consists of the 1000 names of Shiva. This mantra is believed to have been narrated first by Vishnu and is found in the Shiva Purana. It is chanted during the worship of Shiva especially on Shivratri and Pradosh. Link - Shiva Sahasranama Hindi in pdf How To Chant Shiva Sahasranama? Take bath before chanting Shiva Sahasranama. The person should first offer prayers to Ganesha in mind. Prayer to personal deity for a pure mind. Wear white color clothes. Apply Bhasma on forehead. Sit facing north or northeast and read the Shiva Sahasranama. When to Chant Shiva Sahasranama? Monday morning or during Pradosh period . Thirteenth day of a fortnight when pradosh is marked in a Hindu lunar calendar. Shiv Chaturdashi (a day before Amavasya). If a devotee wishes then it can also be chanted daily or for 16, 32,

Pancha Kanchukas – Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy – Five Outer Coverings of Consciousness

The pancha kanchukas in Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy are kala, vidya, raga, kaala and niyati. They are the five outer coverings or sheaths of consciousness. The ‘maya’ is added to the pancha kanchukas they become Shat Kanchukas (six sheaths that cover the consciousness.) The real identity of pure consciousness cannot be known by its external appearance. In reality, the Self is none other than Shiva Himself. Because of Shiva’s autonomous will, He projects Himself in the form of limited beings. The sheaths may be five in number but the background on which these veils remain steadily abiding is maya, the deluding aspect of Shiva, who is pure consciousness in essence. The supreme consciousness, Shiva, while remaining pure, appears non-conscious. Its innate consciousness is its lordship, while its non-conscious aspect is the impurity called mala. This apparent impurity has a dual aspect; one causes everything to appear non-conscious and the other pervades every caused