--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from October 11, 2018


Pancha Bheda of Madhvacharya – The Fivefold Difference in Madhva Philosophy

Pancha Bheda of Madhvacharya is the fivefold difference and it is an important aspect of Madhva School of philosophy. The term pancha means the group of five. The prefix ‘pra’ emphasizes the indispensability of the knowledge of these five distinctions for the attainment of liberation in Dvaita (dualism) of Madhva. Pancha Bheda are: God from the individual being One being from another being An atma from matter God from matter Matter from matter Reality presents to an inquiring mind three primary entities; thinking selves, a material world outside, and intimation of a Supreme Power above. Thinking selves are many. Several categories of matter which constitute the world are given to the senses. A broad-based, fivefold distinction (pancha bheda) runs through them. As these three entities are eternal and their mutual distinctions are equally so, the world of this fivefold distinction is designated as prapancha. The famous verse – prapancho yadi vidyeta nivar

Story of the Birth of Durvasa Maharishi - Why is Rishi Durvasa Always Angry?

Durvasa Maharishi is Brahma Gyani and a Sage mentioned in Puranas and Epics. He is notorious for his terrible anger and curses and also for instant boons. The popular belief is that Durvasa is an incarnation of Shiva. Durvasa was born to Atri Maharishi and Anasuya. Legend has it that once Shiva and Brahma had a verbal duel. The debate soon turned ugly and turned into a full-fledged fist fight between the two. The fight then became a horrific war. Devas that witnessed the fierce angry form of Shiva fled the scene. Goddess Parvati could no longer tolerate the ugly incident and went up Shiva and told him that she is finding it impossible to live with him. Soon anger of Shiva subsided. The anger was then diverted into the womb of Anasuya. She then gave birth to Durvasa. This is the reason why Durvasa is always angry. The anger of Durvasa was responsible for the death of Sri Rama and Lakshman, Devas losing eternal youthfulness, cursing Shakuntala and the fight with Ambaris

Shuddhi Panchakam in Hinduism - Five Areas That Need Constant Attention In Daily Life

Shuddhi Panchakam is five areas that need constant attention in daily life as per Hinduism. The five areas that come under Shuddhi Panchakam are cleanliness of the body, keeping the mind calm and clean, keeping panchendriya (five senses - touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) under control, good speech and cleanliness of one’s house. Taking bath every day morning and evening in normal temperature water falls under Sharira Shuddhi  or the cleanliness of the body. Sharira Shuddhi also includes keeping teeth, nails, eyes, nose and ears clean. Next is Mana Shuddhi  or keeping the mind calm and clean. If we let the mind to wander it is sure to enter Adharmic areas. This will pollute the mind. Ego, angry, hatred and jealousy are the main pollutants of the mind. To keep the mind clean one should cultivate love and piety for all living beings, also courage and dharmic thoughts. The main aim should be to see God in all living beings. Panchendriya Shuddhi means keeping t

Diyas using Ghee – Importance of lighting lamp using Ghee in Hindu Religion

Lamp or Diya is an indispensable part of worship in Hindu religion. Lamps can be lit using oil or ghee. The correct method is to light Diyas using ghee. It is believed that lighting lamps for prayer at home using ghee brings peace, happiness and prosperity. Our ancestors insisted on lighting diyas using ghee morning and evening keeping in mind the antibacterial properties of ghee. Such lamps also help in reducing pollution as ghee has the ability to purify air when lighted. It also helped in keeping away small insects. Ghee is also one among the five important items – panchamrit – as per Hindu tradition. Ghee also has the capacity to attract positive vibrations. It is believed that ghee based lamp only spreads Sattwik Guna. The oil based lamp spreads Rajasic Guna more.  All the good properties of ghee were when it was not adulterated. So if possible opt for home made ghee.

Karaka – Meaning in Hindu Astrology

Karaka is a term using in Hindu astrology. One of the meanings of the term is promoter or indicator. Karaka meaning active or effective cause, is a special feature of Hindu astrology and is an indicator of certain aspects of human life. Importance of Karaka in Hindu Astrology Karaka plays an important role in astrological predictions. Each planet of a kundali or horoscope is supposed to be a karaka of some aspect of life. The functions of a karaka planet are similar to the role of bhava or house of a kundali. Karaka in Brahatparasara Horastram According to Brahatparasara Horastram, the karaka role of the planets is fixed irrespective of their placement in the horoscope. This is as follows: Sun for father Moon for mother Mars for brothers and sisters Mercury for education and profession Jupiter for children Venus for spouse Saturn for longevity Rahu for paternal relatives Ketu for maternal relatives Karaka in Jaimini System of Astrology Karaka as

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti Quotes

Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar) is the founder of Ananda Marga, a global spiritual and social service organization. Mere acquisition of wealth, power and position does not satisfy a person. The acquisition of something limited only creates the want for more, and the quest for happiness finds no end. The hunger for possessing is unending. It is limitless and infinite. The Cosmic Entity alone is infinite and eternal. It alone is limitless. And the eternal longing of human beings for happiness can only be satiated by realization of the Infinite. The mind of a human being is just a small drop in that vast Mind. Or if the Cosmic Mind is a fire, then the human mind is a mere spark. The process of creation is a continuous process of moving from incompleteness to completeness, from imperfection to perfection. The Supreme Entity is the vastest entity; the ultimate source of all cosmic emanations. The Supreme Entity, which is difficult to concei