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Showing posts from October 23, 2018


Importance of Bathing in Ganga River At Varanasi in Hinduism - Why Is It Holy To Take Bath at Ganga in Varanasi?

Bathing in Ganga is considered one of the holiest acts in Hinduism. It is considered highly meritorious to take bath in Ganga at Varanasi . But what makes the holy dip at Kashi or Varanasi even more auspicious in Hinduism? Importance of Bathing in Ganga River At Varanasi in Hinduism Ganga River at Kashi is Uttar Vahini – flowing towards north. This makes the holy dip here highly auspicious. North is also believed to be the direction of Moksha. Himalayas are located in the North. Another belief is that Shiva resides permanently at Kashi as Vishwanath. Therefore a holy dip at Ganga in Kashi is endowed with special merits. It is widely believed by Hindus that a dip in Ganga at Varanasi will help in cleansing the sins committed in this birth and all the previous births. This will help in sin redemption and thus to escape from the cycle of birth and death. A aim of every Hindu is to attain moksha or liberation. Today, this means escape from repeated births in various

Karva Chauth at the Times of #MeToo Movement and Hindu Family

We are in the midst of a long delayed #MeToo Movement in India. So how do we look at Karva Chauth (Hindu women fasting for the long life of their husbands) at the times of #MeToo Movement. Every year liberals feel that Karva Chauth fast in Hindu family is regressive and against modern values. They feel pity for the poor souls that go hungry for the long life of their husbands. The feminist movement in India has always felt Karva Chauth is patriarchal and demeaning the status of women. It is very true that many women fast for husbands who do not really deserve the respect, piety, sacrifice and attention. But the most important and vital fact all these critics miss is that in Hinduism nothing is forced. When millions of Hindu women are fasting there are other millions that don’t fast. To keep or not to keep Karva Chauth Vrat is a personal choice. Hindu fasting like Karva Chauth is often a platform for women to come together. This important aspect of Hindu fasting is often

Story of Shatrughna and Demon Lavana

Shatrughna was the youngest of the four brothers in the Ramayana. The story of Shatrughan and Demon Lavana takes place after Bhagwan Sri Ram had returned to Ayodhya defeating Ravana. Demon Lavana was the son of Madhu, who was an ardent devotee of Shiva. Madhu had received a Trishul (trident) from Shiva. The trident could destroy anything and return to the wielder. After the death of Madhu, the trident came into the possession of his son. Lavana was a wicked demon and harassed people after possessing the powerful trident. He used it against innocent people. People complained to Sri Ram who was ruling Ayodhya. Sri Ram deputed Shatrughna to defeat the demon and advised him how to go about. Shatrughan and his army marched towards Lavana’s kingdom. During the journey to Lavana’s kingdom, Shatrughan is believed to have a stayed at Valmiki Ashram and met Mata Sita and her twin sons Luv and Kush . After paying his respects to Mata Sita, Shatrughan proceeded towards La

Bhoga in Hinduism – Offering of Food to Deity

Bhoga in Hinduism is the ritual food offering to a deity. This is an important part of any puja (worship) in Hinduism. This offering of food is known as naivedyam or Amshi in South India . It is also commonly referred as Prasada. In Puri Jagannath temple, the food offered is referred as Maha Prasada . Bhoga here denotes Bhojana (eating) and it pleases a deity. Bhoga, which primarily denotes eating (bhojana) and consuming, and secondarily enjoyment, happiness, sufferings, wealth or dhana (Rig Veda III.34.9), pleases a deity, hence the worshipper performs this in order to obtain supreme bliss at the end of worship. Worship (or puja) is incomplete and fruitless if Bhoga is not offered. The food items usually offered are fruits, cooked rice, sweet made in various shapes, milk and flour. In homes, it is usually a fruit or a simple sweet. Bhoga in most tradition is first offered to Ganesha and is then offered to the main murti worshipped. But in Bengali Vaishnava tradition th

Guha – Story of Guha in the Ramayana

Guha is the name of the hunter-chieftain who helps Sri Ram during his exile. His story is found in Ayodhya Khanda of Ramayana. Guha is a prime example of humility, reverence and friendship. He resided and ruled from Sringaverapura on the banks of Ganga . Bhagvan Sri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman visited Guha during Sri Ram’s 14 year exile. Guha received Sri Ram warmly and offered fruits and roots. Guha and Lakshman talk during night while guarding against enemies. Both exchange their fears and Lakshman also predicts something bad will happen in Ayodhya due to Sri Ram leaving the capital. Next day Guha ferries Sri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman across the Ganga . Guha also helped Bharata who came in search of Sri Ram. When Sri Ram returned victorious to Ayodhya from Lanka, He sent Hanuman to inform of his return and to invite Guha to Ayodhya. Related Story of Shatrughna and Demon Lavana

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Collection of Teachings - Wisdom - Thoughts - Sayings of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (born 13 May 1956) is a Hindu Guru synonymous with Art of Living. He is popularly referred to as Sri Sri, Guruji or Gurudev. This is a collection of teachings, thoughts and wisdom of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar collected over a period of 12 years from various sources. The post is expanded and added with new thoughts and sayings. One’s goal in life should be contentment. The one primary mantra to success is to digest failure. Why someone is negative? Because they do not feel good about themselves. Your body is changing, your thoughts are changing, the mind is changing, emotions are changing, situations are changing… But still you feel there is something in me which is not changing. So that something which is the basis of all change, that something through which you notice the change is the self – the atma, the spirit. Spirituality is the skill of nurturing, purifying and blossoming one’s all levels of existence. The antidote for fear is love and se