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Showing posts from October 26, 2018


Story of Sage Markandeya and Yoga Nidra of Vishnu

Sage Markandeya was the son of Sage Bhrigu and Shiva had rescued him from the clutches of death at the age of 16. Shiva also gave Sage Markandeya the boon that he will always remain as a 16 year old. After this the sage performed intense meditation and acquired new knowledge of the universe. The story of Sage Markandeya and Yoga Nidra of Vishnu is part of the Sage’s attempt to gather new knowledge. Sage Markandeya performed deep meditation for years. He was unaware of the changes that were happening around him. He remained unaware of the change of time. Eons passed by. Then one day there was huge torrential rain and rivers overflowed, sea swallowed the land. Land was not to be seen. Everything was submerged in the great ocean. Sage Markandeya was thrown around in the huge waves created by the ocean. The huge waves woke him up from his meditation. He was tossed around for long time. Then the sage saw brilliant light appearing from the distance. He moved towards th

Diwali in Delhi 2024

Diwali is the most popular festival associated with Hindu religion. Diwali 2024 date in Delhi is October 31. Diwali literally means ‘an array of lamps’ and symbolizes the removal of spiritual darkness and the ushering in of knowledge capable of realizing Brahman (That) – the Supreme Being present in all living and nonliving. Diwali 2024 in Delhi Dhanteras on October 29 Choti Diwali October 30 Diwali on October 31 Lakshmi Puja on October 31 Govardhan Puja - November 2 Bhai Dooj on November 3 Diwali is celebrated by all Hindu communities but the reasons and legends differ from place to place and from community to community. The most important legend associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It is believed that people lit lamps on the day to welcome Lord Rama and Mata Sita. Lakshmi Puja during Diwali is observed as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean on this day during the ‘samudra manthan’ (churnin

Story of the Origin of Kamdev in Hinduism

Story of the origin of Kamdev is mentioned in the Kalika Purana. Legend has it that Brahma created ten prajapatis to help in creation. Brahma also created a woman named Sandhya. Sandhya was divinely beautiful and Her beauty aroused strong sexual desire among those present there. For a split second Brahma too was enamored by the beauty of Sandhya. At that moment a highly handsome divine being appeared from the mind of Brahma. He was armed with a bow and five arrows made of flowers. This handsome divine being became Kamdev. It must be noted that in some Puranas it is mentioned that Kamdev was born to Dharma, son of Brahma. Related Story of Shiva burning Kamdev

Why Do We Draw Rangoli? – The Story in Hindu Religion

The story which explains why do we draw Rangoli is explained the Hindu Puranas. Hindus draw Rangoli daily in front of their homes and some people draw it only during auspicious occasions. The story is associated with the churning of the ocean by Devas and Asuras. Numerous items appeared during the churning of the ocean. When Goddess Lakshmi appeared from the churning, she requested Bhagvan Vishnu for a house to reside. Vishnu suggested her to reside in a house that where the entrance is sprinkled with cow dung (entrance is pasted with cow dung) and decorated with Rangoli. From that day onwards people began to draw Rangoli to invite Goddess Lakshmi into their homes. Some Puranas also state that Alakshmi , or goddess of misfortune, appeared during the churning of ocean and she also demanded a house. Bhagvan Vishnu asked her to reside in those houses that are dirty and where they do not draw rangoli in front of the entrances. 

Story of the Origin of Rudra in the Vedas

The story of the origin of Rudra is found in the Aitareya Brahmana. The legend narrates the emergence of Rudra. Aitareya Brahmana is part of the Rig Veda and was authored by Rishi Aitareya. One day Prajapati out of intense passion chased his own daughter. The daughter took the form of a doe (female deer) and tried to escape. Prajapati followed her in the form of a deer and made love to her. Devas and other celestial beings did not like this act of Prajapati. But out of fear they did not question or punish Prajapati. But the anger in the celestial beings separated from them and took the form of various body parts. They then amalgamated it to create a single ferocious being which came to be known as Rudra. The celestial beings asked Rudra to kill Prajapati. Rudra put a condition to perform the act that he should be made the chief of the animal world. The celestial beings agreed and then Rudra shot an arrow hitting Prajapati. This also put an end to the reign o

Story of King Yayati - Enjoyment Cannot Quench Desires

King Yayati’s life from the Bhagavata illustrates the point that enjoyment cannot quench desires. King Yayati received his son Puru's youth to enjoy life but still he remained dissatisfied. Story of King Yayati  In his brim of youth Yayati was cursed to premature old age by his father-in-law Shukracharya. King Yayati was the son of Nahusha. Yayati married Devayani, the daughter of Shukra, but when he dishonestly married a second wife, Shukra cursed Yayati with old age. The king asked the sage’s pardon and prayed for a remedy. The sage told him that he could have his youth back if someone else exchanged his youth for the king’s old age. In order to continue to enjoy with Devayani, Yayati persuaded his fourth and youngest son, Puru, to exchange his own youth for Yayati’s old age. The king exchanged his son’s youth for his old age and enjoyed sense pleasures for thousands of years. If desires could be quenched by satisfying them, Yayati would have been a sated man

Swami Turiyananda Quotes - A Collection of Teachings and Thoughts of Swami Turiyananda - Direct Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna

Swami Turiyananda (1863–1922) was a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. This is a collection of quotes, teachings and thoughts of Swami Turiyananda from various sources including the magazines published by various Ramakrishna mission and books. Troubles exist as long as we live in the domain of thought. There is no peace until we transcend thought itself. When one kills the mind, the senses come under control. What does it mean to kill the mind? It is to detach it from sense objects. The enlightened person has their senses under perfect control. ‘The tortoise can draw in his legs: the seer can draw in his senses. I call him illumined.’ Even a mind that knows the path can be dragged from the path; the senses are so unruly. But one who is wise controls the senses; the person recollects the mind and fixes it on Me. I call such a person illumined. As long as one expects happiness, one stays restless. But the enlightened soul knows bliss in the Atman the Self

How to observe Atla Taddi Fasting? – How to Perform Atla Taddi Vratamulu in Telugu

Atla Taddi is observed by married and unmarried women in Andhra Pradesh for the welfare of the family and long life of husbands. Here is a detail description of how to observe Atla Taddi fasting. The details abou how to perform Atla Taddi Vratamulu is in Telugu and contains all the important mantras and rituals. It is in pdf format. This document was provided by Satya Prasad N. Link – You can download the rituals associated with AtlaTaddi Vratamulu here.