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Showing posts from November 8, 2018


About Hindu God Hari - Meaning and Significance of Hari Form of Vishnu

Hari is one among the numerous names of Hindu God Vishnu. The name is mentioned in the Vishnu Sahasranama.  Adi Shankaracharya defines Hari as one who destroys Vasanas, maya, ignorance and samsara.  Swami Chinmayananda defines Hari as one who loots all the vasanas or ignorance and frees a devotee and prepares him to realize the Supreme Truth. For Example take the prayer Hari Om… The aim of a devotee is to reach Om but is constantly weaned away by ignorance and desires. Hari is the one who crushes all the ignorance and desires and puts the devotee in the path of self realization. Hari is the power that helps to quieten the mind and fill it with Brahman consciousness.

Significance of Vahana – The concept of the Vehicle of Hindu Gods

The Sanskrit word ‘Vahana,’ which means vehicle, is used for the animals and birds that serve as the carriers of the gods in Hinduism. The most famous Vahanas are Garuda of Vishnu, Swan of Brahma, 7 horses of Surya, lion of Durga, rat of Ganesha, peacock of Skanda or Muruga. Most of the gods in the Hindu pantheon has a Vahana and it is offered due worship along with the presiding deity. The Vahanas are suggestive of the nature of the power that is expressed by the deities. Idols and pictures of the Vahanas are prominently displayed along with the gods and goddesses in temples and sacred places. The living counterparts of the Vahanas on earth are protected and provided a sanctuary. The vehicle of a particular deity in Hinduism has symbolic and philosophical significance. The symbolic meaning varies from deity to deity. Some Vahanas teach human beings the value and importance of selfless service, devotion to duty and patience. Often the Vahana of a Hindu God

Pushkarani in Hinduism – Holy Water Tanks in Hindu Temples

What is a Pushkarani? Temple water tanks are known as Pushkarani in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and in some temples in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The most famous is the Swami Pushkarini at the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple .  The pushkaranis are sacred water bodies (referred as Tirthas or Teerth) and the water in it are used for the bathing the presiding deity in a temple. Large Pushkaranis are used for Theppam festivals – float festival when the presiding deities move on the water body on specially designed boats. The Pushkarani also serves to maintain the water levels in the region. Devotees consider taking bath in the positively charged water bodies as highly auspicious. There is a belief that all gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon take bath in certain pushakarinis during specific occasions. Taking holy dip in the pushkarini after the divine event washes away all sins. Pushkaranis are often built within the temple complex or in its front (outside). Som

Four Important Temples Dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu – Char Dham of Vishnu

Chardham includes four of the most sacred places associated with Lord Vishnu. This includes sacred temples dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu or his incarnations (avatars). The Chardham are Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and  Rameswaram . There is a popular belief that the Char Dhams are the favorite abodes of Lord Vishnu on earth. The Char Dhams are located in the North, West, South and East of India. Since the four sacred places are spread across the country, the Char Dham ‘tirth yatra’ is known as the Maha Parikrama. Important note - It must be noted that the famous Chardham yatra held annually is to the Chardham in the Himalayas – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri located in Uttarakhand. The Chardham of Vishnu is the four holy places that most Vishnu devotees wish to go when they decide upon a Tirtha Yatra. It is said that Lord Vishnu bathes in the Alakananda River at Badrinath, dresses at Dwarka, eats meal at Puri Jagannath Temple and rests at Ra

Avvaiyar Quotes - A Collection of Teachings of Avvaiyar

Avvaiyar  – the Tamil saint-poetess  –  lived thousands of years ago, propagating virtues, morality and spirituality through simple poems. This is a collection of important teachings and quotes of Avvaiyar.  When you offer water at the foot of a coconut tree, it takes some time but eventually, at the head of the tree, you will get the coconut. Virtue of patience.  What we know is the size of a handful of sand while what we don’t know is the size of the entire earth itself... Be desirous of doing virtue. It is the nature of anger to temper in time. Never stop learning Don't prevent charity (Always be charitable). Avoid words that could hurt (Don’t boast of your possessions). Don't give up perseverance. Don't despise learning. Acceptance (begging alms) is despicable. Eat after donating (to the needy). Act virtuously. Don't give up reading. Don't carry tales. A good deed will pay back, as the coconut tree that g