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Showing posts from November 23, 2018


Why Ayyappa Devotees Wear Black Dress to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple?

Majority of the pilgrims visiting the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple wear black dress – black dhoti, trousers, shirt or T-shirt. Others opt for the saffron colored dress. The dress code is also part of the strict and rigorous preparations that a devotee undergoes before climbing the 18-steps to the Sabarimala Ayyappa shrine. The usual custom is to observe strict austerities and self control for forty-one days preceding the visit to the temple. But nowadays most pilgrims do not follow all the rules associated with Sabarimala Vratham. During the Sabarimala Vratham, the mind is made to withdraw from the worldly objects and is slowly directed towards Ayyappa. The aim is to reach Tat Tvam Asi – That Thou Art – everything is that Supreme Being. The black clothes symbolically indicate a mind withdrawn from all materialist objects. The black cloth suggests the Ayyappa devotee is dead to the world of perceptions, emotions and thoughts and he is immersed in thought of Ayyappa

Northwest Corner In Hindu Home Vastu - Eight Importance Of Vayavya Kon

Vayavya kon is the northwest corner in Vastu Shastra. It is believed that the northwest corner will help in healing diseases early. The corner is also associated with Navagrahas. There is a belief that water storage should not be on the northwest corner. Northwest Corner In Hindu Home in Hindu Home Importance The Adipatya dev or important deity of the Vayavya kon is Chandrama or moon. The God associated with the northwest direction is Vayu or the wind god. This direction is associated with both Navagraha and Devas. Couples should occupy this room as it is considered auspicious. Avoid having bathroom in the northwest corner of the house. The direction is associated with good health, strength and long life. If a person in the family is suffering constantly from illness then his/her bedroom should be shifted to the northwest corner of the house. The first meeting between the boy and the girl should not take place in the Vayavya kon.

Seven Oceans in Hinduism - The Seven Seas in Puranas and Hindu Scriptures

There is a concept of seven islands in Hindu scriptures. These seven islands are surrounded by seven oceans or seas. It must be noted here that Hindu scriptures have only one word for sea or ocean (sagar or sagara). The term is also used to denote huge water bodies including lakes. The seven seas in Hindu scriptures are: Lavana (salt water) Ikshu (syrup) Sarpih (butter) Dadhi (sour milk) (in some texts it is mentioned as curd) Dughda (milk) Svadhu (treacle) Udaka (water) In some Puranas the list is bit different, Sarpih is replaced by Sanpi; Dadhi is replaced by Dahi, Svadhu by Jala and Udaka by Rasa. In the list Lavana is salty, Iskhu is sour, Sanpi is bitter, Dahi is curd, Dughda is milk, Jala is water and Rasa is juice. In a story mentioned in the Uttara Kanda of the Ramayana, a 100-headed demon named Satakantha lived in an island-city named Mayapura and the island was surrounded by Dadhi Sagara – sea or curds.  Interestingly, Rama and Sita travels through

Vakdevi – About Hindu Goddess Vakdevi - Symbolism - Story

Vakdevi is the Hindu Goddess of speech, sound, language and learning and finds reference in the Rig Veda. She is what all living beings utter. The Puranas and post Vedic literature associated with Hinduism equate Vakdevi with Goddess Saraswati. Vakdevi cannot be easily pleased. One can get her blessings only through hard work. But her blessings will never be taken back. Once She blesses it remains with the living being forever. Symbolism Here Vakdevi differs from Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. The blessing of wealth that is showered by Goddess Lakshmi can be taken away at anytime. But the blessing of knowledge showered by Goddess Vakdevi remains life long. It must be noted that in Puranas, Goddess Vakdevi is identified with Goddess Saraswati. Vishnu - Lakshmi - Vakdevi Story It is believed that earlier, Vakdevi used to stand by the side of Bhagvan Vishnu. For example, the Lord Jagannath is flanked by Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Vakdevi. But later o

The Story Of Curse On Lord Vishnu To Be Born On Earth Several Times

There is an interesting story in the Matsya Purana which narrates about a curse which made Hindu God Vishnu to be born on earth as incarnations or avatars and suffer pains and human emotions. Legend has it that the Devas (Demi Gods) were able to continuously defeat the Asuras (Demons) in battle. Fed up with this humiliation, the Guru of Asuras, Shukracharya went to pray to get the Mritasanjivani Mantra which will make the Asuras invincible. Shukracharya asked the demons to take refuge at the Ashram of his father, Sage Bhrigu, while he was away. Devas led by Indra found out what Shukracharya was up to. So they decided to attack and finish off the demons before the sage receives Mritasanjivani Mantra from Lord Shiva. When Devas reached the ashram of Sage Bhrigu, the sage was away. They thought this as the right opportunity to attack the demons. But the wife of Sage Bhrigu and mother of Shukracharya came to their rescue. She used her powers and made Indra,

Navagraha Peeda - How To Overcome Navagraha Peeda?

Navagraha Peeda results from the bad positioning of Navagraha or nine planets in a person’s horoscope (birth chart or janam kundli). The Navagrahas are Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu. A person having Navagraha Peeda in horoscope will face health troubles. To alleviate it, astrologers suggest various observances, yantra, mantras and ratnas. Navagraha Peeda and its solutions are followed by people who believe in astrology. It must be noted that a vast majority of Hindus ignore the Navagraha Peeda. How To Overcome Navagraha Peeda? Those people going through Navagraha Peeda have to chant the particular mantra associated with the Graha and observe prayers and fast. For example a person suffering Surya Navagraha Peeda a person has to observe fast on Sunday, read the Ravivar Vrat Katha, donate clothes and feed a hungry person. Apart from this some people also wear gemstones for the particular graha. It is also believed that offering pr

Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal Quotes - Mahaperiyava - Sage Of Kanchi Quotes

Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Maha Swamigal (20 May 1894 – 8 January 1994), was the 68th pontiff of Kanchi Mutt (Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham). He was also known as the Sage of Kanchi or Mahaperiyava. This is a collection of quotes of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal. One must not keep a long face, wear a scowl or keep lamenting one’s hardships. If you lose your cool you will be a burden to yourself as well as to others. Anayasa is a great virtue. Anayasa means not to feel any mental strain. Obstacles, inevitable to any work or enterprise, must not cause you any mental strain. You must not feel any duty to be a burden and must develop the attitude that everything happens according to the will of the Lord. Purity is to be maintained in all matters such as bathing, dress, food etc. Cleanliness makes you happy and it even appeases your hunger. To see a clean person is to feel ourselves clean. Heart burning caused by another man’s prosperity or status is jealo