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Showing posts from November 27, 2018


Story of Karaikal Ammaiyar - Example of Unwavering Devotion in Hindu Religion

Story of Karaikal Ammaiyar is an example of unwavering devotion. Young Punitavati lived in Karaikal with her husband Paramadhattan. Punitavati was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. Once, her husband sent two mangoes from his workplace. Soon a hungry sage appeared at the door and as food was yet to be prepared, Punitavati gave him one of the mangoes. In the evening, Paramadhattan wanted to eat the mangoes. The first one was so tasty that he asked for the second too. A helpless Punitavati prayed to the Lord. Miraculously a fruit fell into her palms. Her husband ate the fruit and wanted to know how the mango tasted different from the first one. Punitavati then told him the truth. Her husband then asked her to get more of the sweet mangoes. Punitavati again prayed to Lord Shiva. A mango appeared again but when Paramadhattan attempted to eat it, the fruit disappeared. Paramadhattan was rattled by the experience, got scared, and he ran away from home.  A puzzled P

Neelkanth Linga - White Shivling With A Black Dot

Neelkanth Linga is a very rare form of Shivling – naturally formed and are counted among the Bana Lingas found in the Narmada River. Neelakantha is pure white in color and what distinguishes it from other white colored Lingas is a single black dot on it. This linga symbolically represents Shiva who drank the poison Halahala that appeared from Samudra Manthan or Churning of ocean. Shiva got the name Neelkanth or the one with blue throat after this incident. The description about the linga is only found in a text credited to Hemadri, a 13th century who wrote books related to murtis, temple architecture and construction. Naturally occurring Neelkanth Linga are found in the  Narmada River . Benefits of possessing Neelkanth Shivling include peace, prosperity and solution to horoscope related problems.

How Hanuman Became a Chiranjeevi? – Why Hanuman Will Never Die?

In Hindu tradition, there is the concept of Chiranjeevi – living beings without death. Hanuman is one among the seven Chiranjeevis mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Hanuman became a Chiranjeevi after he got a boon from Brahma, the creator, and Indra, the king of Devas. This is the reason why Hanuman will never die. Legend has it that Hanuman in his childhood reached for the sun thinking it to be a fruit. Indra, fearing Hanuman might swallow the sun, used his thunderbolt to stop Hanuman. The thunderbolt struk Hanuman on his cheek and child Hanuman fells on to earth unconscious. Vayu, the Hindu wind god and father of Hanuman, picked him up midair and went into a cave. An angry Vayu avenges this attack on his son by removing air from earth. Soon all beings suffocate. Terrified, Devas approach Brahma . Soon Devas and Brahma reach the cave. Brahma revives Hanuman. All the gods present their give Hanuman a boon each. Brahma gave Hanuman the boon that he will never be kille

How to do Kal Bhairav Ashtami Puja? – Procedure of Kala Bhairava Ashtami Puja – How to observe the Kaal Bhairav Ashtami Puja

Kal Bhairav Ashtami is dedicated to the fierce manifestation of Mahakal Bhairav of Shiva . It is observed in Margashirsh month in traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Please note that the procedure of Kala Bhairava Ashtami Puja varies from region to region. Here is a brief idea on how to observe the Kaal Bhairav Ashtami Puja. After morning purification rituals a painting or murti or photo of Bhairav is installed in the puja area. Some people also keep a Bhairav Yantra. Lord Ganesha is remembered first and prayers are offered to him. A shloka dedicated to Ganesh is chanted. One should face east while performing the puja. Lamp should be lit using sesame oil (Til ka tel). Panchopchar Vidhi is followed in Bhairav Puja. Panchopchar puja involves offering – Akshata (unbroken rice mixed with turmeric), dhoop (incense), diya (lamp), flowers, prasad or naivedya (food). Incense should be of Lobaan. Banyan tree leaves should be offered.  Sindhoor and kajal s

The Story Of Indra and Surabhi – Kamadhenu – Surabhi Stotram of Indira

Indra once happened to see Surabhi, the Kamadhenu (divine cow), crying in the Indraloka. Indra asked her why she was crying. The story of Indra and Surabhi is found in the Puranas and there is also a famous Kamadhenu Stotram written by Indra. It is chanted for attaining peace and prosperity. Surabhi then described the troubles that her children are going through in the world. She told him that her sons were ploughing without rest. They were always tied to the yoke of farmers. She said that she was overwhelmed by their sufferings and tears rolled out from her eyes. Indra’s heart melted due to the tears of Surabhi. Indra then caused heavy showers in the world, when ploughing became impossible. Thus the sons of Surabhi (oxen) got rest in the world. Surabhi Stotram By Indra There is also a famous stotra written by Indra praising the glory of Surabhi in the Prakruti Khanda of Brahma Vaivarta Purana. The stotra extols the glory of Surabhi by telling who all have worship

Rajarishi in Hinduism – Rajarishi King Concept

Rajarishi in Hinduism is a term used to refer to a sage king. The concept is also used to refer to a king among saints. The most famous Rajarishi in Hindu scriptures is King Janaka. A Rajarishi rules the kingdom as a visionary, with the values of a saint. Vishwamitra, the famous saint of Treta Yuga, was a Rajarishi. Raja Janaka is a term constantly associated with Rajarishi.   It is also believed that a king who had attained the status of Rajarishi was given the name Janaka. Janak means father. The king becomes a fatherly figure to all his subjects. The characteristics of a Rajarishi are: Rajarishi should be an advocate of Truth, Dharma and Peace. He should assure justice and equality to his subjects. Atmosphere of freedom to pursue their vocations should be created. He should collect correct taxes for running the affairs of the kingdom. He should employ ministers with good knowledge, principle and discipline. He should encourage freedom of religion. He should

What is Maya or Ignorance in Hinduism? – From Advaita Bodha Deepika

Disciple : What is this ignorance? Master: Listen. In the body appears a phantom, the ‘false-I’, to claim the body for itself and it is called jiva. This jiva always outward bent, taking the world to be real and himself to be the doer and experiencer of pleasures and pains, desirous of this and that, undiscriminating, not once remembering his true nature, nor enquiring “Who am I?, What is this world?”, is but wandering in the samsara without knowing himself. Such forgetfulness of the Self is Ignorance. Disciple: All the shastras proclaim that this samsara is the handiwork of Maya but you say it is of Ignorance. How are the two statements to be reconciled? Master: This Ignorance is called by different names such as Maya, Pradhana, Avyakta (the unmanifest), Avidya, Nature, Darkness and so on. Therefore the samsara is but the result of Ignorance. Advaita Bodha Deepika