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Showing posts from December 13, 2018


Akshamala in Hinduism – Rosary in Hindu Religion

Akshamala is the rosary in Hindu religion. In Hinduism, it is usually made of seeds of plants especially of Rudraksh or Tulsi. Akshamala is used for keeping track of the number of a prayer is chanted. Usually a prayer is chanted 51 or 108 or 1000 times. Worshippers of Shiva use Akshamala made using Rudraksha. Worshippers of Vishnu use rosary made of Tulsi seeds (Basil plant seeds). Akshamalas are also be made of coral, clay, plastic crystal, or other gems. These types of Akshamala are considered inferior by some worshippers. Tantric practitioners use various other types of Akshamalas. One of the common used rosaries is that of skulls carved into coral, ivory or clay. Akshamala is usually made of 51 or 108 beads. Akshamala is also found in the hand of many Hindu deities. They are also part of Murtis and Sculptures of Hindu Gods. 

Story of Kamban Writing Tamil Kamba Ramayana – Iramavataram

The most popular version of Ramayana in Tamil is the Kamba Ramayanam written by Kamban. It is known as Iramavataram in Tamil. There is an interesting story behind the writing of Tamil Ramayana which was written during the 9th century. Kamban was a temple musician at the famous Srirangam Temple and he was also the follower of poet-saint Nammalvar. The king of the region wanted to translate the Ramayana from Sanskrit into Tamil and he assigned the task to two poets and Kamban was one of the poet. Kamban never found the true inspiration to translate the epic. By the time he overcame the writer’s block and found inspiration only 14 days were left for the deadline. Kamban then started writing the Iramavataram and legend has it that Mother Goddess used to hold the lamp for him so that he can write during night. Kamban finished the work before deadline and it was liked by all. Legend has it that once when the Iramavataram was read in the Srirangam Temple ; Narasim

Jayachandi – Story of Goddess Jayachandi

Jayachandi is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti. She is mostly associated with the Chandi appearance of Shakti. As Goddess Jayachandi, she is the destroyer of all unwanted desires that takes a human being away from the path of moksha (liberation). Story of Goddess Chandi is mostly associated with the Mahishasuramardini form of Goddess Durga. Goddess Jayachandi is three-eyed like Shiva. The goddess has cream complexion. She has two arms and she holds lotus. Jaya Chandi is propitiated by devotees to keep out destructive desires. It must be noted that Goddess Chandi appeared in the battle against Mahishasura to annihilate demons like Shumbha, Nishumbha, Chanda and Munda. Some of the popular forms of Goddess Chandi are Devichandi, Mangala Chandi, Jayachandi, Olaichandi, Kuluichandi and Celaichandi. 

Martand Bhairav – Story of Incarnation of Shiva as Martand Bhairav

Martand Bhairav is an incarnation of Shiva worshipped mainly in Maharashtra , Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in India. Legend has it that during the Krita Yuga (Satya Yuga), two demon brothers named Mani and Malla attained immense powers and started troubling saints, devas and humans. People were fed up with the havoc created by the two demons. They then took the help of Shiva. Shiva then assumed the form of Martand Bhairava. He had three eyes and appeared with serpents around his neck. He was four-armed and held damaru (hourglass drum), trident, sword and cup. He wore a garland made of human heads. The head was adorned with crescent moon. The vehicle of Martand Bhairav was Nandi. Martand Bhairav then attacked and killed the demons Mani and Malla. The Shakti of Martand Bhairav is Mhalsa. This incarnation of Shiva is also referred as Khandoba, Mailar and Malhari Martand Bhairav. The most famous festival dedicated to Martand Bhairav is the Champa Shashti obse

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Teachings - A collection of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Quotes

Sri Raghavendra Swamy, a 16th century saint, is one of the greatest proponents of Madhva philosophy. This is a collection of teachings and quotes of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Without right living, right thinking will never come. Right living is performing one's ordained duties according to one's station in life without hankering the after fruits of the actions and on the other hand offering all of one's activities to Bhagavan. This is real sadachara (right living). This is real karma yoga. Social work done for the good of worthy people should also be considered as worship of Bhagavan. In short, our life itself is worship. Every action is a puja. This life is precious. Every second of our life is precious. Not even a second that has gone will come back. Listening to the right shastras and always remembering Bhagavan is the highest duty. Right knowledge (jnana) is greater than any miracle. Without this no real miracle can take place. Any miracle performed without this right kn