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Showing posts from December 17, 2018


How Did Ram Kill Ravana? - Final Battle Between Lord Rama and Ravana

The last important battle in the Ramayana was between Bhagavan Sri Ram and demon king Ravana. This was an all-important encounter. It was not easy to kill Ravana as he had powerful defense and magical powers. So how did Ram kill Ravana? In the final battle both Ram and Ravana used several divine arrows against each other. All the arrows were nullified by them. Finally, Sri Ram shot arrows and knocked off each of Ravana’s ten heads. But to the amazement of all standing in the battlefield, new head grew immediately. Each time a head appeared Ravana grew more powerful. Finally, Sri Ram fired the Brahmastra, which was gifted to him by sage Agastya. Sage Agastya had imparted this powerful arrow to Sri Ram while he resided in the Dandaka forest with his wife Mata Sita and brother, Lakshman. Sage Agastya had also told Rama that whenever he needed a chariot, Matali, the charioteer of Indra, will bring the chariot of Indra. Rama attacked Ravana from the chariot driven by Matali a

Significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi

Vaikunta Ekadasi is an important festival dedicated to Bhagvan Srihari Vishnu in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January). Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is of great significance at the Tirupati Balaji Temple , Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple and at the Bhadrachalam Temple . In Kerala, it is known as Swargavathil Ekadashi. Next Vaikunta Ekadasi date is January 10, 2025. In United States, Vaikunta Ekadasi is on January 10, 2025. In Australia, it is on January 10, 2025. The significance of Vaikunta Ekadasi can be traced back to the Padma Purana. The Purana indicates that Bhagvan Vishnu took the form of ‘Ekadasi’ – female energy – to kill demon Muran. This happened during the month of Margazhi. Impressed by ‘Ekadasi,’ Vishnu told her that whoever worships him on this day will reach ‘Vaikunta’ (heaven). Like all Ekadasi days, devotees fast on this day and observe vigil the whole night. Some people indulge in meditation, Japa and singing of Hari Kirtan. Rice is

Why Cow Dung is Holy in Hindu Religion? - The Story in Puranas

In Hindu religion, cow dung is holy because it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in it. Legend has it that once Goddess Lakshmi was passing through a grassy meadow and happened to see thousands of cows grazing. Goddess Lakshmi was pleased with the sight and offered them a boon. The cows were content and they themselves were manifestation of prosperity. Therefore, they did not ask any boon. But Goddess Lakshmi was adamant. The cows then thought for a while and told Goddess that they should have prosperity in their dung also. Goddess Lakshmi granted the boon. From that day onwards, cow dung became holy. This story is found in the Anusasana Parva of Mahabharata.

Story of Origin of Yoga in Hinduism - Secret Behind Snake Head Image of Sage Patanjali

Story of Origin of Yoga is associated with Hindu God Shiva and Snake Ananta. In Hinduism, Ananta is the thousand headed divine serpent on whom Vishnu sleeps. Legend has it that Shiva was once narrating lessons in yoga to Goddess Parvati. Shiva was unaware of the presence of Ananta who was lying nearby. Ananta thus listened to the entire secret teaching of Yoga. But when the divine serpent tried to slither away, He was caught by Shiva. For his transgression and listening to teaching of Yoga, Shiva decided to punish him. Shiva asked the serpent to pass the teaching to human beings. Ananta without changing his form approached human beings to teach yoga. But people were scared of his form and ran away. Ananta then went back to Shiva and told him about the difficulty. Shiva then asked him to take a human form. Ananta then took human form and came to be known as Patanjali. He then taught yoga to human beings. Sage Patanjali is sometimes depicted as a snake

On Worldliness And Possessiveness - Swami Brahmeshananda

Swami Brahmeshananda is a monk of Ramakrishna Order. This is a collection of thoughts and quotes of Swamiji. On Worldliness Worldly entanglements, let us understand, will always remain around. One will have to get over them with the help of a strong will power and right attitude. We should plan out our life in such a way that we gradually reduce our worldly entanglements and devote more and more time to higher life. Hindu view of life says that the very purpose of a householder’s life is to gradually fulfill one’s worldly duties and withdraw from active life — after one’s son or daughter takes up the responsibilities. This is the concept of vanaprastha or retirement, when both husband and wife devote more and more time to spiritual practices. Swami Brahmeshananda Thoughts on Possessiveness Let us recall the notice put on certain railway stations: ‘Less luggage, happy journey’. Or think of a person burdened with many items of luggage dangling from his hands and s