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Showing posts from December 19, 2018


Who is an Avadhuta in Hindu Religion?

Avadhuta can be loosely defined as an ascetic who has renounced all worldly attachments and connections. The term is applied to Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist saints. In Avadhuta Upanishad , Dattatreya explains that the Avadhuta Yogi shakes off the bondages of the world, varna (classes) and ashrama (stages of life). A true Avadhuta does not belongs to any sect. He is merged in the Supreme Truth. For a man of the world, he might look like a lunatic. But who is a lunatic one who is madly chasing the world or one who has rejected the world. However, scholars are scholars and they have filled books with various classifications of Avadhutas. The important categories are: Brahma Avadhuta, Shaivavadhuta Viravadhuta and Kulavadhuta The first two worships Brahma and Shiva. The third can be categorized as a hardcore Shiva devotee. Those in this category have matted and scattered hair, wears a garland of bones or rudraksha, smears ash over his body, carries stick, deerskin

Interesting Facts On Bharata Muni – Author of Natya Shastra – First Book on Performing Arts

Bharata Muni, also known as Satsahasri, is the author of Natyashastra – the first book on performing arts in ancient India. Bharata and his sons (shishyas and other actors) popularized Natyaveda (art of theater), created by Brahma, in the world. People who followed him are known as Bharatas (actors) and even today, the Indian national award for best actor is known as Bharat Award. Bharata Muni The name Bharata is a combination of – Bha stands for Bhava (feelings) – Ra stands for Raga (melody) and Ta stands for tala (rhythm). Bhava, Raga and Tala is what makes an actor. Bharata Muni was the Vyasa of the world of performing arts. He systematized the works of his predecessors. He made new additions and alterations to existing ones. He thus created the first manual on performing arts in India. A guide book on the art of theater. Date of Bharata Muni There is no one opinion regarding the period of Bharata Muni nor about the year in which Natya Shastra was published. Bu

Story of Tulsidas Having Darshan of Hanuman

Tulsidas, the saint poet and author of Ramcharitmanas, had vision, or darshan, of Hanuman at Benaras (Kashi – Varanasi). This interesting story is associated with a ghost and it also explains the origin of the famous Sankat Mochan Temple in Varanasi. Tulsidas Ji used to perform his morning ablutions at particular spot outside the main Banaras city. He used to carry water in a water pot for cleansing. On his return to the city after his daily ablutions, he would pour the remaining water in the water pot under a particular tree. The tree was the abode of a ghost. The ghost was happy to receive the daily quota of water. It is believed that ghosts are in perpetual thirst and will help those who give them water. One day the ghost appeared before Tulsidas and thanked him for giving it water daily. The ghost offered the saint poet a boon for the service. Tulsidas told the ghost that his only desire in life was to have darshan of Bhagavan Sri Ram. However, the ghost did

Panchatantra Quotes - A Collection of Panchatantra Teachings

This is a collection of teachings and quotes from Panchatantra. From covetousness anger proceeds; from covetousness lust is born; from covetousness come delusion and perdition. Covetousness is the cause of sin. Many men can utter words of wisdom; few men can practice it themselves. Bit by bit, the wise enjoy the wealth they earn, slowly, very slowly, as some precious elixir is savoured drop by drop, not gulped unceremoniously. Silence leads to success in everything. By banding together the weak can become unassailable to a powerful foe. God befriends the man who climbs the highest point of determination. Go however far to find honest joy. Learn from any who is wise, though a boy. The true seems often false, the false seem true – appearances deceive, so think it through. Results are achieved only by action not by riding the chariot of the mind. Some things a man should tell his wife, some things to friend and some to son; all these are trusted.