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Showing posts from January 10, 2019


Story Of Kacha Devayani

Devayani was the daughter of Shukracharya, the guru of Asuras (demons). Kacha was the son of Brihaspati, Guru of Devas (celestial beings). Their love story is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Shukracharya used to bring the dead Asuras back to life using the Mritsanjeevani Mantra. The Devas suffered huge losses in battles due to this. Devas decided that someone should learn the Mritsanjeevani Mantra. Kacha volunteered to help the Devas. Kacha became a student of Shukracharya. The demons were against this but still Shukracharya agreed to make Kacha his student. But Shukracharya never discussed Mritsanjeevani Mantra with his student. To achieve his goal, Kacha made Devayani to fall in love with him. Shukracharya was happy as his daughter had found a husband who was a deva. When Kacha was killed by Asuras, Shukracharya used the mantra to bring him back for his daughter. Finally, Kacha learned the mantra. After learning the mantra, Kacha left without marryin

Goddess Durga Rides Lion or Tiger – Which is the Vahana of Goddess Durga?

Many people have doubt as to Goddess Durga rides a lion or tiger. Frankly, lion or tiger should be of no matter to a devotee. It is not the animal that matters but the symbolism. Lion is mentioned as the vahana or vehicle in the Devi Mahatmya – the story of Goddess Durga is based on it. But Devi Mahatmya was composed during the sixth century AD. Goddess Durga was worshipped for several hundred years before the composition of the scripture. History The lion first appeared along with Goddess Durga during the late Kushan Period (2nd Century BC to 3rd century AD). Lion is the king of animals and Goddess Durga is the primordial Goddess. She is the all-powerful and her mount had to be of similar qualities. Thus, lion was chosen. The forest tribes of Bharat who worshipped Goddess Durga from time immemorial associated her with tiger. Large relief panels began to appear from the 5th century AD in which Goddess Durga is depicted along with lion. Calendars with image of Godde

Story of 56 Bhog – Why is Lord Krishna offering 56 different types of Food?

56 Bhog – 56 different types of food items – is an important offering to Lord Krishna. Here is the story behind offering 56 bhog. Legend has it that Mata Yashoda used to offer 8 different types of food items to child Krishna. Once, Bhagavan Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Mountain to save the people of Braj from the wrath of Indra. Indra created torrential rain for seven days and Bhagavan Sri Krishna stood for seven days lifting the Govardhan Mountain. He did not eat food neither did he drank water during the seven days. Indra’s ego was deflated and he asked for forgiveness. When Sri Krishna returned home, Mata Yashoda made 56 different types of food and served it to Sri Krishna. 8 dishes X 7 days. From that day onwards, people started offering 56 different types of food to Sri Krishna for getting his blessings.

Ramayana Symbolism - As Told By Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda Explains the symbolism of Ramayana Sri Rama was the Parmatman (Supreme Reality) and that Sita was the Jivatman (embodied individual soul). Each man’s or woman’s body was the Lanka. The Jivatman which was enclosed in the body, or captured in the island of Lanka , always desired to be in affinity with the Paramatman, or Sri Rama. But the Rakshasas would not allow it, and the Rakshasas represented certain traits of character. For instance, Vibhishana represented Sattva Guna, Ravana represented Rajas Guna and Kumbhakarna represented Tamas Guna. Sattva Guna means goodness, Rajas means lust and passion and Tamas means darkness, stupor, avarice, malice, and its concomitants. These Gunas keep back Sita, or Jivatman, which is in the body (Lanka) from joining Paramatman (Rama). Sita, thus imprisoned and trying to unite with her Lord, receives a visit from Hanuman, the Guru or divine teacher, who shows her the Lord’s ring, which is Brahma-Jnana,