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Showing posts from January 23, 2019


Mandar Saptami Vrat

Mandar Saptami Vrat is observed in Magh month (January – February) as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India . Mandar Saptami Vrat 2025 date is February 4. The fasting and ritual is dedicated to Surya, the sun god. The vrat is a three day affair. On Panchami, two days before, the person observing the vrat only eats vegetarian food.  The previous Sashti day it is complete fasting. The devotee sleeps on the day after eating Mandhar flowers. Hibiscus is known as Mandhar flower in some regions in India. Hibiscus tea made from a mixture of dried hibiscus flowers, leaves, and the cup-shaped centers of the flowers is good for curing high blood pressure, liver diseases, common cold, constipation and to lower body temperature. On the Saptami day, pujas dedicated to Surya are performed in the morning and the fast is broken. The greatness of the vrat is mentioned in the Padma Purana and Matsya Puran. Mandar Saptami is observed on the Magh Shukla Paksha Saptam

Jatharagni in Hinduism

Jathara means stomach in Sanskrit. In Hinduism, Jatharagni is the fire within the stomach or it is the digestive fire. It is the fire that helps the functioning of the digestive system of living beings. As per Hinduism there are four types of Agni or fire The fire from firewood etc on earth The celestial fire like lightning The fire in the body like the jatharagni which converts food into energy Fire inside earth and found in metals like gold. As per Hinduism, the fire within our stomach converts the food eaten by us into energy. This energy sustains us and prompts us to action. Food has to reach the belly at regular intervals, otherwise there will be hunger. If there was nothing called hunger, then perhaps all the activities in this world would come to a halt. As per Adi Shankaracharya, human beings indulge in several activities to satisfy hunger. Yogis develop control over the jathara by sustained practices of austerities and postures.

Symbolism – Demons Born From Earwax of Sleeping Lord Vishnu

As per Hinduism, at the end of a cycle of creation the universe lay dissolved in the single primordial sea Ekarnava. Vishnu lies asleep upon the endless coils of Ananta Shesha – the thousand headed serpent. Then from the earwax of sleeping Vishnu appear two demons named Madhu and Kaitabha. Madhu and Kaitabha take food and energy from Ekarnava, which contains all the living matter in the universe. They grow up quickly and wonder about what made them, what is the source of the ocean in which they are residing, who are their father and mother etc. The demons then get a vision of Devi – the primordial mother. They realize that all birth happens with her blessings. The demons then meditate on the Devi. She appears before them and as boon the demons ask her that they should only die when they wish for death. The demons now roamed about fearless. During one of their excursions they come across an immense golden lotus and on it sat Lord Brahma in meditation. The demo

Braj Parikrama – Walking Pilgrimage In Braj To Various Places Associated With Sri Krishna

Braj Parikrama is held in Shravan and Bhadrapada Month (July to September) and it commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. The sacred pilgrimage encompasses the 12 forests, 24 grooves, River Yamuna, Govardhan Hill and all the important towns associated with the life and times of Lord Krishna. Devotees walk through all these places associated with Lord Krishna. Vishram Ghat in Mathura is the starting point of the Braj Parikrama. The devotees bathe in Yamuna at Vishram Ghat and commence their Parikrama. Many devotees perform the entire Braj Parikrama barefoot. The annual pilgrimage attracts people from different parts of India and around the world. The 12 forests that are part of Braj Parikrama are: Bahulavan Bhadravan Bilvan Bhandirvan Kamyavan Khadiravan Kumudavan Lohavan Madhuvan Mahavan Talavan Vrindavan The 24 grooves in Braj Parikrama are: Gokul Govardhan Barsana Nandagram Sanket Paramadra Aring Sessai Mat Uc

Sitasar – Sita Bathed In This Pond While Staying In Valmiki Ashram

Sitasar is a derelict pond where Mata Sita is believed to have bathed while living in the ashram of Sage Valmiki after she was abandoned by Sri Ram. It is located at Sunam in Sangrur District in Punjab, India. It may once have been a large water tank, watered by a branch of Satluj River or now extinct Saraswati River. Historical Importance of Sunam in Punjab Where Sitasar is Located Some scholars hold that once Satluj flowed near Sunam, whereas some others believe that it was Saraswati which flowed here. Sunam is one of the oldest towns of Punjab. Most of the town is inhabited over the old mound, which yields important relics, particularly after the rains. Typically, pre-Harappan shards bearing decorations in black and white pigments have been picked up from the peripheries of the mound. That the site continued under habitation during the Indus-Saraswati civilization is indicated by pieces of the typically Harappan perforated jars, pottery bearing papal leaf decor

Manisha Panchakam Quotes – Questions Asked By Chandala And Answers Of Adi Shankaracharya

Manisha Panchakam is a text in the form of questions written by Sri Adi Shankaracharya and it brings out the essence of Advaita Vedanta. The questions were asked by a Chandala – when he was asked by Adi Shankara to move away from his path. There is a belief that Chandala was Lord Shiva in disguise. Chandala -  What is it that you want to move away? Do you want the body made up of food to move away from another body made up of food? Or do you want consciousness to move away from consciousness? Chandala -  Is there any difference between the reflection of the sun in the waters of the Ganga and its reflection in the water in a ditch in the quarters of the outcastes? Or between the space in a gold pot and in a mud pot? What is this illusion of difference in the form, “This is a Brahmana and this is an outcaste” in the indwelling self which is the ripple-free ocean of bliss and pure consciousness? Adi Shankaracharya -  If a person has attained the firm knowledge that h