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Showing posts from February 8, 2019


Story Of Hastamalaka – Disciple of Adi Shankaracharya

Hastamalaka was a direct disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. There is an interesting story about the life of Hastamalaka which was narrated by Adi Shankaracharya himself. When Adi Shankara was travelling in the western parts of India he once came to Srivali Village. A worried father of a 13-year-old son, approached Adi Shankara. He told the Great Guru that the boy had been dumb from his childhood, that he had no likes and dislikes, nor a sense of honour or dishonor, and that he was completely inactive. When Adi Shankaracharya asked the boy in a cheerful tone ‘Who Are You’, the boy, Hastamalaka, gave the famous reply which came to be known as the Hastamalaka Stotram. The boy told Adi Shankaracharya that he was Brahman through numerous examples. After listening to the 14 verses chanted by Hastamalaka, Adi Shankaracharya realized the greatness of the boy. He then told the father of the boy that he had become your son due to his incomplete austerities in previous birth. It is

Body Color of Goddess Lakshmi - Meaning - White - Blue - Pink - Yellow

Goddess Lakshmi is depicted in four colors – body tone. There is deep symbolism attached to the various colors associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity in Hindu religion. In scriptures associated with Hinduism, She is described as dark (blue), pink, yellow and white colored. When a painting or image of Goddess Lakshmi is dark or blue she is the consort of Vishnu. This is because Vishnu is dark (blue) in color. When Goddess Lakshmi is described as having yellow color, she is associated with wealth. In White color she represents nature – it is from this form the universes and all living and nonliving appear and disappear. Pink color represents a compassionate form of Goddess Lakshmi – She is the mother to all living beings. It must be noted that modern paintings and pictures of Goddess Lakshmi do not follow any symbolism. She is pictured merely as a Goddess of wealth. Related Why Hindu Gods have Blue Color?

Water Conservation In Hinduism – Vedas On Saving Water

Ancient teachers of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism or Hindu religion) had realized the importance of water and had mentioned about in the Vedas and Upanishads. What is striking is that the Vedas asks us to preserve water for future generations. Here is a collection of quotes on the importance water and the need to preserve it from Vedas. There was only water in the beginning. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad v-5-1) Plants and waters are treasures for generations. (Rig Veda Samhita vii-70-4) Waters as friends of man give full protection to his progenies. (Rig Veda Samhita vi-50-7) Waters represent splendor. (Atharva Veda Samhita iii-13-5) Waters and herbs should have no poison. (Rig Veda Samhita vi-39-5) Waters bear off all defilements and cleanse people. (Vajasaneyi Samhita iv-2) Waters are to be freed from defilement. (Atharva Veda Samhita x-5-24) Waters cleanse humanity from the evil of pollution committed by it. (Atharva Veda Samhita xii-2-40) Waters are healing and they stren

Yakshas in Hinduism - Supernatural Beings In Hindu Religion

Yaksha was worshipped during the Vedic age and considered as supernatural beings in Hinduism. As per Hindu religion, Yakshas are divine beings that can change form at will. The female counterpart is known as Yakshi. The word yaksha occurs in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Brahmanas and Upanishads. Etymology f the word is still uncertain. It may mean a supernatural being, a wondrous thing, spirit, genius. The chief of the Yakshas is Kubera, the treasure of the wealth of Gods in Hindu religion. Worship of Yakshas was prevalent in pre Vedic days, and they appear frequently in Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist mythology. From ancient times, they are an important element in popular folklore. In the Vedic scriptures, yakshas and yakshis are described as frequenting forests, lakes and rivers. They live on sacred trees. In certain Puranas, it is stated that the food of yakshas consists of meat and liquor. Elements of tree worship considered popular during pre-historic and Vedic Ages are as