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Showing posts from February 15, 2019


Markandeya Jayanthi – Markandeya Rishi Jayanti

Markandeya Rishi Jayanthi is annually observed in Magh month as per traditional Hindu calendar. The jayanti festival is the birth anniversary of Sage Markandeya. Markandeya Jayanti 2025 date is February 1. Sage Markandeya was the son of Sage Bhrigu and Lord Shiva had rescued him from the clutches of death at the age of 16. Shiva also gave Sage Markandeya the boon that he will always remain as a 16 year old. It is believed that prayers and puja dedicated to Mahadev Shiva and Markandeya Rishi will help in overcoming fear of death. Prayers on the day help in mitigating pain and also helps in finding early cure to serious diseases. Devotees and followers of Sage Markandeya organize special pujas on the day. Markandeya Jayanthi is annually observed on Magh Shukla Paksha Tritiya Tithi or the third day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar. Related Shiva and Markandeya – Story of Shiva Story of Sage Markandeya and Yoga Nid

Bow And Arrow In Hinduism – Dimension – Size – Material

Bow and arrow held a place of great significance in ancient Hindu world. The very fact that military science of ancient Hindus was named Dhanurveda (Dhanur refers to bow) suggests that the bow and arrow were the chief weapons of war in Hinduism. Bow and arrow was counted among the mukta weapons (those that were released).  Chapter 245 of Agni Purana furnishes material and structural details of a bow used by ancient Hindus. Bow Material The rod of the bow could be made of metal, horn or wood. Strings were to be made of fiber of bamboo or other trees. Hors used in the making of bows were those of a buffalo, rhinoceros, or rohisa, while wood was obtained from sandal, sala, cane, or dhavala. The bow made of bamboo, especially if obtained in autumn, was considered to be the best. Metal bows could be of steel, gold, silver or copper. Bowstrings were made of muja grass, arka plant, hemp, cavedu, bamboo and sinew. Chanakya in his Arthashatra distinguishes f

Night Falls When Vishnu closes His Right Eye – the Story

There are numerous folk stories associated with Vishnu. The story, which indicates that night falls when Vishnu closes his right eye, is found in a collection of folk stories titled Gatha Saptashati. The collection belongs to the first or second century AD. While making love to Hari in inverted posture, Viparita Rati, Goddess Lakshmi suddenly noticed the presence of Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma was sitting on the lotus, which sprouted from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Goddess Lakshmi was embarrassed and she closed the right eye of Lord Vishnu. Suddenly night fell and at the fall of night, the petals of lotus flower closed engulfing Lord Brahma in them. This obliterated the presence of Lord Brahma.

Story Of Demon Adi Taking Form Of Goddess Parvati To Kill Lord Shiva

Adi, the son of the demon Andhaka, took the resolve to kill all the gods to revenge his father's death. To kill Lord Shiva, he took the form of Goddess Parvati. This story is found in the Matsya Purana. The demon king Andhaka was annihilated by Lord Shiva. Adi, son of Andhaka, had got the boon from Brahma that he could not be killed in his own form. He could only be killed if he changed his shape. Adi started a reign of Adharma in the three worlds. He was invincible. Lord Brahma was worried about the ever-growing power of demon Adi. He asked Shiva for help. One day, Goddess Parvati had left Kailash after quarreling with Shiva. She appointed Viraka to guard the gate and not to let any woman enter Kailash in her absence. Adi got the news of the absence of Goddess Parvati in Kailash from sage Narada. The Sage incited him to use this opportunity to kill Shiva. To avoid being detected by guard Viraka, he took the form of a snake and crawled into the abode of Shiva

Dnyaneshwari Teachings On Anger – Desire

Written by Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, Dnyaneshwari is the most popular commentary on the Bhagavad Gita in Marathi.  This is a collection of Dnyaneshwari Teachings on anger and desire. A little poison can spread in the whole body and destroy life. A little desire of the objects of senses in the mind is also ruinous, because it unsettles discrimination (Viveka). Even an ascetic will have the feeling of affection, if he remembers objects of senses in his mind. The affection will create desire, which is passion (Kama) personified. Where there is passion, there is anger, and anger destroys thought. Wandering thoughts destroy memory, like strong wind blowing out a lamp. Like the world being gripped by darkness, when the light of the sun disappears, the distortion of memory makes people blind. This blindness in the form of ignorance unsettles the understanding and then complete ruin follows. The understanding is confused in the same way as a man, who is blind from birth, runs her