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Showing posts from February 18, 2019


Infidelity In Hindu Religion – Cheating In Marriage – Adultery

Infidelity is known as Vyabhichara (adultery) in Hinduism. It is a violation of the code of conduct in Hindu married life as prescribed by Dharmashastras. In Hindu religion, chastity is regarded as the most important virtue to be practiced. Cheating in marriage is a grave sin and the person is born in inferior yoni (womb) for next several births and has to suffer. The wife is expected to serve the husband with great respect. But she also has the freedom to choose another man when her husband is impotent or has cheated on her. The text on dharma permit a woman to marry another man only under five contingencies – when the former husband is lost, dead, exiled, impotent or fallen from virtue. Otherwise, even the thought of another man as her potential husband or paramour is considered a great sin. In the same way, a woman courting another for the sake of progeny is censured. If a man or woman who is not faithful in marriage is condemned for lifetime and is reborn in a

Hindu Festivals in Bangladesh

The most popular Hindu festival in Bangladesh is the Durga Puja, which falls mostly during the first fortnight of October and is observed for 5 days. All members of Hindu community in Bangladesh participate in this annual event dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Mother Goddess in Hinduism. Public Durga Puja Pandals are erected on the occasion and all the rituals strictly followed during the puja. There is fasting, midnight pujas and free donation of food. Women wear special Durga Puja saree on the occasion. More than 10,000 Durga Puja pandals are erected throughout the country. Another important Hindu festival observed in the country is Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna. Fasting, special puja for Krishna, devotional singing, satsangs and meetings are part of Janmashtami. Thousands of people participate in the annual Janmashtami procession. Various episodes from the life of Bhagavan are depicted on the occasion. Another important festival observed is Kali Puj

Story of Demon Disguised as Janaka in Kamba Ramayanam

What makes many of the regional versions of Ramayana interesting are the numerous sub plots. One such sub plot is of a demon disguised as Janaka, father of Mata Sita, and it is found in the Tamil Kamba Ramayanam. Ravana, the demon king, tried numerous methods to go near Mata Sita but he was unsuccessful in all his attempts. He then resorted to trickery. To achieve his desire, he deputed a clever magician demon named Marutta. Marutta put on the guise of King Janaka, father of Mata Sita. In the capacity of a loving father, Marutta consoled Sita. He also cleverly advised to yield to the wishes of Ravana. He suggested that it was the only way to escape from Lanka. Mata Sita immediately recognized the demon and asked him to get out of her sight. Marutta then assumed his original form and went away.

Story of Bhusundi, the Crow, in Yoga Vasistha

Bhusundi is the name of the immortal crow mentioned in the Yoga Vasistha. The story of Bhushandi is also found in the Ramcharitmanas. The secret of the life and death and universe is shared by Bhusundi to Sage Vasishta and is found in the Yoga Vasistha. Bhusundi resides on the Mount Meru and at the time of the end of the universe, it merges with the Supreme Soul. This form of merging is known as Nirvikalpa Samadhi. During the next cycle of creation, it again reaches the Mount Meru and witness the events of the universe. Bhushandi has witnessed numerous times the creation and dissolution of the universe. It has witnessed the birth and death of suns and moons. It has witnessed the events of the world many times. It has seen the churning of ocean several times. Bhusundi also knows what will happen in future. So what is the secret of Bhusundi? The divine bird is not affected by external factors. It always remains in the present – not thinking of past or futur

Krimi Bhojanam Hell in Hindu Puranas

Details regarding Hell in Hinduism are found in the Puranas especially the Garuda Purana. Krimi Bhojanam Hell is mainly used to punish those people who waste food and indulge in excesses while not providing food to those who are in need of it. In the Krimi Bhojanam Hell, people are thrown into pits filled with worms, insects and snakes. Krimi Bhojanam means food for worms. It is mentioned that once the bodies of the sinners are eaten by the worms, they are provided with new bodies which are also eaten up by worms. This cycle continues till the end of their punishment. Related Kumbhipakam Hell in Hindu Tradition

Kalamukha – One of the Schools of Shaivism in South India

Kalamukha was an important Shaiva sect from the 10th to the 13th century in the present day Karnataka in India. As per some scholars, the Kalamukha school of Shaivism was an extreme sect who indulged in practices like eating food in a skull and besmearing the body with ashes. The followers of the sect was known as Mahavratin – men with great vows. They marked their foreheads with black streaks. Kalamukha had its stronghold in parts of present day Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and to some extent in Tamil Nadu. It is widely believed that the Kalamukhas were replaced by the Virashaivas during the end of the 13th century.

Chandogya Upanishad Quotes

Chandogya Upanishad is part of the Sama Veda. There are eight chapters in it. Here are few quotes from Chandogya Upanishad: Previous to creation all this was being, one only without a second, Name and form were not. Just as by one clod of clay all that is made of clay is known, the modification being only a name, arising from speech, while the truth is that all is clay. Just as by one nugget of gold all that is made of gold is known, the modification being only a name, arising from speech, while the truth is that all is gold. Where one sees another, one hears another, so long as there are two, there must be fear, and fear is the mother of all misery. Where none sees another, where it is all one, there is none to be miserable, none to be unhappy. Through purity of food comes purity of mind, through purity of mind comes a steady memory of Truth, and when one gets this memory one becomes free from all knots of the heart. Saint Sanatkumara Quotes from Chand