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Showing posts from February 19, 2019


Shirdi Sai Baba Vrat – Nine Thursday Fasting Dedicated to Sai Baba

Thursday, or Guruvar, is considered auspicious by many Sai Baba devotees to observe a Vrat dedicated to Shirdi Sai Baba. The vrat consists of fasting, doing puja, alms giving and listening to the story of Shirdi Sai Baba Vrat. The vrat is observed by people of different religion. On Thursday, Shirdi Sai Baba is worshipped in the morning and in the evening. Worship is offered to an idol or painting of Sai Baba. The painting is neatly cleaned. A lamp is lit and prayers are offered. Sandalwood paste (chandan) and kumkum are applied on the painting. Devotees wear yellow color dress and offers yellow flowers to Sai Baba. Garlands made of yellow color flowers are also used in the puja. All usual puja procedures followed by a devotee in the worship of Sai Baba are followed. Sweet, dry fruits and fruits are offered to Baba and later distributed as Prasad. After the puja, people listen to the Sai Baba Vrat Katha or the story associated with Sai Baba fasting.

Story of Hanuman on Arjuna’s Flag in the Mahabharata War

In the epic battle of Kurukshetra in Mahabharata, Hanuman appeared on Arjuna’s flag – the flag that was hoisted on the chariot (ratha) of Arjuna and Sri Krishna. The story associated with Hanuman on Arjuna’s flag is very interesting as it teaches Arjun an important lesson that one should not be arrogant. Before the Kurukshetra war, Arjuna went to the Himalayas to offer prayers to Shiva ( Kiratarjuniya – Story of Kirata ). On the way Arjuna met Hanuman and during the conversation, Arjuna wanted to know how great an archer was Sri Ram. Hanuman said that Sri Ram was the greatest archer. Arjuna then wanted to know if Sri Ram was a great archer why he took the help of Vanaras in building the bridge across the sea. He should have accomplished it with his arrows. Arjuna also added that he could easily build a bridge with his arrows. Hanuman understood the arrogance of Arjuna and thought it would lead to his downfall in the Mahabharata war. Therefore, Hanuman decided to teach A

Vishwakarma Upanishad – Also Known As Vastu Shilpa Upanishad

Vishwakarma Upanishad, also known as Vastu Shilpa Upanishad, explains the challenges faced by various disciplines of knowledge during the Vedic age. The text analyzes the principle of form and figuration. An Oriyan architect, Nigama Dindima, first brought out the text in 1976. Vishwakarma Upanishad consists of Pippalada Kalpa’s discourse to his disciples, Atharvangirasa, Shilpa Kashyapa and Kuvitsa (Koushala). The subject focuses on iconography and temple architecture. The highlight of the text is the information given about the straight line and the circle. The joining of a spherical head (earth) with the straight post represents karma (action). Vishwakarma meditates between the sensible and supra-sensible order of things. The text extols the extraordinary power inherent in the figurative art of communicating the vision of supreme truth. It helps in giving a taste of the infinite beyond the material world. According to Vastu Shilpa Upanishad, no image intended fo

What is Guna in Hinduism?

Hinduism teaches us that energy has three qualities. In nature, these three qualities exist in equilibrium – Sattva (calm/peaceful/pure), Rajas (activity/attachment/desire), and Tamas (darkness/inertia). The three Gunas also govern human beings. Gunas are in a perfect balance in nature. Human beings suffer when there is an imbalance in the Gunas. Imbalance of the Gunas is the result of false knowledge and false identification. Knowledge of Gunas is essential for a peaceful life. This knowledge has to be acquired through understanding and self-enquiry. There is also a big misunderstanding that the aim of the life is to be constantly in Sattva Guna. This is not true. For life to move ahead there should be a balance of all the three Gunas. You cannot live in a society and perform your dharma if Sattva Guna dominates. The attainment of right knowledge that helps in attaining moksha should be the aim of life and the gunas helps in attaining moksha. The concept

Story of Saint Jalali in Hindu Religion

Saint Jalali is mentioned in the Puranas and it is said in other scriptures of Hindu religion that his Tapas was so intense that birds made nest on this head. Sage Jalali lived in a forest and performed several intense austerities. He gained mastery over the elements – rain, sun, wind and cold had no effect on him. He used to stand and meditate for several days together. Once Sage Jalali stood like a pillar for several days and meditated. Two birds built their nests on the matted hair of Sage Jalali. The Sage thought this as a reward for his devotion and did not move. The birds left every morning and returned in the evening. After a few days the bird laid eggs. The nest was closely guarded by the birds. Sage Jalali stood like a pillar. The eggs hatched. In due course of time the little ones got wings. They grew up and went out with the parent birds. All this while, the Sage was thinking about the greatness of his meditation. Once the birds went and did not return for s

Jnanadeva Teachings On God

Jnanadeva, Jnaneshwar Maharaj (1275 – 1296), spiritual poet-saint of Maharashtra and composer of the Bhavartha Dipika (popularly known as the Jnaneshwari), a translation and commentary in Marathi on the Bhagavad Gita. This post is based on his teachings on God - the Supreme Being. Sugar is only sugar, even though it may be made into many forms. Likewise, the ocean of Consciousness is always the same, though it becomes all the forms of the universe. Various articles of clothing are made from the same cotton cloth; likewise, the varied forms of the universe are creatively fashioned of the one Consciousness, which remains forever pure. It's that one pure Consciousness who becomes everything - from the gods above to the earth below. Objects may be regarded as high or low, but the ocean of Consciousness , everpure, is all that ever is. Though the shadows on the wall are ever changing, the wall itself remains steady and unmoved. Likewise, the forms of the universe ta