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Showing posts from February 20, 2019


Radhavallabh – About Hindu God Radha Vallabha

Radhavallabh means lover of Radha. Thus Radha Vallabha is Srimati Radha Rani and Sri Krishna. But prominence is given to Radha in this form of worship. It must be noted that Radhavallabh is not the name of a particular form of Sri Krishna. It is the name of the sect found in the 16 th century by Hitaharivamsha. In Radhavallabh worship – Radha is supreme. The two syllables Ra – Dha represents Supreme Knowledge. She is eternally married to Sri Krishna. Radha is timeless. She is beyond form and qualities. All living beings strive to be her companions. Therefore they can be devotees and friends to both Sri Krishna and Radha at the same time. Where there is Radha, there is Krishna . Devotees of this sect merge in the constant Lila of Radha and Krishna – Marital bliss, separation, the romantic fights and the reunion. Related Story – Tulsi Leaf and Sri Krishna Weighed on Balance Scale – Which is Heavy Bhakti or Material Possessions

Apasmara Purusha – Shiva Stands on This Demon as Nataraja

In the Nataraja Dance form, Hindu God Shiva is depicted as dancing on a dwarf demon. This demon is known as Apasmara Purusha – the demon of ignorance. Apasmara Purusha has the face of a demon and body of an infant. He is crushed by the right foot of Nataraja. The word Apasmara means forgetfulness and symbolizes the ignorance that makes us lose our balance and consciousness and run after sensuous things. Legend has it that this demon used to trouble human beings, saints and devas. Human beings prayed to Shiva who crushed him under his feet. Symbolically, Shiva standing on Apasmara Purusha is asking us to crush laziness, ego, jealousy, envy and hatred and realize the Supreme Truth. By this self realization one attains bliss on earth. Related Symbolism of Shiva’s drum Damaru

Jaya – Vijaya Curse To Fall From Vaikuntha - Symbolism

Jaya and Vijaya were the doorkeepers of Vaikunta. They were the favorites of Hindu God Vishnu. Once Sanakadi Rishis – Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara – wanted to pay respects of  Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha but Jaya and Vijaya stopped them. The arrogance of doorkeepers resulted in the Sanakadi Rishis cursing them to be born in Mrityu Lok as Rakshasas (demons) during three yugas. In Vaikunta there is no aging or death. So the curse that be born on earth – suffer and finally die. Jaya and Vijaya were then born as Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Sri Hari Vishnu took the Avatar of Varaha and annihilated Hiranyaksha. As Narasimha Avatara, Sri Hari Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu. Jaya and Vijaya were then born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna. This time, Vishnu took birth as Sri Ram and killed Ravana and Kumbhakarna. Later they took birth as Shishupala and Dantavakra and Sri Krishna annihilated them. This story symbolically suggests that all living beings are good. It i

Sthiti Linga or Sthir Lingam

Ancient scriptures mention different types of Shivling. There are naturally formed Shivlings known as Swayambhu Shivlings. There are also manmade. Sthiti Linga or Sthir Lingam are those installed in temples and they are both Swayambhu and manmade. Sthir Lingams are only worshipped in temples and in sacred places. In most such temples in South India , there will be another same murti known as Utsava murti which will be used for processions and festival rituals. The most popular Sthir Lingas are the 12 Jyotirlingas. In North India , devotees can directly offer worship to the Sthiti Linga – they can touch and take blessings; offer flowers, bathe the lingam with water. In South India , devotees are not allowed to touch the Sthir Lingam as it is kept inside the sanctum sanctorum. Sthir Lingams in certain temples are also decorated with gold and other metals. There are also Sthiti Lingas that have symbolic markings that are associated with Shiva – some have trishul

Story of Origin of Diamond in Hinduism

Story of origin of diamond is mentioned in the Uttara Khanda of Padma Purana. Diamond mining is responsible for numerous wars and killings and interestingly the story of origin of diamonds in Hinduism is based on ignorance of a demon. Legend has it that Bala, the son of Demon Mayasura, attained supernatural powers through magic. He started encouraging all sort of immortality. He used magical powers to win over women. Humans and Devas sought the help of Indra, the king of Devas. Several wars were fought between them and Indra was always defeated. Once Indra and his army were completely routed and Indra was made a prisoner by Bala. An imprisoned Indra learned that Bala had a weakness to flattery. Soon Indra started praising Bala. He praised the demon with songs and crowned him with all glory. Indra completely enamored Bala with his flattery. Soon Bala asked Indra to ask whatever he wanted. Indra asked for the physical body of Bala. Without thinking, Bala kneele

Vasudha Lakshmi - About Hindu Goddess Vasudha Lakshmi Form

Vasudha Lakshmi is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. She is the Mother Earth and bears living beings. She is patient, strong and wish fulfilling. When people become greedy, she revokes her blessing and the earth becomes barren. She also shows her fury through earthquakes and volcanoes. Vasudha Lakshmi is also known as Bhu Devi and Dharini. She also takes the form of cow and takes help from Vishnu. He takes numerous incarnations to guard and protect Bhoodevi. In some images of Vasudha Lakshmi she is flanked by Vasudeva (Krishna) and Baladeva. This image of Her is known as Ekanamsa. Vasudeva is a herdsman and Baladeva is a farmer. She provides all living beings with food.

Bhagavad Gita Teachings on Hypocrisy

Teachings on Hypocrisy (insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have) in Bhagavad Gita Hypocrisy, arrogance and self-conceit, anger, and also harshness and ignorance, belong to one who is born, O Partha, for a demoniac-Estate. (Chapter 16 verse 4) Filled with insatiable desires, full of hypocrisy, pride and arrogance, holding evil ideas through delusion, they (the ignorant) work with impure resolves. (Chapter 16 Verse 10) Those men who practice terrific austerities, not enjoined by the scriptures, given to hypocrisy and egoism, impelled by the force of lust and attachment . . . Senselessly torturing all the elements in the body, and Me also who dwells within the body --- you may know these to be of 'demoniacal' resolves. (Chapter 17 Verse 5 and 6) The austerity which is practiced with the object of gaining good reception, honour and worship, and with hypocrisy, is here said to be Rajasic, unstable, and transi