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Showing posts from March 2, 2019


108 Bel Patra Offering To Shiva To Overcome Money Problems

Bel patra is the most widely used leaf to Lord Shiva in Hindu religion. There is a belief that offering 108 bel patra to Shivling will help in overcoming all kinds of money related problems. How To Offer 108 Bel Patra To Lord Shiva? The Bilva Patra to be used in worship can be bought on any day. But the leaf should not be plucked on ashtami, chaturdashi, amavasya, purnima and during sankranti. The best day to make the offering is Monday or on Pradosh or Chaturdashi tithi. Ideal time to make the offering is morning or during pradosh period (starting 1.5 hours before sunset). The person offering the bilva leaves should wear white color dress. Lamp, bhasma, aak flowers, dhoop and white sweet should be offered during puja. Bilva leaves should be offered one by one and each time ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ should be chanted. After offering the Bilvashtakam stotram should be chanted.

Why Aak Flower Is Offered To Shiva In Hinduism?

As per Shiva Purana, offering Aak or Madar flowers to Shiva is considered highly meritorious. It is mentioned in the Shiv Puran that Shiva is pleased immediately and grants boons on offering flowers and leaves of Aak. Therefore it is an important offering to Lord Shiva in Hindu religion. Aak is described as the manpasand or the favorite flower of Shiva. Aak is known as Erukku in Malayalam and Tamil, yakka in Kannada, jilledu in Telugu, Akan in Assamese, Akanda in Bengali, Madar in English, Akado in Gujarati, Rui in Marathi and Arakha in Oriya. The leaves of the plant are used in curing diabetes and obesity. Paste made from the root of the plant is used to cure skin diseases. The reason for Aak flowers being the favorite of Shiva is because the milk that drains from Aak leaves is poisonous. It has power to damage the eyesight. Anything that is poisonous is the favorite of Shiva as he alone can turn poison into Amrut.

Shivratri Story – Stories Associated with Maha Shivaratri

It is not a single Shivratri story but there are numerous stories regarding the origin of Shivaratri. Most of the stories of Shivratri can be traced to the Puranas. A few important legends are detailed below. It must be noted that almost all the stories happened during night and this is one of the reason for celebrating Shivratri during night. The story of Shivratri based on hunter unknowingly dropping Bilva leaves on Lingam There once lived a tribal hunter who was a Shiva devotee. One day he lost his way while hunting and was trapped in the forest at night. Soon wild animals started to gather around him and he climbed a Bel or Bilva tree. In order to keep himself awake, he started plucking Bilva leaves and dropped it down repeating ‘Om Namah Shivaya.’ In the morning, he discovered that he had been dropping the leaves on a Shivling. And the word spread that he was saved by Lord Shiva. People started celebrating the day as Shivratri. The story is mentioned in Mahabhar

Shivratri Fasting – How to observe Shivratri Fast?

Shivratri literally means ‘the night of Lord Shiva’ and unlike other festivals associated with Hinduism there is no fun and celebrations on Shivratri day. Fasting and not sleeping at night is the most important observance on Shivaratri day. Shivratri night and the fast provides an opportunity to remove the ignorance and realize the Self that you are part of the Supreme Truth (Brahman) and open the door to bliss. The Shivaratri fasting begins on the morning of Shivratri and ends next day morning. How to observe Shivratri Fast? Devotees wake up before sunrise and take bath and wear clean clothes. Applying of sacred ash, or vibhuti, is an important aspect on the day. People also wear a Rudraksha Mala. The idols of Ganesh, Shiva and Parvati are cleaned and a lamp is lit. Most people then visit a nearby Shiva temple. In most places, Shivratri is largely observed in temples. Food Eaten on the Shivratri Day Most devotees go for a fruit diet and

Mahapurush Maharaj Teachings And Quotes

Mahapurush Maharaj or Swami Shivananda – a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and the second President of Ramakrishna Order. The great secret of true success, of true happiness, is this: the person who asks for no return, the perfectly unselfish person, is the most successful. Be strong! Don't talk of ghosts and devils. We are the living devils. Even when you sleep, keep the sword of discrimination at the head of your bed, so that covetousness cannot approach you even in dream.  Cultivate discrimination between the Real and the unreal, and you will know about the hollowness of the pleasures of sense objects. Be perfectly resigned, perfectly unconcerned; then alone can you do any true work. A tremendous stream is flowing toward the ocean, carrying us all along with it; and though like straws and scraps of paper we may at times float aimlessly about, in the long run we are sure to join the Ocean of Life and Bliss. Thoughts On Fasting Fasting