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Showing posts from March 14, 2019


Why is Sri Krishna known as Ranchor?

Ranchor is a popular name of Bhagavan Sri Krishna especially in Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. Ranchor means ‘one who walked away from battle.’ The name is not used mockingly or sarcastically. It is uttered with devotion and piety. The name indicates that Bhagavan Sri Krishna was not interested in war and he avoided unnecessary bloodshed. Story of Ranchor Jarasandha, ruler of Magadha, tried to avenge the slaying of Kamsa, his son-in-law by Sri Krishna. He attacked Mathura 17 times. Each time, Sri Krishna and Balarama successfully defended their kingdom. But Sri Krishna soon realized that if Yadavas were to progress as a community then they had to make a strategic withdrawal from the war. All the wealth and energy of the Yadavas were being used to defend against the attacks of Jarasandha. Sri Krishna thus decided to shift their capital to Dwaraka southwest of Mathura, out of reach of Jarasandha’s army. It was this wise decision that resulted in Sri Krishna being

How Lakshman Died in Ramayana? – End of Lakshmana in Ramayana

End of Lakshmana, brother of Bhagavan Sri Ram, in Ramayana happened when the objectives of Sri Ram Avatar on earth were completed. The story is mainly found in the Puranas. Here is a brief account on as to how Lakshman died in Ramayana. After returning to Ayodhya, Bhagavan Sri Rama ruled his kingdom for several years. There was peace and prosperity on earth. Dharma was flourishing. His sons and the sons of his brothers were made kings in many parts of the large empire that he ruled. During this period, Sita Devi also disappeared from earth when she merged with Bhudevi (Mother Earth). Yama (Kala), the lord of death in Hinduism, arrived at the palace of Sri Rama and requested an audience with him. Bhagavan Sri Ram received his guest. Now Yama put a condition that no one should interfere with them while they were in discussion. If anyone interferes, that person should be awarded death penalty. Bhagavan Sri Ram gave the word to Yama. Lakshmana was summoned and asked to guar

Story - Namdev Feeding Milk To Lord Vitthal Of Pandharpur

Sant Shiromani Shree Namdev Maharaj was born in a family who were staunch followers of the Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur. This incarnation of Sri Krishna Bhagavan is responsible for the bhakti cult in India during the middle ages. Bhakti, or devotion, can perform the impossible and little Namdev showed it when Lord Vitthal appeared to drink the milk he offered. Sant Namdev was five years old when his father had to leave the town of Pandharpur for some business. He instructed the little Namdev to offer naivedyam to Lord Vitthal at the Pandharpur temple. Little Namdev carried milk as naivedya to Lord Vitthal. He offered the milk; went outside and waited for the Lord to have the milk. He returned after a while and saw that the glass of milk remained the same. He then started pleading with Lord Vitthal to drink the milk. He told Vitthal that he would not move from the spot until Lord drank the milk. Hours passed. Little Namdev did not move from the spot. The innocent an

Nandi In Front Of Shiva Temple Symbolism Swami Harshananda

Nandi, the happy one, – the bull on which Lord Shiva rides – represents virility and strength, the animal in man. In Shiva temples, there is always a reclining bull placed in front of the chief shrine or just outside it, with the head turned away from the deity but the gaze fixed on it. It is interpreted as the Jivatman, the individual soul, with its animal nature pulling it away from God, but His grace pulling it back to him. Swami Harshananda (Source: Principal Symbols of World Religion by Swami Harshananda) Some Other Teachings From Hindu Religion Religion is not the destination but just a path All religions, including Hinduism, are mere roadways for making spiritual progress; they are not the destination. We mistake the roadways for the destination and create confusion. If the roadways are viewed as the destination, automatically we elevate them to an absolute status. Then by default our roadway, or our religion, becomes the one and only way. Even though we may