When Ravana failed to entice Mata Sita, he decided to use Maya to cheat and confuse Mata Sita. He asked one of his lieutenants, Vidyut Jihva, who was adept in the art of Maya to make a head of Rama and also a bow with arrows. This episode is found in the Yudha Kanda of the Ramayana. Ravana then entered Ashokavana and told Sita that Prahastha, his commander, killed Rama in his sleep. He cut off the head of Rama. He also informed that Vibhishana was captured. Lakshman and other monkeys ran away from the shores of Lanka. Sugriva in lying on the battlefield injured and Hanuman was killed. To convince Sita, Ravana asked Vidyut Jihva to bring the head and bow of Rama. Ravana then lifted the bow of Sita and displayed it before her. Sita for a moment believed that Rama was killed and the head before her was that of her husband. Sita was in tears and she held herself responsible for the death of Rama. Suddenly a messenger arrives at Ashokavana and informs Ravana about t

Rati was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati and was the wife of Kamdev , god of love in Hinduism. Rati means repose, rest, pleasure, enjoyment, delight, fondness. Pleasures of love, and sexual passion or union were personified as Goddess Rati. Vehicle of Goddess Rati is swan. She holds sugarcane in her left hand and lotus bud in her right hand. Kamdev was burned to ashes when he attempted to disturb the Tapas of Shiva. Rati lost her husband and it was impossible to control her. Shiva consoled Rati by saying that she would meet her husband again in his next birth as the son of Sri Krishna. Rati then stayed with Brahma and performed austerities. In her next birth, Rati was born as Mayavati and married Pradyumna, son of Krishna , who was the rebirth of Kamadeva.

An interesting story in the Skanda Purana mentions why Ganesha is the Lord of Obstacles? – One who removes obstacles and one who creates obstacles. It is said that all kinds of people attained moksha as a result of visiting the Someshwara Temple (Somnath temple in Gujarat ) – due to a boon granted by Shiva to Soma (moon god). People stopped all sort of ascetic practices, austerities and sacrifices. All sinners were purified by visiting Somnath. This caused imbalance in the universe. Indra, the king of Devas, wanted to find a solution to the problem and approached Shiva. He said He could not change the boon given to Soma. Shiva directed Indra to Goddess Parvati. Goddess Parvati gauged the situation and Mother Goddess decided to rectify the imbalance. She slowly rubbed Her body and from Her body appeared a four-armed divine being with an elephant head. This was Ganesha. Ganesha was asked to create obstacles in the path of sinners who visited Somnath Temple to attai

Parashakti and Adishakti are the forms of Supreme Mother Goddess. But is there difference between Parashakti and Adishakti? For a devotee who is immersed in unwavering devotion (Bhakti) they both lead to the same goal – Moksha or Liberation. For a devotee who is still struggling in the world of forms there is a difference. The philosophy of various manifestations of Shiva and Shakti is associated with the Suddha Shaiva School of Shaivism. As you might be aware that in Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), creation, sustenance and destruction follow a cyclic path. Thus at the end of one cycle - after destruction, Parashakti evolves from Shiva when His boundless mercy wills. She appears for the purpose of next cycle of creation and removal of dirt (Adharma) from the world. From this Shakti emerges other Shaktis. For the purpose of next cycle creation and to remove dirt, from a thousandth part of Shiva emerges Parashakti. From a thousandth part of Parashakti emerges Adishakti.

Ashtavakra Samhita teachings are simple and direct in appeal. It helps one to attain the bliss of freedom. The joy of self-realization is achieved through contemplation of the verses. This is a collection of teachings from Ashtavakra Samhita. The universe rises from you like bubbles rising from the sea. Thus know the Self to be One and in this way enter into the state of dissolution. Be calm and serene; don’t be agitated. Do not go after anything. If anything comes your way accept it gracefully, happily and be contented. Be humble and hear your inner voice. Problems crop up when you run after things and get them, of course, disappointment and unhappiness are there if you do not get them. He who is beyond existence and non-existence, who is wise, satisfied, and free from desire, does nothing even if he may be acting in the eyes of the world. Knowledge of one’s true nature as the infinite and non-dual pure consciousness will give freedom and spontaneity in all actions.