--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from May 8, 2019


Jnana Prabodhini – Institute Offering Course To Hindu Women Priests

Jnana Prabodhini in Pune, Maharashtra , offers a one-year course which will train women to become priests (purohits) and rituals associated with Hinduism. There is a great demand for female priests as many families and companies feel that they are more honest and patient in doing rituals and pujas. Another advantage is the communication skill of women priests. The course is strictly based on Vedic rituals. Nearly 19 pujas and samskaras are taught as part of the one-year course. The response to the course is great and housewives and young women are joining the course. People from other profession are also joining the course. Jnana Prabodhini is located at 510, Sadashiv Peth, Pune and concentrates on education and rural development. You can find more details here... at Santrika

Prayer to Lord Surya - Surya Ashtakam With Meaning In English

Surya Ashtakam – a prayer dedicated to Lord Surya – the Sun God. Below is the English meaning of the prayer along with English transliteration.  Adhi deva Namasthubhyam, Praseeda mama Bhaskara, Divakara namasthubhyam, Prabha kara Namosthu thy. Salutations to the primeval God, Please be kind to me , he who creates the morn. Salutations to you the creator of day, Salutations to you the creator of light. Saptha aswa radha roodam, Prachandam, Kasypathmajam, Swetha padma dharma devam, Tham suryam pranamamyaham My salutations to the Sun God, Who rides on chariot with seven horses, Who is the brightest of lights, Who is the son of Sage Kashyapa, And who wears the white lotus flower. Lohitham Radha maroodam, Sarva loka pithamaham, Maha papa haram devam, Tham suryam pranamamyaham My salutations to the Sun God, Who is reddish brown in colour, Who rides on a chariot, Who has created all the worlds, And who is the god who kills all the sins Trigunyam cha maha sooram,

Seven Hills at Tirupati Significance – Names of the Mountains In Prayer or Hymn Chanted in the Tirumala Temple

Tirumala range has several mountains. One has to pass through these hills to reach the Tirupati Balaji Temple. The names of the seven hills vary in Puranas. The hymn or prayer chanted at Tirupati Temple state the names of the hills as: Srishaila Sheshashaila Garudachala Venkatadri Narayanadri Vrishabadri and Vrishadri Significance of Seven Hills At Tirupati Srishaila consists of wealth;  Sheshashaila was embraced by Adishesha;  Garudachala was brought from Vaikunta;  Venkatadri helps in destroying sins;  At Narayanadri, Vishnu appeared before a poor devotee and sanctified the place; Vrishabhadri is the place where Vishnu killed powerful demon and  Vrshadri is the place where Dharmaraja performed penance.

Go Ghrita – Cow Ghee Offering to Ganesha

Go Ghrita is an important offering in almost all pujas in Hinduism. Offering pure cow ghee to Ganpati during Visarjan helps in alleviating all the problems in life. गौघृत (cow ghee) is an important offering because it is believed in Hindu religion that all the gods and goddesses have their abode in the cow. Some of the Cow Ghee offering to Ganesha include: Lamp lit using ghee, Bhog or Prasad (divine food) prepared using ghee and Abhishekam or anointment with ghee It is believed in some regions that offering ghee mixed with sindoor to Ganesh helps in getting his blessings. This mixture is then consumed. It helps in increasing strength and luster.

Kalyanavarman – Ancient Astrologer

Kalyanavarman is a famous ancient astrologer who was quoted by Bhattotpala in his commentaries on Brihat Jataka and Brihat Samhita. Both these ancient texts were written by the famous mathematician Varahamihira. Little is known about the life and times of Kalyanavarman. It is believed that he lived between 650 AD and 725 AD. His most famous work is Saravali, an exhaustive edition on the science of the astrology. He was respected for his scientific works.

Pandavas And Rakshasa Kirmira

The story of Pandavas and Rakshasa Kirmira happens during the exile period of Pandavas in the Mahabharata. The story is narrated by Rishi Maitreya to Kauravas. The reason for narrating the story was to make the Kauravas aware of the power and strength of Pandavas. The story is found in the Vana Parva of Mahabharata. When the Pandavas entered the Kamyaka forest, they were attacked by Rakshasa Kirmira. This Rakshasa was troubling all the living beings in the Kamyaka forests. Saints and human beings were unable to conduct their daily routines. Bhima took on the Rakshasa Kirmira. They both fought with hands and by uprooting trees. The Rakshasa then took huge boulders to attack Bhima. But Bhima powdered the huge boulders using his mace. Might Bhima then stuck the Rakshasa down with his mace and pinned him down to the ground. He then snapped the neck of the Rakshasa killing him instantly. All the residents of the Kamyaka forest came out of hiding and prayed for the we

Yati Dharma in Jainism – 10 Yati Dharma – observances

Yati Dharma is an important aspect of Jainism. The 10 Yati Dharma or observances are enjoined on the Jain monks. Good conduct, the path of Samyaka Charitra, emphasizes that one must refrain from what is harmful and develop attitudes which aid one in treading on the right path. 10 Yati Dharma - Observances Forgiveness Humility Simplicity Non-covetousness Austerity Restraint Truthfulness Purity or personal cleanliness Renunciation Celibacy A spirit of forgiveness and cultivation of goodwill is one of the important dharmas. One should not seeks vengeance but learn to forgive another. It is a positive quality that is to be developed as it leads to the attainment of self control over emotions like anger and prevents vindictive behavior. The cultivation of the virtue of humility subdues pride, arrogance and selfish tendencies. A humble person is sensitive and sympathetic to the needs of others. The quality of simplicity develops veracity of character and leads to t

How to observe or what to do on Vaikasi Visakam?

Vaikasi Visakam, also known as Vaigasi Visagam or Vaikaci Visagam, is the day when Lord Muruga is believed to have appeared on earth to annihilate the demons and restore order and alleviate the sufferings of human beings. Lord Muruga is believed to have incarnated on the Visakam Nakshatra on Vaikasi Pournami. Here is a brief guide on what to do on Vaikasi Visakam day. How to observe Vaikasi Visakam? Vaikasi Visakam is a ten-day festival in Lord Muruga Temples and special pujas and homas are performed during the period. A car festival, or pulling of chariots, is organized on the day. In homes, Vaikasi Visakam is observed by performing special pujas to Lord Muruga. Idols, portraits, paintings of Lord Muruga are thoroughly cleaned and decorated. Usual puja procedures are followed. Sarkarai Pongal, a special neviedya, or prasad, is prepared on the day. People also visit a nearby Muruga Shrine and do pujas and offer prayers. Prayers that are chanted on t