As per Hindu Puranas, Bhuloka or earth divided into sapta dwipa or seven continents and the gap between these seven continents was filled by the Sapta Sagara or Seven seas. The details regarding the Sapta Sagara are found in the Skanda Purana and Bhagavad Purana. The liquid content of the seven seas are different. The seven seas are made of saline water, milk, wine, curd, ghee, sugarcane and sweet water. The first island Jambudvipa is surrounded by saline water. The second island is the Saka Dwipa and is surrounded by Kshirasagara, the sea of milk. The third island is the Pushkara Dwipa and is surrounded by Surasagara, the sea of wine. The fourth island is Kusha Dwipa surrounded by Dahi Sagara, sea of curd The fifth island is Kraunchadwipa surrounded by Ghrtasagara, sea of ghee The sixth island is Salma Dwipa surrounded by Ikshurasagara, sea of sugarcane juice. The seventh island is Gomeda Dwipa and is surrounded by sweet water.

Sudarshana Chakra is a powerful weapon used by Bhagvan Vishnu to annihilate all that practice Adharma. The ninth canto of Srimad Bhagavad Purana contains the story of King Ambarisha – Durvasa and Sudarshana Chakra. King Ambarish was an ardent devotee of Bhagvan Vishnu. Pleased with the devotion of the king, Vishnu gave him the power to control the Sudarshana Chakra. King Ambarish continued his worship of Vishnu and started observing the Ekadasi Vrat. Indra, the king of Devas, was threatened by the devotion of the king. He feared he will be soon replaced by Ambarisha. To break the Ekadasi fasting of the king, Indra took the help of Durvasa. Durvasa reached the palace of the king on an Ekadasi fasting day and he was received in full honor. Durvasa then proceeded for this morning bath and other rituals. But deliberately delayed his return to hamper the Ekadasi fasting of the king. The king proceeded with his Ekadasi fasting ritual and when Ekadasi tithi was ove

There is a belief in Hindu astrology that eating a particular type of food can help in overcoming Mangal Grah Dosha difficulties in the horoscope (Janam Kundli). Those who eat spicy food and masala rich food will be attracting Mangal Graha. Mangal or Mars is the fiery planet in Hindu astrology. Angarak or red color is associated with this planet. Those people who are developing a taste for Katthal sabji (jackfruit sabji) and Sarsom ka sag (mustard greens) then it means you are attracting Mangal grah. Eating spicy and masala rich food will help in avoiding all kinds of Mangal grah problems. There will be progress and problems associated with a weak Mangal will be solved by eating Sarsomka sag and jackfruit sabji. This will help in achieving progress and new energy. There will be positive thoughts. But the above said food should be avoided if Mangal is located in the sixth, eight and 12th house. If Mangal is under the influence of bad grahas then also the above s

Shani Jayanti is believed to be the day when Lord Shani made his first appearance. There is a popular belief and fear among Hindus that Shani creates obstacles in the life and creates numerous emotional, physical and financial problems. So, how to worship Lord Shani and get rid of the troubles is a constant question lingering in the minds of people who believe they are under the malefic influence of Lord Shani? There are numerous things you can do to propitiate Lord Shani. Shani Jayanti Mantra शं शनैश्चराय खद्योताय नमः Sham Shanaishcharaye Khadyotaya Namah Chant the mantra 108 times early in the morning after sunrise. This will help in solving all problems related to Shani in life. After chanting the mantra one should water peepal tree. Sitting chanting the mantra under the peepal tree is also meritorious. If Shani is causing financial problems in life, then one needs to chant the following mantra 108 times. This will help in solving money and debt problems. शं शनैश्चराय

Bhoga Lakshmi is the second form of Ashtavidha Lakshmi. She is usually consecrated inside the sanctum sanctorum, on either side of Lord Vishnu. This Lakshmi is sculpted either seated or in standing posture corresponding to the posture of Lord Vishnu. She is consecrated in threefold form, first in the form of Sridevi, second Bhudevi, and third is Nila Devi. Bhoga Lakshmi is today totally identified with Sridevi. Ashtavidha Lakshmi is the eight forms of Lakshmi in Vaikhanasa Vishnu temple, it is suggested that there are eight places in a temple where Goddess Sri can be consecrated and worshipped. According to Sage Bhrigu, Bhoga Lakshmi is consecrated to the right of Lord Vishnu inside the sanctum.  She is portrayed as: rukmabham – bright as the purest gold, kshoumambaradharam – attired in silken garment, sapadmavAmahastAm – holding a lotus in the left hand, uruprasaritadakshinahastam – the right hand on the thigh, kasyabaddhaghanastanim - chest fastened with a ban

Grishneshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. Grishneshwar Temple is a classic example of the never-say-die spirit of Hindus. Maharashtrian Hindus rebuilt the temple many times after it was repeatedly looted and destroyed by Muslim invaders. The shrine is also known as Ghrushneshwar Mandir or Ghrneshwar Jyotirlinga or Dhushmeshwar temple. History of Grishneshwar Temple The original temple was built in the very ancient times by the Rashtrakuta King Dantidurga. The place is also referred to by another name, ‘Kusumeshwar’, as appears in some ancient scriptures. Rashtrakuta king of the 8 th  century, built this huge and beautiful temple on the banks of Elaganga River, at the feet of Mahishadri in the village Verul. Krishnaraya rebuilt it around 750 AD. The temple was well maintained and repeatedly repaired until it was destroyed by the Sultans of Delhi in the 14th Century AD. Later Maloji Raje Bhonsle, grandfather of Shivaji Mah

Kshaya Masa is a special month in Hindu calendar and panchang. The calculation of it is based on tithi (the lunar day). A lunar month consists of, normally twenty-nine and half solar days. The month itself is divided into two halves called Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) and Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight), beginning with the new moon and the full moon, respectively. When a lunar month records no transition of the sun, it is called Adhika or Mala or Purshottam Masa and a lunar month is added to the calendar. On the other hand, when a lunar month records two solar transitions, that month is called Kshaya Masa and it is the expunged lunar month. According to Siddhanta Shiromani, the Kshaya Masa occurs in the three months from the lunar month of Kartika, while the Adhika Masa is the remaining eight months starting from phalguna to Ashwin. However, Kartika Masa can be an Adhika Masa or Kshaya Masa. Normally, the year which has a Kshaya Masa also has two Adhik Maas. But beyond the

Swami Sivananda answers the real and true goal of all prayers, pujas and rituals. Desire fulfillment, materialistic gains, victory over another are not the true goal of prayers. The true goal of prayers, pujas, rituals, chanting, sacrifice, fasting are: Purify the mind and the heart. Conquer the cravings and passions. Control the senses. Discipline the thoughts and the sentiments. Cultivate noble qualities. Fill yourself with lofty divine virtues – a the Daivi-Sampatti. Be truthful, pure, compassionate, honest and contented. Live a life of unblemished spotless character, simplicity, austerity, devotion, piety and worshipfulness. Rejoice in the happiness of others. Get rid of envy, jealousy, petty-mindedness and rivalry. See god in all beings. Feel His divine presence everywhere. Remember Him constantly. Repeat His name always, and in all conditions. Do good acts constantly. Lead a life of goodness. This is the essence of all Sadhanas and Religions -  Swami