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Showing posts from June 9, 2019


Demons Shuka And Sarana Disguised As Monkeys To Spy On Vanarasena Ramayana

When Sri Ram reached the shores of Lanka, Ravana deputed two demons Shuka and Sarana to spy on the Vanarasena. They put on the guise of monkeys and decided to spy on the army of Rama. This incident is mentioned in the Yuddha Kanda of Ramayana. The vanarasena was so huge that it was impossible to gauge the beginning and end of the army. They tried to gather as much information as possible. The army of Rama was countless. They saw bears and monkeys all around. All of them efficient in the art of warfare. But their luck ran out when they were spotted by Vibhishana. He at once realized that the two are spies of Ravana and got hold of them. Shuka and Sarana were trembling in fear and they were taken to the presence of Rama. Rama was amused by their fear and decided to set them free. He was so generous that he offered them to be taken around the army so that they can learn more about the Vanarasena. Rama then asked Vibhishana to release the two spies. Rama asked them

Story of Saraswati River and Kavashan - Caste Is Not A Criteria

There are numerous stories in Hindu tradition that clearly states that birth (caste) is not the criteria to judge or decide what role of a person should take in society and one such story is that of River Saraswati and Kavashan. Legend has it Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas decided to perform a yajna on the banks of Saraswati River . Kavashan, a low caste man, came to participate in the Yajna. He demonstrated his qualification to participate in the yajna by suggesting mantras and chanting many. But out of ignorance, Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas, did not like a person of low caste participating in the yajna. The sages then tied him up and threw him in a spot where there was no water. They thought he will die without drinking water. Lying there Kawasan started chanting the mantras of Yajna. After sometime, the spot where Kavashan was lying was filled with water. Onlookers saw Saraswati River flowing towards Kavashan. Sage Bhrigu and Sage Angrisas who witnessed t

How to perform Annaprashan Ceremony? – How to do first rice eating ceremony of baby?

Annaprashan is the first rice eating ceremony of a child in Hinduism. How the annaprashan ceremony is performed varies from region to region. Here is a brief account of how to do first rice eating ceremony of baby in Hindu religion based on the text History of Dharmashastras. Annaprashan is one of the most important samskaras and is performed after jatakarma (neo-natal ceremony) and namakarana (naming ceremony). It is performed after the sixth month of birth – the first solid food is given on this day. The ritual is performed for male child in even months after birth and for girl child in odd months after birth. This is not strictly followed in most regions. The ideal date to perform the ceremony is the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th and 13th day of the waxing phase of moon in a fortnight – the Shukla Paksha or days after Amavasya or new moon. The Annaprashan ceremony is performed by father or mother or by an elderly member in the family. Please note that Mother can per

How to Apply Vibhuti or Bhasma along with Sandalwood Paste and Saffron?

Vibhuti or Bhasma is applied along with Sandalwood Paste (Chandan) and saffron by many devotees. A doubt many people have is, after applying Bhasma paste on the forehead, can sandalwood paste and saffron also be applied? The answer is yes, but not over the vibhuti – the three lines of vibhuti should not be touched. Sandalwood and saffron can be applied as dots just below the vibhuti. The article originally written and contributed by Sarma Sastrigal. It is found in the book titled ‘The Great  Hindu Tradition’ written by Sarma Sastrigal. Related Vibhuti or Bhasma Should Be Used Wet or Dry? Importance of Bhasma or Vibhuti – Significance of applyingsacred ash or Vibhuti on the body

Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat – How to observe Vaibhav Laxmi Vrat?

Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat is dedicated to Vaibhava Lakshmi a manifestation of Goddess Lakshmi. The Vrat is observed for success and prosperity in life. Below is a brief  description of Vaibhav Lakshmi Vratam procedure. The fasting and other rituals associated with the Vrat are observed mainly on Fridays. It is women who observe the Vrat and some people observe it for 8 consecutive Fridays. On the day of the Vrat after early morning purification processes, a Shri yantra is worshipped in puja area. A lamp is lit and the usual prayers are chanted. Then handful of rice is spread in front of the Shri Yantra and a kalash (Pot with coconut) is placed on it. A few coins are placed near it. Usual puja and prayers are performed. Red flowers are offered. Fasting starts before sunrise and ends after sunset and evening puja. In the evening Puja, Betal leaves, betal nut, coconut, fruits and a sweet is offered to the Goddess. An Arati is performed before the Kalash

Swami Bhaskarananda Teachings And Quotes - Ramakrishna Mission

A collection of teachings and quotes of Swami Bhaskarananda - associated with Ramakrishna Mission. According to Vedanta, love of God is identical with love of the Ultimate Truth. In the scriptures of Vedanta, God has been mentioned as Satyasya Satyam—the Truth of all truths. Bhagavad Gita, the famous scripture of Hinduism, tells us how the emotion expressed as love of sense objects, if obstructed, can successively become transformed into anger, delusion and confused thinking, thus causing great harm to the individual’s mind. According to Sri Ramakrishna, the emotion or thought of lustfulness cannot be suppressed, repressed, or annihilated with the thought of hatred toward the opposite sex. We have to learn the art of transforming lustfulness into love of God. According to the ancient teachings of Vedanta, Divinity is equally present everywhere, but it is not equally manifest in all places. Manifesting our inherent Divinity in the fullest measure is called experiencing God. T