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Showing posts from June 22, 2019


Shukra Dwadashi Vrata

Shukra Dwadashi is observed when the 12th day during a Hindu lunar fortnight falls on a Friday or Shukrawar. The day is considered highly auspicious for propitiating Lord Vishnu. Some devotees fast on the Shukra Dwadashi Vrat day and offer prayers to Vishnu. A popular story mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana narrates the importance of the Shukra Dwadashi Vrat. A pious man once found a man lying on hot sand – he had boils all over his body and was thirsty. The pious man soon found out that the man lying on the sand was a rich trader. The trader was so immersed in acquiring material possessions that he never cared for his family and never helped the poor. He was cursed to suffer on the hot sand by a Sage. The pious man then said that he had observed the Shukla Dwadashi Vrata and the punya (good results) he had got out of it is still with him. He said he will transfer it to the trader so that he will be relieved of the curse. The trader acquired the results of the

Martand Surya – About Hindu God Martand

Martand is associated with the Hindu Sun God, Surya. He is the thirteenth representative of Surya and rules the Mal Maas or Adhik Mahina or Extra month in a Hindu Lunar Calendar. Martand is worshipped by Hindus mainly for the peace of the dead souls of ancestors, parents and relatives. One of the most popular shrines associated with the deity is located in Jammu and Kashmir . Martand appeared on earth as the 13th son of Sage Kashyap and Aditi. The first 12 children of the couple are the rulers of the 12 months and are also associated with Lord Surya. Martand was born as a golden egg and it was placed at Satisar in Jammu and Kashmir by the couple on the advice given by Brahma. Lord Shiva then advised the couple to pray to Lord Vishnu so that he will provide a solution to what to do with the still egg. Lord Vishnu broke the egg with his Sudarshana Chakra and from it Lord Surya appeared in the form of Martand – wearing yellow garments, with four arms bearing a lotus

Kamakhya Devi – About Hindu Goddess Kamakhya

Goddess Kamakhya is one of the most powerful manifestations of Goddess Shakti. She is the great Mother Goddess who fulfils the desires of her devotees. Kamakhya Devi is closely identified with the Dasa Mahavidyas. The most famous temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya is located in Assam . Here she is worshipped as a natural crevice in a rock that symbolizes the ‘Yoni’ (female genitalia or vagina). Kamakhya Temple is one among the 51 Hindu Shakti peethas. Legend has it that Lord Shiva was carrying the body of his dead wife Sati around the world. There seemed to be no end to Shiva’s anger and grief. This led to an imbalance in the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu decided to decimate the body of Sati with his Sudarshana Chakra. He cut the body of Sati into 51 pieces. It is believed that ‘Yoni’ of Sati fell at the spot where the present Kamakhya Temple stands. Therefore the popular belief is that she can be worshipped in any form as she is present in all forms. Goddess Ka

Vedanta Combines Physical - Mental And Spiritual – Swami Satyeshananda

Swami Satyeshananda says that Vedanta combines the physical, mental and spiritual well being of the human being. Human personality, generally speaking, has three dimensions: physical, mental (both emotional and intellectual) and spiritual. All the three aspects are inter-related and influence each other in many ways. They are so interlinked that even if one of these aspects is neglected, the personality remains incomplete and therefore needs attention and improvement. We should remember that mental and spiritual aspects of life play an important role in maintaining good health, and good health, in turn, helps one to be mentally and spiritually strong. Vedanta discusses the subject of growth and health in three dimensions: physical, mental and spiritual. The Indian sages, our rishis, looked into all dimensions of the human personality, including the body. They studied and discovered the laws governing the human body, its origin, growth and dissolution. They, of course, never t