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Showing posts from July 18, 2019


Reason Bhang and Shiva – Stories From Hindu Scriptures Why Bhang Is Favorite Of Shiva

There are numerous reasons as to why bhang is a favorite offering to Shiva in Hindu scriptures. Bhang is offered to Shiva and it is also consumed especially by staunch Shiva devotees. Here is look at some of the stories which explains why bhang is associated with Shiva. Legend has it that Bhang has the property to nullify effect of poison  on the body of living beings. It is said that Shiva first used bhang after drinking the Halahala poison coming out from churning of ocean  (Samudra Manthan episode). The juice of the bhang plant cured Shiva and removed the poisonous effect of Halahala. Another legend has it that a drop of Amrit or nectar fell on the Manthara mountain and a plant appeared on the spot. This was the bhang plant and Shiva used its leaves to make a drink. From that day it became the favorite drink of Shiva and it was offered to him and consumed by people as Shiva’s Prasad. It is also believed that the Bhang plant was given to human beings by Shiva to mak

Aadi Velli Religious Significance – Importance Of Fridays in the Tamil Month Aadi

Fridays (Velli Kizhamai) in the Tamil Month of Aadi is considered highly auspicious for worshipping various Hindu Goddesses, especially incarnations of Goddess Shakti. Aadi Velli is also auspicious for performing pujas dedicated to Nagas (Snakes). It is of great importance and carries great religious significance to Amman devotees. Women of the neighborhood and friends meet on the Fridays and do pujas and exchange Thamboolam. Varalakshmi Puja an important ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is performed on a Friday in the month of Aadi. Devout Hindus visit temples and perform special pujas on the Fridays. The Aadi Velli is of great significance to women as numerous rituals are performed in the month. Majority of the people also worship snakes during the month. They offer milk, sugar and jaggery to the Snake idols. Women also exchange Thambulam – a plate containing Betel leaves, Betel nuts, turmeric, kumkuma, coconut and cloth – after Friday prayers.

Curse of Mata Sita – The Reason Why Some Hindu Temple Priests are Greedy for Money

Hindu devotees who have visited some of the most popular temples in India might have had numerous experiences of greedy temple priests, or Pandas, demanding more money. They are never satisfied with the normal token amount. Some priests are always on the look out to cheat innocent devotees. And fights between pandas over sharing money are very common. It is believed that the Pandas are greedy due to a curse of Mata Sita. Anita Ratnam who had to face such greedy priests writes about the curse in the New Indian Express  While performing the annual rituals for my parents at Gaya , I heard this amazing story from the Ramayana. After Lord Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman had left Ayodhya for the forests, they received news of King Dasaratha’s demise. The two brothers immediately went to the banks of the Phalguni River in Gaya and performed their prayers for the passing of the soul.  Meanwhile, King Dasaratha’s hungry spirit demanded food from Mata Sita

Basis for Marriage is Friendship – Hindu Philosophy of Marriage

This article is written by Dr. Srinivasan is the author of book - The Vedic Wedding: Origins, Tradition and Practice and Hinduism for Dummies Wife as friend is a very ancient Hindu concept and an ancient Hindu prince known as Yudhisthira revealed this "secret" about 4000 years ago. In an episode known as Yaksha Prashna in that great epic, the Mahabharata, a divine being challenged the prince in exile to answer some questions.  One of the questions the Yaksha asked Yudhisthira was "kimsvin mitram grhesatah?" i.e. Who is the friend of a householder? To which the prince answered “bhaaryaa mitram grhesatah" i.e. the friend of a householder is his spouse. According to Hindus, therefore, the basis for marriage is friendship and such friendship is the understanding, the promise and the commitment that unites a man and a woman. With such authority, there is then no question about the role of a woman, her importance, her position in this equation

Different Types of Shivling and Benefits of Their Worship

Shivling is the symbol of the Supreme Truth. Bhagavan takes for the sake of devotees. Here are the different types of Shivling and benefits of their worship. Shivling made of pearl (moti) will help in achieving prosperity and wealth. Worshipping Shivling made using eight metal will help in curing skin diseases and leprosy. Worshipping Shivling made using Cat’s eye (Lahsuniya Ratna) will help in defeat of enemies. Enemy will suffer both mentally and physically. Shivling made of jaggery will help in fulfillment of sexual desire. Worshipping Shivling in ling mudra – Shivling made using two hands – will help in desire fulfillment. Shivling made using makkan (butter) will help in achieving fame, honor and auspiciousness in life. Shivling made using Awla (gooseberry) will help in achieving moksha or salvation. Worshipping Shivling made using fruits will help in better luck and prosperity. For having healthy and intelligent children, one should worship natural

Upanishads Associated With Shiva – Shaiva Upanishads

Upanishad is the philosophical treatise dealing with purely metaphysical topics, such as the creator the creation, his relation with the world and human beings. It seldom discusses a personal God and His powers and nature. Therefore the names ‘Shaiva Upanishad’ appears to be an illustration of antithesis, because a personal God and Upanishad are two contradictory concepts. However, Svetasvatara Upanishad is an illustration of such an Upanishad. This is the foremost of the several Shaiva Upanishads, and although it is a major Upanishad, it is not one of the ten Upanishads which are normally counted as standard. It speaks of Shiva/Hara/Rudra as the very Brahman itself. Svetasvatara Upanishad propounds that the power of Brahman is covered by its own qualities. The quality-less is said to have qualities. Along with devotion to Shiva, this Upanishad is a fine blend of the Yoga, samkhya and Vedanta systems. In fact, by the names Shiva, Rudra, etc., it refers to Brahman Himself an

Kena Upanishad Teachings - Kenopanishad Quotes

A collection of teachings and quotes from Kena Upanishad. Kenopanishad is also known as Talavakara-Upanishad because of its place as a chapter in the Talavakara-Brahmana of the Sama-Veda. If you think you know Brahman, well you know little. The form of Brahman that you see in living beings and deities is but a trifle. Indeed, he among us who comprehends, knows and also knows that he does not know. He who thinks he does not know That (Brahman), knows That. That is the unknown to the wise, but to the ignorant That is known. Indeed, he who can perceive That through every state of cognition, by such knowledge gains immortality. By the Atma, he attains real strength and by knowledge, he attains immortality. What speech cannot reveal but which reveals the speech, know that alone is God. What mind cannot comprehend, but what cognizes mind, know that alone is God. The eye does not go there, nor speech, nor mind. We do no know That. We do know how to instruct one about It. It