--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August 4, 2019


Naglok in Hindu Puranas – Underworld Where Snakes or Nagas Reside – Nagaloka

Naglok, or Nagaloka, is the world of snakes and is underground – beneath the Earth. As per Hindu Puranas there are seven worlds below the earth and the Naglok is the last one. Vishnu Purana states that Patal or the underworld is 70,000 yojanas below the earth. One Yojana is equal to 8 miles. The seven worlds occupy 10,000 yojanas each. So Nagaloka is located nearly 130,000 yojanas below the earth. Sage Narada has mentioned that Naglok is beautiful than heaven, or Swarg, the abode of Devas or Demi Gods. Sunlight does not reach the Nagaloka. Puranas mention that the place is lighted up with the light emitting from the Nagamani atop the fangs of the snakes. Naglok was built by Mayan – the Asura Architect.  There is no death, old age or diseases at the world of Nagas. The place is ruled by Vasuki.

Story of Sage Agastya Killing Demons Vathapi and Ilvala and Arthamuru Village

Arthamuru is a village located in East Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh and the popular belief is that Sage Agastya killed demons Ilvala and Vathapi here. Demons Ilvala and Vathapi used to rob and kill people and hide the loot in Arthamuru Village . It is said that in modern times people who used to dig at Arthamuru to make house, wells, ponds etc used to receive gold and other valuables which is believed to have been hidden by demons Ilvala and Vathapi. Vathapi had the power to change into any form. Ilvala knew the ‘Mritasanjivani’ mantra to bring back the dead to life. They used these powers to loot and kill people. Fed up with Ilvala and Vathapi, Sage Agastya decided to put an end to their demonic activities. One day Sage Agastya was passing by the area controlled by Ilvala and Vathapi. The demons decided to kill the Sage. For this Ilvala appeared in the form of an ordinary man. Vathapi changed his form into delicious food items. Ilvala invited Sage Agastya

Sravana Mangala Gowri Puja Story

The various Vratas that are observed in Hinduism is based on a story. The general idea of the story remains the same but the characters and incidents change from region to region. This Sravana Mangala Gowri Vrata Katha is from Karnataka known as Mangala Gowri Haadu or Haddu. The shloka or song (prayer) narrated during the puja is also referred as Mangala Gowri Haadu. Long long ago a boy who was studying under a guru went from house to house seeking alms. This was a tradition then and the Guru and shishya only took what was needed for the day. But strangely this boy refused alms given by the queen of the land and took alms from other women. The king and the queen of the land were staunch Shiva devotees but did not have any children. The queen and the king discussed this strange incident and the next day, the queen again offered rice to the young boy. But the boy did not accept it. The king came and asked why he was not taking the rice from the queen. The boy

Siddharudh Swami Samadhi Day - Siddharudh Swami Punyatithi

Siddharudh Swami was a popular saint in the 20th century in Karnataka. He spread the teachings of Advaita and performed numerous miracles during his lifetime. Siddharudh Swami Samadhi day in 2024 is on August 20. It is the punyatithi or the death anniversary of the great soul. Annually it is observed on the first day of the waning phase of moon, or Krishna Paksha Pratipada, in Shravan month as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. Many people believe that he was a reincarnation of the 16th century saint-philosopher, Nijaguna Shivayogi. Siddharudh Swami was given the title Advaita Chakravarti, the Emperor of the Advaita Saints. An ascetic of highest order, Siddharudh Swami spread the true message of Advaita to the masses.

Nirvana Shatakam Quotes And Teachings

Quotes and Teachings from Nirvana Shatakam of Adi Shankaracharya. I do not have hatred or passion, greed or delusion, I do not have arrogance or an attitude of envy, Nor do I hanker after the four goals: Dharma, Artha, Kama , Moksha, Righteousness, wealth, pleasures or liberation, I am the embodiment of bliss consciousness! I am Shiva (the auspicious God!) I am Shiva (the auspicious God!) (Nirvana Shatakam 3) I am neither good, nor evil, Nor pleasuring, nor suffering. I am not the sacred word, Nor the pilgrimage, Nor the scriptures Nor the sacrifice I am neither the enjoyer, Nor the enjoyable, Nor the act of enjoyment. I am intelligence. I am absolute bliss. I am Shiva I am Shiva Sin or merit can never touch me, joy and sorrow cannot contaminate me; I know no mantra, I have no sacred pilgrimage to make, I know no scripture, nor I have anything to gain through rituals, I am neither the experiencer (subject), nor the experienced (object), nor the experiencing; I am Au