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Showing posts from August 27, 2019


Ravana and Story of His Golden Shivling

Ravana was an ardent devotee of Shiva and there are numerous stories associated with Shiva, Shivling and Ravana. In the Uttara Khanda of the Ramayana it is mentioned that Ravana always carried a golden Shivling. Ravana had also composed the famous Shiva Tandava Stotram. Where Ravana went he carried with him the golden Shivling for his worship. He used to create a pedestal of sand and place the Shivling on it. He then used to worship it. Puja was performed with incense and fragrant flowers. Golden Shivling is intended for constant worship. Ravana worshipped it from the desire of sovereignty. It is described in the Tantric texts that a golden Shivling should be worshipped when any one desires sovereignty. It is also believed that worshipping a Shivling made of gold grants wealth (Sripadam). Source – Elements of Hindu Iconography – Vol II. Part 1 – by T. A. Gopinatha Rao.

Story Of Diti – Mother Of Demons In Hinduism

Diti was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati and wife of Sage Kashyapa. It is believed in Hinduism, that she is the mother of Daityas or demons. Diti served Sage Kashyapa with devotion to attain a valiant son. She was blessed with a child but Indra killed the embryo and cut into forty nine pieces and they became Maruts (a group of Devas). Indra was the son of Aditi, another wife of Sage Kashyapa, and she did not like Diti’s son to be powerful and challenge Indra. So it was on her advice that Indra killed the son of Diti. This cruel fate did not deter Diti from giving up, she continued serving Sage Kashyapa and she was blessed with two powerful sons, Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. These two demons had defeated Indra numerous times. Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu are believed to be the ancestors of demons.

Kilkari Baba Bhairav Nath Temple – Pragati Maidan New Delhi

Kilkari Baba Bhairav Nath Temple, also known as Bhairon Mandir, is located opposite the famous Purana Qila, opposite of Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi. It is believed to have been established by the Pandavas at the entrance of the city of Indraprastha in the Mahabharata. Kilkari Baba Bhairav Nath Temple Timings Monday to Saturday 5 AM to 12:00 PM 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Sunday 5 AM to 10:00 PM Bhairon is a manifestation of Lord Shiva. It is believed that Bhairava approached the mother goddess with lust and she, incensed, beheaded him. The head apologized to her and sang sons in her praise. Appeased, she declared that Bhairava’s head would be worshipped. Bhairava is the manifestation of Shiva for devotees. He rides a dog and is offered bottles of alcohol. The belief is that the murti of Bhairav Baba at Kilkari Bhairon Temple was brought by Bhima, the second of the Pandavas. He is believed to have got the image from the mountains. Bhairava’s condition to Bhima was

Keeping Lion Sculpture In Home – Vastu

Is keeping lion sculpture in home good or bad as per Vastu in Hindu religion?. As per Hindu astrologers keeping lion idol made using brass metal is good. Keeping lion sculpture made from cement and plaster-of-paris is not good. Where To Keep Lion Sculpture In Home? As per Vastu shastra followed by Hindus, the lion is to be kept in the eastern side of the plot or house. The lion should be facing the main portion of the house. Benefits It is believed that keeping the sculpture of lion will help in improving confidence. People in the house will develop self confidence and self belief. There will be success in business and job related matters.

How to perform Mundan ceremony of new born child?

The mundan ceremony of new born child should be performed after child’s first birthday and before the child turns three years old. Here is a brief account on how to perform mundan ceremony. On the auspicious day of the Mundan ceremony, the child is duly bathed and clothed and sits on the mother’s lap or any female member in the house. Father or a male member moistens the hair of the child with warm water. He offers prayers to Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Devi. He then uses a porcupine quill, three blades of Darbha or Durva Grass and cuts off a tuft of hair. While cutting he prayers for the longevity of life and prosperity of the child. The act is repeated thrice. He then leaves the shaving of the hair to the barber. Top hair or tuft of the child is left intact by some Hindu communities. Note - if a priest is present during the function, then he will chant the relevant mantras. If there is no priest then the family members can pray to Ganesha.

Pola Amavasya 2024

Pola festival is dedicated to the cows and ox. It is observed in Maharashtra, north Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other parts of rural India on the Shravan Amavasya (no moon day in Sawan month). Farmers pay respect to bullocks and cows as cattle is their main source of livelihood. In 2024, the date of Pola Amavasya is September 2. A day before Pola Amavasya, the rope tied on the ox is removed and turmeric paste and oil is applied the body of cows, ox and bullocks. On Pola day, cattle are bathed and special food prepared like Puran Poli, Kichadi and Bajari are provided to them. The animals are also adorned with various ornaments and clothes. Their horns are given a fresh coat of paint. The bull is also worshipped on the day and villagers in large numbers gather to pay their respect. The animals are taken around the village in processions accompanied by music. Many farmers also start the next farming season on the day.

Swami Ranganathananda On Truly Educated People

Swami Ranganathananda’s observances on truly educated people is based on a parable by Sri Ramakrishna A father brought from the market two fruits for his two children at home; he gave one fruit to each child. The elder child took the fruit, found it fine, straightaway went to his room, closed the door, ate the fruit, wiped his mouth, and came to the courtyard. The second child took the fruit, found it fine, straightaway went to his comrades in the courtyard and shared the fruit with all of them. Between the two children, who is the truly educated one? The first one is very intelligent, but that intelligence has become mere cleverness due to being self-centred; there you see just an individual, not yet developed into a person; but the second has achieved that growth into a person. He or she has spiritually expanded so as to think of others, care for others, and has developed the spirit of service. Here you can see the moral, ethical and humanistic development of the child