Goddess Amba Yantra is worshipped by Hindus for peace, good health and prosperity. Other benefits of worshipped the yantra daily include desire fulfillment, early marriage and solutions to financial problems. Click on the image to see all the mantra associated with Amba Yantra. The yantra should be worshipped on Tuesday and Friday. Goddess Amba Yantra: Expanded Information Goddess Amba , also known as Ambe Maa or Durga, is a revered deity in Hinduism, symbolizing strength, protection, and the nurturing aspects of motherhood. The Amba Yantra is a sacred geometric diagram representing the divine energy of Goddess Amba. This yantra is used in Hindu worship and spiritual practices to invoke the blessings of the goddess for various purposes, including peace, prosperity, and protection. Benefits of Worshipping the Goddess Amba Yantra Peace and Harmony : The yantra is believed to harmonize the environment where it is placed, promoting peace within the home or workplace. Go...

Shani, the son of Surya, plays the role of judge, executioner and punisher in Kali Yuga. Shani visits a person to give punishments for all wrongdoings – Adharmic activities. Here is a look how Sade Sati works on a person in Kali Yuga. It is said that the punishment of Shani extends for 7.5 years. Shani first sits on the head of a living being for 2.5 years. Here he makes the person do all kinds of foolish things. He will be swayed by lust, desire and other things. Net result is financial loss, loss of honor and lack of peace Shani then moves to stomach and sits here for 2.5 years. During this period the person will face numerous health issues. The person will lose his wealth and property. There will be no happiness. Shani then moves to the legs of the person and sits here for the next 2.5 years. During this period the person will have to struggle for even the smallest things. There will be constant impediments and tensions in life. This period will be like walking thr...

Belnauti, Bilva Abhimantran Sashti, is one of the initial rituals performed during Durga Puja. It is performed on the sixth day, or Sashti day, of the Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. Belnauti 2025 date is September 28. Amantran is inviting Goddess Durga into the puja area. The rituals on the day are performed by qualified priests. The most important rituals of Durga Puja begin from the next day morning – Saptami Day. The important rituals on the Belnauti day include unveiling the face of Durga Idol and Kalparambho. Bodhon, Amantran and Adibas are some of the other main rituals on Sashti day. Additional Information Belnauti or Bilva Abhimantran Sashti is an auspicious ritual in the Hindu festival of Durga Puja . Observed on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Ashwin (usually September-October), Belnauti marks the beginning of the main rituals of Durga Puja.  Observance of Belnauti Belnauti involves a set of traditional ritu...

Vijnanam Brahma is one of the mahavakyas (basic statements) of Vedanta. Vijnanam Brahma means Brahman is Wisdom. In spiritual terms, vijnanam means that special knowledge which has become part of one’s experience. Jnana with prefix ‘vi’ means special knowledge. Vijnanam Brahma statement is found in the Taittiriya Upanishad – “Vijnanam Brahma Cedveda.” The mantra insists upon the importance of intellect. The intellect is the determining and discriminating faculty in us. By the help of intelligence one can aspire to reach up to the experience of the Real Self. The self-realized intelligence is all-pervading and in essence the same as Brahman. Brahman is said to be the most Supreme (paratpara). The reality is a Unity; this knowledge removes all delusion. By reflecting upon one’s own self, the mind becomes free from all illusions, bring us near to our own self. The identification of the self with a being (jivabhava) is a worldly nature; this self is always busy in thinkin...

We Hindus living in India are bombarded regularly by Great Indian Festival and Big Billion Day sale. Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) has been promoting minimalism and living with less from time immemorial. West is adopting minimalism in a big way but east which is home to the idea of minimalism is in reverse gear. Unnecessary shopping done just to avail the irresistible discounts ends up clogging up our small homes and flats. Many people end up owning half a dozen mobiles. After each online festival sale old clothes, electronic items and numerous plastic products end up causing clutter. One of the important lessons in Hinduism is to live a simple life, especially without causing any damage to nature. This important lesson has three great benefits firstly it causes minimum damage to nature and environment, there is happiness and less stress, and thirdly there is no extra pressure on earning more money to buy new things. Every new purchase only creates more credit card debts...

This is a quiz based on the Navratri festival. The questions are an attempt to introduce readers of the blog to different aspects of Navratri and how it is observed in different parts of India. The questions are embedded below: Navratri Quiz

The nine goddess worshipped during Navratri are known as Nav Durga and they have hidden symbolism attached to them. The Navadurga are Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kala Ratri (Kaalratri), Maha Gowri and Siddhi Dayini. Goddess Shailputri  is symbolically associated with Shradha ( concentration, devotion, veneration and faith ). Brahmacharini is associated with dispassion towards feelings caused by the senses. She helps a devotee achieve control over the senses. Chandraghanta is associated with clean and pure mind, which is filled with God consciousness. She helps a devotee in mastering the mind. A person who has control over the mind is always in bliss. Maa Kushmanda is dedicated to victory over the evil thoughts that rise in the mind. She crushes all kinds of unwanted desires that make life unhappy. She uproots illusion or Maya. Skanda Mata protects the godliness and goodness in the mind of a devotee. She...

Akhand Jyoti during Navratri is the lamp, which is kept lit for nine days during Navratri by many families. Here are some important information and significance of the Akhand Jyoti. There are many rules, dos, and don’ts while keeping the lamp lit for nine days. The Lamp Dedicated to Durga and her Nine Forms Akhand Jyoti is dedicated to Mother Goddess Durga and here nine forms worshipped during the nine days of Navratri. Why is Akhand Jyoti Kept During Navratri It is kept to seek blessing and pardon for sins committed. It is widely believed that houses in which Akhand Jyoti is lit will be blessed with peace, prosperity and good health. Some devotees keep it for getting job, early marriage and for desire fulfillment. Rules - Dos - Don'ts and How to Keep Akhand Jyoti during Navratri  A devotee should take a vow to keep the lamp lit for nine days before Mother Goddess and then the person should make sure that the lamp burns continuously for the entire Navratri ...

Navratri Vrat is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashvin (September – October). This articles give an idea regarding Navratri fasting rules and on how to perform or observe navratri vrat. Navratri fasting in 2025 begins on September 22 and ends on October 1. Vasant Navratri fasting is from March 30 to April 6, 2025. It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Certain rules and rituals are followed during the period. Legend has it that how to observe the Navratri Vrat was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratis observed by both men and women and a Navratri mantra is repeated during the period. Navratri Fasting Rules - Dos and Don'ts No non-vegetarian food. No smoking, eating pan, alcohol and other intoxicating objects. No sexual intercourse. No cutting or shaving of hair, beard, moustache, body hair and nails during the period. Some people walk barefoo...

Puja of Mother Goddess can be performed on any day during the year. But it is considered highly meritorious to perform it during the Navratri. Here are 10 things to remember during Navratri puja at home. You need to wake up early in the morning. Clean the house. Take Bath and then perform the puja. Smoking, chewing pan, drinking alcohol, having sexual intercourse and getting a massage should be avoided during the nine days. Before beginning the puja write swastika symbol using haldi or kumkum in the designated puja area. Puja should be performed daily in the morning and evening. Puja should be performed facing south. It is believed that Maa arrives from the south. Puja should be performed with complete attention. Unwanted thoughts and talks should be avoided during puja. Anger, hatred and intolerance should not be present while performing puja. Before starting the puja family members should resolve all the problems. Devi Maha...

Worshiping Goddess Ashwarooda Devi, a powerful form of the Divine Mother riding a horse, is believed to bring courage, confidence, and victory over enemies and obstacles. This guide provides a detailed approach to her worship, emphasizing eco-friendly practices, proper attire, and spiritual hygiene. 1. Importance of Worshiping Ashwarooda Devi Ashwarooda Devi symbolizes speed, action, and power. Devotees seek her blessings for: Overcoming obstacles and winning over enemies. Achieving confidence and courage in difficult situations. Success in personal and professional ventures. Physical and mental strength for spiritual growth. Her worship is particularly beneficial for those seeking victory in challenges and the ability to face life's obstacles head-on. 2. Preparation and Cleanliness for Worship Personal Hygiene: Begin by taking a bath to purify yourself. Setting Up a Clean Space: Choose a calm, clutter-free place for the puja, preferably in a prayer room or a quiet corner in your...

Navratri Garba and Dandiya Raas are slowly losing its real meaning and spiritualism attached to it. In ancient times, earthen pots with several holes for light to pass through were kept on one another in front of the painting or murti of Mother Goddess on the first night of Navratri. A lamp with four wicks was placed in the pot and it was kept lit till the end of Navratri festival. Dance was performed around the lamp in circles. Garba and Garbi There are two types of folk dances performed during ‘Garba’. The dance performed by the males standing in a circle singing while clapping with simple feet movements is called ‘Garbi’ and the dance performed by females with delicate body gesticulations is called ‘Garba’. ‘Garba’ means singing devotional hymns praising the Goddess with rhythmic clapping. It is performed for invoking the blessing of Mother Goddess and thanking her for protecting her children. Through the dance, we also ask her to uphold Dharma by annihilating Adharm...

Why we are born? There are three possible answers. The answer of Hinduism to the question is explained in detail. There is no ‘why’ to it, taking for granted that everything in nature is meaningless and may be called a mere chance. This is the purely materialistic view and its ethics consists in making hay while the sun shines. We are here because of the will of God. But why God should will so, when He is a perfect being having no needs, cannot be answered. Man finds himself in a predicament, which is described as one of sin, the sure wages of which is subjection to death and destruction. God who created man has, however, provided him with a way of escape, which true religion has chalked out for him. This is the view which a religion like Christianity takes. Navlakha Temple Ghumli Gujarat There is a third view which Indian religions like Hinduism , Buddhism, Jainism, etc hold. They say that we are here because of our Karma, the good and evil effects and tendencies of past ...

Pitru Paksh Shraddh, Tarpanam, Vavu Bali, Pinda Danam, Bali Tharpanam or Shraddham are the various names used to describe the rituals performed for the dead parents, relatives and ancestors in Hinduism. Shradh holds an important place in rituals associated with Hindu religion and it is performed without fail by most Hindus. Apart from the immediate rituals after a death, there are also annual rituals like Pitru Paksh Shradh in North India west and East India , Aadi Amavasai in Tamil Nadu, Karkidaka Vavu Bali in Kerala, Basant Panchami in Eastern parts of India and Amavasya rituals in other places. Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita talks about the journey of the dead and about the importance of the rituals dedicated to them. Annual Shraddh is usually performed during the Dakshinayana period (July to December). Prashna Upanishad indicates that the rituals performed on the first Krishna Paksha Amavasya during Dakshinayana period directly reach the Dead. In South India , the first Ama...

Chakrayana Usasti in Chandogya Upanishad is a great a character who sets an example of adherence to dharma even in times of distress. The story shows that in extreme situations when there seems to be no other alternative, one can deviate from one’s ordained dharma; and that when other courses are open one should refrain from doing wrong. In Chandogya Upanishad (1-10-11), Chakrayana Usasti shows how to adhere to dharma (righteous conduct) under adverse conditions and gives knowledge of Udagithopasana (a part of Sama Veda). The Land of the Kurus was devastated by a hailstorm and there was a great famine. Chakrayana Usasti and his young wife reached the region and was in search of food. He went to Ibhya village, a wealthy village which had people who owned elephants. He saw a wealthy villager eating forest beans. Chakrayana Usasti asked him to give him some. The villager shared some beans and offered water too. Chakrayana Usasti and his wife ate the beans but...

Dreams do not always indicate anything except that your mind is changing for the better. Generally, dreams are but mental impressions of the waking state seen, as it were, in sleep. So, dreams of gods and goddesses show that your mind is now thinking of higher things and is being impressed by such thoughts instead of worldly thoughts. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a sign to start the spiritual journey. It is a warning to many when they are going to get drowned in the materialistic world of money, fame and never ending desires. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a signal that you need to be careful with your actions in life as you might fall down in the journey towards moksha or liberation. Each fall means you will have to be reborn several times before you can move up. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a nudge by the divinity in us to correct our actions and thoughts. General Interpretations Divine Blessings and Protection : Dreaming of a deity often signifies that th...

The food items prepared and offered to nine goddesses is known as the Bhog during Navratri. It is considered highly meritorious to offer nine different types of Prasad to the nine goddesses of Navratri. Each bhog carries special significance. On the first day , Goddess Shailaputri is offered white colored food like kheer, chaval etc. If the food is prepared using cow ghee then the person offering the bhog will get relief from illness. On the second day , Goddess Brhamacharini is offered food prepared using rock sugar (mishri), sugar and panchamrut. The person offering such a food will be blessed with long life. On the third day , Goddess Chandraghanta is offered food made using milk. One has to perform food donation also on the day. A person will be blessed with happiness and all forms of unhappiness will be destroyed. On the fourth day , Goddess Khushmanda is offered ‘mal pua’ ( मालपुए ). The food should be then offered to poor children. By doing the bhog a person is bl...

Chamara Yoga is a planetary combination in Hindu astrology. As per standard astrological texts in Hinduism, if the Lord of the lagna (ascendant) is in its exaltation sing and placed in a Kendra (1 st , 4 th , 7 th or 10 th ), then this combination represents Chamara Yoga. According to some texts, the Lord of the lagna must be aspect by Jupiter; but this generally is not a preliminary condition. However, according to the nature of the lord of lagna, its effect also gets modified. If Mars is the Lord of the lagna, the person would excel in the martial sphere; if Mercury is lord of lagna, the person would excel in business; if Jupiter is lord of lagna, the person would excel in learning. Chamara Yoga is one of the most favorable yogas in Hindu astrology. The lord of the lagna in exaltation assures a long life for the person. It is believed that Lord Krishna had Chamara Yoga. Chamara Yoga Benefits The person with this yoga in horoscope will gain a high rep...

The need and importance of performing Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shradh is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Here is an important quote on Mahalaya Shraddha. The householder who does not perform shradh during the period when the Sun is in the Virgo sign (pitru paksha shradh fortnight), how will he earn money and be gifted with a healthy child as he would have enraged the deceased ancestors’ souls?   Additionally, the abode for deceased ancestors’ souls remains vacant till the Sun moves from Virgo and Libra sign to the Scorpio sign.  The abode for deceased ancestors’ souls remaining vacant during this period implies that the deceased ancestors’ souls come closer to their descendants for blessing them and if Shradh is not performed, they give curse to their descendants and return. Due to this, it is important to perform Shraddha during this period.

Goddess Durga is nature or prakriti - explains A Parthasarathy. Uma is the consort of Shiva, the Lord of constructive destruction. Uma represents Prakriti (matter). The power of destruction has always to be associated with destructible matter in order that this power could manifest. In other words, destruction ceases to have any meaning without destructible objects. Lord Shiva has, therefore, chosen Uma to be his partner. The god and goddess are the first self-revelation of the Absolute, the male being the personification of the passive aspect and the female, the activating energy (Shakti). Goddess Parvati (Uma) represents this Universal Power (Shakti). Uma and Parvati are her Maiden names; and Mrudani and Ambika are her post-marriage names. The Goddess is also referred to as Annapurna meaning ‘Bestower of Food’ ‘Anna’, though translated as ‘food,’ has a wider connotation and includes all material objects/wealth, which are food for the five-sense organs. The Goddess is...

A collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Tatwananda. Everything in this world is limited, liable to be destroyed and is insignificant. Whatever object of love there is in this world, or in the world to come, is not an end in itself. It is only a means to that pure love, by which one attains immortality. The Atman is not one more object in the list of finalities. It permeates all. It can be attained only by surrendering ourselves to it. It is only then that we realize that everything in this world is only a partial manifestation of that great love, which is indivisible, is One, eternal and great. That is why the Supreme Goal of life, the love of the Atman, is to be attained by a gradual process, in and through other bonds of life. When rightly comprehended, every hindrance becomes a help and means of self realization. ( Source – Excerpt from the book titled - Upanishadic stories and their significances) Suppression is not a sign of growth in an individual or society....

There is a popular story in which Sri Krishna shows Arjuna why Karna is the greatest giver. To show the greatness of Karna, Sri Krishna takes the form of an arrogant Brahmin and begs before Karna in the battlefield when Karna is about to die. The seventeenth day of the Mahabharata War had ended. The great warrior Karna was also slain on the battleground. Great celebrations were underway in the Pandava camp rejoicing the defeat and end of Karna. At this joyous hour, Sri Krishna, who was instrumental in Pandava’s victory, was sitting with great worry and was muttering to himself: ‘Today, this world has lost a great giver.’ Yudhisthira never felt jealous no matter how much anyone or anyone’s good qualities were praised. However, Arjuna was greatly saddened to hear Sri Krishna praising his arch-enemy, Karna, and hence Arjuna sat with a crestfallen face. Seeing Arjuna’s plight, Sri Krishna said to him: ‘Arjuna! It seems that you consider that I am unnecessarily praisin...

A major incident in the life of Sri Ramanujacharya which inspires all spiritual aspirants even today is that of Ramanuja sharing with one and all, the mantra given to him by his guru Goshthipurna. Anyone who received the mantra was sure to attain mukti or liberation, and the guru had strictly forbidden him from disclosing it to anyone. The guru had also warned that if Ramanuja revealed it, he would be condemned to hell! But the large-hearted Ramanujacharya dared to openly initiate a large crowd of people, irrespective of their caste or qualification with that very mantra declaring that he would gladly suffer hell if the mantra with its esoteric meaning would enable so many to attain the infinite bliss of mukti! More explanation: The story of Sri Ramanujacharya sharing the sacred mantra with the masses is a profound example of selfless love and compassion, rooted deeply in the spiritual traditions of Hinduism. This incident underscores the essence of a true teacher, who prior...

Amanaska Yoga is a dialogue between Lord Shiva and Sage Vamadeva. This is a collection of teachings from the book. Without knowing the truth about Atman, i.e., the nature of bliss supreme, the ignorant get deluded in Shastras. Just as salt would unite with water by being mixed with water, so the mind also would unite with Brahman through close contact with Brahman. Emami Jagannath Temple In Odisha Just as from a flower, fruit appears which destroys the flower, so, from the body, the highest reality appears which destroys the body. Not knowing the highest reality which is situated within himself, the confused man is deluded (and looks for it) in the Shastras, (just as) when a goat is held in his armpit, the foolish herdsman looks for (it) in a well. Source - The Amanaska Yoga A Critical Edition, Translation and Study by Jason Birch The passage mentioned, "Just as from a flower, fruit appears which destroys the flower, so, from the body, the highest reality appea...