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Showing posts from September 8, 2019


Pisacha Concept in Hindu Tradition – Pishacha Badha

Pisacha are a group of beings who haunt human beings. When an individual commits suicide under emotional stress, or when the death is untimely or by accident, that individual lives, according to popular belief, in the unearthly form of a pisacha of the same gender for some period. Pishacha Badha in folklore happens when a Pisacha enters a human body and creating troubles. As per Hindu tradition and stories, Pisachas have supernatural powers, they have revengeful attitude and can assume any form. It is widely believed that Pisacha have reddish and fire emitting eyes, distorted ears, turned feet and can change their size from big to small. Among the Pisacha the most dangerous are Raktapisacha (blood sucking) and Mohini (nymphomaniac). It is believed that they feed on flesh and wine and remnant of corpses in a cremation ground. They live in forests, dilapidated buildings, and ruined temples and in lonely and deserted places. Pisachas can be controlled by offering

Lakshmi Kund Snan and Mela in Varanasi

Lakshmi Kund Snan and Mela is annually held in the Bhadrapad month in Varanasi . Lakshmi Kund Snan in 2024 begins on September 11. The mela (fair) is for 16 days. During the period an important 16-day Goddess Lakshmi puja is held in the region. Laxmi Kund is a pond located in Kashi and is of great religious importance. There is Goddess Lakshmi temple located hear the pond. The fair that is held at Lakshmi Kund is known as Sorahaiya Ka Mela and is dedicated to the potters of the region. You will get to see and buy numerous pottery items during the period. Legend has it that 64 yoginis were given the duty of the preservation and protection of various ponds in the region by Shiva. Mayuri yogini is the guardian deity of the Lakshmi Kund. The Lakshmi Kund Snan comes to end on the Jitiya fasting date.  It is observed on Bhadrapad Shukla Paksha  Ashtami. 

Bail Pola 2024 date – Pola Festival dedicated to Cow and Ox in Maharashtra

Bail Pola festival is dedicated to the cows and ox and is observed mainly in Maharashtra and surrounding regions on the Shravan Amavasya (no moon day in Sawan month). Bail Pola 2024 date is September 2. In some regions it is on September 3. Farmers pay respect to bullocks and cows on the day as cattle is their main source of livelihood. Bail in Marathi means 'Bull.' Note - the Festival is also observed on Bhadrapad Purnima in some regions in Maharashtra. The ritual is also known as Vrishabha Pujan . The day before Bail Pola Amavasya, the rope (Vesan)  tied on the ox is removed and turmeric paste and oil is applied to the body of cow, ox and bullocks. Special care is given to oxen by farmers as it is their main source of livelihood. Some people replace the rope or Vesan on the day with a fresh one. On the Bail Pola day, cattle are bathed and special food prepared like Puran Poli, Kichadi and Bajari are provided to them. Oxen are also adorned with variou

Gaja Lakshmi Beej Mantra

Gaja Lakshmi beej mantra is chanted for solving all kinds of financial problems. The ideal day to chant the mantra is Thursday. Gaja Lakshmi Beej Mantra Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Gaja Lakshamaye Namah ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं गजलक्ष्म्यै नमः॥ The mantra is to be chanted on Thursday morning or evening. The person chanting the mantra should take bath, wear yellow color dress and offer prayers to Ganesha. Sit facing east before a picture of Goddess Lakshmi. Light a lamp using pure cow ghee, light natural flower based agarbatti, offer chandan, offer yellow color flowers, offer yellow banana. Chant the mantra 108 times and keep count on a white chandan mala.

Hanuman Eating Sun - The Story

Story of Hanuman eating sun is a very popular among kids. It is also an important event in the Hindu scriptures as a result of which Hanuman received numerous boons. So Did Hanuman Really Eat the Sun? No Hanuman only attempted to eat the sun. Hanuman was a very naughty child. Along with his naughtiness, Hanumanji was also a voracious eater. One day when He was one year old; Anjana, his mother , took him to the riverside and allowed him to play on the banks while she was having a bath. Hanuman indulged in numerous pranks and then climbed trees on the riverbank and ate all the fruits. But the fruits did not suffice his hunger. Then suddenly he saw the orange-colored sun slowly rising in the sky. Hanuman thought this was some exceptional new big fruit and called out to his mother to come out and have a look at the fruit. Anjana thought it might be some fruit on a tree and allowed him to go for it. Hanuman immediately darted towards the sun. He soared up to the sky

Three Types of Meditation In Hinduism

To meet the needs of three different mental types, three kinds of meditation have been developed in Hinduism: Three Types of Meditation 1)      meditation on visual images 2)      meditation on sound symbols 3)      meditation on the self Each aspirant should know which of mind his/her is – form oriented, name oriented or self oriented. Vedic pratikopasana was of two types: sampad and adhyasa. In sampad upasana an inferior object is used as a symbol to represent superior Reality. The symbol is unimportant, the attributes of the higher Reality dominate the meditative field. In Adhyasa upasana the symbol chosen is itself a superior object and dominates the meditative field. Upon this symbol the attributes of the Reality are superimposed, but the symbol is as important as the attributes. Source – Types of Meditation, Prabuddha Bharata, June 1981 A true aspirant should aim to free from the clutches of form. Mediation should help on to merge in the Supreme

Concept of Ekagrata in Hinduism – Steady State of Mind in Hindu Religion

Ekagrata is a steady state of mind in Hinduism. The word agra means the end portion of a blade of grass. The word ekagrata when used in relation to the mind in Hindu religion, it means fixed, steady, stable, one-pointed state when one concentrates on a single object without movement of any kind. Ekagrata is closely associated with dhyana (meditation). In this state of mind, one is absorbed in one single object only. Ekagrata is needed to achieve success in spiritual and worldly life. Single-pointed focus leads to success in all endeavors. As per Yoga Sutra The Ekagarata state of mind arises out of an earlier state of concentration, called dharana, in which the mind is bound to a single object without being pin-pointed ( Yoga Sutra III: 1) As per Yoga Sutra (III 9 -13), the mind undergoes modification constantly. They are Nirodha Parinama Samadhi Parinama and Ekagrata Parinama. Our mind is always a chain of experiences. Usually this chain consists of a var