--> Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September 12, 2019


Story of Samudra Manthan And Ganesha

There are some stories in Puranas that connect Ganesha with Samudra Manthan or the churning of the ocean. The story begins with Devas (demigods) being defeated by the Asuras (Demons). Successive defeats at the hands of demons had a huge demoralizing effect of the demigods. The demigods approached Brahma for a solution. Brahma directed them to Srihari Vishnu. The protector and preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu asked them to churn the milky ocean with the help of the Asuras to retrieve amrut or elixir. Only amrut could help the Devas defeat the Asuras. Immortality was the only way to defeat Demons who had the blessing of Shukracharya who had the power to bring back the dead to life.  Vishnu told the Devas that the king of demons, Bali, was honest and trustworthy. He would not hesitate to participate in the Samudra Manthan which was beneficial to all the beings in the universe. Devas approached Bali, the king of demons, who readily agreed to participate in the churning

Abhasa Concept In Shaivism

Abhasa concept in Shaivism predicates that there are two parts of ‘I’ – one part is made of pure intelligence or pure consciousness and the other subsists on subjectivity. In other words, this abhasa is equivalent to the concept of maya and therefore concerns the concept of Brahman as well. The indescribable and inconceivable Brahman is attained through the realization of the falsity of abhasa. The intellect meditates on Brahman and disregards other objects by saying neti neti. When all other objects are negated, the final residue is nothing but Brahman, and Brahman alone. In that state of experience, abhasa is totally effaced. This is because when limitations are rooted out, all differences and divisions created by abhasa disappear. In the void of abhasa now pervades the infinite Brahman. Abhasa is the false conception regarding the materiality of the world of appearance, that which is illumined, a principle or category in Shaiva ontology. Abhasa applies to both the obj

Story Of Origin Of Footwear In Hindu Religion

The story associated with the origin of footwear in Hindu religion is found in the Mahabharata. Legend has it that the heat of the sun became unbearable for people on earth. Fed up with the heat of sun, Sage Jamadagni, father of Parashurama, started sending arrows at the sun. Sage Jamadagni’s wife Renuka was supplying him with the arrows. Mata Renuka kept on filling the quiver with arrows. Sage Jamadagni continued sending arrows at the sun. Surya, the sun god in Hindu tradition, then heated up the route of Mata Renuka. She could not bear the heat and fell down near a banyan tree. Sage Jamadagni was angry at not getting enough arrows. When Mata Renuka returned and informed Sage Jamadagni what had happened, he was even more angrier and increased the number of arrows against the sun. Surya then came in the disguise of an old saint and told Sage Jamadagni that he will not be able to bring down or block the sun with his arrows. But Sage Jamadagni was determined to block

Meaning of Prayer Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Meaning of the prayer Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu as told by Late Swami Chidananda Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu — May all beings in this universe be happy. Sarvesham svasti bhavatu — May prosperity and welfare be unto all beings.  Sarvesham Sarvesham Shantir-bhavatu — May peace be unto all beings. Sarvesham purnam bhavatu — May plenitude and fullness be unto all beings. Sarvesham mangalam bhavatu — May auspiciousness and blessedness be unto all beings. Sarve bhavantu sukhinah — May all be happy. Sarve Santu niramayah — May all be free from disease, pain and suffering. Sarve bhadrani pasyantu — May all behold that which is auspicious, pleasant, nothing fearful nor unpleasant. Bhadra is auspicious, blessed, mild, pleasant. Ma kaschidduhkhabag bhavet —May not sorrow befall on any being. Thus, this has been an ancient tradition — wishing well, wishing peace, happiness, prosperity, freedom from disease and pain, plenty, fullness, blessedness and auspici

Symbolism in the four hands of Hindu God Vishnu – Gopal Uttar Tapani Upanishad

About the symbolism in the four hands of Hindu God Vishnu, Gopal Uttar Tapani Upanishad says: "In my lower right hand, which represents the revolving or creative tendency, I hold the conch, symbol of the five elements. In the upper right hand, which represents the cohesive tendency I hold the discus, shining like an infant sun, symbol of the mind. In the upper left hand, which represents the tendency towards dispersion and liberation, I hold the lotus, symbol of the causal power of illusion, from which the universe rises. In my lower left hand, which represents the notion of individual existence, is the mace, symbol of primeval knowledge."

Four Steps To Grow And Be Happy – Swami Chinmayananda

Here are four important steps to grow and be happy by Swami Chinmayananda. Introspect, Detect, Negate, Substitute, Grow and Be Happy Start today. The tomorrow you are waiting for may never come!! INTROSPECT. Seek to discover weakness, faults and animalisms in each day's total transactions: this is called DETECTION. The moment you have detected the weakness and are really ashamed of them, that very moment those wrong traits die! This is called NEGATION. As soon as a weakness is apprehended and detected, substitute its opposite virtue in your personality. Look out, thereafter, for this play during each day's dealings and it will be found to grow and drive soon into a natural character in you. This is called SUBSTITUTION. INTROSPECT daily, DETECT diligently, NEGATE ruthlessly, SUBSTITUTE wisely, GROW steadily, and BE HAPPY, FREE and IMMORTAL - be a GOD-MAN.