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Showing posts from September 20, 2019


Goddess Narayani - Who Is Narayani? Lakshmi Or Durga

Goddess Narayani is one of forms of Goddess Durga and is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya. She is the Mother Goddess and she is the fundamental and independent energy responsible for all animate and inanimate. Shakta worshippers believe that it is Her energy that creates, preserves and destroys. She is Lakshmi for those who want her to be Lakshmi and she is Durga for those devotees who want her to be Durga. Who Is Goddess Narayani? She is Narayani because she is the Greatest, and the Eternal, without whose Shakti no creation is possible, even by Brahma.  She is the womb in which all creation, preservation and destruction takes place. It is she who nourishes and sustains all living forms. A cycle of creation comes to an end when she withdraws her blessing of nourishment. The term ‘Narayani’ is also associated with Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Narayana. Some scriptures suggest that Narayani is one of the names of Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Narayani is yet a

Mangal Chandi Story In Bengal

Mangal Chandi story in Bengal are found in the Chandir geett or Chandimangal Kavya. The two important stories are that of Kalaketu and Dhanapati. Nidaya, the wife of hunter Dharmaketu, was worried that her husband would marry again as she was unable to give him a child. She offer prayers to Mangala Chandi for a child. One day the goddess in the guise of an old woman appeared in the house of the hunter Dharmaketu and met his wife Nidaya. The pious young woman welcomed the old woman with due respect. Then Nidaya told the old lady that she was worried that her husband would marry again as she was unable to give him a baby. Hearing this the Goddess felt pity and offered her medicine against sterility. In due course of time a son was born to Nidaya and Dharmaketu by the blessing of Goddess Mangala Chandi. Dharmaketu gave up the idea of taking a second wife. The son born to them was named Kalaketu. Second Story Dhanapati had two wives Lahana and Khullana. When Dhanapa

Two Types of Saints in Hinduism

There are two types of saints in Hinduism. One group undertakes religious austerities, or Tapas, and stays away from the world for the sake of their own salvation. The other group form sects, sets up monasteries or ashrams and undertakes tasks for the welfare of the common people. The first group usually stays away from human population. Finds shelter in caves, forests and mountains. They rarely interact with people. They might or might not take disciples. The second group sets up ashrams, educational institutions, hospitals, factories etc. A few of such saints live among people but they have no real attachment to the worldly happenings. They do their work without thinking of results.

Why Did Sugriva And Vali Fight? - How Sugriva and Vali Became Enemies?

Sugriva and Vali were brothers and their fight is an important turning point in history. It is because they became enemies that Vanaras were able to help Sri Ram in Ramayana. Vali ruled Kishkinda, the Vanar kingdom (monkey kingdom). The brothers loved each other but destiny made them enemies. Legend has it that once a demon named Mayavi came to Kishkinda and started killing monkeys and destroying fruit bearing trees. Vali challenged Mayavai. The demon was no match to Vali in strength and he escaped and hid in a cave. Vali and Sugriva pursued the demon and challenged him in the cave. Vali asked Sugriva to wait outside the cave. Several days passed and Sugriva heard roars from inside and breaking of rocks. Then one day there was silence inside the cave. Sugriva did not hear the customary yelling of Vali after defeating his enemy. Suddenly Sugriva noticed blood coming out of the cave. Sugriva thought that Mayavi had killed Vali. To stop the Mayavi from escaping from the cav

18 sons of Lakshmi – Mantra - Names Of 18 Sons of Goddess Lakshmi

It is widely believed by Hindus in certain regions that chanting names of 18 sons of Goddess Lakshmi will help in solving horoscope related problems especially those causing financial hardships. The names of 18 sons of Lakshmi is to be chanted 7 times for 21 Fridays. 18 sons of Lakshmi ॐ देवसखाय नम :        Om Devsakhaya Namah ॐ चिक्लीताय नम :       Om Chiklitaya Namah ॐ आनंदाय नम :           Om Anandaya Namah ॐ कर्दमाय नम :            Om Kardmaya Namah ॐ श्रीप्रदाय नम :            Om Sripradaya Namah ॐ जातवेदाय नम :         Om Jathvedaya Namah ॐ अनुरागाय नम :         Om Anuragaya Namah ॐ संवादाय नम :           Om Samvadaya Namah ॐ विजयाय नम :           Om Vijayaya Namah            ॐ वल्लभाय नम :         Om Vallabhaya Namah        ॐ मदाय नम :               Om Madaya Namah ॐ हर्षाय नम :                Om Harshaya Namah ॐ बलाय नम :               Om Balaya Namah ॐ तेजसे नम :               Om Tejase Namah ॐ दमकाय नम :            Om

Bhagavad Gita on How to Attain Serenity of Mind

Teachings from Bhagavad Gita on how to attain serenity of mind. Verse 16 in chapter 17 of the Bhagavad Gita talks about austerity and serenity of mind. (Chapter 17, Verse 16) Serenity of mind, good heartedness, silence, self-control, purity of nature – these together are called ‘mental austerity.’ Serenity of mind can be gained only when our relationship with the world at large is put on a healthy basis of understanding, tolerance and love. Further, one who is an uncontrolled sensualist can have little serenity or composure. The mind runs out through the sense organs into the sensual fields to eke out its satisfaction. The driving force that sets the mind on its endless errands is an intellect ever seething with desires. Quietude of the mind can be gained only when it is protected from both the inflow of stimuli from the tempting sense objects of the outer world and the whipping desires that march out from the intellect to drive the mind out into the fi

Thirukkural Quotes On Food We Eat

Quotes and Teachings from Thirukkural on Food We Eat The body requires no medicine if you eat only after the food you have already eaten is digested. – Thirukkural 942 Once digestion is complete, eat with moderation; that is the way to prolong the life of the body. Thirukural 943 Life remains unharmed when one eats with restraint, refraining from foods that have proven disagreeable. Thirukural 945 The pleasures of health abide in the man who eats moderately. The pains of disease dwell with him who eats excessively. Thirukural 946 The thoughtless glutton who gorges himself beyond the limits of his digestive fires will be consumed by limitless ills. Thirukural 947

Stop Getting High The Wrong Way

Everyone wants to get high, to get lost in the frenzy of the fuzzy world, away from disturbing ruminations about the day-today struggles of existence. It is an attempt to get beyond suffering by numbing one’s perception of it. Some want to get high because they think that by doing so, they can have an accentuated experience of their senses. What they hear, touch, see, smell, or taste leads to a thousand-fold of the experience they would have without getting high. All this happens when the person is freed from the pains and the wants of the body. It is as if the person is taken to a completely another world and from there is able to confront one’s inner feelings and repressed emotions. Sculpture of Vishnu in Badami cave 3 There are many ways that people get high. The most common way is to consume some substance that produces an altered state of consciousness or gives a ‘kick’ to one’s body and mind like consuming alcohol, smoking etc. However, some do not resort to suc