There is a scientific reason behind applying kumkum in Hinduism. The spot on the forehead between the eyebrows, where the kumkum is applied, is a very important nerve point in the body. The significance of applying kumkum is associated with this spot in the body. In Hindu culture, the spot between the eyebrows is believed to be a very subtle energy point in the brain. It is known as ajna chakra, also known as the intuition center. Scientific experiments have also proved that this point is associated with the pineal and the pituitary glands, which control various functions of the body. When kumkum is applied the point on the mid-brow region is pressed and this activates the energy point. Applying kumkum opens the channel of intuition and it prevents energy loss. It also helps in improving concentration and helps in improving blood supply to face muscles. It must be noted that kumkum should be sourced from an authentic source. The cheap chemical kumkum and sandalwood paste wh

Santana Gopala Puja, or Santana Gopala Homam, is dedicated to Krishna . In the Santana Gopala Puja, rituals, pujas, vrata and homam dedicated to Gopala Krishna or child form of Krishna is performed by those couples that are having problems with pregnancy. It is performed by many for getting pregnant. Parents perform it for the welfare of the children. Krishna is worshipped with Tulsi or basil leaves on the day. Usually people choose Wednesday to perform the puja. But you can do it on any day of the week as no special day is designated for the puja. The simple way to perform the puja is to offer Tulsi leaves to Krishna and offer prayers at a Krishna temple or at home. You can opt for a vegetarian diet on the puja day. Some devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset. Feeding the poor on the puja day is considered highly meritorious. Those performing the puja also chant the Santana Gopala Mantra – The traditional Santana Gopala Homam performed with help

Ashwarooda Devi is one among the numerous incarnations of Goddess Shakthi. She made her appearance when Goddess Lalita Devi was fighting Demon Bhandasura. The greatness about Aswarooda Devi is found mainly in Brahmanda Purana. It is believed that Aswarooda Devi appeared from the Pasham, or rope, of Goddess Lalitha Devi. She sat on a horse named Aparajitha and led a horse troupe in the battle against Bhandasura. The Devi is depicted as having four hands. She holds in her hands pasham (noose or rope), ankusham (goad), small whip (in some texts it is cane) and reins of horses. She wears red color dress. She has a positive and happy face. She wears moon on her head. Symbolically, this goddess represents the one who controls the mind that moves fast like a horse in all directions. She is propitiated for gaining control of mind. Ashwarooda Devi Mantra Om Ashwaroodaya Devi Namah The mantra is to be chanted 108 times on a Friday morning. The person chanting the mantra should

There are numerous stories associated with Mata Vaishno Devi. One of the stories is that of Vaishno Devi meeting Sri Ram as a child. The popular belief is that Mata was born to a childless couple in South India after several years of penance. The couple while praying to Mother Goddess had promised that they would fulfil all the wishes of the child. A baby girl child was born to the childless couple and she was named Trikuta. From a very young age, Trikuta showed high spiritual inclination and was an ardent devotee of Srihari Vishnu. When she reached adulthood, she asked her parents’ permission to meditate by the sea. During this period, Sri Ram was searching for Mata Sita and He reached the seashore where Trikuta was meditating. Vaishnavi told Sri Ram that she had already chosen Him as her husband. Sri Ram told her that He was already married and therefore could not marry. Sri Ram could not ignore the austerities undertaken by Trikuta and promised her that He will marry h

A famous story about the origin of Navratri is associated with Bhagavan Sri Ram invoking Goddess Durga. To emerge victorious in the battle against Ravana, Lord Brahma advised Bhagavan Sri Ram to invoke the fierce Chandi Devi form of Goddess Durga. During the same time, demon King Ravana started invoking Goddess Chandi to attain immortality and victory of Bhagavan Sri Ram and his Vanarsena (monkey army). When it was time for a crucial ritual in Bhagavan Sri Ram’s puja, Ravana used his magic and stole all the puja items including the havan kund. All those present for the puja got scared as the puja sankalp was broken and Goddess Durga would become angry. Then Bhagavan Sri Ram realized that Goddess Durga is also known as कमल - नयन नवकंज लोचन – the lotus eyed one with a light shade of red. Bhagavan Sri Ram himself was lotus-eyed and therefore he decided to offer an eye of his to Goddess Durga as offering. When he was getting ready to do the sacrifice, Goddess Durga appeare

In Hindu tradition, Kuber is the treasurer of wealth and he distributes it among people. A story in the scriptures indicates that Kubera got the opportunity to be the treasurer of wealth due to the blessing of Shiva. In his previous birth Kuber was a known as Gunnidhi. He used to perform all his duties – both religious and family – exceedingly well. But due to bad friendship, Gunnidhi started losing interest in his duties. He started squandering the wealth of his father. His mother who knew about the change of character of her did not inform the father. Soon Gunnidhi lost all his wealth. Fearing the anger of his father, Gunnidhi ran away to the forest.  After walking deep into the forest, he came across as Shiva Temple . It was a Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi Tithi and people were observing monthly Shivratri Vrat. Gunnidhi had not eaten any food on the day and he was thirsty and hungry. He was happy to see the puja offerings in the temple. He decided to steal the food of

Teachings on equanimity by Guru Dattatreya. Remaining contented in mind, I enjoy what is ordained by fate, and I wear linen garments or silks, or deerskin or rags or any other fabric that is offered to me. Sometimes I sleep on the bare ground; sometimes on grass or on a heap of leaves or on a slab of stone or in ashes; sometimes I lie inside a mansion on a rich bed over a precious bedstead as desired by God. Sometimes I take a bath with my body anointed with fragrant pigments. I put on rich garments and wear garlands and ornaments. Sometimes I ride in a chariot or on an elephant or on a horse and sometimes I wander stark-naked like an evil spirit. I neither revile nor praise people who are of diverse nature. I pray for their welfare and bless them with their union with the Almighty Sri Hari Vishnu. You may also like to read King: Who is your second guru? Dattatreya: Water it is a force that contains life and purity. It cleanses whatever it touches an

A collection of teachings of Goswami Tulsidas the author of Ramcharitmanas God, who is one without any desire, is shapeless, nameless, birthless, is a storehouse of virtue and the last refuge of all, resides in everything of the universe, takes the human form to do various deeds for the benefit of those who believe and depend on Him. The only duty is good of others. The only dereliction is oppression of others. God is one but the proud and the vain have sculpted many out of their desires and fancies. Every living being has an animate, clean, simple, salubrious and indestructible particle of God and since He pervades each and every object, I make my respects to all. Where there is good will, there is all the wealth and where there is ill will, all the misery. Oh, Lord, I believe that the bhakta of God is more than God. Because, if God is an ocean which has abundance of water, it is salty, one cannot drink it, nor can one even bathe  in it; then the bhaktas