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Showing posts from September 23, 2019


Veni In Hinduism – Importance of Braided Hair – What is Veni Danam?

Veni means literally braided hair and is of great importance to a Hindu woman. Braided hair also has deep symbolism in Hinduism. Traditionally, braided hair is not ornamented when a woman’s husband is away. Draupadi, in the Mahabharata, resolved to braid her hair only after her enemy Duryodhana was killed, because it was he who dishonored her in the assembly by pulling her by the hair. Sita is also portrayed in the Sundara Kanda section of Valmiki Ramayana with ekavenidhara (single plait of hair) because of the separation from her husband. Kalidasa describes different styles of keshamardana (hairstyles) in Kumarasambhava, the bridal decoration of Goddess Parvati. On the day of marriage, Parvati was given a ceremonial bath on a lapis lazuli seat. After the bath, her hair was first dried and incensed smoke. It was then made up into a graceful braid and finally decorated neatly with inlaid flowers and a garland of madhuka flowers interwoven with durva grass. The fact that in

History And Origin Of Navratri - When Did Navratri Begin in Hinduism?

The origin and history of the nine-day Navratri vrat and fasting is associated with Bhagvan Sri Ram. Legend has it that Sage Narada asked Bhagavan Sri Ram to invoke Mother Goddess before going into war against Ravana and his powerful demon army. Sri Ram then invoked Mother Goddess Durga and took her blessings. With her blessings, he was successful in his campaign against Ravana. It is believed that he performed the puja and rituals for nine days. There is also another belief that Durga Puja was originally held during spring season or Basant. It was Lord Ram who changed the nine-day worship period of Goddess Durga from Chaitra (March – April) to Ashwin (September – October). Navratri and Durga Puja in Ashwin month (September – October) is also known as Akal Bodhon, or untimely invocation, as Lord Ram had invoked her during the Ashwin month.

Bhagavatam in One Shloka – One Shloka That Gives The Benefit of Reading Entire Srimad Bhagavad Puran

In Kali Yuga, the ideal way to attain liberation is through Bhakti. The most important bhakti text is Srimad Bhagavad Purana – which contains the glory of Srihari Vishnu. Bhagavatam in one shloka gives benefit of reading the entire Srimad Bhagavad Purana. Bhagavatam in One Shloka आदौ देवकी देव गर्भजननं , गोपी गृहे वद्र्धनम्। माया पूज निकासु ताप हरणं गौवद्र्धनोधरणम्।। कंसच्छेदनं कौरवादिहननं , कुंतीसुपाजालनम्। एतद् श्रीमद्भागवतम् पुराण कथितं श्रीकृष्ण लीलामृतम्।। Aadhou Devaki Devi Garbha Jananam, Gopi Grihe Palanam, MayaPooja Nikasoo Tapaharanam, Govardhanodharanam, Kamsa Chedana, Kouravadi Hananam, Kunthi Sutha Palanam, Ethad Bhagawatham Purana Kaditham Sri Krishna Leelamrutham After chanting the shloka chant the following prayer अच्युतं केशवं रामनारायणं कृष्ण : दामोदरं वासुदेवं हरे। श्रीधरं माधवं गोपिकावल्लभं जानकी नायकं रामचन्द्रं भजे How to Chant the Bhagavatam in One Shloka? The shloka should be chanted early in the mornin

Symbolic Meaning Of Navratri Garba Pot In Gujarat

Garbo is an indispensable aspect of the nine-day Navratri festival in Gujarat . The Garbo is an earthen pot which has holes around it and in it a lighted lamp is placed. Symbolically, Garba signifies knowledge.  It is placed at the center of communal Navratri gathering, a village, lanes or streets and colorfully dressed women, men and children move around it singing and playing a folk dance called Garba. The moving around the Garbo, indicates the never-ending cycle of creation. The movements of Garba explain the maintenance and destruction phases of supreme reality.

Importance of Ellu or Thilam or Til in Tarpanam Ritual

Tarpanam is an important ritual dedicated to the dead and it is the offering of Black Til – Sesame. It is known as Ellu or Thilsam in regional languages. The tarpanam itself is also known as Thila Tarpanam in South India . But why is Til exclusively offered to the dead and is part of Shradh rituals. Til contains fire, water and earth. Only Til has the correct combination of the three elements. Pitrus come down and enter Til during the Shradh ceremony. Pancha Bhutas which form the body is represented through Til. If one eats Til it produces heat in the body this is Agni. Til contains oil and this is fluid. Black color is associated with earth. The Pancha Bhutas are space, air, fire, water and earth.

Important Teachings Of Sri Ramakrishna – Core Teachings of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

There is no dearth of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. A devotee might get lost in the ocean of literature available on the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Here are some of the important teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. The core teachings were collected from an article published in the March 2019 edition of Vedanta Kesari. Realisation of the Self or God, which is basically the same, is the goal of life. Supreme bliss and wisdom is impossible without such a realisation, because God/Atman is the only source of such bliss and wisdom. For such realisation one needs attachment to God and detachment from worldly things; unless one gives up lesser, temporary things, one cannot get higher and eternal things. Though self-effort is very important for spiritual realisation, finally, it depends on the grace of God. While for monks both inner and outer renunciation is necessary, for householders inner or mental renunciation, or giving up attachment to the world is required. To ac