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Showing posts from September 27, 2019


Importance of Rituals Dedicated to the Dead in Hinduism

Pitru Paksh Shraddh, Tarpanam, Vavu Bali, Pinda Danam, Bali Tharpanam or Shraddham are the various names used to describe the rituals performed for the dead parents, relatives and ancestors in Hinduism. Shradh holds an important place in rituals associated with Hindu religion and it is performed without fail by most Hindus. Apart from the immediate rituals after a death, there are also annual rituals like Pitru Paksh Shradh in North India west and East India , Aadi Amavasai in Tamil Nadu, Karkidaka Vavu Bali in Kerala, Basant Panchami in Eastern parts of India and Amavasya rituals in other places. Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita talks about the journey of the dead and about the importance of the rituals dedicated to them. Annual Shraddh is usually performed during the Dakshinayana period (July to December). Prashna Upanishad indicates that the rituals performed on the first Krishna Paksha Amavasya during Dakshinayana period directly reach the Dead. In South India , the first Ama

Story Of Chakrayana Usasti In Chandogya Upanishad

Chakrayana Usasti in Chandogya Upanishad is a great a character who sets an example of adherence to dharma even in times of distress. The story shows that in extreme situations when there seems to be no other alternative, one can deviate from one’s ordained dharma; and that when other courses are open one should refrain from doing wrong. In Chandogya Upanishad (1-10-11), Chakrayana Usasti shows how to adhere to dharma (righteous conduct) under adverse conditions and gives knowledge of Udagithopasana (a part of Sama Veda). The Land of the Kurus was devastated by a hailstorm and there was a great famine. Chakrayana Usasti and his young wife reached the region and was in search of food. He went to Ibhya village, a wealthy village which had people who owned elephants. He saw a wealthy villager eating forest beans. Chakrayana Usasti asked him to give him some. The villager shared some beans and offered water too. Chakrayana Usasti and his wife ate the beans but

Meaning Of Dreams Of Gods And Goddesses In Hinduism

Dreams do not always indicate anything except that your mind is changing for the better. Generally, dreams are but mental impressions of the waking state seen, as it were, in sleep. So, dreams of gods and goddesses show that your mind is now thinking of higher things and is being impressed by such thoughts instead of worldly thoughts. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a sign to start the spiritual journey. It is a warning to many when they are going to get drowned in the materialistic world of money, fame and never ending desires. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a signal that you need to be careful with your actions in life as you might fall down in the journey towards moksha or liberation. Each fall means you will have to be reborn several times before you can move up. Dreams of Gods and Goddesses are a nudge by the divinity in us to correct our actions and thoughts.

Bhog During Navratri – Prasad Prepared During The Nine Days of Navratri

The food items prepared and offered to nine goddesses is known as the Bhog during Navratri. It is considered highly meritorious to offer nine different types of Prasad to the nine goddesses of Navratri. Each bhog carries special significance. On the first day , Goddess Shailaputri is offered white colored food like kheer, chaval etc. If the food is prepared using cow ghee then the person offering the bhog will get relief from illness. On the second day , Goddess Brhamacharini is offered food prepared using rock sugar (mishri), sugar and panchamrut. The person offering such a food will be blessed with long life. On the third day , Goddess Chandraghanta is offered food made using milk. One has to perform food donation also on the day. A person will be blessed with happiness and all forms of unhappiness will be destroyed. On the fourth day , Goddess Khushmanda is offered ‘mal pua’ ( मालपुए ). The food should be then offered to poor children. By doing the bhog a person is bl

Chamara Yoga In Hindu Astrology

Chamara Yoga is a planetary combination in Hindu astrology. As per standard astrological texts in Hinduism, if the Lord of the lagna (ascendant) is in its exaltation sing and placed in a Kendra (1 st , 4 th , 7 th or 10 th ), then this combination represents Chamara Yoga. According to some texts, the Lord of the lagna must be aspect by Jupiter; but this generally is not a preliminary condition. However, according to the nature of the lord of lagna, its effect also gets modified. If Mars is the Lord of the lagna, the person would excel in the martial sphere; if Mercury is lord of lagna, the person would excel in business; if Jupiter is lord of lagna, the person would excel in learning. Chamara Yoga is one of the most favorable yogas in Hindu astrology. The lord of the lagna in exaltation assures a long life for the person. It is believed that Lord Krishna had Chamara Yoga. Chamara Yoga Benefits The person with this yoga in horoscope will gain a high rep

Quotes On Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shradh From Mahabharata

The need and importance of performing Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shradh is mentioned in the Mahabharata. Here is an important quote on Mahalaya Shraddha. The householder who does not perform shradh during the period when the Sun is in the Virgo sign (pitru paksha shradh fortnight), how will he earn money and be gifted with a healthy child as he would have enraged the deceased ancestors’ souls?   Additionally, the abode for deceased ancestors’ souls remains vacant till the Sun moves from Virgo and Libra sign to the Scorpio sign.  The abode for deceased ancestors’ souls remaining vacant during this period implies that the deceased ancestors’ souls come closer to their descendants for blessing them and if Shradh is not performed, they give curse to their descendants and return. Due to this, it is important to perform Shraddha during this period.

Goddess Durga Is Nature - Prakriti – A Parthasarathy

Goddess Durga is nature or prakriti - explains A Parthasarathy. Uma is the consort of Shiva, the Lord of constructive destruction. Uma represents Prakriti (matter). The power of destruction has always to be associated with destructible matter in order that this power could manifest. In other words, destruction ceases to have any meaning without destructible objects. Lord Shiva has, therefore, chosen Uma to be his partner. The god and goddess are the first self-revelation of the Absolute, the male being the personification of the passive aspect and the female, the activating energy (Shakti). Goddess Parvati (Uma) represents this Universal Power (Shakti). Uma and Parvati are her Maiden names; and Mrudani and Ambika are her post-marriage names. The Goddess is also referred to as Annapurna meaning ‘Bestower of Food’ ‘Anna’, though translated as ‘food,’ has a wider connotation and includes all material objects/wealth, which are food for the five-sense organs. The Goddess is

Swami Tatwananda Quotes And Teachings

A collection of quotes and teachings of Swami Tatwananda. Everything in this world is limited, liable to be destroyed and is insignificant. Whatever object of love there is in this world, or in the world to come, is not an end in itself. It is only a means to that pure love, by which one attains immortality. The Atman is not one more object in the list of finalities. It permeates all. It can be attained only by surrendering ourselves to it. It is only then that we realize that everything in this world is only a partial manifestation of that great love, which is indivisible, is One, eternal and great. That is why the Supreme Goal of life, the love of the Atman, is to be attained by a gradual process, in and through other bonds of life. When rightly comprehended, every hindrance becomes a help and means of self realization. ( Source – Excerpt from the book titled - Upanishadic stories and their significances) Suppression is not a sign of growth in an individual or society. On