Langahna is a form of ayurvedic therapy and is defined as whatever produces lightness in the body. It can also be known as “reducing therapy”. According to the principles of Ayurveda, substances possessing light, hot, sharp, non-slimy, rough, minute, coarse, unstable and hard properties have the best reducing effect. According to the principles of Ayurveda, substances possessing light, hot, sharp, non-slimy, rough, minute, coarse, unstable and hard properties have the best reducing effect. Vagbhata also uses the word langhana as a synonym of upavasa or fasting. Another definition of langhana is the consumption of easily digestible food. According to Vagbhata, apatarpana, or the consumption of less quantity of food, is also langhana. According to Charaka, langhana is of 10 types – vamana, virecana, nasya, raktamokshana, thirst, exposure to wind, exposure to sun, digestive measure, fasting and physical exercise. Some experts add appetite stimulation to this list. Those who

Akuli and Kilata were the priests of the Asuras and they are mentioned in the Satapatha Brahmana. (kilatakuliti hasura brahma vastuha – Satapatha Brahmana 1/1/4/14). Their vile role in persuading Manu, the first progenitor of mankind after the pralaya (deluge), to agree to let them perform an animal sacrifice is described in Satapatha Brahmana Kanda 1. Manu had been saved by the great fish that dragged his boat to the Himalaya mountains in the North. When the waters recede, he performed worship and pakayajna (food sacrifice), after which he met a woman who proved helpful in performing yajna and increasing progeny (Satapatha Brahmana 1/8/1/1-10). According to a legend in the Brahmana, a bull appeared. Vak (sound) entered that ox and when it breathed, roared and bellowed, the asuras and rakshasas were destroyed. Then to save them, their priests Akuli and kilata approached Manu and persuaded him to let them perform a sacrificial ritual for him and in order to do that they killed

Vishwakarma Puja during Diwali is observed during the Shukla Paksha, or waxing phase of moon, in Kartik month. Diwali Vishwakarma Puja in 2023 is on November 14. Lord Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of craftsmen and architects. He is the divine architect of the whole universe. Vishwakarma Puja during the Diwali period is mainly observed in certain parts of North India .  Note - Some North Indian calendars have marked Diwali Vishwakarma Puja on November 13. It must be noted that the most famous Vishwakarma Puja is the one observed in Eastern parts of India and it falls on September 18 in 2023 . Some of the most popular architectural gems mentioned in Hindu scriptures were built by Lord Vishwakarma. The long list includes Dwarka and Indraprastha of Pandavas. Laborers, artisans, carpenters, craftsmen, mechanics, smith and other workers celebrate and observe Vishwakarma puja in traditional fervor and gaiety. On the day workers rise above caste, creed and

Purvabhadra Nakshatra 2020 dates and timing based on traditional Hindu calendar, Astrology and Panchangam. Also known as, Pooruruttathi in South India, it is the 25th Birth Star among the 27 Nakshatras. Below are Purva Bhadrapada Nakshatra dates and time in 2020. The astrological prediction of the birth star Purvabhadra as per Moon Sign is that of Kumbha Rashi or Aquarius Zodiac and Meena Rasi or Pisces Zodiac. The first three quarter of Purva Bhadrapada is in Kumbha Rasi and the last quarter is in Meena Rashi. Lord Shani or Saturn is the Lord of Kumbha Rasi. Guru or Jupiter is the lord of Pisces. The color of the nakshatra is blue green. Purva Bhadrapada - Pooruruttathi Nakshatra 2020 Date and Time - North - East - South of India This time is applicable in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, J

A collection of teachings from the Soundarya Lahari of Adi Shankaracharya. Shiva is capable of action only when He is united with Shakti. Otherwise He is not capable of any movement. How can anyone, who has not accumulated enough punya, sing your praises or prostrate before you who is the object of worship even for the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva? (Verse 1) Brahma collects the fine dust from your lotus feet and performs the act of creation. Vishnu supports all the worlds thus created with his thousand heads (in the form of Adi Sesha) with great effort.  During the dissolution, Shiva converts the universe into fine ash and smears his body with it. (Verse 2) You are the sun that illumines the inner darkness. To the ignorant, you are a blossoming flower, oozing streams of honey. To the poor, you are the jewel that grants everything one desires. And to those drowning in the ocean of death and rebirth, you are the tusk of the wild boar. (Verse 3) O Devi! All the other

Swami Chidanand Saraswati on Mantras and Japa Mantras and Japa help us to concentrate. We live in a world that is overflowing with sensory pleasures and stimulation. Our lives are very busy with work, errands, chores, etc. Therefore, it is very difficult to simply still the mind. Mantras and Japa and special pujas serve as bridges between this world and the divine realm. They offer us a way to transverse the water which may seem impassable. However, mantras and japa are means to the end of God realization. They are the means, not the end themselves. Once we develop that close, intimate bond with God, mantras and japa become less necessary. Imagine that you love someone with all your heart. You don’t need to take a ‘mala’ and recite her name over and over gain to remember her. Similarly, once we have that deep love for God, we don’t need to continue doing japa to bring us into contact with Him. We will be in contact all the time. Our lives will become our japa. Swami Chi