There is an interesting story in the Datta Purana related to Kartavirya Arjuna. This katha (story) connects the birth of Karthaveeryarjuna to Sudarshana Chakra. Kritaveerya was the emperor of Saptha Dweepa Mandala (seven islands). His wife was Sheeladhara Devi. They had 100 children but they died due to a curse of Sage Chyavan. Deva Guru Brihaspati, advised the royal couple to propitiate Surya, the sun god, to get a heir. Surya Bhagvan gave darshan to the couple and asked them to perform sapta saptami swapan vrat as it would wash off all the sins and bestow them progeny. In sapta saptami swapan vrat, cow dung dumplings are placed in front of the houses amidst colorful rangolis. They are dried and are used for cooking. Cow milk is boiled in a vessel using the dried cow dung. Sweet kheer or payas is prepared using this milk under sunlight. This is then offered to Surya. This is performed continuously on seven saptami tithis. Kritaveerya performed the vrat and got Ka

Conch is of great importance in Hindu Religion and it is mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas and other Hindu scriptures. The main symbolism of conch is that it signifies victory, honor, auspiciousness, prosperity and good luck. The sound of conch purifies the surroundings and keeps out negative energy. It is a sign of auspiciousness. Conch is sounded during numerous occasions in Hinduism especially during victory, puja, havan, festival, rituals, during auspicious event, when starting a journey, when important guests arrive at a place, during the start and end of war, marriage, after successful completion of mission, during swearing in ceremony and during archana of Devas. All important gods and goddesses in Hindu religion carry the conch. The main reason for blowing conch during puja, havan and aarti is to drive out negative forces and to invite godly forces and positive energy. Psychologically the sound of conch gives hope, regeneration, vitality, energy, str

A collection of teachings on Desire From Hindu holy books. Whatever activity is undertaken (by beings) is the movement of desires. (Manu Smriti) The self is identified with desire alone. What it desires, it resolves; what it resolves, it works out; and what it works out, it attains. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) At first in darkness hidden darkness lay, Undistinguished as one mass of water, Then That which lay in void thus covered A glory did put forth by Tapah! First desire rose, the primal seed of mind, (The sages have seen all this in their hearts Sifting existence from non-existence. Its rays above, below and sideways spread. (Rig Veda Nasadiya Sukta) Desire is never satisfied by enjoying desire; it only increases as fire when butter is poured upon it. (Bhagavad Purana) I ( Krishna ) always follow the footsteps of the sage who desires nothing, who is always tranquil and who has enmity to none, in order that all the worlds within Me get purified by the du