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Showing posts from December 3, 2019


Story of Sage Asita Devala and Jaigisavya in the Mahabharata

Story of Sage Asita Devala and Sage Jaigisavya is narrated in the context of the pilgrimage of Balarama mentioned in the Mahabharata (9.48). Symbolically the story suggests that asceticism and sannyasa (nivrtti) is superior to sacrifice and rituals of the world (pravrtti). In simple terms, self realization is far superior to rituals and pujas. The hermitage of Sage Asita Devala was located near Aditya Teertha. Aditya Teertha was of great importance: Surya had obtained kingship over all grahas by performing austerities here. Lord Vishnu performed ablutions here after killing demons Madhu and Kaitabha. Sage Vyasa performed holy dip here and attained liberation. Story of Sage Asita Devala and Jaigisavya Jaigisavya was a wandering sage. He once reached the ashram of Sage Asita Devala at Aditya Teertha. Sage Devala used to strictly perform all rituals and pujas. He performed Yajnas and had the power to fly in the sky and move in various worlds. Jaigisavya

Person Qualified To Sit And Participate In Assembly In Ancient India

Sabhasad is the term used to define a person qualified to sit and participate in a sabha (assembly) in ancient India. In course of time, sabha came to assume the form of the king’s assembly, and its permanent members were called Sabhasads. Some of them were appointed ministers with different portfolios, and some others held important offices. In a way, they were representatives of the people. There was one representative for each category or area. Sabhas were held to take important decisions, to receive ambassadors and state guests, and to perform and celebrate important occasions. Naturally, sometimes non-members were also invited. In the Mahabharata, the main incident which occurred in the sabha of King Dhritarashtra is the disrobing of Draupadi in the presence of all sabhasads, including great warriors such as Bhishma, Dronacharya, Vidura (chief minister), Kauravas and Pandavas. Dasharatha in Ramayana called all sabhasads for a meeting to crown Sri Rama. Rav

Hindu Holy Books Teachings - Yoga Vasishta

Hindu holy books teachings - This collection is from Yoga Vasistha. This immortal holy book in Hinduism is a discussion between Bhagavan Sri Rama and his Guru Sage Vasishta.  This long-living ghost of a samsara, which is the creation of the deluded mind of man and the cause of his sufferings, disappears when one ponders over it. Wonderful indeed is this maya, which deludes the entire world. It is because of it that the Self is not perceived even though it pervades all the limbs of the body. Whatever is seen does not truly exist. It is like the mythical city of Gandharvas (fata morgana) or a mirage. That which is not seen, though within us, is called the eternal and indestructible Self. Like waves rising up from the ocean the unstable mind rises out of the vast and stable expanse of the Supreme Self. This world, though unreal, appears to exist and is the cause of life-long suffering to an ignorant person, just as a (non-existent) ghost (is the cause of fear) to a boy