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Showing posts from January 8, 2020


Mata Sita – Lopamudra Discussion in Ananda-Ramayana on Building Bridge to Lanka

In the Ananda Ramayana, Lopamudra wife of Sage Agastya questions Lord Rama’s endeavor and effort on building bridge to Lanka. She tells Mata Sita that if Rama had asked Sage Agastya for help he would have drank all the waters in the ocean and prepared the way for the Vanara Sena to reach Lanka. The conversation happened at Kurukshetra during a solar eclipse (surya grahan). Kurukshetra, now in Harayana, India, is famous for a holy pond and taking bath in it during Surya Grahan is believed to help in achieving Moksha (liberation). Millions of devotees take holy dip even today whenever there is a Surya Grahan. At the time of a solar eclipse Bhagavan Sri Ram, along with Mata Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and other relatives, mounted the Pushpaka vimana (aircraft) and went to Kurukshetra to bathe. The demigods (Devas) followed them, together with the Gandharvas, the Kinnaras, and the Pannagas. Sages from several hermitages and thousands of kings came as well to pay their respects t

Tirthamukh Snan and Mela in Gomati River in Tripura during Makar Sankranti

Observed on the Makar Sankranti day, Tirthamukh Snan and Mela in Gomati river in South Tripura attracts more than 100,000 people. Tirthamukh Snan and Mela in 2025 is on January 14. A holy dip in the River Gomati, on this occasion, is believed to wash away earthly sins. People also perform Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan rituals dedicated to the dead forefathers on the day. Tribal and non-tribal Hindus start taking bath from midnight of Makar Sankranti. Prayers are offered to Surya, the Hindu Sun God. The ritual on the day is also dedicated to Bhishma Pitamaha, as the people here believe that he left his physical body on earth on the day. The temperature during the period touches between 0 to 5 degrees but this does not deter thousands of devotees who perform the holy bath. Hindus from neighboring states of Assam , Bengal and Meghalaya also take part in the ritual. Hindus from Bangladesh also participate in the ritual. Tirthamukh, is nearly 140 kilometers southeast of Agart

Fifteen Ways To Understanding The Nature of Mind

In the process of realizing the self, the role of the mind is vital. It is also very difficult to understand the mind. Therefore, our elders, who studied this mind from various angles, have given 15 names to it. These names will help in understanding the nature of mind. They are: 1.    Manas or a wavery mind – A mind, which is under the influence of Maya or illusion, causes numerous problems in life. It is fickle and wavery. There is no firm decision. It sees too many forms and believes them to be true. 2.    Buddhi or Determined Mind – After getting the wavery thoughts, the pure consciousness, basing on its experience, determine things, as this is so and so. For example, this is water, this is earth etc. Then, it is called 'Buddhi'. This aspect is used to identify various aspects of life and its importance in daily life. 3.    Ahamkara or Feeling of 'I' ness – When the pure consciousness develops affection over the body that has formed of its element