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Showing posts from January 31, 2020


Story - Birth Of Sage Astika Who Stopped Snake Sacrifice In The Mahabharata

The story of the birth of Sage Astika is found in the Mahabharata and several Puranas. It was Sage Astika who stopped the snake sacrifice conducted by King Janamejaya to avenge the death of King Parikshit. Legend has it that Kadru, mother of Nagas, once hatched a devious plan to entrap Vinita, the mother of Garuda, and make her a slave. Some of the nagas headed by Vasuki objected to the plan and did not participate in it. Kadru cursed all those nagas who disobeyed her to fall into yagna fire of Janamejaya. The cursed nagas took the help of Brahma. Brahma told the nagas that Vasuki has a sister named Jaratkaru and she should be given in marriage to a Sage of same name and a son born of the union will rescue the nagas. The nagas went to Sage Jaratkaru who agreed to marry Vasuki’s sister. The sage put a condition that if she disobeys him then he will abandon her. The couple led a happy life for several years. One afternoon, the sage felt very sleepy and dec

Sopandev – Life History – Teachings – Brother Of Saint Jnaneshwar

Sopandev is a saint poet in the celebrated Jnaneshwar family of Maharashtra. He as the younger brother of Nivruttinath and Jnaneshwara, the saints poets of Maharashtra. Sopandev Life History He was elder to their little sister, Muktabai, and it was his responsibility to look after her when Nivruttinath and Jnaneshwar went out for alms. Muktabai herself has fondly referred to Sopandev’s affectionate role in her life. Sopandev was initiated into the Nath Sampradaya, along with Jnaneshwar, by their eldest brother, Nivruttinath. Literary Works of Sopandev Sopandev wrote Sopanadevi, a critique of the Bhagavad Gita. Two other manuscripts, Pancikaran and Prakritgita, are also attributed to him. Teachings Of Sopandev Sopandev himself had reached the highest stage of yoga marga, but he never thought that complete renunciation was an absolute necessity for grasping spiritual truth.  He believed in life and its responsibilities. It was not necessary, according to

Hanuman With Bell On Tail – Reason For Bell On Tail Of Hanuman

Murtis with bell on the tail of Hanuman was installed by Sri Vyasatirtha, a Madhava scholar and poet, during the sixteenth century AD. As per some regional versions, the reason for bell on tail is based on an incident in the Ramayana. Such murtis are widely found in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In this Hanuman murti, the tail is raised above the head and has a bell tied at the end of the tail.  Reason For Bell On Tail Of Hanuman It is believed that Hanuman got the boon to live on earth forever from Bhagavan Sri Ram. After giving the boon, Sri Ram gave darshan to Hanuman in the form of Lord Vishnu. Srihari Vishnu the advised Hanuman to transfer all his spiritual powers to a bell and tie it on his tail. Those who want favors from Hanuman can ring the bell and seek it. It is said that the sound of the bell on the tail of Hanuman is similar to chanting the name of Sri Ram. It is said that after prayers when a devotee rings the bell, Hanuman opens his eyes a

Four Steps To Develop A Gigantic Will – For Success In Life

Four important steps to success in life begins with a gigantic will. Clarify and make a commitment to the purpose Convert your thoughts into action Remove all distraction Be relentless in the pursuit of your goal Clarify and make a commitment to the purpose Have you got the will to surmount mountain-high obstructions? If the whole world stands against you sword in hand, would you still dare to do what you think is right? (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda: III: 226) Convert your thoughts into action …saying, “I can”, won’t do. Show me through action what you can do, and then only I shall know that your coming to me is turned to some good account. Get up, and put your shoulders to the wheel... (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda: V: 383) Remove all distraction Practice hard; whether you live or die does not matter. You have to plunge in and work, without thinking of the result. (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda: I: 178) Be relentless in the pursuit of