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Showing posts from February 11, 2020


Muruga And Snake – Why Is Subramanian Associated With Nagas?

Snakes or Nagas are constant companions of Muruga – who is also known as Subramanian, Kartikeya and Skanda. The reason why nagas are associated with Muruga is a story of repentance. Legend has it that once Muruga asked Brahma the meaning of Pranava (OM). Brahma was not able to provide a satisfactory answer. An angry Muruga imprisoned Brahma. Later Shiva intervened and the matter was settled. Muruga then felt that he did not act properly by imprisoning Brahma. For the sin committed, he took the form of a huge snake and started living in this form. Goddess Parvati was unhappy with the snake form of Muruga. She complained to Shiva. Shiva then asked Goddess Parvati to observe 108 Sashti Vratam to get back her son. When the 108 Sashtis were completed, all the gods arrived to witness the meeting of Muruga and Goddess Parvati. Muruga gave away the serpent form and appeared in his original form. There is a slight difference regarding the final part of the story i

Surya in Yoga – Role of Sun in Yoga Practices

Surya, sun, plays an important role in Yogic practices. In Hatha Yoga, the sun is said to be situated in the human body at the navel (nabhi). Ancient Hindu thought seems to be highly influenced by the energy giving and life sustaining aspects of the Sun. We find the Vedic seers praying to the Sun God by way of the famous Gayatri Mantra, meditating upon the Sun’s deeper radiant nature and expressly desiring to receive enlightenment from it (Yajur Veda 36.3). In Hatha Yoga, the sun is said to be situated in the human body at the navel (nabhi). It presents heat, energy and the fire that digests the food we eat. It is said that the Sun devours the elixir secreted by the moon, which is located inside the skull at the base of the palate (talumula) and that due to this human beings suffer from old age and death (Hatha Pradipika III.7; Gheranda Samhita: III.28). To stop this processo deterioration a technique of inverted position (viparita karani) is recommended in hatha yoga.

Liquor in Ancient Hinduism

Taking liquor in ancient Hinduism was known as Madhupana. Ancient Hindu drinks, soma juice and sura (intoxicating liquor) were prepared from fermented barley or wild paddy after distillation. While soma juice was commanded for drinking, sura was condemned. Vedas include intoxicating liquor drinking among the seven sins and it is classified with anger, senselessness and gambling. Panini (7 th between 4 th century BC) mentions varieties of intoxicating drinks, the process of distillation and ingredients for preparation. Dharmasutras regard intoxicating liquor drinking as a heinous crime and forbade liquor to Brahmins and students. During 6 th century BC, liquor was manufactures and consumed on a large scale in taverns. Strong liquors are called madya, but the general word for all kinds of intoxicating drinks prepared from cereals is sura. Arthashastra (latter half of 4 th century BC), mentions that there was a superintendent of liquor who laid industry regulate

Unexpected Death Of A Loved One – How To Overcome Grief?

Unexpected death of a loved one can result us turning into nothing, utterly empty, numb and inanimate. Some of us might cry out loud, some of us will be tearless and unable to eat, drink…the sudden death will tear our life apart. So how do we overcome the grief and crisis of unexpected death of a loved one? Nothing in the world is going to replace the loss. The dead has gone but those living near and dear ones will simply not be able to take anything in. The mind will not be ready to accept any kind of consoling. To recover from enormous and unexpected deaths in our lives, we must first teach our mind to accept the fact that the person is no longer alive. The Hindu cremation and the after death rituals are actually designed to help the living relatives. It is for them to realize that the person no longer exists on earth in body form. This is why the body is cremated and the ashes are dispersed in the river. The rituals help a person to move on and rebuild their lives.

Kallazhagar Festival Schedule 2024 - Alagar Kovil Festival 2024 Dates

Chithirai festival of Alagar Kovil celebrated for ten days and is associated with the famous visit of Kallazhagar to Madurai. Kallazhagar Festival Schedule 2024 is from April 20 to April 27, 2024. The most important date is April 23. As part of the festival, Kallazhagar starts from Alagar kovil in the form of Kallar and reaches Madurai on Pournami (Full Moon day). Here he steps into Vaigai River in his horse vahanam. Millions of devotees arrive to visit this famous event. "Ethir Sevai" festival is celebrated on the day before Alagar steps into river Vaigai. People of Madurai welcome Kallazhagar as part of the festival. When Alagar returns, Vandiyur Dasavatharam festival is celebrated throughout the night at Ramarayar Mandapam in the Northern part of Vaigai River. After this event Alagar is taken to Mysore Veera Mandapam on decorated Anantharayar Palanquin. The next morning Alagar in the form of Kallar returns to Alagar kovil in 'Poo Pallakku'(Palanquin

Story of Surpanakha - Nose Cut And Other Stories Of Surpanakha In Ramayana

Surpanakha is the sister of Ravana in the Ramayana and the famous nose cut incident in the epic is associated with her. She was the daughter of Sage Vishravasa and Demoness Kaikasi. She was married to Demon Vidyujjihva. Story of Surpanakha is mainly found in the Ramayana and Puranas. Legend has it that Ravana killed her husband, Vidyujjihva. To console his sister, Ravana promised that he would get her remarried to a man of her choice. While Surpanakha was searching for a husband, she came across Rama, Sita and Lakshman at Panchavati. The handsome form of Rama captivated her. She took the form of a beautiful woman and approached him but Rama told her that He was already married. A dejected Surpanakha approached Lakshman who too rejected her saying that he was just a servant of Rama. This double rejection brought out her real fierce demonic form. She considered the presence of Mata Sita as the reason for her rejection. She rushed forward to devour Mata Sita. Lakshm