At the end of their rule, Pandavas decided to retire. It was time for them to bid good bye to civilization. Draupadi died during the final journey of Pandavas and it is mentioned in the Mahaprasthanika Parva. Draupadi followed her husbands to the great snow-clad mountains in the Himalayas. Draupadi slipped and fell as they started climbing the Himalayas. Bhima soon realized that Draupadi was about die. He asked to Yudhisthira as to why Draupadi had fallen as she never did anything evil. Yudhisthira told Bhima that Draupadi had reaped the fruits of her actions. She was partial to Arjuna. She desired Karna. She manipulated Bhima. The brothers who had decided to give up all ties climbed the mountain leaving Draupadi behind. Draupadi died soon.

Bhrumadhya Drishti is fixing the eyes on an object in the practice of Yoga. Bhru in Sanskrit means an eye brow. Dhrishti means sight. Bhrumadhya means the space between the eyebrows, particualry the middle point between them. In Yogic practices it indicates ‘gaze’ or ‘fixing the eyes’ on an object, which may be located inside the body, e.g. chakras (the energy centers) situated along the spine, or it may be an external object like the tip of the nose or the midpoint between the eyebrows. ‘Inner graze’ and ‘outer gaze’ are the two forms of drishti. Bhrumadhya Drishti (the space between the eyebrows) is the location of the sixth lotus in the ascending order called ajna chakra. It is the seat of the mind. Fixing the gaze helps to arrest the movements of the mind and makes it steady in laya (a state of tranquility). When the mind and breath are silenced together with pranayama (a sustained practice of breath control), inside the vacuum in the ajna chakra called bhrumadhya...

It is true, without renunciation immortality cannot be attained. But the sages have prescribed two paths for arriving at the goal of renunciation. Those who have known the transiency of the world and are free from all physical cravings give up everything and embrace the life of monasticism. This is the path of negation. In this path the spiritual aspirant is aware of his goal from the very beginning and consequently renounces the popular view of the world and life that makes one forget the reality. But there is the other path that is equally true and equally helpful in leading aspirants to the highest goal. This is known as the path of affirmation. Those who follow this path do not have to renounce everything from the very start. The mind is attached to various objects of the senses. It refuses to come under control. What will mere restraint do? These spiritual aspirants may enjoy a few things of the world, slowly learn to become detached, and gradually rise up to the heigh...

Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in April 2020 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). April 1 – Maha Ashtami Vrat – Annapurna Parikrama – Chaitra Ashtami – Ashokastami – Tarashtami April 2 – Mahanavami – Ram Navami – Chaitra Navratri ends April 4 – Ekadasi Fasting April 5 – Madan Dwadasi, Vamana Dvadasi April 6 – Pradosh Vrat April 6 – Anang Trayodashi April 6 – Panguni Uthiram April 7 – Purnima Vrat April 8 – Hanuman Jayanti – Purnima April 9 – Vaishakh month begins in North India April 9 – Vaishakh Snan begins April 11 – Sankashti Chaturthi vrat moon rise time is at 10:27 PM April 13 – Mesha Sankranti 10:28 PM April 13 – Kokila Sashti April 14 – Kharmas ends April 14 – Tamil New Year – Baisakhi April 14 – Chithirai Masam begins in Tamil Calendar. April 14 – Maha Vishuba Sankranti – Pana Sankrant...

There is an important story connecting Ashvattha Tree (Indian fig tree) and Agni. Legend has it that Agni (the fire god in Hinduism) got tired of doing his duty of conveying the offerings made in sacrifices to gods and manes; he desired to relinquish his job, but was requested to continue till a substitute was found. Agni paid no heed to the request but took the form of a horse and began to run; but as he was being chased by the Devas (demigods), he disappeared into a fig tree. Hence the tree bears the name ‘Ashvattha’ (concealing a horse). The legend provides the reason for fire being present inside the wood of Ashvattha tree. The tree is traditionally held as sacred since the twigs are used for oblation into the Vedic fire altar. The tree also represents Brahma at the root, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva at the top. Additional Thoughts On The Topic: The Ashvattha tree, commonly known as the Indian fig tree or peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), is one of the most sac...

The burning of Khandavaprastha to create Indraprastha in the Mahabharata has deep symbolism and hidden warning for human beings. Khandavaprastha was a dense forest full of animals, birds, beasts, Nagas and Rakshasas. It was destroyed (burned down) to create Indraprastha, a city for human beings. This probably reflects the actual burning of forests to clear land for agriculture. Nature was destroyed to create a society only for human beings. Human civilization and laws replaced pristine nature. All modern cities were built by destroying large number of animals and plants. Human civilization brought death and killing. When should this death and killing end? Krishna had the answer – at the point when needs have been met, before greed takes over. A society based on Dharma ruled by a Dharmic king recognizes the fine line between need and greed. It is important to note that all this destruction creates a cycle of revenge. Those that suffered wait for an opportunity to str...

Horanadu Annapurna Temple, dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneshwari, is located on the banks of Bhadra River in the Western Ghats in a remote part of Chikmagalur District, Karnataka. Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple Story And History Sage Agastya is believed to have established the murti in the temple. Legend has it that Shiva once declared everything in the world including food to be illusion. Goddess Parvati got angry and disappeared. There was severe drought on earth with the disappearance of Mother Shakti, who nourishes and provides food to all living beings on earth. After some years, taking pity on the living beings Goddess Parvati appeared as Annapurna at Horanadu. She then provided food to all. Horanadu Annapurna Temple Timings 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM Maha Mangalarathi Time: Morning at 9:00 AM Afternoon at 1:30 PM Night at 9:00 PM. Kumkumarchana Time: Morning from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Evening from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Prasada Bojana Time: ...

How to overcome restlessness? Through patience and correct knowledge alone you can overcome restlessness. Here are few tips to overcome restlessness based on teachings in Hinduism. Desires, likes, dislikes, opinions etc, cause mental restlessness. The only solution to this restlessness is to see the bigger picture and become spiritual. To see the Supreme Truth in all living and nonliving. When we realize there is nothing called individual soul but only Supreme soul mental restlessness will disappear. Sometimes we feel restless about the place or atmosphere we are in. The ideal solution is to move away from the place or atmosphere for at least a short period. If possible move away for a longer period. This will usher in positive change and the restlessness will disappear. Emotional restlessness is caused due to ignorance. When you search for happiness outside it will end in unhappiness. This causes emotional problems and outbursts. Stop searching for happiness outside and look...

We have been brought up in a world of limiting adjuncts where our senses perceive nothing but plurality. We are encompassed by sights and sounds which make us see that duality is the prevailing law of the universe. It is the thick and palpable clouds of ignorance that overshadow the mind, and it is only the light of knowledge that can dispel the darkness, the one fading into the other, and finally the shadow diminishes to a point where it vanishes. The body, mind and world are only broken reflections of the one Light. As the rays of the sun are to the sun itself, so are the individual souls to the Divine Being. They are phenomenally distinct but substantially One. With the recovery of this sense of the essential Unity will come a larger love for all mankind, until unison blends into unison and ultimately union merges into the perfect Oneness. Nirvana or Moksha is not the annihilation of the ego but its infinite expansion into the Universal Consciousness — into the Realit...

This Bhagavad Gita mp3 audio in Malayalam is provided by the Yatharth Geeta website. Each 18 chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is divided into different mp3 files and are free. The translation and explanation in Malayalam is provided by Shri Paramahansji Maharaj. The size of the files vary from 20 MB to 44 MB. You will have to download several files to get the complete Bhagavad Gita with commentary in Malayalam. Each chapter is divided into two separate files. All eighteen chapters are available for download. You can download  Bhagavad Gita MP3 in Malayalam here at yatharth geeta.

The ancient white Ganesha Temple is located at Thiruvalanchuzhi about eight kilometers from Kumbakonam on the way to Swamimalai in Tamil Nadu. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva but Ganesha who is known as Shwetha Vinayaka or Vellai Vinayagar or Norai Pillayar – is more famous. It is believed that the Ganesha murti was made from sea form. The Vellai Vinayakar murti worshipped is pure white. No offerings are made directly to murti as the deity is made of soft white foam. All offerings and decorations are performed on silver and gold frame.   The only offering made directly to the deity is edible camphor, which is crushed and sprinkled on the white Ganesha. Story Of Thiruvalanchuzhi Vellai Vinayakar There were too many obstacles during the famous churning of ocean (samudra manthan). Sage Narada told the Devas and Asuras that they had not offered prayers to Ganesha in the beginning and therefore they are facing various obstacles. Immediately Devas and Asuras...

Tamil Calendar and Panchangam 2020 – 2021 is published by Sringeri mutt. The calendar is for March / April 2020 to April 2021 and contains all auspicious dates including marriage time, upanayana, griha pravesham etc. This is the Sharvai Samvatsara Panchangam. The panchangam and calendar is in pdf format and you will require pdf reader to read it. Link -  Tamil Panchangam - 2020 - 2021 Related Latest Tamil Panchangam - 2021 - 2022 - Plava Nama Samvatsara

Words that are free from the stain of desire are the most effective. Thoughts that do not see their end in the acquisition or enjoyment of things or persons but fulfil by their own momentum, by letting their energy take its course, are thoughts that are the most powerful. Just like a person free from any fetters can move fast, a thought free of desire can create a profound effect. To have a powerful speech, one has to be closer to the seed of speech, the thought and the mind. One has to be closer to the source of all speech, a covering on which reality produces speech. By understanding one’s true nature, a person can speak more effectively. Both on the secular and spiritual planes, one can be more effective in thought and word only when one has a correct understanding of one’s life and its goal. The goal of one’s life should be to come face to face with the source of all speech, the source of all thought — the Atman or Brahman.   That requires one to annihilate the...

Akshividya is a branch of learning in spiritual knowledge. Akshi Vidya is described in the fourth chapter of Chandogya Upanishad and a detailed discussion about it is available in the Antaradhikarana of Brahmasutra Bhashya. Akshividya relates to the purusha (being) residing in akshi (eye). Chandogya Upanishad refers to purusha who is seen with the eyes as the soul; who is deathless and fearless, and who is verily the Brahman. He is untainted by any blemish just like his locus, the eye, which is not tainted by the drops of water or ghee falling in it, as they roll off the eye. Here, the meditation is not on the external eye but on the being within, which is none other than our own soul. He is called samyadvama, as all fruits of actions on account of him. He is called vamani too, as he bestows auspicious things on the jiva. He is also described as bhamani, since he illuminates all objects. The fruit of Akshividya is that all adorable objects merge in the upasaka (practition...

Rajyogini Dadi Janki Ji, the spiritual head of the Brahma Kumaris, passed away in a private hospital at 2 am on Friday, March 27, 2020. She was 104-year-old. She will be cremated at 3:30 PM on March 27. Dadi Janki was a tireless spiritual server who helped millions to solve the puzzles of life. She magically transformed the lives of many through her words and deeds. She toiled to bring a positive difference in the lives of others and she succeeded in it. The wisdom and courage she shared through her life will continue to inspire millions around the world. Born in 1916, she has been engaged in the spiritual endeavors associated with Brahma Kumaris since 1937 and also spent 40 years based in London from 1974. She has inspired individuals of all cultures and professions to live according to a higher sense of purpose and to contribute to the creation of a better world. Deep and insightful, she was an absolute joy to listen to and observe.  Few teachings of Dad...

Upanishads are filled with universal teachings. There is no denying that its teachings are eternal and they will be relevant in all ages. They are irreplaceable as it is the supreme truth. They do no propagate any religion or dogma. Gitasupersite is now offering an exclusive website dedicated to Upanishads. A total of 11 Upanishads can be studied and read online. There is also an option of reading the Hindi and English translation and meaning. The 11 languages are Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati, Gurumukhi, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Tamil, Telugu and English. The Hindi translation is of Gita Press Gorakhpur, the Hindi Commentary By Hari Krishna Das Goenka and translation Of Gita Press Gorakhpur By Sri Shankaracharya English commentary and translation by Swami Sivananda, English translation By Gambhirananda and also English Translation of Sri Shankaracharya's Sanskrit Commentary By Swami Gambhirananda. The Upanishads that you can study in the website are A...

The many emerged from the One, and it has not been a happy experience. The One was divine. The many brought into the picture the human. The experience of human mortality, finitude, and imperfection has produced only pain and suffering and, to make matters worse, these are inseparable from the human condition. The only solution is to reverse the process. The divine somehow seems to have become human, and so what is now human must somehow go back to being divine. The many must resolve back into the One. This journey back to the Source reclaims that freedom, perfection, immortality, and infinitude that were apparently lost. In the language of Vedanta, it is examining the ‘many’ to eventually discover it is really the One. It only feels like many because we are not looking at it deeply enough. When the evolution of the material universe is viewed from a spiritual perspective, life acquires meaning and purpose, and the path to freedom and fulfillment becomes clear. When we ...

Coronavirus is deadly and contagious so too is worry and anxiety associated with it. There is distress all around and we will be affected. This is the time to show character and mental strength. Try to calm down. The best you can do in this situation is to follow rules and regulations. Stop panic buying and stop spreading rumors – do not share or pass on wrong information. You should be a pillar of strength to your family members and friends. We all love superheros and now is a time for each one of us to become a superhero for our family and friends. Meditate regularly, without fail sit facing the early morning rising sun, pray to Tulsi plant, eat healthy food by following the traditional recipes of your region. Make an attempt to learn about traditional methods of cooking.  During such forced stay indoors, we should have activities that we can do daily. Start reading the Bhagavad Gita daily.  There are excellent free resources of Bhagavad Gita online. You ...

Gitasupersite is now offering an exclusive website dedicated to Ramayana. You can read Ramayana online for free in Assamese. There is also English and Sanskrit Translation of each verse in Ramayan. You can read the Ramayana Shloka wise or Sarga (chapter) wise. An Example the first verse [Saint Narada visits hermitage of Valmiki -- Valmiki queries about a single perfect individual bestowed with all good qualities enumerated by him -- Narada, knower of past, present and future, identifies such a man -- describes virtues, qualities of Sri Rama -- narrates briefly the story of his life.] তপস্স্বাধ্যাযনিরতং তপস্বী বাগ্বিদাং বরম্ ৷ নারদং পরিপপ্রচ্ছ বাল্মীকির্মুনিপুঙ্গবম্ ৷৷ 1.1.1 ৷৷ তপস্বী ascetic, বাল্মীকি : Valmiki, তপ : স্বাধ্যাযনিরতম্ highly delighted in the practice of religious austerities and study of vedas, বাগ্বিদাং বরম্ eloquent among the knowledgeable, মুনিপুঙ্গবম্ pre-eminent among sages, নারদম্ Narada, পরিপপ্রচ্ছ enquired. Ascetic Valmiki e...

What will other people think of us? We all are slave of this… We all face umpteen mental agonies due to this… In fact, our entire life is based on this fear. Get over this problem quickly as possible as it is stopping us from doing things we like. How many of us have the courage to say what other people think of me is none of my business? Look around and you will see that a child is not bothered about it. Animals are not bothered about it. Plants and trees are not bothered about. The great people we admire and study were not bothered about it. Our parents, relatives, teachers, and society slowly injected this psychological problem into us… Actually are these people really interested in our welfare and well being that we try to impress them daily. Say we have a financial fall…do you think the people we tried to impress will come and help us. Actually, nobody is bothered about us. They themselves are a slave of it. They themselves are hiding behind mountains of prob...

Gitasupersite is now offering an exclusive website dedicated to Ramayana. You can read Ramayana online for free in Telugu. There is also English and Sanskrit Translation of each verse in Ramayan. You can read the Ramayana Shloka wise or Sarga (chapter) wise An Example .... the first verse [Saint Narada visits hermitage of Valmiki -- Valmiki queries about a single perfect individual bestowed with all good qualities enumerated by him -- Narada, knower of past, present and future, identifies such a man -- describes virtues, qualities of Sri Rama -- narrates briefly the story of his life.] తపస్స్వాధ్యాయనిరతం తపస్వీ వాగ్విదాం వరమ్ . నారదం పరిపప్రచ్ఛ వాల్మీకిర్మునిపుఙ్గవమ్ ৷৷ 1.1.1 ৷৷ తపస్వీ ascetic, వాల్మీకి : Valmiki, తప : స్వాధ్యాయనిరతమ్ highly delighted in the practice of religious austerities and study of vedas, వాగ్విదాం వరమ్ eloquent among the knowledgeable, మునిపుఙ్గవమ్ pre-eminent among sages, నారదమ్ Narada, పరిపప్రచ్ఛ enquired. Ascetic Valmik...

Abhaya means fearlessness and it is a cardinal virtue extolled in Hindu texts. It is also the goal of all spiritual endeavors in Hinduism. In Hindu temple sculptures, gods and goddesses are represented as assuring fearlessness with one hand (abhaya hasta) and showering grace with the other (varada hasta). The modern day popular concepts of Ahimsa (non-violence) and satyagraha (non-cooperation) are based on the Hindu concept of Abhaya. The Bhagavad Gita (XVI – 1) puts fearlessness as the first among divine qualities (daivi sampat). Abhaya is said to be the same as enlightenment. Yajnavalkya tells his disciple king Janaka that he has attained fearlessness, thereby indicating his wisdom (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV – 2.4).  Taittiriya Upanishad (II. 7.1) says that Brahman is established on the basis of Srishti (creation), rasalabha (experience of happiness), pranana (survival), bhayaabhayahetu (order in the universe) and abhayapratistha (fearlessness). (Taitt...

TTD Telugu Panchangam is one of the most popular Telugu Panchangams and is published by the Balaji Temple during Ugadi. TTD Panchangam 2020 - 21 is currently available online in pdf format at the official Venkateswara Temple website. This is the Sharvari Nama Samvatsara Panchangam for the year 1942 (as per Telugu Chandramana calculations). You can now download or read online the TTD Panchangam from March 2020 to April 2021 for free. It is published by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the administrative body that looks after the Tirupati Balaji Temple. Link - TTD Panchangam 2020 – 2021 in pdf.  (heavy file 122 MB) Link - If the official website link is not working you can download the panchang 2020 - 21 from here.  (heavy file 122 MB) You will need pdf reader installed to read or download the Panchangam.

A few quotes on the playful nature of mind and the importance of mind control from Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. The darkness of the mind disappears when God is realized. In the Purana it is said that it was as if a hundred suns were shining when Rama entered the court. Why, then, weren’t the courtiers burnt up? It was because the brilliance of Rama was not like that of a material object. As the lotus blooms when the sun rises, so the lotus of the heart of the people assembled in the court burst into blossom. The human mind is like a package of mustard seeds. As it is very difficult to gather the seeds that have escaped out of a torn package and are scattered in all directions, so too when the human mind runs in diverse directions and is occupied with worldly things, it is not a very easy task to collect and concentrate it. The huge jar kept under water is completely filled and gets immersed on all sides. It does not gurgle anymore and remains completely silent. Similarly, t...

Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji is the 36 th Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetam. His thoughts about God and Sanatana Dharma as found in an interview published in the magazine titled ‘Fostering A Timeless Philosophy.’ God is the supremely intelligent ultimate cause form which the entire universe has emerged, in which the universe exists, and into which the universe ultimately dissolves. We proclaim that God is omnipresent. Everything we see or feel is only a form of God, gross or subtle. This is the real concept of God. Sanatana means ‘eternal.’ Dharma is a word that defies exact translation into English or perhaps into any other language. It can be said to mean “the values of life that sustain.” Therefore, Sanatana Dharma means the religion based on the eternal values of life. It is popularly known as Hinduism today. This religion does not depend on the historicity of one person. It is based on eternal truth, principles and values of life that hold good for all peop...

Ahamkara in Hinduism is the shape that self takes. It is the principle of individuation developed out of buddhi. According to Samkhya, the development of the process of evolution follows a law of succession. Here, mahat (the great) is the first product of evolution of prakriti. It is the basis of buddhi (intelligence) of the individual. Mahat brings out the cosmic aspect, and buddhi, the psychological counterpart of mahat in the individual. Buddhi is the subtle substance of all mental processes. Ahamkara is the I-ness which gives rise to different kinds of evolutes, according to the dominance of sattva or tamas. The set of eleven attributes abounding in sattva evolves out of vaikrta form of the I-principle; a set of rudimentary substances from bhutadi form of the I-principle; and both of them form the taijasa form of the I-principle. When ahamkara is dominated by sattva attitude, it is called vaikrta. Ahamkara, according to advaita Vedanta, is I-hood, egotism and spiritual ig...

Sage Vyasa sends his son Suka to learn about Moksha from King Janaka. The teachings of King Janaka and Suka are found in the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Janaka said: “To get the state of emancipation (moksha or liberation), a man should order his life and live gradually and progressively through the four stages of life (Ashramas) – Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha and finally Sannyasa (Brahmasharma) – discharging the duties of every stage. At this point Suka intervened and asked – “If knowledge which is essential for the state of emancipation arises in a man’s mind, is it still necessary for him to live through all the customary Ashramas of life? Janaka replied – the traditional religious code of the four ashramas is meant to preserve the uninterrupted continuity of society and of activities essential to it. One whose mind has become purified can attain the state of emancipation even in his youth in this first ashrama i.e. stage of life. For him the remaining three...