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Showing posts from May 12, 2020


Shiva Threw This Trishul On Kamdev – Can Be Seen At Gopinath Temple In Gopeshwar – Uttarakhand

There is a 5-meter high trident at Gopinath Temple in Gopeshwar – Uttarakhand. It is believed that Shiva threw this trishul on Kamdev. Legend has it that Shiva was performing intense Tapas after the death of Sati . There was total imbalance in the universe. To bring back the universe into its prior state, Devas deputed Kamdev to arouse passion in Shiva so that he returns to worldly life. It is believed that Shiva threw a trident at Kamdev for disturbing his Tapas. Later Kamdev was burned down to ashes by the third eye of Shiva. Gopinath Temple also known as Rudranath Mandir is a located about 10 km from Chamoli on the way to Ukhimath. The main murti worshipped in the temple is a Shivling. The trident is about 5-meter high and has a diameter of 20 cm. The trishul is made of eight different metals and stands outside in open air. In spite of being in open air for several centuries, the trishul has no weathered. Rain, sun, snow and wind has not effect on the trident.

Garv – Pride In Hinduism In Real Life And Its Reflection In Art

Garv is the Sanskrit word which means pride or arrogance in Hinduism. This emotion is a complementary psychological state known as vyabhichari – bhava. In the rasa theory in Hindu rhetoric (the study of human sentiments which include the codification of eight kinds of emotions), there are an additional thirty three subordinate psychological states or feelings (vyabhicharinah). These accompany the sentiments of love, humor, compassion, anger, courage, fear, wonder, disgust and peace. Bharata, the author of Natya Shastra (the ancient Indian treatise on dramaturgy and histrionics), describes vyabhichari bhavas as the sun carrying the nakshatras (stars), so it should be understood that vyabhichari bhavas are complementary psychological states that carry sentiments. Some of the other vyabhichari bhavas mentioned in Natyashastra are despondency weakness, apprehension, envy, intoxication and indolence. Pride is caused by alambana vibhavas (fundamental determinants), such as no

Proud Hindu – Varaha Murti At Rani Ki Vav In Patan - Sculpture Of Boar Incarnation Of Vishnu

You might have seen the picture of Varaha Murti sculpture at Rani Ki Vav in Patan in Gujarat. But if you take a close look in detail at the sculpture you will be mesmerized and amazed. Any Hindu will be proud that our great ancestors could create such wonderful sculptures. The murti is surrounded by 9 sculptures – they along with Varaha Murti forms the Dashavatar or ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. This ornamental ring around the sculpture of Hindu gods and goddesses is known as Prabhavali or Prabha Mandala. It is sometimes in the form of fire or any insignia related to the deity. Bhudevi is touching affectionately the face of Varaha (Vishnu). Mother Earth was drowned (symbolically Adharma or evil overpowering goodness on earth). Varaha carries Mother Earth on his elbow. Panchajanya Shankh – The same arm also holds Shankh (Conch) which when sounded by Vishnu signifies the end of Adharma and beginning of Dharma. Kaumodaki Gada – Symbol of Vishnu’s dominance of all t

Abortion In Ancient Hinduism

Garbhasrava means abortion in ancient Hinduism. The term garbha refers to a fetus and embryo. Garbhavicyutih refers to abortion in the beginning of pregnancy and grabhasrava refers to abortion or miscarriage. Garbhasakhu refers to a king of instrument used for extracting the dead fetus. Hindu tradition holds begetting progeny as the duty of a grihastha. It is a conventional belief that motherhood confers status on a woman. A woman incapable of conceiving was looked upon as unfortunate and inauspicious. Hence abortion was considered a very serious offense (atipatakadosha). In ancient Hinduism, a married woman could be barred from her ritual duties and her consequent authority in the home if she resorted to abortion. Instances of abortion have been rarely registered in the Hindu tradition. Hindu society has objected to abortion on moral, religious, ethical and legal grounds. Induced abortion has been looked down upon and even forbidden by Dharmashastras by listing it a

Bhimgoda In Haridwar – Importance Of The Holy Kund – Story

Bhimgoda is a sacred tank at Haridwar. Thousands of devotees take a holy dip in this kund. Bhimgoda is named after Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers. It is located around 300 m from Har Ki Pauri. A temple located in front of Bhimgoda has murtis of 24 incarnations of Hindu God Vishnu. Origin of Bhimgoda Legend has it that Pandavas were on their way to  Himalayas  and when they reached the spot they felt thirsty. It is said that Bhima thrust his knee and a kund or pond was formed. Water from River Ganga flows into the tank. Bhimgoda is located below a mountain and there a few murtis located here. The spot is chiefly popular with devotees for taking holy dip.

Sri Aurobindo – Mother Quotes – Importance Of Spiritual Atmosphere

The Mother says that one can create one’s true spiritual atmosphere ‘by inner discipline’. You can create your atmosphere by controlling your thoughts, … controlling your actions, turning them exclusively towards the sadhana, abolishing all desires and all useless, external, ordinary activities, living a more intense inner life, and separating yourself from ordinary things, ordinary thoughts, ordinary reactions, ordinary actions; then you create a kind of atmosphere around you. … If you act only in conformity with what can lead you to the divine realisation, if you abolish in yourself all desires and impulses turned towards external things, if you calm your mental being, appease your vital being, if you shut yourself against suggestions coming from outside and become immune to the action of people surrounding you, you create such a spiritual atmosphere that nothing can touch it, and it no longer depends at all on circumstances or on whom you live with or on the conditions you