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Showing posts from May 27, 2020


Text On Soma Ritual Methods – Jaiminiya Srauta Sutra

Jaiminiya Srauta Sutra belonging to Sama Veda describes soma rituals in twenty six sections. Srauta means pertaining to Sruti (Veda). Among the books of Kalpa Vedanga (one of the six auxiliary disciplines connected with Veda), Srauta Sutra gives a systematic description of Vedic fire rituals (Srajuta Yagnas). Unlike Shodhasa samskara (in house rituals) described in Grihyasutras, Srauta rituals are performed outside the house in tretagni (three fires0 – Garhapatya, dakshina, and ahavaniya. The seven soma rituals are agnistoma, atyagnistoma, uktha, sodasi, vajapeya, atiratra and aptoryama. The most important among these rites is agnistoma (jyotistoma), which is the prakriti (archetype) containing all details relating to the rituals. Agnistoma is a protracted devotional rite extending over several days. Performed in spring, it forms an essential part of jyotistoma. Hence the text describes this topic in detail first. The details related to the bringing of soma plant and its

Shivling Discovered In Vietnam - 9th Century Sandstone Shivling At My Son Sanctuary

A monolithic sandstone Shivling has been discovered in Vietnam’s Cham Temple Complex which is part of the My Son sanctuary in the Quang Nam province. The Shivling dates back to the 9th century and its excavation is a result of conservation efforts by the Archaeological Survey of India. The fully intact Shivling is part of a complex of Hindu temples which were constructed by the mighty Champa Empire between 4th century AD and 13th century AD in Vietnam. During the 4th to 13th centuries there was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing its spiritual origins to the Hinduism. The Hindu temples were constructed over ten centuries of continuous development in what was the heart of the ancestral homeland of the ruling Dua Clan which unified the Cham clans and established the kingdom of Champapura (Sanskrit for City of the Cham people) in 192 AD During the 4th to 13th centuries CE this unique culture, on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owed its spir

Kushmanda Devi Puja Vidhi – Mantra – How to Perform Goddess Kushmanda Puja?

Kushmanda Devi is one among the nine goddess worshipped during Navratri. She is worshipped on the fourth day of Navratri. Maa Kushmanda is worshipped for achieving success in job related matters. She also helps in achieving desire fulfillment (Kama). Below is Goddess Kushmanda Devi Puja vidhi or procedure along with mantra. This is a simple guide on how to perform Maa Kushmanda Devi Puja and is ideal for performing it at home. Goddess Kushmanda Mantra ॐ कूष्माण्डायै देव्यै : नमः Om Kushmandaye Daivaye Namah When to Perform Goddess Kushmanda Devi Puja? The ideal day to perform the puja: Fourth day of Navratri – Chaturthi Tithi Chaturthi Tithi – the fourth day after Amavasya in a Hindu lunar month. She has control over Surya Navgraha. Worship of her will help in overcoming Surya Navgraha related problems in horoscope. Benefits of Performing Kushmanda Puja She has the power to solve all problems arising in the fifth and ninth house of a person’s horoscope –

High Heels Sandal In 13th Century Sculpture In Ramappa Temple

Ramappa Temple in Warangal district in Telangana is famous for its intricate carvings and sculptures. The Ramappa Temple completed in 1213 AD has a beautiful sculpture of a lady using High Heels Sandal. High heels became popular in Europe only in the early 17 th century. The high heels used were defective and caused severe problems to leg bones and muscles. The raised shoe worn by the woman in Ramappa Temple should be seen as an indication to the development Hindus had attained during the 12 th century AD. The sculpture is outstanding as it shows the movement of leg perfectly. Not to mention the intricate carving, this is beyond any modern day machine cutting technology. Some Other Facts Of Ramappa Temple The temple is known after its sculpture Ramappa. Dancing girls in the temple carved out of black basalt stone is simply amazing. It took forty years to construct the temple and was completed in 1213 AD Shivling made from black basalt is worshipped in the tem

Importance Of Jaimini Bharata In Kannada By Lakshmisha

The Kannada version of Jaimini Bharata was written by Lakshmisha, a devotee of Lakshmikanta of Devanur in Kadur Taluk. Scholars are of the opinion that the poet lived in the 16 th century AD and followed the Smarta Bhagavata tradition. Composed in vardhaka satpadi meter, Jaimini Bharata contains thirty four sandhis and 1,907 verses. The story of Ashwamedha Yagna performed by Yudhisthira is narrated beautifully. The poet makes some changes and adds a few new ideas and stories. Certain stories in Kannada Lakshmisha Jaimini Bharata like those of Yavanasva, Sudhanva, Mayurdhwaj, Viravarma and Chandrahasa are not found in the Sanskrit Jaimini Bharata. King Yudhishthira, unhappy over the deaths of his brother, friends and relatives in the Kurukshetra war, was advised by Veda Vyasa to perform Ashwamedha Yajna (horse ritual). The ritual horse (yajnasava) went from place to place and the army under the leadership of Arjuna followed the horse. There was battle with each of the kin

Haribhakti Sara Of Kanakadasa – A Devotional Composition

Haribhakti Sara of Kanakadasa contains 101 stanzas of Bhaminisapadi (six-lined verse). This work extols the greatness of devotion, self surrender and dedication to the supreme God Vishnu. Haribhakti sara means the crux of Krishna devotion. Haribhaktisara advocates the value of bhakti and vairagya – devotion and renunciation – in the spiritual path of a devotee. The poem contains splendid figures of speech, evoking spiritual thoughts and eternal values. Kanakadasa belonged to the tradition of Haridasa (servant of God) literary movement in Karnataka. Written in simple and spoken Kannada, the composition had universal appeal. In one of his poems in Haribhakti Sara, Kanakadasa prays: “I am a humble non-entity and you are the donor of the entire world. I am without   any wisdom and you are the all influential Lord, granting mukti (salvation) to the devotee.” In another poem in Haribhakti Sara Kanakadasa says, “just as the learned ones bring up a young parrot, teach it and pleasin

Sadgati Vratam Dedicated To Brahma For Wealth

Sadgati Vratam is performed on the eighth day during the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) in a Hindu lunar month and is dedicated to Lord Brahma. The Vrata is broken at night. People perform this Sadgati Vrata for a year is believed to attain material progress similar to Indra – the king of Devas. When Sadgati Vratam is observed on the eight day during the waxing phase of moon in the Poush Month (December – January), it is known as Maha Rudra Vratam. If Maha Rudra Vratam falls on a Wednesday it is considered even more auspicious. Other deities that are worshipped on the day include Budha or Mercury. A devotee observing the Sadgati Vratam usually eats only a little cooked rice on the day of fasting. The story associated with Sadgati Vratam is listened to or read on the day.

We All Need Someone To Blame

When an external factor affects our peace, we must disassociate from those factors. But we do not do it because secretly we enjoy them. We want to be part of it, even after clearly know that it is doing no good to our life. For few minutes of pleasure or fame, we tolerate this external factor. When we are not ready to disassociate, we lose the right to complain. We want the crown to be on the head and then we also want to complain about its weight. Develop courage, fortitude and determination to throw out all those people, relations, thoughts, ideas and beliefs doing only harm to us. Be wedded to stimulating and inspiring things that takes us more towards peace and prosperity. Happiness and misery are our creations. Do not blame God for our bad decisions and thoughts. We all need someone to blame. And the best suited one for the job is God. We start business, job or relationship after doing prayers and puja etc. The decision is ours but we believe God is implementing it for us a