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Showing posts from June 12, 2020


Understanding Concept Of Time In Hinduism

The concept of time in Hinduism is cyclic. Understanding the concept of time is very much essential for spiritual progress and to clear the veil of ignorance. Time is the sequence of the perceptions and the experiences of one thing after another. The views of Hindu rishis shape Kalavada, the theory of kala (time). Sage Veda Vyasa propounded the theory of time in the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana. In the Mahabharata, after the war between Kauravas and Pandavas, Vyasa consoles a dejected and sad Yudhisthira: “You have not killed any warrior. Kala has killed them. Kala does not bestow any favor upon anybody. Kala has no mother, no father. It observes every good and every bad action. Kala delivers the fruits of all actions. In another story, Indra, the king of Devas turns into a donkey due to his actions. He meets Bali, the Asura king, who has risen above him. Indra said : “Bali you are not in this post because of your valor. Time is favorable towards you, and because of

Reason For Scattering Ashes In River After Cremation In Hindu Religion

Scattering ashes in river after cremation is an important part of the entire death related rituals in Hindu religion. Fire and water are two important elements associated with creation in Hinduism. First, the dead body is consumed by fire. Next, the ashes are immersed in water keeping this in mind. Ashes are to be immersed in running water – this symbolizes the cycle of life. There is no death in Hinduism – there is only transformation. Just like the river searching for ocean, the individual soul searches for the ultimate destination – moksha or liberation (merging in Supreme Truth). Water is associated with purity and purification. By immersing the ashes, the relatives are helping the dead person to purify sins. It must be remembered here that Bhagavan Sri Ram put an end to his presence on earth by entering the Sarayu River. Scattering of the ashes is also a reminder to the living relatives of the dead person to stop clinging to memory of the dead individual. T

Nyasa Tantric Rite In Hinduism

Nyasa is a tantric rite in Hinduism it is meant to develop a feeling of oneness with the deity being worshipped. It is a typical tantric rite and is done after purifying the body by bhuta shuddhi. The performer assumes a steady sitting posture and places his palm and finger tips of the right hand on various parts of the body and recites particular mantras by which the body is said to be infused with the energy, purity and superior power of the deity. The feeling of oneness with the deity is called davata bhava. It is an experience of the different body parts being occupied by the deity and its continued presence there. In Agam Rahasya (X.2) it is mentioned: “By nyasa the body becomes an abode of the deity, which helps to attain fulfillment of worship. Many different techniques of nyasa are mentioned in Kularnava Tantra (IV 9 – 52). In jiva-nyasa, the deity fills the very life force of the student, together with different body parts. In matrika nyasa, the fifty

Story - Origin Of Gayatri Mantra In Taittiriya Aranyaka

Gayatri Mantra is a Vedic hymn deriving its power both from its sound and from meaning. The mantra was first chanted by Sage Vishwamitra and it is found in the third mandala of Rig Veda (III.62.10). There is an interesting story regarding the origin of Gayatri Mantra in the Taittiriya Aranyaka (2.2). The demons (Rakshasas) became powerful by observing harsh penance. They became so powerful that they had the strength to fight the sun. With boons received from Prajapati, they covered up the sun and made him powerless. There was darkness on earth. Everything came to standstill. There was no food and water. There was no creation. There was no fire. To help the sun regain its power, the people who followed Dharma on earth offered him water after reciting the Gayatri Mantra. Soon, the Sun regains its original glory and the Rakshasas were driven away. Did you know? To the three lines of Rig Vedic Gayatri Mantra, a fourth line “Paro Vajase Savad Om” is added to make i

Swami Chidanand Saraswati Quotes And Teachings - Parmarth Niketan

A collection of Quotes and Teachings of Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan. Our own ego thinks that we are always right, that everyone around us should do things that way we say. We always fight over little things. Everything is an argument. This is a matter of ego. We tend to spend so much time arguing or holding grudges that we forget to love each other. We forget to be thankful for what God has given us. We have been given a finite amount of vital energy in our bodies, a finite number of hours each day, and a finite number of days in our lives. Why should we waste so much energy and time engaged in the battle of will? I remember when I was growing up, before beginning the day, every one would go to the temple, and do pranam to God and take three parikramas walking in a circle around God’s murti. The parikramas signify, “God, I am about to go out and perform my worldly tasks, but let me always keep You in the center and let me remember that all work is