Padma mudra is the body markings worn by Lord Vishnu devotees. The body markings are applied with gopichandana or a ball of yellow clay. The clay is rubbed on the palm of the left hand with water to form a watery paste and then applied. The paste is applied curved or straight lines moving upwards (rarely downwards). Padma mudra is worn one on the right side of the stomach, two at the center of the chest, on the right side of the chest, two on the right shoulder. In total six mudras are associated with Padma mudra. The benefit of wearing it is that it enables a person to destroy fear. Adopting mudra is not mere convention. These markings ward off sins and make a the devotee pure for subsequent rituals and meditations. The religious significance of mudras are explained in Krishnamrita Maharnava, Sadachara Smriti and Tantrasara (samagraha) of Madhvacharya. Some mudras are only followed by the Madhwa school – followers of Madhvacharya.

Shishnadeva is one of the earliest attempts by human mind to understand Rudra Shiva. Shiva, the auspicious one and the one without a second, is beyond words and human imagination. Shishna Deva is beyond the rules of society. He cannot be captured inside four walls or in an image. The entire world is filled with the presence of Shishnadeva. He is Rudra, the ferocious, and Shiva, the auspicious one. He creates humans and gods. He sustains all animate and inanimate. He is everything. He is the primordial seed. He is all that we know and all that we do not know. The name Shishnadeva is found in Rig Veda (7.21.5). The lower human mind which was unable to comprehend the greatness and vastness of Shishna Deva tried to see him in phallus. It was and is still the best possible symbol of creation and regeneration. The first outsiders (foreigners) who translated and studied Vedas had only heard, seen, felt and studied god in human form. These brainwashed monolithic religion in

In North India, Skanda or Kartik is generally considered to be a celibate divinity and women worship him only on special occasions. The reason as to why women do not worship Kartik in North India is found in the Brahmanda Purana. As per the legend in the Brahmanda Purana, after defeating and annihilating the demon Taraka, Skanda was unable to control his temper. He moved around harming women. Goddess Parvati appeared before Kartik and told him that each and every woman is her own form and he should not harm them. From that day onwards Skanda started remaining aloof from women. Yet another reason for women not worshipping Kartik is that he is the commander of Gods and therefore a war god. As he is a war god, it is believed that he is responsible for creating widows. Yet another story which explains why Kartik do not give darshan to women is found in both scriptures and oral tradition. According to the story once Shiva and Parvati invited their two sons and told them

There are so many different kinds of pictures and paintings of Mahadev Shiva. Each of them has specific purpose and importance. Those pictures which prominently depict the third eye of Shiva should be worshipped for disease cure. Lord Shiva is depicted with a third eye on his forehead. This eye is usually associated with the great destruction that will happen at the end of cycle of creation. It is also associated with fire. The third eye thus purifies the universe. By worshipping the third eye of Lord Shiva a devotee will be purifying the body and mind. Many diseases of the body can be cured when we are able to control the mind. The third eye of Shiva will put an end to the never ending desires and lust. Thus the mind is brought under control. Body automatically becomes disease free when the mind is under control. The position of third eye is also the seat of wisdom – the higher brain. It is this higher brain which separates humans from animals. In Kali Yuga thi

Interconnectedness is a blessing as it makes life easy for all living beings. The sense of separation that we feel is the result of ignorance. We have this wrong concept of self, I, or me but we are never separate. Interconnectedness and interdependent is the feature of life in nature. Our ancient seers referred to it as the web of life. This does not mean that we should surrender our individuality. We need to respect the universal truth of interdependence. When we celebrate our individuality, we should also be thankful to the hundreds of unseen hands that make it possible for us to have a happy and peaceful life. For many people, interdependence means extra responsibility. They are frightened of being responsible, as it will curtail their freedom. This is not true. All that we need to do is to be sensible and compassionate to nature, our surroundings and to the living beings that live around us. In this world, we all have our responsibilities; we create difficulties to o