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Showing posts from July 29, 2020


Unmani In Hinduism – Transformation And Purification Process Of Mind

Unmani is the transformation and purification process of mind in Hinduism. The term is described by Adi Shankaracharya in the yoga taravali (27) as the process wherein avidya (ignorance) is completely overcome and purity, undisturbed calm, and enlightenment is attained. This state is called jivanmukti, sahaja or turiya. It has been the goal of all spiritual and religious endeavors, praised by all schools of philosophy in India, whether orthodox or otherwise. Various features of unmani and the behavior of the person in that state have been described in traditional texts. In Ishavasya Upanishad (7), it is described as a state of freedom from moha (infatuation) and shoka (sorrow). In Chandogya Upanishad (VII.1.43), a person in such a state is called atmavi (man of self knowledge) and is said to be forever free from sorrow. In the Avadhuta Upanishad (6) it is said, “just as the sun evaporates and swallows all fluids and fire consumes all objects yet both of them remain unta

Nails On Trees In Hindu Religion Worship

Many Hindus might have come across trees studded with iron nails in sacred places or temples. Offering iron pieces is a very ancient form of worship in Hindu religion. In western Himalayas, especially in the Kumaon Hills and the Kullu valley, Hindus hold the Devadaru tree sacred and offer iron pieces as offerings to the gods dwelling on the trees. Nails are driven into huge trees as a form of worship mainly to ward off illness, death and destruction of cattle, sheep and crops. There is a popular belief throughout India that tree spirits and gods and goddesses dwell in huge trees. Why iron nails are offered can be explained from a common Hindu belief that iron keeps the evil away. The trees chosen are neem, banyan, devadaru, tamarind and other huge trees. In modern times, people associate nails in trees with ghosts. This is because most Tantrics in serials and movies capture the ghost in an iron nail and then drive it into a tree. Instead of worshipping tree with nai

Mankha – 12th Century Kashmiri Poet

Mankha, also known as Mankhaka, was a 12 th century poet from Kashmir. He lived during the period of Jayasimha(1127-1149 AD). Jayasimha was a great patron of poets and Mankha presented his poems to court poets seated in a circle. Among the poets of the court were Nandana, the philosopher, Sri Ruyyaka, and the rhetoricians Ramyadeva, Prabhakara, Srigarbha, Mandana, Garga, Devdhara, Naga, Tutatia, Kumarlila, Trailokya Damodara and Jinduka. Mankha not only list the names of the poets but also recounts the way they approached the court, their tastes, and their abilities. This presentation of a kavya to an appreciative audience in a court gives an idea to how kavyas were released in those days. Srikanthacharita of Mankha was first recited in the court of Jayasimha. Shiva buring the three flying cities of demons forms the theme of Srikanthacharita. The first canto is invocatory, the second defines good and bad people and the third canto gives family details of the author. Ma

Dnyaneshwari Chapter I4 Teachings

A collection of teachings from chapter 14 of Dnyaneshwari. The knowledge of Self is over everything else, because it is like fire, whereas all other branches of learning are like straw. Knowledge of Self secures liberation and puts an end to all complications of the world. When the mind is controlled by the mind and the Soul rests in Brahman, even existence in the physical body does not bind the Soul. Having attained Me, they become eternal in My eternity and perfect in My perfection. When there is no difference between them and Me, they share the truth and the joy, that is in Me. Just as space contained in a vessel joins up with space generally, they become all-pervading, as I am. It is like light joining light, when many lamps lighted from one lamp are joined to another. The travail of duality is over and the distinction of "I and thou" goes away. When creation starts again, there is no rebirth for them. When creation comes to an end, there is no de