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Showing posts from August 9, 2020


Madhavi Lata – Importance Of Hiptage Plant In Hinduism

Madhavi Lata, hiptage plant, is of great importance in Hinduism and is associated with Lord Vishnu. As per Vishnu Purana, Madhavi (Goddess Lakshmi) is the wife of Vishnu as Madhava, and the plant is named after her. Symbolically, Madhavi Lata is the creeping vine and Vishnu is the tree round which she clings for support. Hindus knew about the plant from ancient times and the plant is mentioned in many ancient Hindu scriptures. The flower of the plant is compared to a frail young woman who clings for support to her husband, symbolized by the strong mango tree. Madhavi Lata is mentioned by Kalidasa in his famous play Shakuntala. When Rishi Kanava discovered that his daughter Shakuntala had met king Dushyanta, the man of her choice, he said to her that he had for long been looking for a handsome mango tree referring to Dushyanta and that now he would give his Madhavi Lata (Shakuntala) to him in marriage.

Why Gular Or Udumbara Tree Is Sacred In Hinduism?

Gular or Udumbara is sacred Hindus and its wood is included in various homas, pujas and rituals in Hinduism. The root of Gular is Brahma, its bark is Vishnu and its branches are Shiva. The tree is compared to Vishnu and Udumbara is also one of the 1000 names of Vishnu. Gular tree rarely has any flowers and this is because on Diwali night, Devas gather on the tree and pluck all its buds and flowers. The tree and its wood were widely used during the Vedic period. As per Atharva Veda, the sacrificial post and the sacrificial ladle are made of it. The seat of Vivaswan, a powerful deity in Vedas, is worshipped at the end of the Soma sacrifice is made of it, as well as the three throne of King Soma is carved out of its wood. It is a highly medicinal plant – roots, bark, leaves, fruits and latex are used to treat various diseases. 

Be as you are – Ramana Maharshi

There is neither creation nor destruction, neither destiny nor free will, neither path or achievement. This is the final truth. Be as you are. Reality must be always real. It is not with forms and names. That which underlies these is the reality. It underlies limitations, being itself limitless. It is not bound. It underlies unrealities, itself being real. Reality is that which is. It is as it is. It transcends speech. It is beyond expressions ‘existence, non-existence’ etc. You are awareness. Awareness is another name for you. Since you are awareness there is no need to attain or cultivate it. All that you have to do is to give up being aware of other things, that is of the not-Self. If one gives up being aware of them then pure awareness alone remains, and that is the Self. Your own realisation is the best help you can give to others, but there are no others to be helped. Work performed with attachment is a shackle, whereas work performed with detachment does not affect,