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Showing posts from August 11, 2020


Why There Are Numerous Snake Groves Or Sarpa Kavu In Kerala?

The answer to why there are numerous snake groves or sarpa kavu in Kerala is found in the book 'Kerala Ulpathi' by C.K.Menon. Sarpam means snake and Kerala is famous for snake groves. The history of these ancient natural temples stretch back to the origin of the land of present day Kerala. The district of Malabar along with Kochi, Travancore South and a part of North Kanara, extending from Cape Comorin to Gokarna, distance of 640 miles north to south, was reclaimed from the sea by Parshuram Avatar of Vishnu and colonized by him. The aim of Parshuram Avatar was to annihilate the evil Kshatriya Kings who were practicing adharma on earth. He carried out his object by destroying the warrior chiefs 21 times. This sin of killing was too much for Parashuram. He therefore retired to Gokarna in North Kanara (present day Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada) Parashuram invoked Varuna, the god of waters, to give him some land. Varuna accordingly went back a few miles, and 646 m

Goddess Jogeshwari In Maharashtra – Story And Her Association With Bhairava

Goddess Jogeshwari worshipped in Maharashtra is the consort of Kala Bhairava. As per the popular story associated with Jogeshwari, Kala Bhairava, the kotval of Kashi, arrived at Maharashtra to help get rid of a demon. After getting rid of the demon, Bhairava went to Patal Lok on a horse. Shesha, the king of serpents, welcomed him. His daughter, Jogeshwari, fell in love with Kala Bhairava. On the request of King of serpents Kala Bhairava agreed to marry his daughter. Their marriage took place at Mhaswad. Kala Bhairava is also known as Sri Siddhartha in Maharashtra. His temple at Mhaswad is also known as Dakshina Kedara. Goddess Jogeshwari is also known as Yogini or Yogeshwari. A number of festivals are held at Mhaswad in honor of the gods including Ratha Yatra and marriage ceremony of Siddhanath and Jogeshwari.

Story Of Sukadeva And Maidens – The Divine Without A Second

One became the symbol of the primordial One, the divine without a second, the non-polarized existence – Sukadeva, son of Sage Vyasa, was one who had merged in Supreme Truth while living on earth. There is a famous story of Sukadeva meeting nude celestial maidens. Sukadeva wandered the forests of the Himalayas, imparting his knowledge to those who sought his wisdom. He was completely nude to the ignorant. One day he met nymphs in a merry mood, playing in a beautiful blue lake studded with water-lilies. Happy at the sight of him, they came out and greeted the young Sage. Purity was the robe he wore to cover his naked form. The nymphs too, though unclad, were not in the least abashed in his presence. A while later Sage Vyasa came by, and though he was fully dressed, the damsels who were singing and dancing below a shady tree ran in all directions to cover their shame. Surprised beyond words, the old man asked: 'How can it be that you showed no shame in the presence of my son, whose

Udgitha – Chanting Of Sama Veda - Om Meditation

Udgitha forms the second part of Sama Veda and relates to the chanting of the songs. Meditations are helpful for the non-dualistic realization of the Supreme Brahman. They purify the mind of the seeker, present a glimpse of Brahman and can be practiced easily. Hence these are included at the beginning of Upanishads. For a normal individual, practice of Vedic rites is deep rooted and it will be very difficult to practice meditation entirely giving up the rites. Hence meditations associated with the rites are presented. Meditation on omkara through Udgitha is one such meditation given. As one starts singing Udgitha by uttering om, om is itself called Udgitha. Himkara, Udgitha, Prastava, Pratihara and Nidhana are the divisions of the Sama Veda. Udgitha is a way of singing samans. Sama is sung over the base Rik mantra. Different portions of Rik mantras are sung in different bhaktis and Udgitha is considered to be an important bhakti. It is the essence of all essences and regarded as eig

Sri Krishna Janmashtami Quotes

As the tiger devours other animals, so does the tiger of intense love and zeal for the Lord eat up lust, anger and other passions. The devotion of the gopis is the devotion of love, constant, unmixed and unflinching. – Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Krishna, who gives delight to all and who is blissful in his own being, divided himself into as many Krishnas as there were gopis and danced and played with them. Each girl felt the divine presence and divine love of Sri Krishna. Each felt herself the most blessed. Each one’s love for Krishna was so absorbing that she felt herself one with Krishna, nay knew herself to be Krishna. And wherever their eyes fell they saw only Krishna .  – Swami Prabhavananda The divine play of the gopis is the acme of the religion of love, in which individuality vanishes and there is communion. It is in this lila that Sri Krishna shows what he teaches, ‘Give up everything for me.’ Take shelter under Vrindavan lila to understand Bhakti. – Swami Vivekanand

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Advice - Things Essential In A Relationship

Things essential in a relationship - Advice from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar It is because you love someone, that you give yourself… and then you start making demands on that relationship. Now, when you start demanding, love diminishes. Three things are essential in any relationship – right perception, right observation and right expression. Right perception can happen, when you see yourself, in the shoes of the other person – when you stand in his/her shoes and look at the situation. Observing your own mind is essential. This observation within you – the observation of sensations, the observation of tendencies, the observation of the patterns we have – is essential. Perception of the other, and observation of one’s self…and then comes – the right expression, or expressing one’s self in the right manner. ....................... Will Power – Sri Ramana Maharshi Your idea of will-power is success insured. Will-power should be understood to be the strength of mind which makes