Oxford dictionary gives the meaning of Euthanasia as the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma. Ancient Hindus had practiced euthanasia and even today, many realized Hindus perform it without making a fuss about it. You will find Hindus who have retired to the Himalayas and dense forest for the purpose but they do not advertise it. Euthanasia in Hinduism should be interpreted on two levels. Four Stages of Life in Hinduism Brahmacharya Grihastha Vanaprastha Sanyasa When Does a Hindu Willingly Give Away Life In Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), when a healthy person feels that the person has done with the purpose of life in society, they walk into a forest or secluded area to let go of the body. This is known as Vanaprastha. Vanaprastha was practiced by the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, Kunti, Gandhari and Vidura in the Mahabharata. Bhagavan Sri Ram and Lakshman had performed Jal Samadhi (death through water)...

Utpaladeva, also known as Utapalacharya, is associated with Kashmir Shaivism as an exponent of what is known as recognitive school of Kashmir Shaivism. He was the teacher of Abhinavagupta’s instructor, Lakshman Gupta, and a true disciple of Somananda. According to the tradition, Utpaladeva lived near Vicharnaga, to the north of Srinagar, and belonged to the end of the 9 th and first half of the 10 th century CE. He has written a number of treatises, but, unfortunately many of his works are lost; those surviving include Ajadapramatrsiddhi, Ishwarasiddhi, Sambandhasiddhi and the commentaries on the later two works. His commentary on Shivadrishti is available (1 to 4 ahnika) only in part. This commentary was written at the request of his own son Vibhramakara and a brahmchari named Padmananda. Shivastotravali of Utpaladeva is a collection of devotional verses composed by him at different periods, in various conditions, and discovered by his admirers. These verses were composed by ...

Ardhanarishvara Linga is a very rare form of Shivling. Ardhanarishvara Linga is half white and half red – some also have marks of trishul (trident) and Damaru (glass drum). The description about the linga is only found in a text credited to Hemadri, a 13 th century who wrote books related to murtis, temple architecture and construction. In the Ardhanarishvara Linga, the white portion represents Shiva and the red portion represents Shakti. Ardhanarishvara Linga is part of the Bana Lingas and is naturally formed. There are carved Ardhanarishvara Linga – not naturally formed but creations of sculptors. The most famous carved Ardhanarishvara Linga is found in the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai, Maharashtra . Naturally occurring Ardhanarishvara Linga are found in the Narmada River . There are also some sacred spots in India with Ardhanarishvara Linga carved on a single stone.

Akhetaka is a term used for a hunter in Hindu scriptures. Akhetaka, in Hindu religion, is the agent of an operation in which the animal is frightened by people from all around and moved out of the encircled area at a certain point where the main agent of the operation, i.e. hunter, lies in wait for it. In the sense of the agent of the operation of hunting, the word is used in the masculine gender. When, however, it is used in the neuter gender, it denotes the operation hunting itself. In ancient India, hunting was taken up by the professional hunter as a means of livelihood. Princes, nobles and kings used hunting as a pastime and recreation. In contrast to both these types, sages, saints and tapasvins were opposed to all such operations, particularly if undertaken within the precincts of their Ashrams. This is evident from the Krauncha bird episode from the Ramayana and the fact that the disciples of Sage Kanva in Kalidasa’s Shakuntalam request king Dushyanta not to kill the d...

A collection of quotes and thoughts on beauty, life, love and truth. The earth is beautiful because it teems with life. The universe looks beautiful because it is perceived by humans. Beauty is the nature of life, and whatever is devoid of it becomes ugly and loathsome. Beauty is one of life’s higher dimensions. If we are alive to this dimension, life with all its myriad manifestations will become beautiful. Alas, we run after skin-deep beauty because our conception of life is skin deep. Those who can understand this law of life are lifted from sordidness and loneliness and become capable of connecting to beauty all around.  Even what is labelled, according to contemporary ideas, as disagreeable and nasty will, due to its fact of being alive, become beautiful. And this happens due to the underlying sublime order. When life becomes narrow and selfish the world correspondingly transforms into a nauseating place. Such a life becomes a long-drawn trial. Above beauty there is ...

You must have come across Hindus wearing red kumkum over bhasma on forehead. Similarly, there are Hindu devotees who wear red kumkum over chandan (sandalwood paste). There is a symbolism associated with applying bhasma, kumkum and chandan. Bhasma – Red Kumkum on Forehead Bhasma is associated with Lord Shiva. Red Kumkum is associated with Goddess Shakti (Durga) and her various manifestations. Applying Bhasma first and then applying red kumkum dot symbolically means the amalgamation of Shiva and Shakti – Shiva-Shakti-Samyogam. Chandan – Red Kumkum Forehead Chandan is associated with Lord Vishnu Applying Chandan first and then applying red kumkum dot symbolically means the amalgamation of Vishnu and Lakshmi – Vishnu-Lakshmi-Samyogam. Bhasma-Chandan-Red Kumkum Forehead Some Hindus first wear Bhasma, then chandan and then a red kumkum dot. This is a highly powerful symbol. It indicates the presence of Goddess Tripura Sundari. Bhasma, Chandan and Kumkum should be ...

Those customs and rituals or ‘Achaaraas’ that give positive and useful results are to be followed. But how to find the customs and rituals that are positive and useful is left to a person following the Sanatana Dharma (Hindu Dharma). Hindu scriptures like Dharma Shastras are peppered with hints which help in analyzing and practicing customs and rituals associated with Hindu religion. The most important hint that the Dharma Shastras give is Sastram Pramanam – the first and the most important parameter a Hindu should consider before following a ritual is scientific results and original scriptures. Next most important parameter is the advice of scholars and elders – Apta Vakyam Pramanam .  This is bit a tricky because a person should develop skills to understand a true Guru from the showy and fraud ones. The third parameter is direct experience – Pratyaksham Pramanam – this is something like you learn to walk after falling. We make mistakes but not repeating the...

When we read Hindu scriptures, we get to know about natural magical things that can perform the impossible task. It can change the life of a person forever. Here are five magical things mentioned in Hindu scriptures, which might or might not exist in real. Paras Mani – It is believed that Paras Mani has the power to turn anything into gold. Humans have never seen it. Legends have it that crows can recognize Paras Mani. Many believe it is a rare kind of stone. It is believed that Paras Mani is found in the Himalayan region. Somras – The wine made using soma plant and other natural ingredients are mentioned in the Vedas. Somras is mentioned in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas. It is believed that drinking the wine will make a person immortal. Nagmani – Nagmani is in the possession of certain snakes. The person who has the possession of Nagmani will have all his wishes fulfilled. No one has ever seen it. It is said that no material on earth has a glow l...

Why we do not have a clean and organized home or workplace? Because we are busy or we are lazy. When we are unorganized for a long period we get used to it. We do not even realize how messy we are. This will affect our mental wellbeing. Clean and organized workplace and home should be part of our spiritual goal. When we have a neat and organized home or workplace, we will be more organized, there will be easy access to things, there will be space utilization, there will be harmony and there will not be any irritability. The mess in our surroundings affects us unconsciously. We must always remember that our home and workplace is a reflection of our inner world. The best place to start the cleaning process is from our home. When we do the cleaning process, we will come across many things that we do not need. However, there will be people who will be happy to possess them. It can be clothes, shoes, toys, utensil etc. When we give them away to the needy, we will feel happy,...

Hanuman Puja is the best option for Shani shanti and the ideal upay (remedy) for Sade Sati. The puja should be performed on all Tuesdays and Saturdays. The puja can be performed by any person suffering in life due to the bad position of Shani Navgrah in their horoscope. Top ten ways to please Hanuman and escape from the bad effects of Sade Sati. Chant Rama Raksha Stotra in a Hanuman temple. Offer jaggery and chana to Hanuman. Do the japa of the name of Ram – Ram naam jap at home or in a Hanuman temple. Offer food to monkeys and other animals. Wear a mala made using black thread in a Hanuman Temple. Wear a Lal Chandan mala after puja performed on it in a Hanuman Temple. Chant the mantra ‘ श्री हनुमते नमः ’ 108 times using a Rudraksha Mala. Offer sindoor on the feet of Hanuman and then wear it on the forehead. Make a mala using the leaves of Tulsi and then offer it to Hanuman. Planting fruit bearing trees on Tuesdays and Saturdays is highly beneficial.

Performing puja to Shani Bhagavan under peepal tree is considered highly beneficial and virtuous. The puja helps in avoiding all types of Shani related trouble in horoscope or janam kundli including Sade Sati. Benefits It helps in improving relationship with others. Financial problems will be solved. All job and career related issues will be solved. How to do Shani Puja under Peepal tree? The puja can be performed by both men and women. Wake up early in the morning on Saturday and take bath. Wear black color dress and offer prayers to Ganesha. Find a peepal tree and under it make a clean spot. Apply cow dung to the place. Keep a kalash filled with water, black urad dal, a small piece of iron and coal. Close the mouth of the kalash with a coconut. Tie a black thread on the neck of the kalash. Keep this on the cow dung. If you have Shani murti or picture you can keep that too but not necessary. Light lamp using mustard oil. See your face on the mustard oil befor...

There are so many things out there to lift our spirits if only we notice them. But we never look in the right place and instead start living in the good old days. We complain about everything in the present. Actually, the present is not bad; it is just that we are miserable and we try to hide this truth by glorifying the past. So stop killing the present with the good old days. Every age has its positives and negatives. If we focus only on negatives then we will miss the positives. A warm smile can light up the day. The smile is always present. All we have to learn is to drop the ego and let go. Love has not changed. It is the same as in the good old days. It is just that we forgot to love. There are many things in this world, which are beyond our control, and this is what makes the old days good. But what we do not realize is that there are a lot of things which we can do to make our lives happier today. Quite often, we want to be part of the crowd and then complain abou...

Emusha form of Vishnu is the celestial boar. In this divine incarnation, Vishnu ploughed up the earth, which was lying under the cosmic waters. Emusha is also another name of Varaha and the name is found in the Vedas. As per some accounts, Emusha ploughed up Mount Meru with his might tusks and brought it to the surface. This was later used by Asuras and Devas for the cosmic churn. Emusha is a name also found in the Rig Veda, Satapatha Brahmana, Atharva Veda and Taittiriya Samhita and Kathaka Samhita. Here too a big bar whose flanks stretched across raised earth up. Different Stories Of Emusha As per some narratives, Vishnu scooped up earth with is tusks from the bottom of the sea and spread it on a lotus leaf to create the earth. (Brahmanas) As per Vishnu Purana, demon Hiranyaksha dragged the earth goddess Bhudevi under the sea. Vishnu emerged from Brahma’s nostril in the form of a boar, plunged into the sea, gored the demon to death, placed Bhudevi on his snout and raised her ...

Millions of Hindus perform Pind daan and other Shradh rituals at the famous  Vishnupad   Temple  at  Gaya  in  Bihar  during the Pitru Paksha period (September – October). There are numerous other places in Gaya in Bihar where Shradh and other Funeral Rituals can be performed. The spots where the rituals are performed are known as Vedis. Here are the Vedis in Gaya where Rituals Dedicated to Dead can be performed: 1) Poonpoon Charan Puja  2) Jiwha loll  3) Kartikpada 4) Mat Gowapi 5) Munda Pristha 6) Falgu River 7)  Gajadhar Ji 8) Dhadikhagni 9) Go pada 10 ) Adi Gaya 11) Brahma Kund 12) Saraswati 13) Garpashagni 14) Agastha Pada 15) Dhout Pada 16) Pretshilla 17) Dharmaranya 18) Ahabaniagni 19) Indrapada 20) Bhim Gaya 21) Ram Shila 22) Bodhgaya 23) Suryapada 24) Kashyapada 25) Go Prachar 26) Ram Kund  27) Brahma Sarovar 28) Chandrapada 29) Gajakarna 30) Gada loll 31) Kagbali 32) Ganeshpada 33) Ramgaya 34) Dhud Tarp...

Mangalagiri is located 13 km southeast of Vijayawada in Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh. The holy and auspicious hill is a famous Vaishnava center. Mangalagiri Temple is dedicated to Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu and is popularly known as Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple . Mangalagiri hill is also known as Thotadri. There are three Narasimha Temples in Mangalagiri Panakala Narasimha Swamy on the hill. Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at the foot of the hill. Gandala Narasimha Swamy at the top of the hill The most popular shrine is Panakala Narasimha Swamy Temple . Panakala means jaggery water. There is no murti of the deity in the temple. There is only a wide mouth which is about 15 cm long. The mouth is covered by metal face. The main offering in the temple is jaggery water. Devotees pour jaggery water into the mouth. One can hear gargling sound as the Lord is drinking the offering. Irrespective of the quantity offered, half of the panakam that is offered ...

We all have weaknesses, bad habits and negative traits, the only way to eliminate them is to be aware of them and to accept them and to work tirelessly towards their removal. Some bad habits are physically visible like smoking, drinking, lust etc… Sometimes we must be not even aware that we have bad personality traits. We can have any one or more of the following negative traits messy, lazy, selfish, egotist, shy, always distracted, cynical, pessimist, overreacting… Therefore, we need to accept our weaknesses – those we are aware off and those are not aware off. When we know something is wrong, we will make an effort to rectify it. Once we pay attention to a particular weakness, we will soon find numerous solutions to a host of issues we are facing. Be honest…for example if we are shy then accept it. Do not try to cover it up. Work slowly towards getting rid of it. We cannot work with a broken machine for long time. We will need to fix it sooner or later. If we are n...

The name Sringeri is derived from Rishyashringa-giri, a nearby hill. Rishyashringa is a popular saint mentioned in the Ramayana and Puranas. The hilly region abutting Sringeri was known as Rishyashrungagiri. It later went to be called Shrungagiri and Sringeri. Rishyashringa performed the famous putrakameshti yagna for the Dasharatha in the Bala Kanda of Ramayana. Vibhandaka, father of Rishyashringa ,went into deep meditation at a shrine of Lord Shiva in the hill and his body got transformed into a bright light. This temple in known as Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple. As per Hindu scriptures, Rishyasringa followed in the footsteps of his father and spent his last days in a shrine of Lord Shiva at the base of the beautiful hill and got transformed into a divine light. This shrine is known as Rishyasringa Temple. It is located at Kigga, a tiny village a few km from Sringeri. The hills surrounding Sringeri are known as Rishyasringa Parvata. According to Hindu scriptures, the sage...

Nimbarka expounded a theory of difference with non-difference (Davita-Advaita). Brahman is a personal God, identified with Krishna by Nimbarka and has infinite auspicious attributes like knowledge and action. He is both material and the efficient cause of the world. He creates the world out of his own powers and by his mere will and invests the self with instruments of knowledge and action. God and the selves are neither totally identical   nor absolutely different from one another. Authority texts speak both of identity and difference, and hence both are accommodated as real in his philosophy. Difference between God, on the one hand, and the selves (chit) and the world (achit), on the other, is due to their opposite natures. Identity is because of their dependence (paratantrya) on God for their very being.   The examples of such difference with non-difference are the sun and its rays, fire, and its sparks, water and waves, and rope and its coils. Selves are, e...

We all want to have a real good friend. But we are never bothered to become a good and trustworthy friend. Do not wait for a true friend. We can become a real friend. A true friend need not be your classmate or from your society or neighborhood or of the same age. Friend can be from the family too. True friendship is that which breaks all barriers and shows the highest form of love. Friendship is love without expectations. Means and greed should not be the reason for friendship. Such a relationship is not friendship it is business or convenience.  True friendship is the purest form of relationship. There is no give and take. There is no tolerating. There is no expectation. In friendship, sharing should be given importance not using and needing the other. When we share our joy, dance, song, happiness…it multiplies…it grows…it creates positivity. When you make friendship with a hidden motive, it will always end in disaster. Always respect your friend’s individua...

Vidyadharas are semi divine beings mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. Some scholars are of the view that they are a semi-divine group of tribal people inhabiting the Himalayas especially the region near the source of Ganga River . According to the Brahma Purana, Sudras who worshipped the Narasimha Avatar of Vishnu attained the status of Vidyadharas. Vidyadharas are handsome and always roam along with their beautiful female partners – who are referred as Vidyadharis. The females are adorned with ornaments and flowers. The male members roam in the sky and on earth with swords. Flowers and garlands are constantly associated with this class of divine beings. Information about Vidyadharas is found mainly in the Vishnudharmottara Purana. Their king was Chitrakuta who had a Devaratha. Mahabharata mentions that they were ruled by Chakradharaman. Vidyadharas: Divine Beings in Hindu Scriptures Introduction Vidyadharas are a class of divine beings in Hindu mythology, often portrayed...

Sindoor Lal Chadhayo Ganesh is a popular prayer and aarti dedicated to Ganpati. This prayer extols the importance of Sindoor offering to Ganesha. The vermilion red or orange-red colored cosmetic powder is a favorite of Ganesh. Mantra to be Chanted While Offering Sindoor to Ganpati सिन्दूरं शोभनं रक्तं सौभाग्यं सुखवर्धनम्। शुभदं कामदं चैव सिन्दूरं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥ ओम गं गणपतये नमः Sindoor Shobhanam Raktam Saubhagyam Sukhavardhanam । Shubhadam Kamadam Chaiva Sindooram Pratigrihyatam ॥ Om Gam Ganpataye Namah The person doing or offering Sindhoor should chant this mantra and apply it on the forehead of Ganpati. After applying it on the forehead of Ganpati, the person should apply it on his/her forehead and of those present in the puja especially of children. Benefits of Offering Sindoor to Ganpati A person offering Sindoor will be blessed with peace and prosperity. It is performed for early marriage. Those couples not having children will ...

Lord Shiva is known as Bholenath. Any devotee offering anything with unwavering devotion is accepted by Shiva. He fulfills the desires of His devotees. Here is a list of the main offerings to Shiva. The items offered to Shiva should be fresh and clean. Offerings to Lord Shiva  Water – there is nothing more important to Lord Shiva than a drop of water offered with unwavering devotion. Uncooked rice or akshat – unbroken rice is not offered. Bilva Leaves – the leaves should be fresh and broken. Panchamrut – mixture of milk, ghee, water, saffron (kesar) and honey. When four time abhishek is done in a day – morning it should be water, noon it should be curd, evening it should be ghee and honey at night. Other offerings include rose water, fragrance (Ittar), chandan, bhasma (sacred ash), and sugar. Shiva prefers white color flowers. Things that are not offered include Kumkum, til, Tulsi leaves, ketaki and champa flowers are also not offered to Shiva.

Akasha Bhramari is the rotation of the dancer’s body in mid-air. It is a posture in some Indian martial dances. Akasha stands for sky and bhramari denotes rotation of the body. In this dance movement, the body leaps vertically upwards with the legs of the dancer spreading into a horizontal line, while the body is momentarily suspended in space before reaching the floor. It is performed primarily by male actors and dancers who use vigorous, masculine movements during the dance performances. They perform this aerial feat as nrtta (part of abstract, non-representational dance) and nritya (dance that evokes a mood or feeling). Akasha Bhramari is used to express intense emotions like elation or fury in a given dance sequence. A seasoned performer is able to move through all the three levels of space – high, mid or low while improvising. According to the Natya Shastra (ancient Indian treatise on dramaturgy and histrionics), there are seven kinds of Bhramaris – many of these a...

One of the dangers of pride is thinking that you are the doer. Then you are dealing with spiritual ego, which can involve an almost shocking lack of humility. The ego provides only negative choices. When giving up even the smallest attachment, you are giving up a small piece of illusion. Sit quietly and ask yourself that simple question, repeatedly. Who am I? When you begin this practice, your ego mind will offer you a whole list. I am a mother: I am a spiritual seeker, or even I am depressed and lonely. Do not accept these labels. Recognize them as what they are: a list of our attachments. Self-knowing allows Kundalini energy to rise straight up the spine, into the top of the head and out into the Universe. The more deeply we obtain openness and oneness with this higher energy, the more it will lift us up spiritually – and the closer it will bring us to realization of our oneness. Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati ( 1940 – 2012)  The above quote 'When giving up even the small...

Dates of important upcoming festivals and fasting associated with Hinduism in September 2020 – based on major Hindu calendars and Panchang used in India. The festivals, Vrats and ritual days are based on Indian Standard Time (IST). Hindu Vrat – Fasting - Festivals September 2020 September 1 – Anant Chaturdashi – Ganesh Visarjan September 2 – Purnima Vrat September 2 – Purnima – full moon day September 2– Pitru Paksha Shradh fortnight begins September 3 – Nija Ashwin month begins in calendars followed in North India September 5 – Sankashti Chaturthi Vrat moonrise time is at 8:55 PM September 9 – 16-day Mahalakshmi Vrat ends in North India September 9 – Kalashtami September 11 – Avidhava Navami September 11 – Jivitputrika Vrat September 13 – Ekadasi Fasting September 15 – Pradosh Vrat September 15 – Monthly Shiv Chaturdashi fasting September 17 – Vishwakarma Puja September 17 – Mahalaya – Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh September 17 – Amavasya September 17...

Gopis never saw Krishna after he left Vrindavan for Mathura. They met Sri Krishna again after several years at Samanta Panchaka. Kurukshetra in the Mahabharata was also called Samanta Panchaka because of the five lakes created there by Parshuram Avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu. The place was famous from ancient times due to the penance performed by Parashuram to eradicate the sins of killing the evil kings 21 times. It is believed that Sri Krishna along with Pandavas visited the place during a total eclipse. Not just them but it is believed that all great sages, kings, royal families, common folk arrived at Samanta Panchaka. The entire population of Vrindavan too was present at Samanta Panchaka as they knew Sri Krishna would surely arrive to take holy dip in the sacred lakes there during the solar eclipse. Sri Krishna met Nanda and Yashoda, his foster parents, after several years. The gopis of Vrindavan too arrived at Samanta Panchaka and they had a look at their dearest Krishna from...

The combination of Adhi Yoga happens when beneficial planets occupy the sixth, seventh and eighth houses from the Moon in one’s horoscope. A person who has this combination will be polite and trustworthy person; the person will have an enjoyable and happy life, surrounded by luxuries. The person will be wealthy and live long, and inflict defeat on his enemies. Astrologers, such as Varahamihira (6 th century AD) have studied the combination a great deal, but they differ in its definitions. While some claim that the mere presence of benefactions in the sixth and seventh and eighth houses constitute this yoga, other opine that those planets should not be associated with malefactions. A third category of scholars hold that apart from these two conditions, adhi yoga gets fully constituted only when the fourth house (in a natal chart) is occupied by a natural benefactor like Jupiter. However, most modern scholars agree that the presence of benefactions in the sixth, seventh an...