Kanyasulkam, in Hinduism, is the custom of a price being paid by the bridegroom to the bride’s family. This practice of bride price comes under the asura vivaha, one of the eight forms of marriage recognized by the Smritis (non-Vedic sacred literature). According to Manu and Yajnavalkya, the ancient law givers in Hindu religion, the asura rite refers only to the money or gifts given to the girl’s family as a condition precedent to the marriage. It is not known how the term asura, literally meaning ‘a demon,’ came to be associated with the form of marriage involving bride price. Marriage by purchase was the order of the day among the ancient Assyrians and, perhaps the term asura could be traced to this Assyrian custom. The price paid by the bridegroom was originally a compensation to the bride’s family for her loss, a certain portion was given to the bride as a marriage gift. The bride price was usually paid in cash or kind among the Tamils of the Sangam Age (agama works 9

Sandalwood paste is an essential part of all Hindu pujas. It is applied on the body by Hindu devotees. Now it has been discovered that sandalwood scent heals wounds and could help in curing numerous other diseases. Mother Nature Network reports  Research has found that skin cells react positively when exposed to the sandalwood smell, which could have applications in curing diseases. Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that people have about 350 olfactory receptors in their noses but these receptors also are present in sperm, the prostate, kidneys and intestines. The study showed that when those skin receptors were near the scent of synthetic sandalwood, they became active and prompted cell proliferation and migration. Exposing these extraordinary receptors, called OR2AT4, to sandalwood may be the key to healing many diseases including cancer, study author Dr. Hanns Hatt said. “I feel a mission to convince my colleagues, and especially cli

Ashlesha Nakshatra 2021 time and dates based on traditional Hindu calendar, Astrology and Panchangam. Ashlesha Birth Dates, also known as Ashlesha or Ayilyam in South India, is the ninth Nakshatra among the 27 Nakshatras. Below are Ashlesha Nakshatra date in 2021. The astrological prediction of Ashlesha Nakshatra as per Moon Sign is that of Kataka or Karka Rashi. Chandra or moon is the Lord of the Raasi. The color of Ashlesha is black – red. Ashlesha Nakshatra Date and Time 2021 - North - East - South of India This time is applicable in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Andaman and Nicobar. January 2, 2021, Saturday Time is from 8:19 PM on January 1 to 8:13 PM on January 2, 2021   January 29, 2021, Frid

Neev Puja is of great importance in Hindu religion and it is the puja performed on the foundation of a new house. The puja involves placing the murti of naag or sarp (snake idol) and Kalash in North India. There is deep symbolism and religious importance to this ritual. As per Hindu belief, there is the patal loka and naag lok below earth. The entire earth is situated on the head of Sheshnag. He is the ruler of the patal loka. The puja is showing respect to the snakes and other living beings who are residing below the earth. It is taking the blessing and permission of the living beings residing in the area in which the house is to be constructed. Through the puja we are asking them to move to a different place. It is also believed that by keeping the standing snake idol, the owner of the house is asking the snakes to protect and hold the house steady. The owner is seeking the blessing that there will be no accidents in the house during construction and after const

Brahmarandhra is a technical term in Yoga, indicating an aperture in the topmost portion in the skull, which is said to lead to Brahman, i.e. the Absolute, if the vital air (prana) passes through it at the time of death. This fact is brought out in Katha Upanishad (II.3.16) where it is said that, “from the heart one hundred and one channels (nadis) emerge. One of them goes to the top of the skull (murdha). If the vital energy goes out through it, leaving the body, then immortality is achieved. In Taittiriya Upanishad (1.6.1), two names are used for that aperture, namely indrayonih, and kesanta. It is described as the aperture at the topmost portion of the skull. It is said to be the door leading to immortality. In Darshana Upanishad (VI 32-42), the technique of Sankuhi Mudra is described. An adept can achieve immortality through it by conquering prana in the Brahmarandhra. In Hatha Yoga Pradipika, many words synonymous to brahma randhra are mentioned. They are sushum

Vastu Shastra provides certain tips for better career and progress in the job-related matters. Here are 10 simple Vastu Tips for better career prospects with some small changes to home and workplace. Having an opening in the north is considered auspicious. It means having door, or windows, in the north and sitting facing it is good. North is associated with Kuber. Sitting under concrete beams are not good. Due to the iron content in the beams, your energy flow will be disturbed. You should not sit with your back towards an entrance door. Hanging pictures of hills or mountains behind the office chair are helpful. Scenery of water bodies should be avoided. Avoid pictures of war and violence. Avoid pictures with negative emotions. Your table should be rectangular or square. These two shapes contain all the deities in the Vastu Purusha Mandala. Wooden furniture is better. Avoid plastic and metal as far as possible. Glass top table is good if your workplace is in the west. Avoid bro

Living a life based on bad past experience is killing all forms of opportunity in the present and future. Those who follow patterns never truly make use of the human birth. They never reach the destination. When we follow set patterns, we will have similar relationships and we repeat the same thing day in and day out. Then one fine morning we realize we have wasted our life by following the pattern. Lucky are those who at least realize it. Change is stressful but its rewards are immense. Know our goal and be wise when we move out of the pattern. Do not make changes just for the sake of changing. Do not follow because everyone is. Do only that we really love. Do that which makes us happy and content. Abhilash www.hindu-blog.com