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Showing posts from June 13, 2021


Durgasimha – Author Of Durgavritti – 7th Century CE Work On Grammar

Durgasimha is the author of Durga Vritti, the earliest commentary on the Katantra grammar of Sarvavarman (another text like Panini’s grammar). Durgavritti provides a systematic study of Katantra grammar and gives explanations wherever necessary. Durgasimha in his work has dealt with the views of all his predecessors in Purvapaksha and presents his views in the ‘siddhanta’ section. Specialists in this field of grammar unanimously feel that vritti has done as much service to Katantra grammar as mahabhashya has done for Panini’s grammar. Durgasimha is also known as Durgatma, Durga and Durgapa. There is no certainty about his date, as he does not provide any details about his personal life in his work. However, oriental scholars give different views on his date. A.B. Keith assigns him to the 10th century CE (NCC, Vol.III.p.309a); Balvelkar assigns him to the 8th century CE., since Durgasimha knew Candradhatupatha and is quoted by Hemacandra. Yudhishthira Mimamsaka assigns him to 600-80 C

Four Wives Of Kings In Ancient India

It is believed that a king was entitled to four wives in ancient India. The wives were divided into four classes. They are Mahishi, Parivritti, Vavata and Palagali. Mahishi is the chief queen, the one who has been consecrated. She participates with the king in all important rituals. She sits near the king in the throne. It is her son who will become the next king. Parivritti or parivrikti is a queen who was earlier favored but is now neglected. This is mainly due to her inability to give birth or due to the king suspecting her to be plotting against him. Sometimes she loses her status due to infidelity or health issues.  Vavata is the favorite wife. She will be the most beautiful but other than her beauty she has no other good qualities.  Palagali is the least favorite of the four wives. This wife is mostly taken by the king under stressful circumstances or as a compromise. The king marries her to protect the kingdom or throne or his subjects. Sometimes the king is forced to ma

Thavidissery Kavu – One Of Largest Sacred Groves In Kerala

Thavidissery Kavu is located on the Peringome Vayakkara village in Kannur district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the Thavidissery Kavu temple is Thaiparadevata. The deity is known as Vallikettil Achi. The temple is one among the five largest sacred groves in Kerala. The sacred of Thavidissery Kavu spreads around 50 acres. The temple faces east and is only open on the Sankranti or Samkarana day which falls on the middle of the month (14 to 18). There are a total of 12 sankramana in a calendar year. Devotees are not allowed entry into the Kavu on the other days of a month. Men are not allowed to wear upper body garment in the temple. Even women wear clothes in which they have taken bath before entering the sacred grove.

Thattarambalam Saraswathi Temple – History

Thattarambalam Saraswathi temple is located on the Mavelikara – Haripad road at Thattarambalam junction and is around 3 km from Mavelikara in Alappuzha district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. The temple faces east. Thattarambalam Saraswathi Temple – History The temple is believed to have existed before 14 th century CE. The temple is mentioned in the Unni Neeli Sandesham literary work of 14 th century CE. It is mentioned as ‘Thattan Poorvam Vazhiyilazhkarnnambalam’ and is told to Sandeshaharan (one who carries the message). A stone engraving found at Kandiyoor Mahadeva temple (around 2 km from the temple) mentions about one Thattar Narayanan. He was part of the temple committee of Kandiyoor temple.

The Four Classes Of Priests in Ancient Hinduism

There were four classes of priests in ancient Hinduism, though the classification varied over time. The four classes of priests are hotri, adhvaryu, udgatri and brahmana or purohita. The hotri is the chief priest. Hotris are accomplished in the Rig Veda. The adhvaryu is the assistant priest. Adhvaryus are accomplished in the Yajur Veda. The udgatri is the assistant priest and more associated with chanting. Udgatris are identified with the Sama Veda. The Brahmana or purohita performed the duties that were not awarded to the other three groups. The four classes of priests are mentioned in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. They are also mentioned in the Puranas. Hotri is associated with eastern direction, adhvaryu with western direction, brahmana with southern direction and udagtri with the northern direction.  Dakshina to each priest is performed facing the direction associated with the priest.

Real Freedom Is Freedom From The Restless Mind

Everyone wants to be free, free to do what one wants to do. No one likes to be fettered in any way. Bondage is sorrow, freedom bliss. But we can't have absolute freedom. Our freedom to do something shouldn't conflict with other's freedom in any way. We can't act and speak as we like. There are constraints on our freedom. These constraints are in our interest and the interest of the society we live in. Like the traffic lights, they stop our movement temporarily so that all can move safely. We give up part of our freedom in our interest and in the interest of others. We all want to have the freedom to pursue happiness. We set before ourselves a goal, work towards it and finally achieve it after overcoming several obstacles. When we achieve it, we are happy. But this happiness doesn't last long. So we pursue another object and achieve it after trials and tribulations. The happiness of this achievement is also short lived. It is mainly because nothing outside can gi

20 June 2021 Tithi - Panchang - Hindu Calendar - Good Time - Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, 20 June 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi or the tenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 12:01 PM on June 20. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Ekadashi tithi or the eleventh day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:41 AM on June 21. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on June 20, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Chitra or Chithirai or Chithira Nakshatra till 3:27 PM on June 20. Then onward it is Swathi or Chothi Nakshatra till 1:54 PM on June 21. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Chitra or Chi