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Showing posts from June 15, 2021


Drig Drishya Viveka – 15th Century CE Work On Advaita

Drig Drishya Viveka literally means discrimination between Drik (seer) and the Drishya (seen object). It is attributed to Vidyaranya (1400 CE) but another school of thought attributes it to Adi Shankaracharya. Two commentaries on the work, one by Brahmananda Saraswati and another by Anandagiri are available. The 46 verses of the book have been translated into several languages. The substance of the work is that the self is the witness-percipient of all experiences, sensory and mental alike, and everything else is the object for it. It is the unchanging pure consciousness. Mind gets the semblance of being conscious by the borrowed light from the self. The work gives an account of maya with its two fold powers – concealing the truth and projecting the false. Because of these two powers, the world appears in creation with all the distinctions of the percipient and perceived. Brahman, which is existence, consciousness and bliss, is the basis of the world-appearance, which is but a

25 Feet High Ganesha Carved On Single Rock – Avancha Village – Telangana

Aishwarya Ganapathi located at Avancha Village – Telangana. The murti is nearly 25 feet tall and 15 feet in width. It is carved out of a single rock. Aishwarya Ganapathy is located around 40 km east of Mahbubnagar and 19 km east of Jadcherla. The Ganesha murti is incomplete as the king who commissioned the murti died midway through the carving of the monolithic sculpture. Aishwarya Ganapati belongs to the Western Chalukya period and is believed to have carved during the 12 th century AD. Avancha was the capital King Thylapadu of the western Chalukya dynasty. The sculpture was carved around 1113 CE.

Bhavana – Reflection – In Jainism

Jainism sets out bhavanas or reflection of twelve different kinds, which helps one overcome any obstacles which hinder one in the realization of the goal. Anitya Bhavana – This aspect is the reflection on the real nature and utility of any object. The reflection is turned to the overcoming of obstacles which may hinder one in realization of the objective. Asaran Bhavana – Such reflection is on the helpless condition of the jiva in the world of phenomena. One must strive to gain release from worldly bondage by one’s own resolute will. Samsar Bhavana – Suffering and misery are present in this life. What one ordinarily calls pleasure is really wrought with pain, as sorrow follows in its wake. Ekatva Bhavana – He must realize that the onus of achieving freedom rests on himself and he alone can save himself from the consequences of his deeds. Such reflection is termed ekatva bhavana. Anyatva Bhavana – Such reflection concerns the real nature of the self. The self is distinct from the ph

Apsaras In Hinduism

Apsaras or divine damsels are an important part Hinduism. Ancient treatises like Chitrasutra of Vishnudharmottara Purana, Manasollasa, Aparajita Parichha, Amara Kosha and many such works refer to the various forms and names of the Apsara. Apsaras are known by different names like Devangana, Gandharva Kannikas, Salabhanjika, Madanika, etc. In sculptures in temples Apsaras are represented as standing and entertaining the divinities in attractive postures, holding fruit baskets, fly whisks, flags, flowers, musical instruments, and singing and dancing in many imaginative and graceful postures. Puranas and epics have interesting stories about the genre of demigods. The Apsaras were used by the Gods to seduce rishis and kings to have control on earth. The Puranic lore speaks about their dancing and musical skills. Temples being symbolic of the world of God, these figures form part of that world. They not only embellish the temple, but also create a spiritual ambience. 

Two Fold Vedanta In Vishita Advaita

Two fold vedanta, known as ubhaya vedanta, is a term used to describe the philosophical system of Vishita Advaita. This sobriquet is a pointer to the twin spiritual heritage of the vishita advaita system, which blends the speculative metaphysics of the Sanskrit Vedantic treatises with the mystical doctrines of the Tamil saint-poets revered as Alwars. Vishita Advaita expounded by Ramanuja expounded a thorough-going realism in which Brahman is identical to a personal God, whose nature is truth, knowledge and infinity, and who possesses innumerable auspicious qualities and has a divine form. The means of attaining him are loving meditation and self-surrender. The Personal Absolute is Narayana or Vasudeva extolled in Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and Pancharatra texts. The esoteric Pancharatra doctrine deals with the concepts such as the apotheosis of Sri as a divine mediatrix, and as co-equal to her consort Mahavishnu; salvation through prapatti (self-surrender) etc. These ideas ar

Spiritual Progress Is Not Easily Seen

Sri Ramana Maharshi points out that spiritual progress is not easily seen or noticed. Question: We have travelled far and wide in search of Enlightenment. How can we get it? Sri Ramana Maharshi: Through deep enquiry and constant meditation. Question: Many people do meditate in the West but show no signs of progress. Maharshi: How do you know that they don't make progress? Spiritual progress is not easily discernible. Question: A few years ago I got some glimpses of the Bliss but in the years that followed I lost it again. Then last year I again got it. Why is that? Maharshi: You lost it because your meditation had not become natural (sahaja). When you become habitually inturned the enjoyment of spiritual beatitude becomes a normal experience. Question: Might it be due to the lack of a Guru? Maharshi: Yes, But the Guru is within. That Guru who is within is identical with your Self. Question: What is the way to God realisation? Maharshi: Vichara, asking yourself Who

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

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 22 June 2021 – It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi and Trayodashi tithi or the twelfth and thirteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:14 AM on June 22. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 5:45 AM on June 23. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on June 22, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Vishaka or Vishakam Nakshatra till 12:16 PM on June 22. Then onward it is Anuradha or Anusham or Anizham Nakshatra till 10:35 AM on June 23. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat,