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Showing posts from June 25, 2021


Chudakarana In Hinduism – Tonsuring – Leaving Sacred Knot Of Hair – Chudakarma

Chudakarana, or Chudakarma, is one of the sacraments in Hinduism. It is said that any ritual performed by one not having the top-hair (Chuda also called Shikha or sacred knot of hair) would not be fruitful. This sacrament, also called Chaula or Caula (tonsure), consists of shaving off the hair on the head, leaving a tuft (or tufts, according to diverse customs) at the top. The medical significance of having such a tuft of hair has been stated by Sushruta, renowned Indian surgeon of the 4 th century BCE. He says “Inside the head, near the top, is the joint of sira (an artery) and sandhi (pivotal juncture). The eddy of hair at the spot is called adhipati (overlord). Any injury to this spot is fatal. (Sharira sthana, 6.83). The practice of Chudakarana goes back to the Vedic times, as could be seen from the mantras used, which refer to the razor, (Yajurveda 3.63), the barber (Atharvaveda 6.68.2), water to moisten the head before shaving (Atharvaveda 6.68.1) and prayer for long life to

Karmic Influence – Path Of Liberation And Karma In Jainism

Purity of conduct is necessary to set one on the path to liberation as per Jainism. The soul needs to be free from karmic influence. Jainism refers to various stages by means of which one attains the final goal of moksha or liberation. The self, which by its nature is pure, is affected by karma which has accumulated by the individual’s deeds. The first state, whereby subtle karma matter moves towards the soul in order to bind it, is termed asrava. The modification of the soul which generates the influx of karmic matter into the soul is bhavasrava and the physical flux of karmic matter moving to soul is dravyasrava. Passions like anger, pride, greed and deceit agitate the mind and the four kashayas or propensities in and through which karma flows into the soul. Krodha kasaya, or anger of an intense kind, influences the mind negatively so that one’s actions are motivated by this attitude. Mana, or pride, refers to attachment to the ego. Intense pride in oneself leads one astray fro

Brahmacharya – Asteya And Aparigraha In Jainism

Brahmacharya, Asteya and Aparigraha along with Ahimsa and Satya are the Mahavratas in Jainism. They are also part of anuvratas. Brahmacharya Brahmacharya refers to the vow of continence. The deeper significance is that one should give up self-indulgence of every form. The ascetics lead a celibate life and observe the vow of chastity in thought, word and deed. In the case of the householder, this principle cannot be understood in the literal and strict sense. The anuvrata of brahmacharya signifies being faithful to one’s spouse and observance of the principle of monogamy. Asteya This principle refers to abstention from stealing. One should not take nor desire another’s possessions. Malpractice in trade and commerce, black marketing and the like also constitute steya or stealing. In the case of the anuvrata of asteya, it is realized that the householder has certain limitations. For instance, a trader may price his goods much higher than their worth. The lay disciple follows the pri

Copper Nag Shiva Puja – Benefits And Puja Of Copper Snake Idol

Nag, or snake, is an important item while worshipping and performing puja of Bhagwan Mahadev Shiva. People make use of copper nag idol or sculpture during the puja. Here are the benefits and how to do copper nag Shiva puja? Benefits Of Copper Nag In Shiva Puja Copper Nag offering is equal to performing donation of milk or cow. It is believed that the presence of copper nag will make sure that there is positive energy in the house. Evil beings or poisonous animals will not enter the house. It is believed that puja of cooper snake idol daily will help in sin redemption. Cooper nag worship during Shiva puja will help in solving rahu and ketu dosh in horoscope. How to do puja with Copper Nag? When Shiva puja is done at home, after offering water, bilva leaves should be offered to Shiva. Then the nag should be offered chandan and water The copper nag should always be kept neat and clean. After the puja the copper nag should be cleaned properly and kept near the shivling or pho

Story Of Nala and Nila Of Ramayana Cursed By Sage Sutikshna

Nala and Nila were the divine monkeys who built the floating bridge of Ramayana. They were able to float stones and huge boulders on the ocean due to a curse by Sage Sutikshna. Sage Sutikshna used to worship two Shaligram stones in his ashram. One they the two Shaligram stones went missing. The other saints and residents of the ashram had no idea as to how the Shaligram stones disappeared from the ashram. Sage Sutikshna could not do anything since the Salagrama stones went missing. He could not pluck fruits, get edible roots, or gather flowers. Days passed thus. The summer arrived. The lake near the ashram went dry. Water had to be drawn from the well like pit in the middle of the lake. One morning when Sutikshna tied a rope to a vessel and drew water from the pit, he felt something heavy. He gradually took up the vessel of water and examined it. And lo! There were his missing Salagrama stones. His happiness knew no bounds when he saw them. He took the Salagrama stones to the ashra

King Of Kanyakubja Learns The Existence Of Hanuman The Hard Way

King Kumarpala of Kanyakubja doubted the existence of Hanuman and decided to take away the 4400 villages gifted to the learned people of the region. The people were gifted the tax free villages by Lord Rama and Hanuman was the witness. Kumarpala of Kanyakubja was corrupted by haters of Sanatana Dharma. He demanded proof of Hanuman and Lord Rama. The villagers set out to find Hanuman who was a chiranjeevi – who still roamed the earth. They knew he would appear before them in one form or the other. The group of villagers that moved towards the southern direction came across an ascetic who discouraged them saying that he had walked and searched for Hanuman all over Bharatavarsha and he did not find anyone remotely resembling Hanuman. But the villagers decided not to lose hope and continued their quest for Hanuman. The next day another ascetic came to the group and again discouraged the group. He told them that the tales of Hanuman were fake stories and Hanuman never

Shiva Parvati Statue At Home Benefits

Shiva Parvati murti (statue or idol) is considered highly auspicious and meritorious. It is usually kept by people in the puja room or in the north or northeast part of the house. Here are the benefits of Shiva Parvati statue at home. Shiva Parvati statue for home should be made of bronze, brass, gold, marble, granite, silver, copper, clay or ashtadhatu (eight metal combinations). One should never use Shiva Parvati statue made of plaster of paris (POP) or plastic. The most important benefit of Shiva Parvati statue in home is that the home will be blessed with peace and prosperity. There will good relationship between husband and wife. The statue is also kept for keeping out negative forces and evil eye from house. It is believed that the combined murti of Shiva Parvati will help in keeping out diseases from home. It is also good for those facing problems related to horoscope. If you are doing puja to the murti of Shiva Parvati then it should begin on Monday.

Why Is It Necessary For The Mind To Die?

Sri Lakshmana Swamy (disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi): The mind must die. There is no other way to realise the Self. Some people say that complete equanimity of mind is self realisation, but this is not true. This is only a stage one passes through on the way to self realisation. Other people say that seeing the Self or God everywhere is self-realisation, but this is not true either. To see the Self everywhere, there must be an I who sees, and while that I exists, the mind will also exist. The jnani does not see anything, because the seeing entity in him has died. In the Self there is no seeing, only being. When the mind still exists one can reach a stage where one can see the whole world as a manifestation of the Self, but when the mind dies, there is no one who sees and no world to be seen. If you have a mind, then the earth, the sky and the stars will exist, and you will be able to see them. When the mind dies there will be no earth, no sky, no stars and no world. The world of obj

2 July 2021 Tithi - Panchang - Hindu Calendar - Good Time - Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 2 July 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 5:45 PM on July 2. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 7:05 PM on July 3. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 2, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi Nakshatra till 7:06 AM on July 2. Then onward it is Revathi Nakshatra till 8:54 AM on July 3. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Uttara Bhadrapada or Uthrattathi