The story of Jayadeva, the author of Geeta Govinda, and his wife, Padmavati, demonstrates the power of true love. Jayadeva’s Gita Govinda depicts the unparalleled love between Radha and Sri Krishna. Padmavati was a great dancer and she danced when her husband sang the Gita Govinda. They performed in the court of the King of Orissa. It is said that once when Padmavati was with the queen and the ladies of the court talked in great detail about a woman who had performed sati – who jumped into the funeral pyre of her husband. The ladies of the court said she was a great Pativrata (true and devoted wife). Padmavati was not much impressed by the woman. When the queen wanted to know the reason, she said that a real Pativrata (true wife) would drop down dead the moment her husband dies. The queen and the ladies of the court did not agree to Padmavati. When she had left they criticized her and decided to teach her a lesson. They planned to send false news to her that her husban

Thanam is an important place of worship in North Kerala. This type of worship place is mainly associated with lower caste people. It is believed that Sthanam became Thanam. There is no daily puja or daily offering in these types of worship places. Aivar, Puli, Sri Kurumba, Padar, Kulangara Bhagavathi etc are worshipped in the Thanams. The worship place is developed usually around sacred trees like Chembakam, pala, noolu, plavu (jackfruit tree), Kanjiram etc. There is no permanent murti (vigraham or bhimbam) in the Thanam worship place. There will only be a platform or sacred stone in the place of worship. Today some Thanams have a small sanctum sanctorum. Thanams are usually known after a particular caste thus there are Theeyar Thanam, Kollar Thanam, Thattar Thanam, Mooshari Thanam, Moyar Thanam, Ashari Thanam, Koshavar Thanam etc. It is believed that Theeyars have 18 Thanams in Tulu Nadu. Kaliyattam ritual is observed annually in important Thanams. Important pujas are

When we talk of a spiritual journey, it is presumed that we have a fixed ideal. For, without an ideal to follow, there is no question of going forward; we simply remain at the mercy of our senses, our lower nature. Keeping the ideal in mind, amidst the multifarious duties of life, becomes possible only if we have a fixed routine. Inability to maintain this routine is an indication that we are sliding away from the spiritual ideal. Emphasizing that steadfast adherence to a routine is most essential for a spiritual life, Swami Brahmananda advises, ‘Make a routine of everything. “I shall meditate so long, repeat mantram so many times, study for so much time, and sleep so many hours.” With an irregular life you cannot be successful in any work.’ Many sadhakas slip away from the path by neglecting their spiritual routine. Among the main things in the daily routine that a sadhaka should strictly adhere to are the timing and duration of his japa/meditation/scriptural study, the tim

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 5 July 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Ekadashi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Ekadashi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 10:41 PM on July 5. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Dwadashi Tithi or the twelfth day during the waning or dark phase of moon on the entire day on July 6 and till 12:42 AM on July 7. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on July 5, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Bharani Nakshatra till 1:33 PM on July 5. Then onward it is Karthigai or Kartika or Krittika Nakshatra till 4:10 PM on July 6. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnata