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Showing posts from July 27, 2021


Ancient Indian Polity In Literary Works Of Kalidasa

Kalidasa in his Raghuvansham has developed the principles and policies of government in ancient India. Here a brief look at ancient Indian polity in literary works of Kalidasa. Kalidasa’s general description of functioning of kings in the opening lines of Raghuvamsham (1.5.8) is sufficiently impressive. Among individual kings the character of Dilipa and the nature of his government are described by the poet at great length (1-13-30). In Raghuvamsham, Kalidasa has described the polity of Raghu (IV.7-13), Aja (VII.8-13), Dasharatha (IX.1-23) and Rama (XIV.23). Abhijnana Shakuntalam presents some ideas of government. In the opening lines of Act V a sympathetic chamberlain compliments his master on his self-imposed toil for the benefit of others. Three objects of the state have been referred to: Happiness of subjects Protection The king’s complete merger of his own interests in those of his subjects In Malavikagnimitra, Kalidasa has narrated inter-state relations (Act I) foll

Polity Of Ancient India In Mudrarakshasa Of Vishakhadatta

Vishakhadatta in his Mudrarakshasa characterizes the king as not different from Bhagavan Vishnu (VII.9), following Vedic tradition (the Mahabharata, XII.59). Here is a look at the polity of Ancient India in the play Mudrarakshasa. Mudrarakshasa contains a number of important statements regarding the principles and policies of government. In it, Chandragupta observes that self-regarding interests take leave of the king who is engaged in fulfilling the interests of others (Act. III. Verse 4). It is difficult, even for kings possessed of self-mastery, to win royal fortune which recoils from the severe and rejects the mild, which hates the foolish and refuse intimacy with the very learned, which fears the brave and derides the timorous (Mudrarakshasa 111.5). Vishakhadatta draws from the old generic principles of the king’s obligation towards subjects, dealing with disaffected subjects, dealing with friends and foes, the policy of the king’s internal security, application of the diploma

Kamandakiya Nitisara – Contents – Information

 With the exception of Barhaspatya Sutra, Kamandakiya Nitisara is the only complete work of its class which follows Arthashastra pattern. But it omits the whole material found in Kautilya’s Arthashastra relating to the working of state administration and the branches of law and justice, which evidently did not interest his scholastic taste, Kamandaka was indebted to smriti tradition for some of his basic ideas, notably about the obligation of the king, moral issues of statecraft, authority and sources of law, duties of castes and social order, and so on (11.7.35; 11.7). Kamandaka advocated protection of people depends upon the king, and their livelihood depends upon protection (1.12-13): without him the law (dharma) would disappear and would perish (11.34). Applying smriti and Arthashastra, the principles of the king’s authority and obligations are discussed by the author (1.9-11, 15-17; 11.20) and he repeats the traditional view of danda (11.37-43) and Saptanga theory of the state (

Karinkali Devi – Goddess Worshipped In Kerala Temples – Story

Karinkali Devi is a Goddess worshipped in many Kerala temples. She is an important Upa Devata or subsidiary deity in Goddess Bhagavathi or Shiva temples. She is more closely associated with Shakti and Shiva (Shaiva) worship. Karinkali is believed to have appeared from the third eye of Shiva with the sole aim of annihilating demons that were spreading Adharma on earth. Some people believe she is a manifestation of Goddess Bhadrakali. But as per scholars she is fiercer than Bhadrakali. She is black in color perhaps symbolically indicating her power to take back all the creation in the universe. Karinkali Theyyam is an important theyyam in temples in north Kerala. Rituals and prayers dedicated to her are offered on Fridays. The important offering to Karinkali is Kadu Payasam (half boiled – not fully cooked sweet made from rice and jaggery). Another ritual and offering is Karim Guruthi.

Politics Of Ancient Hindus In Panchatantra

Panchatantra is a treatise of ancient Hindus to educate boys of royal family in politics. According to Panchatantra, not only power, especially animal power, but sattva (good spirit) and such other personal qualifications are the basis of a king’s authority over his subjects (I. 4-5). In a conflict between the moral ideal and self-protection, Panchatantra takes a pragmatic view; for the sake of the family an individual may be sacrificed, for the sake of a village a family may be sacrificed, but for the sake of one’s self the whole world may be sacrificed (I.116, 117). The king’s interest is superior to friends, father, brother or son (1.172, 173,174). The merciful king heads a list of persons who must be abandoned (1,174, 176). A kingdom cannot be governed according to ordinary standards of men, for what are vice for ordinary men are virtues in a king. Apparently, Panchatantra develops a remarkable doctrine of the composite and even contradictory tendencies of statecraft, because a

Uzhaloor Karthyayani Devi Temple - Pudukad - Facts - History

Uzhaloor Karthyayani Devi temple is located at Pudukad in Thrissur district, Kerala. The shrine is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala and is located atop a hill. Here is a look at the facts and history of the temple. The darshanam of the deity is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Sastha, Ganapathy, Brahmarakshas, Nagraja and Bhadrakali. The present sreekovil is square in shape and is made out of Vettukallu. The original sreekovil is believed to have been renovated. As per history, the temple was the desha kshetram of Peruvanam Gramam which was a Namboothiri gramam in ancient Kerala. The deity of the temple was also the para devata of Brahmin families who resided in Uzhaloor. The temple was destroyed by Tipu Sultan and his army.

Ulloor Balasubramanya Swamy Temple – History – Information - Festival

Ulloor Balasubramanya Swamy temple is located at Ulloor in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to the child form of Murugan. The Darshanam of Ulloor Balasubramanya swamy is towards east. A unique aspect of Ulloor Balasubramanya Swamy murti is that he is not holding a lance (Vel). A unique offering in the shrine is honey mixed with batter known as Thinamavu. Other important offerings include Malar Podi and Unniyappam. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Sastha, Shiva, Yakshi and Nagam. As per history, the temple was a Sastha temple and was known as Annattu Sasthavu. The Sastha prathishta is inside a nalukettu. There was some untoward incident in the Nedumangad royal family. When astrologers were consulted as a solution they suggested prathishta of Subrahmanya Swami in the Sastha temple in Ulloor. The main festival observed in the temple is Thaipooyam. A nine-day festival dedicated to Sastha is held on Meenam month. Atham nakshatra is the most

Uliyannoor Mahadeva Temple History – Facts – Festival

Uliyannoor Mahadeva temple is located on the island of Uliyannoor on the banks of Aluva Puzha in Kadungalloor village in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva. The Shivling is considerably tall and darshanam is towards east. The annual festival is held in Makara masam (January - February). The temple is associated with Perumthachan – an ancient legendary carpenter architect, woodcarver and sculptor of Kerala. The darshanam of Goddess Parvati worshipped in the sreekovil is towards west. It is believed that the murti of Goddess Parvati was made by Uliyannoor Perumthachan. The vigraham of Goddess Parvati is very smooth and when it is decorated it gives different looks at different times. The temple is one among the 108 Durga temples in Kerala. Garbhagriha or Sreekovil of this temple has a circumference of 42 meters. The roof of the Sreekovil is supported by 68 wooden angles (kazhikolukal). They represent 64 art forms and the four Vedas. Temple

Umayanalloor Sree Bala Subramanya Swamy Temple – Information – Festival – History

Umayanalloor Sree Bala Subramanya Swamy temple is located at Umayanalloor, in Mayyanad, Kollam district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is the child form of Muruga – Sree Bala Subramanya Swamy. The darshanam of the temple is towards west. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathi and Devi. The 8-day annual festival concludes with arattu on Karthika nakshatra in Meenam month. Kuthira Kettu utsavam is held here. Another unique ritual is Anaval Pidutham – local people attempt to get hold of the tail of the elephant in this festival ritual. Once in three years the Devi worshipped in the temple is taken in procession to a nearby paddy field. As per history, the temple was built by King Keralavarma of Deshinganattu for his daughter. The temple was also associated with Umayamma Rani (late 1600s). The temple was managed by Umayanalloor, Akavoor and Umamopali Manas.

Udiyanoor Devi Temple Thiruvananthapuram – Story - Festival

Udiyanoor Devi temple is located at Maruthamkuzhi on Sasthamangalam – Vattiyoorkavu road in Thiruvananthapuram. Some people believe the murti worshipped in the temple is Goddess Bhadrakali. Another set of belief is that the deity in the temple is Goddess Durga. The annual festival in the temple is held in Meena Masam (March - April). Darshanam of Udiyanoor Devi is towards north. The murti worshipped in the temple is Chaturbahu – four-armed. The deity holds shankh (conch), chakra (discus), Nandakam, Khadgam (sword) and Shoolam (trident). Apart from the main murti there are three other peedams in the sanctum sanctorum. These peedams have murtis of Indrani, Vaishnavi and Varahi (these goddesses are part of Saptamatrikas). Puja is offered three times in the temple. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Yogeeswaran, Sastha and Madan Thampuran. As per history, the murti worshipped in the temple was retrieved from a river by Neelkanth Gurupadar of Vattiyoorkonam Nair

Story In Hinduism – Forgiveness Is Greater Than Revenge

The story of forgiveness is greater than revenge in Hinduism was narrated to the Pandavas during their exile period in the Vana Parva of Mahabharata by Rishis. They had met Rishis on the advice of Indra who wanted Pandavas to use their years of exile wisely to travel, see new places, and learn new skills and to spend time with sages and learned people. This would help them in becoming better human beings and rulers. Once a sage called Raibhya found his daughter-in-law having an illicit relationship with young man named Yavakri. This enraged the sage and he soon caught her in the arms of Yavakri. Raibhya could not tolerate this indiscretion and he killed Yavakri. Bharadvaja, father of Yavakri, cursed Raibhya that he would die at the hand of his own son, Paravasu. The curse came true a few days later when Paravasu, who used to go for hunting in deep forest, mistaking his father for a wild animal, killed him. To save himself, Paravasu accused his brother, Aravasu, who had accompan

Udyaneshwar Shiva Temple - History - Near Cochin Tirumala Temple

Udyaneshwar Shiva temple is located northeast of Cochin Tirumala temple. As per history, the huge Shivling worshipped in the temple belonged to an ancient temple, Thrikkannamathilakom, about thirteen miles from Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district, Kerala. Shiva worshipped in the Mathilakam temple was installed by Parasurama for the benefit of 64 villages of Namboothiri Brahmins of ancient Kerala. The huge Shivling faces west. The main festival observed in the temple is Mahashivratri. During the Arattu festival in Thirumala Devaswom temple, the utsava murti of Tirumala temple is carried in a procession on a horse driven vehicle  to Udyaneswara temple, where Bhagavan Shiva also joins the palli vettai before returning to the main temple. Udyaneshwar Shiva Temple - History The administration of Mathilakam temple rested with the two Nair families of Thekkedath and Vadakkedath. They had difference of opinion with the Namboothiris of the region regarding offering worship. The Namboothiris left

Ganesha Gita Teachings

Ganesha Gita is the conversation between Ganesha and Varenya in the Uttara khanda of the Ganesha Purana. This is a collection of teachings from Ganesha Gita. Not desiring the results of one’s activities, whether they be termed transcendent or ritualistic, the yogi is recommended to perform his duties, not by ceasing action, but from a reliance on yoga. Devotional service alone is the cause for attaining yoga. Peacefulness and restraining the senses are considered the causes for success in siddha-yoga. Focusing on the objects of the senses is considered the enemy of oneself. The yogi who ignores the craving of the senses gains success. One’s own self exists only through the self. We do not exist as separate from the self. The person who has conquered the self, who has discriminating knowledge, intuitive knowledge and continually has control over the senses, maintains the same equanimity in friendship, or enmity, in freedom or imprisonment, in honor, disgrace, unha

Udayamperoor Ekadasi Perumthrikkovil Temple – Story – Festival - Udayamperoor Shiva Temple

Udayamperoor Ekadasi Perumthrikkovil temple is located at Udayamperoor in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Udayamperoor Perumthrikkovil temple was a Mahakshetram in ancient Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Shiva and Shivling is consecrated inside a huge circular sanctum sanctorum (Valiya Vatta Sreekovil). Mahashivratri in Kumbha Masam is an important festival in the temple. The Shivling is considerably big in size and girth and faces east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Ganapathy, Goddess Parvati, Sri Krishna, Sastha and Yakshi. Udayamperoor Perumthrikkovil Temple Story Legend has it that once Vilwamangalam Swamiyar arrived in the temple to have darshan in temple. When he was going to enter the temple compound he realized the entire premises is filled with jada (hair - matted locks) of Shiva. So, Swamiyar crawled on his foot and had darshan in the temple. The annual 10-day festival in the temple ends with Arattu on Thiruvathira nakshatra day in Dhanu masam (Decembe

3 August 2021 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Tuesday, 3 August 2021 – It is Krishna Paksha Dasami or the tenth day during waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dasami or the tenth day during waning or dark phase of moon till 12:12 PM on August 3. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Ekadashi or the eleventh day during waning or dark phase of moon till 2:10 PM on August 4. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on August 3, 2021 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time after 12:59 PM  Nakshatra  – Rohini Nakshatra entire day on August 3 and till 2:05 AM on August 4. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Rohini Nakshatra entire day on August 3 and till 1:44 AM on August 4.   Rashi or Moon Sign  – Mesha Rashi ti