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Showing posts from April 28, 2022


Mahasamanta In Ancient Hindu Kingdoms

Mahasamanta is a feudal title used in ancient Hindu kingdoms. The epigraphic records and literary works of the post-Gupta period reveal that mahasamanta was used to mean a great vassal or a great noble, usually of a higher rank than samanta. Samanta literally means neighboring, bordering or being on all sides, as used in Katyayana Srauta Sutra in connection with the rites performed on all sides of the ritual fire. Vashistha Dharmasutra, Kautilya, Manu, Yajnavalkya, Narada, Katyayana, Agni Purana, etc, use the term in connection with the rules of boundary disputes. The term came to be used for the neighboring rulers, especially those who had accepted the suzerainty of the supreme overlord with the passage of time. Kalidasa used the word in both the senses of a neighboring ruler (Raghuvamsa VI.33) as well as subordinate king (Raghuvamsa V.28). This was also the time when higher titles were applied to emphasize the importance of a person. The term Mahasamanta, either independently o

Pancha Kosha in Hinduism – The Five Sheaths That Cover the Self

Pancha Kosha in Hinduism is mentioned in the Taittiriya Upanishad and it the five sheaths that cover the self. Pancha Kosha are Annamaya Kosha Pranamaya Kosha Manomaya Kosha Vijnanamaya Kosha Anandamaya Kosha Ignorance makes the individual self forget the true nature of it. The pure consciousness or true nature is covered by a sheath or kosha. The sheaths cling on till one achieves liberation. Annamaya Kosha is the physical body which is maintained by water and food. It is the medium for all kinds of enjoyment and it also the medium for self realization. A person under the influence of ignorance loses the physical body through death. For a self realized person the body drops voluntarily to enter a higher plain. Pranamaya Kosha is the vital airs and five organs of action. The five vital airs are prana, apna, samana, vyana and udana. The five organs of action or karmendriya are speech, hands, feet, genitals and anus. The true nature of pure consciousness is cove

Six Different Shades Of Meaning Of Religion

Swami Vivekananda defines religion with the backdrop of the classical idea of Dharma. His basic definitions of Religion can be classified into six groups based on different shades of meaning he gives. Struggle – Religion is the struggle to transcend the limitations of the senses. Manifestation – Religion is the manifestation of divinity already existing in man. Endeavor – Religion is man’s ceaseless endeavor to become free. The master of nature is what we call God. Blessedness, eternal peace, arising from perfect freedom, is the highest concept of religion underlying all the ideas of God. Realization – Religion is realization. It is being and becoming, not hearing or acknowledging, it is the whole soul becoming changed into what it believes. Relationship – Religion permeates the whole of man’s life, not only the present, but the past, present, and future. It is, therefore, the eternal relation between the eternal soul and the eternal God. Reality – Is this real? Religion be

5 May 2022 Tithi – Panchang – Hindu Calendar – Good Time – Nakshatra – Rashi

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Thursday, 5 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Chaturthi tithi or the fourth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 7:18 AM on May 5. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9:21 AM on May 6. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 5, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time.  Nakshatra  – Mrigasira or Makayiram or Mrigasheersham nakshatra till 4:07 AM on May 5. Then onward it is Ardra or Arudhara or Thiruvathira nakshatra till 5:28 AM on May 6. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Roh