Sita Navami, or Sita Nabami, is the birth anniversary of Mata Sita, an embodiment of purity and wifely devotion and the consort of Lord Ram. Sita Navami 2023 date is April 29. Mata Sita was adopted by King Janaka; after he found her while he was ploughing his field. Sita Navami is observed on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) of Vaisakha month (April – May). It must be noted here that Sita Navami in Vaishaka month is more famous with Hindu communities in western and eastern parts of India . Mata Sita’s abduction by Ravana and her subsequent rescue by Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and Vanar Sena is the central theme of the Ramayana. Sita is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and is worshiped in temples dedicated to Lord Ram. So powerful was Sita’s chastity that even though she was carried away by Ravana and kept imprisoned, Ravana could never reach near her as she kept meditating on Lord Ram; and the energy she created out of med

Gandharva is regarded as the most ancient treatise in Indian music, although its only evidence is in the quotations attributed to it in the texts that have followed subsequently. The most reliable and presently available source of history and evolution of Indian music is Bharata’s Natya Shastra, which dates back to the 2nd century BC. Bharata refers to Narada as the first expert on the subject matter of Gandharva. Narada defines Gandharva as follows – Gitigeyam viduh pragyadhetikasmavadanam Vetti vadyasya vijneyam gandharvasya virocanam. Bhatta Subhamkara in this commentary (of this verse) draws the etymological meaning of Gandharva by stating that ‘gana’ or singing is derived from the root ‘gai;’ ‘dhakara’ suggests efficient finger movements; and ‘vakara’ suggests ‘vadana’ or the playing of an instrument. Abhinavagupta further elucidates that ‘dha’ is related to ‘dhatu’, which explains the finger movements while playing the Vina, which has strings made of dhatu or metal. The

Mohini Ekadashi occurs during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in the month of April/May. In 2023, the date of Mohini Ekadasi is May 1. Ekadasi fasting, which falls on the 11th day of a lunar fortnight, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that one will be able to overcome sadness and remorse by observing Mohini Ekadasi. Below is a brief description on how to observed Mohini Ekadasi, benefits and the mantra to be chanted on the day. Mohini Ekadashi falls in the month of Vaishakha in calendars followed in North India and other regions. It falls during Chithirai Month in Tamil Calendar. Mohini form of Vishnu is worshipped on the day. Mohini Ekadasi Mantra Om Mohiniroopdarine Namah ॐ मोहिनीरूपधारिणे नमः The importance of Mohini Ekadashi is mentioned in the Surya Purana. The greatness of it was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna. Bhagavan Sri Ram Performed Mohini Ekadasi Sage Vasishta talks about this Ekadasi to Lord Ram who approaches the Sage w

Paduka Sahasram is a famous devotional work of Vaishnava Acharya Sri Vedanta Desika. It consists of 1000 verses on the pair of paduka (sandals) on which the feet of Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu rests. Story Of Writing Paduka Sahasram According to a legend, the whole work was written in one night. It was composed by Vedanta Desika in order to help his disciples, who were provoked by members of a rival Vaishnava School, the Tenkalais. The work is said to have been composed in the third quarter of the night. The earlier two quarters were devoted by Vedanta Desika to Yoga and sleep induced by Yoga. The jealous competitors kept awake the whole night and brought forth only 300 verses on the same subject. In Vishnu temples in some regions, the paduka (sandals) of the image of Bhagavan Vishnu are known as the sathari, which is like a crown placed reverentially on the heads of devotees who receive it with humility with one hand on the mouth, as if to keep it shut. The classic instance of thi

Some scientists have put forward an extremely idealistic view of the universe as consciousness, without leaving any role for the physical objects in determining reality. This finds resonance with the theory of ‘Ajativada’, expressed by Sri Gaudapada in his well known Mandukya Karika, the explanatory verses on the Mandukya Upanishad. Vijnanavada, an idealistic school of Buddhism, also proposes a similar idea but it associates consciousness with vijnana, a momentary mental mode. Gaudapada has shown plainly the distinction between these two classic philosophical theories in his work, the closer look of which is essential to know the subtle nuances of each view. First, Gaudapada takes into consideration the opinion of the realists, who advocate physical objects outside the purview of consciousness should have a cause. Hence, we have to admit the existence of the physical objects, being the cause of the awareness. In other words, the production of consciousness is feasible only with phy

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, 9 May 2022 – It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 2:14 PM on May 9. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Navami tithi or the ninth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 3:04 PM on May 10. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.  Good – Auspicious time on May 9, 2022 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashlesha or Ayilyam nakshatra till 1:27 PM on May 9. Then onward it is Magha or Makam nakshatra till 3:17 PM on May 10. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Aslesha or Ayilyam nakshatra ti