Vijaya Ekadashi occurs during the waning phase of the moon (Krishna Paksha) in February – March. In 2023, the date of Vijaya Ekadashi is February 16 in eastern and northern parts of India. It is on February 17 in western and southern parts of India. The greatness of this Ekadasi is mentioned in the Skanda Purana and observing of Vijaya Ekadasi helps in removing all the guilt associated with sins committed and also helps in attaining victory. It is believed that Lord Ram observed Vijaya Ekadashi to cross the ocean to reach Lanka and defeat Ravana. The importance of Vijaya Ekadasi was narrated to Narada by Lord Brahma. Legend has it that when Lord Ram and his army – the Vanarasena – was searching for a means to cross the ocean to reach Lanka, Lakshmana mentioned about a great a Sage who lived nearby and said that perhaps he might provide us with a solution. It is this sage who mentioned about Vijaya Ekadashi to Lord Ram and its benefits – observing it will help in being vic

Hamsa mantra uses the sound made by breathing itself. During inhalation, the breath drawn in is said to make the sound ‘sa’ and during exhalation, the sound ‘ham’. The constant sound of breathing is, therefore, referred to as hamsa. The maintenance of this unpronounced sound of the breath is known as ajapa japa. Prana, being breath, and hamsa, being the sound of the breath, the two may be used in the same sense. According to the Hindu measurement of time, one prana is made up of sixty svashas, a swasha being one inhalation and exhalation. Six pranas make one nadika and sixty nadikas make on ahoratra (full day and night). In effect, during one day, a person breathes 21,600 times, repeating, in way the word hamsa as many times, without being fully conscious of it. This goes on from birth till death. The deity of this Hamsa mantra is Bhagavan Shiva in his ardhanarishwara form, or androgynous aspect. The deity is conceived as the rising sun, with the appearance of light. The hair on hi

Samanta in Hinduism is the term used for a tributary prince. It is a Sanskrit term for a vassal chief holding the position of a minister or governor and associated with religious and cultural activities. The kings of important dynasties of ancient and medieval India often conquered large territories and left some parts of their empires under the administration of loyal tributary princes, who were sometimes the former rulers of the conquered territories. The Samanta owed allegiance to his overlords and paid tribute to them. For example, Kalidasa mentions in his play Vikramorvasiyam that the samantas bowed to the orders of the King Pururavas and the Karandai inscription of King Rajendra Chola I mentions that his samanta, who possessed many good qualities, rode along with him on horseback and followed him everywhere. The inscriptions of the Gupta monarch, Samudra Gupta, mention that some of the kings defeated by him were reinstated as his vassals. Many of the samantas maintained large

Thou art the supreme Brahman, the supreme Abode and Purity supreme. All the rishis, Devarshi Narada and Asita, Devala and Vyasa, have declared You as the eternal and self-effulgent Purusha, the primeval Deity, birthless and all-pervading; and You Yourself too declare to Me the same (Truth). (Bhagavad Gita Chapter X – Verse 12 – 13) There can be no doubt about the truth of all this. I have learned it from the highest sources. All the great sages have taught it and you yourself have declared it. What greater proof do I need? No, Bhagavan, I believe. I believe. O Keshava, I regard all that You tell Me as true. Verily, O Blessed Lord, neither the devas nor the danavas (demigods) know Your manifestation. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter X – Verse 14) Who indeed can know the manifestations of Bhagavan in all their fullness? O Purusha supreme, O Source of beings, O Bhagavan of beings, O God of gods, O Ruler of the universe, verily, You Yourself know Yourself by Yourself. (Bhagavad Gita Chapter

Dreaming of buying fish is a good omen as per dream interpretation and meaning. The dream means desire fulfilment or guests or meeting someone special. It also means visit to exotic location. It also means eating something you always wanted to eat. Dreams of buying fish and you are not a fish eater then it means you will be forced to eat food that you don’t like due to lack of choice. It also means trapped in an unknown culture. Dream of buying fish and you see yourself in the dream means change of place and change of food habits. It also means you will go to live in a locality that does not serve your regular food. Dream of buying fish and you don’t see yourself in the dream means you will not take up an opportunity in a distant place just because you will be uncomfortable there. You might later regret this decision. Dream of buying fish and if you see the fish alive means visiting places that sell live food animals. It also means you will face unruly crowd or unhealthy situatio

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Friday, 17 February 2023 – It is Krishna Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Dwadashi tithi or the twelfth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 8:04 PM on February 17. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Trayodashi tithi or the thirteenth day during the waning or dark phase of moon till 5:44 PM on February 18. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 17, 2023 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Purvashada or Pooradam nakshatra till 5:12 PM on February 17. Then onward it is Uttarashada or Uthradam nakshatra till 3:55 PM on February 18. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnat