Vishwakarma, the celestial architect and divine craftsman of the universe, is venerated across India in various forms. While most devotees worship him in his single-faced form, certain regions of Bengal and South India preserve the ancient tradition of worshipping Panchamukhi Vishwakarma—the five-faced manifestation of the divine creator. This rare form represents the comprehensive powers of the deity who constructed the entire cosmos and continues to sustain it through his creative energy. The five Vishwakarmas — Virat Vishwakarma , Dharmavanshi Vishwakarma , Angiravanshi Vishwakarma , Sudhanva Vishwakarma , and Bhriguvanshi Vishwakarma — are believed to represent the five faces of the Panchamukhi Vishwakarma. Over time, these five have come to symbolize different artisan communities such as carpenters, goldsmiths, and blacksmiths . The Iconography of Panchamukha Vishwakarma In this magnificent form, Vishwakarma appears with five faces (Panchamukhi) and ten arms (Dashabhuja), eac...

Arthavada is eulogy – one of the four kinds of interpretive statements in Mimamsa. Arthavada is one of the four parts into which Vedic texts are divided by Mimamsa. The four major parts are – Injunctions (codana, vidhi, nishedha, pratisedha); explanatory proclamations of the object or purpose (Arthavada); Recitations during performance of a sacrificial act (mantra); and Names (namadheya). Arthaveda means a statement which either eulogizes or deprecates, intending to encourage or discourage a ritual – or some part mentioned in the ritual – from being performed. Arthavada is the ethical complement of vidhi or nishedha. For example, ‘let one who is desirous of prosperity, sacrifice a white animal to Vayu, because Vayu is the swiftest of the gods.’ Here the first sentence is a vidhi and the second, which praises Vayu, is Arthavada. Arthavada is of three kinds, viz., Gunavada, Anuvada, and Bhutarthavada. When a text makes a statement which is contradictory to the existing state of affai...

"Nadi Samudra Nyaya" is a profound analogy often used in Hinduism, particularly within the framework of Advaita Vedanta, to illustrate the concept of the individual soul merging with the ultimate reality, Brahman. The phrase translates to "Maxim of the River and the Ocean." In this analogy, a river represents the individual soul, or jiva, and the ocean represents Brahman, the ultimate reality or God. When a river flows into the ocean, it loses its separate identity; it merges completely with the vastness of the ocean. Similarly, when the individual soul realizes its true nature as Brahman, it transcends its individuality and merges with the infinite consciousness. This realization typically occurs after the death of the physical body, according to Advaita Vedanta. The analogy beautifully encapsulates the idea of unity and oneness in Hindu philosophy. It teaches that the ultimate goal of life is to realize the true nature of oneself, which is identical to the sup...

Madhurabhashini of Vilamal – The Moon-Eyed Goddess of Sweet Speech and Wisdom Sacred Abode of Patanjali Manoharar The Vilamal Temple, also known as the Thiruvarur Pathanjali Manoharar Temple, stands as a beacon of divine grace in Tamil Nadu’s sacred landscape. This ancient shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Pathanjali Manoharar, and to his consort Goddess Parvati, worshipped in her unique and rare manifestation as Madhurabhashini , the Goddess of Sweet Speech. It is believed that this is the very place where Lord Shiva revealed his left foot while performing the Ajapa Natanam , the silent, breath-linked cosmic dance witnessed by the great sages Patanjali and Vyaghrapada . The sanctum houses a sand-made Shivling , remarkable for its ability to reflect the light of the deepa aradhana (lamp worship), signifying Shiva’s eternal presence and subtle energy that pervades all elements. The Grace of Goddess Madhurabhashini The presiding Goddess, Madhura Bhashini, is revere...

The Sacred Lotus in the Hands of Goddess Durga: Symbol of Consciousness and Divine Awakening In the grand narrative of the Devi Mahatmya, Goddess Durga stands as the embodiment of divine strength, wisdom, and compassion. When she engaged in the fierce battle against the demon Mahishasura, she carried with her an array of divine weapons and sacred emblems gifted by various deities. Among these, the blooming lotus (Padma) occupies a special place, not as a weapon of war, but as a profound spiritual symbol — a reminder of the awakening of divine consciousness within every being. The Gift of the Lotus from Lord Brahma According to the scriptures, when the gods invoked the Supreme Mother to vanquish the asura who had thrown the world into chaos, each deity offered her their own power and symbols. Lord Brahma, the Creator, presented her with the Padma — the hundred-petaled lotus — representing purity, knowledge, and unfolding wisdom. The Devi Mahatmya (Chandi Path) describes her as: ...

Sri Ramakrishna's Inability to Perform Tarpana for His Mother: A Symbolic Reflection on Spiritual Evolution The life of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the revered 19th-century mystic and saint, is filled with profound spiritual lessons that transcend time and culture. Among the numerous episodes from his life, one particularly poignant incident is his inability to perform the traditional tarpana ritual for his deceased mother. This event, though seemingly simple, carries deep symbolic and spiritual significance, offering insights into the nature of spiritual evolution, the transcendence of worldly duties, and the essence of true devotion. The Incident: A Brief Overview According to scriptural injunctions in Hindu tradition, a sannyasin (renunciant) is not permitted to perform funeral rites, as they have renounced all worldly attachments, including familial bonds. When Sri Ramakrishna's mother passed away, he adhered to this monastic tradition. However, he later felt an emotional ...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Monday, February 9 2026 – It is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day of waning or dark phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Krishna Paksha Saptami tithi or the seventh day of waning or dark phase of moon till 5 :18 AM on February 9. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Ashtami tithi or the eighth day of waning or dark phase of moon till 7 :15 AM on February 10. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 9, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – There is no good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Swathi or Chothi Nakshatra till 5:30 AM on Feb 9. Then onward it is Vishaka or Vishakam Nakshatra till 7:55 AM on Feb 10. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajasthan), Swathi or ...

Ajapa Natanam: The Silent Dance of Consciousness in Shaivite Tradition The Essence of the Breath-Dance Ajapa Natanam represents one of the most profound and esoteric aspects of Lord Shiva's cosmic dance traditions. Unlike the dynamic Ananda Thandavam or the fierce Rudra Thandavam, Ajapa Natanam is the dance of silence, the rhythm that exists beyond external movement. The term "Ajapa" itself means "without chanting" or "spontaneous," referring to the natural, involuntary breath that sustains all life. This sacred dance embodies the principle of So-Ham, the natural sound of breathing where "So" occurs during inhalation and "Ham" during exhalation. Together, they form the mantra "So-Ham," meaning "I am That" or "I am He," signifying the non-dual unity between the individual soul (jivatma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma). In this dance, Shiva reveals that the breath itself is the ultimate prayer, requir...

Santana Prapti Shasta: Grace of Ayyappa for Progeny, Protection, and Prosperity Santana Prapti Shasta is a sacred and compassionate form of Lord Shasta, worshipped for the blessing of progeny, continuity of lineage, and harmony within family life. This form belongs to the Ashta Shasta manifestations, the eight primary spiritual expressions of Shasta, each representing a specific aspect of divine grace and protection. Santana Prapti Shasta is especially revered by devotees seeking children, healthy family life, and the stability of generations. The Dhyana Ratnavali, an agamic and tantric text, describes this form as a peaceful and benevolent manifestation that radiates nurturing energy. Here, Shasta is not only the protector of dharma but also the divine father who safeguards family traditions and ensures the spiritual continuity of humanity. Iconography and Divine Form Santana Prapti Shasta is depicted seated in a composed and serene posture. He is two-armed: His right hand is in Abh...

 The Divine Victory of Mahamaya: When Wisdom Triumphed Over Demonic Arrogance In the sacred narratives of Hindu scriptures, particularly the Devi Mahatmyam, we encounter a profound episode that occurred at the dawn of creation. Two powerful asuras, Madhu and Kaitabha, emerged from the earwax of Lord Vishnu while he rested upon the cosmic serpent Ananta in the primordial ocean. These demons, embodying ignorance and ego, stole the Vedas—the repository of sacred knowledge—from Brahma, the creator, plunging the universe into darkness and chaos. Lord Vishnu engaged these formidable demons in combat for five thousand celestial years, yet neither side could overcome the other. The demons had obtained a boon that made them nearly invincible. Recognizing that brute force alone would not suffice, Vishnu understood that a higher power was needed—the supreme feminine energy, Adi Shakti, who manifests as Mahamaya, the great cosmic illusion. The Intervention of the Supreme Goddess Vishnu per...