Duryodhana was the eldest of the Kauravas. He is the chief antagonist in the epic Mahabharata. He was a great warrior and loyal friend but jealous of the prosperity of the Pandavas. Duryodhana Facts Duryodhana was born to Dhritarashtra and Gandhari as a lump of cold flesh which, on advice of Sage Vyasa, was broken into 101 pieces and incubated in jars filled with ghee. The flesh transformed into hundred and one Kaurava children after a year, the eldest of whom was named Duryodhana. He was taught by royal teacher Drona. He also learned mace warfare under Balarama. Duryodhana grew up fearing that they would have to share their inheritance with their cousins, the Pandavas. Conspired with his brothers to poison and drown Bhima. Made the heinous attempt to kill all Pandavas in the house of lac. Married Bhanumati, the princess of the kingdom of Pragjyotisha, and remained loyal to her, never coveting other women. He befriended Karna, who was insulted by Pandavas for...

Gita Rahasya is a popular commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Lokmanya Tilak is one the earliest leaders of India’s freedom movement. The full title of the book is Srimad Bhagavad Gita Rahasya. It was written in Marathi and published in June 1915. The book is also known as Karma Yoga Shastra. It was translated into English as ‘The Philosophy of Energism. Lokmanya Tilak wrote much of the Gita Rahasya within about five months (November 1910 to March 1911), while he was undergoing his six-year sentence of imprisonment in a jail in Burma. Tilak held that in the whole of Sanskrit literature, there is no other work that explains the principles of Hindu religion in such a succinct yet unambiguous manner as the Bhagavad Gita. It takes the character of a universal work in as much as it provides fresh inspiration to human beings according to changing times. Tilak’s Gita Rahasya profoundly influence his countrymen at a time when the country was stirring itself ...

Sri Ramakrishna on fish in net and men bound to the world. Suppose a net has been cast into a lake to catch fish. Some fish are so clever that they are never caught in the net. They are like the ever-free. But most of the fish are entangled in the net. Some of them try to free themselves from it, and they are like those who seek liberation. But not all the fish that struggle succeed. A very few do jump out of the net, making a big splash in the water. Then the fishermen shout, ‘Look! There goes a big one!’ But most of the fish caught in the net cannot escape, nor do they make any effort to get out. On the contrary, they burrow into the mud with the net in the mouths and lie there quietly, thinking, ‘We need not fear any more we are quite safe here.’ But the poor things do not know that the fishermen will drag them out with the net. These are like the men bound to the world. 

Bhuta puja in Hindu religion refers to the worship of the bhutas (spirits). It is prevalent among different section of Hindus and is performed in various parts of India and Nepal. The modalities of performing the puja vary from region to region. This kind of worship in Hinduism is described as Bhutaradhana. The bhutas represented by village deities, dead warriors, and even dead local leaders, are propitiated to effect cures and ensure benefits. Bhuta Puja is performed by one belonging to a traditional family initiated into bhuta puja and is generally conducted during the night time. Besides being performed on specific occasions, the puja and rituals are more often held at the request of the affected individuals. Thus, when a villager is affected, he approaches the village chief or a deputed priest (pujari or tantric) arranges for the worship of the bhuta which is supposed to have caused the calamity. Questions are put to the priest in whom the bhuta is supposed to ...

There is an interesting story in the Mahabharata of Arjun unsuccessfully attempting to stop the disappearance of the new born children of a Brahmin couple. The story is associated with the symbolism of Nara Narayana concept. Once an anxious Brahmin approached Arjun and appealed him to save him from a strange phenomenon. All the children that were born to the Brahmin and his wife vanished without a trace. Now his wife was again pregnant and he wanted Arjuna to save his child from the strange affliction. Arjuna promised to save the child. Arjuna was so confident about this strength that he would fight Yama, the god of death himself to rescue the child. He also declared that if he failed to save the child then he will burn himself. Krishna who was watching the event from a distance volunteered to join in the endeavour. Arjuna built a tight barricade with arrows and stood guard at the door. The woman went into labor inside the barricade. A few minutes later he he...

Some teachings associated with death found in the Bhagavad Gita. Indeed, certain is death for the born, and certain is birth for the dead; therefore, over the inevitable, you should not grieve. (2.27) He who is able, while still here (in this world) to withstand, before the liberation from the body (death), the impulse born out of desire and anger, he is a Yogin, he is a happy man. (5.23) And whosoever, leaving the body, goes forth remembering Me alone, at the time of his death, he attains My being; there is no doubt about this. (8.5) At the time of death, with an unshaken mind full of devotion, by the power of ‘yoga’ fixing the whole ‘prana’ (breath) between the two eyebrows, he (the seeker) reaches the Supreme Resplendent ‘PURUSHA.’ (8.10) If the embodied one meets with death when Sattwa Guna is predominant, then he attains to the spotless worlds of the "Knowers of the Highest’. (14.14) Meeting death in Rajas Guna, he is born among those attached to ac...

Pashupata Sutra is the earliest treatise on the main tenets of the Pasupata System. Pashupata Sutra or Panchadhayayi pertains to the school of Maheshwara Shaivism which was opposed to Vedic practices in ancient India. Pashupata Sutra enunciates the doctrines of the Nakulisa Pashupatas, the followers of the Nakulisa (Lakulisa), held as a manifestation of Lord Shiva. The work was commented on by Rasikara Kaundinya, probably belonging to the Gupta period. The work is divided into five section (hence known as Panchadhyayi), dealing with the five fundamentals of the Pashupata system – these are the main principles of the sect. The five fundamentals are Mahat Karya – The karana – Lord Shiva is main cause The constituents of Yoga (meditation) Viddhis such as bathing three times a day (practices) End of Duhkhanta (misery) – this is the final goal. Pashupata Sutra lay down certain practices to be adopted by an adherent of this school. He should besmear his body thric...

Maricha was the son of demons Sunanda and Tadaka in the Ramayana. He was also the uncle of Ravana. Story of Maricha can be found in the Bala Kanda and Aranya Kanda of Ramayana. It is believed that in his previous birth, Maricha was a gatekeeper in the Vaikunta and was cursed to be born as a Rakshasa. He was promised that he will get relief from curse when he will be killed by Sri Rama in the Treta Yuga. Maricha Defeated By Bhagavan Sri Ram Maricha was born as a terrible demon in the Treta Yuga and he harassed the saints in the Dandaka Forest . He continued with his adharmic activities until Sri Ram appeared in Treta Yuga. He faced the power of the arrows of Sri Ram and Lakshman when he attempted to disrupt a yajna of Vishwamitra. The Yajna was protected by the two brothers and for the first time Maricha experienced defeat and learned about higher powers. Change In Character Of Maricha After this incident, there was change in the character of Maricha, he grew matted hair a...

A collection of quotes and teachings of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Unless you understand the purpose of life and work toward attaining that, life remains pointless. The power to shape our destiny in this life and beyond is a unique privilege available to those of us who understand the immense potency of our life force. For those who know the purpose behind their birth, life is the gateway to freedom. Such people are not attached to the body, mind, senses, and worldly possessions. They know these are merely tools to achieve the goal of life, not goals themselves. They use these tools wisely and leave them behind when they are no longer needed. This is the way of yogis. For those who do not know the purpose behind their birth, life is the gateway to sorrow. Not knowing any better, they become attached to the body, mind, senses, and their worldly possessions. Lacking wisdom, they have little or no inclination to use these tools to achieve the main goal of life but become preo...

Snehana vidhi is an ayurvedic method of treating diseases through oil massage. Snehana or oiling plays a significant role in Panchakarma in Ayurveda. Panchakarma is the five methods of acquiring good health. Oiling is necessary before the other purgatory techniques are applied. For the elimination of doshas (tendencies) present in the body, first snehan, then svedan and then vaman (vomiting) and virechan (purgation) should be done. Various Oil Massages To Treat Diseases In Ayurveda Ghee (clarified butter) has cooling properties and, being oily, diminishes the burning sensation and improves voice and color. Oil is smooth, hot and heavy, and diminishes gas and kapha (phlegm). It makes a person strong and is very effective for the skin. Fats, being heavy, warm and sweat-extracting, diminish gas. Patients having problems with bones, joints, ligaments, vital organs, high secretion of intestines and people who have high digestive power are given snehana with animal fats...