Goddess Durga from Hindu mythology and Bellona from Roman mythology, though from vastly different cultural and religious backgrounds, share several intriguing similarities. These similarities highlight their roles as powerful divine figures associated with war, protection, and strength. Here’s a detailed exploration of these parallels: 1. Warrior Goddess Role Durga : In Hindu mythology, Durga is the supreme warrior goddess who battles and vanquishes evil forces. She is depicted as riding a lion or tiger, armed with various weapons given to her by different gods, symbolizing the collective power and divine energy of the universe. Bellona : In Roman mythology, Bellona is the goddess of war, often depicted in a chariot, brandishing weapons. She embodies the ferocity and strategic aspects of warfare, akin to her Greek counterpart, Enyo, and is closely associated with Mars, the god of war. 2. Symbolism of Strength and Protection Durga : Durga’s very name means "invincible" or ...

Christie’s, one of world’s leading art business and a fine arts auction house, is auctioning a Chola Period Shiva Nataraja Bronze idol in New York on September 16, 2008 and the estimated auction price is more than one million dollars. The Nataraja statue from Tamil Nadu in South India belongs to the Chola Period – 975 AD. In the idol, Lord Shiva as Nataraja is dancing over the dwarf Apasmara with his left leg raised, his principal right hand in abhaya mudra and his principal left hand pointed towards his raised foot, holding a damaru and flaming oil lamp in his other hands, the snake coiled about his waist and the goddess Ganga reclining on his flying tresses, surrounded by an aureole of flames. The height of the idol is 73.7 cm. Estimated price is $1,000,000 - $1,500,00. This idol is an early example where the flaming halo forms an arch as opposed to a circle in middle to late Chola. Only very few such idols are in private or public collections. Apar...

The similarities between Goddess Durga from Hindu mythology and Guanyin from Chinese Buddhism are intriguing, given their cultural and religious origins. Despite arising from distinct traditions, both deities share aspects that resonate across their worshippers’ spiritual practices and iconographies. Here’s an exploration of their similarities: 1. Role as Protectors and Compassionate Figures: Durga: Durga is often depicted as a warrior goddess who combats evil forces and protects the universe from demonic influences. She embodies the shakti (divine feminine power) that is crucial in maintaining cosmic order. She is also considered a compassionate mother figure, who nurtures and protects her devotees. Guanyin: Guanyin, often referred to as the Goddess of Mercy, is known for her boundless compassion and is seen as a protector who alleviates suffering and responds to the prayers of those in distress. Like Durga, she is perceived as a motherly figure who extends her grace and protection to...

The famous Mankameshwar Temple in Lucknow gets first woman chief priest or Mahant. Arunima Singh (25) took over as the first woman Mahant of Mankameshwar Temple on Tuesday. A Mahant in Hinduism is a chief priest of a temple or the head of an Ashram. Arunima Singh, whose new name is Devaigya Puri, holds a diploma in pathology from Indian Institute of Paramedics in Delhi . She succeeds her Guru Mahant Keshav Giri. Virendra Nath Bhatt reports in Indian Express Did she face any opposition on grounds of gender? “Tough opposition was expected at the election of a woman as mahant of the Mankameshwar Temple but it turned out to be a smooth affair. I had the blessings of my guruji and support of people,” said a beaming mahant Devagiya Puri, facing a rush of disciples eager to touch her feet and seek her blessings. “A divine soul has no gender. Guru parampara is an ancient tradition and anybody can be a mahant, “said mahant Meera Puri, who represents the Shree Panch Dasnaam Juna...

It is high time that Hindus thought about reformation in Hindu society and religion. There is widespread inequality and there is a lack of concern for impoverished Hindus and this is damaging Hinduism. A section of Hindu society has progressed economically in the last couple of decades, primarily due to their hard work and willingness to adapt to the modern needs. But majority of Hindus are still fighting in the name of caste and they are being exploited by politicians, fundamentalists and Christian missionaries. Untouchability and caste discrimination – Indian constitution has done all that is possible to stop this heinous practice. But sadly Untouchability and caste discrimination still persists in Hindu society. Laws are not going to change the situation; change should happen in the mindset of the people. Know that all this, whatever moves in this moving world, is enveloped by Brahman. Therefore find your enjoyment in renunciation; do not covet what belongs to others – th...

In Hindu philosophy, the concept of control and fear is deeply interwoven with the understanding of human psychology and spirituality. The idea that the "desire to control is an indicator of fear" resonates with many Hindu teachings and can be explored through various texts and philosophies within the tradition. Here’s an expansion on this concept: Understanding Fear and Control in Hinduism 1. Roots of Control in Fear: Psychological Aspect : At a basic level, the desire to control often stems from a fear of the unknown or a fear of losing something valuable, such as stability, power, or identity. When we feel threatened or insecure, we might try to assert control over situations, people, or environments as a way to mitigate these fears. Spiritual Aspect : In Hinduism, fear (bhaya) is considered a natural part of the human condition. The desire to control can be seen as a manifestation of this fear, particularly the fear of impermanence and change, which are intrinsic aspects ...

The battle between Lord Rama and the demon king Ravana was reaching its climax. Despite his prowess and the support of his allies, Rama faced an insurmountable challenge: Ravana was invincible as long as he had the blessings of Goddess Durga. Realizing this divine protection, Rama sought advice on how to gain the favor of the Mother Goddess to defeat Ravana. The Counsel of Brahma Brahma, the creator god, advised Rama to invoke Goddess Durga. Traditionally, Durga was worshipped in the spring during the festival of Basant Navratri, but Brahma suggested invoking her during the autumn, known as Sharad Navratri, which was unprecedented at the time. This out-of-season worship would be a testament to Rama's devotion and his dire need for the Goddess's blessings. The Commencement of Durga Puja Starting from the sixth day of the waxing moon, known as Shashthi, Rama began his meticulous worship of Goddess Durga. He sought the assistance of Hanuman, his devoted follower, to gather all the...

The unique Management course to study Hindu Temple Administration is offered by Somnath Sanskrit University and is aptly named – Mandir Vyavasthapan. Some people might want to immediately retort saying that Hindu Temples are not business centers. But the amount of donation that several temples are receiving is so huge that most of them are groping in the dark and need professional advice. Professional management is also need to manage crowds during festivals and auspicious days, also in preservation of the temple architecture and above all in matters of security in temples. The one-year diploma course, Mandir Vyavasthapan, was introduced last year by Somnath Sanskrit University in Gujarat and the response was overwhelming. The course is not merely limited to accounts; there are other subjects like temple architecture, rituals, event management, crowd management, Sanskrit, English, and law. First batch of 500 students are awaiting the results. Candidates have to pass c...

Annie Besant, the prominent British socialist, theosophist, and supporter of Indian independence, offered profound insights on the Bhagavad Gita, a revered Hindu scripture. Here are some quotes attributed to her regarding the Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander purpose of the universe. In the Bhagavad Gita, there is no long discourse, but rather a series of brief, pregnant sentences, each of which has a wealth of meaning and can be dwelt upon at length. The Bhagavad Gita is the most beautiful, perhaps the only true philosophical song existing in any known tongue. Perhaps it is the deepest and clearest of all the scriptures, ever written. The Bhagavad Gita is a revelation of the necessary self-discipline to attain the goal of spiritual realization. It is a practical guide to successful living and profound...

The first post on hindu-blog.com happened two years ago. It was a spurt of the moment decision to begin Hindu Blog. With no good guide to follow, I groped in the dark during the first few months. There were no visitors, no friends, no ideas exchanged but I was learning a lot about Hinduism. So the thought of quitting never came to my mind. And by the time the core teachings of Sanatana Dharma had done its magic – it taught me that all I had to do was realize the Brahman in me and what was stopping me from self realization was the ego and ignorance that had accumulated from various sources. So to cleanse myself of ego and ignorance, I started learning and it continues…While learning, I came across several interesting ideas, thoughts and facts and I started sharing it through the blog. Then slowly people started visiting the blog, ideas were exchanged and ideas for a particular post started evolving from these exchanges. So Hindu Blog is primarily the result of what Hindus wan...