The popular belief in Hindu tradition is that applying Vibhuti, or Bhasma, or sacred ash, on forehead and other parts of the body will help in redemption of sins. It is also believed that Bhasma which is made using burned cow dung has the power to cure various diseases and it also helps in improving physical and mental health. In Hinduism, Bhasma or Vibhuti is associated with Shiva. While applying Bhasma one should chant the mantra – Om Namah Shivaya. Bhasma should be applied using the middle three fingers – not the thumb and the little finger. One should take Bhasma in the left hand and apply it using the right hand. Bhasma applied on forehead and on the middle of the head will help in removing lethargy and laziness. Vibhuti applied on neck, hand and chest will help in redemption of sins. Some saints are known to apply Bhasma all over the body. This is in adoration of Shiva. It is also believed that this will help in removing sins committed in previous bir...

Thulabharam in Tirupati Temple is held at the Srivari Padi Kavali. In the Thulabaram ritual, a devotee sits on a pan of the weighing balance and the other pan is filled with materials greater than the weight of the devotee. Devotees usually offer sugar, jaggery or coins. The commodity used to weigh is donated to Tirupati Venkateswara Temple . TTD, the administrative body of the temple, provides the materials needed for performing Tulabharam. Tirumala News writes about this unique ritual which is performed by more than 100 devotees daily. On the left corner of the Padi kavili of the Srivari Temple one will see a large steel balance kept for weighing persons who want to fulfill their vow to Lord Venkateswara. Nearly 100-200 persons fulfill their vow at this spot by donating commodities, metals or even coins worth their weight to Lord Venkateswara . Legend says that Sri Venkateswara had become heavily indebted and had taken huge loans from kubera, the Hindu god of we...

In ancient Hinduism, the life of a brahmacharin (celibate student) was marked by a rigorous regime of discipline, devotion, and study. Central to this was the observation of various vratas (religious observances), which were integral to their spiritual and educational training. The vratas were not merely ritualistic but were designed to instill virtues such as self-control, mental clarity, and devotion to the divine. Role of Vratas in Vedic Education The education of a brahmacharin was centered around the study of the Vedas, the most sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The Vedas are divided into four main texts— Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda —each with its unique content and method of recitation. The study of these texts required immense concentration and purity of body, mind, and spirit. To achieve this state, students observed specific vratas that prepared them for the commencement of new sections of the Vedas. These vratas were seen as both a form of tapasya (austerity...

Ayyappa devotional songs play a significant role in the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage, which is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world, attracting millions of devotees every year. Here's why these songs are important: Spiritual Connection: Ayyappa devotional songs, also known as bhajans or keerthanas, help devotees establish a spiritual connection with Swami Ayyappa. The lyrics of these songs often praise the deity, recount his legends, and express devotion and surrender to him. Singing or listening to these songs during the pilgrimage enhances the spiritual experience for devotees. Community Bonding: The pilgrimage to Sabarimala is a communal activity where devotees from different walks of life come together to worship Swami Ayyappa. Singing devotional songs in groups fosters a sense of unity and belonging among pilgrims. It creates a shared experience that strengthens the bond within the community of devotees. Cultural Tradition: Ayyappa devotional songs are deeply r...

Some Hindu communities especially in the Mithilanchal region of North India observe Sunday fasting (Ravivar Vrat) for six months. Prayers and vrat on the day is dedicated to Surya or the Sun god. The Sundays are calculated from the first Sunday of Margashirsh (November – December) month to the last Sunday in Vaishakh month (April – May). The vrat is kept for peace and prosperity. It is observed by both men and women. Please note that such vrats are limited to certain Hindu communities and the rules and method of observing the vrat varies from region to region. 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa used to narrate wonderful stories with a moral or valuable lesson. Here is one such story on the power of influence and habit that keeps out truth. A group of fisherwoman who were on their way home from a distant market was caught in heavy rain. So they took shelter in the home of a flower seller. The florist opened the room where he used to stock his flowers and asked the fisherwomen to take rest there at night and start their journey early morning. The room was filled with fragrance of various flowers and this made the fisherwomen uncomfortable. None of them were able to sleep. Then one fisherwoman came up with an idea that they should sprinkle some water on their fish baskets so that it will generate foul smell which will make them sleep. All the other women agreed to the idea and they sprinkled water on their fish baskets and kept it near their head and slept peacefully. The fragrance of the flowers did not trouble them. Such i...

Introduction to Indian Philosophical Systems Indian philosophical systems, often referred to as "darshanas," stem from a unique blend of intellectual speculation and mystical intuition. The term "darshana" literally means "seeing" or "vision," signifying not just a theoretical understanding but a profound insight into the nature of reality. These systems explore some of the most fundamental questions of existence, typically focusing on four primary topics: The nature of the physical world, its origin, and evolution. The nature of man and other living beings. The existence of God, His nature, and attributes. The goal of human life and the means to attain it. Indian philosophy is broadly categorized into two groups: astika and nastika . The astika schools, including Vedanta, accept the authority of the Vedas, while the nastika schools, such as Buddhism and Jainism, do not. What Is Vedanta Darshana? Historical Context and Foundations Vedanta Darsha...

The Bhagavad Gita in Daisy format is the first of its kind and is primarily aimed at people who are blind or cannot read printed material. DAISY is the short form of Digital Accessible Information System and DAISY assists people who, for various reasons, have challenges using (reading) regular printed media or written materials. The Gita in Daisy format is presented by Swami Radhanandji from the USA , together with Dr Dengla, the visually challenged principal of NAB-PNM, Rehabilitation Centre for the blind in Mount Abu , Rajasthan , India , with the support of Mukesh Modi, chairman and founder of Adarsh Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Mount Abu . Times of India reports Daisy format is not only for the benefit of the visually challenged or the print disabled but also for the sighted who do not want to read. When Swamiji used to give discourse through Skype from the USA , Dr Dengla religiously recorded the same for two hours daily in the Daisy Recording Studio of the centre, financed ...

I’m neither angry nor friendly to anyone; Neither attached nor jealous; Neither I’ve enmity towards nor ready to attack on anyone; Neither I start debates nor am aggrieved at someone; There is neither companionship nor inclination towards a person; I speak neither ill nor have any dealings with anyone. I like only to think of Brahman and nothing else. Sant Sunderdas Teachings The above teaching of Sant Sunderdas is expressing a state of equanimity and detachment, focusing solely on spiritual pursuits and the contemplation of Brahman, the ultimate reality in Hindu philosophy. This perspective reflects a mindset of neutrality and dispassion towards worldly affairs and interpersonal relationships. Here's an expansion on each line of your expression: "I’m neither angry nor friendly to anyone": This suggests a state of emotional detachment, where one remains unaffected by both positive and negative emotions towards others, maintaining a neutral stance. "Neither attach...

Plants of Religious Significance: The Hindu Perspective is written by Rabindranath Lackhan from Trinidad and Tobago . The book aims to provide information about the plants and flowers used in Hindu rituals and pujas. Sri Lackhan wrote the first edition of the book while he was an undergraduate student in 1985. Now he has published a revised edition of the book. The book is currently available in stores in Trinidad and the author is planning to make it available on Amazon.com Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday writes Rabindranath Lackhan wrote the first edition of the book while he was an undergraduate student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine campus. Lackhan told Sunday Newsday that he and his good friend Ramnarine Ramkissoon became involved with a community project and helped in the construction of a Hindu temple in California . They decided to spruce up the surroundings with plants used in religious rituals. “I got involved in building of the temple and when we...