Meditation is a state of awakened awareness. When all modifications, all fluctuations of the mind are gone – now that is, the state of meditation. Having thus transcended the mind, we are one with our real Self. Mind functions at different levels and thoughts are propelled by mind due to habitual conditioning. We expect certain responses from people, situations and when they do not happen as desired, the mind gets disturbed. The agitations of the mind result in great turmoil and this turmoil, this unrest generates a myriad of thoughts. We pay great deal of attention to all sorts of self-centered activities, like the kind of clothes we wear, the fashion we follow, the car we drive, the membership of particular clubs, and so on. But what we fail to pay any attention to is something very important: How does our mind function? How can just a thought bring upon pain, anguish, jealousy or joy? We ensure that our house is clean but we are least bothered about our cluttered mind....

The post office located near the famous Sabarimala Temple gets hundreds of letters addressed to Lord Ayyappa. Ayyappa gets invitation cards for weddings and shop openings. The letters are mostly from Ayyappa devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. IBN Live reports  It is a unique post office, and one of its main tasks is to deliver letters to God. Located near the famed Hindu temple at the Sabarimala hills, the post office may perhaps be the only one in the country which does not work round the year. It comes alive when the peak pilgrimage season of the Ayyappa shrine begins on the first day of the Malayalam month in November, and the period ends towards the middle of January.  The post office is also open for 10 days during the Vishu season. Functioning six days a week from 8 in the morning to 8 at night, the six employees, led by 23-year-old Sai G Prakash, have a lot to do.   A feature of the post office is the special pictorial cancellation s...

Bergamot, a fragrant citrus fruit, holds significant spiritual importance in various traditions, including Hinduism. It is believed to possess powerful metaphysical properties that help enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Its use is seen in meditation, rituals, and Ayurvedic practices for its calming and uplifting effects. Below, we explore the spiritual benefits of bergamot, practical uses, and how it can affect one’s holistic wellness. 12 Spiritual Benefits of Bergamot in Hinduism Purification of Aura : Bergamot helps cleanse negative energy from the aura, allowing for a clearer spiritual connection. Burning bergamot oil or using it in diffusers during meditation or puja (worship) can promote a purified and energized aura. Enhances Focus and Concentration : Its refreshing scent aids in sharpening mental focus and concentration, making it an excellent aid during meditation or while reciting mantras. Balances the Chakras : Bergamot is known to balance the solar plexus c...

Krittivasa is one among the numerous names of Shiva. Shiva is known as Krittivasa because he wears animal hides as clothes. Shiva usually wears a tiger skin. As per some scriptures he also wears elephant skin. Symbolically, the tiger skin suggests that Shiva is the controller of all powers in the world. A story is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, which explains why Shiva wears tiger skin. You can read it here . When Shiva wears elephant skin, he is also known as Gajantaka. You can read the story and symbolism of Gajantaka here . Another reason for Shiva using animal skins as clothes is that he is the lord of all creatures – Pashupati. He is the divine herdsman.

Ramlila was recently performed as opera. In this Ramayana Opera, Sri Ram narrated his emotions in Italian and Mata Sita conveyed her emotions through Odissi dance movements.  The Day After writes  Lord Rama sang his feelings when he fell in love with Sita at first sight and attired in traditional dhoti-kurta, he narrated his emotions in Italian. Rama's wife, Sita, however does not explain her emotions through words but through expressive eyes and graceful postures in her Odissi dance.  "I find Ramlila an evergreen subject. We never get bored of this subject but we wanted to present it in different way. Ramayana has never been done in opera. So I thought why not? Since I love Ramayana; I love challenges; I love innovation, so I thought of blending it," Bijoylaxmi Hota, who scripted the opera said.  The fusion could be seen from the costumes and musicians' performances. The conductor of the opera was an Italian and his team of musicians included Ita...

When the dry branch of a coconut palm drops to the ground, it leaves only a mark on the trunk indicating that once there was a branch at that place. In the like manner, he who has attained God keeps only an appearance of ego; there remains in him only a semblance of anger and lust. He becomes like a child. We color everything with our own selves. We have a brush—a thing comes and we do not like it and we brush a little then look at it. Selfishness prompts us to paint everything with ourselves. The body comes and goes and is limited. . . The body is not the Real Man; neither is the mind, for the mind waxes and wanes. It is the spirit beyond, which alone can live forever. The body and mind are continually changing, and are, in fact, only names of series of changeful phenomena, like rivers whose waters are in a constant state of flux, yet presenting the appearance of unbroken streams. . . the self-contained Purusha (Self) within is your real nature. The adjunct of mind is Hi...

One of the traditional forest routes leading to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple starts at Sathram. The route is Sathram – Pulmedu – Sannidhanam. The traditional route is popularly known as Pulmedu route and is through thick forest. Thousands of Ayyappa pilgrims are undertaking the journey through this arduous path. It is around 7 km trek from Pulmedu to Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple . The New Indian Express reports  Though pilgrims are denied a proper path and potable water, the Pulmedu route is witnessing a heavy inflow of pilgrims since last week.  It is an arduous journey uphill for pilgrims from Sathram to Pulmedu due to the negative attitude of the Forest Department authorities in clearing the undergrowth on the trekking path. Though the Department assured of clearing the path between Sathram and Pulmedu at the review meeting on Sabarimala arrangements, hardly any follow-up action was taken for clearing the forest path for pilgrims who take the traditional route....

Benzoin, a resin derived from the Styrax tree, is known as "Sambrani" in Hinduism and plays a significant role in various religious and spiritual practices. It is often used in sacred rituals, especially in the form of incense, to purify the atmosphere and attract positive energies. Here are some key points about benzoin in Hinduism, along with practical benefits and spiritual insights. 12 Spiritual Benefits of Benzoin in Hinduism Cleansing Negative Energy : Benzoin is commonly used in Hindu rituals to cleanse and purify the environment. Its aromatic smoke is believed to dispel negative energies and evil spirits. Attracting Positive Vibrations : The scent of benzoin creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere, inviting divine presence and positive vibrations during prayer or meditation. Enhancing Meditation : The uplifting fragrance of benzoin helps in achieving mental clarity and concentration, which deepens meditation practices. Spiritual Protection : Benzoin is thought to act a...

Hanuman chants the Garuda Mantra in the Yuddha Kanda of the Ramayana to save Sri Ram and Lakshman from the effect of Nagapasha arrow. Indrajit, the son of Ravana, was a master magician and prince of illusions. During the battle in the Ramayana he disappears into the sky and shoots Nagapasha arrow to tie down Sri Ram and Lakshman. Nagas or poisonous snakes form coils on the body Rama and Lakshman and they are made immobile. The poison takes effect on the brothers and both fall unconscious. The only way to save Sri Ram and Lakshman is by breaking the coils of poisonous snakes. This deed can only be performed by Garuda. Hanuman then sat down facing east and started chanting the Garuda mantra. Garuda is Lord Vishnu’s vehicle. He is also the avowed enemies of snakes. Hardly had Hanuman finished chanting the mantra, there was a huge wind in the sky. The huge wind causes waves to rise like mountains. It was the arrival of the divine bird Garuda. All the snakes had bound Sri ...

Each Hindu Temple is Tamil Nadu has a tree attached to it and it is known as Sthala Vriksham. The trees are so unique that some of them are considered as miracle tree. The Vanni tree at the Magudeshwara Temple at Kodumudi and the mango tree at the Ekambershwara Temple at Kancheepuram are nearly 3,500 years old. Now the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in Tamil Nadu is planning to preserve these unique trees through cloning. The Hindu reports  Describing every Sthala Vriksham as a unique germplasm, a recent communication of the department urges the officials to take the help of experts from the Agriculture Department or the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for the task.  The communication, issued by Additional Chief Secretary R. Kannan to HR&CE Commissioner P. Dhanapal, also asks the executive officers to ensure that enough clones are kept in carefully quarantined, separate places in nandavanam...