When Shankaracharya decided to enter ‘samadhi,’ Sudhanva, the foremost disciple of Shankara, requested that the essentials of his teaching may be summarized and given to them. Shankaracharya then said the Dasa Shlokas, or Ten Verses, which elaborated the omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence of Brahman – the core concept of Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma). It contains the basic teachings of Adi Shankaracharya. The five elements do not express my real nature; I am changeless and persist forever.  I am above castes and creeds. I am seen when ‘maya’ is removed, and do not need concentration or worship as shown in Yoga Sutras.  I have no parents, I need no Vedas as proclaimed in the scriptures, no sacrifices, no pilgrimages. I am the eternal witness.  All the teachings of various religions and philosophies do not reveal my true nature and are but shallow views of my deep being.  I pervade the whole universe and am above, in the middle and below, in all di...

At Kalpeshwar Temple in Uttarakhand, Hindu God Shiva is worshipped as Jateshwar. The matted locks or hair of Shiva is worshipped in this temple which is part of the Panch Kedar Yatra.  Kalpeshwar is the last visited shrine during the pilgrimage to five temples of Shiva in the Kedarkhand region. This is a cave temple. The trek to Kalpeshwar is steep from Helang, which is around 102 km from Rudraprayag. Kalpeshwar Temple has the naturally appeared swayambhu jata or hair of Shiva in the shape of a protruding rock. In the temple premises there is a small stream which emerges out of a rock and water collects in a rocky depression to form the Amrit Kund or Nectar pond. This temple in Panch Kedar yatra is open throughout the year, unlike other temples which are closed during hard winter season (November to March). Legend has it that Indra worshipped Shiva here after he lost Indralok or heaven due to a curse of Sage Durvasa. Indra regained his position soon...

Manimahesh Yatra is a pilgrimage to the sacred Manimahesh Lake in the Bharmour Region of Chamba District in Himachal Pradesh. Manimahesh Yatra 2026 begins on September 4 ends on September 19. The holy Kailash Peak – the abode of Lord Shiva – is reflected on the still waters of the oval-shaped Manimahesh Lake . A four-faced marble Shivling is worshipped here. When is Manimahesh Yatra Observed? The pilgrimage is undertaken annually on the Sri Krishna Janmashtami and ends on Radhashtami. The official yatra commences with the start of ‘Chhari’ from the  Lakshminarayan   Temple  in Chamba town. The state government of Himachal Pradesh conducts the yatra. Many devotees undertake the pilgrimage during July to September. Those devotees who prefer to avoid the crowd undertake the journey in May, June and October. But this does not have the government support. Importance of the Yatra The first rays of the sun in the early morning hours reflect on the Kailash...

If you are performing Ganesh Chaturthi puja at home and are looking for puja procedure, mantras and other details in Telugu, then the Sumadhwa Seva website has uploaded a pdf document with on How to perform Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja. It contains all mantras and puja procedures associated with Ganapati puja. Link – Ganesh Chaturthi Puja Details in Telugu You will need pdf reader installed to download or read the puja procedures. Related How to perform Ganesh Chaturthi Puja at home?  in English

Overcoming possessiveness in friendship requires a blend of self-awareness, spiritual practice, and understanding the nature of relationships. Hinduism offers a wealth of wisdom, practical methods, and spiritual practices to help overcome such attachments, fostering healthier, more fulfilling friendships. Let’s explore some teachings, daily practices, specific mantras, and insights from Hindu scriptures to guide you on this journey. 1. Understanding Possessiveness Through Hindu Philosophy In Hindu philosophy, possessiveness is often seen as a manifestation of "Maya" (illusion) or "Ahamkara" (ego). Both concepts denote a kind of spiritual blindness where one clings to impermanent, material relationships as if they were eternal. The Bhagavad Gita, in particular, emphasizes the importance of cultivating "Vairagya" (detachment) to lead a balanced life. This doesn’t mean abandoning relationships but rather understanding that all relationships have their own nat...

Gita Vivrti (also written as Gitavivrti) is the original commentary on the Bhagavad Gita by Sri Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralaya. It is also known as Gitartha Sangraha or Gitasangraha. In composing Gita Vivrti, Sri Raghavendra Swamy mentions that he was influenced by the Gitabhashya and Gitatatparya of Sri Madhvacharya and the tikas (Prameyadipika and Nyayadipa) of Jayatirtha. Sri Raghavendra Swamy had also compiled glossaries on the tikas of Jayatirtha. Gitavivrti offers explanations of the Bhagavad Gita in accordance with Madhva Siddhanta expounded by the Madhavacharya School of thought. Gita Vivrti states that the first six chapters of the Bhagavad Gita are concerned with the knowledge of Brahman, the next six with Sadhana and the last six review the explanations and meanings of the previous chapters. Some key explanations in the Gita Vivrti The tenth verse of chapter I is explained as: Duryodhana said: “The army of ours is protected by Bhishma is incapa...

In Hinduism, giving food to other living beings is considered highly beneficial. One such food offering is feeding fish with small balls made of wheat flour on Tuesday. This particular totke (small process) is for solving all financial problems. On Tuesday morning or evening, family members or the person facing financial problem should knead wheat flour and then take it to a river or pond with fish. Feed the fishes. Continue this process until the desired result is achieved. There is a widespread belief among many Hindu communities especially in North India that feeding fishes will help in solving financial problems. Fish in Hinduism is a sign of prosperity. The first incarnation of Vishnu was fish. Goddess Lakshmi also appeared from water. Such beliefs are not common among all Hindus. It is only believed by a few Hindus in a specific region. This belief is more common in North India.

The trees associated with Lord Shiva are Bel (Bilva), Rudraksha and Ber. Fruits, leaves and seeds of the trees are used for puja and worship of Lord Shiva. Ber Tree Bel is also known as Sirphal or Sri Phal and Vilva. Bel is known as Maredu in Telugu It is known as Koovalam in Malayalam Belo or Belthei in Oriya. Ber is is known as Jelachi in Kannada, Yellandi in Tamil and Regu in Telugu.

In Hinduism, it is believed that planetary influences (or "graha doshas") affect different aspects of a person’s life, depending on the position of celestial bodies at the time of their birth. Overcoming these planetary influences involves a combination of devotional practices, meditation, chanting mantras, performing rituals, and following a disciplined lifestyle. Here, we'll explore Hindu practices and remedies for addressing planetary effects with specific mantras, deities, stories, and day-to-day approaches. Understanding Planetary Effects in Hinduism The nine planets, or Navagrahas , are considered to influence every aspect of a person’s life, from relationships and career to health and mental peace. Each planet has certain characteristics, ruling deities, and related days of the week. To reduce the negative impact of planetary effects and amplify the positive, Hindus employ a range of spiritual practices. Practical Day-to-Day Solutions and Rituals 1. Worship and Dev...

  Overcoming Pitra Dosha in Hinduism: Solutions, Practical Approaches, and Spiritual Insights Pitra Dosha, or "ancestral debt," is a significant concept in Hindu astrology and belief. This karmic imbalance arises from the unsettled deeds of ancestors or past lives, which might result in obstacles in one's life. Believed to manifest as troubles, delays, or difficulties in various aspects of life, Pitra Dosha is said to impact financial stability, health, relationships, and overall harmony. Here’s a comprehensive guide with spiritual solutions, mantras, daily rituals, stories, and wisdom from Hindu scriptures to effectively address Pitra Dosha. 1. Understanding the Importance of Pitra Dosha Remedies In Hinduism, honoring one’s ancestors is a sacred duty. The doctrine of Karma highlights that our actions are interlinked with those of our forefathers. Thus, Pitra Dosha is seen as a call to address karmic issues, foster family harmony, and honor our lineage. The Skanda Purana ...