Lord Shiva is one of the three major deities of Hinduism, the two others being Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. Together they form the Trimurti or Holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Shiva lives in Kailash with his wife Goddess Parvati and their two sons – Ganapati and Karthikeya. Shiva’s vehicle is Nandi the divine […]
At the highest level, Lord Shiva is regarded as formless, limitless, transcendent and unchanging. Shiva has many benevolent and fearsome depictions. In benevolent aspects, he is depicted as an omniscient Yogi who lives an ascetic life on Mount Kailash, as well as a householder with wife Goddess Parvati and his two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya. In his fierce aspects, he is often depicted slaying […]
The Hindu mythology is the most ancient collection of stories, practices, beliefs, traditions, disciplines and even the ideals which we worship. Largely speaking, the followers of these ideals in Hinduism can be categorized into three separate parties. These groups are the Vaishnavas, Shaivism, and Shaktism which is the name given to the followers of Vishnu, […]
Shiva Tandava or the celestial dance of Lord Siva is extremely thrilling and charming, exquisitely graceful in pose and rhythm and intensely piercing in effect. Nritya or Tandava is an inseparable, sacred movement of the various limbs of the body in accordance with the inner divine Bhaava. Nritya is a divine science. The Adigurus for this […]
We may see the idol of Goddess Kali and wonder that why is she standing on top of Lord Shiva,with a tongue let out? There are many stories with meanings and indications as to why the idol of kali is such,or rather,why her form is such. Let’s read a story as to why this happened. […]
Edited and Translated by V.D.N.Rao NAMAKA PAARAAYANA: Om Namo Bhagavetey Rudraaya/ Namastey Rudramanyava Utota Ishavey namah/ Namastey Astu Dhanvaney baahubhyaamutatey namah, Yaata Ishusshivatamaa Shivam babhoovatey dhanuh Shivaasharavyaaya tatoyaano Rudra Mridaya/ Yaatey Rudra Shivaa tanora ghoraa paapakaashini, tayaanastamavaashantamayaa Girishantaabhichaakasheeh, Yaamishum Girishanta hastey bibhirshya stavey/ Bhagavan Rudra! We are conscious of your fury and the power […]
( Compiled and Translated by V.D.N.RAO) [Note: There is no need to recite Shata Rudreeyam with Veda Yukta Swaraas and one and all might recite always. It is stated in Itihaasa – Puranaas that the recital of Shata Rudreeyam repeatedly and there after; maanasika puja could conclude the recital.] Vyasa uvaacha: Prajaapateenaam Prathamam Tejasaam […]
Maha Shivratri is a climax of Magha Masa popular for Magha Snaanas as also Vasanta Panchami, Ratha Saptami, ; this is the climax of the Shukla Paksha on conclusion of these snanaas during which the Shivratri has to extend into the Nisheeha or mid- night, that is two ghadiyaas past the fourteen ghadiyas there before; […]
In the wake of Tripuraasura Samhaara, Brahma exhorted Devas to emphasize the Mahima of Shiva Puja as the Asuras who were in the past were invincible as they were totally engaged in the Puja but eventually neglected it due to Maya and got degenerated gradually. He said that all the Beings in Srishti like Deva-Danava- […]
As Skanda Deva killed Tarakasura, the three sons of the latter viz. Vydyunmaali, Kamalaaksha and Tarakaksha were united and performed relentless Tapasya to Brahma seeking invincibility. As Brahma clarified that none among the Beings were immortal, they scaled down their wishes to the following: they would build three flying ‘Puraas’ or Cities which could move […]
Vasishtha Muni and his spouse Arundhati had a son named Shakti. As the Muni was engaged in a Yagna Kaarya by King Kalmashaapada, a Rakshasa named Rudhira killed and ate up Shakti and his brothers, apparently instigated by Vishwamitra Muni. At this heart-rending news,Vasihtha and Arundhati were so much grieved that they decided to jump […]
Bhurbhubhuvah swarmahaschaiva Janah Saakshaattapastathaa, Satyalokascha Pataalam Narakaarnavakotayah/ Taarakaagraha Somaarko Dhruvah Saptarshyastathaa, Vaimaanikaastathaaney cha tishthantasya prasaadatah/ Anena Nirmitaastwevam tadaatmaano Dwijarshabhaah, Samishthirupah Sarvaatmaa Samshitah Savadaa Shivah/ Sarvaatmaanam Mahaatmaanam Mahaa Devam Maheswaram, Na vijaananti Samoodhaa Maayayaa tasya mohitaah/ Tasya Devasya Rudrasya Shariram vai Jagatrayam, Tasmaat pranaamya tam Vakshey Jagataam nirnayam Shubham/ (The totality of Bhur, Bhuva, Swaha, Maha, […]
