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, […]
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, […]
Brahma’s son King Kshupa and Maha Muni Dadhichi the son of Maharshi Chyavana were good friends but got entangled in an argument whether Kshatriyas were superior to Brahmanas. The King argued that the ‘Ashtadikpalakaas’ or the Rulers viz. Agni, Indra, Varuna, Vaayu, Nirruti, Kubera and Yama and Soma and Kingship had the last ‘say’ in […]
In the secluded and thick Forests of Daruvana, select Munis including Sapta Rishis and Maha Yogis were engaged in deep Tapasya along with their wives and children. As the Munis were busy with their meditation and Yagna Karmas, the wives who were all Maha Pativratas were serving them in their spiritual activities and family chores. […]
As Rishis asked Lomaharshana Maharshi as to the Procedure of Lingaarchana or Worship the Shiva Linga, the Maharshi stated that once Devi Parvati also enquired of the same and Shiva Himself revealed the Procedure: To start with a devotee of Shiva should purify himself by a ‘Shuddha Snaana’ or a formal bathing and three kinds […]
Maharshi Lomarshana, the disciple of Veda Vyasa, while addressing the Sages at Naimisha Forest described that at the Maha Pralaya or the termination of the Universe after the Maha Yuga, the Supreme Bhagavan created Vishnu with the aid of Satwa Guna who was floating on Maha Jala or the Unending Water Sheet and from his […]
Invisible Shiva called ‘Alinga’ is the root of the visible ‘Linga’ or ‘Prakruti’/Shaivi /Maya or the Universe. Thus the visible Linga (Prakriti) is Shiva Swarupa itself. The synthesis of the Alinga and Linga is known as the ‘Aoutthama’ Linga, which is devoid of ‘Gunas’ or characteristics. The Alinga Paramatma is Infinite, Constant and All-Pervasive as […]
To control the activities or goings on in the mind is Yoga. The Ashtanga or Eight-Limbed Yoga comprises of Yama- Niyama- Aasana- Pranaayama- Pratyahara-Dharana-Dhyana-Samadhi. Yama is denoted by good behaviour comprising Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truth), Asteya (stealing), Brahmacharya (avoidance of sex) and Aparigraha or Excessive acquisition. Basic Niyamas is in fact an extension of Yama: […]
