Shiva Tandava Stotram
Ancient Indian Literature, Hinduism

Shiva Tandava Stotram – Origin Story and Benefits

In Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva is popularly also known as Natarajan which translates to the ‘Dancing God’. This form of Lord Shiva is known for the divine art performed by him along with his divine consort, Goddes Parvati Devi. This dance, according to the Hindu scriptures, performed by Lord Shiva, is known as Tandava. Lord […]

Shaivism - Saivism Sects and Beliefs
Ancient Indian Literature, Daily Life and Practices, Hindu Gods, Hinduism, Spirituality

Methods of Worship in Shaivism

Shaivism is one of the three major types of contemporary Hinduism, together with Vaishnavism and Shaktism, and structured worship of the Indian deity Shiva. Shaivism encompasses a wide range of movements, including the highly philosophical Shaiva-siddhanta, the socially separate Lingayat, ascetics like the dashnami sannyasins, and a plethora of folk varieties. The Vedas mention Rudra […]

Harahara Shankara Shambho Shankara
Hindu Gods, Hinduism

Harahara Shankara Shambho Shankara

Topics: Origin of Shiva Linga Dwadasha Jyotir Lingas Prasiddha Shiva Lingas – Upa Lingas  and Ashtottara Shiva Kshetraas Shiva as Agni Stambha Observance of Maha Shiva Ratri and its significance Shata Rudreeyam Rudra Deva hidden in one’s own’s own Self vide Shvetaashvatara Upanishad   Shiva Lingodbhava: Maha Munis then narrated the origin of Shiva Linga […]

Ancient Indian Literature, Astrology, Interesting Hindu Mythology Stories, Vedic Philosophy

The Story of Chandradeva

The Story of Chandradeva While the Sage Daksha’s curse leading to the moon (Chandradeva) waxing and waning is popular, the story behind the curse is known by a few. This is the story narrated by Vaishampayana to Janamejaya in the Shalya Parva. Shalya Parva is the ninth of the eighteen books of the Mahabharata. Prajapati […]

Atma Linga
Hinduism, Interesting Hindu Mythology Stories

Atma Linga

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 Shiva Raatri Jagarana Maha Phala - Chatur Yaama Puja Vidhana
Festivals, Interesting Hindu Mythology Stories, Vedic Practices

Maha Shiva Raatri Jagarana Maha Phala – Chatur Yaama Puja Vidhana

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; […]

Tripurasur Vadh - Shiva Killing Tripurasura - Linga Purana-1
Linga Purana

Lord Shiva Destroys Tripurasura – Tripurasur Vadh from Linga Purana

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 […]

Shiva Samkalpamastu
Linga Purana

Shiva Samkalpamastu : Maharshi Parashara’s Rudrarchana and glory to his Vamsha

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 […]

Shiva’s Samishthi Swarupa
Linga Purana

Shiva’s Samishthi Swarupa

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, […]