Daana Godaana Prashasti
Daily Life and Practices, Hinduism, Vedic Philosophy, Vedic Practices

Daana Godaana Prashasti

Daatavyam pratyaham paatre nimittetu visheshatah, Yaachitenaapi daatavyam shraddhaa putam cha shaktitah/ Maharshi Yagnyavalkya described the feature of ‘Daana’ or Charity: every human being should resort to daana dharma on each and every day as per one’s own capacity, especially on the days of Solar and Lunar Eclipse days. Charity is indeed to be given to […]

Daily Life and Practices, Hinduism, Vedic Practices

16 Samskaras in Hinduism – The Hindu Way of Life

There are forty samskaras prescribed in the Vedas of which sixteen, called the Shodasha samskaras, are in practice today. These samskaras to be performed by or for an individual beginning with conception and continuing up to the last rites performed after death. They are done in the five different stages of a human life i.e. […]

Ancient Indian Literature, Spirituality, Vedic Philosophy, Vedic Practices

Vedanta Philosophy – The Different Schools of Vedanta

There are six Darshan, that is philosophy in Hinduism which are : Samkhya. Yoga. Nyaya. Vaisheshika. Mimamsa. Vedanta. Among these six schools, Vedanta is very popular and has it’s root in Vedas/ Upanishad (Shruti). Vedanta is a spiritual philosophy which deals with the following three elements and relationship between them: Brahman Atman World/Universe Different Vedanta […]

Ashtadikpalakas - 8 Rulers of the World - Mantras
Hindu Gods, Hinduism, Vedic Philosophy, Vedic Practices

Ashtadikpalakas – The Gods of 8 Directions

The Ashtadikpālas are eight in number. As their collective name suggests, they rule the eight quarters or the eight directions of the universe. Ashta means eight, “dik” means quarters or directions and” pālas “means rulers. According to Hinduism each quarter is assigned to a particular divinity, who presides over it and acts as its chief […]

Kaalamana - The Cycle of Time
Hinduism, Vedic Philosophy, Vedic Practices

Kaalamana – The Cycle of Time

                 (COMPOSED AND EDITED BY V.D.N.RAO) Introduction: ‘Kaalamana’ in the context of  Bharata Varsha which metamorphosed like a kaleidoscope  gradually adopted Videsha Samskrti; new culture, life-style and even new psyche.  In the process, the Vedic Dharma witnessed some changes in the process of evolution. As the Rulers changed, so did the cultures yet the core […]

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; […]

Namaskar or Namaskaram - Benefits and Significance
Daily Life and Practices, Hinduism, Spirituality, Vedic Practices, Yoga

Namaskar or Namaskaram – Significance and Benefits

Why Namaskar, not hand shake? There are several ways in which people pay obeisance (namaskar or salutation) to the divine. Various types of hand actions or postures accompany prayers or obeisance. Some people hold up their hands as in asking, while others bring their fists together, while yet others may pray with hands folded, as […]

Nag panchami - Origin, Tithi, Story and Celebrations
Festivals, Hinduism, Vedic Practices

Nag Panchmi – Origin, Story, Tithi and Significance

Human beings soon after stabilizing from nomadic venture started the ritual of worshipping the nature and everything that was helpful to them in one or another way. It helped them construct a system that was derived from the beliefs in social organizations, local cults and deities. Humans thus started exploring nature and started sorting a […]