Vibhuti or Bhasma Should Be Used Wet or Dry?

Vibhuti or Bhasma is the sacred ash worn by Hindu devotees. There is a doubt among many devotees whether Bhasma should be used wet – after making it a paste (damp) – or dry. Bhasma that we receive from temples should worn dry. That which is kept at home should be made into a paste and worn.

Vibhuti that we bring from temples should not be mixed with the stock at home.

After applying Vibhuti paste, one should not wash the hands but cleanse it by applying the remnant on other parts including legs and hands.

 

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Importance of Milk Abhishek on Shivling – Pouring Milk on Shivlin

Pouring milk (abhishek or abhishekam) on Shivling is an important ritual dedicated to Shiva in temples and at home. After jal abhishek or ritual pouring of water, the next most important ritual is doodh or pal (milk) abhishekam. This ritual is performed especially by those married couples who are not having children.

The popular belief is that Rudra Abhishek with milk fulfills the desire of having children.

It is also recommended for those couple who are having difficulty with conceiving second child.

It is also believed that those couples who had lost their child during pregnancy or still birth will be blessed with healthy children after performing milk abhishek.

The milk that is to be used for the purpose should be cow milk.

Another belief is that performing abhishek with milk and sugar will help in improving intelligence. It is said that this ritual is so meritorious that a dumb witted person will become intelligent after this offering to Shiva.

Why we should not look at the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi day? - The Story of Ganesha Cursing Moon

 

There is a common belief that one should not look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chaturthi) day. There is an interesting story to this regard in Hindu scriptures. On a Ganesh Chaturthi day, Ganesha was eating sweets from the houses that were celebrating his birthday. Ganesha’s stomach was overfilled with ‘Modaks’ and other sweets and he could not move. So, he decided to ride on his vehicle mouse.

Mouse or Moshika was happily carrying Ganesha but suddenly a snake appeared and the mouse lost his balance and Ganesha fell down. Due to the intensity of the fall, the sweets in the over bloated stomach of Ganesha came tumbling out. Ganesha was not ready to give up the sweets and stuffed them back into his stomach and used the snake as rope to keep the stomach and the sweets intact.

Suddenly, Ganesha heard someone laughing and on looking he found that the moon was making fun of his fall. In a fit of rage, Ganesha removed one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon and cursed that henceforth no one will look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi day.

If anyone looks at the moon on the day, he/she will meet with numerous obstacles in life.

To be freed from the curse he/she should read or listen to the story of Lord Krishna and the Syamantaka Jewel in Srimad Bhagavad Purana.

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The Ten Great Reflection of Spiritual Life

The Ten Great Reflection of Spiritual Life 
Spiritual life is not easy. It is a constant struggle against nature, against your mind and body, and against the clinging and the lures of life which present themselves to you constantly and try to wean you away from your chosen path. Under such circumstances it is a challenge to remain focused on your practice and stick to your spiritual discipline. The following ten reflections are used in Buddhist tradition by monks to overcome distractions and difficulties and stay on the path of dhamra. The Buddha suggested them to his followers in one of his discourses, when he was staying at a monastery near Sravasthi in northern India. The ten reflections which he suggested on that occasion are collectively known as the dasa dharma sutra (dasa dhamma sutta) or the Ten Aphorisms of Dharma. The ten reflections can be practiced by anyone who wants to remain on the chosen spiritual path, independent of the religion or the spiritual philosophy in which one believes. They are particularly useful to overcome distractions and the old habits of the mind and the body.

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How To Enhance Or Improve Your Intuition

        How To Enhance Or Improve Your Intuition 
One fundamental truth about intuition is that you cannot force it to happen. It happens most of the time on its own, without any expectation. If you have a strong ego, very likely you may not be able to think intuitively. You may force yourself to think intelligently through hard work and discipline. But you cannot do the same in case of intuition. You can however let intuition arise on its own in your heart and mind. You can to do it by cultivating a passive, mindful, nonjudgmental and detached awareness and by not interfering with your thoughts with a rigid mindset
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Importance of Darbha Grass in Hinduism

Importance of Darbha Grass in Hinduism

Darbha, also called kusa or darbhai, is a grass leaf and is of great importance in Hinduism. Darbha is considered as a form of wealth and can cleanse us of our sins as it has the power to purify. There are several types of darbha grass that can be used such as darbhai, viswamitra, kusa, munja, sara, doorva etc.

Tradition avers that Brahma resides at the roots of kusa, Kesava in the centre and Sankara in the tip; and other Gods in the four directions – as in the case of a peepal tree.

Great sages like Harita, Markandeya, Atri, Kausika, Vyasa, Saataatapa, Yajnavalkya, Asvalayana and Apasthamba have eulogized darbha.

Though there are minor variations in the use of darbhai in deva karmas and pitru karmas, there is unison among all the Rishis in underscoring the place of darbhai in all rites and rituals.

The Vedas too speak specifically of the value of darbha: the acchidra section of Krisnayajurveda Braahmama is a case in point. Reference to darbha is found in granthas, the ancient texts of Sara-samuchaya, Smrti-saram, Smrti-ratnam, Smrti chintamani, Smrti-bbaskara and Vishnupurana. There are many Puranic stories woven around darbha.

The Mahabharata contains the story of Garuda, the mythic bird and Vishnu's vehicle bringing ambrosia and the serpents getting their tongue split lengthwise when they licked the darbha leaf on which a few drops of the ambrosia fell.

The story of Rama throwing darbha at Jayanta in the shape of a crow can be found in the Ramayana.

In the story of Mahabali, Vamana clears the spout of pitcher with a leaf of darbhai. Guru Shukracharya had entered the pitcher to block the water from falling down.

The botanical name of darbha is Poa Cynosuroides. Even modern researchers speak of its special characteristics and the power of its vibrations.
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Thoughts and Quotes on Vishwakarma Puja

Thoughts and Quotes on Vishwakarma Puja

In Hindu Religion, Vishwakarma is the divine architect of the universe. Biswakarma (as called in eastern parts of India) is also called the divine carpenter and is mentioned in the Rig Veda and is credited with Sthapatya Veda, the science of mechanics and architecture. Vishwakarma Puja is dedicated to the first carpenter – artisan who gave us all these wonderful knowledge.

Determination, hard work and patience make a good artisan. He becomes an excellent artisan when he remembers and pays respect to his ancestors and Lord Vishwakarma is the first ancestor of carpenters and artisans.

When we offer prayers to Him, we are offering prayers to all the ancestors who passed down the knowledge of various crafts. We are also praying to keep this knowledge and craft intact and also to pass it on to the next generation.

Daily prayers to Vishwakarma assure safety and success in the respective fields.

The greatness of Hindu tradition is that it respects and finds divinity in all activities of life. 

 

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Forms of God

Forms of God

Learning about the major forms of the Divine in Hinduism may, at times, become confusing for non-Hindus, especially because the hierarchy [1] may differ, depending on whom you ask. Contrary to propagated belief, the number of forms of the Divine in mainstream Hinduism is small. Contemporary Hinduism basically revolves around Rama/Krishna/Vishnu, Shakti (the Mother Goddess), and Shiva. The forms of God you would most likely meet in Hindu temples, Epics and Puranas, and literature by devotional saints are listed on the chart below (click on the chart to view it).

(Feminine forms of God are shown in purple font; masculine forms are in saffron font. Names of the divine couples are underlined.)

You must have noted that the chart above is Shakti-centric, where the dotted lines show the three primary forms of Shakti. For a Vaishnava, this chart would be made differently. The following is a Sita-Rama-centric chart showing the same forms of the Divine:

Now, you can visualize how a chart for devotees of Parvati-Shiva or Lakshmi-Vishnu would look like.

[1] Though many Hindus believe in a hierarchy, others understand that all the divine forms are the same Brahman.

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Different Perspectives

Different Perspectives

Our perspective in spirituality, like any other thought, is formed by the ratio of the three modes of nature (sattva, rajas, and tamas) in our mind. A few sample responses that may engage spiritual aspirants are given below.

a devotional response

“The Divine can not be known by my weak mind, though he/she can sure be seen. I need a darshan of Rama/Shiva/Shakti, so that I can surrender my soul to him/her.”

an intellectual response

“Brahman can be known; I’ll know him one day. It does not matter if he has manifestations or incarnations; I’ll meditate on the Brahman who resides in my heart.”

a confused response

“My path is the right path to God. Fortunately, I have joined the only sect where people make it to him. xyz purana is the genuine scripture; the other seventeen puranas are later additions.”

another confused response

“Because our ancestors were naive, they started equating ancient kings like Shiva or Krishna to whatever God stands for. Scriptures and their stories hold no relevance, for they were just a means of explaining stuff to the less trained.”

Of course, we need to be cautious of the last two approaches.

Clarity Of Thought Mantra

Clarity Of Thought Mantra

It is very common for us to not have clarity while trying to take important decisions. We may not be under any apparent pressure, nor is it necessary to even be aware of such an issue. But, whenever we are presented with options to make decisions on something important, we get too lost in thoughts. Such problems are often attributed to displeasure from the moon (chandra). The following is a simple ritual that such people can use to have more clarity in thoughts and to make better decisions.

On a Monday night , stare at the moon and chant "om chandraya namah" 11 times. Then from the next day, chant the following mantra 9 times every night for 14 consecutive nights.

om namo chandraya somaya mahadeva namah

You can also practice subtle meditation while chanting "om chandraya namah" 108 times for 21 consecutive days. Soon you will have more will-power, better decision-making and peace of mind.

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GLOBAL BHARAT: TIRTHA STHAN : A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE :

GLOBAL BHARAT: TIRTHA STHAN : A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE :: TIRTHA STHAN : A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE : A place of pilgrimage is known as a ‘tirtha sthana’ – ‘which is associated with or inhabited by s...

TIRTHA STHAN : A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE :

TIRTHA STHAN : A PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE :

A place of pilgrimage is known as a ‘tirtha sthana’ – ‘which is associated with or inhabited by sages deserving reverence, who are without desire, egoism or delusion and who have been purified by a performance of penance’ says the Garuda Purana. A tirtha refers to ‘crossing the ford’ – to cross is to be transformed. Among the holiest Hindu tirthas are sacred rivers, especially the Ganges. Its entire length is sacred, yet at some points t is believed that its sanctity comes to a focus. One of these points is Kashi. A tirtha is directly experienced as an intensification of the sacred or supernatural power in time and space. It is there – to be seen, to be felt, to enter, rather as the hearth is the centre of the home, to which all who enter naturally gravitate. And this, despite the fact that home and tirtha are essentially opposites.....
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BE HAPPY AS YOU ARE NOW

BE HAPPY AS YOU ARE NOW :

Don’t dwell in the past or worry about the future. Don’t have expectations. Indulging in thoughts of making vast sums of money; receiving abundant love; getting recognition and honour for a lifetime of work... If you think you will be happy when some of these dreams come true, you are chasing a mirage. Be happy as you now are and enjoy peace.

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Four Facts of Hinduism

 

These four facts--karma, reincarnation, all-pervasive divinity and dharma--are the essence of the Vedas and Agamas and the fabric of every Hindu's life. Speak of them to all who will listen. They are the heritage of all souls.

Karma

According as one acts, so does he become. One becomes virtuous by virtuous action, bad by bad action.Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.5
Karma literally means "deed" or "act" and more broadly names the universal principle of cause and effect, action and reaction which governs all life. Karma is a natural law of the mind, just as gravity is a law of matter. Karma is not fate, for man acts with free will, creating his own destiny. The Vedas tell us, if we sow goodness, we will reap goodness; if we sow evil, we will reap evil. Karma refers to the totality of our actions and their concomitant reactions in this and previous lives, all of which determines our future. It is the interplay between our experience and how we respond to it that makes karma devastating or helpfully invigorating. The conquest of karma lies in intelligent action and dispassionate reaction. Not all karmas rebound immediately. Some accumulate and return unexpectedly in this or other births.

Reincarnation

After death, the soul goes to the next world, bearing in mind the subtle impressions of its deeds, and after reaping their harvest returns again to this world of action. Thus, he who has desires continues subject to rebirth.Yajur Veda, Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.4.6
Reincarnation, punarjanma, is the natural process of birth, death and rebirth. At death we drop off the physical body and continue evolving in the inner worlds in our subtle bodies, until we again enter into birth. Through the ages, reincarnation has been the great consoling element within Hinduism, eliminating the fear of death. We are not the body in which we live but the immortal soul which inhabits many bodies in its evolutionary journey through samsara. After death, we continue to exist in unseen worlds, enjoying or suffering the harvest of earthly deeds until it comes time for yet another physical birth. The actions set in motion in previous lives form the tendencies and conditions of the next. Reincarnation ceases when karma is resolved, God is realized and moksha, liberation, is attained.

All-Pervasive Divinity

He is the God of forms infinite in whose glory all things are--smaller than the smallest atom, and yet the Creator of all, ever living in the mystery of His creation. In the vision of this God of love there is everlasting peace. He is the Lord of all who, hidden in the heart of things, watches over the world of time. Krishna Yajur Veda, Shvetashvatara Upanishad 4.14-15
As a family of faiths, Hinduism upholds a wide array of perspectives on the Divine, yet all worship the one, all-pervasive Supreme Being hailed in the Upanishads. As Absolute Reality, God is unmanifest, unchanging and transcendent, the Self God, timeless, formless and spaceless. As Pure Consciousness, God is the manifest primal substance, pure love and light flowing through all form, existing everywhere in time and space as infinite intelligence and power. As Primal Soul, God is our personal Lord, source of all three worlds, our Father-Mother God who protects, nurtures and guides us. We beseech God's grace in our lives while also knowing that He/She is the essence of our soul, the life of our life. Each denomination also venerates its own pantheon of Divinities, Mahadevas, or "great angels," who were created by the Supreme Lord and who serve and adore Him.

Dharma

Dharma yields Heaven's honor and Earth's wealth. What is there then that is more fruitful for a man? There is nothing more rewarding than dharma, nor anything more ruinous than its neglect.Tirukural 31-32
When God created the universe, He endowed it with order, with the laws to govern creation. Dharma is God's di vine law prevailing on every level of existence, from the sustaining cosmic order to religious and moral laws which bind us in harmony with that order. Related to the soul, dharma is the mode of conduct most conducive to spiritual advancement, the right and righteous path. It is piety and ethi cal practice, duty and ob ligation. When we follow dharma, we are in conformity with the Truth that inheres and instructs the universe, and we naturally abide in closeness to God. Adharma is opposition to divine law. Dharma is to the individual what its normal development is to a seed--the orderly fulfillment of an inherent nature and destiny.