Vijaya, a medicinal herb stated in Ayurveda, has a vital mentioning in the Shiv Puran. It is one of the five sacred herbs. Several people must have heard about Vijaya as a natural drug substance, but our Rishi Munis praised the herb for its medicinal benefits. The Rishi Munis who wrote Vedas examined 5000 herbal plants with benefits keeping Vijaya among the vital herbs.
Vijaya as a Medicine in Ayurveda
Vijaya is one of the main herbs used for treatment in Ayurveda. In allopathy, ethanol acts as a base for medicines. Similarly, bhaang helps as a base for Ayurveda. Atharva Veda holds the earliest mentioning of Vijaya dating about 1500 BCE. It states that Kusa grass, Barley, Bhang, Saha, and Soma helps in releasing anxiety (Atharva Veda 11.6.15). Moreover, the Sushruta Samhita (600 BCE) prescribed the herb for phlegm, catarrh, and diarrhea.
Then, it was an Indian folk medicine in aphrodisiacs and the treatment of pain. Also, the fumes of burning bhaang helped in treatments as an anesthetic in ancient times.
Tuberculosis is a disease that has affected many people throughout India. Ayurveda (Upveda of Atharva Veda) mentions the treatment of Tuberculosis with bhaang as the main component. Also, diseases like leprosy can get treated with the help of Bhang.
Vijaya is a complex plant having about 400 components, including THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) that makes the person high in bliss. Do you know? Endocannabinoid component having the same properties as THC exists in our body. Ayurveda stated about the presence of this component long ago. However, the west discovered it recently, about 10-15 years ago.
Uses of Different Part of Vijaya
In Our Dharmic stories, the emergence of Vijaya happened in the Samudra Manthan. Also, the herb has another name called Siddhi, which means complete. It marks the significance of the usage of the plant from tips to its roots.
STALK: The stalk helps in making animal bedding, insulation concrete, and many more animal products. Further, the fibers help as a raw material to prepare ropes, nets, clothes, canvas, shoes, etc. Also, it holds the potential to substitute as fuel, paper, plastic, construction material, and furniture.
LEAVES: The bhaang has many medicinal components and is a vital dietary supplement that activates certain body functions, which promote good health.
SEEDS: The bhaang seeds hold nutritional polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAS 80%) that becomes highest in the plant kingdom.
FLOWER: The flowers of bhaang produce resins and essential oils, and 400 compounds making this herb one of the best medicinal herbs for human beings.
The bhaang has many applications in the current medical practices and has become a component to treat problems like:
Cancer (20 Kinds)
Neurological Diseases
Inflammatory Diseases
Diabetes
Lung Diseases
Gynecological Diseases
Skin Diseases
Bacterial Infections
Fever, Wound, and Pain
Apart from the above diseases, there are many more medical applications of Vijaya. In the west, hemp (bhaang) oil used to treat heart blockage is in demand for its powerful impact.
The Sanatana epic, Mahabharata, identifies Lord Krishna as Narayana, but do you know who Arjuna and Karna were in their previous lives? In the Bhagavata Puran, a story of Nara-Narayana has its mention where Nar and Narayana are the twin incarnations of Lord Vishnu. They took birth to preserve the righteousness on the earth. In the great epic of Mahabharata, the vital role in the war was of Arjuna, who was Nara in his previous life with Lord Krishna as Narayana.
You might know about Arjuna as Nara, but who was Karna? And, why was he born with armor? The word Nar means Human, and Narayana means Bhagwan (God). Dharma (son of Brahma) and Murti (daughter of Prajapati Daksha) were the parents of twin sons. And, Nar-Narayana has their depiction jointly as well as separately.
The Story of Nara and Narayana
According to the story, a long way back, there lived an asura named Dambhodbhava. He wanted to become immortal and started praying to the Sun god (Surya). Bhagwan Surya got pleased with his prayers and appeared in front of him. Dambhodbhava as, he wanted, asked the god to make him immortal. However, Surya god could not fulfill this wish.
The asura was clever with his boon and was successful in tricking Lord Surya. He asked Lord Surya to give him a boon of thousand armors that could only be broken by those who penance for 1000 years. Therefore, anyone wanting to defeat him would need to penance for 1000 years to break one armor. And, after breaking one armor, that person will die.
1000 years penance = breaking one armor
for 1000 armors= 1000* 1000 = 10,00,000 years of penance
Lord Surya fell into his clever request and fulfilled his wish. Now, Dambhodbhava was no less than an immortal being. Also, defeating his armor became not less than impossible. After fulfilling his request, Lord Surya became tensed because he knew Dambhodbhava will do no good with his boon and went to Lord Vishnu to seek help. However, Lord Vishnu consoled that he will eliminate anyone who will opt for the path of Adharma.
In no time of getting the boon from Lord Surya, Dambhodbhava started creating havoc for people. Everyone feared to fight him, which made him more destructive. Soon people start calling him, Sahastrakavach (one with thousand armors). Around this time, King Daksha married his daughter to Dharma, one of the Manas Putras of Brahma. Murti knew about Sahastrakavach and prayed to Lord Vishnu to help people. Lord Vishnu got pleased, and Murti gave birth to not one but twin sons, Nar-Narayana.
The twin brothers were inseparable. The thoughts in one’s mind get completed by the other one. Time went by, the time Sahastrakavach was killing people near the forest of Badrinath where Nara-Narayana were staying, Narayana went on a one-on-one fight with Sahastrakavach while Nara was meditating at Badrinath on behalf of Narayana.
When Sahastrakavach saw Narayan’s eyes, he feared for the first time by the calmness his eyes hold. He knew that Narayana was not ordinary, having possessed immense power to defeat him. Dambhodbhava and Narayana started fighting. Narayana was able to break the first armor of Sahastrakavach but died after the armor broke into pieces. Nara came running to the rescue of Narayan. With his meditation, Nara had successfully pleased Lord Shiva and earned Maha Mritunjay Mantra, using which he resurrected Narayana. Sahastrakavach became scared because he knew there were two people with the same soul.
Now, it was Nara who fought with Sahastrakavach while Narayana meditated at Badrinath. The Badrinath temple marks as a Tapo Bhumi, where one year of penance equals 1000 years of meditation. Due to which Nara-Narayana was able to defeat Sahastrakavach by meditating there.
The twin brothers kept on fighting by switching places and broke 999 armors of Sahastrakavach. By then, Dambhodbhava realized that he could not defeat the twin brothers and flee to Lord Surya to protect him.
Lord Surya protected Dambhodbhava as he was his devotee. Nara became furious and cursed Lord Surya to be born as a human along with Dambhodbhava in the asura’s next life. Sun god accepted the curse for his devotee. Therefore, to keep the promise of killing Sahastrakavach, Nara-Narayana reincarnated as Lord Krishna (Narayana) and Arjuna (Nara). With the curse of Nara to Lord Surya, Treta yuga ended, and the beginning of Dwapar Yuga got marked.
By now, you must have known that the reincarnation of Sahastrakavach was Karna. As per the boon of Lord Surya, Karna was born with armor attached to his body. The sinful acts that Dambhodbhava did in his entire life made him suffer as Karna, and he joined Duryodhana in his evil deeds. His destiny was to join hands with Adharma being the reincarnation of Asura Dambhodbhava, but the Ansh of Lord Surya in him made him immensely powerful, brave, and charitable. However, with the armor on, Arjuna could not defeat Karna.
Lord Krishna asked Lord Indra (father of Arjuna) to disguise himself as a saint and ask Karna’s armor in charity. Due to God Surya’s qualities in him, Karna parted from his last armor. His action bought him long-lasting fame. Thus, Pandavas apologized to Kunti and Lord Krishna for lamenting them after knowing the truth behind Karna’s previous life.
References from Mahabharata
The epic Mahabharata has instances of Lord Krishna reminiscing Arjuna about his previous life as Nara. And, he also made him realize that his purpose in the present life was to kill Sahastrakavach, reincarnated as Karna.
अंतर्यामी नारायणरूप भगवान श्रीकृष्ण, उनके सखा नर रत्न अर्जुन, उनकी लीला प्रकट करने वाली देवी सरस्वती और उनके वक्ता भगवान व्यास को नमस्कार करके आसुरी संपत्तियों का नाश करके अंत:करण पर विजय प्राप्त कराने वाले महाभारत का पाठ करना चाहिए।
I bow down to Lord Krishna, Narayana himself and his friend Arjun and the goddess Saraswati who has graced us by revealing the secrets of the Mahabharat and the writer Vyasa. By destroying all the negativities, one should start the chanting of the epic of Mahabharat.
India is a country that has never considered a cow as an animal but as a mother. Our Rishi Munis have mentioned the cow as a mother of the world because they feed a big part of the population.
गावो विश्वस्य मातरः
A cow is the mother of the world.
Our dharma defines the vital significance of the cow and its products and has mentioned it in various scriptures and epics. The Ayurveda appreciate and praise Panchgavya (five products produced from cows) consisting of milk, ghee, curd, cow dung, and cow urine. However, pseudointellectuals reject the use of cow dung and cow urine in medical treatments. During research on Cow dung and urine, the researchers stated that there are about 752 compounds with medicinal benefits present in cow urine. Therefore, cows are no less than mothers who protect their children from various dangerous aspects of the world.
When talking about the significance of cows in our scriptures, Kamdhenu holds an essential place in our dharma. It is a divine bonified cow mentioned in our scriptures as the mother of all the cows.
My salutation to the great goddess who fulfills all the wishes. The living seed inside all cows, salutation to the mother of the universe.
The verses stated above have their relation to Lord Indra, who prayed to the sacred cow. Our Sanatan Dharma state Gau Mata as the supreme symbol of purity belonging to everyone. The word Kamdhenu comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Kamaduha,’ which means “the cow of plenty.” She is the one who fulfills all the desires. As per the dharmic story, the Kamdhenu cow is mother of the Rudras.
The emergence of Kamdhenu
The emergence of the cow has no specific record and has various versions of description in different scriptures. All the gods and goddesses believed to reside inside the physical body of the cow. The references for the emergence of the Gau Mata are as follows:
Mahabharata
The Adi Parva (Mahabharata) stated the emergence of Kamdhenu from Samudra Manthan. Therefore, she is an offspring of Devatas and the Asuras. Later, the Saptarishis became its keeper when gifted to them. Brahma made an official order that she will provide ghee and milk for special Yagnas (spiritual sacrifices).
Ramayana
The story narrated in the Ramayana epic states Surabhi is born as a daughter to Rishi Kashyapa and Krodhavasa. And, her daughter Rohini and Gandharva have symbolism as the mother of cows and horses.
Vishnu Purana and Bhagavata Purana
According to the Puranas, Surabhi was the daughter of Prajapati Daksh and got married to Rishi Kashyapa. Surabhi gets denoted as the mother of all cows and buffaloes.
Matsya Purana
The Matsya Purana has two conflicting mentionings of Surabhi. Firstly, it describes her as the wife of Lord Brahma. Also, their union gave birth to Yogeshwari (mother of Quadpeds). Secondly, it described Surabhi as the daughter of Prajapati Daksh and got married to Rishi Kashyapa.
Devi Purana
The Devi Purana describes the emergence of Surabhi when Lord Krishna and Radha felt thirsty for milk and created Surabhi and her calf Manoratha from the left side of his body. Lord Krishna worshipped Surabhi, decreeing her as the milk and prosperity giver. From then, people worship Surabhi in the form of a cow on Diwali on Balipratipada day.
Bhagavad Gita
In the verses of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna mentions Surabhi as Kamdhuka twice in verses 3.10 and 10.28
सहयज्ञा: प्रजा: सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापति: |
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् || 10||
Prosper in the performance of these duties (sacrifices) shall get upon all you wish to achieve.
Lord Krishna said for doing one’s duty, get the milk of all desires.
I am the Vajra (thunderbolt) amongst weapons and Kamadhuka amongst the cows. I am Kaamdev, the god of love, amongst all causes for procreation; amongst serpents, I am Vasuki.
Lord Krishna, when describing himself to Arjuna said, he is Surabhi among the cows.
Other References
Several other references mention Surabhi as the mother of the Rudras, Rishi Kashyapa being the father. The Udayoga Parva book of Mahabharata described the emergence of Surabhi when Lord Brahma drank too much of Amrit that he puked some of it from which emerged Kamdhuka.
The Bhagavata Purana states Kamdhenu as Rishi Jamadagni’s cow stolen by Haihaya king, Kartavirya Arjuna (a king with 1000 arms) by destroying Rishi Jamadagni’s place. Later, to free Surabhi, Lord Parshuram Ji defeated and killed Kartavirya. However, Kartavirya’s son killed Jamadagni. Their killing of Jamadagni made Lord Parshuram furious, and he went on killing the Kshatriyas race 21 times. Finally, Lord Parshuram’s father got resurrected by divine grace.
Dance is present in the cosmic waves. If you look closely at our dharma, you will observe that our gods express a lot through dancing. Dancing has an aspect of creation. Modern science uses different terminologies to define the creation of the universe, saying it looks like a dance. And, you may agree or not, but this is what our gods do, dancing.
If you look at different dance forms of India, you will observe there is not much movement on the surface, but the hands and face have expressions and mudras. However, when you see the dance and its postures closely, you will know that there is a lot more to our classical dance forms. It has more than just movements.
Several questions have arisen in your minds. How is it possible that throwing hands in the air making some mudras can have logic? It can get hard to accept, but it has sense and science associated with it. Many physicists are studying the creation of this universe. Firstly, everything felt sudden and accidental, but gradually the formation discovered had synchronization similar to dance. The making of the universe and dance both have coherence. Without similarities, you cannot have related.
Dance has a significant role in our dharma, and so does the god of Cosmic Dances, “Nataraja.”
Lord Shiva as Nataraja: The god of the cosmic dance
Whether it is a bacteria, a cosmos, a human, or an animal, everything has the same fundamental unit according to the science of constructal theory. With sophistication, they become complicated. The nearest construction of the cosmos is dance. Both at first seem random, but gradually when you pay attention, you can see synchronization.
When we say dance is creation, then the creator becomes a dancer. When you look closely at the statue of Shiva as Nataraja, you will see a circle around him. A circle represents the cosmos. Anything in this universe moves in a form close to a circle, naturally whether it is the planets, atoms, cells, etc. Therefore, Lord Shiva, as Nataraja, is a cosmic dancer.
The story of Nataraja took place at Chidambaram. A group of sages engaged in practicing magic spells and rituals, trying to gain control over gods. They could become a threat to everyone. To end their practice, Lord Shiva disguised himself as a beggar named Bhikshadana with beautiful features. However, he was naked. Lord Vishnu followed him as Mohini, who was love-stricken by Bhikshadana.
The beauty of Bhikshadana had the wives of sages attracted towards him. The Sadhus get annoyed and tried to control Bhikshadan with their powers. However, Lord Shiva being the supreme of all, could not get control with such spells. They intensified their attacks and released vicious serpents on Bhikshadana, which rested on Lord Shiva as ornaments. After snakes, they spelled a tiger that succumbed to death by Bhikshadana to get worn as a loincloth. Later they sent an elephant, but it too died.
The aggression of sages intensified to its extreme. For neutralizing Bhikshadana, sadhus formed Apasmara from the sacrificial fire. Apasmara became the symbol of arrogance and ignorance. Lord Shiva could not kill him to maintain the balance of the world. Without ignorance, anyone can easily attain knowledge and will not realize its importance. Therefore, ignorance has to remain to express the true essence of attainment and enlightenment.
Lord Shiva knew he could not kill Apasmara, but he can suppress him with his powers. The lord climbed on the back of the Asura Apasmara and started performing Tandava. Once Lord Shiva starts dancing, the sadhus realized that he was the supreme Lord Shiva. The divine energy produced during the dance removed the vision of ignorance and enlightened the sadhus.
Significance of the Nataraja form
You can observe the form that Lord Shiva took while suppressing Asura Apasmara with his Tandava in idols. The form taken by Shiva has a great significance stated as follows:
Lord Shiva as Nataraja is showing the dance of the cosmos.
The dance exhibits the change in the form of energy and defines the law of conservation of energy.
Flames of Fire depict the destruction.
The circle around the idol shows the universe.
The small Damru symbolizes the rhythmic construction of time.
The naga serpent wrapped three times on the neck shows past, present, and future. Also, the power of shakti.
Four-limbed arms define the duality of concealing and revealing.
Lotus pedestal depicts rebirth.
The malevolent dwarf Asura Apasmara symbolizes arrogance and ignorance.
His wavering hair symbolizes the vigorous movement of the holy river Ganga.
The crescent of the moon symbolizes the cycle of time unfolding creation.
Uttarakhand is known as the Devbhoomi, or Land of the Gods, since ancient times. It has been an abode to the gods and great sages of our ancient Bharat and truly is one of the most heavenly parts of the earth. It has been a place of worship and pilgrimage for millennia.
Many incidences took place during the Epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata described by our ancestors for ages and have its mention in our holy scriptures. A story from our rich history relating to a set of 5 Shrines of Bhagwan Shiva known as Panch Kedar. The names of the 5 Shiva Shrines are:
Kedarnath
Tungnath
Rudranath
Madhyamaheshwar
Kalpeshwar
These 5 Shrines of Bhagwan Shiva have a location in the Kedar Valley, Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand. The Panch Kedar are located amidst the serenity of the Himalayan Mountains and are the highest Shiva temples in the world. Each of the Keadr requires some amount of trekking with various levels of difficulty.
The origin of these shrines is associated with the Pandavas from the epic of Mahabharata. According to famous legends, after eliminating the blood relatives and Gurus, the tremendous load of repentance made the Pandavas seek Bhagwan Shiva for atonement. They went to Kashi in search of Bhagwan Shiva. Enraged with their actions, Bhagwan Shiva did not accept their request and hid at Guptkashi in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas in the form of a bull. Pandavas reached the Garhwal region searching Bhagwan Shiva, where they saw a bull grazing near Guptkashi.
They instantly recognized the disguised form of Bhagwan Shiva and tried to catch the bull. Bhima tried to grab the bull from its tail, but it disappeared in the ground and reappeared in the five different regions of the Garhwal. The hump emerged at Kedarnath navel appeared at Madhya Maheshwar, the face emerged at Rudranath, arms at Tungnath, and hair at Kalpeshwar.
Pandavas constructed temples at all the five places where Bhagwan Shiva appeared as a bull. Together these five places came to be known as Panch Kedar. However, there were more than five parts of the bull. Lastly, the head appeared near the banks of the Bagmati River. It came to be known as Pashupatinath.
Kedarnath Temple
Panch Kedar- Kedarnath Temple
The Kedarnath temple, having a location at the height of 3,584 meters in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Surrounded by mountain peaks, and forests the temple occupies a prominent spot amongst the Panch Kedar temples. The present structure of the temple is said to be established by Adi Shankaracharya. The temple has a unique form of Shiva lingam resembling closely to the hump of a bull as Bhagwan Shiva.
The front hall inside the temple has idols of the Pandavas, Bhagwan Krishna, Nandi, and Virabhadra. Statues of Draupadi and other gods take place in the vital area of the temple. The 16-kilometer trek of Kedarnath starts from Gaurikund. The pilgrims can witness the immense beauty of nature during the trek, which keeps them highly motivated and energized during the trekking.
Tungnath Temple
Panch Kedar- Tungnath Temple
The Tungnath temple, having a location at the height of 3,470 meters in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The Tungnath Shrine recognize as the place where the arms of Bhagwan Shiva appeared. According to the legend, Bhagwan Rama meditated at the Chandrashila peak, which is nearby Tungnath temple. You can witness the views of splendid peaks like Nanda Devi, Kedarnath, Chowkhamba, and Neelkanth during the moderate 5 km trek to the temple.
One can further trek 2 km to Chandrashila peak to enjoy an incredibly picturesque view of the neighboring peaks. The temple is just a few Kilometers from the Chopta, a popular winter destination of Uttarakhand.
Rudranath Temple
Panch Kedar- Rudranath Temple
The Rudranath temple having a location at the height of 2,290 meters, is in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is the spot where Shiva’s face came out from the earth. There are numerous sacred Kunds near the temple, such as Surya Kund, Chandra Kund, Tara Kund, and Mana Kund.
The trek to Rudranath temple is considered the hardest among all the Panch Kedar temples. One can witness the famous mountain peaks of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti during the 20 km trek. The path goes through tall grass, oak, and rhododendron forests. There are different trekking routes for the Rudranath temple, but most of them start from Gopeshwar.
Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Panch Kedar- Madhyamaheshwar Temple
Madhyamaheshwar Temple, having a location at the height of 3,289 meters in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is the spot where Bhagwan Shiva’s navel came out of the ground. The temple is built in ancient North Indian style architecture and is located in a green meadow, just below a high mountain ridge. The temple has a navel-shaped Shiva lingam in the Garbhagriha. There are two other shrines of Mata Parvati and the other dedicated to the Ardhanarishwara form of Bhagwan Shiva and Mata Parvati. The Madhyamaheswar trek starts from Uniana, which is around 18 km from Ukhimath.
Kalpeshwar Temple
Panch Kedar- Kalpeshwar Temple
The Kalpeshwar temple, having a location at the height of 2,200 meters in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is an ancient temple surrounded by dense forest in the picturesque Urgam Valley. As per the legend, the Hair of Bhagwan Shiva appeared at his spot. One can witness the beautiful confluence of Alaknanda and Kalpganga Rivers during the trip from Helang to Kalpeshwar.
The Vedic Puranas have the mentioning of the jyotirlingas. There are twelve Primary Jyotirlingas in total. Somnath Temple is the foremost and the oldest Jyotirlinga mentioned in the Skanda Puran, Shreemad Bhagavad, Shiv Puran, and many more. The Shiva Purana and the Dvādaśa Jyotirliṅga Stotram says:
He who has descended in Saurashtra and allowed worshiping him. He who wears Moon on his forehead as an ornament. I go to the shelter of Lord Shri Somnath, who is in the form of Jyotirlinga.
The Somnath Temple, situated in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India, has its significance as the first Jyotirlinga. The temple located at the shore of the Arabian Sea has an ancient story associated with it.
The ancient story behind the construction of the Somnath Temple
As per the ancient story, Lord Chandra (Moon) got married to twenty-seven daughters of Prajapati Daksha, the mind-born son of Lord Brahma. However, among all of his wives, he favored Rohini the most. All the other wives did not like this impartial behavior of their husband, Lord Chandra. They decided to take this issue forward to Prajapati Daksha. On hearing the sadness of his daughters, Pajapati Daksha decided to confront Lord Chandra to make him realize that he cannot get impartial with his affections towards all of his wives.
Several times Prajapati Daksha tried his best to make his son-in-law realize his mistake, but all in vain. He got impatient and became angry. Out of his anger, he cursed Lord Chandra that he will lose his luster. As soon as everyone came to know about the curse, they got scared. Without the presence of moonlight, the world would get filled with darkness.
When all the gods and rishi munis went to Lord Brahma to abolish the curse, Lord Brahma denied stating that it cannot get undone. However, he advised Lord Chandra to pray to Lord Shiva. By taking the advice of Lord Brahma, Lord Chandra started praying to Lord Shiva by worshipping the Shiva Linga that he established in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
The prayers of Lord Chandra pleased Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him and retracted the curse of Prajapati Daksha, and got known as Someshwar or Somnath. After that day, the Moon showcases different phases. Since then, the brighter lunar fortnight became Shukla Paksha and the darker lunar fortnight became Krishna Paksha. And, Lord Chandra constructed the Somnath Temple as a gesture of thankfulness to Lord Shiva for retracting the curse. He built the temple using gold in the Satya Yuga.
History of Somnath Temple and the levitating Jyotirlinga
The moon god himself constructed the first temple. The date of the establishment got lost in antiquity. The current structure of the temple got built in the year 1995. According to several archeological surveys, the Somnath Jyotirlinga initially used to levitate in mid-air. An intense science is there behind the mystically floating Jyotirlinga. The Somnath temple has withstood many attacks by foreign invaders in the past.
A 13th century Persian Geographer and traveler Zakariya al-Qazwini mentioned Somnath Temple in his book, “Wonders of Creation.” Mahmud Ghaznavi, a Turkish invader, attacked Bharat to covert and establish Islam in the region. He attacked Bharat many times and succeed to an extent. He attacked the prosperous cities and temples of Bharat. While fulfilling his evil purpose, he also attacked Somnath Temple in 1025.
Thousands of Hindus got killed who stood against the demolition of the Somnath temple. Mahmud Ghaznavi ordered his men to seize all the treasures worth millions during that time.
Next, Mahmud Ghaznavi moved towards the Somnath Jyotirlinga floating in mid-air between the floor and the roof. Mahmud Ghanavi and his men were bewildered at sight. He enquired his attendants behind the reason for this levitating Shivlinga and what to do with it. Everyone gave their opinion and theories. Some said the Jyotirlinga hanged in mid-air with invisible support or rope. Ghaznavi ordered his men to investigate if there was any support that held the Jyotirlinga in mid-air. They failed to find any mechanism supporting the Jyotirlinga. One of his attendants came up with exceptional detail.
He explained to Mahmud Ghanavi that the creation of the Canopy of the Jyotirlinga took place using loadstone (magnetite), and the Jyotirlinga has a metal similar to iron. It explained the science behind the floating Jyotirlinga. Mahmud Ghaznavi threw his sword towards the Canopy after listening to the theory given by his attendant. Surprisingly, his sword got stuck to the Canopy. The Canopy was indeed a permanent magnet that held the Jyotirlinga in mid-air with its powerful magnetic force.
The planning of the astonishing architecture was in such a way that the magnetic force gets equally balanced both in the upward and downward direction. Mahmuda ordered his men to remove the loadstone from the Canopy. The Jyotirlinga gradually came down with the removal of loadstone. The Somnath temple was under attack by the invaders many times, but the temple stood out as the core symbol of strength.
Our Ancient science was very much advanced during that time that even today, it surprise modern scientists. Apart from Somnath Temple, many ancient temples in India still spin the heads of modern researchers. It showcases the level of skills and techniques that our ancestors used to build these ancient marvels.
Do you know the meaning of the word Dharma? The word dharma means duty. And, when we say Sanatan Dharma, it means ‘eternal duty.’ Therefore, we feel it is necessary to understand the different duties mentioned in the Vedas. The Vedic principle states that every grihastha (householder) needs to follow five vital duties known as the Panch Mahayajna to attain their maximum capacity and capabilities as a person.
When talking about Panch Mahayajna, the word panch means five, Maha means Main, and Yajna is sacrifice. Yajna is the spine of Sanatan Dharma and requires immense study in different layers of understanding. When broken into sections, the word Panch Mahayajna defines itself. It gets necessary for a householder to perform these five vital duties in their daily life to initiate spiritual evolution and growth.
In the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter III- 13), Shri Krishna says:
यज्ञशिष्टाशिन: सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै: |
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् || (13)
A spiritual person who offers food as a sacrifice or ritual before eating gets released from all types of sin. However, the one who cooks for their own eats sin.
Brahma Yajna refers to the study of the Vedic scriptures for enlightenment to perform spiritual practices. This Yajna comprises of:
Studying Vedas
Meditation
Yoga Discipline
By practicing Brahma Yajna, a person realizes the mightiest one, Brahman. It works to pay debts towards Rishis and Vedas by preaching sacred texts daily.
Deva Mahayajna
The Deva Yajna states the offerings made to the agnihotra (fire) as ghee and uncooked grains to recognize the debts towards nature. All the creation forms and ultimately mixes back as a whole to nature.
In the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter III- 10, 11, 12), Shri Krishna says:
सहयज्ञा: प्रजा: सृष्ट्वा पुरोवाच प्रजापति: |
अनेन प्रसविष्यध्वमेष वोऽस्त्विष्टकामधुक् || (10)
At the beginning of the creation, Lord Brahma created human beings with some duties and said, “Respect and offer something to the yajnas to achieve all you desire.”
देवान्भावयतानेन ते देवा भावयन्तु व: |
परस्परं भावयन्त: श्रेय: परमवाप्स्यथ || (11)
With every sacrifice offered to the celestial body, the planetary gods get pleased, showering bliss to the preacher.
इष्टान्भोगान्हि वो देवा दास्यन्ते यज्ञभाविता: |
तैर्दत्तानप्रदायैभ्यो यो भुङ्क्ते स्तेन एव स: || (12)
The god, when pleased, offers happiness and blessings, but the one who enjoys what is given by the gods without making sacrifices becomes no less than thieves.
Pitri Mahayajna
The offerings made to our Pitris (ancestors) in the form of libation of water and Pind (rice-cakes). The Pitra Yajna, mainly classified into Shraddha and Tarpana. Shraddha refers to the practices done to preach the truth. And, Tarpana defines the offerings made to the family line and source of creation and evolution.
Bhuta Mahayajna
Bhuta Yajna explains the offerings made to the animals, insects, and other living creatures to rectify the past karmic practices of eating, cooking, cleaning, etc., resulting in a negative impact on the creatures living in the surrounding environment. This Yajna promotes a good behavioral relationship with the animals, insects, birds, and ghosts deprived and in need of food.
This practice has its mentioning in the Manu Dharma Shastra as:
शूनां च पतितानां च श्वपचां पापरोगिणाम् ।
वयसानां कृमीणां च शनकैर्निर्वपेद् भुवि ॥ (3.92)
Gently place a portion of food in the ground for the dogs, birds, wandering outcasts, Svapachas, insects, and all those deprived of food.
Athiti Mahayajna (Nri Yajna)
Nri Yajna refers to the offering and sacrifice made to the guests that arriving uninformed. Earlier, sanyasis and sages traveled from one place to another to teach spirituality. They visited households, and it was their duty to feed them and offer shelter to rest. The sanyasi, in return, gives knowledge and blessings acquired spiritually.
Mentioning of the Yajnas in the Scriptures
The Yajna (and Panch Mahayajna) practice has its mentions in different scriptures. Some of the various scriptures mention multiple duties of the householders. Also, elaborates the significance of the Yajnas are as follows:
Manusmriti Dharma Shashtra : ( Adhayay III)
The Manusmriti Dharma Shastra, third discourse, elaborates the duties of the householders from verse 3.67 to verse 3.121.
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita, the Karm Yog (Chapter 3), describes the vital duties (Yajna) of a person between verse 8 to verse 21. Also, the Jnana Karm Sanyas Yog (Chapter 4) has mentioned the significance of Yajna from verse 23 to verse 30.
Moreover, the Chandogya Upanishad, Niruktra Shastra, and Shrauta Shashtra have also mentioned Yajna.
Our Dharma believes that a person should follow sixteen sanskaras (sacraments or rituals) in its entire life to mark different stages of a human life cycle. Following these rituals lead to a passage of possessing Ashram (stage of life). Sanskara acts as a turning point, celebrated like an auspicious occasion. Practicing these sanskaras have turned out to bring great personality with effectiveness. The 16 Sanskars mentioned in our Vedic Dharma have their significance mention below:
16 Sanskar of the Great Vedic Dharma
1) Garbhadhana (Conception)
Garbhadhana is the first Sanskara from the 16 Sanskaras in the Sanatan Dharma. Garbhadhana consists of two Sanskrit words, Garbha (Womb) and Dhana (Attain, Wealth). The word “Garbhadhana” literally means Attaining the wealth of Womb. It is the foremost Sanskar followed to pray for a child and its well-being. As parents, one beholds a responsibility towards the child and its requirements. Garbhadhan Puja laid following the ways mentioned in the shastras for fulfilling a child’s duty. If the Conceiving happens when the mind, body, and soul are happy, they result in a healthy and intelligent child.
2) Pumsavana (Fetus Protection)
The Pumsavana is the second Sanskar, performed in the third or fourth month of conception by the family members. There are different diverse traditions for this rite. Mainly, a yajna performed while reciting the Vedic hymns and prayer for a healthy baby. The purpose of this ritual is to have healthy and good progeny. The possibilities increase if the conception takes place according to the position of the planets. The food and diet of the mother are also maintained.
3) Simantonnayana (Fulfilling Mother’s Wishes)
Simantonayana Sanskaar gets often performed in the seventh month of pregnancy. Prayers conduct to offer well being of the child and mother. And the developing child’s physical and mental growth. Puja helps in purifying the environment and bringing peace to the pregnant mother. A mother’s good thought is essential for giving birth to a peaceful and holy child. A pregnant woman needs to develop positive changes in her lifestyle, eating, exercise, sleeping, etc. There are possibilities of a miscarriage or premature delivery during these months. Medical science also advises women to take special care during these months.
4) Jatakarma (Birth Ritual)
Jatakarma Sanskar gets performed on the sixth day of a child’s birth. It helps in the purification of the atmosphere in the house to give healthy air to the child. Family members pray to goddess Shashti (protector of children) for keeping the child safe from physical and mental problems. The father welcomes the baby by feeding the baby’s lips with honey and ghee. It fastens the healthy growth of the child. After that, the mother starts to breastfeed the baby. Mother’s milk is considered best for the child during this period.
5)Namkarana (Name Giving)
Namkaran is an auspicious ritual in which the father whispers his name in the baby’s ear. This Sanskar gets performed between 11 to 45 days of birth. The first letter of the name generates according to the Hora Shastra. And the name-giving ceremony is performed following the planetary positions and Nakshatra in the kundalini of the newborn.
6) Nishkramana (Taking Child Outdoors)
In this rite, the child gets exposed to the light of the Sun and Moon for the first time. Nishkarmana, performed in the fourth month of birth. From this day, the child starts getting exposed to the external environment. The infant is made aware of the surrounding.
7) Annaprashan (giving solid food)
Annaprashan Sanskar performed on the sixth month of the child. The child consumes solid food. The food gets marked with various gods and goddesses before giving it to the child. Sweet porridge or soft rice becomes a commonly used meal for the child.
8) Chudakarna or Mundan (Hair Cutting)
This Sanskar is the first hair removal from the baby’s head. The ceremony should be held on an auspicious day a year later than birth. This ritual helps to build strength, enhance understanding and extend the life of the child. The removed hair gets disposed of in a sacred place. No one to find Brahman spells to extend the healthy life of the child.
9) Karnvedh (ear piercing)
The Sanskar holds piercing in the ears of the child in the third or fifth year. With the beginning of the Surya Puja. The basis of this ritual is scientific. Its primary purpose is to protect the child from physical ailments.
10) Upanayana (Sacred thread bearing)
This sanskara takes place only for boys. Upanayana is the ritual of wearing a sacred thread called Yajnopaveetam or Janeau. When a child is seven years old, the janeau sacred thread, carried solemnly. Sanskar is the child’s second birth-the spiritual birth. The study of all rituals and Vedas begins with the guru.
11) Vedarambh (Studying Vedas)
Sanskar performed in conjunction with Upanayana. Vedarambha, the study of the Vedas and Upanishads in ‘Gurukula’ or ‘Pathashala.’ The beginning of each academic semester, there is a ceremony called Upakarm. At the end of each academic semester, there is another ceremony called Upasarjana. The child begins his journey on the path to spiritual life. It has contrast to a life of eating, sleeping, and procreation in which animals also live.
12) Samavartanamam (Completing education)
Samavartanam is the ceremony related to the end of the formal education of the Vedas in ‘Gurukul.’ After learning the rules of life, the boy returns home from his master’s Ashram, the first brahmacharya Ashram. He is now eligible to enter the household level and is considered a man qualified for marriage.
13) Vivaha (Marriage)
This sanskara is the entrance to the second Ashram. Life as a sole family begins. Hindu-Vedic marriage gets viewed as sacramental, which is a lifelong commitment of a wife and husband. It is the strongest bond between a man and a woman performed in the presence of their parents, relatives, and friends. The bride and groom walk hand in hand around Agni. The bride offers grains in the fire and chants mantras.
14) Vanaprastha (Preparing for renouncing)
This ceremony is performed at the age of 50, in some cases at the age of 60. At the beginning of this ceremony, a man completes his Grahastha Dharma and enters the Vanaprastha Ashram (hermit of the forest). The man withdraws from all worldly activities and prepares to take Sanyas. It is the life of a Vanaprastha.
15) Sanyasa (Abandonment)
Before the Hindus leave the body, they get rid of all responsibilities and relationships to awaken and enjoy the eternal truth. A sannyasi gives up the world and lives a life of contemplation and meditation. He lives by charity.
16) Antyeshti (Funeral Rites)
Antiyeshti is the last rite of a person after they die. The majority of religions in the world believe in burying their dead. Hindus believe in burning the dead body after performing certain rituals. Antiyeshti is the last sacrifice a person undergoes before leaving the present world. The family members of the person who died perform the funeral. Sanatan Dharma believes that the person returns to the five elements of nature after death.
The word Jyotirlinga originates from Sanskrit Language, which means Symbol. Further, the Agama text defines the literal meaning by breaking it into three pieces. “Jyoti” means light, “Ling” means to dissolve or destroy and, “Ga” means to emerge or create. The in-depth sense of jyotir linga lights on Lord Shiva’s infinite nature, we are a creation of Lord Shiva (Universe), and we all dissolve back into him at the end. Jyotirlinga marks the cosmos of the universe.
There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India. The 12 Jyotir lingas are Somnath in Saurashtra (Gujarat), Mallikarjuna in Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleswar in Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh), Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, Kedarnath in Uttrakhand, Bhimashankar in Pune (Maharashtra), Vishwanath in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Trimbakeshwar in Nashik (Maharashtra), Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar District of Jharkhand, Nageshvara Temple at Dwarka in Gujarat, Rameshwar in Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Grishneshwar at Ellora near Aurangabad, in Maharashtra.
Somnath Temple, Gujarat
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This Jyotir linga is one of the first jyotir linga Shrine of Lord Shiva. The Somnath temple has its location in Prabhas Patan, also known as Somnath Patan or Prabhas Kshetra, historically named Dev Patan. Morever, considered one of the most auspicious pilgrimages of Sanatan Dharma, the temple is also a famous tourist attraction of Gujarat. Further, the term Somnath derives from the Sanskrit word “Som” and “Nath,” an epithet of Lord Shiva. According to the legends, lord Chandraman (God of Moon) himself created the Somnath temple. The temple has witnessed numerous attacks by foreign invaders (destroyed 16 times and rebuilt), but it resisted and still stands with dignity.
Mallikarjuna Temple, Andhra Pradesh
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The Amllikarjuna Jyotirlinga temple has its location at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. According to the legends, Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati stayed in Shrishailam to live close to their son, lord Kartikey, who choose to live in penance on Mount Kravunja. Mallikarjuna is one of The Paadal Petra Sthalam that are 275 temples revered in the verses of Saiva Nayanars and are amongst the grand Shiva temples of Asia.
Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
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The Kedarnath Jyotir linga temple has its location in the Garhwal Himalayan Range near the Mandakini river in Uttarakhand. Also, the temple is open for the public from April till November due to extreme weather conditions. According to the legends, the temple was built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya. It is also one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Mahakaleshwar Temple, Madhya Pradesh
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The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga have a location in the ancient city of Ujjain. Also, the idol at the temple is also known as Dakshinmurti (facing in the South). The Jyotir linga has believed to be born by itself (Swayambhu). According to the Puranas, Ujjain is known as the devotional epicenter and was famous for its beauty and scriptures during ancient times.
Omkareshwar Temple, situated on Mandhata, an island in the Narmada river, Madhya Pradesh. The shape of the island is said to be like the holy symbol “OM.” There are two main temples of Lord Shiva here. Firstly, Omkareshwar (Lord of Om Sound) located on the island. Secondly, Mamleshwar (Lord of immortals) located on the bank of Narmada. It is the second Jyotir linga in Madhya Pradesh after Mahakaleshwar.
Bhimashankar Temple, Maharashtra
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The Bhimashankara of Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra is one of the 12 ancient Jyotir linga. According to the legends, the name Bhimashankara originated from the river Bhima. However, the river evaporated due to the energy generated during the war between Lord Shiva and Demon Tripurasura. Chatrapati Shivaji and Rajaram Maharaj, known to visit this Jyotir linga.
Trimbakeshwar temple is another Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra. The location of Nashik city temple lies between the three mountains, Brahmagiri, Nilagiri, and Kalagiri. According to the legend, Gautam Rishi and Godavari request Lord Shiva to reside in Trimbakeshwar. Also, it is a unique Jyotir linga with three faces, symbolizing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva. The current temple has built by Peshwa Bajirao.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Uttar Pradesh
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Kashi Vishwanath temple is one of the most popular Jyotir linga. Located at the western banks of the holy river Ganga, this Jyotir linga is a sacred Shiva temple. Moreover, the name Vishwanath originates from the Sanskrit language, meaning “Lord of the Universe.” Therefore, Varanasi city known as Kashi during ancient times, and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple has a mention in the Puranas as well as in the Kashi Khanda of Skanda Purana.
Baidyanath Temple is one the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. This Jyotirlinga shrine, located in Deoghar, Jharkhand. To clarify, the name Baidyanath originates from the term Vaidya, meaning doctor. Lord Shiva healed and cured demon king Ravana at this place when he offered his ten heads to the lord. Ravana was one of the eminent worshippers of Lord Shiva.
Nageshvara Temple, Gujarat
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Nageshvara Temple is one of the sacred Shiva temples and Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. A self-manifested Shivalinga appeared after Lord Shiva killed the demon named Daruka. Daruka imprisoned a Shiva Devotee named Supriya. Close to the temple is another important spiritual spot called Gopi Talav Tirth, a lake that’s connected to the legends of Gopis visiting Lord Krishna.
Ramanathanswamy Temple is an ancient Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva. Located on the Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu, it is one of the holy 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam. According to the Ramayana, the Jyotirlinga, established by Lord Rama himself to make amends of Killing Demon king Ravana, as he was a brahmin. Moreover, here are two Shivalinga inside the temple – one made by Lord Rama, from the sand. The second Linga brought by Lord Hanuman from Kailash, known as Vishwalingam. Lord Rama instructed to worship the Vishwalingam first brought by Lord Hanuman from the abode of Lord Shiva.
Grishneshwar Temple, Maharashtra
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Grishneshwar Temple, refers to the Ghumeshwar Temple that is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva that, also mentioned in Shiva Purana. Moreover, the name Grishneshwar means “Lord of Compassion.” The ancient pilgrimage, located in Ellora, near the Ellora Caves (UNESCO Heritage Site). It is approx. 30 km away from the city of Aurangabad.
Pranam asana is the foremost centering Yoga exercise and a part of everyday Indian culture. Pranam asana denotes the practice of Namaskar, which is that the traditional greeting of respect in Dharmic religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. As a Yoga practice, it is the start and concluding asana of Surya Namaskar sequences. The core elements of the pose consist of spiritual enlightenment and devotion energy. Over the years, several people have started practicing this asana to bring stability to their minds and body.
How to perform Pranam asana?
Although the practice of Pranam asana is a simple attempt to enjoy it within the various steps, to experience the most goodness, this asana can emit.
Stand on the Yoga mat in an erect position by ensuring your feet, placed together perfectly.
Bring your palms together, face one another parallel to the chest in Namaskar posture.
Make sure your eyes are looking straight parallel to the bottom.
A deep breath to relax the body and follow it with one or two or more breaths so that the pranic energy refreshes you.
Close your eyes, concentrate on the central part of your brain and utter a couple of Sanskrit Mantras.
Let these mantras help you to enlighten your soul for 4-5 minutes.
If you’re facing the Sun, it might be good. If you would like to advance the asana, you’ll practice this on one foot.
Sponsors mental calmness: Pranam asana has a peaceful Yoga exercise practiced during a stationary position. You need to maintain your calm within the body and mind. It is a practice of remembering the ultimate God by being within the zone of extreme silence. Amid the work environment, the brain, bound to induce frustration, which the Prayer pose cures most astonishingly. Once you change the posture of Pranam asana and shut your eyes in prayer, it gives a sensation of tremendous tranquility to bring peace to the brain.
Improves body posture: Posture shows how confident you’re. It depicts the extent of your self-reliance. The standing Yoga pose of Pranam asana may be a way to reinforce the posture of your body. Elongating the spine, the Prayer Pose makes sure the body does not have to feel the pain of mental and physical loosening. With a strong body posture, you will face the person you are talking face to face. It creates enormous self-belief in you.
Promotes relaxation within the body: To relax the mind and therefore the body parts, fall in love with the wonder of Pranam asana. one of the most effective relaxing Yoga exercises. The Prayer posture is practiced by many yogis and recommended by most yoga experts to achieve mental repose. Pranam asana is like Meditation, which is all about letting go of all those negative thoughts from the brain. The practice could be thanks to killing old and senile body cells and build new ones to form you’re feeling young and energetic.
Instills spiritual energy: Pranam asana is the way of greeting in Indian culture known as Namaskar. It is how you worship the Lord. It is a yogic practice that fills your body and mind with spiritual energy and leads them on the trail of spiritual enlightenment to achieve mental purity. Pranam asana consists of everything that Yoga stands for, from peace to spirituality and from health to grace. The mantras pronounced during the practice of the asana illuminate the body and bring positivity to the brain.
Stabilizes the body and mind: Balance is a crucial aspect of a healthy human life. Stability is the key to success and perfection. Pranam asana is the most beautiful yoga pose. It helps to keep up a balance between the mental and physical energy in the body. It helps develop awareness about balance and equality, which are extremely important for understanding the art of walking on the road to beauty. The practice permits you to enjoy your life by nourishing the immense potential hidden within you.
Nourishes the leg muscles and bones: If you fill in one place for quite a while, it’s normal to feel strain within the thighs and lower leg.
Pranam asana, being a standing pose, boosts the flexibility of your legs to sustain more pressure. The practice helps to strengthen the muscle, bones of your legs, augments the joints, knees, ankles, hips, etc. The health benefits of Pranam asana exceed buttressing the arm muscle and wrist joints. You shall experience nurturing within the system.
Performing the last rites as per the Hindu traditions
Sanatan Dharma consists of sixteen rites and rituals to follow when you are alive. However, Antiyeshti is the last rite of a person after they die. The majority of religions in the world believe in burying their dead. Hindus believe in burning the dead body after performing certain rituals. The reason behind burning the deceased is to purify the body before it continues its journey as a new person.
All the offerings are made to gods and goddesses in fire because it is pure as per the Hindu scriptures. Similarly, when a body has burned during Antiyeshti, the fire helps in bringing the soul closer to salvation. Moreover, the energy produced by the fire is in the upward direction towards heaven.
After a person dies, they abandon their physical body. Antiyeshti is the last sacrifice a person undergoes before leaving the present world. The funeral of the dead person by its family members and close ones after death. Sanatan Dharma believes that the person returns to the five elements of nature after death.
The Garuda Purana has proper rites mentioned for Antiyeshti according to Sanatan Dharma. These rituals help to escape the illusions of the materialistic world and achieve salvation. The Garuda Purana states a person living on this earth has to die someday. No one can trick time to live longer than the time destined for their death.
The Scriptures lays stress on performing funeral rites before sunset. Moreover, it explains the various consequences that may arise if a person burned after sunset. Following are some consequences mentioned in the Garuda Purana:
Cremating a person after death can lead to affecting the new life of the person. To clarify, a person burned after sunset may suffer from physical or mental disability in the next life.
According to Sanatan Dharma, the gates of heaven are open till sunset. After dusk, it is difficult for the soul to enter heaven, forced to go to hell. It is because Hindus preach Aditya gods, which are active during the daytime. After the sunset, Pyshachas are active.
In Sanatan Dharma, we believe that a soul leaves its physical vessel after its death and moves into a new body. By doing so, they preach and pray to achieve the ultimate goal of salvation. Before attaining salvation, they suffer for purification of their soul from sinful deeds and recycle life several times as various creatures.
The scriptures divide death into multiple stages. However, these stages begin after a person dies, while some may start while they are alive till they die. After the person dies, chanting of hymns and mantras by their family and the Hindu priest. It is to focus the energy of the deceased on the head. In Sanatan Dharma, a soul leaves its body from the head.
You must have seen a family member of the deceased revolving around the body with a pot with a hole consisting of water. According to the Garuda Purana, a person’s life is like a pot with a hole, and water depicts time. The water keeps pouring out of the clay-pot just like time flying away from a person’s life. The ritual of revolving around the deceased with water removing helps the soul to get rid of the love it has for its physical body.
Scientists have proven that cremation is the fastest way, which a body mixes with the five elements of nature. Moreover, the impact of pathogens forming in the deceased body eliminates to the maximum when burnt. In conclusion, Sanatan Dharma is a practice of living accomodating crucial scientific facts. Every ritual and practice mentioned in Sanatan Dharma is deeply rooted in science.
There are 8 siddhis mentioned in our ancient scriptures, also known as Ashta Siddhi. The Scriptures also include the abilities gained by the seeker after the attainment of the Ashta Siddhis. The seeker needs to be very disciplined and learn to control the mind as it is not so easy to attain these siddhis. After attaining siddhis, the seeker rises above worldly attachment. Longing for desires of the materialistic world ends. It is said in the scriptures that Mata Sita blessed Lord Hanuman. He can grant anyone with Ashta siddhis and nine Nidhis. The lines from Hanuman Chalisa that describes the above are as follows:
Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Ishatva and Vastava. These Siddhis together are called “Ashta Siddhi.” These Ashta Siddhis are also known as Brahma Pradana Siddhi (Divine attainments).
Anima: The ability to make oneself subtle is called anima. By attaining this Siddhi, a person can turn extremely small. The person is capable of holding a body similar to an atom.
Mahima: The second Siddhi is Mahima. After attaining this Siddhi, man can make himself infinitely huge. He can stretch his body to any extent. At the same time, he can also expand nature.
Garima: The third Siddhi is Garima. After attaining Siddhi height of the person remains limited, but the bodyweight increases to an extent, no one can move it. Just like when the powerful Pandava, Bhima, was unable to move the tail of Hanuman Ji.
Laghima: The fourth Siddhi is Laghima. After attaining this Siddhi, one’s body becomes very light that it can fly faster than the air. The weight of his body becomes minimal.
Prapti: The Prapti Siddhi gives the seeker the ability to reach any place in the universe according to his will.
Prakamya: The sixth Siddhi is Prakamya Siddhi. After attaining this Siddhi, a person can know and understand what is on one’s mind. He can tell what is on the other person’s mind, whether he speaks or not.
Ishitva: The seventh Siddhi is Ishatva, and it means hegemony. It is the title of God. After attaining this Siddhi, the person stands in the category of God.
Vashitva: The eighth Siddhi is Vashitva. After attaining this Siddhi, a seeker can subdue any person or thing. Whether it is an animal, a bird, or a human being, he can defeat anyone.
Methods to attain Ashtha Siddhi?
Several ways are mentioned by acharya Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra to attain supernatural powers. Some of the ways to achieve Siddhis are as follows:
“जन्मौषणधभन्त्रतऩ्सभाणधजा् णसद्धम्”
Janma ( by birth): A newborn whose parents attain high spirituality, attain Siddhi just by residing in the womb. Moreover, the child can achieve Siddhi faster in comparison to others.
Aushadhi (Medicines): With some medicines and herbs help, you can get supernatural powers and abilities.
Mantra (incantation): Chanting hymns with proper pronunciation can help you in achieving special abilities. The mantras possess powers to enhance your physical and mental capabilities.
Tapah (Austerity): When you avoid conflicts and distractions of the mind, your body starts formulating self-discipline. It will help in controlling the five elements that help in achieving Siddhi.
Samadhi (one with consciousness): The ultimate way of achieving Siddhi is through Samadhi. The body becomes one with nature while having consciousness. The person is Siddh and has the power to leave their body whenever they want.
Science lies even before technologies. Before Vedic scriptures, what were the sources of attaining Vedic science? People in the ancient period gain knowledge from their forefathers or gurus verbally. Sanatan Dharma explained the birth of a human even before modern science and technologies.
Garud Puran is one of the written scripture along with Vishnu Puran, Ramayan, Bhagwadgita. The pages of Garud Puran explain the biological development of an embryo into a fetus. The procedure described in the Garud Puran is detailed. It consists of every ounce of change that happens in the womb of a mother. It clearly shows that the roots of Puran are associated with Modern Science.
According to the verses of Garud Puran, Lord Vishnuhttps://vedicgyaan.com/?p=514 explains the process of reproduction as, “when men and women unite in between the period of menstruation (the three days which Indra shared with women for the sin of brahmicide) the fetus starts to form.”
The zygote starts taking the form of seed (Embryo) in the womb according to its karma and attains its body after taking birth as a creature.
Initially, it takes a shape similar to a lump. Gradually, it forms a spherical shape, turning into the flesh of an egg. By the first month, the head forms. Further, developing arms and limbs. Other parts of the body start forming from the beginning of the third month, such as nails, hair, bones, skin, and other cavities.
In the fourth month, bodily fluids start developing, and by the fifth-month, hunger and thirst arise. Moreover, the fetus is enveloped and moves to the left of the womb. By the seventh month, it gains consciousness and trembles to move out of the womb and moves out like a newborn.
The details mentioned in the Garud Puran are no less than that explained in the modern sciences. Isn’t it fascinating? While the scientific discoveries are about a century older, Garud Puran, written thousand years before, holds such details.
It explains that our Sanatan Dharma laid down on scientific phenomenons of nature is truly fascinating. The Garud Puran has verses, which tell life, death, and fruits of deeds one does in its life span.
Some Shlokas from the Garud Purana
ये हि पापरतास्तार्क्ष्य दयाधर्मविवर्जिताः।
दुष्टसंगाश्च सच्छास्त्रसत्सङ्गतिपराडंमुखाः।।
This verse from the epic Garuda Purana explains that people who have done sinful acts in their life span go to hell. People who didn’t preach kindness or are friends with such people are disposed to hell.
आत्मसंभाविताः स्तब्धा धनमानमदान्विताः ।
आसुरं भावमापन्ना दैवीसम्पद् विवर्जिताः ।।
It says that people who think they are the supreme creatures and no one else can stand beside them. Such people remain alienated from the fruits of heaven and are blind to the illusion of the materialistic world.
अनेकचित्विभ्रान्ता मोहजालसमावृताः ।
प्रसक्ताः कामभोगेषु पतन्ति नरकेऽसुचौ ।।
People lost in the play of mind, full of temptations and sex, belong to the unholy heaven.
ये नरा ज्ञानशीलाश्च ते यान्ति परमां गतिम् ।
पापशीला नरा यान्ति दुखेन यमयातनाम ।।
A person who has the wisdom to attain the ultimate speed of life. On the other hand, those who are busy performing sinful deeds lead a miserable life.
The disease that we attain in old age is a fruit of karma of the sinful actions we did in our entire lifespan.
Many versions of the Garuda Purana exist today. It contains more than 16000 verses. The chapters deal with adversely diverse topics. Some of the topics are cosmology, mythology, relationship between gods, the theory of Yoga, good versus evil, various schools of Santana philosophies, the theory of “heaven and hell” with “karma and rebirth”, ancestral rites and soteriology, rivers and geography, types of minerals and stones, examining methods of gems for their quality, Category of plants and herbs,
various diseases and symptoms, medicines, aphrodisiacs, prophylactics, Santana calendar, astronomy, moon, planets, astrology, architecture, building home, essential features of a Santana temple, rites of passage, duties of a king, politics, state officials and their roles, the genre of literature, rules of grammar, and other topics. The final chapters discuss how to practice Yoga, self development, and the benefits of self-knowledge
The Internet has become an active source of false and manipulated content. You must be aware of the knowledge you seek. Many people have misunderstood the real meaning of linga in ‘Shiva Linga.’ The western world has compared linga to a sex organ many times. But, the word linga consists of a deeper meaning.
The word ‘linga’ in Sanskrit means symbol (chinha). Moreover, the Agama text explains by breaking the literal meaning into two primary pieces where ‘ling’ means to dissolve or destroy whereas ‘ga’ means to emerge or create. The intended meaning is that we all are creations of Lord Shiva (universe), and at the end, we all dissolve back into him. Thus, Shiva Linga marks the cosmos of our universe.
Now, you know the real meaning of Shiva Linga. Further, you must be wondering what does the linga symbolizes. To answer this part of your question, we may move on to a story.
Once, a sculptor had to create a sculpture of the god from a rock. He got puzzled because god belongs to everyone. He did not want to portray the god similar to a specific creature. Therefore, he kept the rock formless. This formless creation of god’s idol symbolizing the infinity of the universe is linga. Linga defines the universe and everything within the universe.
To clarify, the crucial motive of this story is to explain to you that god is formless. Our modern science has proven that our whole world emerged from nothingness and will dissolve in it. The form and creation of something lie inside this nothingness.
The linga in itself defines a universe of nothingness. Depending upon our minds and visualization, we have created something having a form. God is formless. Our ability to visualize and create has given shape to our god.
A story concerning Shiva Linga
The story revolves around a debate that occurred between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma regarding superiority as an individual. They went on to have an endless quarrel when a wall of fire emerged between them. Brahma went up to measure the end of the wall in the form of a swan. On the other hand, Lord Vishnu became a boar to measure the dead-end by digging underground.
They both kept on exploring the ends of the wall but were unable to find it. Disappointed by their failure, both returned. While Lord Vishnu accepted his defeat in reaching the end of the wall, Brahma lied, boasting that he found Keiki flowers at the top of the wall.
The lies of Brahma went on to burst open the wall of fire. A divine figure came out of the wall cursing Brahma for his impatient lies and ignorance. He was Lord Shiva. After that day, the practice of worshipping the stone pillar as a piece of Shaligram stone started. It is linga or Shiva linga.
Moreover, it reminds a symbolic container of ideas and reality ahead of our senses. The belief extends to the worshipping of a formless linga that can break us free from the walls of perceptions and divisions like gender, status, inequality, lineage, etc.
There are several facts related to the shiva linga. Some of these facts are as follows:
Many researchers and geologists have mentioned that the unique composition of linga formed in the river Narmada is due to meteorite crashes, which took place many years ago.
The particles of the meteorite with the earthly minerals resulted in the creation of a new unique type of crystalline rock.
The linga possess extraordinary energies. When combined with elliptical shape as that of the universe align with the positive vibrations of our body.
Nonetheless, the Matsya Purana (Chap. 165-169) states that drinking water from the river Ganga and worshipping the lingam may bring freedom from all states of grievance.
Venus in Sagittarius will make sure that the year 2021 begins with lots of opportunities around love and romance. But good tidings do not seem to be limited to the romance department.
Mercury’s movement into Capricorn on the 5th of January assures aries person succeed altogether in what you do. Capricorn isn’t getting ready to allow you to drop the ball on your career; it wants to examine you succeed! You enjoy a way of confidence, enthusiasm, and harmony that seeps into all areas of your life. You will plan on taking a vacation or plan to sign in for the educational activity.
As we head into March, aries may get rewarded with a hike in income due to Venus in Pisces and Mercury in Aquarius. Your appreciation for love and friendship will heighten, and you will become hyperactive in your pursuit of delight. Come April, and you may see many of your desires manifesting! With Venus stepping into Aries on the 10th, you may experience comfort and tranquillity reception and blossoming sexual love.
Your will-power will get a boost, and your self-confidence soars. Many opportunities will present themselves because of their leadership qualities. You will feel the necessity to show inwards to recalibrate and relax.
Exploration, adventure, and travel will feature on May four, with Venus in Taurus eager to get you out and about. Your mind is calm, and your health is good. You may chase excitement like never before. The love and respect of family and friends boost your self-esteem, and you may enjoy a better financial period.
Mercury’s movement into Taurus on the 3rd of June has your home life sorted. Spending quality time with family brings immense joy. In June, you may be itching for a change. On the 22nd, Venus moves into Cancer, the sign of home and family, which can manifest in you a desire for a brand new home or a change in environment. Women will bring you much joy and happiness.
You will feel a powerful ought to socialize and spend time with children and loved ones. This energy continues into July as Venus moves into Leo on the 17th. Those of you who are expecting a baby is blessed. That said, financial and mental, you may exercise caution. You would move to practice meditation and yoga daily. On the 25th, Mercury moves into, Cancer where it creates a nurturing home environment that benefits mothers. In August, your potential as a frontrunner begins to shine through. But you will need to face some challenges to induce there.
Reflecting on your mental and emotional health will help. September brings on fiery energy as Mercury moves into Libra on the 2nd, which can bolster your confidence but also heighten your temper! It can be another period of opportunity and victory. In October, you may experience your plan to do some personal struggles. It emerges due to Venus stepping into Sagittarius on thirty. It can be a beautiful period for those of you who are single as you will meet someone truly life-changing because of Mercury in Virgo!
As we move towards the tip of the year, you may focus more on yourself and tune out people who are not supportive because of Jupiter, the world of expansion, getting into Aquarius on November twenty-one. Aries, your circle will tighten, and you may know who is on your side and who you may trust. Bonds solidified. There could also be some minor conflicts in your romantic life, but because of Mercury stepping into Libra on November two, these little niggles will resolve themselves.
You may want to begin something new and become very excited for a few projects or goals that propel you into 2022. All areas of your life do well, and you will plan to propose to your partner because of Venus stepping into Sagittarius on December thirty.
The year 2021 is wonderfully kind to you Aries, and you may have the chance to reflect on all the great you have got experienced. Enjoy! You deserve to!
Pisces, welcome to 2021. Let’s see what the year has future for you. to start with, you may find people reaching out with career advice. Venus moves into Sagittarius on the 4th of January, and Sagittarius is the sign of imparted wisdom. You may be receptive to the ideas coming from people who understand the industry well. There could also be a way of being directed, which may help signs belonging to the water element. You are feeling prepared to navigate the seas. It is a dreamy time for falling infatuated and exploring romantic opportunities.
There’s also a mercurial and open nature to the start of 2021, meaning that Pisces may embark upon the year with a change, like switching careers or starting a brand new relationship. In February, expenses could also be high. Your relationships combat warmth, sincerity, and generosity with Venus in Aquarius on the 21st bring out the most effective in you.
Your wellbeing flounders, but meditation and grounding practices will assist you in developing balance. In March, love continues to be a priority due to Venus in Pisces on the 17th, but money matters may have attended. Be strict along with your expenses; attempt to save. By April, you jump into a period of a blissful life, gain as Mars leaps into Gemini on the 14th and desires to sink its teeth into something new.
It is a period of agreement and peace. You may find it easy to induce on with everyone. Stability runs across into May, but your mood may fluctuate, creating some stodginess. It is unavoidable to a degree because you can be a water creature, and water must move, or it may stagnate. Let yourself feel the complete range of emotions.
As we get in June, you share your new ideas at the workplace. You are outgoing and expressive. You are also ready to turn in a tidy profit at work. July invites you to rekindle love in your unique way – romantic, and you are a magical creature and have a quiet way of pulling others into your orbit.
Marriage is on the cards. In the summer of 2021, your personal life feels smooth and content, and things still improve financially. In September, you will struggle within the romance department due to your ego rearing its head. It won’t be anything too serious but will teach you some valuable lessons.
The tip of the year tops you up in terms of profits, but you will see an unexpected failure in your personal life. Your ability to float and flow will serve you well. There are opportunities for a brand new career, hobbies, and experiences. Normally one would expect the tip of the year to mark with conclusions. But within the case of Pisces, It may seem as if things are beginning.
Capricorn, the beginning of 2021 has you seeking the help of others, which may be both challenging and for a symbol that likes to travel it alone. As Venus moves into Sagittarius on January 4th, You may get encouraged to network and connect. You will learn to believe others a bit more and see what proportion you will achieve once you collaborate. It can be a favorable period for Capricorns who have a fashion watch or indulge in the industry. It can be a beautiful time for friendship and expansion. Your professional energy is at its best, and you will have the need and enthusiasm to attain anything you set your mind to have.
On February 21st, Venus moves into Aquarius, and you enjoy financial abundance. As your exertions intensify, so do your monetary rewards. Capricorn can be a decent incentive to place their all into career. It is often a reminder that the lifetime of your dreams can be achieved by sustained labor. This month is great for your self-confidence and wellbeing. April can trigger property-related profits and enable you to buy a brand new home or finally make an entry on the important estate scene as Venus moves into go-getting Aries on the 10th. An occasional mood may dog you, which is characteristic of those ruled by Saturn and has the tendency to require a staid view of life.
Changing your habits and establishing positive routines can make a huge difference that you will see is or is not working for your life. Your focus and discipline can take you closer to a promotion. As we get into May and Venus moves into Taurus on the 4th, your sexual love, in addition to your career, begins to require off, and you are feeling excited about things. What is powerful about now is that you will get the results you desire altogether areas — all you wish to try and do becomes mindful of what you want.
Capricorn may get to take hold of work and become a bit more assertive to make progress. Moving past any shyness is necessary. Relationships and marriages will prosper, as will relationships with children and friends. By June 22nd, Venus moves into Cancer, and you may be ready to live an expensive and bountiful life. You will live like a leader, a king, or a queen – all that you desire may be yours. If you ought to be single and searching, you will well find new love at this point.
Things are great financially, but you must not make any investments at this point. As we get into summer, there are also some delays at work. Exercising caution and prudence will go the easy way. You feel stressed sometimes and should tempt to allow into the temptations of excessive drinking and boisterous partying. Replacing these momentary urges with wholesome habits will bring long-term relief.
September brings professional success and appreciation as Mercury moves into diplomatic Libra on the 22nd. You’ll complete long-pending tasks this month. You may grow within the workplace due to your ability to beat challenges effortlessly.
Competition can push Capricorn to grow as they prefer doing just to prove your worth, though you must remember that you are worthy, Despite your achievements. The last part of 2021 is positive and prosperous for you, especially romantically. However, you are doing got to be prudent, financially and professionally. You will feel a bit low; remember that true friend is just a call away. No man or woman is an island!
Listen up, Aquarius! January marks a good time for you to leap into something new and novelty sparks your imagination. Things get off to a decent start in 2021. The professional and monetary benefit will hold you in good stead during the year, and you may be at your creative best. You will spend loads of cash on travel, but there is lots of income with Venus in Sagittarius from January four, helping you with new ideas.
Saving may get crucial at the beginning of 2021 but Aquarius can attempt to put aside some money for some time. Your well being may have attention; a bent for laziness and an absence of motivation may be high at the beginning of this year, but integrating some good old daily habits can make a world of difference.
In February Aquarius, love can combat very magical properties, and the little niggles of life can get resolved with Venus in Aquarius eager to sort things on the 21st. Your financial situation continues to be great. You may stand out work after you embrace your intelligence and interact with your brilliant brain.
March continues to be financially beneficial, but your powers of concentration may waver as Venus shifts in Pisces to become distracted and disappear into something new and fun on the 17th. Attempt to enhance your focus. By early spring, you become way more proactive and are ready to get things moving. You may make profits in a sort of cash or jewelry.
Some struggles could also be hard to contend with, but such situations bring with them the potential for catharsis. You have nothing to fear, and if you may hear the teachings of Venus in Gemini, which makes its pass on May twenty-nine, you will see that everyone is well. Your labor continues to pay off through May, enabling you to require time for investments and savings to pamper yourself with fun stuff.
There seems to be enough money for all of your needs and more. It can be a period of prosperity, enabling you to measure a decent life. It can be the time for a transfer or promotion at work. If you seek a change of environment, opt for it now as many opportunities will present themselves.
Mercury moves into cardinal Cancer on the 25th of July, and you reach your professional peak. It can be a beautiful period in your personal life. Things feel stress-free and blissful, and a way of rhythm may get achieved. Growth is probably going special if you’re specializing in your own business or a side project. In August, Mercury moves into Leo on the 9th, and there may be misunderstandings and challenges across several areas of life that need concentration and forethought. Financial gains and marriage are likely in September as Jupiter moves into Capricorn on the 14th, and in October, there’s a chance for novelty!
It is an excellent time to begin a brand new project for Aquarius, and you may have many people to support you. Galloping into November, your workload increases, but you’re very effective at getting things done. The year ends on a confident note, as you witness lots of professional and financial growth.
Sagittarius natives bring the spirit of enthusiasm every New Year. You can’t help it – your natural spirit one among optimism and hope for the long run. We attract what we have in our minds. About and you may create a great deal of abundance for yourself, which could be a wonderful gift to possess, and one in every of your greatest assets. With Venus in Sagittarius from January four, your faith in life and yourself keep you going in times of difficulty and accelerates periods of plenty. Whenever doubtful, look within and remind yourself of your innate capabilities.
It is impossible to keep you down for too long! The year 2021 begins with many great opportunities and auspicious events – marriage, educational pursuits, and new career options are plentiful. You may also enjoy a degree of monetary decadence – saving advised! Ultimately, this can be a beautiful time, and you may be very expansive and optimistic, but it may be possible that something is worrying you. Talking with loved ones will take the burden off your shoulders.
In February, as Venus moves along into Aquarius on the 21st, you will commence a visit. You may think about innovative ways to create money. There can be harmony between members of the family, children, and friends. Your connections with people will work alright during this era. It can even be a time for mending and healing. As of March, spend time with family takes on greater significance. You may get with what you would like — especially financially — with Venus in Pisces motivating you from the 17th. Lingering worries should need attention and determination.
In April, Jupiter moves into Capricorn on the 6th, and there is also undue demands on your wallet. You will be somewhat volatile that may cause friction in your close relationships. Fate supports you and helps your dreams come true, so there may be little to fear. As we head into spring, your emotional well being may take a downswing as people are jealous of you. You will find that you are working too hard for small rewards, which may be very discouraging. However, you had your best to persevere.
For Sagittarius, high expenses continue into June, but things hum along beautifully, and by July. You will be moving towards marriage as Venus moves into Leo on the 17th, demanding attention and validation. You will also experience unexpected financial gains. On the flipside, safeguard your health. In August, there can be pressure at work but nothing that dampens your spirits an excessive amount. As Venus moves into Virgo on the 11th, you may be prime to tackle whatever comes up.
Finances are bolstered along with your diligence and with inheritance. In September, you return to thinking of the way to multiply your money. With Mars in intelligent Virgo from the 6th, you may find that ideas come easy. The pressure at work also heightened, so ensure you balance your professional and private lives. Loved ones will bring lots of relief from stressful situations. Come September, and love will begin to swirl, especially for single natives.
Ending the year on a romantic note may be a good stroke of luck, isn’t it! You start to think positively about your situation and revel in lots of popularity and creativity. Sagittarius finish the year believing that anything is feasible, with Venus in Sagittarius from December 30th.
Scorpio, You are at your innovative best as 2021 begins, and you will generate a decent income stream. Transformative events occur after you tap into your intuition. Because of the impact of Venus in Sagittarius on January four, a way of synergy will create, and you may find it easy to balance your personal life along with your career. It is not the time to form financial investments, so keep your money close. As we enter February, you start to excel at work. With Mars in Taurus from the 22nd, new opportunities for love and professional growth will come your way.
It is also one of the good times for those battling unemployment, as many opportunities will surface. Come March, and it’s time to exercise caution in your sexual love as you will fall prey to deception. You want to see things as they are instead of how you’d like them to be. As of April 6th, you may enjoy a financial and professional period, and you may make wise financial decisions with Jupiter, the earth of expansion, stepping into Capricorn, the sign of ambition.
It is a time for marriage or for stepping into a relationship with someone special. This fortuitous luck continues into May with finances, work, and career all doing well. You will experience a hiccup in your well being to become drawn to introversion because of the plodding nature of Venus in Taurus from the 4th.
It will be transformative for Scorpio natives as you wish the time to reflect before moving forward. As we enter June, your personal life takes on a blissful tone, and this can be a glorious time for love and love. Your relationships will flourish. Professionally you will find that the fruits of your labor delay. You will feel a bit low and lackluster; your self-confidence will get to devour. Over the subsequent month, things begin to excel professionally and financially.
You bring a stunning blend of pleasure and enthusiasm to the month, which keeps you drawing abundance and lots. There are several opportunities for those seeking change that continues well into August with a period of tremendous success and achievement. The victory gets assured altogether in different areas. Financially, things begin to cool down off in September, so you must make sensible decisions about your spending.
In October, you will be at risk of taking inventive risks, especially in business. In November, Mercury moves into your sign of Scorpio on the twenty-one, and you start to figure at the speed of sunshine, but there may be challenges, though nothing that you just cannot overcome. You end the year on a robust note along with your finances, personal life, and career so as, though there can be some loose ends to tie. This year will deepen your wisdom, compassion, and understanding of life, and you may experience the thrill of self-worth as you reflect on what you have got achieved.
Libra, you begin this year full of positivity; you get out into the world and explore. It can be a period of energy and motivation to keep you steady and empowered. You can be cheerful, and you connect effortlessly with both the old and also the young. The spirit of abundance encourages you to shop for things for your home.
You may draw to beauty and sentimentality. Your financial situation is stable, and your career will experience a surge of growth. By February twenty-two Mars moves into Taurus, and a few of you will become new parents. Tensions could arise in your sexual love owing mostly to your ego. Not allow these issues to fester; resolve them as quickly as possible.
In March, you may experience a confidence dip, and a few obstacles may present themselves at your workplace. The power to focus will assist you in finding out the way to tackle problems quickly and efficiently. By early spring, you will enter a gorgeous romantic phase and also enjoy a hike in income.
With Jupiter stepping into Capricorn on April six, you will struggle with interpersonal connections at work. Attempt to blend boundaries with charm. As of June, you fare fine professionally and shine true because of your calm and composed attitude. Your energy is light-hearted and playful.
If you lead a team, people feel very comfortable and content in your presence. You may steer the ship in the best direction. Financially, this month could be a mixture of both monetary loss and unexpected gain. July is a strong month for you in finance and marks a beautiful time to start investing your cash.
It may work well for you because of the movement of Mercury into Cancer on July twenty-five. If you do not know, it still works. Consult a decent financial expert. This time marks an auspicious time for marriage and an excellent opportunity for singles to seek out love. Your career gallops along, and you can be on the path to being debt-free.
As of August twenty-six, the presence of Mercury in Virgo allows you to beat any challenges that have arisen in your career, but there will be some financial ups and downs that you should get prepared to manage. September marks an ideal time for manifestation as dreams really can (and do) come true.
Because of the impact of Mercury in Libra on September twenty-two. You will spend copious amounts of cash, but you will not struggle because of its lack. You may dream big and long for expansion, especially if you own your own business. As October enters the image, you will feel low, tired, and depleted, so focus inwards and fall back on grounding practices like meditation and yoga to recover from any adversity.
Venus moves into Scorpio on October two. To evolve, Scorpio longs to explore the depth of its own emotions. Because the year winds down, libra may hunt out the highest management for advice and clarity. Their words will guide you well. Your spirits are high, and your energy is also fiery and will perceive as aggression.
It is perhaps not one of the foul things while locking down a deal, but it can have unsavory consequences in every other area! For a way of completion, you must end the year reflecting on what you have got achieved and what may still be left to do.
You begin this year full of positivity; you get out into the world and explore. It can be a period of energy and motivation to keep you steady and empowered. You can be cheerful, and you connect effortlessly with both the old and also the young. The spirit of abundance encourages you to shop for things for your home.
You may get drawn to beauty and sentimentality. Your financial situation is stable, and your career will experience a surge of growth. By February twenty-two Mars moves into Taurus, and a few of you will become new parents. Tensions could arise in your sexual love owing mostly to your ego. Not allow these issues to fester; resolve them as quickly as possible.
In March, you may experience a confidence dip, and a few obstacles may present themselves at your workplace. The power to focus will assist you in finding out the way to tackle problems quickly and efficiently. By early spring, you may enter a gorgeous romantic phase and also enjoy a hike in income. With Jupiter stepping into Capricorn on April six, you will struggle with interpersonal connections at work. Attempt to blend boundaries with charm. As of June, you fare fine professionally and shine because of your calm and composed attitude. Your energy is fair light-hearted, and playful.
If you lead a team, people feel very comfortable and content in your presence. You may steer the ship in the best direction. Financially, this month could be a mixture of both monetary loss and unexpected gain. July is a strong month for you in terms of cash. It marks a beautiful time to start investing your money.
It may work well for you because of the movement of Mercury into Cancer on July 25th. If you don’t know, it still works. Consult a decent financial expert. This time marks an auspicious time for marriage and an excellent opportunity for singles to seek out love. Your career gallops along, and you can be on the path to being debt-free.
As of August twenty-six, the presence of Mercury in Virgo allows libra to beat any challenges that have arisen in your career, but there will be some financial ups and downs that you get prepared for the crisis. September marks an ideal time for manifestation dreams really can (and do) come true because of the impact of Mercury in Libra on September twenty-two.
You will spend copious amounts of cash, but you would not struggle because of its lack. You may dream big and long for expansion, especially if you own your own business. As October enters the image, you will feel low, tired, and depleted, so focus inwards and fall back on grounding practices like meditation and yoga to recover from any adversity.
Venus moves into Scorpio in October. To evolve, Scorpio longs to explore the depth of its own emotions. Because the year winds down, you may get the boldness to hunt out the highest management for advice and clarity. Their words will guide you (libra) well. Your spirits are high, and your energy is also fiery and will perceive as aggression.
It is perhaps not a nice thing while locking down a deal, but it can have unsavory consequences in every other area! For a way of completion, libra must end the year by reflecting on what they achieved and what may still be left to do.
Monarch of the jungle Leo, you jump into 2021 in victory mode with Venus in Sagittarius blessing you with bountiful opportunities. Financially, you will start on an occasional ebb, but new offers and a thriving sexual love await you. You will also find fame. It is also one of the pleasant phases for those of you with a creative inclination. Your inner seeker is activated, and you hunt for growth and purpose. You want to start 2021 with a spotlight on health – this could be a priority. By February, life will be effortless for you to forge new friendships and romantic alliances because of Venus stepping into Aquarius on the 21st. You become a veritable magnet. There might be some challenges at work that may test and push you. Chances of an enormous part of the difficulties will stem from your lack of self-belief. Be your supporter, and have your own back; You will be stronger than you think. It’s time for the Leo lion to appease the inner kitten. March could be a month that needs lots of serenity as Mercury moves into Aquarius on the 11th. Things are stable and may get even better if you set within the effort. Make sure that your commitment to your physiological state is enduring. By April, your labor pays off in ways. You seem to possess the ability, transforming your career in inventive ways because of the intuitive and intelligent understanding of Mercury in Pisces, a transit that happens on the first. There may be a loss and a few rivalry or competition at work, which can bring out your best. It may get even possible that you will fall for somebody famous! You must focus on work-related matters in May. It is a time for those seeking a change or people who are unemployed. Venus in Taurus on May 4th brings stability and stillness to your nature that helps you agree sure in the long-term. It is also a beautiful time for love, and a gregarious partner may explode on the scene. Financially this can be an excellent month, and you may end up feeling excited and keyed up for what’s ahead. You will consider setting personal or professional goals. By July, you will address difficulties in your sexual love that include little flairs of temper or quarrels because of Mars in Leo on the 20th. Address your ego and the way it gets in your way to come up. It may be a period for self-reflection and re-education. In August, you will experience a dip in finances, and you spend quite what you are taking in, but you ride over this quite easily along with your innate Leo confidence. Relationship troubles will resolve effortlessly. The impact of Venus in Virgo on the 11th fine-tunes you to the small details you will have otherwise missed. September brings a hike in income, but you need to analyze your spending habits if you want to try doing well. In October, the planetary transit of Venus in Scorpio on the 2nd and Venus in Sagittarius on the 30th will auger well for you. Owning a brand new house is on the cards! Because the year closes, your personal life will be smooth as silk, and you may enjoy mental peace, which promotes healthiness. Your financial status might have a bit of tweaking. Tying all the loose ends together is how you may round off 2021.
Virgo, with Venus stepping into Sagittarius on the 4th of January, you start this year with a desire to require up new learning opportunities to counterpoint the mind. You generate lots of expenses but have no reason to fret. Fortunately, you have no financial constraints and the inability to focus on needs correction, as work may be a dominant activity during this month. Center your energies with meditative practices daily. Your wit and charm serve you well in matters of affection and also at work.
January also brings along a possible proposal of marriage, so there is plenty to stay you busy. You (Virgo) need to carry on with spiritual practices to remain on top. New job opportunities and new relationships will appear in February, with Mars stepping into Taurus on the 22nd. This fortuitous time continues into March. However, long-standing couples may have some difficulties to confront.
Simmering tensions may rise to the surface. April can bring high expenses but also lots of luck, professional success, and gain. Your self-esteem may flounder sometimes, but changing your environment can work wonders. The month of May brings monetary gains which result from plenty of labor. A salary hike is on the cards, maybe even a promotion. Your seniors are watching you, and that they like what they see.
In June, you may be ready to take your fate into your own hands as Mars moves into Cancer on the 2nd, providing you with a decent understanding of what’s in your best interests. You have got the ability and control. Accept what you wish to attain and do your best to induce there. The workload is quite manageable, making it easier for you to induce things done. Finding love is feasible at this point — confidence is yours within the summer of 2021. Although your expenses are high, so are your incoming finances.
Virgo, with your confidence soaring, you may hunt for ways to grow professionally. By July, twenty as Mars moves into Leo. You will find your mind veering towards destructive activities. Rein yourself in; focus and discipline are your best friends at this point, and you may get accustomed to their positive effects. Even when your confidence takes a knock because of money issues, your imagination and creativity will keep propelling you onwards. It is well-said adversity that encourages people to become more resilient and adaptable; this cannot be truer in your case.
Love may be a fire that needs feeding, or it starves so, virgo person can rekindle your romance towards the tip of 2021. With Jupiter stepping into Aquarius on November, twenty-first ensure you shower your partner amorously and devotion – you may get rewarded aplenty. All is sweet otherwise, and you finish the year with the sensation of love, accomplishment, and contentment.
Cancer is a symbol vulnerable to excess, and you may start this year having to curb your desire to indulge due to the expansive nature of Venus in Sagittarius on January four. Beginning the year with a structured workout regime will do you a world of excellence. You will feel a touch foggy because the year starts with a confusing way to proceed. Take a while to permit focus and clarity to settle. Professionally, the year begins with a bang as Mercury is in Aquarius to lend you detached brilliance. You may notice with immediate effect!
In the romance department, you will settle disagreements and misunderstandings before they grow into something bigger. You may believe the people in your life for achieving the sensation of positivity, and it should instead be hard to try and do it early this year. Financially, however, this can be a prosperous time, and in March, the momentum gets going for you at work as Venus moves into Pisces.
Cancer continues into April, where your professional and financial life succeeds, and you discover yourself being somewhat experimental. Mercury in Aries enhances your ability to induce things done like never before. You merely ought to trust your instincts.
From May 4th onward, you will begin to believe in starting your own business, feeling the necessity for greater autonomy and independence. It can be because of Venus in Taurus and its need for expansion. Also, a good life. It can be an incredible period for love. Your calm and composed demeanor attracts several admirers. There are some low point but can be because of the intrinsic nature of your sign. And rule by the Moon.
June, the month for travel and movement, and find yourself into love or perhaps marriage. It can be a harmonious period although, there could also be some frustrations around money. You will end up spending an excessive amount of it. It carries into July, which could be a month of emotional and mental fluctuations.
It comes from Mercury’s movement into fickle Gemini on July 7th. Attempt to work with this side of your nature instead of against it. There can be an inclination to fight, but even nothing to realize from it. You may be a young being, and you want to acknowledge and appreciate your variable nature to bring a good number of gifts.
Mercury moves into Leo on August ninth, which brings increase profits. And a harmonious and plentiful period during that Cancer will enjoy the corporate of others. You are feeling settled in love. September may be a good month across all areas of your life, and you will end up living sort of a monarch. Things may combat a dreamlike quality because of Venus in harmonious Libra. It can be a good time to urge considering what you wish to attain in life, for the sky is the limit.
October presents a beautiful period for your sexual love, although long-standing couples ought to take care of stepping into arguing. Venus in Scorpio can intensify both the great and also the bad in relationships. It ultimately can be a stable and cozy period with the potential for financial growth.
November sees a dip smitten, but nothing may not be resolve with communication. At work, you will seek change as your confidence is soaring. It might be a time for seeking and exploring other options with Jupiter. The world of expansion, stepping into aloof Aquarius on November two. If Cancer discover closed doors, they may create your gateways. By December, you may enjoy a rewarding sexual love and financial profits. You may end up considering what to try and do next, which might create some confusion. Let the year soak in.
Gemini, you may begin the year 2021 with a brand new arrival in your life — perhaps a friend, lover, or maybe a baby. This year is actually about new beginnings! You will have a way of tension in the long run, and there may be some minor health problems. Holistically, it is probably all interconnected, and if you quieten your mind, your physical symptoms should vanish. Ensure you ground yourself in your now and take this year in the future at a time, one month at a time. Attempt to tune into your element of air, and you’ll find it far easier to flow.
Your interest in spiritual matters, elevated, and your mind starts to clear by February as Mars moves into Taurus on the 22nd. Your desire for love prompts you to hunt out a partner, and you discover yourself becoming social, active, and engaged with the planet, pursuing your hobbies and passions. Professionally you see plenty of growth and success as Venus moves into Pisces on March seventeen, due to your inventive and artistic ideas. Although you lack clarity in other areas, your ability to focus at work is sweet for you, professionally.
By April, Venus moves into Aries on the tenth, and you enter into a propitious time, financially and professionally. Take away time to explore and see the planet. Be mindful of accidents and injuries. A friendship may flower into a relationship. Your confidence picks up, and money starts rolling into your account. Your urge to reconnect with nature is strong as Venus moves into Gemini on May twenty-five. Love is at its peak and your money situation. Your mind, worked up by everything, but you will burn yourself out if you don’t pause and focus. You may develop a keen interest altogether things creative, especially the liberal arts, but a lull in energy and enthusiasm indicated.
With Mercury stepping into Cancer on July twenty-five, your profits will do exceptionally well, but you will end up spending over usual. Take a moment to determine what seems necessary and what isn’t. July marks a beautiful time for investments. Socialising is at its peak, and as Venus moves into Virgo on August eleven, you will end up falling smitten with someone interesting. You may end up turning to your elders for lessons in fact and wisdom. You will draw up a to-do list to possess your work done and dusted with speed and clarity.
Some turbulence on the private front will need your attention. With Mercury stepping into Libra on September two, this can be just the time to show your attention to calming practices for mental and emotional well-being. You may well witness an enormous transformation in yourself. The tip of the year brings success, fame, and financial prosperity, and you may find your confidence to acquire again with Mercury in Scorpio on November two. You will end the year with some laziness and lack of motivation, but you may get supported by others and can feel comfortable in their counsel. Friendships and romances become established. You may leave the year behind, feeling content, and sure about who you wish in your world. Even as the year began with a way of novelty, so will it end a similar way — a brand new friend, partner, or baby may enter your life. You will need to navigate life is ebbs and flows then again, which is what being a Gemini is all about.
Taurus, The year 2021 begins with lots of luck and success across all areas of your life. But Mercury in Capricorn likes to play havoc along with your ability to induce going, and you will be off to a touch of a lazy start and end up struggling to concentrate. Committing to regular meditation will assist you along. Nonetheless, you may complete all professional projects in record time. Things will devour for you at work on February two.
People are beginning to notice you – Yes, Taurus, you’re starting to stand out! Ensure you say ‘Yes’ to any or all the opportunities Venus in Aquarius brings your way. It can not be the time to be a shy person. This month also promotes love, care, and compassion between romantic partners. You enter a real jovial period; be mindful of excess, especially so early within the year! As of February twenty-two, Mars in Taurus can cause you vulnerable to overeating, so be careful with this tendency. You may hunt down lots of activity and wish to remain busy. There may be many opportunities for development at work. You may smile, putting others comfortable and drawing them towards yourself.
April could be a blast to reflect on your health and make plans for overseas adventures in addition to re-enter the planet of education. Your desire to explore becomes irresistible with the impact of Venus in Aries. You may do alright for yourself, despite what course of action you are taking. It is the luck you are searching for, and you may receive tidings with Venus stepping into Taurus on May four. Fate is functioning in your favor to form things happen, so do not be afraid to dream big. It can be a beautiful time to figure on your communication skills. It can enhance your career, friendships, and romantic life.
Summer brings contentment and success; You have much to celebrate. You may work effortlessly and revel in the fruits of your labor. Summer also suggests parenthood for a few of you! Libra can be a sign of joy, and as Venus moves here on September six, it brings positive energy in all areas of life. You may see success manifesting from your educational achievements. It can be once you are at your strongest; chase what you wish.
It is a beautiful time for those of you who work for the media or liberal arts. Venus in Scorpio spruces up your sexual love on the second of October and gets you all excited. Single Taurus natives may fall for love. It might be a period of conflict or challenge; prepare to dig your heels in efforts.
Jupiter enters Aquarius on November second may lead you to daydream, but you wish to come to life and face the challenges hounding your relationships. Because the year ends, your confidence may falter, and there can be some last-minute problems to resolve before going into 2022. ensure your health is at its strongest as you finish this year, to be at your absolute best to start the New
Lord Vishnu explaining the concept of Maya to Shri Narad Muni
Shri Narada Muni|Lord Vishnu|Lord Krishna|Maya
What is ‘Maya’ in Hinduism? A question with no simple explanation, although scholars have studied it for ages and identified texts talking about ‘maya’ in ancient scriptures of Hinduism.
Some believe it is an ability wielded by God to form the mortal world, while others claim Maya is an illusion; the planet we board is truly Maya. Hinduism goes as far as saying humans trapped in Maya or the illusion of the mortal world, by surrendering oneself to God, will an individual attain ultimate liberation, also referred to as ‘moksha.’
You might be finding it difficult to understand the concept of ‘Maya,’ here’s a simple story from our Vedic scriptures of how Lord Krishna explained ‘maya’ to his ardent devotee Shri Narad Muni.
Lord Krishna Explained the concept of Maya to Shri Narada Muni
Sometime during the account of Shri Krishna’s avatar (Lord Vishnu took nine avatars in total), Shri Narada Muni was puzzled with the concept of ‘maya.’ He was constant in thinking of how Maya can influence humans and why it’s considered very powerful.
Unable to contain his curiosity, the sage took all his doubts to Lord Krishna, but the Lord gave a simple smile with none response. Narada Muni left, not understanding why Krishna did not clear his doubts.
However, the Lord had better plans to form Shri Narada Muni to understand the concept of Maya. One day, Krishna invited Shri Narada Muni to hitch his travels around the world, and also the latter gladly agreed. They crossed mountains and rivers for days during a chariot with Krishna because of the charioteer.
Finally, the chariot stopped in a desert and finding himself thirsty. Lord Krishna asked Narada Muni to bring him some water from a close-by house.
When Shri Narada Muni knocked on the door of the house, an attractive woman opened it. Mesmerized by her beauty, Narada Muni completely forgot the Lord was expecting him and proceeded to ask her hand in marriage from her father.
He agreed to their marriage. Once the couple was married, the father came upon a house near a river to gift them. They started to begin their life together. They planted their crops and lived happily together for seven long years. The sage and his wife ended with three children.
But, the marital bliss didn’t last long. One day, a massive flood hit the village due to heavy rain. Despite all his efforts to save his family, Narada Muni lost them within the flood and stood alone in misery. He was stunned and couldn’t believe seven years of his life had been washed away by this flood.
Suddenly, someone tapped his shoulder, and searching behind, Narada Muni was surprised to envision Lord Krishna. “Where’s my water?Half an hour has already past. I was waiting for you,” the Lord asked.
Shri Narada Muni was full of tears from the loss of his family. Soon he came back to his senses. He realizes it was a part of Krishna’s play to make him understand the ability of Maya. While within the clutches of Maya for seven years, Narada Muni discovered only half-hour has passed. The sage lost himself within the trap of Maya.
Finally understanding Maya, Shri Narada Muni begged Krishna to bring him far from the place and swore only to hope and sing his praises all his life to avoid getting stuck in illusion again.
Thus, the ability of Maya was ready to deceive the intellectual sage Shri Narada Muni himself. Enlightened saints believe that only through pure devotion and surrender one can release from the grips of Maya.
The food we eat nourishes our body, but there is much more than nourishment. Our Vedic scriptures distinguish food into three categories based on its effect on our body on the physical and mental level. Understanding the food we intake is necessary to ensure it benefits our body.
Sattvic Food
You must have heard from enlightened people or your elders who perform religious activities to consume Sattvic food. Have you ever tried to understand the reason behind this saying? A Sattvic diet incorporates simple, light, and healthy food. They are neither too sweet nor salty or spicy. Consuming Sattvic food helps in purifying our body and mind.
A person who consumes Sattvic food has a higher concentration and calm mind. The unprocessed food with raw nutrients that is light and rich in life forces fall under Sattvic food. Moreover, food processed and consumed within three to four hours can also fall under Sattvic food.
Benefits of Sattvic Food:
Intaking Sattvic food in your diet has significant benefits in molding your life in a healthy direction. It improves mental health and promotes the flow of positive vibrations in our bodies. During fasting, eating sattvic food helps in restoring peace. Consumption of Sattvic food daily strengthens our immunity and helps in the formation of high fiber tissues.
Foods that are Sattvic in nature:
Foods grains such as rice, wheat, oats, and legumes categorize under Sattvic food. Further, fresh green vegetables, fruits, and lightly roasted seeds and nuts are also Sattvic. Fresh milk is Sattvic, but after we pasteurize, it becomes Tamasic.
Rajasic Food
Food that we obtain after harming any living beings falls under Rajasic or Tamasic foods. Rajasic food accelerates the mind into action. A person consuming Rajasic food becomes restless. In ancient Bharat, the kings and people holding high authority in courts intake Rajasic food.
Rajasic food increases the energy level of our body stimulating, every part of the system. However, it promotes aggression and reckless behavior. Sometimes a person becomes dominating due to their extreme violent nature and robustness.
Benefits of Rajasic Food:
Rajasic food has many benefits associated with it. Some of these benefits are as follows:
It boosts decision-making
It provides high energy to perform heavy tasks
It cultivates a robust mind.
It helps in promoting our mind and body beyond average capacity.
However, improper consumption of Rajasic food can disturb the proper balance of mind and body. A person consuming Rajasic food tends to be selfish, aggressive and worries more than being happy. It activates hyper activeness and overexertion in the mind and body of the consumer.
A Rajasic diet can lead to Vatta and Pitta dosha levels in the body.
Foods that are Rajasic in nature:
Meats and fish that are spicy fall under Rajasic food. Pungent Vegetables with excessive starch intake like potato, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower also fall under Rajasic foods. Alcoholic drinks, preserved foods, fried foods, coffee, and tea are some other foods that have Rajasic nature.
Tamasic Food
Foods prepared by harming living beings fall under the Rajasic or Tamasic category. Consumption of Sattvic food prepared in a Tamasic environment can result in tamasic effects. Tamasic foods become heavy to our digestion system. Stale or oily food also falls under Tamasic food.
Tamasic foods lack life force in the diet and lead to a confused state of mind. However, our diet requires some amount of tamas gunas to resist extreme conditions. Further, Tamasic food promotes laziness, slowness, clumsy behavior, etc.
Benefits of Tamasic Food:
Tamasic food has some significant benefits that help our body in a positive direction. Some of the benefits of Tamasic Food are as follows:
It provides stability to the mind when a person has excessive rajas gunas.
It helps in resisting the bitter cold.
It provides support in performing strainful physical works.
It promotes sleep.
Having a diet with excessive tamas guna can result in ill-effects on our body and mind. A person consuming tamasic food has a dull appearance, age faster, slow response to life situations, and have intense mood swings. Heavy consumption of Tamasic food can make a person sluggish and tires them quickly.
Foods that are Tamasic in nature:
Foods rich in tamas guns fall under tamasic. Some of the Tamasic foods are meat, fish, avocado, watermelon, apricots, plums, mushrooms, garlic, onion, pumpkin, etc. Urad dal and cheese are also tamasic.
Food is essential for every living being on this planet. Moreover, it has a drastic impact in forming the personality of an individual. The verses from the epic Bhagavad Gita depicts different components of food in our lives.
Janaeu Dharan is a custom followed by Brahmins and some Kshatriyas in Hinduism. Janaeu is a sacred white thread worn by a Brahman boy after the age of 12. It holds a deeper meaning in the Vedic scriptures.
Janaeu Dharan is a practice that follows under the sixteen sanskaras of Sanatan Dharma. Wearing a Janaeu is the tenth sanskara followed under the Upanayana Sanskar. Janaeu Dharan is the symbol of a sacred vision straightforward in the direction of doing right.
Scientific Benefits of Janaeu Dharan
Many people follow this custom throughout India but are unaware of its scientific benefits.
Wearing a Janaeu in one ear helps the person to memorize and grasping things without making much effort.
Tieing a Janaeu in one ear also helps in preventing constipation and in keeping stomach disease-free.
Science has proven that people wearing janaeu do not have issues related to blood pressure concerning those who don’t wear it.
Janaeu Dharan increases the stability of the mind-stimulating the brain to function accordingly.
Janaeu allows the body to attain positive vibrations. Wearing a Janaeu while chanting mantras help in absorbing the positive energy. Janaeu absorbs this energy and circulates it to the wearer’s body.
A Brahmin wearing a Janaeu follows a set of customs and rituals under a guru. A guru is a person who chants mantras to the wearer at the time of Upanayana Sanskara. There are several Vedic beliefs related to wearing a janaeu:
Three cords that make a janaeu are said to represent the Goddess of strength: Parvati, the Goddess of Wealth: Laxmi, and the Goddess of Knowledge: Saraswati. A person needs to attain three attributes for having a good life necessary with the characteristics of these three deities.
Some believe Janaeu guard the person against negative energies in their surrounding.
It helps in attaining moksha or salvation to death.
A brahmin boy can start performing pooja after the Upanayana Sanskara ceremony.
Sanatan Dharma forbids removing of janaeu after wearing it once.
In case the thread is broken or lost, then a new cord is worn instead of a used one.
Keeping janaeu clean and sanitized is the supreme responsibility of its bearer.
Unmarried boys wear janaeu with three cords, married men wear janaeu of six, while men whose parents have died wear janaeu of nine threads.
The Gayatri mantra chanted before Janaeu Dharan is as follows:
|| Om bhur bhuvah svah
tat-savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimanhi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayat ||
Why do women not wear Janaeu?
Many liberals often question why women are not forbidden to perform Janaeu Dharan. Sanatan Dharma has not opposed women from wearing Janaeu. The fact that our scriptures have not mentioned Janaeu Dharan for women is because they don’t need one.
Men need to wear a janaeu to perform various rituals to attain spiritual awakening. It is because of their nature and wild practices that they require janaeu to abound. It helps in preventing their minds and body from distractions keeping them focussed on the path of attaining what is right.
On the other hand, women get the same benefits without wearing a janaeu because they are said to be more mature and mindful. They can indulge themselves on the path of attaining righteousness with not many efforts. It is for this reason that Vedic scriptures describe women as “Stree Sadhu.”
Another question that may arise is why other varnas do not wear a janaeu particular Shrudas? There is a quote from the Vedas:
“Shudra sadhu, Stree sadhu, Kali sadhu.”
The above quote means that women, Shrudas and Kali Yuga are all holy. The Kali Yuga is said to be the best yuga for a child to be born. Those who are born in this era get a spiritual awakening even after doing less good in their lives.
The woman bounded with the duties of her family with others related to her. Her sacrifices and duties show her selflessness. Hence, she does not require janaeu to attaining spirituality. Lastly, a Shrudra works rigorously in performing deeds that benefit others even when considered filthy. Their day-to-day deed is sufficient for them to attain spiritual well being.
Fasting in Sanatan Dharma is a moral and spiritual practice that aims to clean body, mind, and attain divine grace. There is a lot of science indulged in Vedic scriptures of Sanatan dharma. Fasting has greater significance rather than some cultural beliefs.
India is said to be a country with many cultural beliefs. Customs practiced throughout the nation hold greater meaning in life. Fasting is one of such rituals. It is a practice of Santana Dharma that can range from little restrictions to heavy customs. The choice of days and methods of fasting depends on the community or the individual.
The Upanishads of Rig Veda describes various kinds of fasting, mentioned below:
Vachika (to purify speech)
Vachika is a way of fasting practiced to clean the conduct of speech in an individual. It holds virtue like speaking the truth, being pure, controlling our sense, restricting anger, and avoiding criticism and ill-mannered speaking. The person devotes itself to the pathways of the almighty and his role of conduct. Anyone disobeying this mode invites sin.
Kayika (to purify mind)
Kayika is determined to purify our mind with the means of fast. This practice enhances the intellectual ability of our mind to restrain calmness in different situations of our daily lives. It helps our brain to attain spiritual prospects like self-control, discipline, and deprivation.
Manasa (To purify body)
Manasa deals with the purification of our mind. In today’s world, there are loads of disturbing practices related to our body which, increases the level of toxins in our body. It helps in detoxifying our body by forming a calm and stress-free digestive system.
Fast has often misinterpreted as starvation. However, both are different terms for having different meanings. Starving is a condition in which a person does not consume food or drinks. While fasting refers to restrain and control our body to enhance our senses.
Vedic or spiritual fasting mentioned in the Yajurveda has a scientific base infused with the rituals. According to the Hindu epic Bhagavadgita, there are various kinds of practices known as Satwa, Tamas, and Rajas (thinking, food, and lifestyle).
A person with a Rajasic mind is full of greed and desires, while a Tamasic person is full of negativity and destruction. On the other hand, a Satwik person is more of a creative and restful mind. In fasting, we try to control our possession and attain a state of sattva for a while.
Related Beliefs
In Vedic culture, eternal conscience offered to god exists in the Satwik state. We offer our body to the lord on the day of Vedic fast. Fruits, milk, ghee, leaves offered to the god helps in attaining Satwa state.
The epic book of Bhagavadgita describes salty, sour, frozen food as a promoter of Tamasic and Rajasic state of mind. Thus, these types of food, not be consumed on the day of fasting. On the day of the fast, we should meditate and practice yoga to attain positive vibrations for the intellectual growth of the mind. One should avoid negative thinking and practices on this particular day.
Fast is a self-restriction on food and behavior to enlighten our inner being. No priest or person is required to practice fasting. We should fast regularly to keep our mind and body free of toxins that are growing in our lives every day. Some fastings are related to festivals and other religious ceremonies. It revives a person’s mind and body along with helping the body to fight against diseases related to digestion.
Ancient scriptures depict that rudraksha beads formed by the tears (Aksha) of Lord Shiva (Rudra). Yogi’s, Saints, Sages, and Mystics from India, Nepal, China, and across Asia use rudraksha beads for balancing the mind, emotions and creating the proper environment for meditation and peaceful actions to achieve specified goals in life. Overall, Rudraksha beads are known to help in meditation, stress relief, healing the body, and cause positive changes.
The Rudraksha seed may be a blessing to stay and wear due to its powerful vibration that protects against all types of negative influences and energy. It also protects against radiation and also the stress emitted by modern technology.
It keeps the bodies bioenergy in balance and harmonizes the environment around oneself or within the place the seeds lie. It affects up to 100 meters around, protecting the wearer and environment from all types of negative energy. This radiance of protection, in particular, is felt at home or where you always keep the Rudraksha.
You will notice a way of peace and some time, fewer disturbances within your environment. it is beneficial for meditation, study, and areas needing great focus or concentration. Ideally, Rudraksha is worn every time or kept on the brink of the skin as a sacred seed that emits potent protective energy, enabling the wearer to attain their higher potential.
Amongst several amongst the foremost reputable and acknowledged research papers was published by Dr. Suhas Roy of the distinguished Indian Institute of Technology in Banaras;
Dr. Roy’s research confirmed that the healing powers of Rudraksha seeds result from their electro-magnetic properties. When Rudraksha seeds are when placed on the center of the body (heart), they act to stabilize the heartbeat. It is almost like magnets. The beads work on the principle of Dynamic Polarity. Blood circulation and heartbeat automatically induce a magnetic flux all over the body and particularly the cardiac region. Rudraksha seeds help to achieve the relaxation response that is the ultimate goal of meditation.
Rudraksha beads benefit in meditation and are the only seed that absorbs all positive radiating energy, storing and thus magnifying it over time. We hold the Rudraksha beads with the right hand and repeat one mantra per bead, implanting in the seed. The vibration discharged is then kept within us (through the beads) at all times despite our thoughts that may dwell.
The longer the rudraksha seeds are worn and used for meditation (to repeat mantra), the more powerful it becomes. Constantly, emitting a positive and pure vibration that settles the energy of any different environment and balancing the thoughts of others. After a while, one feels that something is missing when not worn.
The beads are strung together as a mala from ancient times. Traditionally, a mala consists of 108 beds plus one additional bead, the Bindu or guru bead. There should always be a Bindu to the mala worn. Otherwise, the energy will fall in an infinite loop the Bindu beads channels the energy back to the Japa mala and provides the advantage of the positive energy to the wearer. A mala is a necessity to be worn all the time.
Rudraksha can be helpful support because it creates a cocoon of your energy. It harmonizes any environment around you so that you are feeling comfortable, relaxed, and simple to express yourself.
Rudraksha can be a shield against negative energies.
It is also a shield against negative energies. A few people can use negative energies to cause harm to some other person, or there can also be some bad energy in a place where you reside or work. A rudraksha can protect like a shield against this and stops you from feeling the ill effects of any environment, situation, or person.
Panchmukhi (five faced) Rudraksha seeds
The number of faces a bead can have varies from one face to 21 faces. Five-faced beads or panchmukhi is safe and suited to everyone. It is for general wellbeing, health, and freedom. It lowers your pressure level, calms your nerves, and brings a precise calmness and caution to your system.
If you are a balanced person with a proper daily routine, you tend to function sensibly in your life. It is natural when energies work well. If you got to choose a way to purify your life and be balanced then, Rudraksha Malas are a valuable tool and aid. When someone is walking the path of spirituality, he wants to utilize every support on the way to enhance himself, and mala seeds are beneficial to support.
Bhagwan Shri Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is one of the major deities in Sanatan Dharma. A great exponent of the holy book Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna is one of the most powerful and charismatic incarnations of Vishnu. He is worshipped and loved by the masses around the world. Shri Krishna was dark in complexion with really prepossessing looks. The name “Krishna” originates from the Sanskrit word Krsna, which primarily means black, dark, and attractive.
Here are some interesting facts about Lord Krishna
1.Lord Krishna was born in prison
He was born in a prison of Mathura in Rohini Nakshatra, as the eighth son of Devki and Vasudeva. His maternal uncle Kansa wanted him dead after he came to know that the eighth child of his sister will kill him. Krishna escaped death as his father took him to safety in Nanda village.
2.Guru of Lord Krishna
Great sage Sandapani was the Guru of Shri Krishna. Both the brothers, Shri Krishna and Balarama gained their knowledge while staying at the residence of Sandipani Muni. Shri Krishna brought back the son of his guru as Guru Dakshina, who disappeared in the ocean after getting abducted by the demon Sankhasura (Conch Demon).
3.Wives of Lord Krishna (16108 Wives)
Apart from his eight principal wives who are also known as Ashtabharya, Their names were: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Nagnajiti, Kalindi, Mitravinda, Bhadra, and Lakshmana. Krishna married several thousand women, he rescued after defeating Narakasura.
All of the 16,100 women were captivated by the divine magnificence of Lord Krishna, and everyone committed themselves that they would either marry Krishna or commit suicide. So, Shri Krishna married them to restore their honor and raise their status in the society to queen. Thus, Shri Krishna had 16108 wives in Total.
Lord Krishna had a total of eighty sons, 10 sons each from his eight primary wives (Ashtabharya). The most popular of them were: Pradyumna from Rukmini: Samba from Jambavati who got cursed by sages after he played a prank on Sages. Samba became the reason that the Yadu clan demolished.
5.Who all heard Bhagavad Gita
Apart from Arjuna, Lord Hanuman and Sanjaya heard the narration of Bhagavad Gita from Shri Krishna. Lord Hanumana sat on top of Arjuna’s Chariot throughout the battle of Kurukshetra and Sanjay had a boon given by Ved Vyasa to narrate the events of the battle of Mahabharata to King Dhritarashtra.
After losing her children, Gandhari cursed lord to served two purposes. The early avatar of Lord Krishna as Lord Rama killed Bali and assured his widow Tara that Bali will take his revenge in his next birth. Bali reborn as hunter Jara, and in this life, he was the one to kill Shri Krishna with a simple arrow.
7. Lord Krishna's favorite weapon
Sudarshan Chakra was the favorite weapon of Shri Krishna. The notable uses of Sudarshan Chakra were during the killing of Shishupal and more importantly, used to create an illusion of dawn, which led to the killing of Jayadratha.
8.The relation between Lord Krishna, Arjuna, and, Karana in Past Life
Lord Krishna and Arjuna were twin brothers in their past life named Narayana (Krishna) and Nara (Arjuna) who were born to Kill a Demon Dambhodbhav (Saharsrakavacha), reincarnated as Karna during the Dwapara Yuga. This event took place during the end of Treta Yuga.
9.Lord Krishna's relation to Ekalavya
Ekalavya was Krishna’s cousin. He was the son of Devashrava and brother of Vasudeva, who got lost in the forest and was later found by a Nishada named Hiranyadhanu. Ekalavya was killed by Lord Krishna in battle while protecting his father during Rukmini’s Swayamvar.
Ekalavya got a boon from Lord Krishna after his great sacrifice of Gurudakshina that he would be soon incarnated and take revenge on Guru Drona. He later took birth as Dhristadyumna.
Pandavas were related to Shri Krishna through their Mother. Kunti (Pandava’s mother) was the sister of Vasudeva (father of Shri Krishna) which means Pandavas and Shri Krishna were cousins.
Ganga, one of the holy rivers of India, emerges from the Himalayas. People worship Mata as a symbol of purification and forgiveness. She has also known as Makara and gets depicted as a beautiful lady. The Rig Veda (10.75) has mentioned the river Ganges as one of the holiest rivers. Many epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas have marked the appearance of Mata Ganga.
According to Ramayana, Ganga is the firstborn child of Himavat (Himalayas) and sister of Mata Parvati. However, the Puranas marks the emergence due to Lord Vishnu, and her descendent happened due to Bhagirathi, the royal sage while, aided by God Shiva. In Mahabharata, Mata Ganga is the mother of Bhishma Pitamaha from the Kuru king Shantanu.
Mother Ganga is the mother of humanity in which people immerse the ashes of their ancestors to bring their souls closer to moksha. To honor her efforts of humanity, festivals like Ganga Dusshera and Ganga Jayanti gets celebrated.
Descent to the Earth
The epic Mahabharata mentions a war set between Devtas and the Asuras. When the Devtas were about to become victorious, then the Asuras went on hiding in the oceans. Devtas could not find them and requested sage Agastya to help. The sage helped the Devtas by drinking the whole ocean. However, when asked to fill up the sea again, Sage Agastya had digested all the water. Devtas became worried, but Lord Vishnu assured them.
After several years King Sagara acquired sixty thousand sons through Maya. He performed a Maha Yagna for the good of his kingdom. The ritual required a horse that got stolen by Indra. When searched by the sons of Sagara, the horse was in the netherworld tied next to Sage Kapila. They thought that Sage Kapila had stolen their horse and started insulting him, which caused a disturbance in his penance. After several years, the sage opened his eyes, and with his sight, all the sixty thousand sons burnt to death.
The souls of all the sixty thousand sons wandered for their last rites. Their nephew Anshuman tried pleasing Lord Brahma to send Ganga to the earth but failed. After that, his son Dilip tried the same and failed. Later, Bhagiratha, son of Dilip, tried and succeeded in pleasing Lord Brahma. Then, Lord Brahma ordered Ganga Mata to descent on the earth so that King Sagara’s son acquire salvation. Goddess Ganga felt it insulting and decided to sweep away the entire earth.
Scared about the consequences, Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Shiva to break Mata Ganga’s flow. Mata Ganga became furious and landed abruptly on Shiva’s head, but he caught her instantly. Due to this, only small streams of Mata descent to the earth. Since Bhagiratha brought River Ganges to the Mrityulok, therefore, she is also known as Bhagirathi. Ganges is the river that flows in all three worlds, heaven, earth, and the netherworld.
Celebration of Ganga Dusshera
Every year we celebrate Ganga Dusshera, an auspicious festival of Hindus. It takes place a day before the Nirjala Ekadashi. Devotees from all over India visit the holy banks of the river Ganges to pray to the goddess.
According to the Sanatan story, Mata descended on Mrityulok (Earth) from heaven. The festival has great significance for all the Sanatani followers and gets celebrated on the Dashmi tithi of Jyeshtha in the Shukla Paksha or the full moon every year. Worshipping goddess Ganga on this day relieves from hardship and troubles.
Devotees visit the river banks of the holy river to get dipped in the flowing water. By this action, they pray to Mata and request her to eradicate all of their troubles and sins. On the same day, the Yamuna river gets worshipped, and the kite-flying event takes place.
Ramayana is one of the two major epics in Sanatan Dharma. Mahabharat is the second one. These two together form the primary part of our Itihaas from the Treta and Dwaparyuga. There are ten primary Avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu that are also known as Dashavtara. Bhagwan Ram is his seventh Avatar, who incarnated after Bhagwan Parshurama. In Valmiki Ramayana, Maharishi Valmiki narrates the life of Bhagwan Shri Rama. Ramayana consists of two Sanskrit words, Rama and Ayana, meaning the journey of Bhagwan Shri Rama.
The main objective of the seventh incarnation of Bhagwan Shri Rama was to mark an influence, exhibiting the importance of morals and virtue in life to become an ideal Human being. It is one of the main reasons he is a symbol of Maryada Purushottam. Another aspect of his incarnation as Rama was to exhibit victory of good over evil by eliminating the evil king Ravana. The Ramayana consists of a composition of 2400 verses, divided into 7 Kanda (Books) and 500 Sargas (Chapters).
Bal Kanda
7 Kandas of Valmiki Ramayana
The epic of Ramayana starts with the Bal Kanda. It describes the birth of Bhagwan Shri Rama and his three younger brothers Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna. They were all born after their father, King Dasharatha, performed a Putrakameshti Yagya after the advice of Sage Vasishta. The Yagya took place under the supervision of Sage Rishyasringa.
At the age of 16, Bhagwan Shri Rama and Lakshmana, under the enlightenment of Sage Vishvamitra, gained knowledge of the Devastras or celestial weapons they used to kill the powerful demoness Tadaka. After some time, Bhagwan Shri Rama and Lakshaman with sage Vishwamitra attended the Swayamvara of Mata Sita organized by her father, King Janak of Mithila. Bhagwan Shri Rama got married to Mata Sita after breaking the Shiva Dhanush, and his brother Lakshmana got married to Urmila (sister of Mata Sita).
Ayodhya Kanda
After 12 years of marriage between Bhagwan Shri Rama and Mata Sita, King Dasharatha announced to crown his eldest son Bhagwan Shri Ram as the new king of Ayodhya. But things did not go as expected. On the night before the coronation, Kaikeyi (wife of Dashrata) claimed her two boons after being instigated by her maid Manthara. Kaikeyi demanded 14 years of exile in the forest for Bhagwan Shri Rama and Crown of Ayodhya for his son Bharata.
King Dasharatha was bound to his oath and had to accept the rigid demands of Kaikeyi. Bhagwan Shri Rama agreed to the reluctant decree of his father with complete respect. Mata Sita and Lakshmana joined Shri Rama in the exile. Dashratha was unable to control the grief of getting separated from his son, which leads to his death.
Bharata came to know about the events that happened in Ayodhya while he was visiting his maternal uncle along with Shatrughna. Bharata then attempts to bring his brother back from exile, but Shri Rama was dedicated and wanted to follow the last decree of his father. Bharat then brings back the Charan Paduka of Shri Rama and ascends them to the throne while he resides in Nandigram.
Aranya Kanda
Shri Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana started to reside in a cottage in the Panchvati forest. After a while, they encounter the demoness Surpanakha, who attempted to seduce both the brothers and fails. Out of anger and jealousy, she attacks Mata Sita. Lakshamana instantly intervenes and saves Mata Sita by cutting Surpanakha’s nose. Surpanakha then narrates the incidence of her mutilation to her brothers, Khara and Dushan. They both organized an attack and got killed by Shri Rama single-handedly along with their demon army.
Ravana heard about the demise of his brothers and the mutilation of her sister Surpanakha. He took a resolution to take revenge and capture Mata Sita. He then captured Mata Sita with the help of his uncle Maricha when Shri Rama and Lakshmana were not there in the cottage. Ravana captured and took Mata Sita to Lanka on his Pushpak Vimana. On the way, Jatayu, a giant vulture, tried to rescue Mata Sita and got killed during the battle.
During the search for Mata Sita, Shri Ram, and Lakshamana encountered the demon Kabandha who was a Gandharva in a past life. He was killed and got free from the curse by Shri Ram. Later they met Shabri, who showed the path and directed them towards Rishimukh Parvat, where Shri Hanuman and Sugriva resided.
Kishkindha Kanda
Shri Rama and Lakshmana reached the city of Kishkindha in search of Mata Sita and met Shri Hanuman. He was an ardent devotee of Bhagwan Shri Rama and one of the greatest among the Vanaras. Shri Hanuman then introduced Shri Rama and Sugriva to each other. Shri Rama befriends Sugriva and helps him get his kingdom of Kishkindha and his wife back from his elder brother Bali in exchange for a promise to help Shri Rama find Mata Sita.
Shri Rama killed Bali and made Sugriva the King of Kishkindha. Time passed by, and Sugriva forgets his promise that he made to Shri Rama. Shri Lakshamana reminded Sugriva about his oath and asked him to honor his pledge made to Shri Rama. Sugriva instantly sent the Vanarsena in search of Mata Sita in different directions of Earth. All the search parties came back empty-handed except the search party that went towards the south under the leadership of Shri Hanuman, Angad, and Jambavan. They reached the seashore where they met Sampati (a vulture), brother of Jatayu. He told them about Lanka on the other side of the sea where Ravana took Mata Sita.
Sundara Kanda
The Sundara Kanda traditionally read first when reading the Ramayana. The name of this Kanda derived from the nickname of Shri Hanuman given to him by his mother, Anjani. The Sundara Kanda is the heart of Valmiki Ramayana and contains a detailed and vivid summary of the Hanuman’s journey. After getting information about Mata Sita from Sampati, Jambavan reminded Shri Hanuman about his suppressed powers. After that, Shri Hanuman took a gigantic form and leaped towards Lanka.
On his way, Shri Hanuman killed Demoness Sursa and Sinhika. After reaching Lanka, he encountered Demoness Lankini and defeated her. He finally locates Mata Sita in the Ashoka Vatika, where Ravana and other demons were threatening her. Shri Hanuman then reassured Mata Sita and gave Shri Rama’s ring to her as a signet. Hanuman then wreaked havoc in Ashoka Vatika by destroying trees and killing demons, including Ravana’s son Akshaya Kumara.
Later, he intentionally gets captured by Meghanada. Meghanada took Shri Hanuman to Ravana’s court, where Hanumana warns Ravana about the consequences of his evil deeds and demands the release of Mata Sita. The tail of Lord Hanuman got lighted, but he managed to escape and release himself from bonds. Leaping from one roof to another, he burned down Ravana’s glorious Kingdom of Lanka and his ego. He then went back to Kishkindha with others and informed Shri Rama about Mata Sita.
Yudha Kanda
As the name itself defines, the Yudha Kanda describes the battle between Shri Rama and Ravana. After receiving the information about Mata Sita, Shri Rama and Lakshmana headed towards the seashore with the Vanarsena. After reaching the seashore, the Vanarsena was clueless about crossing the gigantic sea in front of them. Shri Ram requested Samudra Dev for help. In return, Samudra dev advised Shri Rama to construct a bridge with the help of Vanaras, Nala, and Neela. They both created a floating bridge with the Vanaras across the ocean known as Rama Setu.
A long battle took place between the armies of Shri Rama and Demon Ravana. Many warriors died during the war from both sides. Shri Lakshmana got injured by the arrow of Meghanada. Shri Hanumana then went to Dronagiri Parvat to bring Sanjeevani to save Lakshmana. Instead of bringing the herb, he brought the complete Dronagiri Parvat. Ravana lost his son Meghanada and brother Kumbhkarana during the battle. Several days of war passed, Ravana got killed by the arrow of Shri Ram after Vibhishana revealed the secret to kill Ravana with Shri Rama. He crowned Vibhishana as the King of Lanka and went back to Ayodhya with Mata Sita and other Vanaras.
Uttara Kanda
Shri Rama took a leave from Lanka with Mata Sita, Lakshama Ji, Hanumana, and the Vanara Sena. His days of exile came to an end. Therefore, he prepared to return to Ayodhya. On his return, he stopped in Asharam of Rishi Vashishtha, where he met his younger brother Bharata. In addition, Shri Rama returned to Ayodhya and got crowned as the king. He ruled for many years and fulfilled his Dharma. Despite the Agni Pariksha, the kingdom still doubted Mata Sita for her purity. Shri Rama took the public opinion and banished Mata Sita to the forest where sage Valmiki provided her shelter. Mata Sita Gave birth to Luv and Kusha in the Ashram of Valmiki.
The story of Luv and Kusha has its mentioning in the later text of Ramayana. It shares the birth and childhood of Luv and Kusha. They went on reciting Ramayana in Ayodhya as the disciples of Rishi Valmiki.
