Hints from Hindu Religion

Vishnu Related - How to identify Idols of Lord Vishnu with his various aspects?

2013-05-03T15:55:00.000+05:30

In almost all the Siva Temples the idol of the deity will invariably a linga. But in other temples there will be idols representing the deity of the temple. Same deity will have different kinds of idols which may different from one another in some respects but still will point out to the category of deity to which the idol belongs to. We can see Mahalakshmi, Durga, Vishnu etc with some differences in different temples. All the gods have more than 1000 names each. But the aspects of the concerned god/goddess will be few and according to which the idols are made. Let us take the case of Lord Vishnu r Mahavishnu.

Every Hindu knows the idols of Mahavishnu/Lord Vishnu with 4 hands - each carrying a object, a garland of Thulsi (Holy Basil). Mahavishnu had several incarnations though we consider the incarnations as 10 and is popularly named as 'Dasavathara'. But in Bhagavatham and Geetha the Lord himself say that he comes to earth again and again to protect the 'Dharma'; from the evils doers when it crosses limit. (Dharma Samsthaapanarthaaya Sambhavaami Yuge, Yuge). Hayagreeva (god with human body and horse head) is one example. However idols Mahavishnu or Lord Vishnu himself is installed in different temples with some differences. So how we i8dentify the idols as to which aspect of Vishnu they represent? lord Vishnu have mainly 24 aspects each with a distinct name. I am giving below the names of the Lord for different aspects along with the way of identification. The identification is done by the order in which the devices are held in the 4 hands. No 2 aspect of the Lord holds the devices in the same sequence in his hands. The order of hands and devices held are considered from backside right hand, backside left hand, front side left hand and the front side right hand. Let us have a look at them:

1. Atchuthan - Padmam (Lotus), Chakra (Sudarsan Discus), Shankhu (Conch) and Gada (Mace).

2. Adhokshajan - Gada (Mace), Shankhu (Conch), Chakra (Sudarsan Discus) and Padmam (Lotus).

3. Aniruddhan - Gada (Mace), Shankhu (Conch), Padmam (Lotus) and Chakra (Sudarsan Discus.

4. Damodaran - Shankhu, Gada, Chakra and Padmam.

5. Govindan - Gada, Padmam, Shankhu and Chakra.

6. Hari - Chakra, Padmam, Gada and Shankhu.

7. Janardhanan - Chakra, Shankhu, Gada and Padmam.

8. Kesavan - Shankhu, Chakra, Gada and Padmam.

9. Madhavan - Chakra, Shankhu, Padmam and Gada.

10. Madhusoodanan - Shankhu, Padmam, Gada and Chakra.

11. Narasimham - Padmam, Gada, Shankhu and Chakra.

12. Narayanaan - Padmam, Gada, Chakra and Shankhu.

13. Padmanabhan - Padmam, Chakra, Gada and Shankhu.

14. Pradhyumnan - Shankhu, Gada, Padmam and Chakra.

15. Purushothaman - Padmam, Shankhu, Gada and Chakra

16. Hrishikesan - Chakra, Padmam, Shankhu and Gada.

17. Samgharshanan - Shankhu, Padmam, Chakra and Gada.

18. Sreedharan - Chakra, Gada, Shankhu and Padmam.

19. Sreekrishnan - Gada, Padmam, Chakra and Shankhu.

20. Thrivikraman - Gada, Chakra, Shankhu and Padmam.

21. Upendran - Gada, Chakra, Padmam and Shankhu.

22. Vamanan - Chakra, Gada, Padmam and Shankhu.

23. Vasudevan - Shankhu, Chakra, Padmam and Gada.

24. Vishnu - Padmam, Shankhu,Chakra and Gada.

The Shankhu (Conch) of Lord Vishnu is named as Panjajanya, Chakra (Serrated edged Discus) is named as Sudarsana Chakra and the Gada (Mace) of the Lord i named Kaumodaki.
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Vishnu related - Origin of Rameswar Jyothir Ling temple

2012-08-19T21:42:00.001+05:30

After killing Ravan and installing his brother Vibhishan as the King of Lanka, Sriram was returning to Ayodhya with Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman and Vibhishan in the 'Pushpak Viman (plane). When the flight was above the ocean, Lord Sriram had sudden vision of Ravan. He explained this to others. Then Vibhishan informed the Lord that he is suffering from the 'Bramhahatya paap' of killing Ravan who was Brahmin because of his knowledge and the Lord should offer worship. As soon as the Pushpak Viman crossed the ocean the Lord made the plane to descend on the on the land. He invoked Lord Brahman by his meditation and wanted his suggestion to get rid of the 'Brahmahatya paap'. Lord Brahman suggested him to instal (consecrate) Lord Siva. Lord Sriram requested Hanuman to bring the 'Jyothir Ling' from Kasi (Varanasi - Benares). Hanuman went and when the 'Muhurt' was about to be over and Hanuman did not come, the Lord thought not to miss the Muhurt time and made a Siva Ling with the help of Sitadevi and was abut offer the pooja. This Ling made by Lord and his consort is known as 'Saikatha Ling'. Just at that time Hanuman came with the Siv Ling from Kasi.Seeing his lord about to perform the worship and felt disheartened that the Ling he brought with so much of trouble is not going to be used. Lord Sriram understood the disappointment of Hanuman. He installed the Ling brought by Hanuman and offered pooja first to that and after that the one made by him and Sitadevi and instructed that the first pooja in the temple should be offered to the Ling brought by Hanuman. That practice of the worship is followed even now. Later the temple was built at this place. This temple is the famous Rameswar Temple. This is one of the 12 'Jyothir Ling' Siva temples of India.

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Vishnu related - Thirupathi Prasad and Thomas Monroe British GovernorThomas Monroe

2012-08-05T16:49:00.000+05:30

This article is an incident which happened with the Thirupathi Prasad to Thomas Monroe, the British Governor for South India during the British regime. Thirupathi Balaji - Srinivasa - Venkatesha temple was/is one of teh richest temples of India. The Governor Monroe used to visited the temple to oversee the collections there. Since he was a Christian and the temple is of Hindu deity, he never used to visit the shrine in normal course. Once he went near the shrine and found the devotees partaking the 'Venpongal' prasad (food item offered to deity and distributed as prasad to devotees) with their hands. They had also had their head shaved. All these created revulsion in the Governor's mind and he ordered his followers to throw the prasad from the devotees' hands and ordered them to dash the heads of the devotees with each others. He was enjoying the disappointment and pain of the devotees. He was also teasing the devotees that if they eat this dirty prasad they will suffer from diarrhea and vomiting. The helpless hapless devotees could not anything except to pray to the Lord to make Monroe considerate and humane. Just at the time itself the Governor started having terrific stomach pain and no medicines gave any relief. He could not sleep in the night due to the pain. All the doctors from all over the country tried and could not help him. At that time one of his Hindu followers suggested that the problem may be due to his actions at the Thirupathi temple of harassing and teasing of the devotees and defiling the prasad. If this is the case he will be cured if he takes the prasad once. Since Monroe had tried all other things and failed without any relief, he agreed to try the prasad. He asked for the prasad and started eating the same. On putting the first portion in mouth itself he started feeling relief. By the time he took the prasad fully his stomach pain was cured. The Governor was so relived and happy he ordered that the prasad be given to the devotees without any restriction. He decreed to set apart the revenue collections form the Village 'kodapaayal' exclusively for the Venpongal Prasad to be offered to the deity Balaji. This Venpongal prasad in later days is known as the 'Monroe Prabhu Kangalam'. After the incident the Governor Thomas Monroe and his family members became devotees of Lord Balaji of Thirupathi.

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Siva related - Why Garud do not fly and Lizard do not make noise in Kasi (Varanasi)

2012-07-13T21:29:00.000+05:30

The Garud - golden eagle (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu) do not fly over Kasi (Varanasi - Banaras) around a radius of about 50 km. Similarly the house lizards do not make their noises in Kasi. There is a reference abut the reason for this peculiarity in the scriptures.

The story is like this: After killing Ravan, Sri Ram wanted to offer special pooja to Lord Siva to get rid of the 'Brahma Hatya sin' (the sin of killing Brahmin). He suggested to Hanuman to go to Kasi and bring a 'swayamboo Ling' (a Siva Ling of self originated) from there. When he went there the place was full of Siv Lings. He could not identify a Swayamboo Ling. Garud, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu shown a swayamboo one by flying in a circle over. At that time the lizard made its sound to confirm the selection of Garud. Hanuman removed the Ling and started flying out of Kasi towards Rameswaram.

Kasi is believed to be guarded by Lord Bhairav. When Hanuman reached the border of Kasi, Bhairav stopped Hanuman and asked him as to how dare he (Hanuman) is to take Siv Ling without his (Bhairav's) permission. Hanuman replied that he need no permission from any body as it is as per by the request of his lord Sri Ram. A fierce battle went on between Bhairav and Hanuman with neither of them getting defeated or winning. All the gods numbering around 33 crores were watching this with sorrow. After some time some of them took initiative to stop the fight. They requested Bhairav to allow Hanuman to take the Ling so that Lord Sri Ram can offer the worship. Bhairav agreed to this request. Since Garud and Lizard helped Hanuman to identify the Swayamboo Ling, Bhairav made a condition that Garud should not fly within 45 miles of Kasi and Lizards should be silent in Kasi.

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Siva relatd - Offer Mandai vilakku at Kasyapeswar temple for religious relief from head diseases

2012-06-04T22:59:00.000+05:30

In Kancheepuram of Tamilnad there is a Siva temple dedicated to Kasyapeswar temple. In this temple there is a strange system of worship done during the Sundays of Tamil month of Karthikai (November - December). On these Sundays the devotees carry a 'Maavilakku' (a lamp made of baked flour with depressions made for oil to burn the lamp) in mud pans. This lamp will be filled with oil and wicks and then lighted. The devotees carry the mud pans with the flour lamps on their head and do pradikshan (circumlocution) around the temple. This worship or offering is known as 'Mandiavilakku' (Mandai means head and vilakku means lamp) prarthana. The devotees with head problems, if offer this mandaivilakku worship can expect cure of their problems related to the head.

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Vishnu related - Remedy for Kaliyug evils

2012-05-31T22:02:00.000+05:30

The Kaliyug is a period where the human beings will be subjected to several temptations and evil effects. At the start of the Kaliyug Sage (Maharishi) Narad was very much upset and sad. Sage Narad went to Naimisharanya, a forest where Sage Vyasa was meditating. Sage Narad stated to Sage Vyasa that the Kaliyug has started. He said further that he is worried that the people will be weak in mind and body and will have to suffer from poverty, different kinds of diseases and the people will forget their duties. How the people can get relief from these and other evil effects of the Kaliyug? Sage Vyas said that there is still hope. Chanting of the sacred name of Kesav (Lord Vishnu), reading of Sreemad Bhagavatham, Bhagavath Geetha etc will give relief from the evil effects of Kaliyug.

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Goddess related - Rare or wonderfula idol of goddess Mriamma

2012-05-31T21:32:00.000+05:30

Normally the temple idols are made out of granites or tree trunks of sturdy trees like Rose wood, Teak wood, Jack fruit wood etc. Brittle and easily spoiled/damaged tree trunks are never used for making temple idols which are supposed to last for centuries.

But there is a temple in Tamilnad (a State in India with hundreds of famous and gigantic temples with many of them specialty temples) which is having a rare or a wonderful idol of Mariamman made out of the 'Muringa maram' (drumstick tree). This idol of the drumstick tree of this temple is believed to be of more than 600 years old. Though the drumstick tree idol is supposed to get damaged very fast, this wonderful idol is still in good condition in the temple worshiped by millions of devotees annually.

The Mariyamman temple is as mentioned earlier, in Tamilnad. It is in a village called Chatrapetti about 6 km from a town by name Rajapalayam, famous for a special breed of dogs.

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Siva related - Bhagavat Geetha from Sri Krishna devotee by Siva

2012-05-29T22:55:00.000+05:30

This is an incident reported to have happened in Kottiyoor Sri Mahadeva temple in Kannur District of Kerala. In the Kizhattoor village of Perinthalmanna taluk of Malappuram District of Kerala, there is an ancient Namboodiri family by name Poonthanm Illam (Poonthanam house - illam means house of Namboodiris). In the 15th century, there was a Namboodiri popularly called Poonthanath Namboodiri. He was devotee of Lord Krishna and is believed to have the power to see the lord at his will. and the Lord used to play in the form of a boy and help the Namboodiri in his worships. This Poonthanath Namboodiri used to wander from temple to temple in Kerala and make his visit to the famous Guruvayoor Temple in Thrissur District. He was a simpleton with the Guruvayoorappan (Lord Sri Krishna) in his mind. He used to read Bhagavatham in temples wherever he goes. Once he came to the Kottiyoor Sri Mahadeva temple in Kannur District of Kerala. Wherever he goes people of the place will pester him to read the Bhagavatham. He read the verses of Bhagavatham. When he came to the tenth verse of (10th) chapter which is a verse on devotion to the lord his reading was so impressive that the listeners were taken to the feeling of devotion to the god at its peak. Whenever Poonthanam stops reading for the day he makes a mark from where he is to start the reading on the next day. On this particular day he kept the marker as usual in the book and retired for the night. Next day when he opened the place marked for his reading he found that the marker is in the same place where he started reading on the previous day. He though that he might have made a mistake and on this day also read the same passage and marked for the next day. On the next day also the same incident of his marker in the same place where he started on the previous day. When this happened on the third day also, he wanted to investigate as to what is happening. He lied down in front of the temple door and was getting sleep. At that time he heard someone reading the same passage he read on the last 3 days. He slightly opened the door and saw that the Lord Mahadev (Siva) was reading the passage to his consort Goddess Parvathy, the sister of Lord Vishnu. After reading the passage, Lord Siva asked his consort as to how his reading today was? The goddess told him that it was better, but was not as touching as that of Poonthanam's reading.On hearing this Poonthanam prostrated the divine couple chanting the name of god.

The Lord said to Poonthanam that he (the lord) himself was changing the marking made by Poonthanam so as to hear again the verse from him (Poonthanam) as both he and his consort were very much impressed and moved by his reading. The Lord Mahadev of Kottiyoor temple became a fan of Poonthanam for the deep and selfless devotion to his Lord (Lord Krishna).

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Ganapathi related - Worships of Lord Ganapati and the boons available

2012-05-06T15:26:00.000+05:30

Various types of worships of Lord Ganesh and the expectations

Lord Ganapathi is 'Agra Poojya' meaning the first one to be offered pooja for any functions or festivals or Poojas to any deity according to Hindu Religious customs. He is the remover of then obstacles in the path.

Besides Lord Ganesh, Ganapathi, Vinayak or Vighneswar (he has several names) is also worshiped for realization of various desires. Let us see some of them.

The most favorite offering to the lord Ganesh is Modak (a preparation out of rice flour, jaggery, coconut shavings etc). The rice flour is made into batter and small portions are flattened. In this flattened flour is placed a small quantity of a filling made out of the coconut shavings and jaggery cooked. The rice flour flat piece with the filling is closed to make it in the shape of a ball (not perfect round). This ball is either steamed in water steam or deep fried in oil. This is offered to the lord. This is supposed to fulfill whatever is desired by the devotee.

Offering sugar cane is expected relive the bone related illnesses.

Offering Jambul (Syzygium cumini) will bring wisdom to the devotees.

Offering Guava/Koyya Pazham/Amrood will remove Anger

Jack fruit offering will bring energy to the body.

Banana offering is expected help in family progression. (Vamsa vridhdhi).

Offering coconut to the Lord will remove fear and remove the 'dhrishti dosha' (evil eye effect removal)

Offering Ghee will increase longevity; Milk will remove poverty; curd mixed with jaggery will give children and will improve wit; Jaggery pongal or jaggery gheer (paayasa) will result in harmony between couples; Vada will result in bodily health and chickpeas will help in unity.

If pooja is done with white Calatropis Gigantia (Erukku) will bring all round prosperity; Leucas plant (Thumba) flower will result in recognition; jasmine flower will bring family bliss; lotus flower - wealth; Crepe jasmine (carnation - nandhyarvattom) will bring wisdom; bilva (bael) leaves will increase religious feelligs and the mos proffered Bermuda grass (bahama or kweek grass) will remove the fear of death.

Lord Ganapathi the symbol of simplicity

The Hindu philosophy teaches to love and appreciate everything in the nature. Even in the idols of the gods and worship this aspect of love and appreciation towards nature is reflected. We can find several animals and birds as the vehicles of various gods and goddesses. Coming to the lord Ganapathi who is the first deity to be worshiped and appeased to remove all obstacles in the path and at the start of any function.

Lord Ganapathi, Ganesha, Vinayaka, Vigghneswara, there are several names and cannot be mentioned here as the names itself will occupy pages and pages of the article. The Lord is the symbol of simplicity. The form of the lord itself is a symbol of simplicity. It is a combination of a human and an animal. This is to reflect the relation in nature to the human beings and the animals. The lord accepted the body of a man with the head of an elephant for his form. The man is proud of his head – brain which is in the head which is not taken by the lord. The elephant has the body the strongest amongst the animals and that also is not taken by the lord. Instead he had opted for the frail body of the human and frail head of the elephant leaving out the strong parts of both. Now let us see his vehicle or carrier. It is the mice. An animal of the most ordinary level and normally despised by all. What is the most preferred offering in place of flowers to Lord Ganapathi? It is the ordinary Dhurva (Berumuda, doob, karuka, garge etc in different languages) grass, a kind of commonest among the common grass. He will be pleased by the offer of the Dhurva grass. Now coming to the neivedya (food offering) the preferred items are the sugar cane, coconut and jaggery (bella, vellam - unrefined sugar in molded form) which are also the most common items. Thus the lord is pointing out that even the common and ordinary things of the nature are valuable. He is considered as the most helpful god for all and removes the obstacles if pleased and at the same time he can create obstacles which cannot be solved by anything or anybody if he is displeased. Even the ultimate of the gods the thrimurhtyees offer worship to Lord Ganesh before starting any task.

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Goddess related - Akshaya Tritiya its significance and the legends

2012-04-23T22:00:00.001+05:30

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya is a Hindu annual festival. Akshaya means non diminishing, non exhausting, non decreasing, non reducing etc. Kshaya means one that is reducing, diminishing re decreasing etc. Akshaya is opposite of it. Tritiya means 3^rd day. In the case of Akshaya Tritiya, the 3^rd day is of the lunar month Vaisakh which normally falls during the period between April 15 and May 15. Since English calendar is based on solar system the date of Akshaya Tritiya will not fall on the same date of English calendar every year. Lunar month starts on the next day of Amavasya or the full moon day. Tritiya will be the 3^rd day after Amavasya in normal months but Akshaya Tritiya is on the 3^rd day of Vaisakh lunar month. As the name suggests this is a day with no Kshaya or no diminish, decrease or non reducing. It is supposed to mean that the wealth of this day will not diminish during the year till next Akshaya Tritiya day if the Poojas and rituals etc are observed to please the concerned deities.

Worship on Akshaya Tritiya day

On this day Hindus are supposed to do Poojas for Lord Ganapathi (since all auspicious things are to start with the pooja of Lord Ganapathi (for his removal of the vignas or obstacles), Goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and prosperity), Kubera (the keeper of wealth in heaven) and the Gaja (elephant). On this day if we meditate on these gods and imagine that we acquire and keep wealth the effect is to realize these objectives. Every year repeating this procedure will enable to get wealthier and maintain the wealth.

It is believed as per the holy scriptures of Hindus that Akshaya Tritiya was observed from Krithayuga (the origin of the universe) itself. It is the belief that the best day to offer charity is the Akshaya Tritiya day. It is expected to bring salvation to the giver of charity.

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

The planetary combination especially the positions of the Sun and Moon, on April 24th of this year, i e the Akshaya Tritiya day, is such that all that is lost can be expected to co me back to us. Try to recollect the losses suffered such as the wastage happened, the loss in 9jvestments and the loans that was/were not received back etc. The Kubera banker of the gods has the full records of the transactions and the loss is clearly recorded by him hence pleasing him so that he does the necessary steps to see that our losses are recouped through the blessings of the goddess of wealth Sri Lakshmi.

Akshaya Tritiya day is the best day to give charity or gift etc. Charity is help to the needy and gift is the expression of one’s love to the other. A suitable gift is the symbol of the expression of the emotion of love and care for the living ones. Similarly for the dead but loved ones’ or the ancestors doing ‘tharpanam’ or obeisance is like expressing the veneration we have for them. It is a good day for investments too.

Legends about the significance of Akshaya Tritiya day

Lord Brahman created the world on this day.

According to one legend Akshaya Tritiya is the day used to calculate the start of the various Yuga namely Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and the Kali Yuga.

It is the starting day of Krita (Satya) Yuga – that means the starting of the universe itself.

It is on the Akshaya Tritiya day that goddess Lakshmi got her position in the heart of Lord Mahavishnu and the incarnations of Aiswarya Lakshmi and Dhaanya Lakshmi out of the Ashta Lakshmis.

It is on this day that the Kubera keeper of the heavenly wealth and prosperity got the pots of wealth (Nidhi Kumbamgal).

It is on this day goddess Annapoorna's incarnation took place.

It is on Akshaya Tritiya day that Lord Siva went to goddess Annapoorna and received food as charity (Anna Dan).

It is believed that it is on the Akshaya Tritiya day the goddess Sakambari (a partial incarnation of goddess Parasakti) created the vegetable and medicinal plants.

It is supposed to be the day on which Maharishi Veda Vyasa started composing the epic Mahabharata.

This is the day on which Lord Krishna gave the ‘Akshaya Patra’ (a cooking vessel which produces food items without diminishing even after taking from it) to Draupadi (Panchali) during the start of the Pandavas’ ‘vanavaas’ (Living in forests as a punishment for the failure in the dice game with the Kauravaas, their cousins.

Akshaya Tritiya day is the Parasurama (the 6^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu) Jayanthi (birth day). Incidentally Parasurama is supposed to have brought out the land forming part of the entire Kerala State and the land from border of Kerala up to Gokarna within the state of Karnataka.

It is on this day that Kuchela or Sudhama went to meet Sri Krishna and gave pounded rice (poha – avil) and got wealth from the lord.

What are the beneficial rituals to be followed on Akshaya Tritiya Day?

It is a day to offer worship to Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera along with Lord Ganapathi, Lord Vishnu and his incarnations.

It is a good day for giving gifts and charity especially Anna daan (food offering to needy).

It is a good day to initiate children for ‘Vidyaramba’ (initiation to education).

A good day for chanting Sanjeevani Mantra for reducing the intensity of diseases.

It is a good day to do Satru Samhara pooja to remove enmity feelings.

Writing Mrityunjaya Mantra and keeping it below the pillow of children is a good practice to ward of the Dhrishti Dosha (relief from evil eye effects).

The most popular legend about Kuchela, poha and Sri Krishna

Sudhama or more widely known as Kuchela was a Brahmin who was a co-student with Lord Srikrishna in the then Gurukul. He was a very poor one but was a favorite friend of Lord Srikrishna. Lord Srikrishna never allowed anyone to tease Sudhama. After the studies each went on his own pursuits of life in different places. While Lord Srikrishna became the ruler of Dwaraka, Sudhama or Kuchela continued his life of Brahmin of worshiping and offering Poojas to the gods and to his childhood friend (Chaddi dosth) Lord Srikrishna as the Lord was an extra ordinary power. Kuchela was in perpetual poverty with no food on many days. His wife persuaded him to go to his childhood friend Lord Srikrishna who surely will help them in the difficulties. Finally one day with reluctance (as Kuchela does not believe in taking others help) He went to his friend’s palace with small quantity of pounded (flattened) rice packed in a old worn out cloth (he could not afford anything else). As soon as Kuchela entered the gate of Lord Krishna’s palace, the Lord got up and went up to Kuchela and embraced him and brought him to his own seat and washed the feet of Sudhama. Seeing the prosperity all around, Kuchela was ashamed of the gift he has taken to give to the lord and hid the same from view of others. The lord however found the same and snatched and ate 2 hands full of the same. They chatted for some hours and finally Kuchela started back to his home without asking anything from his friend.

When Sudhama reached the place of his old hut in his village he could not find the same but found in its place a palatial home with all the splendor and wealth. On inquiry he came to know this to be his own home converted by the lord though his friend Kuchela did not say anything about his condition and seek any help. This incident happened on an Akshaya Tritiya day and as the lord made the Kuchela very rich, the belief is that on this day offering worship will bring splendor and prosperity to the devotees.

Gold dealers opportunism

The jewelry shops and dealers have started taking full advantage if this festival by trying to indicate that buying gold on this day will bring prosperity. If one has to buy some jewelry in the near future it may be O K for waiting till Akshaya Tritiya. Similarly if one want to invest in gold as gold investment is good as of now, investing in gold on Akshaya Tritiya day may also be good. But there is no necessity to buy any gold or precious items only for buying during Akshaya Tritiya day.

Vishnu related - Rama, Ramayan and Kasi - Varanasi

2012-04-15T22:43:00.000+05:30

Death Kasi - Varanasi considered as sacrosanct

Among the Hindus there is a belief that if one dies at Kasi - Varanasi will not have another birth and will reach permanent merger with the god. Why is to so? The reason attributed by the holy scriptures is that Lord Siva say the name Rama in the ears of the persons dying here. For this reason only Hindus believe that during the life time at least once a visit to Kasi - Varanasi is a must before death.

About Ramayana

The Vatmiki (Valmiki) Ramayana is having 24,000 stanzas (slokas). According to a belief there were 1 crore of slokas - stanzas to Ramayana. The Devas, Asuras and the Maharishis wanted to have all these to themselves and were in constant fights. Finally all the 3 groups decided to go to Lord Siva and get solution this quarrel. According they went to Lord Siva and mentioned their problem to him. Lord Siva made them to agree to the condition that whatever decision he takes should be accepted by all the 3 groups which was agreed by them. Lord Siva gave each group 33,33,333 slokas or stanzas each to each group. After this division there was one sloka or stanza left out. This one sloka had 332 letters in it. Lord Siva gave each group 110 letters each. Then there were 2 letters left out. He said that these 2 letters cannot be distributed equally to the groups. The Lord informed the groups that he as the 2 letters cannot be divided he is keeping the 2 letters as his reward for the job of distribution. As agreed in the beginning itself all the 3 groups agreed to the distribution but expressed their desire to know the 2 letters left out and kept by the Lord. The Lord Siva mentioned the 2 words as Rama, Rama, Rama.

General - Giving of some gifts and their returns to us

2012-04-04T09:39:00.000+05:30

During our life without our consciously thinking or thinking in a different way (like having something which is useless o us and is occupying place and gathering dust) we give something to others. Sometimes we give consciously like giving some money to a beggar or a poor person some food etc. Let us have look at what the scriptures say about our giving gifts or complements or daana.

Item given as Daan                       Benefits to us

Blankets                           help to get relief from paralytical and rheumatic troubles

Clothing                       Help us to longevity

Food                               Will fulfill our desires

Goose berry    Wisdom

Honey in Bronze pot    Help to beget son

Lamps to temples Promotions

Land                                Help us to attain Brahmalok

Rice                               Will help to remove the trouble from fear

Seeds and saplings          Longevity

Thambool with fruits Help us to go to heaven (Swarg)
(Betel leaves and nuts)

It is not that just we give something and we are going to get the benefits as above. We should have faith in what we are doing and with a pure heart we have to offer. Every religion without exception repeatedly impress its followers that 'Yad Bhavam Thad Bhavathi' or 'Let your belief protect you'. This is not an exhaustive list of gifts and benefits. There are 100s of them. At later stages I may go on adding such information to this.

General - Who is god or What is god?

2012-04-03T19:17:00.000+05:30

Who is god

Long back once a king in India had a doubt as to who is god. He asked all knowledgeable persons including his ministers in the country. He was not satisfied with the replies he got from them. He felt bad and this point was bothering him as the thought was nagging his mind constantly. He made an announcement for anybody having the information to give the same to him.

After a few days one person came to the king with a pot of milk. He told the king I can explain as to who god is. He shown the milk in the pot to the king and explained that he was giving green colored grass to the his black cow. But the cow gave him the white milk. He continued his explanation to the king that he or the power that made the black cow eating green grass to give the white milk is the one called god. The king was happy with the explanation.

Siva related - Navagraha dosha planetory problems remedies

2012-03-27T20:46:00.000+05:30

This article is to give brief details about the Brahampureeswar temple at Thirukolili or Thirukuvalai near Thiruvarur in Nagapattinam District of Tamilnad. Offering worship here will remove the Navagra doshas.

For removal/redressal of Navagraha dosha the foremost place to visit is the Brahamapureeswar temple at Thirukolili or Thirukuvalai. one who offer worship here to Brahmapureeswar is expected to get removal of all troubles arising from Navagra dosha (wrong placing of the planets) in one's horoscope. Brahmapureeswar is Lord Siva also called by the local people as Kolilinathan. In Tamil 'kol' means planet. It is the belief that Lord Brahma, Agasthya maharishi and Pandavaas etc came here, worshiped the Lord Siva/Brahmapureeswar/Kolilinathan and obtained salvation.

There is Navagraha installation here which is very special to this temple. The same is in the North-Eastern corner in its own shrine. The Navagrahas (( planets) are all facing South direction. Normally the Navagrahas are placed in a different way. All planets will be installed on a square granite stone. The Sun, the main planet will be at the center. The other planets are placed in such a way that no two planets will be facing each other. The placings will be usually as follows: As mentioned the Sun (Surya) will be at the center. Planets Surya (Sun), Sukra (Venus) and Budh will be facing East. Guru (Jupiter) will be facing North. Chandra (Moon) and Sani (Saturn) will be facing West direction. Rahu and Kethu will be facing South. The placing of the Grahas will be: Surya - center; Chandra - South East; Kuja (Mangal) - South; Budha - North - East; Guru (Bruhaaspati) - North; Sukr (Brigu) - East; Sani (Manda) - West; Rahu - South - West; Kethu - North - West. There is references about this temple from 7th century onwards.

The Main deity Lord Siva is in the form of Swayamboo Linga. It is of white sand. The belief about the Linga is that the same in consecrated by Lord Brahma himself.

The temple is on the Thiruvarur - Thriuthiraipoondi. It is about 3km from Ettukudi and 5 k m from Kachinam. The temple is in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India.

General - Tilak - Kumkum wearing, its benefits

2012-03-24T23:01:00.000+05:30

This article is to give a brief details of the tilak, bindhi, 'tika', 'pottu', 'sindoor', 'tilak', 'tilakam', and 'kumkum and why it is applied, where it is applied, who are to apply, and how to apply along with the benefits of applying the same etc. The tilak is usually a round dot small or big or red or vermillion in color.

Wearing tilak is an important custom to Hindus

Wearing the thilak/tilak on the forehead is as important an item of life as is taking bath, lighting an oil lamp or going to the temple for worship, for the Hindus. The women wear the tilak/kumkum on the forehead, in between the eyebrows above the nose. Women especially after marriage when entering the house of the husband fully adorned and beautifully attired is a considered as very auspicious and considered to help the welfare of the family and for good progeny. Widows are not expected to wear tilak.

Men folk applying tilak

Even the menfolks used to wear tilak traditionally as is the examples of the ladies of the house, the mother or wife, brothers, or Gurus - any one of them just before the men go out for a war, martial training or for performing Yagas etc. In case of Kshatriya (warrior communities) there used to be a practice of making a small cut in the thumb and the blood is applied by wife to the men going out on war. The men in normal circumstances wear the tilak not necessarily in round shape. If they are wearing the vibhooti (sacred ash) it will be 3 horizontal lines made by 3 fingers with the ash made wet. In the center spot some may wear the kumkum (vermillion) or raksha (a mixture of ghee and the burnt homa or burnt Dhurva - dharba grass) which will be black colored. Some wear sandal paste instead of ash or in addition to ash. The sandal paste may horizontal or a vertical one applied with the ring finger from above the eyebrows to the head. Men wear these tilaks in other places like the chest, upper arms near the shoulders also. Some of the rishees, munees, sages or priests wear the tilak on every joints on the upper portion of the body in addition to the places mentioned.

Why tilak on forehead

Whether it is men or women the place to wear tilak is at the center of the forehead at least. The place between the 2 brows above the nose is a very sensitive point of the human beings. This spot is symbolized by the scriptures as the place of the 3rd eye of Parameswar. The spot is supposed to be a center controlling knowledge, intelligence, memory etc. The tilak is to be applied after taking bath. Immediately after bath the temperature of the body may be at variance from the atmosphere which may result in fever, cold etc. Wearing tilak will give relief to such problems.

Applying sacred ash on the top of the head and the joints after bath will take care of the possible problems of cold, fever and dropsy (swellings) of the joints. Applying or wearing the tilak while meditating or chanting mantras on the deity of ones liking will prevent many of the doshas due to the positions of the planets. This will also bring in prosperity. During the time of inauspicious times like immediately after death or birth in the family and the menses time of ladies wearing or applying tilak should be avoided.

How one should wear or apply Tilak?

Tilak should not be applied with the use of nails or the little finger.

If one applies tilak with the ring finger it is expected to bring mental and bodily ease or peace and salvation etc.

If the applying is done by the middle finger, it is expected to result in longevity of life.

If with the index finger tilak is applied it will being salvation and with the thumb finger if tilak is applied it will result in proper growth of teh body.

The items used for tilak are Bhasm (Vibhooti or sacred ash), sandal paste, kumkum etc.

Applying sacred ash - Basm

The sacred ash is made by making balls of cow dung and thoroughly drying the same in the sun. This is burnt with the paddy husk overnight. In the morning the cow dung balls would have been burnt and became ash which are taken out carefully without mixing the husk parts. The burnings are done normally on the Siva ratri nights. Basm is supposed to give health, wealth and prosperity.

If the positions of Sun (aditya) and Saturn (Sani) are not in favorable position at the time of birth, wearing Basm after bath with chanting of 'Om Nama:sivaya:' will give relief from the doshas. Since Basm is associated with Lord Siva, it is expected to protect us from evil spirits and the consequences. It is to be applied by making it wet with water in the mornings; mixing with sandal paste in the afternoon and applying dry in the evenings is the correct procedure.

Applying Sandal paste

Just as Lord Siva is associated with the Basm, Sandal is associated with Lord Vishnu. Applying or wearing sandal will bring tranquility to mind, gives a bit of cooling effect, raise the mind to the satvik level (pious making). There are two kinds of sandals, the whitish normal one and the red colored (known as rakt chandan)one. The red sandal paste is used for blood purification. For Sun worship (Aaditya pooja) red sandal or Rakt Chandan is used. People having problems due to the wrong positions of Surya (Sun) or any other planet/s are advised to take pieces of red sandal pieces the same on Sunday mornings after bath and go to temples where Surya or Navagrahas are installed and offer the same will reduce the problems. Such people may also get the daily archana done with flowers and the red sandal paste at Devi temples and wear the prasad of the red sandal used for the archan for relief. At all times whether with or without any planetary dosha is present or not it is a good practice to wear sandal paste with chanting of 'Om Namo Naaraayanaaya' is a very good practice.

Applying Kumkum (vermillion)

Kumkum is associated with Devi and applying kumkum will bring the blessings of the Devi. Kumkum is to be made by drying and powdering the kumkum flower (saffron flower - kesar flower). It is also good to apply the kumkum during the dasa period of the planets moon, kuja (mangal - Mars), Sukr (Venus) and Kethu. Daily wearing kumkum is expected to give family security, keep the evil spirits and their consequences away besides help enhancing beauty. The kumkum used for abhishek or archan for Devi idols is very god if applied daily. Since saffron is very costly, kumkum is made by mixing of calcium and turmeric powder. The tow are mixed in such a way that the calcium is added to turmeric bit by bit and mixing thoroughly till the desired color is arrived.

Applying Raksha for tilak

After performing Ganesh homa (sacred fire) where coconut, and other auspicious homa items are used the charcoal is taken out and mixed with ghee or honey making it a loose paste. This is known as raksha (protection). Applying or wearing this will help to remove obstacles form ones path. This is also good for people suffering from Kethu or Sani dasa to wear to get relief from the troubles.

Other items for tilak

From Naaga (snake) temples and Devi temples turmeric used for abhishek or archan is given as prasad. It is very good to wear this to get relief from Rahu dosha. It also helps to reduce the poisonous elements in blood, and for increasing beauty.

The Bhadrakali temples use a coal paste made of raw green till (gingelli) plant by burning after taking out the sesame seeds or burning or rice and making paste with til oil. This will be a black colored paste like thing used to adorn the deity during abhishek. This is given as prasad and using this will ward of Kuja or Chandra doshas. This will be very helpful during the Kuja or Chandra dasa in one's life.

Kalabham is another item used for tilak. This is made by mixing sandal, gulgulu (Indian bdellium tree - Commiphora mukul or Gugal, Guggulin Hindi), maanja , Kumkum flower (saffron), Kotam, Iruveli, Ramacham (vetiver - khas grass) and Akil all Ayurveda medicinal items. This will be made as paste in the temples and applied to the deities. This after removing from the idols are distributed as prasad. Applying this on the body or using it for tilak is very good. This will give cooling effect to the body.

There area also some other such items used to make particular or specific tilak for specific purposes.

Though tilak is predominantly used by Hindus, people of other faiths have also started using this slowly.

Murugan related - Stomachache and other doshaas cure through Thiruchenthoor milk dhaara darsan and vibhooti

2012-03-24T15:24:00.003+05:30

This is an article about the power of darsan of teh ksheerabhishek/ksheer dhaara and the vibhooti (sacred ash) of Thiruchendoor/Thiruchenthoor Lord Murugan/Karthikeyan/Subramanian.

Thiruchendur is a famous pilgrim center in Tamilnad. It is on the East coast on the edge of the Bay of Bengal. Since the sea waves constantly touch this place, the place is also known as 'Theeruchcheeralaivai'. This is one of the places where Lord Subramanya/Karthikeya camped with his padai (army) during the course of his fight against the demon Soorapadman. Hence it is one of the 6 padi veedu of Lord Subramanya. Padai veedu means army camp. Thiruchendur is the 2nd one of the 6 padai veedus(camps). Since the Lord killed and released the innocents from the clutches of Soorapadmasura (Soorapadma demon) Thiruchendur or Theeruchcheeralaivai is also known as Jayanthipuram. This place is also called as Vyazhaksetram (temple of Lord Guru - Jupiter) as the Lord Guru is believed to have come and did pooja in this temple.

This is a very big temple complex in Tamilnad and have several shrines for so many sub deities in the temple complex. But the main deity is Murugan/Subramanian/Karthikeyan. There is a special offerings to the Lord Murugan. The offering is known as ksheera (paal - milk)dhaara. Above the idol of the deity of Lord Subramanya a sliver pot with a small hole at the bottom from which the liquid inside will fall in trickle (slender - thin stream) on to the idol. For the special offering this silver pot is filled with milk and the milk falls on to the idol through the hole. It will take around 3 - 4 hours for the milk in the pot to empty. This is a special abhishek (sacred bat) done to the deity. Devotees who come here on the days of this special ksheera dhaara (abhishek) and have the darsan of the deity during this special abhishek will receive all the blessings of the Lord. The devotees who want to have this special abhisheka darsan should have their bath in the 24 theerthas (holy ponds) before the abhisheka darsan. The devotees are given sandal paste and sacred ash which was used to adorn the deity in a leaf. If the devotees adorn this sacred ash in front of the deity, fully concentrating on him are cured of the stomach pains which defied the medicines also. Along with the cure of the stomach problems many doshaas due to planetary positions also will get relief. There are other offerings offered by devotees like vratha and kavadi dance, pulling the chariot of the lord etc for cure of their problems including mental worries. People believe that those who perform the vows get relief from their problems.

It is said that the Adi Sankaracharyar came here and had the sacred ash and was cured of his chronic stomach disease and after that he sang the Sri Subramanya Bhujangam. There are several such incidents mentioned by the local people here.

There are several specialties attached to this temple. One such specialty is that there is hole in the wall on the eastern side opposite to the flag staff at the Southern side of the temple. One can see the foamy waves of the sea if peeped through the hole. If one keep the ear to the hole, the pranava mantra 'Om' can be heard.

Vishnu related - Sarpa and Rahu Doshas relief from Oothukkadu Sri Krishana worship

2012-03-23T23:07:00.000+05:30

This article gives details of Oothukkadu Sri Krishna temple. Worshiping here gives relief to Sarpa dosha or Rahu dosha.

Oothukkadu is a small village near to the town Aavoor near to the famous temple city of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. This village is an ancient holy place due to the presence of a very old Vishnu temple. The deity, Lord Vishnu of this temple is installed here as Lord Veda Narayana Perumal with his consorts Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. There is one more idol made of Pancha Loha (5 metals). The idol is of Lord Krishna dancing on the hoods of Kaliya the poisonous snake which was troubling people around Kaalindi river. The deity is popularly known as Sri Kaalinga Narthana Krishnar. This idol of Lord Krishna is of about two half feet. The idol will appear as the Lord dancing on the hoods of the Kaliya with his left hand holding the tail of Kaliya, the snake and the right hand in abhaya (granting of boon - aaseervad) position.

The specialty of the Oothukkadu Sri Krishna idol is that though the feet of the Lord appears to touch the head of the snake, it does not touch actually. There is a thin gap between the feet and the head and a thin paper can be passed through the gap. This is to mean that the entire weight of the idol of the Lord is balanced on the right hand of the lord and the tail of the snake.

This temple is believed to give relief against the Sarpa dosha and Rahu dosha.

Siva related - Thiruvizha Mahadeva (Siva) temple for cure of Inasanity and skin problems

2012-03-21T10:16:00.000+05:30

This is an article to explain the about the Thiruvizha Siva temple ad the prasad offered to the persons suffering from insanity and some skin diseases like dropsy and leprosy.

Thiruvizha Mahadeva (Siva) temple is in a village by the name Thiruvizha near to Cherthala town in Alapuzha (Alappey) district of Kerala State in South India. As the name suggests the temple is dedicated to Lord Siva (Mahadev). This is a very old temple but a small one. The temple opens at 5 am and the usual abhisheks (bathing of the deity) is done and the idol is decorated. At the Thiruvizha temple the main prasad given is a special one. The temple complex is having a peculiar plant the leaves of the same is plucked and the juice extracted from this is mixed with the cow milk. this is offered to the Lord Siva at the pooja known as the Pantheeradi pooja which is around 8 to 8.30 am.after offering this mix of the milk and juice the same is distributed to the devotees who have given the names of the persons to whom the prasad is to be given. The priest call out the names of those devotees for whom this prasad is to be given. Around 100 ml of this is given to each of the devotees who have registered for the same. These people are to drink the prasad in front of the deity. After one hour after taking this milk, they are given warm water of about 200 ml. After taking the water the devotees (mostly who are affected with mental or skin problems) are to circumambulate (walk around place of worship ritualistically) around the temple in clock wise direction. After each round the persons are to take 200 ml of warm water. By the time they complete 5 rounds they start vomiting whatever is there in their stomach. Once the stomach is empty around noon they are given another prasad which is offered to a shrine in the complex dedicated to Lord Vishnu. By the time the patients are expected to have relief.

Large number of people come here for cure or relief from not only from problems of insanity, but from skin diseases like dropsy or leprosy etc. The prasad of this temple is believed to have the curing power of troubles from Alchemy/black magic, witchcraft (mantravada), evil spirits. Apart from all these the prasadam has the power to rejuvenate/energize/recharge the mind and body.

A visit here is a worthwhile deed.

The temple address is:prasad of
Thiruvizha Mahadeva Kshetram,
Kanichchu Kulangara P O, Cherthala, Alapuzha Dst. Kerala State, India
Phone Number: 011-91-478-2864836

It is near to Cherthala town and Alapuzha town.

Vishnu related - Ravan experienced the power of Ram naam

2012-03-19T22:37:00.000+05:30

This is an article explaining the fact that Ravan experimented with the power of Rama's name. Let us see as to what is the incident mentioned in Ramayan.

Even after Hanuman came to Lanka and demonstrated a sample of his power first by crossing the ocean and then by burning several housed in Lanka with the torch made on Hanuman's tail by the demons with the cloths covered and dipped in oil Ravan felt that he is invincible. Hanuman could have crossed the ocean by some magic which cannot be repeated by all.

One day one of his spies came and informed Ravan that Sri Ram is trying to build a bridge with the help of the vaanaras (monkeys). He further informed that the boulders and the hillocks put in the ocean by the monkeys are not downed, but are floating on the water. Ravan did not believe it. While the discussion was going on between Ravan and the spy, Ravan's wife Mandodari went to her garden and wrote the name of 'Sri Ram' on a small boulder and put it in the garden pond. The stone did not went down in the water. She came back and told the incident to Ravan when the spy has gone away. Ravan still did not believe the same. However he decided to test the incident by himself. He went with his wife to the pond and saw the stone put by her, lying over the water. He took a stone in his hands and told that he is telling the Ram's name and putting the stone in the water and threw the stone in to the water with some force. To his consternation the stone did not go down in the water but was lying on the water. Ravan meditated on this and told to himself that Sri Ram is a capable person who is equal to fight him (Ravan).

General - Some prasadas (edible offerings) becoming medicines

2012-03-19T21:35:00.000+05:30

There are some temples, especially in Kerala where some special prasadas offered to the respective deities which are distributed t devotees. These prasadas act as medicines for some diseases. Let us have a look at some of them.

Normally the Vaishnav temples give Tulsi theerth (holy water with Tulsi) as prasad.This prasad taken daily will give relief against common cold, headache, Stomach disorders, some types of poisoning. It may give relief in some types of blood glucose, cholesterol levels, radiation problems and in some types of cancers in the beginning stages.

Near to Dindigul There is a village bu the name Thaadi Kombu with a perumal (Vaishnav) temple with the deity known as Soundararajan. The Danuvanthri deity here is having Avaleha (Lehyam) and Thaila as neivedyam. If this prasad is offered t the deity on Amaavasi (Amaya - new moon) days and taken as internally as prasad many diseases will be cured as per the belief of the devotees.

The Danvantri temple at Maruthorvattam near Cherthala in South Kerala there is an offering of 'Thaalu kari' (Colocasia stem) to the deity and the same is distributed as prasad. This prasad is believed to cure stomach pain and indigestion.

Near Cherthala there is another temple where the deity is Lord Siva. Here the offering is milk mixed with a substance having poisonous matter. The priest reads the names of the devotees who have registered their names with the temple for the prasad in front of the deity and give the prasad to the concerned devotees. The prasad taken as prescribed is believed to cure for some mental illness, skin problems like leprosy, swelling from excessive accumulation of serous fluid in tissue etc and energize body & soul.

Near Thrissur, in Nelluvai Village there is a Danwantri temple. Here one f the offering is a 'mukudi' a preparation of turmeric, pepper, curd and salt . This mukudi is believed to give relief for Asthma (respiratory) problem.

The Thaila prasad of the Dharma Sastha temple at Thakazhi is believed to cure skin diseases and progressive paralysis.

The Kashaya theertha (a kind of extract) of Mookambika temple is a like an all purpose remedy for many diseases.

One of the oldest Vishnu temples of Kerala in Irinjalakuda of Thrissur District of Kerala is the only temple in the whole country dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Bharath the inimitable brother of Sri Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Devotees come here with with various requests to the Lord and offer different worships. The main prasad is 'Mukkudi Nivedyam' and 'Brinjal Nivedyam' offered on the day of 'Avittom' star in the Malayalam month of 'Thulam' (during October - November) is a rare one. The mukkudi, if taken will cure all diseases related to blood. This Mukkudi is prepared at this temple by one of the Ashta Vaidyas of Kerala the Musad of Kuttancheri (a place in Kerala). This medical preparation of one of the 'Ashta Vaidyas' Kuttencheri Moose is mixed by pure curd in new mud pot in the temple and offered to the deity as neivedya first and is distributed to the thousands of the devotees who throng the temple on this day of 'Avittam - Sravishta' star day of Thula (Libra) of Malayalam month. There is a legend about the introduction of this special 'neivedya of mukudi'. It is connected with 'Vilva Mangalm Swamiyar' (also known as Leela Sukan). He is a known figure to all Keralites Hindu devotees. He is connected with several temples in Kerala. He was supposed to have the ability to see god whenever he wish to see. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna and it is believed that Lord Krishna used to come in disguise as a Brahmin boy and help the Swamiyar in his pooja activities. The Swamiyar during his wanderings between temples, came to the Irinjalakuda Bharatha temple and he could not feel the presence of the Lord in the temple. When he went around the temple he saw the Lord lying with pretended stomach problem for his attention. The Swamiyar called the Kutanchery Moose made his to prepare the 'Mukudi" and transferred the same in new mud pot and offered the same to the Lord and distributed to the devotees present there. This practice is followed thereafter every year on the day. This 'mukudi' gives relief to any devotee who believes.

Hanuman related - How Hanmuman became Chiranjeevi - Amar

2012-03-15T23:01:00.000+05:30

This article is to explain why Seetha Devi blessed Hanuman to be living as long as the world exist.

After abduction Sitha Devi by Ravan to Lanka Sriram and Sugreev deployed their forces to search for Sitha Devi. Hanuman went to Lanka after crossing the sea and met Sita Devi and tried to convince her that he (Hanuman) was a messenger or ambassador of Sriram. To convince her Hanuman narrates many incident that happened between Sriram and Sita Devi even some intimate happenings when only the two of them were present at the place. But non of these could convince her fully that Hanuman is coming from Sriram, but may be a trick being tried by Ravan who is know for such tricks. Ultimately when Hanuman shows the finger ring the insignia of Sriram she is fully convinced that he is a person coming from her lord Sriram,.

On this realization she felt sad that she did not rust such a staunch follower of Sriram and tears started rolling down from her eyes. Hanuman consoled her and said that her master will vanquish Ravan and rescue her. She felt repentance and sympathy with Hanuman and blessed him that Hanuman has no death as long as the world lives and he thus became Chiranjeevi, ever living being or Amar.

Goddess related - Gayathri Mantra chanting for courage and strength of mind

2012-03-15T19:44:00.000+05:30

This is an article to explain the benefit of Gayatri Mantra to the mind, the mantra, meaning of the mantra, preferable way to adopt and the originator or codifier for the common man's benefit. Daily in the morning after taking bath chant this for 108 times will give maximum effect. Depending on the time available it may be done 18, 28, 58 etc may be done at least which may bring some effect.

There is a strong belief that Gayatri mantra is directed to Devi Gayatri. Some believe that it is directed to the Surya Deva. Some believe that it is not directed at any particular god/goddess and hence can be directed to any god/goddess one likes to.

The Gayatri Mantra is:

Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tát savitúr váreṇ(i)yaṃ

bhárgo devásya dhīmahi

dhíyo yó naḥ pracodáyāt

Meaning of Gayatri mantra

Let us meditate on the goddess/god who is capable of removing our sins and ignorance; one who created this universe and all beings to be revered and greatness of the god. Let him /her lead our mind and intellect to our good.

There is a say that there is no food better or wholesome for human beings and there is no mantra greater than Gayatri mantra.

Each mantra of the Vedaas are associated with a Rishi and is having an adhidevatha. For Gayatri mantra it is Viswamitra Rishi and Savitha Devatha.

Preferable way to chant Gayatri mantra

Sit facing East or North. Sit squatting cross legged (preferably in Padmasan) on a plank or a mat of grass. Train to chant without mistakes. Along with some observe the pranayama (concentration with regulated breathing) and the counting with concetration of the chanting. This procedure help to have clear and clean mind, increased memory power and peace of mind. The the word appears to be denoting feminine one can use this mantra to one's won ishta devatha (god of one's own preference).

Originator of Gayatri mantra

Sage (Maharishi) Viswamitra is credited to have mastered Gayatri sadhana and derived the all powers of Gayatri mantra. He standardized the procedures the Gayatri mantra japa (chanting procedures of Gayatri mantra) and made it available for the common man to practice after getting initiated through a competent Guru (teacher - priest).

Hanuman related - Sani dosh parihar through worship Hanuman and other gods

2012-03-12T19:50:00.000+05:30

Why praying to Hanuman and other gods give relief against Sani dasa/dosha

This is an article to explain why proper worship of lord Hanuman helps to remove or reduce the effect of the transitional affections of Lord Sani planet fro m one house to another. The effect will be there for up to 7 and half years. two and half years before coming to the house, two and half in the house and tow and half years after going out of the house to the next one. The first two and half years comparatively mild, next period severe and the final period again less and some times some benefits also at the time of going out of the house. Let us see.

During the transit of the planet Sani the hose in which it has entered may affect the persons born in that rasi and other rasi connected. People coming under these rasees will have to undergo problems from mild to severe intensity depending on the rasees and the birth stars of the persons concerned. For the proper guidance and advices people concerned may approach competent astrologers. But there are some general religious remedies which will eliminate or at least reduce the effect of the Sani Dosh.

Sani dasa period of Hanuman

One version is that When lord Sani felt it is time for Hanuman to come under his influence or effect, he came to Hanuman. Hanuman was sitting in a room. Sani sat on Hanuman's shoulder to start his effects. Lord Hanuman immediately started increasing his size using his ability to do so. He increased his size to such a level that Lord Sani was caught sandwiched between the should or Hanuman and the ceiling of the room. He was squeezed tight and was about to be crushed. Lord sani pleaded with Lord Hanuman that Sani will not trouble Hanuman any more and also will not harm or at least reduce the malefic effects of anyone who prayed to Hanuman.On this assurance Hanuman released lord Sani.

Another version of the above

It is known to all Hindus that tall the planets transit from house to houses and each take its own specific time to cross over from one house to the next. Lord Sani takes two and half years. All scriptures explain that Lord Hanuman as a extremely knowledgeable, a vedhanthi and an extremely strong one. Sani do not spare any one form its turn to punish. Even the thrimurthees (Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara) were not spared. Lord Ganapathi escaped by fooling Sani. Dhrama Sastha was freed by Sani as Sani was troubled by Sastha and Hanuman escaped by his strength. Lord Sani was proud that even the thrimurthees did not have escape from his and others are no match to him Thinking this Sani felt that Hanuman's turn has come for the trouble, and went to Hanuman. Hanuman did not like the expression of Lord Sani and Hanuman thought of teaching a lesson to Sani. Sani said to Hanuman that your time to come under my effect is slightly overdue and be ready to face the effect. Hanuman smiled to himself and said O K please come. Sani was enraged with the attitude of Hanuman and his hairs were erect with the anger. Hanuman used his power to increase in size and became so huge like a mountain and caught hold of the hair on the head of Sani which were standing erect due to the anger and started swirling so fast that Sani felt miserable and the pain was unbearable. He requested Hanuman to release him and promised that he will not trouble Hanuman. Hanuman put a condition that not only he (Hanuman) but but anyone who is a devotee or who worship him (Hanuman) should not be troubled by Sani. Lord Sani agreed to this condition upon which Hanuman released Lord Sani.

One more version of Sani dasa of Hanuman

Lord Hanuman was in deep meditation of Lord Ram by chanting lord Ram's name. Lord Sani thought of teasing Hanuman. When he tried to do so Lord Hanuman warned him to get off as he respect Sani as the son of Hanuman's Guru Lord Surya (Sun) and do not want to hurt his as far as possible. But Lord Sani did not listen to his warning, Lord Hanuman started thrashing Lord Sani. Lord Sani could not withstand this and pleaded with Hanuman that he will leave Hanuman. Hanuman took a promise from Lord Sani that he will not go near to devotees who pray to Hanuman or those who meditate on Lord Ram.

Helped Lord Sani from Ravan

As per Ramayan Hanuman had rescued Lord Sani from the clutches of Ravan who had enormous power and strength due to the blessings of Lord Siva. In gratitude Lord Sani promised Hanuman that he will not trouble those who prayed to Hanuman.

Because of these reasons people who worship Hanuman are not troubled by lord Sani.

Worship of other gods for Sani Dosha Parihara

Offering proper worship to Lord Siva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Dharma Sastha, Lord Sani himself and Lord Hanuman are believed to give relief against Sani dosha.For more effect these worships are to made on Saturdays.

Visiting Saneeswar temples or temples where Navagrah with Saniswar is installed is considered good. There are few temples in South mainly in Tamilnad where Saneeswar is a main deity like Thirunallar Karaickal in Pondichery state; Koochanur in Theni district; Suryanar temple near Kumbakonam - Mayiladuthurai; Vaidyanatheswar temple of Madavarvalaakam in Srivalliputhur near Chennai and Nachiyar temple in Thanjavur are considered to give very good effect.

Performing neeranjana on Saturdays at Ayyappa (Sastha) temples are considered as to good relief. Neeranjana is lighting lamp with a special wick of a black cloth piece filled with black sesame seeds (black til seeds, ellu). (put sesame in cloth and make a pouch and tie the cloth to keep the sesame in the pouch). The tied end will have the cloth protruding as a thick wick. Soak this in till (gingelli) oil and place it in a lamp. Pour sufficient oil in the lamp to burn the cloth pouch fully and light the end of the cloth. The person suffering from Sani dosha should stand near the lamp so that the smoke coming from the lamp is availed by the body through nose and skin. It it done for a specified number of Saturdays relief should be available,

Chant Sani Gayathri every day mornings during pooja time.

Chant Saneeswara manthra (oum sree Saneeswaraya namah) 108 times everyday during the trouble period

Give rice with some sesame mixed to cows daily.

Give food to hungry persons. Give clothing to persons with tattered cloths on Saturdays. Giving iron items as gift is considered good.

The best thing is to consult a competent astrologer and be guided.

Ganapathi related - Why strange type of worship Lord Ganesh?

2012-03-12T16:56:00.000+05:30

When we go to the temple/shrine of Lord Ganesh/Vinayak/Vigneswar we do strange worship by having an odd posture. We hold the right ear with the left hand and left ear with the right and cross the legs and then do the sit and stand ritual. Why this is done?

There is an incident in the puranas which gives a hint about the reason or origin of this practice. The legend is that once when Lord Vishnu came to visit Kailash, little Ganapathi was playing. When he saw the Sudarsan chakra (discus disc) on the finger of Lord Vishnu, his uncle, Ganesh wanted to play with it and insisted for the same. Lord Vishnu gave the same and went to Lord Siva, his brother-in-law. After finishing his talk with Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu was to go back when he saw the Ganesh with Sudarsan disc in his mouth. Lord asked his nephew to return the disc and tried his level best without result. Then he thought of making little Ganesh to laugh so that the disc can come back to him without injuring Ganesh. For this he adopted the strange posture of holding the ears with opposite side hands and crossing legs and doing the sit and stand activity. Immediately Lord Ganesha laughed and the discus came back to Lord Vishnu. This is supposed to be the origin of this type of strange worship to the Lord Ganesh.

The physical benefit of this practice is that the knees of legs and hands get exercise which strengthen them. Another benefit by this is that the brain get more blood to circulate as the heart pumps more blood. This increase in blood circulation will help activate the memory and the brain will be alert..

Ganapathi related - How Kubera was humbled by Lord Ganapathi?

2012-03-12T14:22:00.000+05:30

Kubera is the Lord of the North side with the capital of Alakaapuri and the Lord of wealth. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Siva and on his blessings only Kubera became what he was. Once Kubera visited the Lord Siva at Kailas. He saw that the Lord and his consort were living in place of snow without any roof over them and the place was surrounded by the snow clad mountains. He was scornful at the site and invited the lord to go over to his place where he will give him a warm welcome and feed him with 50 + delicious dishes. He thought that if the Lord comes to his place, he will know the difference between the facilities and comforts of the 2 places (lord's place and Kubera's place). The lord smiled to himself. But goddess Parvathy became very angry and said that we are not very particular about food but since you invited us with your devotion and love, I will send my son Ganesh (Ganapathy, Vinayak). Since he is fond of food he will be pleased. Accordingly Kubera with the Lord Ganesh and his vehicle mouse went in Kubera's Pushpak Viman (Kuber's plane) to Alakaapuri.

For the occasion of the feeding, all the VIP's of all the 14 lokas of the universe had come. The food items were delicious and flavored the aroma was making every body's mouth to water. As soon as Lord Vinayak reached Kuber's place he started telling about his hunger. Since Ganesh was a child they thought first let him be fed. Hundreds of dishes were kept in front of Ganesh for him to eat.Instantly Ganesh finished all the items given to him and informed that he is still hungry. Whatever food was prepared was finished and fresh preparations were also finished and still the hunger is not satisfied. Ganesh started to swallow the everything he could see around including the furniture of Kuber's palace in spite of Kuber's pleadings to spare. Kuber immediately flew to the Kailas and prostrated at the feet of Lord Siva and requested him to save. All his pride and ego vanished and he only wanted to save his skin. The lord smiled to himself and gave Kuber a handful of 'Avil' (pounded and flattened rice flakes) and advised Kuber to give the same to Lord Ganesh. By the time he returned not only the palace but the entire city of Alakapuri has gone into the stomach of Lord Ganesha. Kuber gave the avil to Ganapthai and prostrated at the feet of Ganapathi and stood in front of the lord with folded hands and repentance for his pride and ego. Lord Ganesh took a bit of the avil of his father. Immediately his hunger was satisfied.

The essence is that one should not be unduly proud, elated or egoistic at gains and scorn others.