Shiva: The Auspicious One And His Glories
July 25, 2008
Shiva is one of the three main deities in Hindu religion. He is the personification of the mode of ignorance, although he is transcendental to the modes of nature. Followers of Lord Shiva are called shaivaites. He’s also known as “Mahadev”, the great God. Vaishnavism, Shaivism and Shaktism form the three main denominations in Hinduism. Vishnu represents the mode of goodness, Brahma is associated with passion, and Shiva with ignorance. Collectively they are known as the Trimurti... Read more »
The Powerful Devious Demons And Their Exploits
July 25, 2008
The sage Kashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi. From Diti the demons were born and from Aditi came the demigods. The demons also follow the Vedic ways of life under the guidance of their spiritual master, Sukracharya. It so happened that many times the demons took over the heavens and made the demigods flee in fear. Realizing the great danger, God takes an avatar to defeat the demons, relieves the demigods from fear and returns them back to the heavens. Many such accounts can be found in the Srimad... Read more »
The Six Goswamis: The Embodiments Of Spiritual Perfection
July 25, 2008
The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan were the people who revived Vrindavan. Rupa and Sanatana were direct disciples of Sri Chaitanya and they compiled literatures based on the teachings they received from Him. The other goswamis also were disciples of Sri Chaitanya with the exception of Jiva who was initiated by his uncle, Rupa Goswami. Sanatana was accepted by the inhabitants of Vrindavan as their Guru. The Goswamis are famous for their devotional literatures, their staunch practices and renunciation,... Read more »
The Demigods And The Heavenly Enjoyments
July 25, 2008
Even in this world most of the believers in God lament and pray to God when they are in trouble and they forget to worship Him when they are living comfortably. The mentality is the same among the demigods. The level of enjoyment is so high in the heavenly planets that the demigods forget to worship God. They realize their precarious position when the demons attack them and take over the heavenly planets. At that time they run to Lord Vishnu for help. When they offer heartfelt prayers to Lord Vishnu... Read more »
Vaishnava Sarvabhauma - Jagannath Das Babaji And His Teachings
July 25, 2008
Srila Jagannath Das Babaji Maharaj was an associate of Thakur Bhaktivinoda. He was well-known and very much respected among the vaishnava community. As such he became known as “Vaishnava Sarvabhauma”. He spent a lot of time in the land of Vrindavan and that was where he is believed to have attained perfection. Later he moved to Navadvip Dham where he lived in a tent with his servant. As compassionate and respectful to the ‘dhamvasis’ as he was, he would even allow dogs to... Read more »
The Sacrifices Of The Different Ages
July 25, 2008
God is not understood through mere words. It takes time: lifetimes and millenniums of practice. Some may get discouraged but only the sincere practitioners go to God. By sincere we mean no duplicity and no crookedness, always pure hearted and straightforward in dealings. The scriptures of the Buddhists talk about good character because unless one develops good qualities it is impossible for one to stop sinning. By being free from sins one an easily progress along the spiritual path. Since the dawn... Read more »
Vaastu: The Vedic Science Of Construction
March 10, 2008
Vaastu is traditionally used in India for town planning and architecture. Vaastu comes from the Vedic literature and is found in the Atharvaveda. Vaastu is also known as Sthapathya Veda. It attracts good health conditions, happiness and prosperity. There are four categories of Vaastu 1. The earth/ site - Bhoomi, on which everything stands 2. Structures on the earth - Prasada 3. Movable objects - Yaana 4. Furniture - Sayana The Five Elements Vaastu is the science of direction and architecture that... Read more »
Vedic Math Ancient Sutras - Basic Mental Math
March 6, 2008
The latest research in Vedic Math suggests that there are sixteen ancient Vedic Sutras which have been expanded upon by an additional thirteen sub-Sutras or math corollaries. A brief discussion on each of these is in order. The 16 Vedic Math Sutras as applicable to mathematics: 1. “Ekadhikena Purvena” (By one more than the previous one) The working of the Sutra is quite simple. In the case of the vulgar fraction 1/19 whose denominator ends with 9, in the normal method 18 steps are required.... Read more »
Mental Math and Vedic Math In Modern Times
March 6, 2008
In our modern age of computers and calculators, a lot of people have practically stopped developing skills of mental arithmetic and mental math. What school child hasn’t asked, “Why do I need to learn that? I can do it on my calculator…blah blah” That really puts a teacher on the spot. And that is just the beginning; learning tables, multiplying and dividing by hand, are in danger of becoming a chore instead of a challenge. Who wants to wasted their time mastering a complex... Read more »
Ratha Yatra: The Festival Of Celestial Carts
March 6, 2008
Ratha yatra is the celebration of when Lord Krishna (Lord Jagannatha) left Dvaraka and attended a religious function in the holy pilgrimage site, Kuruksetra, around 5,000 years ago. He was traveling on a big opulent chariot along with His sister, Subhadra, and elder brother Balarama, to Vrindavan. In remembrance of that incident, Ratha Yatra, the Festival of the Chariots is celebrated every year at Puri, the temple town in Orissa, on the east coast of India, where Lord Jagannatha eternally resides. The... Read more »
