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Sri Hanuman Jayanthi...

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TODAY SRI HANUMAN JAYANTHI.... Chaithra Sukla Pournami (full moon day) in the lunar month Chaithra is purported to be the day Lord Hanuman was born celebrated as Hanuman Jayanthi. According to regional beliefs, customs and traditions, regional calendars it is celebrated on different lunar dates. In some parts it is celebrated on the 10th lunar day of the dark fortnight in the lunar month Vaisakha maasam, while in some other parts of the country it is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month Margasira maasam. Whatever may be the dates of celebration, worship of Lord Hanuman is prevailing in Hindu religion since Ramayana days and Lord Hanuman is one of the best known and most widely worshiped Deity of Hindu Religion. All walks of people worship him regardless of affiliations.  Lord Hanuman the personification of true and resolute devotion to Lord Sri Rama is known for his righteousness, courage, strength, valor and discriminative intelligen...

Glory & Significance of Sri Rama Nama

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Majority knows the story of Lord Sri Rama, the epic Ramayana, and Lord Hanuman (the greatest devotee of Lord Sri Rama), but only few know the significance of Rama Nama. To talk about Lord Sri Rama and significance of RAMA Nama perhaps Lord Hanuman is the most competent person. In this regard a small but sincere attempt is made to share the information collected from various sources about the glory and significance of RAMA Nama.   Who is Rama? Ramanthe Sarve Janaah Gunaih Asmin Ithi Ramah; Ramayatheethi Ramah! (Ramayatha ithi Ramah); Ramanthe yogino-nanthe brahmanande chidatmani; Raamo Viraamo Virajo Maargo Neyo Nayo-anayaH Veerah Shaktimataam Shresshtah Dharmo Dharmaviduttamah RAMA is one of the names of Lord Vishnu (Sloka # 43 of Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stothram). Rama is the one who keeps entire living beings happy; the one in whose memory Yogis always revel (take pleasure) in the bliss of Brahman. He is the one who is omniscient and...

Sri Lakshmi Shobane (Sri Vadiraja Theertha Virachitha)

SRI LAKSHMI SHOBANE (anecdote.....) Sri Vaadiraaja Theertharu one of the most acclaimed Madhva saints is accredited to have brought the most scientific and great philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya (Dwaita/Tattvavaada) to the proximity of the common folk in local language. He had tremendous amounts of miraculous powers and he introduced Goddess Lakshmi Devi to the devotees in a very special way. Once, Sri Vaadiraajaru during His regular sanchaara (tour) reached a small town where the local landlord (zamindar) was conducting the wedding of his daughter. During the course of the marriage an untoward incident happened; suddenly the bridegroom died due to a snake bite. The Landlord knowing the arrival of Sri Vaadiraajaru in the town approached Him and begged Him to retrieve his daughter's Maangalya Bhaagya that was lost even before her marriage. Sri Vaadiraajaru showed piety on the landlord and instantly composed in Kannada language ‘Sri Lakshmi Shobane’ containing 112 verses describ...

Holi the festival of colours - Significance

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Full Moon day in Phalguna masam is celebrated as   Holi festival. If that day is associated with Uttara Phalguni star it is said to be highly meritorious for worshiping Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi. It is also a Manvaadi day when Brahma Saavarni Manvanthara had commenced. Holi festival is associated with the story of Lord Shiva and Manmatha who is also known as Kamadeva. In South India it is known as   Kama-Dahana meaning burning of lust. We find people lighting a bonfire in commemoration of Manmatha (Kamadeva) the Lord of passion, getting burnt to the furious gaze of Lord Shiva when He was disturbed from His steadfast penance. When Manmatha got burnt into ashes he became body-less without any form and came to be known as Ananga.  Later in the 28th Dwapara Yuga during Sri Krishna-avathara Manmatha was born as son of Lord Sri Krishna and Rukmini Devi and came to be known as Pradyumna. Holi festival is also associated with the story of Holika (the demoness sister...

Lord Shiva - The Maha Rudra (Hara Hara Mahadev)

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Worship of Lord Shiva is prevailing in Hindu philosophy since time immemorial perhaps since Vedic times on par with Lord Vishnu. There are several historical and pouranic references to the worship of Lord Shiva and we find several divine personalities having worshiped Lord Shiva on different occasions for various reasons. Lord Vishnu in his incarnations (human form) also worshiped Lord Shiva for Loka Kalyana; welfare of the mankind and to maintain the loka-reeti (local conventions). Without delving into scriptural intricacies let us try to understand Lord Shiva the modest God in modest form.     Who is Lord Shiva? Shiva is son of Lord Brahma ( Virinchi ), instantly emerged out ( Sadhyojatha ) from centre of his eye brows at the time of creation. Soon after His birth Shiva started crying/roaring fiercely ( Roudra ) hence called Rudra ( Rodanaat-Rudra ).  One of the Trinity Lords (Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara) ruling Thamasa guna (Ahankaara Tattva); Shiva is entru...