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PUSHYA-ARKA YOGA

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Combination of Pushyami Nakshathra associated with Sunday (Arka Vaara) is spiritually considered as meritorious (parvakaala) for performing sacred deeds like prayer, charity etc. Astrologically this phenomena of Pushya-Arka yoga occurs when Moon is transiting in Pushyami star in Karkataka Raasi associated with Sunday. It occurs more than once in a year. If it is also associated with Pournami thithi, Pushya maasa (when Moon will be in Pushyami star on the full moon day) and Sun transiting in Uttaraashaada Nakshathra (Sun is star lord of Uttaraashaada) in Makara Raasi the merits are bountiful. Jupiter (Guru) is star lord of Pushyami Nakshathra and it is befitting and auspicious to invoke/seek the blessings of spiritual Guru on this sacred day. Who else can we worship other than Mantralaya Guru Saarvabhouma Sri Raaghavendra Swamy who is a true Guru, Kaamadhenu, Kalpa Vriksha. Sri Appanaachaarya an ardent devotee and prime disciple of Sri Guru Raayaru in his famous hymn on Gu...

Plenary expansions of Lord Vishnu

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Vaasudeva-Sankarshana-Pradyumna-Aniruddha... Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram eulogizes Lord Vishnu as Chaturaatma-Chaturvyuuhah- Chaturmuurthi. Chaturaatma refers to Lord Vishnu’s fourfold manifestations for the purpose of creation, sustenance, dissolution and promulgation of divine spiritual knowledge. Chaturvyuhah the one who adopts fourfold or four dimensional manifestations (vyuhas) to carry out his activities He assumes four forms as Vaasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna, and Aniruddha. Chaturmurthi the one who is of four forms viz. Vaasudeva, Sankarshana, Pradhyumna and Aniruddha. In the very first sloka Sri Venkatesha Stothra (Brahmaanda Purana), Lord Venkateswara who is none other than Lord Sri ManNaaraayana is eulogized as... Venkatesho Vaasudevah Pradhyumno ~mithavikaramah Sankarshano~anniruddhascha Seshaadhripathireva Cha Who is Vaasudeva? In supreme spiritual sense Vasudeva is the foremost and supreme amongst the four plenary expansions of Lord Na...

KESAVA the divine name - What does it indicate?

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Kesava is one of the popular names of Lord Vishnu. It is considered as Moolaroopa of the Primordial Supreme Lord (Bhagavantha). Kesava (Ka + Eesha + Va) is the origin for and governing Lord of Brahma + Rudra; Kesa is a Sanskrit word meaning hair or a ray of light. Kesava means the one who has got a long and beautiful hair, whose hair is very charming, filled with supreme fragrance. Kesava is the one who is the tormentor of his enemies, and the one who’s very chanting removes sorrows and sufferings. Without chanting of the word Kesava (Kesavaaya Namaha) none of the Vedic rituals begins. Kesava is the slayer of demon Keshi and hence is referred as Keshiha. Lord Sri Krishna is famously called as Kesava. We find a reference to the word Kesava is sloka # 3 and 69 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranaama Stothram. In the symbolism of Lord Vishnu, generally we across the Lord holding Shankha in the left hand and Chakra in the right, whereas in Kesava the Aadi Chaturvimshati Roopa it has i...

UTTANA DWADASI (Thulasi festival) - Significance

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Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi known as Prabhodini Ekaadasi marks the last day of sacred Chaturmaasya Vratha. Lord Vishnu who enters into Yoganidra (Hari Sayani) on the day of Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi; will change His direction (Parivarthini) on the day of Bhaadrapada Sukla Ekaadasi; gets consciousness (Prabhodini) on the day of Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi and gets up (Uttana) from His Yoganidra on the day of Karthika Sukla Dwaadasi (Uttana). Chaaturmaasam is the period when Lord SriManNarayana enters into Yoga-Nidra. It doesn't mean that He sleeps like mortals. Guruh gurutamo dhaamah satyah satya-paraakramah Nimisho-a-nimishah sragvee vaachaspatir-udaaradhiih Sri Vishnu Sahasranama stothram (sloka #23) describes Lord Vishnu as Animishah, the one who is ever awake, ever alert, and ever vigilant; the one who keeps a continuous vigil on his devotees. Uttana Dwaadasi is also known as Ksheeraabdhi Dwaadasi as this day marks the beginning of Ksheera Saagara Mathana. This day ...

PRALAYA - THE DELUGE (Concept & Significance)

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What is Pralaya? Doomsday known in Hindu terminology as Pralaya is a Sanskrit word. Pra means conspicuous; prominent; notorious; great; noticeable; unique and Laya means destruction; deluge; dissolution; death; annihilation; Pralaya means destruction of the world. On an individual plane Pralaya means death and on mundane surface it is death and destruction of both living and non living things. Pralaya very much co-terminates with the concept of eternal Time that refers to the end of world after a cycle of ages. It cannot occur as and when one wants it. It has separate arithmetic known as Kaala Ganana (reckoning of time) and will happen accordingly at a specific time set by the Kaala Niyaamaka; the governing lord and Presiding Deity of the eternal time Lord Sri ManNaaryaana; the divine law maker and law giver. Time is controlled by Kaalapurusha; the presiding Deity of eternal Time, Lord Vishnu the Kaala. He is creator of Time and also one who causes repetition of Ti...