Vedikheritage

Shri Dharma Shasta or Ayyappa, is a very popular deity in the southern parts of India. While many shrines dot the Kerala state where He is the most favoured deity, Ayyappa temples have followed the Keralites into other southern states as well. This 5 verse composition, the panchartanam, is in praise of this child-God Ayyappa/ Dharma Shasta.

Story of Deepaali 5

Concluding part of the 5 part series on a lesser known celebration of Deepavali festival, originated in the Skanda Purana of Vedic times.Hindu iconography has played a major role in the propagation and preservation of Hindu thought and values. Learn the strength of Iconography and explore the meaning of the Ardhanari form of Shri Shiva and Parvati Devi. Also delve into Yoga and it’s relevance to this form. Finally, understand the status of the 3rd gender in a true Hindu society.Ref links:https://himalayaninstitute.org/online/the-flow-of-prana-nadis-chakras-and-kundalini/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjfyqBhAsEiwA-UdzJNwCtHrdOOnh0swIW7kl0Cf1AcQkVZT1BtFfU3TsfGTF9AlcGzUv1xoC1J0QAvD_BwEhttps://shaktianandayoga.com/teachings/the-three-main-nadis/Image courtesy: Sabita Ramakrishnan

Story of Deepavali -4

Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part series. In the story of Hrshi Bronchi from the Skanda Purana, the Hrshi angers the Devi by ignoring Her. She retaliates by removing all power from his body. What is the deeper significance of this instance. Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part series.

0:10  Introduction to puranic storytelling

01:31Why was Parvati Devi angered?

01:54 Reason 1

02:34 Reason 2

03:54 Outgrowing desire

04:39 Reason 3

05:08 Importance of the World

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Instant rice Kurukkuthurai: Marudhuskitchen

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Cake slice: butternut bakery

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Pole vaulter: Pixabay-domeckopol 

The complete chant is played twice in this episode. Once with lyrics in 3 languages for you to chant along, second time with meanings in the 3 languages. Like other compositions by the famous Guru Shankaracharya, this too talks of the esoteric nature of the divine, in this case, it is in the form if Shri Ganesha.

Ganesha Pancharatnam is a composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India. 

Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices around India, he amalgamated the practices and “established 6 main Sects”- Shan-matha-stapanam. The 6 Sects since followed are:

1. Sauryam -Surya Worship
2. Gānapatyam - Ganesha worship
3. Shaivam - Shiva Worship
4. Shāktam - Devi Worship
5. Vaishnavam - Vishnu Worship 
6. Kaumāram - Karthikeya Worship

 Sri Shankaracharya also composed famous works of poetry in praise of these main deities. This is one such composition.

0:10 Verse 1

0:35 Verse 2

01:00 Verse 3

01:26 Verse 4

01:52 Verse 5

02:16 Verse 6

2:51 Meaning in 3 languages

Ref links:

Sanskrit meanings:

https://kksfusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ganesa-Pancharathnam-Lecture-Notes.pdf

https://greenmesg.org/stotras/ganesha/ganesha_pancharatnam.php

Hindi meanings: 

https://www.sanatanatva.com/articles/shri-ganeshapancharatnam-mudakarattamodakam

Story of Deepavali 3

The quest to decode the story of Hrshi Brnghi in the Skanda Purana continues.

In the Skanda Purana Hrshi Brnghi is seen disrespecting Parvati Devi and only venerating Shri Shiva. Is this a perpetuation of patriarchy?

What is Moksha /Liberation? Why do Yogis prefer to disengage from the world?

These questions are answered in this episode.

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The Puranic story from Skanda Purana about Rshi Bronchi’s insult to Parvati Devi, makes one wonder - “What relevance do these out dated stories have for us?” This is the question I wish to explore here.

Deepavali Story 2

Most Hindus are familiar with at least a few stories from the Puranas. Of over a hundred Puranas mentioned in ancient texts, the 18 Mahapuranas of Vyas Maharishi are quite popular. The stories within these Puranas talk of Gods, Devas, Asuras and a lot of happenings which are sometimes so fantastic that it looks imaginary. At other times they are very much like happenings in our own life. Most Puranic stories leave us with many questions and don’t seem relevant to our modern life.

Is there any use in learning about these Puranas and if so, what is it? Come join me in understanding this.

Deepavali Story part 1

Story of Rshi Bringi 

People in some parts of Bharat observe this ancient practice of Kedara-gauri Vrata during Deepavali. Learn about this story form the Skanda Purana which explains the importance of this Vrata. 

Hindu texts tell us that Eclipses influence the atmosphere and thereby all organisms on Earth. Ancient Hrshis have given guidelines on dos and don’s dating this period. Eclipses are said to impact the type of cosmic radiation hitting Earth and we are given certain instructions on how to avoid getting severely impacted by them. Here is a simple list of observances for a Lunar Eclipse.

0:00 Introduction

00:23 Lunar Eclipse

05:00 Observances during Eclipse

Semi circle image from:rawpixel.com@freepic

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

Ref links: https://www.drikpanchang.com/eclipse/lunar-eclipse-date-time-duration.html?geoname-id=5128581