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Lord Shiva is commonly portrayed with distinct symbols such as a third eye positioned on his forehead, a crescent moon adorning his head, and a serpent gracefully coiled around his neck. Yet, the question arises: What do these symbols truly signify? Let us delve into the concealed meanings that lie beneath the form of Shiva. 1. Moon: The crescent moon on Shiva's head represents the passing of time and the rhythm of life. It signifies his control over time and the universe. 2. Third Eye: Shiva's third eye is a symbol of his wisdom and insight. When opened, it can unleash destruction, showing the balance between creation and destruction in the universe. 3. Serpent: The serpent coiled around Shiva's neck represents his mastery over fear and death. It also symbolizes the awakened spiritual energy known as Kundalini, which rises within us to attain higher consciousness. 4. Trident (Trishul): Shiva's trident represents the three fundamental aspects of reality: Creation, P...

શ્રાવણી પૂર્ણિમાના દિવસે  બ્રાહ્મણો શાસ્ત્રોક્ત વિધિથી  સમૂહમાં  નૂતન યજ્ઞોપવિત ધારણ કરે છે.  ઘણા બ્રાહ્મણો  વ્યસ્ત જીવનશૈલીના કારણે સમૂહ કાર્યક્રમમાં ભાગ લઇ શકતા નથી. ઘણીવાર ભારતની બહાર રહેતા ભૂદેવો પણ સંક્ષિપ્ત વિધિનો આગ્રહ રાખતા હોય છે. આ બાબતને ધ્યાનમાં રાખીને અહીં નૂતન યજ્ઞોપવિત ધારણની સંક્ષિપ્ત વિધિ રજૂ કરેલ છે. ધોતી પહેરી, ખુલ્લા શરીરે પૂર્વ દિશામાં મુખ રહે એમ બેસવું. [ 1 ] જમણા હાથમાં પાણી લઈને ત્રણ વખત આચમન કરવા. [ 2 ] ગાયત્રી મંત્ર બોલીને ત્રણ પ્રાણાયામ કરવા. [ 3 ] દિપક અને અગરબત્તી પ્રગટાવવા. [ 4 ] જમણા હાથમાં જળ રાખીને સંકલ્પ કરવો. ૐ વિષ્ણુ ર્વિષ્ણુ ર્વિષ્ણુ (વર્તમાન સંવત) વિક્રમ સંવંત શિવ પ્રિય શ્રાવણ માસે શુક્લ પક્ષે પૂર્ણિમા તિથૌ (વાર) વાસરે (ગોત્રનું નામ) ગોત્ર ઉત્પન્નસ્ય અહમ શ્રોતસ્માર્ત કર્માનુષ્ટાન સિધ્યર્થમ નૂતન યજ્ઞોપવિત ધારણમ અહમ કરિષ્યે... (જળ તરભાણીમાં મૂકવું) [ 5 ] ત્યારબાદ ડાબા હાથમાં નૂતન જનોઈ રાખી – જમણા હાથની આંગળીઓ વડે એના પર જળ છંટકાવ કરવો અને નીચેનો મંત્ર બોલવો : ૐ અપવિત્ર પવિત્રો વા સર્વાવસ્થામ ગતોપિ વા । યઃ સ્મરેતપુંડરીકાક્ષ સ બ...

Raksha Bandhan is a special day when brothers and sisters show their selfless love for each other. Sisters tie rakhi threads on their brothers' wrists, and brothers promise to take care of their sisters. However, there's a bit of confusion this year about when to celebrate Raksha Bandhan. This confusion is because of "Bhadra." Let's explore what this means and how to pick the perfect time to celebrate. The Bhadra Confusion: Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on Shravan Purnima day. This year, the Purnima Tithi starts on 30th August at 10:58 am and ends on 31st August at 7:05 am. The same day will also coincide with the occurrence of Bhadra Kaal. According to astrology, Bhadra Kaal times are not considered good for doing auspicious things. Bhadra Timings: Bhadra starts on 30th August at 11:00 am and ends at 09:01 pm. Bhadra Punchh Time: 05:30 pm to 06:31 pm To avoid Bhadra timings on Raksha Bandhan, It's better to Tie Rakhi on following Date and Timings: Auspicious T...

Shiv Mahimna Stotram is very popular among the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiv Mahimna Stotram is written by Pushpadant.  This stotra helps us to understand the most important qualities of Lord Shiva, who is both the creator and the destroyer of the universe. What adds to the uniqueness of this stotra is that my father, Dr. Jagdishbhai S. Joshi , translated this stotra and published a book. With an aim to make the Stotra accessible to all, he undertook the challenge of translating its Sanskrit verses into simple and understandable language, maintaining the essence and sanctity of the original composition. It's not just a book; it's a portal that transports you to a world where devotion, philosophy, and poetry intertwine. Shiv Mahimna Stotram with translation offers a unique opportunity for readers, whether scholars or newcomers, to grasp the profound concepts enshrined in this masterpiece. Each verse of the Stotram is accompanied by a translation that captures the essence of the o...

Here's a list of well-known Sanskrit verses from the Vedas that talk about "Rashtravad," which is about building a strong nation. In these verses, the Vedas emphasize the importance of unity, fairness, and equality in society for the nation to grow. They also mention how leaders and wise people have a responsibility to make sure everyone in the nation is treated justly and that the society develops well. ये ग्रामा यदरण्यं या: सभा अधि भूम्याम् । ये संग्रामा: समितयस्तेषु चारु वदेम ते ॥ (अथर्ववेद १२.१.५६) (हे मातृभूमि ! जो तेरे ग्राम हैं, जो जंगल हैं, जो सभा - समिति अथवा संग्राम-स्थल हैं, हम उन में से किसी भी स्थान पर क्यों न हो सदा तेरे विषय में उत्तम ही विचार करें । तेरे हित का विचार हमारे मन में सदा बना रहे) वयं तुभ्यं बलिहृतः स्याम ॥ (अथर्व० १२.१.६२) (हम सब मातृभूमि के लिए बलिदान देने वाले हों) मा नः स्तेन ईशतः ॥ (यजुर्वेद १/१) (भ्रष्ट व चोर लोग हम पर शासन न करें) यतेमहि स्वराज्ये ॥ (ऋ० ५.६६.६) (हम स्वराज्य के लिए सदा यत्न करें) धन्वना सर्वाः प्रदिशो जयेम ॥ (यजु० २९...

Bhadra Suktam is a revered chant from Rigveda (Mandal 1, Sukta 89) . It is dedicated to forces of the universe for the well-being, harmony, and prosperity of individuals and the world. The Bhadra Suktam is often recited during ceremonies, rituals, and occasions where divine blessings are requested. आ नो᳚ भ॒द्राः क्रत॑वो यन्तु वि॒श्वतोऽद॑ब्धासो॒ अप॑रीतास उ॒द्भिदः॑ । दे॒वा नो॒ यथा॒ सद॒मिद् वृ॒धे अस॒न्नप्रा᳚युवो रक्षि॒तारो᳚ दि॒वेदि॑वे ॥1 ॥ दे॒वानां᳚ भ॒द्रा सु॑म॒तिरृ॑जूय॒तां दे॒वानां᳚ रा॒तिर॒भि नो॒ नि व॑र्तताम् । दे॒वानां᳚ स॒ख्यमुप॑ सेदिमा व॒यं दे॒वा न॒ आयुः॒ प्रति॑रन्तु जी॒वसे॑  ॥2 ॥ तान्पूर्व॑या नि॒विदा᳚ हूमहे व॒यं भगं᳚ मि॒त्रमदि॑तिं॒ दक्ष॑म॒स्रिधम्᳚ । अ॒र्य॒मणं॒ वरु॑णं॒ सोम॑म॒श्विना॒ सर॑स्वती नः सु॒भगा॒ मय॑स्करत्  ॥3 ॥ तन्नो॒ वातो᳚ मयो॒भुवा᳚तु भेष॒जं तन्मा॒ता पृ॑थि॒वी तत्पि॒ता द्यौः । तद् ग्रावा᳚णः सोम॒सुतो᳚ मयो॒भुव॒स्तद॑श्विना श‍ृणुतं धिष्ण्या यु॒वम्  ॥4 ॥ तमीशा᳚नं॒ जग॑तस्त॒स्थुष॒स्पतिं᳚ धियंजि॒न्वमव॑से हूमहे व॒यम् । पू॒षा नो॒ यथा॒ वेद॑सा॒मस॑द्वृ॒धे र॑क्षि॒ता पा॒युरद...

In Sanskrit, "Upvas" (उपवास) refers to fasting or abstaining from certain foods or activities. It is a combination of two words: "Upa," which means "near", and "Vas," which means "to stay". The term "Upvas" signifies getting closer to spiritual practices by abstaining from regular activities , often with the intention of seeking purification, self-discipline, and spiritual growth.  Fasting serves as a bridge connecting the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions.  Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, recognizes the intimate connection between the body, mind, and spirit. Fasting, in the Ayurvedic context, is seen as a method to maintain equilibrium among the body's doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic fasting, known as "Upavas," involves a strategic reduction or abstinence from food, and sometimes even water, to help cleanse the digestive system and remove accumulated toxins. Fasting allows ...

SURYA MANTRA: Surya Beej Mantra: ॐ ह्रां ह्रीं ह्रौ स: सूर्याय नम: ॥ Surya Gayatri Mantra: ॐ आदित्याय विह्महे प्रभाकराय धीमहि तन्नो सूर्य: प्रचोदयात् ॥ Surya Puranokt Mantra: जपाकुसुम संकाशं काश्यपेयं महद्युतिं । तमोरिसर्व पापघ्नं प्रणतोस्मि दिवाकरं ॥ Surya Vedic Mantra: ॐ आ कृष्णेन रजसा वर्तमानो निवेशयन्नमृतं मर्त्यं च हिरण्ययेन सविता रथेना देवी या भुवनानि पश्यन् ॥ CHANDRA MANTRA: Chandra Beej Mantra: ॐ श्रां श्रीं श्रौं सः चंद्रमसे नमः । Chandra Gayatri Mantra: ॐ अमृताङगाय विधमहे कलारूपाय धीमहि तन्नो सोम: प्रचोदयात् ॥ Chandra Puranokt Mantra: दधिशंख तुषाराभं क्षीरोदार्णव संभवं । नमामि शशिनं सोमं शंभोर्मुकुट भूषणं  ॥ Chandra Vedic Mantra: ॐ इमं देवा असपत्नः सुवध्वं महते क्षत्राय महते ज्यैष्ठ्याय महते जानराज्यायेन्द्रस्येन्द्रियाय । इमममुष्य पुत्रममुष्यै पुत्रमस्यै विश एष वोऽमी राजा सोमोऽस्माकं ब्राह्मणाना राजा ॥ MANGAL MANTRA: Mangal Beej Mantra: ॐ क्रां क्रीं क्रौं सः भौमाय नमः । Mangal Gayatri Mantra: ॐ अङगरकाय विद्महे शक्ति हस्ताय धीमहि तन्नो भौम: प्रचोदयात् ॥ Mangal Puranokt M...

A well-designed kitchen can bring positive energy and prosperity to your home. A well-organized and Vastu-compliant kitchen not only enhances the joy of cooking but also promotes harmony and well-being for everyone in the household. Follow these Vastu tips to create a harmonious cooking space: 1. Placement: Position the kitchen in the southeast direction of your home to ensure the flow of positive energy. 2. Cooking Direction: While cooking, face east or north for good health and overall well-being. 3. Gas Stove: Place the gas stove in the southeast corner of the kitchen and keep it away from the water sink to avoid clashes between fire and water elements. 4. Storage: Keep the kitchen neat and clutter-free, as it encourages a positive environment. Arrange storage cabinets along the southern and western walls. 5. Sink and Water: Position the water sink in the northeast direction to attract prosperity and abundance. 6. Ventilation: Ensure proper ventilation to allow fresh air and p...

॥ दोहा  ॥ श्री गुरु चरण सरोज रज, निज मन मुकुरु सुधारि । बरनऊँ रघुवर बिमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि  ॥ श्री गुरु महाराज के चरण कमलों की धूलि से अपने मन रूपी दर्पण को पवित्र करके श्री रघुवीर के निर्मल यश का वर्णन करता हूँ, जो चारों फल धर्म, अर्थ, काम और मोक्ष को देने वाला है। बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिके, सुमिरो पवन-कुमार । बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेश विकार  ॥ हे पवन कुमार ! मैं आपको सुमिरन करता हूँ। आप तो जानते ही हैं, कि मेरा शरीर और बुद्धि निर्बल है। मुझे शारीरिक बल, सद्बुद्धि एवं ज्ञान दीजिए और मेरे दुःखों व दोषों का नाश कर दीजिए। ॥ चौपाई  ॥ जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुण सागर, जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर ॥1॥ श्री हनुमान जी ! आपकी जय हो। आपका ज्ञान और गुण अथाह है। हे कपीश्वर ! आपकी जय हो ! तीनों लोकों, स्वर्ग लोक, भूलोक और पाताल लोक में आपकी कीर्ति है। राम दूत अतुलित बलधामा, अंजनी पुत्र पवन सुत नामा ॥2॥ हे पवनसुत अंजनी नंदन ! आपके समान दूसरा बलवान नहीं है। महावीर विक्रम बजरंगी, कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी ॥3॥ हे महावीर बजरंग बली ! आप विशेष पराक्रम वाले है। आप खराब बुद्धि को दूर...

There are 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions) in Vedic astrology. A person’s birth nakshatra is the main indicator of personality along with their Moon sign. Understanding the strengths, weaknesses, ruling planets and deities associated with each Nakshatra can provide valuable insights into an individual's personality and behavior patterns.  Here is a brief summary of 27 Nakshatras: 1. Ashwini: Strengths: Energetic, enthusiastic, adventurous, and quick learners. Weaknesses: Impatient, impulsive, and sometimes prone to accidents. Ruling Planet: Ketu Deity: Ashwini Kumaras (Divine Horse-headed Twins) 2. Bharani: Strengths: Determined, creative, responsible, and good leaders. Weaknesses: Possessive, stubborn, and may struggle with letting go of the past. Ruling Planet: Shukra Deity: Yama (God of Death) 3. Krittika: Strengths: Ambitious, courageous, focused, and have a strong sense of justice. Weaknesses: Can be critical, stubborn, and aggressive at times. Ruling Planet: Surya Deity: A...

Shiv Puran is an ancient Hindu scripture dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a comprehensive text that delves into the life, teachings, and legends surrounding Lord Shiva. With profound insights into theology, cosmology, and mythology, Shiv Puran continues to be a revered source of spiritual knowledge and inspiration for millions of devotees worldwide. There are some conflicts regarding the parts of Sanjoy Shiv Puran. People are unsure about the number of Samhitas (chapters or volumes). One view says there are six chapters. Another opinion claims there are seven chapters, including Vayu Samhita. And yet another view suggests there are eight chapters in total. However, regardless of the different opinions, the order of the first six chapters remains the same. Here is a brief summary of each Samhita (chapter): Chapter 1: Vidyeshwar Samhita: This section focuses on the knowledge of Lord Shiva, encompassing his divine teachings, philosophies, and spiritual wisdom. It also includes details about...

The Bhagavad Gita is one of the most important and influential scriptures in Hinduism. It is a dialogue between the warrior Arjun and his charioteer Krishna, who is an incarnation of the Lord Vishnu. The Gita is set on the eve of the Mahabharat war. Lord Krishna teaches Arjun about the nature of reality, the soul, and the path to liberation. The Bhagavad Gita is divided into 18 chapters, each of which deals with a different topic. Here is a brief summary of each chapter: Chapter 1: Arjun Vishad Yoga: This chapter introduces the main characters of the Gita, Arjun and Krishna, and sets the scene for the rest of the dialogue. Arjun is a warrior who is about to go to war against his own relatives. He is filled with doubt and despair, and he asks Lord Krishna for guidance. Chapter 2: Sankhya Yoga: In this chapter, Krishna explains the philosophy of Sankhya, which is a dualistic system of thought that posits the existence of two fundamental realities: matter (prakrti) and spirit (purusha). S...

Gajakesari Yoga is considered to be one of the most auspicious yogas in astrology. It is formed when Guru (Jupiter) and Chandra (Moon) are in conjunction in Horoscope. This yoga is said to bring great fortune, wealth, and success to the native. The name "Gajakesari" means "king of elephants." This is because Jupiter is said to represent the elephant, and Chandra is said to represent the lion. Together, they represent the power and strength of these two animals. The effects of Gajakesari Yoga can vary depending on the sign in which it is formed. However, in general, it is said to bring the following benefits: Increased wealth and prosperity Success in career and business Good health and longevity Happiness and peace of mind Favorable results in legal matters Gain in knowledge and wisdom The transit of Guru and Chandra through the same sign can also bring about some challenges. However, these challenges are usually minor and can be overcome with eff...

The Ashtavakra Gita is considered a classic of Hindu philosophy. It is a dialogue between the sage Ashtavakra and the king Janak, and it explores the nature of the Self, reality, and bondage. The Ashtavakra Gita offers a path to liberation from suffering through the realization of the non-dual nature of reality. This realization can be achieved through meditation, study, and the guidance of a guru. In Ahmedabad, Swami Tadrupanand Saraswati ji has given lectures about the Ashtavakra Gita. Swami Tadrupanand Saraswati ji studied from his guru's as per vedant parampara. He has spent 12 years in Narayan Aashram, Himalaya for spriritual study. You can watch all 8 lectures about 'Ashtavakra Gita' on Youtube by visiting following link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Knu22cXq-iqlgD6iQbhwqmXd6pOGgtP

Satyanarayan Puja is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The best day to perform Satyanarayan Puja is Purnima and Ekadashi. Here is the Five Adhyay of Satyanarayan Katha to read during Puja. શ્રી સત્યનારાયણ વ્રત કથા – પહેલો અધ્યાય: એક સમયે અયોધ્યા પાસે આવેલા અતિપવિત્ર નૈમિષારણ્યમાં તપ કરનારા શૌનિક આદિ ઋષિઓ, સંપૂર્ણ પુરોણોને જાણનાર સૂત નામના પુરાણીને પ્રશ્ન પૂછ્યો. હે મહામુનિ ! એવું કયું વ્રત છે કે જેનુ તપ કરવાથી મનોવાંચ્છિત ફળની પ્રાપ્તિ થાય. આવું કોઈ વ્રત હોય તો સાંભળવા અમે ખૂબ જ ઉત્સુક છીએ, માટે અમને વિગતવાર કહો. શૌનકાદિ ઋષિઓનો પ્રશ્ન સાંભળીને સૂત નામના પુરાણી કહે છે : ‘એક સમયે દેવર્ષી નારદજીએ શ્રીકૃષ્ણને વૈકુંઠમાં આવો જ પ્રશ્ન કર્યો હતો. તે વખતે ભગવાન શ્રીકૃષ્ણે જે ઉત્તર આપ્યો હતો તે જ ઉત્તર તમને કહું છું તે તમે સંપૂર્ણ ધ્યાન આપીને સાંભળો.’ એ સમયે નારદમુનિ અન્ય પર ઉપકાર કરવાની મહેચ્છાથી મનુષ્યલોકમાં ફરતાં ફરતાં આવ્યા. તેઓ શ્રીએ અહીં જુદી જુદી યોનિમાંથી ઉત્પન્ન થયેલા પોત પોતાના દુષિત કર્મોથી દુઃખી થતાં અને અનેક પ્રકારની આધિ-વ્યાધિઓથી ઘેરાયેલા સર્વ લોકોને જોયા. ક્યા ઉપાય થકી આ સર્વ જીવાત્માઓના ...