tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64598314437152711812026-02-17T13:51:09.136+05:30Discussion, links and resources on Hinudism and Indian cultureRaman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-78122918459897402912018-10-25T11:27:00.000+05:302018-10-25T11:27:08.661+05:30

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Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-26274101163168607492012-05-16T20:49:00.001+05:302023-09-03T22:06:39.330+05:30

I stumbled upon a great online resource for Hindu spiritual resources. In fact the majority of the site is in malayalam. But there is a lot of content in English too. You can download a lot of ebooks, audio and videos which are of excellent quality. What I liked the most is the excellent satsanga audio resources which can be downloaded. Nowadays it is very difficult to find satsanga sessions and

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-56480241591204524632009-07-28T05:06:00.001+05:302009-07-28T05:24:20.963+05:30

Wisdomspeak is an open source community collection of audio resources on Vedic culture. You can listen to mantras, bhajans, spiritual discources etc 24x7 via online radio. If you are a shoutcast radio user, you can easily find the streams by searching for the word "hindu". Shoutcast player is included in Winamp, Songbird and the playlist can be played by most media players like VLC. It is

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-56925309066329508012009-07-25T22:24:00.000+05:302009-07-25T22:24:46.459+05:30

The Goddess of learning and speech is Saraswati, also known as Sarada, Bharati, Brahmi etc. I've always been confused about the origins of this white complexioned goddess dressed in white or yellow and accompanied by a swan as her vahana. Even though most people consider her as Brahma's consort, there are many who worship her as Vishnu's consort and some consider her as Brahma's daughter! Her

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-17163959946569875742009-06-11T22:59:00.001+05:302009-06-11T23:00:29.279+05:30

In today's hectic world, it is very difficult for a common man to find enough time to master the fine arts like carnatic music. Also it is not possible everywhere to find a suitable guru to learn it from. It is in this scenario the electronic media is of a great boon to satisfy the yearning to learn the art of classical music. Pen Books in association with Music Zone has bought out a set of 7

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-33655833136015749992009-05-24T19:57:00.002+05:302009-05-24T20:43:07.708+05:30

If you ever happened to have a look inside a Vaishnavite's Pooja room, you might have had a glimpse of a black stone called Saligramam being worshipped. It is usually black in color with the symbol of sudarshana chakra. The chakras can be seen both outside and inside. The Saligrama stone is not believed to be just another stone found in the nature. It is found only at Gandaki River situated high

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Naming a baby is a religious ceremony for the Hindus. In Kerala, usually a baby boy is named on the 27th day after birth and a girl is named on the 28th day after birth. The right day for the ceremony is defined by Gruhyasutras and there are different opinions for the same. Even these dates were to be postponed if there is any lack of religious propriety as in events like a Sankranti, Sraddha

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-3074930174510497512009-04-30T05:31:00.001+05:302009-04-30T18:05:42.516+05:30

Of the four directions, east is the most sacred for orthodox Hindus. The ancient Indians believed that one magnetic field passes from the south to north and another one in east to west directions. The latter force field is considered essential for the sustainance of life on earth. They are analogous to the modern day longitude and lattitude. Based on this, Hindus give a lot of importance to the

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-46394635116240378512009-04-27T17:37:00.000+05:302009-04-27T17:37:56.131+05:30

Harivarasanam was written by Kumbakudi Kulathur Iyer in 1950. Swami Vimochanananda recited this song for the first time at Sabarimala in 1955. This beautiful song originally has 16 padas of which only the first 7 are sung at Sabarimala. This song is in the language of Sanskrit and is sung in Madhyamaavati raagam. It is said that the then Mel Santhi of Sannidhanam, Thirumeni Easwaran Nampoothiri

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-32440007443778740352009-04-22T16:33:00.000+05:302009-04-22T16:33:13.210+05:30

In Malaysia, Hindu activists have protested severe repression, including forcible conversions and the destruction of scores of temples. Frustrations among the country’s Indian minority has been bubbling under the surface for decades. Adding to the woes of Malaysian Indians, the Malaysian government has said that 28 Hindu temples, which are currently situated on disputed land around the national

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-6628000262717234422009-04-22T16:31:00.000+05:302009-04-22T16:31:33.582+05:30

Since I have already given an Introduction to Transcendental Meditation in my previous blog post, I would like to discuss the steps involved in the technique in this post. The technique of TM is taught in seven systematic steps. Step 1 – Introductory lecture – a vision of possiblilities through the technique of TM (about 90 min) Step 2 – Preparatory lecture – the origin and mechanics of TM (

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-25712070486658206652009-04-21T17:26:00.001+05:302009-04-22T16:32:43.666+05:30

In today’s hectic world with extreme day to day stress, the ways to alleviate stress is vital for a peaceful life. Meditation has always been practiced in India in many different ways and is a proven means to ease the stress. His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced the simple, natural and effortless technique of Transcendental Meditation in 1957. It is a simple, natural, effort-less and

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-72796975600706302572009-04-21T04:28:00.001+05:302009-04-21T04:29:49.439+05:30

The word Aarti brings to our mind the very familiar song – Om Jai Jagadeesh Hare. It can be even said that it is the most popular prayer sung in most Hindu households. Ever wondered who created this popular prayer. It is the work of Pt. Shardha Ram Phillauri who was a powerful literary figure of the 19th century. You can read more about him at http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050317/aplus.htm#

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-77881006410951114982009-04-09T15:00:00.001+05:302009-04-09T15:13:40.227+05:30

After all the mega serials on the television, almost everyone knows the story of Jatayu from Ramayana. For those who don't, I'll brief the story to give an idea. Jatayu is the son of Aruna and nephew of Garuda who has the form of a vulture. When Ravana was on his way to Lanka on his flying chariot after abducting Sita, he encountered Jatayu. This noble souled bird could not bear to hear poor

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-68230991597145178552009-04-08T00:25:00.000+05:302009-04-08T00:25:33.839+05:30

A unique marriage of Indian culture with that of the west – That is what Jennifer Kumar’s "Alaivani" is. She is the first American to earn a Master’s degree in Social Work from Madras Christian College. She has been an indophile since 1994. Her social work and interaction with different segments of the Indian society made her adopt the magnificent culture of India and Hinduism. If you are the

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-84251147586511014092009-03-26T23:18:00.001+05:302009-03-26T23:28:31.104+05:30

Vastu Sastra is nowadays a very common term heard whenever a building is being built. This ancient science has gained more popularity nowadays as learned men have realized the scientific rationale behind it. The ancient Indian text Mayamata, describes Vastu Sastra - the science of ancient Indian architecture. There is an interesting legend behind the origin of this science. It is said that Siva

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-51873502035052829762009-03-19T11:27:00.000+05:302009-03-19T11:27:00.768+05:30

Snakes have been worshipped since olden times especially in the state of Kerala. In olden times, the shikha of men were worn in such a way that it resembled the hood and tail of a snake. The Naga Phana Thaali of Nair ladies is a reminiscent of such snake worship. There is an interesting legend behind the origin of worship of serpent gods in Kerala. After the creation of Kerala, Parasurama

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-3893128110320298732009-03-18T08:54:00.005+05:302009-03-18T08:54:00.109+05:30

All the heavenly bodies rotate on its axis as well as circumambulates around other objects like earth around the sun. It is symbolized in the Hindu custom of doing Pradakshinam around the deities in a temple or during a pooja. Circumambulation around sanctum sanctorium in the temple or deities is called Pradakshinam (Pradakshina). It has to be done always in a clockwise manner with the deity on

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Bhagavan in his twenties. Image by Wolfiewolf via Flickr"God is neither distant nor distinct from you." "Whoever you are, you are mine. I will not give you up. Wherever you are, you are near me. You cannot go beyond my reach." "Love is my form, Truth is my breath Bliss is my food, my life is my message Expansion is my life, No reason for love No season for love, no birth, no death" "At first,

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-72334852765422893822009-03-16T11:05:00.001+05:302009-03-16T11:07:20.762+05:30

This is a hill in the Trivandrum District, south east to Nedumangad Thaluk in the Sahya mountain range. Agastya Mala is a pilgrimage centre for devotees of the Hindu sage Agastya. There is an idol of Agasthya Muni at the top of the hill where sage Agastya used to do penance. Indian mythology has a number of references to the divinity of sage Agastya. He is the one who taught the famous

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There is a misconception among many people that Vettakkorumakan is Lord Ayyappa. Actually, Lord Ayyappa was born to Mohini and Lord Siva. Arjuna was doing a penance to please Lord Siva to get boon which would help him during the war of Kurukshetra. Arjuna had in fact become too proud of his archery abilities and Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathi wanted to teach him a lesson. Vettakkorumakan was

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-31361617764676716522009-03-14T18:46:00.001+05:302009-03-14T18:46:57.730+05:30

I found a very interesting blog article which I couldn't resist to reblog. Hinduism - The Scientific Religion: Thoppukaranam (alias) Super Brain Yoga: "As you can understand, this exercise, called 'Super Brain Yoga' by the Americans, is nothing but the simple 'Thoppukaranam', the reverential practice done by Hindus in front of Lord Ganesha's temple."

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-13858955123583238532009-03-14T09:08:00.001+05:302009-03-14T10:16:33.776+05:30

The conch ( chank shell or Shankha) has special significance in the Hindu tradition. The conch represents the sky and the sound it produces represents the pranava i.e. Om. When a person blows a conch, it gives him the effect of doing a pranayama. Lord Vishnu carries a conch called Panchajanya in his left hand. Goddess Durga also carries a conch as a decoration and also as a tool in war. The

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-79298164526951552792009-03-14T08:32:00.000+05:302009-03-14T10:34:48.635+05:30

The ancient Hindu texts refer to the glory Rudraksha and the beneficial effects of wearing it. It is believed that the Rudraksha trees arose from the teardrops of Lord Shiva. It is also said that twelve different types of Rudraksha arose from his “Sun” eye, sixteen types from his“Moon” eye and ten different types arose from his “Fire” eye. The beneficialeffects of Rudraksha depend on the number

Raman BVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12756358426297677225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6459831443715271181.post-49836366236271073582009-03-06T23:32:00.002+05:302009-03-13T07:42:33.998+05:30

"To save a family, abandon a man; to save the village, abandon a family; to save the country, abandon a village; to save the soul, abandon the earth."-Vidura quoting KavyaJanaka said: Unlimited is my wealth. At the same time I have nothing. If the whole of Mithila (his kingdom) be consumed in a conflagration, I shall incur no loss of wealth.He is a fool that practises truth without knowing the

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