GAYATHRI JAPAM AND ITS IMPORTANCE AND SIGNIFICANCE IN LIFE OF ALL HINDUS ⬇️

#LongThread Devi Gayathri Devi is the mother of the Vedas the destroyer of sins. There is nothing more purifying on the earth as well as in the heaven than the Devi Gayathri. The Japam and chanting with devotion of Devi Gayathri brings the same fruit as the recitation of all the four Vedas together with the Angas. This single Mantra, if repeated three times a day, brings good (Kalyan or Moksha). It is the Mantra of the Vedas. It destroys sins. It bestows splendid health, beauty, strength, vigour, vitality and magnetic aura in the face (Brahmic effulgence).

Devi Gayathri destroys the three kinds of Taapa or pain. Devi Gayathri bestows the four kinds of Purushartha viz. , Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desired objects) and Moksha (liberation or freedom). It destroys the three Granthis or knots of ignorance, Avidya, Kama and Karma. Devi Gayathri purifies the mind. Devi Gayathri bestows Ashtha Siddhis. Devi Gayathri makes a man powerful and highly intelligent. Devi Gayathri eventually gives liberation or emancipation from the wheel of births and deaths.

10 Avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu : "Dashavatar"

1. Matsya Avatar 2. Kurma Avatar

Rama’s justice to a Dog, a tale from Ramayana!

#LongThread #Thread Rama was known to be a very just and caring king. Everyday he sat in his court, trying to solve people’s problems.

Pazhaya Soru(Fermented Rice): The Forgotten Magic Super Food.

#Thread Fermented rice, a staple in many Asian households, is steeped in tradition, simplicity, and health. It is rice soaked and fermented overnight, turning it into a nutritious, probiotic-rich food. Fermented rice, also known as 'panta bhat' in Bangladesh, 'Pazhaiya Sadam' in Tamizh Nadu, and 'jiu niang' in China, offers a host of health benefits that have been cherished across generations.

Dev Uthani Ekadashi and Tulsi Vivah

#Longthread

वृंदा वृंदावनी विश्वपूजिता विश्वपावनी।
पुष्पसारा नंदनीय तुलसी कृष्ण जीवनी।। (Padma Puran)

Tulsi Devi, the incomparable form, the universe worships her, as she sanctifies the whole world. She is the essence of all flowers, and the life and soul of Shree Krishna. The story of the "Tulsi Vivah" is found in the Padma Purana, a traditional wedding (vivah) ceremony of the Tulsi plant to Lord Vishnu ( Salagram). It is celebrated on the day of Dev Uthani Ekadashi.

The Tulsi Vivah signifies the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the Hindu wedding season. The marriage (Vivah) of Tulsi with Lord Vishnu means that God likes purity as a quality.

As per hindu scripture, there are two words in Ekadashi Eka (1) and Dasha (10). Ten actions of ten senses and mind from worldly objects to God is the true Ekadashi. There are usually 24 Ekadashi in a calendar year.

Mahavir and his Ashta Siddhis Navnidhi (अष्ट सिद्धि नौ निधि)

#Longthread

Ashta Siddhis are the eight divine Knowledge which means eight divine powers are: Anima, Mahima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Isitva, Vasitva are Hindu religious knowledges in Hanuman chalisa or Ganesh vajana, that gives one complete power over each and everything.

अणिमा महिमा चैव लघिमा गरिमा तथा।
प्राप्तिः प्राकाम्यमीशित्वं वशित्वं चाष्ट सिद्धयः।।

अणिमा , महिमा, लघिमा, गरिमा तथा प्राप्ति प्राकाम्य इशित्व और वशित्व ये सिद्धियां "अष्टसिद्धि" कहलाती हैं।

'सिद्धि' शब्द का तात्पर्य सामान्यतः ऐसी पारलौकिक और आत्मिक शक्तियों से है जो तप और साधना के द्वारा प्राप्त होती हैं। Hindu scriptures say that the people who have complete control over the siddhis can gain power of demigods. Each siddhi governs certain character or certain aspect of nature and mastering each gives one distinct ability unique to other siddhis.

Anima is the first among the ashta siddhis. Mastering this siddhi gives the individual the ability to shrink down one’s body. This siddhi gives only the ability shrink the body; the owner of this siddhi can shrink the body to his own will even at the atomic scale but cannot increase the size of the body. The most notable use of this siddhi was done by lord Hanuman while spying on Lanka in search of mother sita. While spying lord hanuman shrunk his huge body to a very miniature form because of which the demons were unable to spot him.

Know Your Shri Ram ( Sage Valmiki enquiring Devarshi Narada)

#LongThread #AyodhyaRamTemple
#AyodhyaTransforms #Ayodhya

Opening verse of Valmiki Ramayana introduces Saga Narada with following four attributes:

1) तपः निरताम् Eternally engaged in 'Tapah' i.e. 'thinking of the Absolute', Contemplating upon the Brahm/Absolute is called 'Tapah'.

2) स्वाध्याय निरताम् : Swadhyay (always engaged in the study and recitation of vedas)

3) वाग्विदाम् वरम् : also being sublime enunciator of Vedas among all expert enunciators

4) मुनि पुंगवम् : the one that stood tall among all the Munis (sages).

Having these four attributes, Devarshi Narada was a proper sage for Sage Valmiki to discuss and enquire, by virtue of being sublime enunciator of Vedas among all expert enunciators, and a constant thinker of the Absolute.

He is also one of the manas-putras of Lord Brahma. In Narada Purana, Vyutpatti of word 'narada' is as given नारदीये- 'नारदो नाशयन्नेति नृणामज्ञानजं तम:' the one who destroys the jnana of men is called Narada.

तपः स्वाध्याय निरताम् तपस्वी वाग्विदाम् वरम् ।
नारदम् परिपप्रच्छ वाल्मीकिः मुनि पुंगवम् ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.1)

A thoughtful-meditator, an eternally studious sage in scriptures about the Truth and Untruth, a sagacious thinker, and a sublime enunciator among all expert enunciators is Narada, and with such a Divine Sage Narada, the Sage-Poet Valmiki is inquisitively enquiring (about a purusha who is Sarva-Guna-Sampann i.e. a composite for all merited endowments in his form and calibre).

Sage Valmiki ernestly inquired with Narada about such a purusha who is Sarva-guna-Sampann (mine of all auspicious qualities) in his 16 questions indicative of 16 attributes (qualities) of that Purusha.

It is on the pattern of enquiry we find into Upanishad about 'Shodashkala-Purusa' as well as enquiry into Brahman (Athato Brahma Jijnasa) in Brahm-sutra. First there is an enquiry and then there is description of such personality.

A brahm-realised sage like Valmiki need not to enquire and attempt to author about some king, however great that king might be, He needs such a hero for his epic who has 16 attributes (Shodashkala-Purusa - indicative of the supreme) and completely Absolute-like in his traits.

These sixteen attributes are attributed to the sixteen phases of the Full Moon, this indicates Hero of Valmiki Ramayana, Shri Rama is pleasing like the full moon having 16-Kalas.

Since an emperor cannot be expected to possess all these great qualities mentioned in Valmiki’s questions, it eventually culminates in the Supreme God alone who came down to this world in the human form for his divine play.

The cause of rapture of Narada is the opportunity that he luckily got to analogize the excellencies of the supreme Lord. Thus by asking 16 questions, Valmiki indicated Shri Ram is the supreme being in just opening verses of Ramayana. Those sixteen questions asked by Valmiki are:

कोन्वस्मिन्साम्प्रतं लोके गुणवान्कश्च वीर्यवान् ।
धर्मज्ञश्च कृतज्ञश्च सत्यवाक्यो दृढव्रतः ॥

Who really is that person in this world, who is

1) of adorable and admirable character and having all excellent qualities (गुणवान् ),

2) of great valor (वीर्यवान् ),

3) of acute discernment about right and wrong (धर्मज्ञ ),

4) that appreciates, and is grateful (कृतज्ञ ), remembers good things done to him, but never remembers any number of bad things done to him,

5) always truthful in his statements (सत्यवाक्यो ),

6) and firm in his vows (till such time he achieves the results) (दृढव्रतः )

चारित्रेण च को युक्तः सर्वभूतेषु को हितः ।
विद्वान्कः कः समर्थश्च कश्चैकप्रियदर्शनः ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.2)

who is he

7) conduct-wise blent with good conduct and reputation (चरित्रवान् ) , 8) who always wishes and does good to all beings (सर्वभूतेषु हितः ),

9) who is knower of everything which is to be known (विद्वान् ),

10) who is the ablest one, (capable of doing things which can't be done by others or is impossible for others) (समर्थः ),

11) who is solely delightful in appearance (causing happiness to everyone) at all times (एक प्रियदर्शनः in whole world such an attractive one who can entice all beings)

आत्मवान्को जितक्रोधो द्युतिमान्कोऽनसूयकः ।
कस्य बिभ्यति देवाश्च जातरोषस्य संयुगे ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.3)

Who is a person

12) of exemplary courage (आत्मवान् ),

13) of conquered anger (जितक्रोधो ) ,

14) of great splendour (splendorous) (द्युतिमान् ) ,

15) that is unbiased and non-jealous (अनसूयकः ),

16) and Who is that, when excited to wrath, even the devatas are afraid of (let alone foes) (बिभ्यति देवाः )

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ।
महर्षे त्वं समर्थोऽसि ज्ञातुमेवंविधं नरम् ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.4)

O Maharshi (Narada), you would assuredly be aware of such a person if one ever existed. Indeed my inquisitiveness is immense and I long to know about such a person from you.

श्रुत्वा च एतत् त्रिलोकज्ञो वाल्मीकेः नारदो वचः ।
श्रूयताम् इति च आमंत्र्य प्रहृष्टो वाक्यम् अब्रवीत् ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.5)

On listening these words of Valmiki, Sage Narada who is knower of everything that happened in all the three worlds, having invited him to sit before him said with delight Listen to me and spoke -

Here sage Narada delighted from the enquiry by Sage Valmiki as He was on visit for the same purpose to inform him about Shri Rama alone.

बहवो दुर्लभाश्चैव ये त्वया कीर्तिता गुणाः ।
मुने वक्ष्याम्यहं बुद्ध्वा तैर्युक्तः श्रूयतां नरः ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.6)

Oh! Sage Valmiki, the merits which you have extolled are many, and very rare and unattainable (for any Prakrut-Purusha एते प्राकृतपुरुषमात्रे दुर्लभा) !

It is indeed difficult to find a person with the admirable and such rare qualities that you mentioned. However, there is one such person with all these qualities that I know; Let me tell you about him.

The idea behind words बहवो दुर्लभाः गुणाः is - such many or infinite and unattainable attributes is not possible even for great gods, let alone men (Prakrut-Purusha) on earth, It is possible in supreme being alone, none else. So if there is a man on earth with such unattainable attributes then he is supreme being alone.

इक्ष्वाकु वंश प्रभवो रामो नाम जनैः श्रुतः ।
नियत आत्मा महावीर्यो द्युतिमान् धृतिमान् वशी ॥ (Valmiki Ramayana 1.1.7)

He is known to all by the name Rama, emerged from the Ikshwaku dynasty. He is Niyat-Aatma (having steady nature - meaning thereby of immutable form i.e. the Absolute one), Mahaa-veer (possessing incomprehensible prowess), Dyutimaan (self-effulgent), Dhritimaan (self-commanding or sublime bliss - as per Vedanta) and Vashii (subjecting senses under his control or the one who keeps whole cosmos under his control).

In this verse (1.1.8), there are four attributes given to Sri Rama by Narada, these are also given by Vedanta to Supreme being, the Absolute one. 'Niyat-Aatmaa' - means 'the immutable Absolute' : Sri Rama is the Niyat-Aatma (the immutable Absolute) in his nature.

'Mahaa-viiryah' - means 'of incomprehensible prowess' : Supreme being is Mahaa-viir.

'Dhritimaan' - धृतिमान् निरतिशयानन्दः। "धृतिस्तु तुष्टिः सन्तोषः" इति वैजयन्ती। "आनन्दो ब्रह्म" इति श्रुतेः।

dhritiman means 'sublime bliss' - Sri Rama is the very form of sublime bliss.

How did Villages, Towns and Cities in India get their names?

#Longthread

As per 2011 census of India, there are a total of 649,481 villages and 7,935 towns, municipalities, and urban agglomerations (within 620 districts/ 543 parliamentary/ 4120 state assembly constituencies).

The size of these villages varies considerably. 236,004 Indian villages have a population of fewer than 500, while 3,976 villages have a population of 10,000+.

Total Number of towns; 7935. It’s is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. These are classified into two categories; Statutory Towns and Census Towns.

Statutory Towns (ST)- All places having local bodies like municipal corporations, municipalities, municipal committees, etc.

Census Towns (CT)- All the towns with the population of more than 5000 and where the 75 % of the people are engaged in non-agrarian sector with a population density of nearly 400 people per sq km.

Total Number of cities (with million+ population); 53. It’s a large human settlement which are larger than towns.

Apart from above villages there are two important classifications which are Urban Agglomeration (UA) and Out Growths (OG).

Urban Agglomeration - It is a continuous urban spread constituting a town and its adjoining outgrowths (OGs), or two or more physically contiguous towns together with or without outgrowths of such towns. Examples: Greater Mumbai UA, Delhi UA, etc. Total number of UA- 475.

Out Growths- An Out Growth (OG) is a viable unit such as a village or a hamlet or an enumeration block made up of such village or hamlet and clearly identifiable in terms of its boundaries and location. Examples are railway colony, university campus, port area, military camps, etc. Total number of OG- 981.

In Indian culture, names hold profound significance and play a crucial role in an individual's life. The importance of names is deeply rooted in the country's diverse and ancient cultural heritage. Names are also influenced by religion /culture /caste and may come from epics.

Most place names are named after prominent geographical features, such as mountains, rivers and lakes. Others are named after personalities such as kings or historical figures.

In the case of India's villages, that list tells us, we love Gods, Goddesses, nation builders above all else, and that, when they migrate, they often take the name of their place of origin with them.

Lord Ram ranks way up there, with 3,626 villages named after him, in almost all parts of the country except Kerala, while Lord Krishna is a close second at 3,309.

Other Ramayana characters too figure among the names, although Bharat (187 villages) is marginally ahead of Lakshman (160). Hanuman has 367 villages in his name, while Sita has 75.

While at least six villages in the country exist in the name of Ravana, and three in the name of his father Ahiravan (all in Bihar), no village is named after Ravana's brother Vibheeshan who crossed over to Ram's side. Some villages in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are named Ayodhya.

There are 17 villages in the name of Prayag (the old name of Allahabad) and 41 named Kashi (the old name of Varanasi). There are 28 Agras outside Uttar Pradesh (most of them in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam), while 189 village names start with Bihar, of which 171 are outside Bihar. There are 28 villages named Dhaka (the capital of Bangladesh) and 40 in the name of Nepal.
Besides, there are 47 villages whose names start with Badri and 75 which feature Kedar, invoking the religious sites which were among the worst hit in the Uttarakhand floods. Most of these villages are located in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

There are 92 villages in the country whose names start with Bengal/ Bangal and all of them are located outside West Bengal, including Maharashtra, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. There are 33 villages named Kerala outside the state, mainly in the northern parts.

Origins of names of these towns and cities can be broadly attributed to 3 major periods -

1. Colonial era/British Raj

2. Mughal empire and other Islamic rulers of India

3. Pre-Islamic and Ancient India,

Ranthambore used to be Ranasthambapura, Patna was Patliputra, Ujjain was Ujjayini, Multan in Pakistan was Mulasthana, modern day Jalandhar was Prasthala, Taxila, the ancient University town in Pakistan used to be Takshashila founded by King Taksha, Kandahar in Afghanistan used to be Gandhara. Paithan in Maharashtra used to be Pratishthana. Some towns have their ancient name till date like Srinagar, Mathura, Puskar.

Suffix - Meaning - Examples of Town Names

Pur/Pura/Puri/Puram/Pore - City or Settlement or Walled City - Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kanpur, Nagpur, Rampur, Bilaspur, Hoshiarpur, Bahawalpur, Kolhapur, Udhampur, Jabalpur, Palampur, Anuradhapura, Hastinapur, Puri, Dharmapuri, Thiruvanthapuram, Malappuram, Singapore,

Nagar - Town in Sanskrit - Srinagar, Gandhinagar, Ganganagar, Yamunanagar, Ramnagar

Kot/Kode/Kotla/Durg - Fort, Fortification - Sialkot, Rajkot, Pathankot, Dharamkot, Kozhilkode, Ferozeshah Kotla, Nandidurg, Jaladurg

Garh - Fort, Hub - Chandigarh, Chittaurgarh, Ramgarh, Aligarh, Fatehgarh, Lohgarh, Keshgarh,

Pat or Prastha - Level ground - Sonipat, Panipat, Baghpat, Tilpat, Indraprastha

Nath - Refers to a Hindu deity or shrine - Amarnath, Badrinath, Kedarnath,

Eshwar/Eswaram - God in Sanskrit - Rameshwaram, Bhubaneshwar, Bageshwar, Ankleshwar, Mahabaleshwar,

Nadu - Country in Tamil - Tamil Nadu

Giri - Mountain in Sanskrit - Chandagiri, Dhaualagiri,

Malai - Hill in Tamil - Annamalai, Kollamalai,

Mer, Meru - Mountain or High - Ajmer (Ajayameru), Barmer, Jaisalmer

Conda/Konda - Hill in Telugu - Golconda, Penukonda,

Wada - House - Bhilwada, Teliwada,

Bandar/Bandra - Port - Porbandar

Dwar - Door - Haridwar, Kotdwar,

Ur/Uru/Oor - Village/Town in Tamil, Kannada - Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Conoor,

Patnam - Port - Masulipatnam, Vishakhapatnam

Sar/Tal - Lake, Natural Lake - Amritsar, Nainital, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal

Hat/Hati/Het - Market or Fair - Guwahati, Jorhat, Sylhet

Pet - Market - Begumpet, Hospet

Guri - Place in Bengali - Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Mainaguri

Adi Shankaracharya and Char Dham Yatra

Adi Shankaracharya (788 AD, at Kalady - 820 AD, Kedarnath) was an 8th-century Indian Vedic scholar and divine teacher. His works present a harmonizing reading of the sastras, with liberating knowledge of the self at its core, synthesizing the Advaita Vedanta teachings of his time.

About 1300 years ago when the people were not living in accord with their inherent spirituality, all the Gods and rishis went to Kailash and pleaded with Lord Shiva to revive the world. Lord Shiva agreed to their request and informed them that he would be born into this world.

Adi Shankaracharya was born to the Nambudri Brahmin couple, Shivaguru and Aryamba, in a little village, called Kaladi, in Kerala. The couple had remained childless for a long time and prayed for children.

Shiva is said to have appeared to the couple in a dream and promised them a choice of one son who would be short-lived, but the most brilliant philosopher of his day, or many sons who would be mediocre at best. The couple opted for a brilliant, but short-lived son, and thereby Shankara was born.

Shankara traveled and searched for a worthy Guru who would initiate him and take his vow of sanyasam (monk). He found the Ashram of Govinda Bhagavathpada who he recalled was Patanjali in a previous birth. Govinda was also the disciple of Goudapada (one of the early and most reputed philosophers of the Vedanta school of thought).

He wrote commentaries on the Gita, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras, which are the authorities on the Vedanta Shastras. The commentaries of Shankara are monumental works covering the meaning of Vedic teachings with clear reasoning and understandable language. The system of Vedanta is what is known as Advaita or Non-dualism.

Shankara's commentaries were put to severe test not only by the teachers of various schools of thought, but also by the sage Vyasa himself. Vyasa encouraged Shankara to continue to debate and defeat hostile schools of thought and granted him a boon that significantly extended his life.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya is considered an incarnation of Shiva and the world's greatest Guru (Jagathguru). Adi Sankaracharya is our 10th karvoorar seedar as per his order he made sankara Matt and preached advaita and gave some mantra knowledge from tamil to sanskrit to reach basic level of consciousness and to become a good human being, helpes people to get mantras in sanskrit that's why no mantra meaning are in sanskrit all meaning lies in so they say to chant as it is the vibration is important not the meaning.

Digvijaya Yatra : He travelled across BharatDesh, through sacred pilgrimage centres, while participating in discussions and debates, defeating scholars of various faiths and philosophies. Many of them whom he defeated were eminent scholars in their respective fields. Adi Shankara traversed the entire length and breadth of India from Kalady (Adi Shankaracharya's place of birth in Kerala) to Kedarnath (his samadhi sthal in Uttarakhand).

Adi Shankaracharya started the tradition of the char dham yatra. The true char dham yatra consists of a pilgrimage to Badrinath in the north, Rameshwaram in the south, Dwarka in the west and jagannath puri in the east.

Shankara continued to teach and purify the knowledge. His principal disciples were Sureshwara, Padmapada, Hastamalaka, and Ananda Giri (Totaka), all of whom produced famous written spiritual works. He established places of spiritual wisdom for seekers of Truth in the four directions, each place bountiful with natural splendor and serenity.
Sri Shankara is considered the highest intellectual the world has ever known. He founded four mathas that revived the spread of Advaita Vedanta - Dakshinamnaya SriSharada Peetham (formed on the principles of Yajurveda), Dvaraka Pitha (formed on the principles of Sama Veda) in Western India, Jyotirmatha Peetham (formed on the basis of Atharva Veda) in North India, and Govardhan Matha (on the principles of Rig Veda) in the eastern India Puri.

Each of these maths was assigned the task of maintaining and preserving for posterity, one of the four Vedas (the main scriptures of Hinduism). All the Four Dhamas located at cardinal points of the Indian sub-continent are believed to have been liked by Lord Vishnu intimately. It is said and believed that He takes His bath at Rameswaram, meditates at Badrinath, dines at Puri and retires at Dwarika.

Geographically speaking the char dham (the four temples) made a perfect square or cross with Badrinath in the North and Rameswaram in the South falling on same longitude and Dwarka (old) in the West and Puri Jagannath in the East on same latitude ( at that time, before coastlines changed).

Among the many disciples of Sri Sri Shankara, the four most prominent were Hastamalaka, Padmapada, Totaka, Sureshwara. They were the first pontiff of the four mutts established by the great Acharya.

Sri Hastamalaka was the Acharya of the Dwaraka Mutt. This Mutt is earmarked to study of Sama Veda and to meditate on the Maha Vakya “Tat Tvam Asi”.

Sri Padmapada was made the first Guru for Govardhana Mutt at Puri. This Mutt is attributed to study of Rig Veda and to meditate on the Maha Vakya, “Prajnanam Brahma”.

Sri Totakacharya was the first Spiritual Guide for Joshimutt at Badari. This Mutt is distinct for study of Atarva Veda and meditate upon the Maha Vakya “Ayam Atma Brahma”.

Sri Sureshwaracharya was the first Sadguru of Sharada Peetha at Sringeri. This Mutt is featured to study of Yajur Veda and to meditate on the Maha Vakya “Aham Brahmasmi”

Adi Shankara amalgamated the ideologies of ancient ‘Advaita Vedanta’ and also explained the basic ideas of Upanishads. He advocated the oldest concept of Hinduism which explains the unification of the soul (atman) with the Supreme Soul (Nirguna Brahman).

Shankaracharya explained the existence of one Supreme Being (Brahman) and that the five supreme deities are part of one divine power. During Adi Sankaracharya time, Ancient hindu India was a maze of various sects ( each one claiming supremacy over the others ) and added to that was the chaos of buddhist sectarianism.

He purified Vedic knowledge by teaching discernment and he instituted the worship of deities as worshipping different forms of the one God.

"सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं सर्वत्रोत्सृज भेदाज्ञानम्"

Adi Shankar consolidated and structured sanatan dharma into the 'panchayatan' form of worship (5 dieties as five basic elements of nature); Shri Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Devi (in all forms including Tantra), Lord Vishnu and Suryadev.

"न चासंगते नैव मुक्तिर्न बन्धश्चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहं शिवोऽहम्"

So all are revered and worshipped with the ultimate aim of reaching the parabrahman as is the highest principle of advaita vedanta. No sect is given more importance than the whole. Most modern day hindus till date, regardless of their traditional lineage follow the panchayatan system regardless if they are aware of it.

The entire Sastras are divided into two parts namely Nigama and Agama, while the Vedas are the parts of the Nigama, the Tantras are the parts of the Agama, the former is the mouth piece of Lord Brahma where as the later is the mouth piece of Lord Siva.

THE DHARMACHAKRA OF INDIAN FLAG

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The Indian flag, we called it Tiranga combined of three wonderful colours which represent country's character. The three horizonal or vertical bands of equal dimensions is a very common pattern in vexillology / heraldry. All such flags are referred to as tricolours.

The Saffron denotes renunciation or disinterestedness. Our leaders must be indifferent to material gains and dedicate themselves to their work. The white in the centre is light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. The green shows our relation to (the) soil, our relation to the plant life here, on which all other life depends.

The Lion Capital itself is the emblem or official seal of our modern republic. The "Ashoka Chakra" in the centre of the white is the wheel of the law of Dharma. Truth or satya, dharma or virtue ought to be the controlling principle of those who work under this flag.

The Ashoka Chakra is a depiction of the Buddhist Dharmachakra, represented with 24 spokes. It is so called because it appears on a number of edicts of Ashoka, most prominent among which is the Lion Capital of Sarnath which has been adopted as the National Emblem of the Republic of India.

The Chakra signifies that there is a life in 'Movement' and 'Death' in stagnation. The process of the wheel stands for cycle or the self repeating process with the changing of time in our life. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change. The so-called Ashoka Chakra is, in fact, derived from the Dharmachakra (‘Wheel of Dharma) found on the Lion Capital at Sarnath.

The 24 spokes of the Dharmachakra represent: Love, Courage, Patience, Peacefulness, Magnanimity, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Selflessness, Self-control, Self sacrifice, Truthfulness, Righteousness, Justice, Mercy, Gracefulness, Humility, Empathy, Sympathy, Spiritual knowledge, Moral Values, Spiritual Wisdom, The fear of God and Faith or Believe or Hope.

Kala Chakra: The Ashoka Chakra is also known as "Samay Chakra" or the "Wheel of Time". Since, its "24 spokes" represents the "24 hours" of the day.

Gayatri Mantra: The Gayatri Mantra is 24 Meter. Aum Bhur Bhuva Suvah, Tat Savitur Varenya, Bhargo Devasys Dhimahi Dhio Yonah Prachodayat Aum.

Central Dot: It represents the unifying Cosmic Consciousness. Hence Ashok Chakra represents the scientific beauty of Mantra Vidya / Sriyantra.

24 Spokes: These can be represented as 3 - 6 - 12 - 24. Again, the wheel denotes motion. There is death in stagnation. There is life in movement. The first 12 spokes represent 12 stages of suffering. Next 12 spokes represent no cause no effect. So, due to awareness of mind, formation of mental conditioning stops. This process stops the process of birth and death i.e. enlightenment.

The twelve causal links, paired with their corresponding symbols, are: Avidyā (ignorance), Sanskāra (conditioning of mind unknowingly), Vijñāna (consciousness), Nāmarūpa (name and form - constituent elements of mental and physical existence), Ṣaḍāyatana (six senses; eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind), Sparśa (contact), Vedanā (sensation), Tṛṣṇā (thirst), Upādāna (grasping), Bhava (coming to be), Jāti (being born) and Jarāmaraṇa (old age and death).

These 12 in reverse represent a total 24 spokes representing the dharma and way of life in the mortal world. The true meaning was to get rid of the physical sufferings and to attain moksha. Because All Lives Matter. India should no more resist change, it must move and go forward. The wheel represents the dynamism of a peaceful change.

The Dharmachakra is of great importance in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jaina traditions. The wheel (chakra) is itself a symbol with many interpretations and meanings deeply rooted in Indic thought and culture. The chakra (taken to mean a discus in this context) is a weapon used by the God Viṣṇu and features prominently in Viṣṇu iconography. The idea of a cakravartin ruler is also associated with the concept of the dharmachakra. In Indian traditions, a cakravartin (cakkavattin in Pali) is that great paramount sovereign whose chariot wheels move unimpeded in all directions. The chakra is also one of the eight ceremonial insignia and paraphernalia associated with a sovereign ruler in Indic traditions. The idea of this cakravartin ruler was made central to the Buddhist philosophy’s discourse on politics and ethics.

According to early Buddhist texts, there can be only one Buddha and one cakravartin at a given time in the world and each has his own ‘wheel’. These two wheels, meant to symbolise dharma, are supposed to be kept in motion as part of the duties of these two individuals. This is of course poetic and quite symbolic, in case you’re wondering. The two wheels complement and complete each other just like the Buddha and the cakravartin complement each other. After all, it is the cakravartin’s duty to uphold dhamma — the Buddha’s teachings in his realm.

Hindustan / Mother India (Hindu cult) or Durga is the Mother of the universe from who comes forth the creation, sustenance and dissolution of all beings and all worlds. The current name of our country, India comes from the river Indus.

The Europeans addressed us as the ones who lived on the other side of Indus river. So we became 'Indians' and our country became 'India'. But contrary to these view points, the word 'Hindu' is found in our scriptures even before the references of Persians. There are multiple interpretations of this word. Few people refer it as the region between Himalayas (Hi) and Indu sarovar (Indu) which is the present day Indian Ocean.

Bharat mata is Durga with her imperious lion (Indian army). She was the image behind India’s independence movement, which worked through her inspiration. The Goddess is Shakti, meaning power, the resort of all transformative energy and cataclysmic force that mere human logic cannot comprehend.

India as a sublime culture and profound civilisation is the gift of Ma Durga. This pretty much gives us the geographical reference to the land of our country. Barhaspatya Sutra says:-

हिमालयं समारभ्य: यावत् इंदु सरोवरं |
तं देवनिर्मितं देशं हिंदुस्थानं प्रचक्षते ||

Starting from Himalayas and extending upto the Indian Ocean is the nation built by Gods, Hindustan. As a contradiction, a few people believe this appearance of 'Hindustan' word in Barhaspatya Sutra is due to the distortion of our scriptures by invaders to suit their agendas, but currently this is what is accessible to us. Probably there are other versions and interpretations of it too. A Vishwa Guru of the ancient world, India has been a treasure trove of valuable knowledge.

The Indian way of ethical leadership, is what provides it the potential to again become the Vishwa Guru which can lead by example and create a deep impact and inspiration for other nations to follow and make universal harmony possible. As per Vishnu Purana,

उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य: हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम् |
वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम: भारती यत्र संततिः ||

The land (varṣam) that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bhāratam; there dwell the descendants of Bharata." The unique Indian understanding of the world and the suitable ethical conduct creates leaders who have the power to create impact, develop empathy and resilience.

No country / civilization in the world demonstrates such enduring reverence / Rituals related to nature / ancient cult for the Great Mother Goddess, as does India. The Goddess is celebrated in every form, aspect and quality, through music, art, ritual, mantra and meditation, the Earth, nature and the transcendent beyond all expression.

Bharata (India), is named after another Bharata who appeared in our history. Vishnu Purana further says,

ऋषभो मरुदेव्याश्च ऋषभात भरतो भवेत् |
भरताद भारतं वर्षं, भरतात सुमतिस्त्वभूत् ||

Map of Ancient India as mentioned in Mahabharata

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India as a sublime culture and profound civilisation is the gift of Ma Durga. This pretty much gives us the geographical reference to the land of our country. Barhaspatya Sutra says:-

हिमालयं समारभ्य: यावत् इंदु… https://t.co/AjQfUGcuIdtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
To their immediate east are the Chinas, Ladakas (Ladakh) and Ramathas (Bhotas). These were Tibetan people . Chinese were known as Maha Chinas.

To the south of Kamboja is the country of Gandhara with its capital at Takshashila (Taxila). This is the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Significance of Kalash (कुंभ) in Hindu Rituals

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In Hinduism, Puja means (Sanskrit) Pu means Puto Ja means Jayate so it implies the method of purification. As such, Puja is a ritualistic procedure to prepare the body for divinization. According to the Puja Vidhana,… https://t.co/nq9k3njCWCtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
This jar represents the axis mundi the Holy Mount Meru which is the axis of the universe. A miniature model of the entire cosmos. The water represents the oceans and the all-pervading Supreme Consciousness. It symbolises the primordial ocean of cosmic unity from which creation… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Upanayan Sanskaar (यज्ञोपवीत)

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Upanayan is one of the most important Samskaras. “Upa” means ‘close’ and “Nayanam” means ‘to bring’. Upanayan means to bring closer to the Guru or Divine. Upanayan also known as the ‘sacred thread ceremony’ (जनेऊ /उपवीत / यज्ञसूत्र /… https://t.co/GNHFoaGZ6Ctwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Brahminism has been distinguished by virtues like truth, charity and forgiveness. That is, there is a big difference between being a Brahmin character and taking birth in Brahmin caste. The divine quality of Brahminism does not develop just by taking birth in Brahmin caste. And… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Scientific 16 Adornments (सोलह श्रृंगार) Solah Shringar of Indian Women

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Our Indian culture and traditions are very vast, since thousands of years. Generation to Generation, we follow our traditions. For some we know the reasons, but for many we still don't know.… https://t.co/92VKQMIhOGtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
During the wedding it is therefore respectful keep it to tied up. Main jewelry and accentuations for hair; Gajra is strings of flowers. It is made usually of jasmine and worn both on the bun and with the braid coiling.

Mang-Tikka (mang-teeka) or Bhor, borla or Mang-patti;… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Ancient Indian 14 Vidya (Techniques) 64 Kalas (Art forms)

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Ancient Indian arts forms are described as Chausath Kalas, formed an important basis in the development of a cultured individual. Ancient education system was designed to fulfill four basic duties of a… https://t.co/z4ZJGsKZUwtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
Pushpastaran : Art of making a covering of flowers for a bed.

Dashanvasanang raag : Art of applying preparations for cleansing the teeth, cloths and painting the body.

Manibhumika karma : Art of making the groundwork of jewels.

Shayan rachana : Art of covering the bed.

Udak… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

The Four Stages of Life in Hinduism

In Hinduism, human life is believed to comprise four stages. These are called "ashramas" and every person should ideally go through each of these stages. A crucial piece of the ashrama lifecycle is its focus on dharma, the Hindu concept of… https://t.co/PNuzi95AF9twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं सर्वत्रोत्सृज भेदाज्ञानम्"

Adi Shankar consolidated and structured sanatan dharma into the 'panchayatan' form of worship (5 dieties as five basic elements of nature); Shri Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Devi (in all forms including Tantra), Lord Vishnu and Lord… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Interesting (Mysterious) Facts of Jagannath Ratha Yatra Puri (जगन्नाथ रथ यात्रा)

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"रथे तु वामनं दृष्ट्वा पुनर्जन्म न विद्यते"

A glimpse of the Vamana, an incarnation of Shri Jagannath, is sure to ensure emancipation, release from the cycle of birth and death. The… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… The rope : Swarnachuda Naguni Presiding Nine Deities : (i) Chandi (ii) Chamunda (iii) Ugratara (iv) Vanadurga (v) Shulidurga (vi) Varahi (vii) Shyamakali (viii) Mangala (ix) Bimala...

The making of the Puri raths for the Jagannath Rath Yatra is the responsibility of a separate… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Consequences of Merits and Sins (पाप पुण्य) in Sanatan Dharma

The four purusharthas as per the Vedas are artha (things desired for basic security), kaama (things desired for comforts beyond security), dharma (proper means to be undertaken for obtaining artha kaama and also for… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… Life, the way it is, reveals that the Creation and the Creator are one and the same (advaita or non-duality). Once the truth is realised, some of the enlightened beings choose to be Gurus (Realised Masters) to guide any desiring fellow humans towards the realisation (since it's a… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

What is an Ayurvedic Clock?

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Ayurveda believes that there is an ‘energy clock’, that is, our levels of energy are in synch with time and there is an optimal time of day for different activities. The concept of the Ayurvedic Clock is similar to that of the biological clock or body clock. It is linked to how our body and mind function relative to both the surrounding energy and the state of our bodily humors (doshas).

दिशाशूल क्या होता है ?

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#SanatanaDharma क्यों बड़े बुजुर्ग तिथि देख कर आने जाने की रोक टोक करते हैं ? आज की युवा पीढ़ी भले हि उन्हें आउटडेटेड कहे दिशाशूल समझने से पहले हमें दस दिशाओं के विषय में ज्ञान होना आवश्यक है

Why do temples have bells? Uthsatanam pisasatheh preenanam sahareh paramsannithana mamarthyanam ghantaayachalanath baveth