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Vritrasura – A Demon Killed By Indra
Vritrasura was a very powerful Asura who almost killed Indra in a battle. He is also depicted as a serpent or dragon. His mother’s name was Danu, who was the mother of Danavas. The word Vritra (वृत्र) means “the enveloper”. The slaying of Vritrasura is considered the biggest achievement of Indra. The Story of Vritrasura in the Rig Veda (Mandala 1, Hymn 32): Vritrasura had kept the waters of the world captive. Therefore, Indra planned a battle against him. Before going to war, he drank a large volume of Soma at Tvashtri’s house, who is an artisan god. Tvashtri designed…
Alcohol in Hinduism
There are many different views about alcohol in Hinduism. Some people say in the Vedic times, gods used to drink Soma drink which was an intoxicating drink. Hence, there is no problem with drinking alcohol. While some scriptures say, consumption of alcohol is one of the biggest sins. Therefore, it is forbidden in Hinduism. Some scriptures say only Brahmins can’t drink alcohol, but the people from the other three Varnas can do so. When it comes to religion, we should look at what the scriptures say and not what the individuals say. Therefore, let us see what Hindu scriptures say…
The Five Deadly Sins in Hinduism
The five deadly sins in Hinduism known as Mahapatakas are the murder of a Brahmin, stealing gold, drinking alcohol, an illicit relationship with one’s teacher’s wife, and keeping the company with the before-mentioned sinners (Chandogya Upanishad and Usana Smriti, Chapter 8, Verse 1). “A person who steals gold, or drinks liquor, or goes to bed with his teacher’s wife, or kills a brāhmin—these four are lost. Also lost is the fifth—one who keeps company with such people.” – (Chandogya Upanishad 5.10.9) According to Manu Smriti (9.235), there are four deadly sins. They are the same as mentioned above except the last…
The Birth of Lord Shiva
There are mainly three stories in the Puranas related to the birth of Lord Shiva. Shaivites believe that Lord Shiva is Svayambhu, i.e., self-manifested, while Vaishnavites believe that Lord Shiva was created by Lord Vishnu. The Story of Birth of Lord Shiva per Shiva Purana: At the end of the Kalpa (a period of 4.32 billion years), there was only a single vast sheet of water. Lord Brahma saw Lord Vishnu having a yogic sleep on the bed of Shesha (a serpent deity of Hindus). He woke him up with the blow of his hand and asked him who he…
Alakh Niranjan
Alakh Niranjan is a religious slogan chanted by Nath Yogis and the people of Nath Sampradaya. The slogan was first used and popularized by Navnath (nine saints). It is originally a Marathi slogan. Nath Yogis and the followers of some other sects chant it when they meet another person or go to houses for alms. Other than Hindus, this term is popular among some Sikh sects also. Guru Nanak Ji used it to denote God. Different Meanings of Alakh Niranjan: The word “Alakh” most probably originated from “Alakshya,” which means “that which cannot be brought into the focus of vision”…
The Story of Lord Rama’s Sister Shanta
The story of Lord Rama’s sister Shanta is in the Valmiki Ramayana Bala Kanda Sarga 9-18 and Vishnu Purana, 4th Amsha, 18th Adhyaya. Many Hindus are unaware of the fact that Lord Rama had an elder sister also. It could be mainly because there are no dramatic events surrounding her. The Story of Lord Rama’s Sister Shanta: Shanta was the first child born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya. After her, they had no kids. Dasharatha Gives Shanta to his Friend in Adoption: One day, Romapada, the classmate and great friend of Dasharatha, who was the king of Anga Desha,…
Mohammad Paigambar in the Hindu Scriptures
Is Mohammad Paigambar mentioned in the Hindu scriptures? Recently, there has been a lot of buzz that Mohammad Paigambar is in the Hindu Scriptures. Therefore, I decided to look into the matter and found out that there is a person with the name Mahaamada in the Bhavishya Purana and has some similarities with Mohammad Paigambar. As far as the Vedas are concerned, there is no mention of him. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when King Bhoj was on a military mission, he met a person named Mahaamada in a desert outside of India who deluded him to convert to Islam…
The Eight Immortals in Hindu Scriptures
The eight immortals (Chiranjeevis) in Hindu scriptures are Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, Veda Vyasa, Vibhishana, Lord Parashurama, Lord Hanuman, King Mahabali, and Sage Markandeya. There is some confusion over the number of immortals whether there are seven or eight Chiranjeevis, but there is a mantra that lists the names of all the eight immortals. It is as follows: अश्वत्थामा बलिव्र्यासो हनूमांश्च विभीषण:। कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तएतै चिरजीविन:॥ सप्तैतान् संस्मरेन्नित्यं मार्कण्डेयमथाष्टमम्। जीवेद्वर्षशतं सोपि सर्वव्याधिविवर्जित॥ Transliteration: Ashwathaama Balirvyaaso Hanumanshcha Vibheeshanaha Krupaha Parshuramascha Saptaitey Chiranjivinaha Saptaitaan Samsmareynnityam Markandeymathaashtamam Jivedvarshshatam Sopi Sarvavyadhivivarjit Meaning: The one who remembers these seven immortals daily, along with Markandeya, who is the eighth,…
Sharabha – Avatar of Shiva who Killed Narasimha
Lord Sharabha is a part-lion, part-bird, and part-god incarnation of Lord Shiva that he assumed to pacify Lord Narasimha. This form is popular as Sharabheshwara or Sharabheshwaramurti. The story of Sharabha is in the Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Vamana Purana, Kalika Purana, Skanda Purana, and Sharabha Upanishad. The Story of Sharabha Incarnation of Lord Shiva: Prologue to Sharabha Incarnation: To kill Hiranyakashipu, Lord Vishnu assumed a very fierce incarnation, i.e., Narasimha Avatar. Narasimha was so fierce and angry that even after killing Hiranyakashipu, his fury did not subside. Gods feared that the universe would annihilate because of it. Therefore, they…
Lingodbhava – The Origin of Shiva Lingam
Lingodbhava (emergence of the Linga) is the story of the origin of the Shiva lingam. It is also an iconic representation of Lord Shiva. The Shiva lingam is his aniconic representation. The story of Lingodbhava is mentioned in many Puranas including the Linga Purana, Shiva Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Skanda Purana, Brahmanda Purana, and Vayu Purana with slight variations. This is also the story of the birth of Lord Shiva. The Lingodbhava Story in the Linga Purana (1.17.6): At the end of the Kalpa (a period of 4.32 billion years), there was only a single vast sheet of water.…