About.com Hinduism

Lord Shiva: The Fascinating Deity

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:02:19 +0000

Shiva is 'shakti' or power, Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon and one of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity. Known by many names - Mahadeva, Mahayogi, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Bhava, Bhole Nath - Lord Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognize this by putting his shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities.

He is also often portrayed as the supreme ascetic with a passive and composed disposition. Sometimes he is depicted riding a bull called Nandi decked in garlands. Although a very complicated deity, Shiva is one of the most fascinating of Hindu gods... Read more

Lord Shiva: The Fascinating Deity originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 03:02:19.

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Vishnu: The Preserver of Life

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:51:25 +0000

The peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the Preserver or Sustainer of life with his steadfast principles of order, righteousness and truth. When these values are under threat, Vishnu emerges out of his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth. Vishnu's earthly incarnations have 10 major avatars. The devout followers of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas, and his consort is Lakshmi. Vishnu is popularly worshiped as Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati in the southern India.

Vishnu: The Preserver of Life originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 22:51:25.

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Brahma: Lord of Creation

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:32:09 +0000

In Hinduism, the whole creation is seen as the dynamic game of the Trinity of Gods: Brahma - the creator, Vishnu - the sustainer, and Shiva - the destroyer. Brahma is the creator of the universe and of all beings, as depicted in the Hindu cosmology. The Vedas, the oldest and the holiest of Hindu scriptures, are attributed to Brahma, and thus Brahma is regarded as the father of dharma. He is not to be confused with Brahman which is a general term for the Supreme Being or Almighty God.

Image © www.exoticindia.com

Brahma: Lord of Creation originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 01:32:09.

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Vaastu for a Happy & Healthy Home

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:06:41 +0000

Vaastu - the ancient Indian science of geopathy can help you live a happy and healthy life if your house is compliant to certain natural laws. Hindus believe that for peace, happiness, health and wealth one should abide by the guidelines of Vaastu while building a dwelling. It tells us how to avoid diseases, depression and disasters by living in structures, which allow the presence of a positive cosmic field. Read more

Vaastu for a Happy & Healthy Home originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 22:06:41.

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The Hare Krishna Mantra

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:26:08 +0000

If you open up your heart
You will know what I mean
We've been polluted so long
But here's a way for you to get clean
By chanting the names of the Lord and you'll be free
The Lord is awaiting on you all to awaken and see.

("Awaiting On You All" - from the Beatles album All Things Must Pass)

Forty years ago, in 1969, the Beatles, perhaps the most popular music group of all time, produced a hit single, "The Hare Krishna Mantra", performed by George Harrison and the devotees of the Radha-Krishna Temple, London. And the Hare Krishna chant became a household word in many parts of the world.

Behind all this was the vital force called Swami Prabhupada. Aubrey Menen in his book The Mystics, notes: "Prabhupada presented them [Americans] with a way of life of an Arcadian simplicity. It is no wonder that he found followers. He opened his mission on the Lower East Side in New York in an empty shop, fitted with nothing but mats on the floor. One of his earliest disciples, with the swami's permission has recorded an incident. Two or three were gathered together to listen to the swami, when an old grey Bowery drunk entered. He carried a pack of paper hand-towels and a roll of toilet paper..." Read more

The Hare Krishna Mantra originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 23:26:08.

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How to Balance Your Emotions

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:48:01 +0000

We must approach opposed feelings, such as success and failure, or happiness and misery with a sense of equanimity. In a state of equanimity, one has neither the feeling of attachment with success and the resulting feeling of hope and joy, nor that of aversion to failure and the opposed feeling of despair and misery. The concept of equanimity corresponds to the "(dynamic) state of equilibrium" used in physical sciences, when the tendency for change in opposed directions is nearly balanced. Read on to find out why and how to balance your emotions.

How to Balance Your Emotions originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 21:48:01.

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Skanda Sashti (Oct 18-24, 2009)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:17:31 +0000

Skanda Sashti is observed on the sixth day of the bright fortnight of the Tamil month of Aippasi (October - November). It is an important festival of South India and is observed to commemorate the destruction of evil by Lord Subramanya aka Kartikeya or Muruga, who on this day, is believed to have annihilated the mythical demon Taraka or Surapadma. This year, Skanda Sashti begins on October 18 and ends on October 24. Many Tamils around the world observe 6 days of fasting as a build-up to the festival that ends with the celebration of 'Tirukalyanam,' on October 24, while many others observe a single-day fast on the 6th day aka 'Soora Samharam' day, which falls on October 23. Skanda Sashti is celebrated in most parts of South India, as well as abroad, especially Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore... Read more

Image © ExoticIndia.com

Skanda Sashti (Oct 18-24, 2009) originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 00:17:31.

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Bhai Dooj for Brothers & Sister

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:27:49 +0000

After the high voltage celebrations of Diwali, the festival of lights and fire-crackers, sisters all over India get ready for the Hindu ritual of Bhai Dooj. This is an auspicious occasion when sisters ceremonize their love by putting an auspicious tilak or a vermilion mark on the forehead of their brothers and show him the light of the holy flame as a mark of love and protection from evil forces. Sisters are lavished with gifts, goodies and blessings from their brothers. Also known as Bhai Tika or Bhai Phonta in various regions of India, it falls on October 19, 2009.

Bhai Dooj for Brothers & Sister originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 23:27:49.

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Happy New Year 2066 (Vikram Era)

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:06:21 +0000

In many parts of India, people will turn over the pages of their traditional calendar to a new year as the Vikram era 2066 unfolds today.

In Northern India as well as in Gujarat it is the first day of the financial year. People in these parts of India celebrate the Vikram New Year or 'Annakut' or 'Nutan Varsh', as they call it, the day after Diwali. The Vikram era (also known as Vikram Samvatsar or Vikram Samvant) began long ago when the great Indian king Vikramaditya wanted to commemorate his victory over the Shaks in 57 BC.

Happy New Year 2066 (Vikram Era) originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 00:06:21.

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Happy Diwali, Mr. President & Everyone!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:32:57 +0000

When Barrack Obama ceremonially lit the Diwali lamp in the East Room of the White House, he became the first American President that officially observed the auspicious occasion of the Festival of Lights. While the President lit the White House diya to ''symbolize victory of light over darkness", Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, a Sanskrit scholar and ordained Hindu priest of the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lantham, Maryland chanted 'Asatoma Sadgamaya' from the Upanishads -

Lead me from Untruth to Truth.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from death to immortality.
(from the 'Brhadaranyaka Upanishad' - I.iii.28)

In his Diwali message the American President said, ''This coming Saturday, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, here in America and around the world, will celebrate this holiday by lighting Diyas, or lamps, which symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,'' Obama then briefly explained the significance of Diwali in Hinduism and various dharmic traditions.
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In 2007, both chambers of the U.S. Congress passed a resolution recognizing the significance of Diwali. "The spirit of that resolution was signed, so to speak, by the President," said Aseem Shukla, co-founder of the Hindu American Foundation, adding that while "Hindus do not need a President to validate their traditions or feel more American", there is a feeling that "Hindu American is a marginal demographic no longer."

Amidst the dazzling festivities that light up our lives and fun-filled times with family and friends, here are some useful resources that will help you connect with the worldwide celebrations of Diwali:

Photo: Getty Images

Happy Diwali, Mr. President & Everyone! originally appeared on About.com Hinduism on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 02:32:57.

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