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Bilvashtakam

Bilwa Ashtakam, also spelled Bilwashtakam, Vilvashtakam, or Bilvashtakam, is the asthakam (ashtak) addressed to Lord Shiva. Bilwa Ashtakam is a highly powerful Sanskrit Shiva stotra which are the eight hymns chanted while offering Bilwa (Vilva) leaves to Lord Shiva. The Bilwa (Aegle Marmelos) leaves are one of the main offering to Lord Shiv and by offering Bilva leaves (Koovalam in Malayalam) a devotee can easily please Lord Shiva.

Bilvashtakam is in Sanskrit. It starts with bowing to God Ganesha. It is a very pious Shiva Stotra. God Shiva likes Bilva (tree) leaf. In this stotra, how Bilva leaf is pious and why it is offered to God Shiva when we worship (pooja) him, is described. While performing Pooja of God Shiva, it is said to be incomplete if we don’t offer Bilva Patra (Leaf). 

Chanting Bilwa Ashtakam especially on Maha Shivaratri is considered auspicious. Here is Lyrics of Bilwashtakam with English meaning.

Vedic Rituals and Routines!!! Why do wear marks (tilak, and the like) on the forehead?

img from google

The tilak invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and the others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one's caste, religious sect or the form of te Lord worshipped.

In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma or kasturi mark signifying service as he supported the work of other three divisions.

Vedic Rituals and Routines!!! Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?

Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls, by touching their feet. The elders in turn bless us by placing their hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals, etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by 'abhivaadana', which serves to introduce oneself, announce one's family and lineage.

Vedic Rituals and Routines !!! Why do we do Namaste (Salutation)?

Indians greet each other with namaste. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word namaste. This greeting is for all ----- people younger than us, of our own age, those older, even strangers.

There are five forms of formal traditional greetings in the Sastras, of which 'namaskar' is one. This is understood as prostration, but it actually refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a namaste.

Aditya Hridayam Stotram

Lord Surya

Aditya Hridayam is a Stotra by Sage Agastya to Lord Sri Rama at the battle field between Ravana and Rama. The great Cosmic Sage Agastya dictates this hymns of Sun God to Sri Rama to ensure Victory to him. Thus forms part of the yuddha Kanda (Canto 107) of Ramayana by Sage Valmiki said to be written around twenty thousand years ago.

Aditya Hridayam contains the innovative hymns with many secrets and hidden meanings. The Jnana, Jnata, and Jneyam is completed as Sage Agastya is the Jnana and the Lord Rama Jnata and the presiding deity Jneyam is Sun in the heart. Thus the Triputi is completed. Hence it has come to be known as Aditya Hridayam.

Further Sage Agastya has stated that success is assured for all those who recite these Sloka thrice a day.

In Aditya Hridayam there are thirty Slokas in total. In this the first and second sloka depicts the arrival of sage Agastya to Sri Rama. The third stated the greatness of the Stotra, the fourth sloka explained about happiness, liberation and knowledge. The fifth will remove the related sins and with hold sorrows. From Sixth to fifteenth  the description pertains to self effulgence and impresses that one pervading out side and inside is same. From Sixteenth to twentieth slokas are very important for mantra Japa. Here cosmic greatness of Sun God Surya as the internal Caitanya in us is high lighted.

The Slokas from Twenty to twenty four are Mantra Slokas extolling Sun God. From twenty fifth to thirtieth the method of recital by Sri Rama and invoking God to bless him with the requisite strength for the victory in the battle field is stated.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtakam

Sankat Mochan Hanuman

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtakam is an eight verse prayer in praise of the Hindu God of courage, strength, confidence and devotion Hanuman.

Hanuman is also considered to be an Avatar of Shiva who manifested in order to help Ram, an Avatar of Vishnu overcome the evil forces who had grouped under the King of Lanka Ravan. This prayer describes the victory of good over evil. The victory of Ram over Ravan with the help of Hanuman.

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtakam is recited by devotees of Hanuman all over India in order to overcome obstacles, dangers, and trouble from enemies. The recitation of the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Ashtakam helps one from the ill effects of planets, particularly Saturn and Mars. This prayer is recited in Hanuman temples more often on Saturdays and Tuesdays the weekly day of Saturn and Mars.

Rudrashtakam

The Rudrashtakam is Ashtakam or an eight verse Octet or a rhyming prayer dedicated to the manifestation of Shiva the Destroyer out of the Hindu holy trinity as Rudra.Rudra is considered as the fearsome manifestation of Shiva who is to be feared.

The Rudhrashtakam was composed by the great saint Goswami Tulsidas. This eightfold hymn of praise was sung to please Shankara. Shambhu will be pleased with whomever heartfully recites it.

Saraswathi Chalisa

Goddess Saraswathi

Goddess Saraswathi is the consort of Lord Brahma and is the Goddess of wisdom and learning. Goddess Saraswathi is considered as the personification of all knowledge. Her presence is elegant and she is depicted as wearing a pure white sari and seated on a white lotus representing purity and brilliance. Goddess Saraswathi carries a Veena which represents mastery over the physical organs and actions where the veena is symbolic for life and strings are symbolic of feelings. The book she carries is symbolic of knowledge. The white swan, lotus, cloths and white ornaments are symbolic of her chastity and purity. Goddess Saraswathi is said to possess the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. The Saraswathi Chalisa is one of the most powerful prayer in the world. Students and people in profession related to studying or books or wisdom or knowledge must seek her blessings, this powerful prayer is beneficial to those seeking pure and divine knowledge. Here is the chalisa ..

Shiva Manasa Puja

The Shiv Manas pooja composed by Adi Shankara is a unique prayer. While reciting this prayer, the devotee does not offer anything material as an offering to Shiva. Everything is on the mental level. All that one wants to offer to Shiva is offered in the mind of the devotee reciting this prayer.

One can offer thing he desires to Shiva in his mind.Adi Shankara most probably wanted to do away with rituals and flaunting of wealth by wealthy devotees, hence this unique prayer.

Kala Bhairava Ashtakam

Lord Kala Bhairava

Sri Adi Sankaracharya's Kalabhairava Ashtakam. Kalabhairava is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and the Devatha of the Lord Rahu (Navagraha Planet). Kalabhairava is also regarded as the guardian of Lord Shiva Temples. Sri Kalabhairava Ashtakam is a very musical prayer of Lord Kalabhairava. Kalabhairava Astakam is recited by the priests of the Kalabhairava Temples.

Kaal Bhairav is the Rudra Avatar of Shiva who is the omnipresent time or Kaal. Kaal or time is the fearsome face of Shiva as time stops for none. Each and every living being is afraid of time as it spares none. Hence Kaal is feared by one and all.

The Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam was composed by the great philosopher saint of the 8th century AD Adi Shankara.

The Kaal Bhairav Ashtakam is recited to make your journey through time or life free from troubles and dangers.

Lingashtakam

Shiva Lingam

The Shiva Lingam is one of the most important and worshiped religious symbols in the Hindu religion. It is considered as the representation of the God of the Universe from which the entire creation emerged. This is an Ashtakam or an Octet, which is a rhyming eight verse prayer dedicated to the Shiva Lingam.

The Shivalingam is a sacred symbol of the Hindus whom they revere as the manifestation of the Universal Self in His awakened aspect in union with His dynamic energy Shakti. This prayer is a declaration of faith, obedience, love and devotion to Lord Shiva in His aspect as Shivalingam.

Maha Mrityunjaya Stotram

Lord Shiva

This is one of the most powerful stotram among all. It is also called the prayer of the great victor over death by Sage Markandeya.

Once Sage Mrukandu prayed Lord Shiva for a son. Lord Shiva asked him whether he wanted an intelligent son who will live only for 16 years or foolish son, who will live for one hundred years. The sage chose the former. A son was born to him and was named as Markandeya. This boy became a very great devotee of Lord Shiva. On his sixteenth birthday, he entered the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord and embraced him. Yama, the lord of death came to take away his soul. Lord Shiva killed Yama. Then the boy Markandeya sang the following stotra. This prayer is used to ward of all evils, remove fear of death and realize all wishes.

Dhyana Linga Yogic Temple

Dhyana Linga

The sacred land of India has been witness to the lives of countless yogis, sages and enlightened beings. The Dhyana Linga Yogic Temple, situated at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India, is very much part of this glorious tradition.

The Dhyana Linga was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a mystic and realized Master, after three years of intense prana prathistha, using his own energies. The people involved in the consecration process underwent intense sadhana, overcoming the limitations of the body and the mind to energize the Dhyana Linga. Dhyana in Sanskrit means 'meditation',, and Linga means 'the form'.

As Sadhguru describes it, the linga-form allows energy to be brought to the highest intensity, at which it

Hanuman Chalisa

Sri Hanuman

Hanuman Chalisa is the prayer in 40 verses written by Tulsidas. Each such verse is called a chaupai (means 4 legs) and each chaupai of the Chalisa has two lines each, the two always rhyme. The chalisa is sung in different tunes (more than 100) across the country. The prayer has three parts - The preamble : The main body (chalisa) : The final request

The Hanuman Chalisa should be recited at least once in a week (Tuesdays or Saturdays). Early morning and after the sunset are the favoured times. It is recommended to recite the Chalisa 11 times (Hanuman being the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiv). Some recite the prayer everyday, normally before setting out for work. Tulsidas suggested that the Hanuman Chalisa should be recited a hundred times in order to obtain special benefits and in special occasions - serious illness, important examinations, major hurdles etc..

Gayatri Mantra

Goddess Gayatri

 In Hinduism there is a simple prayer in the form of Vedic hymn which is called "Gayatri Mantra".
This Gayatri Mantra is a highly revered mantra in Hindu Religion. It is a sacred Hindu chant.
It is widely used in meditation & listening to this chant brings peace of mind.
As per Bhagwat Gita God is present in the form of WORD as "Gayatri Mantra".

The Gayatri mantra is found in all the four Vedas in Hindu religion.
Gayatri Mantra is the foremost mantra in Hindu religion and Hindu beliefs & it inspires wisdom.
The mantra is also a prayer to the "giver of light and life" - the sun.

Ganesha Gayatri Mantra

Sanskrit-



Lyrics-

           Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe
           Vakkratundaya Dheemahi
           Tanno Danti Prachodayat

Meaning-
     
           We devote our thoughts to the one tusked Lord
           We meditate upon Him who has a curved trunk
           May the tusked one guide us on the right path.

Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha

 Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah

Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Klowm Gum Ganapathaye Vara Varatha Sarvajanamay Vasamaanaya Swaha

Hey Prabhu, help me to develop my knowledge. I'm starting this blog in order to help people who are interested and devoted to Hinduism. It's not just about Hindu religion, it's all about how a person should lead his life peacefully and successfully. This blog is for all people regardless of their religion and who believe that there is a super power above us guiding and helping us. You can find mantras, japas, shlokas, yogas, etc here. Hinduism is the mother of all religions. But one must respect each and every religion too.