The story of Navaratri, the nine days of war between asuras and the Devi is reviewed ion this episode 7B as a symbolism of the process of evolution of the human mind. From the delusion of the world, the mind can be lead slowly towards clarity and the unveiling of Devi within each of us. This process is shown as a fight between the Devi and various Asuras, who are just the different stumbling blocks in our path to realisation. I have isolated each story and explained the symbolism within...

The Roga Nivarana Stotram can be chanted to Invoke the Healing Powers of Shree Dhanvantari, a form of Shree Vishnu. In this period of pandemic and widespread fear, stotras such as this perform the work of medicines, healing the body, mind and intellect. While we do not have the capacity to say these stotras all day to cure illness, it will help us to chant them once or twice or altleast to listen to them in order to help heal the body faster. This compilation of shlokas is from the...

The story of Navaratri, the nine days of war between asuras and the Devi is explained in sequence as seen in Devi Mahatmyam. The Story of all the Asuras mentioned in earlier verses, Dhumralochana, Chanda Munda and Raktabeeja and their destruction by Chandika Devi followed by the main content of this verse, Shumbha and Nishumbha Vad is recounted. Being a long episode, the symbolism behind this apparently simple story will be seen in the next one 7B. About Argala Stotram: Dedicated to the...

In depth explanation of verse 6 in English The Story of the Asuras Chanda Munda and Raktabeeja and their destruction by Chandika Devi is the main content of this verse. I have recounted the story and also explained the symbolism behind this apparently simple story. About Argala Stotram: Dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga, Argala Stotram is a powerful Chant. It praises the Devi Who defeats and destroys all the Asuras and Who as the Protector, takes care of All Creation. It is also a...

A simple guide to the festival of Sri Ganesh and the significance behind this celebration. #Visarjan, #change, #origin, #tradition Link to the Ganesh Puja for beginners: https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/2023/09/17/ganesha-chaturti-puja-vidanam/

 Today was celebrated as Guru Purnima by devotees of Hindu, Bhuddist, jain and Sikh faiths. Why do we celebrate this day as Vyasa Jayanti ? Why is Vyasa Maharshi important to us? Watch to learn abt about this great teacher. Why do we celebrate Guru Purnima? It is a public holiday in Bharat, but hardly anything is taught about it in schools. So, most of us just know that it is an extra day of holiday. Why should some ancient Hrshi's birthday be celebrated by us? Atleast Gandhi and Nehru were...

This is the 2nd episode on Sanskrit alphabets. The basic consonant form is explained here using the often debated pronunciation of names between the North and South Indian population. While each language has it’s own manner od pronunciations, Samskrta must be pronounced as it was meant to be.  Especially when we chant stotras and mantras, we cannot compromise on pronunciations because Sanskrit sounds are used to produce certain vibrations which impact both our bodies and our environment. The...

Aditya  Hrdaya stotra is a powerful chant in praise of Sri Surya Narayana- the Sun God. Seen as the closest representation of the Supreme Brahman visible to us, Surya Sea is the source of all life on Earth and the ruler of Health and Success fin human life. Given to Sri Rama by the famous Hrshi Agastya, this stotra can be chanted by persons of all ages.  Learn this chant to ensure success in every endeavour and in uplifting your health. Students especially benefit from this stotra.  0:00...

You can chant along with the video using Devanagari, English or Tamil lyrics given within the video. The chant is repeated 2nd time along with the meanings in Hindi, English and Tamizh. If you would like to print out the lyrics, or if you are interested in a detailed breakdown of the meanings, you may visit this page: https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/popular-shlokas/dharma-shasta-pancharatnam/ Dharma shasta/ Shasta/ Ayyappa, are various ways in which we denote the Lord of...

Shri Dharma Shasta or Ayyappa, is a very popular deity in the southern parts of India. While many shrines dot the Kerala state where He is the most favoured deity, Ayyappa temples have followed the Keralites into other southern states as well. This 5 verse composition, the panchartanam, is in praise of this child-God Ayyappa/ Dharma Shasta.

Concluding part of the 5 part series on a lesser known celebration of Deepavali festival, originated in the Skanda Purana of Vedic times. Hindu iconography has played a major role in the propagation and preservation of Hindu thought and values. Learn the strength of Iconography and explore the meaning of the Ardhanari form of Shri Shiva and Parvati Devi. Also delve into Yoga and it’s relevance to this form. Finally, understand the status of the 3rd gender in a true Hindu society. Ref...

In the story of Hrshi Bronchi from the Skanda Purana, the Hrshi angers the Devi by ignoring Her. She retaliates by removing all power from his body. What is the deeper significance of this instance. Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part series. 0:10  Introduction to puranic storytelling 01:31Why was Parvati Devi angered? 01:54 Reason 1 02:34 Reason 2 03:54 Outgrowing desire 04:39 Reason 3 05:08 Importance of the World Image...

The complete chant is played twice in this episode. Once with lyrics in 3 languages for you to chant along, second time with meanings in the 3 languages. Like other compositions by the famous Guru Shankaracharya, this too talks of the esoteric nature of the divine, in this case, it is in the form if Shri Ganesha. Ganesha Pancharatnam is a composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India.  Pancharatna means...

The quest to decode the story of Hrshi Brnghi in the Skanda Purana continues. In the Skanda Purana Hrshi Brnghi is seen disrespecting Parvati Devi and only venerating Shri Shiva. Is this a perpetuation of patriarchy? What is Moksha /Liberation? Why do Yogis prefer to disengage from the world? These questions are answered in this episode. Credits for Free Videos: Video of Space: Free HD stock footage-space_planet_galaxy_scene Video of forest_15_2_Videvo Video of fire: Pexels...

The Puranic story from Skanda Purana about Rshi Bronchi’s insult to Parvati Devi, makes one wonder - “What relevance do these out dated stories have for us?” This is the question I wish to explore here. Most Hindus are familiar with at least a few stories from the Puranas. Of over a hundred Puranas mentioned in ancient texts, the 18 Mahapuranas of Vyas Maharishi are quite popular. The stories within these Puranas talk of Gods, Devas, Asuras and a lot of happenings which are sometimes so...

Story of Rshi Bringi  People in some parts of Bharat observe this ancient practice of Kedara-gauri Vrata. Learn about this story form the Skanda Purana which explains the importance of this Vrata. 

Hindu texts tell us that Eclipses influence the atmosphere and thereby all organisms on Earth. Ancient Hrshis have given guidelines on dos and don’s dating this period. Eclipses are said to impact the type of cosmic radiation hitting Earth and we are given certain instructions on how to avoid getting severely impacted by them. Here is a simple list of observances for a Lunar Eclipse. 0:00 Introduction 00:23 Lunar Eclipse 05:00 Observances during Eclipse Semi circle image...

This 7 part seriesof Adishankaracharya’s composition, the Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam, is explained in in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. Vedanta is the journey to understand the true nature of man.It gives us a clear perspective of life and it’s meaning.This shloka encapsulates Vedanta into 6 verses, this video describes the 5th verse. This is part 6of a 7 part series. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self,...

This 7 part seriesof Adishankaracharya’s composition, the Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. Vedanta is the journey to understand the true nature of man.It gives us a clear perspective of life and it’s meaning.This shloka encapsulates Vedanta into 6 verses, this video describes the 5th verse. This is part 6of a 7 part series. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self,...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 4th part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 3. In the first 2 verses he says that the mind, sense organs, elements, life force, body and it’s functions, are not true nature of the atman. He continues in the 3 rd...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 4th part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 3. In the first 2 verses he says that the mind, sense organs, elements, life force, body and it’s functions, are not true nature of the atman. He continues in this 3 rd...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 3rd part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 2. In Verse 1, Shankaracharya tells us that neither the mind, nor the sense organs, nor the elements, are our true self. In this 2nd verse, Shankaracharya explores the...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. India has been the proud mother of many enlightened saints, and Shree Adishankaracharya holds a special place due to his extensive work in reviving and spreading the word of the Vedas in India when Hinduism was on a decline. He composed innumerable shlokas, some as devotional poems and others as vedantic treatises. This...

Shree Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatkam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. India has been the proud mother of many enlightened saints, and Shree Adishankaracharya holds a special place due to his extensive work in reviving and spreading the word of the Vedas in India when Hinduism was on a decline. He composed innumerable shlokas, some as devotional poems and others as vedantic treatises....