Advaita : The Conclusion of all Vedāntas

Bhagwāna Srī Rāma after narrating the knowledge of the Upanishads to Mahāvīr Srī Hanumāna, asks him how does he personally concludes the divine knowledge of the Muktita Upanishads?

Srī Vajrangī’s reply to his question stipulates one’s journey of life, beginning with sense of Dualism and gradually realising Non Duality. He says,

देहबुद्ध्या तु दासोऽस्मि जीवबुद्ध्या त्वदंशकः।
आत्मबुद्ध्या त्वमेवाहमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः॥

“O Lord, while I identify myself with my body, I am Thy servant (Dvaita). When I consider myself as Individual Soul, I am Thy part (Vishishta Advaita). But when I look upon myself as the Spirit (Ātman), I am one with Thee Thyself (Advaita).”

Jaya Jaya Srī Sītā Rāma!! Jaya Srī Mahābali Vajrangī!!🌺🙏🏻

Written by Aryan Parashar

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What is Advaita Vedānta?

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The word 'Advaita' ( अद्वैत ) means non-duality. It is a philosophy which describes that there is only one reality and one truth i.e. Brahmāna. All else is not real, not eternal and is of transient nature.

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Brahmān is changeless, formless, indivisible, unchanging, immutable, beyond guna-s (attributes), beyond the reach of 5 senses, mind and beyond the realms of Māyā.

Vedānta means the Conclusion (Anta) of Vedas, hence the one which contains the essence of Vedas.

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Hence, Advaita Vedanta can be defined as a Mārga which teaches the essence of vedas that there is one supreme reality (non dual) Nirguna Brahman (निर्गुण ब्रह्म).

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Advaita Vedanta teaches that this world is transient, temporary, and hence a Mithyā. It is due to the power of Māyā (illusion) that this world looks different than Brahmān. Brahmān alone is reality.

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Advaita asks one to raise from Sharīra Bhāva to Jīva Bhāva to Ātman Bhāva . According to Advaita, Jīva and Brahmān aren’t dual. Entire Advaita Vedānta can be summed up in an Ardha Shloka as:

“ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रहैव नापरः”

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LACHIT BORPHUKAN : AN UNSUNG WARRIOR OF THE AHOM KINGDOM & THE GREAT BATTLE OF SARAIGHAT

Originally named as Lachit Deca, Lachit Borphukan, the fierce and invincible Ahom Commander, was born during the early 17th century at Betioni in the Golaghat district of modern Assam.

His father, Momai Tamuli Borbarua was the ‘Governor’ of the kingdom and also ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of Ahom army under King Pratap Singha during his reign starting from 1603 to 1639. Lachit received military training from an early age and joined the Ahom King Jayadhvaj Singha...

...(1648-1663) as a scarf-bearer.  The post ‘scarf-bearer’ or ‘Soladhara Barua’ is considered as a part of the incumbent king’s personal staff. Owing to his military training Lechit was appointed "Ghora Barua", Supdt. of the Royal horses. When Chakradhwaj Singha became king..

..of Ahom dynasty in 1663,he appointed him Suptd. of The Royal Guards &finally he was appointed as Borphukan by the king.Then onwards,he was known as Lachit Borphukan.Borphukan used to be top councillor in Ahom Kingdom. This position was embedded with executive & judicial powers.

Assam was facing incessant Islamic invasion since Jan1662, when Mughal General Mir Jumla II attacked Ahom capital Gargaon. He never defeated Ahom king Jayadhwaja Singha as king retreated to hill &continued Guerrilla warfare.Prolonged fight &prospect of stalemate disturbed Jumla.

Karadayan Nombu
It's Importance
#Thread
Karadayan Nonbu / Savitri Vratham is a festival of fasting where married women will pray for the wellness and long life of their husband. Nonbu should be done exactly the time when tamil month Masi ends and the next month Panguni starts.

The reason of fasting is remembered out from Savithri who fought with Yema deva to save her husband’s life.
Savitri through her unparalleled devotion saved her husband Satyavan, from the Yama Dharma Raja.
On this day women takes fast and prays to Gauri Devi for the long life of

their husband. They wear a Nombu charadu( yellow thread) during the time and breaks fast by having the adai, a dish prepared using rice flour and jaggery.

It is believed that Savitri cooked such a dish and offered it to Yama Deva along with unmelted butter as an offering

RANI GAIDINLIU:THE LESSER KNOWN FREEDOM FIGHTER

Rani Gaidinliu joined the freedom struggle at 13 &was sentenced to life imprisonment at 16."We r free people—the White should not rule over us.”Thus calling out to her Zeliangrong tribesmen was the voice of 13yr-old Rani Gaidinliu.

She joined the freedom struggle in the present-day Northeast India. Today, her struggle is lost in history as most of her countrymen wouldn’t even have heard her name. B'coz our history textbooks tell us that only Mahatma Gandhi &Pandit Nehru got India its Independence.

At 16 yrs of age, this valiant girl was sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a movement to drive out the colonial rulers from Manipur and Nagaland. Nevertheless, she was released in 1947 after India’s independence and was given the title ,"Rani of Nagas".

EARLY LIFE AND HERAKA MOVEMENT

Gaidinliu belonged to the Rongmei clan of the Zeliangrong tribe in the Tamenglong district of western Manipur. Born on January 26, 1915, she was fifth among eight children.

Her native village was Nungkao, which is present day Tamenglong distt. Brought up in a specially backward region,she couldn't receive any formal education. However,this didn't stop her from joining the freedom struggle. At the age of 10 she came under the influence of her cousin.

DO U KNOW WHO WAS THE FOUNDER OF YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD MAG CHANDAMAMA

A boy was born in Pottipadu, a little-known village in Cuddapah district in Andhra Pradesh some 109 years ago. The village school taught only epics like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavatam.

The teacher told the children how to lead a righteous life. They were advised to get by heart the truths contained in our ancient works.

The boy, Nagi Reddi, later moved to Madras (now Chennai), where he attended a regular school for a few years. Before he could complete

his studies, he was called upon to join the family export business. As a youth, he was drawn to the country's fight for independence. He got involved in the Khadi movement. But his presence was required in Burma (now Myanmar) to look after the business.

However, the business suffered huge losses during the
Second World War, and he had to start life afresh. He established a printing press which led to his publishing venture. He launched Andhra Jyothi, a socio-political magazine.

This venture brought about his close association with Shri Chakrapani, a writer of repute. Between the two of them they visualised a magazine that would entertain and educate the children of India speaking different language. It was a bold idea .

Description of Crowning ceremony of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The throne was designed by one Ramaji Datto Chitre of Kolhapur.

Shivaji's court at the time of his coronation has been described as

1. Shivaji arrived in the court (wearing gold toda around the suruwar around the legs, jewellery around the neck a kavda necklace-over the angarkhaa, kambarpatta,...)

2. He holded in his right hand weilding a golden bow and his left hand held a golden Vishnu idol

3. The ashta pradhans (Moropant Pingale held a gold kalash with perforations, Hambirao Mohite held a silver kalash, etc) flanked the throne.

4. On the right side stood Balaji Avji Chitnis and on the left side stood Nilopant Farasvis. Madari Mehtar (who was given the title Takht

Firosh, caretaker of the throne)

5. One sardar Vishwasrao Gaikwad held Bhavani the bejewelled sword of the king.

6. Gagabhat held the royal umbrella over the king.

7. The men around the throne weilded the royal sceptres-insignias (gold chavri, morchel ,gold spear with a weighing scale symbolising even justice and fair commerce, gold spear with fish head symbolising control over seas, gold spears with horse head symbolising a powerful

#Thread
#Theerthamalai is Mahadev Shiva #Temple along with His consort Devi Vadivaambigai, located at #dharmapuri Dist, #TamilNadu . The name Theertha means holy water malai means hill in Tamil. (Hill with Holy Water). Theerthamalai is a village situated @sattology @Itishree001

about 16 km northeast of #Harur. This temple also called as Theerthagireeswar (Theertha+Giri+Eswar)
Temple is located at the top of a hillock about 1 km up the steep slope of the hillock, derives its name from five springs in the temple. Mahadev Shiva is main deity. @karthiklv

#Temple was built in the 7th century, having many contributions being made by the Chola & Pandya Kings. Several inscriptions can be found in Temple. There is a deep connection of this temple with #Ramayana. When Sri Ram killed Ravana – @hathyogi31 @eshers @rightwingchora

to nullify his Brahma Hatya Pataka Dosha on him he did Abhisheka to Mahadev Shiva. Unfortunately Sri Hanuman could not reach the temple on time with #Ganga water, Thus, Sri Rama shot an arrow on a hill stone creating the Rama Theertha & completed the Pooja. @almightykarthik

Rama Theertha is a tiny water fall spring about 9m high. The force will be same thru out the year even in hot summer, & no one could identify the source of the tiny water fall coming from hill stone.
Once Hanuman came to know the Pooja was completed, @LostTemple7 @Elf_of_Shiva_

Significance of Shivratri:

Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva.
The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology.
It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of

Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism:

Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism.
According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases

Lord Shiva the most.
This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva Himself, when His consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by His devotees pleases Him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion.
They observe day and night fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc.

Some qualities of Lord Rama

Qualities of Bhagawan are considered countless (or அனந்தம்), one can experience it only to extent he gets exposed. His avatars are also countless (avatarAt hasankyEyAt) and each had a purpose for that time and we don’t remember each of the 1

avatars as much as rAmA avatar because of His qualities.

The beauty of rAmA avatar is His profound display of characters that, even SitA (சாக்‌ஷாத் மஹாலக்ஷ்மி/Mahalakshmi) was captivated by them.

One of the qualities is humility (வினயம்) and let’s look at some instances. 2

Aranya Kandam: two types of saranagati gets done by sages in the forest, those that aspire for mOkSA( mumukSu) and ArtA (out of despair due to troubles from rAkSaSAs).

In spite of being a saranyan and therefore with an ability to help, Perumal says that it 3

would be an honour/privilege to help them (vanavAsam mahOdayam). This is His quality (humility) and gets even better in Kishkinda Kandam.

Kishkinta Kandam: Sugriva gets his kingdom, respect restored by rAmA. But, when Hanuman comes to enquire about them, He says 4

‘ sugrivam Saranam gataH’ - we have come to surrender to Sugriva and get his help.

Sri Anna says that Bhagawan will come as someone who is dependent on others but will end up helping the person. This is His beauty and speaks volumes about His humility. 5

ஆசார்யனுக்குத் தேவை–14 குணங்கள்

1. தயை

2. நல்ல குருபரம்பரையில் உபதேசம் பெற்றிருப்பது

3.வேதாத்யயனம்
செய்து இருப்பது.

4.வேதாந்த ச்ரவணம் பண்ணி, பகவானிடம் பக்தியுடன் இருப்பது

5.நிலையான ஞானத்துடன் இருப்பது.

6. ஸத்வ குணத்துடன் இருப்பது.

7.தோஷம் இல்லாதவராய் இருப்பது

8.உண்மையே பேசுவது.

9.தக்க ஆசாரம் உடையவராய்
இருப்பது.

10.டம்பம், அஸுயை இல்லாமல் இருப்பது

11.ஜிதேந்த்ரியனாய் (புலன்
அடக்கம் ) இருப்பது

12. நிலைத்த பந்து–உறவு போல இருப்பது

13.மற்றவர் செய்யும்
தவற்றைத் திருத்துபவாக இருப்பது.

14.தனக்கும், மற்றவர்க்கும் க்ஷேமத்தையே வேண்டுவது.

SRI THIRUNARAYANA PERUMAL, MELKOTE (KAR)

Known as Dakshin Badri, Thiru Narayanapuram is one of the four famous Swayambu Kshetrams, the other three being Srirangam, Kanchipuram and Tirupati.
The presiding diety is Cheluva Narayana Swamy/ Selva Pillai/ Rama Priyan.

Once, Sri Rama gave his aradhana murthi of Sri Ranganatha, to Raja Vibhishana on his request. So he was left without a murthi for his daily pujas. Brahma is said to have provided the murti of Selva Pillai to Rama who later passed this on to his sons, Lava and Kusa.

When Kusa’s daughter married a Yadava prince, this murthi moved to the lunar dynasty from solar.

It is said that the utsav murthi got the name Selva Pillai due to Sri Ramanuja.
Once, a Sultan took away this murthi and Sri Ramanuja went in its search to the Sultan’s palace.

Thread on Kapileswara Temple (Kapila Theertam), Tirupati:

As the name denotes this is a shaivaite temple with the presiding deity to be Kapileswara swami & mother as Kamakshi Amman. It’s said to be one amongst the 108 sacred theertas on Tirumala.

Per Legend it’s believed that Kapila muni performed penance here to shiv and delighted with his devotion both shiv and Parvati appeared in front of him. The lingam is said to be self-manifested. Kapila muni is said to have emerged from bilam in the pushkarni on the earth.

Temple is built according to Dravidian style of architecture. There is a pillared veranda in front of kapileswara swami temple. These pillars were built in early Vijayanagar period, this temple stands at the entrance to a mountain cave in one steep

& vertical faces at the foot of Tirumala (seshachalam hills).

Kapilatheertam is famous waterfall situated inside temple is a unique waterfall where the water of mountain stream drops from a height of 100 feet large pond inside temple premises.

#Thread
1. #Margabandeeswar #Temple - located at #Virinchipuram, #Vellore dist. #TamilNadu
Sthala Vruksham: Palm Tree
Theertham: Simha, Sooli & Brahma Theertham
This is 1300 years old temple – the oldest & biggest #temple of #Vellore dist. @sattology
@harshasherni @Itishree001

2. #Sattology about this Temple: A 110 feet high, 7 stage, east facing RajaGopuram is the one that welcomes us first. Sri Adi Shankaracharya had done Beejakshara Pradhishta to Simha theertham. This temple is also known as ‘Baskara Kshetram’
@Tanvangi17 @almightykarthik

3. because Surya Bhagwan is said to worship Linga when its rays fall on it in the month of Panguni (March-April); The name of the place as Virinchipuram came from #Sattology that the #Temple was worshiped by Brahma, i.e., Virinchi; The #theertha of this Temple @onlyaravindh

4. is said to be produced by Gowri devi & so, this place is also known as #Gowripuram; #Vishnupuram & #Margabandheeswaram are also the other names of the place. This is the birth place of Sri Appayya Dikshithar (1520-1593), the greatest interpreter of
@pujari_anup @Nidhi7007

5. Advaitha Sidhantha after Adhi Sankara. His Margabandhu stotram on this Margabandheeswarar is for the protection of people while on journey. By reciting this one can have Mahadev with them as Marga-bandhu (protector during journey) along their journey. @Vaidyvoice @desi_thug1

Margabandhu Stotram - #Thread

"Shambho Mahadeva deva
Shiva Shambho Mahadeva devesha Shambho
Shambho Mahadeva deva...

By reciting this stotra one can have Bhagwan Shiva with them as Marga-bandhu(travel companion) written by Sri Appayya Dikshitar.

This stotra was written praising Sri Margabandheswarar, Virinjipuram,Near Vellore,TN - Magnificent &very ancient temple famous for its compound wall/ Madhil azhagu-has minute stone carvings all around.This place gets its name-Virinjipuram as Brahma(Virinchi)worshiped Siva here

It is said that ,Dhanabalan a pepper merchant lost his loads to thieves.He prayed to Shiva &,he came as a soldier on a horse & retrieved pepper loads but also accompanied Dhanabalan on his journey.Due to this he is called Vazhi Thunai Nathar in Tamil & Margabandu in Sanskrit.

As per sthala purana,Brahma was born as Shivasarma here in archaka family. When Shivsarma’s father died,he had to undertake pooja responsibilities as a small boy.Shivasarma’s mother prayed to Margabandeeswar.Shiva came as an elderly person & conducted Upanayanam Brahmopadhesam

Small boy was then paraded on an elephant with the holy water pot and the temple door opened automatically.While he attempted to do abhishek for Margabandheeswarar,as a small boy,he was unable to reach the head of the lingam,so he surrendered to Shiva stating his inability.

IS THE GREEK HERCULES, INDIAN BALRAMA:The Symbolical and Historical context.

Around 305 BC, the Greek explorer Megasthenes arrived at the court of Indian Emperor Chandragupt Maurya at Pataliputra(present Patna).He came as an ambassador of Seleucus Nicator of Seleucid Dynasty.

During his stay in India, Megasthenes compiled a book Indica on the Geography, social traditions &religious customs of India.There were some very important observations made by him in this book.He wrote,"Hercules penetrated so far,Indians tell us, was a native of their country..

..He is particularly worshipped by the Suraseni(Shurasena), who have 2 great cities, Methora(Mathura) & Cleisoborus(Surapura) & the navigable river Jobares(Yamuna), passes through their territories".
Some scholars mentioned that Hercules mentioned by him is indeed Lord Krishna.

The parallels r quite remarkable.Krishna was born in Mathura at banks of Yamuna &he also belonged to Shurasena tribe of Yadu dynasty. But he was dark skinned & Balrama was fair skinned. Therefore, Megasthenes' description of Indian Hercules is strongly suggestive of Balrama.

In Indian tradition, Balrama is credited with wrestling &unarmed warfare. Like Hercules, Balrama is also depicted holding a club or a mace. Hercules used lion skin as his armour &Balrama also is sometimes shown with tiger's skin wrapped around his shoulders.

#Thread
On international women's day let's look at some of the prominent and inspirational female figures in history from all around the world-

1) Gargi Vachaknavi(born about 700 BCE)
Gargi was a hindu philosopher & a brahmavadini, she became highly knowledgeable in the Vedas & Upanishads in the Vedic times and held intellectual debates with other philosophers. She is also said to have written many hymns in the Rigveda.

2) Themistoclea of Delphi(6th century BCE)
Themistoclea was a 6th century seer or Pythia of Apollo at the temple at Delphi. She is reputed to have been the teacher of Pythagoras, who is often called "the Father of philosophy".

3) Hypatia of Alexandria (c. 370 CE- 415 CE) was a philosopher & mathematician, born in Alexandria, Egypt. She was murdered in 415 CE by a Christian mob on accounts of being a witch due to her expertise in philosophy. Her remains were burned in a mockery of pagan sacrifice.

4) Kubaba(2,400 BC)

Kubaba is the first recorded female ruler in history. She was queen of Sumer, in what is now Iraq. Kubaba was apparently not given this position by birthright, but she instead worked as a barkeep, brewing and serving ancient beer, before taking the throne.

Tomorrow Vijaya Ekadesi!.

11th day of the lunar fortnight is Vijaya Ekadesi! Per our hindu calendar we have 24 Ekadasi a year, one during sukhla paksha and other being Krishna paksha.

Each Ekadesi has its own specialty and significance. By the name itself Vijaya Ekadashi in literal meaning signifies victory over the enemy.

The significance of Vijaya Ekadashi is since the times of Ram. per legend, the sages and the saints of the Ramayan era asked Rama to observe this vrat when he wondered how he can cross the ocean to reach Lanka and free his consort, Sita.

It is known that ram offered prayers to the sea god inorder to cross the sea and reach lanka., having got answered after tiresome efforts post having consulted sages and in turn the suggested solution was that he and Sugriva's Vanar Sena observe the Vijaya Ekadashi.

As per the sages suggestion, Ram and the Vanar Sena observed the Vijaya Ekadashi Vrat and eventually built the Rama Setu to reach Lanka.