Rig Ved 1.36.7

To do a Namaskaar or bow before someone means that you are humble or without pride and ego. This means that we politely bow before you since you are better than me. Pranipaat(प्राणीपात) also means the same that we respect you without any vanity.

1/9

THREAD ON SHAKTI PEETHAS

Previously we read that Daksh insulted the divine Garland given to him by Durvasa and as a result he behaved negatively towards Shiva and Sati.

It was due to this negativity that Sati jumped into the fire.

This angered Shiva. His anger had a terrible impact all around. Virbhadra, Bhadrakali embarked on a destruction spree. Brahma and Vishnu had to intervene and had to stop the destruction.

But then Shiva carried the burnt body of Sati on his shoulders and

started roaming over the entire universe.
It was to stop the further destruction that Vishnu aimed his arrow towards Sati's body in such a way that it fell down into pieces. Wherever the pieces fell, it became a Shakti Peeth. Below are written the place the piece fell and

the name that shakti acquired.

Varanasi - Gauri.

Naimisharanya - Lingdharini.

Prayag - Lalita.

Gandhmaadan - Kamuki.

South Mansarovar - Kumuda.

North Mansarovar - Vishwakama.

Gomant - Gomti.

Mandrachal - Kaamchaarini.

Chaitrarath - Madotkata.

Hastinapur - Jayanti.

Kanyakubj - Gauri.

Malyachal - Rambha.

Ekamra Peeth - Kirtimati.

Vishvapeeth - Vishveshwari.

pushkar - Parhuta.

Kedar - Sanmarg dayini.

Himvat prushth - Manda.

Gokarn- Bhadrakarnika.

Sthaneshwar - Bhavani.

Bilvak - Bilvpatrika.

Shrishail - Madhavi.

THE STRUCTURE, IMPORTANCE AND ADVANTAGES OF VISHNU PURAN.

Vishnu puran has twenty three thousand shlokas. It has the power to destroy all your sins. In its first part it contains the dialogue between Parashar rishi and Maitrey rishi.

The main topics discussed here are Aadikaraan sarg, origin of devtas, Samudra manthan, the vansh of Daksh, stories of Dhruv and Pruthu, Prachetas analysis, Prahlads story, the distribution of different powers to the various sections of society.

The second part consists of description of Priyavrat vansh, description of Dweeps, Varsh, Swarg, Narak, description of various planet movements, Bharat charitra, Muktimarg and dialogue between Nidhag and Ribhu.
Next is the description of Manvantars, avtaar of Vedvyas,

and ways to get freedom from Narak. Then we find a dialogue between Sagar & Aurva rishi, structure of Dharma, Shradh Kalp,Varnashram dharma, good behavior and story of Maya & Moha.

In the 4th part we find the description of Chandra vansh along with the description of its rulers.

Next are the questions regarding Krishnavtar, Gokul, the slaying of Putna, atrocities of demon Aghasur, Killing of Kansa, leela in Mathura, demons slayed by Krishna in order to ease the load of Prithvi, Krisha's marriages and sermon by Ashtavakra.

LIST OF GOOD OMEN(शकुन) & BAD OMEN(अपशकुन)

While setting on a journey seeing a white cloth, clear sky, fruit laden tree,field full of crops, clear water, and black grains is a bad omen. While going to fight a war the following things prove to be a bad Omen- cotton,

cowdung mixed with grass twigs, house, wealth, fire, naked sadhu with oil over his body, marsh, leather,hair, insane person, eunuch, pregnant lady, widow, death, ash, skull, bones and broken vessel. A weird sound of eagle is not a good omen.

If you hear the words " go away" from front , then it is a good omen but hearing it from back is ashubh. The single word 'go' when heard from back is good but when heard from front is bad. "Wait, do not go, it is fruitless to go there, when you hear this,

then be sure that something evil may happen. It is a pointer to your impending death if you see a vulture sitting atop a flag, a elephant or a horse falling, head injury and torn clothes. During such times worship Shri Vishnu.

If you see the same signs second time, it is better to return home.

While travelling, seeing a white flower is a good omen and even a pot filled with water is a good omen. Amongst good omens are meat, fish, distant sound of birds, lighted fire, gold, silver, sword, sheep, cow,

NĀRADA & HIS BHAKTI-SŪTRAS :
Bhakti – Love Divine :-
Of Love Divine (Sūtra 1 to 6)

All our philosophical textbooks are written out by the great 'rishis' and 'thinkers' in the form of sūtras.
The term, ‘sūtra’, means ‘string’ – the string on which the arguments &
#Thread

thoughts are strung together to become an enchanting garland of ideas.
This is the philosophy of devotion, of love for 'Paramatma' stands today attributed to the Devarṣi Nārada.
He works everywhere as friend, philosopher and guide, to all devotees.
Let's begin the journey !

NĀRADA & HIS BHAKTI-SŪTRAS :
Bhakti – Love Divine :-
Of Love Divine (Sūtra 1 to 6)

Sūtra 1
अथातो भक्तिं व्याख्यास्यामः॥ १॥
Now, the doctrine of devotion we shall expound.
After having developed all the qualifications necessary for the practice of devotion (atha), the student

feels no spiritual satisfaction, and therefore (ataḥ), he must now diligently walk the path of devotion. According to Rāmānuja, the teacher of viśiṣṭādvaita, there are seven qualifications necessary in a seeker who plans to pursue devotion. They are:

(1) Discrimination in food (viveka), (2) Freedom from desire (vimukha), (3) Practice (abhyāsa), (4) Habit of doing good to others (kriyā), (5) Purity in thought, word and deed, non-violence, charity, and such other virtues (kalyāṇa), (6) Cheerfulness (anavasāda), and (7) Absence

The Moon is one of the most important placements in a person’s birth chart. In astrology from the Islamic world, the Moon is central after the Ascendant for determining the character and nature of a person.

A thread on the Moon and its meanings-

Astrologers from the medieval Islamic world, noted the placement of the Moon as important for shaping a person’s life.

Doubly so for nocturnal births, but important for all. Al Khayyat, Mashallah, and Sahl interpreted the Moon through its placement in the signs.

Moon in Aries is quick to anger, the holding of grudges, and an easily wounded pride.

Headaches and vertigo are common as is fights with friends.

Moon in Taurus indicates the desire for sex and love is mingled with comfort and security.

They find joy in partnerships and leisure and food.

Moon in Gemini indicates a desire for women, men, and youths. They delight in words and coyness.

They speak truthful things though not always believed.

Har Har Mahadev 🙏🙏🕉️🕉️ Suprabhat 🙏

Lord Shiva has five faces called Ishana, Tatpurusha, Aghora, Vamadeva and Sadyojatha. These five faces of Shiva represent the five basic elements viz. akash, air, fire, water and earth.

#MondayMotivation #MondayMorning #MondayVibes

In fact these faces can be called five forms of Shiva.

Any creation has to be made out of these five gross elements. The 1st form or face called Ishana, is the first physical form of Shiva. This form gives us pleasure that is enjoyed by our physical body.

This is represented in the form of organs of hearing and speech in our body and in the form of subtle sound and the celestial sphere or akash. It may be recalled that ancient rishis got the sound of Vedas only from akash.

The second form or face is called Tatpurusha, the second physical form of the Lord. This form is identified with prakrti or the source of objectivity. This is the home of atman. This form is represented by organs of touch, organs of action, and is the subtle form of air.

Third form is Aghora is the physical form of Shiva and is identified with cosmic intellect. This form is represented by eyes, feet and dharma. This is identified with rupa or physical structure and the subtle form of fire.

Here is a special thread introducing our series on “The Making of the Islamic World.” It offers 10 episodes about the transformation of Islamicate societies between the 7th and 17th centuries. You can find the series page here: https://t.co/7mL9eWmMmz

This is Chris Gratien posting. I created this series during Fall 2020 for my students as asynchronous material supported by readings and discussion. This is going to be a long thread, but it will be a great shortcut for those looking to make similar use of these materials.

There are two items worth pointing out: 1. This is an overview of the political, social, and cultural history of Islamicate societies. It does not deal with the origins of Islam or many theological questions. It does discuss Islam’s spread and the transformation of Islamic law.

2. This is the first part of a two-part sequence that takes the history of the Islamic world into the present. It emphasizes developments and themes that have particular relevance for later periods.

This is really a multivocal narrative of Islamic history. We feature over 20 scholars from almost as many institutions. Many of those who worked on it, myself included, study the early modern and modern era but have teaching obligations that take us further back in history.