Ashta Siddhi

Ashta Siddhi is mentioned in Patanjali Yog sutra and can be obtained by very few through countless years of practice and devotion to all eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.

Siddhi can loosely be translated as accomplishment or a special power or unusual skill.

The eight Siddhis are:

1. Anima: Reducing one’s physical self to the size of an atom.

2. Mahima: Expanding one’s physical self to infinite level

3. Garima: Making one’s physical self so heavy as immovable by others

4. Laghima: Becoming almost weightless

5. Prapti: Being able travel anywhere in the Universe

6. Prakamya: Can know & understand what is going on in one’s mind. Can understand other person’s min.

7. Ishitva: Possessing title of Bhagwan

8. Vashitva: A seeker can subdue any person/thing

(Hanuman Jayanti is coming)

Hanumanji not only possessed all eight siddhis, but was also blessed by Sita mata as “Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Daata”.

When Hanumanji first reaches to Lanka on his mission to find Sita, he makes use of anima so as to be discrete in enemy territory.

He uses it again when he approaches Sita mata for the first time – reducing his size to that of a schoolboy, to avoid scaring her. He uses mahima to outwit & overpowers
the demons.

PYTHAGORAS: AN AMBASSADOR OF HINDUISM TO THE WEST

A 🧵

History of knowledge in Europe starts with Pythagoras. Pythagoras, in the 6th century BC was the first European(Greek) who brought Indian knowledge and mathematics to Greece in an organised way.

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Pythagoras was born around 560 BC, on Samos an island not far from the coast of the Asia Minor . His life history was recorded from oral traditions a couple of centuries after his death, and even that information has survived only in fragments.

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After studying the very best available in his country (music and gymnastics) he set out for more. He went to Egypt which had already received Indian Geometry through its contact .

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With Indians as well as with Indo-Iranians and had then scholars teaching geometry and a bit of astrology. During his stay in Egypt, Egypt was invaded by Iran and he was brought to Iran as a captive , where he stayed at Babylon and other cities.

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Babylon was no more a Semitic city by that time, and it had been thoroughly Indo-Iranized in language, religion and knowledge at least a century earlier, when the Medes and the Persians thoroughly overran the country of Babylon, and it was now a part of Persian
Empire

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Kolaru Pathigam-Thevaram hymn composed by ThiruGnana Sambandar- #Thread

In Tamil Kol means planets,Aru means cut- set of songs in Kolaru Pathigam addresses all Navagrahas& last 2 lines of every song with end a plea to Bhagwan Shiva to reduce/erase the ill effects of Navagrahas

கோளறு பதிகம் - This pathigam was sung by Thirugnana Sambandar at Thirumaraikadu Kshetram -Vedaranyam,Tamilnadu

Thirugnana Sambandar & Appar(Thirunavukkarasar) travelled together to various Shiva Alayam to spread shivam & bhakti among people.They both reached Thirumaraikadu.

Thirumaraikadu(Vedaranyam) -
Appar & Sambandar were asked to enter the temple through side entrance.The main door was locked by Vedas many years ago.Appar&Sambandar sang devotional hymns praising Shiva, after which the gates opened & closed.After which main door opened for all.

After darshan of Bhagwan Shiva at Thirumaraikkadu,Sambandar received a message to travel to Madurai.
During that time, Samanam was on the rise in the Pandya Kingdom.The Pandya King converted to Samanam.The Queen Mangaiyarkkarasi was a staunch Shiva devotee and was upset.

Kularchirai Nayanar ,Chief Minister of Pandya kingdom was in agony by the turn of events.Queen requested Kulachirai Nayanar to escort Thiru gnana Sambandar to Madurai.Kularchirai Nayanar met Thiru gnana Sambandar at Thirumaraikkadu & requested him to visit Madurai.

SRI SWETHA VINAYAGAR, THIRUVALANCHUZHI, KUMBAKONAM
(TN)
#bharatmandir

While main deity is Shiva as Kapartheeswarar, the kshetram is famous for Ganesha, known as Swetha/Vellai Vinayagar (white Vinayak)

During samudra manthan, Vasuki snake (used as rope) started spewing venom.

Unable to bear the intense heat, Devas rushed to Siva. He told them that this was because the task was started without getting Ganesha’s approval.
So the Devas created a Ganesha murti from white sea foam and worshipped it.
It was later taken by Indra to Indralok.
@GunduHuDuGa

But once Indra had to come to Earth to pray to Shiva to seek relief from a curse inflicted on him. So he brought the murti of Ganesha with him. When he came here, he wanted to take bath before puja. So he gave the murti to a boy to hold for sometime. The boy was actually Shiva.

He kept the murti down and vanished. Indra could not lift it again and a divine voice told him to let Vinayagar stay there and visit every Ganesh Chaturthi to pray.
Since Vinayagar is made of foam, no abhishekam is done here. Only punugu is applied n camphor powder is sprinkled

राम-रावण युद्ध समाप्त हो चुका था। जगत को त्रास देने वाला रावण अपने कुटुम्ब सहित नष्ट हो चुका था।श्रीराम का राज्याभिषेक हुआ और अयोध्या नरेश श्री राम के नेतृत्व में चारों दिशाओं में शन्ति थी।
अंगद को विदा करते समय राम रो पड़े थे ।हनुमान को विदा करने की शक्ति तो राम में थी ही नहीं ।

माता सीता भी हनुमान को पुत्रवत मानती थी। अत: हनुमान अयोध्या में ही रह गए ।राम दिनभर दरबार में, शासन व्यवस्था में व्यस्त रहते थे। संध्या को जब शासकीय कार्यों में छूट मिलती तो गुरु और माताओं का कुशल-मंगल पूछ अपने कक्ष में जाते थे। परंतु हनुमान जी हमेशा उनके पीछे-पीछे ही रहते थे ।

उनकी उपस्थिति में ही सारा परिवार बहुत देर तक जी भर बातें करता ।फिर भरत को ध्यान आया कि भैया-भाभी को भी एकांत मिलना चाहिए ।उर्मिला को देख भी उनके मन में हूक उठती थी कि इस पतिव्रता को भी अपने पति का सानिध्य चाहिए ।

एक दिन भरत ने हनुमान जी से कहा,"हे पवनपुत्र! सीता भाभी को राम भैया के साथ एकांत में रहने का भी अधिकार प्राप्त है ।क्या आपको उनके माथे पर सिन्दूर नहीं दिखता?इसलिए संध्या पश्चात आप राम भैया को कृप्या अकेला छोड़ दिया करें "।
ये सुनकर हनुमान आश्चर्यचकित रह गए और सीता माता के पास गए ।

माता से हनुमान ने पूछा,"माता आप अपने माथे पर सिन्दूर क्यों लगाती हैं।" यह सुनकर सीता माता बोलीं,"स्त्री अपने माथे पर सिन्दूर लगाती है तो उसके पति की आयु में वृद्धि होती है और वह स्वस्थ रहते हैं "। फिर हनुमान जी प्रभु राम के पास गए ।

शमशान में जब महर्षि दधीचि के मांसपिंड का दाह संस्कार हो रहा था तो उनकी पत्नी अपने पति का वियोग सहन नहीं कर पायी और पास में ही स्थित विशाल पीपल वृक्ष के कोटर में अपने तीन वर्ष के बालक को रख के स्वयं चिता पे बैठ कर सती हो गयी ।इस प्रकार ऋषी दधीचि और उनकी पत्नी की मुक्ति हो गयी।

परन्तु पीपल के कोटर में रखा बालक भूख प्यास से तड़पने लगा। जब कुछ नहीं मिला तो वो कोटर में पड़े पीपल के गोदों (फल) को खाकर बड़ा होने लगा। कालान्तर में पीपल के फलों और पत्तों को खाकर बालक का जीवन किसी प्रकार सुरक्षित रहा।

एक दिन देवर्षि नारद वहां से गुजर रहे थे ।नारद ने पीपल के कोटर में बालक को देख कर उसका परिचय मांगा -
नारद बोले - बालक तुम कौन हो?
बालक - यही तो मैं भी जानना चहता हूँ ।
नारद - तुम्हारे जनक कौन हैं?
बालक - यही तो मैं भी जानना चाहता हूँ ।

तब नारद ने आँखें बन्द कर ध्यान लगाया ।

तत्पश्चात आश्चर्यचकित हो कर बालक को बताया कि 'हे बालक! तुम महान दानी महर्षि दधीचि के पुत्र हो । तुम्हारे पिता की अस्थियों का वज्रास्त्र बनाकर ही देवताओं ने असुरों पर विजय पायी थी।तुम्हारे पिता की मृत्यु मात्र 31 वर्ष की वय में ही हो गयी थी'।

बालक - मेरे पिता की अकाल मृत्यु का क्या कारण था?
नारद - तुम्हारे पिता पर शनिदेव की महादशा थी।
बालक - मेरे उपर आयी विपत्ति का कारण क्या था?
नारद - शनिदेव की महादशा।
इतना बताकर देवर्षि नारद ने पीपल के पत्तों और गोदों को खाकर बड़े हुए उस बालक का नाम पिप्पलाद रखा और उसे दीक्षित किया।

Rao Tula Ram

An Emperor of Rewari, Haryana

A Veteran Warrior against British Colonial Forces

#Thread 1/23

follow @Digangana9

Rao Tula Ram (9 Dec 1825 - 23 Sep 1863) in the well known Rao family in village Rampura, Rewari, Haryana.

His father was Rao Puran Singh and his mother’s name was Rani Gyan Kaur. In November 1839, Rao Tula Ram ascended the throne after death of his father.

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Rao Tula Ram was one of the prominent leaders of the Indian Uprising of 1857 against the colonial British forces.

His story is one of rebellion and guerrilla warfare against the stronger and better-equipped imperialist forces of the British Army.

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In 1857 on hearing the news of rebellion at Meerut & other places, the people of Rewari rose up to support the uprising. In the Rewari area, lead was given by Rao Tula Ram. His cousin Gopal Dev also stood by him. The forefathers of the Raos had helped the Marathas in1803

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In the Second Anglo-Maratha War.

The British confiscated their land and gave instead an ‘istamarari’, or grant, of about 58 villages. This was a great blow to the Raos, who were itching to fight the British Raj at the first available opportunity.

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YALAGUR HANUMAN KSHETRAM, YALAGUR (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Also called Speaking Hanuman.
Once, Hanuman was asked by Rama to establish himself in 7 different places. So, swayambhu (self-manifested) murtis of Hanuman emerged and Yalagur is said to be the head of all these 7 murtis.

It is said that a pujari had a dream to break open the stone he was performing puja on. When he did so, a murti emerged which was broken. Hanuman guided him to put the pieces together for 7 days in a place. The anxious pujari could not wait and opened the door on 7th day itself.

He found a hanuman murti complete on upper part but incomplete in lower part.
Later a shrine was built there and even today we can see the unjoined parts in Yalguresh murti.

There is a belief that Yalguresh can tell whether one will succeed in his task or not.
@GunduHuDuGa

The person is made to sit before the murti and speak out his wish. If the flower on the murti falls to his right, the person will succeed. If it falls on the left side, his task would fail.
This is why, Hanuman is called “Speaking Hanumantha” here.

Surkanda devi mandir is a famous shrine of Hindus located near Kaddukhal distt of Uttarakhand, 11 Km from the town of Dhanaulti and 35 Km from Mussoorie.
The Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas spread all over Indian Subcontinent and is dedicated to Goddess Surkanda.

Nestled on a Hill at an Altitude of 2700 m approx, the place offers a splendid view of the snow capped mountains, the picturesque scenic beauty that offers an experience of the lifetime.
The Temple build in the traditional Garhwal style exuberates the Architectural splendour.

The origins of the Surkanda Mata Mandir is attributed to Goddess Sati, consort of Bhagwan Shiv who in a rage immolated herself in her arrogant Father Daksha's Yajna Kund bcoz he didn't invite Bhagwan Shiv in the Yajna.

Devastated by the death of Sati Shiva wandered all over the cosmos performing Tandava-The Dance of Cosmic Destruction.Fearing the total annihilation of cosmos, Gods requested Bhagwan Vishnu to pacify Shiva.Bhagwan Vishnu then used his discuss to destroy the burning corps of Sati.

The pieces of Sati Mata's body then got scattered all over the region which were later established as Shakti Peethas by Bhagwan Shiva himself.Its believed that the head of Sati fell here and it was called Sirkhanda Mata Temple before, but with passage of time it became Surkanda.

जनपदोध्वंस (Pandemic).

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति (जो पुरूष धर्म का नाश करता है, उसी का नाश धर्म कर देता है)

Why do we always have to learn it the hard way?

Charak Samhita (of Ayurveda) has a whole chapter on जनपदोध्वंस (pandemic).

Shloka 3.6 describes the cause of जनपदोध्वंस as अधर्मः (Adharma). It says where basic elements like earth, water, air are polluted, seasons do not follow the correct timings, living beings are killed mercilessly, good conduct has vanished, where there’s exploitation of forces of

nature, where this is curse (because of agony of living beings) जनपदोध्वंस is inevitable.

We are satisfying not one but all the conditions. Ground-water, crops-land, rivers, air we breath everything is polluted. Climate change is prevalent because of green house gases.

Animals are reproduced artificially and killed in millions every day and that too with the most cruel way possible.

Towards the end of the story of Mahabharata (महाभारत), Veda Vyasa (व्यास) through the five slokas known as the "Bharatasavitri" (भारत सवीत्री) emphasizes

as to how important the quality of righteousness is to both the human life and the society and that if righteousness is abandoned and unrighteousness supported, not only is the entire clan ruined but it also causes a great deal of harm to the society.

Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple
#Mahabalipuram
#TamilNaduTemples 🚩

Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is located in Mahabalipuram. Temple is one among the 108 Divya Deshams. Here, Mahavishnu is worshipped as Sthalasayana Perumal and Lakshmi Devi as Nilamangai Thayar.

Sthala Puranam says that, once Paundraka Maharshi was performing Tapasya to Mahavishnu here. He saw beautiful lotus flowers in a tank nearby and wished them to be placed at Mahavishnu in Paarkadal, which is in heaven. He started taking water from sea to dry down so that

he can reach Paarkadal fast. Mahavishnu came to Paundraka Maharshi in disguise as an old man, and asked him for food. Paundraka Maharshi went to collect food but asked the old man to hold the lotus basket till he returns.
By the time Maharshi returned,

Mahavishnu wore all the lotus flowers as a garland and was resting in a reclining posture, giving Pundareeka darshan as seen in Paarkadal. The temple stands on the shore of Mahabalipuram. Vaikunta Ekadashi is very famous here.

Om Namo Narayanaya
🙏🕉🙏

SRI VARAHA NARSIMHA, SIMHACHALAM, VIZAG (AP)
#bharatmandir

One of the 32 Narsimha Kshetram of Andhra. It has a unique form of Narsimha, appearing like a shivlingam

It is said that Narsimha’s fierce nature is soothed by worshipping him with Varaha, considered a peaceful deity

The shrine is believed to have been constructed by Prahlada. With time, it crumbled.
In Treta yuga, King Pururava was passing from here in his vimana. The vimana was attracted to this place by a mystic power.
When the place was unearthed, the deity was found.
@GunduHuDuGa

Pururava’s wife, Urvashi, had a dream that the deity should remain covered in sandalwood paste for the whole year except on Akshaya Tritiya.
This practice has continued till date.
The mukhya mandap here, has a pillar kappam stambham believed to possess curative powers.

Chandanotsava/ Chandan Yatra is the most important festival celebrated on Akshaya Tritiya. The sandalwood paste is removed from the moolavar deity and nijarupa darshan (original form of deity) for twelve hours of the day are done by devotees.

BANASHANKARI AMMA, NEAR BADAMI (KAR)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Originally built by Chalukyas in 7th century. Devi Banashankari was their family deity. This image of Banashankari Amma was installed by Jagadekamalla I in 630 AD.

Later renovations were done by Marathas.

Once, a demon Durgamasur was troubling the people of this area. Answering the prayers of Devas, Ma Parvati emerged from the yajna fire as Banashankari and killed Durgamasur.
This area has rich forests of coconut, betel nut and other trees.
@GunduHuDuGa

It is said that during a severe famine, Devi provided vegetables and fruits to the people of this area.
Hence, she is also worshipped here as Shakambhari.
In the annual festival called Banashankari jatre, a Rath yatra takes place and Devi moves around the city in the chariot.

#Thread
Benefits of writing SRI RAMA Jayam!!!

Writing Sri Rama Jayam is known as Likitha Japam- Writing Meditation. This gives one a complete sense of surrender to an inner conscience and peace while writing or chanting the mantras.

#Sri_Rama_Jayam #RamaNavami

Cont 👇

You can write this in any language of your choice. It is the connecting chords with the divine and your inner self.

Below are some points that we came across on the benefits :

Cont 👇

1. Vedas tell that as the sun dispels the darkness, the chanting of Rama Nama dispels all evil and obstacles of life. It is a way of liberation and salvation of human suffering.

2. When you think, that all roads are blocked to walk away from day to day problems..

Cont 👇

writing ‘Sri Ram Ram Ram’ gives you the most needed clarity of thoughts to find away out of odd situations.

3. It was told that a calmness engulfs as one indulges in writing the Sri Rama Jayam bringing in more clarity of mind, tolerance & strength to withstand obstacles in life.

4. Devotion of service of life and its varied forms is devotion to God. So there is no right or wrong way of writing this. The very thought and process to write is a connection with god and finds a inner meaning.

Cont 👇

BANNARI AMMAN, SATHYAMANGALAM (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Bannari Amman Kshetram is dedicated to Mariamman, known as the goddess of Rain. This divine place is located at the foothill of Thimbam.

Bannari Amman is a form of Shakti. The murti is swayambhu (self-manifested).

Some 300 years ago, cowherds used to leave cattle here for grazing. One day, a cow was seen shedding her milk under a Vengai tree. Next day also, the cow did the same thing. Villagers removed the thickly grown grass and found a sand-hill and Swayambu Linga near it.
@GunduHuDuGa

It is believed that a deity protected traders from Kerala who travelled through this place to Mysore. Fascinated by the beautiful surroundings, she decided to stay here to protect devotees. A shrine was built and Bannari Mariamman is worshipped here since then.

Bannari Amman is the only shrine that faces the south direction. Instead of Vibhuti and Kumkuma, Bannari soil is given to the devotees. The Kundam festival (fire walk on heated charcoal) is most famous here.

In the third stage of temple architecture the "PANCHAYTAN" Style of architecture was developed in PANCHAYTAN Style main temple used to b rectangular & it's stage used to b long "गौण मंदिर" (small temples) r built facing one another by which design seems to b crucified

In the Dravidian style of Temple architecture temples can b illustrated with human body the architecture integrates sevan chakras of human body with temple structure which has spiritual connection with chakras & temple

Seven chakras
1. Muladhar- Dhwaj Stambh- enthusiasm
2. Swadishthana- Bali peetham- creativity
3. Manipura- Adhikar Nandi- greed wish
4. Anhat- Mahamandapam- love hate
5. Vishuddh- Garbh grah dwar- great fullness
6. Ajn- viman- awareness
7. Sahasra- Mul Lingam- deep joy