Understanding Shiva's Gajasurasamhara Form: Symbolism - The Divine Dance of Destruction Ego and Ignorance Gajasurasamhara represents one of the most profound manifestations of Shiva, where he appears as the destroyer of Gajasura, the demon in elephant form. This powerful imagery of Shiva slaying a wild elephant and wearing its skin as a garment carries deep spiritual significance that transcends the narrative itself. The form embodies the eternal struggle between divine wisdom and the destructive forces of ego, ignorance, and unbridled passion that afflict human consciousness. The Legend of the Daruka Forest The story unfolds in the Daruka forest, a sacred grove where numerous sages had established their hermitages and devoted themselves to intense spiritual practices. These rishis had mastered various Vedic rituals and performed elaborate yajnas with great precision. However, their spiritual accomplishments became the very source of their downfall. They began to believe that t...

Story Of Ugra Narasimha Murty At Maddur Temple, Karnataka, And Arjuna Of Mahabharata In the heart of Karnataka lies the ancient temple of Maddur, home to one of the most awe-inspiring manifestations of Vishnu—the Ugra Narasimha Murty. This sacred image captures the fierce half-man, half-lion avatar in its most terrifying aspect, with multiple arms and the demon Hiranyakashipu's entrails held firmly in divine hands. Unlike the typical serene depictions found in most temples, this golden murty embodies raw divine power, yet devotees consistently report experiencing profound peace and protection in its presence. The Origins of Narasimha Avatar The Narasimha avatar emerged at a moment when the cosmic balance tipped dangerously toward adharma. Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, had secured a boon that made him nearly invincible—he could not be killed by man or beast, inside or outside, during day or night, on earth or in the sky, by any weapon. Armed with this power, he terrorized the thr...

The Sacred Panchavaktra Rudraksha (also known as Kalagni Rudraksh): Divine Power of the Five-Faced Bead The Panchavaktra Rudraksha, literally meaning "five-faced Rudraksha," stands as one of the most revered and spiritually significant beads in Hindu tradition. According to the Shiva Purana 1.25, "a Rudraksha with five faces (Panchavaktra) is Rudra Himself. Its name is Kalagni Rudraksha. It is lordly. It bestows all sorts of salvation and achievement of all desired objects." This profound statement establishes the divine nature of this sacred bead, identifying it not merely as a spiritual tool but as an embodiment of Lord Shiva in His Rudra form. The term "Kalagni" refers to the cosmic fire that appears at the time of universal dissolution, signifying the immense transformative power contained within this five-faced bead. This sacred object has been venerated for millennia as a direct manifestation of divine energy, capable of bestowing both material pro...

Raus Peter was an officer of the British East India company who was know for his compassion and able administration. There is a famous miracle story of Madurai Meenakshi herself saving this British officer who later became Peter Pandian. In the deep of night, Raus’s sleep was disturbed. The sound of a fierce storm and heavy rain was overpowered by a knocking sound at his door. Even on this stormy night, someone was knocking at his door. When he opened the door, Raus Peter was taken aback! A young girl, drenched in the rain, was standing in front of him. Without saying a word, the girl grabbed his hand and pulled him. He felt strangely numb. He couldn't resist. He couldn't even ask any questions. Holding the girl's hand, he followed her out of the house. And at that very moment, his house collapsed with a deafening crash. Raus shuddered. If this girl hadn't saved him… The girl continued walking ahead. Raus followed her. They veered off the path and arrived at the...

As Long As There Is The Ego, Everything Else Exists: A Hindu Insight on Ego, Self, and Liberation In the vast ocean of Hindu philosophy, few truths are as profound or as transformative as the understanding of the ego, or ahamkara . The aphorism "As long as there is the ego, everything else exists" encapsulates a deep insight: our perception of separation, duality, and conflict is intricately linked to the persistent identification with an illusory self. This notion finds powerful expression in ancient texts like the Yoga Vasistha and Vivekachudamani , which offer detailed explorations of the nature of the self, the role of the ego, and the path to liberation. In this essay, we will delve into the origins of the concept of ego in Hinduism, examine scriptural insights and teachings of revered gurus and saints, and explore the modern-day relevance, benefits, and scientific underpinnings of transcending the ego. The Nature of Ego in Hindu Philosophy In Sanskrit, the term ahamkar...

Tithi in Panchang – Hindu Calendar on Sunday, February 22 2026 – It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in most regions. It is Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi or the fifth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 11 :34 AM on February 22. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Sashti tithi or the sixth day during the waxing or light phase of moon till 9 :26 AM on February 23. (Time applicable in all north, south and eastern parts of India. All time based on India Standard Time.)  Good – Auspicious time on February 22, 2026 as per Hindu Calendar – Good and auspicious time on the entire day.  Nakshatra  – Ashwini or Aswathy Nakshatra till 6:23 PM on February 22. Then onward it is Bharani Nakshatra till 4:53 PM on February 23. (Time applicable in north, south and eastern parts of India).  In western parts of India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, north Karnataka and south Rajastha...

When Dharma Spoke Louder Than Victory: Vibhishana and the Unconscious Rama On the second day of the Ramayana war, the battlefield of Lanka witnessed a dramatic turning point. Indrajit, the mighty son of Ravana and a master of occult warfare, unleashed powerful magical weapons and spells upon Rama, Lakshmana, and the Vanara army. Using a divine missile empowered by Shiva, Indrajit created a massive explosion in the sky that spread terror and confusion across the battlefield. The impact of this weapon rendered Rama, Lakshmana, and large sections of the Vanara forces unconscious. The sight of the divine brothers lying motionless gave Indrajit the impression of total victory. Descending from his invisible chariot, he rushed forward with the intention of beheading them and ending the war in a single stroke. Vibhishana: The Voice of Dharma At this critical moment, Vibhishana intervened. Though he had barely escaped Indrajit’s earlier assault, his loyalty to dharma was stronger than fear o...

The Insightful Vision of Ganesha: Understanding the Symbolism of Small Eyes Among the many symbolic features associated with Ganesha, the depiction of small, attentive eyes holds an especially profound meaning. While an elephant is a large, majestic being, its eyes remain comparatively small yet sharp and observant. Hindu artisans and spiritual teachers have drawn from this natural symbolism to express deeper philosophical and spiritual lessons about perception, awareness, and concentration. Symbolic Meaning of the Small Eyes Small eyes represent focused attention. Just as an elephant sees keenly despite having small eyes, the representation of Ganesha with small, steady eyes illustrates the ideal of developing deep concentration. These eyes symbolize the ability to remain attentive to the subtlest details of life, responsibilities, and the inner self. In contrast, deities such as Jagannath or certain manifestations of Devi are depicted with large eyes symbolizing omniscient vision...

When the Demon King Became the Priest: Ravana's Role in Rama's Durga Puja The Bengali Ramayana composed by Krittibas Ojha presents one of the most fascinating and philosophically profound episodes absent from Valmiki's original text—the story of Ravana serving as the priest for Rama's worship of Durga. This narrative, deeply embedded in Bengali religious consciousness, reveals layers of dharma, destiny, and the ultimate surrender to cosmic will that transcends personal survival. The Divine Dilemma When Rama prepared to wage the final battle against Ravana in Lanka, he sought the blessings of Devi Durga through an elaborate puja. However, a critical question arose: who possessed the knowledge and purity to conduct such a momentous ritual? The worship needed to be performed with absolute precision, for any flaw would render it ineffective. Brahma, the creator deity, provided an answer that seemed impossible—only Ravana himself, the very enemy Rama sought to vanquish, p...

Sri Vyasarajaru , a great Madhva saint and guru of Vijayanagara Empire, used to bathe at Chakratirtha at Hampi , meditate, and perform daily rituals. One night, he had a divine dream in which Mukhyaprana (Hanuman/ Vayu Deva) appeared and said: "We are pleased with you. In our first avatar as Hanuman, we were born on this sacred land. Install our idol on the banks of Chakratirtha. We will support your work and bless the Kannada land with prosperity." Inspired, Vyasarajaru visited Chakratirtha the next morning. While meditating, a divine light appeared. In it, he saw Mukhyaprana holding a mace and water pot , wearing jewel-studded sandals. As the light faded, Vyasarajaru noticed a monkey sitting on a black rock , realizing it was the same deity. He drew an image of Hanuman on the rock using sacred ash, but miraculously, it disappeared . He repeated this twelve times , and each time it vanished. Finally, he drew a sacred Yantra (mystical diagram) on the rock, surrounded...