Ratha Saptami, Surya Jayanti - Importance - #Thread

The seventh day of the lunar calendar in the bright half of ‘Magha’ month is called ‘Ratha Saptami’. Worship of Sun on this day grants immense merits equal to the worship of Sun for one complete year.

significance & worship to be performed on a rare combination occurring Jan 12th

In the culture of Bhāratadēśa, ‘Time’ has great significance. Tithis, days of the week, stars – everything has its own distinction. All the beings are bound by time and time is in the control of God.

With compassion, the Supreme God graced that one performing worship in some special stipulated times acquires special merits. This is true in case of every deity. Worship of a particular deity on a particular tithi bestows the grace of that particular deity quickly and certainly.

Among those, Kr̥ṣṇāṁgāraka Caturdaśi is imp. The combination of Tuesday & Caturdaśi in the dark fortnight is a great occasion.

विरिन्चिशक्रविष्णूनां मनुष्याणां तु का कथा ।
तेन त्वं सर्वसत्त्वेन ग्रहराजो महाबलः॥

Not only present as one among the nine planets, Aṅgāraka..

Aṅgāraka (Mars) planet is the king of all the planets. The reason for this is mentioned below that Aṅgāraka is the son of Śiva.

पुरा तपस्यतः शम्भोर्दाक्षायण्या वियोगतः ।
भालस्थलात्पपातैकः स्वेदबिन्दुर्महीतले ॥

ततः कुमारः सम्जज्ञे लोहिताङ्गो महीतलात् ।
स्नेहसम्बन्धिनः सोఽथ धात्र्या धात्रीस्वरूपया ॥
माहेय इत्यतः ख्यातिं परामेष गतः सदा ।

Skānda Purāṇa mentions that a waterdrop fell on the earth from Paramēśwara deeply immersed in tapas from which came a red-complexioned boy.

The distinction of measuring the time in a scientific manner is achieved only by Bhāratīyas. Time has been measured from the smallest dimension to infiniteness. Even Time is envisioned as God and venerated. Paramēśvara was extolled as ‘Mahākāla’, the very embodiment of Time.

Nārāyaṇa Upaniṣad envisages Nārāyaṇa as ‘Kālaśca Nārāyaṇa:’, the very embodiment of Time, ages ago. The measurement of Time by Bhāratīyas is as ancient as the very God Himself. Count of many future ages has also been done even from very ancient times.

Since these calculations aren't dependent upon the birth & death of any individual, but are done based on astronomical science, they are thoroughly scientific. Unfortunately, during the British rule, the Bhāratīya way of Time measurement was casted as an illusion...

...with an evil intention to establish their command. Though it is 70+ years since independence, blindly time is still measured as BC & AD or CE in this religion-less land without even making any attempt to comprehend the magnanimity of Bhāratīya Time measurement methods.

Time measurement based on inhalation and exhalation : (image)

Guru as Trinity - #Thread

This sloka is taught to all of us in early childhood. This is very popular sloka. This sloka can be recited in front of any Guru. The widely prevalent meaning of this sloka is to
worship Guru as the form of Trinity & hence Parabrahma.

But, there is more profound & philosophical purport for this sloka. There is not an iota of doubt that a Guru is always the embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva as they do creation, sustenance & dissolution (not destruction) respectively.

In other words, a Guru is Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva to a disciple by His actions. A Guru gives birth like Brahma,
sustains like Vishnu & finally leads to merger with the Supreme like Shiva. Though parents give birth to the body, Guru gives Dīkṣā Janma i.e. new life ..

i.e. new life after initiation into spiritual life. Cycle of births & deaths is still possible after this worldly birth, but there is no worldly birth after Guru gives dīkṣā (initiation).

Thus, He is Brahma

Later, Guru holds the disciple steadfast in this resolution,
sustains this knowledge in the disciple, protects in this mundane life and preserves disciple’s spiritual practices.

Hence, He is Vishnu.

Agree or Disagree - This Country is Hindu Country

During an informal discussion some time back in St. Louis USA, a researcher of medical sciences said, ‘After attaining independence, couple of leaders left Hindus without their own country’.

Though he is settled in USA for around 50 years, he is great person still intact with roots of Bhaarata.

This statement is thought provoking. Except those having hatred towards Hinduism, every individual endowed with positive vision, accepts this truth.

Before obtaining independence, every struggle for the freedom of this country was identified with the word ‘Hindu’

All the people in this country were declared as Hindus. Even to this day, some remember the slogan ‘Hindustan Hamara’ i.e. Hindustan belongs to all of us.

Many are aware that ‘Hindu’ word originated from the word ‘Sindhu’. Right from Ganga to Kaveri, all the rivers in this country are called ‘Sindhu’. Truly the Vedas that elucidated the ‘Sapta Sindhus’ have their origin in Bhaarata.

Having flourished on the banks of Sindhus, Bhaarata is rightly called ‘Hindu Country’. Another name for this country is ‘Bhaarata’. These two names are but for natural for this country.

But, foreigners mentioned it as India. Some prominent leaders of the day confirmed the same.

śambhōrmurtiścarati bhuvanē. #Thread

Maharshi Veda Vyasa’s compassionate contribution towards the upliftment of humanity is incredible. As time is the biggest devourer of everything, few centuries after His advent, around 72 different Anti-Vedic schools appeared on the horizon.

Vedas r thoroughly misinterpreted suiting one’s convenience & such propaganda reached its pinnacle. It’s like the gigantic tree of Sanatana Dharma is encircled in poisonous creepers producing poisonous fruits & covered by thorny bushes, which though r attributed 2 d tree itself.

Chaos prevailed all over. In such dangerous situation, Sanatana Dharma needed one who has clarity in direction, command in Vedas, conviction in Dharma, control over senses, capacity to organize, and courage to establish truth. All the gods decided to seek the help of Lord Siva..

They all went to Lord Dakshinamurti & said "Till now, You have been catering towards the intellectual community, which is not sufficient. Of course, to come down to earth, You have to hide two hands and third eye." Lord Dakshinamurti adhered to the request of gods.

He hid His two upper hands and left the bottom two hands that contain the book and chinmudra i.e. the symbol of Self-knowledge. He sent His third eye backward. Thus, Lord Dakshinamurti came down to earth as Sankara Bhagavatpada. Sage Vidyaranya described this as below.

JWALAMUKHI TRIPURASUNDARI, UTHANAHALLI, MYSURU (KAR)
#bharatmandir

Jwalamukhi Tripursundari is believed to be the sister of Devi Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Mysuru
It is also that she represents the flaming mouth of Jalandhara, the demon whom Shiva crushed to death.

When Devi Chamundeswari was fighting Mahishasura, she observed that from every drop of blood that spilled out of Mahishasura, another demon was born. So she created Tripurasundari to ensure that no blood dripped from Mahishasura.

Tripura Sundari means beauty of the three worlds.
The murti was installed during Wodeyar rule. An utsava murti made of pancha loha is kept in the sanctum sanctorum.
Another shrine here is dedicated to Siddeshwara / Shiva surrounded by a beautiful wooden Mantapa.
@GunduHuDuGa

॥ॐ॥
अस्य श्री गायत्री ध्यान श्लोक:
(gAyatri dhyAna shlOka)
• This shloka to meditate personified form of वेदमाता गायत्री was given by Bhagwaan Brahma to Sage yAgnavalkya (याज्ञवल्क्य).

• 14th shloka of गायत्री कवचम् which is taken from वशिष्ठ संहिता, goes as follows..

• मुक्ता-विद्रुम-हेम-नील धवलच्छायैर्मुखस्त्रीक्षणै:।
muktA vidruma hEma nIla dhavalachhAyaiH mukhaistrlkShaNaiH.

• युक्तामिन्दुकला-निबद्धमुकुटां तत्वार्थवर्णात्मिकाम्॥
yuktAmindukalA nibaddha makutAm tatvArtha varNAtmikam.

• गायत्रीं वरदाभयाङ्कुश कशां शुभ्रं कपालं गदाम्।
gAyatrIm vardAbhayANkusha kashAm shubhram kapAlam gadAm.

• शंखं चक्रमथारविन्दयुगलं हस्तैर्वहन्ती भजै॥
shankham chakramathArvinda yugalam hastairvahantIm bhajE.

This shloka describes the form of वेदमाता गायत्री.

• It says, "She has five faces which shine with the colours of a Pearl 'मुक्ता', Coral 'विद्रुम', Gold 'हेम्', Sapphire 'नील्', & a Diamond 'धवलम्'.

• These five faces are symbolic of the five primordial elements called पञ्चमहाभूत:' which makes up the entire existence.

• These are the elements of SPACE, FIRE, WIND, EARTH & WATER.

• All these five faces shine with three eyes 'त्रिक्षणै:'.

Did you know?
Ahilyabai Holkar was one of India's
greatest women rulers of all time.

Ahilyabai was Born on May 31,1725 in the village of Chondi,Jamkhed distt,Maharashtra to a man named Mankoji Shinde,who was the Patil(Chief) of a village and a member of proud Dhangar Community.

Despite the fact that girls' education was a farther dream in those days, Ahilyabai was homeschooled by her father.
Ahilya didn't belong to any royal family but in a twist of fate she is still remembered as one of the most revered Queen in the history.

While they were living their humdrum lives, one day Malhar Rao Holkar, commander of the Peshwa Bajirao & Lord of the Malwa stopped in Chondi on his way to Pune, where he couldn't help but notice a young 8yrs old Ahilyabai in the temple service feeding the poor & hungry.

He was so impressed by the sheer innocence&beauty with simplicity character of Ahilyabai dat he asked her hand in marriage for his son Khanderao Holkar.Just like that she got married to Khanderao in 1733 at a tender age of 8&became a bride of esteemed Maratha community of Holkars

But destiny had something else in store for her as her husband died in the Battle of Kumbher in 1754 leaving her widow at 29.Distressed Ahilyabai was to commit Sati when her father-in-law Malhar Rao refused to let it happen.

@SaveToBookmarks Hi! Sure. Original tweet by @buzz_chronicles: "@SaveToBookmarks Namaste! You can find it here. Original tweet by @AchuthArora: ...". Enjoy 👌

Hi! Of course! Original tweet by @SaveToBookmarks: "@buzz_chronicles @AchuthArora @AJA_Cortes @rattibha You won't miss this tweet an...". Enjoy 👌

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has sold more than 40 million copies.

Don't have time to read it?
—No worries.

Here are the 7 key lessons you should apply:

Habit #1 — BE PROACTIVE

It all starts with action.

Rather than being "reactive" (externally influenced).
Focus on being "proactive" (initiative-taking).

This puts you in firm control of your life.

Habit #2 — BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

"No wind is favorable if one does not know to which port one is sailing."

I use this goal-setting system to stay on track myself:

Who do I want to be --> Monthly goal to achieve it? --> Daily action to reach that goal?

I update weekly.

Habit #3 — FIRST THINGS FIRST

Knowing the work that moves the needle is half the battle.

The Eisenhower Matrix can come in handy here:

Urgent + Important - Do it
Important + Not urgent - Schedule it
Urgent + Not important - Delegate it
Not urgent + Not important - Delete it

Habit #4 — THINK WIN-WIN

Always strive to find a mutually beneficial solution.

How to:
- Be as objective as possible
- Try to see from their perspective
- Determine what a "win" truly means for both parties
- Work to find the best solution for both parties