For the first time ever in my life, I actually did something that I'm very proud of.

I always wanted to make a difference. And now I just helped send medicine for 50 children in Africa.

Destiny fulfilled! @foodforhungryFH

What a start for a new new year? It just fe...

THREAD: Meditations on marriage metaphors in Ruth

The book of Ruth is, of course, a story about a beautiful marriage. But even before the courtship and the wedding and the important genealogy at the end, we find interesting language that is strikingly reminiscent of Genesis 2:24

That important verse reads:

'Therefore a man shall leave [יַֽעֲזָב] his father and his mother and hold fast [וְדָבַ֣ק] to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.'

The verb עזב can be quite strong in force. For example, Joseph leaves behind [וַיַּעֲזֹ֤ב] his garment as he flees from Pharaoh's wife's sexual advances. Countless times, Israel is depicted abandoning the LORD, for example in Judg 2:12 [וַיַּעַזְב֞וּ], and going after other gods.

Likewise, the verb דבק is rather striking. Lot is mortified of disaster overtaking him [תִּדְבָּקַ֥נִי] as he flees from Sodom. Israel is commanded in Deut 10:20 to cling fast [תִדְבָּ֔ק] to the LORD and serve him and swear by his name.

Together they illustrate how radical God designed marriage to be. Marriage is a real severing of family relations in order to form a new, permanent bond with another human being.

Something very similar to this takes places in Ruth's life.

Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura, Karnataka.

This temple, not to be confused with the Belur Chennakeshava temple, was built during the Hoysala period by a Hoysala general named Dandanayaka Somanatha. The temple dedicated to lord Vishnu was consecrated in 1258.

Dandanayaka Somanatha established a village named Somanathapura on the banks of river Kaveri. He sought the permission of King Narasimha III, to begin construction of a grand temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu that would also showcase the might of Hoysalas.(1)

The temple rests on a high star shaped platform (jagati) with 3 sanctums (garbha griha) making it a trikuta, set in a square matrix oriented along the east west and north south axes.(2)

The western sanctum is dedicated to Kesava, the northern sanctum to Janardhana and the southern sanctum to Venugopala, all are forms of lord Vishnu.(3)

The sanctums share a common community hall (sabha mandapa) with many pillars. Above each of these sanctums rise the 16 pointed star shaped tower called vimana or shikara.(4)

SRI LALITHAMBIGAI, THIRUMEYACHUR (TN)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Kshetram where Shiva is worshipped as Meghanatha and his consort is Lalithambigai seen in Abhay mudra.
Once, a demon Pandasura was harassing the Devas who went to Devi Parashakti for protection. 
@GunduHuDuGa

Devi rose from a Yaga Gunda, mounted on the Sri Chakra Rath with the name Lalithambika, waged a war against Pandasura and destroyed him.  When her fury did not subside, Shiva asked her to go to Earth, assume the name Manonmani, perform penance and shed her fury.

Shiva blessed Devi to be Shanta nayagi. There is a sculpture here depicting Shiva pacifying Devi. If you observe closely, you can see that from your left hand side there will be a smile on Her face and if you see from your right hand side you can see anger in Her face.

Hayagriva taught the greatness of Lalitha Sahasranama to Rishi Agasthya. Pleased with his devotion, Ma Lalithambikai appeared before Agastya. He is believed to have then sung Lalita Navaratnamala in praise of Devi. He has also composed a hymn named Rahasyanamasahasram.

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple, Kavi Kamboi, Bharuch, Gujarat

Stambheshwar Mahadev is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, located in Kavi Kamboi in Bharuch District District of Gujarat, India. The Temple is about 150 years old. 1/n

The Temple is also known as the Submerging temple. The Temple is flanked by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Bay of Cambay on the other side.

As per legend, Tarakasura troubled the common people, sages and devas a lot. 2/n

Hence, Bhagwan Kartikeya k!lled him, but later he felt guilty for killing a demon who was a great devotee of Shiva. He went to Prabhu Vishnu and told about his guilty. Bhagwan Vishnu advised him to install a Shiva Linga to get relief from the sin. 3/n

As advised, he installed the Shiva Linga in this place and prayed to Bhagwan Shiva to forgive his sin.
The temple is located in Kavi Kamboi between the shores of Bay of Cambay and the Arabian Sea. This Temple is very simple temple in terms of architecture. 4/n

Every day, during the high tide hours, the temple submerges, and when the tide level becomes normal, the temple reappears again. The Temple houses a 4 feet high Shiva lingam. The Lingam can be seen during low tide. The visit to the temple should be planned in such a way that..5/n