BC RELIGION
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Today is Vaikuntha Chaturdashi. A day dedicated to both Lord Shiva & Maha Vishnu. The significance of this day and the vratha to be observed is described in a very detailed manner in the Kartikamasa mahatmya of the Vaishnava khanda in the Skanda puranam. (1)

 On this very day during the Sathya yuga Lord Maha Vishnu went to Kashi to have a darshana of Mahadeva. Before proceeding for the darshana he took a bath at the Manikarnika ghat & in the process took a 1000 golden Lotus with him to worship Shiva. (2)
Vishnu took a 1000 lotuses to perform the Sahasranama for Shiva (1 lotus for 1 name). In order to test Vishnu's devotion, Shiva secretly takes away 1 lotus before the worship. Nearing the end of the Sahasranama, Vishnu realizes he is short by 1 lotus (3)
Vishnu wondered if the shortfall in the lotuses was due to a error in counting of the lotuses or error in reciting of the 1000 names.

He concluded there has been no mistake in reciting the 1000 names. The mistake must've been the in counting the lotuses. (4)
Vishnu had resolved at the outset for a worship with a 1000 lotuses.

"How shall Mahadeva be worshiped when lotuses are short by one. If I go to fetch one, I will have to break the rule of continuous sitting. Now what should be done?"

Vishnu was worried with this thought (5)
Vishnu praised as Pundarikaksha by the Rishis i.e. the Lotus eyed one. In a stunning display of devotion, Shri Maha Vishnu proceeds to dislodge his own lotus shaped eye with his index finger & offers it to Shiva in place of the missing lotus. (6)
Mahadeva moved by Maha Vishnu's gesture says there is no one in the 3 worlds that is as devoted to him as Vishnu is & declares him as the protector of the 3 worlds.

Shiva also declares that those who worship him but not Maha Vishnu will certainly fall into Naraka (7)
Vishnu asks:

"O Maheshvara, the duty of protecting the three worlds has been assigned to me. Daityas are very haughty. They have enormous strength. How can they be killed by me?"

(8)
To which Shiva answers :

"This discus Sudarśana is capable of cutting down the great Daityas. It is given to you by me. O Lord Viṣṇu, accept this. Work a havoc among Daityas with this, O Lord."

Shiva then hands the Sudarshana Chakra to Shri Maha Vishnu (9)
Since then Lord Shiva came to be known as Chakradanamurthi. It is one among the 25 manifestations of Lord Shiva known as Panchavimshatalilamurti. This event is depicted in stone at the Srikanteshwara swamy temple at Nanjangudu. (10)

https://t.co/61Yu3fLSxo
Now regarding the details of the Vratha.

Lord Shiva says :

"In the year named Hemalamba, on the 14th day in the bright half of the glorious month of Karttika at the time of dawn, on the Tithi pertaining to Mahadeva (i.e. the 14th one) in the Brahma Muhurta.. (11)
.. you (Vishnu) took your bath in Manikarnika after coming here from Vaikuntha. Then the Linga of Vishveshvara was worshipped with a thousand lotuses. Hence it will become a favourite of mine. It shall be famous in all the worlds as Vaikuntha Chaturdashi" (12)
Shiva says:

Vishnu worship should be performed by persons of all castes. They shall observe fast during the day & perform Vishnu's worship in the evening. Afterwards Shiva's worship is to be performed. Otherwise Shiva's worship shall be futile. (13)
For the purpose of the worship of Vishnu, the Chaturdashi extending to the night should be taken. The devotee shall worship Shiva at the time of dawn. (14)
Devotees who worship Vishnu at the outset with a thousand lotuses and then Shiva afterwards are indeed living liberated souls. (15)
Lord Shiva gives more details regarding the Vratha.

"After taking the bath in the evening in Pancanada (Panchaganga ghat), the devotee should worship Bindumadhava (original temple destroyed by barbarian aurangzeb). (16)
... he who takes his bath in Vishnukanchi shall worship Anantasena. Thereafter he shall take his bath in Rudrakanchi and worship Pranavesha. (17)
First the devotee should take bath in Vaniteertha & then worship Narayana. Thereafter he should take bath in Retodaka & worship Kedaresha.

At the outset the devotee should take bath in Yamuna & worship Venimadhava. Then he should take bath in Ganga & worship Sangamesha (18)
This is the significance of Vaikunta Chaturdashi. This is followed by Kartika purnima tomorrow. Its is on Kartika purnima that Lord Shiva assumes the form of Tripurantakamurthi & slays evil asuras Tarakaksha, Vidyunmali & Kamalaksha (collectively known as Tripurasura) (19)
Today is the perfect occasion to chant the Vishnu Sahasranama followed by Shiva Sahasranama. The benefits to be had by performing them today increase by several manifolds.

This is said by Lord Shiva himself.

Vaikunta Chaturdasi good wishes to all of you once again (20)

/end

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"The Hindu who is addicted to Macaulayism lives in a world of his own which has hardly any contact with the traditional Hindu society. He looks forward to the day when India will become a society like societies in the West where the rate of growth, the gross national product..(2)

...and the standard of living are the only criteria of progress. He is tolerant towards religion to the extent that it remains a matter of private indulgence and does not interfere with the smooth unfoldment of the socio-political scene... (3)

..Personally for him, religion is irrelevant, though some of its rituals and festivities can occasionally add some colour to life. For the rest, religion is so much obscurantism, primitive superstition and, in the Indian context at present, a creator of communal riots" (4)

"It should not, therefore, be surprising if this self-forgetful, self-alienated Hindu who often suffers from an incurable anti-Hindu animus, turns his back upon Hindu society and culture and becomes indifferent to their fate... (5)
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A THREAD on the principles of Hindu iconography & iconometry. In order to fully be able to appreciate our ancient art,one must have a rudimentary knowledge of the various terminologies & methodologies employed by ancient artisans & builders. We'll dwell on that in this thread (1)


Before we proceed any further, I'd like you to have a look at the below THREAD on the ancient Hindu system of measurement. A lot of terminologies from there will be used here too. Get yourself acquainted with the different units of Hindu measurement


The ancient Temple builders i.e. the Sthapatis, have consulted various Shastras in order to execute all their wondrous workmanship. The Shastras are many, yet there is much commonality than differences in them. (3)

This vast ocean of knowledge revealed by the Devas to the ancient Rishis has resulted in the various different styles of Temple building, image making, rock sculpturing etc (4)

Some of the important Shastras consulted by the Sthapatis:

1) Vishnudharmotthara purana
2) Agni Purana
3) Matsya Purana
4) Brihat Samhita

Above texts contain a vast ocean of info on Temple building. Ancient Temples of Northern Bharat were built according to this tradition (5)
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THREAD on ancient Hindu system of measurement(मानापकरणविधानम्)

The Shilpa shastras give much insight into how dimensions such as length,width,height etc were measured. It is using this system that the smallest of murthis to the biggest of buildings were planned & constructed (1)


Before defining the different units of measurement, the Shilpa shastra makes a brief reference to the prerequisites of those who must be well versed in this subject in order to carry out the task of planning & construction. i.e the Architects. (2)

The Architects are classified into 4 different categories. They are:

1) Sthapati
2) Sutragrahin
3) Vardhaki
4) Takshaka

Each one of the above have a specific role in the process of planning & construction (3)

स्थपतिः सर्वशास्त्रज्ञः सूत्रपाहीति सूत्रधृत्
वर्धकी(किर्) मानकर्मज्ञः तक्षणात्तक्षकः स्मृतः

Shastras say Sthapati must be well versed in all Shastras, Sutragrahin holds the Sutra(measuring rope), Vardhaki is well versed in measuring & Takshaka is well versed in carpentry (4)

In the hierarchy of architects; the Sthapati holds the highest of positions. He is the master builder. He is the guide of the other 3. The Sutragrahin is required to be an expert in architectural drawing, the Vardhaki in the area of painting & Takshaka with wood work (5)
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Thread

Vaikunta Ekadasi good wishes to all Hindus who are observing the Vrata today. The significance & benefits of keeping a fast today is explained in the Uttara Khanda of the Padma Purana. Today the mind must be firmly fixated on Narayana only.

Puja at our place today 🕉️ (1)


Before narrating the origins of Ekadasi, Shri Krishna explains to Yudhisthira the benefits to be had by keeping a fast on Ekadasi. Krishna says the one who keeps a fast on Ekadasi accrues more punya than performing the Ashvamedha. (2)


Krishna says keeping a fast on Ekadasi is 100 times more meritorious than giving Gau-dhana to a Brahmana who has mastered the Vedas. Krishna says those who fast on the Ekadasi day are equal to those in whose bodies live the three deities Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva. (3)

Krishna says to Yudhisthira that even the performance of a thousand Yajnas is not equal to keeping the Ekadasi Vrata. such is the power of keeping a fast today. (4)


To Yudhisthira's query on the origins of Ekadasi, Shri Krishna goes on to narrate the story of the extremely powerful asura Murasura, in whose slaying lies the origins of Ekadasi. Mura who lived during the Satya yuga had taken away by force Indra's abode. (5)
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A THREAD detailing the daily routine of Hindu emperors of the past during peace time. Once we are done through with the thread, one will realize what a contrast the present day secular state is to the Hindu Samrajyas of the past. As to how far we've moved away from tradition (1)

As an example we'll have a look at the life of Vijayanagara samrat Vira Narasimharaya. He was the elder brother of the great Shri Krishnadevaraya. Each aspect of Narasimharaya's life has been chronicled in detail in the Raayavacakam (2)

The day of Narasimharaya started with him waking up during the auspicious Brahma muhurta time (between 4:30 am to 6 am). First thing in the morning he'd listen to reading of books both on Dharma & statecraft. He'd then proceed to look at his own reflection in the mirror (3)

He'd then proceed to the gau-shala & touch a cow to seek her blessings. This is followed by performing of daily ablutions. He'd then put the the urdhva pundra (tilak) on his forehead. Before proceeding to the audience hall, he'd have a darshan of learned Brahmanas. (4)

While seated on the throne in the audience hall, the very first thing Narasimharaya would receive is the tirtha and the prasada of 108 Vishnu temples (divya desams), the sacred vibhuti, sandal paste and prasada of the 72 Shiva temples of the empire. (5)
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『𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘴』...
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As the Fall of man was a consequence of the pursuit of our own good, this quest intrinsically contains the possibility of our return to The Good. The route back to The Good was only revealed by The Way [Jn. 14:6], so we might say that Christ incarnates to complete the Circle.


Each thing is moved by, implicitly converted or turned back to, its own good by its cause of procession - which is principally God.

"Via est nobis tendendi in Deum." - St. Thomas Aquinas, which is to say that:

Christ, who as a man, is the way of our tending (back) into God.


Ezekiel 10:6 | When the LORD commanded the man in linen, “Take fire from among the wheels, from among the cherubim,” the man went in and stood beside a wheel.

"So I saw the glorious wheel move." - Dante, Paradiso 10.145


As Scripture and Dante see God's providence in circles, so did Boethius and Platonists more


Aquinas with, "Eadem est via qua descenditur et ascenditur." [SCG 4.1.3], brings back Heraclitus to the medievals, "The way up and the way down is the same." [Diels, B60]

The way up and the way down are the same.
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[THREAD: HISTORY OF THE HINDU TEMPLE]
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Four hours south of Aswan in Lower Nubia, right by the Nile, is a region dotted with temple complexes built more than 3,000 years ago. Some like the temples of Amada, Derr, and Beit el-Wali go as far back as 1500 BC.


2/102
A little further south, not far from the border with Sudan, is another complex dedicated to Ramses II, Hathor, and Nefertari in the village of Ipsambul, better known locally as Abu Sunbul and internationally as Abu Simbel. These go back to the 13th century BC.


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Djeser-Djeseru, also known as the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut in Upper Egypt also dates to 1400 BC. Over 500 years older is the nearby Mentuhotep II, also a mortuary temple. Both were dedicated to the cult of Amun Ra, besides their respective pharaohs.


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Far older is the Ġgantija complex of Malta. Going as far back as 3600 BC, this one comprises of two temples entirely made of stone and enclosed in a stone wall. From the figures therein, it's understood to be a site of some kind of a fertility cult worship.


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Dating from the same period are the limestone megaliths of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, both said to have once hosted ritualistic sacrifices as part of the same fertility cult worship as found in the Ġgantija complex. Malta has some of the oldest temple complexes in Europe.
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60 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BEARERS & WOMEN OF QURAN

A THREAD 🧵

1. The first matter that it befits her to employ is taqwa (fear) of Allah secretly and openly, by exercising caution (wara') with regards to the sources of his food, drink, dress and earnings.

2. She is perceptive about her time and the corruptions of its people, that she may beware of them regarding her religion.

3. She concentrates on her own situation, having the aspiration to reform whatever is corrupt in her affairs, guarding her tongue and choosing her words.

4. If she speaks,, she speaks with knowledge when she sees speech to be correct.

5. If she remains silent, she remains silent with knowledge when she sees silence to be correct.

6. She rarely delves into that which does not conern her.

7. She fears from her tongue things more severe than she fears from her enemy.

8. She imprisons her tongue the way she imprisons her enemy, so that she may be safe from its evil and bad consequences.
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Does Islam teach men to oppress women?🧵

A dispassionate study of the primary sources of
Islam, along with an analysis of the position of
women in societies where Islam was implemented, shows that Islam's emergence was a blessing for women and it drastically improved their previously poor status.


As far as relationship to God is concerned, there is absolutely no difference between men & women. Both are promised reward/punishment according to their conduct.

In addition to the verses which makes both genders one product in regard to spirituality, Quran, in addressing believers, often uses the expression 'believing men & women' to emphasize their equality in regard to their respective duties, rights, virtues & merits. Examples:


Quran being the rulebook for muslims demonstrates how certain things should be done which also includes rules regarding marriage, behaviour between spouses, separate rights of them which cant be taken away, Allah's warnings against pressuring/confining the wife etc some verses:
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Don't act smart with Shankaracharya, you will get roasted...

This is a very interesting story from ShankarDigvijaya where Mandan Mishra tries to insult Shankaracharya but gets insulted in return.


The fun lies in the twisting of meanings of Sanskrit words by Shankaracharya.I will try my best to translate while preserving the real meaning.

Shankaracharya went to house of Mandan Mishra to debate with him, but he found the door locked so he took alternate way and went in

The conversation that followed went somewhat like this...

On seeing Shankaracharya

Mandan(angrily)- From where did you come, you bald fellow?

Shankar - I am bald till neck.

(He said कुतो मुण्ड्य Shankar took meaning as, 'How far are you shaven?' so he replied till neck. )

Mandan - I did not ask this, I asked your way

Shankar - Then what did the way reply?

(Mandan ment "I asked about your way" (From where did you come?) Shankar twisted meaning as 'I asked your way' so he said "What did the way reply?")

Mandan (frustrated) - It said, your mother is bald.

Shankar - But you asked it, it must be talking about your mother not mine.
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1/ I've had an unhealthy fascination with metrology (the study of measurement) ever since my 2nd year as a physics major when I took a class devoted to duplicating historic physics experiments, so please indulge me for going into heavy detail (get it?) about the kilogram.

2/ So what actually *defines* a unit of measurement? If you're American, you probably know a mile is 5280 feet and a foot is 12 inches and an inch is 2.54 centimeters etc. But where does this chain of definitions end? Is it turtles all the way down?

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4/ At the base of this tower are the SI base units. Just 7 SI base units define every other unit in existence. They are:

Kilogram, kg (mass)
Meter, m (distance)
Second, s (time)
Kelvin, K (temp)
Ampere, A (electric current)
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The chorus of this song uses the shlokas taken from Sundarkand of Ramayana.

It is a series of Sanskrit shlokas recited by Jambavant to Hanuman to remind Him of his true potential.

1. धीवर प्रसार शौर्य भरा: The brave persevering one, your bravery is taking you forward.


2. उतसारा स्थिरा घम्भीरा: The one who is leaping higher and higher, who is firm and stable and seriously determined.

3. ुग्रामा असामा शौर्या भावा: He is strong, and without an equal in the ability/mentality to fight

4. रौद्रमा नवा भीतिर्मा: His anger will cause new fears in his foes.

5.विजिटरीपुरु धीरधारा, कलोथरा शिखरा कठोरा: This is a complex expression seen only in Indic language poetry. The poet is stating that Shivudu is experiencing the intensity of climbing a tough peak, and likening

it to the feeling in a hard battle, when you see your enemy defeated, and blood flowing like a rivulet. This is classical Veera rasa.

6.कुलकु थारथिलीथा गम्भीरा, जाया विराट वीरा: His rough body itself is like a sharp weapon (because he is determined to win). Hail this complete

hero of the world.

7.विलयगागनथाला भिकारा, गरज्जद्धरा गारा: The hero is destructive in the air/sky as well (because he can leap at an enemy from a great height). He can defeat the enemy (simply) with his fearsome roar of war.
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Samayapuram Mariamman Temple
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#Tamilnadutemples 🚩

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is located in Samayapuram of
 Tiruchirappalli district.  Mariyamman here is worshipped as Samayapurathal a form of Parashakti.
Amman vigraham here is made of sand and clay so


no abhishekam done to the main vigraham. Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is one of the famous Shakthi Sthal of Tamilnadu.

Story says that paramashiva created Kali, out of the poison that he drank during samudra mathanam.  As Devi originated from the Kaalakoota/ halahala poison,


thus the name Kaali. Mariamman is believed to be a form of Kaali, and is also known as Mahamayi. It is also believed that Maharaja Dasharatha offered his prayers here.

Mariamman is Parashakti herself who blesses with prosperity and she is believed to cure all diseases.


Paramashiva, Mahavishnu and Brahma Deva are believed to have taken blessings of Mariamman here.

Om Shakti Para Shakti
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UNTOLD STORY OF QUEEN BHAVASHANKARI OF BENGAL - A 🧵u must read

Know the role of Naga Sadhus

PART-1

One of the most underrated empires to ever grace India is the kingdom of Bhurshut from central Bengal.

1/


A medieval powerhouse this kingdom stood firm against the Pathan invasion from Orissa twice, and with each time devastating the enemy forces.

Along with this, we also have to note that this was the time when the empire was under the reign of a widowed queen named Bhavashankari.

She wasn’t even born in a royal family and yet she achieved what most of the kings couldn’t do

This begs the question, why does no one remember this great kingdom?

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Bhurshut empire thrived from 15th century till late 18th century as an independent kingdom while acting as tributary state with full autonomy.

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What’s even more puzzling is that no one knows about the great queen Bhavanshakari who thrashed the Pathans single handedly without the aid of their allies.

5/
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