The Manjunatha temple in Dharmasthala, Karnataka was established by Sri Vadiraja Swamy upon the request of the locals during one of his travels!
Month: August 2008
Did you know? 14th August 2008
The number 18 is very significant in the Mahabharata. The original name of the epic – Jaya – represents 18 in numerological terms (Ja -8, Ya – 1), the war happened for 18 days, the Bhagavadgita has 18 chapters, the combined strength of the two armies was 18 akshouhinis, the epic has 18 parvas (chapters) and so on!
Did you know? 12th August 2008
The original name of the Mahabharata is “Jaya” or “Victory” and indicates the victory of Dharma over evil!
Did you know? 9th August 2008
In his magnum opus “Harikathamruthasara”, Sri Jagannatha Dasa reveals that the Supreme Lord manifests himself in 5535 forms in a Saligrama!
Mudra Photos
One of the important rituals associated with Vaishnavas is to put on the “marks of Vishnu” on the body everyday. This consists of putting the “Urdhva Pundra” and the “Mudras”. The Urdhva Pundra Dharana (putting on Urdhava Pundra) consists of using the Gopi Chandana and applying the same to 12 parts of the body i.e forehead, lower abdomen (center, left and right), chest, both arms, the neck (center, left and right), lower back and below the neck at the back.
The Gopi Chandana is made of a special soil available near Dwaraka in Gujarat. If Gopi Chandana is unavailable, plain water can also be used but putting on the Urdhva Pundra is compulsory.
Similarly, the 5 mudras have to be applied to the 12 parts mentioned above. The 5 mudras are Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma and Narayana.
The ritual of putting on Gopi and Mudras is followed especially by Madhvas.
Did you know? 8th August 2008
While Jarasandha and Shishupala were two of the biggest enemies of the Pandavas and Lord Krishna, the sons of these two Daityas participated in the Kurukshetra war on the side of the Pandavas!
Did you know? 7th August 2008
Contrary to the popular belief that they hardly lived together, Sri Rama lived with Seeta for over thirteen thousand years upon his return from exile before he and Seeta were separated again!
Did you know? 5th August 2008
Prior to the Kurukshetra war, there were at least two occasions when Duryodhana and his (99) brothers were caught by opposing kings (once by Drupada and another time by a Gandharva king). On both occasions, upon the instructions of Yudhisthira, Bhima saved all of them. Eventually though, all 100 of them were killed by Bhima himself!
Did you know? 2nd August 2008
In the Mahabharata, Lord Bhima had 24 wives, 20 of whom were daughters of Vasudeva (father of Lord Krishna)!
Pavamana Pavamana
The song Pavamana Jagada Prana by Sri Vijaya dasaru is one of my all time favorites. Especially in the voice of Sri Puttur Narasimha Nayak. Simply enchanting and captivating. Since a few months now, my little brother has got into the habit of putting this CD as soon as he gets up. Its almost a daily routine now to begin my day listening to this wonderful composition.
I managed to capture the song in a pdf document today. I have uploaded the same to my mantras page.
Anandatirtha Prathishtana 