THE FACTS OF HISTORY

India is the most tolerant country in the world. She has a very expansive heart. She includes all nations in the embrace of her love.

The Western nations are the descendents of the original Hindus or Aryans. They might have forgotten their old connections with the Aryans and Hindu culture. They might have forgotten all about their ancestors. But this cannot be effaced from the annals of history. Mother India, the repository of Hindu culture, cannot forget her children beyond the seas. They are always dear to her.

Hindu culture and Hindu civilisation were at their zenith in the days of yore. Greeks and Romans imitated the Hindus and absorbed Hindu thoughts. Even now Hindu culture and Hindu civilisation stand foremost in the world. No religion has produced so many great saints, sages, Yogins, Rishis, Maharshis, prophets, Acharyas, benefactors, heroes, poets, statesmen and kings as Hinduism. Each and every province of the country has produced intellectual giants, poets and saints. Even now India abounds in Rishis, philosophers, saints and high intellectuals. Even now she abounds in sages and great souls.

The Hindus had to undergo severe hardships and tortures. They had to face fierce battles and cruelties and yet they live today. Some mysterious power has preserved them. Some invisible force has protected them. That power will protect them for ever.

SHIV MAHA PURANA

1.1.6     Anaal-Stambh (The Pillar of Fire)

"Though Lord Shiva knew everything, but still feigning ignorance, he asked about the well beings of the world. The deities told him about the battle, fought between Brahmaji and Vishnuji."

"Lord Shiva then sent his one hundred Ganas to pacify both of them. He too went there accompanied by mother Parvati, boarded on a chariot. When Lord Shiva reached there, he saw that Brahmaji and Vishnuji were about to use their deadly weapons- Maheshwar and Pashupat respectively. Fearing the destruction, which these deadly weapons might have caused, Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of 'Analstamba' (pillar of fire) between them. Brahmaji and Vishnuji had already released their weapons- Maheshwar and Pashupat. Both the weapons fell into that pillar of fire and got destroyed.

"Brahmaji and Vishnuji were very surprised to see the pillar of fire, which was so enormous in size that it reached the sky and penetrated down the earth. Vishnuji transformed himself into a boar and went to the 'Patal' (nether world) to find the base of that 'Pillar of fire'. But he was unsuccessful in his attempt and came back.

Similarly Brahmaji transformed himself into a swan and flew up in the sky to find its limit. While going through the aerial route he met a withered 'Ketaki' flowers, which had still some freshness and fragrance left in it."

"Lord Shiva smiled at the futile attempts of Shri Brahmaji and Vishnuji. As a result of his smile the Ketaki flower fell down from the branch. Ketaki flower told Brahmaji that he had been present there since the beginning of the creation, but was unable to know about the origin of that 'Pillar of fine'. The flower also advised Brahmaji against making any effort in that direction, as it would be of no use."

"Brahmaji then sought the help of Ketaki flower to give a false witness before lord Vishnu, that he (Brahmaji) had been successful in seeing the limit of that pillar of fire. Ketaki flower agreed. Both of them went to Vishnuji and Brahmaji told him that he had seen the limit of that Pillar of fire. Ketaki flower gave a witness. Vishnuji accepted the superiority of Brahmaji."

"Lord Shiva became very angry with Brahmaji. He proceeded to punish Brahmaji for his falsehood. Lord Vishnu requested Lord Shiva to spare the life of Brahmaji. Lord Shiva became pleased with Vishnuji and accorded him the same status as Hat of his own."

THE SPIRITUAL SOIL OF INDIA

India is the sacred land which has given birth to countless sages, Rishis, Yogins, saints and prophets. India is the land that has produced many Acharyas or spiritual preceptors like Sri Sankara and Sri Ramanuja; many saints like Kabir, Ramdas, Tukaram and Gauranga Mahaprabhu; many Yogins like Jnana Dev, Dattatreya andSadasiva Brahman; and many prophets like Buddha and Nanak. Buddha is our flesh and blood.

India is proud of Guru Govind Singh and Sivaji. India is proud of king Bhoja and Vikramaditya. India is proud of Sankara and Kabir. India is proud of Valmiki and Kalidasa. Krishna, Rama and all Avataras were born in India. How sacred is India! How sublime is India! The dust of Brindavan and Ayodhya, the land trodden by the sacred feet of Krishna and Rama, still purifies the heart of countless people. Even Jesus, during the missing period of His life, lived in Kashmir and learnt Yoga from the Indian Yogins. Glory to Mother India!

India is a spiritual country. India never conquered territories or annexed dominions. Military conquest is not her ambition. She wants her children to have Atma-Svarajya or Absolute Independence. She does not call upon them to rule over others. She wants them to have conquest over internal and external nature. She wants them to possess brilliant divine virtues, moral stamina and inner spiritual strength born of wisdom of the soul. Ahimsa is her weapon to have the spiritual conquest and the conquest of the minds of others.

People of India have Self-realisation as their goal. They do not, generally, bestow too much attention on material prosperity and advancement. They want Yoga or communion with the Supreme Being. They practise Ahimsa, Satya and Brahmacharya. They wish to enjoy the eternal bliss of the Absolute. They are always ready to renounce worldly possessions in order to possess or realise the inner Atman or Brahman. They will sacrifice anything and everything in order to attain the immortal Atman. They are always spiritual-minded.

India is the sacred land with several holy rivers and powerful spiritual vibrations. The hoary Himalayas attract the people of the whole world. It is a land peculiarly suitable for divine contemplation and Yogic practices. Every country has its own special attractive features. India is the land of Yogins and sages. This is the special attractive feature of India. This is the reason why people from America, England and all parts of the world come to India for the practice of Yoga.

SHIV MAHA PURANA

.1.5     The Deities go to Kailash Mountain

Nandikeshwarji narrates the tale of battle between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu. 

"Once while travelling lord Brahma reached the abode of Lord Vishnu. He saw Lord Vishnu. He saw lord Vishnu resting on Shesh-Nag and being attended by Garuda and other attendants. When Brahmaji saw that Vishnu did not get up to receive him, he became very angry. Very soon, Verbal dual erupted between them. It became so severe that a battle was fought between them, which continued for very long time. All the deities arrived from the heaven to watch the battle. They became very worried when they saw no sign of battle coming to an end. They decided to go to lord Shiva, to seek his help.

BRAHMA

SUNDAY STORIES 51
18.01.2015

 BRAHMA
 
Brahma is originally said to have five heads. The story goes that Brahma and Vishnu were competing for superiority when a column of light appeared in front of them. They decided that whoever reached either end of the column of light is to be accepted as superior. Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and dived down to the bottom whereas Brahma sought to reach the top of the ray of light. Neither could find the end of the ray. 

Brahma, desperate at not finding the end of the ray, found a flower and asked the flower from where it was coming. The flower answered that it was just falling in the space. Brahma presented the flower as a false witness to claim that he had reached the top of the column of light. Shiva, upon learning this destroyed Brahma's one head that spoke this lie, and hence Brahma is left with four heads. Legend has that it was indeed Shiva who appeared before them as the ray of light.
 LOVE.JGD. 🌹

Origin And Significance Of The Term

That part of the great Aryan race which migrated from Central Asia, through the mountain passes into India, settled first in the districts near the river Sindhu, now called the Indus, on the other side of the river. The Persians pronounced the word Sindhu as Hindu, and named their Aryan brethren Hindus. Hindu is only a corrupt form of Sindhu.

The Hindu Aryans spread themselves over the plains of the Ganga. Then the Persians gave the name Hindusthan, or abode of the Hindus, to the whole of those districts between Punjab and Benaras.(Latest historical researches have now proved that the Aryans did not come from outside India, but were the original inhabitants of India.)

The classical name for India which is used in Sanskrit literature is Bharata-Varsha or Bharata-Khanda, after the name of Bharata who ruled over a large extent of territory in days of yore. Manu’s name for the whole central region between the Himalayas and the Vindhya mountains is Aryavarta, Abode of the Aryans. Another name for the whole of India is Jambu-Dvipa. The Greeks gave the name Indu to the whole of this country. It was on account of this India became popular as the name of this country throughout Europe.

Hindu is not a mere name. This name Hindu is not only of geographical, but also of national and racial importance. The whole history of our nation from the very beginning is bound up with it. All our ideas and ideals are so intimately connected with it that it is difficult to give a simple definition of it. Poets, prophets and Avataras came to sing the praises and glory of this name. Rishis, sages and saints took their birth to compile the Sastras and Darsanas for this nation. Heroes and warriors have fought for its honour and laid down their very lives for it. Piety, nobility, generosity, philosophy, religious bent of mind, Yoga, religious tolerance, wisdom, devotion, renunciation, Self-realisation. Ahimsa, Satya and purity are associated with the name ‘Hindu’.

SHIV MAHA PURANA

1.1.4     Greatness of Shiva Linga

According to Sutji, if a person is incapable of following the above mentioned three activities i.e. Shravan, Kirtan and Manan then he should worship the Shivalinga. Even by doing this he can attain liberation from all the bondages of the world.

Describing about the majesty of Shivalinga, Sutji says: "Lord Shiva is the manifestation of Almighty God (Brahma) himself and for this very reason he is known as NISHKAL. Because of his divine beauty, Shiva is called SAGUNA (God with form). The term SAGUNA is also expressed in another way, that is SAKAL. Shivalinga is worshipped since it symbolizes the form of Shiva. Lord Shiva is also considered to be NIRGUNA (without any qualities.)"

"In the first Kalpa of Swetvarah, a battle was fought between Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu to prove their superiority. Lord Shiva manifested before arrogance. After that he also showed them his form in the shape of Shivalinga. From that day onwards the Shivalinga became famous."

GLIMPSES OF SRI SRI

Glimpses of @SriSri straight from MMRDA Ground, BKC, ‪#‎Mumbai‬! ‪#‎SriSriInMumbai‬ 

@SriSri now in #Mumbai: 

Why are you giving me duplicate ‪#‎Heart‬? I already have your original. 

Musibatein kisko nhi aati?
Krishna,Shri Ram,Mahaveer,Buddha,Jesus sbko aayi hai Magar Aap logo ko sabse kam aayegi,hai na? Kitne logo ko aise laga ki aate aate hatt gayi?

@SriSri
Mrityuke samay sirf Do Prashna Samne aayenge, Kitna Prem diya aur kitna Gyan hasil kiya tumne

"Nalpe Sukamasti,Yovai bhooma tatsukam"(No joy in small things, Joy is in Expansion)

Gurudev inaugrates TOK Mumbai 

Many Hollywood movies are based on Yog Vashishtha. One should read it 

We will celebrate next year in 2016, 35yrs of Art of Living 
"World Family Reunion at Delhi "

Remember that,Only the best of the best will happen with u. That's my blessing & my promise,But if u Drink or eat Non-veg then there will be a small hole in this promise, best will happen but there can be delay ..
Then I can't say anything 
(Gurudev Laughs )

Gurudev says...
This is a Question in someone's Heart,so I answered

MEANING OF THE WORD "PASHUPATI"

Q: In Nepal, Lord Shiva is worshiped in the form of Pashupati Nath. What is the meaning of the word 'Pashupati'?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Pashu (Hindi word for animal) means one that is tied down by something or is stuck in bondage. Paash is something like a rope; it is that somethingthat ties you down or restricts you. There are eight kinds of Paash and so there are eight kinds of Pashu tied by them. In English there is a saying, 'Man is a social animal'. So everyone is tied up or bonded to the world by some Paash or another, like greed, attachment etc. Lord Shiva is the lord of this entire creation that is tied by the eight kinds of ropes. So he is the master and lord of all living beings and creatures in this world.

In Nepal there is an orthodox custom of animal sacrifice. Do not go and offer any kind of sacrifices at the temple. The lord does not like that at all. Did you all know that? It is a great sin to offer sacrifice of another living being in the name of pleasing God. It is sheer ignorance. Today I would want to congratulate all our Art of Living teachers and volunteers for the great work they have been doing to bring an end to animal killing and animal sacrifices. I came to know that the rate of animal sacrifices has fallen by 40% or 60%. You must continue to spread awareness about this and educate more and more people. Tell them that if they do not have the capacity to bring another living creature into this world, then they also have no right to take away its life. If you can bring an innocent goat to life, then you have the right to take its life also. But when you do not have the power to give life to a goat, then you also have no right to take away its life. Every creature has the right to live. It is not prescribed anywhere in our scriptures to offer animal sacrifices to please God.

SHIV MAHA PURANA

 
PROPER METHOD OF
1.1.3     Listening, Kirtan, Contemplation
 
SHRAVAN KIRTAN MANAN
 
Purification of the mind by the help of doing worship and chanting the name of God is called contemplation. Singing devotional songs in the form of stotra, or hymns of the vedas or even in one's own language is called Kirtan.
 
The above mentioned three activities are the supreme means to attain liberation.

WHO IS A HINDU

In a meeting of the Sanatana Dharma Sabha, Lokamanya Tilak said: "A Hindu is he who believes that the Vedas contain self-evident and axiomatic truths."
The Hindu Maha Sabha has given another definition: "A Hindu is one who believes in a religion which has originated in India."
"Those who burn the dead are Hindus." This is another definition given by some.
"He who protects the cows and the Brahmins is a Hindu." This is another definition given by some.
Some define: "A Hindu is one who regards India as his motherland and the most sacred spot on earth."
Some others define: "He who calls and considers himself a Hindu is a Hindu."
Some define: "He who accepts the Vedas, the Smritis, the Puranas and the Tantras as the basis of religion and of the rule of conduct, and believes in one Supreme God (Brahman), in the Law of Karma or retributive justice, and in reincarnation (Punarjanma), is a Hindu."
"He who follows the Vedic or Sanatana-Dharma is a Hindu." This is the definition by some.
"He who is a follower of the Vedanta is a Hindu." This is another definition given by some others.
"He who has perfect faith in the Law of Karma, the law of reincarnation Avatara, ancestor worship, Varnashrama Dharma, Vedas and existence of God, he who practises the instructions given in the Vedas with faith and earnestness, he who does Sandhya, Sraaddha, Pitri-Tarpana and the Pancha-Maha-Yajnas, he who follows the Varnashrama Dharmas, he who worships the Avataras and studies the Vedas, is a Hindu." This is the definition given by some highly cultured men. This is the only correct and complete definition.

SRI SRI ABOUT SHIV PURANA

Gurudev, In Shiva Purana it is said that anyone who worships Lord Shiva is freed from all sins. Does this mean that corruption begins at the top?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
No! Do you know what corruption is? Corruption is doing that which you don't wish to be done to you or to your kith and kin. You cannot link pooja (here meaning worshipping Lord Shiva) and corruption.
Pooja is a feeling that comes to you out of fullness. Like when a guest comes to your house, you come to the door and receive them. If someone very dear to you is coming to see you, don't you rush to the train station or the airport to receive them? Does it come out of a feeling of compulsion? You can tell them to call a taxi, but instead you take your vehicle to go and receive them. Why do you do that? What is that feeling? It cannot be called corruption. So pooja means that which comes out of fullness.
In Puranas, many things are written. I'm not an advocate of all the Puranas. Many of them are a means of expression. In fact, the word Purana means a new way of expressing.
The Hindi Purana and Sanskrit Purana have totally opposite meanings. In Hindi, Purana means old, and in Sanskrit Purana means very new or modern; it means a different way of expression. Don't call that as a corruption. God is not so stupid that He waits for you to break a coconut to give you a boon!
All the poojas you do are to express your fullness, not to please God. I think this is a very wrong concept in the world. We think we do things to please God; this is wrong understanding. People fast for many days so that they can please God. You fast to purify your body; you don't have to fast to please God. This is a wrong understanding

EMPHASIS ON PRACTICE

Hinduism provides spiritual food and Yoga Sadhana for all sorts of people to suit their temperaments, capacities, tastes, stages of spiritual development and conditions of life. It prescribes Yoga Sadhana even for a scavenger or a cobbler to attain God-realisation, while doing his ordinary avocation in the world. Hindu Yoga and Vedanta teachers lay great stress on self-restraint, Tapas, renunciation and practical Sadhana which is best calculated to control the mind and the senses and unfold the divinity or attain Self-realisation. Hinduism is not a religion of mere theories. It is eminently practical. In no religion you will find such a variety of practical Yoga practised and such sublime unique philosophy expounded. That is the reason why India is the only glorious land of sages, Rishis, Yogins and saints.

Religion is practical aspect of philosophy. Philosophy is rational aspect of religion. The philosophy of Hinduism is not arm-chair philosophy. It is not meant for intellectual curiosity and vain discussion. Hindu philosophy is a way of life. The philosopher of Hinduism seriously reflects after hearing the Srutis, does Atma-Vichara, constantly meditates, and then attains Self-realisation or Atma-Sakshatkara. Moksha is his goal. He attempts to attain Jivanmukti now and here.

Religion is spiritualisation of human life for a Hindu. Religious culture is really the culture of freedom for him. Religion governs all the departments of Hindu life. He must realise the freedom of the soul in every department of life. Religion affords the greatest scope for him for the culture of true freedom. Religion is the only way to him for the realisation of perfect freedom in life.

It is in India alone that every man knows something of philosophy. The cowherd who tends the cattle, the peasant who ploughs the fields, the boat-man who pulls at his oar, sing songs replete with philosophical truths. Even the barber repeats OM NAMAH SIVAYA, SIVOHAM before he takes up the razor. The Paramahamsa Sannyasins, the itinerant monks of Hinduism, have disseminated the highest of Vedanta from door to door. In exchange for a handful of rice, they have distributed from door to door, through religious songs, the priceless gems of Hindu religion and philosophy.

SHIV MAHA PURANA

1.1.2     Proposition and Means

Sutji continued with his narration:-

"During the initial period of 'Svet Varah Kalp'. Six prominent sages collected near Triveni and started debating as to who was the greatest deity, among Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh. Their debate remained inconclusive, so they went to lord Brahma to seek the answer.

Lord Brahma told them:-

"O revered Sages! The source of Vishnu, Rudra all the deities including myself and all the other creations is none other Mahadeo. Union with the Shiva should be the objective of a man to attain that objective. Listening to the qualities of Lord Shiva, singing devotional songs in his praise and contemplating on him are the greatest means, which help to unite with Shiva."

THE GLORY OF VEDANTA & YOGA

Vedanta, or the philosophy of the Upanishads, is lofty, sublime and unique.
The Western philosophers have paid their tribute to the ancient seers of
the Upanishads. They have been amazed at the lofty heights scaled by them.
Schopenhauer studied the Upanishads and meditated on the thoughts of the
Upanishads just before going to bed. He said: "The Upanishads are the
solace of my life and they will be solace to me after my death also."
The Raja-Yoga system of Hinduism is also splendid and unique. The lessons
are immensely practical and highly instructive. No system of physical
exercise on the surface of the earth can compete with Hatha-Yoga.
Kundalini-Yoga is wonderful. Hence the Americans and Europeans are in
search of Hindu Sannyasins and Yogins. They visit the Himalayas frequently
in quest of Yoga teachers. Some are living under Hindu Yogins as disciples
and are practising Yoga. Many Europeans and Americans are even now Hindus
by faith and practice, though they are born Christians. They practise
Raja-Yoga and Vedanta

SHIV MAHA PURANA

This Purana consists of the following 7 Chapters:
1.1      Vidyeshwar Samhita
This Chapter contains 24 sections.
1.1.1     Sages Enquire
Viddyeshwar Samhita which is classified into twenty five chapters, has a narration in its first chapter which goes as follows-

Once upon a time, the sages were performing a yagya at Prayag kshetra. Sage Sutji came to know about this and arrived there. All the sages were very pleased to see him. They requested:-

"Lord! Though we have heard many tales from you regarding the man's benediction, but today we want to listen to something special. Because in this present era of Kali, when all the castes have forgotten about their respective duties we want to know is there any way to prevent the deterioration in the human values?"

Sutji replied:-

"O Great men! Your enquiry has great relevance in this era of Kali. I will certainly tell you about the way by the help of which a man can achieve benediction. Shivmahapuran contains the essence of Vedantic philosophy, which gives worldly pleasures as well as Salvation. Mere remembrance of it destroys all the sins of a man. One who studies the Rudra-Samhita attentively, his gravest of sins are destroyed instantaneously. One who studies Rudra-Samhita' silently, sitting in front of Bhairav-idol, all of his aspirations are fulfilled. A man gets liberated from the sin of killing a brahmin, if he studies Rudra Samhita while circulbulating around a Banyan tree."

"Kailash Samhita is even Superior than Rudra Samhita, as it elaborates upon the meaning of Omkar. Shivmahapuran is created by lord Shiva Himself. It contains twelve Samhitas which are - Viddyeshwar, Rudra, Vinayak, Uma, Matri, Ekadash-rudra, Kailash, Shat-rudra, Koti-rudra, Sahastra Koti, Vayaviya and Dharma."

"Initially it contained one lac shlokas but it was precised to twenty-four thousand shlokas by sage Vyas. The present ShivPuran is the fourth one which consists of seven Samhitas. The earlier three Shivpuranas are unavailable. The scientific analysis of the Vedantic mysteries are the main subject of this divine Shivpuran. The study of Shivpuran helps a man to attain Dharma, Artha, Kaam and Moksha.