जानें दुर्गा के नौ शक्ति रूपों को..

हिंदू धर्म पर आस्था रखने वालों के अनुसार मां भगवती संपूर्ण संसार के लिए शक्ति स्त्रोत हैं, जिनकी इच्छा से पृथ्वी पर सभी कार्य संपन्न होते हैं। मां भगवती की इसी महिमा को समर्पित नवरात्र, यानि नौ दिनों का ऐसा पर्व जब उनके भक्त पूरी श्रद्धा के साथ उन्हें प्रसन्न करने की कोशिश करते हैं, मनाया जाता है। हिन्दू पंचांग के अनुसार यह पर्व एक वर्ष में दो बार मनाया जाता है, एक चैत्र माह में और दूसरा आश्विन माह में। आश्विन मास के नवरात्र को शारदीय नवरात्र भी कहते हैं। नवरात्र पर्व के दिनों में देवी मां के नौ रूपों की पूजा-अर्चना की जाती है। आइए क्रमानुसार मां के हर रूप को जानें:




  
पहले दिन: शैलपुत्री                                                

नवरात्र पर्व के प्रथम दिन शैलपुत्री देवी की आराधना की जाती है। पुराणों के अनुसार हिमालय के तप से प्रसन्न होकर आदिशक्ति उनके घर पुत्री रूप में अवतरित हुई, जिनके जन्म के साथ नवरात्र का शुभारंभ होता है।

 

 

 

 

 

दूसरे दिन: ब्रह्मचारिणी

भगवान शंकर को पति के रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए पार्वती की कठिन तपस्या से तीनों लोक उनके समक्ष नतमस्तक हो गए थे। देवी का यह रूप तपस्या के तेज से ज्योतिर्मय है। इनके दाहिने हाथ में मंत्र जपने की माला तथा बाएं में कमंडल है।

 

 

 

  

तीसरे दिन: चंद्रघंटा

यह देवी का उग्र रूप है। इनके घंटे की ध्वनि सुनकर विनाशकारी शक्तियां तत्काल पलायन कर जाती हैं। व्याघ्र पर विराजमान और अनेक अस्त्रों से सुसज्जित मां चंद्रघंटा भक्त की रक्षा हेतु सदैव तत्पर रहती हैं। 

 

 

 

 

 

 

चौथे दिन: कूष्मांडा

नवरात्र पर्व के चौथे दिन भगवती के इस अति विशिष्ट स्वरूप की आराधना की जाती है। ऐसी मान्यता है कि इनकी हंसी से ही ब्रह्माण्ड उत्पन्न हुआ था। अष्टभुजी माता कूष्मांडा के हाथों में कमंडल,धनुष-बाण,कमल,अमृत-कलश,चक्र तथा गदा है। इनके आठवें हाथ में मनोवांछित फल देने वाली जपमाला है।
 

 

 

  

पांचवें दिन: स्कंदमाता

नवरात्र पर्व की पंचमी तिथि को भगवती के पांचवें स्वरूप स्कंदमाता की पूजा की जाती है। देवी के एक पुत्र कुमार कार्तिकेय (स्कंद) हैं, जिन्हें देवासुर-संग्राम में देवताओं का सेनापति बनाया गया था। इस रूप में देवी अपने पुत्र स्कंद को गोद में लिए बैठी होती हैं। स्कंदमाता अपने भक्तों को शौर्य प्रदान करती हैं।

 

 
छठे दिन: कात्यायनी

कात्यायन ऋषि की घोर तपस्या से प्रसन्न होकर भगवती उनके यहां पुत्री के रूप में प्रकट हुईं और कात्यायनी कहलाईं। कात्यायनी का अवतरण महिषासुर वध के लिए हुआ था। भगवान कृष्ण को पति के रूप में पाने के लिए ब्रज की गोपियों ने देवी कात्यायनी की आराधना की थी। जिन लड़कियों की शादी न हो रही हो वे कात्यायनी माता की उपासना करें।
 

 

सातवें दिन: कालरात्रि

नवरात्र पर्व के सातवें दिन यानि सप्तमी को कालरात्रि की आराधना का विधान है। यह भगवती का विकराल रूप है। गर्दभ पर आरूढ़ यह देवी अपने हाथों में लोहे का कांटा तथा खड्ग भी लिए हुए हैं। इनके भयानक स्वरूप को देखकर विध्वंसक शक्तियां पलायन कर जाती हैं। 

 

 

 

आठवें दिन: महागौरी

नवरात्र पर्व की अष्टमी को महागौरी की आराधना का विधान है। ऐसी मान्यता है कि भगवान शंकर को पति के रूप में पाने के लिए भवानी ने अति कठोर तपस्या की जिसके फलस्वरूप उनका रंग काला पड़ गया था। तब शिव जी ने गंगाजल द्वारा इनका अभिषेक किया और वे गौरवर्ण की हो गईं, इसीलिए इन्हें गौरी कहा जाता है।

 

 

 

 

नौवें दिन : सिद्धिदात्री

नवरात्र पर्व के अंतिम दिन नवमी को भगवती के सिद्धिदात्री स्वरूप का पूजन किया जाता है। इनकी अनुकंपा से ही समस्त सिद्धियां प्राप्त होती हैं। अन्य देवी-देवता भी मनोवांछित सिद्धियों की प्राप्ति की कामना से इनकी आराधना करते हैं। कुछ धर्मग्रंथों में इनका वाहन सिंह बताया गया है,परंतु माता अपने लोक प्रचलित रूप में कमल पर बैठी दिखाई देती हैं। सिद् धिदात्री की पूजा से नवरात्र में नवदुर्गा पूजा का अनुष्ठान पूर्ण हो जाता है।

 

MAYAN AND HINDUS

HINDU TRUTH OF THE MAYAN .... CIVILIZATION OF SOUTH AMERICA ARE DESCENDANTS OF HINDUS OF CHIDAMBARAM ...THEY SPELLED AS "CHILAMBALAM" ..AS THEIR SCRIPT DID NOT HAVE 'R' & 'D' .

They specifically said their ancestors lands were 150 days of sailing eastwards
 

MATHMATICS-VEDIC HINDUISM

Vedic Hindus knew mathematics much much before the world ...and possibly it all took from here after the Dashrajnya war (Ref. http://shankhnaad.net/index.php/nation/aryavart/99-article-1001)
The fire altars most of them 3000 BCE- 4500 BCE ...show sufficient evidence of mathematical calculations for making havan kund for Vedic offerings - both by presence of private and public fire-altars.
So-called Aryan cultural traits like horses, iron, cattle-rearing or fire worship have been found to be either indigenous developments (like iron) or to have existed in Harappan and pre-Harappan sites (like in case of horses and fire worship). No special Aryan culture in ancient India can be differentiated apart from the indigenous culture. This along with many other scientific, anthropological and archeological evidences slams the ‘Aryan Invasion’ theory right in its face.

geometric details image courtesy: Michel Danino (My India series)
 

PHOENICIANS ARE EXCILED RESIDENT OF GANGES RIVER

Phoenicians are exiled residents of bank of river Ganges as quoted by Herodotus.

The name Phoenicians come from phani or followers of serpent king vasuki. The ancient trade in Bharat extended to many countries beyond the seas and many trib...es were found settled in different part of the world. Naag-vithi is a lane between equator and tropic of cancer. Thus, all persons engaged in international marine trade were called naag. In india too, we find many places associated with term ‘nag’; like –Nagpur in Maharashtr, Nagerkoil and Nagapattanam in Tamilnadu, Nagavali river in Orissa. Many kings of Orissa are Nag-vanshi as it was major center of marine trade. The Nairs of Kerala are Nagvanshi.
Another sign of common link is khuntia title in diverse parts of world. Any ship coming to coast is fixed with pillar (khunta) with a rope. So the person docking the ship, unloading material and storing it were called khuntia in Orissa, khunte in maharashtra and kunte in Nigeria, Ghana etc on west coast of Africa.
The Ved have also described frequent wars by Dev Indra to punish the pirates called panis (rigveda 8/64, 10/108 etc). Panis have been equated with similar tribe Phoenicians.
The rig ved-a history showing how the Phoenicians had their earliest home in India, a Bengali essay on the subject by rajeswar gupta, 1902-
1. The expression revatá paniná (4/25/7) shows that the panis were rich and mercantile tribes.
2. The expression paner maneeshán (3/58/2) shows that the panis were wise.
3. Abasam panim (6/61/i) would show that the panis were given to introspection.
4. The rik (7/6/3) tells us that the panis did not perform any yajnas or sacrifices; were garrulous, arrogant or haughty; had no respect for yajanas and were dasyus i.e., idlers or robbers. According to sáyana they were usurers also.
5. In (1/33/3) the word pani is used for traders. Mr. Dutt, evidently following the European scholars, adopts the meaning of the term as traders in this rik. It is therefore clear that the panis were a trading people and sold things for their value.
6. The rik (6/51/14) represents the panis as gluttons. For their voracious eating they were regarded as monsters. The word is also explained to mean illiterate traders. A nation of traders of those ancient days recalls the Phoenicians of old, for they were the only trading people then. In those days the phoenicians were known as the panis. The Aryans spoke of them as the panih and the Romans as the punic.

 Pani means trade, currency. Apani =market place. Pani were traders, among them some were robbers or pirates. They will be found only where there is center of marine trade. Moreover, indra was lord of east, so panis are found only in orissa. Similar panis were on west coast of asia, north europe, and in place called today as nebraska (usa).
They were stealing ‘gau’(cows) which can mean wealth , cow, ray of light, organs, place of creation or yajna including earth. In context of trade, go means highest denomination of currencies. Donation by kings was always in terms of ‘gau’.But 10 lakh cows cannot be given to a person, it can be 10 lakh rupees. Dhenu was smaller currency. Later on, common terms were pani and nishka. The metal for nishka was called nickel . Within trade circles there were brahmanas also, called pani and panigrahi. In orissa there are two tribes named 'dambi' and 'pani' who are politically quite advanced.

WOMEN IN VEDAS,ANCIENT INDIA

WOMEN STATUS IN VEDAS ~ Women's status in vedic period in Bharata before Mughal or other invasions nearly 3000 years ago

An unmarried learned daughter should be married to a bridegroom who like her is learned. Never think of giving in marr...iage a daughter of very young age. (Rig Veda III 55:16)

One finds a similar stanza in the Yajur-Veda which says:

A young daughter who has observed Brahmacharya (i.e. finished her studies) should be married to a bridegroom who like her is learned. (Yajur-Veda VIII. 1)

We find a similar emphasis on female education in the Atharva Veda also. It can therefore be concluded that young girls during Vedic times were given education after undergoing an initiation ceremony just like the boys.

Having thus seen that it was customary during those ancient times for a young maiden to receive education, let us now review the institution of marriage then in vogue. The first marriage that comes to mind is regarding chid marriages. Scholars agree that in the Rig-Vedic period, it was unheard of that a girl should be married before the age of 16. The fact that a young marriage was not recommended can be seen from the Rig-Vedic verse quoted above. (Rig Veda III 55:16). Many marriages like today involved the intercession of the families of those involved, but a maiden was consulted and her wishes taken into account when the matrimonial alliance was agreed upon by the families concerned. Vedic society went out of its way to enable young men and women to intermingle. Carnivals called “Samsanas” used to be organised from time to time when young people of both sexes would assemble and engage in merry making. Young women often married a man whom they met in these gatherings. Given below is a description of a “samana” from the Rig-Veda.

Wives and maidens attire themselves in gay robes and set forth to the joyous feast; youths and maidens hasten to the meadow when forest and field are clothed in fresh verdure to take part in dance. Cymbals sound and seizing each other lads and damsels whirl about until the ground vibrates and clouds of dust envelop the gaily moving throng.

This implies that in Vedic times there was considerable freedom in choosing one’s matrimonial partner. There is no reference in the entire Rig-Veda to child marriage. On the other hand, one finds many allusions to older ladies desirous of finding husbands; such ladies went to the “Samanas” referred to previously in quest of matrimony. One finds some instances of the marriage of women well past the child-bearing age, for instance Ghosa, a well-well known female sage, married only at a late age to the renowned seer Kakasivan.

We now turn to the institution of marriage itself as it existed during Vedic times. It is believed by many, especially in the West, that the concept of genuine love and partnership between husband and wife is alien to Hindu life, attributed to the so-called “arranged marriage system”, that was prevalent in India over the last few centuries, and that women were always routinely maltreated in the homes. From the description of the Vedas, this is not the case. The bride was to assume a position of reverence and even dominance in the household, there was certainly no question of sanctioning oppression either by her husband or in-laws. This would become clear from the following verses:

 “Come, O desired of the gods, beautiful one with tender heart, with the charming look, good towards your husband, kind towards animals, destined to bring forth heroes. May you bring happiness for both our quadrupeds and bipeds.” (Rig Veda X.85.44)

“Over thy husband’s father and thy husbands mother bear full sway. Over the sister of thy lord, over his brothers rule supreme.” (Rig VedaX.85.46)

Happy be thou and prosper with thy children here; be vigilant to rule thy household, in this home. (Rig-Veda X.85.27)
To sum up therefore, one can say that the bride in the Vedic ideal of a household was far from unimportant and contemptible

 

PARSIS WERE KSHATRIYA

THE WORLD WAS VEDIC HINDUS ~ PARSIS WERE KSHATRIYA SUBSECT AS ALSO MENTIONED IN 

RIGVEDA ...7.83.1 युवां नरा पश्यमानास आप्यं पराचा गव्यन्तः पर्थुपर्शवो ययुः

Two Iranian groups especially Parthian (Parthia [pathava]) and Persians ( Parsa) were exclusively mentioned in the Rigvedic verse 7.83.1. These two groups are mentioned side by side in this Rigvedic verse.
They were expelled from Kshatriya fold alongwith Paundhrakas ,Odhras ,Dravidas , Yavanas , Shakas , Paradas , Pahlavas , Kiratas, Chinas , kalimdas , Pulindas , Usinaras , Kolisarpas , Mahishaas , Mekalos , Lapas, Konvasiras, Dorvas , Chauras , Savaras ,Barbaras , Gandharas, Thusharas, Kankaas , Ramattas , Bahlikas , Haras , Hunas , Parasakas due to neglecting of the Vedic rituals of Bharatam and therefore excommunicated from the Kshatriya fold ..... in the north west of Bharatas to settle in the west of Sapta Sindhus .

Akaemenian Inscription at Behistun ( Bistun) . C-522-486 B.C.
Script : Persian Cuneiform.
Language : Old Persian ( Avestic).
Location : This tablet was sculptured at Behistun on the main road from Mesopotamia to Persia to commemorate the victory of King Darius (Darayavahush) the Great (c.529-486 BC).
Column one has 96 lines.

In the below Image , you can see first 15 lines of column one.

Column 1 , lines 1-8
1. \ adam \ Dârayavauš \ xšâyathiya \ vazraka \ xšâyatha \ xšâyathiy
2. ânâm \ xšâyathiya \ Pârsaiy \ xšâyathiya \ dahyûnâm \ Višt
3. âspahyâ \ puça \ Aršâmahyâ napâ \ Haxâmanišiya \ thâtiy \
4. Dârayavauš \ xšâyathiya \ manâ \ pitâ \ Vištâspa \ Vištâspahyâ \ pitâ \ Arš
5. âma \ Aršâmahyâ \ pitâ \ Ariyâramna \ Ariyâramnahyâ \ pitâ\ Cišpiš \ Cišp
6. âiš \ pitâ \ Haxâmaniš \ thâtiy \ Dârayavauš \ xšâthiya \ avahyarâ
7. diy \ vayam \ Haxâmanišiyâ \ thahyâmahy \ hacâ \ paruviyata \ âmâtâ \ ama
8. hy hacâ \ paruviyata \hyâ \amâxam \ taumâ \ xšâyathiyâ \ âha \ th

Translation :

(1) I am Darius [Dâryavuš], the great king, king of kings, the king of Persia [Pârsa], the king of countries, the son of Hystaspes, the grandson of Arsames, the Achaemenid.

(2) King Darius says: My father is Hystaspes [Vištâspa]; the father of Hystaspes was Arsames [Aršâma]; the father of Arsames was Ariaramnes [Ariyâramna]; the father of Ariaramnes was Teispes [Cišpiš]; the father of Teispes was Achaemenes [Haxâmaniš].

(3) King Darius says: That is why we are called Achaemenids; from antiquity we have been noble; from antiquity has our dynasty been royal.

(4) King Darius says: Eight of my dynasty were kings before me; I am the ninth. Nine in succession we have been kings.

(5) King Darius says: By the grace of Ahuramazda am I king; Ahuramazda has granted me the kingdom.

(6) King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject unto me, and by the grace of Ahuramazda I became king of them: Persia [Pârsa], Elam [Ûvja], Babylonia [Bâbiruš], Assyria [Athurâ], Arabia [Arabâya], Egypt [Mudrâya], the countries by the Sea, Lydia [Sparda], the Greeks [Yauna], Media [Mâda], Armenia [Armina], Cappadocia [Katpatuka], Parthia [Parthava], Drangiana [Zraka], Aria [Haraiva], Chorasmia [Uvârazmîy], Bactria [Bâxtriš], Sogdia [Suguda], Gandara [Gadâra], Scythia [Saka] (Ghi-mi-ri or Cimmeria in Babylonian version), Sattagydia [Thataguš], Arachosia [Harauvatiš] and Maka [Maka]; twenty-three lands in all.

(7) King Darius says: These are the countries which are subject to me; by the grace of Ahuramazda they became subject to me; they brought tribute unto me. Whatsoever commands have been laid on them by me, by night or by day, have been performed by them.

(8) King Darius says: Within these lands, whosoever was a friend, him have I surely protected; whosoever was hostile, him have I utterly destroyed. By the grace of Ahuramazda these lands have conformed to my decrees; as it was commanded unto them by me, so was it done.

(9) King Darius says: Ahuramazda has granted unto me this empire. Ahuramazda brought me help, until I gained this empire; by the grace of Ahuramazda do I hold this empire.

ASTRALAYA [store house of weapons ] NOW CALLED AUSTRALIA

ASTRALAYA [store house of weapons ] NOW CALLED AUSTRALIA !!Just as Himalay = Him + 

Alay, meaning the home of Ice in Sanskrit, similarly, this temple of Astra was 

called Astralaya, which in time, degenerated to Australia.

It is possible that a structure mentioned in the Indian Scripture, the Ramayana, is really the Gympie Pyramid located close to Brisbane in Australia.

'Goddess' Sita, the wife of the Vedic 'god' Lord Rama is abducted by the (Sri) Lankan Celestial ruler Ravana. Plans are made to send search parties in four directions. As the strategy is devised, Sage Valmiki, the author, describes the route that each of the parties is instructed to take in their search for Sita. Of the places mentioned along the route that the search party headed east of India is to take, the first one that is easily identifiable is Java. It is referred to as 'Yava Dvipam' (or the Yava Island). Here is the actual verse from the Valmiki Ramayana (4-40-30).

यत्नवन्तो यव द्वीपम् सप्त राज्य उपशोभितम् |
सुवर्ण रूप्यकम् द्वीपम् सुवर्ण आकर मण्डितम् || 4-40-30

Found were two figurines one Ganesha and one Mahadevi [ Parvati] ...and in Ramayana the island mentioned in the verse is most probably in the region where the Fraser Island because immediately following the verse about the 'Shalmali tree on an island', comes the mention of 'a gigantic, peak like structure' resembling 'Kailasha'. (Verse 4-40-40). This structure is the Gympie Pyramid!

The peak like structure, says the Ramayana, was built by Vishwakarma, a 'celestial' architect, responsible for the construction of many gigantic cities and structures (probably the megaliths) around the world. The Ramayana also says that the structure or the mansion belongs to 'Garuda', the offspring of 'Vinata'. (The Kailasha is a peak in the Himalayan Range, and is a pilgrimage point for Hindus to this day). Here is the verse:


गृहम् च वैनतेयस्य नाना रत्न विभूषितम् |
तत्र कैलास संकाशम् विहितम् विश्वकर्मणा || ४-४०-४०

(There built by Vishwakarma, peak like, gigantic, resembling Kailasha, is the mansion of Vinata's offspring.) 4-40-40

The only land that one can reach after crossing an ocean further east of Java and Indonesia is Australia and the Polynesian Islands beyond it, and the structure is possibly the Gympie Pyramid unless there is another 'peak' like ancient structure in this huge area. The Gympie pyramid site in Queensland is about 120 Km away from Fraser island. The author then says that after one passes this gigantic structure, one will see a shore which is white and shaped like a necklace. This is probably the coast off the shores of Brisbane

What is Hinduism-It is Dharma, a way of life #hinduism

Hinduism is a not a religion but a way of life to live in this earth in present birth. The most obvious misconception about Hinduism is that we tend to see it as just another religion.
Dharma is the path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct as described by the Hindu Scriptures.
Words like Hindu or Hinduism are ANANCHRONISM They do not exist in the Indian cultural lexicon. People have coined them to suit their needs in different points of history. Nowhere in the scriptures is there any reference to Hinduism.
A Culture More than a Religion
Hinduism does not have any one founder, and it does not have a Bible or a Koran to which controversies can be referred for resolution. Consequently, it does not require its adherents to accept any one idea. It is thus cultural, not creedal, with a history contemporaneous with the peoples with which it is associated.
Much More than Spirituality
Writings we now categorise as Hindu scriptures include not just books relating to spirituality but also secular pursuits like science, medicine and engineering. This is another reason why it defies classification as a religion per se. Further, it cannot be claimed to be essentially a school of metaphysics. Nor can it be described as 'other worldly'. In fact, one can almost identify Hinduism with a civilization that is flourishing even now.
A Common Faith of the Indian Subcontinent
ARYAN INVASION THEORY, having been completely discredited, it cannot be assumed that Hinduism was the pagan faith of invaders belonging to a race called Aryans. Rather it was the common metafaith of people of various races, including Harappans. The Sanskrit word 'aryan' is a word of honourable address, not the racial reference invented by European scholars and put to perverse use by the Nazis.
A Culture Much Older than we Believe
Evidence that Hinduism must have existed even circa 10000 B.C. is available: The importance attached to the river Saraswati and the numerous references to it in VEDAS indicates that the Rig Veda was being composed well before 6500 B.C. The first vernal equinox recorded in the Rig Veda is that of the star Ashwini, which is now known to have occurred around 10000 B.C. Subhash Kak, a Computer Engineer and a reputed Indologist, 'decoded' the Rig Veda and found many advanced astronomical concepts therein. The technological sophistication required to even anticipate such concepts is unlikely to have been acquired by a nomadic people, as the Invasionists would like us to believe. In his book Gods, Sages and Kings, David Frawley provides compelling evidence to substantiate this claim.
Hinduism is a Not really Polytheistic!
Many believe that multiplicity of deities makes Hinduism POLYTHESTIC. Such a belief is nothing short of mistaking the wood for the tree. The bewildering diversity of Hindu belief - theistic, atheistic and agnostic - rests on a solid unity. "Ekam sath, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti", says the Rig Veda: The Truth (God, BRAHMAN, etc) is one, scholars call it by various names.
What the multipicity of deities does indicate is Hinduism's spiritual hospitality as evidenced by two characteristically Hindu doctrines: The Doctrine of Spiritual Competence (Adhikaara) and the Doctrine of The Chosen Deity (Ishhta Devata). The doctrine of spiritual competence requires that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his or her spiritual competence. The doctrine of the chosen deity gives a person the freedom to choose (or invent) a form of Brahman that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make it the object of his worship. It is notable that both doctrines are consistent with Hinduism's assertion that the unchanging reality is present in everything, even the transient.

Moral Law of the World

Hinduism describes dharma as the natural universal laws whose observance enables humans to be contented and happy, and to save himself from degradation and suffering. Dharma is the moral law combined with spiritual discipline that guides one's life. Hindus consider dharma the very foundation of life. It means "that which holds" the people of this world and the whole creation. Dharma is the "law of being" without which things cannot exist.

 

According to the Scriptures

Dharma refers to the religious ethics as propounded by Hindu gurus in ancient Indian scriptures, TULSIDAS JI,author of Ramcharitmanas , has defined the root of dharma as compassion. This principle was taken up by Lord Buddha in his immortal book of great wisdom, Dhammapada . The Atharva Veda describes dharma symbolically: Prithivim dharmana dhritam , that is, "this world is upheld by dharma". In the epic poem Mahabharat.

Good Dharma = Good Karma

Hinduism accepts the concept of reincarnation, and what determines the state of an individual in the next existence is KARMA which refers to the actions undertaken by the body and the mind. In order to achieve good karma it is important to live life according to dharma, what is right. This involves doing what is right for the individual, the family, the class or caste and also for the universe itself. Dharma is like a cosmic norm and if one goes against the norm it can result in bad karma. So, dharma affects the future according to the karma accumulated. Therefore one's dharmic path in the next life is the one necessary to bring to fruition all the results of past karma.

 

What Makes You Dharmic?

Anything that helps human being to reach god is dharma and anything that hinders human being from reaching god is adharma. According to the Bhagavat Purana , righteous living or life on a dharmic path has four aspects: austerity ( tap ), purity ( shauch ), compassion ( daya ) and truthfulness ( satya ); and adharmic or unrighteous life has three vices: pride ( ahankar ), contact ( sangh ), and intoxication ( madya ). The essence of dharma lies in possessing a certain ability, power and spiritual strength. The strength of being dharmic also lies in the unique combination of spiritual brilliance and physical prowess.

 

The 10 Rules of Dharma

Manusmirit written by the ancient sage Manu, prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of dharma: Patience ( dhriti ), forgiveness ( kshama ), piety or self control ( dama ), honesty ( asteya ), sanctity ( shauch ), control of senses ( indraiya-nigrah ), reason ( dhi ), knowledge or learning ( vidya ), truthfulness ( satya ) and absence of anger ( krodha ). Manu further writes, "Non-violence, truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence of dharma". Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all in society.

The Purpose of Dharma

The purpose of dharma is not only to attain a union of the soul with the supreme reality, it also suggests a code of conduct that is intended to secure both worldly joys and supreme happiness. Rishi Kanda has defined dharma in Vaisesika as "that confers worldly joys and leads to supreme happiness". Hinduism is the religion that suggests methods for the attainment of the highest ideal and eternal bliss here and now on earth and not somewhere in heaven. For example, it endorses the idea that it is one's dharma to marry, raise a family and provide for that family in whatever way is necessary. The practice of dharma gives an experience of peace, joy, strength and tranquillity within one's self and makes life disciplined. 

BRAHMAN OF VED

Brahman of the Vedas

The ultimate goal and Absolute of Hinduism is termed "Brahman" in Sanskrit. The word comes from the Sanskrit verb root brh, meaning "to grow". Etymologically, the term means "that which grows" (brhati) and "which causes to grow" (brhmayati).

Brahman is not "God"
Brahman, as understood by the scriptures of Hinduism, as well as by the 'acharyas' of the Vedanta school, is a very specific conception of the Absolute. This unique conception has not been replicated by any other religion on earth, and is exclusive to Hinduism. Thus to even call this conception of Brahman "God" is, in a sense, somewhat imprecise. This is the case because Brahman does not refer to the anthropomorphic concept of God of the Abrahamic religions. When we speak of Brahman, we are referring neither to the "old man in the sky" concept, nor to the idea of the Absolute as even capable of being vengeful, fearful or engaging in choosing a favorite people from among His creatures. For that matter, Brahman is not a "He" at all, but rather transcends all empirically discernable categories, limitations and dualities.
 What is Brahman?
In the 'Taittariya Upanishad' II.1, Brahman is described in the following manner: "satyam jnanam anantam brahma", "Brahman is of the nature of truth, knowledge and infinity." Infinite positive qualities and states have their existence secured solely by virtue of Brahman's very reality. Brahman is a necessary reality, eternal (i.e., beyond the purview of temporality), fully independent, non-contingent, and the source and ground of all things. Brahman is both immanently present in the realm of materiality, interpenetrating the whole of reality as the sustaining essence that gives it structure, meaning and existential being, yet Brahman is simultaneously the transcendent origin of all things (thus, panentheistic).
The Nature of Brahman
As the primary causal substance of material reality (jagatkarana), Brahman does not arbitrarily will the coming into being of the non-Brahman metaphysical principles of matter and jivas (individuated consciousness), but rather they are manifest into being as a natural result of the overflowing of Brahman's grandeur, beauty, bliss and love. Brahman cannot but create abundant good in a similar manner to how Brahman cannot but exist. Both existence and overflowing abundance are as much necessary properties of Brahman as love and nurturing are necessary qualities of any virtuous and loving mother.
 Brahman is the Source
One can say that Brahman Itself (Him/Herself) constitutes the essential building material of all reality, being the antecedent primeval ontological substance from whence all things proceed. There is no ex nihilo creation in Hinduism. Brahman does not create from nothing, but from the reality of Its own being. Thus Brahman is, in Aristotelian terms, both the Material Cause as well as the Efficient Cause of creation.
The Final Goal & the Final Cause
As the source of Dharma, the metaphysical ordering principles inherent in the design of the cosmos, Brahman can be viewed as the Formal Cause. And as the final goal of all reality, Brahman is also the Final Cause. Being the ontological source of all reality, Brahman is the only substantial real that truly exists, all other metaphysical categories being either a) contingent transformations of Brahman, having their very being subsisting in attributive dependence upon Brahman, or else b) illusory in nature. These views about the nature of Brahman are in general keeping with the theological teachings of both the Advaita and the Vishishta-Advaita schools of Hinduism.
Brahman is the Ultimate Reality
All reality has its source in Brahman. All reality has its grounding sustenance in Brahman. It is in Brahman that all reality has its ultimate repose. Hinduism, specifically, is consciously and exclusively aiming toward this reality termed Brahman. 

ONE GOD IN HINDUISM

Hinduism is generally associated with a multiplicity of Gods, and does not advocate the worship of one particular deity. The gods and goddesses of Hinduism amount to thousands or even millions, all representing the many aspects of only one supreme Absolute called “Brahman”.
Therefore, to believe that the multiplicity of deities in Hinduism makes it polytheistic is erroneous. The Rig Veda says: "Ekam sath, Vipraah bahudhaa vadanti" (The Truth is one). However, to equate “Brahman” with “God” is imprecise. It is neither the “old man in the sky” concept, nor the idea of something capable of being vengeful or fearful.
 The doctrine of Spiritual Competence (‘Adhikaara’) and that of the Chosen Deity (‘Ishhta Devata’) in Hinduism recommend that the spiritual practices prescribed to a person should correspond to his or her spiritual competence and that a person should have the freedom to choose (or invent) a form of Brahman that satisfies his spiritual cravings and to make it the object of his worship.
Thus, Hindus have a multitude of gods and goddesses. Deities are represented by a complexity of images and idols symbolizing divine powers. Many of these idols are housed within ornate temples of unparalleled beauty and grandeur. Hindus also worship spirits, trees, animals and even planets.
The most fundamental of Hindu deities, is the Trinity of BRAMHA VISHNU MAHESH.

ARYAN INVASION THEORY

Who Were the Aryans?

One of the most interesting puzzles in archaeology, and one that hasn't been completely solved yet, concerns the story of the supposed Aryan invasion of the Indian subcontinent. The story goes like this: The Aryans were a tribe of Indo-European-speaking, horse-riding nomads living in the arid steppes of Eurasia. Sometime around 1700 BC, the Aryans invaded the ancient urban civilizations of the Indus Valley, and destroyed that culture. The Indus Valley civilizations were far more civilized than any horse-back nomad, having had a written language, farming capabilities, and led a truly urban existence. Some 1,200 years after the supposed invasion, the descendants of the Aryans, so they say, wrote the classic Indian literature called the Vedic manuscripts.

 

Adolf Hitler and the Aryan/Dravidian Myth

Adolf Hitler twisted the theories of Gustaf Kossinna (1858-1931), to put forward the Aryans as a master race of Indo-Europeans, who were supposed to be Nordic in appearance and directly ancestral to the Germans. These Nordic invaders were defined as directly opposite to native south Asian peoples, called Dravidians, who were supposed to have been darker-skinned.

The problem is, most if not all of this story--"Aryans" as a cultural group, invasion from the arid steppes, Nordic appearance, the Indus Civilization being destroyed, and, certainly not least, the Germans being descended from them--may not be true at all.

Aryans and the History of Archaeology

During the 19th century, many European missionaries and imperialists traveled the world seeking conquests and converts. One country which saw a great deal of this kind of exploration was India (including what is now Pakistan). Some of the missionaries were also antiquarians by avocation, and one such fellow was the French missionary Abbé Dubois(1770-1848). His manuscript on Indian culture makes some unusual reading today; the good Abbé tried to fit in what he understood of Noah and the Great Flood with what he was reading in the great literature of India. It was not a good fit, but he did describe Indian civilization at the time, and provided some pretty bad translations of the literature.

It was the Abbé's work, translated into English by the British East India Company in 1897 and with a laudatory preface by German archaeologist Max Muller, that formed the basis of the Aryan invasion story--not the Vedic manuscripts themselves. Scholars had long noted the similarities between Sanskrit, the ancient language in which the classical Vedic texts are written, and other Latin-based languages such as French and Italian. And when the first excavations at the large Indus Valley site of Mohenjo Daro were completed early in the 20th century, and it was recognized as a truly advanced civilization, a civilization not mentioned in the Vedic manuscripts, among some circles this was considered ample evidence that an invasion of people related to the peoples of Europe had occurred, destroying the earlier civilization and creating the second great civilization of India.

Flawed Arguments and Recent Investigations

It turns out that there are serious problems with this argument. There are no references to an invasion in the Vedic manuscripts; and the Sanskrit word "Aryas" means "noble" , not a superior cultural group. Secondly, recent archaeological evidence suggests that the Indus civilization was shut down by droughts combined with a devasting flood, not a violent confrontation. Recent archaeological evidence also shows that many of the so-called "Indus River" valley peoples lived in the Sarasvati River, which is mentioned in the Vedic manuscripts as a homeland. There is no biological or archaeological evidence of a massive invasion of people of a different race.

The most recent studies concerning the Aryan/Dravidian myth include language studies, which have attempted to decipher and thereby discover the origins of the Indus script , and the Vedic manuscripts, to determine the origins of the Sanskrit in which it was written. Excavations at the site of Gola Dhoro in Gujarat suggest the site was abandoned quite suddenly, although why that may occurred is yet to be determined.

Racism and Science

Born from a colonial mentality, corrupted by a Nazi propaganda machine, the Aryan invasion theory is finally undergoing radical reassessment by south Asian archaeologists and their colleagues, using the Vedic documents themselves, additional linguistic studies, and physical evidence revealed through archaeological excavations. The Indus valley cultural history is an ancient and complex one. Only time will teach us what role if any an Indo-European invasion took in the history; but it seems clear that a collapse of the Indus civilization did not occur.

Thanks to Omar Khan of Harappa.com

TULSIDAS JI

Birth & Parentage:

Tulsidas was born to Hulsi and Atmaram Shukla Dube in Rajpur, Uttar Pradesh, India in 1532. He was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth and an incarnation of Sage Valmiki, the author of the Sanskrit RMAYAN.It is said that Tulsidas did not cry at the time of his birth, and was born with all thirty-two teeth intact. In his childhood, he was known as Tulsiram or Ram Bola.

From Family Man to Ascetic:

Tulsidas was passionately attached to his wife Buddhimati until the day she uttered these words: "If you would develop for Lord Rama even half the love that you have for my filthy body, you would certainly cross the ocean of Samsara and attain immortality and eternal bliss". These words pierced his heart. He abandoned home, became an ascetic, and spent fourteen years visiting various sacred places. It is said that Tulsidas met Hanuman ji, and through him had a vision of  Bhagwan  RAM JI.

Immortal Works:
Tulsidas wrote 12 books, the most famous being the Hindi Ramayan — “The Ramcharitmanasa” that is read and worshipped with great reverence in every Hindu home in Northern India. An inspiring book, it contains sweet couplets in beautiful rhyme in praise of Lord Rama. “Vinaya Patrika” is another important book written by Tulsidas.
Wanderings & Miracles:
Tulsidas lived in Ayodhya for some time, and then shifted to Varanasi. He once went to Brindavan to visit the temples of Lord Krishna. Seeing the statue of Krishna, he said, "How shall I describe Thy beauty, O Lord! But Tulsi will bow his head only when You take up bow and arrow in Your hands". The Lord revealed Himself before Tulsidas in the form of Lord Rama with bow and arrows.
It is believed that Tulsidas’s blessings once brought the dead husband of a poor woman back to life. The Moghul emperor in Delhi came to know of this miracle and sent for Tulsidas, asking the saint to perform some miracles. He declined saying, "I have no superhuman power, I know only the name of Rama", only to see himself behind the bars. Tulsi then prayed to Lord Hanuman as countless powerful monkeys invaded the royal court. The emperor released him from prison asked Tulsi to pardon him.
Last Days:

Tulsi left his mortal body and entered the Abode of Immortality and Eternal Bliss in 1623 A.D. at the age of 91. He was cremated at Asi Ghat by the Ganga in the holy city of Benaras.

DEATH OF TRADITIONAL HINDUISM

Magnitude of Great Hinduism was dismantled by attackers Britishers, both culturally and socially.  

This development both altered and weakened Hinduism to such a tremendous degree that Hinduism has not yet even begun to recover. 

British Attack on Hinduism
The classical, traditional Hinduism that had been responsible for the continuous development of thousands of years of sophisticated culture, architecture, music, philosophy, ritual and theology came under devastating assault during the 19th century British colonial rule like at no other time in India's history.

Innovative Cultural Genocide
What the Hindu community experienced under British Christian domination,was an innovative form of cultural genocide. What they experienced was not an attempt at the physical annihilation of their culture, but a deceivingly more subtle program of intellectual and spiritual annihilation. It is easy for a people to understand the urgent threat posed by an enemy that seeks to literary kill them. It is much harder, though, to understand the threat of an enemy who, while remaining just as deadly, claims to seek only to serve a subjugated people's best interests.
Anglicized Hindu Intellectuals
During this short span of time in the 19th century, the ancient grandeur and beauty of a classical Hinduism that had stood the test of thousands of years, came under direct ideological attack. What makes this period in Hindu history most especially tragic is that the main apparatus that the British used in their attempts to destroy traditional Hinduism were the British educated, spiritually co-opted sons and daughters of Hinduism itself. Seeing traditional Hinduism through the eyes of their British masters, a pandemic wave of 19th century Anglicized Hindu intellectuals saw it as their solemn duty to "Westernize" and "modernize" traditional Hinduism to make it more palatable to their new European overlords. One of the phenomena that occurred during this historic period was the fabrication of a new movement known as "neo-Hinduism".
 What is Neo-Hinduism?
Neo-Hinduism was an artificial religious construct used as a paradigmatic juxtaposition to the legitimate traditional Hinduism that had been the religion and culture of the people for thousands of years. Neo-Hinduism was used as an effective weapon to replace authentic Hinduism with a British invented version designed to make a subjugated people easier to manage and control.
The Christian and British inspired neo-Hinduism movement attempted to execute several overlapping goals, and did so with great success:
a) The subtle Christianization of Hindu theology, which included concerted attacks on iconic imagery (archana, or murti), panentheism, and continued belief in the beloved gods and goddesses of traditional Hinduism.
b) The imposition of the Western scientific method, rationalism and skepticism on the study of Hinduism in order to show Hinduism's supposedly inferior grasp of reality.
c) Ongoing attacks against the ancient Hindu science of ritual in the name of simplification and democratization of worship.
d) The importation of Radical Universalism from liberal, Unitarian / Universalist Christianity as a device designed to severely water down traditional Hindu philosophy.
The Death of Traditional Hinduism
The dignity, strength and beauty of traditional Hinduism was recognized as the foremost threat to Christian European rule in India. The invention of neo-Hinduism was the response. Had this colonialist program been carried out with a British face, it would not have met with as much success as it did. Therefore, an Indian face was used to impose neo-Hinduism upon the Hindu people. The resultant effects of the activities of Indian neo-Hindus were ruinous for traditional Hinduism.
The Dilemma
The primary dilemma with Hinduism as we find it today, in a nutshell, is precisely this problem of…
1) Not recognizing that there are really two distinct and conflicting Hinduisms today, Neo-Hindu and Traditionalist Hindu; and
2) With Traditionalists being the guardians of authentic Dharma philosophically and attitudinally, but not yet coming to full grips with the modern world, i.e., not yet having found a way of negotiating authentic Hindu Dharma with an ability to interface with modernity and communicate this unadulterated Hindu Dharma in a way that the modern mind can most appreciate it.
A Confused Existence
Hinduism will continue to be a religion mired in confusion about its own true meaning and value until traditionalist Hindus can assertively, professionally and intelligently communicate the reality of genuine Hinduism to the world.
source-about.com

~35000 yrs Dwarika-Another quest

Now see history of black sea- All evidence suggests that books we are read were just false.

Lost Civilizations and history is wrong-Temple and Hinduism everywhere

What if everything you are taught about the origins of civilization is wrong? Be it that certain pieces of our history have been intentionally hidden, or that we have yet to discover and realize the true story of our past, new archaeological and geological discoveries are revealing that sophisticated civilizations have likely existed in prehistoric times.

Until recently, the archaeological community has spread the view that the beginnings of human civilization started after the last Ice Age, which ended around 9,600 BC. All human ancestors prior to this time were recognized as primitive, uncivilized hunter-gatherers who were incapable of communal organization and architectural design. It was only after the Ice Age, when huge 2-mile deep ice caps that covered much of Europe and North America melted, that our human ancestors started to develop and perfect agriculture, forming more-complex economic and social structures around 4000 BC. Archaeologists believed that first cities started around 3500 BC in Mesopotamia and, shortly after, in Egypt. On the European continent, the oldest megalithic sites are dated around 3,000 BC, and the popular Stonehenge is dated between 2,400 BC and 1,800 BC.

This is the established chronology being taught in schools and believed by modern society. Prehistoric societies such as Atlantis have been declared myth.

Until now. New research now reveals that civilized humans were settled on Earth during the prehistoric era.

“Everything we’ve been taught about the origins of civilization may be wrong. Old stories about Atlantis and other great lost civilizations of prehistory, long dismissed as myths by archaeologists, look set to be proved true.” ~ Danny Natawidjaja, PhD, senior geologist with the Research Centre for Geotechnology at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Source)

Since 2011, Dr. Natawidjaja and his team have worked on a geological survey site in Indonesia about 100 miles from the city of Bandung. The significance of the site was first recognized in 1914 when megalithic structures made from blocks of columnar basalt were found around a summit of a large hill. When the hill’s summit was cleared of trees, it was realized that the blocks formed five terraces. These were believed to be used for meditation and retreat. The site was deemed sacred by locals and dubbed Gunung Padang, meaning “Mountain of Light” or “Mountain of Enlightenment”. The age of the terrace structures was estimated around 1,500 BC to 2,500 BC.

What Natawidjaja discovered at Gunung Padang was astounding. The hill was actually not a natural hill but a 300-ft high step-pyramid. And what’s even more controversial is that the structure was much older than anyone imagined. Natawidjaja radiocarbon dated the terrace structures at around 500 to 1,500 BC, similar to previous estimates. He also used tubular drills to bring up cores of earth and stone from various depths underneath the surface megaliths. As the drills dug deeper, Natawidjaja continued to discover that the columnar basalt structures extended far beneath the surface and yielded much older dates. At depths of 90 feet and more, the material was found to be 20,000 BC to 22,000 BC years old. Using radiocarbon dating, Natawidjaja and his team proved that man-made megalithic structures and hence a prehistoric human civilization existed well into the Ice Age.

“At 7,000 or more years older than Stonehenge the megaliths of Gobekli Tepe, like the deeply buried megaliths of Gunung Padang mean that the timeline of history taught in our schools and universities for the best part of the last hundred years can no longer stand. It is beginning to look as though civilization, as I argued in my controversial 1995 bestseller Fingerprints of the Gods, is indeed much older and much more mysterious than we thought.” ~ Graham Hancock (Source) “Gunung Padang is not a natural hill but a man-made pyramid and the origins of construction here go back long before the end of the last Ice Age. Since the work is massive even at the deepest levels, and bears witness to the kinds of sophisticated construction skills that were deployed to build the pyramids of Egypt or the largest megalithic sites of Europe, I can only conclude that we’re looking at the work of a lost civilization and a fairly advanced one. ” ~ Dr. Danny Natawidjaja (Source)

The Greek philosopher Plato was also a believer that high civilization existed well into the last Ice Age. His recorded dialogs with other scholars of his time date Atlantis and its submergence by floods and earthquakes at around 9,000 BC, which is, coincidentally, in agreement with modern scientific knowledge about the rapidly rising sea levels towards the end of the Ice Age at 9,600 BC.

The question now arises: What happened to prehistoric civilizations? Why did they not survive the “Younger Dryas” period, which dates from 10,900 BC to 9,600BC? It is known that the Younger Dryas was a truly cataclysmic period on Earth, with immense climate instability and terrifying global conditions. Scientists have long debated the mystery behind this and the reasons for the massive extinction of North American megafauna such as short-faced bears and saber-toothed cats dated around 11,000 BC. Was the same mystery responsible for a massive human population decline and disappearance of advanced prehistoric societies?

New research conducted by geologists around the world, including James Kennett, professor emeritus in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California Santa Barbara, has linked the Younger Dryas period to a cosmic-impact event, possibly a comet collision with Earth. The international research team from 21 universities and 6 countries has identified a distribution of nanodiamonds of extraterrestrial nature at 32 sites in 11 countries, spanning an area of 50 million square kilometers across the Northern Hemisphere. Kennett comments:

“We conclusively have identified a thin layer over three continents, particularly in North America and Western Europe, that contain a rich assemblage of nanodiamonds, the production of which can be explained only by cosmic impact. We have also found YDB glassy and metallic materials formed at temperatures in excess of 2200 degrees Celsius, which could not have resulted from wildfires, volcanism or meteoritic flux, but only from cosmic impact.” (Source)

It’s known that during the Younger Dryas, the Earth experienced great global instability, with a sharp decline in temperatures even colder than during the peak of the Ice Age. A return to a warmer climate around 9,600 BC caused a sudden melting of the remaining ice caps, resulting in a quick rising of the ocean levels.

Kennett and his colleagues believe that the beginning of the Younger Dryas and the sharp temperature decline were caused by a cosmic event, similar to the event responsible for the mass extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. The scientists have called the moment in time illustrated by the nanodiamond datum as an isochron. Was this isochron responsible for creating the mystery of lost civilizations? Kennett believes so:

“It’s not surprising that many large animal species, such as the mammoths, went extinct during this precise time and of course it had huge effects on our ancestors, not just those ‘primitive’ hunter gatherers the archaeologists speak of but also, I believe, a high civilization that was wiped from the historical record by the upheavals of the Younger Dryas.” (Source)

Sources:

phys.org

Grahamhancock.com