TRUTH AND PHILOSOPHY

 Hello Everyone !!! Nandi is the gate-guardian deity of Kailash , the home of Lord Shiva . He is usually depicted as a bull. Facts about Nandi : According to the Saivite-siddhantic tradition, he is considered as the chief Guru of 8 disciples of Nandinatha Sampradaya. He is also sometimes depicted as the chief of Lord Shiva's army. Weapons - Axe, mace. He is revered as a symbol of purity, justice, individual jiva, experience and wisdom. Thanks for Reading !!!

 Hello Everyone !!!   Ephrem (Character) : (Pg #170) Residence - Mt. Lebanon, Lebanon Half-monk, half-warrior He does prayer to God in Aramaic, French and Latin for strength and guidance. 1-hour slow knuckle push-ups workout. Eats on alternate days. Weapons used by him are 2 knives, garrotte, spike and coil of razor thread. Learnt how to be silent, art of listening, how to endure and inflict pain. Learnt the art of transparency, as how to walk, look and smile at others as one of them without attracting attention, creating affection or leaving any memories. Mitzi Fallon (Character) : (Pg #430) Her office desk drawers contained a stash of candy, hand cream, tampons, celebrity gossip magazine, cup of loose change and some old notebooks. Thanks for Reading !!!

 Hello Everyone !!! Shastar Vidya is a centuries-old Sikh battlefield art which translates to "the Science of Weapons" It is a designation introduced in the late 19th century in Punjab, by Nihang Sikhs to distinguish Shastar Vidiya from the exhibitionist art of Gatka that came to predominance during British Raj. Having traversed the ages, Shastar Vidiya is also referred to as 'Sanatan Shastar Vidiya' - the timeless science of weapons.  The battle art has existed in the subcontinent for thousands of years and been preserved by people from many different cultures. The 4 Levels : Self defense (armed, unarmed) Home defense Village defense Battlefield strategies Spiritual Form & Concepts : Sanjam Kiriya Viriyam Use of 107 Marmas on the body (pressure points) The 6 Classical Combat Forms : Wild boar  Cobra Garuda Bull Tiger Monkey The 5 Common Weapons traditionally carried : Sword, Katar (dagger), axe, matchlock pistol. Thanks for Reading !!1

 Hello Everyone !!! Hinduism has a history of psychedelic usage going back to the Vedic period. The oldest scriptures of Hinduism Rigveda        (1500 BCE), mentions ritualistic consumption of a divine psychedelic known as Soma (drink).  Some of the Drugs used since ancient times in India : 1. Cannabis :-- It has been cultivated since 2,000 B.C. Different forms available are Charas, Hash (resin), Ganja (flower), Bhaang (seeds and leaf). Mentioned in Atharva Veda 8.7.20; 11.6.15. Mahanirvana Tantra 5.5-7 Mentioned in Tantra texts --           a) It has different colors in different ages.           b) It also has 4 classes, like the Hindu caste system.           c) Prescribed to regulate mental functions. The 4 categories of users --                 a) Priest...

 Hello Everyone !!! Shakti and Shakta is a very important book documenting the tradition of Hindu tantra, authored by Sir John Woodroffe, who wrote under the pseudonym of Arthur Avalon in 1918.   Here I am writing some excerpts from that book for the readers. 1. Sadhana for spiritual knowledge consists of external control over the 10 senses, internal control over the 4-fold mind, {i.e., Manas (memory), Chitta (cosmic intelligence), Buddhi (intellect), Ahamkara (false ego)}, discrimination between gross and spiritual world and the renunciation of both. 2. The 4 Classes of Sadhaka :-- Mridu Madhya Aadhimatraka Adhimatrama 3. The disciple's moral qualifications are :--  Purity of soul Control of senses Following of the 4 Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) 4. Signs of Unqualified Sadhaka :-- ( Matsyasukta Tantra 13 )  Lewd, adulterous, addicted to sins, ignorant, slothful, devoid of Dharma. 5. Qualities of a Good Sadhaka :-- ( Gandharva Tantra, Ch.2 )...

 Hello Everyone !!! The 5 Types of Vices in Wealth : Falsity Pride Lust Violence Enmity The 10 Doors of Dharma : Fame Wealth Determination Intelligence Physical strength Devotion Action Mind Modesty Wisdom The Benefits of Chanting Gayatri Mantra : Increase in age, Prana, citizens, fame, cattles, wealth, self-restraint. The 3 Gunas in 3 Planes : Physical - adhesion, cohesion, disintegration  Moral - affection, love, hate Psychic - emancipation, spiritual affinity, sin. Gita Jayanti : It is celebrated on the eve of Lord Krishna imparting the Gita knowledge (Brahma-gyan) to Arjuna. The date, as per experts, was 11th day of waxing moon of Margashirsha (November-December) 3137 BC. The 12 Types of Rasas : ( Srimad Bhagvatam 1.1 ) Raudra (angry) Adbhuta (wonder) Sringara (conjugal love) Haasya (comedy) Vira (chivalry) Daya (mercy) Dasya (servitor ship)  Sakhya (fraternity) Bhayanak (horror) Vibhatsa (shocking) Santa (neutrality) Vatsalya (parenthood)  Thanks for Readi...

 Hello Everyone !!! The 10 Gems and Precious Metals : ( Masaragalla, Ud. 54) Pearl, crystal, beryl, conch shell, quartz, red coral, ruby, emerald, silver, gold.   Tantric Buddhism : Buddhist Tantric texts began appearing in the Gupta Empire period though there are texts with elements associated with Tantra that can be seen as early as the 3rd century. By the 8th century Tantra was a dominant force in North India and the number of texts increased with numerous Tantric literates writing commentaries. The earliest known dated Buddhist Tantra is possibly the Mahavairocana Tantra , which was mentioned and collected by the Chinese pilgrim Wu-xing. Buddhist Tantra quickly spread out of India into nearby countries like Tibet and Nepal in the 8th century, as well as to Southeast Asia. Buddhist Tantra arrived in China during the Tang Dynasty (where it was known as Tangmi ) and was brought to Japan by Kukai (774–835), where it is known as Shingon . It remains the main Buddhist tradition...

 Hello Everyone !!! Tantra denotes the esoteric traditions of Hinduism that developed in India from the middle of the 1st millennium CE onwards. Some believe that it developed over a longtime, probably from the early Vedic period (2000 BCE), before they were integrated into the esoteric traditions of Vedism and Buddhism around 500-600 CE. Some of the basic concepts within Hindu tantra are given below. The 4 Forms of Mercury : Metal rasam Red sulfide of Mercury Mercury chloride Mercury red oxide The 3 Forms of Iron used : Kanta Tikshna Manda The 12 Gems and Sub-gems mentioned in Texts : Coral, lapis-lazuli, pearl, diamond, jade, emerald, ruby, sapphire, opal, Vaikranta, Rajavantham, quartz. The 7 Types of Gems : (Vishnu Purana) Pearl, Cat's eye, Sapphire, yellow Sapphire, blue Emerald,  Hessonite garnet/ Gomed, coral.    The 9 Dhatus and Gems : Flesh - yellow sapphire Hair - blue sapphire Skin - Cat's eye Blood - coral Bone - diamond Marrow - emerald Fat - hesso...

 Hello Everyone !!! The 9 Islands ruled by Ancient Indian Kings : ( Vamana Purana) Indra dweep Kaserumaan Tamravarna   Gabhastimaan Naga-dweep Karaha Sinhal-dweep Vaarun Kumara dweep The 5 Kleshas : Ignorance False ego Attachment Repulsion Desire The 5 Types of Valor : Sacrifice Compassion Knowledge Charity Battle   The 18 Ganas : Devas Siddhas Asuras Daityas Garudas Kinnaras Nirutas Kimpurusha Gandharva Yaksha Vinjayas Bhutas Pisachas Anthara Munis Nagas Akash-vasis (sky dwellers) Bhoga-bhumidars The 5 Types of Mukti (Salvation) : Salokya Samipya Sarupya Sayujya Sharashti The 3 Types of Fear : Physical Divine Materialistic The 5 Types of Tejas : Power Valor Effect Virility Strength The 4 Virtues of a Devotee : Knowledge Wisdom Peace Good company   Thanks for Reading !!! 

 Hello Everyone !!! The "Tantra of the Great Liberation" ( Mahanirvana Tantra ) is one of the most important texts dedicated to the cult of Tantra. The Mahanirvana Tantra is a series of conversations between Lord Shiva and Parvati, His Shakti and consort. It is translated in English by Mr. Arthur Avalon. The 8 Principal Serpents (Nagas) : (13.170) Shesha Vasuki Takshak Padma Mahapadma Kulika Karkotaka Sankha The 4 Types of Avadhutas : (Ch. 14) Brahma Shaiva Vira Kula The 2 Types of Avadhutas : Shaiva--   Imperfect, Parivrajaka, perfect. Brahma-- Imperfect, Parivrajaka, perfect (Hangsa)   The 4 Doorkeepers of Lord Shiva in Kailasa Loka : (14.55) Nandi, Mahakala, Kishavadana, Gana-nayaka They are armed with missiles and other weapons. The 7 Classes of Rishis : Brahma-rishi Devarshi Rajarshi Shrutarshi Kandarshi Paramarshi Maha-rishi   The 9 Divisions of Worshippers : Vedachara Vaishnavachara Shaivachara Dakshinachara Vancachara Siddhantachara Aghorachara Yo...

 Hello Everyone !!! Brihat Jataka is a text written by Varahmihira in 1905.   The 12 Kinds of Children :  Aurasa-- born to one's lawful wife Kshetraja-- born to one's wife with consent of husband Dattak-- given in adoption Kritima-- nursing anyone as one's child Adhama prabhavan-- born to wife without husband's knowledge to a low-caste man Ghudothpanna-- born to wife from another man of equal-caste Apaviddha-- neglected after birth Pounarbhava-- born from second husband  Kanima-- born to an unmarried girl Sahoda-- born to the second wife Kritaka-- purchased while first is living Dasi prabhava-- born of illegitimate connection   Thanks for Reading !!!

 Hello Everyone !!! Agada Tantra   is defined as a section of toxicology that deals with  food poisoning ,  snakebites ,  dog bites ,  insect bites , etc.   The school of toxicology was founded and expounded upon by Kashyapa, also known as Vriddhakashyapa, a contemporary of  Atreya Punarvasu .  Classification of Serpents  : 1. The 2 main types :--     a) Celestial- 8 types     b) Terrestrial- 80 types 2. Based on caste  :-- (S.K. 4.23-26)     a) Brahmin     b) Kshatriya     c) Vaishya     d) Shudra 3. Based on sex :-- (A.S.U. 41)      a) Male      b) Female      c) Eunuch 4. Based on age :--     a) Young     b)  Adolescent     c) Old 5. Based on the status of females :-- (A.S.U. 41)     a) Pregnant     b) Newly delivered Thanks for Reading !!!  

 Hello Everyone !!! The 10 Kinds of Brahmins : Devas Munis Dvijas Rajas Vaishyas Sudras Nishadas Pashus Mlecchas Chandalas The 3 Kinds of Brahmins : ( by Sage Atri ) Astrologer Knower of Atharva Veda Those who recite Puranas The 3 Types of Attachments : Lust Wealth Fame The 7 Objects of Worship : Idol Mandap Fire Light Sun Water Brahman The 4 Types of Brahmins : Goat traders Painters Physicians Astrologer The 5 Types of Brahmins : Magadhas Mathuras Kapatas Kautas Kamalas   Thanks for Reading !!! 

 Hello Everyone !!! Sin is the most dominant theme of every religion and religious philosophy.  In Hinduism, sin is a formation or a consequence of desire-ridden actions, evil nature, karma, Maya and dereliction of Dharma. The idea of sin forms the basis of Hindu ethics and morality.  Its purpose is to facilitate the order and regularity of the world, enforcement of Dharma and the evolution of beings through a corrective and punitive process. Sin may arise from both intentional and unintentional actions and through negligence and ignorance. Classification of Sin   Division-I :  Results in loss of caste ( Pataniya) Taints the soul, yet allows to be a part of the caste ( Asuchikara ) Division-II : 1. Mortal sins :--   (Maha-patakas)     a) Having relation with Guru's wife     b) Drinking alcohol     c) Killing a learned Brahmin     d) Stealing from a Brahmin     e) Associati...

 Hello Everyone !!! Brahmin are a varna (class) in Hinduism. They specialize as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari), teachers (acharya or guru), ayurvedic physicians and protectors of sacred learning across generations. The traditional occupation of Brahmins is that of priesthood at the Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies and rite of passage rituals such as solemnizing a wedding with hymns and prayers. Theoretically, they are the most respected of the 4 social classes. The 4 Clerical Positions :  Swami (priest)-- Purohit, Rtvij Acharya (spiritual teacher) Yogin Tapasvin (mendicant) Requirements for being a Brahmin : (Buddhism) Varna Jaati (caste) Virtue/ Sila Learned/ Panditya   Thanks for Reading !!!