Lord Shiva's Faces

According to scriptures in some regions of southern India, Lord Shiva is said to have six faces. There are two beliefs pertaining to the sixth face. One states that the sixth face is beyond comprehension of the human mind and is considered more like a direct representation of Brahman. The other belief is that Devi Parvathi is the sixth face and that all the six faces together is represented as Lord Muruga/Shanmugha.

During pooja rituals, the boiled rice offered to Lord Shiva when done in specific mixtures for each of the five faces of Lord Shiva, is said to be very effective in appeasing Lord Shiva. Accordingly, the corresponding food for each face is given below :-


Eeshana Face         - boiled rice
Tattpurusha Face   - boiled rice with curd
Aghora Face          - boiled rice with sesame seeds
Vamadeva Face     - boiled rice with jaggery
Sadhyojatha Face  -  boiled rice with milk

You can also accommodate this technique in your Lord Shiva Pooja by taking very little quantities for offering. It is the quality of devotion which is important and not the quantity of offering.Om

Mahalakshmi Mantras - For Youth, Beauty, Health, Good children, Wealth, Prosperity and Happiness

Chanting these names(mantra) of Lakshmi every day in the morning before going to work is very beneficial.

Om Aim Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamlai

kamalayaya preseetha preseetha Shrim Hreem Shee Om Mahalakshmiayai Namahae.

Then chant the following 9 names of Mahalakshmi

OM MAHALAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM GAJA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM JAYA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM THANA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM SANTANA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM SEETHA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM THAIREYA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM THANNYA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM VIDYA LAKSHMI NAMAHAE
OM MAHA VISHU MAHALAKSHMI NAMAHAE

Chant the above mantras 3 or 9 times daily, you will see the (wonderful) difference in life.
You will be blessed with youth, beauty, health, good children, wealth, prosperity and happiness.
Then end the prayers with:

sarva managala mangalyea siva,
sarvatha satheka, sareneeya thriyeyambagae gauri narayannee namashotha.
Om Saubhagiya Varalakshmiya Ambigahae Namahae. 

Om Maha Deviyai Sagala Saubagiyam dhehimei satha.

May Goddess Mahalakshmi bless all of us.

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The above post has been submitted by one of our valuable readers, Dr.V.B.Nallini

Thank you very much .Dr.V.B.Nallini

[You can also submit any Hinduism related content to be published on the blog by clicking here]

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Power Of Lord Rama's Name

This is a simple folktale which shows the power of chanting Lord Rama's name. There was an ashram (hermitage) of a saint in the outskirts of a kingdom. The saint had only one disciple and used to practice vedic rituals daily. One day a farmer in the kingdom happened to kill one of his cows by mistake. Since ‘gow hathya’ (murder of cows) is considered a great sin according to Hindu tradition, the farmer was grief stricken. He decided to approach the hermitage at the outskirts and ask the saint for a way to atone for his sins. The farmer took a basket of fruits with him while going to meet the saint.

When the farmer reached the hermitage, the saint was in meditation. He saw the disciple outside preparing flowers for a pooja. The farmer presented the basket of fruits and explained his problem to the disciple. The disciple advised the farmer to go back home and chant ‘Hare Rama’ 4 times with devotion. He said that it will be enough to atone for the grave sin of killing a cow. The farmer thanked the disciple and went home.

When the saint returned from his meditation, he asked his disciple about the basket of fruits. The disciple explained the farmer’s problem and added that he has advised the farmer to chant Lord Rama’s name 4 times. On hearing this, the saint got enraged and cursed the disciple saying “may you be born as an animal for four more lives”. The disciple was shocked and asked the saint why he was being cursed.The saint explained that the disciple was foolish enough to not realize that a single chanting of Lord Rama’s name is more than enough to atone for any sin. The advice to chant it 4 times showed the disciple’s disbelief in the power of Lord Rama’s name and hence he had to be cursed.

This folktale shows the profound power which a single utterance of the Lord’s name can have. It is mentioned in scriptures that a single utterance of Lord Rama’s name is equivalent to 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. If there is true devotion, then any name you call God with is enough to wash your sins and rejuvenate your soul.

Kindly share this simple folktale with family and friends so that everyone may benefit from it. Please do share your views in the comments. Om

Powerful Lord Ganesha Stotra - To Remove All Obstacles

As we have been seeing throughout our posts, no Hindu ritual is started without invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles and the giver of boons . Lord Ganesha is the god of success, knowledge and wealth. Hence it is indicated in many Hindu scriptures that any effort in life can become complete only with the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

The following sloka is said to be very powerful and useful to easily appease Lord Ganesha. Chant it before starting each day so that all obstacles are removed and your day becomes fruitful.

OM Ganeshaya Namaha !!!

Eka dantam chatur hatam,

bibranam pashamankusham,

Abhayam hastair dadanam !

Mushika dwajam lambodaram,

shurpakarnam, rakhtavasanam,

raktha gandhanu liptangam,

rakhta pushpai su poojitam,

bhaktanu kampinam,

devam jagat karanam achyutam,

 avir bhootam strusti do prakrutai poorushota param,

evam dyayethi yo neetyam sayogi yoginam varaha !

Namo vrata pata yee namaha ,

namo ganpathayee namaha,

namo pramada pataye ,

namo astu lambodaraya namaha,

namo ekadantha vigna vinasinaya namaha,

namo shiva suthaya namaha,

namo varada murthaya namo namaha !!!

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The above sloka has been submitted by one of our valuable readers, Mr.Sairam Kakani. 

Thank you very much Mr.Sairam Kakani.

[You can also submit any Hinduism related content to be published on the blog by clicking here]

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Diwali/Deepavali - Relevance Today

The festival of Diwali / Deepavali is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, hence making it a nationwide celebration. The Jains commemorate Diwali / Deepavali as the day that Saint Mahavir attained ‘moksha’. It is also believed that emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism on the day of Diwali / Deepavali, and is hence celebrated by Buddhists as ‘Ashoka Vijayadashami’. The importance of Diwali / Deepavali among the Sikhs lies in the release of Guru Hargobind and other princes from prison.

Regardless of the community or the origin, Diwali / Deepavali is a celebration of good. It is a celebration of the glory of God. A remembrance of God being ever ready to help all devotees when called with devotion, regardless of the name or form he/she is called in. 

I would like to add that celebrations and festivals are occasions to bring the family and friends closer, and not an excuse to find differences or faults which lead to unwanted hatred or jealousy.They are opportunities to instill peace,love and harmony in the family and in society as a whole. Please do not let any anti-social elements destroy the unity and peace of India in the name of any differences. We are all children of the same absolute power, so love your fellow beings. Use this Diwali / Deepavali as a god given chance to spread the message of Hinduism (peace,love & equality) throughout the world.

I wish you all a Happy Diwali / Deepavali and sincerely hope that the almighty blesses everyone with success,peace, health and happiness. Om

Please do share any other information you know that is related to Diwali / Deepavali , in the comments