Vedikheritage

Sri Ganesha is seen as the Lord who defeats all Obstacles, the one who is worshipped before all other deities, the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Lord of Wisdom and Intellect. This is an opportunity for you to learn this beautiful composition by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, with easy step by step instructions one verse at a time.   Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a de...

Balamukundashtakam is about the baby and young child Krshna who simultaneously behave like a child while performing miracles as a God. His birthday is  celebrated by Hindus as Krshna Janmashtami. The 8 verses of this Stotra tells us how this seemingly innocent baby, who is adorable and also a very mischievous child, is n fact Lord Vishnu incarnated for the benefit of humanity. The meaning is expla...

Varalakshmi Puja is celebrated very grandly in many southern states of India. I have explored 3 questions here:  Why do we celebrate this festival?  Who is Vara MahaLakshmi Devi ? Who are the Ashta Lakshmi Devis who are invoked in this Puja? Varalakshmi Puja Images Courtesy: Hema Prasad Ramya Kannan Shobana Sai Shreedevi Madhavan Food Image Courtesy: Masterchefmom Uma Raghunathan Ashta Lakshmi Dev...

This new series is an attempt to demonstrate the pronunciation of sanskrit words in order to aid correct chanting of sanskrit stotras. It is not just an ancient language, it is also one of great logic and clarity. If one understands the rules of sanskrit  pronunciation, there can be no doubt on how to pronounce any word.  Avoid these common mistakes: 1. How to correctly pronounce ॠ (8:38) and ऐ (1...

1. Why do we need to ask for forgiveness of mistakes or sins every night?  2. What is the role of introspection? 3. Why are we approaching Lord Shiva for forgiveness? This episode introduces the concept of a night-time prayer which is about praying to Lord Shiva, asking for forgiveness.  This stotram was composed by the great JagadGuru Shree Adi Shankaracharya, the saint who revived sanatana dharm...

Listen to this chant on this auspicious day of Vaikasi Visakam, the birth day of Sri Murugan.  You can also easily learn these 5 verses in praise of Sri Muruga to chant regularly. Meanings are provided for comprehension of the verses. When one chants any shloka, the effect is multiplied when we understand the meaning of the verses. Sri Karthikey is not just the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvat...

These 3 sanskrit shlokas are usually chanted before consuming any meal. Eachone is repeated thrice in this video s that it is easy for the viewer to learn this by heart. Annapurne sadapurne Brahmarpanam Aham Vaishvanaro bhutvaThe meaning in detail for these shlokas are given in episode 19 of Season 1.They are also available as text on:  https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/mealtime-prayers/Refe...

These are shlokas commonly chanted before meals in traditional Hindu households. They differ in meaning from the thanks giving prayers of other faiths. While every hindu is taught to be thankful for everything received in life, including food, these shlokas in fact point to a higher truth and spiritual goals through food. Listen on for more information.  If you are interested in learning the shlok...

 Hindu follow a way of life which is based on the teachings of the vedas. SO, many of us are unaware of the reason behind our practices, rituals and beliefs. In this episode, I have addressed the belief of actual divinity as addressed in the Vedas. I have also explained the role of Symbolism in the practices. Hopefully, the episode answers the questions you always have about why we worship so many...

Hindu chants are widely used in prayers towards the fulfilment of specific wishes. Sri Vishnu is the Lord of Sustenance of the Universe. The chant implores Sri VIshnu to ensure the well being of the worshipper. It is a benevolent Stotra which can be chanted at all occasions, whether to cure a specific illness or just as a regular prayer to ward off any ailments. Interestingly, each nama/ name invo...

Learn some simple shlokas to chant in praise of Lord Surya or the Sun God. It can be chanted everyday or only on Sundays, which is the day specific to Sun worship, or during festivals when the sun is worshipped. More information is aailble in the video. Clear explaination word wise of the shlokas can be seen in the blog post:Two more shlokas in the praise of Goddess Adiparashakti or Ma Durga are a...

Episode has meaning of Shlokas and commentary in English. Shlokas are repeated in order to learn from easily. Each day in the week is dedicated to one or more of the Gods or Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. This video has shlokas to chant on Saturday or Shanivara, which is dedicated to the Mother Goddess KaliMa, Lord and Lord Venkateshvara . Shanivara takes its name from Shani – the Hindu name for...

Each day in the week is dedicated to one or more of the Gods or Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. This video has shlokas to chant on Friday or Shukravara, which is dedicated to the Mother Goddess in all Her forms. Shukravara takes its name from Shukra – the Hindu name for the planet Venus, who is known to provide joy and material wealth. Today we look at some simple shlokas to recite on Fridays for...

orship and prayer. This giant auspicious planet plays a great role in the life of a person. It makes people rich, commanding, wise, spiritual, educated, cultured, liberal and generous. Jupiter also represents the energy of the Supreme ParaBrahman as the Guru- the Jagadguru (teacher of the world), bestower of Wisdom, who incarnates from time to time in order to restore Dharma. In the role of the Ja...

Sanskrit Shlokas on Lord Balaji/ Venkateshvara, Lord Dhavantri, Krishna, Vittala and Lord Rama with meanings in English. For more details and meanings, please refer to the blog page:https://vedikheritageblog.wordpress.com/prayers-for-days-of-the-week/wednesday-worship/ Sanskrit Shlokas on Lord Balaji/ Venkateshvara, Lord Dhavantri, Krishna, Vittala and Lord Rama with meanings in English. For more...

Each day in the week is dedicated to one or more of the Gods or Goddesses in the Hindu pantheon. This video looks at Tuesday or Mangalvar/ Mangala Vaasara named after the planet mangal or Mars. ‘Mangal’ means auspiciousness and the planet is held as sacred as it is auspiciousness personified. This powerful planet represents qualities like vitality, power, endurance and courage. It is thus dedicate...

The shlokas in Sanskrit for the Gods Shiva and Ganesha: Sri Ganesha: 1. Gajananam 2. Vakratunda 3. Mooshika vahana Sri Shiva: 1. Karpura gouram 2. Namastestu bhagavan 3. Om tryambakam These are the 2 deities who are worshipped on Monday. While there is no ban on worshipping any god daily, it is considered beneficial to worship certain Gods on each day of the week. The vibrations of each day have a...

We carry a name to denote ourselves from the day we are born. Hindus belive that our name can influence us. By it's pronunciation, our name impacts us everyday. Choosing a name which resonates with the child was considered an important aspect among traditional hindus. today we have forgotten this, but the names do impact us.  You may refer to the blog for further explaination : https://vedikherita...

Wishing everyone a very auspicious shivaratri. I had learnt this stotram very early in life. It has seen me through thick and thin. Easy to learn and very powerful, this stotram chant be chanted at night before sleep or in the morning along with daily prayers or repeatedly on festive days like Shivaratri. The stream means that the whole of Creation is manifest in the form of this mantra- Om namah...

What is a Muhurtha? Are we being superstitious when we look for a Muhurtha to get married or sanctify a new house or to name a baby? Come explore with me the logic behind this practice and enquire if it is based on Science. The intention here is to Introduce the topic of Jyotisha and to understand if it is a field of knowledge or a superstition . As a novice, I will discuss the basis of this field...

Shatpadi- 6 Verses on Sri Vishnu describing Him as the Supreme One Who can bestow on us Eternal Bliss and Moksha. Srimad Adi Shankaracharya(788-820CE) even though he was a proponent of Advaita philosophy, is famous for his compositions on many deities. He composed this stotra on Sri Vishnu, asking for His help in crossing the Ocean of Samsara. Samsara is the recurring cycle of birth and death and...

The Vishnu Shatpadi stotram has been composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Sri Vishnu. Srimad Adi Shankaracharya is famous for many compositions on many deities. Even though he was a proponent of Advaita philosophy, he has composed this stotra on Sri Vishnu, who is followed by Vaishnavas, followers of the Dvaita philosophy. Shatpadi means 6 verses. Shatpadi also refers to a honey bee as...

The intention here is to Introduce the topic of Jyotisha and to understand if it is a field of knowledge or a superstition . As a novice, I will discuss the basis of this field and try to explain it, without going into too many details. The objective of this series is to dispel the misconceptions regarding this ancient field and to help practicing hindus understand why they observe Jyotisha in the...

The Story of the Asura Dhumralochana and his destruction by Durga Devi is the main content of this verse. I have recounted the story and also explained the symbolism behind this apparently simple story. About Argala Stotram:Dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga, Argala Stotram is a powerful Chant. It praises the Devi Who defeats and destroys all the Asuras and Who as the Protector, takes care of A...

The Story of the Asura Mahishasura and his destruction by Durga Devi is the main content of this verse. I have recounted the story and also explained the symbolism behind this apparently simple story. About Argala Stotram: Dedicated to the Mother Goddess Durga, Argala Stotram is a powerful Chant. It praises the Devi Who defeats and destroys all the Asuras and Who as the Protector, takes care of Al...