Vedikheritage

Story of Deepaali 5 Concluding part of the 5 part series on a lesser known celebration of Deepavali festival, originated in the Skanda Purana of Vedic times. Hindu iconography has played a major role in the propagation and preservation of Hindu thought and values. Learn the strength of Iconography and explore the meaning of the Ardhanari form of Shri Shiva and Parvati Devi. Also delve into Yoga an...

Story of Deepavali -4 Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part series . In the story of Hrshi Bronchi from the Skanda Purana, the Hrshi angers the Devi by ignoring Her. She retaliates by removing all power from his body. What is the deeper significance of this instance. Come explore the symbolism of this puranic story in this 4th episode of this 5 part se...

The complete chant is played twice in this episode. Once with lyrics in 3 languages for you to chant along, second time with meanings in the 3 languages. Like other compositions by the famous Guru Shankaracharya, this too talks of the esoteric nature of the divine, in this case, it is in the form if Shri Ganesha. Ganesha Pancharatnam is a composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri A...

Story of Deepavali 3 The quest to decode the story of Hrshi Brnghi in the Skanda Purana continues. In the Skanda Purana Hrshi Brnghi is seen disrespecting Parvati Devi and only venerating Shri Shiva. Is this a perpetuation of patriarchy? What is Moksha /Liberation? Why do Yogis prefer to disengage from the world? These questions are answered in this episode. Credits for Free Videos: Video of Space...

The Puranic story from Skanda Purana about Rshi Bronchi’s insult to Parvati Devi, makes one wonder - “What relevance do these out dated stories have for us?” This is the question I wish to explore here. Deepavali Story 2 Most Hindus are familiar with at least a few stories from the Puranas. Of over a hundred Puranas mentioned in ancient texts, the 18 Mahapuranas of Vyas Maharishi are quite popular...

Deepavali Story part 1 Story of Rshi Bringi  People in some parts of Bharat observe this ancient practice of Kedara-gauri Vrata during Deepavali. Learn about this story form the Skanda Purana which explains the importance of this Vrata. 

Hindu texts tell us that Eclipses influence the atmosphere and thereby all organisms on Earth. Ancient Hrshis have given guidelines on dos and don’s dating this period. Eclipses are said to impact the type of cosmic radiation hitting Earth and we are given certain instructions on how to avoid getting severely impacted by them. Here is a simple list of observances for a Lunar Eclipse. 0:00 Introduc...

This 7 part seriesof Adishankaracharya’s composition, the Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam, is explained in in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. Vedanta is the journey to understand the true nature of man. It gives us a clear perspective of life and it’s meaning. This shloka encapsulates Vedanta into 6 verses, this video describes the 5th verse. This is part 6of...

This 7 part seriesof Adishankaracharya’s composition, the Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. Vedanta is the journey to understand the true nature of man. It gives us a clear perspective of life and it’s meaning. This shloka encapsulates Vedanta into 6 verses, this video describes the 5th verse. This is part 6of a...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 4th part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 3. In the first 2 verses he says that the mind, sense organs, elements,...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 4th part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 3. In the first 2 verses he says that the mind, sense organs, elements,...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. This is a composition which explores and explains the nature of our true Self, the Aatman. This 3rd part of Nirvana shatkam series looks in detail at verse 2. In Verse 1, Shankaracharya tells us that neither the mind, nor the se...

Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatakam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. India has been the proud mother of many enlightened saints, and Shree Adishankaracharya holds a special place due to his extensive work in reviving and spreading the word of the Vedas in India when Hinduism was on a decline. He...

Shree Adishankaracharya’s composition Atma/ Nirvana Shatkam is explained in this 7 part series in a simple manner, bringing forth the profound knowledge of Vedanta to everyone. India has been the proud mother of many enlightened saints, and Shree Adishankaracharya holds a special place due to his extensive work in reviving and spreading the word of the Vedas in India when Hinduism was on a decline...

Learn or simply listen to these simple Sanskrit verses in praise of the Goddess of Prosperity, Health and Auspiciousness. On this festive occasion of Navaratri the Goddess is worshipped along with Durga Devi and Sarasvati Devi. And during Deepavali, the Goddess is worshipped along with Lord Ganesha, Goddess Sarasvati and Kubera-god of wealth. These verses are excerpts from the Shree Suktam and Lak...

A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya, this is a very popular stotra in Southern parts of India.  Pancharatna means 5 gems, usually denotes 5 verses in the praise of a deity.  Sri Shankaracharya is renowned for his revival of the Hindu faith and the establishment of the 6 popular faiths. At a time when there were over 2oo different faiths and practices arou...

Desc: 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. A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shan...

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. A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankarach...

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.   A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankara...

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.   A composition by the 8th century Poet/Philosopher Saint Sri Adi Shankara...

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...