miércoles, 20 de noviembre de 2013

The 10 avarars of lord Vishnu



1.VISHNU-FISH

When the great flood came and the Earth vanished, our vast ocean covered all, and then  did not remain on the Earth any single living creature, except the Manu, elect of the gods.  The great Vishnu turned into a huge fish, saved from destruction not only Manu, but many of the divine sages-rishis and the seeds of all terrestrial plants, with which Manu loaded his ship. That's why today our land is green and blooming.








2. VISHNU-TURTLE

Another time, the great Vishnu incarnated on Earth in the form of a huge turtle. That was when the gods are conceived to beat the great ocean to get a drink of immortality Amrita. For that cause the gods even made lasting peace with their eternal enemies - the asuras. Amrita was worth it - because not only people needed immortality, but also the gods. And began the great churning of the ocean, that continued many hundreds of years.

Then lord Vishnu came to the rescue. He appeared in the form of a huge turtle and sank to the bottom of the ocean. The asuras seized for the head of the serpent Vasuki, and the gods - the tail of it, and then began the great churning of which were composed hymns.

3. VISHNU-BOAR

Another avatar of Vishnu came when he saved our land, embodied into the fearless boar Varaha. One demon-asura Hiranyaksha lived in ancient times. He was often in the underworld, which is called Patala, in that huge country, which is larger than the sky and where the palace of the great serpent Vasuki built of precious stones rises. And it  happened that our land, burdened by people, herds, forests and mountains, fell out of our world into a mysterious Patala, in its great ocean and slowly began to sink into the abyss of its dark.

Found out about this, insightful Vishnu was troubled, and turned into a mighty boar Varaha, darted like lightning into the subterranean country. Boar was so strong that one of its canine teased the drowning Earth and pulled it out of the water. But when Vishnu- Boar returned the Earth to our world,  Hiranyaksha attacked him  to take the land and become its complete owner. A great battle broke out between them and continued  thousand of years. The Boar Varaha smit the malign demon and lifted the Earth from the realm of Patala in our world. So it stills in the middle of the great ocean, and never fails in a terrible Patala.

4. VISHNU-LION

The demon Hiranyaksa had an older brother - the king of the Asuras Hiranyakasipu. Brahma himself patronized the king and granted him the divine right to win always. No one could beat Hiranyakasipu - neither men nor beasts, the asuras or the all-powerful gods. Invincible king of the Asuras prouded. He became to oppress everyone and ordered to slaughter to his son Prahlada.

But Prahlada praised Vishnu, and the prayer helped him. Swords of the soldiers blunt and could not harm him. Then the king ordered to throw him into a pit of poisonous snakes, but even their deadly bites were powerless. Angry elephants failed to stamp out the Prahlada and even thrown to the bottom of the ocean, he continued to offer up a prayer to his patron Vishnu. Asura's king was angry at the rebellious prince and locked him in an impregnable prison.

Vishnu came here to help to the faithful Prahlada. He knew that no one living couldn't win the cruel king of the Asuras, and for this Vishnu incarnated neither into a beast nor at a man, but in Narasinha with the body of a lion and a human head. Enraged Hiranyakasipu rushed at him, but mighty Narasinh ripped the king of Asuras with his sharp claws into small pieces.

5. VISHNU-DWARF

The king Asu Bali was a mighty grandson of Prahlada that surpassed his grandfather with the virtue. That's why he got the power over the sky, the earth and the underworld, over all the three worlds called Triloka. And it so happened that the whole universe - Triloka- was owned by the asuras.
Even the gods had to submit to Bali. The mother of all gods Aditi pleaded:
- My son, Vishnu! Great sorrow has befallen us! Flouted the law of justice! Only you, O the wiseted of my sons will be able to return justice to the world!
- Oh great mother of the gods, Aditi! I'll do your will. I'll return the kingdom to my brother, Indra!
Then Vishnu incarnated into a little dwarf Vamana , and it was his most artful Avatar.

The dwarf Vamana  asked the mighty king of the asuras  not too much - just a piece of land, which he will be able to measure with his small steps. Asura's king Bali laughed and readily agreed. Instantly the dwarf turned into a giant. Vamana covered the entire sky with his first step, with the second - the whole earth. But he didn't made the third step, sparing the virtuous king Bali. Therefore only the underground country Parala remained in the possession of the asuras and the sky with the earth belong to the great gods.

6. PARASHURAMA

Parashurama was emerged in the universe for the exceptional purpose regarding to brahmans and kshatriyas. In Tretayuga, all kshatriyas had become very arrogant and were repressing the all brahmans, therefore he strong-willed to revenge and protect the all brahmans from Kshatriyas in the universe.

Parashurama who was a son of saint Jamadagni and Renuka, belonged to the Brighu clan (gotra). He was a fervent devotee of Lord Shiva from whom he blessed with an axe after his strong penance (devotion) therefore Parashurama preferred to preserve an axe presented by Lord Shiva. Parashurama is immortal ( Chiranjeevi ).

One day when Parashurama was not at home, Kartavirya-arjuna who was a powerful king, visited to Jamadagni's home with his army once. Saint Jamadagni welcomed them with loyal heart and fed them all by offering milk and foods through his divine cow Kamadhenu and the King was satisfied with the meal. Jamadagni's cow Kamadhenu was really almighty as it had the capability to provide endless food according to the desire.

When King Kartavirya-arjuna saw this miracle, he surprised and thought about to bring that cow into his palace. So he demanded to saint Jamadagni to take Kamdhenu with him but Saint Jamadagni refused as Kamdhenu was needed to him in his all religious ceremonies. The king got angry and ordered his soldiers to snatch Kamadhenu cow which was supposed to give eternal quantity of milk and food.

Jamadagni was enraged as king’s soldiers took away Kamadhenu, therefore he brought Kamadhenu back by killing the King. When King’s son came to know this, he turned to Jamadagni’s home and killed him. On hearing this all things, Parashuramawas much angered and went for revenge of his father’s death and killed the whole clan of Kartavirya-arjuna and all kshatruas in 21 battles.

7.RAMA

He played a vital role as a main character in the epic Ramayana in the era of Tretayuga. The main purpose of this incarnation was to present the ideal character in every role such as an ideal person, an ideal son, an ideal husband, an ideal king.

Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, was the son of great king Dashrath and queen Kaushalya. Lord Vishnu was incarnated himself as Rama to destroy the all demons (asuras) main the King of Lanka (presently known as Shree Lanka) named Ravana-with ten head who had blessed with a boon from Brahma and also from some other celestial beings. Ravana had so proud of his power and illusion that no body can kill him and he was vainglorious by nature and wished to be vanquished or won by man.

In Tretayuga Lord Vishnu was in form of Rama and his consort (wife) Goddess Laxmi - in form of Sita. In Ramayana, the story of war between a Demon Ravana and Lord Rama is so exciting. Rama was banished by his step mother to a forest so he went away with her wife Sita and brother Laxmana. As Ravana snatched Sita, Rama released her with Hanuman - his loyal devotee and Laxman - his brother by a war. By this war he removed all evil elements from the Universe including the main Demon Ravana.

In Ramayana, the role of Shree Rama epitomises the ideal behavior of man. In this incarnation he focused on the relation of man-wife, son-father, son-mother, brother-brother, master-loyal sevak (servant) and main relationship between king-people (Raja-praja) with his rules for ideal governance as a king.

Lord Rama is one of the most famous gods in the Hindu religion as he was the mythical, fabulous and real King in the ancient India. He has given the message of equality, Hindu devotion and mainly the rules of Dharma.

Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Rama was really in ideal form..

8. KRISHNA

 Avatar, is the eighth incarnation Lord Vishnu with his brother “Balarama” in the form of cowherd as Krishna who had played a vital role as a central character in the epic Mahabharata in the era of “Dwaparyuga”. In the major epic of Indian legends a countless of topics are covered, including brotherhood, love, war, politics etc.

It is basically the story of two warring groups of cousin brothers, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. During the war, as a main part of the Mahabahrata, Krishna gives a long discussion to his disciple Arjuna that communally termed as “Bhagvad-Gita” in that he repeated his words again as he is a preserver of the Universe.

He said,
“Whenever Dharma, the situation of law and order is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, truth, law and order; protect the Sadhus, sages or saints and destroy the evil elements of the earth.”

During his child-hood, Krishna became a slayer of King Kansa.  As Krishna was so charm, he captivated to all by playing flute including Gopikaas that’s why he is considered to be an ultimate Playboy but he spread the message of love and humankind. Lord Krishna, the perfect incarnation of Lord Vishnu also famed as "Shyam" according his names meaning: Krishna-black as well as charming (attractive).

This was differ than Ramayan as Mahabharata conducts with more, down to the earth issues such as human weaknesses, politics, human nature and moreover does not effort to idealize the noble characters as in Ramayan.

Lord Krishna is the most worshiped deity and great incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

9.BUDDHA

''Buddha'' means 'the enlightened one' and he proved his name. He was the great abstainer in a form of prince who abdicated the coronation to lead the universe on the path of peace and became the founder of the Buddhist religion that well-known across the globe.

He was son of Suddhodana and Maya, born the crown prince of the Kapilavastu. He was named as “Siddhartha” means "All things fulfilled" by the king. After his birth in very short time his mother died. Fortunately Prajapati - the sister of Maya brought Siddhartha up.

Buddha was saddened by death of living creatures, since his days of childhood. He used to question: "Alas! Do all living creatures kill each other?" He wasn't satisfied with any answers that were given to him and he decided to find out the meaning and the absolute truth.

He taught and observed that all sorrow comes from attachments and desires, so it's better to curb all attachments in order to remain happy.
So one day he left his wife and child and decided to live as a hermit's life and went away in the forest and became the enlightened one. His sermoning spawned off the religion of Buddhism now admired across the whole world.

Lord Buddha is considered as a noble and a divine incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu in assured sects of Hinduism.


10. KALKI

Avatar is the tenth, last and great incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Lord Vishnu will be emerged as Kalki incarnation. Yet this incarnation is not appeared on the universe but it is expected that lord Vishnu will incarnate at the end of Kali yuga. The period which is currently exist, is Kali Yuga and will be ended when lord Vishnu will incarnate as Kalki and destroy the foulness.

In Kalki Avatar, Vishnu will be in the form of powerful machine-man with extra ordinary strength and will be looked as awesome man who will come in the pose of riding on his white horse with his blazing sword in his hands.

This all things are supposed that to be happened in a future means at the end of "Kali Yuga - present in incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As Lord Vishnu is the preserver, he will incarnate himself in a form of Kalki, destroy the evil spirits punishing them and again reestablish the golden age with the Dharma, order, truth and law

lunes, 18 de noviembre de 2013

Symbology and signification of sights and planets


Astrology zodiak elements

The twelve astrology signs are grouped into four essential elements to which life would not be possible without. They are air, fire, water and earth. Each of these four elements has characteristics independent to each that the twelve astrology signs are based upon. The symbolism is so exact that the element that your astrology sign lies under greatly influences your personality traits and your characteristics. All of the elements must work in sync with each other so that one does not get out of control, they have to co-exist peacefully in order to sustain a balance in life. That is what astrology signs are about, balancing yourself and others in the game of life.





Planets and they signification

In addition to the Earth, Astrology deals with ten planets, namely the Sun, the Moon (the two luminaries are considered planets in astrology), Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Minor celestial bodies, such as the Dark Moon, asteroids and the nodal axis, are also taken into account, and are addressed at the end of this chapter. Each planet has its precise function in the natal chart, and represents a specific energy. The planet's action is influenced by the sign it tenants. It plays out primarily in the area of life indicated by the house where it is posited.

The planets are divided into two classes: personal planets, (or fast-moving planets), and collective planets (or slow-moving planets).

The personal planets are the Sun, the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars. They are said to be fast-moving because it takes them a short time to travel the Zodiacal circle (from a minimum of 28 days for the Moon to a maximum of 1 year and 220 days for Mars). As they quickly shift from one sign to the other, they release their energies very differently in each individual.

The other planets are slower and require between 12 to 249 years to travel through the entire Zodiac, depending on the planet considered. This is the reason why they are called collective planets, with the exception of Jupiter and Saturn, because their motion is faster. Collective planets remain in a sign for several years and their energies affect one or several generations. Therefore, their influence on the individual's personality is less important.

The Sun and the Moon are two valuable sources of information on the individual's basic psychology. They are of utmost importance for the interpretation of the natal chart, and are called Luminaries because they are the brightest planets




Houses and Aspects in the Birth Chart
In astrology, an aspect is defined by the angular distance between two planets. The nature of the aspect depends on the number of degrees separating the two planets. Aspects are of utmost importance in assessing the natal chart because they help in identifying the nature of the relationship, whether hard or soft, between the energies released by the planets involved, which constitutes all the complexity and richness of the personality.

Aspects express themselves more or less strongly according to their importance, or lack of. Moreover, angles between planets never exactly match the standard definition of aspects. Thus, the exactness of the aspect, referred to as "orb" in astrology, is to be considered. If the orb is tight (almost exact aspect), the aspect is more powerful. If the planets are linked by a wide orb aspect, their influence is less strong. Each aspect is allowed a different orb, and traditionally, some astrology schools assign them slightly differing coefficients.

In natal charts, usually accepted orbs (exactness of aspect) are 9 to 10 degrees for oppositions and conjunctions, 7 to 9 degrees for trines and squares, 4 to 6 degrees for sextiles, 2 degrees for quincunxes and sesqui-squares, around 1 degree for semi-sextiles and semi-squares, and often 0.5 to 1 degree for quintiles and their family (semi-quintiles and bi-quintiles).

Much smaller orbs are used in forecasting and synastry works because these techniques require that aspects be more exact if they are to be efficient.
In astrology, an aspect is defined by the angular distance between two planets. The nature of the aspect depends on the number of degrees separating the two planets. Aspects are of utmost importance in assessing the natal chart because they help in identifying the nature of the relationship, whether hard or soft, between the energies released by the planets involved, which constitutes all the complexity and richness of the personality.

Aspects express themselves more or less strongly according to their importance, or lack of. Moreover, angles between planets never exactly match the standard definition of aspects. Thus, the exactness of the aspect, referred to as "orb" in astrology, is to be considered. If the orb is tight (almost exact aspect), the aspect is more powerful. If the planets are linked by a wide orb aspect, their influence is less strong. Each aspect is allowed a different orb, and traditionally, some astrology schools assign them slightly differing coefficients.

In natal charts, usually accepted orbs (exactness of aspect) are 9 to 10 degrees for oppositions and conjunctions, 7 to 9 degrees for trines and squares, 4 to 6 degrees for sextiles, 2 degrees for quincunxes and sesqui-squares, around 1 degree for semi-sextiles and semi-squares, and often 0.5 to 1 degree for quintiles and their family (semi-quintiles and bi-quintiles).

Much smaller orbs are used in forecasting and synastry works because these techniques require that aspects be more exact if they are to be efficient.



Conjunction - 0°

The conjunction tends to be a harmonious aspect. Its quality depends greatly on the planets involved, as well as on how close the aspect is. For example, a conjunction between the Sun and Mercury is generally regarded as harmonious. If, however, the distance between them is less than a few degrees, Mercury is said to be “burnt” or “in combustion”, with corresponding results. In general, the conjunction shows an immediate connection which usually works in one way or another.



Opposition - 180°Although the opposition is generally regarded as “disharmonious” or dynamic, it often has quite a motivating and energizing effect. Here too, the quality of the aspect depends on the planets involved, and on what one makes of it. On the whole, an opposition between two planets creates tension between them, often with positive results.



Square - 90°The square is regarded as a disharmonious aspect, the planets involved seem to be “blocked”. The problems that arise from the square keep on turning up, like a bad penny. The difficulty lies in trying to reconcile two forces that are trying to move in completely different directions. Usually this takes the form of desires and needs which are mutually exclusive.



Trine - 120°The trine is a harmonious aspect, the planets involved work together in a complementary fashion, enriching one another. Trines show where our natural talents lie, whether we actually make use of them or not is up to us.



Sextil - 60°The sextile tends to have a harmonious effect, depending of course on the planets involved.

domingo, 17 de noviembre de 2013

Birth Chart Calculator

Enter your birth data and the program will calculate and display your birth chart. It’s preferred but not necessary to have an exact birth time. Hover your mouse pointer over the different regions of the birth chart and read the explanation for each component.

Kali -the goddess of the death and enlightenment


Kali comes from the Sanskrit root word Kal which means time. There is nothing that escapes the all-consuming march of time. In Tibetan Buddhism Her counterpart is male with the name Kala. Mother Kali is the most misunderstood of the Hindu goddesses. The Encyclopedia Britannica is grossly mistaken in the following quote, "Major Hindu goddess whose iconography, cult, and mythology commonly associate her with death, sexuality, violence, and, paradoxically in some of her later historical appearances, motherly love."

It is partly correct to say Kali is a goddess of death but She brings the death of the ego as the illusory self-centered view of reality. Nowhere in the Hindu stories is She seen killing anything but demons nor is She associated specifically with the process of human dying like the Hindu god Yama (who really is the god of death). It is true that both Kali and Shiva are said to inhabit cremation grounds and devotees often go to these places to meditate. This is not to worship death but rather it is to overcome the I-am-the-body idea by reinforcing the awareness that the body is a temporary condition. Shiva and Kali are said to inhabit these places because it is our attachment to the body that gives rise to the ego. Shiva and Kali grant liberation by removing the illusion of the ego. Thus we are the eternal I AM and not the body. This is underscored by the scene of the cremation grounds.

Of all the forms of Devi, She is the most compassionate because She provides moksha or liberation to Her children. She is the counterpart of Shiva the destroyer. They are the destroyers of unreality. The ego sees Mother Kali and trembles with fear because the ego sees in Her its own eventual demise. A person who is attached to his or her ego will not be receptive to Mother Kali and she will appear in a fearsome form. A mature soul who engages in spiritual practice to remove the illusion of the ego sees Mother Kali as very sweet, affectionate, and overflowing with incomprehensible love for Her children.

Ma Kali wears a garland of skulls and a skirt of dismembered arms because the ego arises out of identification with the body. In truth we are beings of spirit and not flesh. So liberation can only proceed when our attachment to the body ends. Thus the garland and skirt are trophies worn by Her to symbolize having liberated Her children from attachment to the limited body. She holds a sword and a freshly severed head dripping blood. As the story goes, this represents a great battle in which she destroyed the demon Raktabija. Her black skin represents the womb of the quantum unmanifest from which all of creation arises and into which all of creation will eventually dissolve. She is depicted as standing on Shiva who lays beneath Her with white skin (in contrast to Her black or sometimes dark blue skin). He has a blissful detached look. Shiva represents pure formless awareness sat-chit-ananda (being-consciousness-bliss) while She represents "form" eternally supported by the substratum of pure awareness.

By not understanding the story behind Mother Kali it is easy to misinterpret Her iconography. In the same way one could say that Christianity is a religion of death, destruction and cannibalism in which the practitioners drink the blood of Jesus and eat his flesh. Of course, we know this is not the proper understanding of the communion ritual.

Attaching the idea of sexuality to Mother Kali has no basis in Her at all. There is nothing that associates Her with sexuality in the Hindu stories. In fact it is just the opposite. She is one of the few Goddesses who is celibate practicing austerity and renunciation!

The notion that She is the goddess of death, sex and violence is simply utter nonsense. When we study the life of the great saint Ramakrishna or the great poet saint Ramprasad (both famous Kali worshippers), or listen to the traditional Hindu devotional songs to Kali, there is no hint of this death-sex-violence notion.
Kali is the goddess of enlightenment or liberation.

Yantra


Mantra

Kali Maa Jaap Mantra

sábado, 16 de noviembre de 2013

Rudra (Shiva) from the book "India: The gods and heroes" by E. Geraskina

Great was the fierce god Rudra, the son of Brahma, the fruit of his wrath and fury. He lived alone in the north, in the desert mountains, and he had great power over all the animals.

Dressed in the skins of wild animals, with matted black hair, he wandered the forest with his bow and arrows, with a heavy stick in his hands. Rudra was very beautiful, but the beauty horrendous. His smile shone like the sun, he was quick in his movements and is invulnerable to enemy arrows. His neck was blue, the abdomen was black as night, the back is red as fire. And when he was running for his magic chariot, it was like a red wild boar of the sky.
Once on top of the great mountain Himavati gathered gods sacrifice. Daksha God forgot to invite to the feast of the powerful Rudra. Terrible anger swept Rudra. Furious, he appeared at the top of the mountain Himavati and made great slaughter, which caused shudder with horror all the other gods. Mingled earth and the sky, dimmed the stars, the moon and the sun, terrible darkness engulfed the world.

The gods were frightened and fell down before Rudra. But the anger did not abate Rudra. To the god Pushanu, the keeper of roads and herds, Rudra was knocked out  by his bow all the teeth, to the god of happiness and wealth Bhaga - the eyes, to the god of the sun, Savitar, whom everyone called gold because gold was his eyes, hands, hair and clothing, ripped Rudra fierced hands. But worst of all punished Rudra its main offender Daksha, whom he carried the head. Then  the wounded gods  picked up terrible howl and cry, begged for mercy, and the string shapped on the bow of Rudra. His anger was replaced for mercy, and turned his anger into steam. He returned to God Pushan his teeth, and to  God Bhaga  - his eyes. However, since those times the god Pusan ​​can eat only porridge, for this reason the people brings him only porridge. The god of happiness and wealth Bhaga stayed blind, for this reason the people say that the human destiny and happiness are blind. To help to the god of the sun, Savitar, the mighty Rudra asked the skillful magic wizard Tvashtar to attach to Savitar his golden hands. Today Savitar continues to extend his golden hands-rays to the Earth.

Rudra wanted to help to Daksa too, but as tried to find the severed head of the gods Lord of all creatures on earth, they could not - apparently, it had rolled somewhere far, far away. And the head of the goat was held to the body of Daksha. So he was left with a goat's head.

Rudra complained to the Progenitor Brahma that he was not invited to the feast by the younger gods, although Rudra was the eldest among them because he was created by Brahma before. And Brahma commanded to all the gods and asuras to praise and to worship Rudra and to bring him victims. The dominion to over all living things on earth. was giving to Rudra. He could not only kill by his black arrows, but also send the disease to humans and livestock. To those who praise him, the mighty Rudra can help to get rid of the disease and deterioration. To those who pray to him and ask him for help, the terrible Rudra is kind and responsive. That's why people started calling him Shiva, which means "merciful". Those who did not do to Rudra divine honors, he sent his serpentine children who crawled to human habitation, and brought with them disease and unhappiness.

Rudra had other children - Marutas. They were born when Rudra, becoming a bull, married the Earth, which was trying to hide from the Almighty Rudra in the form of spotted cow. Marutas were strong and powerful, reminding to everyone his father Rudra. Exactly to Marutas the god Indra took to his army, he loved them as their own children, dressed him in golden armor and helmets, and led them to his nomerous trips. Marutas - the loyal retinue of Indra, he is their lord and protector, and they pay him with devotion and love.