It appears in regards to Shukracharya many devotees are holding a negative opinion of him, probably from their recollection of the mistake he did in regards to Bali Maharaja and Vamana Avatara. We should always remember that that is only one past event, and he has moved on from that mistake. We should not hold offensive opinions about him because of one mistake he made in ancient times. That would be like judging Indra eternally because he offended a rishi once upon a time.

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Throughout India there are twelve Jyotirlingas, which are very special temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he manifested as pillars of light. One of these temples is located at Deoghar in Jharkhand, and is known as the Baidyanath Jyotirlinga.

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Once upon a time the Earth became filled with gigantic trees that stretched up to the heavens. Later some of the stumps of these trees became petrified and appeared as mountains. Pieces of giant fallen wood became the coal deposits of the earth, and others decayed into oil deposits.

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The following is from Parvati Mangala of Goswami Tulsidas, and describes Lord Shiva’s marriage procession.

Verse 106 lists three types of beings in the procession: Preta, Vetala, and Bhuta. You will find more expanded lists in other places that contain more varieties of ghostly beings. This collection of beings are “pramathas”, or tormentors, and Lord Shiva is Pramatha Natha.

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Recently someone asked me to explain the form and significance of Panchamukha Hanuman. The following is the answer that I gave to summarize who is Panchamukha Hanuman.

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The word gotra literally means “that which protects cows”, and in general refers to a stable that protects a herd of cows from the weather and from wild animals. Likewise the family lineages of rishis and forefathers are also metaphorically called as “gotras”, as they are “protective stables” that guide and watch over humanity, which is likened to a herd of cows.

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Unknown to many is the fact that Halloween is actually descended from the ancient Hindu worship of the god of death, Yama, and a festival called as Yamadeepam, held each year on Dhanteras day, which falls roughly in the same week as Halloween.

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What are the Northern Lights? According to the ancient Vedic teachings, the north pole contains the pivot of the universal earth plane in the form of the magnetic Meru mountain (hence compasses point to the North Pole), and all stars revolve around that pivot like lights on a spinning chandelier.

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Global climate change and abnormal weather patterns have nothing to do with pollution. It is nature’s (i.e. the divine Goddess’) natural reaction to an increase in sinful activity in the world. As the level of sinful activity increases (abortions, killing animals especially cows, non-performance of sacrifice, improper moral conduct of humanity, etc.) the nature withholds her gifts in the form of proper climate, rain, and natural abundance.

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In North India the sadhus keep akhanda dhuni, which they worship three times a day and keep burning continuously. It is the same as nitya yagya (daily fire sacrifice).

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