In Hinduism, Prahlada was a son of Hiranyakashipu, a Daitya who hated the devas, and most especially, Lord Vishnu, the followers of whom he began to torment. Prahlada is known particularly for his steadfast devotion to Lord Vishnu, while defying his father and not losing his faith despite Hiranyakashipu's several attempts to coerce and even kill him. Prahlada - The Devotee. The story of Prahlada is told in the Seventh book of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It is a fascinating account of how one who is devoted to th ...

Including:

• Prahlada - The Devotee
• Prahlada - Attempts to kill Prahlada
• Prahlada - Holi
• Prahlada - Narasimha
• Prahlada - Places of Pilgrimage
• Prahlada - Raghavendra Swami

Read more here: » Prahlada: Encyclopedia - Prahlada

See also:

Prahlada, Prahlada - The Devotee, Prahlada - Attempts to kill Prahlada, Prahlada - Holi, Prahlada - Narasimha, Prahlada - Places of Pilgrimage, Prahlada - Raghavendra Swami

Read more here: » Prahlada: Encyclopedia II - Prahlada - Attempts to kill Prahlada

Prahlada

(Sanskrit) A devotee of Vishnu.

(See also: Prahlada, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Earth, water, fire, wind, sky, the astral bodies, dawn, night, thunderstorms and lightning are all worshipped and deified in Hinduism. If God is 'all’, then where is his abode?

"The Hindu firmly believes that the countless viewpoints of God (the different religions) are all valid and will lead us to the same God. The ultimate experience is beyond the pale of the ego; but the highest spiritual experiences, too, may differ from person to person, as is revealed in the different religions... "Even they who seek material gains - or even spiritual perfection - resort to God only through the various divinities; and God responds to them through the same channel. We adore God in various ways. This knowledge frees us from fear, attachment, anger, intolerance and proselytism".

(See also: Gods in Hinduism, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Faith is a rare gift of God granted only to humans, and it forms the basis of human relationships. We need to repose faith in our parents that they will always think of our welfare; in our children that they will not let us down; in our colleagues and friends that they will remain loyal. Similarly, for a seeker of salvation, a prime requirement is faith or shraddha in God.

Faith in people is based on our practical experience of them. We have no such experience of God. Does our faith in Him, therefore, have to be blind? As the following story illustrates, faith in God must be reasoned.

(See also: Faith, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

In today's fast-changing world, materialism and stress have become part of our everyday lives. We are constantly looking for answers: How to live a successful and happy life?

One way of finding out answers to this question could be to explore the Spiritual Quotient (SQ), relating to our ability to understand and comprehend the spiritual aspects of life, which, contrary to popular belief, are not necessarily connected to religion.

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Hindu Worship: An Introduction to Hindu Worship

An introduction to Yoga Sadhana.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Yoga Sadhana: Introduction to Yoga Sadhana

The story of Prahlada is told in the Seventh book of the Srimad Bhagavatam. It is a fascinating account of how one who is devoted to the Lord in toto is never let down by Him and how the recitation of God's names as the only and final resort is the gateway to reach the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Hiranyakashipu had performed severe penance in order to obtain the boon of immortality from Brahma. However, on being denied the boon of immortality, he instead obtained a boon which prevented him from being killed by neither man nor animal, neit ...

See also:

Prahlada, Prahlada - The Devotee, Prahlada - Attempts to kill Prahlada, Prahlada - Holi, Prahlada - Narasimha, Prahlada - Places of Pilgrimage, Prahlada - Raghavendra Swami

Read more here: » Prahlada: Encyclopedia II - Prahlada - The Devotee

In Hinduism, Hiranyakashipu (or Hiranyakasipu) was a demon whose younger brother, Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha, one of the avatars of Vishnu. Angered by this, Hiranyakashipu decided to gain magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma. Hiranyakashipu asked for a boon from Brahma that he would not die on Earth or in space, nor in fire or water, not during the day or night, not inside or outside, and not by the hand of a human, god, animal or any other animate or inanimate species. Brahma was pleased with his penance and granted the boon. ...

Including:

• Hiranyakashipu - His son - Prahlada
• Hiranyakashipu - Holi
• Hiranyakashipu - Narsimha

Read more here: » Hiranyakashipu: Encyclopedia - Hiranyakashipu

Bhagavata Purana 6.3.20 list twelve Mahajanas, great devotees of Vishnu and knowers of dharma. They are Lord Brahma, Narada, Shiva, the four Kumaras, Kapila - the son of Devahuti, Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Bhishma, Bali Maharaja, Shuka (Sukadeva Gosvami) and Yama. Other related archivesBali, Bhagavata Purana, Bhishma, Brahma, Janaka, Kapila, Narada, Prahlada, Shiva, Svayambhuva Manu, Vishnu, Yama, dharma

Read more here: » Mahajanas: Encyclopedia - Mahajanas

Ahobilam is a major center of pilgrimage in south India. According to the legend, this is where Lord Narasimha blessed Prahlada and killed the demon Hiranyakashipa. It is an important place of worship for Vaishnavas. Ahobilam is located in the Nandyal Taluka of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh. It is located at a distance of 40 km from Nandyal, and is conveniently accessibly by bus from Nandyal, Kurnool and Hyderabad. Ahobilam is not connected by rail; the closest railway stations are Nandyal (on the Bangalore-V

Read more here: » Ahobilam: Encyclopedia - Ahobilam

Narasimha ("man-lion"), also known as Narasingh, is the Fourth Avatara of Vishnu. Narasimha - Legend. In the form of his previous avatar, Varaha, Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyaksha. Hiranyaksha's brother Hiranyakashipu, greatly angered by this, starts to abhor Lord Vishnu and his followers. Further, he decides to put an end to Vishnu by gaining magical powers by performing a penance for Brahma. Brahma, pleased with his tough penance, appears before him and agrees to grant a boon. Hiranyakashipu asks ...

Including:

• Narasimha - Legend
• Narasimha - Places of Pilgrimage
• Narasimha - Symbolism

Read more here: » Narasimha: Encyclopedia - Narasimha

Vibhishana (Sanskrit: विभीषण्, vibhīśań) is a Hindu mythological character in the epic Ramayana. He is portrayed as the brother of Ravana. He was of a noble character and advised Ravana, who kidnapped and abducted Sita, to return her to Rama. When his brother did not listen to his adivce, Vibishana went to Rama and joined him. Later, when Rama defeated Ravana, Rama coronated Vibishana as the king of Lanka. Vibhishana was an individual, who possessed Sattvic Guna. From the time of his early childhood, he ...

Including:

• Vibhishana - Vibushana in Ayyavazhi

Read more here: » Vibhishana: Encyclopedia - Vibhishana

Bhakti (Sanskrit: भक्ति; Tamil: பக்தி) is a Tamil or Sanskrit term from Hinduism that means intense devotion expressed by action (service). A person who practices bhakti is called Bhakta. The concept of devotion is more or less the same in all religions. But in Hinduism there are certain extra subtleties which make it comparatively more complicated. These are : the One Reality versus many ‘Gods’ of worship; deity worship through ‘icons’ and ‘images’; the freedom to choose one’s own ‘favo ...

Including:

• Bhakti - Concept of God
• Bhakti - Brahman the Ultimate
• Bhakti - Two schools the Absolutist and the non-Absolutist
• Bhakti - Ishwara the all-powerful Almighty
• Bhakti - Names and Forms
• Bhakti - Favourite deity worship
• Bhakti - Six traditional favourites
• Bhakti - All-encompassing eclecticism
• Bhakti - Classifications of Bhakti
• Bhakti - Example of Towering Giants of Bhakti
• Bhakti - Theory of Grace
• Bhakti - Take the first step
• Bhakti - One Purpose of prayer and worship
• Bhakti - Sources

Read more here: » Bhakti: Encyclopedia - Bhakti

According to many religions, a miracle, derived from the old Latin word miraculum meaning 'something wonderful', is a striking interposition of divine intervention by God in the universe by which the operations of the ordinary course of Nature are overruled, suspended, or modified. People in different faiths have substantially different definitions of the word miracle. Even within a specific religion there is often more than one usage of the term. Sometimes the term miracle may refer to the action of a supernatural being that is not a god. Then the term divine intervention refers spec ...

Including:

• Miracle - Miracles as supernatural acts
• Miracle - Aristotelian and Neo-Aristotelian views of miracles
• Miracle - Non-literal reinterpretations of miracles
• Miracle - Transcendent and nontranscendent miracles
• Miracle - Miracles as a product of creative art and social acceptance
• Miracle - Miracles as commonplace events
• Miracle - Miracles as viewed by different religions
• Miracle - Miracles as described by the Bible
• Miracle - Christian views of miracles
• Miracle - Catholic views of miracles
• Miracle - Islamic view of miracles
• Miracle - Hindu views of miracles
• Miracle - Jewish views of miracles
• Miracle - Contemporary miracles
• Miracle - Notes and References

Read more here: » Miracle: Encyclopedia - Miracle

Ayyavazhi mythology is the mythology of the growing South Indian religious faith and officially an offshoot of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi. The main source of Ayyavazhi mythology is the Ayyavazhi scripture, Akilattirattu Ammanai, and its supplement, Arul Nool. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon (the Tamil name for Vishnu, or Lord Narayana) to his consort Lakshmi. It is divided into three sections: pre-incarnational e ...

Including:

• Ayyavazhi mythology - Pre-incarnational events
• Ayyavazhi mythology - The first six Yugas
• Ayyavazhi mythology - The Santror
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Kalineesan Kali Yuga and Kalimayai
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Thirumal in Thiruvananthapuram
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Incarnational events
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Preparing for incarnation
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Mayon — on the identity of his people
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Final admonition through Thiruvasakam
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Deciding to incarnate as Vaikundar
• Ayyavazhi mythology - The incarnation
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Post-incarnational events
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Vaikundar's emergence out of the sea
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Vaikundar's journey to Detchanam
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Tavam
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Burning of the demons
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Seizing the power of magic witchcraft sorcery trickery etc.
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Exhortations
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Vaikundar's trial
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Thuvayal Thavasu
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Marriage with the Seven Virgins
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Festivals and celebrations
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Vaikundar as the Reigning King
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Marriage with the Deities
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Ascending to Vaikundam the abode of Thirumal
• Ayyavazhi mythology - Dharma Yukam [The final victory]

Read more here: » Ayyavazhi mythology: Encyclopedia - Ayyavazhi mythology

Yakshagana is a classical folk art form of the state of Karnataka in India mostly popular in the discricts of North Canara, Shimoga, Udupi and South Canara. This would be considered to be a form of opera in western eyes.. Actors wear costumes and enact the various roles. Traditionally, Yakshaganas would go on all night. A Yakshagana performance begins at the twilight hours with the beating of drums for up to a couple of hours before the 'actors' get on the stage. The actors wear resplendent costumes, head-dresses, and painted f ...

Including:

• Yakshagana - The Word and the World
• Yakshagana - The genesis
• Yakshagana - The origin
• Yakshagana - Growth and Changes
• Yakshagana - The Troupes

Read more here: » Yakshagana: Encyclopedia - Yakshagana

Onam ഓണം, the foremost festival among the cultural repertoire of Malayalees, falls in the harvest season of August- September. The festival is primarily celebrated in Kerala, a state in India, by people across all caste and religions. Chingam or Bhadrapada, the first month of the calendar ushers in Onam, the national festival of Kerala. After the rain drenched Karkidakam with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month of plenty. The sky becomes blue, the deep forest becomes greener and it is time to reap the harvest, time ...

Including:

• Onam - Onam legend
• Onam - Atham pathinu ponnonam
• Onam - Onam activities

Read more here: » Onam: Encyclopedia - Onam

Prahlada

One of the greatest devotees of Lord Vishnu. As the five-year-old son of the mighty demon Hiranyakashipu, he openly dared to worship the Personality of Godhead and preach His glories. Hiranyakashipu tried many ways to kill the boy, but failed to harm him. Finally Lord Vishnu appeared as Lord Nrisimha, killed Hiranyakashipu, and enthroned Prahlada as king of the demons.

(See also: Prahlada, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)