A Wisdom Archive on Sacred Thread

Yajnopavita or the sacred thread is worn by the Brahmins, Kshatriyas and the Vaisyas. Wearing the sacred thread is a very holy and sacred ceremony amongst the Hindus. Brahmin boys between the ages of five and eight are invested with the sacred thread on a very auspicious day. By this ceremony, they become fit for the repetition of Gayatri. A Brahmin becomes a true Brahmin only after this ceremony.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Yajnopavita: Hindu Symbols - Significance Of The Sacred Thread Yajnopavita

Bhakti YogaBhakti is the slender silken thread of Prema or Love that binds the heart of a devotee with the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Bhakti is intense devotion and supreme attachment to God. It is the spontaneous outpouring of love towards God. It is pure, unselfish, Divine Love or Suddha Prema. Bhakti is sacred, higher emotion with sublime sentiment that unites the devotee with the Lord. It has to be experienced by the Bhaktas.
 
From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.
 

Read more here: » Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga Sadhana

Relation between Hinduism and Zoroastrianism
Like the Rigvedic Aryans, the ancient Iranians worshipped gods like Mitra, Vayu, Verutraghna. They also wore the sacred thread and worshipped fire. They had a social organization that was in some ways similar to the Vedic occupation based social system. 
 

Read more here: » Hinduism and Zoroastrianism:Relation between Hinduism and Zoroastrianism

There is an ancient lore associated with the festival of Raksha Bandhan that is celebrated during the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of Shravan. The Bhavishya Purana refers to a battle between the deities and demons.
 
The king of the deities, Indra, was feeling depressed. Indra's wife Sachi then took a thread, charged it with sacred verses for protection and tied it on Indra's hand. Through the strength of this thread Indra conquered his enemies.

 
(See also: Raksha Bandhan, Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul )

Read more here: » Raksha Bandhan: Of Human Bonding And Celebration - about Raksha Bandhan  

Raksha Bandhan
RAKSHA BANDHAN is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day.
 
From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.
 

Read more here: » Raksha Bandhan: Hindu Festivals - Raksha Bandhan

Hinduism and Marriage
According to Hinduism, a marriage between two persons is a sacred relationship that is not limited to this life alone. It extends across seven or more lives, during which the couple help each other progress spiritually. The adage that marriages are made in heaven is very much true in case of Hinduism. Two souls come together and marry because their karmas are intertwined and they have to resolve many things together upon earth in order to ensure their mutual salvation. 
 

Read more here: » Hinduism and Marriage: Marriages in Hinduism

There are great truths behind the ancient mythology of Hinduism. You cannot ignore a thing simply because it has a garb of mythology. Do not argue. Shut up your mouth. Keep your intellect at a respectable distance when you study mythology. Intellect is a hindrance. It will delude you. Give up arrogance and vanity. Cultivate love for imagery. Sit like a child and open your heart freely. You will comprehend the great truths revealed by mythology. You will penetrate into the hearts of the Rishis and sages who wrote the mythology. You will really enjoy mythology now..
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Hindu Mythology: Hinduism Mythology and Symbols

Outward symbols are necessary and beneficial. When viewed from the right angle of vision, you will find that they play a very important part in your material as well as spiritual life. Though they may look very simple and unimportant, they are very scientific and effective.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Hindu Symbols: Symbols in Hinduism

Astrolocality is a specialized branch of astrology that in essence, takes one's natal chart and superimposes it on a map of the earth, revealing individualized places of planetary archetypal energies. The author, Maya White, is one of only 84 people world wide trained and certified by the late Jim Lewis.

Read more here: » Astrology: Astrolocality, locational astrology, Part I

The nature of Atman is pure consciousness, and though the phenomena are perceived to be taking place, in reality they are only aspects of consciousness. Consciousness is not affected by them. The Atman is 'hidden’ inside all of us, as a bee is hidden inside a lotus flower. It will be futile to seek it in the water or air outside.

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

Read more here: » Nirvikalp Samadhi: Pure Consciousness: Nirvikalp Samadhi  

The rites that pertain to the stages of life of man are called Samskaras. The Samskaras are purificatory rites which sanctify the life of the Hindu. They give a spiritual touch to the important events in the life of the individual from conception to cremation. They mark the important stages of a mans life. Just as the outline of a picture is lighted up slowly with the filling in of many colours, so also is Brahmanya with scriptural Samskaras. There are the Samskaras of childhood, of boyhood, of manhood and of old age and death.
 
Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda
 

Read more here: » Hindu Rituals: The Ten Scriptural Samskaras

Maya Elder, Hunbatz Men sent a message to me, and ask that I share it. In the message is a clue to how we can bridge the gaps between the dimensions easily and safely. It also shares how humanity can help keep the creative spirit/essence alive for Mother Earth, the plants and animals by honoring and respecting the things we can not yet see. As creators of our reality it is up to us to "do the work" as Hunbatz puts it. It is up to us to work with Hunab K'u, giver of movement and measure, and honoring spirit so it does not disappear and consequently our beautiful physical reality too.

John Kostura

Read more here: » Mayan Calendar: A Message from Mayan Elder Hunbatz Men