In Vaikuntha all persons dwell having the form of Vishnu and propitiate Him by means of Dharma which is not prompted by the desire of any fruit

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Vaikuntha Loka

The celestial Sabha of Varuna is matchless. Its dimension is exactly like that of Yama. It is adorned with white walls and arches. It is built by Visvakarma under the waters; it is surrounded on all sides by many celestial trees made of gems and jewels and producing excellent fruits and flowers. Many plants with blue, yellow, black, white and red blossoms have formed themselves into excellent bowers. Hundreds and thousands of beautiful and variegated birds of various species always pour forth their melodies within them.

This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Varuna Loka

Definition of The Peacock Pose (Mayurasana): Balancing with your body parallel to the ground.

Read more here: » Yoga Poses: The Peacock Pose - Yoga Position

The doctrine of reincarnation is accepted by the majority of mankind at the present day. It has been held as true by the mightiest Eastern nations. The ancient civilisation of Egypt was built upon this doctrine and it was handed over to Pythagoras, Plato, Virgil and Ovid, who scattered it through Greece and Italy. It was the keynote of Plato�s philosophy �

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Reincarnation: Karma And Reincarnation - II

The soul accompanied by the chief vital air (Mukhya Prana), the sense-organs and the mind and taking with itself Avidya, good and evil actions and the impressions left by his previous existence, leaves its former body and obtains a new body.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Soul�s Journey After Death: Soul�s Journey After Death

When the man is about to die, the various organs withdraw themselves into their original sources and help no more the function of the organs. In death there is a complete withdrawal of the organs into the heart or the heart-lotus or Akasa of the heart. But in the state of dream the organs are not absolutely withdrawn. Here lies the difference between sleep and death.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Soul�s Journey After Death: Process Of Detachment

The passage of the self from the body varies according to the number of good actions done by the Jiva and the knowledge gained by him. If he has a good store of virtuous deeds and relative knowledge that would take him to the Sun, the self leaves the body through the eye. It leaves through the head if he is entitled to the world of Hiranyagarbha. It leaves through other passages according to its past work and knowledge.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Soul�s Journey After Death: How The Self Departs

In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God in His forms as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This Trimurti concept is a tenet strongly held in Smartism as well as Ayyavazhi mythology. Brahma - the Creator Vishnu - the Preserver Shiva - the Destroyer The trimurti itself is conceived of as a deity and artistically represented as a three-faced human figure. Brahma is no longer as relevant as he once was, some would say the all-in-one Devi or Shakti, the Divine Moth ...

Including:

• Trimurti - Symbolizations
• Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity
• Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia - Trimurti

In Smartism, a denomination of Hinduism, an Ishta-deva or Ishta devata or Ishta-devatha is a term meaning "the god one prays most." It is derived from the Sanskrit roots for good and god. Traditionally it alludes to the particular god (from among 330 millions as believed by Hindus) who is the saviour of the family (akin to a Patron Saint, chosen by a devotee. In such a concept held by Smartas, di ...

Including:

• Ishta-deva - Murti
• Ishta-deva - Misunderstanding from outsiders
• Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism
• Ishta-deva - ISKCON and new religious movements

Read more here: » Ishta-deva: Encyclopedia - Ishta-deva

Harihara is a term used to denote the unity of Vishnu and Shiva as one and the same with Hari being the name of Vishnu and Hara that of Shiva. This is a popular concept, especially among those trying to bridge the gaps between Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Smartism holds this concept as a tenet. There is scriptural support for those assertions as both the Shri Rudram and Vishnu sahasranama indicate that Vishnu and Shiva are one. As Swami Sivananda discussed, in his book, All about Hinduism, " A bigoted Virasaivite ent ...

Including:

• Harihara - Geography

Read more here: » Harihara: Encyclopedia - Harihara

In Hinduism a gopi (somtimes gopika) is one of the several cow herding girls who had pure devotion (bhakti) to Krishna. The two top-most gopis are known as Srimati Radharani and Candravali. Candravali is Srimati Radharani's rival for Krishna's attention. Because Radharani possesses all charm and sweetness, she is the better of the two and is supremely famous. Each of them has millions of doe-eyed gopi followers. The gopis may be divided into three groups: 1. Gopi friends of the same age as Krishna, 2. maidservants ...

Including:

• Gopi - Contemporary gopi friends samaja
• Gopi - Varistha the most exalted
• Gopi - Vara exalted
• Gopi - Maidservants mandala
• Gopi - Gopi messengers gana
• Gopi - Asta-manjaris

Read more here: » Gopi: Encyclopedia - Gopi

The Vishnu sahasranāma (literally: "Vishnu of the thousand names") is a list of 1,000 names for Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the only Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu). More particularly, the Vishnu sahasranāma is one of the most sacred and chanted stotras in Hinduism. It is recited, often with a preface, as a prayer by many Vaishnavites. As described in the 149th chapter of Anushāsanaparva in the epic Mahabharata, the names were handed down to Yudhisthira by grand sire Bh ...

Including:

• Vishnu sahasranama - Etymology
• Vishnu sahasranama - Interpretation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Pronunciation and Merits of Recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Prayer
• Vishnu sahasranama - Shlokas
• Vishnu sahasranama - Recitation and aggregation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Tradition of recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Inclusion of other deities
• Vishnu sahasranama - Quotes about Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Books

Read more here: » Vishnu sahasranama: Encyclopedia - Vishnu sahasranama

Swami Chinmayananda (स्‍वामी चिन्‍मयानन्‍द) (May 8, 1916 - Aug 3, 1993) was born Balakrishna Menon (Balan) in Ernakulam, Kerala in a very devout Hindu family. Graduating from Lucknow University, he entered the field of journalism where he felt he could influence political, economic and social reform in India. But his life was changed when he met Swami Sivananda at Rishikesh and ...

Including:

• Chinmayananda - Related links

Read more here: » Chinmayananda: Encyclopedia - Chinmayananda

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita < ...

Including:

• Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General
• Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture
• Bhagavad Gita - On The Goal Of Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga
• Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia - Bhagavad Gita

The assembly-hall of Yama, the son of Vivasvan, was built by Visvakarma. That effulgent Sabha covers an area of one hundred Yojanas. It has the splendour of the Sun; it yields everything that one may desire to have from it. It is neither very cold nor very hot. It delights the heart.

The death and dying and the life after death has always fascinated man. This is an excerpt from the book What Becomes Of The Soul After Death by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Lokas Or Planes: Yama Sabha

Other denominations as well as sects of Hinduism don't strictly hold this belief. For example, Arya Samaj worships only the formless Brahman, in particular, Nirguna Brahman. Other denominations, such as the monotheistic faiths of Saivism and Vaishnavism, respectively hold Shiva and Vishnu to be the only ultimate reality, although those faiths recognize other manifestations of the singular god as emanations or lesser deities subordinate to this one supreme being. For example, Shaivities may recognize Vishnu to be a manifestation of Shiva but ...

See also:

Ishta-deva, Ishta-deva - Murti, Ishta-deva - Misunderstanding from outsiders, Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism, Ishta-deva - ISKCON and new religious movements

Read more here: » Ishta-deva: Encyclopedia II - Ishta-deva - Disagreement within Hinduism

The Gita describes the best yogi as one who constantly thinks of God. The Gita addresses the discord between the senses and the intuition of cosmic unity. It speaks of the yoga of equanimity, a detached outlook. The term yoga covers a wide range of meanings, but in the context of the Bhagavad Gita it describes a unified outlook, serenity of mind, skill in action, and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self (Atma), which is of the same essence as the basis of being (Brahman). According to Krishna, the root of all suffering and di ...

See also:

Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture, Bhagavad Gita - On The Goal Of Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia II - Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture

The definite settlement of the caste system and the Brahmanical supremacy must probably be assigned to somewhere about the close of the Brahmapa period. Division in their own ranks was hardly favorable to the aspirations of the priests at such a time; and the want of a distinct formula of belief adapted to the general drift of theological speculation, to which they could all rally, was probably felt the more acutely, the more determined a resistance the military class was likely to oppose to their claims. Side by side with the conception of ...

See also:

Trimurti, Trimurti - Symbolizations, Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity, Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia II - Trimurti - Change of the Hindu Trinity

The doctrine of reincarnation or transmigration of souls is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism. The word reincarnation literally means embodiment again, coming again into a physical body. The individual soul takes again a fleshy covering. The word transmigration means passing from one place to another - passing into a new body.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Reincarnation: The Doctrine Of Reincarnation

The following lines are from the Mahabharata and are quoted portions from the text. Believers believe that regular chanting of the hymn can accrue benefits. On avoiding evil, succeeding in battle, and gaining affluence, pleasure, happiness, and offspring: Bhisma said, "Even thus have I recited to thee, without any exception, the thousand excellent names of the high-souled Kesava whose glory should always be sung. That man who hears the names every day or who recites them every day, never meets with any evil either here ...

See also:

Vishnu sahasranama, Vishnu sahasranama - Etymology, Vishnu sahasranama - Interpretation, Vishnu sahasranama - Pronunciation and Merits of Recitation, Vishnu sahasranama - Prayer, Vishnu sahasranama - Shlokas, Vishnu sahasranama - Recitation and aggregation, Vishnu sahasranama - Tradition of recitation, Vishnu sahasranama - Inclusion of other deities, Vishnu sahasranama - Quotes about Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu sahasranama - Benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu sahasranama - Books

Read more here: » Vishnu sahasranama: Encyclopedia II - Vishnu sahasranama - Benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama

The definite settlement of the caste system and the Brahmanical supremacy must probably be assigned to somewhere about the close of the Brahmapa period. Division in their own ranks was hardly favorable to the aspirations of the priests at such a time; and the want of a distinct formula of belief adapted to the general drift of theological speculation, to which they could all rally, was probably felt the more acutely, the more determined a resistance the military class was likely to oppose to their claims. Side by side with the conception of ...

See also:

Trimurti, Trimurti - Symbolizations, Trimurti - Evolution of Theology on the Hindu Trinity, Trimurti - Other uses

Read more here: » Trimurti: Encyclopedia II - Trimurti - Evolution of Theology on the Hindu Trinity

The Gita describes the best Yogi as one who constantly thinks of God. The Gita addresses the discord between the senses and the intuition of cosmic unity. It speaks of the Yoga of equanimity, a detached outlook. The term Yoga covers a wide range of meanings, but in the context of the Bhagavad Gita, describes a unified outlook, serenity of mind, skill in action, and the ability to stay attuned to the glory of the Self (Atman), which is of the same essence as the basis of Being (Brahman). According to Krishna, the root of all suffering ...

See also:

Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita in General, Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture, Bhagavad Gita - On The Goal Of Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Bhakti Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Nishkam Karma Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Jnana Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - On Raja Yoga, Bhagavad Gita - Overview

Read more here: » Bhagavad Gita: Encyclopedia II - Bhagavad Gita - Bhagavad Gita as a Yoga Scripture