Indian Puranas

  

Indian Puranas constitute one of the richest sources of Hindu Literature as well as mythology. They contain some important components of both Hinduism as well as Buddhism. The Puranas narrate various stories about the Gods and the Goddesses, rights and rituals and hymns. These scriptures have been passed from one generation to the other, either by word of mouth or stored scriptures. There are about 18 major Puranas along with some minor ones, which have been merged in various ideas from different faiths. The Indian Puranas are classified into the Mahapuranas (great) and the Upapuranas (lower, additional) and the classification of Puranas depends on the importance of each of these Indian Puranas.

Origin of Puranas
According to researches, the Puranas represent the earliest traditional history. Tradition has it that the Puranas were composed by Ved Vyas at the end of Dwapara Yuga, though the exact origin of Indian Puranas is not known. However modern scholars state that Indian Puranas existed from the 4th century BC to the 1st millennium AD. The Puranas undoubtedly reach back to great antiquity and are rooted in Vedic Literature; many a legend, already familiar from Hymns of Rig Veda and from the Brahmanas, reappears in the Puranas. Furthermore, history depicts that Puranas existed even before the advent of the Vedic texts. Age of the Puranas lies in the antiquity and in those past days, Puranas were given enough significance for the developed civilisation.

But, just as undoubtedly, those works which have come down to us under the title of " Purana" are of a later date, and up to the present day books are fabricated which assume the proud title "Purana," or claim to be parts of ancient Puranas. Even the latest productions of this literature have the external form and the archaic frame of the oldest Puranas.

Meaning of Puranas
The word "Purana" means originally nothing but Puranam Akhyanam, i.e. old narrative. In the older literature, in Brahmanas, Upanishadand old Buddhist texts, the word is generally found in connection with Itihasa. But the Itihasas and Puranas or Itihasapurana so often mentioned in olden times, do not mean actual books, still less, then, the epics or Puranas which have come down to us. It is indeed likely enough that the Puranas are only recasts of older works of the same species, namely, of works of religious didactic contents, in which were collected ancient traditions of the Creation, the deeds of the gods, heroes, saints and ancient ancestors of the human race, the beginnings of the famous royal families, and so on.

For more, visit the link below:

https://www.indianetzone.com/2/indian_puranas.htm

Vedic Astrology

  

Vedic Astrology is an ancient Indian science explaining movements of the planet and its positions with regards to time and effect on all entities on earth. Astrology is a Vedanga - a part of Vedas. Understanding of astrology was in its infancy in the Vedic period. It included gathering knowledge on the planets, their movements and their location. Earlier Vedic astrology was only based on the planetary movements but later on it included zodiac signs also.

There are 27 constellations made up of 12 zodiac signs, 9 planets and 12 houses. Depending on when a person is born, the 12 signs are distributed among the 12 houses and 9 planets are placed in various houses. The visual representation of the signs and planets is called a horoscope chart. Vedic Astrology is inferring the meaning of these arrangements.

Types of Vedic Astrology
Vedic Astrology (Jyotisha) has Siddhanta, Samhita and Hora as its three main branches:

Siddhanta: Siddhanta implies Astronomy and its application to astrology. It provides planetary calculations from the beginning of Creation. Siddhanta is used only for creating Tantra and Karana texts for practical purposes.

Samhita: Samhita refers to ordinary astrology. It predicts important events related to countries such as political events, war, earthquakes, meteorology, financial positions, election, Vastu Shastra and so on.

Hora: Hora covers predictive astrology. It has predictions based on individual horoscope. It contains selection of favourable time to start an activity to get maximum fulfilment.

For more, visit the link below:

https://www.indianetzone.com/50/vedic_astrology.htm

Vedic Literature

Vedic literature glorifies Vedic India. ‘Vedas’, a Sanskrit phrase, implies knowledge. It is the traditional faith that Vedas are ‘apuruseya’ (not composed by human beings), which was known to be a direct revelation of God, hence named shruti. Scholars believed that Vedic Literature originates long before the literary tradition started in India. However the oldest text, Rig-Veda has been traced back to the 11th century. The Vedic literature consists of the Vedas, Upanishads, Vedangas, Sutras, Upavedas, Shastras and Puranas.

The Vedic period lasted for a millennium encompassing the late bronze & Iron Age. As far as the researches are concerned, the Vedic Literatures are composed in 1500 B.C, over a period of years. Vedic Literature saw its crest after the composition of the mantra texts, frequently called Samhita texts. With the composition of the mantra texts, shakas were established all over northern India. Usually Shakas are the theological schools that were focused on the learning of the Vedic Mantras.

The Vedas can be classified into categories of texts, traditionally the Samhitas or mantras, Brahmans, Aryanyak and Upanishads. The Vedas, as often termed as the Sutra literature can also be classified into Shrautasutras and Grahyasutras.

The Vedic Samhitas or the Mantras are mainly the metric texts and there are four Vedic samhitas- Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Sometimes the term ‘Vedas’ is used to signify those Samhitas. The Samhitas are the oldest stratum of Vedic texts. As ‘Vedic Concordance’ of Bloomfield, an eminent scholar records, Vedas have 89000 padas, of which 72000 are in Samhitas.

The Rig Veda: This oldest existing Indian text is an anthology of 1028 hymns and 10,600 verses devoted to the Rig Vedic deities, compiled in 10 mandalas or books. According to the different opinions forwarded by the historians, saints composed Rig Veda for a period of 500 years in the Sapta – Sindhu, present day Punjab region of Indian Subcontinent. The Indian Rig Veda is closely synonymous with the Iranian and Andronovo culture.

The Sama Veda: The name ‘Sama’ derived from the word ‘saman’ means the ‘song of praise’. The Sama Veda is the ‘Veda of chants’ or ‘Knowledge of melodies’. Sama Veda is a compilation of 1875 verses, some of which are the repetitive imitations of the Rig Veda. It serves as a song book for the priests who take part in public worship. A priest singing in the rituals is commonly called ‘udgati’ or ‘cantor’. A fixed style was followed by the priests while enchanting. Two major shakas are associated with this Veda- Ranayianiya and Jainimiya.

The Yajur Veda: It consists of cryptic prose mantras, some parts are borrowed from the Rig Veda. Each of the mantras in the Yajur Veda are associated with specific sacrificial rites, not merely Soma offering. Two major recessions of the Yajur Veda are "White" & "Black". The "White" discusses only those verses required for the sacrifices but do not explain the implication of those verses but the "black" Yajurveda contain specific explanations of the work to be performed.

The Atharva Veda: depicts the "Knowledge of the Atharvans" or the "Agnisara". As it has been pointed by Apte, the scholarly historian, "atharvan" is a priest who worships fire and Soma. It is a collection of 760 hymns and about one-sixth hymns are the imitation of Rig Veda. The Atharva Veda has least connection with the sacrifices and rituals but involves the incantations required for prevention of demons and disasters.

The Brahmanas are the prose literature, codified in a procedural fashion, which depicts the sacrificial rituals, their meanings and a complete commentary on the usage, implication and their significant effect of those rituals. Brahmanas are considered to be the heart of Indian Philosophy, describing the concepts of Karma and Samsara and the significance of the four stages of the life of a Hindu Brahmin, namely- Brahmacharya, Grihasthya and Vanprastha and Sanyas. It also provides a perception of the spirituality and supernaturalism of the Vedanta philosophy. Each of the Brahmans are associated with one of the Samhitas and according to that one of the shakas or schools. The Brahmans may also include the Aryanaka or the Upanishads.

For more visit the page:

https://www.indianetzone.com/13/vedic_literature.htm

Types of Religion in India

Types of Religion in India originated in Indian sub-continent. India is the land of spirituality and philosophy and is considered to be the birthplace of many religions. Indian religion is varied in approach and different in meaning. The major religions of India are Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism and the Baha’i Faith. Religion adds meaning and purpose to the lives of the people. It is actually a practice that enhances direct communication with God. A religion is a belief concerning one or more deities and incorporating rituals, ceremonies, ethical guidelines and life philosophies. Thus, religion has diversified and grown to include major monotheistic religions in the country. A wide assortment of religions exists in the country today.

Hinduism in India
It is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads. Hinduism is a colourful religion with a vast gallery of Gods and Goddesses. It originated with Brahmanas the central Lord. 

Jainism in India
Jainism is a self-help religion that relies on the self instead of Gods. The Jain religion is traced to Vardhamana Mahavira. This religion is all about promoting equality between humans, animals and plants those have souls. Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism starts with two principles, the living (jiva) and the non-living (ajiva).

Buddhism in India
Lord Buddha was the one who was responsible for propagating the doctrines of Buddhism. Buddhism is a philosophy and a religion that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

Sikhism in India
This religion was introduced by Guru Nanak. It stresses on the devotion of God. Service to mankind, hard work and dedication towards family life.

Christianity in India
Christianity came to India with the coming of Portuguese. Christianity is an Abrahamic religion which is cantered on God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

Islam in India
Islam is a religion which originated in the country with various invasions. The Muslims are spread about 12 percent of India’s population

For more visit the page:

https://www.indianetzone.com/39/types_religion_india.htm

Ayurvedic Soups

Ayurvedic Soups are an important part of Ayurvedic diet.

Ayurvedic Soups form an integral part of Ayurvedic diet. Generally, a typical Ayurvedic soup is made of beans, peas or lentils and spices. It is a high protein dish and is usually eaten with rice to make it more digestible.  Ayurvedic Soups can be of various types, some of them are:

Kokam Soup: Ayurvedic kokam soup
 is regarded as a healthy diet as the fruit Kokamis high in vitamin C, low in fat and calories, low sugar and high in fibre.


 Corn Soup: Ayurvedic cornsoup balances tridosha and in the long term exacerbates vata dosha.

Green Moong Soup: Ayurvedic Green Moong Soup is light to digest and balances all the three doshas.

 Mixed Vegetable Soup: Ayurvedic mixed vegetable soup is good for the whole body as it is prepared usingvarious vegetables


Spinach Soup: Ayurvedic spinach soup stimulates pitta but pacifies vata and kapha and therefore used moderately.

Tomato Soup: Ayurvedic tomato soup
helps to control bad cholesterol in the body.

Urad Dal Soup: Ayurvedic urad dal soup is sweet and heavy.


To know in detail its benefit and how it is made visit here : Ayurvedic Soups

Kubera, Indian Lord of Wealth

Kubera is the king of the ‘Yakshas’ (nature spirits) and the God of wealth. In the Vedas, He is mentioned as the prince of demons and spirits which live in the shadows. He became the God of wealth and abundance only at a much later stage.

Iconography of Kubera
Kubera is described as having three legs, only eight teeth, one eye and being adorned with jewels. He holds a mace, a pomegranate or a money bag in his hand. Kubera is usually depicted with a mongoose in Buddhist iconography. 

Myths of Kubera
Kubera has also been assimilated into the Buddhist and Jain pantheons. In Buddhism, he is known as Vaisravana.  It is believed that he used to travel in his ‘Pushpaka Vimana’. The glorious days of Lanka came to an end when Kubera’s step-brother Ravana, with a boon from Brahma, ousted him. Kubera then left Lanka and settled in Alakapuri near Kailash.However, in other Hindu epics such as Mahabharata
 and Ramayana, he is the wealthiest Hindu God. Kubera is frequently worshipped with Lakshmi for wealth and success, particularly during Diwali.

Read more about indian gods : Kubera, Indian Purans

History of Ayurveda

History of ayurveda is long, copious and pregnant with a rich past, deeply seated in the antiquities. Nearly five thousand years ago the great sage, Vyasadeva for the first time penned downs the Vedas. The Vedas also included a branch called Ayurveda meaning "The Science of Life". Thus began the journey of ayurveda as an oldest and most holistic treatment method. The history of ayurveda states that steeped in mystic antiquity this ancient wisdom of curing, preventing disease and long life was a part of the spiritual tradition of a universal religion in India even before it was penned down. To know more read:
http://www.indianetzone.com/2/history_ayurveda.htm