Indian Temples and Iconography: The unknown side of Hinduism

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BlogThis!Indian Temples and Iconography
Hi! This is a sincere effort on my part to bring back to a lot of people of our generation and younger, a rich heritage that we seem to have missed out. I hope with these blog postings i will be able to bring back the lost value of our culture, in my own small way.8.28.2006
The unknown side of Hinduism

















Hinduism is a whirlpool of knowledge, that which cannot be understood at first glance. To be a Hindu is not just about being gifted, but it’s an experience we need to live out in accordance with the Shastras.

Walking through a temple might be an overwhelming experience, where we would believe the superior powers are embedded within the deity. Sure enough, but how did this power get there? How did the idol get a life and how are we sharing this power? Or rather...what is this power that we define as 'the ultimate truth'?

The power of the stone is not generate within the stone itself but is generated through the mystical diagram that defines the nature of the deity enclosed within the shrine. Various 'bija mantras' attributed to the deity are embedded within this mystical diagram. For now this is just a copper/gold plate that carries the lines that define the true nature of the deity.

The real play starts at the dwajastambha, the main pillar in front of the temple. The fire of life is ignited along a darbha grass rope that connects the main dwajastambha to the shrine within the sanctum. The dwajastambha itself is a complex flag post, which contains designs all of which are attributed of the enclosed dei"

Laksminarayana

Laksminarayana: "



Çaunaka said:
O glorious Süta, you are blessed that you make us, plunged deep in the ocean of mundane existence, drink a large quantity of nectar.
O good one, tell us, desiring to cross the worldly existence, the gem of a formula, pure to devotion, of which the mobile and the immobile are full.
Süta said:
O Çaunaka, listen. I shall tell you the very wonderful gem of formula, which the noble Vasiñöha spoke to Dilépa. Once Dilépa having saluted Vasiñöha, the best Brähmaëa, his preceptor, asked him as you did now.
Dilépa said:
O revered one, you have particularly told me all the practices with those of castes and the stages of life and the daily and occasional obligatory rites. O best sage, I have also heard the kingly duties, sacrifices, gifts to be made at holy places and vows etc., which give inexhaustible pleasures in heaven. Now I desire to hear about the ancient path leading to salvation. Tell me about it along which I can luckily go. What is the best of all sacred formulas, the only medicine for all the diseases in the worldly existence? What is the best formula giving salvation to all human beings? Tell all that truthfully and ofr the love and regard that you have for me.
Vasiñöha said:
O king, you desiring the good of all the world, have asked. I shall, inprivate, tell you a great secret, emancipating you from worldly existence. Formerly all holy sgaes intent on performing sacrifices and giving gifts asked Närada, Brahmä’s son, the best sage:
The Great Sages said:
O revered one, by what formula shall we go to the highest p"

Thai Gem & Jewelry Traders Association :: "Navaratna" The Ancient Nine-Gem Talisman

Navaratna
The Ancient Nine-Gem Talisman

Since man first scratched the surface of the earth, fine gemstones have been treasured as the elemental essence of the planet. Their dazzling beauty, rarity, ever-enduring value, and convenient portability have made gemstones one of the most concentrated and highly prized forms of wealth in the world.
Less known today, but perhaps of even greater value to the individual owner, are the potent astrological powers of fine gemstones. Like the crystals used in radio receivers that decode invisible radio waves into sound, gemstones attract and condense the astral energy waves that rain from sky to earth and transforms them for use by the human energy system.

For countless centuries, the cultures of Thailand and Southeast Asia have revered the beautiful nine-gemstone talisman known as 'Navaratna.' Combining the gemstones representing each of the nine planets in Sidereal astrology, the Navaratna is esteemed by ancient tradition as a harbinger of good fortune through its favorable balance of the "

Vaastu : Purush

Vaastu : Purush: "








Vaastu Purusha MANDALA
A specific type of mandala used in Vaastu Shastra, the Vaastu Purusha Mandala is central to Vaastu Shastra, and serves as the mathematical and diagrammatic basis for generating an architectural design which incorporates the influence of physical, environmental and spiritual factors. The symmetrical geometric shapes of the mandalas draw the attention of the viewer towards their center
The Vaastu Purusha is the presiding deity of any site. Usually he is depicted as lying on it with the head in the Northeast and the legs in the Southwest but he keeps changing his position throughout the year.
Click on the various directions on the Vaastu Purusha to know their significance

North East (Ishaan) -
The North-east corner, also called the Ishaan Corner, is ruled by Sadasiva or God Himself. Hence this direction is the most important, and deserves to be kept scrupulously clean, open and highly receptive.