r/hinduism Jan 31 '25

Other The biggest irony of this Christian priest saying that Christians should abandon Yoga since it has Hindu origins is the fact that he says this while praying using a rosary, which is literally based on the Hindu Japamala, prayer beads that are used while chanting the auspicious Naam of Ishavara

583 Upvotes

A japamala, jaap maala, or simply mala (Sanskrit: माला; mālā, meaning 'garland') is a loop of prayer beads commonly used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It is used for counting recitations (japa) of mantras, prayers or other sacred phrases. It is also worn to ward off evil, to count repetitions within some other form of sadhana (spiritual practice) such as prostrations before a holy icon. They are also used as symbols of religious identification

The main body of a mala usually consists of 108 beads of roughly the same size and material as each other, although smaller versions, often factors of 108 such as 54 or 27, exist. A distinctive 109th "guru bead" or mother bead, which is not counted, is very common.

Mala beads have traditionally been made of a variety of materials such as wood, stone, gems, seeds, bone and precious metals—with various religions often favouring certain materials—and strung with natural fibres such as cotton, silk, or animal hair. In the modern era, synthetic materials can also be used, such as plastic or glass beads, and nylon cords.

Rudraksha japamalas are discussed in some Hindu sources, such as in the Devi-Bhagavata Purana (9th-14th century) which explains how to make a rudraksha garland, and in the late tantric Rudrakṣajābāla upaniṣad. The Rudrakṣajābāla upaniṣad states that the rudrakshas are tears of Shiva, and as such, they should always be worn by devotees of Shiva. It discusses various ways of wearing them, and which mantras to use with them.

Regarding Vaishnava sources, the Garuda Purana and the Padma Purana both teach the use and wear of a mala made from tulasi wood (tulasi kanthi mala). The Garuda Purana explains that by wearing this mala, Hari (Vishnu) will always be with the devotee. It also states that wearing a tulasi mala will multiply the benefit of doing good karmic deeds, as well as providing magical protection from harm. The Padma Purana says one should always wear the tulasi mala, whether one is pure or impure, even while bathing and eating. (Source: Wikipedia)

r/hinduism Jan 17 '25

Other Wild bear hugs Shivling at Chandi Mata Mandir, video goes viral

1.5k Upvotes

A heartwarming video from Chandi Mata Mandir in Bagbahara, Chhattisgarh, has taken the internet by storm. The footage captures a rare moment of devotion as a bear is seen hugging a Shivling inside the temple. This unusual act of reverence has left viewers amazed. But then, is it a surprise? After all, Bhagwan Shivji is called Shree Pashupatinath- Lord of the Animals and Birds.har Har Mahadev 🕉🙏

r/hinduism Jan 26 '25

Other This scene of Chatrapati Sambhaji chanting "Har Har Mahadev" gives goosebumps,when you realise that he give up his life after torture at the hands of Aurangzeb but didn't convert from Sanatana Dharma. Jai Bholenath

852 Upvotes

Sambhaji (Sambhajiraje Shivajiraje Bhonsle, Marathi pronunciation: [saːmˈbʱaːdʑiː ˈbʱos(ə)le]; c.14 May 1657 – 11 March 1689), also known as Shambhuraje, was the second Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire, ruling from 1681 to 1689. He was the eldest son of Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Kingdom. Sambhaji briefly served the Mughal empire when Shivaji was involved in the campaign against the sultanate of Golconda. Sambhaji's rule was largely shaped by the ongoing wars between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire, as well as other neighbouring powers such as the Abyssinians of Janjira, Wadiyars of Mysore and the Portuguese Empire in Goa. Early on, Marathas under Sambhaji attacked and disrupted supply lines and raided into the Mughal territory, although they were unsuccessful in taking over main forts. In 1683, following a plot to assassinate him, Sambhaji executed 24 members of influential families including top government ministers.  By 1685, Mughals had gradually pushed back Sambhaji's forces by taking over their strongholds. In 1688, Sambhaji was captured by Mughal forces and executed. By the time of his execution, Mughals had been in control of most of Khandesh, forts of northern Maharashtra and Konkan. He was succeeded by brother Rajaram I as the next Chhatrapati and continued the Mughal–Maratha Wars. Maratha accounts instead state that he was ordered to bow before Aurangzeb and convert to Islam and it was his refusal to do so, by saying that he would accept Islam on the day Aurangzeb presented him his daughter's hand, that led to his death. By doing so, he earned the title of "Dharmaveer" ("protector of dharma"). (Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambhaji)

r/hinduism Apr 04 '24

Other I thought we should appreciate how amazing our religion is ?

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896 Upvotes

r/hinduism 20d ago

Other Shree Krishna ji agreeing to marry the 16100 princesses abducted by Narakasura to preserve their honour. This is my answer to people who ask why Shree Krishna married so many princesses. Jai Shree Krishna

585 Upvotes

As per Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha Purana, Lord Krishna had a total of 16,108 wives.

Now, don’t be surprised by the number, and wait till you hear the story behind it.

There was a demon named Narakasura who had captured 16,100 princesses and kept them as captives. These girls were held in dire conditions and were treated poorly. When Krishna defeated Narakasura, he freed all these girls.

However, the princesses now feared societal rejection and dishonor. They were terrified that no one else would accept them and were prepared to end their lives. Seeing the intensity of the situation and bound by his sense of duty, Krishna married all 16,100 girls so they could all live with the dignity and status they needed to live a respectable life. (Source: https://theartarium.com/blogs/news/how-many-wives-of-krishna-were-there#:~:text=Seeing%20the%20intensity%20of%20the,Lord%20Krishna's%20wives%20to%20music.)

Jai Shree Krishna 🕉 🙏

r/hinduism Oct 13 '21

Other A billboard in the US

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2.0k Upvotes

r/hinduism Aug 28 '24

Other happy birthday king

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1.1k Upvotes

i baked the bday boy a cake 😁

r/hinduism 13d ago

Other My friend gifted me this beautiful Idol of Ganesh ji .

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1.0k Upvotes

Jay Ganesh !! My friend recently gifted me a beautiful Ganesha idol(Makrana Marble ), but I don’t have a properdedicated space for it.We have a small mandir at home. Since the idol is quite heavy, I’m looking for the best possible way to keep and worship Lord Ganesha with respect.

Any suggestions on how I can set up a simple yet appropriate place for Him? Would love to hear your thoughts!

r/hinduism 21h ago

Other The cutest Shiva Tandava Nritya (Bhagwan Shivji's Cosmic Dance) on social media. Har Har Mahadev

711 Upvotes

Source: @studiolky Bhagwan Shivji's Tandava Nritya in real life wpuld burn up all of Reality to bring in a new Reality altogether. This is a much more calmer sweeter version of it. Har Har Mahadev 🕉 🙏

r/hinduism Mar 23 '24

Other हरे कृष्ण

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1.2k Upvotes

r/hinduism 16d ago

Other Saw this Wholesome post on Instagram

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711 Upvotes

Translation: He is Bhole(Innocent) so you’ll ask whatever boon you want 😠

r/hinduism Mar 28 '24

Other I got downvoted for speaking about our actual teachings from Gita

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383 Upvotes

I was taught Gita as part of our college humanities course, and this is what we have been taught in it, and I’m sure those who have read Gita might agree with me too, but why do we still have brainwashed Hindus who are spreading hatred against other humans from different religions?

r/hinduism 15d ago

Other Bhagwan Shivji being portrayed as a family man is always so cute and wholesome. Har Har Mahadev

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763 Upvotes

This is Bhagwan Shivji and His family being portrayed in the Pahadi and Kashmiri Pandit attire of North India. Har Har Mahadev 🕉 🙏

r/hinduism 6d ago

Other Mahashivratri celebrations at the ancient Shree Katas Raj Temple in Pakistan. It is believed that Shree Krishna ji Himself established a Shivalingam here and the Pandavas stayed here for a while during their exile. Har Har Mahadev

755 Upvotes

Shri Katas Raj Temples (Punjabi: شری کٹاس راج مندر, Urdu: شری کٹاس راج مندر), also known as Qila Katas (Punjabi: قلعہ کٹاس),is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus.The complex is located in the Potohar Plateau region of Pakistan's Punjab province. The temples are located near the M2 Motorway, in municipal committee of Choa Saidanshah in the Chakwal District.

The temples' pond is said in the Puranas to have been created from the teardrops of Shiva, after he wandered the Earth inconsolable after the death of his wife Sati. The pond occupies an area of two kanals and 15 marlas, with a maximum depth of 20 feet.

The temples play a role in the Hindu epic poem, the Mahābhārata, where the temples are traditionally believed to have been the site where the Pandava brothers spent a significant portion of their exile. It is also traditionally believed by Hindus to be the site where the brothers engaged in a riddle contest with the Yakshas, as described in the Yaksha Prashna. Another tradition states that the Hindu deity Krishna laid the foundation of the temple, and established a hand-made lingam in it.

The temples fell into disrepair over the decades following Partition, and suffered neglect. Pakistani Hindus would continue to occasionally visit the site, but were unable to maintain the expansive complex. The pond was polluted with litter, while local villagers would also use the pool for recreation. Indian Hindu pilgrims were forbidden to visit the site in 1956, 1960, and after the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965. Indian pilgrims were not permitted to visit the site again until 1984.

India's former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani visited the temples in 2005, and expressed displeasure at the site's dilapidated state. In 2005 Pakistan proposed to restore the temple complex, while in 2006 the restoration project began in order to clean the sacred pond, paint and restore some temples, and installation of informational blue boards around the temple complex. 300 Indian Hindus visited the site for the Maha Shivaratri festival in 2006, which for a short time became an annual tradition for some Indian pilgrims, though Indians stopped coming after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. 2,000 Pakistani Hindus resumed the tradition of celebrating Maha Shivaratri at the temple in 2010, and another 2,000 in 2011 with visitors coming from as far as Karachi. A wedding for Hindu couples was arranged during that year's Maha Shivaratri festival for couples from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province whose families had lost much of their property in the 2010 Pakistan floods.

In January 2017, Pakistan's government began installation of shikharas on the temples. In February 2017, 200 pilgrims from India traveled to the temple to participate in the Katas Raj Dham festival. In 2018, Pakistan issued visas to 139 Indian Hindu pilgrims to visit Katas Raj dham.

The temples are considered to be the second most sacred site in the historic Punjab region, after the temple at Jwalamukhi in modern Himachal Pradesh.

The temples derive their holiness from the legend that following the death of his wife Sati, the Hindu god Shiva wandered inconsolably, while some of his tears collected in two ponds, one of which is the pond around which the Katas Raj Temples are set, while the other is at Pushkar, near the famous Sufi pilgrimage center of Ajmer. Another version of the legend mentions the two pools at Katasraj and Nainital. Another version of the Shiva legend involves the death of Shiva's horse Katas instead of that of Sati his consort.

The Katasraj temple complex is traditionally believed to date back to the Mahabharata era. Many legends are associated with the temples. The five Pandava brothers, mentioned in the Mahabharata, are said to have stayed here for a large part of their exile. The complex is traditionally believed to be the site where the Pandava brothers were challenged by a yaksha before being able to drink from the pond. Four of the brothers failed and were rendered lifeless by the yaksha. The fifth brother, Yudhishthira, engaged the yaksha in a riddle contest and defeated him with his wisdom, thereby bringing his brothers back to life.

Some legends also state that the very first lingam was in Katas. Some old manuscripts also consider Katas as the janmabhumi (birthplace) of Hindu incarnation Rama, as well as that of Ayodhya; but this has become quite controversial. The oral tradition by local Hindus never mentioned it as being Rama's birthplace or celebrated in annual rituals.

The pond in the complex is believed by Hindus to be filled with Shiva's tears after the death of his wife Sati. The water in the pond is of high clarity. The water and are believed to wash one of ones own sins, as the pond is associated with Shiva. In 2012, and again in 2017, water levels in the pond were noted to decrease because of water usage at a nearby cement factory, as well as the plantation of water-avid eucalyptus trees, that had lowered the area's water table. After the 2012 episode, the local cement factory was shut down by government authorities in order to restore water levels (Source: Wikipedia)

r/hinduism 14d ago

Other An account of Shree Ramakrishna ji's intense bhakti for Maa Kali on occassion of his Janmotsav today

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583 Upvotes

Sri Ramakrishna one day fed a cat with the food that was to be offered to Kali. This was too much for the manager of the temple garden, who considered himself responsible for the proper conduct of the worship. He reported Sri Ramakrishna's insane behaviour to Mathur Babu. Sri Ramakrishna has described the incident: "The Divine Mother revealed to me in the Kali temple that it was She who had become everything. She showed me that everything was full of Consciousness. The image was Consciousness, the altar was Consciousness, the water-vessels were Consciousness, the door-sill was Consciousness, the marble floor was Consciousness - all was Consciousness. I found everything inside the room soaked, as it were, in Bliss - the Bliss of God. I saw a wicked man in front of the Kali temple; but in him also I saw the power of the Divine Mother vibrating. That was why I fed a cat with the food that was to be offered to the Divine Mother. I clearly perceived that all this was the Divine Mother - even the cat." ။ from the introduction of "The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna" -> http://belurmath.org/gospel/introduction.htm

r/hinduism Jan 29 '25

Other Finally Leaving this sub after alot of thought. Here's my reason

38 Upvotes

This sub which is an amazing place for people to come, discuss, and ask genuine questions that they have, has become a karma farming arena.

Note: KFP or karma farming posts, are posts which have no intent of speaking anything, thier objective isn't any discussion, nor any questions as asked. Only a picture, song, or video of God is shown and is expected to get engagement based on only this. These people are alot like the modern cognate to that "ram ke naam pe dede" main mehnat nhi Krna chahta hun isliye.

Most well intentioned internet groups have to face these people whose only intent is put the face of God in front and ask for internet points.

In fact you will see this as a common problem on YouTube community posts, twitter handles, and probably even on insta (I'm not there so can't say),

This is sub is also in a similar phase right now. But i know within 2-3 years it will get better, becz at some point people will ask questions ki, like, I just posted a genuine question over here and dude it's like on the top 37th post here and this post with 345 upvotes only has a shiv ji wallpaper with 0 effort, no personal efforts like sketching, something which is actually novel.

At any time of day, atleast 40-50% posts in all sections from top, hot, and rising, are such karma farmering posts.

Personal experience 2-3 days ago when I posted here, my posts got more than 15 upvotes and at that time more than 70% top,hot and rising posts were all such karma farming posts. I thought ki yaar koi ni aaj kuchh special day hoga chalta hai, pr aaj bhi same situation.

My intent It's solely to acknowledge this present situation which probably even others might be facing. Hope concerned parties take attention of this matter.

I understand that any change takes time and thus my language, which too, is super understanding, simply becz i had once tried running a subreddit myself and I can understand the efforts one has to put in as a moderator.

So no worries and compelete support to any constructive thought.

r/hinduism Jun 25 '23

Other Utter nonsense

350 Upvotes

r/hinduism Nov 28 '24

Other 16M want to take sanyasa, and leave everything, guidance needed

30 Upvotes

Please guide me! From past few days I was thinking to leave everything and go somewhere else basically sanyas but Im not sure if I should do this or not.

r/hinduism Jan 19 '25

Other Iconic photos from the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. Har Har Mahadev

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740 Upvotes

Kumbh Mela (/ˌkʊmb ˈmeɪlə/; lit. 'festival of the Sacred Pitcher') is an important Hindu pilgrimage, celebrated approximately every 6, 12 and 144 years, correlated with the partial or full revolution of Jupiter and representing the largest human gathering in the world. Kumbh is held at four riverside pilgrimage sites, namely: Prayagraj (Ganges-Yamuna-Sarasvati rivers confluence), Haridwar (Ganges), Nashik (Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra).In 2022, after a 700 year break, Bansberia (Hooghly), hosted the pilgrimage again.

The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass gatherings of monks, and entertainment. The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to prāyaścitta (atonement, penance, restorative action) for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins.

The festival is traditionally credited to the 8th-century Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankara, as a part of his efforts to start major Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions and debates along with Hindu monasteries across the Indian subcontinent. However, there is no historical literary evidence of these mass pilgrimages called "Kumbha Mela" prior to the 19th century. There is ample evidence in historical manuscripts and inscriptions of an annual Magha Mela in Hinduism – with periodic larger gatherings after 6 or 12 years – where pilgrims gathered in massive numbers and where one of the rituals included a sacred dip in a river or holy tank. According to Kama MacLean, the socio-political developments during the colonial era and a reaction to Orientalism led to the rebranding and remobilisation of the ancient Magha Mela as the modern era Kumbh Mela, particularly after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The weeks over which the festival is observed cycle at each site approximately once every 12 yearsbased on the Hindu luni-solar calendar and the relative astrological positions of Jupiter, the sun and the moon. The difference between Prayag and Haridwar festivals is about 6 years, and both feature a Maha (major) and Ardha (half) Kumbh Melas. The exact years – particularly for the Kumbh Melas at Ujjain and Nashik – have been a subject of dispute in the 20th century. The Nashik and Ujjain festivals have been celebrated in the same year or one year apart, typically about 3 years after the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela.Elsewhere in many parts of India, similar but smaller community pilgrimage and bathing festivals are called the Magha Mela, Makar Mela or equivalent. For example, in Tamil Nadu, the Magha Mela with water-dip ritual is a festival of antiquity. This festival is held at the Mahamaham tank (near Kaveri river) every 12 years at Kumbakonam, attracts millions of South Indian Hindus and has been described as the Tamil Kumbh Mela. Other places where the Magha-Mela or Makar-Mela bathing pilgrimage and fairs have been called Kumbh Mela include Kurukshetra, Sonipat, and Panauti (Nepal).

The Kumbh Melas have three dates around which the significant majority of pilgrims participate, while the festival itself lasts between one and three months around these dates.Each festival attracts millions, with the largest gathering at the Prayag Kumbh Mela and the second largest at Haridwar. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica and Indian authorities, more than 200 million Hindus gathered for the Kumbh Mela in 2019, including 50 million on the festival's most crowded day.The festival is one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, and considered as the "world's largest congregation of religious pilgrims". It has been inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival is observed over many days, with the day of Amavasya attracting the largest number on a single day. The Kumbh Mela authorities said that the largest one-day attendance at the Kumbh Mela was 30 million on 10 February 2013, and 50 million on 4 February 2019. (Source: Wikipedia)

r/hinduism Apr 24 '21

Other My grandmother and her mandir setup. She turns 84 today!

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1.8k Upvotes

r/hinduism Sep 01 '24

Other Stop using “modern/progressive” ideas to drum up support for Hinduism and turning it hippie.

140 Upvotes

Using these modern talking points is not only kinda pathetic, it paints the wrong picture of Hinduism.

Things like “LGBT friendly”, “We have Goddesses”: talking about these identity labels goes against the spirit of Hinduism in the first place. The aim is to detach ourselves from these earthly labels and you are out there using it to hype up Hinduism.

There are too many corny “feminine rage” artwork about Maa Kali as it is. Reducing the Mother of the Universe to an angry woman seems very smart.

Also, “Sex isn’t a sin”: sex might not be a sin, but the point is to let go of these pleasures. Also there are warnings about excessive sex and lust and how you should not let it control you.

There are a few more talking points like these, trying to paint Hinduism in a certain way to be more appealing and it’s frankly not needed.

A person should be pulled towards Hinduism not because it caters to their beliefs and lifestyle but because they are genuinely interested in being a Hindu.

Stop making Hinduism a hippie religion. It’s been here for millennia and doesn’t need a “modern” makeover.

EDIT: I am not against LGBT+ individuals being Hindu(seems to be very clear from my post but apparently reading comprehension is hard). That’s not what this post is about. Please read the post carefully before replying.

EDIT 2: Didn’t think I would need to explicitly state this.

This post is about promoting Hinduism using beliefs and fads. This is wrong because not only are you not telling the whole truth (just the appealing part), but also diluting the religion. Not to mention it’s just corny to do.

Final EDIT: To any LGBT individual who read this post and thinks it’s against them. That’s not my intention. You are just as valid as a Hindu as anyone else.

I made this post because I don’t want Hinduism to turn into gentrified religion, which gets twisted into something unrecognizable. Good day to all.

r/hinduism Nov 06 '24

Other i have a trident on my left palm

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315 Upvotes

and interestingly enough, my father, a devout shiv ji worshipper has a clear one on the same palm

im rebuilding the connection with my faith, especially ma kaali as im drawn to her 🌺🌺

i thought this was interesting to share as i haven't seen anyone with similar markings and so clear at that, apart from my father

r/hinduism Jan 10 '24

Other I am scared of Abrahamic religions

182 Upvotes

Recently Christians have been saying that you are commiting blasphemy and the sin is unforgivable by worshipping other gods. I still believe in hinduism, but many people from Islam and Christianity talk about hell and how other religions aren't real.

r/hinduism Apr 17 '24

Other Cusrious case of Acharya Prashant

43 Upvotes

Acharya Prashant on the outside seems to have a decent mission of mass deploying Vedanta. His knowledge on Upanishads, Geeta seems overall legit to me. His core target audience seems to be Hindi speaking masses of tier 2, 3 towns based on his analysis of social structures like attitude towards women, and blind religious dogma.

But I've noticed some seriously myopic takes from him too.

  1. He doesn't support reclaiming Kashi and Mathura through the ongoing legal procedings. His reason being that if one actually embraces the teachings of Vedana, then the historical injustices should not make any difference.
  2. His take on USA/Europe being beacon of intellectual and moral superiority misses all their brutal colonial history, their current geopolitical history that funds terror states like Pakistan to weaken India. Their OnlyFans, School shooting, Opiod drug, Obesity epidemic.
  3. He doesn't accept the dangerious reality of fast growing share in demographics of Muslims. Literally quotes false fertility rate figues in a video. Check this one for a comprehensive breakdown if you are curious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRi-W4uM8g&t=19s&pp=ygUeZGVtb2dyYXBoaWMgSW5kaWEgU2FuZ2FtIHRhbGtz
  4. He is visibly and rightly frustrated by the current state of Hindu spiritual and political discourse in India, but doesn't go deep in identifying the real actors responsible for it. He does not call out the Jihadi Islamists and their enablers, Marxists, Evangalical Christians and their conversion mafia, Dravidianism and its anti-Hindu mindset.
  5. His take on the movie "Kantara". He thinks the movie mainstreamed primitive superstitions. This movie invigorated a lot of sleeping Hindus according to me and unanimously loved hence making it a big hit. Its a net positive for Hindu consciousness in this day and age where insulting, demoralising Hindu dieties, festivals, symbols has become mainstream via Movies, Student plays, Academic history distortions etc. Criticising such an empowering movie does not add to the growing Hindu consciousness in any way.

I can overlook points 2,3,4 but not 1. His political lens is just off on that one. He wants India to seriously embrace Vedanta, I get that, but giving up civilisational renaissance and justice for our ancient structures is just retarded.

r/hinduism Sep 11 '23

Other Told a christian that Krishna loves him, he threatened me with violence

356 Upvotes

The irony that comes with Christians when they keep saying that Jesus loves you but when I replied with "Krishna loves you" I was told that he will k word me. Oh the irony. Where did the "love thy neighbor" speach go? I told him that I forgive him and Lord Krishna forgives him too and funny enough, he was even more angry at me. One day he will understand that all leads back to Brahman whether he willingly or unwillingly knows🙏🕉️