Tag: Vishnu

  • Janmashtami – Celebrating Lord Krishna

    Krishna Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth Divine Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the 8th day of the dark half of the month (in the waning part of the lunar cycle between the full moon and the new moon) of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is a festival celebrated with great devotion…

  • On Creation and Destruction – Brahma and Shiva

    On the one hand, we have Brahma the creator – he, looking in all four directions, creating the three universes, with the five elements at his disposal. He is said to create all that exists. On the other hand, we have Shiva, the destroyer. He, of the long-matted hair through which the Ganga is said…

  • Powerful Vishnu Prayer for Healing and Protection

    We begin the New Year with a prayer to Lord Vishnu, the preserver and purveyor of all that is good for our body, mind and spirit. This four line shloka is also sometimes referred to as stuti – something which is said in the highest praise of the Lord. Sashankha Chakram, Sakiriita Kundalam…

  • Prayer for Lord Vishnu – Protector in the Hindu Trinity

    The mere mention of Lord Vishnu can get rid of all our ailments. There is great power and healing conveyed to those who remember the Lord’s name with faith and devotion. Such is the strength conveyed in the following shloka which is found in the concluding verse of the Vishnu Sahastranaam (thousand names of Vishnu):

  • Surrender of the Self

    The concept of submitting oneself completely to a higher power is perhaps one of the most fundamental acts of true faith in any religion. Hinduism has several instances of this concept (see earlier post on Gita Summary). One of the slokas that is often recited in this context is as follows:

  • Tulsi Vivah – Lord Vishnu’s Wedding

    Tulsi Vivah is considered the beginning of the wedding season in India in the month of Kartik, which occurs in October/November every year. Tulsi vivah is conducted on the day after Kartik Ekadashi (the eleventh bright day of the new moon, Amavasya). According to Hindu mythology, Tulsi is ceremonially married to Lord Vishnu on this…