Sanatana dharma

  The six main schools of Hindu philosophy, known as the Shat Darshanas (Sad Darshana), are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, and Vedanta. These orthodox (astika) schools accept the authority of the Vedas and generally share the goal of attaining moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.   The six schools of Hindu philosophy Samkhya: An ancient dualistic philosophy that posits two fundamental realities: Purusha (spirit, consciousness) and Prakriti (nature, matter). It provides the philosophical basis for Yoga.  Yoga: A system founded by the sage Patanjali, which is closely aligned with Samkhya's metaphysics but emphasizes the practical discipline of self-realization through meditation and concentration.  Nyaya: A school of logic and rational thought, founded by the sage Gautama. It focuses on the mechanisms of knowledge (pramanas) and the use of the five senses as a path to liberation.  Vaisheshika: A realist system that includes an...

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  Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa, text of the devotional Hinduism called Śāktism, in which the Great Goddess (Devī) is worshiped as primary. The Devī Bhāgavata Purāṇa is usually listed among the 18 “minor” or sectarian Purāṇas (encyclopedic compendiums whose topics range from cosmogony and cosmology to ritual instructions for worship of the gods). The date of its composition is unknown; scholars have dated it as early as the 6th century CE and as late as the 14th century. It was, in all probability, composed in Bengal, possibly over a period of time, by members of the local sect whose devotion centered on Devī. The work is divided into 12 sections and 318 chapters. It opens (like other Purāṇas) with an account of the creation of the universe—an act here attributed to Devī, who manifests herself in the form of three Śaktis, or cosmic powers. The remainder of the text is largely given over to mythological accounts concerning various Hindu deities, usually featuring the ...

  Shaktism encompasses various tantric sub-traditions, including Vidyapitha and  Kulamārga .  Kula marga sakthism

  Matrikas ( मातृका "mothers") also called Mataras or Matri,   a group of mother goddesses in Hinduism.   often depicted in a group of seven, the Saptamatrika(s) (Seven Mothers). (However, they are also depicted as a group of eight, the Ashtamatrika(s).)  associated with gods as their energies (Shaktis). Brahmani emerged from Brahma,  Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Maheshvari from Shiva,  Indrani from Indra,  Kaumari from Kartikeya,  Varahi from Varaha and Chamunda from Chandi.   additionals are Narasimhi from Narasimha and Vinayaki from Ganesha"  

   Mahadevi is mentioned as the Mulaprakriti (Primordial Goddess) in Shakta texts, having five primary forms—Parvati, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Gayatri and Radha—collectively referred to as Panchaprakriti.  Besides these, Goddess Tripura Sundari, a form of Devi, is often identified with the supreme goddess Mahadevi in Shaktism.  "In Hindu philosophy, both Lakshmi (primary goddess in Vaishnavism) and Parvati (primary goddess of Shaivism) are identified as manifestations of this great goddess—Mahadevi—and the Shakti or divine power". Shaktas often worship her as Durga, also believing her to have many other forms.

  The Sakthi goddess, known as Shakti in Sanskrit, represents the primordial cosmic energy and the divine feminine creative force in Hinduism.  The name Sakthi means "power," "strength," or "divine energy," and she is worshipped as the Great Divine Mother, the consort of Shiva, and the source of all creation, maintenance, and destruction.  Shakti is inseparable from the masculine principle, often identified with Shiva, and together they symbolize the unity of male and female energies in the processes of creation and re-creation.  She is also known by numerous names, including Devi, Parvati , Durga , Kali , Lakshmi , Saraswati , and Tripurasundari , each representing different aspects of her power and role. In Shaktism, one of the major traditions of Hinduism, Shakti is revered as the supreme, ultimate reality, equivalent to Brahman, and is considered the dynamic aspect of the divine.  She is the energizing force behind all existence and is central to Tantr...

    Shaktism worship of the Hindu goddess Shakti (Sanskrit: “Power” or “Energy”).  Shaktism is, (together with Vaishnavism and Shaivism,) is one of the major forms of modern Hinduism   especially popular in Bengal and Assam.  Shakti is conceived of either as the paramount goddess or as the consort of a male deity, generally Shiva. Hindus worship Shakti as the divine mother who calls for absolute surrender.  Yogis regard Shakti as the power, lying dormant within the body as a coiled serpent (kundalini), that must be aroused and realized to reach spiritual liberation.  Shaktism is an essential part of Hindu Tantra, a system of practices involving the worship of the goddess and designed to empower and release both mind and body. The  Sruti  and  Smriti  texts of Hinduism form an important scriptural framework in Shaktism. Scriptures such as the  Devi Mahatmya ,  Devi-Bhagavata Purana ,  Kalika Purana , and  Sh...

  Srividya-and-materialism A blog introduction Sri Vidya Tantra

  Srividya practitioners can be materialistic, as the tradition explicitly aims to provide both material prosperity and spiritual realization simultaneously.  Srividya is considered the ideal path for individuals leading a family life, enabling them to achieve Bhukti (material enjoyment) and Mukti (liberation) at the same time.  This dual focus is a core principle, allowing practitioners to pursue worldly well-being while progressing spiritually.  The practice incorporates methods like Srishti krama, which helps manifest life’s desires and create one’s future, alongside Samhara krama, which dissolves karmic bonds.  The tradition emphasizes that material and spiritual goals are not mutually exclusive but are harmonized through its practice

  Excerpt from “Tantra, Mantra and Yantra of Sri Vidya” by Vinita Rashinkar Sri Vidya is the knowledge of the Cosmic Mother who is the absolute reality, an embodiment of unsurpassed beauty and joy, the queen of the three worlds (sleeping, dreaming and waking). The entire Universe is her manifestation and the relationship she shares with the world is akin to that of the ocean and the waves that arise from it and subside in it. In the Kubjika Tantram, Lord Shiva defines Sri Vidya as: “ Sridatri cha sada vidya Srividya parikirtita ” The vidya that renders prosperity and abundance is called Sri Vidya. Our ancient texts and modern gurus are all in agreement on one aspect of Sri Vidya: in order for a person to practice this elegant and powerful discipline, one must have done thousands of years of sadhana in previous lives. Read further...

  Bala tripurasundari Lalitha parameswari Sri Vidya Tantra is an ancient Hindu Tantric tradition centered on the worship of the Goddess, particularly Lalitā Tripurasundarī, who is revered as the cosmic mother and supreme divine principle.  The term "Sri Vidya" translates to "knowledge" or "science" of prosperity and grace, derived from the Sanskrit words "sri" (wealth, grace) and "vid" (to know).  It is considered a non-dualistic tradition where the individual self and the cosmic universe are seen as one, with the goddess worshiped as the Self or the Divine within. The tradition is deeply rooted in the Shakta theology, which holds that the goddess is supreme and transcends the cosmos, which is a manifestation of her.  Central to Sri Vidya practice is the Sri Yantra, a sacred geometric diagram composed of nine interlocking triangles representing the chakra energy centers and the process of cosmic manifestation and dissolution.  This yant...

           Shree yantra(chakra)                   Vajra yogini Tantra ( Sanskrit: तन्त्र, lit. 'expansion-device, salvation-spreader; loom, weave, warp')  an esoteric yogic tradition that was developed in India in the middle of the 1st millennium CE,  initially within Shaivism, and subsequently in Mahayana Buddhism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.  The Tantras focus on sādhana, encompassing dīkṣā, rituals, and yoga, within a ritual framework that includes  bodily purification, divine self-creation through mantra, dhyāna, pūjā, mudrā, mantra recitation, and the use of yantras or maṇḍalas. They present complex cosmologies, viewing the body as divine and typically reflecting the union of Shiva and Shakti as the path to liberation.  Tantric goals include siddhi (supernatural accomplishment), bhoga (worldly enjoyment), and Kuṇḍalinī’s ascent, while also addressing states of possession (āveśa) and ...

 Shaktas believe, "the one Truth is sensed in ten different facets; the Divine Mother is adored and approached as ten cosmic personalities," the Dasa-Mahavidya ("ten-Mahavidyas").  As per another school of thought in Shaktism Mahavidyas are considered to be forms of Mahakali, in others as forms of Tripura Sundari.  The Mahavidyas are considered Tantric in nature, and are usually identified as:  

  .Vaishnavism is a major Hindu tradition that reveres Vishnu as the supreme deity, and his avatars like Krishna and Rama, as the highest forms of God. It is one of the largest denominations of Hinduism, with followers called Vaishnavas or Vaishnavites. Its practices are rooted in devotional worship (bhakti), which is guided by sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.   Core beliefs and practices Supreme God: Vaishnavas believe Vishnu, or a manifestation like Krishna, is the source of all existence, the preserver of the universe, and the ultimate reality.  Devotion (Bhakti): A central tenet is the path of devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu and his avatars, seeking a personal and loving relationship with the divine.  Liberation (Moksha): Devotion and surrender to Vishnu are considered the primary paths to achieving liberation from the cycle of birth and death.  Sacred texts: The tradition is based on a collection of sacred writings, with the...

  Temples  Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry There are a few dedicated temples to Dhanvantari in South India especially in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where ayurveda is highly practised and patronised. T he Thottuva Dhanwanthari temple in Kerala is a particularly famous temple, where Lord Dhanvantari's idol is almost six feet tall and facing east. On the right hand the lord holds amrita and with the left hand the lord holds Atta, Shanku and Chakra. The 'Ekadasi' day celebration, which falls on the same day as the 'Guruvayur Ekadasi' is of special significance. In Tamil Nadu, in the courtyard of Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam), there is a Dhanvantari shrine where daily worship of the deity is performed. In front of this temple there is an engraved stone believed to be from the 12th century. According to the writings on the stone, Garuda Vahana Bhattar, a great ayurvedic physician, established the statue inside the temple. A prasada or tirtham, a herbal decoction, ...

   Origin The Bala Kanda of the Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana state that Dhanvantari emerged from the Ocean of Milk and appeared with the pot of amrita (elixir of immortality) during the Samudra Manthana, whilst the ocean was being churned by the devas and the asuras, using the Mandara mountain and the serpent Vasuki. The pot of amrita was snatched by the asuras, and after this event, Vishnu's avatar, Mohini, appears and takes the nectar back from the asuras. It is also believed that Dhanvantari promulgated the practice of Ayurveda. Of special mention here is the treatise of Dhanvantari-Nighantu, which completely elucidates Dhanvantari's medicinal plants. The Brahmanda Purana describes the origin of the physician deity: Let the origin of Dhanvantari be heard, O Brāhmaṇas.  He was born formerly when the ocean was being churned, for the sake of nectar.  At the outset, he was born before the Kalaśa (pot). He was encircled by a halo of glory all round. On seeing him havi...

Dhanvantari  is the physician of the devas in Hinduism.  He is regarded as an avatar of Vishnu.[6] He is mentioned in the Puranas as the god of Ayurveda. During his incarnation on earth, he reigned as the King of Kashi, today locally referred to as Varanasi Dhanvantari is also identified as the great-grandfather of Divodasa, the King of Kashi  mentioned in the Vishnu Purana who is known as the father of surgery in Ayurveda. nelluva dhanvantri

  Puranas are a large body of ancient Hindu and Jain literature containing myths, legends, and genealogy, written between the 4th century BCE and 1000 CE. They cover topics like the creation and destruction of the universe, the genealogies of gods and kings, and the history of dynasties, and are considered influential sacred texts. There are 18 main Puranas (Mahapuranas) and numerous secondary Puranas (Upapuranas).   Key aspects of the Puranas Title and meaning: The word "Purana" means "ancient" in Sanskrit.  Content: The Puranas are encyclopedic and cover a wide range of themes, including:  Cosmogony (creation of the universe)  The destruction and recreation of the universe  Genealogies of gods, heroes, and kings  The reigns of the Manus  History of various dynasties  Mythological stories of gods and goddesses  Information on pilgrimages, temples, and rituals  Other topics such as medicine, astronomy, and philosophy  Stru...

  The perception that the Bhagavad Gita is against "orthodox Hinduism" stems from its reinterpretation of Vedic rituals and social norms in favor of a more direct, inclusive, and personal path to spiritual liberation. While the Gita does not reject the Vedas, it critiques a rigid, ritualistic approach to religion that focuses on external rites over internal devotion and self-realization.  The Gita's challenges to orthodoxy can be understood through its reframing of key Hindu concepts:  1. Reframing the purpose of Vedic rituals In pre-Gita Vedic traditions, the Karma Kanda, or ritualistic portion of the Vedas, focused on sacrifices and elaborate ceremonies to gain worldly rewards or a place in heaven. The Gita redirects this focus:  Criticism of ritual obsession: The Gita criticizes those who exclusively focus on the literal interpretation of the Vedas for the purpose of material gain, calling their desires "many-branched and endless". Internalizing sacrifice: It...

 Malaysia  Hindus in Malaysia have a rich history that traces its origins back to the third century BCE.  During this time, the influence of Sanatan Dharma began to make its mark on the Malay-speaking world and enriched the cultural and spiritual landscape of the region Read

  HE  ORIGINS  OF  sAIVISM  THE  origins  of  Saivism  are  lost  in  obscurity,  but  it  is  clear  that  the  Saivism  of  history  is  a  blend  of  two  lines  of  development,  the  Aryan  or  Vedic  and  the  pre-Aryan.  Much  more  than  the  urbane  cult  of  Visnu,  it  has  exhibited  a  close  alliance  with  yoga  and  thaumaturgy,  and  a  constant  tendency  to  run  into  the  extremes  of  ascetic  fervour.  It  is  not  a  single  cult,  but  a  federation  of  allied  cults,  whose  practices  range  from  the  serenest  form  of  personal...