Hinduism : Basic Principles of Hinduism

What are its basic principles of Hinduism?
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 Briefly, the principles of Hinduism may be stated as follows:

The ultimate reality of the universe is one and not more than one. The nature of this reality is spiritual in the sense of Intelligence or Consciousness. Therefore, this reality is Universal, Omnipresent, and hence at once Omniscient and Omnipotent. Creation is a veritable Body of this All-pervading Almighty Omnipresence. The relationship between this reality, which is called God, and the created universe is intrinsic, organic and vital, and not external or mechanistic. There are several planes in this creation, broadly classified into fourteen realms known as lokas, all which are inhabited by different categories of beings, right from the lowest level of the physical elements up to the region of the Creator Himself. In the sense stated above, the whole universe and all beings are vehicles of divinity and radiant with the immanent Godhead, all potentially having the birthright of attaining union with the Supreme Almighty through gradual evolution. The human being is one such created species among the many others which are said to run to 84 lakhs in number. Man, thus, occupies a stage in the process of a still higher ascent and he is not the end of creation or evolution. The human life is to be organised by the integrating principles of dharma (moral value), artha (material value), kama (vital value) and moksha (spiritual value), the last one mentioned being in fact the infinite value of existence. Society is also to be brought into a united force of hierarchy through mutual cooperation by the application of what is known as Varnashrama-dharma, which means the arrangement of society into classes of spiritual power, political power, economic power and man-power, known usually as Brahmans, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra, and the order of life into the levels of education, the performance of the duties of life, withdrawal from personal attachments, and attainment of spiritual illumination, which stages go by the names of Brahmacharya, Garhasthya, Vanaprastha and Sannyasa. Every faith, cult, creed, belief, religion or outlook represents a facet or phase of the evolving consciousness in the process of the universe, thus transforming life in the world, nay, life in the universe itself, into a wide family of internally related and mutually cooperating members who have all a system of obligations and duties, excluding nothing but including everything, finally with the purpose of universal spiritual realisation.
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Edited from the article written by H.H Swami Sivananda.

Kotravaleeswarar Temple, Koviloor.

Sri Kotravaleeswarar Temple, Koviloor, TN..


The Koviloor temple of Sri Kotravaleeswarar is quite ancient, about 1,000 years old, and was built by a Pandya king -Veerasekara Pandiyan. In those olden days, Koviloor was referred to as Saliwadi (Land of Rice) and Kalani Vasal (Land of Agriculture). According to legend, King Veerasekaran went hunting in the vicinity of Saliwadi village and lost his sword which he found later. He initiated the construction of a temple at the spot and christened the deity Kotravaleeswarar or Raja Katka Parameshwar (the God who saved the King's sword, courage and in doing so, the citizens).

Tamil Scripture : Aranerisaaram, அறநெறிச்சாரம் (முனைப்பாடியார் அருளியது)

Gems of Tamil Scripture : Aranerissaram
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"நல்லறம் எந்தை நிரையெம்மை நன்குணரும்
கல்வியென் தோழன் துணிவேம்பி- அல்லாத
பொய்ச் சுற்றத் தாரும் பொருளோ பொருளாய
இச்சற்றத் தாரில் எனக்கு."
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-- அறநெறிச்சாரம் (முனைப்பாடியார் அருளியது)
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நம்மை தரத்தக்க அறசெயலே என் தந்தை, அறிவுச செல்வமே என் தாய்,நல்லவற்றை ஆராய்ந்து அறிய உதவும் கல்விச் செல்வமே என்தொழன், துணிவே என் இளைய சகோதரன், உறுதி தரக்கூடிய இவ்வுரவினர்கள் போல் எனக்கு ரத்த உறவினால் வரும் உறவினர்கள் நன்மை தருவார்களா?
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கருத்துரை:
அறச்செயலும்,நல்லறிவு தரும் கல்வியும்; துணிவும்; உறவுகளாகும்.

Channakesava Temple, Shantigrama, Karnataka..

Sri Channakesava Temple, Shantigrama, Karnataka..

Constructed in 13th century during the reign of Hoysalas.

Purananooru : Tamil Semmozhi scripture

Puranaanooru : Tamil Semmozhi scripture
இம்மைச் செய்தது மறுமைக்கு ஆம் எனும்
அறவிலை வணிகன் ஆஅய் அல்லன்
பிறரும் சான்றோர் சென்ற நெறியென
ஆங்குப் பட்டன்று அவன் கைவண்மையே.
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Translation :

Āy is not like a businessman with fair
prices who thinks that the good done in
this birth will help the next one.
His generosity is because of other noble
men before him who followed the right path!
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Meaning:
இம்மைச் செய்தது மறுமைக்கு ஆம் எனும் – that what is done (good deeds) in this birth will help the next one,
அற விலை வணிகன் – merchant with fair prices,
ஆ அய் அல்லன் – that is not Āy,
பிறரும் சான்றோர் சென்ற நெறியென ஆங்குப் பட்டன்று அவன் கை வண்மையே – his charity is because noble men before him who have followed the right path
(Āy was one of the seven great philonthropists, who were small-region kings. The seven are Kāri, Ori, Pēkan, Āy, Nalli, Pāri and Athikan – Athikan is Athiyamān, who is mentioned as Elini (his clan name) in Puranānūru.)

Mukthanatheswara Temple, Binnamangala, Karnataka..

Sri Mukthanatheswara Temple, Binnamangala, Karnataka..
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Binnamangala near Bangalore has a Chola temple dedicated to Lord Mukthanatheshwara. This temple was constructed by Raja Rajendra Chola in the 10 th century AD.

This wonderful ancient temple was recently renovated by the ASI with the help of the locals and the deity is being worshiped since then. As some parts of the temple were badly damaged , they had to be replaced by new stones and the work is no match to the original work.

There is an inscription stone (written in Tamil) in front of the temple giving the information about the temple. There is also a sculpture of the king Rajendra Chola besides a tall pillar.

Neethi Neri Vilakkam - Kumaragurubhara Swamigal

Know Your Tamil : Neethi Neri Vilakkam.
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மெய்வருத்தம் பாரார் பசிநோக்கார் கண்டுஞ்சார்
எவ்வெவர் தீமையு மேற்கொள்ளார் - *செவ்வி*
அருமையும் பாரா ரவமதிப்புங் கொள்ளார்
கருமமே கண்ணாயி னார்.

---ஸ்ரீகுமரகுருபர சுவாமிகள்
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தாம் தொடங்கிய காரியத்தை முடிப்பதிலேயே கருத்துக்கொண்டவர், தம் உடம்பின் வருத்தத்தைக் கவனியார்; பசியையும் கவனியார்; உறங்கார்; யார் தீங்கு செய்தாலும் அதைப்பொருட்படுத்தார்; காலத்தின் அருமையையும் நோக்கார்; (பிறர் செய்யும்)அவமதிப்பையும் கருதார்.

Durgadevi Temple, Hirekerur, Karnataka..

Sri Durgadevi Temple, Hirekerur, Karnataka..

Caste System in Ancient India

In Ancient India two great Rishis "Rishi Bhrigu" and "Rishi Bhardwaj", met to discuss how to structure a stable society. "Rishi Brigu" said that there are four sources of power in the society and we must ensure that nobody has more than one of the se. The four sources are Knowledge, Weapons , Wealth and Land. They should not be in the same hand, not even two should be in the same hand. So those who have knowledge should not have wealth, weapons and land. Those who have weapons will rule the country but they will not make the policy. They need to go to people having knowledge to seek permission and advice to formulate policies of governance. Those who have wealth, their social status will be decided by the amount of philanthropy they do, not by their quantum of wealth. Those who have land have to produce food for the society. In fact none of these four categories or "varna" were based on birth.

The mother of Maharishi "Ved Vyasha", who wrote the "Mahabharat", was a fisher woman. Maharishi "Valmiki", who wrote the "Ramayan", was the child of a Dalit woman. 'Kalidasha", who was one of the greatest poets of our country, was a sheperd. "Rishi Vishwamitra", considered as Rishi of Rishis, was born in a"Kshatriya" family. All of them were well versed in Sanskrit. This proves that the Hindu Dharma does not have have "varna" or "caste' on the basis of Birth. Sanskrit education was not restricted to any community.
Ravana was a "Brahmin" by birth who none of the Hindus worship. So, every Hindu needs to understand that caste system is not by birth and should reject it completely.

Sri Someswara Temple, Kolar, Karnataka..

Sri Someswara Temple, Kolar, Karnataka..

Thonta Siddalingeswara Temple, Yediyur, Karnataka..

Sri Thonta Siddalingeswara Temple, Yediyur, Karnataka..
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Yediyur was the home of a famous Veerashaiva spiritual teacher and author, Thontada Siddhalinga. His samadhi stands today in the Siddhalingeswara temple which is built in Dravidian style in 15th century. This temple has a Ratha (Procession car) with six stone wheels. A car festival takes place annually in March–April and lasts a fortnight.
This is a pilgrimage centre for Lord Shiva’s devotees.

Meaning of " Arya"

The meaning of Arya in Vedas is not as described by some historians, who call some imaginary Aryan invasion theory. The word " ARYA" is most grossly misunderstood word in Tamilnadu especially after the advent of black forces. The Arya as described in Vedas are as follows:

Kartavyamacharn Karma, Akratvyamanacharan.
Vishthti Prakritachare yeh sa Arya smriteh

(Vasishtha Smriti)
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Meaning : "A person who does only praiseworthy acts, holds the traditions in high regard and upholds them, does not adopt harmful habits and actions, but instead gets rid of such, and is, by his or her nature, a caring person, is alone called Arya. "

Kadu Mallilarjuna Temple, Malleswaram, Bangalore..

Kadu Mallilarjuna Temple, Malleswaram, Bangalore..
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Kadu Malleshwara Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bangalore located in Malleswaram. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Kadu Malleshwara Temple is constructed in Dravidian architecture during the reign of King Venkojirao Bhonsle of Thanjavur.
The word 'Kadu' literally means forest, referring to the thick vegetation that marked the surrounding places.
Malleswaram, the suburb gets the name after this historic temple.
Thousands of devotees from and around Bangalore visit Kadu Malleshwara Temple in Malleswaram during the holy day of Shivaratri festival

Jain Mutt, Varanga, Karnataka..

Jain Mutt, Varanga, Karnataka..
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Varanga is a small village located in the Udupi district. It is an ancient seat of a Jain mutt and is a branch of the Humcha Jain monastery.
An inscription belonging to the 13th century, found in the premises of the Neminatha Basadi, mentions about the existence of a Jain mutt here even before the installation of that inscription. The Jain mutt is said to have belonged to the Mula Kundakundanvaya Kranurgana’s Mesha Pashana Gachha tradition. Further references in the inscription give us enough proof that this Jain mutt belonged to a period of around 8th and 9th century

Ranganatha Temple, Unmatturu, Near Chamaraja Nagara, Karnataka..

Sri Ranganatha Devalaya,Ummatturu,Near Chamarajanagara,Karnataka..
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Sri Ranganatha Devalaya was constructed by Vijayanagara Kings in 16th Century and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Kalleswara Temple, Aerial View, Bagali, Karnataka..

Kalleswara Temple, Bagali, Karnataka..

Kalleswara Temple, Bagali, Karnataka..

Sri Kalleswara Temple, Bagali, Karnataka

The construction of the temple shrine and closed mantapa was completed in the late Rashtrakuta empire period (mid-10th century). The ornate open mantapa was built by Western (Kalyani) Chalukya King Tailapa II in 987 A.D. One can see the two distinct styles of Rasthrakuta AND Chalukyan architecture , i mean fusion of two architectural styles. Must visit place in Karnataka.

Uma Maheswara Temple, Hosanagara, Karnataka..

Sri Umamaheswara Temple, Hosanagara, Karnataka..
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Umamaheswara Temple was constructed by Keladi rulers in 15th century and it is in Keladi-Vijayanagara Style. Beautifully sculpted images of Dasavathara adores the outer wall.

Veeranarayana Temple, Gadag, Karnataka..

Sri Veera Narayana Temple, Gadag, Karnataka...
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Shri Veeranarayana temple in Gadag is built by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana.The temple is a mixture of Chalukya, Hoysala and Vijayanagara sculptures.The main entrance gate reminds us the Vijayanagara Art.Inside GarudaGamba and Rangamantap are in the manner of Hoysala sculpture.
This Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu/Veera Narayana.Inside the temple we can see many pillars and one of them is called Kumaravyasana Sthambha.Its believed that Mahakavi Kumaravyasa wrote Karnataka Bharatha Katha Manjari (classic Mahabharatha in Kannada) sitting beneath this pillar.This temple is one among the 5 Narayana Temples in Karnataka established by King Vishnuvardhana.

Kamleswara Temple, Byadagi, Karnataka..

Sri Kamleswara Temple, Mathur village, Byadagi, Karnataka..

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The village Muthur is about 12kms from Byadagi town of Haveri District. Sri Kalmeshwara Temple at Muthur was built during 11th century AD in later Chalukyan style. This temple has beautifully carved pillars and other structures. But the carvings show the strong influence of Rashtrakuta architecture. The exterior of the temple was in very bad condition due to negligence and heavy growth of vegetation. This temple which was almost covered with the earth was dismantled after complete removal of covered earth. The outside wall of the temple built by brick was removed and reconstructed with new stone walls. Suitable shikara over garbhagriha was also built. New stone slabs were laid for inside flooring and outside pradakshinapatha. The restoration work of the temple took place during 2011-12. After the restoration work, the daily pooja is being performed in this temple.

Mahabharatha - Concluding verses Moral essence.

These 4 verses are found in the end of the epic of Mahabaratha and are supposed to be the moral essence of the great epic.

"Mata pitra sahsrani putra dara satanica
Samsare svanubhutani yanti yasyanti chapare" -1

Thousands of mothers and fathers,
And hundreds of wives and sons,
Are experienced in several births,
And are going to be experienced in the future.

Harsha sthana sahasrani bhaya sthana satani cha
Divase divase moodam avisanti na panditam - 2
Thousands of experiences of happiness
Hundreds of experiences of fears,
Afflict the dim witted man,
But will not affect the wise man.

Urdhva bahur viraumyesha na cha kascid srunoti may
Dharmad arthascha kamasca sa dharma kim na sevyate - 3
I am shouting this loudly,
Raising my hands above,
But no one listens to this,
“Wealth and love comes out of Dharma*,
But no one is bothered to practice his Dharma.”

Na jatu kaman na bhayan na lobbhad Dharmam tyaje jjivitasyapi hetho
Nityo dharmah sukha dukhe tvanitye  Jivo nityo heturasya tvanitye., - 4
Dharma should not be forsaken,
Either due to desire, fear or avarice,
Dharma is permanent but pleasure and sorrow are temporary,
Like soul is permanent but body is temporary.

Kunnandarkoil Cave Temple, Parvathagireeswarar, Tamil Nadu..

Sri Kunnandar Cave Temple, Tamil Nadu

Kunnandarkoil Cave Temple in Kunnandarkoil, a village in Pudukottai district in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Constructed in Rock-cut architecture, the temple is believed to have been built during the 8th century by Muttaraiyar kings, the cardinals of Pallavas, with later expansion from the Vijayanagar Empire. The rock-cut architecture in the temple is a specimen of the late Pallava Art and an early example of Chola Art. The temple has various inscriptions from Cholas, Chalukyas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar Empire. The temple is considered one of the oldest stone temples in South India. The temple is maintained and administered by Department of Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument.

The main shrine faces East and the sanctum houses the image of Lingam, an iconic representation of Shiva. Shiva is worshipped as Parvathagiriswarar. The walls of the sanctum are plain, unlike later Chola temples that have niches to house different images. The sanctum is approached through an Arthamandapa, a hall supported by pillars. The sanctum is guarded by Dvarapalas on either sides. The inscriptions are made on the base of the Dvarapalas. There are two portrait images, one of which is identified as the Muttraraiyar chief who built the temple and other being his assistant.

Irattai Pulavar

Know Your Tamil : Irattai Pulavar.
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வெட்டி ஆற்றில் அடித்துக்கொண்டு போனபோது பாடியது : இரட்டை புலவர் .
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"அப்பிலே தோய்த்திட்டு அடுத்தடுத்து நாம் அதனை
  தப்பினால் நம்மை அது தப்பாதோ - இப்புவியில்
  இக்கலிங்கம் போனால்என்? ஏகாலிங்க மாமதுரை
  சொக்கலிங்கம் தானிருக்க சொல்.."
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Meaning :
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துணியைத் தண்ணீரில் நனைத்து திரும்ப திரும்ப அடித்து வெளுத்தாள் அது நம்மை விட்டு தப்பிப்போய் விடாதோ?. இவ்வுலகத்தில் ஒப்பற்ற சிவலிங்கமாக சிவபெருமான் துணையாக உள்ளார்.அதனால் இந்த துணைபோனால் என்ன?..சொல்வாயாக

Shiva Mandira, Narayanapura, Bidar.

Sri Shiva Mandira, Narayanpur, Karnataka...
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Shivmandira is located in the village Narayanpura of Basavakalyan Taluk in Bidar district. This temple was constructed by Chalukyas around 12th Century AD. Near by there is a temple dedicated to Goddess Bhavani known as Bhagyavanthi Temple.

Saffron or Bhagwa Flag

What is Bhagwa Dhwaj or Saffron flag ?
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Nowadays Bhagwa Dhwaj is used by a few Hindu organizations with their own modification on it.It is designated as communal by secular forces. Many of them think it as a religious flag, hardly anyone knows about it. In this post, a brief info is presented.

The Bhagwa Dhwaj is the eternal symbol of Dharma .
It stands for Dharma, advancement, glory, knowledge, sacrifice and valour. The combination of these six aspirations is Bhagwa.
The flag reminds us of the orange hue around the rising Sun, that dispels darkness and radiates light all around. i.e. to destroy Adharma and establish Dharma. The shape of the Bhagwa has another significance: diversity, acceptance, harmony and mutual respect. The two portions remind us that duality, contrast, inequality, diversity are inevitable. For harmonious existence there must be sharing, respect and cooperation, .i.e. one portion upon other.
Whenever we see Bhagwa Dhwaj it reminds us of the great ‘Aaryas’ who have laid their lives to save its honour. ( Arya means Virtuous )

Kalleswara Swamy Temple, Mallapura, Chitradurga, Karnataka..

Sri Kalleswaraswamy Temple, Mallapura, Chitradurga, Karnataka.


Mallapura village is situated at a distance of about 4kms from Chitradurga town on the Bangalore-Hospete National Highway.  Sri Kalleshwara Swamy Temple was built in around 800 years ago. While the Gopura could be attributed to Kadambanaagara style of architecture, Garbhagudi is of Kalyana Chalukya style of architecture. The restoration work of this temple took place during 2011-12. This ruined structure was restored after complete dismantling and strengthening the adhisthana. Major portion of missed stones were substituted with new ones. After the restoration work, the daily pooja is being performed in this temple and which attracting many a number of devotees.
Restoration work was carried by the Sri Manjunatheswara Dharmoththaana Trust under the instruction from Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala temple Sri Veerendra Hegde.

Harihareswara Temple, Harihara

Sri Harhareswara Temple, Harihara, Karnataka....


The Harihareshwara Temple at Harihar in Karnataka state, India, was built in 1223–1224 CE by Polalva, a commander and minister of the Hoysala Empire King Vira Narasimha II. The temple was consecrated for the deity Harihara, a fusion of the Hindu Gods Vishnu and Shiva. The image of the deity is a fusion of the right vertical half of Shiva and left vertical half of Vishnu. The image holds in its right hand, the attributes of Shiva and in the left hand, those of Vishnu. Lathe turned pillars support the ceiling of the open hall, which has beautiful lotuses.