Namaste all!
It's well known that Rudrākṣa mālā and Tulasī mālā are sacred for Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu respectively, but are there any kinds of mālā that are sacred to other deities? I know that red coral is used for Lord Hanuman...
Are there any deities that are supposed to face a certain direction?
I know the Navagrahas all face certain directions, and Śiva is supposed to face south, but that's about it.
Mainly I'd like to ask what direction Gaṇeśa should face because I plan on getting Him next, but I...
Namaste.
I don't think of the Liṅgaṃ as a phallic symbol, but many of them out there are undeniably phallic.
Whence did this interpretation of the Liṅgaṃ as a phallic symbol occur?
Also, which interpretation came first? The formless, or the phallus?
What exactly is burned to make Vibhūti?
Is there synthetic Vibhūti being sold?
If so, how would I determine the real stuff?
Thank you, Namaste.
Namaste everyone, I am planning on obtaining a Lingam, and I would like to know some of the basics of conducting Linga Abhishekam. I would also like to know some things about Maha Shivratri, so if you would be so kind:
1.Does the Lingam have to be black, or is the black Lingam considered more...
Is orthodox Hindu belief that all the Devas, Trimurti, etc. are all incarnations of that one Brahman? Or are different Gods and Goddesses distinct individuals? Please share your beliefs and traditions, I have a high respect for the Sanatan Dharma as I do all wholesome Dharmas, Namaste.