R. Venugopalan India Known Things Unknown Secrets Reading excerpt India Known Things Unknown Secrets of R. Venugopalan Publisher: Health Harmony http://www.narayana-verlag.com/b1789 In the Narayana webshop you can find all english books on homeopathy, alternative medicine and a healthy life. Copying excerpts is not permitted. Narayana Verlag GmbH, Blumenplatz 2, D-79400 Kandern, Germany Tel. +49 7626 9749 700 Email [email protected] http://www.narayana-verlag.com CONTENTS Preface .................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements ............................................................... 7 A Prayer .................................................................................. 9 UNDERSTANDING HINDUISM BASIC HINDU QUESTIONS ................................................... 3 Religion............................................................................... 3 Origins of Hinduism ........................................................... 3 Hinduism way of salvation................................................. 4 Hinduism the concept of boardroom discussion............... 6 A Hindu............................................................................... 7 Sruti..................................................................................... 7 Smritis ................................................................................. 8 Four Vedas contain........................................................... 12 Important Upanishads?.................................................... 13 Upa-Vedas......................................................................... 14 Limbs of the Vedas........................................................... 16 Puranas ............................................................................. 17 Upa-Puranas?.................................................................... 19 Agamas and its types ....................................................... 21 Narayana Verlag; 79400 Kandern Tel: 0049 7626 9749700 Except from R. Venugopalan: INDIA known things unknown secrets SOUL SEARCHERS-RITUALS & CULTURE OF INDIA Shaiva Agamas .................................................................. 23 Sakta Agamas.................................................................... 24 Shat-Darshana ................................................................... 25 Four Varnas/Four Castes.................................................... 31 Brahmins............................................................................ 33 Duties of the Brahmins ..................................................... 34 Origin of Brahmin ............................................................. 35 Sub-Divisions in Brahmin Caste .........................................35 Kshatriyas .......................................................................... 36 Vaishyas ..............................................................................37 Shudras...............................................................................38 Gotra and Pravaram...........................................................39 Chatur-Yuga (Four Yuga) ...................................................41 Satya or Krita Yuga ............................................................42 Treta Yuga ..........................................................................43 Dwapara Yuga....................................................................44 Kali Yuga ............................................................................46 RELIGIOUS & OCCULT BASICS............................................ 47 Niddhi .................................................................................47 Riddhi .................................................................................48 Asta (8) Siddhies.................................................................48 64Kalas ..............................................................................50 Apsaras...............................................................................55 Gandharvas.........................................................................56 Kinnars............................................................................... 56 Kimpurushas.......................................................................56 Yakshas...............................................................................57 Asta Vasus ........................... ,.............................................57 Narayana Verlag; 79400 Kandern Tel: 0049 7626 9749700 Except from R. Venugopalan: INDIA known things unknown secrets CONTENTS Rudras................................................................................ 57 Aadityas ............................................................................ 58 Asta-Dikhpala ................................................................... 60 Somarasa .......................................................................... 61 Devas and Asuras.............................................................. 61 Daitya ................................................................................ 62 Bhoota .............................................................................. 62 Preta.................................................................................. 63 Rakshasha.......................................................................... 63 Pisacha............................................................................... 63 Samaya (Time)................................................................... 64 Distance/ Measurement ................................................... 67 Kalpas................................................................................ 68 Kalpas as per Brahmanda and Vayu Purana ..................... 69 Lokas ................................................................................. 70 Swastika ............................................................................ 70 GODS & GODDESS OF HINDU RELIGION ........................ 75 Lord Brahma ......................................................................76 Rudra..................................................................................78 Bhasma (Holy Ash).............................................................84 Shiva Linga................ ........................................................87 Jyotirlinga ..........................................................................92 Benaras ..............................................................................95 Lord Vishnu ........................................................................96 Incarnations of Lord Vishnu ..............................................97 Navagrahas ....................................................................... 105 Surya.................................................................................105 Chandra…………………………………………….................106 Narayana Verlag; 79400 Kandern Tel: 0049 7626 9749700 Except from R. Venugopalan: INDIA known things unknown secrets SOUL SEARCHERS-RITUALS & CULTURE OF INDIA Budh (Mercury)................................................................ 107 Mangal (Mars) ................................................................. 107 Guru (Jupiter) ...................................................................108 Shukra (Venus) .................................................................108 Shani (Saturn / Manda) ....................................................109 Rahu (Dragons Head) & Ketu (Dragons Tail)...................109 Indra..................................................................................110 M i t ra .................................... ...........................................111 Pusan/ Pasupata ...............................................................111 Lord Varuna......................................................................111 A g ni ..................................................................................113 Kubera .............................................................................113 Yamaraja...........................................................................114 Devi Du,rga .......................................................................115 Animals Deities ............................................................... 119 Kamadhenu......................................................................119 Nandi ................................................................................120 Airavata ............................................................................121 Akupara............................................................................121 Garuda..............................................................................121 Sheshnaga ...................: ...................................................122 KNOWN THINGS AND UNKNOWN ANSWERS.................. 125 Conch Blowing .................................................................126 Bell & Gongs.....................................................................128 Kalasha .............................................................................130 Ornaments & Beauty .......................................................132 Bindi or Tilak………………………………………….........139 Narayana Verlag; 79400 Kandern Tel: 0049 7626 9749700 Except from R. Venugopalan: INDIA known things unknown secrets CONTENTS Mangala Sutra ...............................................................