The Jai Jais Blog

Hindus have also paid great respect to trees and other plants as they are the foundation of life. In Hindu religious texts such as the Puranas great importance has been shown to trees and plants, equating them with Gods. It has been written to treat them as members of the family. Scientists have stated that trees and plants are living beings.

“Mahadeva” literally means in Sanskrit, “Highest of all gods”. The mighty Lord Shiva, and his iconic and mesmerising Trishul of Lord Shiva, a weapon of destruction, he even severed the original head of his son Ganesha.  Whilst preforming his cosmic dance he can destroy all three worlds. The weapon as so many representations and it denotes several trinities. The three points have various meaning, significance and their own stories behind them:

Agni in Sanskrit means “Fire”.  Agni is the fire god of Hinduism. He is regarded as the friend and protector of humanity, and is know to safe guard our homes. Agni knows the thoughts of all people, and is a witness to all important actions, hence the ceremonial fire during Hindu weddings. He has been referred to in the Mahabharata as the “purifier”.

Shanti is a Sanskrit term meaning "peace." In Hindu practices, also in Buddhist and Jain practices. Shanti is often chanted three times to represent threefold peace in body, mind and spirit.  It’s a beautiful meaning and also a very beautiful sound. 

Aarti is one of the most important and popular rituals of the Hindu faith. Aarti has been performed since the Vedic period.  It is a ceremony performed in  greeting and thanksgiving of the deities, where devotees are reminded of God’s presence. In Sanskrit, the word ‘arti’ is composed of ‘aa’, meaning complete, and ‘rati’, meaning love. The Aarti is an expression of one’s complete love towards God. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of adoration, and meditative awareness.

The Sudarshan Chakra a spinning, disk-like weapon. Sudarshan Chakra is derived from two words ‘su’ and ‘darshan’. It Sanskrit it means auspicious (su) vision (darshan). Sudarshan means ‘Divine Vision’. Chakra is derived from ‘chruhu’, which denotes ‘movement’. It is used by Vishnu and Krishna. Sudarshan Chakra is described as the most powerful weapon of the cosmos, rivalled only by Shiva's trident. It adorns Lord Vishnu's index finger like a ring, and has miraculous powers. Today we tell you the Jai Jais Way some interesting facts about Sudarshan Chakra that are described in Vishnu Purana.

It was said that the first cow appeared during the Samudra Manthan, churning of the sea in the Bhagavata Purana in the Mahabharata and in the Vishnu Purana. Lord Krishna grew up herding cows, and playing his flute to the Gopis (milkmaids). His names “Govinda” and “Gopala” means, friend and protector of cows. Even Lord Shiva’s Bull Nandi is the sacred bull. Nandi is worshipped in his own right as the bearer of truth and righteousness.

According to modern Ayurvedic sources, the origins of Ayurveda have been traced to around 6,000 BCE. Many herbs some now unknown and some still used in Ayurveda to this day, were originally described in the Vedas. Ayurveda was recorded in Sanskrit, in the Vedas: the Rig Veda (3000-2500 BCE), Yajur Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda (1200-1000 BCE). In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” 

The most ancient sacred texts of the Hindu religion are written in Sanskrit and called the Vedas.

Hinduism does not just have one sacred book but several scriptures. The Vedas scriptures guide Hindus in their daily life. They also help to preserve the religious dimensions of family and society. Hindus have developed their system of worship and beliefs from the scriptures.

There are two main categories of the Hindu scriptures:

Shruti-"That which is heard", consists of the four Vedas and Upanishads scriptures.

Smriti-"That which is remembered", composed of traditional texts, including the Dharma Shastras (legal and ethical texts), the Puranas, and the folk/historical legends known as the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Let's find out more The Jai Jais way.