24) The King – AGNI PURANA

The king’s duties are many. He has to punish his enemies, ensure the prosperity of his subjects and arrange that his kingdom is ruled well. He has to protect the sages who perform tapasya inside the boundaries of his kingdom. A king should appoint a wise brahmana as his priest….

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23) Gayatri Mantra Benefits in Puranas

Gayatri Mantra Benefits in Puranas Gayatri mantra is a very powerful incantation. The human body has many veins. Out of these, ten veins are important and their names are Ida, Pingala, Sushumna, Gandhari, Hasti Jihva, Pritha, Yasha, Alambusha, Huha and Shankhini. These veins bear the breath of life. The breath…

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22) Giving Alms – AGNI PURANA

Giving alms is extremely important as means for achieving punya. Alms always have to be donated when one goes to visit a temple or a place of pilgrimage. The giver must always face the east and the receiver must always face the north when alms are being given. Such donations…

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21) Vratas in Hinduism – AGNI PURANA

Vrata – Fourteen Depending on the tithi (lunar day), the day of the week, the nakshatras (stars), the month, the season and the position of the sun, certain specific religious rites and ceremonies have to be performed. These are known as vratas. Pratipada The first day of the lunar fortnight…

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19) Manu’s Dharma – Varna Ashrama Dharma – AGNI PURANA

Manu’s Dharma All the Manus practised the precepts of dharma (righteousness). This meant non-violence, truthfulness, piety, going on pilgrimages donating alms, serving devas and brahmanas, tolerance of all religions and the following of the sacred texts. It also meant the practice of the system of the four classes (varna) and…

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