Peacock Feather And Hinduism

Symbolism Of Peacock Feather In
Hinduism

Peacock is regarded as one of the most
auspicious bird in Hindu mythology. It's a
beautiful bird and has also earned the favour of
being the national bird of India. You may have
noticed that many people hand the peacock
feathers in their houses. It is believed that
keeping peacock feather at home brings good
luck and prosperity in the house.
It is actually a matter of great interest as to
how dramatically the species of peacock has
survived over the time span of 4000 years. It
has survived climatic changes, predatory
animals and human's destructive tendencies.
It still remains the oldest ornamental bird in the
world. Have you ever wondered what could be
the secret of its survival? You will be surprised
to know about the myths which surround the
survival of peacock.
Here are some stories from the Hindu
mythology which substantiates the symbolism
of peacock and its feathers in Hinduism.

ALSO SEE: THE HEALING POWERS OF
GAYATRI MANTRA

Origin
It is believed that Mayura or peacock was
created from one of the feathers of Garuda
(another mythical bird in Hind mythology,
carrier of Lord Vishnu). In images of the
peacock is depicted as a mythical bird, which
is killing a snake. According to a number of
Hindu scriptures, it is a symbol of cycle of
time.

The Beautiful Feathers
Long back, peacocks had dull tail feathers. In a
battle between Ravana and Lord Indra, the bird
opened its feathers for Indra to hide behind and
wage a war. Indra was saved and in gratitude,
he made its long feathers iridescent. That is
why Indra is often depicted as seated on a
peacock throne.

Peacock Feather & Goddess Lakshmi

Peacock is also identified with the Goddess of
wealth, Lakshmi. That is why people keep
peacock feathers at home because it is
believed to bring wealth and prosperity in the
house. It is also said to keep the house free
from flies and other insects.
Peacock Feather In Hinduism
Peacock feather is of great importance in
Hinduism. Lord Krishna wears a peacock
feather on His crown. Goddess Kaumari,
another form of Shakti also rides a peacock.
Lord Karthikeya or Murugan uses peacock as
His mode of conveyance. Hence, we see that
peacock and its feathers are extremely
significant in Hinduism.

Benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is a highly nutritious, cleansing,
and refreshing juice that is lightly sweet and
packed with B-complex vitamins and minerals
such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium,
zinc, and manganese. Coconut water is one of the
highest sources of electrolytes known. It’s a
natural isotonic beverage with the same level of
electrolytic balance that we have in our blood. In
our body, plasma is what makes up 55% of human
blood and coconut water is identical to human
plasma, which makes it a universal donor. Some
claim that drinking coconut water gives a person
an instant blood transfusion. During the Pacific
War of 1941-1945, both sides in the conflict
regularly used coconut water-siphoned directly
from the nut-to give emergency plasma
transfusions to wounded soldiers. Coconut water
has also shown significant anti-cancer, anti-
thrombotic, and anti-aging benefits due to its high
cytokinin content. It’s bioactive enzymes help to
significantly support digestion and metabolism.
Coconut water is low in calories and is an
excellent weight loss drink. It also has the ability
to hydrate the body on a deep, cellular level
making it an essential beverage for athletes and
those that live a busy, active life. It also has been
shown to help balance pH levels, boost the
immune system, and support kidneys in filtering
toxins and reducing the risk of kidney stones.
Coconut water is highly beneficial for
cardiovascular health as it can help to reduce
blood pressure and increase healthy circulation. It
is also a vitally important drink for those who are
suffering with a chronic illness such as migraines,
sinusitis, COPD, fibromyalgia, asthma, PCOS,
cardiomyopathy, chron's disease, epilepsy,
hypertension, multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s
disease, hypothyroidism, arthritis, lupus, and
chronic fatigue syndrome. Coconut water is
excellent for skin conditions and can be applied
topically to heal, soothe, and hydrate skin.
Coconut water is a universally appealing drink and
is considered safe in pregnancy, infants, and the
convalescent. Young green coconuts are readily
available year-round in tropical regions such as
Hawaii, South Florida, Philippines, Bermuda,
Jamaica, Brazil, Thailand, and India and more
recently coconut water can be found packaged
and bottled and available in supermarkets
throughout the United States and around the
world.

Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation

Surya Namaskar Benefit Your
Body, Mind, and Spirit

Surya Namaskar is not just physical exercise for
weight loss but it is a complete workout for
your body to stay healthy and to keep your mind.
at the spiritual level.
If you have been doing Sun Salutation so far
only to shed off those extra inches, here’s some
food for thought. This wonderful gift of yoga, if
practiced regularly, can work wonders for every
part of the body – from head to toe! Surya
Namaskar is a set of 12 yoga postures that helps
improve overall health and well being.

The obvious advantages of Surya Namaskar are:

It is the complete workout for
the muscles, it benefits joints,
ligaments and the skeletal
system by improving posture
and balance. The limbs become
symmetrical while the internal
vital organs become more
functional.

Surya Namaskar is beneficial
for the health of digestive
system. It increases blood flow
to your digestive tract and
stimulate the intestinal action
known as peristalsis so
digestion is more efficient.

It also calms you, which in turn
relaxes your digestive system
and leads to more effective
elimination.

Forward bends increase the
space in the abdomen and
facilitate the release of
entrapped gases. These poses
heat the front of the body and
cool the back body. For vatas,
it is important to stay warm.
Surya Namaskar is the ideal
exercise to cope with insomnia
and related disorders. Surya
Namaskar practice calms the
mind, thus helps to get sound
sleep.

Surya Namaskar practice
regulates irregular menstrual
cycles . Practicing Surya
Namaskar ensures the easy
childbirth. It helps to decrease
the fear of pregnancy and
childbirth.

Surya Namaskar practice
boosts blood circulation and
helps to prevent hair graying,
hair fall, and dandruff. It also
improves the growth of hair
making it long.

Regular practice of Surya
Namaskar helps to lose extra
calories. It helps to stay thin.
Practicing Surya Namaskar is
the easiest way to be in shape.
It stretches the abdominal
muscles. Regular practice of
Surya Namaskar helps to lose
excessive belly fat and gives
flat stomach. Some of the
asanas stimulate sluggish
glands to increase their
hormonal secretions. The
thyroid gland, especially, has a
big effect on our weight
because it affects body
metabolism.

Sun salutation exercise helps
to add glow on your face
making facial skin radiant and
ageless. It is the natural
solution to prevent onset of
wrinkles. Overall, yoga is
excellent for the skin and it can
also provide good benefits for
people with blemishes and even
acne.

Regular practice of sun
salutation boosts endurance
power. It gives vitality and
strength. It also reduces the
feeling of restlessness and
anxiety.

Daily practice of Surya
Namaskar makes body flexible.
It improves flexibility in spine
and in limbs.
Although Sun Salutation can be practiced at any
time of the day, morning or evening, it is a good
idea to do it at the time of sunrise. When the first
rays of the Sun fall on the solar plexus, it is
good for the body. The early morning sun rays
are rich source of vitamin D that is necessary
to get strong bones and clear vision.
Besides offering physical benefits, the Sun
Salutation practice also helps calm the mind.

Doing a few rounds of Surya Namaskar at an
easy pace can be very relaxing and meditative.
And adding a touch of gratitude to the Sun,
chanting mantras while doing Sun Salutation,
adds a whole spiritual dimension to the practice,
making it more sacred.
The physical and spiritual benefits of Sun
Salutation are not just for adults to enjoy. Surya
Namaskar is equally a lot of fun for children.

Note: Persons suffering from slip-disk, arthritis,
heart attack etc including pregnant women are
suggested to take medical opinion before they
start the practice of Surya Namaskar.

Surya Namaskar with right postures.