858 – Guru Stotram

A true teacher is compared to God, by his students. The word guru means remover of darkness. Homage is paid to God, the Guru of Guru. Guru mantras originate from various sources.

Guru Stotram from the Vishamsara Tantram (of which only portions survive today) the Guru Gita that is part of the Skanda Purana. The Guru Stotram is also ascribed to Adi Shankaracharya. Continue reading

838 – Tara, the savior goddess

Who is Tara? She is the Buddhist savior goddess with numerous forms, known throughout Nepal, Tibet and Mongolia. She is the feminine counterpart of the bodhisattva (the buddha to be) Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara Boddhisattva is the most popular Mahayana Buddhist deity. He is the earthly manifestation of Amitabha, guarding the world between the departure of the historical Buddha, Gautama and the appearance of the future Buddha, Maitreya. Continue reading

830 – Forgiveness mantra

Chanted at dawn and dusk.

Karcharana Krtam Va Mantra is known as the Shiva Forgiveness Mantra and Shiva Meditation Mantra. It is also a prayer.

Karacharana Kritam Vaa Kaya Jam Karmajam Vaa
Shravannayanjam Vaa Maansam Vaa Paradham
Vihitam Vihitam Vaa Sarv Metat Kshamasva
Jay Jay Karunaabdhe Shri Mahadev Shambho

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816 – Blessings from a spiritual bank

Dear ones, I read an interesting article in the newspaper, and I will share with you. In Ayodhya, the ancient city where Lord Rama was born, there is a bank for transaction of spirituality and inner peace. It is called the International Shree Sitaram Bank. It was set up in November 1970 by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chief of Sri Ram-janm Bhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust. The deposit in the bank is Likhit Japa (written chant) booklet. Continue reading

793 – Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla

The infant Rama.

Today is a very special day. It is the Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama. The deity is called Ram Lalla, which means the infant Rama. Pran Pratishtha means the establishment of life force. The ceremony permeates energy into the murti (statue) of Rama Lalla, transforming it into a deity. This bridges the gap between devotees and the object of their adoration and unites the divine with the material. The deity is now invited as a resident guest by invocations of hymns and mantras. And the deity’s eyes are opened for the first time. The deity is blindfolded until the ceremony and then the deity is all seeing. Continue reading

717 – Sankalp and Abhyas

Fasting is a Yogic practice. It reduces the tamasic element in the body. Tamas is the greatest obstacle to meditation. While fasting, one sheds extra weight from the body and gains strength and clarity of mind. One cannot advance in the practice of Meditation, with an unhealthy body and weak mind. Continue reading

714 – Be thankful

Dear ones, be thankful for what we are, what we have and what we can give. I came home after my surgery on Sunday, which was the beginning of Navratri. It is a joyous time as before that we had been observing Pitrapaksh. Seeking forgiveness for our ancestors. Before leaving the hospital, I was able to play my chants in my room. Continue reading

683 – The connection between heart and brain

How many times does one say thank you in the day. Have you considered, my dear ones, that when one says thank you from the heart and not from the mind, how do you feel. Add a smile and you will feel good. It is being authentic and genuine that goes into an acknowledgement. How often do we do it? I am not speaking about affirmations, I am writing about speaking from the heart, where your soul resides and is the home of Ma, the divinity. Continue reading

680 – Guardians of the Kingdom of Moksha

How does one enter this Kingdom of Moksha? It is a place of peace, freedom and liberation. Peace of mind and everyone else is also at peace. There are no discordant sounds, thoughts or ideas. One has become thoughtless, free of thoughts. Freedom comes from being free of fear. If one has no fears then one is free. One has no anxiety about any thing and no event or trauma rears its ugly head ever again. Liberation results from being free of fears and doubts. So how does one reach this kingdom. Continue reading

664 – Speak with Love

So that it remains etched in Ether.

The ancient rishis in India believed that the divine aphorisms of the Vedas once uttered remained forever in the Aakash. Ether is the medium through which we can communicate with Gods using sound vibrations caused by the chanting of mantras and sacred syllables. Continue reading