Ganesha is a part of every Nigama and Agama Tantra. The highest truth are the Vedas, they are addressed as Nigama. Agama means tradition (that which has come down) and the three main branches of agamic texts are Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta. Continue reading
328 – Surya Tantra
I bow to that which is the substance of all, which is all, the embodiment of the universe, the light on which yogis meditate. Markandeyapurana.
Among the five basic classifications of spiritual Tantra on the basis of Sampradaya (tradition and spiritual lineage), Surya Tantra based on purity, knowledge and positivity. The sadhana of Surya Tantra opens the third eye—universal intuition, and the fire element grants us vitality. Continue reading
327 – Shiva Tantra
Shiva is called Mahadeva (great God), God of the Gods. He is the primordial God and Guru. The whole of Tantra is said to be his instructions. In his form which existed before time, he was five faced. The knowledge of the Vedas came from his upward face and that which came downwards was called Tantra. Continue reading
326 – Lakshmi Tantra
Lakshmi Tantra is a very sacred form of practice. In it, we consider Lakshmi as the cosmic mother and her expectation from us is devotion and pursuit of truth. The Lakshmi Tantra is also dedicated to the worship of Vishnu. Continue reading
325 – Shakti Tantra
Shakti Tantra is for those seekers who wish to understand life. Shakti is pure energy. She is the primordial mother. She introduces one to Shiva (Brahman-pure consciousness), Maa Jagadamba (Maha Saraswati), Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. Continue reading
324 – Vaishnava Tantra
Vishnu is worshipped in Vaishnava Tantra. He is the preserver of the world. He is said to manifest in human form in every era (Yuga), to relieve the world from suffering by evil persons, who being destroyed by him also attain their moksha. In Sattva, his Narayana form, in Rajas, his Narsimhan form, and in Tamas, his Varaha form is worshipped. Continue reading
323 – Why should we awaken our kundalini?
Awakening the Kundalini is the prime purpose of our birth. Kundalini is the sleeping and dormant potential force in us. It is situated at the root of the spinal column in the mooladhara chakra. In Tantra, our energy is called Kundalini shakti. Kunda refers to the concave cavity in which the Kundalini, resembling a coiled and sleeping serpent and when it is manifesting itself, it is called Devi. Continue reading
322 – Tantra as explained by my Guru
Following the spiritual life in today’s society of consumerism and materialism without creating discord and imbalance in our daily life is not an easy goal. The principles of Vedanta are too complex for us. We require some sadhana which is easy to understand and accept. Tantra is the middle way, and its master principle is: Continue reading
321 – Skulls and severed heads
When some of us think of Hindu Goddesses, we associate some of them with being fierce and blood thirsty. That is not the case; it is our misunderstanding which has been reinforced by the distortion of facts. As a child, I never felt afraid of Kali, Tara, Chinnamasti, Matangi and Bhairavi. They all wear garlands of skulls or severed heads. Continue reading
320 – S**uality and heightened consciousness
In Tantra there are two important poles of energy known as Shiva and Shakti. Many of us associate practices of Tantra with sexual awareness and expertise. This is not the case. It is a misunderstanding created by teachers, who misuse their powers. In Tantra, Shakti is the creator and Shiva is the instrument. Continue reading
319 – Difference between Karma and Karma Yoga
You create karma when you act with yourself in mind, with your personal desires and motivation. When you act, not for yourself but as a service, the mind is freed, and you experience the benefits of karma yoga. Continue reading
318 – How do we see ourselves and darshan
Darshan is reverence for a higher being. What if comes to my mind often. We perform sadhanas and try to lead a spiritual life. What if we did nothing? And the answer is we will go through life with emptiness in us. Continue reading
317 – Antar Darshan
Antar Darshan means inner reverence. It is a practice of Pratyahara, which comes from the word pratyaya. Pratyaya are the basic tendencies of our inherent nature. They form our personality. The word ahara means food or nutrition. Pratyahara means withdrawal of our senses. Continue reading
316 – How ironic that we remember God in our exclamations
Let us start with ‘Oh God’, ‘Oh Heavens above’, ‘Angels fear to tread, where fools go lightly’. It is interesting to observe that we always remember God, when we are diminished or aghast. Continue reading
315 – Fear is real
Fear is everywhere. We are terrified of Covid; the wars all over the world are causing sadness and disturbance in our lives. Forest fires have caused terrible damage and there is flooding in different countries. The biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. It is essential for us to face these fears. Continue reading