Once upon a time, Sri Krishna was wandering in the forest with his friends. It was a very hot and sunny day and they were all drained of energy. There was a grove of trees beckoning them. The leaves were dark green and the branches were dense. Not a ray of light was coming through this cover of greenery. It was dark and cool. They took shelter in this space. Continue reading
Who does not have obstacles in life? We can be weighed down by them or overcome them. Obstacles are described as hurdles, shackles, chains, handicaps or embarrassments. How do we view them? Continue reading
Anticipation is such a lovely word. What does it mean? Hope, expectancy, contemplation and joy. Without anticipation, we have no prospect of something awaiting us. “I walk ahead of myself in perpetual expectancy of miracles.” – Anais Nin. Continue reading
We have three gunas. Gunas are traits with which each one of us is born with. Tamas is being dull and immovable like a rock. Rajas is being ambitious and egotistical. Sattwa is being rational, and non judgemental. Continue reading
It is a question which is dominant in our mind and sometimes we never find the answer? It leads to dissatisfaction and frustration. The answer is within us. We have to know how to find it. It is not easy and the key to this lock is Yoga. Yoga means balance between the body and mind. Continue reading
Close your eyes. Visualize Manidweep. In Manidweep (island of precious gems), there is a golden mountain. On this mountain there is a personal city of Devi, called Sri Pura. Sri means the Goddess and pura is the city. We use the word freely today, personal for trainers, shoppers, assistances. However, this word personal has been applied first to Gods (personal deities) and the city of the Goddess. Continue reading
What is the meaning of quota? It means an allocation, share or allowance. How often have we felt that we have been receivers of unrequited love? And we have not realized that we never shared our love. Continue reading
“You may go to temples and discharge all religious obligations as taught by your tradition, but that alone will not help you to unlock the secret chambers. However much you may sit for puja, please note that lack of concentration will render all your efforts futile. It is always best to aim first and then shoot. There is practically no use of shooting in the air.” – Swami Satyananda Saraswati Continue reading
A simple act like joining our hands in prayer can enable us to restore harmony in the universe. Why are our hands so important? We join our hands in prayer. We gesticulate with our hands. We express ourselves with our hands. We use our hands for eating and wiping our tears. We use our hands all the time. Our hands are centers of prana and the yogic mudras enable us to channelize the prana within ourselves. We use our hands for work and last but not least to express our love and tenderness for others and the earth. Continue reading
Thursday is the day of the Guru? I asked myself this question, as must so many of you, “Who was Swami Sivananda’s Guru?” Swami Sivananda received mantra diksha from Parmahamsa Viswananda Saraswati, on the banks of the Ganga on 1st June 1924. Swami Sivananda was in quest of a Guru. Continue reading
What is the meaning of Parmahamsa? Its literal meaning is supreme swan. Why a swan? The swan is at home on land and water. A true sage is equally at home in the realms of matter and spirit. To be in divine ecstasy and simultaneously to be aware in the world is the state of parmahamsa. Continue reading
The meaning of millennium is a period of great happiness or human perfection. So a millennium father is one who raises children free from fear. I have only taken fear as being free from fear is our oldest prayer as mentioned in the Vedas. Being fearless is the greatest gift our father can gift us. Continue reading
The world around is always on the move. Many of us do not look around us. We are staring at our phones continuously. I am surprised that many of us have so much to speak about. I see people going for a walk, going to work, driving, at the beauty parlor, at a restaurant and they all have one thing in common. They are on the phone. I seem to among the few, who is not gawping at the phone. If only we could take time off from our phone, shut off the visual and auditory stimulation coming from it, and appreciate what is happening around us. Continue reading
Eat your food with bhavana (feeling), as a blessing. When you eat your meal, develop respect for what you are eating. Pause and think where your food came from. Where did the wheat grow for your bread, how was it harvested? How many persons were involved in the process? Were they happy when they were involved in the task? Were their stomachs full? The vegetables on your plate where did they grow? Did they receive sunshine, or did they grow under plastic? Continue reading
The six tastes which influence us are sweet, salt, pungent, sour, astringent and bitter. It is very important to have them all in our daily cuisine. These tastes and flavor reach different parts of our tongue and they influence our nature. Excess of any taste is harmful for us. When we eat we must eat slowly and calmly. There should be no hurry and our attention should be wholly on our plate. There is a simple rule and that is to have all six tastes and as many colors on our plate as possible. Continue reading