Shiva Ramashtakam is a beautiful hymn dedicated to Shiva and Rama. It was composed by Swami Ramananda in the fourteenth century. He was a religious reformer and he accepted disciples without discrimination, against gender, caste and faith. Continue reading
The first English poet was Cædmon, an illiterate herdsman. The story goes that Cædmon, who was employed by the monastery of Whitby, invariably ran away when it was his turn to sing during a merry feast. He was ashamed that he never had any songs to sing. Continue reading
Dear ones, I cannot add anything to this quote. It explains rebirth brilliantly. Continue reading
Shantideva (late 7th to 8th century BCE) was a famous Buddhist monk, poet and philosopher. He authored the Bodhicharyavtara, guide to the Bodhisattva way of life. It is a text on compassion, ethics and enlightenment and was known as the Lazy Monk because he spent all his time eating and sleeping. He was known as Busuku, one who eats, sleeps and walks. Continue reading
Vishnu took the form of a mortal, Rama to combat with Ravana, the ten headed demon king. Ravana had been blessed with the boon that no God could kill or harm him. He had overpowered all the Gods. There was fear all around and he had abducted Sita, Rama’s wife. Sita was an incarnation of Lakshmi. Continue reading
Everyone talks about sleep. How important it is for us and if one does not sleep well, then one will succumb to many diseases, which I am not going to name.
Let me share some quotes with you first, before I write more. Continue reading
Uma is also known as Parvati. She represents the divine light, devotion and cosmic energy. Uma is also the divine feminine energy inherent in nature.
A powerful prayer to her,
“Om Um Umaadevibhyaam Namah.”
Pronunciation is “Ohm Oom Oo-mah-deh-vee byahm Nahmah”. Continue reading
Dear ones, when you hear the word, reprimand, do you feel small, or upset. It is a normal response. I am giving some quotes about this word and how important it is to understand what it addresses. Continue reading
Sita phal is named after the Goddess Sita. Sita was an avatar of Lakshmi as Rama was an avatar of Vishnu. Both were born as mortals in the Ramayana. There is an interesting story about the origin of Sita phal. Continue reading
What does remorse feel like? It is a feeling of sadness because one has done something wrong. It is described as self-reproach and guilt.
How often do we have a sense of remorse?
Does our conscience work for us?
Remorse has been described as being very serious and how does one address it? Continue reading
Regretting the past is like chasing after the wind. – Russian Proverb
No man is rich enough to buy back his past. – Oscar Wilde
Distinguishes between constructive godly sorrow and destructive worldly regret. – Corinthians 7:10
Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future. – Swami Sivananda
Dear ones, what can we learn from our regrets? Continue reading
I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet, there would be no more wars. – E.M Forester, Howard’s End
Motherhood: All love begins and ends there. – Robert Browning
A mother understands what a child does not say. – Jewish Proverb
Mother: the most beautiful word on the lips of mankind. – Khalil Gibran
In the Ramayana Visha (poison) and Amrit (nectar) are frequently mentioned. The reference refers to the spiritual and material context. Continue reading
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hours of darkness, she is standing right in front of me. Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. – Paul McCartney
Much interest is shown in the diet of the Gods and of the Vanar (monkey) army. The Vanar sena’s diet as described in the Ramayana aligns with their nature as forest dwellers, relying on fruits, roots and honey for survival. Continue reading