Mantras are not the name of a god; it is not a holy word or part of a hymn. It is not a tool for concentration. It is a vehicle for expansion and liberation of the mind and energy. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Each Vedic mantra has four centers.
The scriptures describe two kinds of avatars, Nimitta and Nitya. The Nimitta and Nitya are manifestations of avatars of God. Nimitta avatars refer to the ten appearances of Vishnu (Buddha, Kalki yet to come). Krishna, is a Nimitta avatar, who was born to rid society of evildoers. Nitya avatars are the brahmanishtha (one who has realised Brahman, the Supreme personality of Godhead) sages. Continue reading
The birth of Krishna occurred to restore cosmic order in the universe. Janmashtami means celebrating the birth (janma) of Krishna on the eight (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August – September) Janmashtami represents the triumph of good over evil and the restoration of Dharma. The evil king Kansa and his allies were defeated. Krishna is seen as symbol of love, righteousness and divinity. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda Saraswati said that one must accept oneself as one was. ‘An important step in yoga is to accept your nature as much as you’re able.’ He spoke a lot on self-acceptance and the reason is that acceptance of self is crucial to yoga and tantra. Tantra is called the way to acceptance. Continue reading
Meghadhuta (Cloud Messenger) was written by Kalidasa in the fourth century CE. This portrays an exiled Yaksha (a benevolent nature spirit) and a cloud, which was perched on a peak. He asks the cloud to take a message of love to his wife in the Himalayan city of Alaka. The Yaksha then describes what the cloud would see. Continue reading
Hridaya Kamalam Kolam (lotus in the heart) is a hand drawn yantra for Goddess Lakshmi. Kolams are ancient symbols meant to be sacred welcoming areas for the Hindu deities. Kolam means beauty and are identified by their geometrical patterns, dots, curves and lines often marked by the use of white wheat flour. Continue reading
Read aloud to kids. Continue reading
Dear ones, are we aware of the beauty around us? Are we so involved with ourselves? Do we miss the beauty of each new day? Continue reading
I am back from Yoga Vidya Bad Meinberg after being away from my home in New Delhi. I have been coming for the last twenty-two years to teach. The first time I came, on my departure, when the sewikas gathered in a circle to sing Om Trayambakam for my safe travel back, I started crying. I felt that I was leaving my mother’s home. Continue reading
Dear ones, read and pause.
I send two sunsets –
Day and I – in competition ran –
I finished two – and several Stars –
While He – was making One –
His own was ampler – but as I
Was saying to a friend –
Mine is the more convenient
To carry in the Hand. – I send two sunsets: Emily Dickinson.
Continue reading
Dhumavati is the oldest Goddess, and she is the granny Goddess. She stands behind the other Goddesses as their ancient guide. She gives the lessons on birth and death. She is the knowledge which comes to us from the difficult experiences we undergo. Continue reading
Her hands have no arms; her mouth has no face. She is the eyes of the blind, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
Without hands she fashions, she knows without a mind, without an eye she sees, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
She is the supreme hand of the hand, the wonderful consciousness of the mind, the eye, that is the origin of the eye, Mother Prachanda Chandika.
Though her head is cut off, she is the support of life. Though she is frightening in appearance, she is the giver of peace. Though a maiden she increases our vigor, Mother Prachanda Chandika. – Ganapati Muni, Prachanda Chandika-9-11,14.
It is the Goddess Chinnamasta, the consciousness beyond the mind. Her Sanskrit name, comprised of Chinna (meaning severed), masta (head) and Vajrayyogini (a Buddhist goddess) highlights her unique nature. She is the headless Vajrayyogini symbolizes self-sacrifice, transformation, and the transcendence of ego. She is connected with the fierce aspect of the Goddess Devi. Continue reading
Bhuvaneshwari means Queen of the universe or realm of being (Bhuvana). All the universe is her body and all beings are ornaments on her infinite being. She carries all the worlds as a flowering of her own Self–nature. Continue reading
Be victorious Goddess who destroys all passions! Be victorious, Goddess you who remove the afflictions of all beings! Be victorious, Goddess who pervades all. As the dark night of time, reverence to You. – Mahatmya, Argala Strotra – 2 Markandeya Purana
The Ganga is considered a tirtha, which means a crossing point between heaven and earth. At a tirtha, prayers and offerings are thought most likely to reach the gods and their blessings descend readily from heaven. Continue reading