There are nine gemstones mentioned in the Vedas and they are called the Navratan. According to Hindu culture, the universe is believed to be comprise seven grahas and two nodes to form a combination of nine planets or Navagrahas. These nine Grahas are considered Gods and their position in an individual’s birth chart decides good or bad in a person’s life. Continue reading
The Hanuman Kavach is a sacred prayer dedicated to Hanuman. It acts as a spiritual armor. Devotees chant to ask for protection from dangers, bad energy and fear. It also brings good health and success. Continue reading
Sita Kavacham is very, powerful sacred prayer from the Ananda Ramayana. Kavacham means a shield or armor. Chanting Sita Kavacham grants one divine protection, and restores peace and harmony in one’s home. Continue reading
On Friday, the day of lovely Venus, mantras,
Tantric practices, gems and herbs may be used,
Be careful in your actions, not to fall under illusion or deceit,
Then they will bring you good fortune.
Be blessed with Atmabhava. Atmabhava means feeling the pain, distress, poverty, sickness and calamities of others as your own. Live a little for others also. You have to find a place in your heart for people who are not known to you. If you do not expand atmabhava then all sadhanas are useless. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati
The Rudram Chamakam is a prayer for blessings, where the devotee asks for a series of material and spiritual boons. Continue reading
Dear ones, I work with children, whose parents live on the street. This means that the children and parents have all their belongings and their pots and pans on the street. Mind you this is in the heart of Delhi and there is dense traffic most of the time. Continue reading
When one touches the deities’ feet, one is not just offering reverence one is saying, “I leave my burdens here. I offer my ignorance. I ask to walk your path.”
Your learning’s idle, incomplete
If you have not placed it at that source’s feet. – Tiruvalluvar, The Tirukurral, translated by Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Navaratri is celebrated to honour Durga’s victory over the defeat of Mahishasura, who was a threat to the universe. None of the Gods could overcome him. The Goddess, Durga was gifted strengths from all the Gods and she became omnipotent. Only the Cosmic mother could destroy him and she was Durga. In Navaratri, different forms of the Goddess are worshipped each day. Continue reading
Look into your heart. Find out what special talent God has given you. Develop it and use it for the good of others. Eradicate negative qualities by practicing their opposite virtuous traits. Virtue begets virtue. If one virtue is developed, another virtue will automatically come to you. – Swami Sivananda Saraswati
Blessings and fear are a strange couple. One can never know what is a blessing and what is a fear. Blessings bring one closer to one’s inner divinity. Blessings make the fear go away as by understanding one’s fear one becomes free. Continue reading
Parvati longed for a person, who would be her guard like Nandi, who was always at Shiva’s side. One day when she was preparing for her bath on Mount Kailash’s, she told Nandi to sit outside. Nandi took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes. Shiva arrived suddenly as was his habit and he wished to enter. Continue reading
How do we view Brahma? There are stories about him and the most popular one is about the loss of his fifth head. Brahma was referred to as Pachanan (having five faces) but after losing his fifth head he became Chaturan. (having four faces). There are several stories given in the Shiva Purana. Continue reading
As Hindus we struggle in our lives be free of karma. The effects of karma are far reaching and the mother is keen to show us how to exhaust our karmas. What does this mean? God’s unique quality is mercy and She is Sarvani—the knower of all things. Since God is all knowing, all our misdeeds and actions are known to her. God is Sarva Sakthan and is all powerful and omnipotent. God may create a new hell and we may be pushed into it. However, the divine mercy, which is present in God guides us and it can be our salvation. Continue reading
Dear ones, I started the practice of Yoga a long time ago. I did not know what I was going in for. I had severe pain in my left hand and being left-handed found it difficult to do work, mainly household chore and taking care of my twin sons. Of course, the best part was when my husband brushed my hair, I felt quite queenly. However, it was not so funny as I felt helpless. Continue reading