By Ravana
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose hair is like a dense forest, whose throat is wet by the pure flowing water of the Ganga. The snakes resting around the neck of Shiva are like long garlands. They are iridescent in the sunlight. The sound of the drums is echoing the passionate dance of Shiva. Continue reading
Hymns to Dawn are simple and full of imagery and hope. These hymns are 3,500 years old, and they symbolize the eternal beginning. Dawn is the goddess Ushas, who gives life, beauty and purity. She is the silence at daybreak and grants us hope, dreams and blessings. She infuses one with prana. Dawn symbolizes the passage from darkness to light. Continue reading
Names are very important for us. They affect our life. Their meaning carries a positive or negative connotation. Therefore, names influence our behavior and how one is treated by others. In the Hindu way of life, a name carries a spiritual and aspirational significance. They are based on the names of gods, virtues or homage is paid to a holy place. The name impacts one and that is why when a baby is born in a Hindu home, the conjugation of the planets is taken and the alphabet for the name selected. Continue reading
Three extraordinary women and their narratives. Jabala, Maitreyi and Shandili have been written before the Christian Era (BCE). My dear ones when I read these legends, I was so pleased that I felt that I must share these stories. Continue reading
“Concentrate on counting your blessing and you’ll have little time to count anything else.”
“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. “ – Charles Dickens
Start now and you will be amazed how much we have to thank God for. The Christmas Market, look at the lights and the produce. Lovely things to hang on the tree, sugar coated nuts, French fries and sweets to eat.
The cold days keep you braced and a walk energizes you.
I can think of so many blessings, but I shall leave it to you to make your list.
Share your enthusiasm, with speech, song and dance.
Aim Hrim Klim
Photo by Niklas Ohlrogge on Unsplash
Why did Ramakrishna worship Kali? Ramakrishna had the divine vision of Kali and he was always in communication with her. One does not know whether Kali chose him to express her divinity through him or he chose Kali.
Who is Kali? Is she the Shakti of Shiva? Continue reading
Diwali, our festival of lights gets its name from the lamps we light outside our homes. The light symbolizes the inner light within us which protects us from spiritual darkness. Diwali is a time for joy and happiness and an invitation to the Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, to visit our homes. Continue reading
The keys are there for all of us and they are waiting to be used. Once we have them, they are with us forever. Only our thoughts can steal them. Everything happens in tandem. If we use even one key and are genuine and sincere, we can be on the path of equanimity and harmony. Continue reading
We idolize our mentors and think of them as God. They are human and have come in the form of man. I had a conversation with Rishi Sukadev and he pointed out to me that even a murderer had a soul and there was goodness within him. I had said that I could never talk to a murderer or a rapist. After he said this, I thought deeply about it. Continue reading
Swami Sivananda and Swami Satyananda extolled the worship of the divine and perceiving the divine in all creatures. Swami Sivananda would see God in every one who was suffering, and it was his Aradhana which enabled him to help all these persons. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda Saraswati said:
“Physical pain and mental agony strengthens the mind. Physical difficulties make the body strong. Most people have difficulties accepting this principle, because nobody wishes to suffer pain, mental agonies, physical afflictions or discomforts. When one is amidst the pleasantries of life, the mind regresses into a tamasic state, for there is no conflict in it. However the key to evolution is conflict.”