Boons and blessings.
Ravana had been granted a boon from Lord Brahma that no God or demon could kill him. He thought that he was invincible. He also received a flying chariot and he could change his shape. He did not realize that the boon did not stretch to humans. And he could be killed by a mortal. Continue reading
Today I saw a two-thousand-year-old tree. It was one of the most beautiful sights and stood like a Guardian, gentle and protective of all who came to admire and respect it. It was in Mexico, in the town of El Tule. This tree is called El Arbor del Tule. It is considered the fattest tree in the world; its trunk is fourteen meters in diameter. It is a Montezuma Cypress and has the world’s widest trunk. People come and pay homage to it. Its threat is local urban growth and excessive irrigation. Continue reading
Skulls are seen everywhere in Mexico. They are considered symbols of birth and death. Local culture believes that the afterlife is as important if not more important than one’s life on earth. The skull symbolizes both sides life and afterlife. Continue reading
The lotus is the most powerful symbol of spirituality, beauty, fertility and prosperity. According to Hinduism within each of us is the spirit of the lotus. It is the Anahata chakra or Hrit Padma (heart-lotus), which is the gateway to our soul. The Anahata chakra is described as blue. Continue reading
Shakti is the divine energy that is connected to each God. Shiva’s Shakti is Parvati, Vishnu’s Shakti is Lakshmi and Brahma’s Shakti is Saraswati. Shakti is also addressed as Devi or Mother Goddess. Continue reading
What is Brahmacharya? Is it possible to practice it? The meaning is to search for Brahman. Brahman is everywhere and can be found by connecting with one’s inner self. This self-realization is only possible with complete control in thought, word, and action of all the senses 24/7. An individual practicing Brahmacharya is free of all desires and passions. Continue reading
Shakti Tantra is for those seekers who wish to understand life. Shakti is pure energy. She is the primordial mother. She introduces one to Shiva (Brahman-pure consciousness), Maa Jagadamba (Maha Saraswati), Maha Lakshmi and Maha Kali. Continue reading
Tripura Sundari is also known as Sodasi, Lalita, Sri Vidya and Rajarajeshwari. Her worship centers on the worship, meditation, mantra and Sri Yantra. Tripura Sundari is identified with three channels of Kundalini Yoga. She is the cosmic queen. 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
Ardhanarishwara is Shiva and Shakti united in one form, representing the creative principle, the state of Yoga and the notion that everything in creation contains the unity of masculine and feminine principles. Continue reading
Gayatri is the equal partner of the sun and the mantra for prana, with three forms. In the early morning, Gayatri is a little girl. At noon she is a young woman in her prime. In the evening she is a wise, old woman. The colors used for Gayatri are red in the morning, yellow at noon, and grey at night. Continue reading
Close your eyes. Visualize and identify the chakras with the Sri Yantra, and then with the island of nine gems, in which the mother goddess resides in all her splendor. The garden is known as Kalpako-dhyana. The seasons have to be meditated upon. Continue reading
In Kaliyuga, we tend to be abrasive and abusive about life. We condemn and criticize. We think that we are self -sufficient.
I have been contemplating on the subject of man / woman attachments. A male form is incomplete without the existence of a female form. God cannot be incomplete. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva have female counterparts: Sarasvati and Brahma, Vishnu and Lakshmi and Shiva and Shakti. Together these three couples embody the understanding of the ultimate divine. Brahma creates, Vishnu sustains and Shiva destroys. Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Shakti embody knowledge, wealth and power. Continue reading
The coconut is called the divine fruit, Shri phal. Who does not venerate the coconut? It is used as an object of worship. It is delicious in food, used in medicines and cosmetics. Every part of the tree is utilized.
“The mind has its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of heaven”, Milton. Continue reading
The triumvirate which consists of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer were responsible for Ganga descending on earth. One day Shiva started singing and Vishnu was held spellbound by the melody. Shiva’s singing affected him so profoundly that he started melting. Continue reading