I am aware dear ones that today is International Women’s Day. All kinds of attributes are given to womankind. Sages are writing that we must create a world where women are celebrated not just as their roles as mothers, wives or daughters but also as creators, leaders and spiritual beings who shape the essence of life. Continue reading
The lake with no life?
It is a complex story and we have to start at the very beginning. How did Brahma become the creator of the universe? 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
Rivers are considered sacred in Hinduism and are core of the faith. It is believed that one’s sins are washed away in the river as it is always flowing. The spiritual and practical significances are many. Many rivers are personified as Goddesses. Therefore, bathing in them is considered to be cleansed of one’s sins. The water of the rivers is used in rituals, and it represents the concept of purity and cleanliness.
There are seven rivers considered sacred, and they are called the Saptanadi. They are Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu/Indus, and Kaveri. Continue reading
Different forms of Gods are symbols of their virtues and powers. Vishnu is said to be in a slumber on the coils of Shesha Nag. He is in this state for four months. It is written in the Gita, that God does not rest, even for a blink of the eye. When we see Vishnu reclining in Yoga Nidra in this depiction, it means that God is fully aware, and nothing can go wrong. Continue reading
In all faiths numbers play a role. 108, 13, 3, 613, 786, 5, 888, 666 are spiritual numbers.
In my seminars, my students always ask, why is 108 important? In Hinduism 108 is a holy number. An individual breathes 21,600 times in 24 hours. When divided by two, it becomes 10,800 resembling 2 horizons – the north and south poles, emphasizing 108 as basic. The sky is divided into 27 nakshatras, each having four sectors of 30, i.e. 27×4=108. The moon crosses one nakshatra in 54 hours, which if divided into day and night gives 54×2=108. Continue reading
A Shakta is a devotee of the Mother Goddess and his/her prayer can be described like this verse:
May all my idle talk be your japa, sound divine,
May all my gestures be your mudras,
May all my steps be around your seat,
May all my lying down be your pranam,
May all your oblations be my only food,
And may all acts of mine be in joy for you.
Extracted from a hymn dedicated to Tripura Sundari from Saundarya Lahiri. Continue reading
In Hinduism we follow the path of Dharma. Dharma consists of three principles, Artha (material wealth), Kama (fulfilling of desires) and attaining Moksha (righteousness and liberation). Fulfilling our responsibilities and commitments will lead to a life of harmony and detachment. Continue reading
God is truth and God is love. He is the supreme being. He is the support for the universe. Without him not an atom can move. He is the womb for the Vedas. Indra, Agni, Vayu, Varuna, and Yama are his assistants. Earth, water, fire, air and ether are his five powers. Maya is his elusive Shakti. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva are his three aspects. Creation, preservation, destruction, veiling are the five kinds of activities of God. He dwells in our hearts He is in us. – Swami Sivananda
My question has been answered and I will share the answer with you dear ones. In our scriptures, the Gods always pray to the Cosmic Mother, who is Maha Devi. I have always believed and venerated the Cosmic Mother as the creator. Continue reading
Holi is a festival which technically welcomes summer. After Holi is celebrated, cold water baths happen and one wears cool, cotton clothes. The message of Holi is to spread love, peace and unity. It is celebrated on the full moon in the month of March, or in the Phalguna month which is the twelfth month of the Hindu calendar. It corresponds with February – March in the Gregorian calendar. Continue reading
Swami Satyananda asked God to help him only twice.
In 1963 and in 1989, he asked for help from the Divine. He had been told by Swami Sivananda to spread the message of Yoga and to present it in a logical and effective way. From 1956 to 1963 he travelled all over Asia as a wandering sannyasin. On his travels he found that it was almost impossible to become a Seer. Continue reading
What does immortality of the soul mean?
The soul cannot be destroyed by any weapon, fire, water or death. It is immortal, everlasting, deathless, and eternal in form. It is permanent from time immemorial, and its presence is everywhere. Continue reading
Why we worship Gau Mata?
Greatness of Gau Mata (Mother Cow) is associated with Aditi, the mother of all Gods in the Hindu Scriptures.
The Vedas with their six limbs, pada (foot) and krama (to go step by step) reside in the mouth of the Cow.
Hari and Keshava reside on the horns. Hari and Keshava are Vishnu’s names.
Skanda resides on the belly. Skanda is the first born of Shiva. Continue reading
Why does one have to explain?
Now there are varieties of gifts, the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord: and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common God.
1 Corinthians 12. 4-7 Continue reading