I am sharing some quotes with you, dear ones. Some are ancient sayings and yet they are contemporary in their meaning. It is possible for us to overcome our pain and suffering. We can convert it into our strength and be on the path of self-realization. Continue reading
The Sanskrit word Vaishardaya means an unwavering confidence in the dignity and infinite potential of one’s own life. One is held back because one lacks faith in oneself. In Buddhist philosophy, courage is synonymous with Vaisharadayas. Nichiren Buddhism teaches that courage is the starting point of all change in an individual. Continue reading
In the Hindu faith, unguents and oils were used as offerings. Their purpose was to please the deity and in the presence of the deity to undergo a sense of purification, while worshipping.
The Uddhava Gita is also called the Last Message of Shri Krishna. Krishna described in this scripture, the attributes which make a person, a sage, sadhu or holy man. Continue reading
The Hindu path of penance is a way of self-improvement and spiritual growth involving self-discipline, atonement and a sincere effort to connect with the divine.
Several internal flames have to be lit for the sadhana of penance.
First flame to be kindled is for not being restless. Restless means distracted and constantly pursuing desires and trivialities in life. This flame then continues to burn and the impurities of this life vanish. Continue reading
How can one please Krishna? Continue reading
Extracted from the Uddhava Gita.
The Uddhava Gita is also known as the Hamsa Gita. It is a discourse delivered by Sri Krishna to his devotee, Uddhava. It is considered a sequel to the Bhagwad Gita. It offers a detailed explanation on detachment and devotion. It takes place before Krishna departs from the material world. Uddhava was a scholar, disciple and a cousin of Krishna. He wanted to follow Krishna as he could not contemplate his existence without him. Continue reading
Spring means change in the weather and new burgeoning happen. The spring flowers burgeon once the warm weather is around the corner. Burgeoning means growing, expanding and developing rapidly. Continue reading
O Krishna! May the royal swan of my mind enter today itself into the nest (safe place) of Your lotus feet. How can one otherwise be sure of remembering You later when one’s pranas are leaving the body (one is in the throes of death) with phlegm, wind, and bile blocking one’s throat (making breathing itself difficult)?
On Hari alone I meditate constantly, on Him who has a soft smile on his lotus face, who is the son of a cowherd Nanda, who is higher than the highest and who is adored by sages like Narada.
Tired of roaming in the desert of worldly existence, I find now this beautiful lake named Hari. Taking a refreshing bath in it, drinking its water which is his radiant compassion, I give up all my sorrow today! This lake Hari has his lovely hands and feet as the lotuses, His charming eyes as the fish in it, His attractive arms as the rising waves in it, and relieving us of all our exhaustion, it has indeed great depth.
Extracted from Mukundmala. Continue reading
Visualization in this meditation step by step.
Become aware of your mooladhara chakra. Concentrate upon it. It is at the tip of the cervix for females and between the anus and the scrotum for males. Gaze at the nose tip and practice nose tip gazing (Nasikgrah Drishti), which stimulates the mooladhara chakra. The mooladhara chakra restores your stability and balance. It grounds you. Stay with the sadhana for five minutes. Continue reading
How do we celebrate the birthday of Rama? We do so by dedicating ourselves to the worship of Rama. Chanting the name of Rama, grants us deliverance. Repeating Sri Rama is enough to award us positive energy and awakening of our soul. Our Ida-Pingala nadis are balanced and the Sushumna nadi starts flowing, with saying the name of Rama. Continue reading
There is a ritual to be followed when one offers flowers to the Deity. There are many flowers which can be offered. Some of the favorites I have listed below.
Hibiscus—Botanical name Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis. The goddess loves the Hibiscus flower. It is her favorite flower. The hibiscus belongs to Kali. She represents empowerment, and with that comes destruction of evil. Therefore, she is considered a fierce Goddess. The red hibiscus is symbolic of Kali’s tongue. She portrays a form of energy and this blood symbolism becomes life affirming and it ties her to the life forces that pulsate in all of us. Continue reading
Devi Stuti
Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu shanti rupena sangsthita
Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu, Shakti rupena sangsthita,
Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu, matri rupena sangsthita,
Ya Devi sarva bhuteshu, buddhi rupena sangsthita,
Namastasyai, Namastasyai, Namastasyai namo namaha. Continue reading
How to overcome tamas?
When you are rajasic and succesful you
have no time to pay attention to yourself. Stuck in sattva. Danger
of vanity and stop of growth. Verse 58: “Success is easier to attain
by informal devotion than by any other means.” If you bring
discipline into your life you do things that are good for you and
your self esteem grows. Verse 59: “Devotion is easiest because it
does not depend on any other authority; it is self-validating.” In
Vedanta you have to live according to the scripture. Verse 60:
“Furthermore, devotion is the embodiment of peace and supreme
joy.” Verse 61: “Once all worldly and spiritual duties are consigned
to God, the devotee need not worry about gain and loss.” Ishvara
takes care of your worldly affairs. Do the best every day and then
see what happens. Manusha the one who thinks and worry. Verse
62: “To attain non-dual devotion, do not abandon responsibilities
in this world, but surrender the results of all actions to the
Lord.”Expression of Karma Yoga. When you give the actions to the
Lord then your worry stops. Karma Yoga and gratitude. Gratitude
as a sadhana. Honesty and purity. Verses 63, 64: “Don’t chase
money or entertain yourself with sex. Don’t compromise your
values and don’t quarrel with others. Relinquish false pride,
hypocrisy and other vices.” Fearless moral inventory is necessary.
12 step program. Sorting out spiritual and material values. Fully
assimilate the good values, renounce the bad values. In the
Bhagavad Gita the values are called knowledge.
More: Vedanta Seminars.
More on: Vedanta.
Learn more about: Yoga Vidya.
You can sign up for: our online seminars.
You can also support us by: donating.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS