Vishnu took the form of a mortal, Rama to combat with Ravana, the ten headed demon king. Ravana had been blessed with the boon that no God could kill or harm him. He had overpowered all the Gods. There was fear all around and he had abducted Sita, Rama’s wife. Sita was an incarnation of Lakshmi. Continue reading
The whole world is a manifestation of Shakti. The countless universe are only dust from the Divine Mother’s holy feet. Her glory is effable. Her splendor is indescribable. Her greatness is unfathomable. She showers her grace on sincere devotees. She leads the individual soul from chakra to chakra, from plane to plane, to union with Shiva in sahasrara. – Swami Sivananda
Worshippers of the Devi or shakti are called Shaktas. The Agama (received knowledge) literature details the Upasana for Shaktas, the concept behind Shaktism which play an important role in Tantrik worship. Continue reading
Brahmari Sadhana is the practice of Brahmari pranayama, with the mantra Soham. In Sanskrit Brahmari is bee, and the pranayama is akin to a bee humming. It comes from the humming sound made while exhaling. Brahmari pranayama is the life-force that vibrates the whole brain by control of the pituitary gland. Continue reading
The Saundarya Lahiri declared,
Shiva is powerless without Shakti.
Mother in the Vedic tradition appears as Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati. These are three aspects of the Primordial Energy. Primordial energy is the existing energy even before the creation of the Universe. Mother is life giving, infinitely forgiving and compassionate. The sages proclaimed, “You alone are the mother, “and then “You alone are the father.” Continue reading
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
Dear ones, we are all afraid of fear. Its insidious presence is in everyone and it is very enthusiastic about ruling and controlling us. What can we do about it? Devi Mahatmyam (The glory of the Goddess) answers this question. Fear is addressed in Devi Mahatmyam. One must not be consumed by the ego and a false sense of fear. Continue reading
Sri Durgasaptalokistotra—-Song of the seven verses to Sri Durga.
The Sri Durgasaptalokistotra consists of those mantras in which the Devi’s power is most concentrated. It is also written that Shiva praised Devi’s accessibility and requested a process for accomplishing what is desired. Devi then in a loving motherlike manner revealed this song of praise which she called Ambastuti (Hymn to the Mother) and ordained that it was the highest path to spiritual attainment. Continue reading
Om Mata Om Kali Durga Devi Namo Namaha,
Om Mata Om Kali Durga Devi Namo Namaha,
Shakti Kundalini Jagadambe Mata
Shakti Kundalini Jagadambe Mata. Continue reading
The Divine Mother is so beautiful. In her higher manifestations her beauty is formless. She is in everything. Her divine compassionate love is expressed in the raindrops. Her beauty is reflected in the colors of the rainbow. She offers fresh hope to mankind with the rose-tinted clouds at dawn. Above all she is present in one’s heart. Continue reading
Goddess Durga is worshipped as one of the key aspects of the Cosmic Mother. She was created to defeat Mahishasura, a demon who could not be killed by any man. Continue reading
The story is narrated in Devi Mahatyma of Skanda Purana. Durga was created with the combined energies of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and other Gods. After she was created, the Gods gave her a variety of weapons and other ornaments. And she was gifted a lion. Continue reading
Ram Navami marks the birth of Lord Rama and is celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. It is a spring festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. Continue reading
Are you willing to be sponged out, erased, cancelled, made nothing? Are you willing to be made nothing? Dipped into oblivion? If not, you will never change. – DH Lawrence
Let me Roam.
With nothing on the body
And with nothing in my hands
Let me roam on the bank of the Ganga
With the name of Shiva on my lips
And the thought of Devi and Durga in my mind
Let me even know that I exist,
And when I die
I will not know that I am dying. – Swami Satyananda
Swami Sivananda ‘s directive to Swami Satyananda:
We are instruments, we are mediums. We have to love everybody without passion and attachment. We have to serve everybody without expectation. We have to love God without asking anything from him. The purpose of our spiritual life is to have a vision of the Divine. God has given us everything; we did not ask for it, yet he has given to you everything without you asking for Him.
Dear Ones, three sayings are given. Please read them and take anything from them. If you just follow even one word like without attachment, or ask for nothing, you will be free.
Aim Hrim Klim
Dussehra signifies the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates the victory of the Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahisha asura and the triumph of Lord Rama over Ravana, the Demon King. It is also believed that good will always prevail no matter how difficult the troubles are. Continue reading