314 – Tripura Sundari, Goddess of the three universes

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

234 – Two armed Durga will save the world

Something about the today Earth Day from a spiritual point of view.

It is written in Tantra, that the state of humankind depends on the number of arms, Durga is portrayed with. It is believed that the world is in the age of Kali Yuga, which means that the present age is full of conflict and evil. Continue reading

213 – Namaste Navratri and Summer Solestice

We all have to join together and rid the universe of evil and destruction. In the Shastras it is written that the easiest way to experience God in these troubled and turbulent times is by worship. We need not go into a complicated philosophical discussion. All we have to do is to bow our heads before the deity, who is greater than any other power of the world. Aradhana (prayer) starts from this act and progresses gradually towards bliss and love. Begin with the deity, one loves and adores (it can be the elements, chakras, and yantras), and one rises progressively above the form and merges into the supreme atman. Continue reading

190 – Hindu Gods and the significance of their vehicles

Every important Hindu God has an animal as its vahana (vehicle). They are never without them. In Sanskrit vahana means that which carries or that which pulls. These vahanas are either animals or birds and they represent the various spiritual and psychological energy that bears the Gods. The vahana may wear a saddle upon which the deities sits, or they may pull a chariot, driven by the deity. Continue reading

120 – The favourite food of the Gods

Ganesha’s favourite food is modak which are dumplings made from rice flour, stuffed with coconut and jaggery. The reason why it is considered so special is because it was first offered to Shiva and Parvati by the junior gods. It was said that if this special offering was consumed by anyone, he would have the power of understanding the scriptures and be master of all knowledge. Parvati being a mother wanted both her sons to have it. However they refused to share it. They were given a task and whoever completed the task, first that person would get the modak. Continue reading