According to ancient scriptures and yoga, the human body is nothing but energy. We are not identifying with essence of life but with something that is created from that essence, and which is material and gross. Our collective consciousness is based on the body and the senses. Continue reading
Parvati longed for a person, who would be her guard like Nandi, who was always at Shiva’s side. One day when she was preparing for her bath on Mount Kailash’s, she told Nandi to sit outside. Nandi took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes. Shiva arrived suddenly as was his habit and he wished to enter. Continue reading
An ancient legend saves a village. An avalanche crashed down the Mana-Ghastoli route last Friday. The avalanche smothered everything it went over. The roads were deserted, and homes were abandoned. As a result, not many heard the sound of the ice fracturing, the snow cascading down the earth. Continue reading
Elephants are friendly, they never forget and are clever. They can find water, because they have no sweat glands. Therefore, it is vital for them to locate the source. They know how to overcome an electric fence. They were used in wars in ancient times as they were like tanks. Continue reading
To people in Kali Yuga.
What is the meaning of Kali Yuga? In one word it is deterioration. It is the ultimate decline at all levels. It is said that Kali Yuga started 5,123 years ago, on the day Krishna left his physical body. In these years one has seen the development and destruction of human society. There have been major wars genocides, and adjustments. Struggle has existed throughout. Continue reading
It is fabled that elephants are very wise creatures. Now to add to this fable, research is proving that elephants speak to each other. Their calls can be differentiated from as to whether they are speaking to each other in a family group or in a group of male elephants. It can also be made out whether they are calm or agitated. They are capable of vocal limitation and they learn from each other. Each family has a specific dialect which can be recognized in terms of an individual belonging to a family. Also, each individual has a different tone. Continue reading
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on the 7th of September this year. It celebrates Ganesha’s birth and reminds one of what one can do for oneself. There are four important Ganesha mantras, which one can chant to remove obstacles in one’s life. Continue reading
Soundarya Lahiri means waves of beauty. It consists of two parts. Ananda Lahiri means waves of happiness (41 stanzas) and Soundarya Lahari (the next 59 stanzas). It is believed that Ganesha himself wrote the Ananda Lahiri on Mount Meru. The first 100 stanzas are considered the most spiritual verses ever written. It is said that all those who read this are awash with joyous happiness. Continue reading
Overeating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, being in the company of common people and unsteadiness (wavering mind) are the six (causes) which destroy yoga. Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1:15
I am quoting from Hatha Yoga Pradipika and my Guru, Sri Swamiji. Wednesday is Ganesha’s day. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. All the habits which are described above are obstacles in our lives. We pray to Ganesha to guide us. However, our habits can be very tenacious and clingy.
Let us examine them one by one. Continue reading
All gods have Vahanas (transport) and they are animals and birds. Since they are used as a means of transport, they are considered sacred. The beast or bird which is the Vahana, the vehicle also indicates the temperament of the God. Continue reading
Growing up as children in India as a Hindu, one learns a great deal from our numerous festivals. It is not taught but one’s awareness becomes heightened watching family members. All the festivals are based on triumph of good over evil. I am sharing with you the history and background and how this becomes a part of one. Continue reading
How do we look at the sun? When one wakes up in the morning, folding one’s hands with the eyes closed, facing the Sun is a powerful prayer. Next with eyes closed, rubbing the palms of the hands together and placing the warm palms on the eyes. It is a powerful practice. Everyone loves the sun and it is only in Hindu dharma, that the sun is described as the soul of the whole universe; sun is the source of for all living things. Continue reading
We all have different ideas about him. We know that he resolves all obstacles. But do you know that when the dissolution of the universe occurred after the floods, there was complete darkness. This darkness lasted for millions of years. Continue reading
Hindu festivals have no sadness, and our festivals celebrate triumph of good over evil, the expression of devotion to the deities and thanks for the harvests. Each festival centers around the rituals of prayer and seeking of blessings. This also entails new clothes, cleaning and decorating the homes and making sweets and savories for offerings. Feasting and dancing are present in many of the festivities. 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