God is the lotus and the devotee the bee. The devotee sips the honey of the lotus. As a devotee cannot live without God, so also God cannot live without the devotee. Then the devotee becomes the lotus and God the bee. It is the God who becomes these two so as to enjoy its own bliss. – Sri Ramakrishna
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. – Corinthians 6:19—20
Can you seriously answer this question?
Beauty, wealth, health, peace of mind, serenity, harmony in my life, awakening the inner divinity, seeing the divinity all around. Continue reading
Mahatma Gandhi was a staunch vegetarian and his children were also raised in a similar way. His second son, who was ten years old became very sick. He had succumbed to a severe attack of typhoid and pneumonia. A doctor was called and he advised chicken soup and eggs as medicines would not work. Gandhi explained to the doctor that since they were vegetarians, they could not follow the prescription. Continue reading
Kindness is a virtue which is prized in every faith. Kindness brings one closer to God. In Judaism great importance is laid to a good moral life observed at every moment. Charity has a very high premium. It must be practiced with sincerity and a proportion of one’s income has to be kept aside for it. 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
There are eighty-four million species in the world. There are four instincts which are present in all of them. They are desire for food, desire for sex, desire for sleep and fear of death. These instincts exist in all the creatures right from the smallest bacteria or insect to the elephant.
Only mankind has a special quality. S/he can worship God, sing God’s name, do Japa and meditate on God. We can experience God; we are aware of God. We are searching for Him. We have questions for Him. Continue reading
Yielding completely to God is called Atma nivedan. One’s faith should be so deep in God, that one submerges oneself fully in Him. In the Ramacharitamanas, it says “By the systematic practice of Navadha bhakti, one can reach a point of total self-surrender.” Continue reading
Who does not love elephants? It is impossible to believe that any one of us does not respect elephants. India’s image for a long time was that elephants were walking on the streets. When I was growing up and until twenty odd years ago, we would see elephants walking on the roads. One would see them most often on a Wednesday, which happens to be the day one prays to Ganesha. 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
What is Sarvatma Bhava? Sarvatma Bhava means all-encompassing affection for the creatures of the whole world. God is here and now among human beings. Look for him, where he is most needed, not in the temples where people are offering gold to the deities. Continue reading
Hanuman was the son of the Vayu, God of the Wind. His mother, Anjane was a beautiful celestial nymph, who had been cursed to be born on earth as a monkey princess, because she was an impetuous maiden by Brihaspati’s wrath. Brihaspati was the guru of the Devas. Her curse would only be uplifted when she would bear a child. Anjane was seen by the Wind God and despite being a monkey, she was very beautiful. He was enchanted by her and he blew on her. Hanuman was born and she was freed of the curse. Continue reading
Which is it to be, my heart or my mind? I have read and thought about it and I share with you what the Gurus say.
The only basis for a true and lasting unity
Of all humanity is the religion of the heart.
People can only be united if they are free from jealousy, hatred and petty mindedness.
Purify your heart first.
Meet hatred with love and malice with goodwill.
The purer you make your heart,
The greater will be the power of your love. – Swami Sivananda
Look into your heart. Find out what special talent God has given you. Develop it and use it for the good of others. Eradicate negative qualities by practicing their opposite virtuous traits. Virtue begets virtue. If one virtue is developed, another virtue will automatically come to you. – Swami Sivananda Saraswati
No difference exists between the formless God and the God of form. Thus speak the Vedas and Puranas, the Munis and the wise. The same formless, unseen, unborn and attribute less God takes the form impressed by the love of the devotee. Continue reading