864 – Let Mother Minakshi free you from difficulties

I salute constantly Mother Minakshi (the Goddess with beautiful eyes that resemble fish) who is an ocean of mercy. She is radiant like a million rising suns and shines with beautiful armlets and necklaces. Having large, charming lips that resemble the Bimba fruit (red ivy gourd), she has beautiful teeth and sports a lovely smile. She is adorned with yellow clothes. Vishnu, Brahma and Indra serve her feet; she is the beloved of Shiva and is of the nature of absolute reality.

I salute constantly Mother Minakshi, who is an ocean of mercy. She stays on the left side of Shiva, is the embodiment of the knowledge of Sri Cakra, and is invoked by the lustrous mantra of Hrim. She resides in the dot in the center of the Sri Cakra and is the leader of the assembly held by (herself) the Goddess. Deluding the universe with her beauty, she is at the same time the mother of Kartikeya and Ganesha.

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863 – A time of rejoicing and repentance

Chaitra Navaratri – 9th April till 17th April – is considered an auspicious time for spiritual renewal, cleansing and seeking the blessings of the divine. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It is devoted to goddess Durga, whose nine forms are worshipped on nine days. The nine-day celebration observes Goddess Durga’s universe birth and all living things inside it. It is believed that Durga Ma visits her devotees during this period. Continue reading

851 – Annapurna Devi Meditation

Annapurna and Shiva

Annapurna and Shiva

Annapurna Stut

O Girija—the daughter of the Himalaya Mountains, who is sitting on a semi-circular altar bedecked with pearls amidst Mandara (red hibiscus), Parijat (night jasmine) flowers, sandalwood and Kalpa—the wish fulfilling trees. Her eyes are half open. Her forehead is like a holy moon. I am hungry, please give me alms (wisdom, knowledge, and blessings).
O Girija—the daughter of the Himalaya Mountains, who is wearing a bracelet on her arms, necklace on her neck, waistband on her waist, ear-studs on her ears, whose upper cloth is furnished with bands of tiny jingle bells and ornaments. She has a golden ladle with rice-payasam in the hand. I am hungry, give me alms (blessings).
O Girija—the daughter of the Himalaya Mountains, you are one in whom the sound—representing the three worlds (Bhu, Bhuvah, Suvah) is present, she is the one who is having a crescent as an ornament on her tender body, she is the one who is ever-living in the extensive, spacious abode of Lord Shambhu. She is the only one who can remove the afflictions of sorrow, fear, and poverty. Crushed am I, please give me alms (of knowledge).

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811 – An ode to Mothers

 

Mothers are a special category of human beings. They are filled with unconditional love and they are forgiving. One does not have to be a mother to have Matri bhava (maternal love). One can have love for people and other God’s creatures, which is also considered Matri bhava. Matri Devo Bhava means one for whom Mother is God. Continue reading

760 – Cradled in the arms of the Mother

Prostrations to you, O Narayani! O Narayani! You who bestow auspiciousness on all things auspicious. You bestow fulfilment in all fields of pursuits of all beings, and the following of Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. You are merciful to those who take refuge in You, O three-eyed Goddess.

It is a wonderful emotion to visualize the Goddess as the Mother of the universe. It again emphasizes how powerful our love is for her and how she reciprocates it. All our negativity disappears when we pray to Narayani. With our birth mother, we feel safe and with the presence of the Divines Mother, we are protected. Continue reading

748 – Invoke Medha

Who is Medha? She is the Vedic goddess presiding over the power of memory and understanding.

How does memory influence us? I read that one should build on the old memories and then one forgets the unpleasant memories. It is possible if it relates to war or other disasters. How can one reduce a traumatic event and build on it? Dear ones, it is possible to accept a traumatic event and not allow it to interfere with the process of daily events. However, one has to work on it, and sometimes it can be life-long. Continue reading

738 – Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is celebrated a day after Diwali. What is special about it? A Govardhan Parvat is made from Cow dung and people worship cows. The story behind it is that great festivities were going on in Braj. Braj is a region on both sides of the Yamuna with its center at Mathura. Continue reading

715 – Rely only on your heart

A poem.

Do not grieve over past joys,
be sure they will reappear in another form.
A child’s joy is in milk and nursing,
but once weaned, it finds new joy in bread and honey.
Joy appears in many different forms
It moves from place to place.
It may suddenly show in the falling rain.
Or in the rose bed; it comes now as water,
Now as beauty, or as nourishing bread.
But suddenly it may show its face
From behind the veil and destroy all idols
That prevent you from seeking the divine.
In sleep when the soul leaves the body
You may dream of yourself as a tall cypress
Or as a beautiful rose, but be
Warned my friend,
All these phantoms dissolve into thin air
Once the soul returns to the body.
Do not rely on anything but your heart.

Jalaluddin Rumi: Rumi’s Little Book of Life Continue reading

714 – Be thankful

Dear ones, be thankful for what we are, what we have and what we can give. I came home after my surgery on Sunday, which was the beginning of Navratri. It is a joyous time as before that we had been observing Pitrapaksh. Seeking forgiveness for our ancestors. Before leaving the hospital, I was able to play my chants in my room. Continue reading

638 – Early morning meditation on the Goddess Kundalini

Tantric Form of Goddess Worship, 11th book of the Devi Bhagvata.

The Kundalini resides on the ruddy lotus (the mooladhara).
She is blood red in color and has Hrim for her symbol.
She is like a lotus filament.
Her face is the sun, her breasts the moon.
If she dwells just once in one’s heart, one is liberated.
She is (all acts): sitting, coming, going, understanding, reflecting, lauding, singing. I am universal and divine; all (my acts and) praise are worship for you (the Devi).
I am the Goddess; you are not other (than I). I am Brahman, free of sorrow.
I am infinite being, consciousness and bliss. Thus, should one reflect on one’s Self.
She shines brilliantly in her ascent; she appears like nectar in her descent;
I take refuge in that woman who wanders along the middle channel in the form of bliss.

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