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
Sita phal is named after the Goddess Sita. Sita was an avatar of Lakshmi as Rama was an avatar of Vishnu. Both were born as mortals in the Ramayana. There is an interesting story about the origin of Sita phal. 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
Agitated by present troubles (rakshasas)
Tempted by future joys (Ravana)
Tortured by past memories (Rama)
The Jeeva (Sita) grieves (Shoka)
Even while residing in Bliss (Ashoka).
Then the Jiva prays (Sita)
And the Guru guides (Hanuman)
Then the truth too arrives (Rama)
The ignorance destroys (Ravana)
And in Bliss unites (Ashoka). – Swami Vimalananda.
While I was praying, I thought of Sita, the mortal incarnation of Lakshmi and her sense of independence and fearlessness.
The story is about Sita performing the Shraddha puja by herself. During their forest exile, after the death of Dashratha, Rama and Lakshman went to collect the necessary items for Shraddha (ancestral rites). As the auspicious time for the Pind Daan (offering of ritual balls) was passing and they had not returned, the spirit of King Dasharatha appeared before Sita and requested her to perform the rites immediately. Sita gave in and started making arrangements by herself. Continue reading
The lotus is used as a symbol to represent the chakras. The lotus bud symbolizes the spiritual energy, which is within all of us. The opening of the lotus represents the unfolding of our consciousness. 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
I love the idea of the Bhagwad Gita’s Birthday. It is a beautiful celebration as we work on ourselves and offer prayers to Krishna and Lakshmi. The birthday of the Gita is known as Gita Jayanti. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing of the moon in the Margashirsha Shukla Ekdashi. In the lunar calendar it either begins on the new moon or the full moon. It corresponds to the ninth month of the lunar year. It is considered the most sacred month in Hindu faith. 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
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
Om Shrim Shriye Namaha
Om and salutations to the creative abundance that is the very form of this universe.
This mantra activates the Kriya Shakti. Activating Kriya Shakti involves sadhanas like yoga, meditation and specific breathing techniques. Continue reading
Blessings and fear are a strange couple. One can never know what is a blessing and what is a fear. Blessings bring one closer to one’s inner divinity. Blessings make the fear go away as by understanding one’s fear one becomes free. 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
Uddhava was the recipient of Krishna’s final teachings. He was Krishna’s cousin and counsellor and he asked Krishna how should Paramatman be worshipped? Krishna answered his question in detail. Continue reading