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
I am aware dear ones that today is International Women’s Day. All kinds of attributes are given to womankind. Sages are writing that we must create a world where women are celebrated not just as their roles as mothers, wives or daughters but also as creators, leaders and spiritual beings who shape the essence of life. Continue reading
I had gone in a tuktuk on a coastal tour in Siquijor which is a verdant and beautiful island. A tuktuk is a three-wheel scooter, which has powerful shock absorbers and so it is not bouncy. They are in bright colors, and one sees them everywhere. Siquijor is considered a magical island as there are many healing plants growing there. It is renowned for its traditional healing practices. Continue reading
Yellow is the brightest color in the visual spectrum. It is a favored color and what are the reasons for it. The sun is yellow and sunlight loved by all is golden yellow. It is the easiest color to imagine, it represents happiness and hope. Continue reading
The one, who always worships Lakshmi, Sri Kamala, the one who dwells in the lotus, Padma, the pleasing one holding tender lotus bloom in her hands, the daughter of the ocean, the one who carries the pot of nectar in her two hands, the goddess Ira and the beloved of Vishnu will ward off all miseries. – Mahalakshmi Stuti, Skanda Puran, verse 8
In all faiths numbers play a role. 108, 13, 3, 613, 786, 5, 888, 666 are spiritual numbers.
In my seminars, my students always ask, why is 108 important? In Hinduism 108 is a holy number. An individual breathes 21,600 times in 24 hours. When divided by two, it becomes 10,800 resembling 2 horizons – the north and south poles, emphasizing 108 as basic. The sky is divided into 27 nakshatras, each having four sectors of 30, i.e. 27×4=108. The moon crosses one nakshatra in 54 hours, which if divided into day and night gives 54×2=108. Continue reading
How did it all begin? Shakti, who is the cosmic Mother, has many names – Uma, Parvati, Durga, I can go on. She asked Shiva to narrate a story which will offer comfort in troubled times to all her children. Shiva then narrated the story of the Ramayana, which is about Ram and Sita. Continue reading
What is Tulsi Vivah? It is a festival which is a very important ritual. It celebrates the ceremonial marriage of the holy Basil plant, known as Tulsi to Vishnu and Krishna. It is believed that if one has a Tulsi plant outside one’s house, then one’s husband will never leave one. The holy Basle has to be watered daily. Tulsi Vivah is a sacred tradition which marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture. Continue reading
Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and he is born as a mortal. In our Hindu tradition, Ram is a divine human, a mortal god incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. The story of his life is in the Ramayana and the Ramayana is an allegory for the duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. He is a superior being and does not render evil for evil. Continue reading
Ya Devi Sarvabhutesu Lakshmirupena Samasthitha
Namastasyai Namashtasyai Namashtasyai Namo Namaha.
I salute that goddess, who is present as Lakshmi in
Every being in the world, Over and over and over. Continue reading
Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth in every aspect. She resides where there is truth, charity and dharma. The Sri Suktam in the Vedas is dedicated to her and she is one of manifestations of Adya Shakti.
Lakshmi is addressed by many names: Vriddhi (growth), Matri Rupa (like mother), Vasudha (Earth) and as Aditi, mother of all the gods. Continue reading
The three wise monkeys said, see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. This saying of the wise monkeys originated in Japan, during the Muromachi period (a time of turbulence). It is believed that they were influenced by the teachings of the Buddha. Their names were Mizaru who covered his eyes and saw no evil; Kikazaru, who covered his ears and heard no evil; Iwazaru, who covered his mouth and spoke no evil. Then there is the San Saru symbol, which says, “See the good, hear the good and speak the good.” The wise monkeys are also known as the three mystical monkeys. Continue reading