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
In the Vedic and Tantric tradition, Devi, the divine mother is worshipped. She has many forms, and they are all symbols of her energy and power. They depict her qualities of compassion, benevolence, her powerful forces which act as catalysts to propel the devotee to attain awareness of the cosmic force, which sustains, nourishes and governs the entire creation. Continue reading
A Shakta is a devotee of the Mother Goddess and his/her prayer can be described like this verse:
May all my idle talk be your japa, sound divine,
May all my gestures be your mudras,
May all my steps be around your seat,
May all my lying down be your pranam,
May all your oblations be my only food,
And may all acts of mine be in joy for you.
Extracted from a hymn dedicated to Tripura Sundari from Saundarya Lahiri. Continue reading
To be read during Navratri. Dear Ones enjoy the blessings of the Mother.
I bow to you Durga, the bestower of happiness,
I bow to you, O Goddess Amba who ends all miseries.
The radiance of your light is limitless
And all pervading and all of the three realms (Earth, Heaven and the Netherworld) are enlightened by Thee.Your face is like the moon and mouth very huge.
Your eyes shine with a red glow
And you have a frightening frown.
O mother, your look is enchanting, the very sight of which
Ensures welfare of the devout.All the power of the world reposes in
Thee and it is you, who provide food and wealth
For the world’s survival.
Like the feeding, Mother Annapurna,
You nurture the whole universe and you are
The one, who appears like the timeless
Bala Sundari (the young girl of extreme beauty).At the time of dissolution, it is you,
O Mother, who destroys everything.
You are the beloved consort of Lord Shiva, Gauri.
Lord Shiva and all the yogis always chant your praise
Brahma, Vishnu and all other Gods ever meditate on you.You appear in the form of Goddess Saraswati too,
To grant wisdom to the sages and thus ensure their welfare.
In the form of Goddess Lakshmi,
O Mother you appear in the world
And repose by the side of Shree Narayan.Dwelling in the ocean of milk,
O goddess with Lord Vishnu,
Please fulfill my desires.
He who sings your glory with devotion, love and sincerity
Goes beyond the cycle of births and deaths.O Merciful Mother! Show me your favor and make me feel
Happy bestowing me with all sorts of riches and powers.
Pray with sincerity, Ma has a mother’s heart and she knows what you wish for.
Maya Pancakam is a description of Maya in five verses. Sri Sankara says that Maya cannot be described as either existence or non-existence or both, it is indescribable. Maya makes incompatibles appear together and shows how it brings about what is logically impossible. Brahman is the only reality and Brahman appears to us as the universe of multifarious names and forms, because of our ignorance of Brahman. In our ignorance we think a rope is a snake in a dim light. Continue reading