Temples have domes so that the resonance of one’s prayers can rebound on one. The dome is just a small, semicircular prototype of the sky. It has the same shape as the sky touching the earth on all four sides. Whatever prayers are conducted under its canopy, the words do not get lost as they would under the vast sky. The dome throws back the chants at the devotee. The rounder the dome, the easier it is for the sound to travel back, and its echo increases in the same proportion. Continue reading
Arjuna asked Sri Krishna a question, which we all ask. He said to Sri Krishna,
I can understand that effort and faith go hand in hand, so faith alone cannot provide the means of achieving the final goal; there has to be an effort, there has to be discipline. You mentioned that other aspects of life are governed by the three gunas. What are those aspects? Continue reading
Take time off, read these beautiful poems by Rabindranath Tagore, close your eyes and visualize each one.
The sky tells its beads all night
On the countless stars
In memory of the sun. – 122
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
How can one please Krishna? Continue reading
Goddess Durga is worshipped as one of the key aspects of the Cosmic Mother. She was created to defeat Mahishasura, a demon who could not be killed by any man. Continue reading
Shaivism is an ancient form Hinduism that focuses on the worship of Shiva. The term has been derived from the Sanskrit word Shiva, which refers to the Lord of destruction and transformation. Shaivites are devotees, who venerate Shiva and accept him as the Supreme God. They believe that he is responsible for creation, protection and destruction. He is portrayed as representing a fierce destroyer, an innocent, a granter of boons and a loving and compassionate husband. Shaivites strive to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and death by living a life focused on Shiva and chanting mantras and hymns dedicated to him. Continue reading
And indeed, what little of beauty and peace is to be found in the societies of men is owing to the daily performance of small duties, not to big doings and fine talk. – Rabindra Nath Tagore
The Shree Shiva Tandava Strotram is a hymn written and sung by the demon king Ravana to praise Lord Shiva. It is about the cosmic dance of Shiva that destroys all negative energies, which exist in one. The content describes the beauty and powers of Shiva in the minutest detail. He is addressed as the destroyer of death. And it ends with his refrain, “When will I be happy?” The result was that Ravana received blessings and a celestial sword called Chandrahaas, because of the intensity of his prayers and rigid meditations. Continue reading
The Ganga is considered a tirtha, which means a crossing point between heaven and earth. At a tirtha, prayers and offerings are thought most likely to reach the gods and their blessings descend readily from heaven. Continue reading
In any form of prayer, a concept if God is essential. The prayers can be tamasic, rajasic or sattvic. At the tamasic level one is using rituals and asking to be protected from the anger of the deities. However, a tamasic (inert) sadhana becomes rajasic and then the puja is more dynamic. The mind becomes more open and one’s awareness increases. Each one of us wants a healthy life free from harm. Then the rajasic puja becomes sattvic, when prayers are offered for forgiveness, forbearance, love and compassion. Continue reading
Bhagawan is God and prarthana is prayers.
The Lord is Bhagawan (God) and is described as one who knows the cause of creation and destruction, the reason for the birth and departure of Jiva, the period Jiva has to remain on the earth due to his Karma. Bhagawan is not a Guru and this is explained in the Sanskrit literature. Vishnu Purana defines Bhagawan as he who understands the creation and dissolution, the appearance and disappearance of beings, the wisdom and ignorance. Continue reading
O Goddess Mahalakshmi! You are omniscient, you grant boons to all and frighten all the wicked! You are the remover of all sorrows; I bow to you.
This prayer to Goddess Lakshmi is different in that it looks upon her as the mother, who rids her children of all misery. Continue reading
Mother Earth, hear your child. Be a bond between the Worlds of Earth and Spirit.
Let the winds echo the Knowledge of Grandfathers.
Who await, unseen, yet visible if I only turn my eyes to their World.
My dear ones you are shocked that I am writing about theft. It is such a strong word. It came to my mind when I was looking at my orchid in my apartment in Yoga Vidya. I feel very proud of it, and it looks so graceful. In India, in New Delhi where I live people pluck flowers for their early morning prayers. They like to offer fragrant smelling flowers to the deity. I admire this ritual, I myself do not offer flowers as I feel that their fragrance and beauty should be shared by humans and the birds. Continue reading