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
And not a drop to drink.
Water, water everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water everywhere
Nor any drop to drink. – Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Our prayers are gender neutral and yet we have so much conflict between couples. I have listed four prayers and they are recited as invocations and supplication. There is no discrimination in them.
Our prayer to the Cosmic Mother, Durga is a prayer which can be said by all. Durga is known as Devi or Shakti. Devi means woman, and Shakti means power. Durga in Sanskrit means a fort. Ma Durga protects us all. Continue reading
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world. Continue reading
In these harsh and disturbed times, we can contribute by self-purification. Cleansing of our thoughts will lead to removal of negativity. I have taken the liberty of combining the teachings of the Veda with the teachings from the Bible. It is only possible for us to end the conflict by practicing detachment, and empathy. Atma Bhava love for our brethren will lead to a resolution. Good Friday is for us to seek forgiveness, not only for ourselves but for saving mother earth. Continue reading
In order to practice a spiritual life and enjoy the fruit of the sadhana, it must become a part of us. Easter is upon us and we associate it with the material things like gifts and chocolates. Easter is a time of new beginnings and renewal. However it is not only when Easter is approaching that we should think that we should renew ourselves spiritually.
Let us see what we can incorporate in our daily life:
It is not difficult to include these practices. Even if we start with one, we are on the path to welcome Easter and it becomes a way of life for us.
“Lord, we lift our eyes to you. As the sun rises, may this moment stay with us, reminding us to look for the beautiful colors of promise in your word. Lord, we lift our prayers to you. As the dew falls, may we breathe this morning in and know that like the earth, you sustain us, keep us and work within us always.”
Aim Hrim Klim
Photo by Ashley Inguanta on Unsplash
What is prana? Prana is the symbol of the cosmic breath (Mahaprana) in our body. Mahaprana works both inside and outside in the universe and in our body. Prana performs its functions in the universe and in our body. During the existence of the universe, it functions. When there is pralaya (destruction) of the universe, it ceases to function. Wise persons call the air pervading in the firmament, prana. Our past and present are based on this prana and on it depends everything. Continue reading
What memories does it bring for you? Brushing your teeth, washing your face, hands, and feet, combing your hair, wearing your night clothes. Smelling clean of soap. Kissing your parents good night and breathing into their face to show that you had cleaned your teeth. Maybe pushing your brother or sister, behind your parents back on your way to bed. Then joining your hands in the prayer pose, eyes closed. Saying your prayers, either kneeling or sitting cross legged. Continue reading