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
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
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
Ram’s birthplace is Ayodhya. The meaning of Ayodhya is a place where there is no war. It was a place where there was no conflict, no duality, attachment or aversion, honour or dishonor, joy or sorrow, giving or taking, sense of multiplicity. Continue reading
The Ramayana is a beautiful description of the life of Rama. It is venerated as one of our most holy books. If one reads the Ramayana daily, one attains salvation. It is written in poetic and simple verse. One has to read just a verse or two every day. Continue reading
Proverbs are used by us in our daily life and most times we do not appreciate their real meaning. Each language has its own proverbs and sometimes one finds that the same proverb exists in several languages. Continue reading
It does not read well. Why should one have friends who are enemies? If one is on the spiritual path, one’s enemies should drop by the wayside. I am using the word frenemy as it describes the role of Kama in one’s life. Kama can pretend to be a friend and can also be an enemy. Continue reading
For which we seek the answers.
Why are temples built facing the east? Temples are built facing the east so that the first rays of the rising sun can fall on the image of the deity. The deity faces east, and the devotees face west, so that the sun’s rays fall on the god and are reflected on the devotee. Temples are compared to a woman’s body, sitting with her knees bent. The place where the deity is installed is known as the Garbha Griha, womb. Continue reading
Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The only gift is a portion of thyself…The poet brings his poem… the farmer corn… the painter his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man’s biography is conveyed in his gift.” Continue reading
This article is a reissue from the year 2013.
Here Swami Sivananda sings to us in verse, and gives an introduction to the Ramayana. Historical recording of Swami Sivananda, 1887-1963, one of the greatest yoga masters of modern India. To find out more about Swami Sivananda: http://www.sivanandaonline.org, http://my.yoga-vidya.org . Copyright the Divine Life Society .
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