The Rudram Chamakam is a prayer for blessings, where the devotee asks for a series of material and spiritual boons. Continue reading
An extract from Rudram Chamakam
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The Maha Shivaratri Story
Maha Shivaratri is considered one of the holiest festivals. It commemorates several cosmic events.
- It honors Shiva and Parvati’s marriage. Shiva married Parvati, his divine consort, for a second time on this night. It is in celebration of their divine re-union that the day is observed as the “Night of Shiva,’ Shiva signifies Purusha (mindfulness), and Parvati (Prakriti). This is a union of mindfulness and nature. It promotes creation.
- Lord Shiva was incarnated as Rudra during the midnight of Maha Shivaratri, with Brahma’s blessings.
- It is also believed that Shiva performed his cosmic dance of creation, preservation and destruction (Rudra Tandava), when he heard that his consort Sati (Parvati in her earlier incarnation) had leapt into the Yagna fire.
- During the churning of the ocean, Shiva drank the poison which came out of the sea. This poison could have destroyed the universe. This is the reason why Shiva has a blue neck and he is called Nilkanth (Savior of the Universe). Shivaratri is observed to honor the day for preserving the universe.
- When Brahma and Vishnu fought for supremacy, Shiva manifested as an unending pillar of light (Linga) to stop them, and establishing himself as the supreme, all-encompassing force. He is also known as Lingobhava (Divine Light).
Oh Prana, Prana, Prana
Dear ones, the Prashnopanishad gives the most illuminating description of Prana. One is able to understand Prana. Prana is likened to a mother who takes care of her offspring.
Prashnopanishad literally translates to Upanishad of Questions. It is an Atharvan Upanishad. Its dialogue explores existential questions, and this question addressed to Pippalda by Bhargava relates to understanding the importance of Prana in attaining Brahman. Continue reading
951 – Grief
You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair. – Chinese proverb
No one told me that grief felt so much like fear. – C.S Lewis
Tears are silent language for grief. – Voltaire
There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief. – Aeschylus
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. – Khalil Gibran
383 – Visualization from the Devi Sukta
Why is the Devi Sukta important?
It brings spiritual and material wellbeing to the believer, listener, and the reader. If one is neither and is only a believer in the power of The Goddess, then the visualization will help. The Devi Sukta destroys all illusions in one’s mind. The Devi Suktam cleanses one’s mind of all apprehensions and suspicions.
It removes all the misfortunes and imperfections of the devotees. A suktam is a hymn in praise of the deity intended a collection of very beautifully composed incantations is called a sukta. Continue reading
327 – Shiva Tantra
Shiva is called Mahadeva (great God), God of the Gods. He is the primordial God and Guru. The whole of Tantra is said to be his instructions. In his form which existed before time, he was five faced. The knowledge of the Vedas came from his upward face and that which came downwards was called Tantra. Continue reading
271 – Tears and our innate nature
What are tears? There are so many descriptions of tears. Meaning of tears is weeping, sorrowing, lamenting, and crying to name a few.
To mention a few quotes.
John Milton, “Tears such as angels weep.”
St. Bernard, “The tears of those repenting are the wine of angels.” Continue reading
243 – Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri is the equal partner of the sun and the mantra for prana, with three forms. In the early morning, Gayatri is a little girl. At noon she is a young woman in her prime. In the evening she is a wise, old woman. The colors used for Gayatri are red in the morning, yellow at noon, and grey at night. Continue reading
239 – Sri Yantra Meditation: Tantra-raja-tantra
Close your eyes. Visualize and identify the chakras with the Sri Yantra, and then with the island of nine gems, in which the mother goddess resides in all her splendor. The garden is known as Kalpako-dhyana. The seasons have to be meditated upon. Continue reading
232 – What is Pranava Sadhana?
Pranava means “cosmic sound” in Sanskrit. It is the name of the mantra Om. Meditating on pranava leads to liberation because it brings about unity with Brahman, the absolute truth. Continue reading