Cry to your Mother Syama with a real cry, O mind!
And how can she hold herself from you?
How can Syama stay away?
How can your mother, Kali hold herself away?
O mind if you are in earnest, bring her an offering
Of bel-leaves and hibiscus flowers;
Lay at her feet your offering
And with it mingle the fragrant sandal-paste of Love. – Ramakrishna Parmahamsa
In the mudra of granting what you desire.
The mantra for granting our heart’s desire is from Saundarya Lahiri – Verse 3.
Avidyaanaamantas-timira-mihirodveepa-nakaree
Jadaanaam Chaitanya tabaka-makaranda-sruti-jharee;
Daridraanam chintaa manigunanikaa janmajaladhau
Nimagagaanam damshtraa muraripu-varaahasya bhavati.
Maha Shivaratri will be celebrated on the 18th of February 2023. Why do we celebrate this festival? Maha Shivaratri is known as the “Great Night of Lord Shiva”. It is considered one of the most important Hindu festivals. The meaning of Shiva is auspiciousness and prosperity—bestowing principle. Shiva controls the cycle of birth and death. He is responsible for the creation of languages, art, dance, music, yoga, ayurveda and herbal medicines. Continue reading
Swami Vivekananda said,
Mother is the first manifestation of power… With the name of mother comes the idea of shakti divine energy and omnipotence, just as the baby believes its mother to be all-powerful, able to do anything. The Divine Mother is the Kundalini sleeping in us; without worshipping her we can never know ourselves.
Who is the father? Continue reading
Parvati is the power of Shakti of Lord Shiva, the beloved wife of Shiva and the mother of Ganesha and Kartike. She is the Yogamaya of Lord Vishnu, she tied a rakhi (sacred thread) on Vishnu’s wrist, thus making him her brother. She wears a Mangal sutra (a string of gold and black beads), which is a sign of marriage for Hindu women round her neck. Continue reading
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
Why did Ramakrishna worship Kali? Ramakrishna had the divine vision of Kali and he was always in communication with her. One does not know whether Kali chose him to express her divinity through him or he chose Kali.
Who is Kali? Is she the Shakti of Shiva? Continue reading
Skulls are seen everywhere in Mexico. They are considered symbols of birth and death. Local culture believes that the afterlife is as important if not more important than one’s life on earth. The skull symbolizes both sides life and afterlife. Continue reading
Shakti is the divine energy that is connected to each God. Shiva’s Shakti is Parvati, Vishnu’s Shakti is Lakshmi and Brahma’s Shakti is Saraswati. Shakti is also addressed as Devi or Mother Goddess. Continue reading
Is it possible for us to emulate Rama? What is Ram Rajya? Can we make this earth, Ram Rajya, so we have love and peace prevailing? No wars and food for all.
Ram Raj is the kingdom of God. Equal rights to rich and poor. We have to look within ourselves. We have to address our faults and shut our eyes to the faults of our neighbors. Practice Atmabhava. Love for our fellow beings. Continue reading
The keys are there for all of us and they are waiting to be used. Once we have them, they are with us forever. Only our thoughts can steal them. Everything happens in tandem. If we use even one key and are genuine and sincere, we can be on the path of equanimity and harmony. Continue reading
What is worship? Puja begins with external things. One gathers flowers, makes sandal paste, prepares prasad (offering of food to the Goddess) and collects the necessary items for the external puja. However while one is performing this activity, one is conscious that one is attempting to please the mother. All these external activities take one’s mind inwards and focus on the deity. Continue reading
Two are required to have a relationship. Without two, there is no love, no longing, and no union. Without another, the self is meaningless. For sat (truth) to be understood there is then no need of maya (illusion). If one’s soul is to be still, it is only possible if there is restlessness. Continue reading
I bow to that which is the substance of all, which is all, the embodiment of the universe, the light on which yogis meditate. Markandeyapurana.
Among the five basic classifications of spiritual Tantra on the basis of Sampradaya (tradition and spiritual lineage), Surya Tantra based on purity, knowledge and positivity. The sadhana of Surya Tantra opens the third eye—universal intuition, and the fire element grants us vitality. Continue reading
Lakshmi Tantra is a very sacred form of practice. In it, we consider Lakshmi as the cosmic mother and her expectation from us is devotion and pursuit of truth. The Lakshmi Tantra is also dedicated to the worship of Vishnu. Continue reading