Tag Archives: shiva

987 – Why Saffron?

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Saffron is composed of shades of golden-yellow and orange. It is the most sacred color for Hindus. It represents the fire (Agni) which burns the impurities and cleanses itself in the process. It is red in the bottom; the middle is yellow and the top is orange and symbolizes purity, wisdom and the quest for light—sages and ascetics who have renounced the world dress in saffron. Saffron is the color of the sunset and sunrise, which symbolize sacrifice, light and the search for salvation. Shiva loves saffron. Continue reading →

951 – Grief

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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

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947 – Who are Shaktas?

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A Shakta is a devotee of the Mother Goddess and his/her prayer can be described like this verse:

May all my idle talk be your japa, sound divine,
May all my gestures be your mudras,
May all my steps be around your seat,
May all my lying down be your pranam,
May all your oblations be my only food,
And may all acts of mine be in joy for you.

Extracted from a hymn dedicated to Tripura Sundari from Saundarya Lahiri. Continue reading →

889 – Why is three a sacred number in Hinduism?

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In Hinduism we follow the path of Dharma. Dharma consists of three principles, Artha (material wealth), Kama (fulfilling of desires) and attaining Moksha (righteousness and liberation). Fulfilling our responsibilities and commitments will lead to a life of harmony and detachment. Continue reading →

883 – How to understand God?

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God is truth and God is love. He is the supreme being. He is the support for the universe. Without him not an atom can move. He is the womb for the Vedas. Indra, Agni, Vayu, Varuna, and Yama are his assistants. Earth, water, fire, air and ether are his five powers. Maya is his elusive Shakti. Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva are his three aspects. Creation, preservation, destruction, veiling are the five kinds of activities of God. He dwells in our hearts He is in us.  – Swami Sivananda

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871 – Divine Prayer—Soundarya Lahiri

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Soundarya Lahiri means waves of beauty. It consists of two parts. Ananda Lahiri means waves of happiness (41 stanzas) and Soundarya Lahari (the next 59 stanzas). It is believed that Ganesha himself wrote the Ananda Lahiri on Mount Meru. The first 100 stanzas are considered the most spiritual verses ever written. It is said that all those who read this are awash with joyous happiness. Continue reading →

864 – Let Mother Minakshi free you from difficulties

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I salute constantly Mother Minakshi (the Goddess with beautiful eyes that resemble fish) who is an ocean of mercy. She is radiant like a million rising suns and shines with beautiful armlets and necklaces. Having large, charming lips that resemble the Bimba fruit (red ivy gourd), she has beautiful teeth and sports a lovely smile. She is adorned with yellow clothes. Vishnu, Brahma and Indra serve her feet; she is the beloved of Shiva and is of the nature of absolute reality.

I salute constantly Mother Minakshi, who is an ocean of mercy. She stays on the left side of Shiva, is the embodiment of the knowledge of Sri Cakra, and is invoked by the lustrous mantra of Hrim. She resides in the dot in the center of the Sri Cakra and is the leader of the assembly held by (herself) the Goddess. Deluding the universe with her beauty, she is at the same time the mother of Kartikeya and Ganesha.

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861 – Eight forms has Shiva

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Eight forms has Shiva lord of all and king;
And these waters, first created thing;
And fire, which speeds the sacrifice begun;
The priest; and the time’s dividers, moon and sun;
The all-embracing ether, path of sound;
The earth, wherein all seeds of life are found;
And air, the breath of life: may he draw near,
Revealed in these, and bless those gathered here.

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836 – Masculinity and Femineity

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We believe that in the creation of the universe, God revealed two aspects of himself, Male and Female. The male was considered Purush, wisdom and space. Female was Prakriti, nature. Neither could survive without the other. Space is everywhere and wisdom is hidden in it. However, there is no creation. The creation occurs with Father Purush and Mother Prakriti or Shakti. Both Purush and Prakriti unite within us and in the cosmos for the wonderful universes. Continue reading →