Sita the daughter of Mother Prithvi

The bow of Shiva was the creation from the conversation between Shiva and Shakti. It was a perfect bow, the outcome of Tapasya and Yagna. Tapasya was like the shaft of the bow and Yagna was like the string of the bow. Individually Tapasya and Yagna cannot create a bow. Too loose the bow is useless, too tight the bow will break. To create a bow, the shaft has to bend and the string has to be taut. Therefore, the bow was created, by joining tapasya and yagna. It was a symbol of all relationships, of all man and woman in marriage, and of king and kingdom. Continue reading

Tapasya and Yagna

 

Shiva meditated on Mount Kailash, which was barren, and he was covered in snow. Shiva became the supreme tapasvi as he had destroyed hunger. Prakriti took the form of Shakti and said to Shiva, “Hunger distinguishes creatures from being alive and dead. You are a corpse as you have no hunger. Vegetation happens when there is water and soil. An animal seeks food to satisfy his hunger.” Continue reading

Be blessed for all your life

The Shree Shiva Tandava Strotram is a hymn written and sung by the demon king Ravana to praise Lord Shiva. It is about the cosmic dance of Shiva that destroys all negative energies, which exist in one. The content describes the beauty and powers of Shiva in the minutest detail. He is addressed as the destroyer of death. And it ends with his refrain, “When will I be happy?” The result was that Ravana received blessings and a celestial sword called Chandrahaas, because of the intensity of his prayers and rigid meditations. Continue reading

Tulsi Vivah

What is Tulsi Vivah? It is a festival which is a very important ritual. It celebrates the ceremonial marriage of the holy Basil plant, known as Tulsi to Vishnu and Krishna. It is believed that if one has a Tulsi plant outside one’s house, then one’s husband will never leave one. The holy Basle has to be watered daily. Tulsi Vivah is a sacred tradition which marks the beginning of the wedding season in Hindu culture. Continue reading

Hail to the Divine Creatrix

Oh, Mother I entreat you to save the earth. Now is the time, when all of us are praying to you. Please end all the wars, discriminations and hatred.

Swami Sivananda, was a Devi Bhakta as all Gurus are. He addressed Devi as the Supreme Shakti of the Supreme Being. He gives his arguments for his faith and beliefs.

The 13 arguments

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Adi Shesh, Vasuki and Kaliya

Who are they?

Adi Shesh is the thousand headed being, and Vishnu rests under his hoods.

Vasuki swallowed part of the toxic poison, which emerged when he was used for churning of the ocean. Shiva wears him round his neck. He is associated with eternal life.

Kaliya represents our five vices and Krishna killed him. Continue reading

987 – Why Saffron?

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

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?

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?

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