Chandrama, the Moon is the radiant Hindu God. We revere the moon and it is seen as the brother of Lakshmi. Affectionately it is used by parents to tell stories or singing lullabies to children. In all languages its effulgence and radiance is described as breathtaking. Continue reading
On Thursday, the day of benefic Jupiter, rituals, fasts,
Pilgrimages and sacraments like marriages will be auspicious.
By the blessings of the Guru all weeks
In the reign of Lord Rama brings welfare and abundance.
Let us look at Mother Earth. Do we treat her like a mother? Do we respect and love her? Do we make sure that our air is nontoxic? Do we make sure our waters are not poisoned? My list can go on. Continue reading
The pose of Shiva Nataraja is represented in a number of bronzes, dating from the tenth century onwards. The movement which is in the bronzes is astonishing. In his role as Nataraja, Shiva is awake and constantly active and in ceaseless motion. Continue reading
Shiva Ramashtakam is a beautiful hymn dedicated to Shiva and Rama. It was composed by Swami Ramananda in the fourteenth century. He was a religious reformer and he accepted disciples without discrimination, against gender, caste and faith. Continue reading
Uma is also known as Parvati. She represents the divine light, devotion and cosmic energy. Uma is also the divine feminine energy inherent in nature.
A powerful prayer to her,
“Om Um Umaadevibhyaam Namah.”
Pronunciation is “Ohm Oom Oo-mah-deh-vee byahm Nahmah”. Continue reading
The whole world is a manifestation of Shakti. The countless universe are only dust from the Divine Mother’s holy feet. Her glory is effable. Her splendor is indescribable. Her greatness is unfathomable. She showers her grace on sincere devotees. She leads the individual soul from chakra to chakra, from plane to plane, to union with Shiva in sahasrara. – Swami Sivananda
Dear ones, pray for the grace of the Divine Mother.
The cosmic Shakti manifests in the human body as Kundalini and Prana. Kundalini is the static support for the moving pranic forces. Kundalini is the primordial energy that lies in mooladhara chakra in a dormant, potential state. Continue reading
Worshippers of the Devi or shakti are called Shaktas. The Agama (received knowledge) literature details the Upasana for Shaktas, the concept behind Shaktism which play an important role in Tantrik worship. Continue reading
“Agadham Bam Bagadham Baje Damru” is a bhajan which focuses on capturing the rhythmic, mystical energy (Tandava) of the song.
Agadham, Bagadham and Bam are onomatoepic (reverberating and repetitive) sounds representing the beat of Shiva’s Damru (power drum). Continue reading
What does Shiva represent?
Shiva represents inner strength, detachment and cosmic consciousness.
The core teachings of Shiva Sutra encourage living with wonder and removing fear through actions and realizing the divinity within oneself. Continue reading
It is not the lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages. – Nietzsche
Maha Shivaratri is considered one of the holiest festivals. It commemorates several cosmic events.
Shakti is the great process lying almost restless at the deepest sphere of individual consciousness capable of creation, progression and destruction. It is the powerful awareness, which is lying dormant at present in us. Continue reading
While I was praying, I thought of Sita, the mortal incarnation of Lakshmi and her sense of independence and fearlessness.
The story is about Sita performing the Shraddha puja by herself. During their forest exile, after the death of Dashratha, Rama and Lakshman went to collect the necessary items for Shraddha (ancestral rites). As the auspicious time for the Pind Daan (offering of ritual balls) was passing and they had not returned, the spirit of King Dasharatha appeared before Sita and requested her to perform the rites immediately. Sita gave in and started making arrangements by herself. Continue reading