Contemplate on Surya Devata

Surya Devata shines brilliantly. His rays pervade all the ten directions. He has seven horses, and he is called Saptasaptih. The seven horses draw the chariot with one wheel. The wheel has three hubs. Nothing can destroy this immortal wheel. All life in this world exists because of the horses and this wheel. The wheel is the cycle of time. The three hubs are the past, present and future. The seven horses are the seven rays of the spectrum of light and each horse represents a chakra. Continue reading

In awe of the universe

The Happiness that I seek

What is the happiness I seek?
Not to win the race,
But to understand the face of failure,
For through it I have learned to run
And not to fear the doubts of my mind.
It is that they have shown me
Where the road lies narrow and hardest to pass
Through the forces of the world around me,
Even when I feel tired and oppressed,
I shall find the way to increase my own strength
And stand in awe of the pattern of the universe. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

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The feminine principle

In the context of Samkhya philosophy, Prakriti is the dynamic feminine principle of nature and creation, the source of the universe. Prakriti is the feminine aspect and is understood as the fundamental nature of the universe. Animals are seen as expressions of Prakriti. They embody the natural laws and tendencies that govern the universe. In this context let us look at the animal world.

I will share three narratives. Continue reading

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

629 – Liquid Sunshine

Rain

Shattering the bounds of space
Came the rain;
The hills are rent
And the waters burst and leap and sweep in a mad race.
The wind beats like a fiend of pain;
The world reels and is bent
Lightning leaps in a clap,
And the sea
Dashes its main against Heaven’s dome;
The clouds break and rumble
The wind tears at the sky as a trap
And the sky beats a tattoo and laughs in a mad spree
The corners of space crumble
Oh, the mighty rain
The universe quivers and shakes
And lo the snake
That bears the earth, hoods uplifter, springs again
Space hills leap
And in the sky, tumult of the Devas breaks
Into a mad sports where live flames crash awake
Behold time and the elements dance in a sweep
Oh, the rain, the wondrous rain. Continue reading

537 – The mightiest meditation sadhana

Ananthasayana is the lord of the creative energy. One glance from him grants material energy, the prana to give birth to all organic and inorganic matter. He is Vishnu, the sustainer and he is often portrayed as sleeping on the cosmic serpent that coils itself into a bed, positioning its many heads as a canopy. The Sesa Naga is identical to Vishnu, who is also known as Naga Sayana. Continue reading

504 – Mutual imperfection

It leads to acceptance of each other. 

“Shiva, Parvati nu Saubhagya.” The meaning is: may you be as successful as Lord Shiva and Parvati in your married life.

Shiva and Parvati have been eternally married to each other. There is a divine strength which connects them.

Let us examine this heavenly relationship which consists of mutual imperfection leading to the union of prakriti (nature in all her aspects) and purusha (self, pure consciousness). Parvati is prakriti and Shiva is purusha. Continue reading

422 – Chant Aum constantly

“Make Aum your name. Aum is Atman, the soul, Aum is the Brahman (ultimate reality). Aum is absolute existence, knowledge, and bliss. Aum is your centre, your silence, your refuge and shelter Aum is your heart (hridaya). Do Aum japa, feel Aum, live in Aum. Aum is everywhere, in everything, hum Aum, live in truth, feel Aum everywhere in the ether, flowers, trees, stones, inanimate and animate objects. Rejoice in the light of truth, knowledge and bliss. There is a vast ocean of bliss and knowledge at the back of the mind. Drive the mind into that source.” Swami Sivananda Saraswati.

Aum reminds us of our identity with the supreme soul. Aum blows out our false ego. Continue reading

416 – Knowing the Lord

The Chandogya Upanishad says that Bhuma is a celebration of the auspicious qualities of the Supreme One. When Bhuman is seen and heard, nothing else is seen or heard. When Bhuman is known, nothing else is known. Swaroopoham refers to realization of truth. Love and bhakti are within us. Pursuit of Bhakti with sincerity and genuineness is essential. Continue reading