There are nine gemstones mentioned in the Vedas and they are called the Navratan. According to Hindu culture, the universe is believed to be comprise seven grahas and two nodes to form a combination of nine planets or Navagrahas. These nine Grahas are considered Gods and their position in an individual’s birth chart decides good or bad in a person’s life. 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.
On Wednesday, the day of thoughtful Mercury,
Meditate upon Sita and Rama.
For overcoming problems in your home,
For the education of children, for profit in business,
And for study a way of communication will be shown.
Dear ones, I am reading the Ananda Ramayana, which has been written in the 15th century. It is based on Valmiki’s Ramayana and it has many stories which are not in Valmiki’s Ramayana. In the Ananda Ramayana, Rama after his victory over Ravana, Rama on his return went on pilgrimages to all the sacred spots and rivers. He asked for forgiveness for killing Ravana. Continue reading
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
Sita phal is named after the Goddess Sita. Sita was an avatar of Lakshmi as Rama was an avatar of Vishnu. Both were born as mortals in the Ramayana. There is an interesting story about the origin of Sita phal. Continue reading
In the Ramayana Visha (poison) and Amrit (nectar) are frequently mentioned. The reference refers to the spiritual and material context. Continue reading
He is before us and when we utter an exclamation, we say his name, ‘Hai Rama. Hai Rama’ means ‘Oh Rama,’ ‘Oh God. ‘or ‘Goodness Gracious.’ It is typically used to express surprise, shock, distress or exasperation. While Rama refers to the deity, ‘Hai Rama‘ acts as a sigh or exclamation of divine appeal in everyday conversation, similar to saying, ‘Oh, my God.’ Continue reading
Vandana is worship through prayer and prostration. This form of Upasana includes: humble prostration, touching the earth with the eight limbs of the body (Ashthang Namaskara), bowing down with faith and reverence before a form of God, bowing to beings as forms of the one God and getting absorbed in the divine love of the lord. 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
Description of the Goddess by Vishnu for the Gods. Continue reading
In the tradition of the Bihar School of Yoga, the Guru mantra refers to the mantra personally given by the Guru during initiation (diksha), which is kept secret. However, the universal mantra honored by the Bihar School of Yoga is the Guru Stotram. Continue reading
The eight flowers precious to Vishnu are: Continue reading
In the Hindu faith, unguents and oils were used as offerings. Their purpose was to please the deity and in the presence of the deity to undergo a sense of purification, while worshipping.