Tag Archives: worship

Challenge of Gender norms by Sita

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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 →

Why are fragrant unguents used as offering?

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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.

Why are these unguents important in Hindu rituals? Continue reading →

Nine days of worship

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Navaratri is celebrated to honour Durga’s victory over the defeat of Mahishasura, who was a threat to the universe. None of the Gods could overcome him. The Goddess, Durga was gifted strengths from all the Gods and she became omnipotent. Only the Cosmic mother could destroy him and she was Durga. In Navaratri, different forms of the Goddess are worshipped each day. Continue reading →

How to worship Krishna?

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Visualizing Krishna. Seeing, touching and worshipping him. Praising and saluting his image and also the devotees. Reciting his glorious life. Listening to stories about him. Observing the special days dedicated to him. Offerings of worship and conducting the sacred rites according to Vedic and other scriptural texts. Chanting singing, and dancing in the temple. Continue reading →

Connecting to the Divine

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Listening or chanting to the Shiva Tandava Stotra gives one immense powers, beauty and mental strength. It removes all negative energies and makes the environment pure. During dawn and dusk listening to it is very effective. It is said that whatever activity one does during Brahma Muhurta, its impact is manifold more. It reduces the amount of energy consumed and doubles the productivity. During dusk lamps are lit and some families engage in Satsang.

I will give you a translation of the Shiva Tandava. Read it or visualize it verse by verse. Continue reading →

Why are we born?

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There are eighty-four million species in the world. There are four instincts which are present in all of them. They are desire for food, desire for sex, desire for sleep and fear of death. These instincts exist in all the creatures right from the smallest bacteria or insect to the elephant.

Only mankind has a special quality. S/he can worship God, sing God’s name, do Japa and meditate on God. We can experience God; we are aware of God. We are searching for Him. We have questions for Him. Continue reading →

The Great Preserver

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Vishnu is revered as the Preserver and the element; water plays a very important role in his life. He is depicted as the cosmic ocean Nara, meaning water. Water was the only thing in existence before the creation of the universe. On account of this, he is known as Narayana, or one who moves on the waters. Vishnu’s Shakti is the sustaining energy because it refers to Vishnu, God of preservation. Continue reading →

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 →