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Showing posts from October 9, 2018


Hanuman and Story of the Origin of Navratri

There is a story connecting Hanuman with the origin of Navratri. It is mentioned in some puranas. Ravana was an ardent devotee of Shiva and Parvati. Pleased with the devotion, Shiva and Parvati were ever present in Lanka and were protecting the kingdom. When the tyranny of the Ravana became unbearable, Brahma asked Shiva and Parvati to stop protecting Ravana. As a solution, Shiva promises Brahma that he will incarnate in the form of Hanuman to help Sri Ram defeat Ravana. Goddess Parvati agreed to leave the kingdom of Ravana when Hanuman arrives on Lanka. To gather information about Mata Sita, Hanuman enters Lanka in a tiny form. On the island, Hanuman comes across the temple of a three-eyed Goddess and eight yoginis. Hanuman is stopped by the Goddess, who is a manifestation of Goddess Parvati. Hanuman immediately shows his true form and Goddess Parvati recognizes Shiva. Hanuman then requests the Goddess to stop protecting the island. As long as She is present on

Navakumari – Nine Goddesses or Navkumari

Many of must be aware of the Navadurga concept or the nine goddesses worshipped during Navratri. Another concept is that of Navakumari. The concept of Navkumari is not very famous as the Navadurga concept but these nine goddesses are also worshipped during Navratri by many Hindu communities. Just like the Navadurgas, Navkumaris are also invoked on each day of the nine-day Navratri festival. Nine Goddesses who are considered as Navkumari and worshipped during Navratri are – Mahakali Mahalakshmi Mahasaraswati (In some lists instead of Mahasaraswati it is Chamundi) Lokamaya (All that we see around is nothing but the beauty of the Supreme Goddess and not realizing the Supreme Truth behind all that is around we crave for material possessions. Due to Her this quality she is known as Loka-Maya.) Raktadantika (This form of Shakti appeared when Shiva was fighting Andhakasura – she is believed to have appeared from the Sweat of Shiva) Shakambari Devi (In this form of Goddess Sha

Symbolism of the Weapons in the Hands of Goddess Durga

The most famous weapon associated with Durga is the Trishul or the trident. The trident is always part of the iconography of Goddess Durga killing demon Mahisha – the Mahishasura Mardini. The Goddess is depicted as killing the demon with the Trishul. The Trishul symbolizes the balance of the three forces of preservation, creation and destruction. Demons hamper with the balance and Mother Goddess corrects it using the Trishul. Another popular weapon associated with Durga is Sword. Sword represents knowledge – Razor sharp knowledge that cuts through ignorance.  Another weapon that Goddess Durga uses is the Sudarshana Chakra or discus. The ever revolving discuss in the index finger has a deep symbolism. The discus represents all the desires and attractions in the world. We have to remain rooted in the Supreme Mother – be the index finger. If we waver, the finger gets bruised.  Desires and attractions only create bruises. Another popular weapon associated with Goddess Du

Navratri Puja Vidhi - Simple Nine Day Puja – How to do Navratri Puja in North India Method with Ghatasthapana?

Navratri Puja Vidhi in North India include Ghatasthapana, Kumari Puja etc. Here is a simple method to do nine-day Navratri and Durga Puja in North India. It is based on the procedure followed in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Punjab, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Things needed for Navratri Puja: Clay vessel – open mouth to sow barley Kalash Pot Clean and good soil for sowing barley Barley seeds - wheat seeds Water Sacred thread (mauli) Scent Supari (betel nut) Coins Mango Leaves Raw Rice Coconut Two Red cloth 2 Flower garlands or flowers Chawki (raised wooden platform) Picture of Painting of Goddess Durga Dhoop Lamp Ghee Cotton wick Fruits Sweets Puja Thali Chunari or cloth for Mother Goddess When arranging and preparing for puja keep chanting this mantra - " ऊँ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डाय विच्चे" First Navratri Puja is Ghatasthapana Pr

Shree Maa Quotes and Teachings

Experience truth for yourself and don’t rely only upon the experiences of others. Truth has only one reference for verification – personal experience. The ignorant is like a person who is sitting beside a mountain of gold, yet still remains a beggar. When a person has met their guru, and with an open heart allows the guru to show how to see, that person discovers the wealth that is with them, that person is known as wise. Shree Maa (Source: Shree Maa - The Life of a Saint) Words of wisdom – Unknown Hindu Saint There are numerous Hindu saints who remain unknown or never appears in public. But such people share their wisdom with other saints and true seekers. Here are few such experiences of Shree Maa with unknown saints. What is the value of a name? It is only an external recognition. We must remember the inner qualities of the people we meet. Even seeing people who dedicate their lives to cultivating divinity is a benefit. You don’t need to recall the