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Showing posts from October 27, 2019


Inspirational Quotes on Diwali

Here are few quotes on Diwali from scriptures and by Swamijis Fill the Heart with the oil of love. Place in it the wick of single-pointed mind. Light it with the Knowledge of Truth and remove the darkness of ignorance around you. Just as one lamp can light many lamps; let each youth kindle this Light in many hearts.’ Swami Swaroopananda May the lamps of love and devotion burn brightly in your hearts May the light of understanding shine in your minds, May the light of harmony glow in your home May the bright rays of service shine forth ceaselessly from your hands. May your smile, your words, and your actions be as sweet as the sweets of this festive season. May Maha Lakshmi bring you the true wealth of peace, health, happiness, and love Swami Chidanand Saraswati "Give. Give with faith. Do not give without faith. Give with sensitivity. Give with a feeling of abundance. Give with right understanding." Taittiriya Upanishad

Symbolism in Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha Together

Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped together in all important pujas. One of the popular images of Goddess Lakshmi is that of Ganesha along her side. Some of these images also include Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning. There is a symbolism associated in worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha together. It is with the blessing of Goddess Saraswati that we realize Goddess Lakshmi. She helps in attaining wealth through dharmic ways and maintaining it. Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and wealth. But when one is blessed with prosperity and wealth one needs a sound judgment and discernment to enjoy the prosperity and this is provided by Sri Ganesha. Ancient saints term this as ‘viveka’ – without viveka the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi will go in vain. And to keep us composed and calm we take the blessings of Ganesha. Ganesha also pulls us up by creating blockades on our path when we use the wealth in Adharmic ways. It must be also noted that during D

Diwali Trivia

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the most widely recognized Hindu festival and in 2024 it will be celebrated globally on October 31. In Tamil Nadu and South India, it will be on October 31. Diwali is a shortened version of the Sanskrit term ‘Deepavali’, which means ‘a row of lamps’. Diwali is known as the ‘Festival of Lights’ - it refers to the rows of earthen lamps celebrants place around their homes. Diwali light symbolizes the victory of knowledge over ignorance, and goodness over evil. It further represents an awareness of God in our lives. The popular legend in Hinduism associated with Diwali marks the day when Lord Rama returned from a forced exile after defeating Ravana, the ultimate force of evil, in His time.  In South India , Diwali is also believed to be the day when Lord Krishna annihilated Demon Narakasura and restored Dharma. In addition to Hindus, Sikhs celebrate Diwali in commemoration of the release of the Sixth Guru, Hargobind,

Importance of Lakshmi Puja On Diwali

Swami Chidananda Saraswati shares his thoughts on the importance of Lakshmi Puja on Diwali. One of the important aspects of Diwali is the worship of Maha Lakshmi. Goddess Mahalakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, bestowing these abundantly upon her devotees – pujas and rituals dedicated to her are performed in many Hindu and in business establishments on the day. On Diwali we pray to her for prosperity; we ask her to lavish us with her blessings. However, what sort of prosperity are we praying for? All too often, we infer wealth to mean money, possessions, material pleasures. This is NOT the true wealth in life; this is not what makes us prosperous. There is almost no correlation between the amount of money we earn, the number of possessions we buy and our sense of inner bliss and prosperity. It is only God's presence in our lives which makes us rich. On Diwali, we must pray to Goddess Lakshmi to bestow real prosperity upon us, the prosperity that brings li

Teachings on Eternal Union from Hindu Scriptures

The three-eyed Lord we worship, sweet augmenter of prosperity. As a (ripe) cucumber from its stem, so may we be freed from the bonds of death; (may we) never be reft from immortality. (Rig Veda, 7.59.12) Having well ascertained the Self, the goal of the Vedantic knowledge, and having purified their minds through the yoga of sannyasa, the seers, never relaxing their efforts, en joy (here) supreme Immortality and at the time of the great end attain complete freedom in Brahman. (Mundaka Upanishad, 3.2.6) As pure water poured into pure water becomes one with it, so, O Gautama, does the Self of the contemplative sage who knows (Brahman). (Katha Upanishad, 2.1.15) Few only know the truth. The rest will hate and laugh at thee, great one; But pay no heed. O thou, the free, from place to place, and help Them out of darkness, Maya’s veil. Without the fear of pain or search for pleasure, go be yond them both, Sannyasin bold Say Om Tat Sat, Om! (The Song of the Sannyasin