A collection of quotes of Paramahansa Muktananda The world is nothing but a school of love, our relationships with our husband or wife, with our children and parents, with our friends and relatives are the university in which we are meant to learn what love and devotion truly are. Meditation is not some strange technique that we have to learn with great effort and difficulty... Whatever we accomplish in this world we accomplish through the power of concentration, which is nothing but meditation...Above all, meditation stills the wandering mind and establishes us forever in a state of peace. Happiness is within us, and it is ours, but we are always superimposing our own inner joy onto something outside and thinking it comes from there. Explanation The world is nothing but a school of love, our relationships ...which we are meant to learn what love and devotion truly are. This statement beautifully captures the essence of relationships as profound learning experiences in the journe...

Aghora Shiva is the fiercest form of Shiva and is the middle form in the Pancha Mukha Shiva concept. Aghora Shiva faces the south and represents the destructive and regenerative aspect of Shiva, which first absorbs all life and then renovates the universe by creating things afresh. The term Aghora has two meanings – one who is not fierce – meaning the handsome. Another meaning is the fiercest. It is for a devotee to decide how he/she wants to approach Aghora Shiva. For his devotees who follow dharma – Aghora Shiva is the handsome. For those who tread the path of Adharma he is the fiercest. The term Aghora first appears in the portion dedicated to Shiva in the Atharva Veda. Aghora Shiva Mantra  The mantra associated with this form of Shiva is the Aghora Mantra composed by Aghora Maharishi. The mantra has 51 letters. aum hrong aghore ghore hungm, ghortare hungm; aum hreengm kleengm, sarvatah sarvaange, namaste rudra roope hungm A popular belief is that one who chants the A...

If Arjuna was a slave of his image then he would have lost the Mahabharata war. Arjuna was honest about this weakness and was ready to share it with Sri Krishna. The greatest warrior became a weakling and sat down asking guidance. The world got the Bhagavad Gita and Arjuna fought successfully for Dharma. Ramnath Subramanian, CEO and President, The Bhakti Center, explores this aspect of Bhagavad Gita in an article titled ‘The Bhagavad Gita and the Value of Vulnerability’ in the Huffington Post. Excerpts from the article This very lesson is conveyed at the onset of the Bhagavad Gita, India's classic on yoga and spiritual wisdom, where prince Arjuna provides a remarkable example of vulnerability. Arjuna was a veteran of many battles and had never lost a single combat. His acts of prowess, courage and intelligence were world-famous. Yet, Arjuna faced a situation where he had to fight his own kinsmen.  His courage was tested and he broke down in front of his dear friend Krishna, expres...

Dealing with the death of a loved one is one of the most challenging experiences in life. Hinduism offers a comprehensive approach to overcoming grief, integrating spiritual, emotional, and practical aspects to help individuals find peace. Here’s a detailed exploration of Hindu perspectives and solutions for coping with loss: 1. Understanding the Hindu Perspective on Death In Hinduism, death is viewed as a transition rather than an end. The soul (Atman) is eternal and moves from one body to another through the process of reincarnation (Samsara). This belief provides comfort that the departed soul continues its journey and that death is a natural part of the cosmic cycle. Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 22): “As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” This verse emphasizes the eternal nature of the soul and the temporary nature of the physical body, encouraging one to accept death with a sense of det...

Sri Yoga Ganapati is one among the 32 forms of Ganesha. This form of Ganesh is worshipped for yogic powers and also for avoiding disturbances during meditation. Yoga Ganapati Mantra is Yoggarudho Yoga pattabhiramah Balarkabhah Chandra neelamshukadayah! Pashekshvakshan Yogadandam dadanah Payanityam Yoga Vighneshvaro nah!! Yoga Ganapati is depicted as absorbed in meditation. A unique aspect of this form is that the knees of the murti are strapped and are in meditative posture. This form of Ganesha has crimson body color and he wears blue clothes. Yoga Ganapathi has four hands. They hold yoga staff, sugarcane, noose and a flower bud. It is believed that constant meditation on this form of Ganesha helps in attaining yogic powers. He also keeps out mental disturbances. A true devotee can achieve peace through prayers to Yoga Ganapati. Symbolism Of Yoga Ganapati  Yoga Ganapati is a unique form of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu deity known as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, ...

Parama Pada Sopanam is a traditional version of the popular board game Snakes and Ladders. Kreeda Games, which is involved in creating traditional Indian Games, is making this ancient game available in their stores. You can also buy it online. Paramapada Sopanam means Steps to the Highest Place (where Parama Pada means highest place and Sopanam means steps). The game was believed to be symbolic of a man's attempt to reach God. The ladders represent virtues and the snakes represent vices. The snakes carry names linking them to stories from our epics. Kreeda has slightly modified the traditional game to appeal to today's children. Done on a 2 feet by 2 1/2 feet canvas the game is attractively designed and appealing. All the snakes in the games have names such as Bakasura, Kumbakarna etc. which are representative of certain vices. A booklet has been given with a short story of these characters to make it more appealing to children and parents who may not know the tales. Earlie...

A collection of quotes of  Sati Godavari Mataji Man considers that his greatness lies in achieving name and fame and material possessions. In pursuit of these goals he keeps his intellect in abeyance and drags it deep down to ignorance and degradation and in the process he ruins himself. The intellect should always be nourished and nurtured on proper food that of contemplation of the divine, meditation, constant repetition of the divine name and mental invocation of one’s guru. By having love and compassion for all beings and living in contentment and in contemplation of God one can make one’s life happy on earth and worth living. When the intellect is thus nurtured and kept in its true greatness through the above said steps worldly glory and respectability that a man craves for automatically follows him. Explanation Man considers that his greatness lies in achieving name ... ignorance and degradation and in the process he ruins himself. This statement delves into the human purs...

In Hinduism, the desire to conceive a child is often seen as a sacred aspiration, and many rituals, prayers, and pujas are specifically performed to seek blessings for a child. Here are some practices, prayers, and mantras that are commonly performed to seek divine blessings for conception: 1. Garbha Gauri Vrata The Garbha Gauri Vrata is a special fast and prayer ritual observed by women who wish to conceive a child. It is usually performed on the day of Vinayaka Chaturthi (the fourth day of the waxing moon in the Hindu calendar). During this vrat, devotees worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Gauri), seeking their blessings for a healthy child. Rituals: Take a bath early in the morning and wear clean clothes. Set up an altar with images or idols of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Offer fruits, flowers, and sweets to the deities. Light a lamp and incense, and recite the mantras and prayers for conception. 2. Santana Gopala Puja Santana Gopala Puja is a special worship dedicated t...

Dwadasa Stotra is composed by Sri Madhvacharya. It consists of 12 stotras that are dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu. This particular Dwadasa Stotra in pdf format is in Telugu and contains all lyrics. You can read it online or download for free and is provided by the prapatti website. Link - Dwadasa Stotra lyrics in pdf Note – you will need pdf reader installed to read or download the stotra. Importance Of Dwadasa Stotra Of Sri Madhvacharya In Hinduism The Dwadasa Stotra, composed by Sri Madhvacharya, holds significant importance in Hinduism, particularly within the tradition of Madhva Vedanta. Here are some reasons why it is considered important: Devotion to Lord Vishnu: The Dwadasa Stotra is a set of twelve hymns dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his various forms, such as Krishna, Rama, Narasimha, and others. It expresses deep devotion and reverence to the Supreme Lord, emphasizing his divine attributes and exploits. Philosophical Significance: Madhva Vedanta, the philosophical school ...

Facing challenges is an inevitable part of life, and Hinduism offers a profound spiritual and philosophical framework to navigate these difficulties with wisdom and grace. The Hindu tradition provides various practical solutions, teachings, and practices to help individuals overcome life's obstacles. Below, we expand on how Hinduism addresses facing challenges in life, providing day-to-day solutions, mantras, stories, quotes from scriptures, and additional insights. 1. Understanding the Nature of Challenges in Hindu Philosophy In Hinduism, challenges are seen as opportunities for growth and spiritual evolution. The concept of karma (the law of cause and effect) suggests that the difficulties we face are not random but are linked to our actions in this life or previous lives. Challenges are thus seen as a way to learn, grow, and ultimately move closer to liberation (moksha). Concept of Dharma : Each person has a unique role and set of duties (dharma) in life. Fulfilling one’s dharm...