Category: Devotion (Bhakti)

Devotion (Bhakti), Featured

Seeking Shiva

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“The distinction between “with qualities” and
“without qualities” does not exist in Him;
He’s beyond both attachment and non-attachment;
Stainless, He’s beyond all forms.
He’s beyond both qualities and the absence of qualities;
Though formless, He’s the substance of all forms.
So how can I worship that Shiva, who exists
everywhere, like space!” – Avadhuta Gita |

Exploring the significance of Mahashivratri (the darkest night of the year), for seeking Shiva.

Devotion (Bhakti), Featured

On Swami Vivekananda and His Search for God

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“The natural tendency of Vivekananda’s mind, like that of his Master, Ramakrishna, was to soar above the world and forget itself in contemplation of the Absolute. But another part of his personality bled at the sight of human suffering in East and West alike.” – Swami Nikhilananda
Here’s a brief account of the life of Swami Vivekananda and the incident of his meeting with his guru Sri Ramakrishna Parmahansa that proved to be the major turning point in Vivekananda’s life.

Devotion (Bhakti), Featured

Saraswati, the Vedic Goddess and River

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One of the earliest goddesses worshipped in India since Vedic times, Saraswati devi, goddess of speech, wisdom, and expression, was believed to have found physical expression on earth also in the form of the ancient river Saraswati. The Rig Veda adores and praises this goddess as the ‘best of all mothers’, ‘best of all rivers’ and ‘best of all goddesses’ as Shruti Bakshi notes.

Devotion (Bhakti)

Guru’s Words on ‘Guruvada’ – Part I

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“I had the same kind of violent objection to Gurugiri, but you see I was obliged by the irony of things or rather by the inexorable truth behind them to become a Guru and preach the Guruvada.” – Sri Aurobindo
What is a Guru? In light of current events, it appears Indians desperately need to dig deeper into their spiritual traditions to understand this. Beloo Mehra’s insightful exposition drawing on the insights and wisdom of Sri Aurobindo makes for a must-read in this regard.