Understanding Rama and Ramayana
On the occasion of Rama Navami (birthday of Lord Rama), understanding what Rama signifies.
On the occasion of Rama Navami (birthday of Lord Rama), understanding what Rama signifies.
The Sri Devi Ashtottara Shata Namavalih is a hymn reciting the 108 names of the Mother Goddess, Devi or Shakti. Shakti is the life force behind all Manifestation just as Shiva is the Unmanifest. Here’s a truly sublime must-listen rendition of the 108 names of Devi.
An ancient chant in praise of Lord Shiva – the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya. Includes translation as well as a recitation by Shruti Bakshi.
“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.
On his jayanti/birth anniversary (31 January 2018, Magha Pournima), remembering the Bhakti saint and poet Ravidas whose beautiful poems live on through time, as fresh today as when they were written centuries ago.
Basant Panchami (the fifth day of spring) is dedicated to Saraswati, the mother of knowledge, the grace of music, the power of the word, the light of insight and the purity of Truth.
“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.
A visit to the Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Trivandrum, Kerala, the abode of Lord Vishnu on the Anantha Shayana.
Beloo Mehra describes her visit to the Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat. Read more to experience the divinity of this ancient temple in the city of Krishna, through the eyes of a bhakta.
The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja. The legend of Mount Govardhan serves as an important reminder for seekers of Truth.
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.
The Navratri festival in India is a celebration of the nine nights of the Divine Mother. The Mother Goddess manifests in many different forms. In Hindu culture, each of the nine nights is associated with a particular form of the Mother Goddess, Durga or Shakti (Navdurga). Read more.
In Part 2 of the ‘Guru’s Words on Guruvada’, Beloo Mehra brings to light Sri Aurobindo’s wisdom on questions like: ‘What is the true relationship between a Guru and a disciple?’ and ‘Why so many Gurus?’
“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.
Surrender is a much misunderstood term today. Beloo Mehra explains what surrender really means for a spiritual seeker.