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Pushpanjali – A Floral Tribute – 2

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL .

The Offering Of Floral Garlands to
Deities in Ritualistic Worship – Part -2

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Sri Anantasayanam Padmanabha Swami
with his eternal consort , Sri Lakshmi devi

Shanta Karam Bhujaga Shayanam
Padmanabham Suresham
Vishvadharam Gagana Sadrsham
Megha Varam Shubhangam
Lakshmi Kantam Kamala Nayanam
Yogibhir Dhyana Gamyam
Vande Vishnum Bhava Bhaya Haram
Sarva Lokaiaka Natham

I worship that Lord Vishnu who has a peaceful body (postures); who rests on Sheshanaga (the mighty serpant – cobra); who has a lotus in his navel, who is the base of the world, who is like the sky; who has a colour like cloud, who is the lord of Lakshmi (wealth); who has eyes like lotus; who is seen by yogis in their meditation; who is the remover of all the differences and who is the only Lord of all the three Lokas (Worlds), I worship such Lord Vishnu.
Listen to this slokam at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6OtCervaAs

Puja to Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu is fond of Alankaram – being dressed in resplendent silks and wearing  Gold Ornaments . Thus , the popular saying – Alankara Priyo Vishnoh and Abhisekha Priyo Shambuh! So Lord Shiva is pleased with simple Abisekha  and  Sri Maha Vishnu is fond of ostentatious pageantry.

Here is a picture of Lord Vishnu dressed in the best of Silks , wearing Gold Ornaments and wearing  flower garlands. Sri Vishnu is fond of Lotus Garlands  but is equally pleased if offered Tulasi Garlands.  For Tulasi Devi is none other than Sri Lakshmi Devi.  Sri Lakshmi Devi lives in the heart of Sri Vishnu. That is why one of the names of Sri Vishnu is “Sree Nivasa” ( In whose heart Sree Devi resides )

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The Four- Armed Shriman Narayana

Why is the best of the best offered to Lord Vishnu?  This is because Sri Vishnu is called ‘Bhagwan’ – the root word Bhaga means Fortune,   Prosperity etc .

Vishnu Purana (6.5.79)describes Bhagvan thus :
aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ
jñāna-vairāgyayoś caiva ṣannāḥ bhaga itīṇganā

Maha Vishnu has six opulences – Riches, Potency, Fame, Beauty,  Knowledge, and  Detachment!  The meaning of offering everything to Lord Vishnu is that nothing really belongs to us. What we offer to Bhagwan is what really is His to begin with.

The very first verse of Isa Upanishad emphasizes this:

Om Isavasyam-Idam Sarvam
yat-kimcha Jagatyam-Jagat
Tena Tyaktena Bhunjeethha
ma Gridhah Kasyasvid-dhaman

The Lord inhabits all this (that is perceivable)–whatever moves in this moving universe. Therefore by renunciation, you can enjoy all things. Do not covet any one’s wealth. So, Hindus always say ‘offer Tan, Man and Dhan – Body, Mind and Wealth to the Lord!

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Viraat Rupa – The Cosmic Manifestation of Lord Vishnu

sahasra SIrshA Purusha:  |  sahasrAksha: sahasra pAt  |
sa bhUmim vishvato vRtvA  | atyatishTad daSAngulam  ||
Thousand head has Purusha
Thousands of  eyes has he
Thousands of legs has He
He is manifested in the earth and all through the universe.He stands beyond the count of ten fingers.

In Sri Vaishnavism , nine modes of Worship are highly recommended !
They are called Nava Vidhis

  • 1) Sravanam- Listening to the names of Lord Vishnu and reading Vishnu Purana , Srimad Bbhagvatam , Padma puranas etc.
    2) Kirtanam – Singing God’s praise and reciting His name. Reciting the 1000 names of Lord Vishnu. (Vishnu Sahasaranama )
    3) Vishnum smaranam- Always Meditaing on the name and form of Lord Vishnu.
    4) Pada Sevanam -. To do service at Lord Vishnu’s Feet
    5) Archanam -Archana or offering flowers to Lord Vishnu
    6)Vandanam – To do namaskar or paying obeisance to Lord Vishnu
    7) Dasyam- To do service to Lord Vishnu
    8. Sakhyam -To Look Upon Lord Vishnu as A friend
    9) Atma Nivedanam – To surrender everything to Sri Vishnu including one’s Self .
    ..

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Worshipping  The Lotus Feet of Sri Vishnu

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Sage Narada

yallabdhva pumaan siddho bhavathi amritho bhavathi triptho bhavathi

That by attaining which a person attains perfection, immortality and contentment, that is pure devotion or bhakthi. (Narada bhakthi sutra , chapter 1 , verse 4)

Bhakta Dhruva,
meditating on Shri Vasudeva

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“Om Namo Bhagvate Vasudevaya”

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Bhakta Prahlada  garlanding Lord Narasimha deva
( an avatar of Lord Vishnu)  after the lord killed
the demon king  Hiranyakashyapu , a  Non-believer

Prahlada varadam, srresam, daithyeswara vidharinam,
Sri nrusimham mahaveeram namami runa mukthaye.

God who was kind to Prahlada,
The lord of Lakshmi and he who ripped apart the king of demons,
Oh Narasimha who is a great warrior,
I salute you to get rid of my debts

vishnu-shasaranamam

gita

geyam gItA nAma sahasram
dhyeyam shrIpati rUpamajashram
neyam sajjana sange cittam
deyam dInajanAya ca vittam

The Bhagavatgita and the Vishnu  Sahasranama should be sung;
the form of the lord of Lakshmi ( Vishnu) should be always
meditated on;
the mind should be led to the company of the good;
and wealth should be distributed among the indigent.

Please listen to the recitation of 1000 names of Sri Vishnu at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61oLpfSywSk&feature=related&pos=0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61oLpfSywSk&feature=related&pos=0

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Dasa Avataara of Sri Maha Vishnu

  • vedan uddharate jaganti vahate bhu-golam udbibhrate
    daityam darayate balim chalayate ksatra-ksayam kurvate
    paulastyam jayate halam kalayate karunyam atanvate
    mlecchan murchayate dasakrti-krte krsnaya tubhyam namah

    O Lord Krsna, I offer my obeisances unto You, who appear in the forms of these ten incarnations. In the form of Matsya You rescue the Vedas, and as Kurma You bear the Mandara Mountain on Your back. As Varaha You lift the earth with Your tusk, and in the form of Narasimha You tear open the chest of the daitya Hiranyakasipu. In the form of Vamana You trick the daitya king Bali by asking him for only three steps of land, and then You take away the whole universe from him by expanding Your steps. As Parasurama You slay all of thewicked kshatriyas, and as Ramachandra You conquer the rakshasa king Ravana. In the form of Balarama You carry a plow with which You subdue the wicked and draw toward You the River Yamuna. As Lord Buddha You show compassion toward all the living beings suffering in this world and a the end of the Kali-yuga You appear as Kalki to bewilder the mlecchas

OM Namo Narayana

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Pilgrim Finds Friends on the Path: By Alan Adam Jacobs

. Advaita and Yoga, ART & POETRY, INSPIRATIONAL . ,

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1.  MOTHER DIVINE

Our Mother Divine lifts her sacred cup,
She pours pellucid, precious, potent balm,
Curing, healing, lifting pilgrim’s spirit up.

With power of Love, perfect, peaceful, calm,
She holds poor palsied pilgrim in her palm,
And plies him with pure nectar, honey sweet,

So pouring from her silver grail a potion warm,
To soothe all cares and salve his blistered feet,
With Love’s ointment: oh, perfect Paraclete!

2.  WHITE KNIGHT

Feeling his fiery steed between his knees,
He watches restless spirit’s breathing flow;
The stallion settles and he reins with ease.

Now tamed, he canters where he wants to go,
To Himalayan summits crowned with snow,
A pure white splendour glowing bright in light,

Above dark turmoil of dormant worlds below.
He arrives at awesome Selfhood, blazing bright,
Sun burst of splendour, ends soul’s dark night.

Now, White Knight hoists on high his pointed lance,
To joust with Death, a fierce Titanic tilt.
As he mounts his steed in martial prance

He strikes hard at dragon, up to the hilt,
To end all dark sorrow, fear and guilt.
Free from sense of doership, an act replete

With holy knowledge, a temple truly built
To worship God, he kneels to kiss the feet
Of Death’s slayer; such a sacred blessed feat.

3.  GOD LOVE SOLDIER

Wielding his spear of sharpest concentration,
The God-love soldier plunges its silver blade,
With mighty force of lucid sheer attention,

Deep into the dragon’s heart. Unafraid,
Delivering the coup de grace, vile ego’s laid!
Well honed with dispassionate discrimination,

Whetted with ardent zeal, no wavering shade
Of cowardice, his steel, with keen anticipation,
Slays his wayward mind of Self alienation.

4.  ARCHER

He twangs the bow of Self-Enquiry, to enter
A sharp arrow of clearly aimed insight,
Zinging to the bull’s eye of Truth at centre.

Dispelling all doubts in error free flight,
He finds Love, a beckoning beacon light,
Glowing within his inner cave of heart.

Such marksmanship is God-Warriors right,
To win this vision, the true martial art,
Holy war, waged ‘til soul and body part.

5. AQUARIUS

Water bearer draws deep from Rachel’s well,
A jar of truth for pilgrim’s thirst to slake.
Raising the cup he hears the temple bell

Which calls him home to pray and penance make
To God, whom he adores for His own dear sake
Alone, and free from lust for selfish boon.

His love showers rain of grace, and fills the lake
Where sails the white swan of devotion, soon
To glow beneath the golden harvest Moon.

6. PRIMORDIAL SAGE

Primordial Sage, in silence, takes his seat,
Emitting waves of God-like love to those
Who sit surrendered at his lotus feet.

His mystic vision’s sure, and truly knows
The sure destruction of all disciples’ woes,
That halt the climb to Self’s most blissful place.

His merciful love abundantly flows,
Ever granting pilgrim power to trace
His own Self ablaze, in a sea of grace.

7. BOLD PILGRIM

So bold pilgrim ascends the mountain path,
His friends are unconditional faith and trust.
Gentle compassion rains, a healing bath

Of grace, cleansing his feet of mundane dust,
Freeing him from greed, ego, anger, lust.
Fearless he walks, awakened, to his goal,

Unattached, discriminating, and so just,
‘Til attaining consummation with the Whole,
He finds, hidden deep at heart, Eternal Soul!

shak36

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Removing the Dross from the Mind in Meditation: By Swami Sadasivananda

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, TEACHERS . , ,

Posted by Swami Sadasivananda on his blog and reproduced here with his permission.
For more information on Swamiji, click here:   About Swami Sadasivananda

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Fiery Gem, shining in all directions,
do Thou burn up my dross, Oh Arunachala!”
Five Hymns to Arunachala

In Talks, Sri Ramana Maharshi is being questioned concerning how to remove the obstacles (dross) within meditation.
D.: Impurities of limitation, ignorance and desire (anava, mayika, and kamya) place obstacles in the way of meditation. How to conquer them?
M.: Not to be swayed by them.
D.: Grace is necessary.
M.: Yes, Grace is both the beginning and the end. Introversion (meditation) is due to Grace: Perseverance is Grace; and Realization is Grace.

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“Significance of Om, unrivalled — unsurpassed!
Who can comprehend Thee, Oh Arunachala?”
Five Hymns to Arunachala


“The purport of prescribing meditation on the pranava (OM) is this. The Pranava is Omkara…the advaita-mantra which is the essence of all mantras such as Panchakshara. In order to get at this true significance, one should meditate on the Pranava. This is meditation which is of the nature of devotion consisting in reflection on the truth of the Self. The fruition of this process is samadhi which yields release moksha  [liberation from all aspects of mental dross, ed. note], which is the state of unsurpassable bliss.” (Collected Works of Ramana Maharshi, 6th edition, Self Enquiry #28 p. 23-24)

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Further in Talks #59, Bhagavan teaches us:
D.: Was Visvamitra a rishi?
M.: When contaminated [dross produced by excessive worldly attachment, ed. addition] he was not a rishi.
D.: Can he become a rishi even afterwards?
M.: Yes. By proper bhakti he could become a good rishi. Repentance and prayer will set him right.
D.: With all your penance for so many years what have you got?
M.: I have got what need be got. I see what need be seen.
D.: Can all see the same?
M.: I see only just what all do. It is immanent in all.
D.: Is this the way for seeing It?
M.: Method may be anything. From whatever directions the pilgrims may foregather, they must enter the Kaaba only by one route (passage) or all gather only to enter the Kaaba.
D.: Please tell me two upadesas on the way to salvation as known by you.
M.: What upadesa do I know? Everything is upadesa. Worship of God is the only upadesa.
india0061

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About Swami Sadasivananda

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL, TEACHERS . ,

Sadasivananda

Sometime in early 2009, Alan Jacobs posted his first note to the Harshasatsangh group authored by Swami Sadasivananda.  In it Alan mentioned that Swamiji was available privately to answer any questions people might have, which I thought was quite generous of him, as time is such a limited commodity for most people, even those who populate the spiritual egroups.  Alan then followed this note with the first in a three part series on Surrender written by Swamiji, and I was touched by his combination of wisdom and wit, and his compassionate nature.   Since then, he forwarded a number of his articles to us and I began posting them to the blog with his permission not long afterwards. ( I do take the liberty of changing the format and the photos, but his words remain his. ) I look forward to them, because they are uplifting and sincere, and reach out to the reader with an honest clarity of expression. I always feel uplifted after I have read something he has written.  And I always feel as if he has included everyone…no student left behind!   His bio is below…

Swamiji was born in Florida in 1950. He studied comparative religion at a University in Colorado. He visited Sri  Ramanashramam in 1971. From that Darshan of Arunachala he determined to take Sanyas.In 1974 he received initiation in the disciple lineage of Puri Sankaracharya. He visited Anandamayi Ma’s Ashram while she was still alive and received the golden touch of this Joy-Permeated Mother, and remained under her guidance until her passing. He was there for thirty years giving service and practicing sadhana. Since then he has been living in Tiruvannamalai and is a frequent visitor to Ramanasramam where he is available, and gives advice to questioners. He has made a thorough study of Bhagavan’s teachings as well as those of Sri Ramakrishna.

Swami has also completed a new book regarding Bhagavan’s teachings on “Practical Sadhana” that isto be published by Sri Ramanashramam this spring. This book, as well as a great deal of additional works by direct disciples of Bhagavan including various other aspects of spiritual instructions are  posted on a website that is maintained by the Swami.

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Are You Letting God In? by Swami Sadasivananda

. Advaita and Yoga, INSPIRATIONAL . , ,

As posted by Swami Sadasivananda on his blog   http://www.ramanateaching.org/

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There is one mystical understanding of life that runs through the very core of all major religions. This is the belief, and to many the cherished experience, that our sojourn on earth is not true life. These most ancient scriptures and Masters teach that everything appearing to us here is a mere appearance, behind which we should penetrate, or that it is only a forecourt of the true world, a forecourt which we should cross without paying much attention to.

    Hidden within these very scriptures, though obscured through individual bias or misinterpretation, is a profound truth that utterly refutes this belief. The Vedas, and their essential distillation given in the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Bible, the Torah, and the Koran definitively proclaim that what a man does here and now with holy intent is no less important, no less true – being a terrestrial indeed, but non the less a factual, link with Divine Being – than the life in the world to come.

    Unfortunately, there is a universal acceptance that the highest gift of grace bestowed upon mankind is a “One way ticket to heaven”. Some call it “salvation”, some say “realization”, some “awakening”. In our modern era this ticket is on sale – being reduced to just a fleeting thought of “oneness” while ferociously consuming whatever is in reach with the righteous indignation permitted within “the present moment”.

    One hallmark of a real spiritual aspirant is an acute awareness of active evolution. Yes, “religion” does mean moving into purity and union through change and improvement.  Although a higher world is perceived, it is erroneous to conclude that we are separated and severed from it. When the day of even partial attainment dawns, we begin to experience that the two worlds are essentially one and shall in fact become one.

    In their true essence, the two worlds are one. They only have, as it were, moved apart. But they shall again become one, as they are in their true essence. Man was created for the purpose of unifying the two worlds. He contributes towards this unity by holy living, in relationship to the world in which he has been set, at the place on which he stands.

    How is it then true that when we suffer in our attempts to live a holy life we are told that such is a gift of grace? Sri Ramana Maharshi declared, with seeming sternness, to Paramahansa Yogananda (in Talks #107), that: “Suffering is the way to Self-Realization.” The Masters of all religions, upon seeing the great misery among the needy, raise their heads and cry out to us and say: “Let us draw God into the world, and all need will be quenched!”

    But is this possible, to draw God into this world? Is this not an arrogant, presumptuous idea?

    The advent of God, His actual gracious Presence, abides within the law that He Himself created and abides by. This law consists precisely in this, that God wants to let Himself be “won” by man, that He places Himself, so to speak, into man’s hands. God wants to come into this world factually, never being satisfied to remain a theory or at best an illusive and flighty “friend in need”. God wants to come to this world, but he wants to come to it through man. This is the mystery of our existence, the superhuman chance of mankind!

    The Masters and their scriptures entice us with the perplexing question: “ Where then is the dwelling of God?” The human mind really does not waiver with the passing of centuries. Therefore the answer to this question from ancient to modern man is: “What a thing to ask! Is not the whole world full of the glory of God? We are then perplexed when the these very saints reply:
                             “God dwells wherever man lets Him in!”

    This is the ultimate purpose; to let God in. But we can let Him in only where we really stand, where we live, where we live a true life. If we maintain holy intercourse with the little world entrusted to us, if we help the holy spiritual substance to accomplish itself in that section of Creation in which we are living, then we are establishing, in this our place, a dwelling for the Divine Presence.
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Some of the ideas expressed in this article are paraphrased excerpts from the writings of Martin Buber.

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The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: By Dr. Mourad Rashad

. Advaita and Yoga

How did eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil change Adam and Eve?

According to the literal text of the scriptures, the sole cause for the dismissal of Adam & Eve from the Garden of Eden was eating from the forbidden tree, against God’s warning.

A warning stating that if you eat from this tree, you will surely die -And the Lord God commanded the man, saying “of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”- (Genesis 2:16, 17).

God created Adam in the Garden of Eden to tend & keep, this was the sole concern of Adam & in return Adam would enjoy permanent residence in the Garden & immortality. God created Man’s consciousness in a way that leads Man to witness & appreciate God’s Perfection, manifest in the Garden of Eden, and to be perpetually enjoying God’s Grace, and God knew that as soon as Man eats from the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil, Man will use this knowledge wrongly, in the sense of trying to become like God. To put it in other words, Man will use this knowledge of good and evil to feel Unique and Capable, through Man’s claimed capabilities that results from the wrong use of this knowledge; Man will achieve this Uniqueness. While God is the only Unique and the only Capable Being there is.

Man cannot prevent himself from using the knowledge of good and evil in a way that will establish Man’s alienation from God, through creating Man’s ego  -Unique & Capable- in an attempt to be like God, in the sense that man will claim to himself all the knowledge, merits, virtues etc that will distinguish him from others -Uniqueness- and becomes self-complacent & self-sufficient -Capable- and stops from being in perpetual need for God’s grace and ruins the Garden of Eden which Man was entrusted to tend and keep. Therefore, Man transforms the Garden of Eden – through this change in his consciousness to the world he lives in & consequently looses the Garden of Eden for ever and becomes a mortal being. This is exactly  what the serpent told Eve “if you eat from the tree of good and evil, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4,5)

Therefore, eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is simply a symbol for the process of conditioning and upbringing of Man -in which Man’s consciousness changes from simply witnessing God’s perfection to witnessing Man’s own perfections. This is actually what happens to every infant and child, being created with a virgin consciousness -Adam before eating from the tree of good and evil- to become transformed and molded into an Ego that has capabilities, powers, virtues, merits, ambitions, security, independence etc up to Man’s most consecrated believes. Every Man has to undergo this change, but it is up to Man to retrace his steps -purifying his consciousness from the alleged notions of being unique and capable due to his wrong use of the knowledge of good and evil. If Man succeeds in freeing his consciousness from these two notions, Man will enjoy once more the Garden of Eden and Immortality.

So actually, the story of Adam is every Man’ story.

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Kundalini and Visionary Leadership-2: By Dr. Harsh K. Luthar

. Advaita and Yoga . , , , ,

The Principles of Leadership in Yoga

There are hundreds of wonderful and ancient texts written by great yogis and sages that have come down to us. These include the Upanishads,  Bhagavad-Gita, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and so many more. If we meditate deeply on the psychology of human truths found in these, the principles of living a successful life and becoming a leader and a benefactor for humanity emerge.

Principles of yoga psychology tell us that human beings, in order to develop their potential, must become fully conscious of their root instinct to survive and channel this phenomenal energy in five areas of life and manage these areas with care.  Our  understanding of  these five fundamental principles and applying them properly determines the extent to which we fulfill our total human potential.

Here are the five principles. These are all tied in some way to our root instinct to survive.  When you read any Upanishads, or a classic yoga text, you will find methods either directly or indirectly referring specifically to these. According to yogis, the secret of worldly and spiritual success and becoming a dynamic leader is a function of how well we manage these five areas of our life.

1. Breath. Proper use and understanding of yoga postures (or other physical exercises) and deep yogic breathing to advance one’s intelligence, intuition, strength, and energize and sharpen one’s leadership vision.

2. Nutrition. Proper use of food, air, water, and the sun to attain abundant energy, to become sensitive to the needs of the body, and to empathize with all living beings in order to embrace them. In this way one gains the humility and compassion and can act as a servant and transformational leader to facilitate the personal growth of others.

3. Sensuality. Understanding the attraction to the root (earth) aspect of life that manifest in the desire for the experience of sensuality and pleasure. Proper engagement in the experience of sensuality is important so that it promote mental balance and health and strengthens one’s leadership. The opposite causes confusion for oneself and others.

4. Sleep. Proper engagement in sleep and understanding of sleep states and different states of consciousness and to eventually attain the transcendental and universal vision that is the basis of appearance and phenomena. Lucid dreaming and super conscious states help a leader gain a feel for the right future goals to pursue that are in harmony with the universe.

5.  Nonviolence. The fifth principle is that of Ahimsa  (nonviolence) and it helps to integrates the other four principles while directly addressing the root instinct to survive.  All other rules of conduct are subordinate to it.  The ideal of Ahimsa should be held firmly in mind and in practice while one pursues to develop one’s potential through the use of other means.

The leaders at the highest level such as  Buddha, Mahavir, Jesus, Gandhi, and others are able to overcome even the root survival instinct through the practice and full development of the ideal of Ahimsa. This makes their compassion for humanity so overwhelming that in the face of very difficult, life threatening, and humiliating circumstances, they have the capacity to forgive without reservation.

While the other principles focus on developing energy, power, and dynamism as a leader, the principle of Ahimsa provides a strong framework for functioning so that the leadership abilities which are developed will be used for the benefit of humanity. Ahimsa is the only way to overcome the fundamental and root fears that every human being has.

See the following article on Ahimsa for a better understanding of its role in removing fear.

https://luthar.com/ahimsa-the-antidote-to-fear

I will continue with part III of this series later.

Namaste.

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A Sufi Saying about Virtue and Sin: By Dr. Mourad Rashad

. Advaita and Yoga . , , , , ,

There is only one virtue and one sin for a soul on the path:  virtue when he is conscious of God and sin when he is not.

Abu Hashim Madani (Sufi Master)

God is lost to Man when he becomes conscious of himself. Conscious of my own actions, of my own achievements, of my own position in the society, of my own physical body and so forth.

Consciousness of these entire things is only an interpretation, a particular interpretation to what is actually taking place in his experience of  living. Strictly speaking, the objects of Man’s consciousness are his thoughts, concepts and views. Man’s being is linked, colored and affected by these interpretations. So Man is always conscious of the thoughts, concepts and views that establish his separate position, making his being subject to all these interpretations. When this Man realizes that all these are interpretations just to establish his identity among others, he assumes the responsibility of his own happiness and misery. If this Man is keen and sincere to take his search a few steps further, Divine intervention will provide him with the means to continue. Divine intervention will send him a fellow, a companion, or a Master.

Divine intervention -in whatever form it takes- will guide this Man to the true significance  and the actual meaning to the experience of his life. When this Man glimpses what is the actual significance of what is occuring in his life’s experience, he will formulate another set of interpretations, concepts and views that are entirely based on the true significance of what is actually taking place. For example, this Man will discover and then say “No one does anything, but God does everything”. This is another interpretation, but based on a true seeing of what is actually taking place. Now, this Man will replace the old interpretation that used to say “I do“, with new interpretation saying “God Does“.

As a result of this change in interpretation, Man’s consciousness now witnesses the interpretation -concepts, thoughts, view- that establish God as a central reality in his own life, instead of establishing himself as this central reality.

A further step in the path of this Man will come up.

When this Man becomes fully and totally convinced that God does it all. Then this Man comes to see that it is a burden to continue on keeping this new interpretation that has replaced the old one. The new interpretation also will drop away, leaving a pure witnessing of this Consciousness to what is actually taking place, without any interpretation from his part. This Consciousness will become extremely silent but highly cognizant of its actual content. The actual content is the phenomenal appearances and what they truly signify. The true significance of the content of this virgin Consciousness is the Kingdom of God or Paradise or the Reality of Being or the Garden of Eden or Nirvana or Sat Chit Ananda….etc.

This transformed Man’s consciousness only witnesses the Presence of God.

This is the virtue  Abu Hashim Madani is talking about, and it goes without saying that to be conscious of yourself -as described above- is a sin.

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Pushpanjali – A Floral Tribute!

. INSPIRATIONAL . , , , ,

om

Pushpanjali –
The Offering Of Floral Garlands to
Deities in Ritualistic Worship – Part 1

Hindus offer Flowers to  to Gods/esses in the temple  as part of a Ritualistic Worship.  This is called  ‘Pu-ja’ – Pu stands for ‘Pushpam’ or Flowers and Ja stands for Japa or chanting the  Holy names of Gods/esseses. Ja also stands for ‘Jalam’ or Water as water is sipped during the Worship while chanting the Holy Names of Gods/esses. ( This is called Aachamanam)

What do Flowers represent  in Hindu Worship?  Flowers represent ‘Nature’ or Prakriti. The word Prakriti is made of three syllables – Pra , Kri, and Ti. In Devi Bhagavatam, Sri Narada describes Prakriti thus. “The prefix “Pra” in the word Prakiti means Exalted, Superior, Excellent; and the suffix  “Kriti” denotes creation.  So, the Goddess,  Devi,  Who is the most excellent in the work of creation is known as the Devî Prakriti.

“Pra” signifies the Sattva Guna, the most exalted quality, “Kri” denotes the Rajo Guna and “Ti” denotes the Tamo Guna. The Sattva Guna is considered as the Highest as it is perfectly clear and free from any impurities whatsoever;  the Rajo Guna is considered intermediate as it has this defect – it spreads a veil over the reality of things, so as not to allow men to understand the True Reality, while the Tamo Guna is considered worst as it completely hides the Real Knowledge.  Thus when we offer Flowers to the Deities , we are actually praying to Gods/esses to to eradicate our Tamo and Rajo gunas and bless us with Sattwa guna which is conducive to the “Flowering of Consciousness.”

Offering Flowers to Deities is an important part of Hindu Worship. Different Gods/esses love different Flowers.  Traditionally, it is said that we should only offer those Flowers that have a pleasant Fragrance  and are cultivated on good soil . Wild Flowers that spring up everywhere and those with thorns should be avoided.  When we offer Flowers to Gods/esses, we are transmitting our Devotional ‘Bhava‘ or Emotion and are literally requesting God/esses to grant us Health, Wealth and Happines(both Material and Spiritual benefits.)  Hence the expression  ‘Yad Bhava , Tad Bhavet. ‘  It is the bhava of ‘Surrender’ and Faith. ( Sharanagati and Shradda)

PUJA TO LORD SHIVA
One of the names of Lord Shiva is ‘Ashutosh’ – One who is easy to please . Bholenath ( A Simpleton ) loves Milk ‘Abisekham’ and therefore devotees bathe the Shivalinga with Panchamrit.- – Panch means Five and the ingredients are Milk, Honey, Ghee , Yoghurt , and Sugar.
Here is a Picture of a priest bathing the Shivalinga with the Pancamrit liquid !

priest-doing-abisekham3

While doing the Abisekham , the Devotees will chant continuously the Lingashtakam –

Brahma Murari Sura architha Lingam,
Nirmala bashitha Shobitha Lingam,
Janmaja dukha vinasaka lingam.
That pranamami sada shiva lingam.

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Devas,
Which is pure and resplendent,
And which destroys sorrows of birth.

To listen to the entire Lingashtakam , go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MB1XQl0l3A&feature=related&pos=0

Shankar Baba is equally pleased if Bilva Leaves are offered to Him.  It is believed that Sri Lakshmi resides in Bilva Leaves and by offering Bilva Leaves we are asking the Lord to bless us with Wealth and Prosperity.  Bilva Leaves also have a cooling effect on the hot tempered Deity Shiva also known as ‘Rudra’ (the Wrathful One)

shivaa-bilva2
Bilva Puja to Lord Shiva

While offering Bilva leaves to The Shiva linga ,
it is customary to chant the ‘Bilvashtakam’ comprising of eight stanzas.
Here is the First verse .

tridaLaM triguNAkAraM trinetraM cha triyAyushhamh .
trijanmapApasaMhAraM ekabilvaM shivArpaNamh .

I offer one leaf of Bilwa to Lord Shiva,
Which has three leaves,
Which causes three qualities,
Which are like the three eyes of Shiva,
Which is like the triad of weapons,
And which destroys sins of three births.

To listen to Bilvashtakam, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCNSY19DK4Q

Lord Shiva is pleased with all kinds of worship – both internal and external worship. Internal worship is called Manasa puja .  Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada sings thus in his Shiva manasa puja :

AtmA tvaM girijA matiH sahacharAH prANAH sharIraM gR^ihaM
pUjA te viShayopabhogarachanA nidrA samAdhisthitiH |
sa~nchAraH padayoH pradakshiNavidhiH stotrANi sarvA giro
yadyatkarma karomi tattadakhilaM shambho tavArAdhanam.h ||

Sambhu, You are my Self, my intellect is Goddess Parvati, your attendants are my vital airs, my body is Your temple, all enjoyments of sense-objects are Your worship, my sleep is samadhi, all my movements on my feet are circumambulations of You, whatever I speak is praise of You, and thus whatever action I perform is Your worship.  Note: When a devotee totally surrenders to God, then whatever he does is according to God’s will.  He gives up all sense of being a doer and an enjoyer. ( This Translation is by Shri Shastriji, chief moderator of ‘Advaitin’ list.)

To listen to Shiva Manasa puja , go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCvVjlPAkl8&feature=related&pos=0

Here is a picture of Adi Shankara Bhagvadapada , The Author Of Nirguna Manasa Puja

nirguna_large

This is the first of the Series on how to worship different  Hindu Gods/esses .   Lady Joyce ( aka Radhe ) is the true source of inspiration behind this humble attempt. Bhakti Yoga is the firm foundation on which both Karma and Jnana yoga rests .  Without Devotion or Love,  Jnana is incomplete and without Atma ma Jnanam, Bhakti is not ripe.  Karma yoga is the thread that runs through both Bhakti and Jnana yoga .

Shri Krshna himself says in srimad Bhagvad Gita

yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah ( 6:47)

And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me,
thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me—
he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.

OM Namaha Shivaya

om-w-trishul

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Harsha's avatar

Garlands of Devotion-Part 2

. INSPIRATIONAL . , , ,

gita-1112

patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah

If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf
a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it. BG 9.26

 

Garlands of Devotion-Part 2  contains photo excerpts from the video links below showing you
how to make the pendent or ball to hang from the mala or garland…

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There are a number of ways to adorn the mala with a pendent. 
The one shown here involves threading the flowers from the side to form a line.

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Then, for variety, I add a large peony from my garden. 
If I had more types of flowers in the mala, I might include them in the pendent or ball.

     

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 Then I take the two ends and tie them together, bringing the flowers together tightly to form a ball. 
You need to be careful not to tie too tightly as you can pull the tread clear through the flower and cause it to fall off!

 

6Garlands2

 Tie the ball to an area in the center of the mala. 
Cut off any excess thread which might be sticking out from the mala.
 

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 This is the ball closeup.

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You can see how the azaleas are stitched through the side in this view. 
You need to arrange them in a staggered position so that the
flower head is showing in all different directions to make the mala look full.

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HARE KRISHNA!!!

 

   https://luthar.com/garlands-of-devotion-intro

https://luthar.com/garlands-of-devotion-part-1

https://luthar.com/garlands-of-devotion-part-2

 

 

To view the videos:

Garlands of Devotion-Part 1    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mq4LqKo9MI

 Garlands of Devotion-Part 2    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAZmBVDTpGM