The Gardener And The Shep Herd
A gardener was proceeding towards his master’s house one morning, with a beautiful flower-pot with a rare plant with nice flowers on his head. Gardener had taken immense pains to grow that plant. On the way he met his old friend, the shepherd, who was going to his house with a sheep slung on his shoulders. The gardener had not met the shepherd for some time. He greeted the shepherd with a big smile and the two began to talk. When the exchange of news came to an end, they went their way. The gardener wanted to take a look at the plant, before he entered the master’s house. He lowered the pot from his head. To his horror, he discovered that there was no a leaf or flower left in and it was only a naked stem. The sheep which his friend had around his shoulders had eaten away all the leaves and flower while he was busy in talking to him. Now hHow could he enter his master.s house without the plant? He, therefore, returned sorely disappointed.
A Sadhaka cultivates divine virtues in the garden of his heart. He has to struggle hard and exert much in order to cultivate even a single virtue. The virtue is a passport for him to enter his Master.s House, the Kingdom of God. He carries the pot of his virtues, as it were, while proceeding to the Kingdom of God.
But during his journey of life here, he meets a .friend. Who has with him the eater of virtue, viz., vice. Contact with this friend seems to be amusing to the man of virtue. Butthis is costly friendship. Very soon, the virtuous man discovers that the company of the friend.has denuded him of his virtues. He has lost the passport to the kingdom of God. He has to return to this world of pain and death, sorely disappointed.
Beware of wrong company - physical or mental. You will be spiritually elevated.
Jai Gurudev
27/03/2011
23/03/2011
Camphor
Why do we light camphor at the end of pooja.There are a lot many reasons it seema.
A few thoughts that I heard and come to mind which I wish to put down here.
Having worshipped the Lord with love, lit by the lamp we see the beauty of the Lord in all his glory.All the old temples (generally)the Lord is usually in the Garba graha which is dark and so we get a good glimpse of the Lord only when the priest shows the camphor around.
Another reason is that we light the camphor and pray to the Lord that Let me also be like the camphor and spread fragrance and light always.I offer all my desires and wishes at your feet along with the camphor so all that is left is the fragrance.All those who think of me and remember me should feel good about me like the fragrance of the camphor.
Read on for a very detailed significance of lighting camphor and doing Arati...
The performance of Arati has a very deep spiritual significance. The lamp's
light denotes the "Atman" (the self). The circumambulation of the lamp infront
of the deity signifies that we (Atma) are a part of ParamAtma (God )and we
should always contemplate (DhyAn) on him.
In the "MahA nArAyaNa upanishad", the "Atma" is said to be dwelling deep inside
the heart cavity - "hrdayAkAsha", in the form of a bright flame, just as big as
our thumb:
"anguShTa mAtrAm puruShOnguShTancha samAShrithah"
Hence the Arti or circumambulation signifies internal yOga in which the aspirant
has to "look" inwards, permeating through the different "kOShas" (sheaths)
starting from the "anna maya kOSha" (the gross body) till the "Ananda maya
kOSha" (the subtle body of bliss). This is very beautifully explained in the
"Taittareeya upaniShad", "MahA nArAyaNa upanishad", "LalithA sahasranAma" etc.
This seems exactly what MaharShi YAjnavalkya preached to his wife:
"AtmA vA ArE draShtavyah, ShrOtavyO, manThavyo, nidhidhyasitavyah"
(contemplate on the Atman, listen to the Atman, ponder on the Atman, and posses the Atman)
Having worshipped the Lord with love, lit by the lamp we see the beauty of the
Lord in all his glory. The singing, clapping is associated with the joy that
accompanies the vision of the Lord.
Aarti being performed with Camphor has a spiritual significance. Camphor burns
itself out completely without leaving a trace. Camphor represents our VAsanAs,
(unmanifest desires). So also if we were to take refuge in the Lord, obtain
knowledge, these desires will get burnt out. Al though the camphor burns itself
out, it emits a nice perfume. On a human plane it means that we should sacrifice
ourselves to serve society, in the process spread the perfume of love and
happiness to all.
We close our eyes while performing the Aarti as if to look within. The Self or
Atman is within us. . Self realization can be achieved by knowing thyself, with
the flame of knowledge. At the end of the aarti we place the hands over the
flame and touch our eyes and top of the head. It means that may the light that
illumined the Lord light up my vision, may my thoughts be pure and beautiful.
With the Aarti comes the flame which signifies light. There can be light in our
lives only if we have knowledge. In an era of darkness there would be
ignorance, we would be perpetually running to fulfill our vasanas resulting in
unhappiness and stress all around. The light of the camphor, as it dispels this darkness, signifies the overcoming of evil through virtue, fear through courage and ignorance through knowledge.
As the camphor burns itself out, so we pray that our own ego is burnt up likewise and that we should be redeemed from all our sins, problems, mental and physical stress and shall be left with everlasting peace, joy and bliss.
Found so many valuable reasons to light camphor.....
Jai Gurudev...
A few thoughts that I heard and come to mind which I wish to put down here.
Having worshipped the Lord with love, lit by the lamp we see the beauty of the Lord in all his glory.All the old temples (generally)the Lord is usually in the Garba graha which is dark and so we get a good glimpse of the Lord only when the priest shows the camphor around.
Another reason is that we light the camphor and pray to the Lord that Let me also be like the camphor and spread fragrance and light always.I offer all my desires and wishes at your feet along with the camphor so all that is left is the fragrance.All those who think of me and remember me should feel good about me like the fragrance of the camphor.
Read on for a very detailed significance of lighting camphor and doing Arati...
The performance of Arati has a very deep spiritual significance. The lamp's
light denotes the "Atman" (the self). The circumambulation of the lamp infront
of the deity signifies that we (Atma) are a part of ParamAtma (God )and we
should always contemplate (DhyAn) on him.
In the "MahA nArAyaNa upanishad", the "Atma" is said to be dwelling deep inside
the heart cavity - "hrdayAkAsha", in the form of a bright flame, just as big as
our thumb:
"anguShTa mAtrAm puruShOnguShTancha samAShrithah"
Hence the Arti or circumambulation signifies internal yOga in which the aspirant
has to "look" inwards, permeating through the different "kOShas" (sheaths)
starting from the "anna maya kOSha" (the gross body) till the "Ananda maya
kOSha" (the subtle body of bliss). This is very beautifully explained in the
"Taittareeya upaniShad", "MahA nArAyaNa upanishad", "LalithA sahasranAma" etc.
This seems exactly what MaharShi YAjnavalkya preached to his wife:
"AtmA vA ArE draShtavyah, ShrOtavyO, manThavyo, nidhidhyasitavyah"
(contemplate on the Atman, listen to the Atman, ponder on the Atman, and posses the Atman)
Having worshipped the Lord with love, lit by the lamp we see the beauty of the
Lord in all his glory. The singing, clapping is associated with the joy that
accompanies the vision of the Lord.
Aarti being performed with Camphor has a spiritual significance. Camphor burns
itself out completely without leaving a trace. Camphor represents our VAsanAs,
(unmanifest desires). So also if we were to take refuge in the Lord, obtain
knowledge, these desires will get burnt out. Al though the camphor burns itself
out, it emits a nice perfume. On a human plane it means that we should sacrifice
ourselves to serve society, in the process spread the perfume of love and
happiness to all.
We close our eyes while performing the Aarti as if to look within. The Self or
Atman is within us. . Self realization can be achieved by knowing thyself, with
the flame of knowledge. At the end of the aarti we place the hands over the
flame and touch our eyes and top of the head. It means that may the light that
illumined the Lord light up my vision, may my thoughts be pure and beautiful.
With the Aarti comes the flame which signifies light. There can be light in our
lives only if we have knowledge. In an era of darkness there would be
ignorance, we would be perpetually running to fulfill our vasanas resulting in
unhappiness and stress all around. The light of the camphor, as it dispels this darkness, signifies the overcoming of evil through virtue, fear through courage and ignorance through knowledge.
As the camphor burns itself out, so we pray that our own ego is burnt up likewise and that we should be redeemed from all our sins, problems, mental and physical stress and shall be left with everlasting peace, joy and bliss.
Found so many valuable reasons to light camphor.....
Jai Gurudev...
20/03/2011
True Friends
A totally different dimension.
Read on....
True friend Accompanies You after Death
A person had three friends. But he felt more attracted towards the two and as to the third he did not bother much, was rather indifferent to him. Once he was in deep distress. He went to his first friend and told him, "I shall have to appear in a court in connection with a charge against me. I am in great difficulty. So you please help me and accompany me to the court?" The friend's reply was very curt and straight. He said, "what to speak of a court, I can't go with you a single step even."
Thus disappointed by the friend this person felt very sad and approached his second friend and explained to him his distress and difficulty and requested him to accompany him to the court. And the second friend said, "You are in distress. Well, I shall only go along with you some distance. But I can't help you going inside the court and assist you in the case."
The person grew sadder and when he felt absolutely helpless he went to his third friend of whom he did not so long care to take notice. He spoke out to him about the distress he was in and everything about his friends. The third friend listened to him and not only went to the court along with him but cited such irrefutable proofs of his innocence as a witness in the court that the person was released.
The person then felt that the friend whom he had so long neglected had really rendered him the most sincere service at the time of his danger and distress.
Who are these friends? Wealth, Relations and Dharma (virtuous deeds) after death, his wealth (the first friend) will be of no use. The second friend (Relations) will accompany the person only up to the burning Ghat or burial ground. But the third friend(Dharma) is a real friend because he was a friend in need and was his savior.
Let the mind be led to the state of purity or righteousness through the study of scriptures and with association of virtuous people which walks with you not only in this birth but also in the future births.
Jai Gurudev.
Read on....
True friend Accompanies You after Death
A person had three friends. But he felt more attracted towards the two and as to the third he did not bother much, was rather indifferent to him. Once he was in deep distress. He went to his first friend and told him, "I shall have to appear in a court in connection with a charge against me. I am in great difficulty. So you please help me and accompany me to the court?" The friend's reply was very curt and straight. He said, "what to speak of a court, I can't go with you a single step even."
Thus disappointed by the friend this person felt very sad and approached his second friend and explained to him his distress and difficulty and requested him to accompany him to the court. And the second friend said, "You are in distress. Well, I shall only go along with you some distance. But I can't help you going inside the court and assist you in the case."
The person grew sadder and when he felt absolutely helpless he went to his third friend of whom he did not so long care to take notice. He spoke out to him about the distress he was in and everything about his friends. The third friend listened to him and not only went to the court along with him but cited such irrefutable proofs of his innocence as a witness in the court that the person was released.
The person then felt that the friend whom he had so long neglected had really rendered him the most sincere service at the time of his danger and distress.
Who are these friends? Wealth, Relations and Dharma (virtuous deeds) after death, his wealth (the first friend) will be of no use. The second friend (Relations) will accompany the person only up to the burning Ghat or burial ground. But the third friend(Dharma) is a real friend because he was a friend in need and was his savior.
Let the mind be led to the state of purity or righteousness through the study of scriptures and with association of virtuous people which walks with you not only in this birth but also in the future births.
Jai Gurudev.
Holi,Holika
A talk by A Swami From ramakrishna Math
Holi or Holika, also called holikotsava, is an extremely popular festival observed throughout the country (India). It is especially marked by unmixed gaiety and frolics and is common to all sections of the people.
This festival is very ancient. Known originally as ‘Holika’ it has been mentioned in very early religious works such as Jaimini’s Purvamimamsa-sutras and Kathaka-grhya-sutras. It must have therefore existed several centuries before Christ. It was at first actually a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was the deity worshipped by them.
There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month: purnimanta and amanta. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the latter reckoning is more common now, the former was very much in vogue in the earlier days. According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the New Year heralding the Vasanta-rtu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival: Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.
According to the stories in the Puranas and various local legends, this day is important for three reasons.
It was on this day that Lord Siva opened his third eye and reduced Kamadeva (the god of love, Cupid or Eros) to ashes.
It was on this day that Holika, the sister of the demon king Hiranyakasyapu, who tried to kill the child devotee Prahlad by taking him on her lap and sitting on a pyre of wood which was set ablaze. Holika was burnt to ashes while Prahlad remained unscathed!
It was again on this day that an ogress called Dhundhi, who was troubling the children in the kingdom of Prthu (or Raghu) was made to run away for life, by the shouts and pranks of the mischievous boys. Though she had secured several boons that made her almost invincible, this – noise, shouts, abuses and pranks of boys – was a ***** in her armour due to a curse of Lord Siva. The day itself came to be called ‘Adada’ or ‘Holika’ since then.
There are practically no religious observances for this day like fasting or worship. Generally a log of wood will be kept in a prominent public place on the Vasantapanchami day (Magha Sukla Panchami), almost 40 days before the Holi Festival. An image of Holika with child Prahlada in her lap is also kept on the log. Holika’s image is made of combustible materials whereas Prahlada’s image is made of non-combustible ones. People go on throwing twigs of trees and any combustible material they can spare, on to that log which gradually grows into a sizable heap. On the night of Phalguna Purnima, it is set alight in a simple ceremony with the Raksoghna Mantras of the Rgveda (4.4.1-15; 10.87.1-25 and so on) being sometimes chanted to ward off all evil spirits. (Coconuts and coins are thrown into this bonfire).The next morning the ashes from the bonfire are collected as prasad (consecrated material) and smeared on the limbs of the body. Singed coconuts, if any are also collected and eaten.
In some houses the image of Kamadeva is kept in the yard and a simple worship is offered. A mixture of mango blossoms and sandalwood paste is partaken as the prasad.
The day- Phalgun krsna pratipad – is observed as a day of revelry especially by throwing on one another gulal or coloured water or perfumed coloured powder. Throwing of mud or earth dust was prevalent in the earlier days also, but among the low culture groups.
Instead of the gay and frenzied celebrations that are witnessed elsewhere in the country, Bengal observes this festival in a quiet and dignified manner as Dolapurnima or Dolayatra (the festival of the swing). The festival, said to have been initiated by the king Indradyumna in Vrndavana, is spread over 3 or 5 days, starting from the sukla Chaturdasi of Phalguna. A celebration in honour of Agni and worship of Govinda (Krsna) in image on a swing are the important features. The fire kindled on the first day is to be preserved till the last day. The swing is to be rocked 21 times at the end of the festival.
The day is also celebrated as the birthday of Sri Krsna Chaitanya (A.D. 1486-1533), mostly in Bengal, as also in Puri (Orissa), Mathura and Vrndavan (in Uttar Pradesh).
Jai Gurudev.
15/03/2011
Trust The Lord And Have Patience
Would like to share a story, to prepare you to feel Better for a Pleasant Day ahead...
Once there was a sweeper in a well known temple and he was very sincere and devoted. Every time he saw thousands of devotees coming to take darshan of the Lord, he thought that the Lord is standing all the time and giving darshan and He must be feeling very tired. So one day very innocently he asked the Lord whether he can take the place of the Lord for a day so that the Lord can have some relief and rest.
The Deity of Temple replied, "I do not mind taking a break. I will transform you like Myself, but you must do one thing, you must just stand here like Me, smile at everyone and just give benedictions. Do not interfere with anything and do not say anything. Remember you are the deity and you just have faith that I have a master plan for everything.”
The sweeper agreed to this.
The next day the sweeper took the position of the deity and a rich man came and prayed to the Lord.
He offered a nice donation and prayed that his business should be prosperous. While going, the rich man inadvertently left his wallet full of money right there.
Now the sweeper in the form of deity could not call him and so he decided to control himself and keep quiet.
Just then a poor man came and he put one coin in the Hundi (offer box) and said that it was all he could afford and he prayed to the Lord that he should continue to be engaged in the Lord's service. He also said that his family was in dire need of some basic needs but he left it to the good hands of the Lord to give some solution. When he opened his eyes, he saw the wallet left by the rich man. The poor man thanked the Lord for His kindness and took the wallet very innocently.
The sweeper in the form of the Deity could not say anything and he had to just keep smiling.
At that point a sailor walked in. He prayed for his safe journey as he was going on a long trip.
Just then the rich man came with the police and said that somebody has stolen his wallet and seeing the sailor there, he asked the police to arrest him thinking that he might have taken it.
Now the sweeper in the form of Deity wanted to say that the sailor is not the thief but he could not say so and he became greatly frustrated.
The sailor looked at the Lord and asked why he, an innocent person, is being punished?!
The rich man looked at the Lord and thanked Him for finding the thief. The sweeper in the deity form could no more tolerate and he thought that even if the real Lord had been here, he would have definitely interfered and hence he started speaking and said that the sailor is not the thief but it was the poor man who took away the wallet. The rich man was very thankful as also the sailor.
In the night, the real Lord came and He asked the sweeper how the day was. The sweeper said, "I thought it would be easy, but now I know that Your days are not easy, but I did one good thing." Then he explained the whole episode to the Lord.
The Lord became very upset on hearing this whereas the sweeper thought the Lord would appreciate him for the good deed done.
The Lord asked, "Why did you not just stick to the plan? You had no faith in Me. Do you think that I do not understand the hearts of all those who come here?
All the donation which the rich man gave was all stolen money and it is only a fraction of what he really has and he wants Me to reciprocate unlimitedly! On the contrary, the single coin offered by the poor man was the last coin he was having and he gave it to Me out of faith. The sailor might not have done anything wrong, but if the sailor were to go in the ship that night he was about to die because of bad weather and instead if he is arrested he would be in the jail and he would have been saved form a greater calamity.
The wallet should go to the poor man because he will use it in My service. I was going to reduce the rich man's karma also by doing this and save the sailor also. But you cancelled everything because you thought you know My plan and you made your own plans!"
Moral: The Lord has His own ways to do justice to all; but with faith and patience only we can realize It!
Jai Gurudev
Once there was a sweeper in a well known temple and he was very sincere and devoted. Every time he saw thousands of devotees coming to take darshan of the Lord, he thought that the Lord is standing all the time and giving darshan and He must be feeling very tired. So one day very innocently he asked the Lord whether he can take the place of the Lord for a day so that the Lord can have some relief and rest.
The Deity of Temple replied, "I do not mind taking a break. I will transform you like Myself, but you must do one thing, you must just stand here like Me, smile at everyone and just give benedictions. Do not interfere with anything and do not say anything. Remember you are the deity and you just have faith that I have a master plan for everything.”
The sweeper agreed to this.
The next day the sweeper took the position of the deity and a rich man came and prayed to the Lord.
He offered a nice donation and prayed that his business should be prosperous. While going, the rich man inadvertently left his wallet full of money right there.
Now the sweeper in the form of deity could not call him and so he decided to control himself and keep quiet.
Just then a poor man came and he put one coin in the Hundi (offer box) and said that it was all he could afford and he prayed to the Lord that he should continue to be engaged in the Lord's service. He also said that his family was in dire need of some basic needs but he left it to the good hands of the Lord to give some solution. When he opened his eyes, he saw the wallet left by the rich man. The poor man thanked the Lord for His kindness and took the wallet very innocently.
The sweeper in the form of the Deity could not say anything and he had to just keep smiling.
At that point a sailor walked in. He prayed for his safe journey as he was going on a long trip.
Just then the rich man came with the police and said that somebody has stolen his wallet and seeing the sailor there, he asked the police to arrest him thinking that he might have taken it.
Now the sweeper in the form of Deity wanted to say that the sailor is not the thief but he could not say so and he became greatly frustrated.
The sailor looked at the Lord and asked why he, an innocent person, is being punished?!
The rich man looked at the Lord and thanked Him for finding the thief. The sweeper in the deity form could no more tolerate and he thought that even if the real Lord had been here, he would have definitely interfered and hence he started speaking and said that the sailor is not the thief but it was the poor man who took away the wallet. The rich man was very thankful as also the sailor.
In the night, the real Lord came and He asked the sweeper how the day was. The sweeper said, "I thought it would be easy, but now I know that Your days are not easy, but I did one good thing." Then he explained the whole episode to the Lord.
The Lord became very upset on hearing this whereas the sweeper thought the Lord would appreciate him for the good deed done.
The Lord asked, "Why did you not just stick to the plan? You had no faith in Me. Do you think that I do not understand the hearts of all those who come here?
All the donation which the rich man gave was all stolen money and it is only a fraction of what he really has and he wants Me to reciprocate unlimitedly! On the contrary, the single coin offered by the poor man was the last coin he was having and he gave it to Me out of faith. The sailor might not have done anything wrong, but if the sailor were to go in the ship that night he was about to die because of bad weather and instead if he is arrested he would be in the jail and he would have been saved form a greater calamity.
The wallet should go to the poor man because he will use it in My service. I was going to reduce the rich man's karma also by doing this and save the sailor also. But you cancelled everything because you thought you know My plan and you made your own plans!"
Moral: The Lord has His own ways to do justice to all; but with faith and patience only we can realize It!
Jai Gurudev
09/03/2011
A Good Message
Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a
canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had
rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn’t look
like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave
with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls
one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock.Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls.
Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars
worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him.He had been on the beach a long time. He had
thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure
into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It’s like that with people.. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves,
and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or
stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to
find the treasure hidden inside that person..
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have
thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden
in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.
Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE,
ESPECIALLY YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND TRUE FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!!!!
Jai Gurudev...
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a
canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had
rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn’t look
like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave
with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls
one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock.Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls.
Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars
worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him.He had been on the beach a long time. He had
thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure
into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It’s like that with people.. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves,
and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. It isn’t always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or
stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to
find the treasure hidden inside that person..
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have
thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden
in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.
Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HAVE,
ESPECIALLY YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND TRUE FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!!!!
Jai Gurudev...
01/03/2011
Importance Of Mahashivarathri
Every year we observe and celebrate Maha Shivarathri,by worshipping Lord Shiva,chanting shlokas,visiting Shiva temples,fasting and so on....Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji has so beautifully explained to us the importance of Shivarathri and the significance of this day.Tomorrow is Maha Shivarathiri and let us live in this unbelievable knowledge and celebrate Maha Shivarathiri the way Guruji has shown us.Read on.....
The 13th day after the full moon or two days before the new moon is Shivaratri. If it falls on a Monday or Saturday, it is considered very auspicious. People chant and sing a lot of Shiva bhajans in the evening and meditate.
One of the names of Lord Shiva is Virupaksha - meaning one who is formless yet sees all. We know that there is air all around us and we can feel the air as well. But what if the air also starts feeling you? Space is all around us, we identify space. But what if space also recognizes and feels your presence? This happens. Only we don’t know it. Scientists know this and they call it the theory of relativity. The one who sees and that which is seen are both affected when seen. The Divine is all around you and is seeing you. He doesn’t have a form. He is the formless core of existence and the goal. He is the seer, sight and the scene. This formless Divinity is Shiva. To simply wake-up and experience this Shiva tattva is Shivratri.
Usually when there is celebration, awareness is lost. Deep rest in celebration with awareness is Shivratri. When you face some problem, you become aware and alert. We are at rest when everything is well; on Shivratri we rest with awareness. It is said that a yogi remains awake when everybody else is sleeping. For a yogi, everyday is Shivratri. Lord Shiva is beautifully explained in a verse by Adi Shankaracharya (Sri Sri recites a few lines from the verse).
We also worship nature. Divinity permeates everything in this Earth. Puja is not complete without honoring the trees, mountains, rivers, Earth and the people living on the Earth. Honoring everyone is Dakshina. Da means to give and Dakshina means giving something that will cleanse us of all impurities. Offering with which all your sins vanish. No puja is complete without Dakshina. When we act in society with skill and free from the distortions of the mind, all negative tendencies like anger, worries, sorrow are destroyed. I will say give your tensions, worries and sorrows as Dakshina. And how does that happen? With Sadhana (spiritual practices), Seva (service) and Satsang (company of the truth).
Shiva is the lord of panchabhoota, the five elements. We honour him by not polluting nature, by not insulting it with chemicals and fertilisers, judiciously using fuel.
‘Prados ha’ is the time when divine energy dawns on the planet and redeems all the spirits. There are so many spirits. For people who die and exist as spirits, the day of pradosha redeems them, frees them. Freedom not just for the spirits but also for human beings. Desires are fulfilled and mind gets cleared. Shivaratri that comes once a year, known as ‘Maha Shivaratri’, is very special, the great night of Lord Shiva.Every month, there is a special day of Shivratri. When you find there is festival every month, you become busy with the festivity, then you have no time to worry or do anything else.
Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivaratri is thus an occasion to awaken one's self from all sorts of slumber.
Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.
For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana (meditation) , followed by chanting of "Om Namah Shivay". It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan.
Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee's wishes. There are certain days and time frames in a year that enhance one's mental and spiritual faculties. In such times, whatever one wishes, materializes. Shivaratri is one such day. All this is very scientific.
Importance Of Shivaratri
We are either in the sleeping, waking or dreaming state. Shiva is the fourth state of consciousness - the meditative state. On that particular day, just before the new moon arises people stay awake all night and celebrate. The belief is that whatever you wish for comes true. For the general public, the night of Shivaratri is the night of celebration. For the wise seekers who are on the spiritual path, every day and every night is a celebration.
Om Namah Shivaya
The sound of ‘Om namah shivaya’ includes all the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Hinduism is not a religion as such. People have been chanting this for thousands of years. Mantras are those sounds which you hear from deep within during meditation and the aim is to bring one back to the source. During later days, people started putting faces and drawings to these mantras. Mantras have got certain vibrations/ energy. They are universal.In India everybody easily connects with ancient mantras. Take any language you want but along with it take this also. How many feel singing and chanting these mantras creates some vibrations? (All raise hands in affirmation) It’s obvious. In Vedic chanting, many times you don’t know even the meaning but it has some effect.
Jai Gurudev.
The 13th day after the full moon or two days before the new moon is Shivaratri. If it falls on a Monday or Saturday, it is considered very auspicious. People chant and sing a lot of Shiva bhajans in the evening and meditate.
One of the names of Lord Shiva is Virupaksha - meaning one who is formless yet sees all. We know that there is air all around us and we can feel the air as well. But what if the air also starts feeling you? Space is all around us, we identify space. But what if space also recognizes and feels your presence? This happens. Only we don’t know it. Scientists know this and they call it the theory of relativity. The one who sees and that which is seen are both affected when seen. The Divine is all around you and is seeing you. He doesn’t have a form. He is the formless core of existence and the goal. He is the seer, sight and the scene. This formless Divinity is Shiva. To simply wake-up and experience this Shiva tattva is Shivratri.
Usually when there is celebration, awareness is lost. Deep rest in celebration with awareness is Shivratri. When you face some problem, you become aware and alert. We are at rest when everything is well; on Shivratri we rest with awareness. It is said that a yogi remains awake when everybody else is sleeping. For a yogi, everyday is Shivratri. Lord Shiva is beautifully explained in a verse by Adi Shankaracharya (Sri Sri recites a few lines from the verse).
We also worship nature. Divinity permeates everything in this Earth. Puja is not complete without honoring the trees, mountains, rivers, Earth and the people living on the Earth. Honoring everyone is Dakshina. Da means to give and Dakshina means giving something that will cleanse us of all impurities. Offering with which all your sins vanish. No puja is complete without Dakshina. When we act in society with skill and free from the distortions of the mind, all negative tendencies like anger, worries, sorrow are destroyed. I will say give your tensions, worries and sorrows as Dakshina. And how does that happen? With Sadhana (spiritual practices), Seva (service) and Satsang (company of the truth).
Shiva is the lord of panchabhoota, the five elements. We honour him by not polluting nature, by not insulting it with chemicals and fertilisers, judiciously using fuel.
‘Prados ha’ is the time when divine energy dawns on the planet and redeems all the spirits. There are so many spirits. For people who die and exist as spirits, the day of pradosha redeems them, frees them. Freedom not just for the spirits but also for human beings. Desires are fulfilled and mind gets cleared. Shivaratri that comes once a year, known as ‘Maha Shivaratri’, is very special, the great night of Lord Shiva.Every month, there is a special day of Shivratri. When you find there is festival every month, you become busy with the festivity, then you have no time to worry or do anything else.
Shivaratri is the day of Lord Shiva. Shiva is the lord of meditation and therefore the lord of awakening. Shiva Tatva means to be awakened. Shivaratri is thus an occasion to awaken one's self from all sorts of slumber.
Shivaratri is not a night to be slept over. One should try and be up through the night. It signifies being aware of everything you have and being grateful about it. Be grateful for the happiness which leads to growth, and also for sadness which gives a depth to life. This is the right way of observing Shivaratri.
For the pious, the following method of Shiva worship is advisable – sit down in lotus posture, do some Pranayam to stabilize your breath, then indulge in Dhyana (meditation) , followed by chanting of "Om Namah Shivay". It is the greatest mantra and the devout should drown himself in its Kirtan.
Shivaratri worship leads to fulfillment of a devotee's wishes. There are certain days and time frames in a year that enhance one's mental and spiritual faculties. In such times, whatever one wishes, materializes. Shivaratri is one such day. All this is very scientific.
Importance Of Shivaratri
We are either in the sleeping, waking or dreaming state. Shiva is the fourth state of consciousness - the meditative state. On that particular day, just before the new moon arises people stay awake all night and celebrate. The belief is that whatever you wish for comes true. For the general public, the night of Shivaratri is the night of celebration. For the wise seekers who are on the spiritual path, every day and every night is a celebration.
Om Namah Shivaya
The sound of ‘Om namah shivaya’ includes all the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Hinduism is not a religion as such. People have been chanting this for thousands of years. Mantras are those sounds which you hear from deep within during meditation and the aim is to bring one back to the source. During later days, people started putting faces and drawings to these mantras. Mantras have got certain vibrations/ energy. They are universal.In India everybody easily connects with ancient mantras. Take any language you want but along with it take this also. How many feel singing and chanting these mantras creates some vibrations? (All raise hands in affirmation) It’s obvious. In Vedic chanting, many times you don’t know even the meaning but it has some effect.
Jai Gurudev.
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