Five myths about meditation

The concept of meditation: Meditation has become a common term in the society right now. It has spread its roots deep down starting from the corporate world to the common mass. The number of yoga institutions has boomed recently and numerous terms for meditation practices are coined to attract people in this path. The categories…

Nasadiya Sukta : The hymn of creation – Part 1

The Prelude of Nasadiya Sukta Nasadiya sukta is the 129th sukta (section) of the 10th mandala (Chapter) of Rig-Veda. Though it is the ending chapter of this most ancient scripture it talks about the beginning of all. It springs up few very basic and obvious questions about the origin of this creation and also tries…

The Dance Of Shakti

Shakti: The Verses The Definition of Shakti (The Garden of Maya: Part 2) त्वं वैष्णवीशक्तिरनन्तवीर्या विश्वस्य बीजं परमासि माया । सम्मोहितं देवि समस्तमेतत्त्वं वै प्रसन्ना भुवि मुक्तिहेतुः । Tvam Vaishnavii-Shaktir-Ananta-Viiryaa Vishvasya Biijam Paramaasi Maayaa | Sammohitam Devi Samastam-Etat-Tvam Vai Prasannaa Bhuvi Mukti-Hetuh  “You are the supreme Goddess, the Shakti who is the eternal power of Vishnu*. You are the seed of this creation (which is…

3 secrets about Tantra

Tantra A prologue From the beginning of time; human mind was intrigued by the creation and its creator. Much of their attempts for apprehending the creator were futile. They had a minimum understanding of the natural forces so they imposed godhood (mainly in Tantra) onto those invisible forces and eventually gave them a shape on…

Spiritual melancholy : Arjuna

It is widely believed that people who have started their journey on the path of spirituality taste the happiness inside most of the time and remains so in every variation of situations. This belief is true but not at the initial moments of our venture. Without tasting bitter, we cannot appreciate the sweetness. Our lives…

The incomplete Deity

Jagannath: A preface Preface In Hinduism along with others like Buddhism, Jainism and Tantric traditions we find a plethora of belief systems, numerous schools of thoughts intertwined with countless idols like Jagannath, Shiva, Kali etc. These idols are further classified into Vedic, Buddhist, Tantric and other tertiary groups. We have some deities who basically inspired…

The esoteric meaning of “Ratha Yatra”

Understanding “Ratha” In my previous article related to “Jagannath”, I mentioned that His worship is predominant in Orissa. During “Ratha Yatra” His three storied chariot (Ratha) or three separate chariots are hand pulled with a procession of thousands of devotees. Small replicas of the chariots are made for children to take part in this festival as…

The garden of “Maya” : Part 1

    हिरण्मयॆन पात्रॆन सत्यस्यापिहितं मुखम् । तत् त्वं पूषन्नपावृणु सत्यधर्माय दृष्टयॆ ॥ १५ ॥ “Hiranmayena patrena satyasyapihitam mukham Tat twam pushan apavrinu satya dharmaya dristaye” I have intentionally started this article with this excerpt from “Isha” Upanishad. This prayer to the material sun is not a single directed appeal but to the veiling nature…