Rudraksha Yoga: Knowing the Unknown, Knower and the Known!

Folks,

Hari Om! Namaste!!

We have some good news for you! Yes! Today is the first anniversary of Rudraksha Yoga!!

It has been a year since the blog Rudraksha Yoga was started, i.e. on 28th January 2013. Only by the Grace of Shridevi and the guidance of our Saduru, we could contribute a little to our society via authentic articles on Traditional Indian Yoga, Sanatana Dharma(a.k.a Hinduism) and its philosophy. It was an exciting year for us indeed!

We thank all our readers and well-wishers who directly or indirectly contributed to this blog. We solicit their continued support to spread the message of our Scriptures and Great Masters to the entire world!!

As per our policy, we will continue to focus on the Highest Knowledge in our articles, as long as the Grace of Shridevi and our Master is on our side to help us. So…

Enjoy Reading! Have fun!!

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Rudraksha Yoga

Lord Shiva and Shridevi Parvati : The Great Dual Powers of the Non-dual Reality!

Folks,

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Let us continue to explore more esoteric secrets of nature of  the Ultimate Reality from the great teachings of Yama(the Lord of Death) to Nachiketa.

Suggested Prerequisites

1. The Pillars of Yoga
2. FAQ

The Verse
Hanta chenmanyate hantugn hatah chet manyate hatam |
Ubhau tau na vijaneetho nayagm hanti na hanyate || – Katopanishat Mantra 1.2.19

Meaning: If slayer thinks of slaying and the slain thinks of being slain, both of them do not know. He neither slays nor he is slain.

Notes: In the earlier verse, Lord Yama(Lord of Death) said that the Ultimate Reality is eternal.  He further emphasizes this point further.

This mantra essentially means that one’s body can be killed, not his spirit, i.e. Individual Self. One’s body can be killed, not his Individual Self.

According to our Upanishads, our Individual Self is same as the Universal Self. This is the core of non-dualistic (Advaitha) teaching of our Greatest Realized Master Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah.

When a person dies, only his body gets killed. But, not himself(i.e. Individual Self). The person’s spirit(Individual Self) escapes during death. It takes another body to burn its karmas and this process of death and birth continue infinitely. This vicious circle is termed as cycle of Samsara in our Scriptures.

The supreme goal in our lives is to escape the the birth and death cycle and to  attain the Ultimate Reality Om, so that we will not born again to suffer due to accumulated  karmas.

It is important to remember that this secret teaching on life after death is unleashed by none other than the Lord of Death, i.e. Lord Yama himself. Thus, it comes from the authority.

Scientist folks! don’t demand for an evidence or a proof. You cannot prove it by experiment nor experience.  Because, we are talking about spirit and death here! Just kidding

Caution: Interpretation and views expressed above are ours own, from our limited understanding of the verse. Authentic traditional meaning of the Upanishads can be grasped by reading authoritative commentary Shaankarabhshya by our Great Realized Master Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah. So, reader’s discretion is advised.

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Parashakti Goddess Shridevi Durga : The Supreme Mother of the Universe!

Folks,

Hari Om! Namaste!!

It has been a long time since we had the last conVersation. Here is another one.  It is addressed to Shridevi and requests her to destroy our fears and annihilate all our enemies*.

Shridevi by her very nature  is  kind, compassionate and caring towards her devotees. She is there to save them from all dangers. She is both the light and the fire. According to Vaidic hymn Agni Durga Sukta, Shridevi Durga is  shining(light aspect) with blazing flames(fire aspect), because of her power of penance(tapas).

In this conVerse, we pray light and fire attributes of Shridevi. Both these aspects are useful and important in their own ways. Just think about it. If the fire is pleased and controlled, it gives us light to dispel darkness and fears. If the fire is angry and unchecked, it can cause enormous damage and destruction.

In this hymn, we are praying Shridevi to shower her Grace upon us to guide us by her light. Also, we request her to destroy the fears and enemies by her fierce fire aspect.

Here is the conVerse at the lotus feet of Shridevi and Lord Shiva. Come on! Let us pray with complete surrender and devotion.

Potential benefits: Dispelling all fears.

Mother Shridevi Durga! …

You are the Light, to those in a plight    |
You are the Fire, for enemies who fight ||1||

You are the Light, for those who pray   |
You are the Fire, for those who prey  ||2||

You are the Light, in darkness of fear  |
You are the Fire, for demon we fear ||3||

You are the Light, to folks who’re good   |
You are the Fire, to those who’re bad    ||4||

You are the Light, that directs the dear    |
You are the Fire, that destroys the fear ||5||

You are the Light, that shows the way  |
You are the Fire, burning evils away   ||6||

You are the Light, for us to  gain   |
You are the Fire, for all who pain ||7||

You are the Light, for all benign |
You are the Fire, for all malign ||8||

You be the Light, and kind to me |
You be the Fire, to zap my enemy || 9||

*Esoteric Glossary: The words in the conVerse have esoteric spiritual interpretations too. You may re-read  the conVerse with these meanings in mind. Enjoy!

1. Light: The Highest Knowledge, direction.
2. Fire: The Supreme Force that destroys all evils.
3. Darkness: Illusion.
4. Enemy: ignorance.
5. Evils: sins, karmas.
6. Fear: fear of being in the infinite birth and death cycle.
7. Me: Individual Self.

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Folks,

The Universal Self and the Mother of the Vedas: Supreme Power  Shridevi Gayathri

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Let us explore more esoteric secrets of nature of  the Ultimate Reality from the great teachings of Yama(the Lord of Death) to Nachiketa in Katha Upanishat.

Suggested Prerequisites

1. The Pillars of Yoga
2. FAQ

The Verse
Anoraneeyanmahatomaheeyan Atmaasya jantornihito guhayaam |
Tamakratuh pashyati veetashoko dhatuprasadan mahimanam Atmanah || – Katopanishat Mantra 1.2.20

Meaning: Subtler than the subtler, bigger than the biggest, the Individual Self is concealed in the heart-cave of this creature. He who is free from desire and free from sorrow perceives the glory of the Individual Self – 1. through the purity of mind and senses. 2. by God’s Grace.

Notes: In the earlier verse, Lord Yama(Lord of Death) said that the Ultimate Reality does not get killed. During death, only body gets killed; not the Individual Self.

In this mantra, Lord Yama describes the strategy to see that Individual Self. Individual Self is smaller than the smallest, bigger than the biggest. In other words, Individual Self pervades everything which is small or big.

Individual Self is located in our heart region. We can experience it by becoming desireless and by purity of  mind and senses.  We can see it by equipoise and by God’s Grace (by devotion).

In other words, since the Individual Self is subtler than the subtlest and grosser than the grossest, we cannot see it easily. It pervades the entire universe just like oil in a sesame seed. Then how can we see it? Lord Yama says authoritatively: we can experience the Universal Self(a.k.a. God) within our hearts! How? by devotion and meditation.

In this mantra, Lord Yama unleashed a secret doctrine elaborated in our Upanishads: 1. God is within our hearts; don’t have to look outside!. 2. God cannot be shown to us by somebody else; we need to experience God within ourselves by devotion and meditation. What a great teaching indeed!

Caution: Interpretation and views expressed above are ours own, from our limited understanding of the verse. Authentic traditional meaning of the Upanishads can be grasped by reading authoritative commentary Shaankara bhashya by our Great Universal Master Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah. So, reader’s discretion is advised.

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Lord Shiva and Shridevi Parvati : The Great Dual Powers of the Non-dual Reality!

Folks,

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Let us continue to explore more esoteric secrets of nature of  the Ultimate Reality from the great teachings of Yama(the Lord of Death) to Nachiketa.

Suggested Prerequisites

1. The Pillars of Yoga
2. FAQ

The Verse
Aaseeno dooram vrajati shayaano yaati sarvatah |
Kastam madamadam Devam madanyo jnatumarhati|| – Katopanishat Mantra 1.2.21

Meaning: Sitting he wanders afar; lying down he goes everywhere. Who, other than myself is fit to know that God who rejoices and rejoices not?

Notes: In the earlier verse, Lord Yama(Lord of Death) said that the Ultimate Reality  is subtler than the subtlest, greater than the greatest etc.  He elaborates on the nature further.

This mantra says that the Ultimate Reality(a.k.a God) is omnipotent and omnipresent. He can do things simultaneously. Lord Yama illustrates these points by apparently contradicting actions. God can wander everywhere by sitting in a place.  By sleeping, he goes everywhere. These statements mean that the God is omnipotent and omnipresent.

Moreover, the God is always blissful because of his own nature. So, he does not have to rejoice to make himself happy separately!

These attributes of the Ultimate Reality unleashed by the Great Master Lord Yama cannot be understood by teaching/coaching by somebody else. They must be experienced by ourselves by connecting our own Individual Self to the Universal Self via Traditional Indian Yoga.

The word Madanyo means other than myself. This word has been strategically used to mean that the Ultimate Reality is nothing other than our own Individual Self. According to our Upanishads, our Individual Self is same as the Universal Self. This is the core of non-dualistic (Advaitha) teaching of our Greatest Realized Master Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah.

The supreme goal in our lives is to escape the the birth and death cycle and to  attain the Ultimate Reality Om, so that we will not born again to suffer due to accumulated  karmas.

Caution: Interpretation and views expressed above are ours own, from our limited understanding of the verse. Authentic traditional meaning of the Upanishads can be grasped by reading authoritative commentary Shaankarabhshya by our Great Realized Master Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah. So, reader’s discretion is advised.

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Lord Shiva’s Divine Family: Lord Shiva, Shridevi Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeya

Folks,

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Om Shri Maha Ganapathaye Namah ||

Rudraksha Yoga wishes our esteemed readers, followers and well-wishers around the globe a very happy Shri Gowri and Lord Ganesha Festivals celebrated in India on 28th and 29th August 2014.

On this auspicious occasion, we suggest you to read some of our most popular articles on Rudraksha Yoga:

1. Lord Ganesha and His Trunk: What is the Symbolism?
2. Esoteric Meanings of Soundarya Lahari, the Confluence of Beauty and Power of Shridevi !
3. Lord Shiva in Deep Meditation: Whom does he Meditate upon?
4. Esoteric Secrets of Lord Shiva and his Family: From a Perspective of Kundalini Yoga.

You may want to take a look at our devotional conVerses to understand more and pray these supreme powers.

Just a quick update on the blog:

1. Total number of views so far(and counting!): 115,009
2. Number of countries with at least a single view: 160
3. Number of followers: 53
4. Number of shares of our articles in social media: 147

Enjoy reading! Have fun!!

May Shridevi Gowri, Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva bless everybody in the world!

Let us pray them for their kind Grace on everyone of us:

Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah | Om Shri Durgayai Namah |

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Rudraksha Yoga

Shridevi  Lalita Maha Tripura Sundari: the most beautiful form of the Greatest Goddess Shridevi Durga

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Taamadishaktim pranatah sma nityam |

Meaning: Let us keep on praying that Primordial Power(Aadi Shakti) Shridevi eternally(for Her kind Grace)!

Rudraksha Yoga wishes everybody around the world very happy Navarathri and Vijayadashami festivals!

About Navarathri

Navarathri(a.k.a Dasara) starts on the first day of bright lunar fortnight of Ashvina month on the Hindu calendar. This year, it starts from today, i.e. 25th September 2014. Vijayadashami is celebrated on the 10th day after nine days of Navarathri, i.e. on 3rd October 2014.

The word  Nava-rathri means nine-nights. Traditionally, on each night of Navarathri, a specific form of Great Goddess Shridevi Durga is worshiped. According to the Scripture Markandeya Purana, the nine forms are   Shailaputri, Brahmcharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri, in that order.

When the entire world  was terrorized by a notorious daemon called Mahishasura(Buffalo-headed daemon), the Gods prayed the Greatest Goddess Shridevi for help. Their devoted prayers were finally answered. Suddenly, a brilliant flame appeared. The Supreme Mother Durga  emerged from that flame.

Gods asked her who she was. She announced  “Gods, don’t be scared! I am Durga(meaning inaccessible and invincible). I am none other than Adishakti Parvati, the Primordial power and the consort of Lord Shiva. I have come in this form to fight Mahishasura.”

The Gods became very happy. They donated their weapons to her: Indra gave his Vajrayudha(thunderbolt), Lord Vishnu gave Sudarshana Chakra(wheel), Lord Shiva gave his Trishula(Trident) and so on.

After nine days of fierce battle, the Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura finally.  Entire world was jubilant and happy! This day on which Shridevi slayed the daemon Mahishasura is celebrated even in this era as Vijayadashami(Literally,10th Day of victory). This auspicious day comes after Navarathri festival.

On this very auspicious occasion of Navarathri, let us all pray the Divine Mother and the Greatest Goddess Shridevi Durga with full devotion and complete surrender for her compassionate and kind Grace on us.

Ya Devi sarva bhooteshu Shakti roopena samsthita |
Namstasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
- Durga Saptashati

Meaning: Salutations to Shridevi Durga, who is present as power in all beings. Salutations to Her, Salutations to Her and Salutations to Her(…again and again, always and forever!…)..

May the Goddess Shridevi Durga bestow health, longevity, wealth, prosperity, the Highest Knowledge and the liberation to every one of us!

Om Shri Durgayai Namah |

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Rudraksha Yoga

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Folks,

Happy Navarathri and Vijayadashami festivals!

We have recently updated one of our most popular articles, i.e.:

Spiritual symbolism and significance of mala beads(Japa Mala) in meditation.

You may want to read and enjoy!

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Happy Deepavali, the festival of lights!

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Rudraksha Yoga wishes all our readers,well-wishers and everybody worldwide a very happy Deepavali! One of the most important Indian festivals, Deepavali, the festival of lights, is celebrated across India and abroad starting from today, i.e. 22 September 2014.

In this auspicious occasion of winning of good over evil, let us pray the Almighty:

Asato ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso ma Jyothirgamaya, Mrityorma Amritangamaya | – The Vedas

Meaning: (Lord!) Take us – from temporary to the Eternal, – from darkness to the Light and – from death to the Immortality(Ever-living)!

Let us kindle the Light of Highest Knowledge in our Hearts to destroy darkness of ignorance to realize the Universal Self within Ourselves!

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas

Devi, Shining with Beauty: Shridevi Lalita Maha Tripurasundari.

Hari Om! Namaste!!

Folks,

This is a Vagratha article the exposes the meaning of a word or a phrase from multiple angles. First of all, let us pray Shridevi for her blessing to clearly understand the meaning of the word Devi.

Sharanye Tryambake Devi Narayani Namo’stute | – Shri Durga Saptashati

Meaning: We salute Shridevi Narayani who is also Shridevi Parvati, who is the Ultimate Refuge for all.

We already know something on Shridevi. However, we have not explored the word Devi itself. Then,

What is the meaning of the word Devi? Let us understand.

Devi is a Sanskrit word of feminine gender coming from the root Div meaning to shine or to be splendid, beautiful. So, the word Devi describes two most important attributes of Shridevi: 1. She shines. 2. She is beautiful. Combining the two, we can get an idea on who is Shridevi and how does She look like based on the meaning of the word Devi. Devi means the lady who shines with beauty.

Esoteric Meaning #1: Devi means a divinely beautiful lady who shines herself. It further means Shri Devi does not need any external light to show herself. She is self -illuminated divine being. Further, She illuminates everything so as to function. e.g. our heart and brain cannot function without her wish or power. So, Devi means Universal Self that shines itself.

Esoteric Meaning #2: Devi also means the beautiful lady who shines everything. In other words, Devi throws her light on everything so that we can know that it exists. Without Devi’s light, we cannot perceive or understand anything. It means Devi gives us knowledge. This is her power of Shri Mahasaraswati who is the presiding deity of knowledge.

Esoteric Meaning #3: Devi’s shines with inherent beauty. The beauty indicates all good things or pleasing things in life. So, the beauty represents Shri Mahalakshmi aspect of Shridevi who presides beauty, wealth and all auspicious things. The cool beauty of Shridevi is boon-giving(varada) and reassurance of fearlessness(abhaya) to all her devotees.

Esoteric Meaning #4: Devi’s brilliant shining implies her power(Shakti) to wipe out evils or wrong-doers and provides fearless refuge to her devotees. Just like Sun light if the intensity of light is concentrated it becomes fire. In other words, Shridevi is both light and fire. The shining light of Shridevi turns into fire when shes deal with evils. So, the word Devi indicates Shri Mahakali aspect of Shridevi. Shridevi Mahakali rules the unmatched extreme power that erases all evils without a trace.

Esoteric Meaning #5: From meanings 2-4 above, the word Devi means combined power of three aspects Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati, which is Great Goddess Durga.

Esoteric Meaning #6:  Since Devi shines with her own light, She is capable of destroying our ignorance with her brilliant light of knowledge. So, Devi word indicates the Guru attribute of Shridevi who eliminates our ignorance and guides our Individual Self to liberation from vicious circle of birth and death.

In summary, Devi is the Ultimate Reality who has many different attributes like beauty, power, guidance, knowledge and so on. In Saundarya Lahari, Shri Shankara Bhagavatpadah describes Shridevi as duradhigama-nisseema-mahima meaning that Shridevi has boundless powers which are difficult to comprehend. Then, the question arises to all of us:

How can we understand Shridevi clearly?

By connecting to Shridevi and experiencing some of her divine powers by  traditional yoga. This gives us the first hand direct knowledge of the power of dust of lotus feet of Shridevi. Let us pray Shridevi to shower kind Her Grace to connect to her lotus feet.

Taam Aadi Shaktim pranatah sma nityam |

Meaning: Let us pray the primordial power(Shridevi) always (for Her kind Grace).

Om Namah Shivaya ||

- Kalidas