Beauty exists not in sameness but in difference

Beauty exists not in sameness but in difference.

Who could imagine a giraffe without its long neck or a cactus without its spines?The irregularity of the mountain peaks that surround us is what makes them so imposing. If we tried to make them all the same, they would no longer command our respect.
It is the imperfect that astonishes and attracts us.

When we look at a cedar tree, we don’t think: ‘The branches should be all the same length.’
We think: ‘How strong it is.’

When we see a snake, we never say: ‘He is crawling along the ground, while I am walking with head erect.’
We think: ‘He might be small, but his skin is colourful, his movements elegant, and he is more powerful than me.’

When the camel crosses the desert and takes us to the place we want to reach, we never say: ‘He’s humpbacked and has ugly teeth.’
We think: ‘He deserves my love for his loyalty and help. Without him, I would never be able to explore the world.’

A sunset is always more beautiful when it is covered with irregularly shaped clouds, because only then can it reflect the many colours out of which dreams and poetry are made.

Pity those who think: ‘I am not beautiful. That’s why Love has not knocked at my door.’
In fact, Love did knock, but when they opened the door, they weren’t prepared to welcome Love in.
They were too busy trying to make themselves beautiful first, when, in fact, they were fine as they were.
They were trying to imitate others, when Love was looking for something original.
They were trying to reflect what came from outside, forgetting that the brightest light comes from within.

Om Namah Shivay.

HOW TO LISTEN INWARDLY

HOW TO LISTEN INWARDLY : 

Women also understand the importance of stillness, of simply being. For how can we be receptive when we are busy all the time? In the west we are addicted to activity. We think that the problems of the world and of ourselves can only be solved by going out and doing something, not realising that it is this focus on ceaseless activity that has created much of our present predicament. When we are not busy solving our problems, we are caught up in an endless round of distracting activity, busyness for its own sake. In response to everything we automatically ask, “What should I do?” But the feminine knows to ask, “How should I be?” understanding that from a state of still being we can listen, be attentive and aware. We can perceive what life, both within us and around us, is showing us.

Just as a mother instinctively knows how to listen to her children, so does the sacred feminine know how to listen inwardly and outwardly to life, to experience and participate in this sacred mystery of which we are a part. This is the basis of a real relationship to life and to our soul; it is how we can learn to live the life of the soul rather than the illusory life of the ego. Life is a direct expression of the Divine, but unless we listen to this hidden presence, we experience only the distortions of the nafs or senses with all its desires and anxieties. Listening within, we hear what our Beloved is telling us; we come to know the mysteries He whispers into our heart and soul. We also learn to distinguish between the voice of the ego and the voice of the Self: to become attentive to the hint of the Beloved, and yet vigilant to the deceptions of the ego.

Om Namah Shivay.

AVOID STRESS BY MAKING CORRECT DECISIONS

AVOID STRESS BY MAKING CORRECT DECISIONS : 

We all make challenging decisions every day. These decisions often involve ethical dilemmas: do we take a selfish, short-sighted position or inclusive, long-term stance? Voices from within prod us in opposite directions. One part demands immediate gratification regardless of the consequences. A more mature part counsels choices that offer long-term satisfaction and fulfillment. The tension from these competing voices is extremely stressful; even more so if self-serving, harmful motives prevail.

The anxiety and tension created by destructive, unethical choices is more threatening to our health than generally realized. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands when a person is stressed. When cortisol levels rise, health and well-being suffers. Stress reduces the immune system’s ability to protect against infection, causes cognitive impairment, insomnia, depression and abdominal fat. These conditions can increase the risk of liver disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Om Namah Shivay.

GANESHA

GANESHA : 

Ganesha is elephant-faced, pot bellied and with short legs because he has no ego. And that is why the attributes which would otherwise be seen as disproportionate and strange now become endearing. We all have eight negative energies in some measure in us and we need to overcome them in order to control the ego. The ills that derive from these negative emotions manifest in a similar manner. It is divine power that makes you powerful, beautiful, desired… so do not ascribe it all to yourself, says Ganesha and that remains the most valuable lesson to success. Let the excitement of achievement be the celebration of your Muse.

Om Namah Shivay. 

SHIV LINGAM at Kedarnath Temple .Uttarakhand

<<< Kedarnath Temple .Uttarakhand >>>>

<<<<<<<<<Hindi>>>>>>>>
दॆवगणार्चित सॆवित लिङ्गं भावै-र्भक्तिभिरॆव च लिङ्गम् ।
दिनकर कॊटि प्रभाकर लिङ्गं तत्-प्रणमामि सदाशिव लिङ्गम् ॥
<<<<<<<<<English>>>>>>>
Deva Ganarchitha sevitha lingam, Bhavair bakthi pravesa lingam l
Dinakara koti prabhakara lingam,That pranamami sada shiva lingam ll

Meaning :

I bow before that Lingam, which is the eternal Shiva,
Which is served by gods and other beings,
Which is the doorway for devotion and good thought,
And which shines like billions of Suns.

Om Namah Shivay

“As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.”

Buddha quote

Om Namah Shivay.

LORD SIVA

Aum Namah Shivaya!

The yogi looked so serene and inviting, that the snake wanted to pour his heart out. All he could utter, was, ‘I am known to bite even those who feed me, so no one accepts me any more.’

"Come! Wrap yourself around my neck in embrace," said the yogi. "I am known to accept those who are shunned."

You ask for me to embrace you simply on the premise that I feel shunned? Asked the snake.

"Yes, I ask everyone to embrace me," said the yogi. Everyone is shunned by someone . The poor, for instance, are shunned by the rich, the rich by the religious, some people shun themselves; even the spiritual are shunned by many. I am a lover of all.

{The Yogi and the snake}

Lord Shiva Nataraja

Lord Shiva Nataraja!
Shiv, The auspicious, also means one in whom the whole creation sleeps after dissolution..
The word Dissolution is very important for a shaivite bhakt. .
It is different from thinking of life being "Destroyed"
it is diametrically the opposite:
Lord Shiva, called destroyer, is actually the Resting place of all of us, after our life"dissolves".

(shail gulhati)

Lord Shiva at Sagar manthan in Bangkok, Thailand

Lord Shiva at Sagar manthan in Bangkok, Thailand ! 
sarva vyapak! truly omnipresent, truly well loved. 
Jai Ho Shiv Shanker. Jai Bhole Nath!!

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTION

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTION : 

There will be times when your partner disappoints you, lets you down, hurts your feelings, or betrays your trust. How can you reconnect when your heart and soul feel bruised.... This can be the most challenging task...yet it is also among the most necessary if you are to continue as an authentic couple.... We aspire to be our best selves with our partner, and when we fall short of the mark - which as humans we invariably do from time to time - it is disappointing. How do you deal with the hurt feelings you caused, inadvertently or otherwise? The best thing you can do...is to take responsibility for your actions. When you refuse to own up to your part in hurting your partner’s feelings or injuring her pride, you add insult to injury.... The second best thing you can offer your beloved is a sincere apology, along with a well-thought-out explanation for why you did what you did. But do not say, “I am sorry”, if you do not mean it. You will only cause worse pain by issuing hollow sentiments.... If you do not feel this way, then rather than offering false platitudes, use your communication skills to offer your perspective and work through the impasse. Your partner will appreciate your candour. The act of forgiveness requires that you rise above your negative human feelings and release them in order to find your way back to the spiritual source of your being. No easy task, of course, but a very necessary one in the arena of love...

Om Namah Shivay. 

source : FB

It is often asked whether one can be free of sorrow, if one remembers God?

It is often asked whether one can be free of sorrow, if one remembers God? 

It is difficult to say, because the life of the Pandavas shows that it was full of troubles though they remembered God all day long. Then one may question that if dukh visits us even when we remember God then why remember him at all? It is a simple equation. The answer is: By remembering God you can face difficulties with ease. Believing in God does not make the mountain small but makes the climb easy.

Om Namah Shivay. 

Stay rooted

Stay rooted: 

Sometimes we need to look at another dimension to make sense of the mind. Let’s say you are a trusting kind of person. Before you, there is a shallow stream of crystal clear water. As you eagerly approach the clear waters, you find that by the time you reach it, it has been dirtied by traffic and people crossing the river. The water is now full of dirt and sediment, and is undrinkable. Your mind, too, gets confused with all the stirrings of external influences and you are unable to think clearly. What to do? Nothing. Let it all settle down. Once the pollutants settle down at the bottom of the stream, the water becomes clear once again and you can quench your thirst. Similarly, once you allow all the thoughts to settle down, your mind returns to its original calm state and you are free of stress. Don’t waste your mind time…have you ever realised how many years you have wasted on your unproductive thoughts? Value your use of mind, you are a Jyot Swaroop, recognise your roots…you have come from the eternal light.

Om Namah Shivay. 

source : FB

DO NOT TRY TO OBTAIN FAVOURS BUT RELY ON YOUR OWN EFFORTS

DO NOT TRY TO OBTAIN FAVOURS BUT RELY ON YOUR OWN EFFORTS : 

Once, a man came to a rich wise man. He said: “I am a pauper. Give me some money for my livelihood.” The rich wise man said: “That would not be good for you.” Then he gave him a formula for dignity: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand.” Then the Prophet gave him a few silver coins, and said: “Go to the jungle, cut some wood, and sell it to earn your livelihood. And meet me in two months’ time.” The man accepted the wise man’s words. He led his life as advised by the wise man. Then, two months later, he came back to the wise man and said: “I am happy with my job. Now I have decided not to ask for anything from anyone.”By hard work you can earn money, but through money you cannot achieve hard work. The best formula of life is this: Do not try to obtain favours, but rely on your own efforts.

Om Namah Shivay.

source : FB

BE YOURSELF, "AT THE END IT IS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD, IT WAS NEVER BETWEEN YOU AND THEM ANYWAY."

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” 
― Mother Teresa

LORD SHIVA

Aum Namah Shivaya!

The yogi looked so serene and inviting, that the snake wanted to pour his heart out. All he could utter, was, ‘I am known to bite even those who feed me, so no one accepts me any more.’

"Come! Wrap yourself around my neck in embrace," said the yogi. "I am known to accept those who are shunned."

You ask for me to embrace you simply on the premise that I feel shunned? Asked the snake.

"Yes, I ask everyone to embrace me," said the yogi. Everyone is shunned by someone . The poor, for instance, are shunned by the rich, the rich by the religious, some people shun themselves; even the spiritual are shunned by many. I am a lover of all.

{The Yogi and the snake}

LORD SHIVA - pictures

Om Namah Shivay



Om Namah Shivay



Om Namah Shivay



Om Namah Shivay



Om Namah Shivay



Om Namah Shivay

Laughter, The Best Medicine

Laughter, The Best Medicine

Seriousness has become almost part of our bones and blood. You will have to make some effort to get rid of seriousness, and you will have to be on the lookout — wherever you can find something humourous happening, don’t miss the opportunity.

Everywhere there are people who are slipping on banana peels — just nobody is looking at them. In fact, it is thought to be ungentlemanly. It is not, because only bananas slip on banana peels.

Laughter needs a great learning, and laughter is a great medicine. It can cure many of your tensions, anxieties, worries; the whole energy can flow into laughter. And there is no need that there should be some occasion, some cause. Even just sitting in your room, close the doors and have one hour of simple laughter. Laugh at yourself. But learn to laugh.

In one apartment house, people were puzzled about one thing. Every couple was fighting, throwing pillows, throwing things, breaking cups and saucers, shouting at each other, husbands beating wives, wives screaming. The only problem was with one gentleman.
From his flat, they never heard any one fighting; on the contrary, they always heard laughter.

So they caught hold of the fellow as he was coming from the market and said, “First you have to tell us that what the secret is — why do you laugh when everybody fights?” The fellow said, “What happens is, she throws things at me. If she misses, then I laugh; if she hits me then she laughs.” Seriousness is a sin.

source : FB

The most sublime form of faith

The most sublime form of faith : 

The person’s philosophy is simple: ‘not a leaf moves and not a breath is taken without the approval of my Master’. Thus neither good experiences nor hard circumstances can enter the person’s life without the Master’s consent. Now this philosophy is not as simple as it sounds. Also, this is not a fatalistic approach to life. The person who lives this philosophy has left every breath, thought, action, repercussion, karma, life here and beyond in the care of the Master. The person gives his or her best to life and to every moment lived but leaves the consequences to God/Master, without any expectation of reward or security or solace. In fact, in this form of faith, the person does not even expect protection from the Master, because to expect even protection of any sort, means harbouring some kind of expectation from the Master.

The child has left it all to the Master. The child is certain that whatever happens to him or her, it is happening with the will of the Master and whatever happens with the will of the Master is perfect and for the highest good.

This form of faith requires total surrender. It is most difficult but also most sublime. It frees you from all expectations and also the agony of reward and punishment; success and failure; happiness and grief.

Om Namah Shivay

ROLE MODELS IN SOCIETY

ROLE MODELS IN SOCIETY : 

In every society, there are those who are looked upon as role models. In the above shloka from the Gita, Krishna states that whatever is practised by leaders of society, is followed by people who are part of that society. So, with ideal role models, and people following those role models, you get an ideal society. Conversely, if the leader is corrupt, the entire fabric of society is likely to get corrupted.

MAHATMA - A SELF REALIZED SAGE

MAHATMA - A SELF REALIZED SAGE : 

A practitioner of Bhakti Yoga is always meditating on guru and Krishna’s orders; he thus transcends petty material problems and is situated on the spiritual platform. Krishna declares such souls as mahatmas; “O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, mahatmas, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible” (Bhagavad Gita 9.13).

Thus beginning as a sincere disciple, a Bhakti yogi graduates one day to become a mahatma, a self-realized sage who is eternally situated in the divine energy of the Lord and serves Krishna in different personal and intimate rasas.

Om Namah Shivay

BENEFITS OF MEDITATION

BENEFITS OF MEDITATION : 

Meditating the name of SHIVA with all your love and devotion is like a de-hypnosis. It is an effort to drop hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, and come back to the world as you had come in the first place. If you go on doing this meditation, first you start loving yourself — because you are closest to you than anybody else. Then you spread your love: your friendship, your compassion, feeling, well-wishing, benediction, blessings, you spread these to people you love — friends, lovers. Then, by and by, you spread these to more people that you don’t love so much, then people to whom you are indifferent —you neither love nor hate — then by and by to people you hate. Slowly, you are de-hypnotising yourself. Slowly you are again creating a womb of love around yourself.

Om Namah Shivay.

DREAM IS LIKE WAKING.............

Aum Namah Shivaya!

There are times when the dream is like waking
times when the waking is like a dream.
Have you ever, O parvati felt beyond both, a space?
there, the yogi is always awake.

{ Lord Shiva's lessons to parvati from the Vijnanbhairava,adapted for the forthcoming book SHIVA}

GOD is........

Aum Namah Shivaya!

God, is not just a person. God is a fountain. God is a sarai, God is an oasis, God is a trust property, God is Godhood, God, is a passing parcel. Bathe in the fountain, rest in the Sarai, enjoy the oasis, cultivate the trust, reach Godhood, then, pass the parcel.

{The yogi and the snake}

SACRED FEMININE AND CREATION OF NEW LIFE

SACRED FEMININE AND CREATION OF NEW LIFE : 

Women know the wisdom of receptivity, of holding a sacred space. They experience this in their bodies through the wonder of pregnancy; but the sacred feminine also knows how this works within the soul: how the heart is always awake, waiting and longing for her Beloved, for that moment when love comes secretly and sweetly; how within the heart love and longing create a space for the Divine to be born. Then the heart becomes ‘light upon light’, as Rumi describes it: “a beautiful Mary with Jesus in the womb,” which in time can give birth to the Divine as a living presence within ourselves and in our lives.

Om Namah Shivay.

DO NOT FORSAKE YOUR FAMILY AND DUTIES

DO NOT FORSAKE YOUR FAMILY AND DUTIES : 

Spirituality is about being in the world and trying to be a decent human being at the same time. Real spiritual people are those who work nine hours, go home and take care of the family and try to instil noble values in them. Going to the Himalayas without having served the world is escapism. “No prophet has talked about forsaking one’s family. They all asked you to work for the betterment of the world. If you are a carpenter, do what you do well without cheating anyone, without using wrong means. Work done with love will bring happiness to someone else’s home!”

Om Namah Shivay.

OUR MISSION IS TO REACH THE EXALTED STATE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

OUR MISSION IS TO REACH THE EXALTED STATE OF ENLIGHTENMENT : 

Our mission is to go beyond the three gunas and get liberated from the traumatic cycle of birth, death, decay and sorrow. Promote sattva. Control rajas and the force of desire. Make a determined effort to eliminate tamas. See the difference in your life. When you see the play of the gunas and remain undisturbed by their effects you understand That which is beyond them and reach the exalted state of enlightenment.

Om Namah Shivay.

FORMS OF GANESH

FORMS OF GANESH : 

Ganesha took many forms as visualised in the Mudgala Purana to show the path to success. Of them, eight are particularly significant. First, in his incarnation as Vakratunda or the one with a curved trunk when he vanquished the demon Matsarasura. Matsara means jealousy and the anger born thereof. His very birth is ascribed to a remiss by Indra and true to his nature the demon desired to rule all the three worlds. His boon of fearlessness from Shiva helped him and soon he was tormenting everyone, heady with power. Vakratunda cut him down to size. He comes riding a lion. He says, however well endowed you are, wisdom lies in knowing and understanding your limits.

Om Namah Shivay.

RELIGION IS A SEARCH FOR TRUTH - GODLINESS

RELIGION IS A SEARCH FOR TRUTH - GODLINESS : 

Religion has no mundane power like nuclear weapons, atom bombs and guns; its dimension is totally different. Religion is not a will to power; religion is a search for truth, for godliness. And the very search makes the religious man humble, simple and innocent. Politics is aggressive; it has, for centuries, just been destroying people: The whole history of politics is the history of criminals and murderers. In 3,000 years, politicians have created 5,000 wars. It seems that inside the politician, the barbarous instinct is very powerful; its only joy is to destroy, to dominate.

Politicians are spiritually sick people. The will to power and to dominate arises only in a sick mind. It arises out of an inferiority complex. People who are not suffering from an inferiority complex do not care about power; their whole endeavour is for peace, because the meaning of life can be known only in peace - power is not the way. Peace, silence, gratitude and meditation - these are the basic constituents of religion.

Om Namah Shivay. 

Lord Shiva worships the shivalinga

Lord Shiva worships the shivalinga

This depiction is a favourite shaivic imagery. it is extremely esoteric and full of spiritual meaning.
Why does Shivji sit behind his own shivalinga?
because,in the most simple of words, He's committed to His own creation.
If you compare this to a modern day analogy, where during an election, the contender for head of state also goes to caste his vote, and ,of course, he's up early, leading by example..he believes in His own manifesto, and stands by His principles.
so too, shivji respects what his own shaivism stands for, He is the first adherent..He is His own first votary .He leads by example and from the front. Jai Shiv Shanker, Jai Bholenath!

SHIVA LINGAM (Pictures)

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

KEVALAYA

KEVALAYA

In the deepest oneness,
Sits alone,
The one who knows
He is all.

(From Naam Roop-A Tribute to the Divine)

Lord Shiva is everywhere!

Lord Shiva is everywhere! and, so is Nandi ji!!!!
Aum Namah shivaya!! pic from the net.possibly a shop in varanasi.

Know about Sabha temples- The dance temples of Lord Shiva

PRINT

FONT SIZE

New Delhi: Sabha temples are temples where Shiva is believed to perform five different style of dances.Lord Shiva is considered as one of the three most influential denominations in Hinduism.

How the persona of Shiva converged as a composite deity is not well documented though some historians believe that the figure of Shiva as we know him today was built up over time, with the ideas of many regional sects being amalgamated into a single figure.

Sailen Debnath traces the origin of Shiva to the pre-Aryan period, and believes that he played an important role in the Indus Valley Civilization. Here is the list of Sabha temples:

1. Pon  Sabha-  Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram:

The temple is known as the foremost of all temples (Kovil) to Saivites and has influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium.The temple is referred to in all devotional literature as Bhooloka kailasam, or kailasam, the Lord Shiva’s abode that manifests on earth. 

The temple as it stands now is mainly of the 12th and 13th centuries, with later additions in similar style.Its bronze statues and stone sculptures depicting various deities and the famous Thillai trees of the surrounding forest reflect the highpoints of early Chola and Pallava art.

2. Velli Sabha-  Meenakshi Amman Temple:

Located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai,This temple is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. 

The complex houses 14 gateway towers called gopurams, ranging from 45-50m in height. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is built during 1623 to 1655 CE. it was in the list of top 30 nominees of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”.

3. Tamira Sabha- Nellaiappar Temple:

Located at the heart of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. this is one of the largest temples in South India. Siva is said to have been worshipped by Agastya in a bamboo grove and by Rama after having killed Mareecha some nine miles away at Manoor. 



There is also a shrine to Vishnu near the sanctum, signifying the belief that Nellai Govindan (Vishnu) visited Tirunelveli to officiate the divine marriage of Shiva and Kantimathi. 

4. Rathna Sabha- Thiruvalankadu Vadaaranyeswarar Temple

It is located within two hours drive from Chennai, and within an hours drive from Kanchipuram. 

The five dance halls are Chidambaram, Madurai, Tiruvalankadu, Tirunelveli and Kutralam. This is the 15th of the 32 Tevara Stalams in the Tondai region of South India.

Shiva is said to have defeated Kali in a fierce dance duel by lifting his foot up on the Oordhvatandavam posture. Kali is depicted in a dance posture as well here. 

Karaikkal Ammayar is said to have walked on hear head to this shrine and her image is seen in the shriine to Oordhvatandavamurthy. There is yet another image of Nataraja, housed within the sanctum of Vadaranyeswarar.  

courtesy of indiatvnews

Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak attained enlightenment when he was around 30 years of age. One day, while bathing in the river Kali Bein, he disappeared and was presumed to have drowned and died. However, he reappeared after three days and announced, “I am neither Hindu nor Mussalman, I walk the path of truth which is God’s path.” Guru Nanak said that he had been summoned to God’s court and had been instructed to wean people away from the path of ignorance and superstitions and connect them to the sublime name of God. A gurdwara called Ber Sahib stands at this spot; it also has a ber tree that was planted by the Guru himself.

source : FB

Life is like dancing.......

Life is like dancing. If we have a big floor, many people will dance. Some will get angry when the rhythm changes. But life is changing all the time.

Shiva Tandava

Best Dance in the world!!

Mesmerising Lord Shiva, not just snakes, you are the charmer of all!

Mesmerising Lord Shiva,
not just snakes, you are the charmer of all!

When you meditate to "Om Namah Shivaya".......

When you meditate to "Om Namah Shivaya", focus on the point between thoughts, focus on the silence within noise, focus on the calm within chaos, and chant, and chant, and chant