Mata Kalratri - Seventh Avatar of #Durga

* Mata Kalratri - Seventh Avatar of #Durga *

#Origin - When the Goddess Parvati removed outer golden skin to kill demons named Shumbha and Nishumbha, She was known as Goddess Kalaratri. Kalaratri is the fiercest and the most ferocious form of Goddess Parvati.

#Navratri Worship - Goddess Kalaratri is worshipped on the seventh day of Navratri.

#Governing Planet - It is believed that the planet Shani is governed by Goddess Kalaratri.

#Iconography - Goddess #Kalaratri complexion is dark black and She rides on a donkey. She is depicted with four hands. Her right hands are in Abhaya and Varada Mudra and She carries sword and the deadly iron hook in her left hands.

#Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कालरात्रि रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

#Details - According to a legend, Goddess Kalratri demolished the demon Raktabeej. It is believed that it is only Goddess Kalratri who could slay the extreme torment of devil Raktabeej. No one was able to kill Raktabeej as even one drop of his scattered blood used to form another embodiment of Raktabeej and the scattered blood produced other billions of Raktabeej. Maa Durga incarnated herself in Kalaratri and kept a Patra (vessel) to keep and imbibe entire blood of Raktabeej. Her severe violent appearance while destroying Raktabeej and other demons hugely petrified all organisms of the world. But still, she is a kind Goddess for her great devotees.

However the appearance of Maa Kalratri is so dreadful but her grace is generous toward her devotees. She eliminates any kind of terror in the life of her devotee and assures them with the freedom from fear and sufferings. Hence, she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does well. Worshipping Maa Kalaratri gives abundant fruitful result to her devotees. With her grace, devotees get power, position and renowned status. She protects her devotees against evil influence of demons and wrong people. Worshiping her devotees get complete protection and long life. Maa Kalratri is worshipped to destroy suffering of evil influence from the life

Salutations to she who the golden tiger rides, salutations to the Lord of the Lord of the world.

Salutations to she
who the golden tiger rides
salutations to the Lord of the Lord of the world.

Shail Gulhati

Mata Katyayani – Sixth Durga

During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Durga Devi is worshiped in nine avatars. During these nine holy days, each day of goddess Durga Mata is worshiped in different avatara.

Mata Katyayani – Sixth Durga 

Mata Katyayani is worshippedon the the Sixth Day of Navratri. Rishi Katyayan observed a penance to get Jaganmata as his daughter. She blessed him and took birth as his daughter on the bank of river Jamuna for getting Lord Krishna as a husband. She is considered as prime deity of Vraj mandal. Ma Katyayani has three eyes and four hands. . One left hand holds a weapon and the other a lotus She rides on Lion.

Jai mata di har har mahadev......

Jai mata di har har mahadev......

6th Day Navratri (30th Sep14) ll कात्यायनी ll Color- Red

6th Day Navratri (30th Sep14) ll कात्यायनी ll Color- Red

कात्यायनि महामाये महायोगिन्यधीश्वरि । नन्द गोपसुतं देविपतिं मे कुरु ते नमः ॥

नवरात्रि में छठें दिन कात्यायनी देवी के पूजन का विधान है। महर्षि कात्यायन ने भगवती पराम्बा की उपासना की। कठिन तपस्या की। उनकी इच्छा थी कि उन्हें पुत्री प्राप्त हो, महिसासुर का सर्वनाश करे। मां भगवती ने उनके घर पुत्री के रूप में जन्म लिया। इसलिए यह देवी कात्यायनी कहलाईं।

Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of #Navratri. She is regarded as an avatar of Goddess Durga. She is dressed in ‘Yellow‘ attire on the sixth day of Navratri and when Maha Shashti is celebrated. People are supposed to wear ‘Red‘ on this day.

IN THE LAND OF DURGA

IN THE LAND OF DURGA

Normally happy to play out the role of a demure Housewife, Parvati, who is actually the greatest Shakti Durga Herself can also, in an instant, transform Herself to the redeemer, transforming in turn souls that have lost their way. In Bengal, where she is widely worshiped as Mahisa sur mardini ( the slayer of Mahisa the demon) this aspect of Durga is understood as the power of Feminity: if it can deliver, it can also sever.
In a land which is so privileged to Know God as Mother,i think we should be setting examples rather than showing a lack of respect for our women.
Spiritually speaking, India should lead the world in this. We must awaken to the great vision of our Ancient Rishis and seers. Jai Ma Durga!

pic by U4Uvoice Dawarka Puri, Bariyana,

Mata Katyayani – Sixth Avatar of #Durga

* Mata Katyayani – Sixth Avatar of #Durga *

#Origin - To destroy demon Mahishasura, Goddess Parvati took the form of Goddess Katyayani. It was the most violent form of Goddess Parvati. In this form Goddess Parvati is also known as Warrior Goddess.

#Navratri Worship - Goddess Katyayani is worshipped on the sixth day of Navratri.

#Governing Planet - It is believed that the planet Brihaspati is governed by Goddess Katyayani.

#Iconography - Goddess Katyayani rides on the magnificent lion and depicted with four hands. Goddess Katyayani carries lotus flower and sword in her right hands and keeps her left hands in Abhaya and Varada Mudras.

Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कात्यायनी रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

#Details - According to religious texts Goddess Parvati was born at the home of sage Katya and due to which this form of Goddess Parvati is known as Katyayani.

Mahakaleshwar As Jyotirling & HarSidhhi As ShaktiPeetha

* Mahakaleshwar As Jyotirling & HarSidhhi As ShaktiPeetha *

The shrine is revered as one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peetham.
Shakti Peethas are shrines that are believes to have enshrined with the presence of Shakti due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it. Each of the 51 Shakti peethas have shrines for Shakti . The Upper Lip of Sati Devi is said to have fallen here and the Shkati is called as HarSidhhi

She is the Goddess worshiped by great King Vikramaditya.Hara siddhi is described as Vaishnavi shakti. A Sri yantra is carved in the temple. The temple is called as Harsiddhi darwaja.

Shankara Pencil sketch of Lord Shiva

Shankara Pencil sketch of Lord Shiva

DEVI

DEVI

Somewhere in the mountains,
a golden tiger brought
his rider
to the Lord.
And the Lord saluted Devi, saying
you,
are mine own god……

------------------------------------------------

Ah Durge~
we
do not know all
thy visions and thy graces
less still thy names.
Life’s each new turn
unfolds yet,
You
Once again!
and we,
bewildered thus
a child ….so remain.
Somewhere from the mountains,
a golden tiger came.

[ F rom NAAM ROOP- A Tribute to the Divine ]

Lord Shiva and Devi parvati atThailand (Bangkok), Huay Khwang!

   Lord Shiva and Devi parvati at Thailand (Bangkok), Huay Khwang!

Ma Skanda Mata – Fifth Durga

During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Durga Devi is worshiped in nine avatars. During these nine holy days, each day of goddess Durga Mata is worshiped in different avatara.

Ma Skanda Mata – Fifth Durga

Skanda Mata is worshipped on the fifth Day of Navratri. She had a son ‘Skandaa and holds him on her lap . She has three eyes and four hands; two hands hold lotuses while the other 2 hands respectively display defending and granting gestures. Its said, by the mercy of Skandmata, even the idiot becomes an ocean of knowledge. The great and legendary Sanskrit Scholar Kalidas created his two masterpieces works “Raghuvansh Maha Kavya” and “Meghdoot” by the grace of Skandmata. Mata is considered as a deity of fire. She rides on Lion.

5th Day Navratri (29 Sep14) ll स्कंदमाता ll Color- White

5th Day Navratri (29 Sep14) ll स्कंदमाता ll Color- White

नवरात्रि में पांचवें दिन देवी के स्कंदमाता स्वरूप की पूजा-अर्चना की जाती है। पुत्र स्कंद यानि कार्तिकेय के जन्म के बाद इन्हें स्कंदमाता नाम से जाना जाने लगा।

Skandamata is a face of Maa Durga always known for demolishing the demons. She is dressed in a ‘Blue’ saree and on this day and the Upang Lalitha Gauri Vrata is observed. On the fifth day of Navratri that is known as Panchami, devotees are supposed to wear ‘White’.

In which Jyotirling Mata Parvati reside as Shakti Peeth & Lord Shiva reside as Jyotirling ? (ANSWER : Ujjain Mahakal jyotirling & Srisaila Mallikarjuna jyotirling )

In which Jyotirling Mata Parvati reside as Shakti Peeth & Lord Shiva reside as Jyotirling ?

ANSWER : Ujjain Mahakal jyotirling& Srisaila Mallikarjuna jyotirling

when the infinite vibrates, the worlds appear to emerge

when the infinite vibrates, the worlds appear to emerge
-Sage Vasistha

Lord Shiva.....OM NAMAH SHIVAY

Lord Shiva .....

OM NAMAH SHIVAY

Mata Skandamata – Fifth Avatar of #Durga

*Mata Skandamata – Fifth Avatar of #Durga *

#Origin - When Goddess Parvati became the mother of Lord Skanda (also known as Lord Kartikeya), Mata Parvati was known as Goddess Skandamata.

#Navratri Worship - Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri.

#Governing Planet - It is believed that the planet Budha is governed by Goddess Skandamata.

#Iconography - Goddess Skandamata mounts on the ferocious lion. She carries baby Murugan in her lap. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and brother of Lord Ganesha. Goddess Skandamata is depicted with four hands. She carries lotus flowers in her upper two hands. She holds baby Murugan in one of her right hand and keeps the other right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She sits on lotus flower and because of that Skandamata is also known as Goddess Padmasana.

#Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

#Details - The complexion of Goddess Skandamata is Shubhra (शुभ्र) which describes her white complexion. Devotees who worship this form of Goddess Parvati get the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikeya. This quality is possessed only by Skandamata form of Goddess Parvati.

THE FAMILY

THE FAMILY

“The world is one big family, God is the Father, Nature the Mother, and we the siblings. Sometimes we wrong the mother, father reacts, sometimes we ignore the father, mother reacts. Most of the times we fight one another, both react. But they, being parents, when father is annoyed, mother rescues, and when mother is annoyed, father intervenes. And so we barely manage. This is the state today. There is a possibility of all being harmonized, if only the siblings grow up and realise the strength of a happy family. We must set aside our differences, and convince our parents of our maturity, in order to share their abundance."

{ The Yogi and the snake By Shail Gulhati}

SHIV SHANKER UMAPATI NATH.

SHIV SHANKER UMAPATI NATH.

An amazingly beautiful painting from the very Talented artist Sonali Chaudhari.

Devi Parvati is completely absorbed in the deepest meditation of her Lord Shiva. We see a beautiful Shivlinga, which conveys multiple symbolisms, just like the Infinite God it represents, At the highest level, the Shivlinga means to convey the perfection of God's transcendence and manifestation, which we know as sukshama and sthula.Shiva is sukshama, the subtle, transcendent, the Unmanifest. Shakti has the power of Shiva Himself , to manifest the world of forms, Sthula, and that is how the world is born. But there is more in this cosmic play, because of the great love of Parvati:

Once the world is thus created by Shiva Shakti, it is only Parvati's love that can make Him enter This creation Himself, as an embodied Yogi, this is the form in which we call Him Shiv Shanker. It is Shiv Shanker who marries parvati, and as her husband he is also called Umapati Nath.

Sonali's painting is somehow shaped like a teardrop: It is said always, the Bhakt's longing for God , makes Him appear. And Shaivites say that even the Sapt rishis declared Parvati's Bhakti as the most powerful of all.

It is also shaped like the musical instrument, taanpura: The whole Universe is actually the song of God. Aum Namah Shivaye! Jai Shakti Ma.

MA RANI, MA DURGA in all her splendour as Supreme Goddess of this Universe.She is one to whom even Lord Shiva salutes. There is No shiva without Shakti, No Shakti without Shiva. One who does not know this, has yet to know either! Aum Durgae Namah! Jai Mata di !

Ucche pahadan wali Mata teri sada he jaya, sheran wali Mata Teri sada He Jai! Jyotan wali Mata teri sada he jai.
Praise be to The Mother from the mountains, Praise be to The Goddess who rides lions,Praise be to the Mother who is full of light, forever and ever, Praise be. (ancient Hymn to Durga sung even today in the Hills of Vaishno Devi, Jammu.)

MA RANI, MA DURGA in all her splendour as Supreme Goddess of this Universe.She is one to whom even Lord Shiva salutes. There is No shiva without Shakti, No Shakti without Shiva. One who does not know this, has yet to know either!
Aum Durgae Namah! Jai Mata di !

SOMEWHERE IN TIME....

SOMEWHERE IN TIME....

A beautiful Painting of Shiva and Nandi. Shiva plays on the Shankh.Perhaps somewhere between the time of Sati and parvati....
perhaps Shiva blew the conch to express His saddened heart "it is time she came back as parvati"
Aum Namah Shivaye.

Parvati as Yogini.

Parvati as Yogini.

Parvati is Durga Herself,the epitome of all creation, the very creatrix Herself. And Yet, to fulfill Her Love, she undergoes Tapasya,why?
To win over Lord Shiva, Yogeshwar, who, is already eternally Hers,
she becomes the greatest Yogini that this cosmos will ever see.
When the Saptrishis, the very constellation of spirituality, the safekeepers of Yoga themselves go to test her Knowing, she not just passes the test,
but teaches them the highest realms of yoga where no ordinary being can go unguided. Such is the power of the great Goddess.
Note that in this picture, she has done away with her dainty and princely ear rings and donned the robust Nanti's of the Shivji type.This shows that her yoga practice is based on the principles of Shaivism. The crescent moon on her forehead signifies that the inner light has blossomed, and is beautiful to be witnessed. The opening of her third eye shows that she has mastered the ultimate spiritual wisdom, yet again. A text book in her left hand shows that although she did her Tapasya for Shivji,because she is Ardhangani ,His inseparable Half, who knows as much as He, but she is also the cosmic mother, and is sharing her spiritual knowledge for the benefit of all mankind.
The artist , instead of using her Bij Mantra syllables such as Aim, Hrim, shrim, has used simply, MA. And this is the highest realm of the great Goddess, Her highest role, indeed.
Jai Ho Ma Durge! jai jag janani.

Bolo Jaikara Bawe Wali Mata Ka ............. Saache Darbar Ki Jai..... Jai Mata Di

Bolo Jaikara Bawe Wali Mata Ka ............. Saache Darbar Ki Jai..... Jai Mata Di

Mata Kushmanda – Fourth Durga

During the festival of Navratri, Goddess Durga Devi is worshiped in nine avatars. During these nine holy days, each day of goddess Durga Mata is worshiped in different avatara.

Mata Kushmanda – Fourth Durga

Mata Kushmanda is worshipped on the fourth day of Navrathri. . She shines brightly with a laughing face in all ten directions as the Sun. She controls whole Solar system. In her eight hands, she holds several types of weapons in six hands and a rosary and a lotus in remaining hands. She rides on Lion. She likes offerings of ‘Kumhde’, hence her name ‘Kushmanda’ has become popular.

4th Day Navratri (28 Sep14) ll कूष्मांडा ll Color- Orange

4th Day Navratri  (28 Sep14) ll कूष्मांडा ll Color- Orange

नवरात्रि में चौथे दिन देवी के कूष्मांडा रूप को पूजा जाता है। देवी ने अपनी हल्की हंसी के द्वारा ब्रह्मांड को उत्पन्न किया था इसलिए देवी के इस स्वरूप को कूष्मांडा नाम से जाना जाता है। इसके अलावा, सूर्यलोक में रहने की क्षमता सिर्फ इन्हीं देवी में है इसलिए भी इन्हें कूष्मांडा कहा जाता है।

Kushmanda is the fourth form of goddess that is worshiped on the fourth day of Navratri. She is mainly considered as the creator of the universe. Mother goddess is drape with ‘Red‘ colored saree and on this day Bhouma Chaturthi is followed. The colour for the fourth day is ‘Orange‘.

In the beginning, I, the Omniscient one, I am!.................

In the beginning, I, the Omniscient one,
I am!
the moving and the unmoving,
all this creation comes into being,
by the unfoldment of my power supreme,
i play with my own Maya,my power divine,
The one, I become the many,
to behold my own form!

Swami Vivekananda, complete works , Vol 4

Om Namah Shivaya - It shows which snake we feed ( Negative or postive) (Left or Right), Why we need to feed snake on right side only, because Right is right

Om Namah Shivaya

It shows which snake we feed ( Negative or postive) (Left or Right), Why we need to feed snake on right side only, because Right is right

Om Namah shivay...chakra 22

Chakra Meditation

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA - PANCHAKSHARA

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA - PANCHAKSHARA

Panchakshara as popularly known is the holy five syllables (literally holy five letters) that is the supreme mantra of all devotees of Lord shiva. As the name suggests it is made up of five syllables. This great mantra is namah shivaya (namah shivaaya). The five syllables in this mantra are na - mah - shi - vaa - ya.


THE CORE OF THE VEDAS



The Holy Five Syllables namah shivaya is the heart of vedas. It is the core of the very famous chapter of vedas that stands in the middle of the vedas - the shata rudriyam or rudra suktam. This great mantra of veda samhita while hailing the God as the Lord of everything of the worlds, salutes the God as namah shivaya cha shivataraya cha.

MEANING OF THE PANCHAKSHARA MANTRA



The meaning of this matchless mantra is abound. The puranas and the philosophical texts talk in a very detailed and elaborate manner its meaning and significance and hail its ultimateness. Here only a simple meaning is presented to start with.

The word shiva means auspiciousness and perfection. It refers to the God Who is Perfect without any kind of dependency on anything external to make It complete. Naturally because of this self-perfection, It is completely blissful and ever auspicious. (All other auspicious things are in one way or the other dependent on the external circumstances etc.)

WAYS OF CHANTING THE PANCHAKSHARI



WHILE MANY MANTRAS HAVE RESTRICTIONS AS TO WHEN AND HOW IT CAN BE CHANTED ETC., THERE IS NO SUCH RESTRICTION TO THE PANCHAKSHARA MANTRA.

Whoever you are, whenever be the time, whatever be the situation chant the Holy Five Syllables. There are no restrictions of color, creed, caste, gender or any other restrictions. All it requires is sincerity.

BENEFIT OF CHANTING THE MANTRA



THE THOUGHTS MAKE THE PERSON. THE ONE WHO HAS THE POSITIVE THOUGHTS IS HAPPIER AND THE ONE FULL OF WORRIES IS THE SAD ONE. THE THOUGHTS NOT ONLY HAVE EFFECT AT THAT MOMENT BUT THEY DEFINITELY MAKE IMPRESSION ON THE PERSONALITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, WHICH COULD HAVE A VERY LONG LASTING IMPACT. IN THIS BACKGROUND WHILE THE GOOD THOUGHTS ITSELF WOULD BE MAKING THINGS BETTER, WHAT NEEDS TO BE SAID ABOUT THE SUPER-POWERED MANTRAS THAT ARE RICH IN MEANING AS WELL AS ENERGY !

Given the fact that "we tend to become what we keep thinking about", when one chants the Sacred panchakshara that hails the God as Perfection and Auspicious, it would take one towards that Blissful Perfection. It takes to the union with the Supreme God. What else can be more rewarding ! Even the worst sinner would get corrected and get to the glorious states if chants this mantra piously.

Esoteric Meaning

Namaḥ Śivaya has such power, the mere intonation of these syllables reaps its own reward in salvaging the soul from bondage of the treacherous instinctive mind and the steel bands of a perfected externalized intellect. Namaḥ Śivāya quells the instinct, cuts through the steel bands and turns this intellect within and on itself, to face itself and see its ignorance. Sages declare that mantra is life, that mantra is action, that mantra is love and that the repetition of mantra, japa, bursts forth wisdom from within.

The book The Ancient Power of Sanskrit Mantra and Ceremony, Volume I defines Om Namah Shivaya as:
"This mantra has no approximate translation. The sounds related directly to the principles which govern each of the first six chakras on the spine...Earth, water, fire, air, earth. Notice that this does not refer to the chakras themselves which have a different set of seed sounds, but rather the principles which govern those chakras in their place.

Beej Aksharas

The five syllables of this Mantra na, ma shi, va, ya are beej aksharas or seed-letters of the five elements of creation; earth, water, fire, air and ether. Flesh represents the earth, blood represents water; the body heat that helps in digesting food represents fire; the prana or life giving force represents air; and the mind represents ether.

Constant repetition of these holy syllables, either verbally or mentally generates powerful spiritual vibrations that render the mind pure and one pointed directing it inwards, heaing ultimately to the awakening of the kundalini, the spiritual energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine, the muladhar, in each individual.

"Na" refers to the Gross Body (annamayakosa), "Ma" refers to the Pranic Body (pranamayakosa), "Shi" or "Chi" refers to the Mental Body (manonmayakosa), "Va" refers to the Intellectual Body (vignanamayakosa) and "Ya" refers to the Blissful Body (anandamayakosa) and "OM" or the "silence" beyond these syllables refers to the Soul or Life within.

Om Namah Shivaya can be analyzed according to the elements, chakras and colors:
OM arises at the sixth chakra, and is associated with the mind. The mind has no element. It is essentially a formless vortex of light.

NA arises at the root chakra at the base of the spine and is associated with the element of Earth and is yellow in color.

MA arises at the second chakra and is associated with the element of water and is green in color.

SHI arises at the third chakra at the navel and is associated with the element of fire and is red in color.

VA arises at the fourth chakra at the heart and is associated with the element of air and is white in color.

YA arises at the fifth chakra at the throat and is associated with the element of ether and is blue in color.

MAHADEVA, BECAUSE HE DOES IT FOR THE WORLD...

MAHADEVA, BECAUSE HE DOES IT FOR THE WORLD...

We have heard the story of How Shivji got His name Neelkanth. Becasue of drinking the poison at Samundra manthan. But the key note to understand ,is this: In the mad rush for all material things,we create a lot of venom. This manifests as a poison. The poison of disease, the poison of Nature's fury, like global warming or ice age, the poison of society's pitfalls: dowry, infanticide, ill treatment to widows and so on. This is the modern day halahal or Vish. Now it takes some good men to consume that poison, meaning to neutralise the effect. Not Only the danavs but interestingly more so, the devatas were only interested in the material goodies. leaving Shiva to dispose all the venom caused by this greed.

To borrow from my book, The Yogi and the snake: "For the Shiva conscious man has a greater task he must partake a little venom spilled by the Shiva conscious snake"

THE MOST SACRED KNOWING

THE MOST SACRED KNOWING.

A portrayal of Lord Shiva and Parvati both paying respect to their own symbol, the Shivlinga is rather enigmatic but it means simply this:
That they are their own first votaries, they uphold the Universe with theprinciples of creation that they manifest. If they set rules, they abide by them 
This is the sign of complete realisation, to salute the God principle, knowing that they have come from it, and in a time before world time, it, has come from them.
Aum ShivShakti Namah.

Navratri festival lights up India Square in Jersey City this weekend

The Jersey City Navratri festival is lighting up India Square this weekend. 

The giant block party is a Hindu celebration of the Goddess Durga. The festival was held on Newark Avenue between Tonnelle Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard on Friday night, and will continue tonight, as well as next weekend on Oct. 4 and 5. 

-nj.com/hudson