The cult of Sūrya was widespread across Northern India at an ancient time. The deity was known by various names like Aditya, Arka, Bhānu, Savitru, Pushana, Ravi, Mārtanda, Mitra and Vivasvāna. Right from the hymns in the Rig Veda Sūrya was regarded with great reverence as dispeller of darkness and a symbol great spiritual power and advancement. During the Kushana era the worship of Surya reached a…
It is believed that there are twenty-eight primary Saiva Siddhanta texts and over 200 upagamas (smaller texts) which define the rituals and methods to be employed in the worship of Sadasiva in temples. Many of the Agamas are now extant only in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Description of temple rituals and the correct acara…
BE SILENT - The Truth Is by Sri H. W. L. Poonja (Papaji)
The purpose of all practice is Silence, your real nature. Without Silence you cannot be in peace so strive only for this. Even while active remain in Silence as Silence and be conscious of Silence always.
Ramana’s main teaching is Silence and it is this…
Excerpt from the book ADHYATMIKTA
QUOTE
Legend, as mentioned in yāmala texts like Rudra and Brahma, attests to a story, with slight variations, wherein Vasistha, son of Brahma, practiced severe austerity in Blue Mountains, Nilachala, at the site of the celebrated temple of goddess Kāmākhyā.
Unable to succeed in his sādhanā in spite of strenuous effort, an angry…
"prabhinnāńjana sańkāśam nīlasnigdhaśiroruhām
şađavaktrām dvādaśabhujām aşțādaśavilocanām
pratyekam şațasu śīrşeşu cańdrārdhakřtaśekharām"
Kameshvari's complexion is like split-coryllium, Her hair is black and smooth; She has six faces, twelve arms and eighteen eyes. Each of Her six heads are adorned with crowns, each having crescent moons as crest-jewel.
"maņimāņikyamuktādi křtamālāmura: sthale l
kaşțhe ca vibhratīm nityam sarvālańkāramaņđitām"
Her throat and breasts are adorned by…
KUNDALĪ SHAKTI’S INVOLUTION AND EVOLUTION
- The Serpent Power by Arthur Avalon
Shakti as Prakriti first evolves mind (Buddhi, Ahamkara, Manas) and senses (Indriya), and then sensible matter (Bhūta) of fivefold form (“ether,” “air,” “ fire,” “water,” “earth”) derived from the supersensible generals of the sense-particulars called Tanmātra.
When Shakti has entered the last and grossest Tattva (“earth”)…
MAHĀDEVĪ THE GREAT MOTHER - Serpent Power by Arthur Avalon
Some worship predominantly the masculine or right side, of the conjoint male and female figure (Ardhanārīśvara).
Some, the Śāktas, predominantly worship the left, and call Her Mother, for She is the Great Mother, the Mahādevī who conceives, bears, and nourishes the universe sprung from Her womb (Yoni).
This…
PROGRESSIVE STAGES IN ĀCĀRA - Introduction to Tantra
Arthur Avalon
There are seven, or, as some say, nine, divisions of worshippers. The extra divisions are bracketed in the following quotation. The Kulārṇava-Tantra mentions seven, which are given in their order of superiority, the first being the lowest: Vedācāra, Vaiṣṇavācāra, Śaivācāra, Dakṣiṇācāra, Vāmācāra, Siddhāntācāra, (Aghorācāra, Yogācāra), and Kaulācāra,…
"prabhinnāńjana sańkāśam nīlasnigdhaśiroruhām l
şađavaktrām dvādaśabhujām aşțādaśavilocanām l
pratyekam şațasu śīrşeşu cańdrārdhakřtaśekharām ll"
Kameshvari's complexion is like split-coryllium, Her hair is black and smooth; She has six faces, twelve arms and eighteen eyes. Each of Her six heads are adorned with crowns, each having crescent moons as crest-jewel.
"maņimāņikyamuktādi křtamālāmura: sthale l
kaşțhe ca vibhratīm nityam sarvālańkāramaņđitām ll"
Her throat and…
It must not be thought that, although Prakriti becomes conscious Shakti in manifestation, it is in any of its forms the ultimate object of worship.
Worship, however, implies a duality. And although essentially the worshipper and the worshipped are the same - and it is the realization of this Unity which is the end and aim…
The Mantra itself is Devatā, that is, the Supreme Consciousness (Cit-śakti) manifesting in that form.
śṛṇu devi pravakṣāmi bījānām deva-rūpatām |
mantroccārṇ amatrena deva-rūpam prajāyatte ||
Bṛhad-gandharva-Tantra (Ch. V)
The Mantra is awakened from its sleep (Mantra-caitanya) through the Sādhana Śakti of the mantrin. It is at base one and the same Śakti which appears as Sādhana-Śakti and Mantra-śakti,…
PRAYER AT THE FEET OF SRI SRI KĀLIKĀ
May the Maha-Devi who is called Kalika, Because She is without beginning or end,
Whose Body is imagined to be blue of colour, Because like the blue sky She pervades the World, And because She is Cidghana Sattvagunamayi.
Who is imagined to be black Because She is colourless and above the…
