Sadhana

Eclipses

Rahu, SadhanaMarch 14, 2025308Views 4Likes 0Comments

Eclipses, especially solar eclipses, are considered one of the most powerful times for sadhana, though normal temples remain closed. Tantric texts recommend special mantra purashcharan during a grahan, and initiation into new sadhana during this period is highly recommended, except if the duration of the eclipse includes either sunrise or sunset—then that grahan is to…

On Skanda

Sadhana, SkandaMarch 4, 2025310Views 7Likes 0Comments

Kartikeya, Skanda, Kumara, Subrahmanya, Dandapani, and Guha—these are some of the most powerful Sanskrit names of the god who is regarded as the general of the Divine Army. Kartikeya means "belonging to the Krittikas," which are a cluster of nakshatras known as the Pleiades in modern astronomy. Krittika is where Agni is born, and its symbol…

Pitrupaksha

Articles, Rituals, SadhanaSeptember 16, 20245KViews 27Likes 0Comments

It is considered auspicious to chant this Pitru Stotram during the fourteen days of Pitrupaksha, which is going on now, while lighting a diya for the departed ancestors. Apart from this, for pinda daan or tarpana with til, it should be done by the eldest member of the family or through a Brahmin who performs…

Vatuka Mahabhairava

Bhairava, SadhanaSeptember 10, 20243KViews 27Likes 3Comments

वरवीरयोगिनीगणसिद्धावलिपूजितांघ्रियुगम् | अपहृतविनयजनार्तिं वटुकमपादानाभिदं वन्दे || - अभिनवगुप्त (975-1025) 'I salute Vatuka, the remover of pain, who took away the troubles of people; whose pair of limbs are worshipped by a string of the best— the vira-s, yogini-s, and siddha-s.' The reason for invoking Vatuka (when done correctly) is to manage all the negative forces that may affect…

SACRIFICE

Sadhana, Shakti, VishnuAugust 20, 20244KViews 24Likes 4Comments

Akal Bodhan, or the untimely awakening, while not originating from the Valmiki Ramayana, has had such a powerful impact on the consciousness of the Hindu people that even today the celebration of Durga carries on unabated and continues to grow year after year during this particular period. The Shakta texts have a retelling of this episode.…

The Spiritual Aspiration

Articles, SadhanaAugust 15, 20243KViews 15Likes 2Comments

There is a story of Lahiri Mahasaya in which there was once a famous Pandit of Kashi who came to him. He was learned in the Shastras and highly orthodox, with strict dress codes, food, rules of engagement, etc. The gentleman was very well known and highly regarded. So he came to Lahiri Mahasaya after…

DEBUNKING RHETORIC OF ONLY-HOMA : PART 2

Articles, SadhanaFebruary 18, 2021903Views 1Like 1Comment

We received emails stating objections against our post on homa from homa propagandists. Debunking the counterpoints and for greater visibility here is another post.. 1. 1/10th homa of japa count means one need not do japa just doing 1/10th count homa is equally powerful. It is just a creative way of writing in shastras. A: No. This…

ANALYSING VALIDITY OF ONLY-HOMA AS A METHOD OF SADHANA – 1

Articles, Mantra, Philosophy, Sadhana, TantraJanuary 20, 20211KViews 3Likes 2Comments

Myth Busting About Fire Rituals on the Holy Occasion of Kartika Poornima and Deva Deepavali It is a modern-day trend a new-agey idea that by doing fire rituals alone – homa/havan - one can make great spiritual progress or faster progress. Not only is it a myth but a dangerous one propagated by self-serving individuals…

THE ILLUSION OF EXPERIENCES

Articles, Philosophy, Sadhana, ShivaAugust 11, 20191KViews 6Likes 1Comment

To be alive is to have experiences. But the only test of the authenticity or otherwise of an experience is the impact it leaves. Very often in spirituality experiences are nothing more than a projection of ones own deepest desires. There are often people who claim to have visions of deities or saints or other holy characters…

MAHAKALA

Articles, Sadhana, Shiva, TantraAugust 11, 2019682Views 3Likes 1Comment

Of the 12 jyotirlingas of Shiva, Ujjain is the place where Shiva appears as Mahakala. This form of Shiva is closely linked to hs Southern face of Aghora (meaning non-terrible where samsara is considered as terrible), the element of fire, and inspiration for the non-mainstream path of Yoga which goes by the name of Aghora. Though…

MANTRA ANUSTHANA – PART 2

Articles, SadhanaJune 18, 20191KViews 2Likes 3Comments

Book: Voice of Babaji The mode of repetation of a mantra wth feeling and in a particular manner, a definite number of times, with right observances, until a fixed number of japa is reached, in order to obtain substantial benefit out of the mantra, is called a purashcarana. The practitioner has to observe certain rules and…

VERSES FROM SADHANA PADA OF YOGASUTRA BY SWAMI VIVEKANANDA

Articles, Sadhana, VedantaMay 27, 2019472Views 0Likes 1Comment

1. तऩ्स्वाध्यामेश्वयप्रणिधानाणन णिमामोग् ॥ १॥ tapahsvadhyayeshvarapranidhanani kriyayogah Mortification, study, and surrendering fruits of work to God are called Kriya Yoga. Commentary: The first step, the preliminary step, is called Kriya Yoga. Literally this means work, working towards Yoga. The organs are the horses, the mind is the reins, the intellect is the charioteer, the soul is…