Shakti

APARAJITASTUTI – Hymn to the Invincible Devi

Articles, Sadhana, ShaktiOctober 17, 2018340Views 1Like 0Comments

The Chandipath is divided into three sections - charitras - each being equivalent to one of the three Veda-s: Rig, Sama, Yajur. The 3rd Charitra is the domain of Maharasraswati, and has given rise to some of the greatest theological and metaphorical interpretations of Shakta doctrine. The Bija of this section is Klim, which is…

THE SLAYING OF MAHISASURA (a liberal translation from the original text)

Articles, Sadhana, ShaktiOctober 13, 2018180Views 1Like 0Comments

As he saw the army being slaughtered, Ciksura, the great asura general went ahead in tremendous fury to battle Ambika. He rained showers of arrow on the Devi just as clouds shower the summit of Mount Meru. But easily shattering those volley of arrows, the Devi, in turn, killed Ciksura's horses and charioteer. Like lightning…

Devi Stuti: Symbolism of Madhu and Kaitabh

Articles, ShaktiOctober 12, 2018240Views 1Like 0Comments

One of the most beautiful sections of the #Caṇḍī Pāṭha is the stuti to the Devi done by Brahma, so that Vishnu can fight with the Asura-pair named Madhu and Kaitabha. The names Madhu and Kaitabh most easily remind us of madhu - honey, and a play on the word kITa - insect, a…

Siddha Kunjika Stotram

Articles, Sadhana, ShaktiAugust 9, 20182KViews 6Likes 2Comments

The modern text of the Chandipath that comes to us is an aggregate of various stotras and parts which were added over time, around the core of the 13 main chapters and which are helpful for sadhana. At the very end of the text we have the Siddha Kunjika Stotram which is often regarded as…

Jagannatha svami nayana-patha-gami bhavatu me

Articles, Shakti, VishnuJuly 14, 2018286Views 0Likes 1Comment

Jagannath is the Lord of the Kali Yuga - the form Lord Visnu takes to govern the last of the four Yugas in popular conception. But there is a mystery associated with true identity of Jagannath which has intrigued scholars for a long time. Some have speculated that the temple was originally a Baudha temple…

When Ramakrishna Became Kalpataru

Articles, Sadhana, Saints, ShaktiJune 24, 2018234Views 0Likes 0Comments

January 1, 1886, was " an event of unusual consequence and meaning" in the life of Sri Ramakrishna and his followers. Ramakrishna was suffering from throat cancer at that time, and his health was declining. It was a relatively good day for him, and he took a walk in the garden. And something strange…

The Power of Kamakhya

Articles, ShaktiJune 23, 2018405Views 2Likes 1Comment

In 1337 Muhammd Shah send 1,00,000 horsemen well equipped to Assam, but the whole Army perished in the land of witchcraft and not a trace of it was left. - A History of Assam by E.A.Gait, quoting Tabaqat-i-Nasiri. For long Assam and the kāmākhyā pitha has been known to outsiders as the place for 'black magic.' However,…

Ambubachi: The Greatest Celebration of Shakti

Articles, ShaktiJune 22, 2018212Views 2Likes 0Comments

From today starts the Ambubachi mela in Nilachal Parvat (blue mountain) of kāmākhyā, Kamrupa. Just like the Kumbha Mela is the great Hindu religious congregation open for all, Ambubachi is regarded as the biggest religious festival for those who have taken to the path of Tantra sadhana. Kamakhya is one of the 4 greatest śakti…

Prachanda Chandika: She Who Cuts off Her Own Head

Articles, ShaktiJune 18, 2018273Views 0Likes 0Comments

Chinnamastā is one of the most feared Mahavidya-s in the KaliKula tradition. She is shown having cut off her own head, and allowing two of her companions to drink from the jet stream that flows from her throat. Chinnamasta sadhanas started during the 4th century in India and slowly passed onto Mahayana Buddhism in the…

Durga Kavacha

Articles, ShaktiJune 10, 2018433Views 1Like 1Comment

In the worldview of the Tantra sadhaka the whole world consists of Shakti, every material and every moment has its own unique Shakti. A good knowledge of this allows the seeker to use different and exact materials, gathered at specific times using the knowledge of Tantric jyotisha, and combined by the application of powerful mantra-s…

Bhuvaneshwari

Articles, ShaktiJune 10, 2018266Views 0Likes 0Comments

While many Vedantic schools have fought over the ontological and philosophical status of Maya, in Shakta worldview Maya is the creative power of the Supreme. It is by acts of exclusive concentration that the Supreme is able to create a world of apparent divergence on the substratum of the Brahman. The gods are different from…

Mahākālī by Sri Aurobindo

Articles, ShaktiJune 9, 2018274Views 1Like 0Comments

Mahākālī is Adya Shakti in the pantheon of Dasa Mahavidya-s. She is the Mother from which all else has come, the first point of creation, an eternity of existence, and the undisputed mastery of the occult worlds. Sri Aurobindo writes beautifully on the spiritual significance of Mahākālī, while describing the four most powerful aspects…