What’s the difference between a puja for a male deity and a puja for a female deity (such as Shiva/Durga)? In my opinion, we all agree that there is one God/Goddess with a multitude of names. These names are indicative of the various attributes which we describe to God/Goddess. Even though, we know that She/He […]
Why Attachment Brings Inefficiency?
Does attachment bring inefficiency? If so, what is the process which brings this phenomenon? What has Sri Krishna taught us about this? “A quote from the Gita clarifies Krishna’s teaching on inefficiency”: “karmany akarma yah pasyed akarmani ca karma yah sa buddhiman manusyesu sa yuktah krtsna-karma-krt~ Bhagavad Gita, 4.18” “One who sees inaction in action, and […]
How to Stop Spending Energy on Guilt and Past
“So many people live under the weight of intense guilt. Sometimes the guilt is rooted in the religious teachings the person has received. Sometimes it’s rooted in social or familial teachings. Often people suffer from feelings of guilt over situations they couldn’t have controlled. How is the phenomenon the West calls “guilt” described in our […]
Why we should wait for right “The Moment”?
After many hundreds of conversations with spiritual seekers over the last several years, I have noticed a recurring theme. It was as common in India as it was with Sanatana Dharma devotees in the West: Many people seem to be waiting for a moment to arrive when they can completely embrace ascetic practices like keeping […]
What if a person’s bad karma prevents them from even making a start on ascetic practice?
What if one’s prarabdh Karma doesn’t allow one to fully embrace a life of renunciation or being or performing as a monastic or ascetic, (at least in the short to medium term) of their life due to fulfillment of their karmic lessons and patterns. How does one still continue to be true to Verses in […]
Difference Between the Worship of Shree Maha-Laxmi and of Shree Laxmi
Namaste Swamiji, what is the difference between the worship of Shree Maha-Laxmi and Shree Laxmi. Lakshmidevi is Mahavidya whereas Mahalakshmi is Angavidya in Shakti Tantra. Lakshmi Devi or Kamala Devi is a maha vidya and wife of Mahavishnu. Lakshmi Devi has two forms Sridevi and Bhudevi. What we see with Mahavishnu is Sridevi, whom we believe […]
Minimal Chandi Path When Short on Time
What is the a minimal version of the tantric Chandi Path, short on time? What other prayers must one offer apart from Sidhhi Kunjika stotram etc. Please kindly provide a list. The proper question is not what one needs to do. Rather, it is how much more can we do? We have given so many […]
Why chant the 1000 names of Shiva?
Pranaam. As we are chanting the 1000 names of Shiva now, in order to be inspired for such an endeavor, would it be okay to ask what the purpose of chanting the 1000 names of any form of Divinity is, and what bhavna should one hold while chanting the 1000 names? Thank you, understanding the […]
Paramatman and his relationship with various deities
Paramatman and his relationship with various deities such as Vishnu or Shiva, as they manifest in duality. Who is Paramatman? “Paramatman”, we need to understand what “Atman” means. The word “Atman”, denotes the Individual Self. The word “Paramatman” expresses Boundless Life, Boundless Substance in Boundless Space. Thus, Paramatman is meant as the Atman of all atmans or the Supreme Self. […]
How important is to perform sadhana in a place of power?
How important is to perform sadhana in a place of power such as a cave, temple, etc. doing it at home is enough? Or if the opportunity appears, should we take advantage and do sadhana in special places? Power of Sadhana– It has the power to elevate our entire state of being, opens us to receive, and attunes […]
How Sankalpa plays a major role on festivity?
Question:- When we are doing a Sahasra Chandi or other lengthly anusthans, how important are holidays like Ekadashi, Maha Shivaratri or even Navaratri? Should we give all the importance to the Sankalpa and not mind about these holidays? First, let me tell you what is Sankalpa? Sankalpa means an intention formed by the heart and […]
The Paramatman
Please teach us a little about the Paramatman and its relation to the jivas. Paramatman is the absolute atman, or supreme Self, in various philosophies such as the Vedanta and Yoga schools in Hindu theology, as well as other Indian religions like Sikhism. The Paramatman is the Supreme Soul, or the collection of all the […]
Happy New Year! January Sankalpa
Namaste Friends and Family, Shree Maa and Swamiji have just blessed us with a new group sankalpa to kick the New Year off on the right foot. The purpose of these sankalpas is to not only be praying for ourselves and our families, but also to pray for world peace and harmony. They lovingly choose […]
What is the process for “converting to Hinduism”?
What is the process for “converting to Hinduism”? Where does one begin? What daily practices are important at first? Is there a reading list? We believe that becoming a Hindu is a matter of behavior, rather than a vow to worship or eat in a certain way. Please see our definition for Hindu at Meaning of […]
Morning Satsang With The Family!
Every morning at 8 am PST (9:30 pm IST), we are chanting the Secret Bijas of the Chandi. It is also included in the Samasti Chandi Bijamantratmaka book, so everyone should already have a copy. We will do that until the 31st morning. On the 31 st night we will do Seedha Chandi Path, and […]