Vannakkam,
In Vaishnava tradition there are several different relationships we can have with Sri Hari. The first is the attitude of majesty, God as the infinite lord of the universe. 2, the relationship of servant- already described here. 3, the relationship of friendship as exemplified by...
I admit it.... I'm a Shahrukh Khan fan-
To this day 2 of my favorite films are Veer Zarra and Kal Ho Na Ho.
For an Indian film without song and dance check out- Water. It's a drama that critiques the treatment of widows.
Another great film is Vanaprastham. This is a Malayalam film...
Mine is a small table with drawers for puja accessories. It's facing east. I have a very unique living situation because of work so it's in my room which means automatically it's just me who sees it unless someone close to me comes in (which is fine).
I had a friend ask me once to show him...
Agreed :)
The tide is turning and it is a truly exciting moment for India and Hindus internationally. Globally it's important as the largest successful democratic election.
It will be interesting to see what he does about caste politics given his background.
Aum Hari Aum!
Vannakkam,
Of course there is more to it. One could write a dissertation on Modiji's exchanges with the US. I have little doubt that the Bush administration's refusal of Modi had to do with their insistence on appeasement of certain groups.
In terms of Obama, I don't want this to turn...
Vannakkam Starry,
Don't feel ignorant at all. Those of us outside of India don't get a whole lot of news from Bharata Mata, and what does come out is very bias. Modiji was the head of Gujurat for several years. He elevated the state to the extent that they are the largest contributor to the...
I figured it was the "foreigner price".
I do not like the small murtis. I am legally blind and cannot see the tiny murtis. I prefer to be able to see the face of my Beloved. That in mind I do not display them either. My altar is kept in a private space. The statues not used in puja...
I have a Ganesh, Shivji, and Narayana all from Krishna Culture and they are very nice. I have found some places online that will carve and ship marble murties to the US. The price range seems to be about $120-$150 for a 12 inch murti (not counting shipping) for those in India, is this...
Just to continue you everyone has already said. It is a way of emotionally connecting us with the deity. Think of how tender the love must be to prepare clothing and dress the conduit of the deity's energy. It's a way of showing love and care. It makes the muftis seem more alive- a material...
Vannakkam,
You can get srinagar for deities from a variety of websites (if you are in the west and don't have access to it in markets). The prices vary from affordable to extravagant :). That is one path to go.
The other option as many have pointed out is to make your own. This can be an...
Vannakkam,
I look at prayer as an on going conversation. God knows what is in our hearts, after all he present there. I view prayer as a time to just talk and listen. Sure I use mantras to connect and if I am looking for a specific result. Ultimately though I'm on the path of bhakti and how...
This is an interesting question. Ideally I would marry a Hindu man (or at the very least has an affinity but hasn't committed) and we would create a Hindu home together.
Outside of that I could definitely marry someone with a mystical slant.
I couldn't marry anyone who would try to stop...
LOL Vinayaka, I know many guys who feel the same ;)
I think it's odd and I wonder if this was the culmination of the Manusmrti and Islam entering India. In ancient times women and men received the sacred thread. This is the grounds that Arya Samaj, Religioscope: India: a village where...