Vannakam,
My view is that there are many paths to moksha and one should follow the path of least resistance for themselves.
With that said name has power. There is energy in the sound vibrations of a name. Different names for God have different vibrations. For example Vishnu has 1008...
Vannakkam,
This is what is so amazing I feel about Sanatana Dharma, we have such different backgrounds and yet are united under the feet of Sriman Narayana :). Do you live in India?
Aum Hari Aum!
Yes I've been a member for years but post very infrequently. It's a bit more than affinity. I grew up Buddhist then transitioned to Vaishnavism :) What is your background?
Very nice to meet you as well. I think us ladies are few and far between on many of the forums. It's very lovely...
Wonderful! I thought you were. I am LakshmiDevi on there. I don't post super often though.
His openness comes through in his discourses. What an incredible blessing.
Pranam :)
Aum Hari Aum!
Vannakkam,
Viraja, are you the same Viraja from Hinduforums? If so, I have you to thank for this :) I am deeply enthralled with these videos. This came at the perfect time as I was feeling that every Sri Vaishnav video was in Tamil and then Sri Velukkudi Krishnan was brought to my...
Vannakkam,
On another forum a wonderful resource was suggested that I wanted to share.
If you are interested in Sri Vaishnavism check out Sri Velukudi Krishnan
Sri Velukkudi Krishnan - VisistAdvaitham COMPLETE - ENGLISH - Saranagathi.org - YouTube
Aum Hari Aum!
Vannakkam Jaya!
Many blessings to you on this endeavor. This will be a great blessing not only for your community but for all of us Hindu women (Indian and Western alike).
I remember reading an article a few years about on Hinduism Today where it has become some what fashionable in India to...
I am right there with you!
Sitting on the ghats in Varanasi for evening aarti with hundreds of people all worshiping Mother with what looks like thousands of lights, everyone singing with love. Or in the temple for Janmashtami, the vew minutes before midnight when they have shut the garbha...
There is no compulsion in Hinduism, there is no "need". Puja and what is included in it are at the discretion of the devotee, the tradition, the temple, and suggestions made in scripture.
I like puja with lots of frills, give me the grand ceremony. Does someone else like or need it? Maybe...
I think you misunderstand the purpose of puja. What you see as materialism is someone elses expression of love. For me puja is the main expression of bhakti I do. It is a part of my practice and an essential one at that. It has nothing to do with the materials. We choose the materials to...
Namaste!
I have really enjoyed reading everyone's responses. We are such a diverse group which is so wonderful. Here are my answers :)
1) Who is your Ishta-devata? Or the God that you pray most to?
Sri Vishnu
I see Krishna, Rama, Balaji, etc as Vishnu so Sriman Narayana is my ishta-devata...
When I was teaching religion at the university I taught a course about women in religion. As one of the readings, the students read about trangendered Krishna Bhaktas. Please forgive me for not remembering the source as I am a south Indian Vaishnava (not be ethnicity but by theology) as...
I grew up Pure Land Buddhists and along with meat and eggs, the pungent herbs were not allowed. I always took that as being because monks and nuns back in the day didn't have toothpaste.... Ah the wisdom of a teenager.. Anyway those who are strict Chinese Buddhists tend to follow these dietary...
Vanakkam,
Sri Sri Lakshmi Narayana is the source of all wealth and effluence. Ask Mata Lakshmi as she bestows many material boons. Lakshmi and Vishnu's yantras are also quite powerful. Others have also mentioned Ganeshaji.
Best to stick with established practices as opposed to creating...
Vanakkam,
I was born into a mixed family. My dad was Catholic, my mom went from Unitarian to Buddhist and back again. My older brother is atheist with slightly Daoist leanings, my younger brother is agnostic.
I was a Chinese Buddhist who was atheistic. I am now a fully theistic Hindu
Aim...
Sri Naryana Stotram
I love this video!
Sri Sankaracharya-Narayana Stothram-Priya Sisters - YouTube
This version has the english translation
Narayana Stotram - YouTube