@trablano; I can say without a doubt that many Hindus do not accept Jesus as any sort of deity. Or Allah (Ma forbid!) or Yahweh. They are antithetical to what most of Hinduism stands for; acceptance and tolerance as the religions that have sprung up around these deities claim that you're going...
As all forms of God are, ultimately, emanating from the one source, it is no problem for them to take singular or multiple forms. Thus we have Bhu Devi and Sri Devi; same deity in essence but expanded to be more lovable and worshippable. Why else would She take so many forms? She has so many...
I think perhaps Shakti worship started as Tantric and was slowly Brahminised over time. Those Goddesses who were easy to co-opt, like Saraswati and Lakshmi, were welcomed into Tantric worship whereas Parvati, Durga and Kali went the other way slowly becoming tamed and Brahminical but even then...
This is exactly one of my worries! If someone claims to be a world guru... how can they really care for each disciple? I think I shall just turn to Shiva as I always have; the Adi Guru will lead my way.
Of all the comments so far, yours has been the most helpful, @Vinayaka. I think I simply needed someone else to say it to confirm my suspicions. I applaud Swami Nithyananda for his efforts to establish new temples around the globe but I do not think I can ever follow someone who says he can give...
Namaste friends
Does anyone know much about Swami Nithyananda? Any followers of him here? I ask because I have encountered a couple of his devotees as they have a store front/mini temple across from the Shri Shiva Visnu temple on the other side of town.
They all seem very happy and it looks...
I am a great slave to my Mata Ji, at whose feet I wish to be forever. I am a great slave because even though I am not the best, learned in all Her rituals and mantras but my devotion is true and one pointed to Her.
Jai Mata Di!
Please stay. We all have our differences; sometimes the forum gets very quiet (and then I hassle everyone to make noise) and sometimes it is voice loud. Sometimes I post regularly, other times there are gaps of months between my interactions but I'm still here, I still enjoy reading all the...
Thank you, everyone, for the advice, particularly @Viraja for your wonderful commentary.
@Viraja I had never thought of Lakshmi in the way you suggest. I think I will start looking at Her that way. While I know She is Ma as much as Parvati, Durga and Kali ma, I have never felt drawn to Her in...
Namaste, my dear friends!
I have something of an aversion to Lakshmi Mata through no fault of Her own but through my experiences with the Hare Krishnas and, I believe, the way She is associated with Lord Visnu. I like Her better when She is one of the Dasa Mahavidyas, Kamala Ma, than I do as...
I feel weird inviting God to come sit and because, culturally, I do not offer my guests anything but a drink and some food when they visit I feel weird going through all those steps...
All I do is occasionally offer flowers, light at least three incense sticks (because I have many varieties of...
I wanted to add my own voice even though I know it will not be adding much to the discussion.
What of the father? Genetically/biologically he only provides the incentive and requisite DNA material to trigger the multiplication of the cells within the egg within the womb. In extreme forms of...
This is a wonderful temple. I go there occasionally because I live on the opposite side of the city. Lucky for me there are three temples nearby on my side of town. The Shri Durga Mandir in Rockbank is of a similar size (that's my local temple). They serve bhandara every Sunday. Shri Durga...
I went and saw Ma today as my earthly mother is not in the same state or even within reasonable driving distance. Many people went to see Ma today. It was beautiful.
Namaste!
Everyone is so quiet! How is your sadhana going?
I read a book yesterday that perpetuates the myth that you must be born Hindu. That was frustrating! Thankfully it's from 1999 so it's almost 20 years out of date but it was still frustrating!
A while ago there was an argument within the community here about the gunas and despite how I tried I was unable to convince folks that tamas is not evil it is simply heavy, indolent and brings out our base emotions and needs. Ramakrishna has said exactly what I was trying to say here in this...