Who is your Ia-deva(t)?

[Poeticus]

I need to learn more about this...I went to a class today taught by two very sweet Bengali sisters and their uncle, I should have asked about caffeine.

Before you ask anyone, how about you read certain Shruti texts that discuss the consumption of intoxicants. Then, if I were you, I would make a list of questions using Shruti verses as your focal point. Only then, it would be fruitful to ask what would be okay and what would not be okay. But, ask these questions to many Hindus of many backgrounds. Beware of the Hindus that say that Hinduism has always been against alcohol and all that jazz. Ask them to quote scripture, preferably Shruti scripture, and more preferably - the Shri Shruti Rig Veda.

Muahahaha!

 

[Maija]

Before you ask anyone, how about you read certain Shruti texts that discuss the consumption of intoxicants. Then, if I were you, I would make a list of questions using Shruti verses as your focal point. Only then, it would be fruitful to ask what would be okay and what would not be okay. But, ask these questions to many Hindus of many backgrounds. Beware of the Hindus that say that Hinduism has always been against alcohol and all that jazz. Ask them to quote scripture, preferably Shruti scripture, and more preferably - the Shri Shruti Rig Veda.

Muahahaha!

This is a good idea.

DUH.

:yes:

I could go right to the source. Eesh, I hope the answer is it's all gravy, baby! :beach: jk

Although, I did learn to make some really nice "Tulsi ki Chai," with vanilla almond milk, everyone loved that!

If Tulsi the plant, is really more than a plant, Sri Tulasi Devi..that means that I have more similarities with Catholicism..it's like communion!

Is it odd for any people to consume what is holy and worship-able?

 

[Poeticus]

Is it odd for any people to consume what is holy and worship-able?

Definitely not. Water is holy, according to the Shri Vedas.

EDIT: But, I would leave the communion analogy out, though. It's just.......nauseating.

 

[Maija]

Definitely not. Water is holy, according to the Shri Vedas.

EDIT: But, I would leave the communion analogy out, though. It's just.......nauseating.

That made me LOL.

:help: I'm tired...going to sleep

Thought about editing, but I hope no one is insulted, it just might be entertaining for others to read what goes through a newbie's head.

Officially, no one should feel ashamed to ask questions now!

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

I am trying to see if I can organize something for Janmashtami, our local ashram doesn't celebrate the big holidays traditionally. I feel odd being so new to this, the one to initiate something so sacred but...not odd enough for it to stop me..

please please you must do this , if you like some help I can tell you some simple things you can do ,

does the ashram keep a bala gopal deity ? or even picture of gopal ji ?

I may be creating a new thread asking advice for how to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami in a way that is in line with tradition.

what is the tradition of your ashram ?


do not worry over the years I instituted a few things which wernt being done as long as it is done correctly it will be well received .

 

[ratikala]

This is a good idea.

DUH.

:yes:

I could go right to the source. Eesh, I hope the answer is it's all gravy, baby! :beach: jk

Although, I did learn to make some really nice "Tulsi ki Chai," with vanilla almond milk, everyone loved that!

If Tulsi the plant, is really more than a plant, Sri Tulasi Devi..that means that I have more similarities with Catholicism..it's like communion!

Is it odd for any people to consume what is holy and worship-able?

many vaisnava do not use tulsi devi for any thing more than offering to krsna , because yes , she is more than a plant she is devi ,......
there are many good tea recipies if you want an alternative to caffine , or what about lasi with safron and cardamon
almond milk will also make many good drinks without need to use tulsi devi

 

[Andal]

I am trying to see if I can organize something for Janmashtami, our local ashram doesn't celebrate the big holidays traditionally. I feel odd being so new to this, the one to initiate something so sacred but...not odd enough for it to stop me..

I may be creating a new thread asking advice for how to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami in a way that is in line with tradition.

I also felt like I didn't chose this path the way I have chosen others, I prayed for years to be shown a way, be given direction and finally it came.

Namaste!

How wonderful! You will bring a special gift to the ashram. Do you have deities housed in the ashram?

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Maija]

namaskaram :namaste



please please you must do this , if you like some help I can tell you some simple things you can do ,

does the ashram keep a bala gopal deity ? or even picture of gopal ji ?



what is the tradition of your ashram ?


do not worry over the years I instituted a few things which wernt being done as long as it is done correctly it will be well received .

The Ashram has more pictures than murtis, I think more of Shivaji than Lord Krishna, I saw none of Gopal Krishna or Makhan Chor (baby Krishna?).

I may buy a few beautiful prints from Vrindavan Das's website, like 3 and put them in longish frame.

I may also bring flowers and lovely fruits to offer!

Spiritual Teachings on Meditation, Feminine Mysticism, Science, Sustainable Social Paradigms, Neohumanism, PROUT, Tantra, Kundalini, Chakras, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga | Ananda Seva Mission

This is the website, they follow teachings of Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. I knew nothing of him before and they chant "Baba Nam Kevalam" before meditations. But, I go to the regular kirtan where we sing a variety of bhajans.

Is anyone fasting till midnight on this day?

 

[Yogi1054]

My teacher is from Bengal so I've always has a close love of Ma especialy in her more Tantric form. Recently I have been drawn towards Lord Skanda and his avartar Ba Balk Nath - really felt my heart move the first time I saw there images and then I knew why - they are both Yogis like me!

Jai Jai Lord Skanda

Jai Baba!

 

[NobodyYouKnow]

Om Swastiastu.

I found this thread and thought I would share my Ishwar (I have two) and also, to give a brief background about my beliefs so others can view my posts based on this.

1. Lord Shiva - Bhairava Form.

Why this form? I really like the story about the Jyotir Lingam (representing Brahman Infinite) and Lord Brahma's claim to have discovered the end of his arrogant knowledge ( a totally Vedic concept). Thus, he was punished from within the Lingam itself!

Apart from that, this form appears on all the shrines and temples in Bali, Indonesia as a 'Temple Guardian' (in Lord Bhairava's role as that) and watched over me as a child. I found something about His fearsome face both intriguing and comforting simultaneously. I wasn't scared of Lord Shiva in this form.

I posted this in another thread and shall copy it here:

My Ishwara is Lord Bhairava. Bhairava's Shakti (feminine force) is Bhairavi Ma.
Lord Bhairava is Kala Bhairava in the Divine Aspect (In Buddhism, this is called Vairochana).
Kala Bhairava is synonymous with Maha Kala - that which oversees the Dance of Lord Nataraja, as a Master of Time would.
As stated, Maha Kala's feminine aspect is Maha Kali.
Therefore, Bhairavi Mata is also Maha Kali.

I also worship the Divine Goddess and a huge note here:

You can't reach Lord Shiva except through Divine Mother as per the Vijnana Bhairava Tantras (my sacred books), but I still primarily worship Lord Shiva in the above Cosmic manifestation that beheaded Lord Brahma.

2. Sri Ardharnarishwar.

Reaching an understanding of the above, I had to reconcile it with another aspect of my whole belief system, Advaita Vedanta.

Seeing the dual aspect of the nature of both Shiva and Shakti, I wanted to apply nihilism logic and beheld the beautiful form of Sri Ardharnarishwar.

It also fit in nicely with my background in the Shaiva Agama Tantras and Traditions (I adopted from a very early age) and the next step was to study Adi Shankaracharya - Soundarya Lahari.

I include both Ishwara in my heart, soul and in my daily prayers. they both/each and all have my heartfelt pranams and surrender over and over...

Om Namah Shivay.