Spiritual Traditions

Nov172018 by mahashuunyaNo Comments

In Search Of Bhagavati Tara – Part 2: Temples, Legends And Sadhakas

Hinduism, Shakta, Tantra, What is Hinduism

Source: Pragyata Mag The secrecy of the tantrik rituals involved in the worship of Tara have prevented her from taking a prominent place in mainstream Hindu imagination. But even a non-tantrik approach to her worship brings phenomenal benefits to the sadhaka. by Svechchachari (स्वेच्छाचारी) In the sampradāyas of eastern India where Tārā worship was most prominent, three temples were considered to be of utmost spiritual importance. First is Mahisi in the state of Bihar, known as Ugra Tārā sthana, second is Tārāpīṭh in Birbhum district of Bengal, and the third temple of importance to the cult of Tārā is in Bangladesh. These three were equated with the three eyes of the Goddess, with Tārāpīṭh being the Divine eye in her forehead. Additionally, it's reputation of bestowing quick success in sa

Nov132018 by mahashuunyaNo Comments

In Search Of Bhagavati Tara – Part 1

Hinduism, Shakta, Tantra, What is Hinduism

Source: Pragyata Mag Second in the list of the great Mahavidyas, the tantrik goddess, Tārā, is terrifying in appearance and yet is the one who saves, guides and protects. She ultimately helps her devotees to cross the ocean of duality. by Svechchachari (स्वेच्छाचारी) Second in the list of Mahāvidyāḥ-s, Tārā, holds a special place of reverence among Tantra sadhakas both within the Hindu fold and Vajrayāna Buddhists. To the later group this form of the Goddess has ascended to a position of such ubiquitous authority that to many lay followers Tārā has become synonymous with Tibetan Buddhism. The word Tārā or Tarini is derived from the root Sanskrita syllable “tar” which means to help cross over, as in the case of crossing an ocean, in this case symbolic of the ocean of samsara. Origi

Sep32018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

The Power of Meditation – BBC, Full Documentary

Kriya Yoga, Videos, Yoga & Meditation

Source: - 'Best Documentaries' YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYOiRsKAyg The term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (qi, ki, prana, etc.) and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity, and forgiveness. A particularly ambitious form of meditation aims at effortlessly sustained single-pointed concentration meant to enable its practitioner to enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being while engaging in any life activity.

Aug302018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

‘Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific?’ — A debate between Shri Chidanandapuri Swamigal and Shri C Ravichandran. (Part-4, with English Subtitle)

Advaita, Swami Chidanandapuri, Videos

Source: - Source: – @KolathurAshram Twitter Handle. To Read and watch the Third Part of the Debate, Please Click Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14V4_STK5r8 Next is C Ravichandran, who will speak for 40 mins. There is a question if there is something called as Sankara's Vedanta. He explained his point. I will say that there definitely is such a Vedanta. The reason I say this is because if there is a stream of thought which says that Vedanta is the end of the Vedas, then to claim that Dvaita and Advaita is one, is very difficult. Advaita is the straight opposite of Dvaita. When both these are also Vedanta, then it is is important to raise Sankara's Vedanta as a separate stream. Because more than 20 pandits who wrote commentaries for the Brahmasutra, never found in it the kind of t

Aug272018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

‘Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific?’ — A debate between Shri Chidanandapuri Swamigal and Shri C Ravichandran. (Part-3, with English Subtitle)

Advaita, Swami Chidanandapuri, Videos

Source: - @KolathurAshram Twitter Handle. To Read and watch the Second Part of the Debate, Please Click Here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGIiNgUL6HI Aum, Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Mahesvaraha, Gurusakshath Parambrahma, Tasmayishri Guruve Namaha. Aum Sadashiva Samaarambhaam, Sankaracharya Madhayam, Asmadacharya Paryantam, Vande Guru Paramparaam. Aum. "Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific" This is the title of this debate that is being organised by Yuktivada Pathana Kendram. Vedanta in the paramarthika realm is not a subject for debate or discussion. However, at the worldly level, it is a subject that can certainly be a matter of debate, or discussion or argument. Anyway, will start by explaining the circumstances that brought Swami Chidanandapuri, the individual, to this event. A per...

Aug222018 by StephanieNo Comments

Is Hinduism based on mythology or reality? [Excerpt]

Bhakti Yoga, Hinduism, Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e03w6qABqZw Source: Dharma Speaks Channel This is an excellent video that goes into explaining why Hinduism is not based merely on myths that seem fantastical. This video will help you gain a more nuanced understanding of Hindū texts which are based on using stories to help drive home the message at a spiritual level. Also, you will learn about efforts by scientists and researchers to corroborate Hindū texts as being far more than mere myths metaphorically teaching spiritual lessons . Learn about this at the above video.

Aug102018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

‘Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific?’ — A debate between Shri Chidanandapuri Swamigal and Shri C Ravichandran. (Part-2, with English Subtitle)

Advaita, Hinduism, Swami Chidanandapuri, Videos

Source: – @KolathurAshram Twitter Handle. To Read first part of the debate, Please click here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bykNnlfeCOM&feature=youtu.be My Namaskars to everyone. Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific is everyone's question. I am making my views clear here. I am saying No, No, No! I am bound to explain why I said "No" thrice, in my second part. When you say Sankara Vedanta, there are two parts to it; Sankara and Vedanta. We have a fair idea of who Sankara is. Was there such a person called Sankara, did he live in the BC or in the 4th century AD? However, popular dates for his existence place him between 788 - 820 AD. Because stories about Sankara, his Sankara Digvijayam, stories of his victory, are like the Suras and Hadis in Islam. They cause embarassment. For a man to have

Aug82018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

‘Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific ?’ — A Debate Between Sri Chidanandapuri Swamigal and Sri C Ravichandran [Part – 1, with English Subtitle)

Advaita, Swami Chidanandapuri, Videos

Source: - @KolathurAshram Twitter Handle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBffTkG3bN8 Topic of Debate: Is Sankara Vedanta Scientific ? Debaters: Shrimad. Chidanandapuri Swami, Shri. Ravichandran C. Venue: Womens Association Hall, Ernakulam, (13/04/2016). Organisers: Yuktivada Padana Kendram (Centre for Rationalism Studies). I call upon the former chairman of Yuktivada Pathana Kendram and program coordinator Shri. Babu G S to formally initiate the welcome proceedings of the program. **************** Friends, I invite all of you to this debate. All of you gathered here would have listened to and seen lots discourses and debates of Swami Chidanandapuri and Prof. Ravichandran. It was a long standing request for this debate from many of these people. We are very happy that you have chosen...

Jul202018 by tatvamaseeNo Comments

Why is it important to know about Shankaracharya?

Adi Sankaracharya, Advaita, Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBySaPAfiJg&t=39s Understanding Bhagwan Shankaracharya is to understand the avatar parampara of Sanatana Dharma. Understanding Shankaracharya is to understand, ‘unity in diversity’. Understanding Shankaracharya is to understand, national integration, to understand social reform. Understanding Shankaracharya is to understand the revival of Sanatana Dharma. To Shankarachya parampara goes the credit of protecting Sanatana Dharma from the continuous, relentless, persistent assault on its excellent tenets for the past 2500 years till date. If there were no Shankaracharya parampara, if Shankaracharya had not been born at all, you can imagine the catastrophe it would have spelled for Sanatana Dharma. There have been a total of 17 invasions on us. India

Jul202018 by tatvamasee1 Comment

Accomplishments of Bhagwan Shankaracharya

Adi Sankaracharya, Advaita, Featured, Hinduism, Spiritual Traditions, Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-pBRf9GU1g Bhagwan Shankaracharya was 8 years old when he left his house. He took sanyas at the age of 9 years. After that what he accomplished cannot even be conceived of today. Between the ages of 12 and 16 years, Bhagwan Shankaracharya wrote commentaries on Prasthanatrayi, 3 types of Prasthaan and 11 Upanishads. He wrote a commentary on Brahma Sutra. He wrote a commentary on Bhadarayana Maharishi Veda Vyasa’s Brahma Sutra. He wrote a commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam. It has been mentioned in “Shankar Digvijay” - “अष्ठवर्षे चतुर वेदान ते सर्व शास्त्र वित् षोडशे, कृत्वान भाष्यं द्वात्मनीशे मुनिरात्नादात I” It further says “चतुर्वेदाष्ठ्मे, द्वादशे सर्व शास्त्र वित् I षोडशे सर्व दिग जयता I द्वात्मनीशे मुनिरात्नादात I -- meaning at the age of 8 years Bh