​We know that Lord Rama (also written as Ram) had a very tough life-path. Even though he was God incarnate, his life on earth was full of strife and challenges. He finds a very loving, beautiful wife only to first have her abducted and then when he is frees her and bring her home, he has to again send her away to follow his duty as a righteous king!

At an apparent level, it does not seem like the life of a ‘hero’. But when we really study his life, he is a true hero, because thru all the challenges that come his way, he shows us how to face them with faith, righteous behavior, and true dignity. That is the reason why Lord Rama is considered as an example of an ‘ideal man’. Even though he faces myriads of challenges, he continues to walk his life-path, his reason for incarnating on this earth.

Something to think about... in general and particularly, as we approach his day of incarnation (Rama Navami) … what are some of the challenges that you are facing in your life that is making you question your life-path and purpose?

If you are sure that, that is what you are here on earth for, then pray to Lord Rama and ask for his blessings, strength, and support so you too can face your fears and challenges and continue to walk on your life-path. And ofcourse, if you doubt or wonder about your life-path then still you can pray to him and ask for his guidance and insight, so that you will obtain the needed clarity of life-purpose.

Lord Rama who signifies the Sun, helps to light our life and our path. He can bring us clarity of vision and purpose. He can also help us to face our fears and muster up the needed courage to face our challenges and do the tough tasks while walking our life-path and fulfilling the purpose why we were born on this earth.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Rama Navami… Jai Shree Ram…

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Gudi Padva (also written as Padwa) signifies the start of the new luni-solar year and is celebrated as a new year in many parts of India. It also signifies the start of Chaitra Navaratri, the nine nights special celebration of our dear mother Goddess- Shakti (more known in her forms of Durga and Kali). 
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It comes after the last new moon of the luni-solar calendar which occurs with both Sun and Moon in Pisces. Then on the following day of pratipada (i.e., first day of shukla paksha, or waxing moon), Sun enters the sign of Aries and marks the beginning of first month, Chaitra of the new Hindu calendar year.

As Sun enters the sidereal zodiac of Aries, it gains much strength in its sign of exaltation. Such a powerful transition of Sun brings an influx of energy and vitality to earth and all its inhabitants. It brings such cosmic delights into our lives!

The day of Gudi Padva is typically celebrated with lot of fun and fanfare… Oil bath and eating neem leaves are believed to be some of the must-do rituals on this day. This day is also celebrated as Samvatsara Padvo as well as Ugadi (or Yugadi) in different parts of India.

It is important to note that Gudi Padva is one of the three and half days of auspicious (shubh) muhurtas as per the Vedic considerations. Because of this, if one wants to do any auspicious work on this day then it is not as imperative to consider special muhurta (time of action) considerations. Ofcourse one can choose to do their work during the Abhijeet muhurta of the day, to make it an even more auspicious time to commence their endeavors!

Read More:

• What is the Abhijeet Nakshatra? Understanding the power of the Abhijeet Nakshatra- to become the Final and Supremely Victorious One!! (Utilizing the Power of Nakshatras for Success and Wellbeing- series)
  
• Timing is everything!! How you can better time your work and events to ensure most success in your endeavors
• How can we benefit from utilizing Muhurta (auspicious time) when doing important activities?

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Intellect has always been highly regarded and rightly so! We would not be able to do even the most mundane of tasks without knowing what we need to do (‘vs’ what we should not). 
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The Power of Discrimination (a bad translation word choice in English) better called vivek shakti in Sanskrit is absolutely important. BUT being analytical and discriminatory about evaluating ideas should not be confused with harboring a “doubting mind”!

​After all ‘Doubting Oneself’ and ‘Doubting Another’ with the names of Shumbh and Nishumbh are two of the demons that are slayed during the Nine Night festival of Mother Shakti (Navratri). This by itself show how detrimental doubt can be and how it can play the role of a ‘demon’ in our life. 

Does that mean we believe and accept all that we hear and read? Not at all! We ofcourse need to question what we are told- but that should not simply be endless doubting. But a proper questioning, research and evaluation of findings. What we need to do is enhance our sense of perception, so we are able to gauge the truth (when we come across it) and develop our intellect, so we are able to discern the appropriate from the inappropriate without the need for incessant doubts!

Observe your thoughts to see if you question with the analytical approach of the intellect or simply question and ‘doubt’ new concepts, ideas and so on…

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In today's day and age, we see many who portray as if they are pious and wish/do good for others and society at large. But, in reality, they are only looking out for themselves! Are you being influenced by such a person? Are you such a person?

We may feel that life is about being successful, achieving accolades and ultimately all this will make us "happy"- but the reality is that, we did not come here with anything and we will not be able to take anything along with us after our death.

BUT, what will allow us freedom from this repeated cycle of birth and death will be to seek out the truth- of our existence! The truth of Supreme Existence, of Brahman.

So, can you create some time in your busy schedule each day to devote to your own ”true" well-being? A well-being that will not only have real meaning but will also impact your life, now and thereafter.

Can you set some time aside to pray, meditate, contemplate, read scriptures and anything that will allow you to glimpse within- where the truth exists within each one of us. After all, "what is above, so is below" is not just a famous phrase. It indicates the presence of the divine, of the supreme truth within each one of us.

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​Mantras are syllables that create vibrations internally in the person who chants.  They are not just usual sound as created while uttering any other word, but capable of transforming one’s mind to evolve spiritually. 

The result of mantra japa can be compared with that of a stone thrown into a pond that create waves, but goes into the deep.  Mantras has the power to experience the depth of the mind, by creating waves at the surface level.  

The practice of mantra japa results in expressing one’s own impressions of the mind as it starts diving into the depths. Every mantra has “bija” mantra or bijaksharas.  They are otherwise called as the seed included in each mantra. 

In Hindu tradition, there are mantras associated with each deity, but the ultimate goal of chanting mantra is to increase awareness, concentration and to go into the deep planes in the mind. “Aum” is the widely known mantra and that itself is a “bija” mantra. 

Most of the mantras starts with “AUM”.  There are some occasions where “Aum” is chanted three times before the starting of slokas, comprised of mantras. Some of the bija mantras are: Aum, Ham, Yam, Ram, Vam, Lam.  Bija mantra can otherwise be called as mystic sound generated through the chanting of mantra. 

In spiritual practice, mantra japa helps to gain awareness and increase concentration. It helps a lot to concentrate on one’s “ishta devata”, the favorite deity, thus helping to meditate by sitting in a fixed posture.  Mantras are part of tantric tradition that deals with the awakening of the consciousness lying within every human being. It is also known as the awakening of kundalini power by awakening the chakras.  Bijaksharas are formulated in such a way to awaken these chakras so that the individual consciousness is expanded to become universal consciousness. 

Mantras are said to have revealed in the consciousness of sages before ages. And among these, Bija mantra is the first syllable in each mantra.  Each bija mantra has association with its mantra. For example, Lord Shiva’s bija mantra is “hraum”, “dum” is Durga’s mantra and “kreem”, of Kali. It is believed that the subtle forms of these mantras exist in this cosmos. Bija mantras are beyond the intellectual understanding and usual grammatical rules in any language. 

Repeated, concentrated mantra japa takes the practitioner to various planes of consciousness by experiencing the inner silence.  In tantric tradition, chakras in the human body has immense important in awakening the consciousness. Vibration of mantras touch these chakras by making changes in the mind of the practitioner. 

What are you thinking most of the time? Are you fearful? Many people claim that they are happy and/or that they are truly spiritual, they believe in a divine wisdom and so on.

But if they were to truly observe their thoughts, they would realize that even if they feel they claim to be spiritual and believe in a higher consciousness, their thoughts are filled with fear, doubts and other negative emotions! 
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And such negative emotions are not the sign of true faith, surrender or devotion.  

How are you leading your day? Are you living it consciously- making the appropriate choices and carrying out the required actions in a truly involved but not attached manner, i.e. as Karma Yoga? Is your heart immersed in faith and devotion? Not just on special festive days or when you visit a temple, but each day. 

It is important to be aware and conscious of how you are living each day, which will lead to a lifetime of set patterns and these patterns (samskars 'or' karmic tendencies) will not only determine the final outcome but also thereafter. 

Each moment of each day is important and complete in its own right and when lived in an appropriate manner with proper attention and heartfelt intension, ensures a lifetime of happiness and a glorious thereafter.

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Yantra is the symbolic, physical form of Mantra carrying the subtle effect of Mantra.  It is basically an instrument with symbols drawn comprising of geometrical shapes which has the power to make the mind focus or concentrated. In traditional way, it is drawn in a metal sheet, especially in copper metal sheets.  Best examples are “swastika chakra”, “sri yantra”, etc.  
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One yantra is comprised of several geometrical figures like circles, triangles, horizontal and vertical lines, point, square, etc.  These are carved on metallic plate from several dimensions and angles. It may look downward, upward, etc. 

In Hindu mythology, it is believed that by wearing these yantras, one can achieve good fortunes and it is said that planets can influence on the people who wear it.  Some of these yantras are capable of attracting energy which can bring luck for the person for a given period of time. Some of them also represent astronomical position of planets during a given period of time.

Concentrating on these symbols in yantras can also help in brining good karma, getting rid of the ill-effects of past karmas, etc. Each geometric element in the yantra represents five nature elements in the universe like air, water, fire, knowledge, etc. These symbols are inscribed on metal sheets with the help of mantras by which the symbols get the power to represent cosmic powers and divinity.

Similar way, chanting mantra after wearing the yantra on one’s body will also help the aspirant to evolve spiritually. It is a kind of esoteric concept which is not followed by everyone. While yantra is something physical and gross, mantra is subtle, still more powerful. 

Scientifically, it is said that the geometrical shapes carved on the yantra is just an epitome possessed by the human brain.  That is the reason why the mind is attracted towards certain symbols which has created impressions on the human mind in previous births. These yantras cannot be made anytime, but prepared during certain date and time, according to the procedures defined in Vedas.

Some people who believe in certain deities wear yantras with a belief that it protect them from bad misfortunes and bad luck that arise in the life because of past karma. Precisely, mantra and yantra are based on tantric principles to be used as tools to evolve spiritually.  

Both mantra and yantra has the power to transform the mind as decided by the aspirant. Yantras are also used in black magic which can be harmful for the person if not used in proper ways.