I am You

Neither I am me,

nor you are you,

nor you are me.

Also, I am me,

you are you

and you are me.

We have become one

in such a way,

That I am confused whether

I am you,

or you are me.

The Lovers

will drink wine night and day.

They will drink until they can

tear away the veils of intellect and

melt away the layers of shame and modesty.

When in Love,

body, mind, heart and soul don't even exist.

Become this,

fall in Love,

and you will not be separated again.

Do you know what you are?

You are a manuscript of a divine letter.

You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.

This universe is not outside of you.

Look inside yourself;

everything that you want,

you are already that.

Tonight

is the night.

It is the creation of that land of eternity.

It is not an ordinary night,

It is a wedding of those who seek unity.

Tonight, the bride and groom

speak in one tongue.

Tonight, the bridal chamber

is looking particularly bright.

Go ahead: ask me!

Ask me about Love,

and I will tell you the essence of madness.

Ask me of an intellect gone mad,

and I will show you a soul departed for good.

Ask me of a hundred calamities,

of a hundred life transformations.

Ask me of a hundred deserts engulfed in fire.

Ask me of a hundred oceans red with blood.

I am an atom;

you are like the countenance of the Sun for me.

I am a patient of Love

you are like medicine for me.

Without wings, without feathers,

I fly about looking for you.

I have become a rose petal

and you are like the wind for me.

Take me for a ride.

By day I praised you

and never knew it.

By night I stayed with you

and never knew it.

I always thought that

I was me–but no,

I was You
and never knew it.

---By Jalalud’din Rumi,

transl. by Shahram Shiva

Puja to Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi 2014 date is August 29.
It's a simple, traditional worship ceremony to Lord Ganesha.

Åchamanam Water Sipping By the Pûjâri

Aum sumukhâya svâhâ
Aum ekadantâya svâhâ
Aum gajakarnakâya svâhâ
Aum! Hail to the God whose face is always shining!
Aum! Hail to the God who has only one tusk!
Aum! Hail to the God with huge elephant ears!

Vighneshvara Prârthanâ Ganesha Invocation

Aum shuklâmbaradharam vishnum
shashivarnam chaturbhujam
prasanna vadanam dhyâyet
sarvavighnopashântaye
Aum. O Lord dressed in splendid white, pervading the universe, shining radiantly like rays of the full moon,
having four mighty arms and a charming, happy face,we meditate on you that all obstacles may be quelled.
Salute Lord Ganesha by holding hands in añjali mudrâ,the prayerful pose. Then, while reciting the verse,
tap your temples lightly with your knuckles three times, as in the photo. Alternatively, you may cross
your arms before your face, the left hand tapping the right temple and vice versa. Return your hands to añjali
mudrâ while reciting the last words of the chant.

Sankalpam Dedication of Pûjâ, Statement of Purpose

Aum adya pûrvokta evangunasakala
visheshena vishishtâyâm asyâm shubhatithau
Aum Mahâganeshvaram uddishya
Mahâganeshvara prîtyartham
Mahâganeshvara prasâda siddhyartham
yathâ shakti (chant city) deshe (insert the time of day)
dhyânâvâhanâdi Ganesha pûjâm karishye
Aum apa upasprishya

Five periods of the day (insert one in chant)
ushah kâla......dawn
prâtah kâla.... morning
madhyâhnakâla...noon
sâyankâla....... evening
ûrdhvayâmakâla... night

At this particularly auspicious moment, time and place,on this auspicious day, so that we may realize the fullness of your grace, to the best of our ability this (insert time of day) Ganesha pûjâ we shall now perform.
Aum. By touching pure water we become pure.

Åvâhanam, Åsanam Welcoming and Offering a Seat

dhyâyâmi, âvâhayâmi, ratnasinhâsanam samarpayâmi
We now meditate on you, O Lord, and invite you to sit upon the jewel-studded,lion throne we have prepared for you.

Arghyam Washing the Lord’s Feet and Hands

pâdayoh pâdyam samarpayâmi
hastayoh arghyam samarpayâmi
We now humbly bathe each of your white lotus feet and gently wash each of your precious hands, Lord Ganesha.

Åchamanam Offering Water to Quench His Thirst

Aum bhûr-bhuvah suvah âchamanîyaμ samarpayâmi
Aum! In all three worlds, we humbly offer you fresh, pure water for sipping.

 Snânam  Ritual Bathing

Aum surasindhu samânîtam suvarnakalashâsthitam |
snânârtham grihyatâm shambho salilam vimalam ganesha ||
gangâsnânam samarpayâmi
We now bathe you, beloved Lord Ganesha, the pure one, with the water that was brought from the Ganges in the golden pot. We have bathed you in sacred Gangâ water.

Alankâram Adornment and Offerings

vastrârtham mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
upavîtârtham mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
Aum gandham grihâna surabhim andhakâ surasûdana,
kunkumadi samâyuktam kulâchalaniketana
divya parimala vibhûti chandana
kumkumam samarpayâmi
We give you this auspicious unbroken rice, our magnificent Lord, that you may enjoy resplendent
clothing. We give you auspicious unbroken rice, Lord Ganesha, that you may be handsomely adorned
with a white, cotton sacred thread. Aum. O Lord, the destroyer of the demon Andhakâsura, you who resides in the Himâlayas, please accept the good smelling chandana with kumkuma and choice offerings.

Pushpam Offering Flowers

tadupari mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
pûjârtham nânâvidhapatra pushpâni samarpayâmi
We now offer this auspicious unbroken rice. And for the fulfillment of our devotion, we offer many kinds of fresh, blooming flowers, our peerless Lord.

Dhûpam Offering Incense

Aum vanaspatyudbhavaih divyaih
nânâgandhasamanvitaih,
âghreyadhûpadipânâm dhûpo-yam pratigrihyatâm.
dashângam guggulopetam sugandhan sumanoharam,
âghreyah sarvadevânâm dhûpo-yam pratigrihyatâm.
dhûpamâghrâpayâmi
dhûpânantaram âchamanîyam samarpayâmi
mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
The finest incense, of magical qualities, of full and varied fragrances, Lord Ganesha, we set aflame and offer to you in this, our home. Incense of the finest resins and perfumes, incomparable in sweetness and aroma, to be inhaled and enjoyed by you and all the Gods and devas, we offer to you in this, our home. Eagerly we offer to you, our resplendent Lord, fine resin incense, of heavenly odor, bewitching to the mind, rising out of a ghee-fed flame. We offer it to you in this, our home. This fine incense we have duly offered for your pleasure. And we again offer you cool, sweet water for sipping and auspicious unbroken rice.

Dipam Offering The Light

aum sâjyavarti trayopetam prâjyamangala dâyakam,
dîpam pashya dayârâshe dînabandho namo-stu te.
aum âvâhitabhyah sarvabhyo devatabhyo namah,
divya mangala dîpam sandarshayâmi,
dîpânantaramâchamanîyam samarpayâmi,
mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
O the Compassionate, the friend of devotees! See this
lamp offered which is lighted with ghee and three wicks
and which is the provider of abundant auspiciousness.

Naivedyam Offering Food

satyam tvartena (chant if in morning)
ritam tvâ satyena (if evening) parishiñchâmi
Aum amritamastu amritopastaranamasi svâhâ
Aum ganeshâya svâhÁ, Aum ganeshâya svâhÁ, Aum  ganeshâya svâhÁ
We add Truth to Truth. Aum. May this sweet and pungent food be transformed into nectar.
We humbly offer to you this food.

Aum âvâhitâbhyah sarvâbhyo devatâbhyo namah,
nânâ vidha mahânaivedyam nivedayâmi,
yathâshakti samarpita mahânaivedyam kripayâ svîkuru
Aum! Salutations to all the Gods invoked! Because we are offering you our very best, Lord Ganesha, in all
sincerity and love, please consider the essence of this food as among the finest meals you have ever received.
To the best of our ability in the worship of you, we offer this food and humbly beg that you will receive it.

Vighneshvarâshtottara Satanâmâvalih Chanting Ganesha’s 108 Names.
Each name is preceded by the mantra Aum and followed by namah, meaning "obeisance, adoration or homage to". Thus the first line is chanted Aum Vinâyakâya Namah (pronounced, “na-ma-ha”).

Vinâyakâya . . . . . . the remover (of obstacles)
Vighnarâjâya . . . . . . . . the ruler of obstacles
Gaurîputrâya . . . . . . . . . . . the son of Gaurî
Ganeshvarâya . . . . . . . the lord of categories
Skandâgrajâya . . . . Skanda’s elder brother
Avyayâya . . . . . . . . .  the inexhaustible one
Pûtâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .the pure one
Dakshâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the dexterous one
Adhyakshâya . . . . . . . . the great presider
Dvijapriyâya . . . . . who loves the twice-born
Agnigarvacçhide . . who destroyed fire’s ego
Indrashrîpradâya . . .who restored Indra’s wealth
Vânîpradâya . . . . . . . . . who gives eloquence
Avyayâya . . . . . . . . . . . the inexhaustible one
Sarvasiddhipradâya . . . . giver of fulfillment
Sarvatanayâya . . . . . . . . . . . the son of Íiva
Sarvarîpriyâya . . . . . . . . . loved by Pârvatî
Sharvâtmakâya . . . . . . . . . . . . the soul of all
Srishtikartre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the creator
Devâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the resplendent one
Anekârchitâya . . . . . worshiped by multitudes
Shivâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the auspicious one
Shuddhâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the pure one
Buddhipriyâya . . . . . who loves intelligence
Shântâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the peaceful one
Brahmachârine . . . . . . . . . the celibate one
Gajânanâya . . . . . . . . . the elephant’s faced
Dvaimâturâya . . . . . who has two mothers
Munistutâya . . . . . . . who is praised by sages
Bhaktavighna vinâshanâya. . .. who destroys devotee's obstacles
Ekadantâya . . . . . . . . . . . . who has one tusk
Chaturbâhave . . . . . . . . . who has four arms
Chaturâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . the ingenious one
Shaktisamyutâya . . . . . . united with power
Lambodarâya . . . . . . who has a large belly
Shûrpakarnâya . . . . . . . with fan-like ears
Haraye . . . . . . . destroys evil with lion-like courage
Brahmaviduttamâya . . . . foremost knower of God
Kâlâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the master of destiny
Grahapataye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lord of planets
Kâmine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . who is love
Somasûryâgnilochanâya. . . whose eyes are the moon, sun and fire
Pâshânkusha dharâya. . . . .who holds a noose and a goad
Chandâya . . . . . . . . . who is fierce-looking
Gunâtîtâya . . . . . . . . who transcends qualities
Nirañjanâya . . . . . . . who is without blemish
Akalmashâya . . . . . . . . who is without impurity
Svayamsiddhâya . . . . . . . . self-fulfilled, perfect
Siddhârchita padâmbujâya. . . . . whose lotus feet sages worship
Bîjapûraphalâsaktâya. . . . . . . . . who is fond of pomegranates
Varadâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the boon giver
Shâshvatâya . . . . . . . . the eternal, unchanging one
Kritine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the skillful one
Dvijapriyâya . . . . . . . . fond of the twice-born
Vîtabhayâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . who is fearless
Gadine . . . . . . . . . . . . . who wields the mace
Chakrine . . . . . . . . . . . . who wields a discus
Ikshuchâpadhrite . . . . . who holds a sugarcane bow
Shrîdâya . . . . . . . . . . . . the bestower of wealth
Ajâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the unborn one
Utpalakarâya . . . . . . . . who holds a proud blue lotus flower
Shrîpataye . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Lord of wealth
Stutiharshitâya . . . . who delights in praise
Kulâdribhrite. . . . . who supports Himâlaya, His family’s mountain
Jatilâya . . . . . . . . . . . . who has matted hair
Kalikalmashanâshanâya. . . . the destroyer of sins in the Kaliyuga
Chandrachûdâmanaye . . . . . . who wears a moon upon his head
Kântâya . . . . . . . . . . . the beloved, loving one
Pâpahârine . . . . . . . . . . the consumer of sins
Samâhitâya . . . . . . . absorbed in meditation
Åshritâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . who is our refuge
Shrîkarâya . . . . . . . . . who manifests prosperity
Saumyâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the amiable one
Bhaktavâñçhita dâyakâya. . . the grantor of devotees’ desires
Shântâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the peaceful one
Kaivalya sukhadâya. . . . . . . .bestower of unsullied liberation
Sacchidânanda vigrahâya . . . embodiment of existence-knowledge-bliss
Jñânine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the great wisdom
Dayâyutâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . full of compassion
Dântâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . who has self-control
Brahmadvesha vivarjitâya . . . who is free from aversion to knowledge
Pramattadaitya bhayadâya . . who brings terror to demons
Shrîkanthâya . . . . . . . . . . with beautiful throat
Vibudheshvarâya . . . . . Lord of the Wise
Râmârchitâya . . . . . . . worshiped by Râma
Vidhaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . who is the destiny of all
Nâgarâja yajñopavîtavate. . .whose sacred thread is a king cobra
Sthûlakanthâya . . . . . . . . . . . of stout neck
Svayamkartre . . . . . . . . who is self-created
Sâmaghoshapriyâya . . . who loves the sound of Sâma Veda
Parasmai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . who is supreme
Sthûlatundâya . . . . . who has a stout trunk
Agranye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the leader
Dhîrâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the courageous one
Vâgîshâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Lord of speech
Siddhidâyakâya . . . . . . . . bestower of fulfillment
Dûrvâbilva priyâya. . . . . who loves dûrvâ grass and bilva leaves
Avyaktamûrtaye. . . . . . . . .the manifestation of the Unmanifest
Adbhutamûrtimate . . . . . . . of wondrous form
Shailendratanujotsanga khelanotsukamânasâya . . .who is happy to play in the lap of His mother,
Pârvatî, daughter of the mountain Lord
Svalâvanyasudhâsârajita manmathavigrahâya . . . who defeated Manmatha, the God of love,
by His sweet beauty
Samasta jagadâdhârâya. . . . . the supporter of all the worlds
Mâyine . . . . . . . . . . the source of illusory power
Mûshikavâhanâya . . . . who rides the mouse
Hrishtâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .the joyful one
Tushtâya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the contented one
Prasannâtmane . . . . . . the bright kindly-souled one
Sarvasiddhipradâyakâya . . the grantor of all fulfillment

Mantra Pushpam Worship With Flowers

Aum yò-pâm pushpam vedà,
pushpàvân prajâvân pashumân bhàvati,
chandramavâ apâm pushpam,
pushpàvân prajâvân pashumân bhàvati,
ya evam vedà, yò-pâmayatànam vedà,
ayatànavân bhavati.

Aum Shrî Mahâganeshvarâya namah
mantra pushpâñjalim samarpayâmi
The one who understands the beauty of the blooming powers of the Supreme Being
is blessed with beautiful, blooming life, progeny and cattle. The moon is certainly the bloom of those
powers. One who realizes the qualities of the moon, which are nothing but the blooming divine powers,
is blessed with a blooming, beautiful life of perfection, progeny and cattle. One who realizes
this principle and realizes the source from whom all these powers have come himself becomes the abode of those divine powers. Aum, salutations, Lord Mahâganesha, we respectfully offer you this flower mantra.

Åratî Worship With Flame

aum sâjyam trivartisamyuktam vahninâ yojitam mayâ,
grihâna mangalâratim îsha putra namo-stu te.
aum âvâhitâbhyah sarvâbhyo devatâbhyo namah
divya mangaladîpam sandarshayâmi
âchamanîyam samarpayâmi
mangalâkshatân samarpayâmi
O Ganapati, Son of God Shiva, please accept this auspicious âratî prepared by me with ghee, three wicks
and fire. My salutations to you! Aum! Salutations to all the Gods invoked! This divine, auspicious
light we offer to you. After that, we offer you pure water for sipping and auspicious unbroken rice.

Rakshadhâranam Prayer for Protection

indra-stomèna pañchadashena
madhyamidam vâtèna sagarèna
raksha rakshâm dhârayami
O Indra, Lord of material and spiritual prosperity, please protect the space between the heavens and earth as well as the mind between the body and the soul with the help of fifteen noble powers and virtues (five prâ∫as, five jñânendriyas and five karmendriyas). Your protection and blessings sustain me.

Arpanam Final Consecration

anayâ yathâ shakti krita
(state period of day)
pûjayâ bhagavân sarva devâtmakah
shrî mahâganeshvarah suprîtah
suprasanno varado bhavatu
To the best of our ability we have performed this (state time of day) pûjâ and worshiped
you, dear Lord, the brightest of all the Gods. May it please you. May it be enjoyed by you.
Surrounded by your presence, we place ourselves in your care, loving Ganesha.

Visarjanam Farewell and Apologies

Aum âvâhanam na jânâmi na jânâmi visarjanam,
pûjâñchaiva na jânâmi kshamyatâm parameshvara.
mantrahînam kriyâhînam bhaktihînam sureshvara,
yat pûjitam mayâ deva paripûrnam tadastu te,
anyathâ sharanam nâsti tvameva sharanam mama,
tasmât kârunyabhâvena raksha raksha ganeshvara.
Aum tat sat Aum.

O Lord, we do not know the proper means of inviting you or, when taking our leave, how to wish you farewell. A full knowledge of priestly rites has not been imparted to us, so you must overlook and forgive any mistakes or omissions. We know little of mantras or pious conduct, and we are strangers to true bhakti. Nonetheless, please forgive us and regard our attempts as exact and complete - because you are our only refuge. With your compassionate nature, Lord Ganesha, we beseech you, please protect those who pray. That which is Truth is Aum.

This concluding apology is recited with hands in añjali mudrâ. It is a formal and devout end to the worship service. As the final words, “Aum tat sat Aum,” are spoken, it is customary to clap your hands together three times. All may now prostrate.

May the blessings of Ganapathi be upon you all!

May He bestow wisdom, prosperity and well-being upon you and your family!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! 

Ganesha's Favorite Things

Om Utpalakaraya Namaha

The complicated form of Lord Ganesha is rich with symbolism. For Ganesh Chaturthi we will offer him some of its traditional symbols. Ganesh as Pure Consciousness, the Atman, makes these tools able to work within us.

Shankha, Conch
Om Gânajna Jnânavatae Namaha
Om Gîtanâmnae Namaha
The conch shell is a major Hindu article of prayer, used as a trumpeting announcement of all sorts. Also
this symbol proclaims ultimate victory for the devotees, since the conchshell mark on His feet contains the entire ocean of material existence that may now be easily crossed. Shankha symbolizes the sound that created the universe and stands for knowledge.

Ankusha, Goad
Om Ankushayasurnaganam Namaha
Om Ankushayasurvidhivisham Namaha

Goad as tools of subjugation, is possible to understand as the tool for mind conquest. Destroyer of the energies which are harmful to the mission of acquisition of spiritual knowledge and Bliss. The goad is to prod the man to the path of righteousness. In the Hinduism, an elephant goad is one of the eight auspicious objects known as Astamangala. In Ganesha's hand, the Ankusa signifies an awakening. 

Pasha, Noose
Om Pashankushadharaya Namaha
The Pasha symbolizes Ganesha's powers at curbing the ego, restraining passion and conquering delusion. The noose means also worldly bondage, soul slavery. The noose wielded by Ganapati signifies that He will tie the noose around negative entities and take them away. This noose permits the spiritual seeker to lift himself up, beyond his human limitations, and connects him to the everlasting bliss of his own Self. In Ganesha's hand, the Pasha signifies control.

Gada, Mace
Om Gadâgne Namaha
Om Gadâyudhâya Namaha
Om Gadâyuddha Vishâradâya Namaha 
Traditionally, the Mace was a symbol of authority. Gada is used by Ganesh to fight negative forces, i.e. ignorance forces, depicted as demons (Asura ). He casts karmas back on devotees for resolution, never letting up until completion.

Parashu, Axe
Om Parasmayedhamne Namaha
As the "Lord of Obstacles", Ganesh needs a powerfull weapon able to cut and to put down. The axe symbolizes the destruction of desires and attachments, and all their results like troubles and sorrows. Mahaparashu, Large Axe frightens off asuras and banishes malicious thoughts of those who intend harm to His devotees.

Rudraksha Mala, Prayer Beads
It is believed that the Rudraksha beads, the "tears of Shiva", are endowed with cosmic powers to elevate the soul and assist on the path of ascension. In Ganesha's hand, Rudraksha can have set of meanings, including the spiritual power and the link between the earth and the heaven. Also, it corresponds to the letters of the Sanskrit alphabet and symbolizes sound and hearing.

Jambu, Rose Apple
The Jambu tree plays an important role in Hindu mythology. Jambu-dvipa ("Island of the Jambu Tree") is the name of the innermost of the seven dvipas ("islands" or "continents") that comprised the Cosmos in Hindu Cosmology. The enormous Jambu tree planted at the center of Jambu-dvipa was the archetype of the Tree of Life everywhere. Legend says that only one Jambu tree exists, which is not visible to ordinary persons but only to enlightened beings. Interesting that in the Buddhism Jambu-dvipa is the only location where a being may become enlightened.

Modakapatra, Bowl of Sweets
Om Modakapriya Namaha
The modaka in Ganesha's hand is a symbol of jnana, conferring Bliss, the sweetest of all things sweet. In  Padma-Purâna, the modaka would rather be the symbol of the supreme wisdom (mahâbuddhi). And this is sweet inside as the inner soul, while its white shell is like the gross physical body surrounding the soul.

Veena, Indian Lute
Om Gânabhuyae Namaha
Om Gânashîlâya Namaha
Om Gânashâlinae Namaha
 "The Veena is the abode of divinity," says the mystic Rangaraja Iyengar. Veena is considered as instrument of devotion. This ancient instrument from the time, when the yogic philosophies evolved, about 5000 years ago, is very unique as its nada has a divine flow. The Veena is symbolic of Nada-brahman, the music and rhythm of the cosmos. A form of Ganesh, Ucchista Ganapati, also holds a Veena.

Mudgara, Hammer
Om Mudgarayudhaya Namaha
It is an honourable and the multiple-valued symbol. Traditionally, it represents strength and creative-
destructive power. It is possible to understand it simply as accessory of the Patron of Arts and Crafts.

Narikela, Coconut
When we break a coconut to Him, we break the ego's hold on us. Our body may be compared to the shell and our life to the kernel. Our Samskaras are the waters inside the coconut. As long as there are Samskaras within us, the heart will cling to the body consciousness just as the kernel clings to the fruit.

Amra, Mango
Mango is one of the sacred tree of Hinduism and represents also the highest spiritual fruition. The perfectly ripe mango is often held by Lord Ganesha as a symbol of attainment, regarding the devotees potential perfection. Mango leaves are used to decorate archways and doors in Indian houses and during weddings and celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a symbol of love and thought to grant wishes.

Kadaliphala, Banana
Bananas are imperative as temple offerings for both practical and symbolic reasons. The practical reason is that their thick peel seems to guard them from the contaminations of caste, so even priests can eat bananas given as offerings, no matter who they came from. Offering fruits symbolizes the fruits of spiritual practice. On a philosophical plane the sacred Kadali tree represents a tatva jnana.

Panasa Phala, Jackfruit
Ganesha's favorite, jackfruit, is a potato-like vegetable, a chewy nut and sweet yellow fruit all in one. Like the jack's stem, our attachments, though small, are strong. The jackfruit is one of the three auspicious fruits of Tamil Nadu, along with the mango and banana, known as the mukkani. It is associated with the life-span of the family and its ancestral house.

Dadima, Pomegranate
Its shape, color, seeds, juice - every aspect of the pomegranate has come to symbolize something, including life and death, rebirth and eternal life, fertility and marriage, abundance and prosperity.

Nagapasha, Snake Cord
Om Nagayagnopavitine Namaha
The snake worn around Ganesha's stomach is symbolic of cosmic energy in all forms. It is sometimes worn by him as sacred thread, across his left shoulder. The practitioners of Yoga, who claim that ones inner strength is like a coiled-up snake which is deep within oneself. That at that moment when the Kundalini awakes through strict religious practices and rises into eternity, one can reach the ultimate state of humanity. Also, Ganesha wears a snake around Him to tell us all that we have to be like Him and control our instinctive, animal mind. 

Laddu, Milk Sweet
Om Gudâya Namaha
Om Gudapriyâya Namaha
Om Gudaladhubhujae Namaha
Laddus, symbolic of the sweetness of the realized inner self, are considered a very auspicious mithai as they are Lord Ganesh's favorite. For the Ganapatiya devotees, who consider Ganesh as the Supreme God and the Master of the Universe, the sweet given as offerings are seen like seeds of innumerable worlds inhabited by innumerable living creatures.


Mushika, Mouse
Om Garvamardinae Namaha
Ganesha's companion, a mouse, is said to be a servant of Ganesh and was originally an evil demon, Gajamukhaasura, whom he had subdued in a battle. The defeated demon requested that Ganesh transform him into a highly agile creature so that he could best serve the god. Ganesh agreed and Gajamukhaasura became his trusty companion in the form of a rat. This legend has clear meaning : the demon is the ego of our daily life, the mind with all of its desires, and the pride of the individual. Ganesha, riding atop the mouse, becomes the master of these tendencies, indicating the power that the intellect and the discriminative faculties have over the mind. As the vehicle of Lord Ganesha, a mouse teaches us to remain always on alert and illuminate our inner-self with the light of knowledge.In this old Telugu film these mythological events are reflected:

Shastra, Scripture
Om Buddhipriyaya Namaha
Om Jnanine Namaha
Om Kritine Namaha
Ganesha is the thinker, the writer, the giver of Knowledge. He is said to be Knowledge incarnate. Ganesha is venerated as the deity of letters and scriptures. He has a thorough knowledge of the scriptures and is a superb scribe. Maybe therefore the Mahabharata is one of the most harmonious works? There is another interesting symbolic story. Ganesha and his brother Karttikeya, both, wanted to marry Buddhi and Siddhi. So, at last, they decided between themselves that the first of them to circumnavigate the earth entirely would get their hands in marriage. Karttikeya set out on foot to circle the earth but Ganesha sat at home studying the scriptures. After long years of travel Karttikeya returned, only to find that his brother was already married to the two ladies. Ganesha had stayed at home and studied the scriptures and, through his studies, had gone round the earth in much lesser time than his more physical and less astute brother, Karttikeya, had on foot.

Trishula, Trident
Om Trigunatmane Namaha
Om Trishaktishaya Namaha
The trident's symbol has so many interpretations that demands a separate article. Trishula represent  various trinities (three gunas, three main nadis, three states of being, or the three bodies; ...etc) including Ganesha's three Shaktis (powers): Will, Action and Wisdom.

 
Khetaka, Shield
Khetaka is symbol of Dharma, the doctrine which protects like a shield. Ganesha holds the shield of divine security, symbol of His power to defend lands of the upright, to preserve traditions and to protect all souls on the spiritual path. May Lord Ganesha protects and bless you!

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Ganesha pancharatnam stotram

Mudakaraatha Modakam Sada Vimukti Saadhakam l 

Kalaadharaavatamsakam Vilasiloka Rakshakam l
Anaaya Kaika Naayakam Vinasitebha Daityakam l

Nataasubhasu Naashakam Namaami Tham 

Vinaayakam ll
Natetaraati Bheekaram Navoditaarka Bhaasvaram l

Namat Suraari Nirjanam Nataadhi Kaapa Duddharam l
Suresvaram Nidheesvaram Gajesvaram Ganeshvaram l

Mahesvaram Samaasraye Paraatparam Nirantaram ll
Samasta Loka Samkaram Nirasta Daitya Kunjaram l

Daredarodaram Varam Vare Bhavaktra Maksharam l
Krupaakaram Kshamaakaram Mudaakaram Yasaskaram l

Manaskaram Namaskrutaam Namaskaromi Bhaasvaram ll
Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam l

Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam l
Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam l

Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam ll
Nitaantikaanta Dantakaanti Mantakaanta Kaatmajam l

Achintya Rupa Mantaheena Mantaraaya Krintanam l
Hrudantarey Nirantaram Vasantameva Yoginam l

Tameka Danta Meva Tam Vichintayaami Santatamll

Phala Sruti
Maha Ganesa Pancha Rathna Maadharena Yo Anvaham l

Prajalpathi Prabhathake Hrudhi Smaran Ganeswaram l
Arogadhamadhosadham Susahitheem Suputhratham l

Samahithayurshta Bhoothi Mapyupaithi Sochiraath ll

I salute that remover of obstacles,

Who has modakas in his hand

Who always bestows salvation,

Who wears a part of moon on his head,

Who protects this world which is varied,

Who is the leader of those who cannot be lead,

Who is the cause of destruction of asuras,

And who destroys all things which are not good.
I bow before that great Lord permanently,

Who creates fear in the enemies of his devotees,

Who sparkles like the just risen Sun,

Who is saluted by Gods and Asuras,

Who destroys obstacles of his devotees,

Who is the God of all devas,

Who is the God of all wealth,

Who is the God of all elephants,

And who is the leader of the army of Lord Shiva.
I bow to that Ganapati who shines like the Sun,

Who bestows peace to all the worlds,

Who removed the Gajamukhasura from this world,

Who has a very big paunch,

Who has an elephant-face which blesses,

And who is the one who shows kindness

Who is tolerant,

Who is full of blessing,

And who showers great fame to those who salute Him.

I salute the very ancient elephant-god, 

Who destroys the wants of the have nots,

Who has been worshipped since ancient times,

Who is the eldest son of the lord who destroyed cities,

Who eats away the pride of the enemies of the gods,

Who is awesome at the time of final deluge,

Who wears serpents like Dananjaya as ornaments,

And who is fierce like the elephant in rut.
I always meditate only on that God with single tusk,

Who is ever lustrous tusk is very pretty,

Who is the son of Lord who killed the god of death,

Who has a form beyond ones imagination,Who is endless,

Who tears asunder all obstacles,And who dwells forever in the heart of Yogis ,

Like the season of spring.

Phala Sruti
He, who remembers with respect every morning,These five gems of the great Lord Ganapati,And who meditates in his heart the leader of ganas,Will soon be blessed with a healthy life,Free of all problems, endowed with great peaceGreat sons, longevity and spiritual and physical wealth

The Beauty

Fra Angelico's The Stigmatization of Saint Francis

This painting shows the moment when Saint Francis of Assisi twice repeats in his ecstasy after receiving the stigmata of Christ on the mountain of La Verna: “You are beauty... You are beauty!” It has found only this word when he contemplated the One who is supremely beautiful. As though "beauty" there was last word that he has dared to say.
You understand certainly - the Beauty is not only an aesthetic concept but a metaphysical also. We state it already then we speak about a beautiful soul, a beautiful life, a beautiful action and so on. It's not merely the enjoyment of beautiful objects, it refers to the discernment of beauty in thoughts, emotions, actions... I have no ability to state in words clearly but the perception of Beauty is close to touching Eternity. For me, a person who have a virtue to perceive beauty exceeds any wise man not seeing the beautiful. Real wisdom cannot offend the beauty, only ignorance is capable on it. As though this vision expresses a  gratitude to the Source of all beauty, but the insult of beauty strikes blow to something important and sacred. I can be mistaken in many things but not in it. Certainly, the ordinary person is not guilty in limitation of its vision and cannot get insights into reality but it does not excuse an insult of beauty also. Whoever sneers at her name can no longer pray sincerely and that can change this person irreparably.
When the invisible and the ineffable becomes accessible to your heart, this constitutes the transformation of the lower soul to the higher spirit of the self, from nafs into ruh.

 All our human history is movement to Beauty, an ascent towards a horizon that always surpasses us. We cannot reach it but we can aspire to it, to raise our gaze to this improbable horizon. If only we do not turn a back to it. The main thing is not to accept for real this illusion of beauty in our world, an illusion superficial and blinding which soon turns into its opposite.The distinction in a direction: downwards or aloft.
Authentic beauty touches us and unlocks the deep yearning of our hearts to grasping the profound meaning of our existence. It points us beyond ourselves, can become a path towards the transcendent, towards the Mystery of which we are part.
After all 
"Whichever way you turn, there is the Face of God" (al-Baqarah, 2:115).

Frederic Edwin Church, Rainy Season in the Tropics

Shani Dev

Śani (Shani) is one of the Navagraha (the nine primary celestial beings in Hindu astrology). Shani is embodied in the planet Saturn and is the Lord of Saturday. Shani is also known as Śanaiścara (शनैश्चर).
Shani is a deva and son of Surya and his wife Chhaya, hence also known as Chayyaputra. He is the elder brother of Yama, the Hindu god of death, who in some scriptures corresponds to the deliverance of justice.
It is said that when Shani opened his eyes as a baby for the very first time, the sun went into an eclipse, which clearly denotes the impact of Shani on astrological charts. He is known as the greatest teacher and well wisher for the righteous as well the greatest punisher for those who follow the path of evil, betrayal, backstabbing and unjust revenge. He is depicted dark in colour, clothed in black; holding a sword, arrows and two daggers and mounted on a crow, which is Shani's vāhana.
According to Vedic astrology, Shani is considered to be the strongest malefic and a stern teacher who represents patience, effort, endeavour, and endurance; and who brings restrictions and misfortunes. Shani is much feared by those Hindus who believe in astrology, as the “malefic” effects of his being unfavourably placed can be quite severe. However, Lord Shaniswara as Needhiman (Judge) is more known for his Blessings than his ill effects. No other graha is comparable with Lord Shani in terms of blessings. He showers with his blessings at the end of his dasha. His Adi-Devata is Prajapati and Pratyadi-Devata is Yama. Lord Shani tests the person patience, He tries to correct our immoral acts by creating frustations, and delays. In the end He makes one conscious enough to understand the mistakes. He removes ignorance from mind by punishment, the benefits that He matures the soul of being and person turns copper to gold from within i.e. he begins to understand the Truths of life, the futility of his actions done out of ignorance. One comes to understand after Lord Shani periods that not much is in control of human beings. It is all Divine acting on human beings through the agents of Gods. Lord Shani is the greatest purifier,everything false will perish and only Truth will shine, that is His message.

A common mantra for drawing the support of Lord Shani is:

Om Sham Shanaiscaryaye Namah

 The 108 names of Shani - Shani ashtottara shatanamavali

Om shanaescaraya namah
Om shantaya namah
Om sarvabhistapradayine namah
Om sharanyaya namah
Om vagenyaya namah
Om sarveshaya namah
Om saumyaya namah
Om suramvandhaya namah
Om suralokaviharine namah
Om sukhasonapavishtaya namah
Om sundaraya namah
Om ghanaya namah
Om ghanarupaya namah
Om ghanabharanadharine namah
Om ghanasaravilepaya namah
Om khadyotaya namah
Om mandaya namah
Om mandaceshtaya namah
Om mahaniyagunaatmane namah
Om martyapavanapadaya namah
Om maheshaya namah
Om dhayaputraya namah
Om sharvaya namah
Om shatatuniradharine namah
Om carasthirasvabhavaya namah
Om acamcalaya namah
Om nilavarnaya namah
Om nityaya namah
Om nilanjananibhaya namah
Om nilambaravibhushaya namah
Om nishcalaya namah
Om vedyaya namah
Om vidhirupaya namah
Om virodhadharabhumaye namah
Om bhedaspadasvabhavaya namah
Om vajradehaya namah
Om vairagyadaya namah
Om viraya namah
Om vitarogabhayaya namah
Om vipatparampareshaya namah
Om vishvavandyaya namah
Om gridhnavahaya namah
Om gudhaya namah
Om kurmangaya namah
Om kurupine namah
Om kutsitaya namah
Om gunadhyaya namah
Om gocaraya namah
Om avidhyamulanashaya namah
Om vidhyaavidhyasvarupine namah
Om ayushyakaranaya namah
Om apaduddhartre namah
Om vishnubhaktaya namah
Om vishine namah
Om vividhagamavedine namah
Om vidhistutyaya namah
Om vandhyaya namah
Om virupaakshaya namah
Om varishthaya namah
Om garishthaya namah
Om vajramkushagharaya namah
Om varada bhayahastaya namah
Om vamanaya namah
Om jyeshthapatnisametaya namah
Om shreshthaya namah
Om mitabhashine namah
Om kashtaughanashakartre namah
Om pushtidaya namah
Om stutyaya namah
Om stotragamyaya namah
Om bhaktivashyaya namah
Om bhanave namah
Om bhanuputraya namah
Om bhavyaya namah
Om pavanaya namah
Om dhanurmandalasamsthaya namah
Om dhanadaya namah
Om dhanushmate namah
Om tanuprakashadehaya namah
Om tamasaya namah
Om asheshajanavandyaya namah
Om visheshaphaladayine namah
Om vashikritajaneshaya namah
Om pashunam pataye namah
Om khecaraya namah
Om khageshaya namah
Om ghananilambaraya namah
Om kathinyamanasaya namah
Om aryaganastutyaya namah
Om nilacchatraya namah
Om nityaya namah
Om nirgunaya namah
Om gunatmane namah
Om niramayaya namah
Om nandyaya namah
Om vandaniyaya namah
Om dhiraya namah
Om divyadehaya namah
Om dinartiharanaya namah
Om dainyanashakaraya namah
Om aryajanaganyaya namah
Om kruraya namah
Om kruraceshtaya namah
Om kamakrodhakaraya namah
Om kalatraputrashatrutvakaranaya pariposhitabhaktaya namah
Om parabhitiharaya namah
Om bhaktasanghamanobhishtaphaladaya namah

Sani Vajra Panjarika Kavacham

Neelambaro, Nelavapu, kireeti,
Grdhra sthitha, sthrasakaro, dhanushman,
Chathurbhuja, suryasutha, prasanna,
Sada mama syadwaradha prasantha., 1
Oh god dressed in blue silk, who has a blue body,
Who wears a crown, who sits on vulture,
Who gives misfortunes, who is armed with a bow,
Who has four hands and who is son of Sun God,
Be pleased with me always and happily grant me boons.
Brahmo Uvacha:
Srunu dwam rishaya, Sarva sani peeda haram mahath,
Kavacham Sani Rajasya Soureridhamanuthamam., 2
Be pleased to hear oh sage, the great armour,
Which is a cure to all misery brought by king Sani,
Who is the incomparably great in the clan of the Sun.
Kavacham devatha vasam vajra panjara samgnakam,
SAnaishara preethikaram, sarva soubhagya dhayagam., 3
This armour called “thunderbolt shield” in which gods live,
Is very dear to the slow moving planet, and brings all luck.
Om Sri Sanaischara, pathu bhalam may Soorya nandana,
Nethre Chayathmaja pathu, pathu karnou Yamanuja., 4
Om, Oh God Saturn, let the son of Sun protect my forehead,
Let the darling son of Chaya protect my eyes,
Lat my ears be protected by the brother of Yama.
Nasam Vaivaswaswatha Pathu, mukham may Bhaskara sada,
Snigha kandashasch may kandaam, bhujou pathu Mahabhuja., 5
Let my nose be protected by Sun God,
Let the illuminator always protect my face,
Let he with a pleasant voice protect my voice,
And let the great armed God protect my arms.
Skandhou pathu sanischaiva, karou pathu shubha pradha,
Vaksha pathu Yama bhratha, kukshim paathvasitha sthadha., 6
Let my shoulders be protected by Shani,
Let my hands be protected by he who does good,
Let the brother of Yama protect my chest,
And the one who is dark in colour protect my navel.
Nabhim grahpathi pathu, manda pathu kateem thadha,
Ooru mamanthaka pathu, yamo januyugam thadha., 7
Let my stomach be protected by the lord of all planets,
Let the slow mover protect my hips,
Let he who makes end protect my thighs,
And let Yama protect my pair of knees.
Padou Manda gathi pathu, sarvangam pathu pippala,
Angopangani sarvani rakshen may Surya nandana., 8
Let my legs be protected by him with slow speed,
Let all my organs be protected by he who wears the coat,
And all my primary and secondary organs,
Be protected by the darling sin of the Sun God.
Ithyethath kavacham divyam padeth soorya suthasya ya,
Na thaasya jayathe peeda, preetho bhavathi sooryaja., 9
If this armour of the son of the Sun God is read,
No misery will come to him and,
The son of Sun God would be pleased with him.
Vyayay janma dwitheeyastho, mruthyu sthana gatrhopi va,
Kalathrastho gatho vapi supreethasthu sada sani., 10
Whether Saturn occupies the twelfth, first or second house,
Or even goes to the house of death or occupies the seventh star,
Saturn will always be pleased with him.
Ashtamastha soorya suthe vyaye, janma dwitheeyage,
Kavacham padathe nithyam, na peeda jayathe kwachith., 11
If the son of Sun God is in eighth, twelfth, first or second house,
Daily reading this Kavacham, no misery would ever be caused.
Ithyedath kavacham divyam saureya nirmitham pura,
Dwadasahtama janmastha doshan nasayathe sada.,
Janma lagna sthithaan doshan sarvan nasayathe Prabhu., 12
This holy divine armour composed by Sun in ancient times,
Would destroy the ills caused by eighth,twelfth, first and second house,
And also destroy the bad effects of Saturn occupying the Lagna rasi (Ascendent)
Ithi Sri Brahmanda Purane Brahma Narada Samvade,
Sani Vajra panjara kavacham sampoornam

Translated by P. R. Ramachander

Om Shreem Shanidevaya namo namaha

Om Shreem Shanidevaya shanty Bhavaha

Om Shreem Shanidevaya Subham Phalaha

Om Shreem Shanidevayapralaha prapti phalaha

My heart is burning

My heart is burning with love

All can see this flame

My heart is pulsing with passion

like waves on an ocean

my friends have become strangers

and I’m surrounded by enemies

But I’m free as the wind

no longer hurt by those who reproach me

I’m at home wherever I am

And in the room of lovers

I can see with closed eyes

the beauty that dances

Behind the veils

intoxicated with love

I too dance the rhythm

of this moving world

I have lost my senses

in my world of lovers

 --- by Jalalud’din Rumi,

transl. by Fereydoun Kia.

Aniketana - The Unhoused Consciousness

Poem "Aniketana" ( The Unhoused Consciousness) is written by a great poet of Kannada language, Kuvempu aka Kuppali Vekankatappa Puttappa (1904-1994). Usually, this poem is understood as reference to  Aparigraha or Vairāgya (non-attachment), the art of living in the world, but not being of the world. The tale of King Janaka and Shuka Deva exemplifies a little that concept. The story is as follows:

Janaka was looked upon as the ideal philosopher - king and became known as Rajarshi. This was resented by many people, including Shukadeva who, himself a great saint, could not understand how a person like Janaka, surrounded by courtiers and evidently engrossed in worldly pursuits, could deserve such a title.
He decided to test the king and one day, without notice, appeared at court carrying his only possession — a begging bowl or kamandala. The king, who was in the midst of managing the daily durbar, greeted him courteously and seated him by his side.

Kamandala

When the durbar was over, he invited Shukadeva to accompany him for a stroll. After the two had walked for over an hour, they found themselves in a great forest. Suddenly, there was the sound of a horse approaching at great speed. A messenger rode into view, jumped off his mount and breathlessly told the king, "Your majesty, a great fire has reduced the entire Palace to ashes!" On hearing this, king Janaka said, "nothing of mine is burning." Shukadeva said  "What about my kamandala?"" and started running back towards the Palace.
In this poem it is possible to see more. As everywhere.

Aniketana

The Unhoused Consciousness

Be unhoused , O my soul!

Only the Infinite be your goal.

Leave these myriad forms behind,

Leave the million names that bind,

A flash piercing your heart and mind,

Be unhoused , O my soul!

Only the Infinite be your goal.

Winnow the chaff of a hundred creeds

Beyond these systems .hollow as reeds,

Turn unhorizened to the Truth that leads;

Be unhoused, O my soul!

Only the Infinite be your goal.

Stop not on the unending way.

Never build a house of clay.

Endless the quest both night and day:

No end, no end to you play!

Be unhoused , O my soul!

Only the Infinite be your goal.

The Infinite cancels its end,-

Diurnal seer , to descent.

Endless the quest your apprehend

And so , Infinite, you ascend,

Be unhoused , O my soul !

Only the Infinite be your goal

--by Kuvempu,

Translation by Prof.V.K.Gokak.

The Subject Tonight

Max Ernst, Birth of a Galaxy

Leave the familiar for a while.
Let your senses and bodies stretch out

Like a welcomed season
Onto the meadows and shores and hills.

Open up to the Roof.
Make a new water-mark on your excitement
And love.

Like a blooming night flower,
Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness
And giving
Upon our intimate assembly.

Change rooms in your mind for a day.

All the hemispheres in existence
Lie beside an equator
In your heart.

Greet Yourself
In your thousand other forms
As you mount the hidden tide and travel
Back home.

All the hemispheres in heaven
Are sitting around a fire
Chatting

While stitching themselves together
Into the Great Circle inside of
You.

Hafiz – The Subject Tonight is Love

Love, Hate and Forgiveness

Can you saw how the deepest love turns into the most intense hatred? I hope not.
It is terrible not only because hate really destroys both the other person and yourself, but it first of all it is awful therefore the love can turn over thus. Hatred does not hold there where the love reigns. Actually, it is impossible if the love is real, but it not about it now. It's about us who love.
I do not want to get into psychologism now. Especially I do not want to concern themes of religious intolerance too. Because it is cruel nonsense for me. In global or in private wars the person really religious cannot be so self-immersed and self-absorbed, that he does not notice what pain puts to another. The person afflicted by black hatred can't forget about oneself and think about others.When a man wants to destroy someone , he wants to destroy himself, when he is unforgiving towards someone, then to him are rendered hateful and contrary both other people and all God's world. People, who take offense against others in that which they dislike about themselves. How to help such person? For me the most painful was that I could not help the person who kills me. Not because I am so "good". It not is someone's merit, may be it is simple because God does not want me to hate. In any way nothing can be done in this case except to love. Because hatred does not hold in that place which Love has occupied.
 Fear of something is at the root of hate for others, and hate within will eventually destroy the hater. It's intolerable to observe it not only because it destroys me but because it is impossible to see such torments of another. But the love is a forgiveness also. When a deep injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive. Sometimes, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it.

I think that situation taught me how to forgive myself and others. I can't tell that I am the excellent in this matter. For me, it's very hard to recognize the fact that people, which can destroy us, exist. But we do not allow them to make us similar to they. And our tendencies to mercy and kindness should not transform us in prey. After all, only through forgiveness it is possible to be forgiven. Forgiving, we hope on the higher pardon for us also.Thanks to this hope, we can rise above dark clouds to see light behind them. Hate may really destroys us but there is That who always loves us and through us.  And we are only humans. How can we judge someone? Let’s break free of this intolerable weight. And fly high on the wings of Forgiveness and Love.

Pratha Smarana Shiva Stotra

Pattadakal, India

Pratha smarami bhava bheethi haram suresam,
Gangadharam vrushabha vahana mambikesam,
Gadwanga soola varadabhaya hastha meesam,
Samsara roga haram oushadha madwitheeyam. 1

Prathar bhajami Shiva meka manantha maadhyam,
Vedantha vedhya managham purusham mahantham,
Namadhi beda rahitham, shad bhava soonyam,
Samsara roga hara moushadha madwitheeyam.2

Prathar namami Gireesam Girijardha deham,
Sarga sthithi pralaya karana madhi devam,
Visweswaram vijitha viswamanobhiramam,
Samsara roga hara moushadha madwitheeyam.3

Pratha samuthaye Shivam vichinthya.
Sloka thrayam ye anudinam padanthi,
They dukhajatham bahu janma sachitham,
Hithwa padam yanthi thadeva shambho. 4

In the morning I think the Lord of Gods who removes fear of life,
Who carries the Ganges, who rides on a bull and is the consort of Parvathi,
Who carries sword, spear in two hands, shows protection and blessing with other two.
And who is the matchless medicine of the disease of domestic life. 1

In the morning I pray Lord Shiva who was the first and has no end,
Who is the great person studied by Vedantha and is invaluable,
Who does not have specific names or differences,
Who is not having the six states of existence,
And who is the matchless medicine of the disease of domestic life.2

In the morning I salute the lord of the mountain, who shares half body with Parvathi,
Who is the primeval God of cause upkeep and destruction,
Who is the lord of universe, conqueror of universe and stealer of mind,
And who is the matchless medicine of the disease of domestic life.3

He who gets up early morning thinking of Shiva,
And reads daily these three stanzas,
Gets rid of the sorrows collected over various births,
And reaches the feet of the great Lord Shiva.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

Kala Bhairava Pancha Rathnam

1. Gadgam, kapalam, Damarugam, Trisoolam,
Hasthambhuje santhathum trinethram .
Digambaram basma Vibhooshithangam,
Namyaham Bhairavam Induchoodam.
1. I salute Bhairava who wears the crescent,
Who holds in his lotus like hand,
Sword, skull, drum and trident,
Who wears the directions as cloth,
And who has coated his body with ash.
2. Kavithvadham sath varameva modhaan,
Nathalye shambhu manobhiramam,
Namami yasee krutha sara meyam,
Namyaham Bhairavam Induchoodam.
2. I salute Bhairava who wears the crescent,
Who is poetic and grants good boons,
Who is Shambhu in the mind of his devotees,
Who is bewitching to the mind,
And Salutations to one who has made his dog famous.
3. Jaradhi dukhouga vibhedha daksham,
Viragi samsevya Padaravindam,
Narapathipathwa prathamasu nandre,
Namyaham Bhairavam Induchoodam.
3. I salute Bhairava who wears the crescent,
Who removes the sorrow of old age,
Whose lotus like feet is worshipped by saints,
And who is the Lord of men and great saints.
4. Samadhi sampatj prathamana thebhyo,
Rema thwad yachitha pada padmam,
Samadhi nishtai sthara sadhi gamyam,
Namyaham Bhairavam Induchoodam.
4. I salute Bhairava who wears the crescent,
Whose first wealth is Samadhi,
Whose lotus like feet is begged by Rema,
And who enters in to Samadhi easily.
5. Grama gamyam, manasabhi dhooram,
Characharasya prabhaavathi hethum,
Karaba soonya mathabhiramyam,
Namyaham Bhairavam Induchoodam.

5. I salute Bhairava who wears the crescent,

Who goes to the villages and is far away by his mind,

Who is the cause of dazzle of moving and unmoving things,

Who is produced from nothing and entertains his mother.

Om Bhairavaya Namah

Stillness

Sukun, calligraphy of Joumana Medlej

We lose words, being amazed or surprised and we stiffen without movement seeing something delightful.When one looks at a Nataraja statue, one cannot miss the unity of two opposite conditions, improbable in his perfection. It is a dual statement of stillness and motion, when the static sculpture represent the intense activity of Lord Shiva. The higher Unity is already stillness. While Shakti, Prakriti, a variety, a vibrancy, is a movement. She is movement and He is stillness. Moving into stillness is the practice of yoga as unity. The term samadhi means “unmoving mind,” indicating the stillness that is the goal of yoga.
It can be result of buddhist meditation or sufi whirling, or ecstasy of orthodox prayer - the silence becomes a  result of this movement. And for silent mind, the samsara fades and stops her infinite vanity for an instant. And also the wonderful kundalini in her divine movement reaches the blissful sahasrara chakra.
It's an ultimate movement, and nothing else in that moment exist. Or everything exists most full.
Moments of this mystical stillness are some of the most profoundly illuminating of a person’s life. They cannot be described because the description's tools become silent also. And when mind begins his movement, you can remember only. So thanks to fine poets which can transfer an echo of it.

A STILLNESS absolute, incommunicable,
Meets the sheer self-discovery of the soul;
A wall of stillness shuts it from the world,
A gulf of stillness swallows up the sense
And makes unreal all that mind has known,
All that the laboring senses still would weave
Prolonging an imaged unreality.
Self’s vast spiritual silence occupies Space;
Only the Inconceivable is left,
Only the Nameless without space and time:
Abolished is the burdening need of life:
Thought falls from us, we cease from joy and grief;
The ego is dead; we are freed from being and care,
We have done with birth and death and work and fate.
O soul, it is too early to rejoice!
Thou hast reached the boundless silence of the Self,
Thou hast leaped into a glad divine abyss;
But where hast thou thrown Self’s mission and Self’s power?
On what dead bank on the Eternal’s road?
One was within thee who was self and world,
What hast thou done for his purpose in the stars?
Escape brings not the victory and the crown!
Something thou cam’st to do from the Unknown,
But nothing is finished and the world goes on
Because only half God’s cosmic work is done.
Only the everlasting No has neared
And stared into thy eyes and killed thy heart:
But where is the Lover’s everlasting Yes,
And immortality in the secret heart,
The voice that chants to the creator Fire,
The symboled OM, the great assenting Word,
The bridge between the rapture and the calm,
The passion and the beauty of the Bride,
The chamber where the glorious enemies kiss,
The smile that saves, the golden peak of things?
This too is Truth at the mystic fount of Life.

— Sri Aurobindo – Savitri

SATYAM SHIVAM SUNDARAM

Your wings

 René Magritte, The Great Family 

A voice out of this world 
calls on our souls
not to wait any more
get ready to move
to the original home

your real home
your real birth place
is up here with the heavens
let your soul take a flight
like a happy phoenix

you've been tied up
your feet in the mud
your body roped to a log
break loose your ties
get ready for the final flight

make your last journey
from this strange world
soar for the heights
where there is no more
separation of you and your home

God has created
your wings not to be dormant
as long as you are alive
you must try more and more
to use your wings to show you're alive

these wings of yours
are filled with quests and hopes
if they are not used
they will wither away
they will soon decay

you may not like
what i'm going to tell you
you are stuck
now you must seek
nothing but the source

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī