Importance of Shivratri

A person should only have one goal in life and that is God realization. Every action, thought, words, all our sense organs with gyan indriyas, karma indriyas should only be engrossed in God realization. Time and again, our Rishis have emphasized the importance of important Muhurat,yog,nakshatras and we should take the benefit of such profound knowledge passed on to us by our great seers.

Lord Shiva is not only the Destroyer but also the power behind creation, causing a constant cycle of destruction and creation in order to bring about necessary good. The Shakti who works in conjunction with Lord Shiva is called Adhya Shakti or Maa Parvati. Together, Parvati, who is a manifestation of the feminine aspect of the Divine known as Shakti (the creative and energetic potency), and Shiva, who is a manifestation of the masculine aspect, represent the dynamic union that sparks creation. Shivratri is the night of Union of the two.

Shiva who is very powerful cannot be understood even by Devtas let alone mere mortals like us.He is the founder of Tantra Sadhna and it is a fact that whatever sadhnas has been passed on by Him during certain auspicious period, they have the potential to generate tremendous impact in the universe and one should make an effort to practice those sadhnas. Shivratri is the most auspicious period to please Shiv and Parvati as it the period of divine love and convergence of Shiv and Shakti. Many sadhnas are recommended under Tantra Sadhna which should be performed on this night. It is better if one could perform these sadhnas in sacred places such as Kashi, Ujjain,Kamakhya Peeth. I have always spent Shivratri with my Guruji whether it was at Kashi, Ujjain, Delhi and during every Shivratri, I have received new direction,new energy,sadhnas,prayogs and new powers. I still reminisce those moments and keep them alive in my heart.

In Tantra, we say “ Yah Shiva,Sah Guru” or “Yah Guru sah Shiva”, meaning both Guru and Shiva are one and the same Tattva in essence but in physical form, even though they appear to be different, it is through a Guru that Shiva’s grace works.Hence, it is very important to be with your Guru at least  on the night of Shivratri and receive His blessings. It is more conducive to do sadhnas at night during Shivratri. Each prahar at night (division/intervals of nights) have different types of sadhnas that could be done to please Shiva. In Kashi, you will see that the priests will perform different types of Shringar with different flowers and items in each prahar at night. In Ujjain, rudra abhishek and puja is performed with different mantras during each of these prahars. I have spent several such Shivratri at Ujjain with my Guruji. My disciples too have done several such sadhnas with me at Ujjain such as laghu rudra,ati rudra, maha rudra abhishek during Shivratri. Ujjain is my favorite sadhna destination and I have performed several austere tantric sadhnas there. It is at Ujjain that I have received the blessings of Trijata Aghori Babaji along with Sandeepani Rishi.

Siddha places, tithis,siddha yogi and gurus, they are all inter-connected. Hence, one can use Shivratri to do sadhnas of siddha yogis and gurus and try to connect with them. Make an effort to receive their blessings, ask for directions in life or just protection for yourself.

Shiv signifies Lok Kalyan (welfare of all beings) and the marriage of Shiv and Parvati was only for Lok Kalyan. A sadhak can only be successful in his spiritual life when he is whole heartedly committed to Lok Kalyan and doing good to others.

It is very hard to become Shiv, very hard to attain success in Tantra sadhnas. The Path of Tantra is not for the faint hearted. It is for the brave souls, those who are willing to sacrifice everything, including themselves. By sacrifice, it doesn’t mean to kill oneself. That’s for the cowards. One should be finely in tune with Shiv Bhavna, the essence of Shiv, which is Lok Kalyan and only then will your life be successful, divine and you will achieve perfection.

What is it that we can’t achieve if there is Shiv,Parvati, Guru, an auspicious period such as Shivratri. The only reason we don’t see success in our life is because we have drifted away from this path and we fail to realize the importance of these important events such as Shivratri. We are so distracted with everything else that lose such opportunities and while away our time.

It takes little by little drops of water for a pitcher, river or an ocean to fill. It takes drops of divine nectar to fill so our life can be sweet and immortal and we can experience the awakening of Kundalini and finally the awakening of Sahasraar Chakra. We cannot expect to attain our goals or see success in spiritual life without this nectar in our life. I hope you all make full use of this auspicious period of Shivrati. My blessings to you all.

Significance of Vasant Panchami

 

Maa Saraswati has been extolled in several scriptures, Ved and Purans. We often hear that Lakshmi and Saraswati are “rivals” and how one is superior than the other. However, the truth is that Lakshmi is Chanchala (impermanent,always moving) and it is only with Maa Saraswati’s blessings that one can gain the wisdom and knowledge to preserve Lakshmi (wealth here) in their life.

Hence, one should make an effort to understand the deeper secrets behind Maa Saraswati from a learned Guru. We all aspire to be successful in life but success depends on several factors such as our Karmas. Our karmas are influenced by 3 main qualities, Sattva,Rajas and Tamas gunas. Our Shastras say “Tamso Ma Jyotirgamaya”, i.e Lead me from Darkness to light and this is only possible with the blessings of Maa Saraswati.

One of the key elements in attaining success is how we make an impact on others and inspire them. We express our personalities to the outer world through our thoughts and speech. Our thoughts are expressed through words and it is our ability to communicate with others that determine the level of impact we make on them. Our words and the manner in which we interact with others is a key element in determining how we inspire them and become successful in life. Maa Saraswati’s blessings give one mastery over speech and communication. With her blessings, our speech and words can produce the desired effect on the world and inspire others.

Most of the successful leaders have one trait in common which is their ability to speak and convince others. We see politicians who are great orators inspiring millions of people worldwide. Similarly, a   singer can entrall an audience and evoke emotions of ecstasy, sorrow, melody all at the same time through the power of speech and words. Such is the power of Maa Saraswati’s blessing.

Even sounds produce effects and different types of sound produce different effect. A crying sound has a different effect as compared to laughter. With the help of words, sound and mantra sadhnas, we can please or attract deities to give us desired results. Hence, we need the grace of Maa Saraswati if we want success in life. All the 10 mahavidyas have some element of Maa Saraswati in them and the highest category of tantriks or Mahavidya sadhaks will always have Saraswati siddhis.

Vasant Panchami is a very powerful occasion and personally I have learnt several sadhanas on Maa Saraswati under the tutelage of my gurudev, Swami Nikhileshwaranandji. As per my Guruji, the meaning of Vasant is “Bas- Ant(a)”, meaning end of all sorrows, miseries, problems and difficulties in life. Vasant Panchami heralds the arrival of spring season, symbolizing growth, prosperity, renewal from the dry, cold winters, new beginnings and regeneration. A true sadhak should use this day to discard all shortcomings in their lives and start afresh.

Vasant Panchami is the day of knowledge, wisdom, literature, arts and music. On this day, people also worship Kamadeva and Rati who awaken the earth (and its people) and thus the world blooms anew. Hence, it is an auspicious day for Akarshan (attraction) siddhi sadhnas. It is also the day for Apasara,Brahma and Lakshmi Siddhi. Performing sadhnas on this auspicious day is very beneficial for those looking to get married, married couples who are either on the verge of divorce or looking for renewed marital bliss in their relationships. In short, it is a very auspicious day for practicing sadhnas and opening doors for new opportunities in life.

Understanding the essence of Ma Saraswati through Guruji's discourses

Out of the 3 divine shaktis, while Kali represents Kriya shakti (energy related to action), Lakshmi represents Icchhya shakti (energy related to will power), Saraswati represents Gyana shakti (energy related to knowledge or wisdom).

Without gyana shakti kindled within us, we cannot make progress in the world, spiritual or material. 

That Gyana comes from blessings of Saraswati. Her root mantra Aim or Aeng also represents the root mantra associated with our soul (Atma Beeja). 

Atma kripa (kripa meaning grace) is the 4th and final stage of kripa. Shastra kripa (blessings from scriptures, the first stage) is followed by Ishta kripa (blessings from Ishta devata, the deity you associate with), which leads to Guru kripa (Guru, the form of Parabrahman the immortal). After one becomes worthy of Guru's blessings (requires very long penance), Guru clears the path for Atma kripa, through which you merge your Atma (soul) into the ParamAtma (the all pervading super-soul of Parabrahman). Your final effort, that leap, is Atma kripa, which is only possible by constant flow of Gyana within our consciousness. 

That Gyana is pure just like a river coming from Himalayas, naturally flowing and is healing and cleansing. The word Saras means "flowing". Guru's knowledge transferred into our consciousness is Saraswati, which awakens our kundalini. Saraswati and her beeja mantra are directly connected with Kundalini jagaran.

When our consciousness starts traversing from the gross states to subtle states, i.e. from Annamaya kosha (physical body) to Manamaya kosha (mental realm) to Pranamaya kosha (breath and life force), then we are ready to enter the Vigyana maya kosha (scientific state, that quest for divine knowledge where tantra actually begins), and culminates into the final state of Anandamaya kosha (The state of union, where Shakti meets Shiva). 

This is the culmination of our spiritual journey where kundalini rises from the gross muladhara (earth, Lam), and enters other bhootas (water, fire, air) and merges into the Akash (ether) element which is all pervasive.

This journey is only possible by the grace of Guru who invokes the shakti of Saraswati within us. That gyana shakti also gives us wisdom so we can use the other 2 shaktis (energy of will and action). Only when we have wisdom, we can work according to divine will and use our actions to do meaningful work.

That gyana also provides us light so we can understand our Dharma. "Kula dharma prakashaya tasmai Shree Gurave Namaha". Dharma sums up the principles that govern our life. Those principles are instilled and awakened within our consciousness by Shree Guru in the form of Gyana shakti. 

It enables Pragnya within us that gives us the divine power to discriminate between right and wrong, so we can follow our dharma. We are always in dilemma battling with the concept of what is right and wrong. That duality concedes when the power of pragnya dawns within us. 

Shree Krishna explained this amidst the backdrop of a battlefield. Gurudev explains to us saying our life is a battleground as we are always in a confused state like Arjuna. 

Thus, we need that higher wisdom of Mother Saraswati, Gyana shakti, with which we can awaken our latent energies and proceed toward higher realization.

Jai Gurudev

Mahalaya Paksha/Pitru Paksha

(Based on the teachings of Gurudev Swami Divyachetnanadji Maharaj)

Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha is the 16 day period that falls in the second fortnight of the Hindu month of  Bhadrapada. It ends with Amavasya. Mahalaya Amavasya is also called Sarva Pitri Amavasya. Pitru or Pitris are our ancestors and these days are of paramount importance in offering prayers and food to them.

Our scriptures say we are all born with three kinds of debts:

1. The debt we owe to the Gods – this is repaid by performing Yagyas

2. The debt we owe to the Rishis (Seers/Sages) – this is repaid by study of the scriptures

3. The debt we owe to our ancestors – this is repaid by performing Shraddha and Tarpan  for the deceased

Karna, the great warrior, of the Mahabharata was the son of Suryadev and known for his charity. When he died and went to heaven he found he was only able to get food made of gold which was of no use in satiating his hunger. When he asked the Gods why, Indra told him that this was because throughout his mortal life Karna had only donated gold and gems to the poor but never food and water to them or to his ancestors. Karna realized his mistake and the Gods agreed to let him go back to Earth for a short period to make amends. He fed the poor and needy during this time and this period came to be known as pitru paksha. It is worth noting that in the divine system only pitrus are given 16 days – even Divine Mother gets 9 nights and Lord Ganesh gets 10 days.

During Pitru paksha we make offerings for the satisfaction (tushti), strength (pushti) and liberation (mukti) of our pitrus. Tarpan of water, milk etc, feeds them, recitation of powerful mantras, like any of  the Mahavidya mantras,  Durga saptashati etc, strengthens them and recitation of Bhagwat Katha, Bhagavat Gita, Guru Gita etc. helps liberate them. Additionally acts of charity in their name like feeding others, giving clothes etc. adds to their good karma.

Our elders and especially our parents have made immense sacrifices in bringing us up. Without the generations of ancestors that came before us, we would not exist here and without their contribution we would not have all the things that we have today. It is a known fact that the thoughts and beliefs of a mother influences the thoughts and beliefs of the child while it is in her womb. In fact the good and bad deeds of the family lineage influences all born in the lineage and we take on some of the negative karma of the mistakes of past generations in this life, causing us to experience suffering too.

After leaving the physical body many souls still have a lot of unfulfilled desires and suffer due to this. Pitra Dosh (problems in life due to unhappy ancestors) is indicated by the placement of planets in specific houses in the natal horoscope. This arises when pitrus in the lineage had died due to unnatural causes like snake bite, drowning, in an accident etc., or because they have been wronged by acts like wrongful appropriation of property, injustice meted out towards parents, siblings or others in the family, neglect, abuse or killing of members in the family etc. In these instances the pitrus are not able to move to higher planes and remain here or in lower planes undergoing a lot of suffering. They look towards their offspring lineage to do spiritual work that helps them. There can never be any happiness or progress in families when pitra dosha is present. Dreaming of snakes or of drowning, facing repeated miscarriages, continuous fights and arguments amongst family members, broken marriages, incurable diseases affecting family members, or illness that cannot be diagnosed are all symptoms of pitru dosha impacting the family lineage.

Pitra Dosha can be alleviated to an extent by regularly performing shraadha, tarpan, daan etc. for the pitrus throughout the year on all appropriate occasions. Additionally special prayog’s (spiritual practices) using mantra, yantra and tantra on special days in special teertha (holy) places can be very fruitful in addressing pitra dosha. One off the most effective methods of addressing pitra dosha is the prayog of Ma Bagalamukhi (the eighth Mahavidya) with her mantras on an Amavasya that falls on Saturday.

Our pitrus in various subtle astral bodies reside in the world called Bhuva and enjoy or suffer based on the karma they have incurred from deeds in past lifetimes. Offerings made to them reach them in whatever subtle body they exist through the pitru devas and help alleviate any sufferings they may be undergoing as well as help them ascend to higher worlds. They in turn bless us and we progress and prosper.

During Mahalaya paksha we honor individual ancestors with special offerings and rites performed to each ancestor depending on the thithi (date) when they died. The Shraddha ceremony can be performed to all pitrus on the Mahalaya Amavasya day irrespective on when they died and also to compensate if we could not perform the rites on their annual death day.

The True Meaning of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi and pleasing Ganesh

(based on the Pravachan of Gurudev Swami Divyachetnanandji Maharaj)

Ganesh is the head of all the deities. We recite “Ganaanaam cha Ganapati …” - Gana means group, Pati means head – Ganapati is the head of all. He represents the Earth element which is why he is so heavy. He is the most intelligent and if you read about him in the scriptures this has been demonstrated through many stories about him.

Currently the ten days of Ganesh are ongoing. Most of us have made/bought a clay idol of Ganesh and worshiped him, and have/will immerse this idol in water (visarjan). But that is not what Ganesh worship and pleasing him is all about. We need to try to understand what Ganesh represents, what we need from him and what we should take from him during these days.

This body is a temple. All the deities reside in it. What is outside is also inside. Ganesh resides at the Muladhara chakra. Mula means base, so Ganesh is the base. Ganesh got blessings from all the Gods that he would be the first one to be prayed too. He is “pratham pujya”. If we have his blessings, if we imbibe his qualities we will be first and foremost too. We should strive to be like him.

Ganesh has two wives – Riddhi and Siddhi. He has two sons – Shubha and Labha. His sons are said to be very young. Mothers are always present where their young children are. If we honor Shubha and Labha then their Mothers will automatically be there for us too.

What is Shubha? Doing all virtuous deeds is called Shubha. Not harming anybody may be good karma but it is not a shubha karma. Shubha karma is doing good to others. Doing karma that will benefit others. Charity comes from this. Doing more and more for others without any ego; that is, not doing charity with an expectation to receive praise. It is said about daan (charity) that when you give something others should not know. Even your own left hand should not know that your right hand gave. This is true charity. When we do more and more good karma like being with Guru, listening to pravachans, understanding them, practicing what was taught, experiencing the benefits of the teachings and then in turn spreading the teachings to others, it is shubha karma. If we change the lives of a hundred people for the better it is shubha karma. Our life on Earth has been useful.

If we have done a lot of shubha karma, labha automatically comes to us. Labha means gains. Gaining more and more. As an example, if we know exactly how much wealth we have it means that we don’t have enough. When we have so much wealth that we can’t even keep count of it and still more and more keeps pouring in, we are indeed wealthy. Wealth is not just money, it is all good things. Labha means countless blessings keep coming our way. Infinite kinds of Lakshmi always come to us when we do Shubha. Bliss is always there.

Riddhi is prosperity/wealth/good fortune and Siddhi is special spiritual powers. When Shubha and Labha are with us automatically Riddhi and Siddhi are with us too. When all these four are there then Ganesh is there. Ganesh represent Swastik – these four – the entire family inside. Swasth is kalyan. All these are hidden inside Ganesh only.

But the key to having Ganesh with us always is based only and only upon the shubha karma we have done and are doing. Keep doing shubha karma always and Ganesh will always be with you.  And the origin of all shubha karma begins with respecting one’s own parents. Because our origin starts from our parents. Respect parents do shubha karma and be always with Ganesh.

This is the true meaning of celebrating Ganesh.

Jai Ganesh

Jai Gurudev

The Bhagavad Gita and its relevance in todays world

( based on the pravachans of Gurudev Swami Divyachetnanandji Maharaj)                       

   ॐ परम् तत्त्वाय नारायणाय गुरुभ्यो नमः  

The Bhagavad Gita starts with the words “Dharma Kshetre Kuru Kshetre”.  Kshetra means a place and kuru means doing. The Bhagavad Gita was set in the place where actions were done for Dharma. What is Dharma? “Dhaarayati Sa Dharma – that which is worth adopting is Dharma”, or, in other words that concept, by adopting which, we become one with God is Dharma.

In real life, we are all constantly fighting the Mahabharat. This war is being fought within us. Both the daivi (divine) forces and the aasuri (evil) forces are battling within us and the Kurukshetra is our mind.  The truth is we look for enemies outside, but most of our enemies are within. We fight with laziness, lethargy, procrastination, jealousy, anger, hatred, intolerance, prejudice, fear, selfishness etc. All these enemies hold back our progress, totally destroying our peace of mind and preventing us from leading a perfect life.

The last line of the Bhagavad Gita is :

“Yatra Yogeshwara Krishna, 

Yatra Paartho Dhanur Dhara, 

Tatra Shrir-Vijayo Bhootir

 Dhruva Neetir Matir Mama” 

• Here Krishna is being referred to as Yogeshwar. Yogeshwar, or ishwara of yoga, is Shiva. This line means wherever Krishna is present in his Yogeshwar or Shiva like form, controlling all his senses, and ready to work for the welfare of all. This is the real meaning of a Yogi. 
• Arjun is called Parth. Parth means pritha putra. Pritha or related to the Earth, putra or son. Dhanurdhar means one who is holding the bow in his hand. Arjuna has lifted up his bow ready to let pull the string and launch the arrows. He is poised and ready to battle. Just before this he had said to Krishna” O Lord, I will do as you bid me to”. 
• Vijay means Victory,  Shree means, wealth and opulence, Neeti means righteous behavior, Bhooti means exceptional power, Dhruva Matir Mama means this is my strong opinion.

A simple translation is - where Lord Krishna, in his Yogeswar form and Arjun as Parth, armed and poised for battle are present, there will certainly be opulence, victory, prosperity, exceptional power and righteousness. This is my opinion.

In other words, when we have controlled our minds and senses and are armed and ready to fight for dharma there will always be opulence, victory, prosperity, exceptional power and righteousness for us.

The Bhagavad Gita is not an epic poem or a story from the past. It is all about dharma, the conflict around dharma, the dilemma and the personal choices one faces. Therefore its teachings are relevant today, tomorrow and will remain relevant in all the centuries to come.  

Jai Gurudev

Jai Shri Krishna

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO TANTRIK SADHANA

I've been fortunate to be born in family where Pure Tantra was taught to me from childhood.

In my association with Guruji, I also met different types of people who come to Guruji for personal and spiritual guidance. For all there problems or curiosities the only prescriptions would be " sadhana". For newcomers it would appear very confusing and then would turn to me with various questions. Based on all these commonly asked question I ve tried to prepare this FAQs.,.Hope it is helpful to the readers.

Q.) What is Tantra?

 Tantra in one single word means " The Technique"

Q.)What is Sadhana?

Sadhana is a ritualistic meditational practice which may include yogic postures, pranayams, chantings, visualization techniques etc., It is done under the guidance of the Spiritual Master.

The goal of Sadhana is to awaken the dormant spiritual energy which helps us fight all obstacles in material and spiritual path and take us to the path of immortality.

Q.) What is Anusthan?

 Anusthan means chanting mantras for specific no. of times in a specific time period followed by other procedures like fire sacrifice(homam), water offerings tarpanam and cleansing of self by sprinkling water on crown of head known as marjanam.

For most mantras the common anusthan is to chant it 125,000 times., and do the homan for1/10th of the no. chantings and then 1/10th for tarpanam and 1/10th for marjanam

For example:

If we do Anusthan of 125,000 times of chanting then,  

Homam will 12,500 times chanting (125,000 x1/10)

Tarpanam will be 125 times chanting of homam (1250 x 1/10)

Marjanam is 12.5 times of tarpanam                   (125 x 1/10)

Q. ) If we are not able to undertake any anusthan then is there any other way?

Yes, you can hire a priest to do the anusthan for you.

Or, You can contact www.Divyachetna.com. The Ashram has professional expert priests who undertake anusthans on your behalf.

To be continued....