Invoking Ganesh Shri Vakratund mahakay suryakoti samprabha, nirvghney kuru mey deva sarvakaryeshu sarvada – with a rounded trunk, gigantic figure which is illuminated by a thousand suns, may all my tasks be accomplished without any problems.  Worshipping Shri Ganesh with prayer and knowledge is auspicious. In the Indic tradition, any task, be it a new business or a holy ceremony, starts with the worship and igniting of Shri Ganesha. This puja is performed like a ritual. The underlying meaning associated with this practice is very profound.  It is essential that we understand this so that we can explain it to others, especially the younger generation, as it would make them realise and comprehend our culture and its Vedic wisdom in its true perspective. Only when a puja or ritual is performed keeping in mind the philosophy and understanding the hidden messages concealed in the forms of the various deities, devi-devtas and…

Pranam Maa Saraswati Kar Prakash, Dey Sammati Pranam Maa Saraswati Bestow Light, Impart Good Sense Saraswati Namastubhyam varde kamrupanim Vishvarupi vishalakshi vidya gyan prdayanee O Saraswati, goddess of knowledge and wisdom I bow to thee O omnipotent, omnipresent one, who has big eyes (vision), Bestow upon me the boon of wisdom and knowledge. Pray to Saraswati, who takes the creation of Brahma to perfection, through all the Arts. It is said that during the eight phases of the day, Saraswati manifests through everyone’s speech at least once. Each one of us has experienced sometimes that what has been uttered by someone rather casually, has come true. But the human mind engrossed in the material world cannot understand it. To attain this state in totality, where ones speech is consistently governed by Kamalasana -- the one who is seated on a lotus, symbolic of thousand qualities, this is possible only by…

Observe thoughts. Be conscious of the thinking pattern because it is that which creates the path for growth or decline. Analyse your opinions and ideas truthfully, then be centred in them because they will attract all the information in the form of media, books, incidents to resurrect themselves. Suppose you don’t like a person, by being fixed in that pre-conceived notion, carrying this seed within will attract fodder -- circumstances, written matter or people of the same opinion to firm up your views. That is why it is very important to stay open till you are not fully aware of the Truth because if one is settled in incomplete knowledge and notions, they alone will continue to be nourished. That is how even demonic thoughts are born and keep on perpetuating. Just like the admirers of a famous person will find more and more reasons to become his ardent followers…

A Butterfly spreading its silvery wings full of magical colors fluttering and dancing on the sweet scented flowers is an unforgettable sight. It etched a deep image in my mind remembering which frequently brings joy. Why am I so enticed by a Butterfly? And why my heart wants to hold on to this beautiful image and the feeling of blissful joy it brings? Deep in introspection the answers flashed, the Butterfly brings a message of Universal truth. Butterfly goes through metamorphosis which, in simple and mundane terms means change. Yes change, life changes but does the core change? No, we keep living in the same set ways of our lives day in and out. Metamorphosis is the change of the core…from the egg to caterpillar to pupa to a butterfly. No state is similar to the previous one, no behavior is similar to the previous one. This is change in…

In conversation with Meenaji… Seeker: What is the significance of the Eclipse in our lives? Meena ji: Solar Eclipse or any other eclipse is the accuracy of the rhythm of Nature. At an accurate time, the celestial bodies align perfectly and today the Earth Sun and Moon will align…will come under one gravity. The word Eclipse should not be taken as something crippling or negative. Instead we should look at this as a positive event. The Universe teaches us to align with each other when we come together and not to be shadowed by our own ego and limitations. When one comes under the shadow of another person one should not allow the ego to block one from learning something from this person. Just as one comes under the wings or aura or the eclipse of a guru resulting in gains and evolution for the individual. Similarly, when one comes…

Sleep -- the universal experience of restful time when the subconscious takes over and a time when the body and the mind go into a cleansing mode. The mind transforms into an efficient editor and sifts through the files of memories and experiences,  discarding, storing or incubating the required experiences for future life moments. This process helps the human to quickly associate with the past lessons and adapt to whatever life brings in the future. In sleep this process can also lead to dreams. Oneirology or the study of dreams suggests that dreams can invoke sensations, emotions, ideas, images and positive or negative feelings. Dreams can stir the conscious mind’s imagination and one can spend hours trying to analyze the meaning of these lucid images and sensations. Dreams are usually out of the control of the conscious mind and thinking. The subconscious mind’s activity in the dream state also activates…

Eyes on blinking screens, ears with ear-pods feeding the mind with constant stimulation of images and sounds, attributing to the restlessness and increasing sensory phenomenon of the mind and body. Strange new syndromes and diseases are engulfing the new age humans and mental illnesses are breaking records! The recent lockdowns and lifestyle changes have forced all to reconsider their present state of being. It’s almost like nature is providing a second chance, but why would anyone of us take this opportunity to reassess our status quo habits? All await the miracles of vaccine so old ways can be glorified again! Humans are beasts of habit, familiar habits and ways, so why change? Exploding Head Syndrome, ever heard of this? Sounds scary, and it should, as we humans are heading towards similar states where even in sleep which is physiologically the most restful time the mind cannot and will not stop…