Devotion

There is a big difference between concentration and meditation. Concentration requires practise.  Meditation is a natural state.  We know that wherever we find interest, our mind focuses without any effort. Nobody has to tell us to concentrate when we are watching a film in the cinema.  The reason for this is because we find interest…

Mantra recitation is very important.  Lord Krishna himself has emphasised this fact by saying: Yagyānām Japyagyosmi – Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, 10:25 “Of all the Yagyas, I am the Japyagya” Mantrajāp mam dradha biswāsā, Pancham bhajan so beda prakāsā – Shri Ramcharitmanas, Aranyakānd, 36:1 “Lord Ram describes mantra recitation, done with unflinching faith, as the fifth…

In the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita it is said: “Chanchalam hi manah krishna pramathi balavaddridham” (6:34) The mind is wanders by nature.  The ability of the mind to think about things without having to be in a place physically is a faculty of the mind.  The problem arises when the mind roams of its own accord…

In their endeavor to present the eternal truth, our sages have indicated many phenomena symbolically.  This form of presentation is an art and Sanatan Dharma is rich in it.  The essence of our culture is ‘Satyam Shivam Sundaram’. Satyam, the truth, which is Shivam or universally benevolent is presented in Sundaram or a beautiful manner.…

Lord Krishna is ‘Yogeshwar’ and Lord Shiva is ‘Yogishwar’.  Yoga has eight components: Yam, Niyam, Aasan, Pranayam, Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyan and Samadhi. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva depicts all eight components.  One enters the temple by ascending the five steps each of Yam and Niyam.  The murti of Nandi is seen first.  Nandi symbolises…

‘Up’ in the word upāsanā (worship) means ‘near’.  Upāsanā means to sit close by.   Serving God present in the temple in our home, chanting God’s name and meditating is worship. Making chapatis in our house can also be devotion and bhajan (meaning, singing God’s praise), if we make them with the faith that we will…

All Saints have given utmost importance to chanting God’s name in the current age of kalyug. Tulsidasji says, Nahīn kali karam na bhagati bibeku, Rām nām avalamban eku. Nam sankirtanam yasya sarva pappranashanam, Pranamo dukhshamanastam namami harim param. Singing and chanting God’s name destroys our sins.  This is its definite result.  How are sins destroyed?…

One must take the support of name chanting to develop love should they have no love for God and for one in love, there is nothing dearer other than God’s name in this world.  Doesn’t a mother call his son by name all the time because she loves her son so much? Once, a girl…

Shri Krishna means Truth, Shri Krishna means bliss, Shri Krishna means peace, Shri Krishna means love, and this is every soul’s natural desire.  Who in the world does not desire peace, love, bliss and happiness in life?  Shri Krishna is the Ocean of love.  Shri Krishna is the embodiment of peace. Shri Krishna Himself defines…