The Hindu Dharma possesses a concept that, like so many concepts in Islam, has been separated from its origin and twisted by the progression of the local human culture. A huge complication here is that humans tend to be too proud of their cultures and change in a better direction is often unfortunately slow.

However, Indian culture in many (most?) instances sets a great example for other cultures. Like the Hindu religion, Indian culture provides a number of ways of supplementing one’s current path (either religious OR cultural) and the result is virtually always improvement. No joke. Christians who become “a little bit Hindu” are able to strongly maintain their Christian identity, but in the process of becoming “a little bit Hindu” actually become better Christians. This is applicable in a number of contexts. Hinduism is a religion – that is to say, a spiritual way of life. Its immensity and depth is unmatched by other world religions and simultaneously allow one to be a devout Hindu, with his own strong Hindu identity, and for a non-Hindu to develop into a better non-Hindu.

All of that is neither here nor there, though, as far as this post is concerned. The concept I began referring to at the beginning of this piece is that of caste. The modern manifestation of caste is miserable and mean. In India, people are born into one caste or another and usually are trapped therein. Here in the West, an equivalent might be the notion of being born into a family of uneducated janitors and never being allowed to become anything but another uneducated janitor – and not being able to marry or otherwise associate with anyone who isn’t also an uneducated janitor. Sounds lovely, eh? There are varying versions of this that do occur here in the West, also, although a bit more abstractly. People here often bemoan how “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” Much of our political system is horribly skewed and often what results is that the rich do get richer and the poor, while they may not actually get poorer, they certainly struggle to become “less poor.”

Of course, one benefit to anyone living in the West is that even if you’re born into a dirt-poor family, many times the biggest obstacle in the path of your life’s betterment is your own resolve and dedication to that betterment. Personal responsibility can’t be overstated in this regard.

Currently, myriad castes are recognized in India, although I think original “Hinduism” recognized just four varnas. These are called Brahmin (also Brahmana)/priests/philosophers/scholars, Kshatriya/military/rulers, Vaishya/merchants/farmers/average workers, and Shudra/servants of the other three varnas. The original idea, as I understand, is that a person has a certain internal makeup that designates them as one of these four “types” of people. Technically speaking, there is a hierarchy to these (I mentioned them in order from “highest” to “lowest”), but one is able to essentially change caste according to his personal developmental evolution or devolution. Of course, as previously mentioned, this system of order has been abused through the millennia and now is a monster that hardly, if ever, fulfills its original intent.
 
While pondering all this fanciness, for some strange reason, my mind turned to my family. To be clear, I don’t see or speak with much of my family anywhere nearly as often as I’d prefer. Still, if ever my heart experiences a swell of bhakti/devotion, it’s usually in response to thoughts of my family.

And so, thinking of my (immediate) family recently, something dawned on my brains. I’ve mentioned before how crazy and wonderful my parents are. My siblings are no less wonderful. And truth be told, for the purpose of this post, when I refer to siblings I mean only two of the four that I have. (I consider all my siblings to be part of my immediate family, but growing up, only two of them lived in the same household. Two brothers.) What I’ve come to realize is that part of the reason my family kicks as much ass as it does is because of the balance we have.
To speak in terms of varnas, we were far from the Shudra existence, but my parents worked their butts off at jobs that were certainly in the service sector of our culture/society. We’re familiar with starting at the bottom and striving. Around my teen years, we became merchants – now owning a group of jewelry stores. The youngest brother in that household seems neither particularly philosophically inclined nor inclined toward the life of a protector. Surely, he’s happy fitting in with the rest of the family as a Vaishya, as he’s never really been prone to a life too far from “home.” The next sibling up the totem pole (again, just in that household) has, since his childhood, dreamed of becoming Rambo. As soon as he was able, and partly because he had no better choice, he entered into a military existence and seems happy living the life of a Kshatriya. Lastly, yet first in line of said totem pole, is myself. If there’s anyone in my family who’s “deep” or philosophical, it’s me. This is a blessing and a curse. I’m the one who has always been more internal than external. If any of my parents’ progeny would be destined to become a monk, you’re looking at him. (In fact, that’s very nearly happened more than once.)

And so, you see, the entirety of life’s stations can all be found in my family’s wonderful life expressions. We’re just the right amount of crazy, and stern, and normal. Very religious and also very not. Many people love coming to the Jordan house for a visit, and I can’t help but think they subconsciously know that regardless of who’s home they’re likely to find an element of life that is tougher to find in other places. At times this has made our gatherings more interesting than not, but it also – for me – is the source of so many smiles.

Om Shanti

The last two days Facebook has been aglow with all kinds of posts and reposts pertaining to marriage equality. Today, on my way to Goodwill to unload some furniture, I was scanning the feed and saw a repost that I automatically began reading into. You can see it at the head of this post, and if you would I’d ask that you read into it, too.

I asked my beloved about this, and he almost instantly admitted that it was over his head. Truly, he doesn’t know much about different cultures or religions, or their histories or modern expressions.

Not to imply that any of the following is an opinion of mine, allow me to at least share a few passing thoughts that resulted form viewed the repost above on Facebook:

It seems to be a pretty obvious jab at Christianity and it’s current insistence that gay marriage is morally apprehensible. Christians, are in the same religious family as Jews and Muslims. The biblical Abraham was the father of Judaism, which in turn fathered Christianity. Islam is a related “cousin” or something – related, just not as directly. Judaism is something like the second oldest living, organized religion on the globe – only slightly younger than Hinduism. As far as I know Judaism differs from the other two main Abrahamic faiths in that it doesn’t aggressively seek converts. While it seems to do well at holding grudges, it also seems far less oppressive or inclined to force its way of living on others. But – it also views itself a THE group most loved by God, indeed God’s “chosen people,” which is certainly arrogant and exclusive.

It certainly seems detrimental to put you or your people on any kind of pedestal, but perhaps it’s okay to be entirely full of yourself if you don’t force it onto others? Would the world be a better place if the apple hadn’t fallen so far from the tree and Christians were more like Jews? You tell me.

Om Shanti

In the autumn of last year I received an invite to an exclusive Facebook group for Ganapatya Sampradaya, the focus of which was learning and chanting the Ganapati Atharvashirsha. Despite my background with Ganesha as my ishtadevata, I was unfamiliar with the Atharvashirsha and it seemed auspicious because I had been hoping for a sense of community and also sought deeper knowledge on effective Ganesha puja. The group turned out to offer so much more than guidance on scriptural recitation/chanting. Since then, I’ve become a member of a number of “closed” Facebook groups centering around Ganesha, thanks to the kind facilitator of these (for discretionary reasons I’ll refrain from using his/her name/Facebook identity), and my relationship with the aspect of God wearing the face of Ganesha has gained immense focus. (Please note: My use of the word focus is not meant to imply emphasis. Although in earlier stages this focus did include emphasis, the meaning now is meant to convey single-pointedness.) I’m writing now to share some information about the Atharvashirsha and the Upanishad itself. I still occasionally struggle to correctly pronounce some parts of the prayer and with the correct metre, but it’s been a sweet experience to watch my own progress in this regard and dedication to this effort certainly helps cultivate the right “bhava” during puja.

The following video is a version I keep on my iPod and has been instrumental in helping me learn the Atharvashirsha.

The Atharvashirsha comes to us from the Atharva Veda, one of Hinduism’s founding scriptures and one of humanity’s oldest written works. The Atharvashirsha prayer was written by Rishi Atharvan. He was a privileged soul as the Lord appeared to him. His divine experience led to this prayer.

|| Om Namaste Ganpataye || Tvameva Pratyaksham Tatvamasi || Tvamev Kevalam Kartasi || Tvamev Kevalam Dhartasi || Tvamev Kevlam Hartasi || Tvamev Sarvam Khalvidam Bramhasi || Tvam Sakshad Atmasi Nityam || 1 ||

(O Lord Ganesh, I pay my deep homage to you, the Lord of the Ganas || You are the first facet of the Brahma Tatva to arise || You have created this entire universe ||You can maintain this universe || You are indeed the all conquering supreme Lord || Indeed you are the “Atma” the soul of this cosmos || 1

|| HRTUM VACHMI || SATYAM VACHMI || 2 ||

(Speak the noble fact || Speak the complete truth) || 2 ||

|| Ava tvam Mam || Ava Vaktaram || Ava Shrotaram || Ava Dataram || Ava Dhataram || Avanuchanavamv Shishyam || Ava Paschatat || Ava Purastat || Avo Uttaratat || Ava Dakshinatat || Ava chordhvatat || Ava Dharatat || Sarvatomam Pahi Pahi Samantat || 3 ||

( Protect me || Protect the one who describes you || Protect all who hear about your characteristics || Protect me and the disciples who are under tutelage || Protect me from the obstacles (which arise during rituals) From the east, protect me from the west, north and south || Protect me from above and below || Protect me from all directions) || 3 ||

|| Tvam Vangmayastvam Chinmaya || Tvam Anandmayastvam Bramhamaya || Tvam SachitanandaDvitiyosi ||Tvam Pratyaksham Bramhasi ||Tvam Jnanmayo Vijnanamayosi || 4 ||

(You are the constituent of speech || You are the joy and the immortal consciousness || You are the truth, mind and bliss|| You are none other than divinity || You are the knowledge of all gross & subtle forms) || 4 ||

|| Sarvam Jagadidam Tatvo Jayate || Sarvam Jagadidam Tatvastishthati || Sarvam Jagadidam Tvay Layameshyati || Sarvam Jagadidam Tvayi Pratyeti || Tvam Bhumi Rapo Nalo Nilo Nabha || Tvam Chatvarim Vak Padaini || 5 ||

(The entire universe manifests because of you || You sustain all the universes || All the universes get destroyed in you || All the universes finally get merged into you || You are the earth, water, fire, air and ether || You are the four types of speech and the root source of sound) || 5 |||| Tvam Guna Traya Atitaha: Tvam Avasthatreya Atitaha || Tvam Deha Treya Atitaha || Tvam Kala Treya Atitaha || Tvam Muladhar Stiti Yosi Nityam || Tvam Yogino Dhayayanti Nityam || Tvam Bramha, Tvam Vishnustvam, Rudrastvam, Indrastvam Agnistvam, Vayustvam Suryastvam, Chndramastvam Bramha Bhur Bhuva Svorom || 6 ||

(You are beyond the three gunas, (Sattva-Pure, Rajas-Activity ,Tamas-Dullness) You are beyond three states of being; (awake, dream and deep slumber) || You are beyond the three bodies; (gross, subtle and casual) You are beyond the past, present and future || You are the Lord of the Muladhara Chakra (This is the first chakra which awakens the Kundalini|| Sages always meditate on you || You are the Lord of the three worlds including the elements. You are the all pervading force) || 6 ||

|| Ganadim Purvamuccharaya Varnadim Tada Nantaram || Anusvara Paratarah || Ardhendu Lasitam || Taren Hridam || Etatva Manu Svarupam || Gakarah Purva Rupam || Akaro Madhyam Rupam || Anu Svaraschantya Rupam || Bindu Ruta Rupam || Nadah Sandhanam || Sa Hita Sandhih || Sesha Ganeshvidhya || Ganak Rishi: Nichrud Gayatri chandah || Ganpatir devata ||

||Om ‘GUNG’ Ganpataye Namah || 7 ||

After describing the characteristics and attributes Of Lord Ganesh, Atharvan Rishi gives us the sacred “Ganesh Vidya” i.e. the mantra that reveals the sacred form of Lord Ganesh.

The letter “GA” is to be enunciated, following by “NA” This one word mantra is then potentiated with the “Pranava” “Om”. This is sacred mantra. “Ga” is the first part, “Na” is the middle and the end “Um” formed by the bindu is conjoined with the foregoing and all of them form the sacred word. This mantra if pronounced properly has the power of revealing the Lord. The sage who received the mantra is Ganaka and the verse is “Nichrat Gayatri.” || Om Gung Ganapati || 7 ||

By repeating this mantra, the devotees should bow and surrender to the Lord.

|| Ek Dantaya Vid Mahe vakra Tundaya Dhimahi || Tanno Danti Prachodayat || 8 ||

(Mediate on the single tusked Lord, with the curved trunk || May He grant knowledge and inspire me || This is the Lord Ganesh’s Gayatri.)

|| Ek Dantam Chatur Hastam Pashmam Kusha Dharinam || Radamch Vardam Hastair Bhi Bhranum Mushaka Dhvajam || Raktam Gandhanu Liptangam Rakta Pushpaihi saupujitam || Bhaktanu Kampinam Devam Jagat Karnam Achutam || Avir Bhutam Cha Shrasta Yadao, Prakruthe Purushat Param || Evam Dhayayati Yo Nityam, Sa Yogi Yoginam Varah || 9 ||

(The “saguna” form of Lord Ganesh is presented in the above Shloka. I salute the Lord with one tusk (right side) who has four hands. The upper right one carries a binding rope, the upper left one holds the goad, the lower left one holds a broken tusk and the lower right blesses us. The mouse is His mount or vehicle || His complexion is crimson, He is pot-bellied, His ears are elephant like and He is adorned in red garments || He is smeared with red sandalwood and decorated with red flowers usually hibiscus || He eternally blesses his devotees and has been around long before the existence of the cosmos|| The one who meditates on him constantly is eternally blessed || 9 ||
|| Namo Vrat Pataye, Namo Ganapataye || Namo Pratham patye, Namste Stu Lambodaraya Ekdantaya, Vighna Nashine Shiv Sutaya, Sri Varad Murtiye Namo Namah || 10 ||

(Salutations to you the Lord of all deities, Ganas and all beings ||(Salutations To) the pot-bellied one, single tusked who destroys all obstacles, He is the son of Lord Shiva-The Divine Lord who grants boons. We all bow down to you chanting your name. || 10 ||

Let’s start with two weeks previous; I went to what was meant to be my fourth or fifth Hindi lesson (I have no idea which, the time is just passing too quickly) to find that my tutor had become a grandmother! She was still in hospital with her daughter, whose new baby girl I got to meet in my next lesson – as Razia spent most of the hour and a half holding baby Huda in one hand, whilst correcting my Hindi with the other.

I spent most of the weekend house hunting. After viewing a PG (paying guesthouse) for 10 girls and deciding I definitely didn’t want to stay in that sort of accommodation, I then visited some expat sharing flats. The first reminded me too much of messy university shared houses, and I would have opted for the shared room in a young Indian girl’s apartment right near the office, if I hadn’t visited the last place.

Off a small street full of shops, and nearer to the centre of Bangalore, this shared expat flat was in a block that had its own gardens and security. I ended up spending an hour with three of the other four girls staying there, chatting and eating biscuits (heaven!), and my mind was made up. So, with the deposit paid, and my predecessor vacating at the end of this week, I shall be shifting to the new place at the start of April. I can’t wait. More than anything I intend to make full use of the oven for cake-baking!

Padil ‘homestay’ to be hub of women activism – The Hindu.

Following my meeting with the soon-to-be flatmates, I hurried to a talk with Bhanwari Devi. Bhanwariji was, and still is, an activist against child marriage, and her outspoken protest against a particular case in Rajasthan resulted in her being gang-raped by a group of politicians. That’s the short story, but Wikipedia has it in more detail. A tiny lady wearing a bright orange shawl over her head, she came into the room as everyone stood up, and quietly got onto the stage. It was only when she started speaking, in passionate Rajasthani, that you could see how much the anger still filled her. Her daughter did the translation into Hindi, and another man into English. I wish I could have understood more of what she said – so much was lost in translation.

After ending with a defiant speech, Bhanwariji slipped into song with a group of women. I approached as one of many afterwards, all wanting to offer their help and consolations, and when I gave her namaste she replied with the warmest and open hug. She is still waiting for justice, more than 20 years after the crime was committed.

So many other events filled my week that I can only skim over them. Sunday was spent photographing my saris and putting them online – see my new shop page, or go to ebay – and Monday evening in giving my deposit over to Rita, the girl whom I shall be replacing at the new flat. Again, I got side-tracked eating too many biscuits and discussing plans for Holi with Rita and my new roommate, Priya, before I realised it was dark and should be getting back.

SAR01004

SAR01005

Back at the office, I spent a filthy two days buried in dirt and posters in a dark forgotten corner, in my attempts to catalogue all of SICHREM’s existing stock. The more I discovered, the more there seemed to be. After turning the shamble of scrap paper and old, bent posters hidden on a top shelf into some semblance of order, I turned to the wall of t-shirts hidden in the cupboard next door. Rose and I spent the entire afternoon sorting by slogan and size. I think I might have actually dreamt that night of folding and unfolding clothes, and putting stickers onto different items. I was so proud of myself when the whole area was finished, until Rose pointed me toward a second, larger cupboard that vomited twice as many t-shirts onto my head. Save that for next week.

The most exciting Thursday in India yet then followed, as myself, Chithra, pattyamma, Rose and Mathews drove to Mysore for our colleague Prakash’s house-warming. Getting lost en route, Mathews was looking for directions. Midway along the three-lane highway, he rolled down his window and shouted at two men riding a moped, who brought their vehicle alongside ours and gave directions, both travelling along at 60 mph.

At Prakash’s, I expected a party, but the spectacle when we arrived got my Hinduism-tastebuds watering. Prakash and his wife were suffocating inside their new home, next to a heavily-smoking fire that had been built inside a temporary pit. A tent had been erected outside, and the poles framing the entrance to their house had been dressed in woven banana leaves and garlands. What followed was an extremely complex string of rituals: making puja with bananas and red ochre at each corner; throwing rice three times, at the house, at the cow brought in especially as the representation of Lakshmi (goddess of wealth and luck); pouring rice over the doorway and exchanging garlands as a couple.

I still can’t decide my favourite part – when Prakash, required to smash a pumpkin filled with red ochre against a stone, grimaced and rolled up his dhoti, or when he then had to smear his hands with the stuff and decorate each wall with his handprints.

Another hour of puja followed, all in Kannada. Interesting as it was I was soon drifting off as we sat cramped together in his smoky living room. When the last prayers were finally done, and goody bags with more coconuts handed out (my favourite part!), we enjoyed the south Indian thalli laid out for lunch, before heading back for Bangalore in the air-conditioned car.

Again another talk at the weekend, this time by Brinda Grover. She is an advocate who facilitated involvement of various NGOs and spokespersons for women’s rights in the writing of the Verma Committee report on violence against women. The Verma report has been ground-breaking in India, laying out the beginnings of better equality and respect for women, in society and the law. The ordinance proposed by the Indian government in response however was nothing short of regressive, and strongly ridiculed across society for idiocies like ignoring the possibility of marital rape, and giving sanction to the death penalty. Her talk focused around these issues, and I was so intent on what she was saying I couldn’t note things down fast enough. A really enlightening session, and I walked away that evening wanting to learn more.

Finally, Manohar and I at last managed our first meeting with the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, as an initial point of contact before I start doing the research for my report. This is following weeks of phone calls and ‘mislaid’ faxes, or apathetic staff informing us that the Members were out from their offices. To my surprise we received such a positive response from each person we spoke to, including the chief Member, and his Registrar, that I didn’t dare breathe for fear of jinxing it. Maybe this will be an easy research process after all! *Crosses fingers*

Varanasi is also commonly known as Benares or Benaras  and Kashi, a city on the banks of the River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh.  According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, several thousand years ago which makes it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India.

Enjoy the spirit of Varanasi here….

Probhat Aroti

Om !

Morning puja on Ganges.

 In memory of the forefathers

He came all the way from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Varasnasi to bring homage to his deceased ancestors, like so many Hindu from all over India, believing that after death, the soul given to the Goddess Ganga, remains in the river of life and death.

Sun Rise

Sun rise on Ganges.

Body Building

Early morning body building at Varanasi.

Puja

Puja before Body Building .

Body Building 

Early morning body building at Varanasi.

Body Building 

Early morning body building on the Ganges.

Pranayam

Early morning pranayam on the Ganges.

Yoga

Sit – Up

Early morning body building on the Ganges.

Priest

Priest 

A priest at Varanasi.

Sadhu

A Sadhu at Varanasi.

Handful of blessing

Pradeep Kumar Dwivedi, the priest of the Shitala Mandir at Dasaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi is one of the  few survivors of a tragic bus accident on 3rd June 1996 morning where more than fifty people were killed. Four people are still in coma. In that accident he lost one of his hands. As the time passes by he realized that he was being neglected by his family as he became physically challenged due to that tragic occurrence. One day he told his father that he’ll earn himself and he came to Varanasi. When he came to Varanasi he fell in love with the ancient city.

Mentor

Ganga Darshan

Boating on the Ganges.

Ganga Darshan

Ghats

Ghats of Varanasi.

Fortune Teller

A fortune teller on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Sadhu

A priest from Varanasi.

Waiting

An old woman at Varanasi.

Puja

Puja on the Shitala Mandir.

Puja

Puja on the bank of Ganges.

Burning Ghat

Burning Ghat on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Burning Memories

Few days ago early in the morning one mobile call from Varanasi really shocked me for some time. Only four words “Sir Kiran mama chale gaye” (Kiran uncle is no more). Though I was getting ready for my office but couldn’t control myself and sat on the couch for an hour. He was only 65 ! Kiran Chowdhury, the famous Doma (A Hindu caste whose duty is to burn the dead and look after the crematorium) of Varanasi is no more ! Though he’ll not burn bodies anymore but there’ll be burning all the time. From now bodies will be burnt without his touch as he burnt to ashes. During my last visit to Varanasi we had a long discussion regarding Hinduism and Karma. That day once again I realised that wisdom doesn’t come from the books always.

Burning Ghat

Burning Ghat on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Navaratri

A family celebrating Sharada Navaratri at Varanasi.

Evening Puja

Evening Puja on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Durga Bisarjan

DURGA BISARJAN on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Puja

Evening Puja on Doshomi at Varanasi.

Dura Bisarjan

DURGA BISARJAN on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Sondha Aroti

Sondha Aroti (Evening Puja) on the Ganges at Varanasi.

Sondha Aroti

Sondha Aroti (Evening Puja) on the Ganges at Varanasi.

A panoramic view of the Varanasi ghats.

For large view please click blog.apratimsaha.com

worship (Photo credit: Celestial Photography)

Question:  How might I approach activities in my daily life to benefit the greater good, including myself?

Answer:  In all things, sincerity is what matters most.

Think about it.  We live in a mundane world.  Most of what we do on a daily basis isn’t really all that interesting.  It can be boring stuff like paying bills, shopping for groceries, gassing up the car, picking up clothing from the dry cleaners–you get the picture.  There isn’t necessarily all that much joy in these activities unless we choose to experience joy while doing them.   When we approach our activities in life such as yoga, eating, showering, dressing, etc. with a sense of sincerity or true devotion, then everything in life becomes Puja or worship.  Each activity is like an offering.  The heart is what matters most.  If your heart is not in your yoga practice, your faith, your relationships, or daily life then it all has the potential to become meaningless.

I’ve learned the importance of appreciation, gratitude for all of life’s offerings even when things are not quite how I’d like them to be.  In times of personal struggle I find that I have the power to flip the coin from the negative to the positive.  When I complain about certain aspects in my life because this or that isn’t quite how I’d like it to be, I realize that I am begrudging my life.  Doing this takes me very quickly down a dark tunnel.  I realize that I have this ability to transport myself into the world of hell.  So, instead of engaging in that activity, I’ve learned that when I show appreciation and choose to experience the joy in all that is, the light in my life changes and brightens.  In a sense, I am liberating myself from the darkness and negativity.  When I focus on making others happy, without expecting anything in return, when I serve others and help them to overcome life’s obstacles, my life brightens and becomes happier in the process.  Swami Satchidananda refers to this as Karma Yoga.  He says,

“It’s all for others.  Then the entire life becomes Karma Yoga.  If you are living for the sake of everybody, serving God and His creation every minute with every breath, you are worshipping constantly.  Your work has become worship and every act is a part of that worship.  Always live for others, do for others, think of others.  Automatically your needs will be fulfilled.”  (The Living Gita)

I hear my fellow Buddhist members talk about this phenomenon from their own experience all the time.  Many people have expressed to me that their lives changed for the better once they began dedicating their practice to the happiness of others.  It is the law of cause and effect.  What goes around comes around.  The more we give, the more we receive.

“Devotees of the Supreme Lord are twenty-four hours daily engaged in glorifying the pastimes of the Supreme Lord. Their hearts and souls are constantly submerged in Krishna, and they take pleasure in discussing Him with other devotees.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Bhagavad-gita, 10.9 Purport)

“Hey man, how’s it going? I’m calling to let you know that we’re having a special puja at our house this Saturday. It’s an auspicious occasion, something that only comes around once a year. If you do this puja then you’re promised good health, good fortune, and safety for the upcoming year. Such and such is the beneficiary of the worship, and when they are pleased they liberally give out benedictions.

“Why don’t we hold this puja every day, you ask? Well, I mean it’s not required that it be done every day. You only have to do it once on the day prescribed for it. That’s why you should attend. We’re having a lot of people over that day, and we’ll have nice food afterwards. This is a good way to stay in touch with spiritual life, to keep yourself grounded. If we did it every day, it would lose its meaning. I don’t think you’re even allowed to hold this puja every day.”

It’s only common sense to wonder why the worship in this hypothetical scenario doesn’t take place every day. You bathe every day; at least that is the hygienic thing to do. You eat every day. You watch television every day. You go on the internet every day. Why, then, should you only worship on special occasions? Perhaps there are other ceremonies that occur more frequently, but then again, we should ask why they don’t occur all the time.

The day is simply a demarcation of time. It’s like taking a large pizza pie and dividing it up into eight slices. The division does nothing to change the constitution of the pizza. The slices are there to make the pie easier to eat when with others. It’s easier for the establishment to sell the pizza to individuals that way too.

Time is a much larger continuum that is impossible to fully grasp. What to speak of the full existence of the universe, we can’t even get a hold of our own time on earth. That is why we take note of the days, weeks, months and years. We celebrate our birthday as a way to recognize that a certain amount of time has passed. As time really makes no difference on who we are, why should we base our religious activities on it? Why shouldn’t we worship all the time?

The function in the above referenced scenario is known as demigod worship in the Vedas. The puja can also be likened to a yajna, or sacrifice, but in general such kinds of worship are reserved for a particular divine figure who can grant material benedictions. This last point is what automatically prevents the worship from taking place more regularly. The worship of the demigods can be compared to walking up to a vending machine, putting in coins, selecting your item of choice, and then walking away with the dispensed item. Once you have gotten what you want, what is the purpose to going back to the machine to put in more money? You don’t need another item, so the money will go to waste if you offer it to the machine, no?

If I worship a divine figure with the intent of getting good fortune in return, once that fortune arrives, I need to do something with it. I asked for it for a reason. If I want a home gym for my birthday and my parents buy it for me, will I not want to start exercising on it? During that time of exercise, what would be the point in asking the parents for another home gym? Rather, I won’t ask for anything again until I need it.

But should religious life be like this? Should it involve business transactions? I can get stuff without worshiping anyone. Indeed, this is a contributing factor to the widespread lack of God consciousness in the modern day society. With so much material opulence available, what need is there for worshiping God? If I have my tablet computer, high definition television, and fancy automobile, why do I need to waste my time with religion?

The Vedas give us demigod worship and many pujas for acquiring material opulence, so there is a legitimate purpose to them. It is better to worship for things to get them than to think that things appear on their own. If I worship someone to get material opulence, at least I have an understanding that there is a higher power. That is one step closer to the complete realization that I am not the supreme controller. I am a spirit soul, part and parcel of God, but I am not equal to Him. I am always inferior and He is always superior.

“Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 7.20)

If I remain stuck on demigod worship, I have not made the most out of my existence. As mentioned before, there is no purpose to going back to the vending machine once you have gotten what you want. Similarly, there is no reason to repeat the puja once you have asked for and received your specific reward. If you do want to continue worshiping, you have to change the beneficiary. Ironically enough, we can look to those who are worshiped for material opulence to understand to where we should turn.

Lord Shiva is one of the famous divine figures of the Vedic tradition. He is known as Ashutosha because he is easily pleased. As Goswami Tulsidas mentions in his Vinai Patrika, just by a simple offering made to Shiva people have turned from paupers into wealthy kings instantly. There is practically no limit to the material opulence that Lord Shiva will give you if he is pleased by your worship.

The wise person takes a step back and reflects for a second. “Wait, I’m getting all of this material opulence, but what about Lord Shiva? I heard that he lives on a cold mountain wearing the garb of an ascetic. He has the most beautiful and chaste wife in Parvati Devi, but he spends all his time muttering the name of Rama. He has the power to destroy the entire creation, and yet he is not interested in any kind of material activity. He gives away opulence, but he obviously doesn’t think that the opulence is very important. He must have something more valuable.”

A devotee of Lord Shiva once had a similar epiphany. It came to him after interacting with a famous Vaishnava saint. Sanatana Gosvami was living in Vrindavana. Previously he was a government minister and very wealthy. He also had a touchstone that could turn iron into gold. Yet he gave all that up in order to live a renounced life in Vrindavana. There he spent all his time worshiping Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Krishna expands into Vishnu and also Rama, who is Lord Shiva’s worshipable figure of choice.

This Shiva devotee heard that Sanatana Gosvami had previously owned the touchstone, so he went to find out where it was. Sanatana Gosvami told the devotee where to find it. He did not hesitate to give away the location. While feverishly pursuing this touchstone, the devotee began to wonder why Sanatana Gosvami didn’t want it. He eventually realized that Sanatana Gosvami had something much more valuable. He had devotion to God, which could be practiced every day. Indeed, this is the same valuable gem that Lord Shiva and other famous Vaishnavas possess.

“There is a nice story about Shrila Sanatana Gosvami. He had a touchstone with him, and this stone was left in a pile of refuse. A needy man took it, but later on wondered why the valuable stone was kept in such a neglected place. He therefore asked Sanatana Gosvami for the most valuable thing, and then he was given the holy name of the Lord.” (Teachings of Queen Kunti, 10 Purport)

When you worship God every day, not desiring any material benedictions, you are practicing bhakti-yoga. In this age Lord Chaitanya, the spiritual master of Sanatana Gosvami, has made the practice of bhakti-yoga available to everyone. One doesn’t have to attend a specific puja held only once a year. They don’t have to pay money to get this most valuable gift. They simply have to have the good fortune of meeting a Krishna devotee and hearing from them the most powerful mantra of “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”

Now, imagine if you were to call up your friend and say, “Hey, man, I’m having a bhakti-yoga program at my home this Saturday. For what reason, you ask? Just because; it’s fun. It’s a way to show our love for God. The worship is itself the reward. We don’t have to hold it this particular Saturday, for we worship every day by chanting the holy names, but we figure the more of a routine we can make, the better off we’ll be. If we’re supposed to love to make our lives truly worthwhile, why not love God, who is superior to the temporary manifestations effected by time and space? Isn’t it common sense to want to be happy all the time through service?”

Demigod worship, ritualistic worship to attain benedictions, cleansing rituals to remove evil spirits, and other such events will always have more patrons than bhakti-yoga programs. This is the reality, as the material world is the home for those who are averse to divine love. Nevertheless, if one just hears the holy name and then gets the itching to repeat it, even with a little discomfort in the beginning stages they can reach the point where they understand that life is meant for worshiping God without motivation and without interruption. And through the holy name that worship can go on and on, carrying forward into the next life as well.

In Closing:

“Come over to my house at end of the week,

For puja, material benedictions to seek.

Why not do the worship daily you inquire?

What is use after coveted gift acquired?

After candy from vending machine you have got,

Why again money into it will you drop?”

Real worship meant to be available to all,

Not only to specific item in hopes to call.

Sanatana Gosvami threw away his touchstone,

Higher taste in worshiping Supreme Lord alone.

****

dikhta hai kuchh hai pardoN meiN,
roop utar aayaa hai tera dil meiN,
parishtish karney se ujaagar hoga,
dikheyNgey ik roz jaisey asl meiN.

****

seeney baney maqtal diloN ke daur ki jhoNk meiN,
kahaaN rahey hifaazat se dil kya kareyN dilwale

****

zakhm khaaye to laDDana chhoDDna kyoN hai,
lahoo kuchh to bachaa hoga ragoN meiN hamaari.

****

maati ka khud hokar matii ko naa pujey,
kaisa aadmii hai kaisa ehsaan faraamosh.

****

mom se dil pighaleyN toH taj mahal bantey haiN,
patthar dil jo kareyN muhabbat kya na ho jaaye.

First off, I made a trip to KR Market last weekend to stock up on bargain saris to sell on as a bit of ongoing fundraising whilst I’m out here. Intending to get a maximum of 10, and naively believing they would easily fit into my little day-rucksack, I ended up splurging on 15 (they’re just such a bargain!) and having to lug three heavy bags round Bangalore for the rest of the day.

And so it was that I met Emma on MG Road, sweaty and with grooves bitten into my fingers after carrying the bags for a good couple of kilometres from the bus stop. The handicrafts emporium we had marked out to visit that Sunday was supposedly holding a special event over the weekend, which turned out to be underwhelming. The rest of the shop however was a dangerous place for a girl like me to be. The first aisle I walked down was filled with art prints and paintings, and on the opposite wall shelves were piled high with different carved deities. Then I spotted a wall hanging, and after dashing towards it, saw some wooden inlaid boxes. When I rushed towards those, I then spotted a huge wooden chest covered in ornate brass patterns. Emma didn’t seem to mind my sudden onset of shop-mania, symptomised by frequent cries of, “Oh LOOK, it’s a little wooden chair,” “Emma, there are cushions!” “Oh my God, I have to buy this [huge carved hinged wooden screen].” Fortunately for me, most of it was very expensive, and even more extortionate to ship back to England, so I settled for a couple of small items as presents, and we headed off for some lunch.

I seized the chance to eat some north Indian food at the restaurant we found, and ate myself into a semi-coma of happiness. The past few weeks have been getting increasingly difficult for me – from a combination of homesickness, disliking south Indian food, still not developing any spice tolerance, and needing some mental space alone. This time last week I had to take a couple of days away from the office, I was so fatigued and my joints were that painful I could barely walk. Combined with my recent weight loss, and the constant shaking in my hands, I realised that I needed to start eating food that wasn’t spicy, otherwise I would end up starving myself into hospital.

Whilst I brought the food situation a little more under my control by cooking pasta for lunch (envisage my stomach smiling happily), privacy is still an issue. Being quite a private person in England, in India, my personal space feels constantly under threat – from the lines of staring faces in the street and male fumblings at every opportunity, to the suffocating way that Indian hospitality is expressed – and it quickly becomes mentally exhausting.

I’m fully aware that this emotional crisis is the result of several factors coming together, and taken alone, each one would certainly be manageable. It still doesn’t make things any easier however. I found a piece written here, which sums it up nicely I think:

Patience – I think attitude is everything with culture shock. I’ve learnt to realize that for a while when moving to a new place I’m not going to know as much I knew in my home country. I don’t expect to know everything because things are very new. And when I am patient with myself I am able to focus on enjoying the process of learning about a new country.

Persistence – I believe that is it important to invest energy into the life that you are looking for. I think it’s important to set goals and do everything you can to achieve them. I think that knowing what you are working for can keep you motivated during very difficult times.

Positivity -Finding ways to stay positive through culture shock is very important. Staying positive for me is doing anything that brings you joy. Doing things like calling home, making new friends, asking for help when you need it, and exercising, are EXTREMELY important. Over time, I have realized that these are the MOST important things to keep doing when things get hard.

via The 3 Ps of Culture Shock | InterNations Blog.

A brief interlude came on Monday morning though, with a wedding invite for all of the SICHREM staff. Leaving only 20 minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to start, at the auspicious and exact time of 12:35, I knew that we would not make it in time, seeing as the journey took closer to 40 minutes. Undeterred, Liz the front-desk wonder-woman, ‘Pattiamma’ (Kannada for grandmother) our cutie cleaning lady, myself, Julika, and three others hopped into the executive director’s car.

En route to the wedding (LTR: Liz, Pattiamma, Me)

We arrived in our everyday office clothes to the most extravangant wedding I have ever seen. We walked down a red carpet laid underneath a long row of curved arches, towards a huge building where each step up to the main door was drowned in flowers, and divided by four huge golden elephants. Inside, hundreds of guests dressed up in their best were milling around. Each woman I passed as we entered seemed to be wearing more gold than the last, and some of the younger girls looked as if they were living dolls, their sari pleats pressed perfectly into place, and their braids hanging straight and long down their backs. Everyone had flowers in their hair too. The men were also in their finery, some in long, high-necked kurtas, others in dhoti.

As a group we queued in the press to present our gift of flowers to the happy couple, and the bride’s father who had invited us showed me and Julika how to bless them in the Hindu fashion. We poured milk three times onto their joined hands as they held two cones of rolled up leaves between them, and sprinkled rice three times onto each of their heads. When it was her turn, Pattiamma zealously touched the young bride’s forehead to take her blessing, and then her neck covered in gold jewellery, and then her arm, and hand, until her father eventually dragged her off!

After that, it seemed all of the formalities were over, and it was time to eat. Downstairs were hundreds more guests eating in rows, as serving staff rolled out paper tablecloths along long lines of tables, and laid down the food in a conveyor belt serving style. When we received our own banana leaf-cum-plates, they were rapidly filled with such a range of the most delicious food that I couldn’t keep up with the courses. Everyone else was eating so fast that I skipped the rice to go to dessert – an amazing ladoo-type sweet atop a puri drowned in milk and sugar. Divine! There was time to scoff some ice-cream and fruit salad on offer at the side of the hall before we headed back to the office. A good day’s work all in all.

The following day was Julika’s last at the office, before she spends her remaining time in India travelling. Everyone said their goodbyes, though she plans to return at the end of the month before flying home – so I won’t write my farewells just yet.

Every other day has blurred into one. Office-in, office-out. Today was different though. International Women’s Day called for a special effort, so all of SICHREM’s female office staff (including myself obviously) came to work dressed in saris. I decided on my new dark green bargain purchased at KR Market a fortnight back, which ended up being re-folded four or five times by different people throughout the morning. Chithra floated in just before the morning meeting with some garlands for everyone. Despite my protests that I lacked any sort of hair length on which to hang mine, I was rescued by Rose, our chai-devi, who pinned it artfully into some sort of bun. Whilst the power was out, and all the computers therefore off, rounds of photos ensued with different people in different combinations. Again, Chithra in her commanding way managed to get me wearing a large red bindi as suited the occasion, and subsequently wanted to get photographic proof.

It was a fun way to start my weekend, especially given the mountain of work I can see peeking round next week’s corner. Until then, I intend to enjoy myself.

I was planning on going to Turkey during the week-long Hajj vacation. This was because Deepshree had an assignment in Kolkata and Ranoo was scheduled to go to Hyderabad for a Basketball Tournament during the period of my holidays. Then I decided to stay put in Riyadh as I realised I needed time to complete my assignments for the online program that I am attending with Massachusetts Institute of Technology. When I told Deepshree about the change of our holiday schedule, she demanded that I come to Bangalore as she would postpone her Kolkata visit by one week. So, at the last moment, I started looking for a ticket to travel to Bangalore. I finally managed a Business class ticket by Emirates on 23Oct12 and return ticket on 04Nov12. I wrote to my boss for 4 days vacation with 2 days on either side of the Hajj vacation and next morning he agreed.

22Oct12 was a very busy day in the office. In the evening, I worked on completing my assignment for the week. I was through with 7 questions at 11PM when my house owner called to announce that he had returned from London and was waiting for me to pay the house rent. I still had 2 questions to complete and 1 hour for the same. However, I abandoned the mission and packed up to join my house owner in his car to reach home and pay the house rent. So, I could not complete my assignment for the first time during this program. I had dinner at my favourite Kerala Restaurant and returned home. The taxi reported exactly at 1AM and I was flying at 0410AM as scheduled. I had around 4 hours in Dubai Airport and thus booked a message for 90 minutes from 0830AM. During the message, I had a sound sleep and was all refreshed. I went to the Business Class Lounge and had coffee and some fruits and boarded the flight to Bangalore. On board the flight, I saw a wonderful movie – Ferrari Ki Sawari.

I reached Bangalore at 0530PM as scheduled. A Mercedes car took me home as was arranged by Emirates. So, I had managed to reach home on Navami – the ninth day of the 10 day long celebration of Durga Puja. Durga Puja is our main festival and it was the will of the goddess that I could take part this year. At 0930PM, Deepshree, Ranoo and I started from our home to reach Bengali Association Durga Puja Pandal at RBANMS college grounds by 10PM. It was a huge challenge to find a spot for parking our car as the Pandal was packed with Bengalis and non-Bengalis. After 30 minutes, I found a spot and proceeded to the Pandal. The idol of the Devi was awesome. I prayed asking for all sorts of comforts from The Lord. I went to the Association office and paid Rs. 1001 as Chanda (donation). Having done this, I spotted the huge area where there were many food stalls. This is the favourite part of the Puja.

On entering, I found a stall selling Rolls. So, we ordered Egg Rolls for Deepshree and I and Vegetable Roll for Ranoo. Having devoured this, we moved forward to find a stall selling Galda Chingri (King Prawns) cooked in typical Bengali style. I ordered one and then thought it would not be sufficient and ordered another one. Deepshree and Ranoo do not eat prawns and so they ordered Mutton and Palao. I also saw that the stall was selling Fish Cutlet and ordered 1 for each of us. The bill was Rs. 950 and the shopkeeper said that he did not have Rs. 50 change to return. So, I told him to give a fried Ilish Maach (Hilsa Fish) piece. We found 3 chairs next to the stall and sat down to enjoy the dinner. By the time, we reached home, it was 1230AM and so we slept.

Next day was Dasami, the last day of the Puja. We decided to go to the Pandal at 4PM. On reaching the Pandal, we found it absolutely deserted and decorators breaking the samiyanas. We were late as the organisers had finished the Puja and taken the Idol for immersion. We took off in our car towards Ulsoor Lake where all Idols are immersed in Bangalore. We reached Ulsoor lake in 10 minutes. However, we were more than 2 KMs from the immersion spot as there was a huge traffic jam. The police had cordoned off the area and were only allowing vehicles carrying the Goddess from different parts of Bangalore. We caught a glimpse of some Idols from different Pujas and paid our last homage for this year to the Goddess. Then, we called home in Kolkata and conveyed our Pranaam to our parents and best wishes to Riya and went home.

puja pandal of bhim mela > year 2013

“Bhim Mela” – a popular fair of rural bengal is happening now over at Dakshin Baroj area very near to “mon chasha ecotourism project”. The special event will continue for 9 days from 21st February till 1st of March 2013. Every year on the Bhim Chaturdashi Tithi – Bengali Month Falgun the festival used to commence with an extraordinary enthusiasm of the local folks of East Midnapore District, West Bengal, India. The management invited us and I have visited the fair on the starting date and enjoyed the opening cetemony with my wife Debjani. Got to know some imporyant informations about this unknown tradition of rural Bengal. Please go through the pictorial story for some detail of “Bhim Mela”.

the idol of bhim & duryodhan @ bhim mela

According to the epic “Mahabharata” – “Bhim” used to be the most strongest person and one of the brother of reknowned “Pandav’s”, who won the war with “Duryodhan” – the most important person of the 100 brother and one sister “Kaurav Family”. At the end Bhim killed Durjodhan. The village people celebrate this auspicious event as a festival now from their core of heart. They think that their beloved “Bhim” will save them from all the evils and enemies and they used to attend this fair to offer a “puja”. Now-a-days this simple “puja” turned to an eventful festival for the entertainment lovers of East Midnapore villagers.

decorative models @ bhim mela

Lot of this type models decorate the event arena which can be an added attraction for the fair visitors. Each model symbolises the facts of “Mahabharata” and also some contemporary issues of modern life.

soft gamble game counter at bhim mela

game counter at bhim mela

Soft gamble related to Playing Cards, Number games add colour to the said “Bhim Mela”. This games are very much popular to the local people. Over at Bengal, festivals are one of the major entertainment tool for the farmers, fishermen, potters, shop owners, suppliers and the daily waged labour groups. Not only them but also to the housewifes these fairs are the most important event after their daily life schedule. So still now “Jatra Pala”, “Kobir Lorai”, “Kathokata”, “Kirton – Sonkirton”, “Mela”, “Parbon”, “Sonkranti” plays important role to supply direct oxygen to the local hard lifers of rural bengal.

You can also enjoy the cultural programs performed by local villagers and their guests coming from outside. The festival management arange different “Jatrapala” based on both ancient and modern topics with traditional cultural events, games in this continue 9 day fair.

With the “Puja Rituals” you can also experience the “Bom Gaach” – a bomb tree, which is fired as an offering to “Bhim God”. In this corner of rural Bengal this is one of the important factor of all puja festivals where “Manasik”s are done with these amazing bomb tree offerings.

In Bengal “Mela” (Fair) means “Milan” (Social Attachment) which cannot be completed without “Paapar Bhaja” (Fried Papad) and “Hot Jilipi”, “Kotkoti” – types of sweet item. So according to the demand local villegers operate small stalls with the support of mela comitee and sell their items. You can have a look over to these Food – Costume Jewellery – Cooking Utensils – Sports Items and also vegetables, fish shops in this festival arena.

We are overwhelmed by the welcome note we got from the Mela Management and Local Panchayet. They have given us a grand welcome on stage and the
guests of “mon chasha” enjoyed the fair a lot – also suggested some new ideas to the fair comitee for the betterment and future planning of “Bhim Mela”.

Please visit this event and you can experience the hidden treasures of bengal villages. Through these fairs you can feel the rustic but romantic village life of Bengal.

Behalf of “mon chasha ecotourism project”, we have already supported this wonderful event in every aspect. In future also we will spread our hands to them.

To “mon chasha” – Bengal is Beautiful, Bengal is Simple, Bengal is Live here. – Still Life in Bengal.

See you there. mon chasha.

We are here in San Diego for the Ashtanga Yoga Confluence. It’s such a lovely place and I feel so grateful for this opportunity to practice with these gifted and devoted teachers. It all kicked off with a Ganesha puja led by Eddie Stern. Our amazing friend Sarah is here, among other awesome Ashtangis. Tomorrow we begin with a Led Primary Series with Dena Kinsberg!

For now, enjoy a few photos from this evening’s ceremonies.

Love and Blessings,

Frances

Probably around two years ago I went the local Patel Brothers Indian Grocery store and perused their selection of mandirs for my puja room. They had only less than ten, and the cheapest one was still more than $300. Usually when I’m shopping for something like this, I only even go shopping when I know I have more than enough money for anything I might encounter. In things like this, if I were to see something I wanted – but not be able to get it right then – it would lead to much frustration. So, typically I only go looking for things I want when I know I can afford them no matter the cost.

So I found myself in Patel Brothers, with the Best, and looking at mandirs. For such a small selection, they did well at providing an assortment. Of course things like that drag out my decision process: Do I want taller more than wide? Color or strictly metallic? How finished do I need the inside to me? Storage drawer or none? Ornate or simplistic?

So many things do consider when choosing your ishtadevata’s dwelling place!

I eventually settled on a design that unique among the selection. It’s colorful and full of detail and design. It has a shelf and drawer that open to the front just below where the doors are. The images on the outside are of Ganesha, Om, Lakshmi, Surya, Hanuman and Krishna. It has a free-standing “steeple” that rests easily on top. There are screened windows on both sides and on the doors. The inside comes with a riser and both the riser and inside walls are covered in red felt-like material. Roughly, it’s about a foot deep, about 1.5ft wide and maybe around 3ft tall.

Since that time, it’s served as a great residence for the murti of my ishtadevata, Ganesha. But I’m getting an itch. This is the last year I’ll be able to get so much back in taxes (thank you, student credit!), and I plan to get Ganesha a new home. This means the current one has to go.

Here’s the deal: I’m giving it away. Anyone who wants it, can have it. The only catch is that if you’re not local to me, you’ll need to reimburse me the cost of shipping. I ran through the USPS website and did a very rough estimate on shipping (~33lbs to an Alaska zip code) and it was around $100. (Note: This is very approximate. I weighed it with everything inside and entered general dimensions, plus I doubt anyone even as far as Alaska will show interest, so the actual cost of shipping would vary, but should be somewhat close to the $100.) I paid around $325 for it before tax, so even worst case scenario with shipping is still two-thirds off the original amount paid for it.

If you’ve read this far you already know its description. Photos are below. This post is going to Facebook for further advertising. Feel free to contact me here, on Facebook, or privately if you have that info. If there are no takers between now and the eighth of March, I’ll donate it to anyone who wants it at my local temple when I’m there on the tenth.

Om Shanti!

The religions of Wicca and Hinduism seem, to most, to be different as night and day. The similarities in philosophy and practice, however, reveal to us that they are closely related in many more ways than they are different. This makes Hinduism, kown as Sanatana Dharma in its native land, a perfect religion to merge with the ways of modern witchcraft. In fact, there are many practicing witches that work with the Hindu pantheon and here I will cover the ways in which that can be done effectively.

The Hindu Pantheon in Wicca

Just as many integrate the Greek or Norse pantheons into Wicca, so too can one integrate the Hindu deities with the same ease. Although, culturally speaking, the gods and goddesses of Hinduism seem to be less related to the Lord and Lady than those of European heritage there are such striking similarities that one can easily include them in their practice. Lets examine these in detail.

Shiva as Pashupati – Shiva is the supreme Lord of the Hindu pantheon, at least in Shaiviam, and one of his aspects is that of an ancient deity named Pashupati. This ancient horned god is what is thought to be the proto-Shiva, the god from which Shiva developed. A seal was discovered in the ancient city of Mohenjodaro, dated to around 2900-1900 BCE, of a horned god of the Indus civilization. The seal is strikingly similar to the image of Cernunnos on the Gunderstep Cauldron as both are horned, sitting in a yogic posture and are surrounded by animals. With this it is an easy transition from the Horned God of Wicca to Pasupati and Shiva. Shiva has also been known to frequent the cremation grounds, giving him an association with The Lord of the Underworld, and is a meditating ascetic, setting an example for every witch. Nandi, Shivas mount, in the form of a bull, has obvious associations with the bull horned Pashupati.

Durga – Durga is the Supreme Mother in several sects of Hinduism. She is considered the universal mother. From her sprang the dark goddess Kali and some consider Saraswati, the goddess of learning and knowledge, and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, to be her aspects as well. One story claims that the goddess Parvati shed her skin and Durga was revealed in order to defeat a demon. With Parvati being the consort of Shiva, and what has been mentioned about Shiva, we can easily relate this, and even convert this, to The Lord and Lady of Wicca. She is the embodiment of Shakti, the universal creative power and the goddess of tantra with the most basic definition being spiritual science and secret knowledge given to the practitioner by initiation.

Ganesha – In Hindu ritual homage is given to Ganesha before the worship of any other deity and this holds true no matter the sect of Sanatana Dharma practiced. Ganesha is the bridge that spans the whole of Hinduism and is even worshiped by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. His popularity is all encompassing yet his origins and rise to prominence are still, to this day, a bit of a mystery. He arose in his present form sometime around the 4th century CE and may have existed in other forms or as a tribal deity although no one knows for sure. In Hinduism Ganesha is The Lord of Obstacles, both placing and removing. In this form he can be seen as The Lord of the Gates, allowing one to pass or not. This is apparent in one of his creation stories, where Parvati created him to guard the entrance to her dwelling. Ganesha would not even let Lord Shiva past.

Kali – The dark goddess Kali deserves special mention here as she would be considered a dark goddess as those of Wicca. Likened to this dark aspect and as a warrior goddess who was born from Durga with the purpose of fighting demons no other god could defeat, she is similar in some ways to the Morrigan and connected similarly to other war goddesses of other pantheons. She is seen in Bengal, and some other parts of India, as a loving mother goddess and the supreme deity.

Navagrahas – The Navagrahas are planetary dirties associated with the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, as well as positions in the sky, Rahu (north or ascending lunar node) and Ketu (south or descending lunar node). Their influence on daily human life is calculated through Vedic astrology. Of these, those most easily associated with Wicca and Witchcraft would be Surya, the sun god and Chandra the god of the moon.

So as you can see, though the deities of Hinduism may look and sound strange to the modern practitioner of witchcraft they are in fact very similar to those that most witches work with on a regular basis. Of course, one should take the time to study the cultural and mythological background of these gods and goddesses before working with them so as to fully understand their powers and associations so that you can work with them in harmony and guided intent. With some effort and study, as well as a bit of time to get to know them, you can be working side by side with the Hindu gods.

Next we will examine the similarities in Hindu ritual and practice as well as some of the more esoteric aspects of the Hindu religion and how the modern witch can incorporate these into their daily practice of ritual and magic.

My practice of what I call pujas, at home, is very limited. Even more so since I broke my leg and my range of motion in my devotional space has been stunted. But I do what I can. At work on my breaks, or before my start time when I am often the only one in the building, I try to conduct devotional pastimes. There, my ability to perform anything resembling a proper puja is even more limited for obvious reasons.

Today as I sat at my station, performing pre-shift japa, I had a notion. I had prepared myself a cup of green tea which I sipped to warm up before I began japa. I said my mantra 108 times as I rolled my fingers over the beads, but as I said my final “Aum” I felt like something was missing. I know, I just said “Aum” and something was missing? How can anything be missing with “Aum” and several of the myriad Names of God still vibrating in my immediate environ? A sacrifice of some sort was due. A prasad. But I had nothing.

But I did have my green tea. It could have been my prasad all along but I had not considered it as such before beginning japa and I had been drinking it carelessly, as I said “to warm up.” So it was not prasad, as far as I was concerned. Not yet.

So I dabbed my fingertips into my cup and began to sprinkle it over my beads as I did an abbreviated japa, once again.

So you see, it can be that simple. Just as with many things in life, it is the thought that counts. The thought, the effort, the follow-through, and in my case in this moment, the bhakti.

Jai Hari Aum!

I think this first video details how many westerners feel. I’m annoyed that a grown man can’t stop from laughing when someone from across the globe has a name that sounds like something else.

LOVE the explanation of Shiva in this second video. And a wonderful aarti as a thanks-giving ceremony! Factoid: North India is apparently less orthodox than the south.

The first time I’ve seen a sadhu actually answer a cell phone. Ganesha is typically known as the personification of Om, and I love that the guide explains Om as The Beginning and The End.

Ganesh – Ganesh – Ganesh! Love the puja. The swami/teacher does well at explaining a fundamental difference between east & west spirituality, involving sex, even! I think this guy asks a great question of the swamini… pay attention! And listen to her answer.

At the beginning of this last video, he begins to verbalize jnana. They visit a unique Kali temple… by far this is the most graphic of the videos. I adore the end. Life = Dharma = Spirituality. Religious or not, we’re all the same, seeking The Same.

Dharma lovers, peace lovers, and truth seekers from all over the world are welcome.

see. : http://www.dharma-sangha.com/news/!nws/2013/02/22/blessing-program-in-pattharkot-in-april-2013

When it comes to seeing what’s not there, or building a picture within my mind’s eye, I’m usually a pro. It’s usually something I’m capable of rather effortlessly. But when it comes to visualizing with intent, with a deeper meaning or purpose, my mind and imagination halt.

According to http://www.definitions.net, visualization is defined as “1) to recall or form mental images or pictures. 2) to form a mental image of. 3) to make perceptible to the mind or imagination. The WordNet website from Princeton defines visualization as “visual image: a mental image that is similar to a visual perception” ( wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn). And according to the almighty Wiki, one of the word’s meanings is “to form a mental picture of something that is invisible or abstract.”

This is fine. Dandy even… if you’re trying to simply imagine or be creative or something simply for the same of the visualization. But I immediately begin to struggle when it comes to employing visualization in spiritual practices.
A good ole friend of mine from way back in high school has taken a path in life that is far different from my own in nearly every way –but we’ve always agreed on the scientific basis of spirituality and of the mystic foundations of reality. For some time now, he’s been active in Chios. I’ll admit now, that I’m poorly versed in the ins & outs of the Chios system. I can say that it deals with different energies that make up reality, particularly in the context of humanity and the human experience. I’ve listened in on a number of their Google+ Hangouts and while they are indeed welcoming and interesting and informative, they seem rather… pretend. I don’t know. I can genuinely say that I have no judgements about anyone investing their time and effort in the Chios system. I sense truth there. But much of the system, and indeed much of the exercises done during the Hangouts, seems to hinge on creative visualization involving colors and shapes. Needless to say, I’m having difficulty buying into the idea that if I visualize myself being a green triune, that I’ll be able to manipulate someone else’s aura and help seal tears and leaks.

Recently, I finished a book, “Loving Ganesha,” which is published by the parampara/sampradaya I’m seriously considering becoming a member of. The lineage is pretty sweet, and I may post on it sometime in the future – it seems to be literally the only lineage I know of that maintains the degree of authenticity that it brought with it when it departed the motherland of Bharata, and is also very open to westerners and non-Indians. But this book, while seriously explaining much of anything to do with Shri Ganesha in minute detail, also indicated that Shri Ganesha is the One Hindu deity that is pleased so easily and is the most accessible to all devotees anywhere. I agree with that much. However, part of this easy access is that simply visualizing Ganesha in one’s mind’s eye brings Him near and immediately puts on into His presence – indeed, this practice of visualization is said to be very helpful when forging a relationship with Ganesha.

I hate to be a doubting Thomas, but I’m not sure I buy this either.

I do agree that, depending on the seeker and his baggage, forging a relationship with the Divine and drawing near to the Divine isn’t necessarily a complex feat. But I don’t know that simply picturing God in one’s mind is enough to immediately and powerfully bring one into practical darshan.

I’m clearly going to have to chew on this one for a bit – I don’t feel like letting part of my personal development and progression to be left up to intentional daydreaming, which is what visualization feels like to me. Maybe I just need to practice visualization a little more, and with more sincerity. Until then, I’ll likely trust in what I know works for sure for me: scientific, systematic, regular, and concrete puja/sadhana.

Om Shanti