What is a Mantra?

Someone using mala beads

A mantra is a powerful sound, vibration or sacred utterance that is used to tame the wild mind/ego, provide focus and settle the consciousness into a profound state of meditation.

The word mantra itself, roughly translates to “mind/think instrument” and speaks directly to our subconsciousness.

You may be most familiar with the seed mantra “Om” (sometimes written as “aum”). This sound is believed to be the sound of the Universe, the sound in everything and of consciousness and by repetitively chanting it, it puts you at one with the Universe and expands your awareness. The ancient yogis claim that the sound “Om” was the very first thing in existence and subsequently created all of life.

Sri KALIKAmbal temple, Chennai.

 Kalikambal Temple, Chennai, India 

A historical temple on which the city was named -

Kalikambal Temple, which is located in the Northern Chennai of South India, might not be known to many.   But, it is surprising to know that this is one of the few temples of ancient  Chennai city, and even the city is supposed to have derived its name from this temple deity.

Kalikambal,  the presiding deity of the temple, was once known  as “Neithal Nila Kamakshi”, “Chennamman” and “Kottai Amman” (Kottai means fort in Tamil)

 The area where the temple is located got the name “Chenna Pattinam” or “Chennai Kuppam” on accout of this.  The British East India Company bought Chennaikuppam, Madras Kuppam and Vadavarukuppam in 1639 AD.  In Madras Kuppam aka Madrasa Pattinam, the company built a fort (the St. George Fort of current Chennai located near beach).

Power Of Pranayama

THE POWER OF THE PRANAYAMA YOGA.

What is Pranayama? It is the stepping stone of the Yogi, or in other words the foundation, the helpmate of the Yogi in controlling his enemies—freeing him from diseases. The Pranayama is the means by which the Yogi masters levitation, walks upon the water, and also the means of living buried alive for years. 

Pranayama is the Master Key by which Yogis open the door of liberation, and master all the forces.

Pranayama is the best method for suffering humanity to overcome diseases, conquer fear, overcome nervousness or despondency. It opens the door of Blessed Peace, it gives hope to the hopeless, power to the poor, faith to the faithless. There is no other way to control the mind, as mind is nothing without desire or thought; desires and thoughts are nothing without Prana.

Maa Kalika The Dark Mother.

Kali,  The Guardian. also known as Maa Kālikā.

The Protectress.  The Mother.   Kali is Dharma and Eternal Time.   Kali shines with the brilliance of a Million Black Fires of Dissolution and Her body is bathed in vibuthi (sacred ash). She is also revered as Bhavatārini (literally "redeemer of the universe"). 

Just as the night sky appears black due to it's fathomless depth and as the ocean appears deep blue due to it's fathomless depth~ so too Kali appears dark due to Her Infinite depth. Kali assumes the form that reflects the attitude and bhava (emotion) of the person who approaches Her. If Kali is approached with the bhava of Motherly Love, She assumes the form of Lakshmi. If Kali is approached as the Guru, embodying Wisdom, Art and Education, She assumes the form of Saraswati. The demons approached Kalika with the bhava of destruction and evil. Consequently, the Divine Mother assumed the form of their Destruction by reflecting, in form, their own Evil. 

The Tantras mention over thirty forms of Kali. The Divine Mother is also known as Kali-Ma, the Black Goddess, Maha Kali, Nitya Kali, Smashana Kali, Raksha Kali, Shyama Kali, Kalikamata, Bhadra Kali, Ugra Chandi, Bhima Chandi, Sidheshvari, Sheetla and Kalaratri. 

Sri Vidya Tantra: Sri Devi Upasana

Sri Vidya Tantra: Sri Devi Upasana: The Devi upasaana has been described apart from Vedas in Devi bhagawatham, Skaantham, various puranas etc It is also said univocally i...