The armies of the devas were mesmerised. They chanted in unison as their spirits rose after witnessing this huge spectacle. From his palace, Mahishasura wondered what was happening, and walked up to his window only to see nothing but a dazzling light. This was the glory of Devi Durga, and Mahishasura knew that he had …
But when you get rid of kāma, krodha and lobhā, that is just the first step. A celebration is not in order. There are more challenges on the way – challenges that will involve the Devi fighting with Mahishasura and Raktabija. How does she win? What is the inner meaning? Mahishasura is probably the first …
“This is because of the boon that Devi granted these asuras”, thought Sri Vishnu as he continued to battle them. “Only she can show me a way to get the better of them.” And so, Sri Vishnu prayed to Devi Mahāmayā, who appeared before him, and said… “Sri Vishnu, you have called for me. Tell …
Suratha said “Oh revered Rishi! we are grieving. I lost my kingdom, yet I feel attached to everything that is associated with it. My elephant, my people, my treasury…And this is Samādhi. He was disowned by his family, and yet he feels affectionate towards them. He still thinks about their welfare. And so, both him …
Let me tell you a story… Two people met at an ashram in a forest. The first was named Suratha. A virtuous king, Suratha had lost a battle to a much smaller enemy, and when he returned to his kingdom, found that another powerful enemy had besieged his fort. He later found out that his …
Sri Durga Saptashloki ॐ अस्य श्रीदुर्गासप्तश्लोकीस्तोत्रमहामन्त्रस्य नारायण ऋषिः । अनुष्टुपादीनि छन्दांसि । श्रीमहाकालीमहालक्ष्मीमहासरस्वत्यो देवताः । श्री जगदम्बाप्रीत्यर्थ पाठे विनियोगः ॥ Om Asya Shrii-Durgaa-Sapta-Shlokii-Stotra-Mahaa-MantrasyaNaaraayanna Rssih | Anussttupa-[A]adiini Chanda-Amsi |Shrii-Mahaakaalii-Mahaalakssmii-Mahaasarasvatyo Devataah |Shrii Jagad-Ambaa-Priity[i]-Artha Paatthe Viniyogah || ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवि भगवती हि सा ।बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति ॥१॥ दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तोःस्वस्थैः स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि ।दारिद्रयदुःखभयहारिणि का त्वदन्यासर्वोपकारकरणाय सदार्द्र चित्ता ॥२॥ सर्वमंगलमांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।शरण्ये त्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥३॥ शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणपरायणे ।सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोऽस्तु ते ॥४॥ सर्वस्वरूपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते ।भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवी नमोऽस्तु ते ॥५॥ रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान् ।त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्रयान्ति ॥६॥ सर्वाबाधाप्रशमनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्वरि ।एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्वैरि विनाशनम् ॥७॥ या देवी सर्वभूतेषु विष्णुमायेति शब्दिता । नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः ॥ yā devī sarvabhūteṣu viṣṇumāyeti śabditā ।namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namaḥ ॥ The number nine holds special significance …
And we enter the season of festivals. The next one and a half months will be a roller coaster ride of fun, frolic, fasting and worship. Starting with Mahalaya today, Navratri tomorrowh, and nine days of fasting and resetting the body and mind, and visiting Gayatri’s place to see the golu arrangements. Dussehra and Vijayadashami …
Read this somewhere… The thing that gives people courage is ideas. And it is not only courage that comes from ideas; it is determination; it is the power to act, the power to go on acting coherently. For though it is true that most ideas are the rationalizations of feelings, that does not mean that …
More than four years back, this is the blog that started it all. 2009 days later – still going strong! As I move towards half a decade of remote work (September 2025), I will reflect on the years gone by, and boy have they gone by so fast! I hope to review how our decision …
Reading a Hindu calendar can be complex, especially for beginners. So here is a quick guide, just for you! Start with a Panchāngam – Drink Panchang is a good option. It has an app and a website – so take your pick. Let’s assume that you are using the app. Ensure that the location is …
