Author: kajmani

  • Ganesha Chaturthi Mantras – Part 7

    Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the fourth day after the new moon in the waxing portion of the lunar fortnight of Bhaadrapada (usually in late August or early September). One way to celebrate the festival is to meditate upon the 108 names of Lord Ganesha. Each of the 108 names evokes a specific quality, power…

  • Celebrating Makar Sankranti

    Makar Sankranti is observed on the 14th of January every year and is (incorrectly) thought to coincide the astronomical event of the northward motion of the sun (uttarayana) from the tropic of capricorn towards the tropic of cancer. In India, it also marks the end of winter and the onset of spring and the progression…

  • Lohri Festival – Origin, Traditions and Significance

    The festival of Lohri is celebrated mainly in Northern India and is celebrated on the night before Makar Sankranti (January 14th). Lohri is usually celebrated with great fervor in the state of Punjab and surrounding areas and is connected to the harvest, the winter solstice (according to the sidereal zodiac) and many more traditional events.…

  • The Yoga of Self-Control

    Yoga means union. One aspect of yoga according to sage Patanjali is called pratyahara, which means self-control or withdrawal of the senses. In Chapter Eight of the Bhagavad Gita (verses 11 to 15), Lord Krishna gives the description of the Yoga of Self-Control that can leads us to the Supreme state. This Yoga is practiced…

  • Guru Poornima – Honoring the Guru

    Guru Poornima or Purnima is a festival celebrated on the full-moon day in July dedicated to honoring our Guru, our spiritual leader and teacher. Guru Brahma, Gurur Vishnu, Gurur Devoh Maheswaraha.

  • Yoga of God Realization

    In Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna addresses an important question posed by Arjuna: How are You (the indestructible) to be realized at the time of death by those of steadfast mind? (Gita 8-2.2) In response, Shri Krishna gives a reply over several paragraphs. At first, Krishna says, He who departs from the…