Ponderings

Ganga means one who speeds up our journey or evolution and who unites us with the Goal OF life. She flows from Brahmaji’s kalash to Vishnu Bhagwan’s foot during the Vamana Avatar and from there to the jata of Shivji before flowing on the earth due to Bhagirath’s penance. So she is symbolic of Jnana, Bhakti and Seva.She is held by Bhagawan Shiva in his jata symbolic of humbling of her pride and power of Shiva ji’s tapasya. Another symbolism is Gangaji is symbolic of Brahmavidya or the knowledge of the Self which is very subtle & difficult to understand. Bhagawan Shiva is the Adi Guru who has realised this knowledge through tapas or austerity and brings this knowledge to the disciples in small understandable doses. Har Har Gange.#ganga #shiva #riverganga #river #vedanta #oneness #puranas #bhakti #seva #jnana #jnanayoga[ganges, austerity, peace, tradition, guruparampara, vedas, vedic wisdom]

Väsuki is the eldest son of Rishi Kashyapa and Kadrů. Vasuki went through all pain for others to get Amrit. He did not ask what will i get out of it. Selfless people who see oneness and operate love go through difficulties joyously because of this vision of oneness and love. In Tripura-dahana, Vasuki becomes the bow-string of Shiva’a bow(Pinaka) and as the axle of his chariot. The nāgas anointed Vasuki as their King. He is one of the 7 nagas to hold up the earth. When Balabhadra went to Patala after his work on earth, Vasuki went to receive him. Comment “Vasuki” to know more about Vasuki and his length and how Garuda was humbled by Vasuki.#mahakumbh #mahakumbh2025 #vasuki #shiva #serpent#naga #snake #selfless #strength[snake, selfless, churning, ocean, struggle, life, service, love, oneness]

Bhagawan Shiva is Shashi-shekhara. Shashi is a name given for the moon . The meaning of the word is one who has a rabbit like mark . Moon shows a rabbit like mark when seen from earth so it is given that name . Shekara means crest or crest ornament. One who wears moon as an ornament in his crest is called shashishekara . Moon is the presiding deity of the mind.  The crescent moon is symbolic of our mind being steady. The moon goes through waxing and waning but the moon on Lord Shiva’s jata does not go through any modification. It remains steady. Vedanta says Manaso Devataa Chandramaaha. In the Vedas, Shiva Sankalpa sukta’s each mantra ends with the line – Tan me manah Shiva-sankalpam astu. May my mind have an auspicious resolve. By the grace of Lord Shiva, may our mind have positive and auspicious resolve. May we not fall for negative thinking. May we continue to lift ourselves higher and higher. Moon also is a symbol of coolness. As seekers, we have to keep our mind cool and calm. Though Lord Shiva is known

RUDRAKSHA JABALA UPANISHAD says Bhusunda questioned Lord Kalagnirudra: What is the beginning of Rudraksha beads? What is the benefit of wearing them on the body? Lord Kalagnirudra answered him thus: “I closed my eyes for the sake of destroying the Tripura Asuras. From my eyes thus closed, drops of water fell on the earth. These drops of tears turned into Rudrakshas. By the mere utterance of the name of ‘Rudraksha’, one acquires the benefit of giving ten cows in charity. By seeing and touching it, one attains double that benefit.I closed my eyes one thousand celestial years. Then from my eyelids, drops of water dropped down and attained the state of immobility for blessing the devoted personsThis Rudraksha destroys the devotees’ sins that are committed both night and day, by wearing it.By mere vision of the Rudraksha, the benefit will be say, a lac. But by wearing them, it will be a crore. Why, it will be equal to hundred crores. But it will be a thousand lacs of crores and hundred lacs of crores times powerfu

Bhagawan Shiva wears Bhasma (sacred ash) as a powerful symbol of detachment, destruction of ego, and transcendence over Maya (illusion). Here’s why:1. Symbol of Impermanence – Bhasma represents the fact that everything material will turn to ash. It reminds us that worldly attachments are temporary, urging seekers to focus on the eternal truth—Brahman.2. Victory Over Death – Shiva is Mahakaal, the Lord of Time and Death. By smearing ashes, He signifies that He has conquered Kala (time) actions(karma) and Yama (death), remaining ever free.3. Destruction of Ego and Desire – Bhasma is a reminder to burn the false sense of “I” (Ahamkara) and worldly desires in the fire of knowledge and devotion. 4. Purification and Tapas (Austerity) – Ash represents purity and renunciation. Shiva, as the supreme Yogi, lives in the cremation ground, showing that He is beyond worldly distinctions.He applies bhasma all over the body and also as tripundra(3 lines) on the forehead. 3 lines symbolise destruction of 3 karmas- sanchita(ac

Halahal is also called Kālakūta. Owing to the curse of Durvasa, the Devas were subjected to symptoms of old age, and to produce amṛta (nectar) as remedy for this unfortunate development, the churning of Kşīrā-bdhi (ocean of milk) was started. Vasuki, the snake, was used as cord to rotate mount Mandara, which was used as the churning rod. When the churning became very intense, the mortal poison Kālakūta emerged out of Vasuki’s mouth. (Another view is held that Kālakūța rose out of the milk-sea). On the emergence of the deadly poison the asuras ran off in great fear, the Devas got bewildered, Bali and Sugrīva too got frightened and without exhibiting his fright Vişnu covered his face; on the whole it appeared as though the entire world would be reduced to ashes. At this critical moment, Siva, reputed for his daring, put all the Kālakūța into his mouth. Frightened at it Parvati held Śiva’s throat by her hands so that the poison did not enter his stomach. At the same time Mahāvişnu covered with his hands Śiva’s m

Do you do Japa with Om Namah Shivaya?A Mantra is that which removes all obstacles and miseries of one who reflects on it and bestows eternal bliss and immortality. Shiva Panchakshara (Namah Shivaya) is the best among seven crores of Mantras. There are seven Skandhas in Krishna Yajurveda. There is Rudradhyayi in the centre of the middle Skandha. In this Rudradhyayi, in the 8th Anuvak, Namah Shivaya or the Shiva Panchakshara Mantra is found. Its glory is indescribable. It means salutations to Bhagawan Shiva, signifying surrender. It is also indicating our essential oneness with Infinitr Consciousness or Shiva. In this way it is a Mahavakya.He who does Japa of this Panchakshara is freed from births and deaths and attains eternal bliss. This is the emphatic declaration of the Vedas. This Panchakshara is the body of Bhagawan Nataraja. This is the abode of Bhagawan Shiva. If you add ‘Om ’ to the ‘Namah Shivaya’ in the beginning, then it becomes Shadakshara or six-lettered Mantra.Take bath. Wear Bhasma and Rudraksha

Why not give milk, curd etc to the poor and the hungry is a question that many ask. Yes it can surely be given and anna daan or charity is prescribed by our scriptures and it has its own significance. It will feed the poor and also give punya to the needy. It should be done. However every karma has its own results and charity cannot replace what is offered in abhisheka to Bhagawan. Performing abhisheka is done out of gratitude, out of surrender and has a different significance(discussed in my earlier reel). The punya it generates also is different. Infact when something is offered to Bhagawan, it reaches all the Jeevas because Bhagawan is the Self of all the beings. Also, of the items that are offered, the sacred water and other substances which are edible, like sugarcane juice, coconut water, Panchamrta-Milk, honey, curd, ghee& sugar are then distributed as Tirtha or Prasad. One can offer that also as annadaan. This way the poor person gets not just ordinary milk or the dravya but gets the prasad with ma

We always ask how did this creation come about? In Pure Consciousness which is Infinite, there is no creation since Infinity means beyond space, time and causation. 5 elements that make up this creation are by themselves inert and can do nothing by themselves. Yet we see so much dynamism in the creation. So how did this creation come about? Shiva linga indicates the answer to us. Shiva Linga is the combination of matter(prakriti) and Consciousness(Purusha or Shiva Tattva). Matter enlivened by Consciousness is the entire creation with all its diversity and dynamism. For a devotee the Linga lifts the mind to the state beyond body and mind, to the state of Shiva, the 4th state of Consciousness which is the support of and yet beyond the 3 states of Consciousness: Waking, dream and deep sleep. When one contemplates on the 4th state one realises - I am not this prakriti or inert Body, Mind and Intellect. I am Shiva. I am Consciousness. Shivoham Shivoham. I am the very source and substratum of creation.#harharmahade

Shivaratri is made up of two words – Shiva & Ratri.  The word Shiva means – “Shete tishthati sarvam jagat Yasmin sah shivah shambhuh vikararahitah”  Shiva is the One in whom the entire universe rests, who is changeless and brings auspiciousness to everyone.  Shiva is Pure Consciousness or the very life-spark in our heart.  Consciousness is Sat-Chit-Ananda or Satyam Shivam and Sundaram.  Shiva means auspicious, beautiful. Consciousness alone is truly beautiful because true beauty never fades, is eternal and changeless. Our Body, Mind & Intellect are inert. They appear to be sentient and beautiful only because of reflection of Consciousness.   Ratri is formed of the samskrit root – Raa, which means to give. That which provides happiness and bliss is one meaning of Ratri.  Parvati is one who is born to Parvatraj Himalaya. She signifies Prakriti or Shakti. She is the source of all matter, energy and diversity. In Samskrit, Shiva is masculine gender word. Ratri is feminine gender, is symbolic of Prakriti o

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Salutations to  Sri Dakshinamurty, the abode of all learning, the healer of all those who suffer from the disease of Samsara and the Teacher of the whole world.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Salutations to  Sri Dakshinamurty, the abode of all learning, the healer of all those who suffer from the disease of Samsara and the Teacher of the whole world.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

We meditate upon Sri Dakshinamurty Bhagawan through the 1st verse of Dakshinamurty Dhyana shlokas.  Verse 1: I worship Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti, the young Guru, who teaches the knowledge of Brahman through silence, who is surrounded by disciples, who are themselves ṛṣis and scholars in the Vedas. I worship Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti, who is the Teacher of teachers, whose hand is held in the ‘sign of Knowledge’ (cin-mudrā), whose nature is Bliss, who ever revels in His own Self and who is ever silent.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomat

We meditate upon Sri Dakshinamurty Bhagawan through the 1st verse of Dakshinamurty Dhyana shlokas.  Verse 1: I worship Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti, the young Guru, who teaches the knowledge of Brahman through silence, who is surrounded by disciples, who are themselves ṛṣis and scholars in the Vedas. I worship Śrī Dakṣiṇāmūrti, who is the Teacher of teachers, whose hand is held in the ‘sign of Knowledge’ (cin-mudrā), whose nature is Bliss, who ever revels in His own Self and who is ever silent.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomat

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda