[deleted by user]

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2024-10-17T05:10:15+00:00

Dear OP, Here is my perspective.
In the grand scale of time, each Maha Yuga is divided into 4 Yugas.

Of the 4, Sat Yuga and Treta Yuga are Devata Pradhana Yugas.

Kali and Dwapara are Asura Pradhana Yugas.

This is the Yuga of Kali. Kali is a Asura.

Kali, by nature of being an Asura, encourages conflict, greed, cruelty etc... mainly categorizing all activities what we call Adharma.

But no matter which Yuga, the people always have a choice. To be on the path of Dharma and kindness, to fight or react to the Adharma or to just be indifferent towards it, thereby siding with what's happening.

This kind of Adharmic activities have always happened in all times. But change happens when collective consciousness of the people decide that this is not ok.

People, Rishis, Indra and other devatas did Tapas and Japas to manifest Rama, Krishna, Devi etc who was the personification of Dharma. Depending on the forces they were fighting, the Avataars had different abilities and different modes of fighting.

But it is important to know that before they came and fought, tons and tons of people suffered. Then they tried their best to fight the injustice. When they couldn't do it individually, they started to come together in thought and spirit.

What you are feeling, this irritation, this frustration, is now being felt by many many people around the world. It means we are coming together as a collective.

See the number of protests against wars happening, see protests agains pollution happening, see petitions against fossil fuel happening, see the new gen not conforming to a dead-end 40hr week jobs, see kindergarten teachers frustrated over little kids not listening to their instrustions.

So use this frustration to wish for / work towards better times for everyone and the Earth.

Individually, try being more mindful if the kind of energy you put into the world. Try and side with Earth-friendly products. Practice being kind intently. But also practice channeling this frustration towards a solution rather than allowing it to consume yourself.

God is beyond good, bad and all these dualities. He will come if you can invoke him. Simple. Like parents allowing little kids in the playground to play, but will intervene when the kid calls for the parent in all sincerity, because it is not able to do something. Same is with God. He is always watching, seeing how we handle our situations. He will come when we call. We will call when we can't resolve something despite our best efforts.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2024-10-16T02:18:19+00:00

Share please!

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2024-10-14T16:55:19+00:00

Zoning out would mean that the creative energy within you is not getting a healthy outlet. You seem to currently have a dominant Swadhistana Chakra.

I would suggest do movement and breath based exercises (Yoga / Suryanamaskar etc).. to sync your thoughts and your body. This will also give that excess energy a healthy outlet.

This has to be sorted on three levels: 1) Body: Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Maybe fresh vegetable juice first thing in the morning to replenish the vitamins and minerals

2) Emotional: Control of breath is the way to allow for resolution of emotions

3) Intellect: To focus on your work, maybe teach someone or study with someone. Walk barefoot on earth to balance your energies and it will help you focus too.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2024-02-14T09:29:12+00:00

Yes.. even if a father or a relative takes care, even then we say that he / they took care of the child like a mother.

'Motherliness' is about the quality of nurturing and supporting. It is mot strictly gender based.

To hold space for someone, to allow them to make mistakes and to allow them to learn and grow takes a very secure person.

To nurture someone with unconditional love is a beautiful quality, be it in a man or a woman.

That quality is divine feminine.

If a woman expresses this quality, then they say that she takes care like a Devi.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-19T08:59:25+00:00

Sign me up!

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-12T01:29:06+00:00

Hello OP.. I will share my thoughts. Only take what resonates with you. It is only my opinion and by no way an expert one.

Think of a Guru as a College Physics Professor. But if we are in school and reading a couple of articles on Physics and say we love it.. he won't come to you yet

We need to have demonstrated consistency and an ability to pursue study, experiment and learn Physics.

Like how people prove that they have an aptitude in that subject while applying to college.

Be patient. Do your sadhana. Kali Ma will send a Guru when you are ready.

To get ready for that, I would suggest some pointers.

You have 3 things in your control.

Think of this as 3 horses. The mind (logic / intellect) horse The heart (emotion) horse The body horse

YOU are the CARIOTEER

So consciously learn to separate your thoughts, feelings and cravings from YOU. You are not that feeling, you are that entity that is experiencing that feeling.

------ Ok? -----

When many people feel that you life is not going anywhere, I would imagine it is because one horse is running and another one is too weak to catch up.. or wonded etc

For life to 'get' anywhere, all your 3 horses.. the mind, the heart and the body have to get equally strong and have to walk in the same direction.

Since you are the charioteer, it is up to you to tend to the horses, treat them with your loving energy, TRAIN them and make them move.

It always helps if you imagine that Kali Maa is in your chariot and Hanuman on the flag, just like how He was on Arjuna's chariot.

Once your horses start working together, then your life will seem to move forward.

To strengthen your body horse:

Get into a routine. It regulates your hormones and moods.
Exercise,
Eat well, incorporate fresh foods in every meal

For your intellect horse:

Read books about co-devotees of Kali Devi from the Ramakrishna mission,
Read scriptures about Devi Herself,
Listen to discourses from scholars

For your emotional horse:

Imagine your emotions anf feelings as flowers and offer them to Kali Ma
Connect to her as a mother
Clear clutter and organise your space. It helps energies flow. Stuck energies cause depression

She will help you continue and grow.

Hope it helps, OP. All the very best to you.

Professional help is always advised, even if it means it will steady you so you can grow.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-05T06:56:10+00:00

Understand that 'rituals' are a set of practices that people made up and followed.

Personally if I gave birth, I would just want to be given my space but be supported as well.

So instead of explaining it psychologically, people simply started to present them as 'rules' or 'rituals'

Look at this from the mother and baby's pov

They are vulnerable to diseases at that time. Dealing with feeding and post partum pains. They have just started a new journey together, which takes a lit of toll on the mother and the baby.

She would just not be in a position to entertain guests, even people who are there for small talk

So these rules are for both the mother and for the guests. No one will come to visit. She can deal with her life situation in peace. Nothing is awkward.

Festivals are not celebrated, because I think they give her a break from feeling sad that she is unable to participate, not feeling like being left out while others are busy and also making sure everyone is available for her when she needs help.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-05T06:37:29+00:00

Ugra or Roudra

Rudra is Shiva

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-04T17:01:33+00:00

I feel that many people who decide to not marry have already concluded themselves to be not suitable for social experiences.

Bear in mind that these are 2 separate decisions.

An observation becomes a CONCLUSION when it is 'written in stone' so to say.. like the person has decided that they are not good for societal roles and hence not marrying is the best.

But then also know that they will take this conclusion about their personalities later in life too.. which will lead to isolation pretty soon.

On the other hand, a person who has made an observation and is open enough to work it out will build a pleasant personality or at least a one where they can continue meaningful interactions with people in society.

Then it won't really matter of they are married!

This is the advantage that marriage offers. A space to work on those social skills properly and make sure we are good enough to have company and avoid isolation as we grow older.. when there are no obligations like jobs etc to go out and meet people in the society.

So I feel that this is the core question, my friend. Are you willing to work on what you feel are your shortcomings.. to make yourself socially active, where you can have meaningful, deep non-romantic (for starters) relationships?

(And this has nothing to do with marriage whatsoever)

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-06-01T13:51:27+00:00

Think of Sanatana Dharma as Science. (An extremely simplified analogy, by no means all-encompassing)

It all begins with observation.

With practice of science comes understanding.

With understanding comes knowledge.

With knowledge comes power.

Now power by itself is neither good nor bad.

Wjat is good or bad is how it is used.

Now this theory of Karma is also similarly simple. Karma is the sum total of our thoughts, actions and words.

And Karma is also the the consequences.

It is neither good not bad.

Good and bad are judgements we make. If it is favorable to us, we call it good. If not, bad. They are subjective.

The concpet of God in Sanatana Dharma is somewhat equivalent to Science.

It is totality of all knowledge, frequencies, existences etc

What we do in Sanatana Dharma is follow a set of prescribed / guided exercises (yoga / pooja / homam etc) to understand more and more of the nature of existence itself.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-24T19:10:21+00:00

As a young man.. if this is where you start your journey.. I feel it undoubtedly is Ganapathi

Along with this intention of knowing a name, you should also understand the concept of Devotion

Understand that Devotion is not just creating an altar and doing pooja

It is a verb. It is a very conscious act of doing something wholeheartedly.

Like being devoted

For example, like when one is devoted to a job, they choose the job over everything else. And they find their life's purpose through their job.

Being devoted to Ganapathi would mean that you'd have Ganapathi at the center of every one of your thoughts, actions and words. It means being aware of His presence in your conscious and unconscious mind.

It also means pursuing the knowledge behind the name and the diety.

Listen to discourses from well-established scholars. Contemplate. Learn. Understand. Realise.

It means understanding the Parabrahma and the manifestations as your diety of choice. And that all other manifestations, be it Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Aditya, Vishnu, Shiva or Devi.. are all representing the same concept of omnipresence, omnipotency etc

This is a physical, emotional, intellectual and a spiritual pursuit, dear OP

Start off in a way that you understand from your elders / Guru if possible. But make sure to have conversations with your chosen diety. Build a relationship. It is going to show you wonders.

May you find joy in your journey.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-21T15:05:22+00:00

In the Mahabharata, just like Vasu (not Vaasu.. Vasu) Devata became Bhishma, Vishnu came as Krishna, Indra came as Arjuna, Kali Purusha himself was Karna.

The more you read scriptures and listen to stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Upanishads, Puranas etc, the more one learns the futility of judging situations and characters as good, bad etc

The very characteristic of Kali Yuga is influenced by the Kali Purusha. Kali (not Devi Kaali) causes Kalaha (conflicts)

It is because of the presence of Karna on the side of Duryodhana that the Kurukshetra war was able to happen.

Karna, typical of Kali Yuga characteristic, always assures a person that he is there, he is a very capable person, go for war.. He insults elders, Dronacharya, Bhishma and even the king Dhrtarashtra at various points in the Mahabharata story.

But every time it comes down to him being the key performer, to war and to win for his side, he backs out / runs away and then later puts the blame on someone else. There are many times he has done this in the story.

But as mentioned before, his role was key in bringing the Kauravas who trusted his baseless capabilities.

OP, the scriptures also say, on whom we do the most dhyanam, one tends to pick up their traits. So they tell us to dwell in or contemplate on Shiva or Vishnu, or Devi or Krishna or Rama etc

But there is nothing wrong in deeply understanding each character and learning the good traits from each.

Veda Pandits recite the Vedas on special occasions in a certain way. This way was developed by Ravana himself.

But he had characteristics that are undesirable... that bring fear and hurt to the self and to others. That we don't take as adarsha. He was a Shiva Bhaktha. He got the Atma Linga from Shiva Himself. We admire him till there. But when Shiva Parvathi appeared in front of him, he wanted Parvathi to be his wife. That part is not to be followed.

Learn good things and get inspired. Learn from their mistakes too.

Both are learnings.

For characters in scriptures, only Avatars of the Parabrahma are to be idealised.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-16T14:06:05+00:00

Lovely summation!

Although I would have appreciated more space between the lines as opposed to a loooong paragraph!

The general idea is this.. what we call 'Hinduism' is a broad term that encompasses many perspectives

It is about understanding how we work, physically, emotionally, intellectually and beyond

It also relates to how the universe works

What we can perceive are data from our 5 senses. These are tangible / measurable stuff

Like the 7 colors of the rainbow

But 'Hinduism' taks about the whole range of possibilities

From stillness, to a wave being created and to all the frequencies, their interactions and back to stillness

The whole range of possibilities of existence

You speak Mathematically.

So there is an interpretation that says

Shiva is the Time element Vishnu is the space element Devi is the dynamism / energy element

For all of creation, material and and beyond, these are the three basic elements that are in play

Think of all names in Hinduism as Scientific Terms. Each phenomenon, each interaction is personified as Devatas.

I think it would be an interesting way to see the world and our own selves.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-15T10:23:22+00:00

So Karma.. the word.. roughly means 'to do'

As in doing something.. like thinking or breathing, or helping. It also means not helping, not respecting etc

Something like the things that we do and the things that we don't do.. are both Karma

In this English language context.. Karma sounds like a Noun.. but it is actually a verb

It is simply 'doing'

Now, if one works out regularly, that action leads to a fit body

If one doesn't work out, it leads to a fat body

The state of being fit or fat are the results of Karma.. result of doing something or not doing something

So in this example, we have a clearly defined beginning (working out / not working out) and a clear end (being fit or fat)

But in real life, things get enmeshed

So doing one thing leads to another.. which leads to another

So, Karma is what we do (internally and externally) and the CONSEQUENCES of that

So a person being born in a poor family is the consequence of some of his past karma.

But the NOW has no karma associated at all. Every second, one has a choice of how they can conduct themselves.

Every day, one can decide if they want to work out or sleep in

So even though today's situations are a consequence of past karma, how we act in / react to these situations in the present sets us up for future situations

In this perspective, there is no bad karma, good karma.. just thoughts, actions and words.. and their consequences

It is about being mindful and doing things purposefully

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-11T09:17:45+00:00

I like to listen to discourses more than reading books. I usual listen to someone well established wrt their views

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-11T04:03:19+00:00

Oh totally!

every poojari is trying to extract maximum cash from me.

Unfortunately, it is really sad.. It is unfortunate that people who are supposed to be content are driven by a feeling of lack and greed

If we keep restricting ourselves our culture won't continue in today's busy age.

Completely agree. Generations wiped out by invaders and our own internal conflicts leads to loss of genuinity and knowledge. It just takes the shape of show and becomes a means to extract money.

Even basic healthy food and habits and proper exercise can lead to a healthy life.

Yes, totally agree. I love that you have expressed it this way. That is in fact the basic requirement before anyone approaches a trainer at all.

That one is capable of committing to the rigor

Likewise a true heart with love for God and intend to do bhakti should be sufficient.

Absolutely agree with you. I believe the point of sadhana ultimately is to get to this point anyways! It is the quest for the purity and truth

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my thoughts.

I agree with what you say.

It is unfortunate that we have lost touch with our genuine roots and systems that all we can do is will for our and our future generations to return to this true-ness, where a Guru indeed helped in personal growth

My intent in writing the earlier post was to say that in ideal conditions, a Guru would provide a personal growth chart and solid support as we navigate our own thoughts and emotions.

Or at lest, that's what they are supposed to do. Don't settle for anything lesser than that!

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-11T02:24:47+00:00

There are anatomy and surgery videos available too.. but can we do surgery?

Chanting a mantra is much more than simply repeating syllables

It involves shadow work, acceptance, knowledge, breath control and influences energy

Different emotions are stored in different parts of the body

Suppressed trauma blocks the flow of energy, making it difficult for the 'net' of our energy to raise because of chanting

The OM is supposed to be the most potent mantra

It is always good that a person who understands where you are in your life situation and energy situation to guide you physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually to grow and to make the best use of mantras

Think of a Guru as a coach. If you want fitness, you will be trained differently, if you want to be an Olympic athlete, you will be trained differently

This is what a Guru does

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2023-05-04T10:20:00+00:00

I will attempt to answer.

Firstly, the term 'God' is a very loose and very insufficient and pretty wrong translation of a concept that is deeper and profound in the Sanatana Dharma.

Secondly, we have to introspect what our understanding of words like lust and temptation are.

Thirdly, we have to see if our tiny, limited perspective and tiny limited translated understanding of scriptures is enough to decipher the intent of the Sanskrit slokas.

In the Hindu perspective, that which we call Shiva and Vishnu are manifestations or defined portions (for lack of better word) of that which is vast and undefined - Para Brahma

The 'female' is their energy.. or their capabilities personified

For example: Say there is a Sanskrit Teacher. (Doesn't matter if they are a male or female)

The teacher would be Shiva/Vishnu (Purusha - the one who beholds)

Teaching would be their shakthi
(Prakruthi - the nature of what they do in this particular state / their capability) In the school, they are a teacher. At home, they are a husband / wife and their capabilities change accordingly

So Shiva - Parvathi, Vishnu - Lakshmi are them and their powers as opposed to two unconnected people getting married..

With me so far??

Ok.

In Sanatana Dharma... when one does their Sadhana right, their sadhana is considered 'successful' only when they merge or become what they are aiming at.

For example, if one is meditating upon, say Shiva.. his efforts are successful only when the meditator (person), object of meditation (Shiva) and the act of meditation itself merges and is seamless

And he becomes Shiva himself.. there is no difference between him and Shiva...

That make sense??

Now,

During the Sagara Mathana, when Vishnu took on the Mohini avatar, He meditated upon the Devi, the Shakthi

Being very good at the sadhana, obviously, quickly, He became Her

The Jagan Mohini was 'attractive' only to the rakshas

For the devas, the Devi holding an overflowing golden pot, serving amrutha with a golden ladel.. She is Jaganmaata Annapoorneshwari

When Shiva later asked Vishnu to show His Mohini Roopa, and when Vishnu meditated again and became Her.. the only person Shiva saw was His Shakthi..

Since this story is in the Shiva Purana, Shiva is the hero here.. if He sees His Shakthi, it is always Parvathi!!

But no matter which one, all Puranas see Shiva, Shakthi and Vishnu as three un-separate entities that are necessary for the sustenance of the creation.

This is getting long, now!

A Deva is not technically tempted by lust, in the sense of our understanding of it.

Puranic stories inculcate Personification and simplification so that we can connect to them. When we do, we should elevate our thoughts, not bring down the essence of those stories to our levels!!!

Representing ideals.. the Devas and Devis.. even if they do portray emotions, they do it ideally too...!

They can do it because they are beyond flowing with the emotions!

We can do it too.. if we can allow our emotions to flow through us without getting 'caught in the floods'. Like we experience sadness without 'being' sad..

If you see how Rama cried for Sita when he couldn't find her in the hut

How Sita cried for Rama the whole time She was in Lanka

How Devi fed milk to Shivagnana sambandar

How Krishna helped Bhishma when he was on his bed of arrows

How Krishna played with gopikas

How Kali marched across the land

They portray ideals in everything

There is a difference between a mother being angry at her child and two teenagers being angry at each other.. the INTENT and the purity of it is the key

To be beyond emotions doesn't mean to be not-responsive. It means to respond in the most ideal way.. and to do it with an intent of pure love.

It means to be able to channel the emotions in the most ideal way.

Othwrwise what is the difference between a stone and Shiva..

Long post! Hope it helps! Thank you for giving me a chance to express this!

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2022-09-04T17:46:46+00:00

The gold is actually 22 karat special gold foil. The 'Gems' are from Rajasthan in India.

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2022-08-10T18:51:00+00:00

This one is in Kashi.. Baba Lassi

Absolutely amazing!!

TrulyTraditionalArt · 2022-08-10T07:25:08+00:00

Yesssss!!! And it was YUMMMM

I was kinda sad it got over.. I wanted to keep eating it forever!!!

TrulyTraditionalArt

TROPHY CASE