Creating an Altar And Worshipping at Your Altar

By Mary Kurus

Copyright 2000 by Mary Kurus

All Rights Reserved

Introduction

Vibrant and energetic health can be achieved and maintained only when we are healthy in all major aspects of our being, including physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. This requires integrating time and practices for developing and maintaining a high level of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health into our everyday lives. If these various aspects of ourselves are not nourished on a very regular basis, difficulties will often be found with the physical well-being of the individual and illness can occur.

This article deals primarily with spiritual health and will identify one approach to help us connect with the God within us and with the Universal Power in the external Cosmos. It's important to separate the concepts of organized religion and spirituality. This article deals with spirituality that includes a direct and personal relationship or connection between a human and that Power which created and influences how the Universe evolves. Creating a personal altar and worshipping at this altar provides us with a simple act which we can perform on a regular basis, to fit in with any schedule, and which can form a major cornerstone of an individual's spiritual health.

What Is an Altar

An altar is a sacred space where we go to connect the Divine Spirit within us with the Divine Spirit and the Gods in the Universe. It is that special place that an individual has chosen to help them withdraw from the busyness of life for connection, rejuvenation and energy. It can be a small space, it can be an entire room or it can be outdoors. An altar helps you to personally connect the Holy within you with the external Divine Spirits which you consider to be Holy. An altar is that place to which one goes to concentrate their energies for many purposes. An altar can change with the seasons or it can change to reflect the changes in you as you experience personal growth.

Altars are part of ancient traditions and have been used as places of worship for thousands of years. Every civilization around the world has worshipped at altars as an integral part of their spiritual or religious practice. Asian, European, Latin American, African, and various North American cultures have integrated altars into their practices of worship. Many great religions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and the ancient religions, have used altars for many purposes in worshipping the Universal Deity.

Why Do You Need Your Own Altar

Human beings have always had a deep need to pay homage, or just to connect at a deep and personal level with that power which they consider to be their God. I call this the need the need to worship. Worshipping is an essential element in every individuals spiritual journey in life. Altars help to remind us that there is a God or Gods much more powerful than any human power. It provides us with a focus to think, pray, meditate and listen. It helps us connect the God within us with the Gods of the Universe.

Worshipping is essential for humans since it renews our spirit. Worshipping feeds our souls in the similar way we nourish our bodies with food and water and our emotional selves with love and caring. An altar helps to remind us to stop during our hectic and busy lives, to take time to be, to listen, and to talk with the God of our understanding. It helps us to stop with our everyday tasks and to take time to nourish our souls. It is an oasis of silence and peace, a place of spiritual comfort and inspiration.

We can go to a temple or church on a regular basis and worship, but daily worship is most easily conducted at an altar at home. A home altar is a more personal place of worship including those elements that represent the sacred to each one of us. A deeper connection is possible when we worship alone in the quiet of our altar, with our Creator. An altar at home connects the God within with where we live, eat and sleep with the Universal Power. It reinforces spirituality into our everyday lives.

What Is Worship

For those reared in North American religions worship normally consists of ritualistic ceremonies and repetitive prayers. Normally, we are observers in this type of worship. This type of worship does not encourage a personal and close connection with something Holy. A personal altar does just that, bringing you to that sacred place for that personal connection with a Universal Power. This type of worship is intimate and individual.

Worship can include many elements, but essentially it means connecting the Holy within you with what you consider Holy. It can be simple and consist of being present with God. It can include asking for yourself or others, sharing your hopes, dreams, fears or anxieties. It can be used as a time to listen, to thank, to praise, to recite affirmations, or to remember someone for a variety of reasons. It can be used to experience a time of peace. It can be used as a support when experiencing transformations at emotional, mental, physical or spiritual levels.

This Holy Power is called many things including the Creator, the Universe, the Universal Power, God, Buddha, Allah. It doesn't matter what you call this Power. What matters is that there is a spiritual belief and that this belief is integrated into your everyday life.

Why Do You Need to Worship

I firmly believe that the emotional stability of any individual is a direct reflection of the relationship of that person with a Universal Power. We need to honor the God of our beliefs and doing so brings us emotional stability. In life we act from one of two sources, either the source of love or the source of fear. When we worship and place in God's hands what belongs there, we treat ourselves and others in a relatively loving manner. When we try to control and manipulate life to provide us with what we consider important, we are filled with fear and its many manifestations. Regardless of the materialistic success, individuals whose behavior is driven by fear, are not content with life, or at peace with themselves or others.

Long-term and sustainable health can only be achieved when we are connected to the inner and outer sacred essence that underlies every aspect of every human life. Spiritual health is equally important to physical, emotional and mental health.

Worshipping puts life and life's experiences in a different perspective, helping us to come more fully from a place of love. It helps you focus your intentions, become more centered, and puts you on the path of life that your heart is crying to travel. It helps you to stop and just be with yourself, your thoughts and feelings. It helps you to know you.

Where Should You Establish Your Altar

An altar can be anywhere that you can go to for your private moments with a Sacred Deity. This can be a small corner of a room, one shelf or three shelves of a bookcase, a desk, a cabinet, a room, a corner in your garden, or a sacred place outdoors. What's important about the space is that is has to be private for those times of worship, a place you can withdraw to, from the hectic moments of life, to quiet the mind and to spend time in prayer or meditation, or to be quiet just to hear oneself.

What Should You Place On Your Altar

Anything that represents to you the sacred power of the Universe should be placed on your altar. The following are some ideas to help stimulate your imagination. These are just ideas since the things you place on your altar should represent you, your life, your beliefs and your family.

Intention

The intention, or the aim or the purpose of what you place on your altar and what it represents is more important than what you actually place on your altar. Intention can be put into any object and therefore it is really important to concentrate your aim or purpose of placing a particular item on your altar. Think into these objects your intention for what they represent. We do not comprehend the enormous power of thoughts and intention.

Sacred Representations from Different Religions

Many different Gods from a variety of religions can be represented on an altar. You could have a large brass figure of the laughing Buddha to remind you that laughter is so important in living a healthy life, and to remind you of Gods wonderful sense of humor. You could have a wooden carving of a Meditating Buddha for those times when you need to strengthen your times of meditation and prayer. You could include a small carving of Horus, the Egyptian God, which is half eagle and half man. It represents the mysteries of the Gods that are beyond human comprehension. You could include a carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who helps so much in special requests for children. She has such a special love for children.

There are so many other icons, figurines and carvings that could be included. The Black Madonnas, Ganesh the Hindu god, Kwan Yin, the Chinese Goddess of Compassion, St. Francis of Assisi or many other Catholic saints, Krishna, another Hindu god, are just a few more examples of sacred deities.

The Spirit World

Certain carvings and figures represent different metaphysical spirits who are ever present in our everyday lives. You can have carvings that represent your guides or counselors who work with you and help you daily. You can have special representations for angels or guardian angels that protect you and look after you. You can be quite specific and have figures of specific angels, e.g. the archangel Michael, the powerful protector of us all or the Goddess of Mother Earth to represent the healing power of the Earth.

You can also place photographs or images that represent those who have left this earth and now belong in the spirit world. These images can reconnect us to these spirits, which are still part of our lives, even though on a different dimension.

Plants, Flowers, Trees

Nature is a powerful force in our lives and should be an important element of any altar. Plants, flowers, herbs and trees are great healers in nature and can represent different qualities that can support your personal development. You can use fresh or dried flowers, a branch of a tree, or you can place a picture of the plant, flower or tree that means so much to you. A flower, tree or gem vibrational essence can also represent that natural element which means something special to you. Choming Essences are the natural vibrations of flowers, trees and gems and can easily represent your favorite flower on your altar.

Crystals and Gems

There are so many different crystals and gems from which to choose that you can easily fill and entire room with small specimens of each. The healing powers of gems and crystals are powerful and as a result they need to be treated with care. Often crystals cannot be kept by many in the same room in which they sleep so you many have to experiment to find those, which are compatible with your vibrating energy. As with flowers, Choming Gem Essences can be placed on your altar to represent the specific crystal or gem which you want to place on your altar.

Animals

In the Native North American Indian culture, animals are representative of guides, teachers, counselors and protectors. A brass bear carving could represent your protector who goes everywhere with you to protect you and give you that overall sense of safety. He can be so ferocious and so powerful. And he just lives and loves to protect you. A carved elephant can remind you of the ancient wisdom in nature, and within you, if you'll just stop and listen to hear it. A dolphin can represent the rhythm of life, breathing new creativity into your life.

Birds

I have special relationship with birds and have a wooden carving of the Bird God of Nepal on my altar to remind me of that special relationship. Birds bring together elements of earth and the wider Universe and are often viewed as spiritual messengers. They can bring us messages and communications from the Universe.

You could choose a raven or crow that represents the mystical and magical; the Canada goose that represents travel and the natural mysteries of migration; the vulture which represents rebirth; the robin that represents new beginnings; the owl that represents magic, omens, and silent wisdom; the red cardinal that represents finding your soul song and renewing your vitality; the blue jay that represents the proper use of power; the heron which represents self-reliance; the hummingbird which represents joy from drinking of the sweet nectar of life; the loon which represents new states of consciousness; or the blue heron representing independence and strength.

These are just a few examples. The possibilities are endless. Place the bird on your altar that represents the quality you want to concentrate on and develop.

Incense

Customs in many ancient traditions throughout the world have used incense as an integral element of worshipping. Incense is made by compacting a number of herbs and spices. There is a special Tibetan Incense made in monasteries in Nepal from 35 different herbs and spices including nagi, red and white sandalwood, and saffron. The smell is gentle and beautiful and this essence will dissolve all negative energies that exist in around the area of your altar. This essence is prepared in accordance with Tibetan traditions, preserved through the centuries within the monastic orders of Tibet. This incense is special not only from the purity of the ingredients but also from the manner in which it is made.

The smell that is generated from burning essence helps to still your active mind as you are preparing to worship and to slowly bring all your senses to focus on why you are worshipping at that moment. You can use various scents including jasmine, juniper, or myrrh. Incense increases the vibrational intensity of your thoughts and purpose for worship helping to send a stronger message to the Universe.

White Sage

White sage is used by many cultures, most especially Native Americans, to smudge and cleanse your sacred space for worshipping. It is said that white sage has special powerful properties for drawing wisdom as well as those of purification. Like incense, white sage will help you concentrate your energies as well as concentrate the energies that are being sent to the Deity during your worshipping ceremony.

Candles

Candles are another spiritual tool to help you focus and strengthen your energies of prayer and worship. Lighting a candle can be like an announcement to the Universe of your intention to worship. The flame of the candle can send a spiritual message that you are honoring the Creator and presenting to the God(s) of your understanding, and the reason for your worship.

The colors of the candles you use can be representative of the changes or intent of your worship. White can represent purity or spiritual intent; black can signify the release of the negative in your life; yellow can represent the sun, joy, or it can represent the mental aspects of your worship; orange can represent the release of resentment or it can represent the request for increased creativity; green can represent issues of the heart or it can represent healing; blue can represent increasing your ability to speak your truth. The intent around the choice of color is important for your altar.

What Represents You

Place on your altar the photographs or images that represent those for whom you pray and have special intentions. Place your own photograph on your altar. An altar should be a very personal place representing you, your family and various aspects of your life. Make your altar as personal as you can for you and those who worship there with you.

How to Use Your Altar

In Preparation for Your Worshipping Ceremony

We have not been taught how to use an altar as part of worshipping and we need to develop certain practices. The majority of North Americans and Europeans have been exposed to prayers of repetition, which are said in a formal religious setting, a church, mosque, or temple. We are not taught to develop our own ceremonies and customs of worship.

The first step in worshipping is to decide why you want to worship and focus on one simple area. It might be to simply quiet the mind and to become more calm and peaceful for that day or night. If one is experiencing painful emotions, it might be used to tell the Universal Power of the pain and suffering a person is experiencing. It eases the pain. Worshipping can be used to seek help in developing new qualities. The opportunities are endless.

It helps to choose a specific time of the day to conduct worshipping ceremonies. This helps us to put a structure around our worship and to develop the habit of worshipping. Some prefer to begin their day with a ceremony while others prefer to worship in the evening. You may need to experiment before you find your best time. It's best to choose that time of day where you can find some private time of about one half hour period.

Make certain you will not be disturbed. Sit or stand in a way that you are relaxed and comfortable. If possible, do some deep breathing or other relaxing exercises to help you prepare for your worship.

Opening Your Worship

It's important to have a formal beginning for each worshiping ceremony. I use the burning of incense or white sage to formally open my worshipping. This helps to still the busy mind and to focus all energies on the purpose of the worship. The smell of incense burning reminds me immediately to quiet my mind. For example, if you are having a special worship for a child, burning incense as you begin the ceremony will help to still the mind, concentrate your thoughts, emotions and all vibrational energy on the child for whom you pray. Burning incense or white sage will also dissolve any negative energies in the area where you are worshipping, clearing the space for positive energies.

Giving Thanks for Your Blessings

Once you have focussed your energies on the purpose of your worship, then begin your ceremony. It's important to honor God and to give thanks for the blessings one is receiving in today. Saying thank-you for the blessings you have puts you into a proper frame of mind for worshipping. There are always blessings regardless of the difficulties being experienced. For example, someone may be grieving the loss of a loved partner but is fortunate enough to have sufficient money for all their needs and material comforts. There are always blessings in every individual's life if we will only look for them.

The Heart and Soul of the Worshipping Ceremony

Then proceed to ask, discuss, or present the intention of your worship. This is the most personal part of any worshipping ceremony. The power of prayer is immense and you can realize many blessings simply by asking for yourself or others. The asking needs to be done in humility and love for self and others. Make certain you spend sufficient time discussing what is so private and so important to you, and above all feeling your prayer as if it exists in today. God listens to you. Listen to God.

Another important element of worshipping is to listen. We tend to have such busy minds we need to learn to stop and be quiet with the God of our understanding. If you have sufficient time, meditate, quiet your busy mind so you can be more open to the messages of the Universe. This gives the Universe the opportunity to send us messages. But we need to be sufficiently quiet to hear these messages.

If we are intent upon receiving a certain answer and are determined to have our own way, we are not open to an answer from the Universe. Sometimes the answer is no because in the long-run what we want may not be best for us. We need to put aside our will, desires, fears and hopes to be able to listen with a truly open mind.

If one has a favorite prayer, for example the Prayer of Francis of Assisi, it is helpful to recite this prayer with perhaps a special intention as part of your worshipping ceremony. For those who read the bible, scriptures, the Torah or other sacred literature, reading from these writings can be an important element of a worshipping ceremony.

You will find that the content of your worship changes as you grow and change. The beauty of an altar and worship at home is that you can change it to accommodate whatever needs you have at any point and time in your life.

Music

Music is an effective way to open or close a worshipping ceremony and to help calm the mind and emotions. It puts one in the right frame of mind for worshipping. But I do find music distracting during worship when one is connecting with the Universal Power.

If you decide to use music choose that which you associate with sacred music. This could include bells, chimes, singing bowls, flute music, the horn of Tibet, chanting, Gregorian music, or Cappella. Many types of music can be powerful ingredients of worshipping which help you express your emotions and needs.

Closing Your Worship

Close your worship any way, but I suggest that you experiment until you find a way that you can repeat at the end of each worshipping ceremony. This can include playing a piece of music, reciting a prayer, giving a simple thank-you and/or amen, or whatever represents an ending for you. The closing should leave you with the feeling that you have reinforced the God in you, expanding your ability to love and care for yourself and others, and other God-like qualities such as compassion, understanding or generosity.

Is It Prayer or Meditation

Prayer is defined as a solemn request or thanksgiving to God or an object of worship. A religious service consists mostly of prayer. Meditation is defined as an exercise of the mind in contemplation, concentrating on a particular object or sound, so that your mind can become quiet and empty of chatter and noise. Meditation consists of emptying the mind so that subconscious and superconscious messages can come to the surface. Prayer involves speaking, discussing, and is an active exercise. Meditation involves relaxing, and quieting the mind and is a passive exercise.

Both prayer and meditation are important elements of worshipping. They can be done individually or in a group. They can be done in a short or long period of time. There are many different forms of prayer and meditation and both should eventually be integrated into daily worship.

The Art of Praying

In his book The Isaiah Effect, Gregg Braden speaks so eloquently about the inner workings of prayer forgotten by our culture. He describes how we must feel our prayer rather than keep reminding ourselves and the Universe of what we don't have. He states that the secret is that when we ask for something, we acknowledge what we do not have. But he says continuing to ask for what we don't have only gives power to what has never come to pass. He provides many examples of how we must "feel" what we are asking for as if it is now - and feel it in its every detail and in its broadest dimensions.

He provides the example of praying for rain and feeling what rain feels like, of rain upon your body, being barefoot in the rain, the smell of rain, the mud oozing between your toes. You have to smell your prayer, taste your prayer, and feel what it's like. Then you give thanks for what you may have created with your prayer.

Meditation

The subject and methods of meditation are so varied that I will not address it in this article, but sometime soon will write another article on meditation.

In Summary

The development and use of an altar can be a personal or private time or it can be used to bring a family together for many special times. It can be used to teach children about God and the power of prayer and meditation. Prayers said by groups can be even more powerful than those said by individuals. The development and use of an altar in your home can enrich your life and bring you many blessings. I wish you many occasions of powerful and fulfilling being, praying and meditating before your personal altar.

For additional information about Choming Essences, Vibrational Assessments or information contained in this article, please contact Mary Kurus or visit her website at www.mkprojects.com to read many other articles relating to holistic health and Vibrational Healing.

Source: http://www.mkprojects.com/fa_altar.htm 

WHY WE OFFER FLOWERS TO GOD?

      God has given us everything for human in the form of life which consists of unpredictable moments but we tend to ask for more from the almighty after He had given us so much. At the same time, He always answers our prayers and gives away boons for His devotees. In returns what have we given him? As a appreciation for His giving for us in this life? Does He accept or ask for money, golden jewelers or temple like a palace for Him? He did not asked for anything in returns from humans.

      He just told humans and aspect humans for humanity, heart that consist love towards Him and the thoughts of Him inside us truly and faithfully but humans offering flowers as sign of appreciation towards His kindness to grant our wishes and giving us the path of His always in our life. Why offer flowers to Him? Why not other valuable stuff? If we offer camphor and etc not accepted? He would accept everything that we gave to Him in the name of love but these things will be disappear after a while and it’s not the same as flowers which will leave something that will help others after its disappearances by producing some food.

     What’s inside of a flower? Flowers have nectars that produce sweet honey which is taken only by bees. In such state, how humans going to present the honey direct to the God himself? Its impossible to humans to take the honey from the nectar to start producing the honey, it’s not their job, it’s the job of mother nature. This is the reason, why we are offering flowers as sign of love to the almighty in the state of garland and any decorations towards Him using varieties colors of flowers. God loves honey? Who said so?

    In Lalitha Sahasranaama Stothiram, there’s a name for Mother Goddess sounds as ‘Mathu Priyaayai Namaha’ Mathu: Honey, Priyaayai: Favourite, Namaha: I am praying towards you. This lalitha sahasranaaman was written by non humans but the Lord Vishnu himself in the form of Hayagrivar. In the worship of Goddess, the most favourite drink of Her, honey is mixed the most as the recipe written by ‘SittaVaitthiya Agasthiya Munivar. Thus, it is the reasons why we are offering flowers to the almighty.

This was clearly explained by Shankarachariyar during his visit to Kanchipuram Kamakshi Temple once upon a time.

   Soon when malays trying to adapt the word 'Mathu' thus they change that word as 'Madu' stands for Honey.

Photos: Diwali 2011: Across India, A Hindu Festival of Lights

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, stretches beyond India, a five-day holiday encompassing multiple stories from around the world, involving Hindus, some Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. For India, however, where roughly 80 percent of the population practices Hinduism, Diwali 2011 is and will be a massive and deeply Hindu affair, one involving dancing, shows, religious worship and lots of fireworks.

Diwali, or Divali, means "row of lights," and is a celebration of the Hindu New Year according to the lunisolar calendar. Typically, Diwali also falls near the end of harvest season, from mid-October to mid-November, meaning the goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth and prosperity, is honored by the holiday with candle offerings and bright, festive decorations.

It is also, however, a more general celebration of good over evil, especially that of Rama's victory over the 10-headed demon Ravana in the Hindu epic "The Ramayana." Rama, an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, returns home during Diwali (Oct. 26, in 2011) after fourteen years of banishment, and Hindus lay out lamps, set off fireworks, and hang paper lanterns to help light his way home.

All these traditions combine to make Diwali a true "festival of lights," from those dedicated to Lakshmi and celebrating Rama to Hindus honoring Ganesh, the God of good beginnings, on this gorgeous holiday. While the story behind Diwali and how people celebrate may vary from region to region, the holiday's essence remains the same: rejoicing at the victory of goodness, light, and atman (the soul) over falseness, darkness, and reality.

A NASA Satellite photo over India, as the festival of lights begins.

Source: Creative Commons

Diyas, or small clay lamps, are an integral part of Diwali festivals.

The lamps are filled with oil before being lit, signifying the inevitable but seemingly invisible way good triumphs over evil.

Source: Creative Commons

Fireworks are one of the most popular aspects of the Hindu holiday.

Here, a view from a balcony in Mumbai, the center of India's Bollywood empire.

Source: Ashwin John/Flickr

Devout Hindus crowd the marketplace in preparation for Diwali.

The streets will be packed through tomorrow, Oct. 26, the apex of the festival.

Source: REUTERS/Amit Dave

A young girl sends streams of bubbles past a Hindu temple festooned with lights for the Diwali celebrations.

Source: REUTERS/Darren Staples

A female worker on the outskirts of Ahmedabad packs massive amounts of firecrackers for the upcoming 

Diwali festival. Firecrackers match fireworks in demand during the Hindu holiday.

Source: REUTERS/Amit Dave

A vendor in Jammu displays hundreds of artificial garlands at his stall.

Diwali is as much a celebration of life and of color as it is of life, and flowers are often offered to Hindu

gods and goddesses.

Source: REUTERS/Mukesh Gupta

Beauty and grace are important traits of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, one of the deities

honored in the "festival of lights." Here, a potter in Kolkata paints the lamps in a variety of intricate designs.

Source: REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri

Rangolis, or murals made of colored powders, are very common in Hindu holidays and especially during Diwali.

Here, students complete a portrait of the god Vishnu and his consort, the goddess Lakshmi.

Source: REUTERS/Amit Dave

A crowd of people in Chandigarh, a city in northern India, use their clay lamps to form a

message of peace on the eve of Diwali.

Source: REUTERS/Ajay Verma

From India's capital, New Delhi, to southern states like Kerala, fireworks will cover the skies

all through Diwali on Oct. 26

By Melanie Jones | Oct 25, 2011 08:19 PM

Source:http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/237581/20111025/diwali-2011-hindu-festival-lights-photos-holiday.htm

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Sri Devi Khadga Mala Stotram

Om Asya Sri Suddha Sakti málá mahá mantrasya

Upasthendriya adhisthayi Varunaditya Rishih

Daivi Gayatri Chandah

Satvika Kakára bhattaraka pithasthita

Sri mat Kámesveranka nilaiaya

Sri mat Kámesvari devatá

Aim Bijam, Klim Saktihi, Souh kilakam

Sri Devi prityarthe Khadga siddthyarthe jape viniyogah

Of this, Devi's sword, the Seer is the Sun rising from the ocean; the ocean being the Divine Mother; Gayatri is the meter; passionate Kameshwari, sitting on the lap of joyous Kameswara is the deity; Aim is the seed; Klim is the power; Souh is the pivot; it is purpose is for worship of the Divine Mother. This worship of the Divine Mother (of Kameshwari ) which is the ocean's embrace with the Sun, gives the devotee a Sword, a power supreme, that Heavens of the remotest galaxies. When the devotee thinks of such a sword, he or her become the protector and enjoyer of eighteen lands of jewels ( Sakti peetams ), and five continents.

Dhyanam

Tadrisam Khadgam apnoti

Yena hasta sthitena vai

Astadasa Mahadvipa

Samrad bhokta bhavisyati

Hrimkrasana Garbhitanala Sikham

Souh Klim kalam bibhratim dhautam trinetrojvalam

I meditate on Sri Devi glowing with red, yellow, and blue flames of passion fanning the erotic sentiment of Kameshwara, in the meddle of a triangle called Hrim, whose three points are the light of Hari, Hara Virinchi, the three gurus; Sri Devi is wearing the full moon on her crown ( Souh ), Her body is full of desire for union ( Klim ) with Kameshwara, the controller of lust;

Vande pustaka pasam ankusadharam

Sragbhusitam ujvalam

Tvam Gourim Tripuram Paratparakalam

Sri Cakra Sancarinim

She is wearing a sari made of golden threads; She is fair as nectarine milk and the moonlight; She has three eyes; in Her four hands she is wearing a book of knowledge, a noose, a goad, and a garland of letters; She is a personification of all that is beautiful, aesthetic, harmonius, joyful, vibrant; she moves in Sri Chakra, a mandala consisting of all the deities worshipping their consorts named here after.

Om Aim Hrim Srim Aim Klim Souh

om (in the name of God), may you grant us benediction of knowledge, power and grace; and the power over creation, nourishment and destruction.

Om Namah Tripura Sundari

Hridayadevi         - Compassionate heart

Sirodevi                 - princely diadem

Sikhadevi              - flowing hair

Kavaca Devi         - protective hands

Netra Devi            - graceful look   

Astra Devi            - protective weapons

Om, we bow to you, the most beautiful in all the waking, dreaming, or sleeping worlds. Oh Tripura Sundari. We bow to the compassionate heart of your highness princely diadem, flowing hair, protective hands, graceful look, protective weapons.

( Keep offering kumkum at Her feet with every name below )

Kamesvari            - Controller of lust

Bhagamalini,         - Garland of Suns

Nityaklinne,         - Oozing wet

Bherunde,            - Terrific

Vahnivasini,         - Residing in fire

Mahavajresvari,   - Jewel in lotus

Sivaduti,              - Llarbinger of joy

Tvarite,               - Speed

Kulasundari,       - beautiful lotus on a lake

Nitya,                 - Eternal

Nilapatake,         - Blue flag with red tip

Vijaye,                 - Dominat

Sarvamangale,     - All auspicious

Jvalamalini,         - Flames

Citre,                   - Kaleidoscope

Mahanitye,         - Truth eternal

Paramesvara      - Goddess of God

Paramesvari       - Friendly

Mitresamayi,     - Sexy

Sasthisamayi,     - Erect

Uddisamayi,     - Stroking

Caryanathamayi - Happiness

( Follow the names of the saints who have worshipped the Deviine Mother and attained liberation thereby;)

Lopamudramayi,              - Lopamudra - She offered herself for worship

Agastyamayi,                   - Agastya - he drank the water of the oceans, drying them up

Kalatapanamayi,             - Kalatana - he set time on fire

Dharmacharyamayi,        - Dharmacharya - he preached the nature of good and evil

Muktakesisvaramayi,      - Muktakaleisvara - not worrying about his appearace he let the hair flow loose

Dipakalanathamayi,        - Depakalanada - he gazed on eternal light

Visnudevamayi,              - Vishnudeva - he expanded himself, took up the whole of space

Prabhakara devamayi,     - Prabhaharadeva - he became a star called the sun

Tejodevamayi,                - Tejodeva - he became the light witch was speeding over all space creating space itself

Manojadevamayi,            - Manojadeva - he was desire

Kalyanadevamayi,            - Kalyanadeva - he was ever auspicious

Vasudevamayi,               - Vasudeva - the world grew out of his memory

Ratnadevamayi,              - Ratnadeva - concentrated like jewels

Sri Ramanandamayi       - Sri Ramananda - he enjoyed the Goddess Sri Rama Blissfully

( Follow the Gods of the nine enclosures of Sri Chakra / the first enclosure)

Anima Siddhe, Laghima Siddhe, Garima Siddhe, Mahima Siddhe, Isitva Siddhe, Vasitva Siddhe, Prakamya

Siddhe, Bhukti Siddhe, Iccha Siddhe, Prapti Siddhe, Sarvakama Siddhe, Brahmi, Mahesvari, Koumari,

Vaisnavi, Varahi, Mahendri, Camunde, Mahalaksmi, Sarva Samksobhini, Sarva Vidravini, Sarva karsini, Sarva

Vasamkari, Sarvonmadini, Sarva Mahankuse, Sarva Khecari, Sarva Bije, Sarva Yone, Sarva Trikhande

( The passions called : lust, anger, possessiveness, obsession, pride, jealousy, good, and evil. The procedure to control these passions and obtain the powers of: agiting all, liquifying all(orgasmically), attracting all controlling all, maddening all, directing all, moving in all space, be the information of all, be the source of all ( womb), be tri-fold division of all ( the knower, the knowing, and the know)

Trilokya mohana cakra swamini Prakata yogini

The wheel of the three worlds of waking, dreaming, and sleeping, expressing Herself openly without inhibitions.

( Follow the sixteen attractive powers identified with the sixteen days of the lunar calender; according to the Hindu art of love, the erotic zone moves up from feet to head in the bright half of the lunar month and comes down to the dark half of the lunar month; the expression of the eros os through the various power of the mind described bellow: - the Gods of the second enclosure ) 

Kamakarsini,                 - Attractive powers of lust

Buddhyakarsini,             - Attractive powers of discrimination

Ahamkarakarsini,           - Attractive powers of ego

Sabdhakarsini,                - Attractive powers of sound

Sparsakarsini,                 - Attractive powers of touch

Rupakarsini,                   - Attractive powers of form

Rasakarsini,                    - Attractive powers of taste

Gandhakarsini,               - Attractive powers of odor

Cittakarsini,                    - Attractive powers of mind

Dharyakarsini,                - Attractive powers of valour

Smrityikarsini,                - Attractive powers of memory

Namakarsini,                 - Attractive powers of name

Bijakarsini,                    - Attractive powers of semen

Atmakarsini                  - Attractive powers of self

Amrtakarsini,               - Attractive powers of immortality

Sarirakarsini,               - Attractive powers of morality

Sarvasa paripuraka cakra svamini Gupta yogini

The wheel which fulfills all directions and all desires, the secret yogini - female yogini 

( Follow the eight erotic sentiments: - the third encloure: )

Ananga Kusume,          - The sentiment of flowering

Ananga Mekhale,          - The sentiment of  girdling

Ananga Madane,           - The sentiment of  love

Ananga Madananture,  - The sentiment of  lust

Ananga Redhe,             - The sentiment of  outlining

Ananga Vegini              - The sentiment of  the disire of sex

Ananga Kusume,          - The sentiment of  the insistence on sex

Ananga Malini,             - The sentiment of  orgy

Sarva sanksoghana sadhak a cakra swamini Gupta tara yogini

The wheel that agitates everyone, the esoteric yogini 

( Follow the descriptions of the fourteen worlds of  the fourth encloure: )

Sarva Samksobhini,  - Agitating all

Sarva Vidravini, - Liquifying all

Sarva Karsini, - Attracting all 

Sarva Hladini, - Pleaseing all

Sarva Sammohini, - Deluding all

Sarva Stambini- Obstructing all

Sarva Jrumbhini, - Expanding all

Sarva Vasamkari, - Controlling all

Sarva Ranjani, - Enjoying all

Sarvonmadini, - Maddening all

Sarvarthasadhini, -  all properous

Sarva Sampattipurani - All fullfilling riches

Sarva Mantra Mayi, - All mantras

Sarva Dvandva Ksayamkari, - Eliminating all dualiities

Sarva Soubhagya Dayaka Cakra Swamini

Sampradaya  yogini

The wheel of all kinds of union, traditional yogini:

( Follow the Gods of the fifth Chakra: )

Sarva Siddhiprade, - Giver of all achievments

Sarva Sampatprade, - Giver of all wealth

Sarva Priyamkari, - Giver of all that one like to have

Sarva Mangalakarini, -  Harbinger of all auspiciousness 

Sarva Kamaprade - Fulfiller of all desires

Sarva Duhkha Vimocani, - Eliminator of all misery

Sarva Mrityu Prasamani, - Eliminator of all  accidental deaths 

Sarva Vigna Nivarani, - Eliminator of all obstracles

Sarvanga Sundari, - Beautful in every part of Her body

Sarva Soubhagya Dayini Sarvartha Sadhaka Cakra Swamini Kulottirna yogini

The wheel which propets you on the righteous path, gives you all wealth, fullfills all your desirers, and makes liberation possible, the yogini that has graduated out if all classifications.

( Follow the Gods of the sixth Encloure: )

Sarva Jne, - Omniscienl

Sarva Sakte, - Omnipotent

Sarvaisvarya pradayini, - Omniexpressive

Sarva Jnanamayi, - Providing the bliss of omniscience

Sarva Vyadhivinasini, - Eliminating all maladies

Sarvadharasvarupe - The support of  all

Sarva Papa Hare, - The elimintor of notions of sin

Sarva Ananda Mayi, - All happiness

Sarva Raksa Svarupini, - All protecting

Sarvepsita Phala Prade, - Provider of all desired fruits

Sarva Raksakara Cakra Svamini, Nigarbha yogini

The wheel of all prodection, the yoini protecting the child in the womb.

( Following the eight forms os Sarasvati, knowledge, which are originally the group of letters describing the explosion of the cosmos from a point: - the seventh enclosuer: )

Vasini, - Contorl

Kamesvari, - Express

Modini, - Pleasure

Vimale, - Purity

Arune, - Passion

Jayini, - Victory

Sarvesvari, - Controlling all

Kaulini, - Enjoying all

Sarvarogahara Cakra Swamini Rahasya yogini

The wheel which eliminates disease, the secret yogini.

( Follow the weapons of the Divine Mother: )

Banini, - The five flowery arrows of Manmatha called the senses of sound ( music ), touch ( eros ), form (beauty ), taste (sweetness), smell      (fragrance )

Capini, - The suger cane bow ( the mind which likes sweet things of life )

Pasini, - The attractive power of love

Ankusini - The repulsive power to control evil

( Follow the Goddesses of the eighth enclosure of the Sri Chakra: )

Maha Kamesvari, - The thrust of God expressing the desire to see Himself in many forms

Maha Vajresvari, - The ability to obtain the cosmos in seed form

Maha Bhagamalini,  The ability to express the cosmos out of the seed

Sarva Siddhiprada Cakra Swamini

Ati Rahasya yogini

The wheel of realizations, the most secrect yogini.

( Follow the central hub of the wheel of Sri Devi, the Supreme Goddess: - in ninth enclosure: )

Sri Sri Maha Bhattarike, 

Sarvananda Maya Cakra Swamini 

Parapara Rahasya Yogini

 The Godes Sri Devi present in all the cosmos. The wheel of all bliss, the trancendental secret yogini.

( Follow the nine Goddesses controlling the nine wheels above: )

Tripure                                       - Waking , Dreaming and Sleeping states

Tripuresi                                    - The controller of these three states

Tripurasundari                          - The beautiful one among all these three states

Tripura Vasini                           - The one who lives in all these three states

Tripura Srih                                - The riches of all these three states

Tripuramalini                             - The sequences of all these states experienced by all people

Tripura Siddhe                           - The achievements possible in all these three states

Tripurambe                                 - The experience of the cosmos in Her three states unifying all the experiences of all life

Maha Mahesvari                         - The great cosmic controller

Maha Maha Rajni                        - The great cosmic empress

Maha Maha Sakte                       -  The great cosmic power

Maha Maha Gupte                      - The great cosmic secret

Maha Maha Jnapte                      - The great cosmic memory

Maha Mahannande                     - The great cosmic bliss

Maha Maha Skandhe                  - The great cosmic support

Maha Mahasaye                          - The great cosmic expression

Maha Maha Sri Cakra Nagara Samrajni - The great transcendental conscious empress of the wheel of Sri Cakra

Namaste Nameste Nameste Namah

We bow to You, we bow to You, We bow to You in the three states of waking, dreaming, and sleeping states O Divine Mother!

 Sri Gurupyom namha:

 Links to/ source: http://www.srividya.org/slokas/HTML/Kadgamala_stotram.htm

Deepavali lights up Brickfield’s Little India

Little India in Brickfields sees a flurry of activities with last-minutes shoppers rushing to buy essential stuffs as the festival of lights draws nearer.The photos below captured the Deepavali festive mood in Brickfield’s Little India on last Saturday 22nd October 2011. Hindus across the country will be celebrating the Deepavali on Wednesday (October 26, 2011)

Finding the right Deepavali decorative items can be quite a task.

A wide range of Deepavali decorative items to brighten up the home.

The browsing customers in a festival stall selling a mesmerizing range of punjabi suits.

Deepavali shoppers filled Brickfield’s Little India and the stretch of Jalan Tun Sambanthan which were packed with stalls selling all kinds of essential items for the festive season.

They have found the right Deepavali clothing that fits them.

A couple looking for some bright ideas for Deepavali decorations. Kirhu And Gayathiri

For RM5 each you can get your hands painted with delicate Henna patterns for good luck.

Deepavali is around the corner and it’s time to enjoy the tasty homemade and handmade cookies packed in plastic containers.

Stalls selling garlands of fresh flowers.

This decorative Happy Deepavali banner can be used to adorn the main entrance door.

Taken from, Malaysiakini: http://komunitikini.com/kl-selangor/bangsar/photo-blog-deepavali-festive-mood-in-brickfield%E2%80%99s-little-india