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Through science most of us have learned about the existence of planets, the vast physical entities along with the earth in the cosmic sky. According to the wisdom such as of ancient Greece and Hinduism, these planets are also impersonal forces or the Gods/Goddesses one with the nature of our individual lives upon the earth.

The karma or an individual’s past life actions, a governing force of his future or destiny is said to coincide with the Planetary configurations, at the time of his birth. ‘The Planets are agents of your karma – they create your success or failure’ (Dr. Pillai, also known as Siva Baba.)

The Hindu astrological system known as ‘Jyotish’ or Vedic astrology is in essence a study of the Planetary movements to guide individuals to transcend its effects (which are caused by one’s own past life actions) in the present, to create a better future.

The Hindu astrology refer to these Planetary forces as the ‘navagrahas’. ‘Nava’ in the Sanskrit language mean ‘nine’. The Sanskrit term, ‘Graha’ is used to indicate the magnetic or possessive nature which is how the cosmic forces of the planets exert their influences on human lives. So the ‘navagrahas’ are the Planetary Lords of the Hindu astrology.

Since the nine Planetary Lords are the macrocosm of our personal lives, they are worshiped and befriended to benefit us in the path of our spiritual evolution while on earth.

The relationship established by astrology between the planets and human lives has not been accepted by the field of science. In this context it is noted that astrology irrefutably functions as a discipline that it is.

It is also applied for practical purposes like achieving success or loving relationships.

In the Vedic astrology, the twelve (12) Signs of the zodiac or ‘rashis’ are said to be each ruled by the Planetary deities. In addition, the other elements such as the twelve (12) Houses, or ‘bhavas’ and the twenty-seven (27) Lunar mansions, or ‘nakshatras’ are also associated with Planetary rulership / lordship.

The ‘navagrahas’ are worshiped along with the other Supreme Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon – they include Ganesha, Maha Lakshmi, Shiva, Parvathi, Muruga, Hanuman and Vishnu.

It should be noted here that though in Hinduism there is a mention of a number of deities of various forms – including the Planetary deities – they are all derived from the one Supreme Truth known as the Brahman.

The Nine Planetary Deities that are worshiped as the ‘navagrahas’ are as follows:

– Surya – the Sun God,

– Chandra – the Moon God

– Anagaraka or Mangala – the Mars God

– Budha – the Mercury God

– Guru or Brihaspathy – the Jupiter God

– Sukra – the Venus God

– Sani or Sanischara – the Saturn God

– Rahu – the God of the North Node of the Moon (represented by the Snake’s head)

– and Ketu – the God of the South Node of the Moon (represented by the Snake’s tail).

Each of the Planetary lords are attributed to certain significations.

The Sun God is assigned to signify primarily the soul. The Sun also represent the father. The Moon signifies the universal and individual mind, the Divine mother and emotions. The Mars signify the energy of warrior. The Mercury God signify speech, communication and intelligence. Jupiter signifies wisdom and abundance. Lord Venus signify reproduction and beauty. Lord Saturn signify loss and learning of the karmic lessons.

Worshipping Lord Rahu (North Node of the moon) ushers in the doorway to positive future. “Ketu (South Node of the moon) is known as the ‘inlet point’ for past life karmas.” (ref.: http://www.livingskillfully.com/ketu.html

The ‘navagrahas’ in the Hindu temples are commonly found along with other chambers of the Supreme Gods like Ganesha. They are nine statues placed in three rows. They represent the five planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn – along with the Sun, the Moon and the two nodes of the moon – Rahu and Ketu. The ‘navagrahas’ are commonly worshipped by the devotees by circumambulating the chamber for nine times.

In southern India there are also unique places of worship solely dedicated to one of the Planetary deities. Any defect found in the astrological chart of the native could be rectified by performing the specific rituals at one or more these temples. An astrologer is skilled in recognizing the details of the Planetary misplacements in the individual’s horoscope and in prescribing the required remedies (called ‘parihaaram’ in the Tamil language.)

Human beings are uniquely gifted as a species with free will. Using the astrological assistances “a person who uses it in alignment with divine purpose can generate more energy than the strongest planet.” (ref.: “How to Practice Vedic Astrology,” book by Andrew Bloomfield) The influences of the planets, though real can only be just that. They “do not really control us.”

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An immense sense of calmness takes over you as you enter your meditation room. Maybe it’s the smiling Buddha statue or the carved wall sculptures of Ganesha and Krishna leading you to your space of spiritual awakening. Sustainable design is focused on utilizing materials like reclaimed woods that have been repurposed into cabinets and chests that are used as altars or for storage. Bringing with them the energies of the ancient times the carvings of chakra and lotus that are associated with the elements of nature.

Altars are places of worship, vortexes of energy that infuse the space around them with your aura. An altar is a physical manifestation of your inner spirituality. Beautifully decorated antique arches that are house Ganesha, Lakshmi sculptures and idols, malas and pyramids, elements that connect you with divinity as you see it within yourself, a space where you consciously reflect on relationships in the present and past. Your altar vibrates with your spiritual energy and when you meditate before it, the energy is reflected back growing exponentially.

The stack of cushions made from recycled saris and the canopy with the colorful sheers cascading to the floor makes this cozy small space bohemian and free spirited. The vintage wood arched frames on the walls ties the meditation space with the zen of the room.

Practising yoga before your altar, or doing your meditation, it reconnects you with your innermost purpose of your life. The antique door leading to your meditation room has carvings of lotus and chakra, an ancient Indian door with hues of pink, so rich in its history of love for the divine spirit.A beautiful tribal damchiya sits in the corner with a plethora of herbs and potted plants giving their scent to your beautiful space.

The triple arch opens up into your lush green gorgeous backyard, and you feel one with nature. I have altars all over the garden, the hanuman statue in natural stone is surrounded with potted plants and sits under the huge banyan tree, my evening stroll is self reflective and energizing as I offer flowers to him, absorbing his strength and resilience, calming all turbulent thoughts and letting my guard down.

Malas in rudraksha,crystal quartz, lapiz lazuli and pictures of loved ones surround my altar as I seek reassurance in connecting with my mom and dad during meditation. I chant to Ganesha as he opens up new portals and new chapters in my life,teaching me his ways of wisdom. The beautiful Saraswati teaches me to be conscious in my choice of words and always be kind in thought and verb.

The tree of life carving teaches me to believe in the blooming of the love and life as we go through hardships and strained realtionships.My meditation room guides me with all its energies and helps my consciousness expand and merge with cosmic divinity. Hanuman and Shiva, both the same or different? The manifest and the unmanifest. Get a step closer to understanding the mystery of life with beautiful carvings of Krishna and Shiva lining the walls reminiscent of the Ajanta Ellora caves in India. Your altar holds the love that you offer and magnifies it manifold.

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“Lingam” is one of the most misunderstood motifs of Sanatan Dharma. It has been subject to such a bad smear campaigning by Westerners, especially missionaries, which even Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as a stylized phallic symbol.

THE MISINTERPRETATION:

This is not only misleading but also baseless. Such misinterpretations are done in later Vedic period and popularized much later, when Indian literatures actually came into hands of foreign scholars. It was difficult to interpret the language and a word may have different meaning depending on the context. Some of the easy interpretation may be misleading. Many foreign scholars are of the view that the phallus symbolizes the linga, sexual organ, of Lord Shiva and the basin in connection with it represents the yoni, or vulva, of Goddess Durga. In a sense, the linga united with the yoni symbolizes creation.

According to some people, the Shiva Lingam generally signifies the magnificent light that is the indication or identity of Lord Shiva. This light or flame is solidified and makes the Shivalinga. The lower base of the structure is said to represent the lamp and the upper section, the flame. Now it is not possible for a common man to pray to Brahman which is beyond any characteristic. Human beings need a form to worship. In Sanatana Dharma, each individual has the freedom to define the Supreme Being or Brahman in the most convenient way he/ she is comfortable.Some scholars of the Hindu scriptures say that Linga is merely an abstract symbol of the God. They point towards several legends in Hinduism where a sundry rock or even a pile of sand has been used by as a Lingam or the symbol of Shiva. Citing a particular instance they say, Arjuna once fashioned a linga of clay when worshipping Shiva. Scholars of Puranas, thus argue that too much should not be made of the usual shape of the Lingam. Scholars say that the interpretation of Shiva Linga as an abstract form of God is also consonant with philosophies that hold that God may be conceptualized and worshipped in any convenient form. The form itself is irrelevant, as the divine power that it represents is all that matters. Scholars thus say that Shivalinga represent the formless Nirguna Brahman or the formless Supreme Being.

In The foremost Linga which is primary and is devoid of smell, colour, taste, hearing, touch, etc., is spoken of as Prakriti (Nature).

Thus with the right interpretation and proper study about Hinduism many misconceptions can be cleared, once it is understood it will spread true light of knowledge, love and happiness in the world

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Japa, or personal sound vibration is a spiritual practice that involves the meditative repetition of the name of God. The mantra or name may be spoken softly, enough for the chanter to hear it, or it may be repeated purely within the mind. Japa may be performed whilst sitting in a yogic posture, while performing other activities, or as part of formal worship in congregational settings. The practice of repetitive prayer is present in many forms within most religions in the world, although the faiths of India generally give more importance to it as a specific daily discipline.

Varieties of japa

In chanting japa, the repeated mantra is counted using a string of beads known as a japa mala. Within Indian traditions the Vaishnavas, devotees of Vishnu, commonly chant on beads made from the Tulsi plant (Holy Basil), who is a sacred manifestation of Tulsidevi; whereas Shaivites, the worshippers of Lord Shiva, use Rudraksha beads. There are normally 108 beads in the Japa mala and it has great significance in both traditions. It is not uncommon for people to wear japa beads around their neck as a protection from external energies or for chanting itself, although some spiritualists (such as Gaudiya Vaishnavas) prefer to carry them in a bead-bag in order to keep them hidden from bad spirits.

Goal:

The aim, or goal of chanting japa varies greatly depending on the mantra being chanted and the religious tradition of the practitioner. In both Buddhist and Hindu traditions mantras may be given to the newly initiated by their guru, after some form of rituals are performed or vows taken. The goal could be liberation from material existence or bhakti, or pure devotional to God.

The Process of Purification:

In this Iron Age (Kaliyuga), the age of quarrel and hypocrisy, chanting the name of God is the easiest and surest way for God-realization. Practice of japa purifies the mind and the heart, destroys sinful reactions and brings the devotee face to face with God. Just as fire has the natural property of burning things, so also the name of God has the potency of burning sins and material desires. Japa cleanses the heart, steadies the mind, destroys sins, cut attachment, roots out all bad desires, dispels delusion, gives peace of the mind, connects the devotee with the Lord, brings God-consciousness, bestows eternal Bliss.

Japa counteracts the force of the flickering mind that has a tendency to switch at every second. It forces the mind to concentrate on God. During japa all the godly qualities steadily flow into your mind from the spiritual realm. Japa fills the mind with goodness. It eradicates all kinds of evil mentality and inclinations to sin.

Effects of Mantra

On personal level

– Creates the connection the Lord

-Mantra impacts on the mental plane in a positive way.

– Stirs up emotions (desires, fears, jealousy from subconscious mind to conscious level as thoughts.) for cleansing negative tendencies of the mind and re programming the thinking process

– Creates potential spiritual energy

On surroundings

– Deeper, subtle & transcendental spheres

– Purification of collective conscious mind

Ex: feel good factor with spiritual people

Mantra Japa in Pregnancy

But more importantly, yoga does inconceivable tasks on the physical and mental development of the fetus. As a therapeutic tool, meditation will help you resolve the deepest of neuroses, fears and conflicts, which are very prone to happen during pregnancy. Meditation creates an incredible awareness, which helps you connect with your child in subtle ways.

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Add a mala blessed with a sacred intention to your altar and your vibrations will merge with those in the cosmos taking you to a higher plateau of consciousness.

Sacred stones and prayer malas have been an important part in spirituality from the very moment we needed a physical form for our sacred vision. Giving form to devotion by carving deities into caves, building holy temple shrines, and home altars, each an extension of the divinity that exists in each one of us. The shiva lingam is one of the earliest honored sacred forms which is considered the root of the pranic energy within your body. The field of energy that envelopes the Divine Mind, brings you to the sacredness that these stone have carried for centuries. Practising meditation and following this ancient tradition provides us with a simple and powerful way to magnify and focus on our spirituality. As cosmic spirits we energize each other through the medium of divinity. Mala beads strung with powerful intentions raise your kundalini and align your chakras. Add a rudraksha bead or a tulsi bead to your chakra stone and you have the ability to manifest your intentions, merging into the conflux of vibrations that already exist around us, empowering you with sustenance and pranic power.

Associating a mantra with a particular stone alters the vibrations of the stones and the chakra, balancing and intensifying the energy within you. Inspiring mindfulness, as we lose ourselves to the waves of stillness, mala beads strung with shiva lingam pendants and chakra stones are pure and peaceful tools of meditation. An important part of you and your altar which is but an extension of your divinity, meditation in patience, slowness and stillness allow us to ground ourselves to the core of mother earth so the delicate balance between our physical form and the divine remains balanced.

Recognize your connection with the third eye, as you mindfully place a prayer on the mala and start your mantra. Now your thoughts and intentions are left in the abandonment of the universe, striking a balance between the pineal gland and the higher self, honing your visionary ability. Shiva Lingam malas are beautiful sacred and divine elements that raise your pranic energy but are grounding stones as well. Just as their shape they cocoon your prana with divine joy and give you the calmness of knowing that your inner self is connected to the spirit. Shiva lingam malas are beautiful zen tools balancing the chi energy, aligns planetary energies and harmonizes the soul. Carrying vibrations from many years the shiva lingam malas with rudraksha, jade, garnet and carnelian pulsate with pranic energy that heals and balances the chakras and your aura.

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Add a mala blessed with a sacred intention to your altar and your vibrations will merge with those in the cosmos taking you to a higher plateau of consciousness.

Sacred stones and prayer malas have been an important part in spirituality from the very moment we needed a physical form for our sacred vision. Giving form to devotion by carving deities into caves, building holy temple shrines, and home altars, each an extension of the divinity that exists in each one of us. The shiva lingam is one of the earliest honored sacred forms which is considered the root of the pranic energy within your body. The field of energy that envelopes the Divine Mind, brings you to the sacredness that these stone have carried for centuries. Practising meditation and following this ancient tradition provides us with a simple and powerful way to magnify and focus on our spirituality. As cosmic spirits we energize each other through the medium of divinity. Mala beads strung with powerful intentions raise your kundalini and align your chakras. Add a rudraksha bead or a tulsi bead to your chakra stone and you have the ability to manifest your intentions, merging into the conflux of vibrations that already exist around us, empowering you with sustenance and pranic power.

Associating a mantra with a particular stone alters the vibrations of the stones and the chakra, balancing and intensifying the energy within you. Inspiring mindfulness, as we lose ourselves to the waves of stillness, mala beads strung with shiva lingam pendants and chakra stones are pure and peaceful tools of meditation. An important part of you and your altar which is but an extension of your divinity, meditation in patience, slowness and stillness allow us to ground ourselves to the core of mother earth so the delicate balance between our physical form and the divine remains balanced.

Recognize your connection with the third eye, as you mindfully place a prayer on the mala and start your mantra. Now your thoughts and intentions are left in the abandonment of the universe, striking a balance between the pineal gland and the higher self, honing your visionary ability. Shiva Lingam malas are beautiful sacred and divine elements that raise your pranic energy but are grounding stones as well. Just as their shape they cocoon your prana with divine joy and give you the calmness of knowing that your inner self is connected to the spirit. Shiva lingam malas are beautiful zen tools balancing the chi energy, aligns planetary energies and harmonizes the soul. Carrying vibrations from many years the shiva lingam malas with rudraksha, jade, garnet and carnelian pulsate with pranic energy that heals and balances the chakras and your aura.

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Prayer beads, known as japa mala by the Hindus and by yoga practitioners around the world, are used to keep count of the repetitions of prayers or mantras. The mala consists of a certain number of beads depending on the religion. The material with which it is made also varies. While chanting, one moves from one bead to another and in this way keeps track of the number of prayers said. The beads allow one to focus the mind on the chanting. If it were without beads then the attention would be partly diverted on counting. The following paragraphs describe the different types of beads and their roles in meditations in different religions.

The mala is traditionally held in the right hand and used in two ways: In one method, the mala is hanging between the thumb and the ring (third) finger. The middle (second) finger is used to rotate the mala by one bead towards oneself at each repetition of the mantra.

The use of japa beads originated in Hinduism, more precisely in the Vedic culture. Worshippers of the different forms of God and demigods use a japa mala to chant mantras as part of their daily rituals, known as sadhana. Worshippers of Shiva use Rudraksha beads and Vaishnavas, worshippers of Vishnu, use Tulsi beads.

In Buddhism, several of the sects use 108 bead mala and some others use 27. These shorter rosaries are also called ‘prostration rosaries’, because they are preferred by those doing prostration chanting. In Tibet, Buddhists chant on a 111 bead mala. The prayer ends on the 100th bead and the 11 that are left compensate for mistakes or offenses while chanting.

In Islam, the prayer bead is known as Misbha. It contains 99 beads corresponding to the 99 names of Allah. Some consist of 33 beads and the chanters circles it 3 times to make one full round. The use of the misbha is an innovation. The prophet Mohamed used his fingers to keep track. Some Muslim sects condemn the idea of the misbha for they say it is a deviation from the original practice of the prophet.

The string of prayer beads of the Roman Catholics and Anglicans is called the Rosary. It is a traditional act of devotion, combining prayer and meditation in sequences called decades unto different divinities like The Father, The Virgin Mary, The Apostles, etc. Eastern Christians use loops of knotted wool (or occasionally of beads), called chotki or komboschinia to pray the Jesus Prayer. Among Russian Old Believers, a prayer rope made of leather, called lestovka, is more common, although this type is no longer commonly used by the Russian Orthodox Church.

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Lady-luck will shine brightly on the wearer of a thirteen Mukhi Rudraksha represented by dual Gods “Lord Kamdev (God of Love) and Lord Indra” (King of the Gods). Blessed by two powerful gods it’s but natural that the bead has to be an extraordinary one that bestows extraordinary powers and wealth on the wearer. However, only a lucky few can manage to truly possess it, but once one lays hands on it, good luck flows in abundance.

Leaders, marketing professionals, company presidents, should wear 13 mukhi rudraksha because it helps enhance their performance level. Interestingly, the sacred bead also helps conquer sinful deeds and thoughts and is looked upon as a reliable asset when it comes to achieving hearts desires.

Other Strong Points of 13 faced rudraksha:

• Bestows the wearer with worldly comforts as well as spiritual awakening
• Helps explore the wearer’s potential to the fullest
• Lord Kamdev willingly helps achieve all materialistic pleasures

Mantras for sanctification:

Padma Purana: Om Ksham Chaun Namah

Mahashiv Murana: Om Hrim Namah

How to wear it?

Like all other rudraksha beads thirteen faced rudraksha should also be worn only on Monday’s and should be tied to a red/white thread amidst chanting of mantras. The bead should be cleaned in spring water, or unboiled milk and the holy mantra need to be recited for no less than 108 times. The rudraksha could be embedded in a gold chain as well.

The ideal way to invoke its powers is to store the rudraksha in a Gold/Silver box or worn on one’s body. It should passed on to from one generation to the other given that it helps turn around the fortune of the possessor.

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The Rudraksha bead is known to almost all Indians and many others interested in Hinduism all over the world. It is a bead worn around the neck as a chain of beads or as a single bead. The Rudraksha bead is normally worn by males and those who are spiritually inclined and have overcome the desires of the flesh.

Wearing the Rudraksha is believed to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva. The Rudraksha is got from the Rudraksha tree which is usually seen in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, and the country of Nepal. The leaves of the tree are 22 cm long and 6 ½ cm wide. The flowers of the tree are white in color and are in bunches.

The Rudraksha bead has a lot of medicinal properties and is used in the cure for mental illness, blood pressure, small pox and chicken pox, poisons, cough, fever, breathlessness and fits.

Stories on the origin of Rudraksha and its divine nature are explained in the Devi Bhagavatham in the 11th Skanda. An asura named Tripurasura was very strong and he was able to defeat even Lord MahaVishnu and all the other devas. Devas assembled before Lord Shiva and pleaded for his help.

Lord Shiva sat and thought about the problem for a long time and because of that tears came out of his eyes and fell as rudrakshas on the ground. Out of his eye which represents the Sun, 12 deep red rudrakshas fell on the ground. Out of his another eye which represents the moon, 16 white colored rudrakshas fell on the ground and out of his fiery third eye known for destructing evil which and which represents fire, fell 10 black colored rudrakshas.

The white colored rudraksha represents the Brahmin, the deep red represents the Kshatriyas, the mixed color represents the Vaishyas or traders and the black represents the Shudras.

The rudraksha can be capped with gold or silver and worn. The Devi Bhagavatham points out that those who wear rudraksha bead will attain Brahmajnana or supreme realization of God. All sins will be washed away if one wears the rudraksha. But if a person wears a rudraksha and commits sins, then he will have to take countless births to pay for it. One should not involve in gossip or backbiting if one wears the rudraksha. If one gives food and clothes to a person wearing the rudraksha, then all sins will be removed and one will attain heaven because of the good deed.

There are several types of rudrakshas ranging from one faced to fourteen faced rudraksha. The one faced represents Lord Shiva and even the sin of murder will be washed away on wearing it. The two faced represents the goddess and the fourteen faced is extremely pure and if one wears it one will be considered equal to God because the purity of he rudraksha transforms the individual. Even seeing a person who is adorned with the rudraksha is divine and purifying.

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