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Why is Shivling called the Vigraha and why are females not supposed to worship and touch Shivling?  

To begin with, God never excluded himself from a certain group, race or creed. Women, like men, are just worshipping. That distinction is there because of the fact that it was men who wrote the scriptures. Women were not allowed to be a part of the decision making of what is a good or a bad ritual. There is nothing stopping you at all from worshipping whomever you want. If we were to say do not worship Shivling but worship Krishna, are we not differentiating between Krishna and Shiva? Are we not then dividing God? 

Why is Shiv Lingam called a Vigraha? Anything in which you worship divinity is a Vigraha. If you are offering abhishekam to Lord Vishnu's idol, similarly you are offering abhishekam to Shiv Lingam. First of all it is a symbol of Lord Shiva. In the yogic texts, ling is a name of the body that is referred to as your subtle body so this is symbolic of Lord Shiva. That said we did go through a time where sex was not a taboo and it was okay to talk about it and that is why so many old temples have sculptures of poses of kamasutra on the walls. But all humans are conceived the same way. So Shiv lingam is on a yoni. It is the ultimate union and a reminder that if you could see divinity in the act of intimacy then nothing will remain superficial. Nothing remains undivine. It is a lack of understanding of this subject that can lead to avoidance or repulsion. When you truly understand, you suddenly see the truth.

Listen to this discourse to find out more.

Shiv Lingam

Gau (cow), Ganga, Gita and Gayatri are the four main pillars of our Sanatan Dharma. How to take what life has to offer you and how to live a life is within the knowledge of the Bhagvad Gita. Not only are the answers of all your questions but all your questions themselves are in Bhagvad Gita. In Mahabharata, teaching passed by Sri Krishna to Arjuna is called Gita. Maharishi Ved Vyas in Mahabharta says there is no need to wander. The Bhagvad Gita that has come out from Lord Krishna's mouth is the only one worthy of singing. It is not only a song, it is a beautiful song sung by Lord Krishna himself. There is no need to go into any other Shastra. 

There is a primary difference between knowledge given by humans and knowledge given by God. The human knowledge changes with time. It is limited to time. Many things that were written in Manusmriti 4000 years ago are not even possible in today's world whereas every word of Gita that was true and applicable 5000 years ago is still true to this day. 

Listen to this discourse by Om Swami giving the beautiful meaning of Srimad Bhagvad Gita.

01 Srimad Bhagvad Gita - The Song of Life [Hindi] - Part 1

The first word of Srimad Bhagvad Gita is Dharma and the last word is Mama (me). I am the dharma. My dharma is based on my actions and my karma. What is dharma? Dharma is the knowledge of what karma I should do and what is right for me. What I can do is my dharma and actually doing it is my karma. 

There is a constant battle going on inside every human being. Arjuna is on a battlefield in Bhagvad Gita. He is in a dilemma of what to do, whether to fight or not to fight. On one side there are Kauravas and on the other, the Pandavas. On one side there are those who support Kauravas and on the other side those who support the Pandavas. There is a dharmakshetra and a kurukshetra. Dharmakshetra is the knowledge of what is right to do but just having the knowledge is not enough. There is a kurukshetra meaning karma, which is actually applying that knowledge through your actions by doing that karma. And, that is your dharma.

Arjuna's dilemma is whether or not to kill the ones who are facing him on the battlefield. He says to Sri Krishna that he will not fight and starts crying. 

Listen to the deeper meaning of Bhagvad Gita by Om Swami.

02 Srimad Bhagvad Gita - Dharma [Hindi] - Part 2

The first teaching by Sri Krishna in Bhagvad Gita is that it is possible to have more than one path and it is also possible that every path is true. Most of the time people have the belief that their thinking is the only thinking that is right and their path is the only path. Sri Krishna clears this illusion by saying that there can be many paths. It would be foolish to say that any path is better than the other. Your focus should be on your own path and let others stay focused on theirs. In your life, before condemning other's paths or viewpoints, remember for a moment that it is possible that the other person's viewpoint could be right too. 

The second teaching of Bhagvad Gita is that you cannot run away from your karma even if you want to. Sri Krishna says to Arjuna that I can only give you the right to do the karma but I cannot give you the right of what the outcome of that karma will be. You can do your karma but you have no control over the result of that action. 

Listen to this discourse by Om Swami on the finest knowledge of Bhagvad Gita and the importance of applying those teachings in your life.

03 Srimad Bhagvad Gita - Teachings [Hindi] - Part 3

There is God in every human being. To have bad feelings for others is a sign of ignorance. If in the past someone did something wrong to you and you are still holding on to that, it will only give you grief because you are still tied to that negative emotion. Many people feel that their experiences, incidents and circumstances of life are tied to them but the truth is that they have tied themselves to it. If you are determined, you can leave those negative emotions in a moment and you will be able to lead a happy and contented life. Then you will be able to sing the song of life and understand the real meaning of Bhagvad Gita.

The third teaching Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna in Bhagvad Gita is to reflect upon what you are accepting before you accept it- whether it is an action, an emotion, a thought, a religion or a belief or anything. Pause for a moment and reflect if this is the path you really want to tread. 

The fourth teaching is Kripa (grace). Sri Krishna says to Arjuna that you should stay focused on your karma and leave the rest to me. Take this for granted that my bhakt (devotee) will never be ruined. Only people who get grace are people who have unwavering faith. People who have the faith that my God, the divine will take care of them get the bhagvad kripa.

Listen to this insightful meaning of the teachings of Bhagvad Gita by Om Swami.

04 Srimad Bhagvad Gita - Teachings [Hindi] - Part 4

One thing that is clear is that Mother Divine is not bound to any ritual or to any method. She is not a lower form of energy, where we can just chant the mantra and bind her and bring her in front of us. She is Mother Divine. She has the most divine form one can imagine. When you are in love, you don't maintain an account with the other person in which you keep record of who loves whom how much; you just love. Similarly, with Mother Divine no account is possible. I cannot say that I will call you two and half crore times, which is a lot of time, and therefore you should show me your form. It is just not possible. 

We have to realize where we belong in this creation. We are part of the divine but only qualitatively. Quantitatively we are one tiny drop. Earth is a tiny drop in the galaxy. Our galaxy is a tiny drop in the universe. The universe is a tiny drop in the multiverse. The scale of creation is extraordinarily infinite. To experience the divine, somewhere we have to be divine. I am expounding on the essence of Lalitha Sahasranamam on my faith and the basis of my faith is the direct experience. I beg for forgiveness to Mother Divine for this audacity to say that I will expound on the essence of Lalitha Sahasranamam. 

Listen to this discourse full of divinity on the Essence of Lalitha Sahasranamam by Om Swami.

01 Essence of Lalita Sahasranamam - Part 1

Lalita Sahasranamam can be done as an independent practice or as part of Sri Vidya. Ma (Mother Divine) is called Sri. Sri means where all the four types of sukhas live. Sri means somebody you can take aashrya (shelter), refuge in. She is situated on the left side of Siva. To really succeed on the path of self-realization or sadhana you have to understand your masculine and feminine aspects and these are forever changing in every human being. There are three aspects of Lalita Sahasranamam, first is devotion, second is meditation and the third is initiation. Devotion is absolutely critical, no matter how tough a yogi you are; devotion alone will make you humble. If you are not devoted to a god or a guru or even to a cause, you will be constantly battling with your own ego and anger all the time. Devotion is of utmost important. 

The first verse of Lalita Sahasranamam says that She is Sri Mata, the ultimate Ma. A mother is the embodiment of compassion. A mother is willing to accept anything. She is Maharagyni, meaning she is not the Maharani (The Queen); She is the Empress. 

Listen to this devotional discourse by Om Swami and gain insight on the Essence of Lalita Sahasranamam.

02 Essence of Lalita Sahasranamam - Part 2

The radiance of Ma is like thousand suns. Ma has four limbs, they are the four pursharthas, they are the four types of sounds, they are the four types of japa, they are the four types of avasthas and they are four types of guna. So the form of Ma starts with these most basic and fundamental attributes that are the very basis of existence of every single living entity on our planet and beyond.

She is holding a noose of passion. The bow she is holding is of mind. The five arrows she is holding are the five subtle elements also know as touch, taste, smell, sight and sound. From the perspective of sadhana, these are your only hurdles, only obstacles on the path of sadhana. You need to overcome these hurdles by rising above your passions, anger and desires. This will always be the first test of any sincere seeker. As you progress on the path of sadhana, you move from the form to the formless. She is much easier to attain when you worship her within you because then she becomes part of every single atom of existence. The magnitude builds to a level where you start to feel her presence.

It is not without reason that the Sahasranamam starts with the physical attributes of Mother Divine. 

Listen to this discourse by Om Swami on the deeper meaning of Lalita Sahasranamam.

03 Essence of Lalita Sahasranamam - Part 3

Sri Siva Sahasranamam 2

Sri Krishna says to Arjuna that I am telling you the truth because you are dear to me, that you become my bhakt (devotee) because I am everything. There is a firm faith that comes from devotion.  Sri Krishna says to Arjuna to surrender himself to him. However, Arjuna had his doubts because he believed that Sri Krishna was just another human being and took his words like an ordinary person. Sri Krishna then says to Arjuna that there are two ways, either use your intellect and do what you think is right and if your knowledge is yours and you believe it to be true then follow that path. However, your mind is polluted right now and your knowledge is bookish and not your own knowledge. That is why you cannot make up your mind.  But the day you will situate in Samadhi, you will realize the truth.

Sri Krishna says to Arjuna that I have given you the most esoteric knowledge. He says to Arjuna that your mind is not thinking far ahead, you are surrounded by your desires and you are disillusioned.  That is why I am asking you to surrender yourself to me.

Listen to this devotional discourse by Om Swami to find out more.

Bhagvad Gita - Bhakti

In this devotional video, Om Swami narrates and sings this beautiful and divine Eulogy to Lord Narsimha.

Listen to this stuti and immerse in the bhava of devotion.

BREATHE / SMILE / LET GO
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Want to connect & explore more. You can connect with Om Swami on https://os.me. 
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If you enjoy the talks and would like to try courses by Om Swami, please visit: https://os.me/courses/
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Eulogy To Lord Narsimha

Here is the most beautiful Vishnu Sahsranama sung in the voice of Swami Vidyananda Om on the eve of live abhishekam done on Krishna Janmashtami. 

Rejoice in seeing the abhishekam of Sri Hari done with utmost devotion and various unguents and other offerings such as water from Giri Ganga, cow's milk, yogurt, sandwalwood water,  honey, fragrant concoction, turmeric while the glorious chants of Vishnu Sahasranamam are recited in the background.

BREATHE / SMILE / LET GO
-----------------------
SUBSCRIBE to Om Swami channel for weekly dose of positive and practical thoughts on life, meditation, spirituality, relationships & more! - https://www.youtube.com/user/omswamitv
-----------------------
Want to connect & explore more. You can connect with Om Swami on https://os.me. 
-----------------------
If you enjoy the talks and would like to try courses by Om Swami, please visit: https://os.me/courses/
-----------------------
Need a companion in your self-discovery. You can find Om Swami's books here: https://os.me/books/
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Vishnu Sahasranama

Listen to the complete Lalita Sahasranama sung most beautifully in the voice of Swami Vidyananda Om. You can watch the abhishekam performed with this sahasranama on Om Swami's youtube channel. Go to omswami.com for more.

Lalita Sahasranama

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Vishnu Sahasranamam M.S.shubhlaxmi selected By SALIL DIMRI 4m BADRINATH

Often scriptural stories seem to be too fantastical. Do such legends and stories in the ancient texts have any esoteric meaning? For example, who are Madhu-Kaitabha, Mahishasur, Raktabija, Chanda-Munda, Dhumralochan and Shumb-Nishumbh? Listen to this revealing discourse to understand the true meaning of Durga Saptashati and how it relates to the hurdles on the path of any seeker.

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Chits Menon