prayers

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

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

Sri Siva Sahasranamam 2

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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Eulogy To Lord Narsimha

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Sri Siva Sahasranamam 2

Shivabhakthi