Devi Mandir

Temple of Divine Mother

About Ganesh

Meaning of Gam Question: What is the meaning of the syllable in “Gam”? Swamiji Says: There is a sanskrit shloka that explains the syllables: The letter “ga” is the form of wisdom; the letter “a” is that which is in the middle of creation; the anusvaara (m) is the form of perfection. Thus, the attainment […]

Guru Gita Questions & Answers

~~OM~~ Message of the Guru Gita The repetitive message in the Bhagavad Gita is “Serve God, Serve God, Serve God!” In the Chandi Path the repetitive message is “Take one asan and chant the Chandi!” What is the repetitive message in the Guru Gita? Swamiji Says: “na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam |” […]

Rudrashtadhyayi

Uvach in Rudri Question: Some of the scriptures progress/teach through a conversation between a God/Goddess and a devotee or Rishi. Why is there no particular conversation in the Rudrastadhyayi? Swamiji Says: The Rudrastadhyayi is Vedic. The Puranic scriptures occur in story form, but the Vedas are hymns of praise. Purusha Suktam Question: Are there different […]

Saints and Lineage

~~OM~~ Lineage of Sanyasis What are the different lineages established by Shankaracharya and why were they formed?Shankaracharya divided the Sannyasins into ten tribes called Dasnami: Bharati full of light Giri live in the mountains Puri live in cities Saraswati scholars Van live in forests Aranya live in groves Tirtha live in pilgrimage places Parvat live […]

Story of Disciple Seeking Darshan

~~OM~~ The disciple went to the Guru and said, “Guruji, How can I see God?” And the Guru said, “Take a bath.” So the Guru and the disciple went down to the bank of the river, and they went under the water and they started to take a bath. And just as the disciple was […]

Story of Shankaracharya and Trotakananda

~~OM~~ This whole Guru Gita is the king of mantras, because without devotion to the Guru you will never learn any other mantra. This is primary education. We want to fall in love with our teachers so we soak up their knowledge like a sponge. We want to become worthy of their knowledge. And we […]

Story of Vedavyasa’s Conception

~~OM~~ Now the son of Parasara Rishi, who is Vedavyasa. You know, Parasara came to the river where he met Matsyagandha. She was Dasaraj’s daughter. Dasaraj was the king of the fisherman. And he had this daughter, Matsyagandha, who smelled like a fish. So she said to her father, “Father, what seva can I do […]

Story of Arjuna and Concentration

~~OM~~ You all know the story of the Gurukul at Dronacharya’s ashram. Dronacharya was teaching all the disciples how to shoot the weapon, the bow and arrow. And he called his son Ashwathama, and he said, “Ashwathama, see there is a bird in the tree. What do you see?” And Ashwathama said, “I see the […]