In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the ideals of marriage. According to the Hindu tradition, there are 5 kinds of marriages. The highest of these is called Divya Vivaah- divine marriage, a divine union between Shiva and Shakti. Divine marriage is a communion, a commitment, and an opportunity to constantly serve as a reminder to our divine partner. This is a reminder that we are Shiva and Shakti, and we have a internal divine union that transcends these bodies and this earthly interaction.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue their discussion on the ideals of marriage. They share many stories from the ancient Sanskrit traditions that relate to the ideal of perfection in a marriage. Part of the central idea of a divine marriage is having a commonly understood goal for the purpose of this divine union.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue a discussion on the ideals of marriage. As well as telling many inspiring stories relating to the ideal marriage, they also answer a vast range of issues relating to marriage including: Who to marry, when to get married, how does one build trust and security, how to constantly see our partner as the divine, and also how do we deal the changes that each partner will under go during marriage.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the ideals of perfection of a human being such as: speaking the truth, constant practice of compassion, performing purifying austerities (spiritual discipline), leading a simple life, and being fully content living with God.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa explain the system of performing a marriage ceremony pertaining Hindu tradition. The marriage ceremony begins with Shiva and Durga puja (worship). The bride performs Shiva puja with the groom as her Shiva; the husband performs Durga puja with the bride as Durga.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue their discussion of the marriage ceremony. In the Hindu tradition, the marriage ceremony consists of taking 7 steps around the sacred fire with the couples upper garments symbolically tied together.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa teach on the ideals of perfection in relationships. Swamiji and Shree Ma give us a depth of wisdom and how to produce the greatest of harmonies in all of our relationships. They discuss ancient wisdom about relationships and make it relevant in modern day and every day life.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the Gharbhaa Dhaana Viddhi, which means planting the seed in the womb, which is one of the most important samskara, Hindu rights of passage. The first step of the Gharbhaa Dhaana is to decide why and for what purpose do we want to have a child.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa share their wisdom on Gharbhaa Dhaana Viddhi, plaing the seed in the womb. They discuss and answer questions in detail the ideals of perfection when it comes to wanting a child.

In this video class Swamiji and Shree Maa discuss worshipping of the fetus and honoring of the mother. As soon as possible after we know were pregnant we will want to perform the Punsavan to welcome the new soul into our lives.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the ideals of the jatakarma (birth) ceremony, which welcomes the baby to earth. This system of worship will help us to realize the divinity in our child, and the mantras and ceremony of this practice are explained in detail.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa explains the process of giving the baby the ideal name. This practice relates to astrology and the position of the planets. The name that is chosen by this system also gives us useful information on how decorate the environment as well as their clothing.

In this video class Swamiji and Shree Maa teach about the ideals of relating to the babies first food. The mantras of this ceremony along with the knowledge of why it’s performed meanings explained by Shree Maa and Swamiij with great insight into its purpose.

In this video Swamiji and Shree Maa discuss the importance of investing the child with the sacred thread. The upanayan samskara (rites) is a very significant right of passage, as the sacred thread represents the divine qualities we want to keep constant remembrance in our daily life.

In this class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the system of worship of Kumaris (young girls) who represent the goddess of purity. The mantras of Kumari puja are all explained along with the ceremony that accompanies it. By worshiping the young girl as Goddess Kumari we instill the qualities of purity, innocence, and trust in her and by extension to the worshiper and congregation, because we get the Prasad of our offering.

In this video Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the Vedarambha also known as the Vidyarambha, which is the start of acquisition of knowledge (vidya) or the study of wisdom. Veda means wisdom, and arambha means commencement. The system of worships of the mantras and the reason for it are all explained with great detail.

This video class explains chapter 3 of the Chandi Path. In this chapter many more generals in the army of the Great Ego arise and are slain. Divine Mother ultimately slays the Great Ego in this chapter thereby giving us freedom from egotistical attachment and making us divine. The mantras of the third chapter are first chanted in Sanskrit and then explained in depth in English. The meanings of the names of each general in the army of the Great Ego are also translated and explained.

In this video Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the discussion of Rita Samskara (first menstruation cycle). They first explain what the ceremony is and what the necessity for it is. The right of passage signifies the child is not longer a little girl, but a woman capable of giving birth to the next generation.

In this class Swamiji and Shree Maa explain the Samavarttan (the graduation ceremony), The completion of study in formal in the gurukul (family of the guru) system of learning. It is the guru who determines when the student has mastered the subjects, which will be required in his or her life.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the talk on the Samavarttan (graduation ceremony). Swamiji and Shree ma answer questions in detail pertaining to the Samavarttan and how it is relevant in today’s system of learning.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss Shala Karma (entering a new house) and Antyeshthi (funeral rites). Shala Karma or Grihapravesh is the ceremonial worship prior to entering a new house, which blesses the house so that no negative energy can enter and cleanses all bad vibrations and puts them out of the house. Antyeshthi (funeral rites) means the last rites for the human being, which pertains to the funeral or cremation rites.

In this class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue their teaching of the Antyeshthi, last rites for a human being. These funeral rites are divided into a number of portions. The first part is to have the opportunity, the privilege of being with an individual at the time of departure, or leaving the body. We want to keep that environment as divine as possible.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the discussion of Antyeshthi, or the last funeral rites of a human being. The first step of the actual cremation rite is Shavadaha (the burning of the corpse). The second step is called Pretutsarga (when the soul is rising towards heaven). The thirst step is on the 10th day when we perform Shraddha (offering to the ancestors).

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the funeral ceremonies along with he death of the body. They cover many topics, like what happens to the soul after death, to how families with no children can perform the funeral rites.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the four ashramas (stages of life) which are: Brahmacharya, Grihasta, Vanaprastha, and Sannyas. Typically these were divined into twenty-five sections of ones life.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the discussion of the four ashramas (stages of life). They discuss a wide range of topics from the meaning of brahmacharya to what someone should do who feels ready to move towards sannyas.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the discussion of the four ashramas (stages of life). They discuss a wide range of topics on these four stages of life. In Brahmacharya we learn how to make our contribution. In Grihastha we make our contribution to society. In Vanaprastha we empower the children to take over and move towards retirement. In Sannyas we become established in truth.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa cover a diverse range topics in relation to the ideals of life well lived. These topics span the entire life course of an individual and cover various ideals for the major events in life.

Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa discuss the sixteen initiations. There are many times and many ways we can take initiation (diksha) from a guru. Traditionally the first initiation is the guru mantra (that which takes away the mind).

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa continue the discussion of the sixteen initiations. A few of the initiations (diskha) are: Mantra, Mala, yantra, and the loincloth. The purpose and meaning of these are explained in the video.

In this video class Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa answer questions pertaining to initiation (diskha). These questions cover a vast range of topics for example, the sequence of initiations, receiving initiations from gurus, and are towards all of our gurus.

In this class Swamiji and Shree Maa continue the discourse with devotees about the way these various initiations come about and how they affect our lives and spiritual practices.