Goddess Vidya
  • Home
  • Vedic Astrology
    • Vedic Astrology - MIRROR of the SKY BLOG
    • Remedies & Techniques
  • Trishula
    • Tirishula's BLOG
    • Trishula Photo's
    • Contact Trishula
  • Babu Kishan
    • Baul of Bengal
    • Ektara Foundation
    • Cultural Appropriation
  • Vanishnava Tantric Baul Akara
    • Bhakti Masala BLOG
  • Goddess Vidya BLOG
    • Goddess Vidya Gallery
    • Goddess Vidya Yoga
  • Health BLOG
  • Temples Of India BLOG
  • Mystic Journey to India
  • Tantra of Sound Healing in Indian Music
  • Books, Research
  • Schedule
  • Products
  • Teachings

October 15th, 2018

10/15/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Durga Mahishasuramardini or Loro Jonggrang, Prambanan, Central Java, Indonesia - 9th century.

Statue of Durga Mahishasuramardini or according to local legend known as Loro Jonggrang, inside northern cellar of Shiva temple, Prambanan, Central Java, Indonesia.

Prambanan or Rara Jonggrang is a 9th-century Hindu temple compound in Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, dedicated to the Trimūrti, the expression of God as the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Transformer (Shiva). The temple compound is located approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of the city of Yogyakarta on the boundary between Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces.

The Prambanan temple is the largest Hindu temple of ancient Java, and the first building was completed in the mid-9th century. It was likely started by Rakai Pikatan as the Hindu Sanjaya Dynasty's answer to the Buddhist Sailendra Dynasty's Borobudur and Sewu temples nearby. Historians suggest that the construction of Prambanan probably was meant to mark the return of the Hindu Sanjaya Dynasty to power in Central Java after almost a century of Buddhist Sailendra Dynasty domination. The construction of this massive Hindu temple signifies that the Medang court had shifted its patronage from Mahayana Buddhism to Shaivite Hinduism.

A temple was first built at the site around 850 CE by Rakai Pikatan and expanded extensively by King Lokapala and Balitung Maha Sambu the Sanjaya king of the Mataram Kingdom. According to the Shivagrha inscription of 856 CE, the temple was built to honor Lord Shiva, and its original name was Shiva-grha (the House of Shiva) or Shiva-laya (the Realm of Shiva). According to the Shivagrha inscription, a public water project to change the course of a river near Shivagrha temple was undertaken during the construction of the temple. The river, identified as the Opak River, now runs north to south on the western side of the Prambanan temple compound. Historians suggest that originally the river was curved further to east and was deemed too near to the main temple.[citation needed] The project was done by cutting the river along a north to south axis along the outer wall of the Shivagrha Temple compound. The former river course was filled in and made level to create a wider space for the temple expansion, the space for rows of pervara (complementary) temples.

Some archaeologists propose that the statue of Shiva in the garbhagriha (central chamber) of the main temple was modelled after King Balitung, serving as a depiction of his deified self after death.

The temple compound was expanded by successive Mataram kings, such as Daksa and Tulodong, with the addition of hundreds of perwara temples around the chief temple. Prambanan served as the royal temple of the Kingdom of Mataram, with most of the state's religious ceremonies and sacrifices being conducted there. At the height of the kingdom, scholars estimate that hundreds of brahmins with their disciples lived within the outer wall of the temple compound. The urban center and the court of Mataram were located nearby, somewhere in the Prambanan Plain.

Source: Wikipedia
0 Comments

Durga Maaa!

10/15/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Digital Rare Book:
Durga Saptasati Or Devi Mahatmya (700 Mantras on Sri Durga)
By Swami Jagadisvarananda
Published by Ramakrishna Math, Madras - 1953

Read book online:
http://bit.ly/2yjMrDD
Download pdf book:
http://bit.ly/2pRywA0
Image:
Durga, in the form she is worshipped at Durga Puja in Bengal

Colour lithograph
Printed by: Bengal Art Studio - 1895

Image credit:
© Trustees of the British Museum

0 Comments

October 15th, 2018

10/15/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Durga
​
Carved terracotta plaque showing a striding goddess Durga with eight arms holding a sword, vajra, bell, elephant goad and other emblems; stamped with an inscription.

9th century
Bodhgaya, Bihar

Image and text credit:
© Trustees of the British Museum
0 Comments

Happy Navaratri / Durga Puja 2018 Jai Ma

10/14/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

October 08th, 2018

10/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Navratri 2018:

Nine Forms of Durga & The Special Prasad Offered to Them

by Sushmita Sengupta 
 
  • Navratras is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her 9 forms
  • The Nine forms of Durga are worshiped with special offerings
  • Here is the list of the nine forms Durga or Shakti worshipped on each day
‘Navratri’ in Sanskrit translates to ‘nine nights’. Indians all across the world celebrate these nine nights with full fervor and great enthusiasm. These nine nights of festivities are marked with ritualistic fasting, poojas while adopting a calm and meditative lifestyle. This Hindu festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her 9 avatars. On each of these nine days, Hindus worship the nine different manifestation of Durga or Shakti. The ‘Nav Durga’ or the ‘Nine Forms of Durga’ are pleased with special offerings and prayers. The significance of Nav Durga is narrated and reiterated in every Hindu household especially during the Navratris as this is the time when Goddess Durgadescends from the heaven to bless her beloved devotees.
Here are the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga that are worshiped on each day of Navratri and thebhog or prasadthat is specially prepared for them to seek their blessings. 

 
1. Goddess Shailputri


The first manifestation of Durga is Goddess Shailputri. According to scriptures, she holds a trishul and a lotus in her hands, and rides a bull called Nandi. As per Shivpurana, Goddess Shailputri in her previous birth was born to Daksha Prajapati, and was named ‘Sati’. Deeply devoted to Lord Shiva ever since her childhood, Sati meditated earnestly to beget Lord Shiva as her consort. Lord Shiva bestowed upon her the desired boon and accepted her as her consort. The union was not accepted well by Sati’s father Daksha Prajapati, who insulted Shiva by not inviting him in one of his special gatherings. Infuriated upon the humiliation meted out to her husband, Sati immolated herself and sacrificed her life in honour of her husband. In her next birth Sati was born as a daughter to Himalaya, the Lord of Mountains and thus, was called Shailputri. Sailputri is also worshiped as Parvati or Hemvati. The first day of Navratra is dedicated to worshiping Shailputri. Devotees offer pure desi ghee on the foot of Shailputri. An offering of pure ghee is said to bless the devotee with a life free of diseases and illness. 


2. Goddess Brahmacharini

The second day of Navratri bhog is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini. She is depicted as a monastic goddess in Hindu scriptures, two-armed, clad in white and holding a rudraksh mala and a sacred Kamandalu. Her stance is of utmost piety and devotion. Her meditative form is related to the severe penance undertaken by Sati and Parvati in their respective births to attain Lord Shiva as their beloved consort. She is also known as Tapasyacharini. It is believed that when Parvati was engaged in her deep meditation to please Lord Shiva, she was reduced to a mere skeleton. Her austere penance gained her the name of Bharahmacharini by all the devtas and Gods who were awestruck by her reverence. Worshiping this form of Shakti is known to invoke the spirit of penance, renunciation, virtue and nobility. Goddess Brahmacharini is a lover of simple food and offerings. Devotees serve a bhog of sugar and fruits to Goddess Brahmacharini. 
Navratri 2018:  The second day of Navratri bhog is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini

3. Goddess Chandraghanta

The third manifestation of Durga is Goddess Chandraghanta. She is depicted as a fierce 10-armed Goddess, roaring in anger. Chandraghanta is worshiped on the third day of Navratri. She has a golden complexion and on her forehead she wears a crescent moon, which is why she is called Chandraghanta by her devotees. According to scriptures during a great battle between gods and the demons, the sound vibrations produced by her ghanta (bell) took the lives of many wicked enemies. She rides on a lion and is believed to destroy all evil and wicked. The ferocious Goddess is pleased by offering milk, sweets or kheer.


Navratri 2018:  The third manifestation of Durga is Goddess Chandraghanta

4. Goddess Kushmanda

On the fourth day of Navratri, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped. The name Kushmanda is made of three other words ‘Ku’ (little), ‘Ushma’ (warmth or energy) and ‘Amnda’ (egg) which means the one who created the universe as the “Little Cosmic Egg” with energy and warmth. According to Hindu scriptures, the universe was a dark space and it was Goddess Kushmanda who produced the Cosmic Egg with her smile. Devotees worship the Goddess by observing fasts and offering Malpua as bhog. 


Navratri 2018: On the fourth day of Navratri, Goddess Kushmanda is worshipped  

5. Goddess Skandmata

The fifth manifestation of Durga is Skandmata who is worshiped on the fifth day of the Navratri also known as Panchami. Goddess Skandamata is depicted as a four-armed deity, who carries a lotus in two of her arms with a Kamandalu and a bell. She is also seen carrying little Kartikay on her lap. Kartikay is also known as Skanda, hence giving the goddess the name of Skandamata. Her posture is calm and serene. She is seated on a lotus, but a lion is also her vehicle. A bhog of bananas is offered to the goddess and it is said to keep the devotees in good health. 


Navratri 2018: The fifth manifestation of Durga is Skandmata who is worshiped on the fifth day of the Navratri  

6. Goddess Katyayani 

Worshiped on the sixth day (Shashti) of Navratris, Goddess Katyayani is a form of Shakti who is depicted as having four arms, and carrying a sword. She rides a lion, and can be pleased with true devotion and piety. She is the daughter of Sage Katyayan. Devotees offer honey as prasad to Goddess Katyayani. Her blessings fill their lives with sweetness and help them get rid of bitter troubles.


Navratri 2018:Worshiped on the sixth day (Shashti) of Navratris, Goddess Katyayani is a form of Shakti   

7. Goddess Kaalratri

Goddess Kaalratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratris. According to the Hindu scriptures, Goddess Kaalratri is etched as a four-armed deity who rides a donkey. She carries a sword, a trident and a noose. She is the fierce form of Durga, dark and ferocious in appearance. She possesses three eyes on her forehead that are known to contain the entire universe. She breathes fierce flames of fire, and lustrous rays emanate from her. Fierce on the outside, Kaalratri bestows her true devotees protection from evil-powers and spirits. Devotees offer jaggery or sweets made with jaggery. The prasad is also given to Brahmins along with Dakshina. 
 

Navratri 2018: Goddess Kaalratri is worshiped on the seventh day of Navratris

​8. Goddess Mahagauri

Durga Asthami or the eight day of Navratris is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri. As per the scriptures, Mahagauri worshiped as the four-armed deity who rides on a bull or a white elephant. She carries a trishul and a damru. When Parvati decided to go on an austere penance to beget Lord Shiva as her consort, she renounced all comforts and lived in a forest for deep meditation. Her meditation continued for several years - braving heat, cold, rain, and terrible storms. Lord Shiva, impressed by her deep penance, appeared before her and showered the holy water of the Ganga over her. The Gangajalwashed off all the dirt. She regained her natural beauty, and came to be known as Mahagauri. Goddess Mahagauri  is offered coconut as bhog by devotees.  It is widely believed that donating coconuts to the Brahmans on Ashtami, blesses a childless couple with a child.

Navratri 2018:  Durga Asthami or the eight day of Navratris is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri

9. Goddess Siddhidatri

Worshiped on the ninth day, Goddess Siddhidhatri is projected as a four-armed deity sitting calmly on a lotus. She also holds a lotus, mace, discus and a book. This form of Shakti signifies the ushering of knowledge and wisdom over ignorance. Siddhi in Sanskrit translates to accomplishment. Thus, Goddess Siddhidhatri signifies perfection. On the ninth day of Navrartris, devotees observe a fast and offer til or sesame seeds as bhog. This is believed to protect the devotee and his family from unfortunate mishaps.
 

Navratri 2018:  Worshiped on the ninth day, Goddess Siddhidhatri is projected as a four-armed deity sitting on a lotus
0 Comments

Jai Maa!!

10/7/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments
    Picture
    Trishula  Sandra Das

    Practitioner of Jyotish, Yoga Tantra, Ayurveda,  Shakti Sadhana
    ​for 40 years.

    ~ VedicAstrologer ~

    ~ Researcher East & Western Wisdom, Past Life Regression, Mysticism ~

     ~ Mind Body Soul~
     Believer in Love,  Humanity, Peace, freedom & Soul Mates 
    ​
     ~ Baul Scholar ~
     ~ Qigong Master ~

    ~ MOTHER ~
    ~Photographer~

    Picture
    BabuKishan.org

    Archive

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    September 2017
    April 2017
    February 2016
    December 2015
    January 2015
    November 2013
    September 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    August 2011

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

     Thanks to all Authors.


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Baul Tantra
    Bengal
    Birbhum
    Calcutta
    Dakineshwar Temple
    Devi
    Devi Mahatmaya
    Durga
    Durga Suktam
    Feminine Divine
    Goddess
    Kali
    Laxshmi
    Namaste
    Navadurga
    Navaratri
    Sarasvati
    Shakti
    Shakti Peeths
    Shiva
    Tara Pith

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Picture

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.