Eye of Shiva


Book Description

Where have I come from? Where will I go when the body perishes? What is Reality? What is Maya? In the pursuit of Truth, one often contemplates the meaning of existence. What is life? Is there a mystery beyond life and death? Have I experienced countless universes before? How did it all start? How will it end? The Vedic Journey begins for the one whose heart resonates with the Grand Vedic Question – Who am I? Eye of Shiva – Beyond the Quantum Universe – explores ancient concepts such as: • Relative and Absolute Consciousness. • The field of experience generated by Prakriti. • The changing order of the observer and the observed. • The states of waking, dreaming and dreamless sleep. • The essence of ‘is’ and ‘is not’. • The condition of Kaivalya, and the Abode of Shiv. It brings forth the translations of Vijnan Bhairav Tantr and Kaivalya Upanishad, emphasizing the direct link between consciousness and the quantum worlds of relative realities.




The Eye of Shiva


Book Description




The Imago Sequence


Book Description

The title story of this collection — a devilishly ironic riff on H. P. Lovecraft’s “Pickman’s model” — was nominated for a World Fantasy Award, while “Probiscus” was nominated for an International Horror Guild award and reprinted in The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror 19. In addition to his previously published work, this collection contains an original story.




What Exactly Is A Shiva Lingam


Book Description

A Shiva lingam is an aniconic representation of Lord Shiva. Hindus worship Lord Shiva mostly in the form of a Shiva lingam, but its meaning has been one of the most debated topics. There are mainly two groups; one believes it is a sexual organ and others believe it is not. They both give many different arguments in the support of their perspective. With the advent of science and technology, one more group has emerged which strongly believes that there is some sort of science behind the concept of Shiva Lingam. But what are the reasons behind this confusion? 1. There are some stories in the Hindu scriptures that depict it as a sexual organ while some stories say it is a column of fire. 2. Many different meanings of the words linga and yoni. 3. Ancient pillar/phallus worship. 4. Different practices of different Hindu sects. 5. The shape of a Shiva lingam. In February 2010, the encyclopedia Britannica removed a sentence about Shiva lingam from its article.“In temples and private shrines, Shiva is ... worshipped in the form of the lingam, or phallus, often embedded in the yoni, the symbol of the female sexual organ.”It is believed that it did so because of the pressure of Netizens, but I doubt that a website like Britannica would do so unless there is some valid reason behind it. When we talk about religion, the scriptures are of utmost importance. Therefore, in this book, I have sought refuge mainly in scriptures to determine what exactly a Shiva Lingam is, but I have also considered other things like archaeological evidence, logic, history, science, etc. I am sure that this book would not only answer what a Shiva lingam really is but also you would learn many new things about Hinduism.




Finding Shiva


Book Description

After high school, I was not sure about whether I should pursue dance or a technical subject. Awaiting clarity, I spent many months considering my options. While I was in the midst of this confusion, someone asked me, “What brings you closer to yourself?” I didn’t respond immediately, but in my mind the answer was clear. “Dance brings me closer to myself,” I thought. It was such an odd question, yet strangely it influenced a life decision. How can one be closer to or farther from oneself? I knew that dance would begin to reveal something to me at some point in time, but I wasn’t sure of what this thing would be. The act of dancing holds something within it that I wanted to discover. What if I could imbibe my life with the clarity of thought, precision, control and simultaneous surrender that I am able to wield as a performer? Wouldn’t life change inexplicably for the better? The applause bursts like rain clattering From a cloud too heavy to hold, My elation bathes me as sweat trickles Down my forehead a moment before It stings my eye to remind me to see, They applaud the dance, not me. If I were to fall prey, my dance entwined With only moments of applause to remind Of my days of yore. No never not. Dance is me and yet not at all... - Rukmini Vijayakumar




Sitting Shiva


Book Description

A little girl grieves the loss of her mother, but she can’t grieve alone. When her friends and family arrive at her house to sit shiva, laden with cakes and stories, she refuses to come downstairs. But the laughter and memories gradually bring her into the fold, where she is comforted by her community. By the end of the book, she feels stronger and more nourished, and she understands the beautiful tradition. Then, when sees her father sitting alone, she is able to comfort him in his time of need. Sitting Shiva is a beautiful, heartfelt story about grief and loss, but also about comfort and community. It shows that no matter what religion you practice, we are all more similar than we are different. A note from the author explains the ritual of sitting shiva, a seven-day period of mourning for the death of a family member observed in Jewish homes.




Shiva


Book Description

An extensive look at all the aspects of multi-natured Shiva • Explores the shamanic roots of world spirituality as exemplified by this Hindu god who shares many of the attributes of the Norse Odin and the Celtic Cernunnos • Looks at Shiva’s relation to contemporary culture, Tantra, and the dualistic religions of the West To his devotees Shiva is the entire universe and the core of all beings. Hindu myth shows him appearing at the beginning of creation as a giant pillar of fire from which this world sprang forth. Yet he is also the most approachable of gods, for he is the lover of lovers and the devotee of his devotees. Of the 1,008 names of Shiva, Pashupati, Lord of Animals, is one of the most common. His special relation to animals along with his trickster nature reveal the deep connection of Shiva to shamanism and other gods such as the Norse Odin and the Celtic Cernunnos that came out of the Paleolithic traditions. Ethnologist Wolf-Dieter Storl was first captivated by Shiva when he was in India as a visiting scholar at Benares Hindu University. In this book he invites readers to join in the lively and mythical world of Shiva, or Mahadev, God of All Gods. Shiva is a study in contrasts: As the lord of dance he loses himself in ecstatic abandon; with his consort Parvati he can make love for 10,000 years. Both men and women worship him for his ability to unite and balance masculine and feminine energies. But as the ascetic Shankar he sits in deep meditation, shunning women, and none dare disturb him lest he open his third eye and immolate the entire universe. Lord of intoxicants and poisons, he is the keeper of secret occult knowledge and powers, for which he is worshipped by yogis and demons alike. Shiva dances both the joy of being and the dance of doom--but in every aspect he breaks through the false ego to reveal the true self lying within. This is his true power.




The Magnificent Shiva


Book Description

Shiva means the one who is Nirakara (attributeless) Param Brahma (supreme consciousness). Lord Shiva emerged from the Sadashiva and known by the name of auspiciousness. The eternal form of Shiva is Sadashiva, which is beyond human perception. There is no end and no beginning of Lord Shiva. He is omniscient, immortal, omnipresent, supreme transformer of the energies.The Sanatan Trinity is incomplete without him. God Shiva contains both the contemporary world within him. It means all the anarchy, and calmness of the world resides in him. Lord Shiva is the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the world. He is the Supreme Being in Shivaism. The teaching of Lord Shiva is practical in today's life. Everyday people can learn many things from Lord Shiva and make their lives blissful and successful.This book will describe why Lord Shiva is known as Magnificent Shiva?Book will take you through various chapters and let you help to understand the virtues of Shiva. You will come to know why the greatest destroyer of darkness is most dear to the large section of humanity.The book, Magnificent Shiva will describe the generosity of Lord Shiva.After reading the book, you will feel connected to Mahadev.Om Namah Shivaya, so let's get connected to eternal blissfulness.




Hounds of Shiva


Book Description

As its mahout goaded the mammoth royal elephant to the open space where Navukkarasu was held, the beast trumpeted in fury, knocking down walls and ornamental arches in wanton aggression. The earth shook under its tread and the crowd surged back in fear. Navukkarasu fearlessly stood his ground asserting, “The Cosmic Dancer who wears a garment of elephant hide will protect me.” The animal charged forward - only to stop short before the saint. In an instant, all aggression leached out of the beast. As docile as a lamb, the elephant circumambulated Navukkarasu, clumsily fell to its knees, and raised its trunk in homage to him. Lumbering to its feet, it then carefully backed away from its intended victim. Hounds of Shiva is a treasure house of tales with impassioned, heroic acts of sacrifice, devotion and service in the lives and times of the Nayanmars – the sixty-three Shaivite saints who were exemplars of bhakti. Kannappa gouges out his eye to heal Shiva’s wound; Punitavati renounces her youth and beauty to follow the Lord as an emaciated ghoul; Siruthondar sacrifices his own son at Shiva’s command; Iyarpahai gifts his beloved wife to another man; Samandhar raises a boy from the dead; Poosal builds an intricate Shiva temple in his heart. But the book’s hero is Lord Shiva, who assumes myriad disguises to sport with his devotees, blessing and testing them. Filled with astounding miracles, Hounds of Shiva is an untold tale of the Blue-throated Lord and a feast for the mind and soul. Preetha Rajah Kannan is the author of Shiva in the City of Nectar, an enthralling collection of stories based on the revered Tamil text, Thiruvilayaadal Puranam. She is also the editor of Navagraha Purana, a translation of the eponymous Telugu work on the mythology of the nine planets, by celebrated author V. S. Rao. Kannan has contributed extensively to newspapers and magazines, such as The New Indian Express and The Express School Magazine. A homemaker and a mother of two boys, she lives with her family in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.




Animal Speak


Book Description

Open your heart and mind to the wisdom of the animal world. Animal Speak provides techniques for recognizing and interpreting the signs and omens of nature. Meet and work with animals as totems and spirit guides by learning the language of their behaviors within the physical world. Animal Speak shows you how to: Identify, meet, and attune to your spirit animals Discover the power and spiritual significance of more than 100 different animals, birds, insects, and reptiles Call upon the protective powers of your animal totem Create and use five magical animal rites, including shapeshifting and sacred dance This beloved, bestselling guide has become a classic reference for anyone wishing to forge a spiritual connection with the majesty and mystery of the animal world.