Yoni puja (worship)

Yoni puja (worship)

Yoni pooja is consummated in various ways: keeping a picture of the yoni, a woman’s painting, a sculpture or a living woman in her own room. This ritual has been in vogue for thousands of years in India.  

Yoni puja is divided into three categories: adoration, magic and meditation. However mediation is perhaps the most secretive one. Where a person retires into seclusion and performs the puja. In some pujas only women’s group or men’s group attend separately, perform the puja with the sculpture of Goddess स्hakti or a woman herself to indicate that she is the representative of Goddess Shakti.

According to scriptures five liquids (the पँचभूतम) the five elements are poured over the Yoni. Once it passes down the yoni the liquid is given to the assemblage as prasadam(प्रसाद)  to be consumed. In modern times the five elements are represented by:  yoghurt (Earth), water by water itself, fire by honey and ether by some edible oil. However different materials are used in different parts of the country but the underlying symbolism remains the same.

It is Only recomended to do the puja as adviced by Guru or Master.

Lingam puja (worship)

 Lingam puja (worship)

Lingam worship is an old ritual that has passed on to modern times with the same gusto. Lingam symbolizes Lord Shiva’s phallus but viewed more as cosmic and creative energy rather than a sexual symbol. Interestingly, lingam is not worshipped as a separate entity rather along with yoni. They are inseparable.

This combine represents the female creative energy and divine energy. The conjugated form of these two form the basis for lingam worship.

Hindus do not view this as a sexual symbol but a reflection of universal creation in entirety in the universe (ब्रह्माण्ड)

The worship method changes according to the Guru or the Master, It is Only recomended to do any worship as adviced by Guru.

Yoni and the Lingam – symbol of nonduality (अद्वैतता)

Yoni and the Lingam – symbol of nonduality (अद्वैतता)

The ancient Vedas and books on religion have conclusively placed it on record the conjugation of the lingam and the yoni is final in the process of procreation. The lingam Yoni combine represents phallus and creative energy.

Phallus represents Shiv while yoni represents creative energy related to Goddess Parvati. Linga – yoni combination represents the nonduality(अद्वैतता) of divine presence and transcendental(दैविक) power. According to ancient scriptures in the universe there are near to 84 lakh yonis in all. These represent all kinds of animals, insects, birds and human-like forms etc. Depending upon the karma individuals are born from yonis(योनी) of various species. 

Evil is said to be born in rakshasa(राक्षस)  yoni.  It is believed that the cycle of births and rebirths is carried out in different human yonis.

The one who attains moksha is merged into the Being of Brahma (ब्रह्म)!

Shivling at Amarnath – a natural masterpiece

Shivling at Amarnath – a natural masterpiece 

Among many wondrous things happening around legends related to Hindu beliefs is the famous Shivling at Amarnath Temple, Pahalgam in Kashmir.

The man made shivlings are made with a variety of materials in addition to black stone and brown stone. The shapes depend upon the rituals carried out by the locals and their understanding of the lingam. However, the snow shivling in Amarnath continues to draw the devout to see the lingam. It is believed that it believed to be as old as the hill!  

This lingam forms in the cave temple, and can be seen only during certain months of the year. It is a snow stalagmite. Water drops falling from the roof to the base of the cave over a period of time freezes and takes the shape of a lingam. It baffles everyone by its striking resemblance to natural shivlings worshipped by Hindus elsewhere in the world.  In addition to the main shivling two other lingams are formed next it.

The two are believed to represent Lord Ganesh and Shivji’s  consort, Goddess Parvati.   

Kinds of Ling

Kinds of lingam

Lingam worship is common feature throughout the land as a mark of cosmic power.

The lingam is generally made of rock stone, white or black marble. Legend has that that Lord Shiva observed that he is found in tvelve places and in twelve forms signifying that he is the supernatural. He is often taken as more powerful tan Brahma himself, the creator.

These are the twelve great lingams, viz. at Scannath, Pattan, Mallikarjuna, near the Krishna, Malta Kala Omkara, all three at Ujjain ; Amareswara, Vaidhya, at Deo-garh in Bengal, liamisseram, at Dra Charam in Rajamundry, at Benares, on the banks of the Gumti, at Kedarnath in the Himalaya. The one at Benares is known as Vishveshwar, Lord of All.  

Lingam

Lingam essentially represents the Shivlingam, of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity.  

 

There is a lot of debate over the centuries what after all lingam represents: phallus or the representative feature of spiritual propensity of the Hindus. Today the lingam is worshipped as an object of cosmic (divine) energy rather than creative energy or a sexual symbol.

 

Lingam is loosely taken as a mark or symbol.  According to ancient vedic literature Lingam has no smell, taste or color and generally perceived as the nature itself. Lingam is likened to an cosmic egg representing the cosmic energy signifying the union of male and female powers.

 

Lingam is the sum total of Truth, Knowledge and infinity – सत्य, ज्ञान and अनन्त. The lingam has three parts: ब्रह्म पित, विष्णु पित and शिव पित.   

Navaratna Mala

Navaratna Mala

Navaratna mala as the name suggests has nine ratnas or nine gems representing the nine planets. When these nine gems are woven in a particular order as propounded by Vedic tenets the mala is believed to have fantastic influence on the persons who wear it. 

The mala has the power to consolidate ones destiny by the rays emanating from the nine planets. Man is forever under the influence of the nine grahas(planets). The navaratna mala has the power to ward of diseases and cure other bodily ailments and keep away negative effect of rays acting on the mind. Interestingly the nine gems represent the nine particular points in the body called the chakaras.

The vibrations originating from the body are at one when the there is complete harmony among the nine gems. Many have observed that those wearing this mala adds grace and beauty to a person. Whatever a person’s occupation or age the mala offers high level of positive energy.  For reasons delineated above one should go in for this mala and enjoy the benefits of this divine mala.