Tonight is the first of nine nights of Navratri 2014 in North America. Navratri (or Navaratri) is the Indian festival celebrating the goddesses Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. They are all aspects of Shri Durga. Each night of Navratri is dedicated to a particular goddess who represents an aspect of the divine. The nine goddesses of […]
Navratri 2014
According to the Vedic calendar, immediately following Pitru Paksha comes a much more joyous celebration. Today marks the beginning of the month of Ashwina in Vedic astrology and the first of nine nights of the Indian holiday of Navratri 2014 (also spelled Navaratri). Navratri marks nine nights of celebrating the goddesses Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. Vedic […]
Why cows are sacred in India
(This story was recounted by Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole, who is the Acharya (the head Brahmin) of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathshala in Satara, Maharsahstra, India. He comes from a lineage of 15 generations of learned practitioners of the Krishna Yajur Veda.) We often feed cows in Vedic rituals and they are always given […]
The Crow’s Significance in Indian Mythology
(This story was recounted by Vedamurti Shri Vivek Shastri Godbole, who is the Acharya (the head Brahmin) of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathshala in Satara, Maharsahstra, India. He comes from a lineage of 15 generations of learned practitioners of the Krishna Yajur Veda.) In every ceremony related to our ancestors, the crow carries a lot […]
Pitru Paksha 2014
Vedic astrology or Jyotish is based on the Indian or Vedic calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Vedic calendar is a lunar based system. The observances during each month are usually spiritually or religiously based and rooted in deep tradition. One upcoming annual event is Pitru Paksha 2014. September 9 marks the beginning of the […]
Sweet Taste in Ayurveda
One of the beautiful aspects of Ayurveda is the concept of shad rasa, or the six tastes. Ayurveda says that each food contains at least one of the six tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent. It is important for us to get all six tastes in our diet. Rasa is the first short-term […]
Vedic Astrology for September, 2014
Jyotish, or Vedic Astrology for September, 2014 sets a different tone than the planetary friction we experienced in August with the Mars and Saturn conjunction and planetary war. It contains a unique juxtaposition of powerful planetary placements. We also have some very notable holidays in the Vedic calendar this month. The Mars Saturn planetary war […]
Mars and Saturn Planetary War in Libra
The stage is set for the biggest battle of the year in Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. This will be a Mars and Saturn planetary war in Libra tomorrow. In Western astrological terms, this is a Mars and Saturn conjunction or planetary alignment. A planetary war, or graha yuddha, is when two planets are within one […]
Krishna Janmashtami 2014
In the Vedic tradition, holidays are calculated according to the lunar Vedic calendar. Holidays are honored each year based on the lunar month and the phase of the Moon, according to Vedic astrology, or Jyotish. This is the month of Sharavan, and it contains Lord Krishna’s birthday. We celebrate Krishna Janmashtami 2014 on August 17. […]
Jupiter and Venus planetary war in Cancer
Jupiter is currently exalted, or at its highest point in the zodiac, in Vedic astrology. In Vedic astrology or Jyotish, we analyze how the nine planets occupy the 360 degree arc of the zodiac. Each planet has its own unique characteristics and enjoys having the room to do so. Venus and Jupiter will be […]