Umapati_Dasa

Thank you! This is extremely helpful!

I suppose I could've put my forum in the Shakta sections, but I wanted to get the opinions of all Hindus, since Vaishnavas also worship Mother Lakshmi and would know as much as Shaktas about what day is best to worship her.

What is the difference between Mahalakshmi and Durga (Mahishasuramardini)? Isn't Mahalakshmi the killer of Mahisha in Devi Mahatmyam? And, if they are the same, then why are prayers addressed to Mahalakshmi said in front of images of Mother Lakshmi and not Mother Durga? I know this question may sound very stupid, and there's most likely a very simple answer to it, but it's always confounded me.

Where did he get this percentage from? How could he possibly know this? Many great devotees were also married. Devaki and Vasudeva; Kunti; Dasaratha and Kausalya; Yashoda and Nanda; Janaka, Sita's father... So, what is the basis for this quotation and percentage?

Makes sense to me.

I think Radha was already married to someone else when she met Krishna.

Thank you very much learned friends!

What is the best day of the week to worship Goddess Lakshmi? I've heard that Fridays are the best day. Is this true?

I think what she's saying is that she can't physically get to the Kali temple you speak of, although she is devoted to Durga. And that, although devoted to Durga Devi, she thinks that the philosophy of Vishitadvaita (Qualified Non-duality) makes more sense than straight out Advaita, so she doesn't want to go to a temple that emphasizes complete non-duality... that's what I got from it, anyways.

Spirit possession is very popular across cultures. When it occurs in India, it is generally a form of Devi that possesses the person. However, this is not the only place it occurs. Spirit possession also occurs in religions such as Pentecostal Christianity, Santeria, Vodou, and Candomble.

I believe it would be "Aham Advaya".

I can see we're not going to agree on this. I see no reason why a mushroom would be bad for the soul or mind... you apparently do... let's just agree to disagree.

Ugh... just because they have a slight similarity in names doesn't mean they are the same entity. Why can't Hinduism just be Hinduism? Why does it also now have to be Christianity, Islam, and Judaism? Isn't it good enough by itself? I don't see any Christians, Muslims, or Jews trying to claim that "YHWH is the god of the Hindus", "Jesus is the god of the Hindus", "Allah is the god of the Hindus", or any other outlandish claims.

Good point.

Lotuses grow out of the mud, are they also tamasic? And, just because it is classified as a fungus, doesn't mean that it doesn't still have many beneficial properties.