Guest guest Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 With more then 33,000 gods, Hindus have a god for every occasion. When giving birth, one prays to Shashti, the goddess who protects women and children during childbirth. But in order to conceive one must ask Siva, the God of fertility, for assistance. "All gods are important," said Gaurai Rai, who moved to the United States from India and resides in Staunton. By saying 33,000, Hindus are saying an infinite number of gods. There are also more than 150 days set aside for religious festivals. Each one is filled with color and pageantry, as well as reverence for the particular god that is being honored. All of the gods are interrelated — husbands, wives, children, consorts and reincarnations. The supreme gods form a triad, or trimurti, consisting of Brahma, the creator; Siva, the god of fertility and destruction; and Vishnu, the divine protector. "There is only one god. It's like an elaborate chandelier. There is one light source, but many bulbs." said Mary Baldwin College professor of religion Daniel Metraux. More than 3,500 years ago the Vedas, or holy scriptures, appeared, making Hinduism the oldest formal religion in the world. Years later, books on laws of conduct, morality and mysticism were transcribed. One of these sacred texts was the Bhagavad-Gita, which is commonly known as the jewel of Hinduism. "The Bhagavad-Gita is a book of duties," said Nepal native Prajeep Adhikari. "It is a very big philosophy. The oldest in the world." This ancient religion, which is celebrated throughout India and Burma, is the official state religion of Nepal, where 85 percent of the population is Hindu. Like Western religions, there are different factions, but the core belief system remains the same. After death, the soul passes onto another being, known as transmigration. Because Hindus believe that the soul continues after death, reincarnation is fundamental to the religion. They believe an action in a previous lifetime affects the next life and the status, or caste, that one is born into. The only way to stop the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth is to obtain mosksha, release from reincarnation and unity with the divine. "Karma is like a bank loan," Metraux said. "When you pay off your car loan, you're free. To get closer to God is the whole point of a Hindu's life." Adhikari quoted from the Bhagavad-Gita, "Whatever is yours today, was somebody else's before you. And tomorrow it will become somebody else's. Change is the rule of the world." SOURCE: The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, USA. Originally published March 16, 2005. "ROADS: Hinduism has many gods, but shares the idea of a trinity," by Alice Mannette. URL: http://www.newsleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20050316/NEWS01/503160306/1002/NEWS01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 This is the first time I've ever seen Shiva described as affiliated with fertility. Can anybody here give me more information? My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 6 years now. We have no medical problem that can be found. I've been praying to Lakshmi and have experienced a type of reciprocating love for the divine I never thought possible. I am happier and more content with my life, despite still being childless. But my entrance into this path was through Ganesha and I've always had a fondness for Shiva, however I've never approached him. Any info would be appreciated, either on or offlist. In love and light, Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Ah yeah, Siva lingas are worshipped by women for fertility and a good marriage. Sponsoring pujas at one of the Jyotirlingas or having someone go could be good. Mahamritunjaya is a good yajna for men and women and relationships. Yep, Siva is the Creator, not the Destroyer. He's the destroyer of ignorance, not life. He's the Creator of life. In Tibetan His name is Lha Chenpo, the Great Father Deity. Ask a Vedic Priest, or contact Devi Mandir perhaps, or DB's guru can perhaps do such yajnas for you. Ben Collins has a good Pundit group going for yajnas. Or better yet, yes, do it yourself. Not sure best Siva path of worship for women though. Better experts here than myself. - allison This is the first time I've ever seen Shiva described as affiliated with fertility. Can anybody here give me more information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2005 Report Share Posted March 16, 2005 Allison: In your circumstances, I would suggest that you could do no better than to set aside all other diety forms for now, and focus your prayers and devotion *exclusively* upon Lajja Gauri. Aum MAtnagyai NamaH For additional info: http://shaktisadhana.50megs.com/DEVI/lajjahGauri.html , "Eve__69" <eve__69@h...> wrote: > > Ah yeah, Siva lingas are worshipped by women for fertility and a good marriage. Sponsoring pujas at one of the Jyotirlingas or having someone go could be good. Mahamritunjaya is a good yajna for men and women and relationships. Yep, Siva is the Creator, not the Destroyer. He's the destroyer of ignorance, not life. He's the Creator of life. In Tibetan His name is Lha Chenpo, the Great Father Deity. Ask a Vedic Priest, or contact Devi Mandir perhaps, or DB's guru can perhaps do such yajnas for you. Ben Collins has a good Pundit group going for yajnas. Or better yet, yes, do it yourself. Not sure best Siva path of worship for women though. Better experts here than myself. > > > - > allison@c... > > This is the first time I've ever seen Shiva described as affiliated with > fertility. Can anybody here give me more information? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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