Krittika Homa - July 2nd

Aum Namah Shivaya

Today the moon resides in the Krittika Nakshatra, one of 27 lunar mansions in our Vedic sky. Krittika nakshatra, also known as the "Star of Fire," is represented by a group of seven stars known as the Pleiades and spans across the zodiac sign of Aries Taurus. Symbolized by a razor or a flame, Krittika is associated with determination, courage, and transformation. This nakshatra is ruled by the Sun and is considered auspicious for activities like initiation, starting new ventures, and personal growth. Lord Siva is sometimes known as "Krittivasan," which means "the one who resides in Krittika." This name signifies His connection to the Krittika nakshatra.

This nakshatra is significant for Iraivan Temple, and thus we hold a special homa each month on this day.

"God is with us always, even when we are unaware of that holy presence. He is His creation. It is an extension of Himself; and God is never apart from it nor limited by it." - Gurudeva

\"Do you know that the ability to live right now, in the instant, is a spiritual power, reflecting the awakening of the soul and requiring a subconscious control of the mind?\" - Gurudeva

\"Life is meant to be lived joyously. There is in much of the world the belief that life is a burden, a feeling of penitence, that it is good to suffer, good for the soul. In fact, spiritual life is not that way at all.\"

\"Self Realization is finding That which is beyond even superconsciousness itself, beyond the mindtimeless, causeless, spaceless.\"

\"The guru helps the devotee to hold his mind in focus, to become pointedly conscious of thought, word and deed, and to cognize the lessons of each experience.\"

\"Yes, willpower is the key, the must, the most needed faculty for spiritual unfoldment on this path. Work hard, strive to accomplish, strengthen the will by using the will.\"

\"The inner light is so beautiful. It is firm, like a plasma. It is sometimes fibrous and full of energy. And yet, it is quiet and full of colors.\"

\"To know yourself is why you are on Earth. You were born to realize the Self. You are not here to make money, to clothe yourself or to entertain yourself. These are incidentals.\"

\"The inner worship is to enjoy God\

s presence and not rush away, to stay, to sit, to meditate awhile and bask in the shakti, endeavoring to realize the Self within.\"'

\"Examine the word \

I\' and honestly see what it means to you.\"'

\"In a relaxed state, happiness is found, and the qualities of the soul shine forth. Selfish, greedy people are tense, concerned, often inhibited. Tension breeds negative thinking.\"

\"To all Hindus, who today are found in every country on the Earth, I say: Courage! Courage! Courage! Have the courage to know beyond a doubt that Hinduism is the greatest religion in the world.\"

\"Performing daily sdhana, keeping good company, pilgrimaging to holy places, seeing to others\

needs--these evoke the higher energies, direct the mind to useful thoughts and avoid the creation of troublesome new karmas.\"'

\"Hinduism has no founder. It was never founded. It has neither a beginning nor an end. It is coexistent with man himself. That is why it is called the Sanatana Dharma, the Eternal Path.\"

\"Aum Namah Sivaya, the Saivite chants. Aum Namah Sivaya feeds his soul, brightens his intellect and quells his instinctive mind.\"

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