1 minute read

Is God Siva male or female?

8 year old Rohan from the Caribbean asked his mother if God Siva is male or female? She replied that she thought Siva was genderless. Rohan then asked his mother if Siva is genderless then why is he married? Mom at this point said to Rohan "let's email Dandapani and ask him".

I replied to Rohan's mother and said "...

Tell Rohan he asked a very wise question that most adults don't even ask. That means he is a mature and insightful soul in a young body.

Siva is genderless. There is no male or female energy in the higher inner worlds. Just pure energy. When manifested in this world it is divided into two....male and female.

Siva is not married. God, Mahadevas and Devas do not get married.

The core scriptures of Hinduism are the Vedas and Agamas. Much later came the puranas which are folk narratives. Fable stories. It is in these puranas did the concept of God marrying come about. The puranas form the basis of most of Hindu beliefs in today's world but a lot of it does not align with core Hindu scripture.

Hope this simplified answer helps clarify things Rohan."

Agamas Do Gods marry?Hindu Hinduism Is God married?Is Siva Married?Puranas Saivism Saivite philosophy Vedas

Jun 26, 2012
1 MINUTE READ

The road to Badrinath, Temple in the Himalayas

Since I posted a few days ago about Mana, the last Indian village before Tibet, I thought I'd share a little about the journey to Badrinath. Badrinath is the little town just prior to Mana village. It is famed for the Badrinath temple, one of four holy sites in the Hindu Char Dh
Jun 22, 2012
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Mana, the last Indian village before Tibet

As I prepare for my 3rd visit to India this year I came across some photos I took three years ago when I visited the village of Mana in north India. Mana is often known as the last Indian village before the Tibetan border and it is the furthest north I've been in the Indian sub
Jun 22, 2012
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Central Java's Mendut Temple and Monastery

Another wonder in Central Java is the small but beautiful Mendut temple. It's on the itinerary for one of the places for us to visit during our upcoming meditation and wellness retreat in Indonesia in September. Located a little over 3 kms from Borobudur this temple may appear
Jun 15, 2012
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Traditional Herbal Remedies of Central Java, Indonesia

We share more about our upcoming stay at MesaStila in Central Java, during our September Meditation and Wellness retreat in the islands of Indonesia. Today we look at the traditional herbal remedies called Jamu that is offered at this wellness resort. Courtesy of MesaStila - "
Jun 14, 2012

Would you like a biscuit?

I came across this photo in my collection as I was preparing for an upcoming retreat in India at the end of this month and I thought I'd share it. It was taken in a mud hut outside the village of Luni in the outskirts of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, North India.
Jun 12, 2012
2 MINUTES READ

MesaStila - a Healing Retreat in the Jungle

During our upcoming 11-day Meditation and Wellness Retreat in the islands of Indonesia during our spiritual adventure in September of this year we've included for all participants 3-days of physical wellness. With a combination of gourmet healthy meals and daily massages plus T