It's Hanumān Jayantī, where we honor one of the most universally beloved deities in the tradition - Śrī Hanumān!
Our latest free course is now live! You will learn:
-Hanumānjī's qualities and traditional practices...
-8 names and mantras for him, including the stories behind them
-why he's normally portrayed as orange or red
-how to make his traditional prasāda - boondi - and why it's perfect for this season
-how to sing a verse that invokes his grace for prayer/japa practice
Śūbh Rāma Navamī! Today we honor one of the most beloved and fascinating embodiments of the divine presence - Śrī Rāma.
In this course, you will learn:
-the profound natural wisdom and ecology encoded in the story of Śrī Rāma...
-traditional sacred practices for Rāma Navamī
-the meaning, and pronunciation of 8 names and mantras for Lord Rāma
-nuanced and amazing teachings conveyed through his iconic bow and arrow (1.5+ hours of learning about just this!)
-all about the seasonal Ayurvedic prasāda for Rāma, which has a piercing, energizing quality
-a Sanskrit verse invoking protection and blessing
-how to sing the entire Rāmāyaṇa in one verse
-how to write the name Rāma, and traditional written japa practice
-why Śrī Rāma's blessings are invoked during times of political or government turmoil
And much, much, more!
Jaya Śrī Rāma!
Living Sanskrit added 2 new photos.
In a few days, many parts of India will celebrate the beginning of spring and the new year!
Learn about the significance of this day, and also the wisdom behind the Ayurvedic prasāda for Guḍhī Paḍavā and Ugādi - simple yet incredible neem!
Lesson 1: http://livingsanskrit.com/guḍhi-paḍava-ugadi/...
Lesson 2: http://livingsanskrit.com/guḍhi-paḍava-ugadi-lesson-2/
Living Sanskrit added 2 new photos.
Our friends at Ecoexist - who also produce eco-friendly natural Holī colors - shared these joyful images of some of their Holī celebrations with us! As you can see, people of all ages participate in the festivities and it really does make you feel like a child again. 
We'd love to share images of your Holī practice - you can message them to us or email us at info@livingsanskrit.com!
HAAAAAPPY HOLĪ!!! This iconic and very fun celebration is actually steeped in great wisdom and spiritual power. Our latest free course will teach you:
-the core practices of Holī, and why we light the bonfire and throw colors at each other
-the traditional prasāda for Holī - pūranpolis! (and how and why we make them)
-the incredible, breathtaking tale of Prahlāda, including guided reflection exercises...
-why colors play such a huge role in the tradition, and what they represent
As always, if you get a chance to do these practices, please send us your photos or tag us here using the hashtags #livingsanskrit and #holipractice! May you have a joyful celebration!
The video for Lesson 5 of our most recent course is now live - learn about the practice of writing mantra as a form of japa:
Living Sanskrit added 3 new photos — in Redwood City, California.
Bathing Shiva in the five nectars, milk, yoghurt, sugar, ghee, honey.
The forms represented are Shiva as the eternal yogin/meditator, the linga, the cosmic dancer, and part of the holy family (seated with the goddess who is holding Ganesha on her lap). And of course also Nandi, the bull.
Lastly, a milk and water continuous abhishekha while chanting the Rudram.
... See More
Happy quiet-sacred-blessed-beautiful-wondrous-auspicious Mahāśivarātri! Our brand-new free course is now live, and you can learn about:
-traditional practices on this holy night
-the Ayurvedic practice of upavāsa, which is probably not what you think it is
-11 Sanskrit names and manifestations of Lord Śiva...
-the symbolism of Mahādeva Śiva as the cosmic dancer, as the liṅgaṃ, and as the seated meditator
-the practice of saying and also writing mantra
http://livingsanskrit.com/mahasivaratri-lesson-1/
If you do #lingapuja or #shivapuja, please tag us and #mahashivaratri or send us photos of your Mahāśivarātri practices to share with the global community
We're getting ready for the sacred night of Lord Śiva - Mahāśivarātri!
To get inspired, here's a repost of our Core Teacher Hema Patankar's account of her pilgrimage to five ancient Śiva temples, each one linked to one of the five elements.
http://livingsanskrit.com/auspicious-accessible-astonishin…/
#sarasvatipuja #springritual In Hyderabad, India by a young student. Thank you for sharing Reema and Aarav Mehta!
Living Sanskrit added 2 new photos.
#sarasvatipuja #springritual #livingsanskrit
Devotional practice for Vasanta Pañcamī in Hyderabad, India!
#sarasvatipuja #springritual in the Bay Area, California. Thank you Hema Patankar for the beautiful share! 
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Living Sanskrit added 2 new photos.
#sarasvatipuja #springritual near Vancouver, Canada, in honor of Vasanta Pañcamī. Thank you Akhil Jobanputra for sharing your beautiful devotion with us!
Happy Vasanta Pañcamī! This joyful festival welcomes the season of spring and is a time for fresh inspiration and learning.
Here's the link to a free 5-lesson course where you will learn:
-about the holiday and traditional practices...
-the Sarasvatī Gāyatrī Mantra
-names and attributes of Sarasvatī-devī
-Sarasvatī-mātā's iconography and symbolism in sacred art
-the power of saffron and a recipe for delicious saffron milk
http://livingsanskrit.com/vasant-pancami/
If you do any of these practices at home (for example, do Sarasvatī-pūjā or make saffron milk), please share it with us or post using the hashtags #springritual #sarasvatipuja #livingsanskrit
Did you try out this incredible Ayurvedic recipe for sweet sesame laddūs? If so, please let us know by sending us a picture or tagging #livingsanskrit and #sweetsesame!
The complete recipe for these delicious and wholesome treats is in Lesson 6 of our free Makara Saṁkrānti course!
http://livingsanskrit.com/a-recipe-for-sesame-and-sweetness/
Happy Makara Saṁkrānti!
For the first time ever, we are offering an in-depth and fully interdisciplinary course on this auspicious day.
There are 8 very rich and inspiring lessons - and our free gift to you! In this class, you will learn:
... -the natural origins of this holiday, and the range of traditional sacred practices
-the rich layers of meaning contained in the 12 names/mantras of Sūrya found in the Sun Salutation mantras
-Lord Sun as depicted in sacred art - ancient, modern, and folk - and what virtues and qualities his iconography represents
-understanding the sacred geometry of the Sūrya Yantra and the significance of the colors
-The word-by-word meaning, pronunciation, and audio for chanting the Sūrya Namaskāra (Sun Salutation) mantras and also the Āditya Gāyatri mantras
-An Ayurvedic class on why and how to make sweet sesame laddūs, the traditional prasāda for Makara Saṃkrānti
-The traditional practice of speaking sweetly and cultivating friendliness
-Audio and detailed translation of two classical verses that are teachings/prayers for the sun, invoking illumination and protection
6 year-old Alisa and her mother Eeva Ruotsalainen made this GORGEOUS Śākambharī in FINLAND!! She looks so happy and beautiful! Jaya Mā!
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