flute and piano is so beautiful in this one, great lyrics
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Love the line about the fire of the Almighty one
The Blast Furnace of the Almighty One…
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Love the cover art, great song
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Recorded in each of our home studios, Shantala (Heather and Benjy Wertheimer) are joined by the incredible cellist Jami Sieber and Grammy-winning wind players Steve Gorn and Nancy Rumbel - to weave a musical tapestry of hope, connection, and creative possibility. The result, “Aham Devo,” is a sweet, humble homespun video where we each took video of ourselves in our respective studios as we recorded our parts. What emerged with these great musicians brought me tears of joy and gratitude - wildly exceeding even the vision of this composition Benjy originally had in a meditation about a month ago.
Based upon a traditional Shaivite Tantric text from Kashmir I learned from the scholar Christopher Tompkins, “Aham Devo” contains a message about our innate and authentic Self that feels more important in these times of COVID-19 than any time I remember in my lifetime.
Here’s the Sanskrit text of the song:
aham devo na cānyo ’ smi
brahmhaivā ’ ham na śokabhāk
saccidānandarūpo ’ ham
nitya-mukta-svabhāvavān
With deep thanks to our brother Christopher Tompkins, here’s the English translation:
I am the Divine. I am nothing else.
I am not a receptacle for fear, for I am the Highest alone.
I am made of Being, Consciousness, and Bliss.
My truest home is my highest Self, Who is forever free
The mantra which follows, “Śivo ’ ham,” literally means “I am Shiva,” and by extension translates to “I am pure Consciousness.”
It appears as a part of many longer mantras, such as the Atmastakam Shivo’ham mantra. This mantra, dating back to the eighth or ninth century CE, clarifies that we are much more than just our physical bodies: “I am not the mind, the intellect, the ego or the memory. I am not the ears, the skin, the nose or the eyes. I am not space, not earth, not fire, water or wind. I am consciousness and bliss. I am Shiva, I am Shiva.”
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I just discovered Radharani. This is a beautiful and deep song.
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Karsh Kale and the Midival Punditz
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Happy Navaratri!
In India, this is the celebration of Goddess Durga, a manifestation of Parvati, the wife of Shiva. Durga is the fierce Warrior Goddess aspect, often portrayed as riding on a Tiger or Lion. She defeats the forces of evil. There are 9 different Devis or Goddess forms that she manifests in and there is a day celebrating each one of them.
Krishna Das with overtone singers Baird Hersey and Prana
You go girl!
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Thank you so much for posting this!!! Durga is a very important figure in my family.
Going to do a deep dive into this one tonight 
.
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Same for Nepal, the biggest celebration of the year! Tonight we’re going to a celebration with the local Nepali community . . .
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The Whole Universe is Born from You
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From the Dashain celebration tonight . . .
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Love that even the new born baby got to move to the vibes
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Here are some ayahuasca icaros. These are songs used during ayahuasca ceremonies to call in the healing medicinal vibrations of other plants and animals. They are kind of like “sonic homeopathy”(containing the healing essence of various plants and animals."
An icaro for Serinito Bobinsana, a plant known as the little mermaid of the river.
Sirenita de los ríos, danza danza con el viento.
Sirenita de los ríos, danza danza con el viento
Con tus flores y aromas, perfuma los corazones
Con tus flores y aromas, perfuma los corazones
Cura cura cuerpecitos, limpia limpia espirititus
Cura cura cuerpecito, limpia limpia espirititu
Cantaremos icaritos, abuelita curandera
Danzaremos muy juntitos, sirenita bobinzana
Translation
Little mermaid of the river, dance, dance with the wind
WIth your flowers and aromas, perfuming our hearts
Heal, heal our little bodies, cleanse, cleanse our spirits
We will sing icaros, grandmother, healer
We will dance very close, little mermaid, bobinsana
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Ananda Das sings the Hanuman Chalissa. This is a brand new release.
Hanuman is the Monkey God of Karma Yoga (the Yoga of Service to others and to the world). He is the son of Shiva and the Servant of Ram and Sita.
As a Divine primate, I imagine that Hanuman is an archetypal image of what we human primates are evolving towards: Divine Servants who can heal the world and turn this world into a paradise of Divine love and service. Here are the words of the Hanuman Chalissa with translation:
Shree Guru charana saroja raja
Nija manu mukuru sudhari
Baranaun Raghubara bimala jasu
Jo daayaku phala chaari
Having polished the mirror of my heart with the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet
I sing the pure fame of the best of Raghus, which bestows the four fruits of life
Budhi heena tanu jaanike
Sumiraun pawana kumaara
Bala budhi vidyaa dehu mohin
Harahu kalesa bikaara
I know that this body of mine has no intelligence, so I recall you, son of the wind
Grant me strength, wit and wisdom and remove my sorrows and shortcomings
- Jaya Hanumaan gyaana guna saagara
Jaya Kapeesha tihun loka ujaagara
Hail to Hanuman, the ocean of wisdom and virtue
Hail Monkey Lord, illuminater of the three worlds
- Raama doota atulita bala dhaamaa
Anjani putra Pawanasuta naamaa
You are Ram’s emissary, and the abode of matchless power
Anjani’s son, named the “Son of the Wind.”
- Mahaabeera bikrama bajarangee
Kumati niwaara sumati ke sangee
Great hero, you are as mighty as a thunderbolt
You remove evil thoughts and are the companion of the good
- Kanchana barana biraaja subesaa
Kaanana kundala kunchita kesaa
Golden hued and splendidly adorned
With heavy earrings and curly locks
- Haata bajra aura dwajaa biraajai
Kaandhe moonja janeu saajai
In your hands shine mace and a banner
And a sacred thread adorns your shoulder
- Shankara suwana Kesaree nandana
Teja prataapa mahaa jaga bandana
You are Shiva’s son and Kesari’s joy
And your glory is revered throughout the world
- Bidyaawaana gunee ati chaatur
Raama kaaja karibe ko aatur
You are the wisest of the wise, virtuous and clever
And ever intent on doing Ram’s work
- Prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiyaa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa mana basiyaa
You delight in hearing of the Lord’s deeds
Ram, Sita and Lakshman dwell in your heart
- Sookshma roopa dhari Siyahin dikhaawaa
BikaTa roopa dhari Lankaa jaraawaa
Assuming a tiny form you appeared to Sita
And in an awesome form you burned Lanka
- Bheema roopa dhari asura samhaare
Raamachandra ke kaaja sanvaare
Taking a dreadful form you slaughtered the demons
And completed Lord Ram’s mission
- Laaya sajeevana Lakhana jiyaaye
Shree Raghubeera harashi ura laaye
Bringing the magic herb you revived Lakshman
And Ram embraced you with delight
- Raghupati keenhee bahuta badaaee
Tuma mama priya Bharatahi sama bhaaee
The Lord of the Raghus praised you greatly
“Brother, you are dear to me as Bharat!”
- Sahasa badana tumharo jasa gaawai
Asa kahi Shreepati kanta lagaawai
“May the thousand-mouthed serpent sing your fame!”
So saying, Lakshmi’s Lord drew you to Himself
- Sanakaadika Brahmaadi muneesaa
Naarada Saarada sahita Aheesaa
Sanak and the sages, Brahma, gods and the great saints
Narada, Saraswati and the King of serpents
- Yama Kubera digapaala jahaante
Kabi kobida kahi sake kahaante
Yama, Kubera and the guardians of the four quarters
Poets and scholars – none can express your glory
- Tuma upakaara Sugreevahin keenhaa
Raama milaaya raaja pada deenhaa
You did great service for Sugriva
Presenting him to Ram, you gave him the kingship
- Tumharo mantra Bibheeshana maanaa
Lankeshwara bhaye saba jaga jaanaa
Vibhishana heeded your counsel
And became the Lord of Lanka, as the whole world knows
- Yuga sahasra yojana para bhaanu
Leelyo taahi madhura phala jaanu
Though the sun is thousands of miles away
You swallowed it, thinking it to be a sweet fruit
- Prabhu mudrikaa meli mukha maaheen
Jaladhi laanghi gaye acharaja naaheen
Holding the Lord’s ring in your mouth
It’s no surprise that you leapt over the ocean
- Durgama kaaja jagata ke jete
Sugama anugraha tumhare tete
Every difficult task in this world
Becomes easy by your grace
- Raama duaare tuma rakhawaare
Hota na aagyaa binu paisaare
You are the guardian at Ram’s door
No one enters without your leave.
- Saba sukha lahai tumhaaree saranaa
Tuma rakshaka kaahu ko daranaa
Those who take refuge in you find all happiness
And those who you protect know no fear
- Aapana teja samhaaro aapai
Teeno loka haanka te kaanpai
You alone can withstand your own splendor
The three worlds tremble at your roar
- BhooTa pisaacha nikaTa nahin aawai
Mahaabeera jaba naama sunaawai
Ghosts and goblins cannot come near
Great Hero, when your name is uttered
- Naasai roga hare saba peeraa
Japata nirantara Hanumata beeraa
All disease and pain is eradicated
Brave Hanuman, by constant repetition of your name
- SankaTa Te Hanumaana churaawai
Mana krama bachana dhyaana jo laawai
Hanuman releases from affliction
Those who remember him in thought word and deed
- Saba para Raama tapaswee raajaa
Tina ke kaaja sakala tuma saajaa
Ram, the ascetic, reigns over all
But you carry out all his work
- Aura manorata jo koee laawai
Soee amita jeewana pala paawai
One who comes to you with any yearning
Obtains the abundance of the Four Fruits of Life
- Chaaro juga parataapa tumhaaraa
Hai parasidha jagata ujiyaaraa
Your splendor fills the four ages
Your glory is renowned throughout the world
- Saadhu santa ke tuma rakhawaare
Asura nikandana Raama dulaare
You are the guardian of saints and sages
The destroyer of demons and the darling of Ram
- Ashta siddhi nau nidhi ke daataa
Asa bara deena Jaanakee Maataa
You grant the eight powers and the nine treasures
By the boon you received from Mother Janaki
- Raama rasaayana toomhare paasaa
Sadaa raho Raghupati ke daasaa
You hold the elixir of Ram’s name
And remain eternally his servant
- Tumhare bhajana Raama ko paawai
Janama janama ke dukha bisaraawai
Singing your praise, one finds Ram
And escapes the sorrows of countless lives
- Anta kaala Raghubara pura jaaee
Jahaan janama Hari bhakta kahaaee
At death one goes to Ram’s own city
Or is born on the earth as God’s devotee
- Aura devataa chitta na dharaaee
Hanumata se-ee sarva sukha karaee
Give no thought to any other deity
Worshipping Hanuman, one gains all delight
- SankaTa kaTai miTe saba peeraa
Jo sumire Hanumata bala beeraa
All affliction ceases and all pain is removed
By remembering the mighty hero, Hanuman
- Jai jai jai Hanumaana Gosaaee
Kripaa karahu gurudeva kee naaee
Victory, Victory, Victory to Lord Hanuman
Bestow your grace on me, as my Guru
- Jo sata baara paaTa kara koee
Chootahi bandi mahaa sukha hoee
Whoever recites this a hundred times
Is released from bondage and gains bliss
- Jo yaha parai Hanumaana chaleesaa
Hoye siddhi saakhee Gaureesaa
One who reads this Hanuman Chaleesa
Gains success, as Gauri’s Lord (Shiva) is witness
- Tulsee Daasa sadaa Hari cheraa
Keejai naata hridaya mahan deraa
Says Tulsi Das, who always remains Hari’s servant
“Lord, make your home in my heart.”
Pavanatanaya sankaTa harana
Mangala moorati roopa
Raama Lakhana Seetaa sahita
Hridaya basahu sura bhoopa
Son of the Wind, destroyer of sorrow, embodiment of blessing
Live in my heart, King of Gods, together with Ram, Lakshman and Sita
Hanuman Bolo jaya Sita Ram
Chant Hanuman and praise Sita Ram
Jaya Bajarangi jaya Hanuman
Praise Hanuman who is strong like a diamond
Shree Ram jai Ram jai jai Ram
Sita Ram jaya jaya Hanuman
Praise and veneration to Ram, Sita and Hanuman!
Here’s MC Yogi telling the story of Hanuman with some help from Krishna Das.
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