Mad honey

 

Some more speculations about the elusive "soma" of the Vedic scriptures. The idea that soma was really the lotus is intriguing, to be sure. I think ephedra was the most official proposal 20 years ago (when I studied comparative religion at university level). What it is today, who knows.

It´s fascinating that while the original Veda Samhitas have been preserved for 3000 years, the knowledge of soma (necessary for many of the rituals) has been lost...perhaps forever. 

So strictly speaking the Vedic rituals are no longer efficacious. They are LARP-s. The gods want their mad honey!

Is God a paleontologist?

 

Credit: Prajina Khatiwada

So I just learned that Hindus worship fossil ammonites as divine incarnations. Corals, too! Amazing stuff, seriously. So I had a topic for tonight´s ChatGPT essay. Strangest so far? 

What is the shalagrama?

A Śālagrāma (or Śālagrām Śilā) is a very sacred object of worship in Vaishnavism. It is a type of fossilized ammonite stone found only in the Gandaki River (especially around Muktinath, Nepal).

Here’s the essence:

1. Physical Nature

• They are usually black, roundish stones with natural spiral markings.

• These spirals are the fossilized remains of ancient ammonites (marine creatures that lived millions of years ago).

• Devotees believe the natural markings represent Vishnu’s symbols like the chakra (discus), shankha (conch), gada (mace), and padma (lotus).

2. Religious Importance

• Śālagrāmas are considered non-anthropomorphic forms of Lord Vishnu.

• No consecration (prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā) is required — they are inherently divine.

• In many households, especially among Vaishnavas, worship of the Śālagrāma is considered equal to worshiping Vishnu in a temple.

3. Worship

• Traditionally kept with a Tulasi (holy basil) plant, since Tulasi is dear to Vishnu.

• Worship involves offering water, tulasi leaves, and simple prayers rather than elaborate rituals.

• It is believed to protect the household, grant prosperity, and purify sins.

4. Mythology

• According to the Padma Purāṇa, the Śālagrāma is the form of Lord Vishnu himself, who resides eternally in the Gandaki river.

• The spirals are said to be the mark of the Sudarshana Chakra.

• The river itself is associated with the goddess Tulasi, making the pairing especially auspicious.

5. Special Rules

• Only certain people (especially married men in the orthodox tradition) are advised to perform daily Śālagrāma pūjā.

• Women and renunciates may worship indirectly by offering flowers or water, but often do not handle the stone directly.

• It is considered a living deity, not just a symbol.

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So in short: the Śālagrāma is a sacred fossil stone worshiped as Vishnu himself, embodying the eternal presence of God in natural form.

Would you like me to also describe the different types of Śālagrāma (there are many varieties, each associated with a form of Vishnu, like Narasimha, Varaha, Lakshmi-Narayana, etc.)?

Yes, please.

Great! Let’s dive into the types of Śālagrāmas.

In Vaishnava tradition, different Śālagrāma stones are said to embody different forms (mūrtis) of Vishnu. The distinctions come from their shape, color, number of spiral marks, and openings (vāttas).

Here are some of the important ones:

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Main Types of Śālagrāma

1. Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa Śālagrāma

   • Golden or yellowish tint, with clear markings.

   • Brings wealth, prosperity, and harmony in the household.

2. Hayagrīva Śālagrāma

   • Long shape, resembling a horse’s head.

   • Grants knowledge, eloquence, and helps in studies.

3. Narasimha Śālagrāma

   • Fierce-looking, often with multiple openings or rough surface.

   • Destroys enemies, removes fear, and grants courage.

4. Varāha Śālagrāma

   • Has a raised portion like a snout.

   • Protects from calamities and uplifts devotees spiritually.

5. Vāmana Śālagrāma

   • Small, dwarf-like shape.

   • Grants humility, simplicity, and spiritual growth.

6. Lakṣmī-Nṛsiṁha Śālagrāma

   • Combination of gentle and fierce markings.

   • Removes fear while ensuring prosperity and grace.

7. Dāmodara Śālagrāma

   • Rope-like circular mark, symbolizing baby Krishna tied to the mortar.

   • Bestows devotion (bhakti) and childlike joy.

8. Matsya Śālagrāma

   • Fish-like shape.

   • Protects from dangers of water and travel.

9. Kūrma Śālagrāma

   • Tortoise-like, flat bottom, rounded top.

   • Gives stability, patience, and strength.

10. Ananta / Śeṣa Śālagrāma

• With multiple spiral markings.

• Symbolizes Vishnu resting on the cosmic serpent.

• Grants protection and liberation.

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General Beliefs

• Some Śālagrāmas are considered very powerful and auspicious but also difficult to worship (e.g. Narasimha type).

• Families often prefer Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa Śālagrāma, as it is believed to bring peace and abundance without fierce side-effects.

• The Padma Purāṇa and Skanda Purāṇa describe up to 25–30 types, but local traditions sometimes expand this to hundreds of variations.

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Interesting Point

Śālagrāma worship is seen as timeless and Vedic — it does not require temple consecration or priestly mediation. In fact, many householders in South India and Nepal keep one or more Śālagrāmas in their home shrine, usually alongside a Tulasi plant.

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Would you like me to also give you the list of benefits and risks traditionally associated with worshiping the different types (for example, why some are said to be “too intense” for ordinary householders)?

Yes, please.

Perfect, let’s go into the traditional benefits and cautions associated with the different types of Śālagrāma.

Many Purāṇas and manuals (like the Bṛhat-Saṁhitā, Padma Purāṇa, Skanda Purāṇa) describe that while all Śālagrāmas are auspicious, some carry gentle blessings and others are too intense for ordinary householders (gṛhasthas).

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🌸 Śālagrāmas That Are Considered “Safe” and Auspicious for Householders

These are recommended for family prosperity, harmony, and general worship:

• Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa – Brings wealth, health, and household harmony.

• Dāmodara – Grants devotion (bhakti) and childlike joy.

• Lakṣmī-Nṛsiṁha (gentle type) – Removes fear, brings prosperity and divine grace.

• Kūrma (tortoise-like) – Gives patience, stability, protection in difficulties.

• Matsya – Protects from water-related dangers, travel hazards.

• Ananta/Śeṣa – Ensures protection, family well-being, and spiritual progress.

• Vāmana – Promotes humility, good conduct, and balance in life.

👉 These are commonly found in South Indian homes, and they are said to bless without causing disruption.

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🔥 Śālagrāmas Considered Very Powerful / Intense

These are worshiped mainly by renunciates, ascetics, or in temples — not usually recommended for householders, since their energy is fierce and can “demand” more austerity from the devotee:

• Nṛsiṁha (fierce type) – Extremely protective, destroys enemies, but too fiery for ordinary home life.

• Sudarsana (chakra-like markings) – Gives immense energy and destroys evil, but may disrupt household harmony if not worshiped properly.

• Rāma / Paraśurāma types – Associated with strict dharma and battle; worship may lead to conflicts or karmic tests.

• Trivikrama / Vāmana with large features – Said to be too expansive, may disturb domestic peace.

• Hayagrīva – Bestows knowledge but demands high purity; misworship is said to lead to confusion or loss of memory.

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🌌 Why Some Are Considered “Risky”

• The belief is not that these stones are “bad,” but that their shakti is too intense for normal family life.

• If a householder without strong spiritual discipline keeps a fierce Śālagrāma, it is said that life circumstances may become difficult — like tests, conflicts, or austerities being imposed by the deity.

• Ascetics and temple priests, however, often welcome these fierce forms.

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🌿 General Belief

• A single Śālagrāma in the house is enough; some families keep many.

• Worship usually involves: bathing the stone, offering Tulasi leaves, chanting mantras like Om Namo Nārāyaṇāya.

• Unlike a consecrated idol (mūrti), the Śālagrāma is believed to be self-manifest (svayambhū) and inherently divine.

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👉 So, if someone wants a Śālagrāma at home, tradition suggests choosing a gentle, auspicious type (Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Dāmodara, Kūrma, Ananta) — while leaving the fierce Narasiṁha or Sudarśana stones to temples and renunciates.

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Would you like me to also explain how householders actually worship the Śālagrāma daily (the simple procedure and rules that are usually followed)?

What is a Dvaravati sila?

Good question — the Dvārāvatī Śilā (sometimes just called Dvārakā-śilā) is closely related to the Śālagrāma tradition but has its own unique identity.

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🌊 What It Is

• A Dvārāvatī Śilā is a naturally formed stone found in the Gomati River (in and around Dvārakā, Gujarat, the legendary city of Lord Kṛṣṇa).

• Just as Śālagrāmas come from the Gandaki River in Nepal and embody Viṣṇu, the Dvārāvatī Śilās are said to embody Kṛṣṇa in His Dvārakā aspect — the Lord as king, householder, and protector.

• They often have natural chakra-like markings (spirals, wheel impressions, or fossilized designs) on their surface.

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✨ Scriptural Status

• Mentioned in the Skanda Purāṇa and other texts as sacred stones, said to carry the presence of Lord Viṣṇu / Kṛṣṇa.

• Some Vaiṣṇava traditions (especially Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas) treat them as being equally worshipful as Śālagrāmas, while others regard them as slightly different, more “accessible” for householders.

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🌸 Believed Benefits

• Worship brings Kṛṣṇa’s grace, prosperity, and peace in household life.

• Said to be gentler than fierce Śālagrāmas, so more suitable for families.

• Specifically associated with protection, devotion (bhakti), and the blessings of Dvārakā-pati Kṛṣṇa.

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🔍 Difference from Śālagrāma

• Origin: Śālagrāma → Gandaki River (Nepal); Dvārāvatī Śilā → Gomati River (Dvārakā).

• Aspect: Śālagrāma → Viṣṇu in cosmic forms (Nārāyaṇa, Nṛsiṁha, Varāha, etc.); Dvārāvatī Śilā → Kṛṣṇa in His earthly royal aspect.

• Suitability: Śālagrāmas can be very intense (some types not advised for householders), whereas Dvārāvatī Śilās are generally seen as milder and auspicious for home worship.

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🌿 Worship

• Similar to Śālagrāma: bathing daily, offering Tulasi, flowers, incense, and chanting mantras (e.g., Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya).

• In some homes, Śālagrāma and Dvārāvatī Śilā are kept together and worshiped jointly, as symbolic of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa.

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So, to put it simply:
A Dvārāvatī Śilā is a sacred stone from Dvārakā’s Gomati River that embodies Kṛṣṇa, much like the Śālagrāma embodies Viṣṇu.

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Would you like me to also describe the different types of Dvārāvatī Śilās (based on their markings and colors), just like the Śālagrāma classifications?

Yes, please. Are these stones actually corals?

Excellent follow-up — you’re right to ask, because there is a fascinating natural explanation behind both Śālagrāmas and Dvārāvatī Śilās.

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🔹 Are Dvārāvatī Śilās actually corals?

Yes. Most Dvārāvatī Śilās are actually fossilized corals from the Gomati River near Dvārakā (Gujarat).

• The natural wheel-like patterns (chakra) seen on them are cross-sections of ancient corals.

• The texture is lighter and more porous than Śālagrāmas (which are ammonite fossils from Nepal’s Gandaki river).

• This fossilization links them to the ancient seabed — which fits perfectly with Dvārakā’s identity as a coastal city of Kṛṣṇa.

So:

• Śālagrāma = Ammonite fossils (marine creatures with spiral shells).

• Dvārāvatī Śilā = Fossil corals (with natural chakra-like structures).

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🔹 Types of Dvārāvatī Śilās

Texts like the Skanda Purāṇa and Gomati Māhātmya list 25 or 30+ types, depending on classification. Each type is identified by color, shape, and markings, and each is believed to bring a distinct blessing.

Some examples:

1. Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa Śilā – two wheel marks together → symbolizes divine couple, grants wealth and prosperity.

2. Sudhārśana Śilā – strong, clear chakra mark → represents Sudarśana Cakra, protection from enemies and evil forces.

3. Padma Śilā – lotus-like marking → fertility, family happiness.

4. Śaṅkha Śilā – conch-like design → auspiciousness, removal of sins.

5. Matsya Śilā – fish-like marking → protection from calamities, helps spiritual progress.

6. Nṛsiṁha Śilā – fierce markings or rough surface → grants courage, protection from fear.

7. Dāmodara Śilā – rope-like pattern → devotion, especially to child Kṛṣṇa.

8. Garuda Śilā – wing-like impressions → liberation, removal of obstacles.

Some Śilās are said to be very auspicious for householders (e.g., Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, Padma), while a few with fierce markings (like Nṛsiṁha) are traditionally worshiped only by ascetics or in temples.

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🔹 Worship and Use

• Always worshiped with Tulasi leaves (since Tulasi is beloved of Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa).

• Placed on a small pedestal (pīṭha) or kept together with Śālagrāma.

• Daily offerings: water, sandal paste, flowers, lamp, incense, and chanting of mantras like Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya.

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So, in essence:
👉 Dvārāvatī Śilās are fossil corals from Gomati River, carrying chakra-like markings, worshiped as living embodiments of Lord Kṛṣṇa in His Dvārakā aspect.
👉 Each type is classified by its markings, with specific blessings tied to it.

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Would you like me to make a side-by-side comparison table of Śālagrāma vs. Dvārāvatī Śilā, showing their origin, substance, and spiritual focus?

Big dog

 

The most crazy temple in India? Note the extremely large dogs! Here is ChatGPT: 

Is there a Bhairava temple in Anichunchanagiri?

Here are some images of the Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple atop Adichunchanagiri Hill (also called Anichunchanagiri or Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri) in Mandya district, Karnataka. This temple is one of the few in South India specifically dedicated to Bhairava.

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Is There a Bhairava Temple in Anichunchanagiri?

Absolutely — there is a Kalabhairava temple in Adichunchanagiri:

• The temple is officially known as Sri Kalabhairaveshwara Swamy Temple. It serves as the Kṣetra-Pālaka (guardian deity) of the Adichunchanagiri Maha Samsthana Math, with the presiding deity being Shiva as Gangadhareshwara.hindufestivalsonline.comAstroVedWikipedia

• It is the only dedicated temple to Kalabhairava in South India, built around 2008 under the guidance of Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji.AstroVedparichaybp.blogspot.comsakrecubes.com

• The temple features over 64 representations of Bhairava (signifying different aspects or avatars), all carved in stone.AstroVedFree Online Library

• Architectural highlights include a fully stone-built structure—pillars, doors, ceilings—all crafted from black 'krishnashila' stone sourced from Kanchipuram, reflecting 16th–18th century Vijayanagara style.Free Online Libraryparichaybp.blogspot.com

• Other notable features at the site include the Pancha Lingas, Jwāla Pīṭha, Sthambambike, the Bindu Sarovara sacred pond, and the summit point known as Akasha Bhairava.hindufestivalsonline.comgnanamrutham.blogspot.comacnain.inAstroVedWikipedia

• A statue of a dog, the traditional vāhana (mount) of Bhairava, is found within the temple complex.Arjunpuri's Blog

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Summary

• Yes, there is a Bhairava temple—specifically dedicated to Kala Bhairava—on Adichunchanagiri Hill.

• It is a major shrine for devotees, architecturally impressive, and spiritually significant, especially in the Nath tradition of Karnataka.

• The temple uniquely combines the worship of Gangadhareshwara (Shiva) with prominent veneration of Kalabhairava.

If you're planning a visit or want to know more about the rituals, visiting hours, or historical context, I'd be happy to help!

I read a news story some time ago about a man who was arrested for blasphemy in India after trying to bring a big black dog into a temple and demanded that prasad be given to it. It struck me that the dog is a symbol of Bhairava. But in the temple at Adichunchanagiri, big black dogs are part of the worship services!

That’s a really sharp observation — you’re absolutely right to notice the irony.

In Hindu symbolism, the dog is indeed the vāhana (mount, vehicle) of Bhairava, especially Kala Bhairava. In many places, dogs (especially black dogs) are regarded as manifestations or companions of Bhairava, and devotees sometimes even feed stray dogs as a form of worship. In some Bhairava temples in North India, dogs are allowed into the temple compound, and offerings of food (prasāda) are placed out for them.

But context matters a lot:

• In Adichunchanagiri (Karnataka), the worship of Bhairava is central, so the dog as Bhairava’s vāhana is honored directly. Black dogs have even been part of rituals, festivals, and temple iconography there — it’s not just tolerated but ritually enshrined.

• In mainstream Shaiva or Vaishnava temples, especially in orthodox South Indian traditions, dogs are considered ritually impure and never allowed inside sanctums. Bringing a live dog in and demanding prasāda for it would be seen as a disruptive or deliberately provocative act — even if symbolically it makes sense from a Bhairava perspective.

So what you read in the news likely involved this clash of symbolism: in a Bhairava-oriented context, feeding a black dog prasāda is normal devotion, but in a temple that does not recognize Bhairava’s vāhana in ritual practice, it comes across as sacrilege.

Your insight is exactly right: in a temple like Adichunchanagiri, that same act could be welcomed as an offering to Bhairava; in a different temple, it’s condemned. It really shows how diverse Hindu practice is — a symbol sacred in one tradition can be taboo in another.

👉 Do you want me to dig up examples of living traditions where dogs are still ritually fed as Bhairava’s manifestation? There are some fascinating ones in Varanasi, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.

Yes, please.

Absolutely—here are some living, on-the-ground examples where dogs are honored as Bhairava’s companions (or otherwise sacred), and are fed/receive prasāda:

• Varanasi & broader Bhairava observance (India): On Bhairava Aṣṭamī, devotees traditionally worship Bhairava and his vāhana, the dog, offering milk, sweets, curd and other foods to dogs. This is described in mainstream summaries of the festival. Wikipedia

• Ujjain & Varanasi folklore/practice: Popular guides about Kāl Bhairava note that feeding a black dog near Bhairava’s temple is considered auspicious, linked to Bhairava’s protective gaze—an attitude you’ll find around the famous Kāl Bhairav temples in Ujjain and Kashi. astroulagam.com.my

• Adichunchanagiri, Karnataka: At the Sri Kalabhairaveshwara shrine, Bhairava devotion is central and the dog symbolism is explicit—the temple famously features a dog image facing the sanctum and the site is often cited as a major Bhairava center; local coverage highlights the temple’s distinctive Bhairava focus and dog association. Arjunpuri's BlogHinduism Today

• Parassini Muthappan Temple, Kerala (Kannur): Different deity, same canine reverence: at this folk-Shaiva/Vaishnava shrine, dogs are sacred, roam freely, and the first prasād is traditionally given to a dog; naming-ceremonies for dogs are also reported. This is well documented in both reportage and encyclopedic entries. Hindustan TimesWikipediaCurly Tales

• Nepal (Kukur Tihar / Kukur Pūjā): During Tihar (Diwali), a whole day is devoted to honoring dogs with garlands, tilak and special food—a widely covered, living festival that underscores canine sanctity in the Hindu sphere (here linked more to Yama than Bhairava, but very relevant to the practice of feeding and honoring dogs). AP News

If you want to mirror these customs at home in a simple way, the most widely attested practice is: feed and care for local dogs—especially on Aṣṭamī tithis or on Bhairava Aṣṭamī—and then offer a brief salutation to Bhairava. That aligns closely with how devotees express this bhakti in India. Wikipedia

Powerful demons

 

 

Sthaneshwar Timalsina again, talking about Shiva, Bhairava and Rudra. Think Non-Dual (?) Shaiva Tantra. Note the weird story on how Timalsina has to save his ascetic Advaita uncle once every year from physically dying by simply hurling him to a modern hospital?! The Rudra-mantra stuff strikes me as very esoterick...

Make of this somewhat peculiar material whatever ye wish.  

We´ve been played

 

The diagnosis may be correct, even if the proposed solution isn´t. Let´s be honest. Western spiritual seekers have been played.  

Kill it before it glows

 

¨

A motley collection of "cryptid" sightings. Some are barely believable stories about bioluminescent spiders and frogs. Others are frankly unbelievable. A glowing lake monster in Lake Erie? A pterodactyl which looks like a UFO? Yeah, that´s likely...

But sure, it´s entertaining.      

Alakshmi

 

Credit: Jessie Eastland

More evidence that ChatGPT knows everything...

Can you tell me anything about the obscure Hindu goddess in Nepal called Alakshmi? She seems to stand for bad luck (the opposite of Lakshmi).

Yes! Alakshmi is an obscure and often feared goddess in Hindu and Nepalese traditions. She is considered the antithesis of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and auspiciousness. While Lakshmi represents good fortune, Alakshmi embodies misfortune, poverty, strife, and chaos.

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🔥 Who is Alakshmi?

• Alakshmi (अलक्ष्मी) literally means "lack of Lakshmi" or "inauspiciousness."

• She is sometimes called Jyestha Devi (the "Elder Goddess"), referring to the belief that she was born before Lakshmi during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan).

• Unlike Lakshmi, who brings wealth and harmony, Alakshmi is linked to poverty, discord, and misfortune.

🌀 Mythological Origins:

• In Hindu mythology, when the gods and demons churned the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to obtain the nectar of immortality, Alakshmi appeared first, symbolizing the negative aspects of material wealth.

• Lakshmi emerged later, bringing auspiciousness and divine fortune.

• In some versions, Alakshmi is described as Lakshmi’s sister, while in others, she is simply her shadow or opposite force.

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🌑 Alakshmi’s Role in Nepalese Hinduism

• While Alakshmi is not widely worshipped in Nepal, her presence is acknowledged in certain Tantric and folk traditions, where she is seen as a force that must be kept at bay.

• Some Nepalese traditions associate her with Jyestha Devi, a dark goddess linked to drought, famine, and misfortune.

• In Tantric and folk rituals, certain offerings—such as bitter foods—are given to drive her away from homes and businesses.

• Goddess statues in Nepalese temples often depict Alakshmi as a thin, old, and unpleasant-looking woman, the opposite of Lakshmi’s radiant beauty.

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🔥 How to Avoid Alakshmi's Influence?

• Lakshmi is welcomed into homes with lamps, flowers, and sweets, while Alakshmi is repelled by bitter and sour offerings (such as neem leaves or chilies).

• Many people in Nepal and India avoid arguments, greed, and dishonesty, believing that these behaviors attract Alakshmi’s energy.

• During Diwali, it is common to light lamps at the door to invite Lakshmi in and drive Alakshmi away.

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🔮 Symbolism of Alakshmi in Spirituality

• She represents the dark side of materialism, where wealth is pursued through dishonest or greedy means, leading to misfortune and spiritual decay.

• In some Tantric practices, she is viewed not as "evil" but as a necessary force—a test of wisdom before one can truly attain Lakshmi’s blessings.

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🛕 Final Thoughts

• Alakshmi is an obscure and feared goddess, mainly recognized in folk and Tantric traditions of India and Nepal.

• She embodies misfortune, conflict, and scarcity, but her presence is a warning against greed and dishonesty.

• She is not typically worshipped, but instead propitiated to keep her away.

Would you like more details on Nepalese folk beliefs related to Alakshmi, or how she connects to Tantric Hinduism? 😊

I would like more details on Nepalese folk beliefs related to Alakshmi, and how she connects to Tantric Hinduism.

Alakshmi in Nepalese Folk Beliefs & Tantric Hinduism

In Nepal, Alakshmi is not widely worshipped, but she is acknowledged in folk traditions and Tantric Hinduism as a force of inauspiciousness, conflict, and poverty. While she is more prominent in India, her influence is seen in Nepalese customs related to protecting homes and businesses from misfortune.

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🌀 Alakshmi in Nepalese Folk Beliefs

Although she is not a major deity in Nepalese Hinduism, her negative influence is recognized, especially in traditional households and ritual practices. Some folk beliefs associated with Alakshmi include:

1️⃣ Avoiding Alakshmi’s Presence in the Home

• It is believed that Alakshmi enters homes where there is greed, anger, and discord.

• Dirty or cluttered homes are thought to attract her presence, so regular house cleaning is seen as a way to keep her away.

• Bitter and spicy foods are sometimes left outside the house during special occasions to lure her away so that Lakshmi (the goddess of prosperity) can enter instead.

2️⃣ Rituals During Tihar (Nepalese Diwali)

• During Laxmi Puja (part of Tihar, the Nepalese festival of lights), lamps and rangoli patterns are placed at entrances to invite Lakshmi and keep Alakshmi out.

• In some households, people throw out garbage or sweep the floors at night, symbolically driving Alakshmi away.

3️⃣ Symbolic Representation in Art & Folklore

• Some Nepalese stories depict Alakshmi as a dark, elderly woman who feeds on conflict and greed.

• She is sometimes associated with owls (the vahana or mount of Lakshmi), but whereas Lakshmi’s owl represents wisdom, Alakshmi’s owl represents blindness and ignorance.

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🔥 Alakshmi in Tantric Hinduism

In Tantric traditions, Alakshmi is not merely a figure of bad luck but represents a deeper spiritual force—the shadow side of material existence.

1️⃣ Alakshmi as an Aspect of Shakti

• Some Tantric texts suggest that Alakshmi is a fierce form of Shakti, the cosmic feminine power.

• Unlike Lakshmi, who bestows wealth and abundance, Alakshmi represents material decay, illusion (Maya), and the destructive side of fortune.

• In Tantric rituals, both Lakshmi and Alakshmi are understood as two sides of the same cosmic force—one brings prosperity, the other brings destruction when wealth is misused.

2️⃣ Alakshmi as the Power of Kali

• In Nepalese Shakta Tantra, Kali and Chamunda are sometimes linked to Alakshmi as goddesses who devour excess and illusions.

• Tantric practitioners may invoke Alakshmi-like energies to remove worldly attachments and confront the impermanence of wealth and life.

• This aligns with Aghori and Kapalika Tantrism, where practitioners embrace the dark and inauspicious as a means of transcending it.

3️⃣ The Role of Alakshmi in Tantra Rituals

• Some Tantric rituals in Nepal involve symbolically feeding Alakshmi to appease her and drive her away.

• Offerings of bitter substances (like neem leaves, mustard seeds, or spicy foods) may be given in rituals to ensure that Alakshmi is satisfied and departs, making way for Lakshmi.

• In advanced Tantric practice, practitioners meditate on Alakshmi’s energy as a lesson in detachment, recognizing that wealth and misfortune are both transient.

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🛕 Final Thoughts

• In Nepalese folk beliefs, Alakshmi is seen as an inauspicious force that must be driven away to allow Lakshmi to enter.

• In Tantric Hinduism, she is not purely "evil" but represents the dark side of fortune, illusion, and destruction, teaching lessons on impermanence and detachment.

• Unlike mainstream Hinduism, some Tantric sects actively engage with Alakshmi’s energy as a means of spiritual transformation.

Would you like information on specific Tantric rituals involving Alakshmi in Nepal, or her connections to other deities like Kali and Chamunda? 😊

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Tantric Rituals Involving Alakshmi in Nepal

In Nepal, Alakshmi is not openly worshipped, but she appears in Tantric and folk rituals designed to ward off bad luck, poverty, and misfortune. These rituals focus on appeasing her so she departs, allowing Lakshmi (prosperity) to enter.

Some advanced Shakta and Tantric sects, particularly those influenced by Kali and Chamunda worship, engage with Alakshmi’s destructive force as part of spiritual transformation and detachment.

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🔥 1. Traditional Nepalese Rituals to Ward Off Alakshmi

These are common in folk traditions rather than esoteric Tantra.

🔹 A. The "Offering of Bitterness" Ritual

• Practiced during Lakshmi Puja (Tihar) and sometimes on new moon nights to drive away inauspiciousness.

• Families prepare bitter foods such as neem leaves, mustard seeds, and chilies and place them outside their home or at crossroads.

• The belief is that Alakshmi, attracted to bitterness, will consume it and leave.

• Some people also sweep their homes at night, symbolically removing her presence.

🔹 B. The Owl Ritual

• In some villages, an effigy of an owl (Alakshmi’s vahana) is made from clay or straw and burned or discarded to symbolize her banishment.

• This is done to ensure prosperity for the coming year.

🔹 C. The "Reverse Rangoli" Ritual

• Instead of drawing welcoming patterns for Lakshmi, people make chaotic or distorted rangoli (geometric patterns with colored powders) at the back door to confuse Alakshmi and prevent her from entering.

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🌀 2. Tantric Alakshmi Rituals (Advanced Practices)

In Nepalese Shakta Tantra, some practitioners acknowledge Alakshmi’s destructive power and perform controlled rituals to transform her energy into spiritual detachment (Vairagya).

🔺 A. The Chamunda-Alakshmi Invocation

• In some Kali and Chamunda temples in Nepal, Alakshmi is meditated upon as a necessary force of destruction before rebirth.

• A small offering of bitter wine or dried fish is made at midnight, followed by chanting mantras of Chamunda (a fierce aspect of the goddess).

• The practitioner reflects on impermanence and the dangers of attachment to wealth and comfort.

• This is not a worship ritual but a Tantric practice to overcome the fear of loss and suffering.

🔺 B. Alakshmi’s Shadow in Kali Worship

• Some Nepalese Kali Tantrikas meditate on Alakshmi’s form as an old, dark woman to confront their inner fears of misfortune and suffering.

• A burning mustard oil lamp is placed in front of a black mirror, and the practitioner gazes into the mirror while reciting a mantra invoking Lakshmi’s protective force.

• This ritual is performed to neutralize negative karma and dispel illusions about wealth and materialism.

🔺 C. The Fire Disposal Ritual

• In some Aghori-influenced practices, a small effigy representing Alakshmi (made from dry grass or paper) is burned in a funeral pyre.

• This symbolizes the destruction of greed, attachment, and misfortune.

• This practice is not common but is found in certain Nepalese Shaiva-Shakta sects.

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⚖️ Alakshmi and Her Connection to Kali & Chamunda

• While Lakshmi represents wealth and auspiciousness, Alakshmi is often associated with Kali and Chamunda—goddesses who destroy illusions and impurities.

• In Nepalese Tantric Buddhism, her energy is sometimes equated with Ekajati (a fierce protector deity).

• Some texts suggest that Alakshmi is not "evil" but a warning force, helping sadhakas (spiritual seekers) overcome attachments to wealth and comfort.

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🛕 Where Can Alakshmi-Inspired Rituals Be Found in Nepal?

While she does not have temples, her influence can be found in:

• Chamunda shrines (e.g., Chamunda Bhagwati Temple in Kathmandu).

• Kali temples where Tantric practitioners engage in spiritual austerities.

• Folk traditions in rural Nepal during festivals like Tihar and Dashain.

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🔮 Final Thoughts

• Nepalese folk traditions treat Alakshmi as an inauspicious force to be repelled.

• Tantric sects engage with her energy to overcome attachment and purify the soul.

• She is sometimes linked to Kali and Chamunda, representing destruction before renewal.

Would you like specific mantras or ritual steps for personal practice, or information on similar deities in Tantric traditions? 😊