Archive - Sep 21, 2006
1. How does Path differ from Puja?
Puja is a collection of viddhis or modules that are strung together to conduct
worship. Path involves recitation of a scripture. Purification and offerings are emphasized more in Puja.
2. I find it difficult at times to maintain pranayam. How can this be corrected?
Use a mantra to measure the length of each breath. Then recite the mantra either silently or audibly as you breath in and out. If it becomes a strain, use a shorter mantra.
3. Where do we pause in the Gayatri Mantra to inhale?
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah - inhale
tat savitur varenyam - inhale
bhargo devasya dhimahi - inhale
dhiyo yo nah pracodayat - inhale
4. What is the specific goal of Jivanam style of chanting?
To intuit the meaning of each syllable of every mantra in the scripture and to become absorbed in that meaning. Also beyond the meanings of the mantras, the vibrations become so much more potent. We are adding life to the mantra - Jivanam, empowering it to carry us into it's own bhava.
5. How do you choose a style of chanting (Bhakti, Shakti, Tapasya, Jivanam)?
Bhakti when understanding is important, Shakti when Pranayam is important, Tapasya when Asan is important, Jivanam when you do not have the sankalpa to complete a text, but have the time and environment to go into deep meditation.
6. Is there a recommended order for focusing on these different styles of chanting (bhakti, shakti, tapasya, and jivanam) for those who are interested in chanting, before they are integrated?
Just that order. First we learn how to pronounce and what it means. Then we become proficient at pranayam. Then we lengthen the asana so we can forget the body. Lastly we use the mantra recitation to go into deep meditation.
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 20:20.
1. Are there parts of other Puranas which are used/chanted in the same manner as the Chandi Path from the Markendaya Purana or is this practice of chanting the Chandi unique?
The Devi Gita is an excerpt from Shrimad Devi Bhagavatam, the Bhagavad Gita is an excerpt from Mahabharat, the Guru Gita comes from Skanda Purana.
2. Why are Madhu and Kaitabha called "Too Much" and "Too Little", respectively?
The dictionary meanings for Madhu mean specifically honey, sweet, pleasant, charming, delightful. In excess it is intoxicating. The extension with poetic license is Too Much.
Kaitabha in the dictionary means as insignificant as an insect: Too Little.
Together they stand for every extreme which keeps us from maintaining our balance.
3. If one has taken sankalpa to chant say the Devi Gita and the Chandi Path for a certain amount of time and due to one's life situation one cannot chant the Chandi along with the Gita can the sankalpa to chant the Chandi and the Devi Gita be changed in mid stream or does the cycle need to be completed?
We want to strive to complete our sankalpas. Sometimes it is not possible. When it is not possible, we ultimately must surrender and try to accomplish our goals again the next time. We will also want to be forgiving; to others as well as to ourselves.
4. Do we have to do the full kushandika as in the book, or would it be ok to offer a light and a flower if we are pressed for time and then chant for instance the Sapta Shloki Durga, as a kind of preparation for chanting the Chandi more regularly?
Each according to his or her capacity. There is a viddhi called Seedha Path, which is described in the book on Pronunciation.
5. In the Chandi Path, when do we add "svaha" at the end of each verse, and when do we not add that?
When we are doing a Homa, we do not add svaha after the verses in the Kushandika, Kavacham, Argala Stotram, Kilakam, and the Dhyanams. We do not add swaha after any of the verses, unless the verses contain swaha, if we are not at the fire.
Also in the book on Pronunciation is a description of the homa viddhis.
6. Do verses 2 and 3 of siddha kunjika stotram (na kavacam nargala...) proclaim the superiority of that stotram or that of the Navarna Mantra?
Actually the Navarna Mantra is the root mantra of the Chandi.
7. What is a stotram?
It is a specific song about a particular form of divinity.
8. I was taught that the act of clapping e.g. while saying phat (“cut the egoâ€) assists in clearing mind, banishing thoughts. How does that happen, energetically?
The clap is a starling sound which demands that the mind pay attention.
9. Do raktabija, seed of desire, and vasana mean the same thing?
Yes.
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 20:05.
srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
ShubalandDurga: Jai Maa!
srini_sadhu: I pray that we share and have a beautiful one hour together!
srini_sadhu: Today's topic is Chandi Path
Linda Talbott: :::clapping:::
srini_sadhu: The topics we would like to discuss are:
srini_sadhu: Some History
srini_sadhu: How does chanting the Chandi path add value to our lives
srini_sadhu: Some practical issues
srini_sadhu: What Maa and Swamiji say about Chandi
srini_sadhu: Discuss the meaning of some verses
srini_sadhu: First some History
srini_sadhu: This is from Swamiji's Introduction
srini_sadhu: The Chandi Path or Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmyam is Pauranic
srini_sadhu: comprises 13 chapters of the Markandeya Purana from #81 to #93
srini_sadhu: It probably assumed its present form in 400 AD.
srini_sadhu: Questions
ShubalandDurga: What does 'Purana' mean, please?
Alphansa DSouza: No
srini_sadhu: Beautiful!
srini_sadhu: There are 18 Maha Puranas
srini_sadhu: Puranas are a combination of history, practice, philosophy
srini_sadhu: First we had the Vedas
srini_sadhu: Then came the Upanishads
srini_sadhu: And then Puranas
Linda Talbott: wonderful ... thank you so much
srini_sadhu: Famous one is Srimad Bhagavatam, story of Lord Vishnu
ShubalandDurga: Would you say each of these are texts?
srini_sadhu: Yes. They are Huge and long
srini_sadhu: Chandi Path is from the Markandeya Purana
amritagita: namaste everybody, namaste srini
srini_sadhu: Markandeya Muni is one of the main narrators in this Purana or text
Ramya: Namaste Raghu! Welcome!
Linda Talbott: And are many or most of them also pujas, as is the Chandi Path?
srini_sadhu: Namaste AmritaGita
srini_sadhu: Puranas contain some discussion of how to do Puja. But they are more then that.
Linda Talbott: O
srini_sadhu: Next let us talk about how chanting the Chandi Path adds value to our lives?
srini_sadhu: Please share your experience
nodivision108: There's a mystery.
srini_sadhu: Yes, it is a secret
srini_sadhu: Someone said that anything is sacred is secret
Linda Talbott: It is huge ... I feel encompassed, embraced as I recite the Chandi. Also like it is a big present, like a holiday gift.
nodivision108: (I don't mean mystery about the value - just the "how.)
Ramya: Thanks Linda and Chris - your answers are so beautiful!
Cynkay Morningsong: One of the main values for me is that it helps me to remember that the asuras are always popping up in my life and that I am not alone in my struggles with them
amritagita: I went thru Swamiji's Chandi Path book over several days once and just felt so blessed and calm.
Ramya: Chris - hopefully we can discuss some issues today about "how"
Linda Talbott: I feel protected also ... Ma Durga riding Her tiger ready to support and uphold my sacred work.
srini_sadhu: Everytime before I begin chanting, I look at the cover picture and share all my prayers. Chanting has helped me have a relationship with Chandi Maa
amritagita: My priest however cautioned me that this was not for householders, is that true
ShubalandDurga: Waking Devi within we become the still eye in the storm's center.
Linda Talbott: Oh Shubal, that is a lovely way of putting it.
ShubalandDurga: Durga here today.
Ramya: Raghu - i have heard Swamiji said that it all depends upon our intention - if we are chanting to come close to God, how can there be harm?
Linda Talbott: Sorry, Durga :::bowing::: nice to meet you Durga
Linda Talbott: excellent name : )
srini_sadhu: It is a most beautiful story, the story of our lives, well worth studying
nodivision108: As a householder, AmritaGita, I think "yes". But there is a lot of maya for householders.
srini_sadhu: Amritagita = Raghu
nodivision108: (Meaning "yes", it is for householders.)
srini_sadhu: At the gross level Chandi Path tells us the story of Divine Mother coming again and again to destroy asuras (demons) and save Devas (Gods).
srini_sadhu: At the subtle level, this is a story of Divine Mother coming again and again to remove negativities from within us – so that good qualities – peace, love and compassion reign.
Ramya: Thanks Chris! Swamiji says the Chandi is a manual for personal transformation -- so it is anybody who wants to change to make their life divine.
Linda Talbott: Helping with Too Much and Too Little ... this is a big one for me.
srini_sadhu: Chanting the Chandi Path is an invitation to God to help peace reign within us and it is a prayer to God to make this a reality.
srini_sadhu: Is it Ok so far?
ShubalandDurga: Repeatedly reading the story of victory over demons seems to impart faith, useful in the face of challenge.
nodivision108: Jai Maa!
Shruthi Korupolu: Namaskaram everyone, what specific part of the Chandi Path is recommended for overcoming negativity
Linda Talbott: So far, wonderful.
Alphansa DSouza: listening..
Linda Talbott: Thank you srini
Linda Talbott: I think all of it, jasmine
amritagita: Yes
Janitri Rybacki: yes, ok, beautiful
srini_sadhu: There are specific verses that Swamiji says help overcome negativity. Shruthi
srini_sadhu: I will post these on the Yahoo club.
Shruthi Korupolu: thank you!
Linda Talbott: wonderful
srini_sadhu: Let us now briefly discuss the three episodes of the Chandi Path, so that we are all on the same page
Ramya: The Chandi Path consists of 3 episodes - each of which shows the victory of Divine Mother over forces of darkness.
srini_sadhu: In the first episode, Divine Mother wakes up Lord Vishnu and helps Him destroy Madhu and Kaitabha
srini_sadhu: Madhu represents Too Much
srini_sadhu: Kaitabha is Too Little
Ramya: In the second episode - the great Ego - Mahishasura drives all the devas (Gods) out of heaven -- Just as when we are filled with Ego - we drive away love, peace and compassion from within us.
Linda Talbott: I never knew that before ... thank you
Ramya: What to do? We are tormented - and the ego comes in different forms to trouble us -- We just have to call upon Divine Mother!!!
srini_sadhu: In the third episode Divine Mother defeats the armies of Shumbha and Nishumbha
Ramya: It is HER Promise - She will save us - and take us back to heaven!
Ramya: Shumba is self conceit and Nishumba is self deprecation
Ramya: In the third episode Mother helps us overcome anger, passion, endless desire.....and many, many more asuras!
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says an interesting thing
srini_sadhu: Mahisa won a boon from Brahma
srini_sadhu: That he would never be defeated by a God or a Man
Ramya: Mahisa is the Great Ego from the second episde
srini_sadhu: He forget to protect himself from Lady power!
srini_sadhu: This has an implication for us
srini_sadhu: We have ego in us, the sense of I am the doer
Linda Talbott: That was my immediate thought when you said God or man
srini_sadhu: WE can never defeat the Great Ego.
srini_sadhu: However escape clause
Linda Talbott: whew
srini_sadhu: We can Pray to Divine Mother and invite Her inside to kill our Ego
srini_sadhu: What do you think?
Linda Talbott: Go Mother!
Linda Talbott: :::engraving a special invitation:::
nodivision108: This is a complicated philosophical question.
Alphansa DSouza: We can never defeat the Great Ego....even if we pray to divine mother?
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says
Ann Millet: who/what is Mahisa?
srini_sadhu: When we sit to chant, all the thoughts start coming
srini_sadhu: In a sense we cannot do much, except
srini_sadhu: Pray to Mother and say, "Mother, I am helpless. All I can do sit is to without moving my knees and chant Your story"
nodivision108: There you go!
srini_sadhu: "Would You please take care of my negativities
srini_sadhu: It is the path of surrender and persistence
Linda Talbott: I love that part towards the end where it says that ... I don't know puja; I don't know japa; I don't know how to worship You. Take me as I am and sweep me with your Divine Broom (that is my paraphrasing at the end)
nodivision108: Surrender conquers everything.
Linda Talbott: very hard to get to though
ShubalandDurga: Would you say both the process of chanting (meaning the more mechanical aspects) along with the invocation of Mother's vibration - light - attract the ego to resist?
srini_sadhu: Nice question Durga, discussion?
ShubalandDurga: (i.e. attract all the thoughts as you mentioned, Srini)
nodivision108: I agree, Durga.
Linda Talbott: I don't feel resistance emotionally or spiritually when I chant.
Linda Talbott: The only resistance is from my sick body ... which I have to surrender to Ma Durga along with everything else.
Janitri Rybacki: i may not feel so great sometimes when chanting but know that it is the right thing to do. And, it always makes me happy later.
amritagita: I think mother pulls out the ego to the fore to confront it
Kalachandra Chandra: Pranans to all
srini_sadhu: I agree with you Janitri.
nodivision108: Pranams
srini_sadhu: Chanting everyday trains the mind to focus on the Divine everyday for sometime
srini_sadhu: Could we discuss how to chant and what to chant
Shruthi Korupolu: please, that would be wonderful
srini_sadhu: For those who have less time but are interested, Swamiji suggests
srini_sadhu: Starting with Devi Kavacham, Argala Stotram and Kilakam
srini_sadhu: Then you can add The Suktams and Siddha Kunjika Stotrams
srini_sadhu: In the Chandi Book, it says, if you would like to chant one episode, chant the middle episode
srini_sadhu: This would be chapters 2, 3, and 4
srini_sadhu: Then expand to Seedha path
srini_sadhu: This would the Ratri Suktam, Navarna Vidhi, Chapters 1-13, Navarna Vidhi, Devi Suktam, Siddha Kunjika, and Pranams
srini_sadhu: Questions?
nodivision108: No. Thank you for all this.
Linda Talbott: The Devi Kevacham, Argala stotram and Kilakam are part of the Chandi?
Cynkay Morningsong: this is very helpful
srini_sadhu: They are part of what is known as prayog
Linda Talbott: what is that?
srini_sadhu: The prayog includes all the stotrams that precede Chapters 1-13
Linda Talbott: Ah ... okay, I am very familiar with those. Thank you.
amritagita: is the mahishasuramardini stotram like a condensed chandi
srini_sadhu: Yes Raghu
ShubalandDurga: Please can you translate 'stotram'?
Janitri Rybacki: Does stating the Ratri Suktam imply the Vedoktam and Tantroktam?
srini_sadhu: My best pass: is collection of verses
Linda Talbott: where do you find the mahishasuramardini stotram?
srini_sadhu: Only Vedoktam
srini_sadhu: I am sure a version is on the internet
Kalachandra Chandra: you can explain why the verse 2 and 3siddha kunjika (na kavacam nargala...
srini_sadhu: Swamiji mentioned this today Kalachandra!
srini_sadhu: The Siddha Kunjika Stotram is about the Navarna Mantra
srini_sadhu: The navarna mantra is Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche
srini_sadhu: Knowing the Navarna mantra is the most important thing, the rest follow in importance
srini_sadhu: That is what verse 2 of Siddha Kunjika is saying
Kalachandra Chandra: thanks
srini_sadhu: I have been chanting Chandi path regularly since January of last year
Kalachandra Chandra: so we must to recite navarna mantra always, ok?
Janitri Rybacki: Srini, how do you feel since the January?
srini_sadhu: It has helped me in my posture and also learn more about Divine Mother
ShubalandDurga: May I ask a question at this point about something we do during Siddha Kunjika, Srini, or, as we are discussing what to chant, would you prefer it at some other point?
srini_sadhu: Now I feel very excited about learning more about the meaning of each verse
srini_sadhu: Please ask Durga, we will try to answer. Anyone else too.
ShubalandDurga: Sounds like maybe later is best as you want to get onto meaning, but it's up to you: I was taught that the act of clapping e.g. while saying phat (“cut the egoâ€) assists in clearing mind, banishing thoughts. How does that happen, energetically?
srini_sadhu: I would not know Durga. I can ask Swamiji and email you
ShubalandDurga: Thank you.
amritagita: How much time does it take to recite the Chandi when you know it by heart
srini_sadhu: I would say it depends on how often you chant it Raghu
amritagita: How much time does it take you Srini
ShubalandDurga: In light of what you reviewed in last week's discussion, Srini, seems like recitation time depends on the style/goal of chanting one has chosen.
srini_sadhu: It takes me 1 hour and 15 minutes to chant Seedha Path.
Linda Talbott: I am a turtle ... It may take me an hour to recite one chapter.
amritagita: That would be very doable for me, I thought this takes 3 - 4 hours
Linda Talbott: But I keep plodding.
srini_sadhu: I would really love to memorize it quickly so that I can look at Her face when I chant
srini_sadhu: Way to go Linda!
Linda Talbott: srini ~ in terms of Path ... path is chanting vs. reciting, yes? (thank you)
srini_sadhu: I would say the two are synonymns
srini_sadhu: maa says to chant with bhava - the attitude of prayer and love for Divine Mother
amritagita: I know you should have a shiksa guru to get the full benefit of this chanting, would ShreeMaa or Swamiji initiate us in the chanting!
Linda Talbott: oh, that makes me feel better because I consider what I do to be more reciting ... actually I start out with outloud chanting, then go to mouthing the words, then to silence ... it is because my body will only go so far in supporting the use of my voice. It makes this little turtle sad sometimes, but doesn't stop her.
srini_sadhu: I would say Raghu, just start chanting and Divine Mother will take you to someone who will help. That has been my experience.
Janitri Rybacki: Does the "chanting" require being recited aloud? Say one is on an airplane, can the Chandi be read and recited internally or must it be aloud?
srini_sadhu: Pray and Try
srini_sadhu: I once chanted on the plane, didn’t bother my neighbor.
Linda Talbott: Yes, or as Yoda would day, Pray and (don't try) Do. : )
ShubalandDurga: Increasing bhava, while learning the story, can happen with stopping periodically to review the translation for what one has just chanted in Sanskrit.
srini_sadhu: But it can be read internally.
Linda Talbott: That is true for me Durga ... I read the Sanskrit first, then the English, for each passage.
srini_sadhu: One thing I do in The Sunday chants which helps me focus
srini_sadhu: I read the sanskrit and skim the English and use my hands to act out the verse
srini_sadhu: Yah Devi Sarva Bhutesu Nidra Rupena Samsthitha
srini_sadhu: I make a gesture of me sleeping.
srini_sadhu: Any questions at this point?
srini_sadhu: We could discuss a couple of verses
srini_sadhu: Chapter 8, Verse 41: When a drop of blood from his body touches the ground, another great thought with the same intensity is born in that very place.
srini_sadhu: Do you know this one?
nodivision108: When it rains, it pours.
srini_sadhu: Chapter 8 is about the defeat of raktabija
srini_sadhu: Raktabija represents the seed of desire
srini_sadhu: Whenever we fulfill a desire, a new one pops up
srini_sadhu: What do we do?
amritagita: It does seem endless, the tricks of the mind, even when you are trying to watch for it
Janitri Rybacki: pray for Mother to stop the desire(s)
amritagita: Pray to Maa Kali
srini_sadhu: No other way!!
srini_sadhu: Verbalizing the same prayer everyday for however long it takes
ShubalandDurga: Or, simple surrender the desire and let KaliMaa decide whether to fill it or kill it.
srini_sadhu: Increasing our sadhana so that the desires drop away naturally
srini_sadhu: Anyone else?
ShubalandDurga: If I recall correctly during a class with Maa and Swami, there was a distinction made between appropriate and inappropriate desires; that is why I conceive of simply surrendering the desire and letting Her decide.
srini_sadhu: This is a good discussion point Durga and I will share with Swamiji
ShubalandDurga: I have one more little question: does raktabija mean the same as 'vasana'?
Cynkay Morningsong: I remind myself that all desire is really a desire for God...that helps me keep all the other desires in perspective so I only want Her
srini_sadhu: Vasana is latent tendency and raktabija is seed of desire
srini_sadhu: Vasanas build from repeated habits and actions
srini_sadhu: Thanks Morningsong
ShubalandDurga: Do vasanas result in raktabijas?
srini_sadhu: Dont know Durga. But we should stop here - sorry
nodivision108: Thank you again Srini, for your seva in doing this. See you all next week. Jai Maa!
ShubalandDurga: Thank you!
Cynkay Morningsong: Thank you Srini and Ramya and everyone! Namaste'
Janitri Rybacki: Thank U so much!
Alphansa DSouza: Thank you all ..Namaste!
Ann Millet: thank you all may peace reign
ShubalandDurga: Namaste
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 14:08.
srini_sadhu: Om Sang Saraswatyai Namaha!
srini_sadhu: The Discussion Begins
srini_sadhu: Today's Topic is Chandi Path
srini_sadhu: We will try to cover the following topics:
srini_sadhu: A little history, Why do we chant Chandi, Meaning and Interpretation,
Ram Prasana: Awesome!
srini_sadhu: The Practice, What Maa and Swamiji say about Chandi
srini_sadhu: History
Ramya: The Chandi Path or Durga Saptashati or Devi Mahatmyam is Pauranic and comprises 13 chapters of the Markandeya Purana from #81 to #93.
srini_sadhu: It probably assumed its present form in 400 AD.
srini_sadhu: That's it on History. Any questions?
Alan: Do you say it's Puranic to distinguish it from what is Vaidika?
henny_v_i: yes, are there parts of other Puranas which are used/chanted in the same manner or is this practice unique?
srini_sadhu: Vedas came first, the Upanishads, Then Puranas, The Epics, Tantras, etc
Ram Prasana: Whats the difference between Puranic and Vaidika? Is it just source ... Puranas versus Vedas?
Kalachandra Chandra: The Puranas are history, ok?
srini_sadhu: Possible Henny. Ramayana is an Epic and not a Purana and is chanted all over India.
srini_sadhu: There are 18 Maha Puranas. Puranas are not just History
Ram Prasana: So is the Chandi Puranic in its origin?
srini_sadhu: Every Scripture Swamiji says has Rituals, Stories, Puja Paddhoti, and Philosophy
srini_sadhu: All packaged in them
srini_sadhu: It is part of Markandeya Purana so it is part of a Purana
srini_sadhu: What is Chandi Path about? Thoughts?
henny_v_i: Doesn't it say that it is the story of our own spiritual development/purification, the story of our own soul?
Ram Prasana: Stories about the Divine Mother... which includes slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha, Chanda and Munda, and basically the story of how the true self shines over the ego.
srini_sadhu: Yes Henny, nice.
Alan: Swamiji says in the introduction that all the characters in the Chandi are inside of us.
srini_sadhu: Thank you Prasana
Ramya: It is so beautiful to hear all this - it is a great reminder!
srini_sadhu: There are 3 episodes in the Chandi.
kaliananda_saraswati: It teaches us how to expand our awareness.
Ramya: As Prasanna said that Chandi Path at the gross level is the story of Divine Mother vanquishing asuras (evil forces)
Ramya: But it is more than that....it is as Henny said - story of our lives, Alan says all the characters are within us -- forces of goodness and negativity.
Ramya: That is the interpretation at the subtle level.
srini_sadhu: There are three episodes in the Chandi
srini_sadhu: In the first Episode, Divine Mother wakes up Lord Vishnu and helps Him conquer Madhu and Kaitaba
srini_sadhu: Madhu is Too Much and Kaitaba is Too Little
Ramya: The second episode -- Divine Mother vanquished Mahishasura (that is the name of the Demon). Swamiji translates Mahishasura as the Great Ego.
srini_sadhu: And the armies of the Great Ego as well!
Ramya: In this episode the Great Ego takes over the heavens - same as when we are filled with Ego we lose our "heaven
Ramya: our "heaven" - our "peace".
Ram Prasana: Why is Madhu Too Much and Kaitabha Too Little... and not the other way round? Any significance there?
Ram Prasana: Madhu was elder to Kaitabha?
srini_sadhu: This is a question about the root meaning of these Sanskrit words
srini_sadhu: I would have to ask Swamiji these questions
Ram Prasana: ok
srini_sadhu: In the third Episode, the Divine Mother destroys the armies of Sumbha (self conceit) and Nishumbha (self deprecation)
srini_sadhu: Among others She destroys Chanda (Anger) Munda (passion), Raktabija (seed of desire) and Dhoomralochana (sinful eyes)
Ramya: Summary - First episode we are swinging from "Too much" or "Too little" -- we have no balance in our life - we want balance - We pray to Mother
Ramya: Second episode - Great Ego is troubling us - fickleness, want of resolution, wander too and fro - we have no peace -- We pray to Mother
Ramya: Third Episode - Sometimes we feel "Self Conceit" and sometime "deprecation" Anger, passion, endless desire taunts us -- what can we do? We pray to Mother
Ramya: So as Alan said - all the characters are within us -- And Mother is within us too!!!
srini_sadhu: Would you like to share your thoughts about these episodes?
kaliananda_saraswati: Episode one to me shows how to contol the lower chakras. It also seems that until these lower chakras are still, we cannot really go on successfully.
Ram Prasana: Can u explain that Kaliananda?
kaliananda_saraswati: in the final verses
kaliananda_saraswati: of this chap, we see where the only place that these asuras can be defeated
kaliananda_saraswati: is a place where there is no desire
srini_sadhu: Swamiji yesterday at the Fire was saying that the lower chakras correspond to The Pashu or animal, the middle to the Sadhaka or Veera in us and the higher to the Deva or God in us
Ram Prasana: Ok
kaliananda_saraswati: the place of no desire was in the lap of consciousness
kaliananda_saraswati: this is where our animalistic desires are, the base chakras
henny_v_i: That's interesting, because the asura's threatened to kill Creative Consciousness. So it seems that we need balance and non-desire to become co-creators
srini_sadhu: Thanks Kali - that's interesting!
kaliananda_saraswati: desires but pure desires not the animalistic kinds that keep us dependent.
henny_v_i: yes, right, thank you
Ram Prasana: thanks!
kaliananda_saraswati: Jai Maa
Ramya: Maa says that in each chapter we can pray to Goddess to put away the negativities within us -- just as She is doing in the Chandi Path Recitation.
srini_sadhu: Let us share are experience with chanting the Chandi Path and how it has changed our lives
Ramya: So as we are reading each chapter - we feel that we are being cleansed within
srini_sadhu: We can then discuss the meaning of certain verses and what Maa and Swamiji say
srini_sadhu: What motivated you to chant the Chandi?
Alan: Seeing Shree Maa and Swamiji chant it.
kaliananda_saraswati: Swamiji's inspiration and love for Shree Maa. She says the Chandi is Her life and though I do not chant is often I enjoying doing so and especially Ep 2 and Chap 5
srini_sadhu: Me too Alan!
Ramya: Me too Alan!
srini_sadhu: The most tangible benefit for me is that I am now able to sit for longer without moving
Alan: five minutes more every month.
Ram Prasana: I am beginning to start the chanting of Chandi... just got through Kavacham, Argala and Keelakam...
srini_sadhu: Chanting everyday also has inspired me to memorize the verses and learn their meaning
Ram Prasana: Want to chant because of love for the Divine Mother
Ramya: Prasanna - Swamiji says that to get started - we can begin with Armor, Bolt, Pin
Ramya: Then we can add Sidha Kunjika Stotram, Devi Suktam
Ramya: And then Highest Meaning of the Goddess
Ramya: If we chant even just a few verses everyday, it becomes a beautiful part of us - our prayer to Divine Mother
kaliananda_saraswati: Srini, if one has taken sankalpa to chant say the Devi Gita for x-amount of time and due to life situation cannot chant the chandi along with the Gita can the sankalpa be changed in mid stream or does the cycle need to be completed?
srini_sadhu: I would say, we try our best. If we can’t, we pray for strength to complete. She is Patient Forgiveness. Main thing I try to do is whenever I am able to try to remember Her.
kaliananda_saraswati: I do that too but feel kind of guilty that i should be doing more
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says, Acknowledge, Reflect, Appreciate, and Forget
Alan: In the edition of Chandi Path I have, chapter 1 starts on page 119. Is the material before that, such as Bolt, Pin, etc., also from the Markandeya Purana? What is the relationship between those front parts and the 13 chapters of the Chandi proper?
srini_sadhu: Not all Alan. For example, the Ratri Suktham is a Hymn from the Rig Veda
Alan: If we chant Ratri Suktham by itself, are we still doing Chandi Path?
Ram Prasana: Srini, can u also explain Acknowledge, Reflect, Appreciate, and Forget with an example?
Ramya: The entire Chandi Path is a commentary on the Ratri Suktam and Devi Suktam.
srini_sadhu: You make a Mistake
srini_sadhu: You acknowledge that you made the mistake
srini_sadhu: You reflect on why you did
srini_sadhu: Then Appreciate and thank God that he gave you the wisdom
srini_sadhu: Then Move on
kaliananda_saraswati: Thanks for reminding of those words.
Ram Prasana: Thanks Srini.
Ramya: Alan - we can chant either parts of the Chandi Path book (e.g., kavach, Bolt, Pin) or a version called Seedha Path or the Entire Book - cover to cover.
srini_sadhu: The 700 verses are from the Markandeya Purana.
srini_sadhu: Alan my guess has time went on, various sadhus and saints composed the Kavach, Argala Stotram and they became a part of the tradition
henny_v_i: Do we have to do the full kushandika as in the book, or would it be ok to offer a light and a flower if we are pressed for time and then chant for instance the sapta shloki durga, as a kind of preparation for chanting the Chandi more regularly?
srini_sadhu: These - Armor, Bolt, etc. - prepare the devotee to chant the Chandi path, set the stage
Alan: When do we add "svaha" at the end of each verse, and when do we not add that? Does it have to do with sitting in front of the fire?
Ramya: Henny - my understanding is that when are students and learning, we can do parts - based on our time and capability. As time goes on, God will help us expand!
henny_v_i: Thank you
srini_sadhu: We do not add Swaha for the following alone: Kushandika, Kavach, Argala, and Kilakam and all the Dhyanams and the Navarna Vidhi. For everything else we add Swaha
Ramya: For example, Henny, we once did a group sankalpa in the Yahoo club, to chant one chapter every day for a week - that really helped me to get familiar with each chapter and later do all of them together.
srini_sadhu: In general we add Swaha when offering masala at the fire. If we are not at the fire, we do not add Swaha
henny_v_i: Yes, I remember! That was a great help!
srini_sadhu: In the Vaikrtikam Rahasyam, it says that if we chant anything , we should chant episode 2
srini_sadhu: That is chapter 2, 3, 4.
srini_sadhu: Is it OK so far?
Alan: It's a big topic for one hour.
kaliananda_saraswati: Yes, this is great
srini_sadhu: Yeah!
srini_sadhu: I have a question
Ram Prasana: yes
srini_sadhu: Can we ever defeat the Ego?
srini_sadhu: If so how?
Ram Prasana: With Grace, it is certainly possible...
kaliananda_saraswati: the big topic will make us into sadhu we well have to spend time going over thereafter and taking in what was said.
kaliananda_saraswati: then we will be come kali_sadu; henny_sadu
henny_v_i: the Ego: We can't annihilate him, but he can be taken up to heaven, where our Divine Mother sits
srini_sadhu: The Great Ego won the boon from Brahma that he can never be defeated by a human being or a God
Ram Prasana: Grace can be earned through tapasya... meditation, satsang, chanting, good actions, good thoughts etc, patience and most importantly faith (Shradha and Saburi..as Shirdi Sai taught)...
srini_sadhu: Which is why the escape clause was that He could be defeated by Divine Mother
srini_sadhu: Swamiji says, we cannot defeat the Ego, we can do only two things:
Ram Prasana: vow... that’s interesting!
srini_sadhu: Sit in one asan and Chant the Chandi
srini_sadhu: and 2. Pray to Her to awaken inside us and defeat the Great Ego
Ramya: We say to Mother "i cannot control my thoughts, my mind, my ego...i can only sit here and pray to You."
srini_sadhu: If She wills it will happen
Ramya: "I am your child, i am sitting still and calling to You. Please You take care."
Ramya: Maa said once -- Where will you find peace - in this world? In heaven? You can find in the Chandi. Chant it and give everything to Divine Mother. Find peace.
srini_sadhu: Shree Maa tells us that for each Chapter pray to Divine Mother to destroy the particular negativity of the chapter
Ramya: The Chandi Path is a very powerful tool for our personal transformation.
Ramya: Does this make sense?
Ramya: Julia, MVR?
srini_sadhu: Could we discuss a few special verses
judought: yes, yes, thank you, i'm listening--also, between messages, reading swamiji's answers to frequently asked questions.
Ram Prasana: go ahead
srini_sadhu: Chapter 1, Verse 6: Good Thoughts moved against the Destroyers of Worship in battle
srini_sadhu: and even though they were fewer in numbers, nevertheless Good thoughts were destroyed
srini_sadhu: What does this mean?
henny_v_i: You cannot conquer thinking by thinking
Ramya: In this verse we see that the King Surath (Good Thoughts) is defeated by his enemies (Destroyers of Wisdom) -- even though they were fewer in number.
Ramya: Thanks Henny, that is a very neat way to think about it!
henny_v_i:
kaliananda_saraswati: The impure thoughts are so commited to their cause that they neve give up, the moment we are caught napping they take control.
Ramya: Yes, Kali, sad but true!
srini_sadhu: A Sadhak has to be very careful. Maa says that if you have even one selfish desire you cant reach God. She told us this a few times
Alan: Uh oh.
Ramya: So no napping-on-the-job!
srini_sadhu: Hey no worries, we have Divine Mother on our side.
srini_sadhu: Here's another verse
judought: i just figure warts and all i give to her & tell her i love her
srini_sadhu: Chapter 8, Verse 41: When a drop of blood from his body touches the ground, another great thought with the same intensity is born in that very place
Ramya: Exactly Julia - She is our own and we are Hers!
srini_sadhu: This refers to Raktabija, the seed of Desire
srini_sadhu: Discussion?
Ramya: When a drop of blood from the seed of Desire falls on the ground - another desire of the same intensity develops.
kaliananda_saraswati: they are never contented.
Ram Prasana: Is it possible to completely annihilate desire?
srini_sadhu: If we had no desire, I would think we would have no body.
srini_sadhu: The existence of a body indicates we have desires
Ramya: We offer our desires at Mother's Feet and let Mother Kali eat them all up - just as She does in this chapter!
Ramya: By ourselves, we cannot annihilate them - as they come each time with same intensity. Only Mother can absorb them - and fill us with peace and love!
srini_sadhu: Prasana, desires are uncountable. We can do is make an inventory of some of them and combine our determination and prayers to become more pure
Ram Prasana: so we have to keep desires in control or is it necessary to get rid of them?
srini_sadhu: This is a good question.
henny_v_i: Perhaps we need to channel them into another direction; desires fuelled by Passion and Anger becoming dissolved into Pure Desire for God?
srini_sadhu: Fulfilling a desire will cause it to continue. We identify our impure desires and use different methods to "annihilate' them to the extent we are capable.
Ramya: Exactly, Henny - and the spiritual practices help us to do this!
srini_sadhu: Very nice Henny. Sri Ramakrishna says the same thing
Ramya: Chanting the Chandi helps us to offer our troubles, our thoughts and desires to Mother and help us to be open to Her love and grace in our lives.
henny_v_i: I have been reading him a lot
srini_sadhu: Instead of worrying about desires, we try to organize our life in such a way that we spend more time in siddhanatachar
srini_sadhu: Chanting the Chandi is one powerful tool in that direction
mvr6482: Is it possible (humanly) to realize God in one incarnation, if we follow all the virtues very strictly and remove all the negativities very thoroughly?
srini_sadhu: Then the desires will fall away.
Ram Prasana: everything is divine... all be it ego or desire come from Brahman. Then where is the need to get rid of them... may be they should be under control. Is my understanding OK?
kaliananda_saraswati: i think you are right
srini_sadhu: This will be along discussion Prasana, lets discuss this on the yahoo club - very good question
Ram Prasana: sure thanks
srini_sadhu: MVR, those are good steps, I humbly agree. But it depends on God's grace ultimately
srini_sadhu: Should we wind up?
srini_sadhu: Final Thoughts?
Ramya: If we have more questions on Chandi or chanting we can ask Swamiji on the yahoo club.
judought: thank you. May we grow in our love...
henny_v_i: Pranams to you all for a very interesting class! This is great, thank you Srini and Ramya for all your seva. See you next week.
Alan: Yes, thanks you.
Ramya: Thanks everybody! Namaste!
kaliananda_saraswati: this has been a wonderful class. Thank you.
Ram Prasana: Thanks!
srini_sadhu: Thank you all!
Ramya: Jai Maa!
mvr6482: I have heard the stories when I ws very young but the inner meanings unfold now. Thanks all. Namaste to all the divine souls in this class and my pranams to swamiji and Maa
Ram Prasana: Jai Maa
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 14:06.
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 08:06.
~~OM~~
Swamiji has begun a class on the Cosmic Puja every evening at 6:30 PM Pacific Standard Time. You can tune in to the live webcast by clicking on Online Podcasts - Devi Mandir Broadcasts, or click on the link below to view the archived classes:
Cosmic Puja Classes
You can see the world clock on the Broadcast page to find out what time the class will start in your area.
Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2006-09-21 07:54.
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