Question:
Could Shree Maa/Swamiji suggest any exercises, breathing exercises, mantras to aide with some of the unusual symptoms of awakening.
Swamiji says:
Deep, rhythmic pranayam according to the 1-4-2 ratio will be very helpful. Continue to raise the energy up to the Ajna chakra.

Question:
I would like to know what we can do at home for Navaratri, especially if there are offerings we can make to Shree Maa.
Swamiji says:
The following link gives the special offerings to the Goddess -
http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/300 . You can offer all that you do to Shree Maa. Especially the food that you cook with mantra, offer with mantra. The other functions you perform can be accompanied by mantra. Picture her image in your mind, and conceive that you are doing for her.

Question:
Does the link http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/node/300 mean that we make 3 offerings - one for the month, one of the lunar day and one for the day of the week ?
Swamiji says:
Yes, this does mean 3 separate offerings.

Question:
I'm about halfway through performing the 16-week Santoshi Mata fast,and now am starting to get a little worried about how I will be able to get the udyapan performed to conclude the fast. I am supposed to feed eight boys with kheer and gram curry and be sure that none of them eats any sour food for the entire day.
I don't personally have any boys to invite/feed, and have no one among my family or friends who would understand or partake of this kind of thing. Does Swamiji have any suggestion on how to perform this udyapan? Is it possible to have this done at a temple in the US or India, or is there an alternative ceremony that I could do that doesn't involve feeding Brahmin boys (since I don't know any)?
Swamiji says:
Yes, you can perform this udyapan at a local temple. Call the priest and ask how he or she can help you organize the puja and what would be appropriate in their tradition.
If you choose, we could help organize the puja here.

Question:
I have a question about Santoshi Maa. Im confused as to whether she is a Devi conceived by the popular bollywood movie of the same title, or if there are historical references to Santoshi Maa before the movie. From what I had read, I had understood that the former was the correct assertion.
Swamiji says:
Santoshi Maa was a Goddess long before there were movies. The movie is a depiction of some of the main stories of her katha.

Question:
I was watching a program on Santoshi Maa and it was mentioned if one kept a fast for 8 continuous Saturdays, Santoshi Maa has never failed to give her devotees the desires of her heart. Could you please give me more information.
Swamiji says:
That is written in Her Katha, the story of Santoshi Maa. However, I don't think that it would be enforceable in a court of law. The devotee requires the right motivation, the right concentration, the right planning and execution. But it is written.

Question:
When is Navaratri celebrated ? Could you please let me know if there are six Navaratris and are they Varsha, Sharad, Shishir, Hemant, Vasant, Grishma?
Swamiji says:
Navaratri can be celebrated at any time. Most often it is observed from Pratipad to Navami or from Shashti to Purnima or Amavashya. There are four Navaratris which are special: Magh, Chaitra, Ashadh, and Ashvin. These correspond to winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Question:
Can you please suggest any guidelines for people wishing to observe the Navaratri fast in the same way that you do. (24 hours X 9 days. No water, no food)
Swamiji says:
Start off small and be content with small steps. Observe 24 hours with only water, then drink. Actually you will probably want salt more than water. Then try three days. And eat only fruits and water one time a day for the remainder of the nine days. Slowly you will extend it.

Question:
It is my understanding that no grains, or salty food is to be eaten during Navaratri. It is a symbolic giving up for the goddess. Are fruit and vegetables ok? To fast completely is for a greater tapas, and austerity. Is this correct?
Swamiji says:
The fasting gives forth a number of benefits. We suggest that everyone observe the vow according to their own capacity: the needs of the body, the activities in which the body must engage during the vow, etc. Some will give up grains and pulses, some will only take fruit and dairy, some will only take water: each according to his or her own capacity.

Question:
How do we count Navratri? Sundown to Sundown? Sunrise to Sunrise? Or Sunrise to Sundown?
Swamiji says:
We use a Panchanga, an almanac timed according to the phases of the moon.

Question:
Does one fast for 9 days during Navraatri without food, only water?
Swamiji says:
Some will fast on only water.

Question:
I would like to know is it possible to do homa of 108 names of Durga Ma from the Chandi Path for Navaratri?
Swamiji says:
Yes.

Question:
How do you observe Navaratri at the Mandir?
Swamiji says:
Mahalaya is the new moon before the Navaratri begins. We will perform the Cosmic Puja, complete Shraddha and Tarpana, and complete Chandi. The day after Mahalaya is the first day of Navaratri. Every day we will perform the Cosmic Puja, and complete Chandi. We will break the fast on the 8th night (ashtami).


Question:
What is the system that You and Shree Maa follow for prayers during Navratri?
Swamiji says:
We recite the entire Cosmic Puja and Chandi Path every day.


Question:
When during Navaratri do we worship Durga, when Lakshmi, and when Saraswati? What prayers are done during this period? Can Lalita Stotram also be recited?
Swamiji says:
We perform the entire Cosmic Puja every day. That includes Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasarasvati.
Lalita can also be recited, but Chandi Path is not to be neglected.

Question:
We have a protima of Maa Ashtadasabhuja Mahalakshmi Durga for which Puja is done every day. During Navaratri is it necessary or essential to do a Kumbha or Ghata sthapana in addition to this? Or can we do the Puja and all Upacharams to the protima?
Swamiji says:
Of what material is the murti constructed? If it is clay, you will want to make abhishek in a bowl in front of the deity. Or it may be too messy to pour your baths over the murti even if it is sculpted from marble. That is why we establish a yantra every day in front of the murti, and make all the abhishekams to the yantra.

Question:
I am from Orissa, Bhubaneswar. We have a Shri Banadurga Devi temple here. For Navaratri, the temple celebrates 16 days puja. Why do we celebrate 16 days puja in all Devi Temples?

Swamiji says:
This is a local tradition without scriptural reference. Ask the local priest as to the origins of this tradition.

I consider myself a devotee of Maa Kali and feel compelled to get tattoo a verse of Kali close to my heart. Is this ok?

Swamiji says: There is nothing in scripture prohibiting such an inscription, but it is not necessarily the best way to remember Her. There are many other things that we can do to demonstrate our love for Her.