~~OM~~

Straight Spine

1. All the Masters say that when we sit, we should keep our spine erect. But I can't see my spine. How do I figure out if it is straight?

   You know when your spine is straight when you are paying attention with complete focus.

Swastikasan and Siddhasan

2. I thought Siddhasan and Swastikasan were one and the same, but per the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asana they are different. Can you please let me know if it is Siddhasan or Swastikasan that you recommend as the preferred pose?

   Some of the asanas in this link have different names from those of the tradition that I studied. According to this link, the Svastik and Siddha asanas differ only in so far as which leg is placed on top. We never made such a distinction, but we always placed the right leg on top, so that would be the Siddhasana according to this nomenclature. Also the poses depicted here for the Virasana and Vajrasana are different from what is described in the Devi Gita.

Proper Asan

3. Would you discuss with us your online devotees the proper way to sit in meditation, in puja, etc. -- the asans you favor for both brief and longer meditations and would you address the requirements in your method for relative physical stillness? Is that an aspect that is important, or does one let the focus naturally draw one into the increasing stillness?

   Our tradition emphasizes that every movement of the body is a reflection of the movement of the mind. Therefore, in order to hold the mind still, we must hold the body still. We teach the swastik asana as the asana of our preference. There are two choices: the padma or the swastik. Choose one, and expand the duration of your sitting peacefully.

Sadhana on a bed

4. My question is, for someone who is ill, do you feel it is okay to do chanting, propped up at an angle in bed?

   Being propped up in bed is an excellent place and position in which to recite Chandi. She understands our limitations, and I'm sure She appreciates our every effort to overcome those limitations.

Different Kinds of Asans

5. Verse 138 of the Guru Gita refers to different types of asanas and their effects. Verse 139 states the kusha (or durva too) mat should be covered by a white blanket. Is it ok to just sit on a kusha grass mat or do we need to put a white blanket on the grass, and is this only while doing an ordinary puja or only for Guru Gita recitation? What is relevance of a sheepskin used in the Devi Mandir tradition?

   The sheepskin is white wool. It is ok to sit on the kusha asana, but it will quickly become uncomfortable. You can put a blanket under it or a different asana on top.

6. In your experience, is there a most superior type of asana seat/rug/skin, such as tiger skin, lion skin, deer skin, sheep skin, etc or are certain types more appropriate for certain types of sadhanas/tapas? Is there a best color for these skins as well? Does the skin have to be new and unused to be good and appropriate, or will it become purified and charged over time? Is there a ritual to cleanse and charge it initially?

   In the Guru Gita there are different types of asans listed for different types of sadhana. All siddhis can be attained using a white woolen blanket. The use of other skins, especially endangered species, comes from a different time and a different circumstance. A skin previously used for another purpose can become purified by the intention and the intense and prolonged sadhana of an experienced sadhu. The mantras for purification are included in the Advanced Shiva Puja Book: asanasya ...

~~OM~~

Puja Offerings

1. What is the difference between an oblation and an offering?

   Generally, oblations are made to the fire, while offerings can be made at any time, with or without a deity.

2. I am doing the Beginner Shiva Puja. If and when I feel like - can I do puja just with incense and lights and without all the other materials? Is it considered inauspicious not performing the puja in the prescribed way and consequently better not perform it at all?

   The best thing is to use whatever materials you have immediately available, and take the rest from the garden of your heart. Any Puja that you offer to God will surely bear fruit.

3. Can we offer whole rice, whole food, or we must only offer white rice to the deity during puja?

   Whole uncooked food is acceptable. But you will want to cook the offering before you eat it, so you would offer it again at that time.

4. Can we offer brown rice instead of white rice during puja, especially when we offer akshata?

   The actual meaning of akshata is "whole grains". So brown rice will be fine.

5. What does one offer as Arghya?

   Start with a small piece of cloth, usually red -- approximately 4-5 inches square, fold it, and then place one flower with a small stem, like a rose; sprinkle into the cloth rice, black sesame seeds, sandal powder, kumkum and/or sindur, some tulasi, and fragrant scent, then wrap it and tie with a ribbon or string, with the flower sticking out the top. You can also put other greens, grasses, or flowers with it. Think of it as a corsage of sorts.

6. Swamiji, I understand that when you offer baths to the murti, you do not necessarily give individual liquid baths to the image, but use the individual mantras to add the individual items to a cup (ghee, milk, honey, etc) and then mix them using the panchamrit mantra, and then conceive that the murti has been bathed with it. You also state that the rudraksh and flower are placed on the altar and then sindoor is offered on the flower, but I offer all these things on the murti itself. Is that the right way? How do you offer chandan, sindoor and turmeric? I offer it as a Tilak on the forehead of the murti of the deity, is that right?

There is no wrong way to show your love to God.

Yes, these procedures are correct. Some people have pictures, photos, or other murtis which do not lend themselves to direct application. If you can apply your offerings directly to the murti while sitting in one asana, this is best.

7. What is the significance of the conch shell in the visesharghya (the conch shell offering)?

   It's in the story of Shankha and Tulasi. You can find it in the book Swami Purana.

8. You present all the offerings to a flower on the altar. Does that mean that the flower represents the deity and that all offerings are presented to it directly? How do you make offerings to the Lingam and other deities?

   The liquid offerings are poured into a small bowl in front of the lingam or yantra. All other powders are applied to the flower upon the yantra.

9. What kind of food should not be offered to the Goddess? Is it true that one should only offer sattvic food? Yet, meat is sometimes offered with Kali worship. Can you please advise what should not be offered when cooking at home?

   Whatever you take should be offered to the Goddess first. So the question is, what should you not take? Each one of us has our own definitions about what is or is not appropriate. But if it is good enough for us, it is good enough for God.

10. Is it true that a negative effect is created when offerings are not made?

    When we don't offer, it may be understood that we seek to hoard for our own selfish enjoyment. That creates a negative effect.

11. I find that the Ghee gets hard again after melting it first. So it doesn't really mix into the panchamrit. What do I do?

    In the panchamrit just use a very small amount of ghee. You can rub it against the side of your container when you put it in, and mix it thoroughly before serving.

12. I would like to use a beautiful piece of sari fabric that was worn by my guru as an offering to my deity during puja. Would this be a bad offering, even though the person who had previously worn the fabric is a saint?

    No, it is a fine offering. If you consider it a holy offering, it is pure by your intention.

13. In the Advanced Shiva puja, we offer a sacred thread. The translation of the mantra for this offering is: 'Om the sacred thread of the highest purity is given by Prajapati, the Lord of Creation, for the greatest facility'. What does 'the greatest facility' refer to?

    The greatest facility is for remembering and performing. It is given by Brahma, the Lord of creation, because He established all forms of worship.

14. When we do a beginner Shiva/Durga puja, since we don't perform the visesharghya can we omit offering the conch during arati? Can people doing the beginner puja just offer incense/lights/camphor and flower?

    As there are many ways of offering puja, so there are many ways of offering arati. There is panchopachar puja (five items), dasopachar (ten items), shorasopachar (sixteen items) and rajopachar (many more than sixteen).

    The important ingredient is bhakti.

Mudra

15. I use Mudras as part of my daily worship. I am not entirely sure of their significance or meaning.

    Mudras are symbolic gestures that demonstrate a specific attitude of respect, according to the various meanings found in the ceremonies of worship. Every time the fingers assume the appropriate positions, the mind automatically conceives the corresponding attitude. Therefore, mudras are an effective technique to bring the mind to a state of harmony.

16. I would like to know more about the Khechari Mudra. Can you please let me know the benefit of doing this mudra?

    Rising above our worldly attachments.

17. Is this benefit for advanced practitioners only? Will everyone (beginners to advanced alike) benefit from using the mudra during meditation.

    All of us strive to attain it. Let us all rise above our worldly attachments and look down on selfishness through divine perspective.

18. Can you please tell us something about the Upasamhara Mudra? It looks like a mudra of blessing, and also like a mudra which says "I surrender".

    It actually means a combination of both, plus one added ingredient. Samhara here is used is the sense of unite in oneness, and upa means near. We are calling the deities to assemble and unite near me in oneness.

19. Is the Mrga mudra the one that is described in the Shiva dhyanam? Is it characteristic for the Consciousness of Infinite Goodness? Could it be an expression of the state of consciousness Shree Ramakrishna was in at the time?

    Yes. Yes. Yes.

20. In page 20 of the Shiva Puja for Beginners there is the following: "Roll hand over hand forwards while reciting karatala kara, and backwards while chanting prishthabyam, then clap hands when chanting astraya phat. What is the purpose of the above procedure?

    With the mantra we purify our hands, both front and back. That means that every action we perform is done with pure intention, pure objectives, pure instruments, and pure results.

21. What is the definition of Karatala, kara, prishthabyam, and astraya?

    Karatala - palms of the hands

    Kara - hands

    Prishthabyam - back sides

    Astraya - weapon of

    Phat - purity

22. How are the hands to be rolled? Is there any picture that can help in seeing this?

    1. Fold your arms in front of your chest - left hand closer to your body.
    2. Keep a space between your hands and your chest for movement of the hands.
    3. When you say "karatala kara" - roll your hands clockwise around each other
    4. When you say prshtabhyam, - roll your hands counter-clockwise around each other
    5. And then astraya - roll your hands clockwise once more
    6. With phat - clap your hands.

23. As far as the mudra is concerned, does that mean that the body influences the mind?

    Watch and hear Swamiji's answer by clicking on this icon: .

Murti

24. Is it proper to repaint a murti and if so is there a principle to be followed?

    Yes. Make puja first before you start. After painting make a new prana pratishta.

25. I recently got a murti of Goddess Bhagavati from Nepal. Can you please tell a little about this Goddess?

    Bhagavati is a generic term for Supreme Goddess, just like Bhagavan means Supreme Divinity. She can be worshipped with any of the Devi mantras or with Hrim Bhagavatyai Namah.

Purification

26. When you do the arati, you sprinkle some water over the light holder and camphor holder. Can you please explain the significance behind this?

    We purify the fire, just as we do when we enkindle the divine fire.

27. What is the significance of additional purification mantra ,"ete gandhapuspe hung", used in the vishesha arghya (conch shell) offering? Is it related to the mantra "hum" in the Chandi Path?

    Hum is called astra mantra, because it is the weapon for cutting down the ego. It is the mantra that makes this arghya vishesha (special). An arghya is an offering depicting our devotion, and this one is special because it is blessed with the special-ness of containing the weapon that cuts down the ego.

Puja to Saints and Masters

28. I would really like to focus my worship on Ramakrishna, do you have any suggestions?

    Perform the Beginner's Shiva Puja, and then substitute "Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramakrishnaya Namah" for "Om Namah Shivaya"

29. Can I do puja to Nityananda Avadhuta in the manner that you have mentioned for Sri Ramakrishna?

    Yes, you surely can.

30. I have a Shiva Lingam. I perform Shiva Puja on this Lingam every day. But My Ishta is Sri Ramakrishna. So can I perform Ramakrishna Puja on this Lingam? With Shiva Mantra or Ramakrishna Mantra?

    With both mantras. All of the deities are present in the Shiva Lingam. You can worship them all by offering to the lingam.

Puja Experiences

31. I offer coconut during my puja to Durga and Shiva. Since July of last year, something interesting happens halfway through the puja. The coconut breaks into half by itself, with a loud sound. Is this an auspicious sign? What does it mean?

    She loves your puja!

32. I have a Crystal Lingam in the Temple. Yesterday after Darshan and Aarti, I saw a pair of eyes looking at me from the Lingam. It is still there. It seems to be growing bigger. What do I do?

Look back! And worship again!

Prana Pratishta

33. What does it mean to give life to a deity?

    The process of giving life to the deity is called Prana Pratishtha. It means breathing your soul into the deity so that the deity becomes a reflection of a living God or Goddess. It is performed through a specific set of mantras and kriyas.

34. Can we do Prana Pratishta on a picture, not necessarily on a murti? I worship a lingam, should I do Prana Pratishta everyday after doing the "bath offerings". Can the lingam/or object that has had Prana Pratishta done to it be moved/bathed?

    Yes, we can perform prana pratishta on a picture, a pot, a yantra, in the fire, on a flower, or wherever we want to establish divinity.

    After prana pratishta has been performed, some divine objects should have visarjana performed before moving them. That means withdrawing the prana. If you move the Shiva Lingam every morning to bathe it, then replace it, perform prana pratishtha, and then in the night perform visarjana. That would be a complete paddhoti.

35. What is the meaning and reason for having and establishing a Kailash?

    Please listen to the full class on prana pratishtha in either the Shiva Puja or Cosmic Puja. In short, the kailash or pot is the container of all the bhava, all the devotion, all the consciousness, we wish to give to the deity. We fill the pot with all the goodness from the samsara, even give up our negativities, and then close it with a coconut, enliven it with prana pratishtha, and worship it as the embodiment of divinity. This practice will train us to see all that we choose as the embodiment of God.

36. Why is Prana Pratishta left out of the Beginner Siva Puja?

    Just to keep it simple.

37. Thinking of the five components of puja (preparation, purification, invitation, offering, union), would Prana Pratishta be considered part of invitation? Is the beginner Shiva Puja a complete puja because, even without Prana Pratishtha, it does include all five components?

    Yes, yes. Excellent!

38. After removing the pot, what is the proper way to "dispose" of the fruit (coconut)?

    Share it as prasad and eat!

39. Does one perform "establishment within" before the prana pratishtha, for the Kali puja, as it is in the Shiva advanced? What about "establishment on the altar" which is also not in the Kali puja text?

    Yes, or one could perform the entire Cosmic Puja, and make establishment of Kali as the main deity.

40. Can we establish divinity on more than one thing in our home?

    Yes, everything is divine.

41. If we establish divinity on a flower, what do we do when the flower dies? Is it ok to throw it away or is there a special way to do that?

    Use the Visarjana Mudra and mantras to pick up the flower, remove the divinity and put it back into your heart, and then put the flower in a river or at the foot of a tree.

42. When we perform prana pratishtha and establishment within, we are establishing Shiva in the heart chakra and enlivening His presence. If Shiva is the same as the Atman, and the Atman is already possessed of this relationship with us, what then is happening when we perform this ritual? What is the effect of this ritual on the subtle and causal levels? What is the difference between the consciousness of Shiva and the Atman?

    There is no difference between consciousness of Shiva and the Atman. Through Prana Pratishta we remember.

    The Atman is said to be the same as Brahman. It is also said there is no difference between Shiva and the Absolute. The Atman is said to share every aspect of our lives, to observe everything, and yet remain unaffected. It is said to be very near. When we perform prana pratishta we establish Him within, and then affirm to Shiva (in this case) "you are the life of this life," "you are situated in this life," "you are all these organs [of action and knowledge)," and then, "you are all these vibrations, mind, sound, eyes, ears, tongue, nose, and life force."

Consumption of Prasad

43. I would like to know what you do with the prasad that is offered in prayers. I normally consume a portion and take the rest with flowers, etc. and release it in the river. Is it the right thing to do?

    Yes, but you should share it with any other devotees or family members present first, before sharing it with all living beings.

44. I understand that we consume the offerings (panch amrit) as prasad. My family is lactose intolerant and we cannot get lactose free products here in Australia. Is there another way to "dispose" respectfully of the offerings? Or is it okay for me to just offer honey and sugar as the five nectar bath?

    If you do not want the prasad, you can offer a few drops of water when you recite the mantra. Or you can offer what items are appropriate for your circumstance.

Visarjana

45. What happens when you do not perform Visarjana? Several years ago I was drawn to worship Maa Durga in a small silver idol I had. I could very strongly feel Mother manifest in that idol. I was unaware of sadhana or practices at that time so I only worshipped when I was moved to do so and gradually I kind of lost that connection. I still have this idol on my altar, along with another picture of Maa Durga. Before last Navaratri, I had a dream in which I saw that my altar was all cleaned and arranged for the puja, but that small silver idol was removed. Since then I am wondering if I should do a visarjana of that idol?

    We make visarjana to a physical presence. If we want to remove it from our minds, then we fill our minds with a new image.

46. For Christmas, I received a very beautiful statue of Lakshmi, whom I consider my Ishta Devata. Swamiji, you had kindly given me instructions for the establishment of life in my deity, and she occupies a lovely altar. We are in the process of making the best room in our house into a temple room. In a few weeks, I want to move my Lakshmi to this temple room. How do I do that? Do I need to somehow remove life and reestablish it? Her new altar is only about thirty feet from her current one. Can you please help advise?

    Yes, that is exactly the process. In The Shiva Advanced Book at the end of the homa, you will find Visarjana Mantras. Recite those mantras, and with Kshamasya, pick up a flower from in front of the deity and hold it to your heart. You have just removed the energy from the deity and put it into your heart, from where you can establish it again after you move her to her new location.

Altar Vastu and Altar Direction

47. I have a question about puja (or altar) vaastu. Most texts say to face East when you are doing puja, but they also say that the Deity should face East (which means we land up praying to the back of the deity!!). Can you please clarify which is the correct direction that the deity should face and the correct direction the devotee should face?

    The deity faces from the East. We never want to turn our back on the deity. The same for the north. Especially in the worship of Shiva and Shakti, the temple can be organized so that the worshipper faces north and the deity faces the worshipper.

48. In which cardinal address does the altar have to be guided?

    North or East.

49. In which cardinal address does the priest have to be guided during the yagña?

    The priest should face North or East.

50. I am trying to set up my Devi Puja in my room and want to know: should this Devi Puja be on the North Wall (facing South) or should it be on the South Wall, facing North?

    North wall facing south. You will face north.

51. What would be the most important items to include on an altar if one is in a space (such as a trailer) where there is no room to have a permanent altar set up at floor level?

    I recommend that you organize your worship in the most convenient and conducive manner possible, and then spending the least amount of time, energy and resources necessary to maintain that worship.

    It is my opinion that if you recite the mantra with love and devotion, the necessary articles and decorations will appear. If you spend more of your time trying to find the articles and organize the altar, then you will have less time to learn the mantras.

Yantra

52. I was wondering what a yantra was and what does it do?

    A yantra literally means a tool. It is actually a road map for our guided meditation. Each of the lines and angels represents a sign post along the journey to bring our awareness to God.

    When we follow the path that the rishis took, it becomes much easier for us to make the journey. They told us to study the map before we start the journey. Then it will be more efficient to travel by the right roads. Just like we make an itinerary before we take an unfamiliar journey. We study the map, read the directions, and then it is easy to go.

    In the center of the yantra is the bindu, the point where we are all One with God. On the outside of the yantra are four doors: dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Just as there are many alternative routes to any destination, so also we can take several different ways to unite with God. That is why there are many kinds of yantras, many different deities, many different flavors of religious experience.

53. I bought a brass Yantra for Lord Ganesh, but do not know how to use it. Can you please help?

    A yantra is a tool in focussing our attention, and therefore must be worshipped according to traditions of that yantra. Every yantra has an individual viddhi or specific set of mantras that are employed in its worship.

    The Yantra Gayatri is included in the Cosmic Puja, and that is common to all yantras. However, the meditation and description of the yantra, the different deities that sit in the various angles and lines of the yantra, are specific to each and every yantra.

    That is why we worship yantras according to our specific tradition, and learn a complete body of knowledge: the mula mantra, the various bijas, the nyasas, and the worship of the yantra for a specific deity.

    My recommendation in the absence of a Guru qualified to give you such instruction, is to read the Ganesh Atharvashisham from the Advanced Shiva Puja, and the accompanying mantras from the Ganesh Puja. Then offer sindhur, chandan, rice, etc. to the yantra.

54. I don't always have time to draw the Chandi Yantra, can I engrave it on a stainless steel plate or glass? Which material would be more auspicious?

    Our yantras are engraved on silver plates.

55. I recently happened to purchase a beautiful crystal Sri Yantra. I want to know the method of worship and mantra.

    Please read the Lalita Trishati in the book, Shree Maa - the Guru and the Goddess.

56. I was just reading the Shri Lalita Trishati strotram from the Guru Gita book and came across the description of Shri Chakra. Is the Shri Chakra Yantra the same as the Sarva Bhadra Mandal Yantra in the Shiva Puja book or does the Shri Chakra Yantra have more intricate triangular patterns?

    No, the Sarva Bhadra Mandal is particular to the Shree Chakra Yantra of Chandi also called as Chandi Shree Chakra Yantra. This is different for the Meru Shree Chakra Yantra which has thirty-six triangles.

57. In Sri Vidya is the yantra the primary medium for invocation and offering of puja articles?

    No. A yantra is a tool or a medium. Shri Vidya invokes many mediums, of which, the yantra is one.

58. I bought a Durga Yantra. Can you please let me know how I can use it to enhance my beginner Durga Puja? Are there any viddhis that I should observe?

    Read the yantra viddhis from the Cosmic Puja. They are quite advanced from the beginner puja. Substitute the Navarna mantra with Durga Navarna: om hrim shrim dum durgayai namah. The yantra puja will have to be changed because each yantra has a different definition.

59. Does a metal engraved yantra need to be placed in a certain cardinal direction while on the altar (lying flat on the altar surface), if so, what direction?

    It will face the worshipper. Since the worshipper is facing North or East, the yantra will face South or West.

60. Which is the historical origin of the yantras?

    They come from Vedas: mantra, yantra, and tantra are all included.

61. What is the name of the yantra of Devi Mandir?

    Chandi Shri Chakra.

62. Do we see the Chandi Shri Chakra on the Shree Maa site? Or is it like the one in Shiva Puja?

    It is the one in the Advanced Shiva book and the Cosmic Puja books.

63. What is the yantra to draw at one's asan?

    The triangle with the bindu at the center.

64. Swamiji, please explain the relation between a deity and a yantra of worship. Why do we at the temple worship with the Chandi Yantra?

    Watch and hear Swamiji's answer by clicking on this icon: .

Disposing of old articles of worship

65. How do we respectfully dispose of religious items that have become damaged or worn with constant use - such as Murtis, photos, Flowers, Scriptures, Garments worn by murti, Asan, ornaments.

    Murtis - in water

    Photos - in fire

    Flowers - in water or at the base of a tree

    Scriptures - No way to dispose of them

    Garments worn by murti - gift or trash

    Asan - gift or trash

    Ornaments - gift

Worship Restrictions for Women

66. Can I do Shiva Puja in the period of menstruation? In this time, can I recite Chandi Path?

    Yes. In ancient India the idea of women not making puja during the period of menstruation was because to make the puja meant also to chop the wood for the fire, to carry the water, to labor over a wood stove, and to perform various tasks of hard labor. In the joint family system, there were others to perform the hard work, and during the time of menstruation was a wonderful opportunity to be silent inside and still outside. Therefore it was recommended that women in their period sit in meditation, become one with their feminine nature, become silent and still.

    Today, with our nuclear family homes and modernized appliances, it is no longer the case that puja requires such strenuous activities. Therefore, all are entitled to perform worship all of the time.

Short Puja to Deity

67. Can you recommend a short Kali Puja when we can't do the whole Kali Puja book?

    You can easily adapt the Beginner's Durga Puja to Kali by substituting Kali's Mantra for Durga's, and changing the Dhyanams. Each deity has five personal ingredients that are their own:

    • A Gayatri mantra
    • A Dhyanam
    • A Bija mantra
    • A Stotram and
    • A Pranam

    If you know these five, you can make any puja

Puja for Welfare of Humanity

68. What do you say in your sankalpa when you are praying for humanity in general.

    Manav mangal artham - for the welfare of humanity

    Prithvi mangal artham - for the welfare of the earth

    There are as many ways to express it as we can dream.

Expanding our Puja

69. As we work through the various pujas (Shiva, Durga, Hanuman, ...), is the idea that we will add new deities to the altar (without replacing or removing existing deities) as we take up the practice of the new pujas?

    Correct. Pretty soon we will be worshipping all, wherever we go.

Order of Worship

70. All scriptures say Ganapathi is Pradhamapoojya. Sri Guru`s place is Brahmarandhra which is the place for Paramatma whereas Ganapathi`s place is mooladhara which is the place for jeevatma and worldly pleasures. Who is to be remembered first and who later? Which is the order when starting Japa?

    The first mantra of the puja is: Shriman Mahaganapataye Namah.

Rearranging One's altar

71. If you have two murtis, and you wanted only one on the altar, is it proper to remove prana from the other murti and place in a cupboard? Is it respectful or better to leave it on the altar?

    It would be better to leave it on the altar, and offer it pushpanjali or a minimum puja every day. You personally would not like to be locked up in a cupboard and forgotten.

Duration of Sankalpa

72. In the recitation of a sankalpa - where do we mention the duration [for one month, etc.] and what is the sanskrit equivalent?

    Towards the end of the sankalpa statement. Here is a sample:
    "... puja karmaham sahasra chandi patham (1,000 chandi Paths) or navratri vrat (the vow for 9 days), etc. karishye."

~~OM~~

When Sati Devi left her body, Shiva became an ascetic. He just spent all His time in meditation. And at that time a great asura named Tarakasura, the illuminator of duality, did tremendous austerities and Brahma came to him and said, "What do you want?" He said, "I want to be immortal."

Brahma said, "That's impossible, no one is immortal, whatever comes in to manifestation must go out of manifestation, Srishti Sthiti Laya, there is a cyclical transformation of energy. Nothing is permanent, choose another boon."

So Tarakasura, this illuminator of duality, he said, "If my death has to occur, I want to be slain only by the son of Shiva." Brahma said, "Why would you want a boon like that?" And Tarakasura said, "Well Shiva doesn't have a wife, and he spends all his time in meditation, and it doesn't look like he's going to have an opportunity to get a wife. And if he doesn't have a wife, what question is there of his having a son, so therefore I will become immortal."

And Brahma said, "Tatastu, I give you the boon, immediately, without hesitation.”

And Tarakasura became the ruler of the three worlds, he conquered the entire earth, made everyone on the earth a servant of the illuminator of duality. He marched up to heaven, and he threw all the Gods out of heaven. And the Gods were extremely depressed, "We lost our divinity and now we have to wander around the earth like human beings, yeck, that's awful."

So then the Gods devised a plan, we've got to find a way to make Sati Devi come back in to her body. And they all went to the Himalayas, actually they really went to the Devi Mandir. They went to the Devi Mandir and they began to chant, and they began to practice meditation, and perform austerities, and they enkindled the Divine Fire, and they started a Yagya. And they all sat around the Yagya Fire and they chanted the mantras and made offerings.

And finally the Divine Mother was pleased. And she said, "What do you want?" And the Gods said, we all said, "Hey Mom, Shiva is sitting there like there is no tomorrow, all He does is meditate. He has no responsibility whatsoever. And He will not get motivated until you come back into your body. So we’re going to request you, please Maa, manifest in a form and marry Shiva. And give us the son that's going to lead the armies of the Devas to victory. Only the son of Shiva can conquer Tarakasura."

Maa said, "Tatastu, I give you the boon. And I will come into a body in the home of Himalaya, because Himalaya has been worshipping me with one pointed attention, in fact He doesn't move. There is no one as steady and as solid as the Himalayas. He just sits there making japa, yuga after yuga after yuga. I'm going to become Shailaputri, the daughter of the mountain, the Goddess of inspiration. And I will perform tapasya, and if Shiva will have me, I'll marry Shiva."

And the Gods were filled with extreme joy. And then they waited for the birth of Parvati, the daughter of the Parvat.

~~OM~~

I want to tell you a story, if you don't mind. There were three robbers, three thieves, who came upon a man in a lonely place in the forest. And the first thief said, "This guy is of no use for us, let's kill him and take all his stuff." And the second robber said, "There's no need to kill him, lets just tie him up, bind him tightly, throw him in a ditch and take all his stuff."

And that's what they did. They threw him in the ditch, they tied him all up, they bound him, they stole all his goods and possessions and they made off.

The third thief walked down the path some way, and he started to feel very much remorseful. He started to think, “that poor guy is lying in a ditch all battered and bruised and bound, let me go back and help him.” And that’s what he did, he went to find the victim, and he attended to his wounds, and he unbound him. And he put him on his own horse and led him out of the forest towards his own village.

And the victim said to him, "You have been so kind to me, please come to my village and come to my house, and let me demonstrate my appreciation to you." And the thief said to him, "I can't go to your village." "Why not?" "Well, the police are going to ask me why I was with the robbers in the first place." And he disappeared. He ran away.

Now the first thief was tama guna. He says, "This guy is of no use for us, let's just kill him." The second thief was raja guna. He said, "No need to kill him, just tie him all up, bind him securely, throw him in the samsara, in the ocean of worldliness, where he will have all kinds of miseries." The third thief was sattva. He says, "No, let me attend to your wounds, let me free you, let me show you the way to go home. But, I can't go into your village. I can't go to your house because I too am a thief."

Sattva only shows the way to go home, he can't go home with you. Sattva still binds you to the world in activity. To go into the house you have to be nirguna, without any quality. Not trying to do good, not trying to do evil, not trying to do anything. You become nirguna, and then you can go home.