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 ego”) 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