Durga

~~OM~~

    Dhyanam to Durga

  1. In the Dhyanam to Durga in the Durga Puja, in the twelfth sloka, Chanda appears to be translated both as passion and as fear as in "The Terrible Slayer of Passion" and "She Who Tears Apart Fear", respectively. How can we understand this more deeply?

    Passion, fear, desire - these are all inseparably connected. Whatever we are passionate about, we desire. When we desire, there is a fear that our desire will not be fulfilled. They all work together.

    2. Nine Durgas

  2. My understanding is that the nine Durga, from Goddess of Inspiration (Shailaputri) to the Goddess Who Grants Perfection (Siddhidaatri), are the divine processes of our Selves as we approach God through our prayer and sadhana. Is this true? Also, are the nine Durgas a cycle, through which we spiral through again and again on our eternal journey?

    They are a process. They are a cycle, but they are also the Goddesses who take us along the path. There is actually a Goddess who has become embodied as Inspiration. You can feel Her blessings every time we get excited about something. Their definitions will continue to expand as we move deeper and deeper into the experience.

  3. The incarnations Varaha and Narasimha of Vishnu are similar to the names of Shakti (Varahi and Narasimhi). Are they one and the same relating to the stories of Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyap respectively? How do they relate?

    They are male and female counterparts of the avatars. They work in much the same way.

    4. Durga Mantra

  4. I have no Guru at present and am following the outlines of both Durga and Shiva puja. As far as mantras go, since Durga is a primary focus for me, should I continue to use Her mantra?

    Yes, Durga's mantra is extremely pure and extremely powerful. Use Her mantra for meditation and worship. She will make you into a disciple, and then you will know who your Guru is.

    5. Lalita Sahasranama

  5. Can we recite Lalita Sahasranama before the altar of Durga?

    Absolutely. There is no scripture that the Gods and Goddesses do not like to hear!

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Submitted by webdev on Sat, 2006-02-04 13:59.