~~OM~~

Negative Thoughts

1. I need specific remedies or rituals to quickly deal with negative thoughts. Can you help me here, please?

   Chandi Maa is "She who Tears Apart Thought", and so recitation of the Chandi will help in overcoming one's negative thoughts. It says in the Kilakam that there is no mantra which will work without repeated application. Sing the Chandi. Shree Maa and I send our blessings.

Anxiety and Tamas

2. Should other words be used with the bija mantras "tam" and "sam" to decrease anxiety and tamas and increase satvic qualities? Will "Hrim" accomplish the same objective and more?

   We will want to design a sadhana in conjunction with the bija mantras, and that you should do in consultation with your guru. Until that specific sadhana does not evolve, this same objective can be accomplished with Hrim.

Discernment

3. Can you please tell us which mantra would be most helpful for increasing discernment? I am particularly concerned with making wise choices about which opportunities/activities will bring me closer to the goal.

   Be really specific about defining the goal, and you will find the criteria by which to decide which actions will bring you closer or not.

Bad Dreams

4. For the past one year I am experiencing really bad nightmares and dreams. Is there a Hindu God or a mantra that I can pray / chant before going to sleep to protect me from such nightmares?

   It is Nidra Devi who is the Goddess of Sleep, and Her prayer is in Chapter One of the Chandi Path, from Verses 70 - 87. In addition, all of Chapter 12 discusses removing bad dreams and changing them into good dreams.

Child's Teeth falling

5. Is there any custom that one can follow when a child's teeth drop (milk teeth) out.

   Just like the hair from the first haircut, we wrap them in mixed flour dough, and then submerge the entire contents in a river or in the ocean.

6. Why do we submerge these in a river or ocean?

   Our primary nature is returned to the ocean of existence, becoming one with the totality of nature

Mantras for honoring Deceased

7. My father is deceased; my mother is still living. In the Kushandika, can the verses beginning with "Om aditir dyaur" to "Om santih santih santih" be recited to keep my focus on the divinity within my parents? Is there any other thing you can think of that could be recited or prayed or practiced that would apply to honoring one's parents and ancestors, both living and deceased that would aid in "perfecting" our family ties?

   Those mantras are extremely effective. The entire Devi Gita is an offering to ancestors as well. May She bless you always.

Marjana, Anushthana, and Purascharana

8. What are tarpana and marjana, and how would they be performed? Can you please let us know the difference between Anushthana and Purascharana.

   Marjana is the cleaning of the deity.

   Anushthana is any sankalpa over a prolonged period of time.

   Purascharana is offering at the homa fire.

Remedy for pain

9. A friend of mine who is undergoing mental agony and harassment from his newly wedded wife and in-laws. Is there any remedy through mantras for this kind of affliction of life?

   Recite the Chandi Path.

Restless mind

10. My mind is very restless for the last couple of months and is causing me lot of agony. I have tried astrologers but in vain. All say that the bad spell is over, but I am still restless. How can I get rid of restlessness. Will Chandi Path help me and how? What is the source of Chandi Path available to me in India.

    Yes, Chandi Path will help you. It comes from Markandeya Purana. In India I recommend the Gita Press publication of Durga Saptashati. May She bless you always.

Tarpan Viddhi

11. The first of the Mantras downloaded from Swamiji's Tarpan Viddhi instructs that at the time of offering to ancestors we should remember 5 meritorious places of pilgrimage - Kuruksetra, Gaya, Ganga, Prabhasa and Puskara. Could You elaborate on this?

    These places are most special where the ancestral worship is performed. They are also indicative of the five senses. Worship with all of your capacity.

12. Could you please tell us a little more about the actual ceremony performed for the ancestors?

    Read the Tarpana mantras at the end of the Cosmic Puja, and recite the Mahamrityunjaya mantra. Also chant the Gayatri mantra if possible.

13. Since my ancestors may have reincarnated, they can now be living in this world. So is it correct to say that when I say a prayer for this world, that I am in fact praying for my ancestors and vice versa?

    Yes, it is okay. But there is more. Where we are in our lives is in part the consequence of the path that our ancestors prepared for us. Right now we are in a very good place. We have an understanding of the joy of giving respect. Therefore, we want to thank all of the members of our immediate family for any effort they may have put forth which may have contributed to our attainment.

14. Is there a certain day each week or month when it is appropriate to pray for one's ancestors

    Amavasya.

    Puja for loss of Parent

15. Is there a puja that is particularly well suited to the loss of a parent?

    Generally when a soul has left the body we recite the 1000 names of Vishnu.

    Give your departed relative the highest respect. We would light a candle in front of the person's picture, offer fresh flowers daily, and say at least 1 mala of Gayatri daily in the person's honor.

16. How many times? Should we say anything specific in our sankalpa?

    For eleven days. The sankalpa would be: "Om Adya Jambudvipe .... .... Satyananda gotre, Shri (your name) krtaitat, PITRI SHRADDHAMAHAM KARISHYE."

Informing others when we pray for them

17. Is it absolutely necessary for us to inform our recipients that we are praying for them?

    No, the rule is not absolute. The prayer is more effective when we are one in our intention as well as one in the execution. But it is still valuable to pray for others, even if they are not conscious of our efforts. On a subtle level they receive the blessings that we communicate.

Singing for God

18. Regarding singing for God, is there a short song you have, perhaps other than "Om Namah Shivaya" that Westerners can sing, at any time, that is easy to learn, or that you suggest we do learn?

    Yes, so many. Here is one:

    From you I receive, and to you I give

    Together we share, and through this we live