~~OM~~
Links to blogs on Chandi Sadhana in 2008
Chandi SadhanaChandi Sadhana 2008: Chapter 1~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with Chapter 1. In Chapter 1, the first episode, King Suratha (good thoughts) flees from his Kingdom and Samadhi (pure intuitive perception), the businessman, is driven from his home by his family. They both arrive at the ashram of Medhas Muni (the Intellect of Love). Even while at this peaceful ashram, the contemplations of both men continue to be afflicted by attachment to their family and kingdom. Overcome by these thoughts, they approach Medhas Muni. After observing all the proper conventions and congenialities of learning, the King asks the Muni, "Why are we afflicted by egotism and attachment? How can we make our minds sit still so that it does not contemplate these attachments?" Medhas Muni’s response is the subject of the rest of the Chapter. Medhas Muni describes how the two demons Madhu and Kaitabha attack Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma prays to Goddess Yoga Nidra to wake up Lord Vishnu (who is in deep meditation) so that he can battle the demons. After a long battle of over 5000 years, aided by the Divine Mother, Lord Vishnu conquers the two demons. Madhu means as sweet as honey. Madhu (too sweet) is "too much". Kaitabha means insignificant as an insect. Kaitabha is "too little." Madhu and Kaitabaha are "too much" and "too little." See how they manifest in our lives. Swamiji says, "We sit down we want to be still, too little says, "you can’t sit still, you don’t have enough." We go out in the market place of life we get all the goodies and bring them home and too much says, "you can’t sit still, you’ve got too much." The first step to sitting still is having the right amount. If you have too much you can’t sit still, if you have too little you can’t sit still. That’s the story of Chapter 1, this is the beginning of our spiritual discipline. ***** Follow these links to useful resources on Chapter 1:
***** Submitted by webdev on Sun, 2008-05-04 15:21.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Navarna Viddhi~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Navarna Viddhi. Navarna Mantra is the bija mantra of all three Divine Mothers, Maha Kali, Maha Lakshmi, and Maha Saraswati. So it embodies all three Mothers. The Mantra is Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce. Swamiji provides a beautiful explanation for the mantra. Aim is comprised of two letters a and i and the anuswara, m. a is the letter of creation and i is the letter of the causal body and m is perfection. Aim is the seed of wisdom. It means that the creation of perfection in the causal body is the wisdom. Aim is Maha Saraswati. Hrim is everything that can perceived by the senses, conceived in the mind, known through intuition or meditation, and beyond. Hrim is Maha Lakshmi. Klim is comprised of ka, la, i, and m. Ka means the cause, la means the gross body, manifested existence, i means the causal body, and anuswara m means perfection. So Klim is the cause of the perfect union between the gross body dissolving into the causal body. Klim is Maha Kali. Cha means to move, Munda means head. So Chamunda is She who moves in the head, meaning the paradigm of reality, all that we know, all that we see. Yai mean to or unto. Vic means all that is knowable which is called samvit Ce mean Chaitanya, consciousness Thus the mantra means that the three gunas, the three Goddesses are constantly moving in the paradigm of reality giving birth to all that is knowable as perceived by consciousness. Once we deeply intuitly the meaning we cease to say to the Goddess, "please don't change". We make ourselves the witness of nature and free us from the pain of attachment. ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the Navarna Viddhi:
***** Submitted by webdev on Fri, 2008-03-21 11:40.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Siddha Kunjika Stotram~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Siddha Kunjika Stotram. No one of the limbs of the Chandi Path is capable of conveying the entire secret of the Glory of the Goddess. But this song, the Siddha Kunjika Stotram, is capable of granting the fruits of the Chandi once we understand it. It is extremely secretive. And so we have to go deeply inside and understand the meaning of these mantras. Swamiji speaking on chanting in general says, "the more we recite the more we listen the more we attune ourself to the vibration of what is being said the more we inculcate that attitude. Our intention amplifies the attitude." We have to ask the question, "is this sadhana a hobby or a compelling desire?" Swamiji says, "a compelling desire is something that makes us get up and to the fullest capacity assert ourself to the furtherance of the goal. The key is to focus on the mantras." ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the Siddha Kunjika Stotram:
***** Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2008-03-13 21:14.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Vedic Suktams~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Rgvedoktam Ratri Suktam (The Praise of the Night of Duality) and the Rgvedoktam Devi Suktam (Vedic Praise of the Goddess). Both Suktams are from the Rg Veda. Swamiji says that the Chandi begins with the Praise of the Night of the Duality and ends with praise of the Goddess of Unity. In between are the 13 chapters which tell us how we make the journey from the darkness of duality to the light of unity. "In the Ratri Suktam," Swamiji says, "we thank Goddess for exposing the light and allowing the dawn to shine. We give up our selfishness and regain our divine perception, free from duality, darkness of ignorance. Our words of praise flow just like milk flows from a cow, pure nourishment." How wonderful! In the Devi Suktam, the Goddess declares, "Whosoever She loves she gives strength and makes a seer with loving intellect." Swamiji adds, "Of Her own volition, She inspires us to do sadhana and remember Her. So we search for love and harmony in every relationship. Some devotees shared their beautiful love for these two Praises. Kalachandra says, "I love Vedoktam Ratri Suktam because we can see that the Mother is in all life." Henny says, For me, as I sing the mantras (and, having heard Shree Maa sing this text, I love the melody), it is easy to go deeper within because the song seems to come from there, and even when I have had difficulties with a wandering mind while reciting the other texts, this one (Vedoktam Devi Suktam) never fails to capture my attention and drawing me in. ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the two Suktams:
***** Submitted by webdev on Mon, 2008-03-03 18:16.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Kilakam~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Kilakam (The Praise That removes the Pin). In verse 3, Markandeya Muni says, "by means of the mantras of this hymn, they (whoever recites the Chandi) attain the perfection of indifference to each and every object of existence." What is this perfection of indifference? Swamiji explains that this perfection makes us one with everything. We accept everything. We become the witness with no personal attachment, no personal agenda of our own. Another expression that Swamiji uses to explain this state of indifference is "Udas". Das means servant. U means Circumstances. Udas makes us indifferent to everything. That is, we are the servant of circumstances, we accept what is and try to make it better." Swamiji adds, "Without tapasya we can't do it. We can't attain that kind of indifference where we are one with everything. And Markandeya Muni says, "The person who constantly recites, clearly removes the pin and becomes and attained one. That person joins the retinue of the Goddess and becomes a celestial singer." -- Kilakam ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the Kilakam:
***** Submitted by webdev on Tue, 2008-02-12 18:04.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Argala Stotram~~OM~~
***** We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Argala Stotram (The Praise that Unfastens the Bolt). Swamiji says, "We've already adorned our suit of armor. No other vibration can permeate our armor. We are protected. We are going to open up the bolt so that we can open the doors to the secret of the Divine Mother." The Argala Stotram has a beautiful refrain, a prayer to the Divine Mother: "Give us your form, give us victory, give us welfare, remove all hostility." Swamiji explains, "Give us your form" means let us reflect the form, the appearance of the Divine Mother entirely in our every action, every thought. "Give us victory" means let us conquer this small egotism, this selfish self, give us victory over that selfishness. "Remove hostility" means give us a world of peace, consciousness filled with peace, every perception will radiate peace. And Markandeya Muni says, "After reciting this hymn of praise one should recite the great hymn of praise the number of which is seven hundred (Devi Mahatmyam), and he or she will attain to Supreme Perfection" -- Argala Stotram ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the Argala Stotram:
***** Submitted by webdev on Thu, 2008-02-07 15:20.
Chandi Sadhana 2008: Devyah Kavacham~~OM~~
Shree Maa and Swamiji's Message for 2008 Chandi Sadhana Namaste to all devotees who want to integrate the Chandi into their regular sadhana! It is a wonderful journey that you propose to embark upon, and Shree Maa and I support this plan more than 100%. Our assignment is to become very familiar with the kavacam, argala, kilakam, devi suktam and narayani stotram, vedic devi suktam and siddha kunjika stotram, and then begin adding one other chapter a day until you complete the book. Then start over again until it is comfortable. Then add two chapters a day, three, a siddha path, and then the whole book. Then you will have to come here for some time to take the next steps (which we highly recommend). Blessings Shree Maa and Swamiji ***** We began our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Devya Kavacham (Armor of the Goddess). Swamiji says, "The Kavach is one of the limbs of the Chandi. It allows us to establish the energies of the Goddess in the different parts of our bodies. It gives more than protection. It allows us to unite with Her." And Markandeya Muni says, "For the welfare of his or her own soul, a person should not take one step without this armor. But if he or she always proceeds with the armor wherever that person goes, there the objectives are accomplished, conquering all desires." -- Devya Kavacham, Verses 43-44 ***** Follow these links to useful resources on the Kavach:
***** Submitted by webdev on Mon, 2008-01-28 15:15.
|