~~OM~~ Is the puja to the Das Mahavidyas done as a whole? Swamiji Says: You can perform either individually for each deity, or collectively as a whole.
This section contains a large variety of spiritual answers covering topics that are relevant to seekers of all ages and backgrounds.
You will find answers about relationships, living in the world, the guru-disciple relationship, as well as answers regarding specific practices, scriptures, mantras, and deities.
Vishnu Worship Questions
Vishnu Sahasranam Question: In chanting the Vishnu Sahasranam, if you only have a limited amount of time, is it better to chant just the thousand names or just the puja? If you really are short on time can you break up the chanting of the thousand names into two separate sittings and should you do […]
Lalita Worship Questions
Can we recite Lalita Sahasranaam before the altar of Durga? Swami Says: Absolutely. There is no scripture that the Gods and Goddesses do not like to hear! Swamiji talks about chanting the 300 names of Lalita as greater and fruitful than Her 1000 names. Does this mean the thousand names are not as powerful as […]
Lakshmi Worship Questions
Offerings Question: In the Laksmi Puja there doesn’t seem to be the nectar bath offering. Why? Swamiji Says: All the offerings are in the Cosmic Puja. I didn’t want to keep cutting and pasting from one book to another, so I gave the shell of the puja, and you can supplement as per your desire. […]
Chandi Path Questions
Title of the Chaṇḍī Pāṭhaḥ Question: Sometimes the Chandi Path is referred to as the The Devi Mahatmyam, and The Durga Saptasati. Why are there three names for the same scripture? Are there differences in the contents in a book with one of the other names? Swamiji says: The scripture became known by different names […]
Questions About Diwali
Diwali Question: I would like to know what pujas are done prior week to Diwali and on the main day. Swamiji Says: We perform the entire Cosmic Puja every day, just to make sure, but traditionally people worship Lakshmi – Ganesh, Gauri – Mahesh, and on the Bengal side they also worship Saraswati and Kartik. […]
About Ganesh
Meaning of Gam Question: What is the meaning of the syllable in “Gam”? Swamiji Says: There is a sanskrit shloka that explains the syllables: The letter “ga” is the form of wisdom; the letter “a” is that which is in the middle of creation; the anusvaara (m) is the form of perfection. Thus, the attainment […]
Guru Gita Questions & Answers
~~OM~~ Message of the Guru Gita The repetitive message in the Bhagavad Gita is “Serve God, Serve God, Serve God!” In the Chandi Path the repetitive message is “Take one asan and chant the Chandi!” What is the repetitive message in the Guru Gita? Swamiji Says: “na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam |” […]
Kali FAQ
Kali Visualization and Diksha Question: I have a strong desire to visualize myself as Kali, is this ok? Swamiji Says: There are two parts to the meditation. One is becoming Kali and drawing the yantra upon Her chest and the second is becoming Shiva and dancing upon that yantra. Question: What is diksha? How does […]
Rudrashtadhyayi
Uvach in Rudri Question: Some of the scriptures progress/teach through a conversation between a God/Goddess and a devotee or Rishi. Why is there no particular conversation in the Rudrastadhyayi? Swamiji Says: The Rudrastadhyayi is Vedic. The Puranic scriptures occur in story form, but the Vedas are hymns of praise. Purusha Suktam Question: Are there different […]
Saints and Lineage
~~OM~~ Lineage of Sanyasis What are the different lineages established by Shankaracharya and why were they formed?Shankaracharya divided the Sannyasins into ten tribes called Dasnami: Bharati full of light Giri live in the mountains Puri live in cities Saraswati scholars Van live in forests Aranya live in groves Tirtha live in pilgrimage places Parvat live […]
Guru Mantra and Special Purpose Mantras
I understand that there is a need to be faithful to the Guru Mantra and that it should repeated it ceaselessly. How does one treat Special Purpose Mantras? Does one get “obligated” to a Deity after mantra takes effect (assuming that the Mantra is of a Higher Deity)? How does one safely thank the Deity […]
Annapurna Puja
At the Devi Mandir, Navaratri (the Nine Nights of Worship of Divine Mother) is celebrated four times a year — in fall, winter, spring and summer. Every Navaratri, devotees dedicate nine full days in worship of the Divine Mother through chanting, participating in homas (sacred fire ceremonies), performing pūjā, and sometimes fasting. At the culmination […]
Navaratri
Four times a year, we celebrate “Navaratri,” or the nine night celebration of Divine Mother. These celebrations, also known as Durgā Pūjā, occur from the first to the ninth night in the bright fortnight of the Magh, Chaitra, Ashad and Ashwin months in the lunar calendar and correspond to our winter, spring, summer and fall seasons. The Ashwin […]
Relationship Questions
This article contains practical wisdom on relationships, as Shree Maa and Swamiji, answer devotee questions. …read more