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To Do – Updated June 21
Teachings->Astrology – Ekatma -> Change the look and feel to how Swamiji wants this page. Teachings->Mantras – Embed player within post, instead of hyperlinking and opening as a new page – Adaitya/Nanda to research for future purposes Teachings->Stories & Articles – Check all links -> Nanda Teachings->Travel – Check all links -> Shivani/Nanda Free Classes->All […]
Puja and Worship Techniques
The Dance and Balance of Puja Swamiji explains the techniques by which we can transform our puja from a mere practice into a beautiful dance with the divine. He shows us how to find the balance in each of our tools to find the greatest of efficiency in worship.
Mantras, Japa, and Malas
~~OM~~
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When can one do Japa?
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Can japa be done anywhere, at anytime?
Yes, japa can be done any time, any place.
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If you are mentally repeating the mantra and someone disturbs you, do you start the count all over again? Or just continue where you left off?
If you are disturbed while sitting in an asana, then perform achaman and start the mala again. If you are in another place, you can continue from where you left off.
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Is it more effective to chant out loud or silently? Sometimes the body does not have the energy to chant aloud, and I just read the mantras to complete the sankalpa. Is this OK?
There are three ways to recite mantras. The first is sabda, meaning aloud. The second is pumsa, meaning only mouthing the words with no sound coming out. The third is called manas, meaning only reciting the mantras mentally with no movement or sound. Manas is the deepest form of pronunciation and leads to intense meditation.
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I read that a stotra(devotional hymn) should only be chanted aloud as opposed to a mantra which can be chanted aloud or silently like in mantra meditation. Can you please give some insight.
It can be recited either silently or loudly, but as it has musical qualities, a stotram is most frequently sung
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Which of the two – doing japa with fingers and doing japa with mala, is more efficacious?
If you are at the fire, the mala is more efficient. If you are performing japa, then the finger will be sufficient.
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All mantras, from Om to the Chandi Pathah have a deity. I understand that the mantra embodies the deity. To what extent does a given mantra embody the deity?
It varies according to the intensity of focus of the devotee.
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What is the lomvilom samput?
Lom Vilom samput is chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra with “Om Jum sah Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah” added before the mantra, and the reverse “Svah Bhuvah Bhur Om Sah Jum Om” at the end of the mantra.
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Can you please tell us what lom-vilom stands for?
It means forwards and backwards.
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What are the meanings of the words in the lom-vilom samput?
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah – Om the Gross body, subtle body and causal body
Om – The infinite beyond conception
Jum -Infinite Consciousness
Sah – Manifested Nature
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Could you please tell us the benefit that the Lom Vilom adds to the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra?
No, not in words. But Lom grants creation and Vilom indicates dissolution. And you already understand the meaning of each syllable and word of the mantra. Lom-vilom samput paths are used for emphasis, to enhance the energy of evolution and involution into a particular mantra shakti.
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I really enjoyed chanting the Maha Mrtyunjaya mantra with the samputs. It feels even more powerful that way. Is it appropriate to always chant it with the samputs?
You will understand when or in which circumstances it will be most appropriate.
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Can you please advise on how we can chant the Maha Mritunjaya Mantra with pranayam?
Inhale for the length of “Om Namah Shivaya” or your Guru mantra if you have one. While exhaling, chant one or half or more verses of the MM mantra. Keep the number of verses chanted consistent for the duration of the chanting.
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I would like to do the Maha Mrtyunjaya Japa with Nyasams and Dhyanam. Is this possible?
You can do the Kara and Anga Nyasa with Na-ma-si-va-ya as described in the Shiva Puja books. You can meditate on “Dhyayen Nityam Mahesham …trinetram.” Do the meditation followed by the Nyasa and then 21 times (or your sankalpa) of the MM mantra.
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How does the meaning of the Maha Mritunjaya mantra apply to situations and circumstances such as strength, healing, and devotion? When I have tried to “feel” the mantra in a different way, the impression I receive is one of letting go, or of the snake shedding its skin. Anything you have to say that will help clarify this for me would be greatly appreciated.
Letting go, freeing ourselves from attachment is the greatest healing, brings about the greatest devotion. Every invocation for Lord Shiva to intercede in our lives is appropriate. There is never an inappropriate time to call upon God. Mantra to accompany holy river immersion
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Why is this mantra (Mahamrityunjaya) so sweet? When death comes [not the fear of death only] should we remember this mantra? Is it the meaning of the cucumber falling off the stem or the sound that is so calming?
The meaning, the meter, the tone, and the vibrations all make the mantra powerful.
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During Kumbha mela and other festivals, we observe the practice of taking a dip in the holy river. Often immerse ourselves three times holding the nose. What is the proper methodology of taking dip in the holy river and what are the accompanying mantras. Is offering of arghya and reciting Ganga Stotram done in this process as well?
The most important is the Gayatri mantra.
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I have always read that a simple mantric invocation of Saraswati was “Om Aing Saraswatyai Namah.” This uses the Seed of Wisdom, “Aing,” which is also used to invoke the Guru. “Sang” is an unfamiliar Bija to me. What is it called, and how does it differ from “Aing”?
Sang or sam
Sa akshara Saraswati
akara shrishti arambha
anusvara iti sampurnam
Sam bijam iti jnanprakash
The letter sa is Sarasvati, the Goddess of Knowledge and the embodiment of one’s own ocean of experience. The letter a means the commencement of creation. The meaning of anusvara is full and complete and perfect. The bija sam means the illumination of wisdom.
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Isn’t Kubera’s bija of “Sam” also used for Saraswati? What is the nature of the relationship between the Treasurer of the Gods and the Shakti of Creativity?
Yes, they share the same bija. S means equilibrium, A is creation, M is perfection. She who grants knowledge brings perfect equilibrium to creation. He who accounts for all progress towards the attainment of our goals brings perfect equilibrium to creation.
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What is “prasvapa” mantra?
It is a mantra by which you can put others to sleep.
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In the verse,
“Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam
Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah”
Is it permissible to change the name “Brahma” in this prayer to “Chandi?”
Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity. While it is a good idea to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that we keep to the verses that have been originated by Rishis. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.
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I do Mantra japa in the following order:
1. Sankalpa 2. Nyasams 3. Dhyanam 4. Upachara 5. Mantra
Does it differ in other Sampradhyas?
We do the Dhyanam before the Nyas and the Mantra before and after the upachara or offering. It does differ in various sampradayas and gurukuls.
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I don’t know anything about Bhumi, except she is a wife of Vishnu, and Mother Earth. I found a mantra for Bhumi (but that’s about it) and wonder if anyone can add any information about her.
Bhumi is a name for Mother Earth. Mars is called Bhumi suta, the son of the Earth. There are so many stories about Her: like when She did tapasya for Vishnu to incarnate, because She could no longer bear the insensitive nature of humanity and the atrocities of Ravan.
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May I ask please what is the gayatri and the bija mantra for Bhumi?
Gayatri Mantra:
Om Vasundharaya vidmahe
Bhutadhatraya dhimahi
Tanno Bhumih prachodayat
Bija Mantra:
Om hrim shrim klim Vasundharayai svaha
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What is the gayatri and mantra for Radha?
Om hrim Radhikayai vidhmahe Vrindaban vasinyai dhimahe tanno Radhah prachodayat.
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Is there a gayatri and mantra for Radha and Krishna together?
No, we recite their individual Gayatris and then offer them each a flower, at the end of which comes Radha-Krishnabhyam namah, which is to both of them together.
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What is the meaning of the name Damodara?
Dama is a rope or something that binds; dara means who holds it. Damodara is a name for Mayapati, Holder of Maya or the Lord of Maya, for whom Maya is a servant which binds all upon His command.
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If I were to adapt the fire sacrifice for Krishna which mantra would I use and where would I substitute it?
You would use the respective Gayatri mantras:
Om Krishnaya vidhmahe Dhamodaraya dhi mahe Tanno Krishna prachodayat
Om Krim Krishnaya Swaha
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I listened to your online class on the Lalita Trisati. Should one be initiated to use the Lalita mantra?
No, practice the mantra according to the teachings. Initiation will follow when appropriate.
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Some of us have had initiations from some not-so-ethical ‘teachers’ and were given mantras by those teachers. I understand that those mantras actually call to that teacher and contain a link with a teacher that we no longer desire to have. Is it best to just not use it or can it be cleansed so it no longer links us with that person? Is there any other sadhana to do, to make sure that we have ended the inner relationship with that person, so they can no longer influence us or drain us?
Read Chapter 12 of the Chandi both in Sanskrit and English, and offer appreciation to whoever gave you the first mantra which brought you closer to Her.
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The Beginner Shiva Puja Workbook refers to the puja’s fourth verse (om bhur bhuvah svah …) as a gayatri mantra. This verse seems to have more than 24 syllables, but don’t Gayatri mantras typically have 24 syllables?
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah are not counted in the meter. They are called Vyahritis – Beatitudes – and are used to designate the Infinite beyond conception, the gross body, subtle body, and causal body.
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My question is on the Gayatri mantra .I have read that the Gayatri mahamantra is greatest mantra for mankind. At same time, there are Gayatri mantras for each god/goddess also .e.g.Ganesh, Hanuman, Durga, Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu etc.
Does chanting the Gayatri mantra for a deity produce same effect as the Gayatri mahamantra?No. Each of the Gayatri mantras for each of the various individual deities is designed to produce a special effect, being the increase of the character of that deity. So the effect will not be the same. But it will be equally as potent.
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When we chant the Gayatri we hold the rosary in our hand. Why do we do that?
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When we do the nyasa for the Navarna mantra, we say, “om aim angustabhyam namah, om hrim tarjanibhyam svahaâ€� and so on. When we do the nyasa for the Durga puja, we say, “om hram angustabhyam namah, om hrim tarjanibhyam svahaâ€� and so on. That is we use the mantra “hrim” alone.
Why does the nyasah for the Durga mantra use “hrim” alone and not the entire mantra “om hrim srim dum durgayai namah”? That is, why do we not use “om hrim angustabhyam namah, om srim tarjanibhyam svaha, Om Dum Madhyamabhyam, Om Durga Anamikabhyam, Om yai Kanishtikabhyam?
Similarly, why does the nyasah for the Kali Mantra, “om hrim srim krim parameswari kalike namah” use the mantra “krimâ€� alone and not the entire mantra?
I have never seen the nyasa as you have written it. There are literally hundreds of nyasas, and you can make your own. Or you can use the ones as they appear with scriptural references.
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From which Veda are the “shanti” verses beginning with, “om santa dyauh santa prthivi … â€� and continuing until the end of the kushandika?
Our Shanti Path emanates from Samaveda, but it contains a collection of other mantras, all compiled from Purohit Darpana. I cannot give you an exact citation from the Veda right now.
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Why does the shanti mantra bring so much noise inside and outside, like ringing the bell during the Shanti mantra?
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Page 14 of the Rudri mentions a rosary of rudraksa. Is it improper to use a tulsi mala as an aid when chanting the Kushandika?”
Not improper. Just not as proper. But no problem. The Rudri can be chanted for Vishnu as well as Shiva.
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Which is the superior “Shakti” mala (or mala for chanting Shakti mantras) or are the following, red chandam mala, red coral mala, crystal mala, all equal? Also what is a red chandam mala?
Actually we use rudraksha. You can use red chandan and coral malas for Kali. Crystal is used for Lakshmi. Shwet(white) chandan for Saraswati. Rudraksha for everyone. Chandan or Chandam means sandal wood.
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I heard that it is not good for our mala to be touched by another person. What do we do when this happens?
They are attracted to the mala because of the pure energy that you have been putting into it. The damage has already been done, so there is no need to make greater damage by getting angry. First thing to do is to politely explain that this is not only a beautiful piece of jewelry for adornment, but also it is a rosary of religious significance, and you prefer to keep its energy pure. Please don’t touch, but let me show it to you. When you get home in the evening puja, you can wash the mala in a small bowl with a little milk, and if you like to dip the mala in oil scented with sandal. Then make japa of your guru mantra or Chandi mantra 108 times. The mala will be cleansed and will shine, and fragrantly scented, and everything will be fine.
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I have heard that the mala one uses for japa should not be worn around the neck, but used only for mantra repetition. I’ve never understood the reason why.
I have never heard such a prescription.
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Is it ok to do japa without a mala? Am I missing out on some intangible power by not using a mala?
It is OK to perform japa without a mala. We often use a kara mala, counting on the digits of the fingers. There are many situations where a mala will be necessary, and many where it is not. So you will find what works for you, and that is how you may decide.
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Have you any thoughts on how a person who is living in our secular world and wishes to transition our hearts outwards accomplish this? Does it begin in a small way, like wearing a locket or 108 threaded beads under one’s shirt?
The real change is within, after which we can wear any uniform. But in the beginning all the little ornaments, tokens, reminders, we can find, will be of help.
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You give us a rudraksha during some of the important functions. I have collected a few from you this way. Can I thread them all into one string, or should I keep them as
separate threads?You can thread them all onto one string and wear it on your neck or your upper right arm. You can also use one for offering in your pujas, and wear others.
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A seven mukhi represents Mahalakshmi and a four mukhi represents Saraswati. Which mukhi represents Kali Maa?
13 faces
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Could Rudraksha beads be used for Narasimha mantras, and Ganesha/Lakshmi mantras?
Yes. More traditional would be a tulasi mala, but followers of Shiva and Shakti can definitely use rudraksha.
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Is it forbidden to eat meat when using Rudraksha?
Is the question, “At the same time,” or “While wearing?”
Generally, there are vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There is nothing “Forbidden.” It is just a question of the practices one observes.
Vaishnavas forbid. Shaivites and Shaktis request us to use our discrimination. -
Recently I started wearing a “Panchamukhi” Rudraksha in my neck. As I am not a brahmachari, I would like to know whether should I remove it during the ‘unholy time’.
There is nothing that you would want to do that you would not like Shiva to see. Make your actions a holy offering.
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Can you use the one rudraksh mala for more than one mantra such as Shiva, Chandi, Ganesh, Vishnu mantras using the same mala?
Yes, absolutely.
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In the video “Om Namah Shivaya”, I noticed that Maa uses the thumb and index fingers to move the mala. I have heard that index fingers are not to touch the mala. Can Swamiji please comment.
That is the method that Shree Maa uses to worship Shiva. But the important thing is not which finger you use, but that you do the japa. So many people waste so much time debating which finger to use, that they do not perform the practices.
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How is chanting 1000 names or 108 names (of a deity) different from repeating the deity’s name again and again?
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Is there a mantra which i can chant to protect my self from black magic and my enemies? If there is then what is the procedure i.e. time for chanting, what to eat,where, when, how etc.
Yes, there is: the nine letter mantra of Chandi, Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicche. Morning and evening is the time to chant.Eat pure vegetarian meals. Wherever you are in the morning and evening.
When: I already answered. How: with all the devotion of your heart. You have to believe in it sincerely. -
Which day should a person start the recitation of Durga mantra – full moon or new moon?
Today. You will catch up to the lunar cycle, so don’t worry about it.
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Is there a assured method/mantras through which one can remove the sins committed by him during his present/previous life(s)?
Yes, the daily recitation of the Chandi Path.
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We all know that an awakened mantra is more effective than one that is chosen from a list. Does one need to be initiated by Sri Swamiji or Shreemaa to be able to “effectively” chant any of the mantras that were recently posted on these pages? (referring to the Devi Mandir Yahoo Forum)
First, we cultivate the soil and then we plant the seeds. Use the mantras given in order to prepare yourself so that you will know if this is the example you wish to follow, and if so, what you can expect to achieve by following that example.
When we have a clear understanding, then we can talk about the meaning of initiation.
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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 of the Mantra and continue with the Guru Mantra. Is there a process?
There is only One God. Some times we call Him Creator, Protector, Transformer; He has many names, indicating the many functions He performs. Some times we call Him Her. She also has many names.
So every name of God we call upon, is a name of the same God.
Therefore, there is no higher God or lesser God. There is no obligation to one form of divinity or to another form.
The reason we cultivate a special relationship with one form or another, is to create greater intimacy in that union. There is no question of jealousy among the Gods.
Break in Japa
Chanting loudly or silently
Should a stotram be sung aloud?
Japa with fingers or mala
Mantra and deity
Maha Mritunjaya Mantra
Mantras when taking dip in Holy river.
Sam and Aim Bijas
Bija for Kubera and Saraswati Mantras
Prasvapa
Brahmarpanam – replacing Brahma with Chandi
Order in mantra japa
Mantra for Bhumi Devi
Mantra for Radha
Radha Krishna Mantra
Meaning of Damodara
Fire Sacrifice for Krishna
Initiation to Mantra
Mantras from other teachers
Gayatri Mantra
Nyasa of Mantra
Shanti Mantras
Mala to use for Kushandika
Types of Malas
Others touching one’s mala
Wearing mala around one’s neck
Doing Japa without mala
Wearing ornaments in a secular world
Rudraksha
Using same mala for different mantras
Index finger touching mala
Chanting one name of deity repeatedly versus chanting 108 or 1000 names of deity
Mantra for protection from black magic
When to start chanting
Mantra to remove sins
Initiation into Mantra for effectiveness
Guru Mantra and other special purpose mantras
Rama Pranam Mantra
intro here
Satyanarayan Katha Vrat
On Purnima, or Full Moon day, we perform the Satyanarayan Puja and recite the Satyanarayan Katha, which is a story about the importance of living and acting in truth. The Satyanarayan Katha is told by Lord Vishnu to Narad Muni and recounted by Suta to the other munis of the ashram. We also make the […]
Sadhu Life in Gangotri: An Interview with Swamiji
The last travelogue on Gangotri, which included over 70 pictures, sparked several questions in my mind about the sadhu way of life in India. I found myself wanting to learn more and more. Through the days, my thoughts were constantly migrating back to questions on Gangotri – trying to gain a better perspective and appreciation […]
All International Devotees
Due to the high cost of international shipping, we encourage you to purchase Apps instead of hard cover books.
New! Gayatri Chalisa
In the Gayatri Chalisa we sing the praises of the Goddess Gayatri Devi and her divine qualities. Before you download the Gayatri Chalisa, we ask you to please sign up on the form below. Then download and read Swamiji and Shree Maa’s translation of this devotional hymn and meditate on Her divine qualities. Jai Maa! […]
Hindi
हम कौन हैं हमारे धर्म और मिशण हम क्या करते हैं
New! Navaratri Event Update – Don’t Miss This
Join us for two very special Navaratri Events!
On Monday, April 7th, we will celebrate Annapurna Puja at 6:00 pm. The very next day, Tuesday April 8th, we will sing the Sundar Kanda for Ram Navami – the Birthday of Lord Ram.
You won’t want to miss these events! …read more
Swamiji Ram Kripalu visits the Devi Mandir
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