~~OM~~
Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 9
~~OM~~
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Verse 32
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The verse says ” For those who take refuge in Me, even if they took birth in a sinful womb, or as women, as business people or as laborers, all attain the supreme refuge.”
My reason tells me that in this verse, which begins and ends with the Supreme, ultimately there are no differences in the One- Without-a-Second and through devotion and sadhana we all can attain the Supreme Refuge. Yet the alarms still go off inside me! How can I best understand this or deal with this resistance? Thank you very much
We can give up the resistance by understanding the cultural context in which this was written. In that society there was a distinction of authority, and what this verse is saying is that no matter what one’s station in society may be, if one takes refuge in God, that individual attains the Supreme Refuge.
Story of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana
~~OM~~ Ravana and Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana, the three, when they were young men, they went off to do tapasya. And Brahma came and said, “I’m satisfied with your tapasya, what do you want?” And Ravana said, “I want power, I want to be the king of the earth.” And Brahma said, “Tatastu. I give you […]
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
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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
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Follow these links to useful resources on the Kavach:
- Listen to Swamiji’s Class on Devyah Kavacham
- Listen to Shree Maa chanting Devyah Kavacham
- Swamiji answers FAQ on Devyah Kavacham
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Story of Sagara
~~OM~~ Sagara was a great king of Ayodhya, and he was performing the Ashwamedha Yagya in order to become the emperor of the total known world. And while he was performing this Yagya, Indra came and stole the horse. And he stole the horse, and he ran from the scene with the horse and he […]
Unhappy Endings
Chandi Path: Summary
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The Chandi Path or Durga Saptasati comprises thirteen chapters.
To learn the form of the Divine Mother, Her pre-eminent quality (guna), and the asuras She vanquishes in each chapter of the Chandi, please view or download the following document:
How to keep Balance in Giving
Story of Rama and Bharat
~~OM~~ When Bharat went to Chitrakut he said, “Ram, I want you to take the Kingdom, I’ll stay in the forest.” And Ram said, “No, that wasn’t father’s order. Father ordered me to the forest and you should be the king.” So Bharat said, “I can’t accept the Kingdom.” Then Ram said, “Ok, I accept […]
What is Taking Refuge?
Divine Mother, Your chariot awaits!
~~OM~~
Photo of the week – Jan 5 – Jan 11, 2008
(Picture taken December 2007 at Devi Mandir, Napa, CA)
May Divine Mother always ride with us!