about sattvic Devi worship & India ---- how to become a hindu shakta

February 28, 2006

OM HRIIM KALI -------

NAMASKAR ,

thank you very much for your dedication to

Kali Ma .

i wrote a while ago to you , am a bhakta shakta sadhaka

totally devoted to

The Goddess / Divine Feminine ,

especially MAHA DEVI BHAGAWATI DURGA MATA

KALI MA .

I am looking for information about pooja to Devi ,

especially food offerings to Kali Ma and other aspects of

The

Goddess .

am interested in sattvic worship only

( vegetarian offerings ) .

also , i will start a pilgrimage to all temples and sacred

sites of MAHA DEVI PARA SHAKTI and would appreciate if

you could help me with some information , which i could

not find anywhere else , such as :

temples and other places of worship of Maha Devi ,

especially DURGA MA & KALI MA and

MATAANGI DEVI ,

and also i would like to know if foreigners are allowed to

enter these

temples .

from what i know , some temples allow and other not ,

but i think everyone should have the chance to worship

Devi .

i only want to prostrate before Her and offer some

flowers and fruits .

please kindly help me with any information , if you

wish .

furthermore , i would like to join a Shakta sampradaya and

enter oficially hinduism , there is some information about

how to become a hindu in the pages

www.hindu.org and

www.himalayanacademy.com ,

but still i'm a bit confused since i can't figure out

where and how exactly a westerner devotee can be admitted

in hinduism through ceremony .

but hopefully all this will be solved in India ,

thank

you

humbly awaiting a reply , with respect , Somaadi ,

ambaji_777

JAI MAA KALI ------- GODDESS BLESS

February 28, 2006

Hi,

There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

religions where you have to convert in order to follow it. If your

heart says your a hindu then you are a hindu already no need to go

through things in order to become a hindu. Devi doesn't care what

relgion you come from , She cares about you liveing your life in a

good way and treat others right.

-Lawrence

February 28, 2006

Hi sweet Kalimaa :-)

Lovely to hear about you. I too m a devotee of the Divine Ma in the form of

Kali. Vis a vis conversion to Hinduism, to the best of my knowledge there is no

ceremony. Even here in India, at best children have their mundan, which is

shaving of their hair and offering it in any temple, though this is not a

conversion ritual like baptism and more like a nameing ceremony.

In this limited knowledge, if I were in your place, I would not be concerned

about conversion to Hinduism, rather I wuld go right aghead with my practices

that bring me more awarness of our sweetest Devi. Recently I offered my hair to

Lord Balaji att the Tirumala temple in Rishikesh. One can partake in Homa. In

south India and certain temples like the Jagannath temple in Puri, foreigners

are not allowed into temples or at least not into the sanctum sanctorium of the

temple. This is more a question of tradition, though unfortunate, is the way it

is :-) However most temples have no restrictions.

As a devotee of Maa and an Indian tourism expert (26 years will make even a

donkey one !), I would like to help with your visit to temples. I could offer

some suggestions, however I know there are many here in Shakti Sadhana who are

much better informed than me, and I too wuld seek their suggestions and

recommendations. You could look up the Shakti Peeths in India and decide which

you would like to visit, and I too could suggest a few. If I can help plese let

me know. You could corresspond though this email id or virrawlley

if you wuld like too.

May ou find all that you require.

Sincerely,

Vir

March 1, 2006

This is the same guy who came earlier and ask a lot of questions

about Shakta practices etc. Is this your favourite past time

somaadi, I dont think so he is serious, going around to all the

hindu groups gathering informations?

, "kalima_777" <kalima_777

wrote:

>

> OM HRIIM KALI -------

> NAMASKAR ,

> thank you very much for your dedication to

> Kali

Ma .

> i wrote a while ago to you , am a bhakta shakta

sadhaka

> totally devoted to

> The Goddess / Divine Feminine ,

> especially MAHA DEVI BHAGAWATI DURGA MATA

> KALI

MA .

> I am looking for information about pooja to

Devi ,

> especially food offerings to Kali Ma and other aspects

of

> The

>

Goddess .

> am interested in sattvic worship

only

> ( vegetarian offerings ) .

> also , i will start a pilgrimage to all temples and

sacred

> sites of MAHA DEVI PARA SHAKTI and would appreciate

if

> you could help me with some information , which i could

> not find anywhere else , such as :

> temples and other places of worship of Maha Devi ,

> especially DURGA MA & KALI MA and

> MATAANGI DEVI ,

> and also i would like to know if foreigners are allowed

to

> enter these

>

temples .

> from what i know , some temples allow and other

not ,

> but i think everyone should have the chance to worship

>

Devi .

> i only want to prostrate before Her and offer some

> flowers and fruits .

> please kindly help me with any information , if you

> wish .

> furthermore , i would like to join a Shakta sampradaya

and

> enter oficially hinduism , there is some information about

> how to become a hindu in the pages

> www.hindu.org and

> www.himalayanacademy.com ,

> but still i'm a bit confused since i can't figure out

> where and how exactly a westerner devotee can be

admitted

> in hinduism through

ceremony .

> but hopefully all this will be solved in India ,

> thank

>

you

> humbly awaiting a reply , with respect , Somaadi ,

> ambaji_777

> JAI MAA KALI ------- GODDESS BLESS

>

March 1, 2006

Hi Lawrence

You said it right. Of course there is one thing. If one wishes to learn vedas

and mantras in the tradtional way, one needs to go through upanayana samskara

i.e. investiture of sacred thread.

For following tantric ways of worship, there is absolutely no condition about

caste, creed, race, religion, colour, so on and so forth.

The path to self realisation is open to all as proclaimed by Krishna in

Bhagawat Gita.

Om Namas Tripurasundari

outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote:

Hi,

There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

religions where you have to convert in order to follow it. If your

heart says your a hindu then you are a hindu already no need to go

through things in order to become a hindu. Devi doesn't care what

relgion you come from , She cares about you liveing your life in a

good way and treat others right.

-Lawrence

March 1, 2006

but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves right. He

wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim invasions had started.

outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hi,

There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

religions where you have to convert in order to follow it. If your

heart says your a hindu then you are a hindu already no need to go

through things in order to become a hindu. Devi doesn't care what

relgion you come from , She cares about you liveing your life in a

good way and treat others right.

-Lawrence

Traditions Divine Hinduism

Visit your group "" on the web.

Mail

Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

March 1, 2006

Hi Kochu:

What does Abhinava Gupta say? Do you recall offhand?

Thanks

DB

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves

right. He wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim invasions

had started.

>

> outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hi,

> There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

> religions where you have to convert in order to follow it.

March 1, 2006

if I remember correctly it is in the 18th chapter some rituals for the returning

Hindus from other faiths. he seems to have forseen conversions and

reconversions.

Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote: Hi Kochu:

What does Abhinava Gupta say? Do you recall offhand?

Thanks

DB

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves

right. He wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim invasions

had started.

>

> outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hi,

> There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

> religions where you have to convert in order to follow it.

Traditions Divine Hinduism

Visit your group "" on the web.

Mail

Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

March 1, 2006

Hello Kochu1tz,

The only ceremoney that welcomes a baby into hinduism is the shaving

of the head. Overall their is no conversion ceremony. The only

conversion that you can go through is the "conversion of the heart

and the mind." In the Geeta Lord Krishna said it plain and simple

that "People can come to me through all paths." From the Devi

Bhagavatam Purana , even Devi proclaim that she is everything and is

everywhere "I am Manifest, Unmanifest, and Transcendent Divinity;

I am Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,

As well as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati.

I am the Earth, the Sun and the Stars,

And I am also the Moon.

I am all animals and birds,

And I am the outcaste as well, and the thief.

I am the low person of dreadful deeds,

And the great person of excellent deeds.

I am Female, I am Male, and I am Neuter."

Thus there is no need for this whole conversion thing. Live your life

in a righteous manner and help others out is the main things that The

Supreme Mother looks at.

-Lawrence

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves

right. He wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim

invasions had started.

>

> outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hi,

> There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

> religions where you have to convert in order to follow it. If your

> heart says your a hindu then you are a hindu already no need to go

> through things in order to become a hindu. Devi doesn't care what

> relgion you come from , She cares about you liveing your life in a

> good way and treat others right.

>

> -Lawrence

>

> Traditions Divine Hinduism

>

> Visit your group "" on the web.

>

> Terms of

Service.

>

> Mail

> Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

>

March 1, 2006

Buddhism ...You forget the Buddhists... they where the ones who

debated with the Trika Kaulas and other Kashmiri pandits for

hundreds of years. They conversed and reconversed each other for a

ages, until the Muslims ended these fruitful discussions. Because of

that intellectual challenge trika became famous for its

scholarshipand intellectualism

Mahahradanatha

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> if I remember correctly it is in the 18th chapter some rituals for

the returning Hindus from other faiths. he seems to have forseen

conversions and reconversions.

>

> Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote: Hi Kochu:

>

> What does Abhinava Gupta say? Do you recall offhand?

>

> Thanks

>

> DB

>

> , sankara menon <kochu1tz@>

> wrote:

> >

> > but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves

> right. He wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim

invasions

> had started.

> >

> > outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics@> wrote: Hi,

> > There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

> > religions where you have to convert in order to follow it.

>

> Traditions Divine Hinduism

>

> Visit your group "" on the web.

>

> Terms of

Service.

>

> Mail

> Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

>

March 1, 2006

I am going to beg to differ. Lawrence, even though you are correct in a

sense about "heart conversion into Hinduism" etc., you are not thoroughly well

informed.

For those not born into the Hindu religion there is a ritual to be taken

called "Shuddhi Samskar". It is a purifactory ritual that can be performed by

any competent pandit if he is so willing. Some prejudicial Pundits of an

orthodox Smarta bent, will not perform it, as they believe that one has to be

born into Hinduism per se. For those that feel thus, they do not have a strong

faith in their own religion, as they SHOULD know that the Vedas speak that the

whole world was practicing Sanatana Dharma at one time. While others, of a more

liberal bent, such as Arya Samajist, will perform that ritual with proper

documentation and such, for those wanting a formal entrance into Hinduism.

Of course there are various differing opinions about this. Some Hindus will

say of course, how can one become a Hindu, as a Westerner has no caste? But as

we have discussed before, ALL humans regardless, are from the same roots (i.e,

GOD) and thus, MUST be somehow, technically, descended from the same sages who

are the originators of "gotra"as we know it.

Also if one is adopted by a bonafide Guru in Guru Sishya relationship, in a

bonafide parampara, he has in essence been brought or "converted" into Hinduism

by that particular Guru as such, whether initiation has been formal or informal.

This has always been the case in VAISHNAVISM & SHAKTISM. To become a Vaishnava

in some sects many Vaishnavas get burns and brands on the body in an initiation

ritual called PANCHA SAMSKARA. Many MADHWAS & SRI VAISHNAVAS undergo this when

becoming Vaishnavas. I have not heard that GAUDIYA VAISHNAVAS (HARE KRISHNA

SECT) do this. Although you in essence ARE SOMEWHAT correct that there is no

actual conversion per se in Hindu religion, as in the Abrahamic sense, there is

still SOME "conversion" process to some degree if a Westerner wants it.

JANARDANA DASA

outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hello Kochu1tz,

The only ceremoney that welcomes a baby into hinduism is the shaving

of the head. Overall their is no conversion ceremony. The only

conversion that you can go through is the "conversion of the heart

and the mind." In the Geeta Lord Krishna said it plain and simple

that "People can come to me through all paths." From the Devi

Bhagavatam Purana , even Devi proclaim that she is everything and is

everywhere "I am Manifest, Unmanifest, and Transcendent Divinity;

I am Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,

As well as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati.

I am the Earth, the Sun and the Stars,

And I am also the Moon.

I am all animals and birds,

And I am the outcaste as well, and the thief.

I am the low person of dreadful deeds,

And the great person of excellent deeds.

I am Female, I am Male, and I am Neuter."

Thus there is no need for this whole conversion thing. Live your life

in a righteous manner and help others out is the main things that The

Supreme Mother looks at.

-Lawrence

, sankara menon <kochu1tz

wrote:

>

> but Abhinava gupta does deal with conversion, if my memory serves

right. He wrote it at a time when neither Christian or Muslim

invasions had started.

>

> outragedlyrics <outragedlyrics wrote: Hi,

> There is no way to become a hindu. Hinduism is not like other

> religions where you have to convert in order to follow it. If your

> heart says your a hindu then you are a hindu already no need to go

> through things in order to become a hindu. Devi doesn't care what

> relgion you come from , She cares about you liveing your life in a

> good way and treat others right.

>

> -Lawrence

>

> Traditions Divine Hinduism

>

> Visit your group "" on the web.

>

> Terms of

Service.

>

> Mail

> Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

>

Traditions Divine Hinduism

Visit your group "" on the web.

Mail

Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

March 1, 2006

Hey Janardana,

Ok i was wrong that about there being no ritual of conversion, but

Hinduism is totally different from other "paths" (heck you can even

be an atheist and still be a Hindu or pray to Jesus and still be a

hindu). The point is Hinduism doesn't ask you to convert in order to

be a hindu. The reason why as you pointed out in your post is that

westerners want to have a conversion is becuase they are judged in

the hindu communtiy becuase they were not born into this faith which

is all bs to me. Tradition does vary from different sects in hinduism

becuase It encompasses many religious rituals that widely vary in

practice, as well as many diverse sects and philosophies. Hinduism

allows all kinds of ideas, beliefs, and etc.. becuase it helps us as

Hindus to get more near the truth. If somebody feels that they need

to go through a conversion ceremony to help them with their faith

then let them go ahead, but Hinduism never dictated in anyway about

rules and regulations about the religion . There were only guides.

Therefore any who prays and believes in Dharma is a Hindu. Hinduism's

true and original name is "Sanathana Dharma" or Eternal Truth. As i

said before i believe only in the "conversion of the heart." Hope i

was clear on my point.

-Lawrence

March 1, 2006

Hey even the term "Hinduism" is a fairly recent Western construct/term, so in

truth there are no "Hindus". There are only followers of Sanatan Dharma as you

stated, and those followers are divided up amongst so many, many different

paths/lineages/approaches, etc.

-

outragedlyrics

Wednesday, March 01, 2006 3:50 PM

Re: about sattvic Devi worship & India ---- how to

become a hindu shakta