FW: Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for Sunday, August 29, 2004

[Guest guest]

Namaste all,

 

I thought this little Q & A was worth sending on for those in the group

for whom Ganesh is their Ishta Devata.

 

Om Shanti

Neil

 

 

Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for Sunday,

August 29, 2004

 

QUESTION #112: Apart from the Guru, do you think that a mediator is

necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization?

 

ANSWER: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata. The mind

cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut its own

throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize the

Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a Deity are

chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest Itself

before you and do the work of annihilating the ego and the mind,

enabling you to realize Cosmic Consciousness.

 

 

 

 

 

* All these quotes are from Swami Sivananda's book

'May I Answer That?', available for purchase

on line at http://www.sivananda.org/yogastore/

 

 

* This book is available on-line in its entirety,

courtesy of the Divine Life Society at:

http://www.thedivinelifesociety.org/download/may_ianswer.htm

 

* Sanskrit->English dictionary available at

http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.shtml

 

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[Guest guest]

I am a Shakta. One of the prime reasons that attracts me to Hinduism is

the option to worshup God in female form.

 

I had some trouble determining which aspect of the Devi was my

Ishtadevata, however. When several years ago, I went for mantra diksha

to my Guru, Ammachi of Kerala, I was genuinely perplexed, and mulling

over in my mind, "Is it Durga? Is it Kali? Is it Lakshmi? Is it

Sarasvati?"

 

So it came as (somewhat) a surprise to me that when the brahmacharya

assisting Ammachi asked me, "Who is your chosen deity?" I stated with

rather forceful assurance, from the bottom of my heart, "It's Sarasvati!"

 

Once I began chanting my Sarasvati mantra, and worshipping the Lady of

the Arts and Sciences, I began to have a very clear image of Sarasvati,

not as Brahma's consort, but as a member of Lord Shiva's court -- playing

the vina for his dances, keeping Shiva's appointments on schedule (Shiva

is, after all, the forgetful Lord). The God of Change was not

Sarasvati's (sexual) consort, however -- he was more her patron,

defender, and protector.

 

It became clear to me that the member of Shiva's family who was in love

with Sarasvati, her soul-mate, her working partner, was none other than

Ganesha. I see Ganesha and Sarasvati as the royal pair within my heart.

If I were to tear open my chest as Hanuman was said to have done, the

Goddess of my heart is holding a vina, and the God of my heart has an

elephant's head.

 

This does not mean that I don't have a special fondness for Lord Shiva,

and whatever apect of HIS consort may reveal herself (as Durga, Kali,

Parvati, Lalita, Uma, Gauri, etc.) I know I am Durga's Lion (although

esoteric forms of Sarasvati and Ganesha also ride the lion). And I'm

working to bring Ma Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu more strongly into my life.

 

But my Ishtadevata is Ma Sarasvati, clear as quartz crystal, and by her

side is Lord Ganesha, effulgeant as one hundred million suns.

 

It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

 

-- Len/ Kalipadma

 

 

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:51:44 +0100 "Trikashaivism"

<Trikashaivism writes:

> Namaste all,

>

> I thought this little Q & A was worth sending on for those in the

> group

> for whom Ganesh is their Ishta Devata.

>

> Om Shanti

> Neil

>

>

> Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for Sunday,

> August 29, 2004

>

> QUESTION #112: Apart from the Guru, do you think that a mediator is

> necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization?

>

> ANSWER: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata. The

> mind

> cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut its

> own

> throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize the

> Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a Deity are

> chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest

> Itself

> before you and do the work of annihilating the ego and the mind,

> enabling you to realize Cosmic Consciousness.

>

>

>

>

>

> * All these quotes are from Swami Sivananda's book

> 'May I Answer That?', available for purchase

> on line at http://www.sivananda.org/yogastore/

>

>

> * This book is available on-line in its entirety,

> courtesy of the Divine Life Society at:

> http://www.thedivinelifesociety.org/download/may_ianswer.htm

>

> * Sanskrit->English dictionary available at

> http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.shtml

>

>

 

 

______________

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[Guest guest]

Namaste Lenji,

 

Thank you for sharing friend. It just goes to show the strength of

Bhagavn Ganesha's attraction and appeal to all groups (including

also non-Hindus). Shaktas, Shaivas,and who knows who else is within

this groups due to their attraction to Ganapati.

 

Graceful Lord Ganesh truly does touch many, many souls : )

 

 

Om Shanti

Neil

 

 

 

, kalipadma@j... wrote:

>

> I am a Shakta. One of the prime reasons that attracts me to

Hinduism is

> the option to worshup God in female form.

>

> I had some trouble determining which aspect of the Devi was my

> Ishtadevata, however. When several years ago, I went for mantra

diksha

> to my Guru, Ammachi of Kerala, I was genuinely perplexed, and

mulling

> over in my mind, "Is it Durga? Is it Kali? Is it Lakshmi? Is it

> Sarasvati?"

>

> So it came as (somewhat) a surprise to me that when the

brahmacharya

> assisting Ammachi asked me, "Who is your chosen deity?" I stated

with

> rather forceful assurance, from the bottom of my heart, "It's

Sarasvati!"

>

> Once I began chanting my Sarasvati mantra, and worshipping the

Lady of

> the Arts and Sciences, I began to have a very clear image of

Sarasvati,

> not as Brahma's consort, but as a member of Lord Shiva's court --

playing

> the vina for his dances, keeping Shiva's appointments on schedule

(Shiva

> is, after all, the forgetful Lord). The God of Change was not

> Sarasvati's (sexual) consort, however -- he was more her patron,

> defender, and protector.

>

> It became clear to me that the member of Shiva's family who was in

love

> with Sarasvati, her soul-mate, her working partner, was none other

than

> Ganesha. I see Ganesha and Sarasvati as the royal pair within my

heart.

> If I were to tear open my chest as Hanuman was said to have done,

the

> Goddess of my heart is holding a vina, and the God of my heart has

an

> elephant's head.

>

> This does not mean that I don't have a special fondness for Lord

Shiva,

> and whatever apect of HIS consort may reveal herself (as Durga,

Kali,

> Parvati, Lalita, Uma, Gauri, etc.) I know I am Durga's Lion

(although

> esoteric forms of Sarasvati and Ganesha also ride the lion). And

I'm

> working to bring Ma Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu more strongly into my

life.

>

> But my Ishtadevata is Ma Sarasvati, clear as quartz crystal, and

by her

> side is Lord Ganesha, effulgeant as one hundred million suns.

>

> It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

>

> -- Len/ Kalipadma

>

>

> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:51:44 +0100 "Trikashaivism"

> <Trikashaivism@o...> writes:

> > Namaste all,

> >

> > I thought this little Q & A was worth sending on for those in

the

> > group

> > for whom Ganesh is their Ishta Devata.

> >

> > Om Shanti

> > Neil

> >

> >

> > Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for

Sunday,

> > August 29, 2004

> >

> > QUESTION #112: Apart from the Guru, do you think that a

mediator is

> > necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization?

> >

> > ANSWER: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata.

The

> > mind

> > cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut

its

> > own

> > throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize

the

> > Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a Deity

are

> > chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest

> > Itself

> > before you and do the work of annihilating the ego and the mind,

> > enabling you to realize Cosmic Consciousness.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > * All these quotes are from Swami Sivananda's book

> > 'May I Answer That?', available for purchase

> > on line at http://www.sivananda.org/yogastore/

> >

> >

> > * This book is available on-line in its entirety,

> > courtesy of the Divine Life Society at:

> > http://www.thedivinelifesociety.org/download/may_ianswer.htm

> >

> > * Sanskrit->English dictionary available at

> > http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.shtml

> >

> >

>

>

> ______________

> The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

> Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

> Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

[Guest guest]

I've had prettu good success with this List's members being able to find

things on the Web. Can anyone find an image of Sarasvati Ma being

worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara?

 

-- Len/ Black Lotus

 

 

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 08:17:14 -0400 kalipadma writes:

>

> I am a Shakta. One of the prime reasons that attracts me to

> Hinduism is

> the option to worshup God in female form.

>

> I had some trouble determining which aspect of the Devi was my

> Ishtadevata, however. When several years ago, I went for mantra

> diksha

> to my Guru, Ammachi of Kerala, I was genuinely perplexed, and

> mulling

> over in my mind, "Is it Durga? Is it Kali? Is it Lakshmi? Is it

> Sarasvati?"

>

> So it came as (somewhat) a surprise to me that when the brahmacharya

> assisting Ammachi asked me, "Who is your chosen deity?" I stated

> with

> rather forceful assurance, from the bottom of my heart, "It's

> Sarasvati!"

>

> Once I began chanting my Sarasvati mantra, and worshipping the Lady

> of

> the Arts and Sciences, I began to have a very clear image of

> Sarasvati,

> not as Brahma's consort, but as a member of Lord Shiva's court --

> playing

> the vina for his dances, keeping Shiva's appointments on schedule

> (Shiva

> is, after all, the forgetful Lord). The God of Change was not

> Sarasvati's (sexual) consort, however -- he was more her patron,

> defender, and protector.

>

> It became clear to me that the member of Shiva's family who was in

> love

> with Sarasvati, her soul-mate, her working partner, was none other

> than

> Ganesha. I see Ganesha and Sarasvati as the royal pair within my

> heart.

> If I were to tear open my chest as Hanuman was said to have done,

> the

> Goddess of my heart is holding a vina, and the God of my heart has

> an

> elephant's head.

>

> This does not mean that I don't have a special fondness for Lord

> Shiva,

> and whatever apect of HIS consort may reveal herself (as Durga,

> Kali,

> Parvati, Lalita, Uma, Gauri, etc.) I know I am Durga's Lion

> (although

> esoteric forms of Sarasvati and Ganesha also ride the lion). And

> I'm

> working to bring Ma Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu more strongly into my

> life.

>

> But my Ishtadevata is Ma Sarasvati, clear as quartz crystal, and by

> her

> side is Lord Ganesha, effulgeant as one hundred million suns.

>

> It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

>

> -- Len/ Kalipadma

>

>

> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:51:44 +0100 "Trikashaivism"

> <Trikashaivism writes:

> > Namaste all,

> >

> > I thought this little Q & A was worth sending on for those in the

> > group

> > for whom Ganesh is their Ishta Devata.

> >

> > Om Shanti

> > Neil

> >

> >

> > Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for Sunday,

> > August 29, 2004

> >

> > QUESTION #112: Apart from the Guru, do you think that a mediator

> is

> > necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization?

> >

> > ANSWER: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata. The

>

> > mind

> > cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut its

>

> > own

> > throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize the

> > Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a Deity

> are

> > chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest

> > Itself

> > before you and do the work of annihilating the ego and the mind,

> > enabling you to realize Cosmic Consciousness.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > * All these quotes are from Swami Sivananda's book

> > 'May I Answer That?', available for purchase

> > on line at http://www.sivananda.org/yogastore/

> >

> >

> > * This book is available on-line in its entirety,

> > courtesy of the Divine Life Society at:

> > http://www.thedivinelifesociety.org/download/may_ianswer.htm

> >

> > * Sanskrit->English dictionary available at

> > http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.shtml

> >

> >

>

>

> ______________

> The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

> Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

> Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

>

>

> ------------------------ Sponsor

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> --~->

 

>

>

> http://www.geocities.com/aumganesh/

> Links

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

______________

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Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

[Guest guest]

Namaste Lenji,

 

I'm afraid I think you may have struck out this time. I had a really

good look for your desired image but drew a blank. I think this may

be a very tough image to locate, at least online anyway. However,

maybe somebody else within the group might have more success than I.

Should I come across such an image in any books I'll scan and

forward it on. But right now none come to mind, but I will keep the

eyes peeled.

 

Om Shanti

Neil

 

 

 

 

 

, kalipadma@j... wrote:

>

> I've had prettu good success with this List's members being able

to find

> things on the Web. Can anyone find an image of Sarasvati Ma being

> worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshvara?

>

> -- Len/ Black Lotus

>

>

> On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 08:17:14 -0400 kalipadma@j... writes:

> >

> > I am a Shakta. One of the prime reasons that attracts me to

> > Hinduism is

> > the option to worshup God in female form.

> >

> > I had some trouble determining which aspect of the Devi was my

> > Ishtadevata, however. When several years ago, I went for mantra

> > diksha

> > to my Guru, Ammachi of Kerala, I was genuinely perplexed, and

> > mulling

> > over in my mind, "Is it Durga? Is it Kali? Is it Lakshmi? Is it

> > Sarasvati?"

> >

> > So it came as (somewhat) a surprise to me that when the

brahmacharya

> > assisting Ammachi asked me, "Who is your chosen deity?" I stated

> > with

> > rather forceful assurance, from the bottom of my heart, "It's

> > Sarasvati!"

> >

> > Once I began chanting my Sarasvati mantra, and worshipping the

Lady

> > of

> > the Arts and Sciences, I began to have a very clear image of

> > Sarasvati,

> > not as Brahma's consort, but as a member of Lord Shiva's court --

 

> > playing

> > the vina for his dances, keeping Shiva's appointments on

schedule

> > (Shiva

> > is, after all, the forgetful Lord). The God of Change was not

> > Sarasvati's (sexual) consort, however -- he was more her patron,

> > defender, and protector.

> >

> > It became clear to me that the member of Shiva's family who was

in

> > love

> > with Sarasvati, her soul-mate, her working partner, was none

other

> > than

> > Ganesha. I see Ganesha and Sarasvati as the royal pair within

my

> > heart.

> > If I were to tear open my chest as Hanuman was said to have

done,

> > the

> > Goddess of my heart is holding a vina, and the God of my heart

has

> > an

> > elephant's head.

> >

> > This does not mean that I don't have a special fondness for Lord

> > Shiva,

> > and whatever apect of HIS consort may reveal herself (as Durga,

> > Kali,

> > Parvati, Lalita, Uma, Gauri, etc.) I know I am Durga's Lion

> > (although

> > esoteric forms of Sarasvati and Ganesha also ride the lion).

And

> > I'm

> > working to bring Ma Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu more strongly into

my

> > life.

> >

> > But my Ishtadevata is Ma Sarasvati, clear as quartz crystal, and

by

> > her

> > side is Lord Ganesha, effulgeant as one hundred million suns.

> >

> > It works for me. Your mileage may vary.

> >

> > -- Len/ Kalipadma

> >

> >

> > On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 11:51:44 +0100 "Trikashaivism"

> > <Trikashaivism@o...> writes:

> > > Namaste all,

> > >

> > > I thought this little Q & A was worth sending on for those in

the

> > > group

> > > for whom Ganesh is their Ishta Devata.

> > >

> > > Om Shanti

> > > Neil

> > >

> > >

> > > Sivananda's 'May I Answer That' Q&A Selection for

Sunday,

> > > August 29, 2004

> > >

> > > QUESTION #112: Apart from the Guru, do you think that a

mediator

> > is

> > > necessary in order to enable us to attain Self-realization?

> > >

> > > ANSWER: Yes, yes. That is the Tutelary Deity or Ishta Devata.

The

> >

> > > mind

> > > cannot all at once rise beyond itself. The ego will seldom cut

its

> >

> > > own

> > > throat. Your consciousness will find it a hard task to realize

the

> > > Cosmic Consciousness. Therefore the Name and the Form of a

Deity

> > are

> > > chosen to meditate upon. In due time, this Deity will manifest

> > > Itself

> > > before you and do the work of annihilating the ego and the

mind,

> > > enabling you to realize Cosmic Consciousness.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > * All these quotes are from Swami Sivananda's book

> > > 'May I Answer That?', available for purchase

> > > on line at http://www.sivananda.org/yogastore/

> > >

> > >

> > > * This book is available on-line in its entirety,

> > > courtesy of the Divine Life Society at:

> > > http://www.thedivinelifesociety.org/download/may_ianswer.htm

> > >

> > > * Sanskrit->English dictionary available at

> > > http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.shtml

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> > ______________

> > The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

> > Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

> > Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

> >

> >

> > ------------------------ Sponsor

> > --------------------~-->

> > Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Companion Toolbar.

> > Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free!

> > http://us.click./L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/XUWolB/TM

> > --------------------------------

---~->

>

> >

> >

> > http://www.geocities.com/aumganesh/

> > Links

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

> ______________

> The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand!

> Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER!

> Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!