Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 The main stotra Amma promotes is the LS, because of it's beneficial effects. But like a mantra or any hymn, the real effects come from regular practice, long-term, with concentration (phala = fruit; sruti = like the drone note, steady unbroken). If you're really focused on Amma, you could try learning Her 108 names in addition to the LS. Way back when I re-vamped the satsang formats in the DC area to be closer to Dayamrita's, I learned and memorized Amma's 108 to make sure the new format got off to a good start. Believe me, just making the attempt (a year is common) brings about great grace and one-pointedness of mind (and concentration headaches). An ashramite back then told me the swami's were trying to get people to learn the LS rather than Her 108. Unless you're ashram bound, I'd pass on the Devi 108 (raja...) because it's just more learning. I think that greater benefit would be from multiple chantings of the LS in a single day, as mentally fatiguing it can be. I feel the grace kick-in when I'm about 80-99% thru. As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. The Stotra form by far, is the best for learning and becoming comfortable with the LS because of the even rhythm, and shorter time. Just do a short 5-step puja before the LS if you're going to do the stotra form, for more of a puja benefit. If you do your own mantra alot, and the LS, I don't see how you'd have time for much else. tom Ammachi, "joannapollner" <joannapollner wrote: > > Jay Maa > > I understand that it is recommended while receiving mantra to chant it along with LS, > has Amma recommended any other stotras such as Sri Khadgamala or Sri Suktam , > LS I tried to do every-morning however for time reason am not always able to do it. > > Namaste , Joanna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 But since she is already having a hard time with the LS in the namavali format, it would make sense to either start with the 108, since it is 108 of the best names out of the LS, with just a couple of exceptions, or to learn it in the stotram format since this is shorter and easier. Even if one if more powerful than the other, so what? They are both plenty powerful. I agree that Amma's 108 is also a VERY good idea. Surya - Tom Ammachi Thursday, March 02, 2006 8:45 AM Re: Mantras+Stotras/LS The main stotra Amma promotes is the LS, because of it's beneficial effects. But like a mantra or any hymn, the real effects come from regular practice, long-term, with concentration (phala = fruit; sruti = like the drone note, steady unbroken). If you're really focused on Amma, you could try learning Her 108 names in addition to the LS. Way back when I re-vamped the satsang formats in the DC area to be closer to Dayamrita's, I learned and memorized Amma's 108 to make sure the new format got off to a good start. Believe me, just making the attempt (a year is common) brings about great grace and one-pointedness of mind (and concentration headaches). An ashramite back then told me the swami's were trying to get people to learn the LS rather than Her 108. Unless you're ashram bound, I'd pass on the Devi 108 (raja...) because it's just more learning. I think that greater benefit would be from multiple chantings of the LS in a single day, as mentally fatiguing it can be. I feel the grace kick-in when I'm about 80-99% thru. As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. The Stotra form by far, is the best for learning and becoming comfortable with the LS because of the even rhythm, and shorter time. Just do a short 5-step puja before the LS if you're going to do the stotra form, for more of a puja benefit. If you do your own mantra alot, and the LS, I don't see how you'd have time for much else. tom Ammachi, "joannapollner" <joannapollner wrote: > > Jay Maa > > I understand that it is recommended while receiving mantra to chant it along with LS, > has Amma recommended any other stotras such as Sri Khadgamala or Sri Suktam , > LS I tried to do every-morning however for time reason am not always able to do it. > > Namaste , Joanna > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 I think Tom's talking of the standard Devi 108 , not the 108 off of the LS that we use for Atma puja. The standard Devi 108 is tougher to learn at first ; the Atma-puja 108 is the best names off of the LS, and exhilaring. Joanna, One on one, I think she suggests a lot of stuff to people, but as an "official" LCD (lowest common denominator) practice, it's LS. Jai Ma! Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > But since she is already having a hard time with the LS in the namavali format, it would make sense to either start with the 108, since it is 108 of the best names out of the LS, with just a couple of exceptions, or to learn it in the stotram format since this is shorter and easier. Even if one if more powerful than the other, so what? They are both plenty powerful. > > I agree that Amma's 108 is also a VERY good idea. > > Surya > - > Tom > Ammachi > Thursday, March 02, 2006 8:45 AM > Re: Mantras+Stotras/LS > > > The main stotra Amma promotes is the LS, because of it's beneficial > effects. But like a mantra or any hymn, the real effects come from > regular practice, long-term, with concentration (phala = fruit; sruti > = like the drone note, steady unbroken). If you're really focused on > Amma, you could try learning Her 108 names in addition to the LS. > > Way back when I re-vamped the satsang formats in the DC area to be > closer to Dayamrita's, I learned and memorized Amma's 108 to make sure > the new format got off to a good start. Believe me, just making the > attempt (a year is common) brings about great grace and one- pointedness > of mind (and concentration headaches). An ashramite back then told me > the swami's were trying to get people to learn the LS rather than Her > 108. > > Unless you're ashram bound, I'd pass on the Devi 108 (raja...) because > it's just more learning. I think that greater benefit would be from > multiple chantings of the LS in a single day, as mentally fatiguing it > can be. I feel the grace kick-in when I'm about 80-99% thru. > > As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List form > of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, because of the > namaha's making it an automatic worship. The Stotra form by far, is > the best for learning and becoming comfortable with the LS because of > the even rhythm, and shorter time. Just do a short 5-step puja > before the LS if you're going to do the stotra form, for more of a puja > benefit. > > If you do your own mantra alot, and the LS, I don't see how you'd have > time for much else. > > tom > > Ammachi, "joannapollner" <joannapollner@> > wrote: > > > > Jay Maa > > > > I understand that it is recommended while receiving mantra to chant > it along with LS, > > has Amma recommended any other stotras such as Sri Khadgamala or Sri > Suktam , > > LS I tried to do every-morning however for time reason am not always > able to do it. > > > > Namaste , Joanna > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > - ----------- > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. Terms of Service. > > > - ----------- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Ammachi, "manoj_menon" <ammademon wrote: >Jay Maa ! thank you all for great ideas , whenever I chant LS as namavali I feel extremely powerful energy emanating , the day seems more blessed , just for time issues I am concerned , Amma's 108 names are very special, however the energetic-al charge of LS is amazing . I tried Sri Suktam and Sri Khadgamala they feel very divine and special too so I thought of using those as my morning ritual. I have at home Sri Charka Meru ( Crystal ) , in general I am not sure why I am confused as to what mantra to use and what stotras to follow for every day . First of I want to mention that I never asked Amma for mantra for years for some reason I thought Amma gives mantras without asking ( i have no clue why i thought this way ) . Then I met Sri Karunamayi asked Her for mantra for three years She did not respond , finally last year She promised to give me mantra , I was happy but now again I feel a very strong pull to Ammachi and feel strong connection to ask Ammachi for mantra . I dont know what is considered proper anymore , or I am doing something not right are the Gurus testing me ? thank you again for responding , very helpful. namaste , joanna > I think Tom's talking of the standard Devi 108 , not the 108 off of > the LS that we use for Atma puja. The standard Devi 108 is tougher > to learn at first ; the Atma-puja 108 is the best names off of the > LS, and exhilaring. > > Joanna, > One on one, I think she suggests a lot of stuff to people, but as > an "official" LCD (lowest common denominator) practice, it's LS. > > Jai Ma! > > > Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@> wrote: > > > > But since she is already having a hard time with the LS in the > namavali format, it would make sense to either start with the 108, > since it is 108 of the best names out of the LS, with just a couple > of exceptions, or to learn it in the stotram format since this is > shorter and easier. Even if one if more powerful than the other, so > what? They are both plenty powerful. > > > > I agree that Amma's 108 is also a VERY good idea. > > > > Surya > > - > > Tom > > Ammachi > > Thursday, March 02, 2006 8:45 AM > > Re: Mantras+Stotras/LS > > > > > > The main stotra Amma promotes is the LS, because of it's > beneficial > > effects. But like a mantra or any hymn, the real effects come > from > > regular practice, long-term, with concentration (phala = fruit; > sruti > > = like the drone note, steady unbroken). If you're really > focused on > > Amma, you could try learning Her 108 names in addition to the LS. > > > > Way back when I re-vamped the satsang formats in the DC area to > be > > closer to Dayamrita's, I learned and memorized Amma's 108 to > make sure > > the new format got off to a good start. Believe me, just > making the > > attempt (a year is common) brings about great grace and one- > pointedness > > of mind (and concentration headaches). An ashramite back then > told me > > the swami's were trying to get people to learn the LS rather > than Her > > 108. > > > > Unless you're ashram bound, I'd pass on the Devi 108 (raja...) > because > > it's just more learning. I think that greater benefit would > be from > > multiple chantings of the LS in a single day, as mentally > fatiguing it > > can be. I feel the grace kick-in when I'm about 80-99% thru. > > > > As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List > form > > of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, because > of the > > namaha's making it an automatic worship. The Stotra form by > far, is > > the best for learning and becoming comfortable with the LS > because of > > the even rhythm, and shorter time. Just do a short 5-step > puja > > before the LS if you're going to do the stotra form, for more of > a puja > > benefit. > > > > If you do your own mantra alot, and the LS, I don't see how > you'd have > > time for much else. > > > > tom > > > > Ammachi, "joannapollner" <joannapollner@> > > wrote: > > > > > > Jay Maa > > > > > > I understand that it is recommended while receiving mantra > to chant > > it along with LS, > > > has Amma recommended any other stotras such as Sri Khadgamala > or Sri > > Suktam , > > > LS I tried to do every-morning however for time reason am not > always > > able to do it. > > > > > > Namaste , Joanna > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > > > > - > ----------- > > > > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > > > b.. > > Ammachi > > > > c.. Terms > of Service. > > > > > > - > ----------- > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Ammachi, "joannapollner" <joannapollner wrote: > >Then I met Sri Karunamayi asked Her for mantra for three years > She did not respond , finally last year She promised to give me > mantra , I was happy but now again I feel a very strong pull to > Ammachi and feel strong connection to ask Ammachi for mantra . I > dont know what is considered proper anymore , or I am doing > something not right are the Gurus testing me ? > > thank you again for responding , very helpful. > > namaste , joanna Hi, Does the above mean that Sri Karunamayi promised you a mantra, but has not yet given you one? It is not explicitly clear whether you have one or not yet..... If you already have one, then the general suggestion is to stick to it because at the time of initiation, a powerful bond has been created, and your repetitions have deepened the bond further. Taking another mantra (especially from another guru) may require more effort to un-bond the old and bond the new before the mantra starts 'singing'. not a very productive strategy as you can see. .... but you never know, talk to Amma and explain all of this to her and see what she says. Grace can free up a lot of the past. if you don't already have one from Karunamayi (viz she promised to give a mantra but has not yet delivered because of lack of time etc), then I guess it's not a harm to get a mantra from Amma. Either way, try and avoid this vacillation in the future. . BTW, I recently purchased the CD of Sri Karunamayi's Khadgamala Stotram (KS) recitiation. It is terrific! I listen to it once in a while, it's not a daily practice with me. Jai Ma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2006 Report Share Posted March 3, 2006 Ammachi, "manoj_menon" <ammademon wrote: HI Manoj yes , Sri Karunamayi did not give me mantra , only sad " I will give You mantra " , She also sad something in terms of me attanding Her retreats , but I dont see that happening any time soon . I am not sure if that is like proper at all now asking Ammachi for mantra since i feel very strong connection to Amma. The Khadgamala CD you mentioned I also have , it is amazing ! . thank You once again )) > > Does the above mean that Sri Karunamayi promised you a mantra, but > has not yet given you one? It is not explicitly clear whether you > have one or not yet..... > > If you already have one, then the general suggestion is to stick to > it because at the time of initiation, a powerful bond has been > created, and your repetitions have deepened the bond further. Taking > another mantra (especially from another guru) may require more > effort to un-bond the old and bond the new before the mantra > starts 'singing'. not a very productive strategy as you can > see. .... but you never know, talk to Amma and explain all of this > to her and see what she says. Grace can free up a lot of the past. > > if you don't already have one from Karunamayi (viz she promised to > give a mantra but has not yet delivered because of lack of time > etc), then I guess it's not a harm to get a mantra from Amma. > > Either way, try and avoid this vacillation in the future. . > > BTW, I recently purchased the CD of Sri Karunamayi's Khadgamala > Stotram (KS) recitiation. It is terrific! I listen to it once in a > while, it's not a daily practice with me. > > Jai Ma! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 I think it makes a big difference how the chanting is done. Often the stotra is chanted lickedy-split, top speed, almost like a race to the end. If it is chanted slowly and mindfully, with devotion and concentration, there can be the same benefits as from the Namavali version. It is all worship anyway... Max >As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List >form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, >because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. -- Max Dashu Suppressed Histories Archives Global Women's History http://www.suppressedhistories.net Paintings of bold and spirited women http://www.maxdashu.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 I have my thoughts of whether the Naamavali is better than the Stotra. The original LS (Hayagreeva imparts to Agastya) in Brahmaanda Puraana is in stotra format. So logically, the Naamavali seems to be a new format designed by a later-day religious head, more for the purposes of doing a more elaborate puja. It may mostly be a Kaula SriVidya practice, as the visualization required for the Manasa Puja and the elaborate rituals are essentially tantric tools, and a puja is done mainly with plenty of salutations (om namah). this is all theory, don't have any facts to support it as yet. In either the stotra or the LS, one has to chant the same anuswaras and hidden bija mantras. The real benefit comes from the transforming power of the vibrations of these powerful properly-chanted "keywords". Devotion and concentration are also indispensable; these aids lead to better chanting, and better chanting improves devotion and concentration. start from any one side; over time and with grace, the other side is bound to follow. Jai Ma! Ammachi, Max Dashu <maxdashu wrote: > > I think it makes a big difference how the chanting is done. Often the > stotra is chanted lickedy-split, top speed, almost like a race to the > end. If it is chanted slowly and mindfully, with devotion and > concentration, there can be the same benefits as from the Namavali > version. It is all worship anyway... > > Max > > >As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List > >form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, > >because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. > > > -- > Max Dashu > Suppressed Histories Archives Global Women's History > http://www.suppressedhistories.net > Paintings of bold and spirited women > http://www.maxdashu.net > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 9, 2006 Report Share Posted March 9, 2006 Interesting theories. Who knows about such things? But keep in mind that anything existing today in written form, existed for much, much longer in oral tradition. The written texts were never meant to be studied outside of a Guru Parampara Tradition. Also, keeping this in mind, I am sure there is more than one version of the Brahmaanda Puraana, or any text for that matter. That doesn't mean that one is right and one is wrong, though this is a difficult concept for most Westerners to wrap their head around. I guess I can see why you may side towards a theory of it coming from the Kaulas, but there are many other equally viable explanations/theories as well and personally that is just too sweeping an explanation for my taste. The Kaulas have many lineages and go in many different directions, as do each of the other groups of Sri Vidya Upasakas. Jai Maa, Surya - manoj_menon Ammachi Thursday, March 09, 2006 10:19 PM Re: Mantras+Stotras/LS I have my thoughts of whether the Naamavali is better than the Stotra. The original LS (Hayagreeva imparts to Agastya) in Brahmaanda Puraana is in stotra format. So logically, the Naamavali seems to be a new format designed by a later-day religious head, more for the purposes of doing a more elaborate puja. It may mostly be a Kaula SriVidya practice, as the visualization required for the Manasa Puja and the elaborate rituals are essentially tantric tools, and a puja is done mainly with plenty of salutations (om namah). this is all theory, don't have any facts to support it as yet. In either the stotra or the LS, one has to chant the same anuswaras and hidden bija mantras. The real benefit comes from the transforming power of the vibrations of these powerful properly-chanted "keywords". Devotion and concentration are also indispensable; these aids lead to better chanting, and better chanting improves devotion and concentration. start from any one side; over time and with grace, the other side is bound to follow. Jai Ma! Ammachi, Max Dashu <maxdashu wrote: > > I think it makes a big difference how the chanting is done. Often the > stotra is chanted lickedy-split, top speed, almost like a race to the > end. If it is chanted slowly and mindfully, with devotion and > concentration, there can be the same benefits as from the Namavali > version. It is all worship anyway... > > Max > > >As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List > >form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, > >because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. > > > -- > Max Dashu > Suppressed Histories Archives Global Women's History > http://www.suppressedhistories.net > Paintings of bold and spirited women > http://www.maxdashu.net > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! Mata amritanandamayi a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. b.. Ammachi c.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 What does Amma Herself say about Namavali or Stotra version , ? does She say anything about it ? joanna > > Interesting theories. Who knows about such things? > > But keep in mind that anything existing today in written form, existed for much, much longer in oral tradition. The written texts were never meant to be studied outside of a Guru Parampara Tradition. Also, keeping this in mind, I am sure there is more than one version of the Brahmaanda Puraana, or any text for that matter. That doesn't mean that one is right and one is wrong, though this is a difficult concept for most Westerners to wrap their head around. > > I guess I can see why you may side towards a theory of it coming from the Kaulas, but there are many other equally viable explanations/theories as well and personally that is just too sweeping an explanation for my taste. The Kaulas have many lineages and go in many different directions, as do each of the other groups of Sri Vidya Upasakas. > > Jai Maa, > > Surya > - > manoj_menon > Ammachi > Thursday, March 09, 2006 10:19 PM > Re: Mantras+Stotras/LS > > > I have my thoughts of whether the Naamavali is better than the Stotra. > > The original LS (Hayagreeva imparts to Agastya) in Brahmaanda Puraana > is in stotra format. > > So logically, the Naamavali seems to be a new format designed by a > later-day religious head, more for the purposes of doing a more > elaborate puja. It may mostly be a Kaula SriVidya practice, as the > visualization required for the Manasa Puja and the elaborate rituals > are essentially tantric tools, and a puja is done mainly with plenty > of salutations (om namah). this is all theory, don't have any facts to > support it as yet. > > In either the stotra or the LS, one has to chant the same anuswaras > and hidden bija mantras. The real benefit comes from the transforming > power of the vibrations of these powerful properly-chanted "keywords". > > Devotion and concentration are also indispensable; these aids lead to > better chanting, and better chanting improves devotion and concentration. > > start from any one side; over time and with grace, the other side is > bound to follow. > > > Jai Ma! > > > > Ammachi, Max Dashu <maxdashu@> wrote: > > > > I think it makes a big difference how the chanting is done. Often the > > stotra is chanted lickedy-split, top speed, almost like a race to the > > end. If it is chanted slowly and mindfully, with devotion and > > concentration, there can be the same benefits as from the Namavali > > version. It is all worship anyway... > > > > Max > > > > >As Dayamrita exhalts, but is not so clear in the books, the List > > >form of the chanting is more beneficial than the stotra form, > > >because of the namaha's making it an automatic worship. > > > > > > -- > > Max Dashu > > Suppressed Histories Archives Global Women's History > > http://www.suppressedhistories.net > > Paintings of bold and spirited women > > http://www.maxdashu.net > > > > > > Aum Amriteswarayai Namaha! > > > > Mata amritanandamayi > > > ---------- -- > > > a.. Visit your group "Ammachi" on the web. > > b.. > Ammachi > > c.. > > > ---------- -- > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Ammachi, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni wrote: > > Also, keeping this in mind, I am sure there is more than one version of the Brahmaanda Puraana, or any text for that matter. . > > Jai Maa, > > Surya While this is a possibility, as far as I know there is only one version of the Brahmaanda Purana - that which was composed by Veda Vyaasa himself. In fact, Vyaasa is credited with compiling all the Vedas, and the 18 MahaPuraanas (Brahmaanda is one of them), and the MahaaBharata (the Gita being part of it). The rest are just commentaries of the same original text. Guessing from Veda Vyaasa's style of writing, he had a tendency to write in shloka format, hence giving a stotra. Also guessing from his intent, it is obvious that he has tried to be as true to the 'shruti' (divinely heard) as possible while compiling. I am pretty sure the LS in stotra format is the original. Kaula or Vaama or Dakshina or Samaya or any other lineage, the Naamavali is definitely originating from one of the many SriVidya lineages. Hence many SV upasakas caution that one should not chant LS without being initiated into it. fortunately we have Amma .... In case you all have not done so already, take your LS chanting book and ask Amma to bless it and your chanting efforts. Note that while taking Amma's blessings it is usually the norm to ask her to bless new and untouched items, but the chanting book may be an exception. ask around and get the right item before getting it blessed. The chanting is turbo-charged after that! it may take time for you to realize this point as it did for me but it's proven to be true for me. Jai Ma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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