Devi Navaratri coconut and a question

[Guest guest]

Dear S V Saikumar,

 

To clarify: The three eyes of the coconut ought to face downwards.

Regarding the mango leaves: In many puja books it says that if we do not have

certain articles for performing puja, we can substitute for them with things

like akshata, flowers, leaves and so on. For example, it is quite common to

offer a spoonful of water instead of madhuparka; likewise some cotton wool or

flowers may be offered instead of real cloth for vastra. Those who are very poor

or too busy can even do worship by substituting spoonfuls of water (or grains of

rice or leaves or whathaveyou) for ALL the upacharas. Since you have no mango

leaves, you could probably use some other auspicious leaves like tulasi (even

regular basil would do), or even just some ordinary leaves.

If I may be permitted I would also like to offer my opinion on one of your other

questions. Instead of leaving the spaces in the sangkalpa blank I would

tentatively suggest that you insert the word " shubha " ( " auspicious " ); so that it

might read " ...on this auspicious day in this auspicious month in this

auspicious place..... " and so on. Or perhaps just state your intention in your

own words, or mentally.

These are just my own thoughts on this last point.

I think the following quote is appropriate to all of the above subjects:

It is from the Devi Mahatmyam. The Devi says:

 

" jAnatAjAnatA vApi balipUjAM tathA kR^itAm.h |

pratIchchhiShyAmyahaM prItyA vahnihomaM tathAkR^itam.h|| "

 

" I will accept with love the sacrifice and worship that are made and the

fire-offering that is offered likewise, whether they are done with due knowledge

(of sacrifice) or not. "

 

I think that this passage ought to be quoted more. One often hears people

quoting from the Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna says how if you offer only a

leaf or water with devotion it will be accepted. This is very good, but it would

be nice to also hear the same idea from specifically Saktha scripture as quoted

above. I hope there is no taboo on quoting from this scripture of which I am

unaware!

 

I also have a question which I hope someone can answer.

In many southern temples one sees lots of kuttuvilakku standing lamps with five

wicks each arranged on both sides of the Deity. Now I happen to have one of

these lamps which I wish to use just for general lighting of my Kali puja altar.

Since I only have one kuttuvilakku I would like to know whether it is

traditional to put it on the left or the right side of the altar? (Here I am not

talking about the Deep that is offered in puja which goes on Ma Kali's right

side, with the Dhuup/incense on Her left). If I had two kuttuvilakkus I wouldn't

have this worry (though in light of the quote I have given earlier I really

shouldn't be worrying at all! Still I am curious)

 

Jai Maa Kaali,

Loladas

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Pranam, Loladas.

*I also have a question which I hope someone can answer. In many southern

temples one sees lots of kuttuvilakku standing lamps with five wicks each

arranged on both sides of the Deity. Now I happen to have one of these lamps

which I wish to use just for general lighting of my Kali puja altar. Since I

only have one kuttuvilakku I would like to know whether it is traditional to put

it on the left or the right side of the altar? *

 

I believe that the kuttuvilakku should be placed on the right side of the altar.

Hope that helps.

 

With Love

 

Shankaree

 

P.s. I really loved that quote. Please send us more..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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