Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 jai gurudev dear friend, u raise a very valid point,but i will try to give u the answer. the 10 mahavidyas r the divine mothers form of paramprakruti parambrahma paramatma adi shakti. we can worship maa kaali or baglamukhi in way also. like i will give 1 simple example : lord shiv or lord vishnu : we do mantras : om nahama shivaya om shivaya namaha om namaste maharudraya om vishnave namaha om namo narayanaya om namo bahavate vasudevaya these r simple mantras,and not tantric mantras. but their various forms like lord bhairav,lord maharudra,lord narasimha etc,have some tantric significance.these mantras not normal ones can use used for cruel and bad deeds like killing stunning etc.... similarly mother adi shakti simple mantras : om hreem doum durgayey namaha om shakti etc....these mantra can be done. same way mother baglamukhi mantras like : om peetambarayey namaha om siidhvidyavev namaha [ or swaha ] om shree baglamukhiyey namaha [ or swaha ] can be done,in devotion. but reg tantric mantras,people can use them to do evil to others,so generally gurus avoid giving out tantric mantras to general public. i understand that u r asking that since mother knows all, she can control that person who tried to do evil,but we also need to be cautious,as mother knows all,and so she maybe telling the guru's to either give or not give mantras to some students. i have received 10 mahavidya deeksha from lord narayandutt shrimaliji many yrs ago and i am regularly practicing all 10 mahavidya mantras regularly.i also received mantras from various other guru's and beside this in my family tradition also we have many mantras,which i regularly do,and for these there is no restricion to show anyone or not,like lord narasimha mantras,lord laxmi narayan mantras etc.... i have never seen any bad effect but instead the effect has been very positive and good in my life. like kaali : om kaalikayey namaha this is simple devotion mantra : kreem kreem kreem dakshin kaalikayey swaha this is devotional+tantric mantra. so it finally rests on the guru,whethere to give the mantra or not, i personally agree with yr views,but i am student of tantra so,i cant say much. so i think maybe this can help to answer yr question. om shakti gopal On 7/16/09, Oliver <alantra34 wrote: > > > > Pranams, > > I have been reading with great interest the posts on Bagalamukhi, and I > wonder now as to whether the issue of secrecy regarding mantras is exclusive > to tantrism or whether it can, and perhaps should be, more generally > addressed among and between varying schools of Hindu thought wherein it does > not seem to be an issue at all. > > How can one, for example, understand the necessity of secrecy from the > perspective of pure devotion? If we maintain that Shakti is Brahman--well, > does She not know the heart of those that love Her? Is She blind to the > intentions of Her little children? Does a mother seek to kill her children > because they are children? I come to my Mother without discipline, without > sincerity, without ability, and without anything of merit, but I am her > child. And I trust Her completely. Why ever would I not? Should the tiger > cub be afraid of its mother's fangs? On the other hand, were I to approach > my Beloved as though She were a monster bent on my utter destruction I would > surely deserve to be swatted by Her for mispronouncing Her name. But She is > All. So what of it? What does the All which is All care about puja if the > tears of the heart are not honey to Her? > > I mean, if you take mantra as being part and parcel of an entire ritual > structure wherein every element is scientifically geared towards generating > a very specific effect I can well understand why diksha would be important; > and I could see why the recitation of certain mantras would remain secret if > such practices are to remain fully embedded within an extremely complex and > esoteric understanding of reality and of our place within it--but outside of > tantrism, I see no point to it at all. > > Given the fundamental universality of the Sanatana Dharma, where does the > issue of ritual secrecy come in outside of tantric traditions? For that > matter, what do the esoteric doctrines and practices of the various tantric > traditions contribute to that mighty river which is Indian philosophical > thought? The way Shaktism is presented disturbs me. But is Shaktism > necessarily tantric? Is it not far more than sectarian infighting and > scholasticism? When I behold my beloved Mother I see LIFE, not a rule-book > of ritual pronunciations. What does She who lives in the cremation grounds > and who transgresses all boundaries and rituals and superstitions upheld and > cherished by the ego have to do with the technicalities of arcane rituals > bent on the acquisition of powers? Where is the Mother's ecstasy? Where is > Her wisdom and Her love? Would Kali have taken Ramakrishna's head if in his > ecstatic love for Her he had momentarily forgotten the technical details of > Her rituals and tossed Her a rotted mango instead? > > In an age which has lost its spiritual heart, who really cares about > seemingly sectarian issues anyway? It is very easy to say that the Tradition > needs to be maintained as it has been handed down; that things need to be > done in certain ways, and according to certain meticulously elaborated > precepts. But it is quite something else to reach into the living, juicy, > feminine heart of ritual and to make it truly alive for the liberation of > souls. Or of what use is it? Anyone in any age can learn to toss about > technical terms. But who reaches the wild heart of Shakti? Who tastes of her > freedom? Does not Kali, in the taking of heads, embody the very antithesis > of the aggressive intellectualism and obscurantism upheld by certain occult > teachings within the traditions who claim to represent Her? > > Now obviously, I am not a Hindu. Nor did I grow up within the matrix of > India's ancient cultural traditions. But Kali as Shakti as Brahman is not a > Hindu goddess, and I cannot worship her as a Hindu, nor do I have any desire > to appropriate the beauty of Her rituals, or to employ Hindu elements in my > devotions to Her. It would not make sense, and it would not be right. I was > not grown within the soil which gave those traditions of ritual feasting > meaning and power and birth. As a human being though,perhaps I can come to > understand the necessity of maintaining the seed elements of creation a > secret--not intellectually, because that does not interest me--but > emotionally and intuitively. > > Please forgive any offense I have inadvertantly given. I speak in > unknowing. Blessings of Her peace upon all of your heads. > > Oliver > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Oliver, Thank you for your wonderful post. The Sanatana Dharma is universal because it is a great expression of the one universal Truth. The paths of bhakti and of jnana merge, just as the paths of all traditions merge. Shakti is Brahman because All is Brahman. If Devi has blessed us that we should love Her, we should return Her love and trust Her, Her wisdom will follow. If She blesses us with a guru, then we are blessed. If She does not bless us with a guru, then we are blessed. Sidhi budhi pradhe Devi, Bhakthi mukthi pradayinee -- St John www.eternalfeminine.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Dear Oliver: When you approach Shakta Tantra (or indeed most any form of what we call " Hinduism " ) you need to think on several levels simultaneously. It's a little like Einstein's theory of relativity, where the Truth shifts depending on where you stand in relation to it -- your own relative location, motion and very presence vitally affects and changes what you see and experience. If you approach the Devi in a purely devotional mode, then -- as you say -- grammar and pronunciation matter not. It is better to do something, however technically imperfect, than to do nothing at all. This concept is succinctly expressed in the saying " bhaavagraahee janardana " -- God understands the intent and does not bother about content. One sage said that when you meet Death, the perfection of your grammar will not be much of a guide, but your devotion will. Having said that, however, when this pure japa turns to a prayoga and kamya, the picture changes. The moment you make a specific material wish -- whether the supposed Tantric cliche of somehow harming someone, or some entirely innocuous and beneficial goal (new car, new job, new significant other) -- then the so-called " Rules " you bemoan do come into play and they can indeed be strict. *** When I behold my beloved Mother I see LIFE, not a rule-book of ritual pronunciations. *** The most powerful thing in the vicinity of the Earth is undoubtedly the Sun. Since time immemorial people have worshiped the Sun. But the Sun is many things at once: it gives life, it can kill. From different perspectives on Earth, it creates lush tropical paradises or harsh deserts. Outside Earth's atmosphere, it will kill you with its heat and radiation -- and yet without it, there would be no life at all. The Devi of course is Power itself, containing and embodying more energy than a hundred trillion Suns. When us humans build a fire, we do so carefully. We build it in a brick or stone hearth; we keep enough distance so that we are not burned; we tend it with tools made for the job, not with out hands. When scientists work with radioactive materials, they wear protective gear. When divers plunge deep under the sea, they must carry oxygen and take precautions against decompression sickness. None of this means that the Sun, or Fire, or Minerals, or the Sea are Bad, or want to harm us, or are somehow intrinsically evil. But they are what they are: mighty forces that must be approached -- once we leave the realm of poetry and aesthetic appreciation -- with not only love and devotion, but also a healthy respect, preparation and intelligence. Devi is not just a spiritual force; She is simultaneously a material force. The things you say you understand in your post are all true; the things you say you don't understand are true too. How you approach Her depends on why you approach Her. aim mAtangyai namaH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Is it true that before you start worshiping Devi (kali, durga, saraswati,...) it is beter to start worship Ganesh first? How is with that? Please advise? 2009/7/16 Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta > > > Dear Oliver: > > When you approach Shakta Tantra (or indeed most any form of what we call > " Hinduism " ) you need to think on several levels simultaneously. It's a > little like Einstein's theory of relativity, where the Truth shifts > depending on where you stand in relation to it -- your own relative > location, motion and very presence vitally affects and changes what you see > and experience. > > If you approach the Devi in a purely devotional mode, then -- as you say -- > grammar and pronunciation matter not. It is better to do something, however > technically imperfect, than to do nothing at all. This concept is succinctly > expressed in the saying " bhaavagraahee janardana " -- God understands the > intent and does not bother about content. One sage said that when you meet > Death, the perfection of your grammar will not be much of a guide, but your > devotion will. > > Having said that, however, when this pure japa turns to a prayoga and > kamya, the picture changes. The moment you make a specific material wish -- > whether the supposed Tantric cliche of somehow harming someone, or some > entirely innocuous and beneficial goal (new car, new job, new significant > other) -- then the so-called " Rules " you bemoan do come into play and they > can indeed be strict. > > *** When I behold my beloved Mother I see LIFE, not a rule-book of ritual > pronunciations. *** > > The most powerful thing in the vicinity of the Earth is undoubtedly the > Sun. Since time immemorial people have worshiped the Sun. But the Sun is > many things at once: it gives life, it can kill. From different perspectives > on Earth, it creates lush tropical paradises or harsh deserts. Outside > Earth's atmosphere, it will kill you with its heat and radiation -- and yet > without it, there would be no life at all. The Devi of course is Power > itself, containing and embodying more energy than a hundred trillion Suns. > > When us humans build a fire, we do so carefully. We build it in a brick or > stone hearth; we keep enough distance so that we are not burned; we tend it > with tools made for the job, not with out hands. When scientists work with > radioactive materials, they wear protective gear. When divers plunge deep > under the sea, they must carry oxygen and take precautions against > decompression sickness. > > None of this means that the Sun, or Fire, or Minerals, or the Sea are Bad, > or want to harm us, or are somehow intrinsically evil. But they are what > they are: mighty forces that must be approached -- once we leave the realm > of poetry and aesthetic appreciation -- with not only love and devotion, but > also a healthy respect, preparation and intelligence. > > Devi is not just a spiritual force; She is simultaneously a material force. > The things you say you understand in your post are all true; the things you > say you don't understand are true too. How you approach Her depends on why > you approach Her. > > aim mAtangyai namaH > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 In the Shiva Purana, it's said that Devi, while bathing, created her son Ganapati out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her private chambers (piles of symbolic implications there, for sure; but let's leave it for now). Well, Ganapati did his job so well that even Shiva Himself couldn't manage to enter (resulting in Ganapati being decapitated and ending up with his familiar elephant head; but that too is another story ;-)). The bottom line: Devi decreed that none may approach Her without first paying obeisance to her son. And Shiva (compensating for that unfortunate beheading thing) bestowed a boon that people would ever after worship Ganapati and invoke his name before undertaking any venture. aim mAtangyai namaH , Danilo Jezernik <danilo.jezernik wrote: > > Is it true that before you start worshiping Devi (kali, durga, > saraswati,...) it is beter to start worship Ganesh first? How is with that? > Please advise? > > 2009/7/16 Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta > > > > > > > Dear Oliver: > > > > When you approach Shakta Tantra (or indeed most any form of what we call > > " Hinduism " ) you need to think on several levels simultaneously. It's a > > little like Einstein's theory of relativity, where the Truth shifts > > depending on where you stand in relation to it -- your own relative > > location, motion and very presence vitally affects and changes what you see > > and experience. > > > > If you approach the Devi in a purely devotional mode, then -- as you say -- > > grammar and pronunciation matter not. It is better to do something, however > > technically imperfect, than to do nothing at all. This concept is succinctly > > expressed in the saying " bhaavagraahee janardana " -- God understands the > > intent and does not bother about content. One sage said that when you meet > > Death, the perfection of your grammar will not be much of a guide, but your > > devotion will. > > > > Having said that, however, when this pure japa turns to a prayoga and > > kamya, the picture changes. The moment you make a specific material wish -- > > whether the supposed Tantric cliche of somehow harming someone, or some > > entirely innocuous and beneficial goal (new car, new job, new significant > > other) -- then the so-called " Rules " you bemoan do come into play and they > > can indeed be strict. > > > > *** When I behold my beloved Mother I see LIFE, not a rule-book of ritual > > pronunciations. *** > > > > The most powerful thing in the vicinity of the Earth is undoubtedly the > > Sun. Since time immemorial people have worshiped the Sun. But the Sun is > > many things at once: it gives life, it can kill. From different perspectives > > on Earth, it creates lush tropical paradises or harsh deserts. Outside > > Earth's atmosphere, it will kill you with its heat and radiation -- and yet > > without it, there would be no life at all. The Devi of course is Power > > itself, containing and embodying more energy than a hundred trillion Suns. > > > > When us humans build a fire, we do so carefully. We build it in a brick or > > stone hearth; we keep enough distance so that we are not burned; we tend it > > with tools made for the job, not with out hands. When scientists work with > > radioactive materials, they wear protective gear. When divers plunge deep > > under the sea, they must carry oxygen and take precautions against > > decompression sickness. > > > > None of this means that the Sun, or Fire, or Minerals, or the Sea are Bad, > > or want to harm us, or are somehow intrinsically evil. But they are what > > they are: mighty forces that must be approached -- once we leave the realm > > of poetry and aesthetic appreciation -- with not only love and devotion, but > > also a healthy respect, preparation and intelligence. > > > > Devi is not just a spiritual force; She is simultaneously a material force. > > The things you say you understand in your post are all true; the things you > > say you don't understand are true too. How you approach Her depends on why > > you approach Her. > > > > aim mAtangyai namaH > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Danilo, It is normal practice to propitiate Ganesha/Ganapati before proceeding to worship Devi, Shiva, or other forms of the Divine. Ganesha is known as the Lord of Beginnings, and so we honor Him to help open the way for our further worship. One of His epithets is Vighneshvara, or the Lord of Obstacles. These obstacles are at once internal and external. We pray to Ganesha to help remove or reduce these for us; after all, He is also the one who put them there in the first place! Ganesha is associated with prthivi tattva, earth element. Earth helps confer solidity and stability, which we need to progress on the spiritual path. You wouldn't build a house on top of a foundation that wasn't sound, would you? It would be risky proposition, at best. So, the worship of Ganesha helps impart a certain stability and groundedness to our endeavors as well. He is that which confers structure, as the " firstborn " of Shiva and Parvati, at the intersection of the transcendent/static and immanent/dynamic, and is thus associated with the gravitational force, giving a definite form to this physical universe, this brahmanda. If we follow a tantric path, Ganesha acquires added importance. He sits at the root cakra, the muladhara. To enter into the central channel, sushumna, for the Kundalini Shakti to be roused, Ganesha must be worshipped, for He is the gatekeeper; only with His permission can the Cit-Shakti leave Her abode and begin ascending the ladder of our inner being. If you are interested in delving further into the esoteric significance of Ganesha, look for information on the circuits of the Ganesha yantra. C. , Danilo Jezernik <danilo.jezernik wrote: > > Is it true that before you start worshiping Devi (kali, durga, > saraswati,...) it is beter to start worship Ganesh first? How is with that? > Please advise? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 This is a wonderful response, and the only thing I would add is that the " material " goal is not the only place where factors such as pronunciation, etc., come into play, but also in the ultimate goal of liberation through Tantric sadhana. If one is practicing simply to be closer to Devi and show devotion, then Tantra isn't necessary and one should offer one's whole sincerity regardless of result or ability, and not try to be a Tantric sadhaka, because it will be unnecessary. A guru isn't needed for this kind of path, and neither are bija mantras, the procedures involved with invoking them, etc. If one desires liberation in this life, however, then the science of Tantra becomes a factor, and the particular vibrations inherent in proper pronunciation, intonation, etc., as directed by a proven lineage are important. Submitting oneself to the rigors of learning and practice becomes important. Submission to the guru isn't about giving the guru an ego-trip (such a thing isn't possible if one has chosen one's guru well). It's about sublimating one's own ego and learning what kind of confidence comes from humility. If one wishes to really use bija mantras properly, there are procedures for this. One can't just recite them in japa and get the intended affect. This is how harm can come - the ego gets into control by saying, " I have these bija mantras, I don't need a guru! I will chant them and liberate myself. " This isn't how it works! And this is one of many ways people get into trouble with the mantras. At any rate, the process of learning the mantras from a guru with the proper pronunciation, intonation and ritual procedure is easier for some than for others, regardless of where you're from (Sanskrit is an ancient and obtuse language used only for ritual today, and is only used conversationally by those who are learning it), but it's not impossible - it just takes work. And every school will have a different take on it, each of which is valid and works in the context of that lineage. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who want to be Tantric sadhakas and get the liberation, but don't want to do all the work involved, and have a lazy attitude toward it ( " I don't need a guru. " " I can do whatever I want with these mantras as long as I'm sincere. " " It doesn't matter if I'm pronouncing them correctly, I know what this mantra is supposed to do. " etc.). But that work is part of the process, a beautiful part of the process. And the striving is an important part of reaching the ultimate goal. By all means, if you wish to live a life and a path of devotion, then do that! With total sincerity, it can and has opened up huge doorways to the divine, and bring you to MAA's own heart. You don't need bija mantras and so-called Tantric mantras for this path. Use pranama mantras with total sincerity and this will melt your ego and open doors with true sincerity. Devotion should be part of any sadhaka's work, to foster humility and egoless confidence. But if you wish to be a Tantric sadhaka, then resist using devotion as an excuse not to do the rigorous work, which can be a very slippery trick of the ego. jai MAA Kamakhya -sundari Kulasundari Devi President & Founder Sri Kamakhya Mahavidya Mandir, Inc. www.kamakhyamandir.org On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 7:14 AM, Devi Bhakta <devi_bhakta wrote: > > > Dear Oliver: > > When you approach Shakta Tantra (or indeed most any form of what we call > " Hinduism " ) you need to think on several levels simultaneously. It's a > little like Einstein's theory of relativity, where the Truth shifts > depending on where you stand in relation to it -- your own relative > location, motion and very presence vitally affects and changes what you see > and experience. > > If you approach the Devi in a purely devotional mode, then -- as you say -- > grammar and pronunciation matter not. It is better to do something, however > technically imperfect, than to do nothing at all. This concept is succinctly > expressed in the saying " bhaavagraahee janardana " -- God understands the > intent and does not bother about content. One sage said that when you meet > Death, the perfection of your grammar will not be much of a guide, but your > devotion will. > > Having said that, however, when this pure japa turns to a prayoga and > kamya, the picture changes. The moment you make a specific material wish -- > whether the supposed Tantric cliche of somehow harming someone, or some > entirely innocuous and beneficial goal (new car, new job, new significant > other) -- then the so-called " Rules " you bemoan do come into play and they > can indeed be strict. > > *** When I behold my beloved Mother I see LIFE, not a rule-book of ritual > pronunciations. *** > > The most powerful thing in the vicinity of the Earth is undoubtedly the > Sun. Since time immemorial people have worshiped the Sun. But the Sun is > many things at once: it gives life, it can kill. From different perspectives > on Earth, it creates lush tropical paradises or harsh deserts. Outside > Earth's atmosphere, it will kill you with its heat and radiation -- and yet > without it, there would be no life at all. The Devi of course is Power > itself, containing and embodying more energy than a hundred trillion Suns. > > When us humans build a fire, we do so carefully. We build it in a brick or > stone hearth; we keep enough distance so that we are not burned; we tend it > with tools made for the job, not with out hands. When scientists work with > radioactive materials, they wear protective gear. When divers plunge deep > under the sea, they must carry oxygen and take precautions against > decompression sickness. > > None of this means that the Sun, or Fire, or Minerals, or the Sea are Bad, > or want to harm us, or are somehow intrinsically evil. But they are what > they are: mighty forces that must be approached -- once we leave the realm > of poetry and aesthetic appreciation -- with not only love and devotion, but > also a healthy respect, preparation and intelligence. > > Devi is not just a spiritual force; She is simultaneously a material force. > The things you say you understand in your post are all true; the things you > say you don't understand are true too. How you approach Her depends on why > you approach Her. > > aim mAtangyai namaH > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 I'm most grateful for that response!!!!! Right now i'm doing chakra shuddhi dharana and surya namaskara, but as soon as i willl be prepared for one step further i will worship Ganapati (i've started to read a lot of books and try to understand Ganapati, but shure it is hard but i will go on and i will not give up). I think that mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namah will be great for the begining or maybe mantra on Vighneshvara (can you recommend one?). What do you think? 2009/7/16 Kulasundari Devi <sundari > > > This is a wonderful response, and the only thing I would add is that the > " material " goal is not the only place where factors such as pronunciation, > etc., come into play, but also in the ultimate goal of liberation through > Tantric sadhana. If one is practicing simply to be closer to Devi and show > devotion, then Tantra isn't necessary and one should offer one's whole > sincerity regardless of result or ability, and not try to be a Tantric > sadhaka, because it will be unnecessary. A guru isn't needed for this kind > of path, and neither are bija mantras, the procedures involved with > invoking > them, etc. > If one desires liberation in this life, however, then the science of Tantra > becomes a factor, and the particular vibrations inherent in proper > pronunciation, intonation, etc., as directed by a proven lineage are > important. Submitting oneself to the rigors of learning and practice > becomes > important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Kulasundari, I hadn't visited your website for a few months. Wow! I am impressed with its focus, clarity, content, organization, and sharp, clean layout. Congratulations, and thank you for your hard work. -------------------- Pertinent to recent SS e-conversations: Ganesha Pranama Mantras June 5th, 2009 http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/ganesha-mantra/ Das Mahavidya Mantras May 9th, 2009 http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/deity/das-mahavidya-mantras/ Bagalamukhi: The Vanquisher of Gossip May 8th, 2009 http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/deity/bagalamukhi-the-vanquisher-of-gossip/ or http://preview.tinyurl.com/mzbq7l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Thank you! That means a lot coming from this group. We're working hard on expanding the content over time. And I really owe a debt of gratitude to our spiritual family in Guwahati for helping to bring a lot of this stuff to fruition. One thing we want to do is provide a video/audio series on how to perform simple sadhana that does not require direct transmission from a guru (that is, where the goal to be attained is perfection of simple but sincere devotion, personal discipline, etc.), but practitioners may still need guidance. This seems to be a real need and we're hoping to help fulfill it in some small way. In the meantime we're working on audio backup for mantras, as this can be one of the most frustrating pieces for practitioners, is learning simple pronunciation of Sanskrit. I am also working on an inventory of iconography and mythology, which will take some time to get to a point where it can be published online. But if anyone wishes to contribute imagery we are always very happy to include many different images of Devi. jai MAA -sundari Kulasundari Devi President & Founder Sri Kamakhya Mahavidya Mandir, Inc. www.kamakhyamandir.org On Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 12:58 PM, msbauju <msbauju wrote: > > > Kulasundari, > > I hadn't visited your website for a few months. > Wow! I am impressed with its focus, clarity, content, > organization, and sharp, clean layout. > Congratulations, and thank you for your hard work. > > -------------------- > > Pertinent to recent SS e-conversations: > > Ganesha Pranama Mantras > June 5th, 2009 > http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/ganesha-mantra/ > > Das Mahavidya Mantras > May 9th, 2009 > http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/deity/das-mahavidya-mantras/ > > Bagalamukhi: The Vanquisher of Gossip > May 8th, 2009 > http://kamakhyamandir.org/vidya/deity/bagalamukhi-the-vanquisher-of-gossip/ > or > http://preview.tinyurl.com/mzbq7l > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 There is no secrecy for devotional recitation of mantras. Does this apply to all mantras? Yes. But, can any mantra be recited for devotional purpose? No. Why? Take this simple example. There are a couple of 1.5 volt AA batteries. Anybody can handle them for use in flash lights, radios, cameras etc. There is also a van de Graff's generator. It usually generates some 10K volts of electricity. Can a child handle it? Typically, when the generator is running, there will be an earthed pole nearby to dissipate the electric arc emanating from the generator. Can anyone with proper precaution handle it. Yes. Same way, certain mantras are kept secret not because the learned are obsessive about secrecy. Simply because people can easily get hurt. Why? Let's take an example of someone chanting a so called " powerful " mantra for devotional purpose. Owing to the inherent power of mantra, there will be immediate change in the aura of the chanter. That will make the person elated or peaceful or whatever effect is produced by HER will. Please remember it is just the mantra with its bija producing this effect. There is no issue as far now. Let's say by some good fortune, SHE actually arrives to take the offering. Will the Empress of the Universe arrive alone? SHE will arrive with HER entourage. Who are present in the entourage? HER upadevathas who protect HER and HER devotee. The devotee is just human. There is a minor perturbation of the mind, some negative feelings subconscious in nature is present. HER entourage will address even that little issue. Will result in unintentional harm. Another little trap with mantras is they give immense peace of mind. So addictive. So when one is a bit disturbed, they tend to take solace in prayer. Now read the previous paragraph again....will give a good idea what will happen. One more little issue with so called " powerful " mantras is that one will easily get the " siddhi " to identify good and bad vibrations and recognize their sources. When the source of a bad vibration is identifiable, things need to be corrected....upadevathas say, not the chanter. That is why a diksha is important. It is not so much about learning the correct pronunciation, but learning the channeling of aura and erasing the negative thoughts during chanting. Diksha is like a spontaneous mutation of DNA. The Guru might have the correct pronunciation (grammatically), but (S)he had learnt to channelize the aura correctly. So, whatever pronunciation Guru had taught to the student becomes the CORRECT pronunciation. Usually when the devatha arrives, Guru will follow soon. But, it is the " soon " part that might prove to be the undoing. Finally, are elaborate esoteric rituals required to please HER? No. But, would it be courteous to receive the Empress of the Universe by calling HER name and wave HER a good bye? A simple offering of something, if there is nothing to offer, just sugar and water would do. After all, if we invite someone home, we offer them something to eat and drink. G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 17, 2009 Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Namaste Oliver, What you speak of is called Bakti or devotion. Devotion is not secret and does not require initiation. When individuals enter into a strict discipline or they become what we call a Sadhak, they want teaching from a guru. At that point they seek initiation or a mantra that their guru gives them. Hinduism is actually several religions of which Shaktaism is one. Tantra can include other disciplines within the Hindu tradition and within the Buddhist tradtion. Peace, Shankari http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1235552912 http://www.myspace.com/shankari_kali Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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