[to vish about questions and performing the Chandi, and Swamiji's online class ... Yea!

[Guest guest]

dear vish ~ thank you as always for your wonderful post. I think I knew there were videos of Swamiji where he talked

about the Chandi, but I didn't realize he had created a class from them. That is so terrific, and thanks to my new

and lighter laptop, I'll be able to listen to the, whether my health has me in bed or out. (Thankfully, these days, it

is more out ... and that is a miracle and a gift from God/dess; and I humbly thank Maa and Swamiji and Devi Mandir

Family for all their prayers because I think they really helped.)

 

I remember, reading "Sahib Sadhu," and also hearing Swamiji talk of his experiences in India, of all the different ways

his guru "tested" his mettle. Once he had to sit in a busy thoroughfare and keep his mind on Chandi alone. Swamiji

also said his guru requested that he also master chanting the Chandi backwards, so he truly knows it backwards

and forewards. : )

 

There have been times in my life when I wasn't sure I would be able to live (during a very abusive relationship), and I kept

the Chandi literally in my hands almost the whole time ... to keep me from despair and also from too much and too

little. The Durga Mantra became my best friend. And eventually, with the strength of Durga I was able to leave this

relationship, reunite with my husband (we had been separated for 29 years) and begin, once again, to see the way sincere

and true love manifests ... not all angels and roses, although they are there, but also learning to learn from each other,

to question my ways of doing things, and to understand that, when the train goes off the track, it is sometimes I who

turned the wheel.

 

Two days ago, we attended my daughter's wedding. She married her long time companion, friend, and confidant,

Herschel Gelman. It was incredible to watch Amy and Herschel take the symbolic actions that spoke to the

commitment they were making. It was a bit nontraditional wedding, done by a Rabbi, who was also wonderful.

They did it under the houpa (not sure I have that right) ... the arbour that representes the home they will create

together and the fact that it is enclosed and also open to family and friends. Amy and Herschel created it, and

it was incredible, covered over the top with sheer fabrics of lavender and light olive green, and bedecked with tiny

flower lights. The whole experience was both concrete and symbolic, and I once again realized how important

these are to our lives.

 

Reciting the Chandi, we enter the cosmic battlefield with Durga and the Ego and all the Gods and the Army20of

negative thoughts, and we live with them the battle, the victory, and the receiving the boons. In a way Chapter

4 embraces all these main themes. It is incredible to me just how much one chapter alone can mean to me, not

to mention the entire scripture. And seeing my daughter's wedding gave me an even better understanding of the

items and actions that are done during the Chandi puja ... from building the homa to offering rice ad ghee and

other items, to the clapping and then the finger snapping in all the directions. So it made me realize that, now

that I am doing a bit better, I want to incorporate as many of these concrete elements as possible.

 

Oh, thank you, vish; thank you Devi Mandir Family! Jai Maa !!!!! Jai Swamiji !!!!!

Linda

 

Namaste Linda and all family: Swami has created a wonder-full class

on the entire Chandi. His complete discourse of every chapter is

stored at the Mandir web site, chapter by chapter, at

www.shreemaa.org. All your questions will be answered, and more. I

sat at most of the classes, and time after time I was amazed at the

depth of wisdom and transcendental bliss which was transmitted through

Swami's words. Remember, Swami has chanted this text for2035+ years. He knows it

backwards and forwards. He received the boon of sitting full time at

Shree Maa's feet because He devoted himself heart and soul to Maa

Shakti, Maa Chandi, Maa Kali, Maa Lakshi, Maa Saraswati, etc. Now it is our turn.

Indeed, if we all listened to these discourses, everyone will start

chanting the Chandi immediately. The Chandi touches upon every level

of our existence. It changes and modifies every level of our

existence, and leaves us in contact with Her. This text is a discourse

of every moment of our lives. When you read it, remember this, and

"see" how the Generals in the Army of the Great Ego, inside you and

me, interact and cause so much trouble. They are: self conceit, self

deprecation, too much, too little, wandering too and fro, want of

resolution, etc. After you have listened to each chapter, post your comments and

feelings. I guarantee that this will change your lives.

 

 

 

 

 

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 3:44 am

[www.ShreeMaa.org] Digest Number 2726

 

There are 12 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

1. Walking the Path - 19 Sep maadevi55

2a. spiritual calendar srini_sadhu

2b. Re: spiritual calendar Alphanso DSouza

3a. Re: Study of Chandi Path, Chapter 4, verses 1-7 srini_sadhu

3b. Re: Study of Chandi Path, Chapter 4, verses 1-7 srini_sadhu

4. Walking the Path - 20 Sep maadevi55

5a. To Linda,comprehensibility of the Goddess and some questions for the inspectionconnection108

6a. Re: to Linda and all - Chandi Path Chapter 4 mjfisher2005

7a. Re: to Ragan and all, from Swami-Q + A mjfisher2005

7b. Kumari and all: fire ceremony inspectionconnection108

8. Walking the Path - 21 Sep. maadevi55

9. Walking the Path - 22 Sep. maadevi55

Messages

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1. Walking the Path - 19 Sep

Posted by: "maadevi55" maadevi55 maadevi55

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:49 am ((PDT))

In order to go back to the origin, we must come and go by the same path.

Guru and the Goddess (Kasyapa Sutra 12) - Published by the Devi Mandir

Om sanatani mayavidmahe

Jñana praka´sayai dhimahe

Tanno ´sri mam pracodayat

Messages in this topic (1)

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2a. spiritual calendar

Posted by: "srini_sadhu" srini_sadhu srini_sadhu

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:49 am ((PDT))

Namaste!

Please visit

http://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/spiritual_calendar_september_21_27

for the spiritual calendar for the upcoming week.

Love

srini

Messages in this topic (4)

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2b. Re: spiritual calendar

Posted by: "Alphanso DSouza" alphanso108 alphansojohn

Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm ((PDT))

Thank you Srini for the link. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om!Peace and blessings to all Beings!Jai Durga Ma! Alphanso : srini_sadhu: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:15:02 +0000[www.ShreeMaa.org] spiritual calendar

Namaste!Please visithttp://www.shreemaa.org/drupal/spiritual_calendar_september_21_27for the spiritual calendar for the upcoming week.Lovesrini _______________

Messages in20this topic (4)

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3a. Re: Study of Chandi Path, Chapter 4, verses 1-7

Posted by: "srini_sadhu" srini_sadhu srini_sadhu

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

Dear Kumari,

Thank you for your post!

Maa and Swamiji emphasize this teaching a lot. And they exemplify this

teaching in many ways.

Complete your karma even if there is a lot of difficulty.

This has been my main teaching. When I lived in the world, I would let

things slide. But in the ashram the emphasis is on completing all your

tasks for the day.

Love

srini , "mjfisher2005" <mjfisher2005

wrote:

>

> The thing that strikes me about this story is that we must follow our > dharma even though there may be pain associated with it, because in > not completing that duty, there is even worse pain on all levels and > the joy of doing it is so much greater than the pain. > > Kumari

> > , "srini_sadhu" <srini_sadhu@> > wrote:

> >

> > Namaste!

> > > > Om Sam Saraswatyai Namaha!

> > > > I am happy to begin our discussion of Chapte

r 4 of Chandi Path.

> > > > At the end of Chapter 3, Divine Mother kills the Ego and Gods and

> > Goddesses (that's us) are filled with delight.

> > > > And so they sing in praise of Divine Mother.

> > > > She is the energy of all and She is everywhere.

> > > > She is the Goddess of Wealth in the homes of virtuous souls and > misery

> > of those perform evil.

> > > > > > Once after Swamiji chanted the Chandi he was telling us that he felt

> > an excruciating pain running all the way from His feet to the top of

> > His head. And do you know what His response to the pain was?

> > > > He said, "I thanked the Goddess for giving Her darshan in the form > of

> > the shooting pain".

> > > > And of course, he completed His recitation without getting up.

> > > > This really helped me and sometimes when I feel pain I remind myself

> > of this story and it helps me sit and complete the recitation.

> > > > How can we recognize Her in all the different ways She comes to us?

> > How can we implement this lesson from Swamiji in our lives? > > > > I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

> > > > respectfully,

> > Srini

> >

>

Messages in this topic=2

0(5)

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3b. Re: Study of Chandi Path, Chapter 4, verses 1-7

Posted by: "srini_sadhu" srini_sadhu srini_sadhu

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

Dear Henny,

It is true that She is infinite. But no one can grasp the infinite. So

we all create a for that is most appealing to us and strive to offer

our devotion to that form. The saints say that the form can take us to

the doorstep of Akhanda Satchidananda. The form, the murti will give

you everything you need. The life of Sri Ramakrishna, for me, is an

example of how His devotion to the murti of Kali gave him everything.

Even today during the Chandi I was moving (for some reason) and so He

asked me to focus on the scripture (instead of moving). After the

Homa, Swamiji emphasized to me the every thought other than Her means

that Self-Conceit gets a portion of the sacrifice. The goal is to

focus on God to exclusion of other thoughts.

Thanks for sharing!

Love

Srini

, "jaisanatanimaa"

<jaisanatanimaa wrote:

>

> Namaste Srini and all,

> > reading these verses, what strikes me most is the emphasis on the > indescribability and the incomprehensibility of Divine Mother; She > cannot be 'grasped' or comprehended by the mind. And yet, this is > what my mind tries to do: to fashion a comfortable and safe idea out > of Divine Mother which will accomodate my idea of goodness and > divinity, and which in no way forms a threat to the ego. Not really. > So, that mind thinks: 'surely Mother would not want me to suffer > pain, I think She won't mind if I move my leg a little'. As long as > 'I' am confortable, I don't mind reciting the verses describing the > demise of the Great Ego:) > > To learn to accept that She will come as She will come, whether 'I' > like it or not, is not so easy. To acknowledge that Her ways are > other than 'my' ways, and that 'I' am supported by Her and not the > other way around,is something to be remembered constantly. In vs.5 it > is said that She is 'faith to the truthful'; to me, this means that > if we are honest enough to admit that we 'don't know Her path very > well', She will fill our hearts with trust in Her in whatever guise > She may choose,

> > with love,

> Henny

> > , "srini_sadhu" <srini_sadhu@> > wrote:

> >

> > Namaste!

> > > > Om Sam Saraswatyai Namaha!

> > > > I am happy to begin our discussion of Chapter 4 of Chandi Path.

> > > > At the end of Chapter 3, Divine Mother kills the Ego and Gods and

> > Goddesses (that's us) are filled with delight.

> > > > And so they sing in praise of Divine Mother.

> > > > She is the energy of all and She is everywhere.

> > > > She is the Goddess of Wealth in the homes of virtuous souls and > misery

> > of those perform evil.

> > > > > > Once after Swamiji chanted the Chandi he was telling us that he felt

> > an excruciating pain running all the way from His feet to the top of

> > His head. And do you know what His response to the pain was?

> > > > He said, "I thanked the Goddess for giving Her darshan in the form > of

> > the shooting pain".

> > > > And of course, he completed His recitation without getting up.

> > > > This really helped me and sometimes when I feel pain I remind myself

> > of this story and it helps me sit and complete the recitation.

> > > > How can we recognize Her in all the different ways She comes to us?

> > How can we implement this lesson from Swamiji in our lives? > > > > I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

> > > > respectfully,

> > Srini

> >

>

Messages in this topic (5)

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4. Walking the Path - 20 Sep

Posted by: "maadevi55" maadevi55 maadevi55

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

Through the recitation of scripture we breathe and inhale the wisdom of

the scripture. We exhale the scripture, and we become the source of

peace.

Guru and the Goddess (Kasyapa Sutra 11) - Published by the Devi Mandir

Om sanatani mayavidmahe

Jñana praka´sayai dhimahe

Tanno ´sri mam pracodayat

Messages in this topic (1)

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______________________

5a. To Linda,comprehensibility of the Goddess and some questions for the

Posted by: "inspectionconnection108" inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

Namaste Linda and all family: Swami has created a wonder-full class

on the entire Chandi. His complete discourse of every chapter is

stored at the Mandir web site, chapter by chapter, at

www.shreemaa.org. All your questions will be answered, and more. I

sat at most of the classes, and time after time I was amazed at the

depth of wisdom and transcendental bliss which was transmitted through

Swami's words. Remember, Swami has chanted this text for 35+ years. He know

s it

backwards and forwards. He received the boon of sitting full time at

Shree Maa's feet because He devoted himself heart and soul to Maa

Shakti, Maa Chandi, Maa Kali, Maa Lakshi, Maa Saraswati, etc. Now it is our turn.

Indeed, if we all listened to these discourses, everyone will start

chanting the Chandi immediately. The Chandi touches upon every level

of our existence. It changes and modifies every level of our

existence, and leaves us in contact with Her. This text is a discourse

of every moment of our lives. When you read it, remember this, and

"see" how the Generals in the Army of the Great Ego, inside you and

me, interact and cause so much trouble. They are: self conceit, self

deprecation, too much, too little, wandering too and fro, want of

resolution, etc.

After you have listened to each chapter, post your comments and

feelings. I guarantee that this will change your lives. Jai Ma Jai Swami

vishweshwar

, nierika wrote:

>

> jaisanatanimaa wrote:

> > > > reading these verses, what strikes me most is the emphasis on the > indescribability and the incomprehensibility of Divine Mother...

> 'I' am supported by Her and not the other way around,is something to

> be remembered constantly. In vs.5 it is said that She is 'faith to > the truthful'; to me, t

his means thatif we are honest enough to admit

> that we 'don't know Her path very well', She will fill our hearts

> with trust in Her in whatever guise She may choose...

> > Dear jaisanatanimaa ~ I too was struck by the references to the

incomprehensibility of Divine Mother. > Also, I was struck speechless (if I'd been inclined to talk), by

this passage (V 4): "Whose imcomparable > greatness and strengh the Lord of the Universe (Vishnu?,

Shiva?)...is incable to extol. So I was not

> the only one rendered speechless. This passage from V 3, "Her

intrinsic nature is the aggregate energy of > all the Gods and Seers." Wow!

> > Then I decided that to really understand Chapter 4, I needed to read

Chapter 3, and then quickly realized

> that, actually, I would have to start with the first Chapter and

read through to Chapter 4. It as there, in the

> "Meditation," that I found brief descriptions of the objects She

carries (that? had asked about in a pre-

> vious post. I feel certain that these objects carry deeper meanins,

but here is how they were described:

> sword ... of worship (one pointed attention to the goal?)

> > discus ... of revolving time (She stands beyond time and space?)

> > bow ... of determination (we need to watch where we aim an shoot our

arrows, and She is modeling this?)

> > pike ... of attention (similar to the sword?)

> gt; iron bar?... of restraint (couldn't come up with any additional

intuitive understanding of this one)

> > head ... of egotism (we must let ours go, or She will take it for us?)

> > conch ... of vibrations (the conch comes from the water; again a

reference perhaps to diving deep,or > of always coming from a deep level of understanding?; being above

and beyond the roiling waves of > the turbulant ocean of objects and relationshps?, a bit like walking

on water

> > I would be very interested to read other people's interpretation or

these objects, because they are

> mentioned over and over in the Chandi Path. Is there a way to take

this before Swamiji and ask

> for his interpretation?

> > To Devi Mandir Family: I very much like the way that vish has been

going through the Advanced > Shiva Puja ... a verse at a time. I wonder if anyone here would be

interested in doing that with

> the 4th chapter of the Chandi?

> > Jai Maa!!!!!? Jai Swamiji !!!!!

> Linda

>

Messages in this topic (3)

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6a. Re: to Linda and all - Chandi Path Chapter 4

Posted by: "mjfisher2005" mjfisher2005 mjfisher2005

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

, nierika wrote:

> To Devi Mandir Family: I very much like the way that vish has been going through the Advanced > Shiva Puja ... a verse at a time. I wonder if anyone here would be interested in doing that with

> the 4th chapter of the Chandi?

> > Jai Maa!!!!!? Jai Swamiji !!!!!

> Linda

I am listening to the discussion. I will not share much. This is my first time through the Chandi in Sanskrit with all proper mantras and prayers to be included. I am somewhat in awe and feel very much a beginner even though I have some familiarity with the text through chanting of some of the prayers from the Chandi in Sanskrit and having read it in it's entirety for some years in English. But mostly I had no guide and did not think at the time to ask anyone. I felt inspired by Divine Mother's courage and loving protection and that seemed to be enough. Now I know that is just the tip of the iceberg so to speak and study and chanting will repay me richly. To participate in satsang even though I cannot be with other devotees in person is indeed a priviledge. One which I prize highly. And what can I say about Swamiji's and Shree Ma's efforts to make all these scriptures availiable to everyone who seeks. I am blessed to live in these times.

So I will start with Chapter 1 and slowly go through it, tr

ying to grasp the meaning as well as I can. May Ma bless my efforts.

Om Jai Ma Kali; Om Namah Shivaya!

Kumari

Messages in this topic (3)

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7a. Re: to Ragan and all, from Swami-Q + A

Posted by: "mjfisher2005" mjfisher2005 mjfisher2005

Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:50 am ((PDT))

I hope you do not mind my responding to this, but it raises a question in my mind. I am very intrested in learning the fire sacrifice and my question is: Is the same yantra used for them all or should the specific yantras for whatever Deity is being worshipped be used for that homa? Also, can I take any namavali of 108 names or 1008 names and use those to make offerings in the fire? How would I do that? My respectfull salutations and thanks to Swamiji and Shree Ma.

Om Jai Ma Kali; Om namah Shivaya

Kumari

, "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108 wrote:

>

> Namaste Ragan and all: Swami's response to your question is below.

> > > Firstly, Pranam Swami Ji and Shree Maa, Jai Maa.

> >

> > Its been some time since I have corresponded.

> >

> > If all the chandi path can not be recited as part

of the 700 verse

> > homa is there a particular chapter which can be recited and

> > sacrificail ahutis given.

> >

> > Swami Jee, I have been specifically asked to perform the devi puja as

> > part of a relative's overall Samasti Upasana as her last major puja.

> >

> > My part is a 2 hour puja in which I have to perform a homa. Please

> > advise my dearest Sami Jee and Shree Maa. I have all the resources

> > but am not sure which sequence in which to conduct puja. The puja

> > host has asked that no mistakes to be made and that I am chosen to

> > perform.

> >

> > Your advise is a blessing in my undertaking.

> >

> > Namaste, Jai Mata Ki

> >

> > Rajan Singh

> > > SWAMI'S RESPONSE

> > Watch the video How to Draw the Yantra and Enkindle the Divine Fire.

> Also, purchase the Shiva Advanced Puja Book and Yajna Paddhoti. It

> contains the sequence of offerings and mantras.

> > JAI MAA

>

Messages in this topic (3)

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7b. Kumari and all: fire ceremony

Posted by: "inspectionconnection108" inspectionconnection108 inspectionconnection108

Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm ((PDT))

Namaste Kumari and all: there is only 1 yantra use

d for all fire

worship. Please view the video which Swami suggests and purchase the

text "Advanced Shiva Puja". The video will show how to establish the

yantra and the text has all the verses and their English translations,

and a diagram of the yantra.

Once you have established the yantra, any Deity can be worshiped with

mantras, their 1008 names, the complele text, i.e.: Chandi Path, etc.

I love the fire, and I really support your desire to learn how to

create it yourself. Before I came to the Mandir, I performed a fire ceremony daily for 2

years and it changed my life. I felt more connected to Maa and Swami

using the fire worship than any other sadhana. It is most powerful.

Jai Maa Jai Swami

vishweshwar

, "mjfisher2005" <mjfisher2005

wrote:

>

> I hope you do not mind my responding to this, but it raises a > question in my mind. I am very intrested in learning the fire > sacrifice and my question is: Is the same yantra used for them all > or should the specific yantras for whatever Deity is being worshipped > be used for that homa? Also, can I take any namavali of 108 names or > 1008 names and use those to make offerings in the fire? How would I > do that? My respectfull salutations and thanks to Swamiji and Shree > Ma.

> > Om Jai Ma Kali; Om namah Shivaya

> > Kumari

> > , "inspectionconnection108" > <inspectionconnection108@> wrote:

> >

> > Namaste Ragan and all: Swami's response to your question is below.

> > > > > Firstly, Pranam Swami Ji and Shree Maa, Jai Maa.

> > >

> > > Its been some time since I have corresponded.

> > >

> > > If all the chandi path can not be recited as part of the 700 verse

> > > homa is there a particular chapter which can be recited and

> > > sacrificail ahutis given.

> > >

> > > Swami Jee, I have been specifically asked to perform the devi > puja as

> > > part of a relative's overall Samasti Upasana as her last major > puja.

> > >

> > > My part is a 2 hour puja in which I have to perform a homa. Please

> > > advise my dearest Sami Jee and Shree Maa. I have all the resources

> > > but am not sure which sequence in which to conduct puja. The puja

> > > host has asked that no mistakes to be made and that I am chosen to

> > > perform.

> > >

> > > Your advise is a blessing in my undertaking.

> > >

> > > Namaste, Jai Mata Ki

> > >

> > > Rajan Singh

> > > > > > SWAMI

'S RESPONSE

> > > > Watch the video How to Draw the Yantra and Enkindle the Divine Fire.

> > Also, purchase the Shiva Advanced Puja Book and Yajna Paddhoti. It

> > contains the sequence of offerings and mantras.

> > > > JAI MAA

> >

>

Messages in this topic (3)

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8. Walking the Path - 21 Sep.

Posted by: "maadevi55" maadevi55 maadevi55

Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm ((PDT))

Words of Wisdom

"Each time a thought slips in, self-conceit is stealing a portion of

your sacrifice. If you are not thinking of Chandi 100% of the time then

self-conceit is stealing your sacrifice." -

Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Om sanatani mayavidmahe

Jñana praka´sayai dhimahe

Tanno ´sri mam pracodayat

Messages in this topic (1)

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9. Walking the Path - 22 Sep.

Posted by: "maadevi55" maadevi55 maadevi55

Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm ((PDT))

The debt that we owe to our gurus and teachers is discharged by living

in accordance with the wisdom that they have taught.

T

attva Jnana - Published by the Devi Mandir

Om sanatani mayavidmahe

Jñana praka´sayai dhimahe

Tanno ´sri mam pracodayat

Messages in this topic (1)

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