Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Namaste This evening a group of devottees performed a fire ceremony at one's home in Napa. There was a small group, but the fire was bright and the bhav, the attitude and feeling, was wonder-ful and full of love. Such a small event, yet so powerful and sublime. We chanted mantras of God's names, Durga, Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, and Kali. Our voices rang out in unison, and hands reached as one, towards the sacred fire and tossed our offerings of love and karma into the Divine fire. There our karma was burned and our prayers carried to the Gods. Some sat with eyes closed, some open, but all of us had big smiles on our faces. As the chanting grew louder and faster, the bhav rose and we reached deeper into our hearts and offfered more of ourselves into the fire. The room was filled with God's name, and each of us was enlivened and the barriers between us melted. We are One Soul, One Heart. We are Divinity made into flesh, and matter transformed again into Spirit. All this, in a simple living room, with a small wood stove in front of us. The Divine Fire can be encindled anywhere there are hearts yearning to join with their Creator. We pray that some of you will invite us to your homes. The joy and love and purity that we felt in the house when we departed will enliven all that live there and radiate out to the world. This is Maa and Swami's prayer and goal, to help everyone establish Temples in their own homes so they can help radiate that sublime feeling to all Creation. There are so many Scriptures available to use to help you become self sufficient, check out www.shreemaa.org, at the bookstore, and sample the selection. Order a book, study it, and contact any of us for help. Maa and Swami's love and prayers are included in every scripture for free. They give more than we can ever know. All we have to do is open the pages and our hearts, and the bliss flows. Thanks for reading this. God Bless. Please take Maa's love and blessings. Maa's child Vishweshwar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Vishweshwar, Sounds wonderful. I thought there were rules about things like the shape and structure of the khunda, and what about the direction you face? My stove faces north, so I face it toward the south, which I understand is considered inauspicious (isn't south the direction ruled by death?) Chris , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108> wrote: > Namaste > > This evening a group of devottees performed a fire ceremony at one's > home in Napa. There was a small group, but the fire was bright and > the bhav, the attitude and feeling, was wonder-ful and full of love. > > Such a small event, yet so powerful and sublime. We chanted mantras > of God's names, Durga, Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, and Kali. Our > voices rang out in unison, and hands reached as one, towards the > sacred fire and tossed our offerings of love and karma into the > Divine fire. > There our karma was burned and our prayers carried to the Gods. > > Some sat with eyes closed, some open, but all of us had big smiles on > our faces. > > As the chanting grew louder and faster, the bhav rose and we reached > deeper into our hearts and offfered more of ourselves into the fire. > > The room was filled with God's name, and each of us was enlivened and > the barriers between us melted. > > We are One Soul, One Heart. We are Divinity made into flesh, and > matter transformed again into Spirit. > > All this, in a simple living room, with a small wood stove in front > of us. > > The Divine Fire can be encindled anywhere there are hearts yearning > to join with their Creator. > > We pray that some of you will invite us to your homes. The joy and > love and purity that we felt in the house when we departed will > enliven all that live there and radiate out to the world. > > This is Maa and Swami's prayer and goal, to help everyone establish > Temples in their own homes so they can help radiate that sublime > feeling to all Creation. > > There are so many Scriptures available to use to help you become self > sufficient, check out www.shreemaa.org, at the bookstore, and sample > the selection. > > Order a book, study it, and contact any of us for help. > > Maa and Swami's love and prayers are included in every scripture for > free. They give more than we can ever know. All we have to do is > open the pages and our hearts, and the bliss flows. > > Thanks for reading this. God Bless. Please take Maa's love and > blessings. > > Maa's child > > Vishweshwar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hi, I also thought that the kund could only be used for worship. Can you clear up our questions? Ardis "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 > Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:28:36 -0000 Re: Satsung continued Vishweshwar, Sounds wonderful. I thought there were rules about things like the shape and structure of the khunda, and what about the direction you face? My stove faces north, so I face it toward the south, which I understand is considered inauspicious (isn't south the direction ruled by death?) Chris , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108> wrote: > Namaste > > This evening a group of devottees performed a fire ceremony at one's > home in Napa. There was a small group, but the fire was bright and > the bhav, the attitude and feeling, was wonder-ful and full of love. > > Such a small event, yet so powerful and sublime. We chanted mantras > of God's names, Durga, Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, and Kali. Our > voices rang out in unison, and hands reached as one, towards the > sacred fire and tossed our offerings of love and karma into the > Divine fire. > There our karma was burned and our prayers carried to the Gods. > > Some sat with eyes closed, some open, but all of us had big smiles on > our faces. > > As the chanting grew louder and faster, the bhav rose and we reached > deeper into our hearts and offfered more of ourselves into the fire. > > The room was filled with God's name, and each of us was enlivened and > the barriers between us melted. > > We are One Soul, One Heart. We are Divinity made into flesh, and > matter transformed again into Spirit. > > All this, in a simple living room, with a small wood stove in front > of us. > > The Divine Fire can be encindled anywhere there are hearts yearning > to join with their Creator. > > We pray that some of you will invite us to your homes. The joy and > love and purity that we felt in the house when we departed will > enliven all that live there and radiate out to the world. > > This is Maa and Swami's prayer and goal, to help everyone establish > Temples in their own homes so they can help radiate that sublime > feeling to all Creation. > > There are so many Scriptures available to use to help you become self > sufficient, check out www.shreemaa.org, at the bookstore, and sample > the selection. > > Order a book, study it, and contact any of us for help. > > Maa and Swami's love and prayers are included in every scripture for > free. They give more than we can ever know. All we have to do is > open the pages and our hearts, and the bliss flows. > > Thanks for reading this. God Bless. Please take Maa's love and > blessings. > > Maa's child > > Vishweshwar / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 Namaste There are rules and sacred designs for building a temple and fire pit. I will refer this note to Swami to address and i recommend a great video that Swami created describing the sacred fire ceremony. It is available on-line at www.shree.maa.org. at the bookstore. Swami and Maa have indicated to me it is fine to use a fireplace, wood stove, portable metal fire box, etc., to perform the sacred fire ceremony. When a sacred fire ceremony is to be performed, the fire area is cleaned out and made ready. Then, the pujari, reciting the sacred mantras of the opening ceremony, purifies themselves and the area, and invites the Gods to come to the Fire place, stove, etc., and sit on the asan, seat, prepared for Them in the fire pit. Once these conditions are prepared, the fire is light, while reciting mantras, and Agni is invited. The pujari then "breaths", or establishes his life, his essence, into the fire as he recites mantras. Once Agni is established in the fire area, and the fire is "alive"-filled with the shaki, the worship is begun. During the ceremony, only the blessed mixture of rice, etc., is put into the fire, while saying mantras. No paper, etc, can be thrown in. If rice falls outside the fire pit, it cannot be picked up and put into the fire. When the ceremnoy is completed, the life is drawn out of the fireplace, and back into the pujari, and the Gods are thanked and return home. Now the ceremony is complete and the fireplace, wood stove, etc., can return to its normal use. I hope this answers your question. Vishweshwar , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...> wrote: > Hi, > I also thought that the kund could only be used for worship. Can you clear > up our questions? > Ardis > > "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> > > Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:28:36 -0000 > > Re: Satsung continued > > > Vishweshwar, > > Sounds wonderful. > > I thought there were rules about things like the shape and structure > of the khunda, and what about the direction you face? My stove faces > north, so I face it toward the south, which I understand is > considered inauspicious (isn't south the direction ruled by death?) > > Chris > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > <inspectionconnection108> wrote: > > Namaste > > > > This evening a group of devottees performed a fire ceremony at > one's > > home in Napa. There was a small group, but the fire was bright and > > the bhav, the attitude and feeling, was wonder-ful and full of love. > > > > Such a small event, yet so powerful and sublime. We chanted mantras > > of God's names, Durga, Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, and Kali. > Our > > voices rang out in unison, and hands reached as one, towards the > > sacred fire and tossed our offerings of love and karma into the > > Divine fire. > > There our karma was burned and our prayers carried to the Gods. > > > > Some sat with eyes closed, some open, but all of us had big smiles > on > > our faces. > > > > As the chanting grew louder and faster, the bhav rose and we > reached > > deeper into our hearts and offfered more of ourselves into the fire. > > > > The room was filled with God's name, and each of us was enlivened > and > > the barriers between us melted. > > > > We are One Soul, One Heart. We are Divinity made into flesh, and > > matter transformed again into Spirit. > > > > All this, in a simple living room, with a small wood stove in front > > of us. > > > > The Divine Fire can be encindled anywhere there are hearts yearning > > to join with their Creator. > > > > We pray that some of you will invite us to your homes. The joy and > > love and purity that we felt in the house when we departed will > > enliven all that live there and radiate out to the world. > > > > This is Maa and Swami's prayer and goal, to help everyone establish > > Temples in their own homes so they can help radiate that sublime > > feeling to all Creation. > > > > There are so many Scriptures available to use to help you become > self > > sufficient, check out www.shreemaa.org, at the bookstore, and > sample > > the selection. > > > > Order a book, study it, and contact any of us for help. > > > > Maa and Swami's love and prayers are included in every scripture > for > > free. They give more than we can ever know. All we have to do is > > open the pages and our hearts, and the bliss flows. > > > > Thanks for reading this. God Bless. Please take Maa's love and > > blessings. > > > > Maa's child > > > > Vishweshwar Links > > / > > > > <?subject=Un> > > Terms of Service > <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2004 Report Share Posted January 18, 2004 In the past I asked Swamiji if there was a simpler way to start the fire rather than go through the elaborate yantra drawing, etc. as indicated in the Siva Puja book. He indicated the simplest way he knew of was in the Hanuman Puja book. I now perform the sections in the Hanuman Puja book from pgs 160-174 when starting the homa. He also indicated, first do the puja section of a book e.g., in the Lakshmi Puja and Thousand Names up through pg 36. Then start the fire as in the Hanuman Puja book. Then recite the 1000 names ending each name with "svaha". The sankalpa changes a bit when doing a homam versus doing a puja. That you will have to get from Swamiji. www.patelbrothersusa.com sells small tin havan kunds. They have a 12" sq and an 8" sq one. They are tapered and smaller at the bottom. I have also seen copper ones of different sizes. They can be used indoors or outdoors. For offerings, traditionally samagri is offered as well as ghee. Different ingredients are used depending on the priest and tradition. Someone from the Mandir can teach you how to combine the ingredients for offerings. Swamiji writes he has even offered leaves for puja when he didn't have other ingredients. The most impt thing is the devotion in the offering. Terry , "inspectionconnection108" <inspectionconnection108> wrote: > Namaste > > There are rules and sacred designs for building a temple and fire > pit. I will refer this note to Swami to address and i recommend a > great video that Swami created describing the sacred fire ceremony. > It is available on-line at www.shree.maa.org. at the bookstore. > > Swami and Maa have indicated to me it is fine to use a fireplace, > wood stove, portable metal fire box, etc., to perform the sacred fire > ceremony. > > > When a sacred fire ceremony is to be performed, the fire area is > cleaned out and made ready. Then, the pujari, reciting the sacred > mantras of the opening ceremony, purifies themselves and the area, > and invites the Gods to come to the Fire place, stove, etc., and sit > on the asan, seat, prepared for Them in the fire pit. > > Once these conditions are prepared, the fire is light, while > reciting mantras, and Agni is invited. The pujari then "breaths", > or establishes his life, his essence, into the fire as he recites > mantras. Once Agni is established in the fire area, and the fire > is "alive"-filled with the shaki, the worship is begun. > > During the ceremony, only the blessed mixture of rice, etc., is put > into the fire, while saying mantras. No paper, etc, can be thrown > in. If rice falls outside the fire pit, it cannot be picked up and > put into the fire. > > When the ceremnoy is completed, the life is drawn out of the > fireplace, and back into the pujari, and the Gods are thanked and > return home. > > Now the ceremony is complete and the fireplace, wood stove, etc., can > return to its normal use. > > I hope this answers your question. > > Vishweshwar > > , Ardis Jackson <anandamama@e...> > wrote: > > Hi, > > I also thought that the kund could only be used for worship. Can > you clear > > up our questions? > > Ardis > > > > "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> > > > > Sat, 17 Jan 2004 22:28:36 -0000 > > > > Re: Satsung continued > > > > > > Vishweshwar, > > > > Sounds wonderful. > > > > I thought there were rules about things like the shape and structure > > of the khunda, and what about the direction you face? My stove faces > > north, so I face it toward the south, which I understand is > > considered inauspicious (isn't south the direction ruled by death?) > > > > Chris > > > > > > > > , "inspectionconnection108" > > <inspectionconnection108> wrote: > > > Namaste > > > > > > This evening a group of devottees performed a fire ceremony at > > one's > > > home in Napa. There was a small group, but the fire was bright > and > > > the bhav, the attitude and feeling, was wonder-ful and full of > love. > > > > > > Such a small event, yet so powerful and sublime. We chanted > mantras > > > of God's names, Durga, Lakshmi, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, and Kali. > > Our > > > voices rang out in unison, and hands reached as one, towards the > > > sacred fire and tossed our offerings of love and karma into the > > > Divine fire. > > > There our karma was burned and our prayers carried to the Gods. > > > > > > Some sat with eyes closed, some open, but all of us had big smiles > > on > > > our faces. > > > > > > As the chanting grew louder and faster, the bhav rose and we > > reached > > > deeper into our hearts and offfered more of ourselves into the > fire. > > > > > > The room was filled with God's name, and each of us was enlivened > > and > > > the barriers between us melted. > > > > > > We are One Soul, One Heart. We are Divinity made into flesh, and > > > matter transformed again into Spirit. > > > > > > All this, in a simple living room, with a small wood stove in > front > > > of us. > > > > > > The Divine Fire can be encindled anywhere there are hearts > yearning > > > to join with their Creator. > > > > > > We pray that some of you will invite us to your homes. The joy > and > > > love and purity that we felt in the house when we departed will > > > enliven all that live there and radiate out to the world. > > > > > > This is Maa and Swami's prayer and goal, to help everyone > establish > > > Temples in their own homes so they can help radiate that sublime > > > feeling to all Creation. > > > > > > There are so many Scriptures available to use to help you become > > self > > > sufficient, check out www.shreemaa.org, at the bookstore, and > > sample > > > the selection. > > > > > > Order a book, study it, and contact any of us for help. > > > > > > Maa and Swami's love and prayers are included in every scripture > > for > > > free. They give more than we can ever know. All we have to do is > > > open the pages and our hearts, and the bliss flows. > > > > > > Thanks for reading this. God Bless. Please take Maa's love and > > > blessings. > > > > > > Maa's child > > > > > > Vishweshwar > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Links > > > > / > > > > > > > > <? subject=Un> > > > > Terms of Service > > <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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