Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Jai Maa everyone ! Here is a step so basic in a puja that one presumes "we oughta know" . Why do we offer incense as part of a puja ? Keep those mental wheels turning folks and come back and let us know what you think. FYI - there is no "right" answer. What is important is to share YOUR impressions and understanding of each step in a puja. Hopefully Swamiji will come out of his tapasya soon to help give his perspective. In the meanwhile, we have to help each other. JAI MAAAAAAAA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Ah, incense... purification of the space and the devotee, transformation of awareness, offering of sweet scent to the Goddess. When I was an Eastern Orthodox Christian, they filled those little churches with heavy frankincense. Sometimes in the small space, with the heat and humidity of a Chicago summer, and being filled with devotion, I would fall down on the floor in a trance. They would worry about me, but I was fine. I was so happy to be in the Presence of God. I remember one time at the Devi Mandir when they used frankincense in worshipping Napeswara (the large outdoor Lord Shiva). I was so excited to breathe in frankincense again. Swamiji told us that when he and Maa were in India they always used frankincense when it was available; that Maa really loves it. Incense is the gift of the forest to the sadhu. The sadhu in turn gives this gift to the Deity. And we are all blessed. Ardis Latha Nanda <lathananda Apr 19, 2004 8:33 AM Basics of Puja :- I N C E N S E <html><body> <tt> Jai Maa everyone !<BR> <BR> Here is a step so basic in a puja that one presumes "we oughta know" .<BR> <BR> Why do we offer incense as part of a puja ? <BR> <BR> Keep those mental wheels turning folks and come back and let us know <BR> what you think.<BR> <BR> FYI - there is no "right" answer. What is important is to share YOUR <BR> impressions and understanding of each step in a puja. <BR> <BR> Hopefully Swamiji will come out of his tapasya soon to help give his <BR> perspective. In the meanwhile, we have to help each other.<BR> <BR> JAI MAAAAAAAA<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> </tt> <!-- |**|begin egp html banner|**| --> <br> <tt><hr width="500"> <b> Links</b><br> <ul> <li><br><a href="/">\ /</a><br> <li><br><a href="?subject=Un">Devi_M\ andir</a><br> <li><a href=""> Terms of Service</a>. </ul> </tt> </br> <!-- |**|end egp html banner|**| --> </body></html> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Well, in the Old Testament incense is always referred to as the rising of paryers to God or heaven, so I always tend to think of it that way, as my love and highest aspirations. I also think of it as my earth element, my offering of that part of my make-up to God, of awakening that part of me to the practice, and acknowledging my relationship to creation on that level. When I don't actually offer incense, I offer lam at muladhara for the source, the substance, ram at manipura for the fire which releases the scent (now there's a metaphore for sadhana if I've ever seen one), yam at anahata for the prayers of my heart, hum at vishuddha for the purity of my aspirations, and om at ajna for the purity of my mind and thoughts, may they all be pleasing to God. Chris , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Jai Maa everyone ! > > Here is a step so basic in a puja that one presumes "we oughta know" . > > Why do we offer incense as part of a puja ? > > Keep those mental wheels turning folks and come back and let us know > what you think. > > FYI - there is no "right" answer. What is important is to share YOUR > impressions and understanding of each step in a puja. > > Hopefully Swamiji will come out of his tapasya soon to help give his > perspective. In the meanwhile, we have to help each other. > > JAI MAAAAAAAA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 My understanding of the use of incense in puja closely ties in with that of Parvati and indeed that of Swamiji. When we do puja or meditation we are trying to bring the 20 of the 36 tattvas under control - which includes sense and sense organs. So burning incense or fragrance is one of way of controlling our nose - so we block out tantalizing smells from the kitchen *grin*. JAI MAA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 May we now what are the 20 and the 36 tattvas you mentioned.......... Jai Maa!!!Latha Nanda <lathananda > wrote: My understanding of the use of incense in puja closely ties in with that of Parvati and indeed that of Swamiji.When we do puja or meditation we are trying to bring the 20 of the 36 tattvas under control - which includes sense and sense organs. So burning incense or fragrance is one of way of controlling our nose - so we block out tantalizing smells from the kitchen *grin*.JAI MAA Photos: om/ph/print_splash">High-quality 4x6 digital prints for 25¢ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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