RE: Chandi Homa

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

tomorrow is the Chandi Homa that I am taking part in. It will be

officiated by the Shiva Priest from Mahalakshmi Temple in Ashland,

MA and attended by a Mahamandeleshwar from North India and many

practitioners of Sri Vidya. I had mentioned to ask each of you for

wht you might like to ask from Devi as a boon. Instead I have

decided (and I hope this is ok with the couple of folks who already

contacted me) to simply ask Chandi Ma for blessings for the Devi

Mandir on-line group and for our studies....for each of us, that she

should give what would most benefit our sadhanas at this time. I

will think of you tomorrow and our very wonderful and supportive

group, for which I am most grateful.

best love to all,

sadhvi

PS:Devnath: thank-you for the yoga site....it was helpful for me to

read the information there.

[Guest guest]

Dear List,

The Chandi Homa on Saturday in Massachusetts was absolutely

wonderful! Around 50 people attended (with Sri Vidya upasakas,

members from the Mahalakshmi Temple and those who arrived with the

Mahamandaleshwar).We had perfect weather...slightly on the cool

side..and hours of sublime chanting of the Chandi Path and a very

beautiful Suvasini Puja at the end. I mentally added our on-line

group to the sankalpam at the beginning of the homa and later, for

blessings. I was so grateful to this group as I was able to, at

least, keep up with the chanting of the Chandi Path and, because of

our group, had spent so much time contemplating the meaning of what

I was chanting. At the very end, when the priest offers a sari to

the fire (for Chandi), there was a moment of such sublime beauty, as

the purple and gold sari (which had been soaked in ghee and twisted

into a snake -like form by the priest) began to unfurl and be

consumed by the flames. It was as though Devi herself was reaching

up with 18 arms of fire from deep within the pit to eagerly accept

her gift! I can't imagine the bliss of those of you who are

fortunate enough to live near Maa's ashram and get to participate in

these homas on a regular basis! A special thanks to Devnath for his

words on asan and the importance of holding the asan during

chanting. I have been a "squirmer" for a while now and, every time I

felt the urge to squirm arising, I remembered Devnath's words and

resisted the temptation. As a result, I was able to hold my asan

(imperfect though it is) through the entire chant. So, thanks

alot,Devnath!!

best love to all,

sadhvi