Guest guest Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 hm, yes i can see that, the ego riding on stubborness. thank you Latha, thank you Swamiji. steve , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Steve :- > > Swamiji, why it the ego often is represented as a buffalo, and why is > the Goddess shown traveling on a lion? > > Swamiji's response :- > > The buffalo is the most stubborn animal. He will only go his own > way. So the Ego rides on stubbornness. The lion is the king of > animals, and represents Dharma, which is the conveyance of Divinity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Swamiji said "The lion is the king of animals, and represents Dharma, which is the conveyance of Divinity" This is in line with Swamiji's explaination further under Atha Vaikrtikam Rahasyam ( The Modified Secret) in Chandi Path ; Verse 30 pujayen mahisam yena praptam sayusyamisaya daksine puratah simham samagram dharmamisvaram of the Great Ego who have attained complete union with the Goddess.And similarly in the front right , the lion should be worshipped,the Lord of Dharma ,the Way of Truth to Wisdom Verse 31 vahanam pujayed devya dhrtam yena caracaram kuryacca stavanam dhimamstasya ekagramanah the vehicle of Goddess, Maintainer of all that moves and moves not ..Wise being will sing songs of praise to the Goddess with one -pointed attention. Jai Swamijiki Jai !!! Jai Maa!!!!da > wrote: Question from Steve :-Swamiji, why it the ego often is represented as a buffalo, and why isthe Goddess shown traveling on a lion?Swamiji's response :-The buffalo is the most stubborn animal. He will only go his own way. So the Ego rides on stubbornness. The lion is the king of animals, and represents Dharma, which is the conveyance of Divinity. Movies - Buy advance tickets for 'Shrek 2' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 As for holy numbers, there are so many. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,..21,27, 108 etc.. Almost every number till 16 has some sort of holiness associated with it. Jyotirlingams are 12. In some parts of India, if one does abhisheka thru a priest in a Shiva temple, he will also ask us to chant Panchakshari 11 times. 11 th day of the fortnight is considered a holy day and some sadhakas have ekadashi vrata. They fast on that day. , "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@c...> wrote: > I thought there were 12 Jyotir Lingams? > - > Latha Nanda > > Thursday, May 13, 2004 4:55 PM > Q&A with Swamiji .....2 > > > Question from Latha :- > > Can you please let me know the sanctity of the number 11 used > to chant the shaapoddhaara mantras in the Chandi ? > > Swamiji's response :- > > There are eleven forms of Rudra, eleven jyotir lingams, and eleven > is a holy number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2004 Report Share Posted May 14, 2004 Namaste Surya, Swamiji acknowledges the mistake - 11 forms of Rudra, but 12 Jyotir Lingams. Jai Maa Latha , "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@c...> wrote: > I thought there were 12 Jyotir Lingams? > - > Latha Nanda > > Thursday, May 13, 2004 4:55 PM > Q&A with Swamiji .....2 > > > Question from Latha :- > > Can you please let me know the sanctity of the number 11 used > to chant the shaapoddhaara mantras in the Chandi ? > > Swamiji's response :- > > There are eleven forms of Rudra, eleven jyotir lingams, and eleven > is a holy number. > > > > Sponsor > > > > > > > - ----------- > Links > > > / > > b.. > > > c.. Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2004 Report Share Posted May 15, 2004 What a humble Soul He is! - Latha Nanda Friday, May 14, 2004 5:05 PM Re: Q&A with Swamiji ..... Namaste Surya,Swamiji acknowledges the mistake - 11 forms of Rudra, but 12 Jyotir Lingams.Jai MaaLatha, "Mahamuni" <mahamuni@c...> wrote:> I thought there were 12 Jyotir Lingams?> - > Latha Nanda > > Thursday, May 13, 2004 4:55 PM> Q&A with Swamiji .....2> > > Question from Latha :-> > Can you please let me know the sanctity of the number 11 used> to chant the shaapoddhaara mantras in the Chandi ?> > Swamiji's response :-> > There are eleven forms of Rudra, eleven jyotir lingams, and eleven > is a holy number.> > > > Groups Sponsor > > > > > > > > Links> > a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:> /> > b.. > > > c.. Your use of is subject to the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2004 Report Share Posted May 16, 2004 Steve, If I may jump in here too... I noticed when I was reading the other day Swamiji's translation on this particular topic says, She put on anger. In line with Swamiji's comments, this suggests to me the use of an appropriate anger as a craftsman would use the appropriate tool: just the right tool, totally under control, used with skill, and put away when the task is done. Chris , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Steve :- > > Regarding the Chandi Path, chapter 3 ... this is a great battle > the manifested Goddess takes with Sir Ego. It is very graphic; > it is clearly a struggle, and there is also a clear victor. > > In this struggle, the Goddess is visualized as calm, aloof, and > wielding her many weapons with ease ... in other verses she is > described as so angry, furious, she is even stuttering ... > > Swamiji, what is the meaning of this anger? Is the Goddess > beyond anger, or is that phrase "beyond anger" not useful, or > misunderstood? Is there righteous anger? Or does this mean, we > can galvanize our own purpose by summoning a force that is akin > to anger but without the negative subjectivity and karmic > results usually associated with anger? > > Thank you, for helping me to understand the intent here. > > Swamiji's response :- > When we reach to Her status then we will understand what is Her > anger. I believe it is more akin to forceful, determined, > undeterred, not willing to compromise with negativity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2004 Report Share Posted May 16, 2004 Swamiji, Ok... It seems to me (though perhaps I'm wrong...) that the verses following correspond to the six chakras. If this is so, is the nyasa then done in steps, as each verse is read, and are the final two both ajna chakra (not counting the pranam to Agni and the repitition of ram)? Chris , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Chris :- > > Swamiji,On page 241 in my copy of shiva Puja and Advanced Yajna, > there is a mantra which says, "ityaadyagne shadangebhyo namahah." > You translated it, "In this way establish the Divine Fire in the six > centers of the body." > > What is the practice associated with this mantra? How is the > establishment conducted? > > > Swamiji's response :- > > Anga nyasa with Ram bija. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2004 Report Share Posted May 16, 2004 chris, interesting you noticed that, this is a very compelling hint. such a high level of realization it must require to do this truly. the ego would be quite happy to convince itself it is enlightened, when it is still in the grip of a clever and self-deceitful anger. steve , "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956> wrote: > Steve, > > If I may jump in here too... > > I noticed when I was reading the other day Swamiji's translation on > this particular topic says, She put on anger. In line with Swamiji's > comments, this suggests to me the use of an appropriate anger as a > craftsman would use the appropriate tool: just the right tool, > totally under control, used with skill, and put away when the task is > done. > > Chris > > , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> > wrote: > > Question from Steve :- > > > > Regarding the Chandi Path, chapter 3 ... this is a great battle > > the manifested Goddess takes with Sir Ego. It is very graphic; > > it is clearly a struggle, and there is also a clear victor. > > > > In this struggle, the Goddess is visualized as calm, aloof, and > > wielding her many weapons with ease ... in other verses she is > > described as so angry, furious, she is even stuttering ... > > > > Swamiji, what is the meaning of this anger? Is the Goddess > > beyond anger, or is that phrase "beyond anger" not useful, or > > misunderstood? Is there righteous anger? Or does this mean, we > > can galvanize our own purpose by summoning a force that is akin > > to anger but without the negative subjectivity and karmic > > results usually associated with anger? > > > > Thank you, for helping me to understand the intent here. > > > > Swamiji's response :- > > When we reach to Her status then we will understand what is Her > > anger. I believe it is more akin to forceful, determined, > > undeterred, not willing to compromise with negativity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 17, 2004 Report Share Posted May 17, 2004 How true... Chris , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > chris, interesting you noticed that, this is a very compelling hint. > > such a high level of realization it must require to do this truly. > the ego would be quite happy to convince itself it is enlightened, > when it is still in the grip of a clever and self-deceitful anger. > > steve > > , "Chris Kirner" > <chriskirner1956> wrote: > > Steve, > > > > If I may jump in here too... > > > > I noticed when I was reading the other day Swamiji's translation > on > > this particular topic says, She put on anger. In line with > Swamiji's > > comments, this suggests to me the use of an appropriate anger as a > > craftsman would use the appropriate tool: just the right tool, > > totally under control, used with skill, and put away when the task > is > > done. > > > > Chris > > > > , "Latha Nanda" > <lathananda> > > wrote: > > > Question from Steve :- > > > > > > Regarding the Chandi Path, chapter 3 ... this is a great battle > > > the manifested Goddess takes with Sir Ego. It is very graphic; > > > it is clearly a struggle, and there is also a clear victor. > > > > > > In this struggle, the Goddess is visualized as calm, aloof, and > > > wielding her many weapons with ease ... in other verses she is > > > described as so angry, furious, she is even stuttering ... > > > > > > Swamiji, what is the meaning of this anger? Is the Goddess > > > beyond anger, or is that phrase "beyond anger" not useful, or > > > misunderstood? Is there righteous anger? Or does this mean, we > > > can galvanize our own purpose by summoning a force that is akin > > > to anger but without the negative subjectivity and karmic > > > results usually associated with anger? > > > > > > Thank you, for helping me to understand the intent here. > > > > > > Swamiji's response :- > > > When we reach to Her status then we will understand what is Her > > > anger. I believe it is more akin to forceful, determined, > > > undeterred, not willing to compromise with negativity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 Swamiji, Thank you. And I see here at the end of my first recitation of the Chandi Path: Jvala Ham Sam Lam Ksam Phat Svaahaa Steve C. , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Steve :- > > We see this word "Svahaa!" [i am one with God!] in Chapter 4 of > the Chandi, and it appears in the Shiva Puja as well. > Such a positive spiritual declaration! > Is this used in any mantra, or as a single-word mantra [like > Om] ...and if so, do you recommend it? > > > > Swamiji's response :- > > It is used in specific mantras, or with any mantra while offering > oblations to the homa fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Thank you, Swamiji, for introducing this path to us. In the few short days I have studied and recited, with your and Maa's guidance, the beneficial effects have been noted. Steve C. , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Steve : > > Is the Chandi in popular use among sadhus in India? Did Thakur use > this book? > > Swamiji's response : > > Yes, Ramakrishna used this book, and Chandi is a wonderfully > respected sadhana for sadhus in India. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 that's interesting. shradda. if you ask yourself, 'what is faith' you come up with an interesting sense of yourself/the world. s , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Question from Latha : > > In your opinion, what is the single most important quality that a > disciple needs to possess ? > > Swamiji's response : > > Faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Yes it certainly is interesting. If you think about it Shradda more than anything else is probably what will really keep us going in our sadic efforts daily throughout the years and decades ahead. , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > that's interesting. shradda. if you ask yourself, 'what is faith' > you come up with an interesting sense of yourself/the world. > > s > > , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> > wrote: > > Question from Latha : > > > > In your opinion, what is the single most important quality that a > > disciple needs to possess ? > > > > Swamiji's response : > > > > Faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 shradda plus intelligence. the common error with this no doubt is to think of shradda as belief, which it is, in a way. but it is more. it is conviction, vision, discrimination, as well. here it is for me -- shradda is an inner core. this we can dwell upon and it lights up. it is awareness itself. without shradda, there is reacting to the things of the world, sort of like an arcade game. shradda is pulling to a limitless center. it is also a friction, or a crowbar, or a lever, that works against the movement of the world. steve , "rudran2" <stechiekov> wrote: > Yes it certainly is interesting. If you think about it Shradda more > than anything else is probably what will really keep us going in our > sadic efforts daily throughout the years and decades ahead. > > , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> > wrote: > > that's interesting. shradda. if you ask yourself, 'what is faith' > > you come up with an interesting sense of yourself/the world. > > > > s > > > > , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> > > wrote: > > > Question from Latha : > > > > > > In your opinion, what is the single most important quality that a > > > disciple needs to possess ? > > > > > > Swamiji's response : > > > > > > Faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Steve, I think you're right. Ultimately, everything in life stems from a foundation of individual experience, either an external experience, or an intuitive inner experience, a vision or conviction, as you say, the truth of which is beyond argumentation. This is true of faith, as well. No scripture can bestow faith, and no teacher. Only experience creates true faith. I think there are two kinds of faith that are important for the sadhaka: faith in God and guru, and faith in one's self. Having faith in God and guru is self-evident. Everyone understands the importance of this faith. But it is equally important to have faith in yourself, in your ultimate fitness, worthiness, and ability to achieve the goal of your practices. Faith in God and faith in yourself go hand in hand on the path of sadhana. The Yoga Sutras, and I believe (if I'm remembering correctly) the Devi Gita, list the failure to achieve samadhi as one of the major kleshas, or obstacles, to achievement of samadhi. It is easy, with the passage of years, to become discouraged, to look at yourself and say, "Look at me! I've been doing sadhana all this time and I've hardly changed at all. I'm still basically the same person I was when I began." If one's faith and desire for God is weak, one can easily fall off the path here. If one's faith and desire for God are strong, self-doubt begins to sap one's will and energy. I think the best cure for self-doubt may be the gurudeva. If one has a relationship with the guru, that example is a constant reminder of what is possible, but a compassionate word of encouragement from the gurudeva is the best medicine. If the gurudeva believes in you, how can you possibly doubt yourself? As with everything else on the path, the gurudeva is always your constant companion (though usually out of sight), always ready to give you a little extra push when you need it. Jai Gurudeva! Chris , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > shradda plus intelligence. the common error with this no doubt is to > think of shradda as belief, which it is, in a way. but it is more. > it is conviction, vision, discrimination, as well. > > here it is for me -- shradda is an inner core. this we can dwell > upon and it lights up. it is awareness itself. without shradda, > there is reacting to the things of the world, sort of like an arcade > game. shradda is pulling to a limitless center. > > it is also a friction, or a crowbar, or a lever, that works against > the movement of the world. > > steve > > > , "rudran2" <stechiekov> > wrote: > > Yes it certainly is interesting. If you think about it Shradda > more > > than anything else is probably what will really keep us going in > our > > sadic efforts daily throughout the years and decades ahead. > > > > , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> > > wrote: > > > that's interesting. shradda. if you ask yourself, 'what is > faith' > > > you come up with an interesting sense of yourself/the world. > > > > > > s > > > > > > , "Latha Nanda" > <lathananda> > > > wrote: > > > > Question from Latha : > > > > > > > > In your opinion, what is the single most important quality > that a > > > > disciple needs to possess ? > > > > > > > > Swamiji's response : > > > > > > > > Faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Thank you Chris. That is a great post. "Chris Kirner" <chriskirner1956 > Fri, 21 May 2004 20:07:46 -0000 Re: Q&A with Swamiji ..... Steve, I think you're right. Ultimately, everything in life stems from a foundation of individual experience, either an external experience, or an intuitive inner experience, a vision or conviction, as you say, the truth of which is beyond argumentation. This is true of faith, as well. No scripture can bestow faith, and no teacher. Only experience creates true faith. I think there are two kinds of faith that are important for the sadhaka: faith in God and guru, and faith in one's self. Having faith in God and guru is self-evident. Everyone understands the importance of this faith. But it is equally important to have faith in yourself, in your ultimate fitness, worthiness, and ability to achieve the goal of your practices. Faith in God and faith in yourself go hand in hand on the path of sadhana. The Yoga Sutras, and I believe (if I'm remembering correctly) the Devi Gita, list the failure to achieve samadhi as one of the major kleshas, or obstacles, to achievement of samadhi. It is easy, with the passage of years, to become discouraged, to look at yourself and say, "Look at me! I've been doing sadhana all this time and I've hardly changed at all. I'm still basically the same person I was when I began." If one's faith and desire for God is weak, one can easily fall off the path here. If one's faith and desire for God are strong, self-doubt begins to sap one's will and energy. I think the best cure for self-doubt may be the gurudeva. If one has a relationship with the guru, that example is a constant reminder of what is possible, but a compassionate word of encouragement from the gurudeva is the best medicine. If the gurudeva believes in you, how can you possibly doubt yourself? As with everything else on the path, the gurudeva is always your constant companion (though usually out of sight), always ready to give you a little extra push when you need it. Jai Gurudeva! Chris , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> wrote: > shradda plus intelligence. the common error with this no doubt is to > think of shradda as belief, which it is, in a way. but it is more. > it is conviction, vision, discrimination, as well. > > here it is for me -- shradda is an inner core. this we can dwell > upon and it lights up. it is awareness itself. without shradda, > there is reacting to the things of the world, sort of like an arcade > game. shradda is pulling to a limitless center. > > it is also a friction, or a crowbar, or a lever, that works against > the movement of the world. > > steve > > > , "rudran2" <stechiekov> > wrote: > > Yes it certainly is interesting. If you think about it Shradda > more > > than anything else is probably what will really keep us going in > our > > sadic efforts daily throughout the years and decades ahead. > > > > , "Steve Connor" <sconnor@a...> > > wrote: > > > that's interesting. shradda. if you ask yourself, 'what is > faith' > > > you come up with an interesting sense of yourself/the world. > > > > > > s > > > > > > , "Latha Nanda" > <lathananda> > > > wrote: > > > > Question from Latha : > > > > > > > > In your opinion, what is the single most important quality > that a > > > > disciple needs to possess ? > > > > > > > > Swamiji's response : > > > > > > > > Faith. Sponsor / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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