346--to Nanda on-- Brahmarpanam - replacing Brahma with Chandi

[Guest guest]

Dear Nanda,

 

I am getting confused by the name Brahma referring to the Supreme

Divinity and Brahma referring to the Creative Capacity. Sometimes in

transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparently not

always. How do I distinguish the two?

 

veel liefs,

Henny

 

 

 

, "Nanda" <chandimaakijai>

wrote:

> Question from Rick:

> In the verse ,

> "Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam

> Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"

>

> Is it permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this prayer

> to "Chandi?"

>

> Nanda's tentative response :

> Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is a good idea

> to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that we

keep

> to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.

>

> Swamiji's response:

> I agree. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.

[Guest guest]

Although you asked Nanda this question, I hope it's ok that I can answer.

 

Brahma aka the Creative Capacity is an "office"; the office of

creation handled by a diety called Brahma.

 

Brahma in this mantra is "brahman" - absoluteness. This is poetic

license in play wherby "Brahman" got reduced to "Brahma" so the tune

of the mantra is not compromised. Such changes to names are allowed in

Sanskrit syntax which enriches the beauty of the language to flow

melodiously into our hearts.

 

How to differentiate when what meaning is being used? I guess that's a

mixture of knowledge (which includes an availability of the

translation too), and some intuition, and a lot of Grace! .

 

Jai Ma!

 

, "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

> Dear Nanda,

>

> I am getting confused by the name Brahma referring to the Supreme

> Divinity and Brahma referring to the Creative Capacity. Sometimes in

> transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparently not

> always. How do I distinguish the two?

>

> veel liefs,

> Henny

>

>

>

> , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai>

> wrote:

> > Question from Rick:

> > In the verse ,

> > "Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam

> > Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"

> >

> > Is it permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this prayer

> > to "Chandi?"

> >

> > Nanda's tentative response :

> > Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is a good idea

> > to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that we

> keep

> > to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.

> >

> > Swamiji's response:

> > I agree. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.

[Guest guest]

It's very ok that you can answer!!! Knowledge, intuition, grace and a

good ear for melody and rhythm; I just knew it would not be a matter

of a simple difference in spelling... I am very grateful for the

translation.

Thank you very much for your answer to my question,

 

with love,

Henny

 

, "manoj_menon" <ammasmon@s...>

wrote:

> Although you asked Nanda this question, I hope it's ok that I can

answer.

>

> Brahma aka the Creative Capacity is an "office"; the office of

> creation handled by a diety called Brahma.

>

> Brahma in this mantra is "brahman" - absoluteness. This is poetic

> license in play wherby "Brahman" got reduced to "Brahma" so the tune

> of the mantra is not compromised. Such changes to names are allowed

in

> Sanskrit syntax which enriches the beauty of the language to flow

> melodiously into our hearts.

>

> How to differentiate when what meaning is being used? I guess that's

a

> mixture of knowledge (which includes an availability of the

> translation too), and some intuition, and a lot of Grace! .

>

> Jai Ma!

>

> , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

> > Dear Nanda,

> >

> > I am getting confused by the name Brahma referring to the Supreme

> > Divinity and Brahma referring to the Creative Capacity. Sometimes

in

> > transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparently not

> > always. How do I distinguish the two?

> >

> > veel liefs,

> > Henny

> >

> >

> >

> > , "Nanda" <chandimaakijai>

> > wrote:

> > > Question from Rick:

> > > In the verse ,

> > > "Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam

> > > Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"

> > >

> > > Is it permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this prayer

> > > to "Chandi?"

> > >

> > > Nanda's tentative response :

> > > Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is a good

idea

> > > to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that we

> > keep

> > > to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.

> > >

> > > Swamiji's response:

> > > I agree. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.

[Guest guest]

I am not surprised at such a question. This happens to Bhakthas all

the time. You stand in front of Lord Siva and start reciting "

sarva mangalya managalye" automatically. You call Vigneswara MAA.

 

There was a great Vishnu bhakta by name Meppathur Narayana

Bhattathiripad who wrote a Sanskrit classic called Narayaneeyam about

Guruvayur Krishna. When he visited the Bagavathi temple in

Chottanikara, he saw Narayanan there in the Sanctum Sanctorum. So he

started singing Amme Narayana (Mother Narayana). Even today in the

temple you listen to people singing Amme Narayana, Bhadre Narayana

……

For a Bhaktha everything is his Ishtadevata.

 

I recite a poem in Tamil where MAA is called Kannamma. Krishna is

called Kannan and Kannamma means female Krishna (MAA). There is no

intellectual explanation for such things. This is from the heart and

not the head.

 

About changing the wording of a prayer, there is a prayer " Kaye

navacha …… sahalam barasmai Narayanethi samarpayami"

dedicating everything to Narayana. But I recite it with

"Durgayethi Samarpayami". Since this is said at the end of

every prayer, even the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra gets dedicated to MAA.

 

The answer to your question is in Chandi Path. MAA says "

ahambrahmaswarupini" ( Page 98) . The Highest Meaning of the

Goddess.

 

Sri Ramakrishna said, " The Primordial Power is ever at play. She

is creating, preserving, and destroying in play, as it were. This

power is called Kali. Kali is verily Brahman and Brahman is verily

Kali. It is one and the same reality. …… " (Master and

Keshab)

 

Jai MAA !!!

 

 

 

 

 

, "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

> It's very ok that you can answer!!! Knowledge, intuition, grace and

a

> good ear for melody and rhythm; I just knew it would not be a

matter

> of a simple difference in spelling... I am very grateful for the

> translation.

> Thank you very much for your answer to my question,

>

> with love,

> Henny

>

> , "manoj_menon" <ammasmon@s...>

> wrote:

> > Although you asked Nanda this question, I hope it's ok that I can

> answer.

> >

> > Brahma aka the Creative Capacity is an "office"; the office of

> > creation handled by a diety called Brahma.

> >

> > Brahma in this mantra is "brahman" - absoluteness. This is poetic

> > license in play wherby "Brahman" got reduced to "Brahma" so the

tune

> > of the mantra is not compromised. Such changes to names are

allowed

> in

> > Sanskrit syntax which enriches the beauty of the language to flow

> > melodiously into our hearts.

> >

> > How to differentiate when what meaning is being used? I guess

that's

> a

> > mixture of knowledge (which includes an availability of the

> > translation too), and some intuition, and a lot of Grace! .

> >

> > Jai Ma!

> >

> > , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

> > > Dear Nanda,

> > >

> > > I am getting confused by the name Brahma referring to the

Supreme

> > > Divinity and Brahma referring to the Creative Capacity.

Sometimes

> in

> > > transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparently

not

> > > always. How do I distinguish the two?

> > >

> > > veel liefs,

> > > Henny

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > , "Nanda"

<chandimaakijai>

> > > wrote:

> > > > Question from Rick:

> > > > In the verse ,

> > > > "Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam

> > > > Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"

> > > >

> > > > Is it permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this prayer

> > > > to "Chandi?"

> > > >

> > > > Nanda's tentative response :

> > > > Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is a

good

> idea

> > > > to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable that

we

> > > keep

> > > > to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.

> > > >

> > > > Swamiji's response:

> > > > I agree. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.

[Guest guest]

Jai Durge!Sankar Viswanathan <sankarrukku > wrote:

I am not surprised at such a question. This happens to Bhakthas allthe

time. You stand in front of Lord Siva and start reciting "sarva

mangalya managalye" automatically. You call Vigneswara MAA. There was

a great Vishnu bhakta by name Meppathur NarayanaBhattathiripad who

wrote a Sanskrit classic called Narayaneeyam aboutGuruvayur Krishna.

When he visited the Bagavathi temple inChottanikara, he saw Narayanan

there in the Sanctum Sanctorum. So hestarted singing Amme Narayana

(Mother Narayana). Even today in thetemple you listen to people

singing Amme Narayana, Bhadre Narayana……For a Bhaktha everything is

his Ishtadevata. I recite a poem in Tamil where MAA is called

Kannamma. Krishna iscalled Kannan and Kannamma means female Krishna

(MAA). There is nointellectual explanation for such things. This is

from the heart andnot

the head.About changing the wording of a prayer, there is a prayer "

Kayenavacha …… sahalam barasmai Narayanethi samarpayami"dedicating

everything to Narayana. But I recite it with"Durgayethi Samarpayami".

Since this is said at the end ofevery prayer, even the Maha

Mrityunjaya Mantra gets dedicated to MAA.The answer to your question

is in Chandi Path. MAA says "ahambrahmaswarupini" ( Page 98) . The

Highest Meaning of theGoddess.Sri Ramakrishna said, " The Primordial

Power is ever at play. Sheis creating, preserving, and destroying in

play, as it were. Thispower is called Kali. Kali is verily Brahman

and Brahman is verilyKali. It is one and the same reality. …… "

(Master andKeshab)Jai MAA !!!,

"henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:> It's very ok that you can answer!!!

Knowledge, intuition, grace anda > good ear for melody and rhythm; I

just

knew it would not be amatter > of a simple difference in spelling...

I am very grateful for the > translation.> Thank you very much for

your answer to my question, > > with love,> Henny> > --- In

, "manoj_menon" <ammasmon@s...> > wrote:>

> Although you asked Nanda this question, I hope it's ok that I can >

answer.> > > > Brahma aka the Creative Capacity is an "office"; the

office of> > creation handled by a diety called Brahma.> > > > Brahma

in this mantra is "brahman" - absoluteness. This is poetic> > license

in play wherby "Brahman" got reduced to "Brahma" so thetune> > of the

mantra is not compromised. Such changes to names areallowed > in> >

Sanskrit syntax which enriches the beauty of the language to flow> >

melodiously into our hearts.> > >

> How to differentiate when what meaning is being used? I guessthat's

> a> > mixture of knowledge (which includes an availability of the> >

translation too), and some intuition, and a lot of Grace! .> > > >

Jai Ma!> > > > , "henny_v_i"

<HvI@S...> wrote:> > > Dear Nanda,> > > > > > I am getting confused

by the name Brahma referring to theSupreme > > > Divinity and Brahma

referring to the Creative Capacity.Sometimes > in > > >

transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparentlynot > > >

always. How do I distinguish the two? > > > > > > veel liefs,> > >

Henny> > > > > > > > > > > > ,

"Nanda" <chandimaakijai> > > >

wrote:> > > > Question from Rick:> > > > In the verse ,> > > > "Om

Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam> > > > Brahmaiva

Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"> > > > > > > > Is it

permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this prayer > > > > to

"Chandi?"> > > > > > > > Nanda's tentative response :> > > > Brahma

here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is agood > idea > > >

> to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable thatwe > >

> keep > > > > to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.> > >

> > > > > Swamiji's response:> > > > I agree. It means Chandi to us,

but let us call Her

Brahma.Do You

?

 

[Guest guest]

, Jay Dayal <jai_dayal> wrote:

> absolutely beautiful! this is the way our bhav should be.

 

i agree with all my heart, dear Jayji and dear Shankarji!

i know your 2 posts will fill our brother with such joy!

Jai Maa Kaali!

Her daughter,

muktimaa

 

>

> Jai Durge!

>

> Sankar Viswanathan <sankarrukku@g...> wrote:

> I am not surprised at such a question. This happens to Bhakthas all

> the time. You stand in front of Lord Siva and start reciting "

> sarva mangalya managalye" automatically. You call Vigneswara MAA.

>

> There was a great Vishnu bhakta by name Meppathur Narayana

> Bhattathiripad who wrote a Sanskrit classic called Narayaneeyam

about

> Guruvayur Krishna. When he visited the Bagavathi temple in

> Chottanikara, he saw Narayanan there in the Sanctum Sanctorum. So he

> started singing Amme Narayana (Mother Narayana). Even today in the

> temple you listen to people singing Amme Narayana, Bhadre Narayana

> ……

> For a Bhaktha everything is his Ishtadevata.

>

> I recite a poem in Tamil where MAA is called Kannamma. Krishna is

> called Kannan and Kannamma means female Krishna (MAA). There is no

> intellectual explanation for such things. This is from the heart and

> not the head.

>

> About changing the wording of a prayer, there is a prayer " Kaye

> navacha …… sahalam barasmai Narayanethi samarpayami"

> dedicating everything to Narayana. But I recite it with

> "Durgayethi Samarpayami". Since this is said at the end of

> every prayer, even the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra gets dedicated to

MAA.

>

> The answer to your question is in Chandi Path. MAA says "

> ahambrahmaswarupini" ( Page 98) . The Highest Meaning of the

> Goddess.

>

> Sri Ramakrishna said, " The Primordial Power is ever at play. She

> is creating, preserving, and destroying in play, as it were. This

> power is called Kali. Kali is verily Brahman and Brahman is verily

> Kali. It is one and the same reality. …… " (Master and

> Keshab)

>

> Jai MAA !!!

>

>

>

>

>

> , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...> wrote:

> > It's very ok that you can answer!!! Knowledge, intuition, grace

and

> a

> > good ear for melody and rhythm; I just knew it would not be a

> matter

> > of a simple difference in spelling... I am very grateful for

the

> > translation.

> > Thank you very much for your answer to my question,

> >

> > with love,

> > Henny

> >

> > , "manoj_menon" <ammasmon@s...>

> > wrote:

> > > Although you asked Nanda this question, I hope it's ok that I

can

> > answer.

> > >

> > > Brahma aka the Creative Capacity is an "office"; the office of

> > > creation handled by a diety called Brahma.

> > >

> > > Brahma in this mantra is "brahman" - absoluteness. This is

poetic

> > > license in play wherby "Brahman" got reduced to "Brahma" so the

> tune

> > > of the mantra is not compromised. Such changes to names are

> allowed

> > in

> > > Sanskrit syntax which enriches the beauty of the language to

flow

> > > melodiously into our hearts.

> > >

> > > How to differentiate when what meaning is being used? I guess

> that's

> > a

> > > mixture of knowledge (which includes an availability of the

> > > translation too), and some intuition, and a lot of Grace! .

> > >

> > > Jai Ma!

> > >

> > > , "henny_v_i" <HvI@S...>

wrote:

> > > > Dear Nanda,

> > > >

> > > > I am getting confused by the name Brahma referring to the

> Supreme

> > > > Divinity and Brahma referring to the Creative Capacity.

> Sometimes

> > in

> > > > transliteration the first is written Brahman, but apparently

> not

> > > > always. How do I distinguish the two?

> > > >

> > > > veel liefs,

> > > > Henny

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > , "Nanda"

> <chandimaakijai>

> > > > wrote:

> > > > > Question from Rick:

> > > > > In the verse ,

> > > > > "Om Brahmarpanam Brahma Havih Brahmagnau Brahmana hutam

> > > > > Brahmaiva Tena Gandhavyam Brahma Karma Samadhinah"

> > > > >

> > > > > Is it permissible to change the name "Brahma" in this

prayer

> > > > > to "Chandi?"

> > > > >

> > > > > Nanda's tentative response :

> > > > > Brahma here refers to the Supreme Divinity . While it is a

> good

> > idea

> > > > > to mentally offer to our beloved deity, it is preferable

that

> we

> > > > keep

> > > > > to the verses that have been originated by Rishis.

> > > > >

> > > > > Swamiji's response:

> > > > > I agree. It means Chandi to us, but let us call Her Brahma.

>

>

 

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[Guest guest]

, "Sankar Viswanathan"

<sankarrukku@g...> wrote:

> There was a great Vishnu bhakta by name Meppathur Narayana

> Bhattathiripad who wrote a Sanskrit classic called Narayaneeyam

> about Guruvayur Krishna. When he visited the Bagavathi temple in

> Chottanikara, he saw Narayanan there in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

 

Bhattathiri is amazing, isn't he? To all: if you are not totally

Divine-Mother polarized (and I am not saying it's a fault if you are

so), and have a reasonable grounding in other dieties like Krishna,

you will appreciate the Narayaneeyam. The language (and I can only

speak of the English translation for lack of Sanskrit Knowledge) is

very uplifting and you tend to lose body-consciousness just reading

the praises of Narayana in that book.....

> So he started singing Amme Narayana (Mother Narayana). Even today '

> in the temple you listen to people singing Amme Narayana, Bhadre

> Narayana …… For a Bhaktha everything is his Ishtadevata.

 

Guess what? I am from Kerala, so I am familiar with "Amme Narayana".

But because of my polarity with Divine Mother, I automatically sigh

as "Amme NarayaNI" in my stressful times! . Friends have commented

on the twist I give to the popular phrase.

> I recite a poem in Tamil where MAA is called Kannamma. Krishna is

> called Kannan and Kannamma means female Krishna (MAA). There is no

> intellectual explanation for such things. This is from the heart

> and not the head.

 

I too have give a feminine attribute (like Devi) to "traditionally

male" dieties like Krishna and Shiva. I would immediately rubbish

myself at that time; so glad to know there are others who do the

same thing, and to know the wonderful explanation you gave (it's a

heart thing, not the head).

 

Good post!

> Jai MAA !!!

 

Jai Ma!