Day 4 Q/A feedback

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Day 4 Q/A feedbackThank you Mukti Maa and Ekta for the information on

camphor and the beautiful story about VenkateswaraParvati said: We

get our camphor from the local Indian store or from the Chinese herb

shop in Chinatown.Kalia asked:It is not always possible to ring the

bell in offering the light and incense. Does this in anyway affect

the worship? What is the purpose of the ringing the bell?"Steve

said:"jai maa kali! ringing the bell clears the mind, focuses

attention, and rids the room of unwanted spirits."Parvati added: I

agree with Steve in all he said about the bell. The ringing of the

bell destroys enimical energies. Shree Maa and Swamiji say that the

asuras will grab their ears and run away at the sound of

the bell.

The bell of continuous tone is one of the Divine Mother's weapons. You

can ring the bell at anytime when you are chanting or doing puja. If

too many thoughts are disturbing you at the time of puja or chanting

then ring the bell. If the bhava strikes and you feel inspired then

ring the bell.Another purpose for ringing the bell is that it helps

set the tone of our mantras to the tone of the bell. It says in the

Chandi in the Kilak Stav (kiilakam) verse 13"that whoever chants the

mantras loudly in a high tone gets complete fulfillment." Ringing the

bell helps set this high tone as the voice becomes one with the tone

of the bell.If you cannot ring the bell it is also okay.There are a

few place where the ringing of the bell is specified.1. light.2.

After the

sankalpa3. Arati (although it is not specified. We always ring the

bell for arati.)You can also ring the bell for the offering of

incense and camphor.

Kalia says:

 

Camphor is also symbolic of the mind. It burns without leaving any

trace behind, nothing is left. We all seek that state of surrender,

mindlessness, egoless ..... for only in this state will we see and

experience the divine. Lord Shiva is described as white, pure white

like camphor. May we all loose our minds in that Beloved Lord Shiva.

Parvati says: Nicely put, Kalia. I was also thinking of that same

mantra about Lord Shiva. In the Advanced Shiva puja book on page

156-166 there is another Shiva dhyaanam different form the other 2

dhyaanams that we have already discussed. Seems like Shiva's

dhyaanams are abundant. On page 159 the mantra says: "karpuuragauram

karunaavataaram......"Of white color like pure camphor, He is the

embodiment of Compassion.....

Another name for camphor is "karpoor." Notice the word karpuur in the sanskrit.

Rukmani pointed out that in the Cosmic puja page 221 we offer water

for washing the Divine Mother's hands and mouth. That water is mixed

with camphor and excellent scent(perfume). The mantra begins:

"karpuurena sugandhena surabhisvaadu siitalam toyamaacamaniiyaartham

deviidam........

"With camphor and excellent scent, cool with excellent taste, this

water is being offered for washing....

This has been a lively discussion on camphor. May our devotion blaze

brightly like camphor into one big light!

Om namah Shivaaya and Jai Maa!

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