Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Here I am again with my questions: These following questions may sound critical, maybe they are. Nevertheless I feel I have to ask them, since I am not prepared anymore to accept things purely on a base of believing. I have an edition of the Devi Mahatmyam, edited by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras. I compared their translation of certain verses with Swamiji's translation and I discoveres an astonishing phenomenon. Where the Math's edition puts only the names of gods and their attributes, Swamiji's translates the god's and their attribute's names, gives them meaning for a western audience, I suppose. Cause many of us have no association whatsoever with Indra, Varuna and so on, whereas for an Indian public the meaning of the gods and their attributes seems to be clear. So - I can appreciate what Samiji is doing here. Still - I do wonder on what authority, on what scriptural sources he is doing this. On what grounds can he translate Surya into "authority of the Light of Wisdom", Indra as ""the rule of the pure" and so on? Is this his own interpretation? And from what sources does the explanation of the diverse attributes of the Goddess derive? I would very much appreciate an answer to this question. Thanks for the great work you are doing, it means a lot to me. Best D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Namaste Dharmavidya, It is so nice to hear from you again. Here is one post where He has already answered as to the different kinds of meanings that one could derive from a sanskrit mantra . Please see /message/7211 Hope this helps. Please let me know if this answers your question or if you have further questions. JAI CHANDI Nanda , "Dharmavidya" <dharmavidya> wrote: > Here I am again with my questions: > > These following questions may sound critical, maybe they are. > Nevertheless I feel I have to ask them, since I am not prepared > anymore to accept things purely on a base of believing. > > I have an edition of the Devi Mahatmyam, edited by Sri Ramakrishna > Math, Madras. I compared their translation of certain verses with > Swamiji's translation and I discoveres an astonishing phenomenon. > Where the Math's edition puts only the names of gods and their > attributes, Swamiji's translates the god's and their attribute's > names, gives them meaning for a western audience, I suppose. Cause > many of us have no association whatsoever with Indra, Varuna and so > on, whereas for an Indian public the meaning of the gods and their > attributes seems to be clear. > So - I can appreciate what Samiji is doing here. > Still - I do wonder on what authority, on what scriptural sources he > is doing this. On what grounds can he translate Surya into "authority > of the Light of Wisdom", Indra as ""the rule of the pure" and so on? > Is this his own interpretation? And from what sources does the > explanation of the diverse attributes of the Goddess derive? > > I would very much appreciate an answer to this question. > > Thanks for the great work you are doing, it means a lot to me. > > Best > > D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2005 Report Share Posted August 20, 2005 Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce... Dear Friend... This my humble understanding which i hope helps you... Any mantra has a vibration of its own and 'Chandi' is considered by many to be one long very powerful mantra. As such the chanting of it alone will give you benefit... As for your question about Swamiji's translation of the Chandi in its unique form this is my understanding... Through His years of intense sadhana 'Chandi' has become Alive in Him and is with Him always and so He needs no external authority to authenticate His work since Mother Chandi Herself has done so... As for His Sanskrit credentials (though he never needed it), Swamiji through the advice of His master became a qualified sanskrit pandit, so that the certificate driven world would not doubt His credentials... As for the validity of the translation, Swamiji has gone to the roots of the different syllables in a word to derive the meaning on important words and with the Grace of Chandi given the english equivalent of the words and if you have doubts about the derivation, He will happily oblige you with His explanation and continue to help you, if you are sincere in trying to understand 'Chandi' for the sake of attaining Her Grace... His Unique translation of Chandi is an explanation for the going beyond thoughts with Her help and so its an Upasana or meditation towards that specific goal... What is the explanation ? It may be many other things, but first and foremost it is " Mother Chandi's message for the World through Swamiji" ... In the end, however you look at Swamiji's translation, what it points to is this possibility of having a relationship with Her,'She Who Is Everthing' through 'Chandi' as proven by Swamiji and other Knowers before Him... All you have to do is to start dating Her in earnest by Chanting Her then you yourelf can find your own unique way of looking at Her - can anyone really explain Her fully with our minds ? all we can do is share our Joy which comes from her and which is the best way to glorify Her... And Swamiji is one such lucky Being... Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundayai Vicce... , "Dharmavidya" <dharmavidya> wrote: > Here I am again with my questions: > > These following questions may sound critical, maybe they are. > Nevertheless I feel I have to ask them, since I am not prepared > anymore to accept things purely on a base of believing. > > I have an edition of the Devi Mahatmyam, edited by Sri Ramakrishna > Math, Madras. I compared their translation of certain verses with > Swamiji's translation and I discoveres an astonishing phenomenon. > Where the Math's edition puts only the names of gods and their > attributes, Swamiji's translates the god's and their attribute's > names, gives them meaning for a western audience, I suppose. Cause > many of us have no association whatsoever with Indra, Varuna and so > on, whereas for an Indian public the meaning of the gods and their > attributes seems to be clear. > So - I can appreciate what Samiji is doing here. > Still - I do wonder on what authority, on what scriptural sources he > is doing this. On what grounds can he translate Surya into "authority > of the Light of Wisdom", Indra as ""the rule of the pure" and so on? > Is this his own interpretation? And from what sources does the > explanation of the diverse attributes of the Goddess derive? > > I would very much appreciate an answer to this question. > > Thanks for the great work you are doing, it means a lot to me. > > Best > > D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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