To Parvarti on some basic questions

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Parvati wrote:

Hope you don't mind me answering these questions. Please add any other

comments, Nanda.The introductory mantras you are referring to are

called the Kushkandika mantras. They are the preferred mantras used

when beginning puja or beginning the recitation of a scripture. In

these introductory mantras we invoke the gods and goddesses,

establish our asan, purify our hands, and mouth, and recite the

sankalpa and shanti mantras. You will notice that many of Swamiji's

puja books and scriptures start with these mantras which is also in

the beginning of the Chandi.

Dear Parvati ~ I have begun to notice this ... sometimes it takes me awhile. LOL

Q: And on page 7 after the words siva dhyanam the following words

appear:om sada sivaya vidmahe sahasraksaya dhimahe tanno sambho

pracodayatIs this the Gayatri of Shiva?A: yes.

Thank you. I thought it was, but I wanted to know for sure.

Q: On page 18 where it refers to "washing the hands and rinsing the

mouth," are we supposed to get up and do this, or should it be done

before one starts the recitation. If one is just reciting the text

as opposed to using it as a puja, is this washing and rinsing still

necessary?A: These particular mantras for washing the hands and mouth

are recited within the context of the scripture. You do not get up. Of

course it is always good to wash your hands and mouth before

sitting.If you are doing puja then you want to use the water on your

altar to rinse the mouth and hands. Swamiji always keeps a small

container of water by his asan and he will recite the mantras for

washing the mouth and rinse his mouth with the water accordingly even

if he is just reciting a straight recitation and not doing a puja.

Okay, this question might sound a bit ... personal, but what does

Swamiji do with the water after he has rinsed his mouth? Does he

swallow it? Does he keep a container to spit the water into?

Notice that the mantras in Chapter 1 of the Rudri verses 1, 5,

chapter 2 verse 22, and chapter 9 verse17 are incorporated into the

mantras recited after the sankalpa in most of Swamiji's books.

I did notice this. Thank you so much for taking the time to give a

very good and thorough response to my question. I greatly appreciate

your gift ~ Linda