To srini about Chandi study (was More questions with Swamiji)

[Guest guest]

srini wrote:

We are all Her children. Before I chant the Chandi, I tell Chandi Maa

that i am Her child and I want to always remember that I am Her child

always. After that I mispronounce, get distracted, squirm, etc. I dont

think She's mad at me. Only thing, I plan to keep at it everyday.You

may mispronounce some verses, but you pronounce many correctly -

isnt' that great!And about knowing the meaning, your idea to study

some verses from time time is great. I myself would like to have a

study time table in which I can study 5-10 verses a week.

Dear srini ~ I very much love the spirit of what you say above and how

you say it. One part of the Chandi that has a particular hold on my

imperfect heart, and that I love very much, is toward the end. It is

called the atha devyaparadha sxamapana stotram (And Now, A Song

Seeking Forgiveness from the Goddess for the Commissions of

Offences).

 

It starts off with: "Mother, I don't know mantras nor yantras, nor can

I sing your praise. I don't know how to welcome you, nor how to

meditate on your presence. Neither do I know how to sing your

glories, nor how to show your mystical signs, nor even how to

lament.But I shall keep on calling you, you who take away the

difficulties of all."

 

I adore this verse. It allows us our humanity, our imperfections, our

mistakes and acknowledges them. It makes our slip ups and gaffs part

of the process of our unfolding.

 

Also, I like your idea of a study time table for the Chandi. I know we

have studied the Chandi once, but I feel we could do it all over

again, and still only be beginning. It would be great to take a

certain number of verses a week, read them, recite them, study them,

and then share what we have learned. does have a chat function

for every Forum. Perhaps if we really wanted to do us, someone

could tell us how that works and we could even actually meet, in a

sense for live discussion. Of perhaps, instead of being something for

the whole group, it might be just for those who are interested. What

do you think? Nanda? Would Maa and Swami give us their blessings for

such a study, do you think?

 

I LOVE the Chandi.

 

Jai Chandi Ma ~ Linda