Guest guest Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Dear Srini, apart from the flower questions, I have some other matters which are not clear to me. So I would be very grateful if you would take a look at them: -Mudra questions: -on page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni mudra. Swamiji explains this in the recording, and I have seen the picture in the Kali book, but I still can't do it. I know it is difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and ringfingers both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these fingers touch each other, then with the tips of the middlefingers touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer fingers over the middlefingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my thumbs towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my inverted `v', which I do not see on the photo in the Kali book. Where do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, I'll understand if you can't help me with this) -with the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of the mantra. Do we also use it with the following 10 times japa? -on p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, middle finger and pinky are sticking out, with pointer finger and ringfinger folded inwards? -with the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? -Other questions: -about the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does this mean the floor in front of the altar? To the left or right of your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we use any pot? -I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these when we have finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same purpose? -do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of the pot? -I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for establishing the pot also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the energies coming together (as in the pot) assembled in the lingam? -I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of the sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the establishment of the pot/lingam with the establishment of the internal yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika nyasa on p.187, followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? -Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with establishing the external yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my asan before establishing the internal yantra? -the pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is missing here? Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book for establishing the inner yantra? -When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think of a horizontal circle, like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar disc? I am very glad I can ask these questions. Please feel free to ignore any or all of them if you don't have time or if you are inconvenienced by them in any way, with love, Henny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2006 Report Share Posted April 8, 2006 Dear Hennyji, Om! Thank you for all your questions. I will attempt to answer some of them and seek Swamiji's help for the rest. I am sure we will all benefit from this exchange. Jai Maa! srini , "henny_v_i" <HvI wrote: > > Dear Srini, > > apart from the flower questions, I have some other matters which are > not clear to me. So I would be very grateful if you would take a look > at them: > > -Mudra questions: > > -on page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni > mudra. Swamiji explains this in the recording, and I have seen the > picture in the Kali book, but I still can't do it. I know it is > difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and > ringfingers both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these > fingers touch each other, then with the tips of the middlefingers > touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer fingers over > the middlefingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my > thumbs towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my > inverted `v', which I do not see on the photo in the Kali book. Where > do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, I'll understand if > you can't help me with this) > > -with the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of > the mantra. Do we also use it with the following 10 times japa? > > -on p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, > middle finger and pinky are sticking out, with pointer finger and > ringfinger folded inwards? > > -with the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? > > > -Other questions: > > -about the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does > this mean the floor in front of the altar? To the left or right of > your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we use any pot? > > -I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these > when we have finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same > purpose? > > -do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of > the pot? > > -I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for > establishing the pot also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the > energies coming together (as in the pot) assembled in the lingam? > > -I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of > the sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the > establishment of the pot/lingam with the establishment of the internal > yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika nyasa on p.187, > followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? > > -Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with > establishing the external yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my > asan before establishing the internal yantra? > > -the pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is > missing here? Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book > for establishing the inner yantra? > > -When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think > of a horizontal circle, like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar > disc? > > I am very glad I can ask these questions. Please feel free to ignore > any or all of them if you don't have time or if you are inconvenienced > by them in any way, > > with love, > Henny > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 Dear Henny, Namaste! Responses to you questions follow. My responses were approved, edited, or replaced by Swamiji. Question 1: On page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni mudra. Swamiji explains this in the recording, and I have seen the picture in the Kali book, but I still can't do it. I know it is difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and ring fingers both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these fingers touch each other, then with the tips of the middle fingers touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer fingers over the middle fingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my thumbs towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my inverted `v', which I do not see on the photo in the Kali book. Where do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, I'll understand if you can't help me with this) Answer: You are in the right direction. Please see posts 6006, 6022, and 6024, by Chris Kirner and Parvati. Question 2: With the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of the mantra. Do we also use it with the following 10 times japa? Answer: Yes. We can use a kara mala, counting on the digits of our fingers. Question 3: On p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, middle finger and pinky are sticking out, with pointer finger and ring finger folded inwards? Answer: Bring the thumb, middle finger, and pinky together, so that their tips are touching each other. Let the pointer finger and ring finger remain where they are. Question 4: With the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? Answer: Yes. But it is also the body of the Divine Mother. Question 5: About the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does this mean the floor in front of the altar? To the left or right of your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we use any pot? Answer: Place it in front of you, on the altar. Brass, Copper, or Earthenware pot can be used. On Google, click on images and type in the words, pot puja. The first image is a fine example. Question 6: I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these when we have finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same purpose? Answer: We like to put a red tilak of sindhur on the coins, and give them to devotees as a blessing. Or you can keep one coin with you where you keep your wealth. It has Lakshmi's blessings. Question 7: Do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of the pot? Answer: Over the coconut, like a veil for a lady. Question 8: I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for establishing the pot also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the energies coming together (as in the pot) assembled in the lingam? Answer: Yes. You can breathe life into a Lingam. Question 9: I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of the sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the establishment of the pot/lingam with the establishment of the internal yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika nyasa on p.187, followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? Answer: Yes, if your personal circumstances require you to skip p103 - p186, you may do so. You could come back and practice this portion later. Pages 103-110 alone are devoted to worship of the sacred fire. You do not have to be in front of a sacred fire to chant these verses. At Devi mandir, when we chant the verses on pages 103-106, we do manasa puja to the fire. For each verse on pages 107-110, starting from "ete gandhapushpe om hrim vagisvaryai namah" to "om ete gandhapuspe om agni murttaya namah", one flower is placed in a specific location in the altar. Question 10: Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with establishing the external yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my asan before establishing the internal yantra? Answer: That is correct. We build the ring of fire mentally and we place the flowers on the altar. Please remember to consult the map as to their placement. However, the Yantra puja requires that you offer worship at specific locations on the Yantra. For a beginner, this would be difficult to perform with an imagined ring of fire. It would be most effective, if you have a metal plate on which you draw the Yantra or place a yantra which has the diagram already engraved on it. The Yantra plate is placed in front of you and occupies the central position in your altar. Question 11: The pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is missing here? Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book for establishing the inner yantra? Answer: The mantras that are missing are, "Om Mukundaya Namaha", "Om Isanaya namaha", "Om Purandaraya Namaha", "Om Brahmane Namaha", "Om Vaivavataya Namaha", "Om Indave Namaha". These correspond the two sets of three parallel lines on the top and right hand side of the Yantra on page 137. The diagram on page 151 of the Shiva Puja book can be used. Sriniís question: Beloved Swamiji, is there a reason, why these 6 mantras are omitted for the Pitha Nyasa? Yes, these are the deities which energize in the north and the east of the outer yantra. On the inner yantra the whole body is the energized from every direction, so we do not require special deities sitting in each direction. Everything we do will be included in the performance of puja. Question 12: When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think of a horizontal circle, like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar disc? Answer: Use a vertical circle. , "henny_v_i" <HvI wrote: > > Dear Srini, > > apart from the flower questions, I have some other matters which are > not clear to me. So I would be very grateful if you would take a look > at them: > > -Mudra questions: > > -on page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni > mudra. Swamiji explains this in the recording, and I have seen the > picture in the Kali book, but I still can't do it. I know it is > difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and > ringfingers both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these > fingers touch each other, then with the tips of the middlefingers > touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer fingers over > the middlefingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my > thumbs towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my > inverted `v', which I do not see on the photo in the Kali book. Where > do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, I'll understand if > you can't help me with this) > > -with the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of > the mantra. Do we also use it with the following 10 times japa? > > -on p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, > middle finger and pinky are sticking out, with pointer finger and > ringfinger folded inwards? > > -with the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? > > > -Other questions: > > -about the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does > this mean the floor in front of the altar? To the left or right of > your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we use any pot? > > -I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these > when we have finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same > purpose? > > -do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of > the pot? > > -I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for > establishing the pot also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the > energies coming together (as in the pot) assembled in the lingam? > > -I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of > the sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the > establishment of the pot/lingam with the establishment of the internal > yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika nyasa on p.187, > followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? > > -Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with > establishing the external yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my > asan before establishing the internal yantra? > > -the pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is > missing here? Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book > for establishing the inner yantra? > > -When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think > of a horizontal circle, like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar > disc? > > I am very glad I can ask these questions. Please feel free to ignore > any or all of them if you don't have time or if you are inconvenienced > by them in any way, > > with love, > Henny > ------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 Namaste Sriniji, THANK YOU!! I'm on top of the world, over the moon and beyond! I'm so happy all my questions are answered and so very grateful for the wealth of information given to me. I slowly begin to get an idea of what puja is actually about, and the beauty of the Cosmic Puja is really astounding (especially in combination with what I remember from the Chandi, which I'll certainly be reciting again soon). With what I have now learned, and with the information about the Cosmic Puja on the website (I sure hope everybody has seen that!), I will now be able to add exciting new elements to my puja gradually. Of course, I understand some things need to be shown and explained by a qualified guru, and I sincerely hope to qualify as a worthy student one day. In the mean time, I am very happy to be able to continue to learn and expand my practice, thanks to sevaks like you. Words fail me to express how I feel about Swamiji's generosity and selfless dedication to help those starting out on this path. My heart is bursting; I know I am very blessed to be here, so please tell him that. My gratitude also goes out to Shree Maa, who continues to inpire in me the desire to practice and polish the mirror, thank you again, dear Srini, for everything you have done for me, with love, Henny , "srini_sadhu" <srini_sadhu wrote: > > Dear Henny, > > Namaste! > > Responses to you questions follow. My responses were approved, edited, or replaced by > Swamiji. > > Question 1: > > On page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni mudra. Swamiji > explains this in the recording, and I have seen the picture in the Kali book, but I still can't > do it. I know it is difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and ring fingers > both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these fingers touch each other, then > with the tips of the middle fingers touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer > fingers over the middle fingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my thumbs > towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my inverted `v', which I do not > see on the photo in the Kali book. Where do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, > I'll understand if you can't help me with this) > > Answer: You are in the right direction. Please see posts 6006, 6022, and 6024, by Chris > Kirner and Parvati. > > Question 2: > > With the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of the mantra. Do we > also use it with the following 10 times japa? > > Answer: Yes. We can use a kara mala, counting on the digits of our fingers. > > Question 3: > > On p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, middle finger and pinky > are sticking out, with pointer finger and ring finger folded inwards? > > Answer: Bring the thumb, middle finger, and pinky together, so that their tips are touching > each other. Let the pointer finger and ring finger remain where they are. > > Question 4: > > With the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? > > Answer: Yes. But it is also the body of the Divine Mother. > > Question 5: > > About the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does this mean the floor in front > of the altar? To the left or right of your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we > use any pot? > > Answer: Place it in front of you, on the altar. Brass, Copper, or Earthenware pot can be > used. On Google, click on images and type in the words, pot puja. The first image is a fine > example. > > Question 6: > > I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these when we have > finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same purpose? > > Answer: We like to put a red tilak of sindhur on the coins, and give them to devotees as a > blessing. Or you can keep one coin with you where you keep your wealth. It has Lakshmi's > blessings. > > Question 7: > > Do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of the pot? > > Answer: Over the coconut, like a veil for a lady. > > Question 8: > > I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for establishing the pot > also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the energies coming together (as in the pot) > assembled in the lingam? > > Answer: Yes. You can breathe life into a Lingam. > > Question 9: I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of the > sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the establishment of the pot/lingam > with the establishment of the internal yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika > nyasa on p.187, followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? > > Answer: Yes, if your personal circumstances require you to skip p103 - p186, you may do > so. You could come back and practice this portion later. > > Pages 103-110 alone are devoted to worship of the sacred fire. You do not have to be in > front of a sacred fire to chant these verses. At Devi mandir, when we chant the verses on > pages 103-106, we do manasa puja to the fire. For each verse on pages 107-110, > starting from "ete gandhapushpe om hrim vagisvaryai namah" to "om ete gandhapuspe om > agni murttaya namah", one flower is placed in a specific location in the altar. > > Question 10: > > Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with establishing the external > yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my asan before establishing the internal yantra? > > Answer: That is correct. We build the ring of fire mentally and we place the flowers on the > altar. Please remember to consult the map as to their placement. > > However, the Yantra puja requires that you offer worship at specific locations on the > Yantra. For a beginner, this would be difficult to perform with an imagined ring of fire. It > would be most effective, if you have a metal plate on which you draw the Yantra or place a > yantra which has the diagram already engraved on it. The Yantra plate is placed in front of > you and occupies the central position in your altar. > > Question 11: > > The pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is missing here? > Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book for establishing the inner yantra? > > Answer: The mantras that are missing are, "Om Mukundaya Namaha", "Om Isanaya > namaha", "Om Purandaraya Namaha", "Om Brahmane Namaha", "Om Vaivavataya Namaha", > "Om Indave Namaha". These correspond the two sets of three parallel lines on the top and > right hand side of the Yantra on page 137. > > The diagram on page 151 of the Shiva Puja book can be used. > > Sriniís question: Beloved Swamiji, is there a reason, why these 6 mantras are omitted for > the Pitha Nyasa? > > Yes, these are the deities which energize in the north and the east of the outer yantra. On > the inner yantra the whole body is the energized from every direction, so we do not > require special deities sitting in each direction. Everything we do will be included in the > performance of puja. > > Question 12: > > When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think of a horizontal circle, > like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar disc? > > Answer: Use a vertical circle. > > > > , "henny_v_i" <HvI@> wrote: > > > > Dear Srini, > > > > apart from the flower questions, I have some other matters which are > > not clear to me. So I would be very grateful if you would take a look > > at them: > > > > -Mudra questions: > > > > -on page 64, with the mantra `ayahi varade devi', we form the yoni > > mudra. Swamiji explains this in the recording, and I have seen the > > picture in the Kali book, but I still can't do it. I know it is > > difficult to explain in words, but what I do is this: baby- and > > ringfingers both folded inwards, so that the upper two-third of these > > fingers touch each other, then with the tips of the middlefingers > > touching, forming an inverted `v', I cross the pointer fingers over > > the middlefingers until their tips touch also, and finally I bend my > > thumbs towards the inside? But then I have a large gap underneath my > > inverted `v', which I do not see on the photo in the Kali book. Where > > do I go wrong? (I hope I have made myself clear, I'll understand if > > you can't help me with this) > > > > -with the samanyarghya: we use the ankush mudra with the last part of > > the mantra. Do we also use it with the following 10 times japa? > > > > -on p.188, the code L.1.3.5. is used: does this mean that thumb, > > middle finger and pinky are sticking out, with pointer finger and > > ringfinger folded inwards? > > > > -with the anga puja: (p.201): is the body of the pujari meant here? > > > > > > -Other questions: > > > > -about the pot: it says it is to be established on the earth. Does > > this mean the floor in front of the altar? To the left or right of > > your asan? And what does such a pot look like? Can we use any pot? > > > > -I understand we place some coins in the pot. What do we do with these > > when we have finished the puja? Can we use them again for the same > > purpose? > > > > -do we put the cloth over the coconut, or around the `shoulders' of > > the pot? > > > > -I perform Shiva puja daily and I understand I can use the mantras for > > establishing the pot also for the lingam. Do I then imagine all the > > energies coming together (as in the pot) assembled in the lingam? > > > > -I understand p103-p.186 comprise the vidhi for the establishment of > > the sacred fire. If I would want to skip this and follow the > > establishment of the pot/lingam with the establishment of the internal > > yantra, would I then start with the bahya matrika nyasa on p.187, > > followed by the pitha nyasa etc.? > > > > -Can I build the ring of fire mentally without going through with > > establishing the external yantra, as a kind of `fire-wall' around my > > asan before establishing the internal yantra? > > > > -the pitha nyasa has 30 mantras; the diagram on p.137 has 36. Who is > > missing here? Should I use the diagram on p.151 of the Shiva Puja book > > for establishing the inner yantra? > > > > -When you put the letters on the petals in the chakras, do you think > > of a horizontal circle, like a plate, or a vertical one, like a solar > > disc? > > > > I am very glad I can ask these questions. Please feel free to ignore > > any or all of them if you don't have time or if you are inconvenienced > > by them in any way, > > > > with love, > > Henny > > > ------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2006 Report Share Posted May 4, 2006 Dear Henny, Thank you so much for asking these questions..and Srini Sadhu for answering them! I have printed out both posts for reference...thanks again, sadhvi ------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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