Basics of Puja : Water ... L'eau .... água....Paani....Thannir

[Guest guest]

Well, here are some thoughts and connections I have about water.

 

I'm afraid I don't know too much about the rivers in India, except

that they all have a rich spiritual tradition in history. The ganga

is said to flow from the locks of Shiva himself, in his Himalayan

abode. Its water is said to be so special that in the days of sail,

ships did not have to make an extra stop for water on the return trip

from India, because Ganges water didn't spoil. One of the great

rivers (Yamuna?) is said to have gone underground in this age of

darkness, and will reappear at the end of the age. It is said to

represent sushumna nadi.

 

In Swami Rama of the Himalayas, Pandit R. Tigunait describes a

pilgrimage Swamiji took, and practices he did which revealed the

subtle life and interconnectedness of the places he traveled through.

The rivers and streams were revealed to be the nadis of the land, the

channels through which the life-force flows.

 

In the pujas, water is connected to purity (washing), but also to

amrit, or soma, spiritual purity and bliss. Water is the element of

swadhisthana chakra, the sexual chakra. It is the home of the life-

force, Kundali, often translated as "Her own abode." It's image is

that of the crescent moon shining on water. The moon is the image and

symbol of soma, or amrit, the divine nectar. The flow of amrit

represents purity, creates a unique kind of bliss, and is said to

rejuvenate. Bindu chakra (perhaps called soma chakra by some),

located at the place of the brahmin top-knot, is connected to

swadhisthana, and it is from here that amrit flows. And of course,

soma, another name for Chandra, or the moon, is perhaps the ultimate

symbol of devotion. Powerful, pure devotion is transmuted (ascended)

sexual energy, and it is this energy of pure devotion which is said

to stimulate the flow of amrit.

 

So, water is associated with divinity at its very source, carrying

the life-force of the planet and our own physical lives, as well. It

is the representation, in our own subtle bodies, of the life-force,

the Goddess, and in its purest form, the purity of our devotion and

its power to cleanse and purify.

 

Well, I guess that's about all I can think of.

 

Chris

 

 

 

, "Latha Nanda" <lathananda>

wrote:

> Hey Hey Chris,

>

> Thanks for prompting. I ran outta ideas and was racking my brains

and

> praying fervently and there was your post . A God send.

>

> Water ....

>

> What is the significance of water in worship ? Why do we offer

water,

> bathe the deity etc ?

>

> Also, if you recall the mantra for purification of water - "Om

Gange

> Cha Yamune cha.... " calls upon seven rivers. Anyone can explain

the

> significance of the seven rivers ?

>

> JAI MAAAAAA

>

>

>

>

> , "Chris Kirner"

> <chriskirner1956> wrote:

> > Hey Latha,

> >

> > Don't forget, there's water, flowers, kushi grass, sandal paste,

a

> > whole bunch of stuff.

> >

> > Chris