~~OM~~

When we witnessed the death of Great Ego in the hands of the Divine Mother, we (the Gods) sang the hymns in Chapter 4 in praise of the Divine Mother

As Gods, whenever we remember Her, She will give us intuitive vision and remove our greatest distress.

Whenever humans praise Mother with the verses from this chapter, we will be blessed with increase in knowledge, prosperity, and greatness, as well a other possessions in life.

Q&A:

1. Why is this battle designed to be so difficult to win? Wouldn’t there be more peace in the world if we could conquer this ego battle a little quicker?

By engaging in battle with the thoughts and when we are very sincere in our desire to eradicate them, thoughts are purified and go to heaven where they cannot disturb us anymore. She withdraws the energy from the negative thoughts and gives it to the divine thoughts. By just glancing at them this purification would not take place. That is why we need the
long battle.

2. In verse 19, “the thoughts rise to heaven when they meet their demise in you.” How do we apply this practically in a hostile situation?

The best thing we can do is take a deep breath and instead of
expressing hostility , seek blessings that the hostile negotiation will end in an outcome that will be harmonious for all.

3. How are buddhi, ahankara, chitta and manas different from each other and how they relate and interact with each other?

Buddhi is objective fact, nouns and verbs
Manas is subjective thought, adjectives and adverbs
Chitta is the total of objective and subjective thought
“This is a book”; book is buddhi
“This is a good book”; there is imposition of a prejudice; good is mind
“This is a good book” is chitta
Ahamkara is the sense of I as being a perceiver
These four constitute the antahkarana

4. Why do we not ask the Goddess for a boon in chapter 4 or chapter 11, even though She asks us what we want, but wait until chapter 13?

We did ask for her boon in verse 37, “whenever we will remember you, then and there you will give us intuitive vision.”

5. What exactly does increase in prosperity mean?

Whatever you conceive as prosperity. If you define it as material wealth, it is material wealth. If you define it as spiritual wealth, it is spiritual wealth.

6. In verse 33 the God’s say that all their desires have been fulfilled. Were they not affected by Shumbha and Nishumbha who had to be slain later?

They come back, these asuras. In this chapter, the Great Ego was slain, and there is nothing as blissful as that. In the next chapter, we say, Mother we fell down again. But now we remember the boon and remember her.

~~OM~~

She nourishes her devotees with wisdom and devotion.

When Devoid of Clear Understanding dies, we become clear about our objectives.

Memories was cut down by the sword of wisdom. Whenever memories arise, remember the wisdom that we learned.

When Mother drinks from Her cup of wine, She is drinking the nectar of devotion.

The new generals of the army of the great ego that arrive in Chapter 3:

Disbelief
Anxiety
Blindness
Violent temper
Passion
Irresistible temptation
Foul mouth

Q&A:

1. In our tradition, does introspection play a part in getting rid of the ego.

Introspection is a first good step. This will allow us to think about how we want to organize our lives so that we can sit in meditation.

2. What is the symbolism of the ego’s manifestation as elephant and as the man with a sword?

Elephant stands for ahimsa, man with sword represents violence.

3. Is it possible to ever gain the state of “witness” permanently? To live in the world and stay centered regardless of what thoughts come and go? Or, do thoughts always come up to drive us out of our center?

If these were to happen, how can we explain creation? It is possible to stay for some duration and then there is a new creation, a new thought. When we are acting and interacting, we want to act from the center from the memory of what it is to be to act from center of unity.

4. Is one ever able to get rid of all the asuras dwelling within? In which event would admitting that “I have conquered this demon’ amount to conceit?

Yes it will amount to conceit. We don’t conquer the demon, She does.

5. Don’t we require ego and his general to survive in this world? If we totally annihilate ego and his armies and what remains? Would it possible to continue working in the world of maya? Or do the Ego and his generals supposed to remain in subjugation?

Yes. I cannot act and interact without I. But I can act and interact with the memory of what it is like to be in state of unity. When we slay ego we go into Samadhi. When we come out ego is back.

6. Is it okay to sometimes let the ego or mind have its way (be nice & loving to it, give & take – rather than fighting it all the time) and get what we want later? Forcing the mind to do good things all the time, sometimes doesn’t work. How does one battle this?

Every now and then we can give the ego a night off (laughter). We cannot fight ego. All we can do is to pray to Mother to take the ego away. I am tired of being a human being, I want to become a God again.

7. Isn’t filling yourself with positive thoughts a step towards being devoid of thoughts?

Absolutely. It is the first step. Story of three thieves (rajo, tamas, sattva guna)

8. Does samadhi relieve human suffering?

It relieves the suffering of the human who experiences Samadhi. It does not relieve all suffering of all people for all time. Samadhi is very important milestone in our path, but it is not the end.

9. Why is this battle designed to be so difficult to win? Wouldn’t there be more peace in the world if we could conquer this ego battle a little quicker?

We will answer that question in the next chapter. See verses 18-19.

~~OM~~

The battle between the Divine Mother and Great Ego begins.

The Ego’s generals are

Devoid of clear understanding: chikshura
Fickleness: chamara
Haughtiness: udagra
Great Deceiver: mahahanuh
Want of Resolution: asiloma
Memories: bashkalo
Wandering to and fro: parivratah
Hypocrisy: bidala

These are the thoughts that tell us to give up the search of divinity, to become a somebody, rich and famous.

If you inhale the moola mantra of the Chandi (Navarna mantra and exhale the verses in the Chandi you are breathing out more energy into the army of the divinity.

Whenever we are attached to thoughts and we have a prejudice , a point of view, we don’t see what is. When we can defuse this prejudice, these projections, we become Shiva. That’s the goal.

Q&A

1. On a daily basis, how do we monitor if we are truthful in thought, word, and action?

You know when you cross the line. Either we sacrifice our goal or sacrifice our truth. For example, did I leave the plate in the sink. If I did, I sacrificed my truth. As a sadhu, I have a sankalpa not to cause trouble to anyone. I have breached my contract. Ask the question, am I giving the most and taking the least, or vice versa?

2. How can we experience small gaps of stillness (the eternal witness i.e. Chandi Maa) during the hustle and bustle of daily activities?

There is only one way to do it. Take a couple of minutes from time to time and check out, close all your senses. Swamiji demonstrated Shambhavi Mudra. Close ears with thumbs, ring finger and little finger on lips, middle finger on nostrils (lightly, so that you can breathe), index finger on eyes (lightly).

3. I’m wondering about the difference between being distracted by the asuras from our path and seeing truth in many places. If we maintain our sankalpa and remain focused on our spiritual goals can this sankalpa include teachings from various traditions, or is that considered to be digging many shallow wells? Or can we consider this to be a way of deepening our understanding?

It’s important to learn from different sources When you cultivate your practice, you will have to pick one language one heritage, and go deeper and deeper in that tradition.

4. In some traditions, self deprecation is considered a spiritual virtue, one that attenuates the ego. The Chandi seems to say that it is equal to self-conceit as a manifestation of ego. Can you please explain?

Self deprecation says I, so does self conceit. Self conceit is a positive I and self deprecation is negative I. The only ego we want to have is Aham Brahmasmi, I am Shiva. Self deprecation is different from humility. Humility is I respect you. Self deprecation is I do not respect myself.

5. Some thoughts perished with only Her breath and some by her lion but for a few she had to use more force. Could you please explain this.

She has so many weapons at her disposal, sword, conch, discus, etc. When we chant Chandi Path with pranayam many asuras die. For others she uses wisdom, inspiration, refinement of practice, tapasya, etc. Some thoughts take more work to destroy. Sometime we need wisdom, inspiration, sometimes we need grace of Shree Maa.

6. How do we set goals for “focus” when chanting the Chandi, goals in which we can evaluate our progress in our intensity of our concentration?

We have a master plan and chanting the Chandi is part of that master plan. Idea is not have to goals in chanting Chandi (a to do list); the idea is to have goal of chanting the Chandi everyday and trying to understand its meaning for our lives. Each of the generals is going to meet their death at the hands of the Divine Mother. That’s the goal.

7. What is that the purpose of Mother Nature installing all the asuras inside me? Why does the path in spirituality involve renouncing everything Mother Nature has installed inside me?

It is inherent in the creation where there is dharma there will be adharma. Dharma and adharma (devas and asuras), all the opposites are all oblations to the fire. The mind is using the sruva (spoon) that offers the dharma and adharma to the fire. If she gave you divinity she gave you asuras as well. In our quest of divinity, we are going to offer asuric thoughts to Divine Mother, and we have done that we become pure devotees.

8. I heard if we look at the mind itself as being divine, that way of looking at the mind helps to over come it. Is that true?

Absolutely. If mind is divine it gives birth to divine thoughts.

~~OM~~

If we are vigilant, and continue to pray and do sadhana a time will come when we are fixed in good thoughts and no evil thoughts will enter our kingdom.

We should be pleased if She blesses us with even one good thought. And more so if we can chant the Chandi everyday.

Customs and congenialities of learning

1. Bring attitude of highest respect. Srim. Sh mean shanti, peace

2. Listen to the Guru with total equanimity.

3. Do not debate or show off.

4. Learn with attitude of peace. The first qualification of a true seeker.

5. Don’t go empty handed to the Guru. A flower, wood for havan, fruits or sweets to feed devotees asa token of your sense of privilege.

6. Always bow down with all of your energy and consciousness.

7. Wait for the Master to invite you to be seated.

We all know how to become realized. The only thing that prevents us from becoming and remaining in self-realization is our attachments.

Wherever there is something known by the senses, She is present.

If you have sankalpa to bring Her into manifestation, if that is the goal of your being, She becomes manifest.

Consciousness means to perceive.

Think of all the goes in through your organs of perception: Madhu and Kaitabha, too much and too little are there.

Kaitabha means insignificant as an insect. Too little.
Madhu means as sweet as honey. Too sweet, too much.

The meditation of chapter 1 can be used as a visualization whenever we want to battle too much and too little.

Q&A

1. Can you please speak about the Bow of Determination. How does one develop an iron will and determination? It will be great if you can share from your life and experience.

When we fall in love with a greater love, all our little loves pale in insignificance. Swamiji’s sankalpa was a love affair. He fell in love and so now when He gets up in the morning to sing the Chandi is the most natural thing to do. Sankalpa became the natural way of life.

2. Is there a relation between the ajna chakra and will power?

Ajna means orders. Orders come from Lord Shiva. More we focus on ajna chakra, we stay with the reason and we cultivate sankalpa power.

3. Could you please talk about who are the employees of Good Thoughts and the family of Pure Intuitive Perception?

Sadhus who are sharing inspiration and knowledge are the employees of good thoughts

4. Is it custom to directly give the flowers or fruits to the Master, or, rather, is it perfered to bring the gifts to the temple and arrange the flowers or fruits in the Temple and not place them at the feet of the Master?

Every temple has its own procedures. Observe and ask someone who would know. Don’t put them at the feet as the flowers cannot be used for puja. Ask the Guru, can I put them on the vase, organize them for you, or give them to you, etc.?

5. My mind says nothing would suit me more than to give up all
attachments but in reality there is family responsibility and all that comes with it. How does one with family let it ALL go?

You don’t. No way. What you do is make it an offering to the Goddess. Goddess you gave me this family. I don’t give up my responsibility. I give up my attachment to my responsibility. I am serving God by doing this puja. This is the Puja God gave you. I am doing this cheerfully and happily. That’s the way.

6. How to be unattached while living in the world?

Use one hand to do work of world and with the other grab on to God and don’t let go. Maa says be like a fish in the mud. It’s in the mud but nothing sticks to it. Be efficient. Don’t waste time and resources and offer these to God. That efficiency is a sadhu.

7. At what age should we start reflecting on our detachment?

As soon as possible. The moment you wake up.

8. The whole idea of sacrifice. What the birds are doing seems like sacrifice to me, or the law of reciprocal maintenance, whereas humans are attached and want something back. Isn’t the whole manifested universe about sacrifice?

Yes it is. When we realize the importance of sacrifice we live in peace. Yajna means the union between the fire that burns outside and the fire inside the ajna chakra.

9. Madhu and Kaitabha attack Brahma and not Vishnu, why?

They know they cannot devour infinite consciousness. But they can stifle our creativite capacity.

10. What are the oblations of purity in verse 73? Are they invoked in a specific context?

Anytime we make an offering with purity, with pure intention, pure words, that offering is oblation of purity.

~~OM~~

If she is pleased with the sincerity of our devotion she will take the energy away from the ego and give that energy to the Divine, the Gods within.

Every opportunity to use the mantra avail it. Keep on rubbing the beads till they wear out. That’s what his Guru told Him.

For sadhus the goal is to seek that they become so filled with
devotion that they cannot think of anything else.

Answers to questions:

1. Besides duration of asan and regularity, what are some objective criteria to measure progress in our Chandi Sadhana?

Most important thing is change in our mind. When we wake up in the morning and we feel that the only thing that you want to do is to chant the Chandi. That is a very significant change in the evolution of our spirit. The bhava and understanding with which you do it will change. How you respond to situations during the day will change.

2. Can a devotee gain the level of consciousness where one can
continually be a witness to the changes?

Absolutely!

3. If one wishes to be initiated into the Navarna mantra and perform Chandi sadhana FULL TIME, how should one organize one’s lifestyle.

Hmmmm. Wow! That’s a thesis. First thing, we want to make sure that we will never be a burden to anyone else. Organize our life so that we have skills and talents that will be useful to others, something to share. Second, approach Guru and ask is my circumstance in life and belief system will it be in harmony with the initiation. The answer is different for everybody.

4. Swamiji, these pins and bolts in the Chandi – do they have anything to do with the granthis or knots ?

Yes they do.

5. If we use in our hands in our work. Should we do kara nyasa before we start?

Great idea!

~~OM~~

Our Prayer to Divine Mother:

We want give you tapasya. We want to demonstrate the sincerity of our devotion.

Verse 8:

When we do the sadhana that is the true bowing down.

Verse 12:

Prachodayat: May that wisdom continuously rise like the sun that rises at dawn.

Verse 15:
Explaining Sri Vidya: When you are paying attention you are paying respect.

Verse 19

When we do to japa we start to contemplating the meaning of the mantra and then we go deeper, we will start consulting differences for the meaning. This is the beginning of the meditation on the mantra. Then we will start employing these meanings in our lives. And suddenly you become aware that you are not the same person you were when you started reciting the text/mantra.

Verse 26:

Great death is when we forget our spiritual selves and instead focus on our material selves, a lifetime of material attachment.