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Dissolving Sivalinga!
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Photo of the week – Mar 14 – Mar 20, 2008
(Picture taken March 2008 at Devi Mandir, Napa, CA)
After Sivaratri, we dissolve all 1008 clay Siva Lingas in the creek
Temple of Divine Mother
~~OM~~ >Double Click the Video to Play<
~~OM~~ >Double Click the Video to Play<
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We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Rgvedoktam Ratri Suktam (The Praise of the Night of Duality) and the Rgvedoktam Devi Suktam (Vedic Praise of the Goddess). Both Suktams are from the Rg Veda.
Swamiji says that the Chandi begins with the Praise of the Night of the Duality and ends with praise of the Goddess of Unity. In between are the 13 chapters which tell us how we make the journey from the darkness of duality to the light of unity.
“In the Ratri Suktam,” Swamiji says, “we thank Goddess for exposing the light and allowing the dawn to shine. We give up our selfishness and regain our divine perception, free from duality, darkness of ignorance. Our words of praise flow just like milk flows from a cow, pure nourishment.” How wonderful!
In the Devi Suktam, the Goddess declares, “Whosoever She loves she gives strength and makes a seer with loving intellect.” Swamiji adds, “Of Her own volition, She inspires us to do sadhana and remember Her. So we search for love and harmony in every relationship.
Some devotees shared their beautiful love for these two Praises. Kalachandra says, “I love Vedoktam Ratri Suktam because we can see that the Mother is in all life.” Henny says, For me, as I sing the mantras (and, having heard Shree Maa sing this text, I love the melody), it is easy to go deeper within because the song seems to come from there, and even when I have had difficulties with a wandering mind while reciting the other texts, this one (Vedoktam Devi Suktam) never fails to capture my attention and drawing me in.
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Follow these links to useful resources on the two Suktams:
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We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Kilakam (The Praise That removes the Pin). In verse 3, Markandeya Muni says, “by means of the mantras of this hymn, they (whoever recites the Chandi) attain the perfection of indifference to each and every object of existence.”
What is this perfection of indifference? Swamiji explains that this perfection makes us one with everything. We accept everything. We become the witness with no personal attachment, no personal agenda of our own.
Another expression that Swamiji uses to explain this state of indifference is “Udas”. Das means servant. U means Circumstances. Udas makes us indifferent to everything. That is, we are the servant of circumstances, we accept what is and try to make it better.”
Swamiji adds, “Without tapasya we can’t do it. We can’t attain that kind of indifference where we are one with everything.
And Markandeya Muni says, “The person who constantly recites, clearly removes the pin and becomes and attained one. That person joins the retinue of the Goddess and becomes a celestial singer.” — Kilakam
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Follow these links to useful resources on the Kilakam:
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We continued our discussion of the Chandi Path with the Argala Stotram (The Praise that Unfastens the Bolt). Swamiji says, “We’ve already adorned our suit of armor. No other vibration can permeate our armor. We are protected. We are going to open up the bolt so that we can open the doors to the secret of the Divine Mother.”
The Argala Stotram has a beautiful refrain, a prayer to the Divine Mother:
“Give us your form, give us victory, give us welfare, remove all hostility.”
Swamiji explains, “Give us your form” means let us reflect the form, the appearance of the Divine Mother entirely in our every action, every thought. “Give us victory” means let us conquer this small egotism, this selfish self, give us victory over that selfishness. “Remove hostility” means give us a world of peace, consciousness filled with peace, every perception will radiate peace.
And Markandeya Muni says, “After reciting this hymn of praise one should recite the great hymn of praise the number of which is seven hundred (Devi Mahatmyam), and he or she will attain to Supreme Perfection” — Argala Stotram
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Follow these links to useful resources on the Argala Stotram:
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~~OM~~ So Shiva always meditates on Vishnu. And it’s very interesting, one day in Kailash, Parvati was looking a little bit bored because Shiva was just sitting there in deep, deep meditation. And she called, “Oh Lord.” And Shiva didn’t respond. And she said, “Shiva!” And Shiva didn’t move. And Parvati just stood there watching […]
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