Devi Mandir

Temple of Divine Mother


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Navagraha 7 – Shani (Saturn) Mantra

Shani (Sanskrit: शनि, śani) is the Lord of discipline and control. He shows us the truth, and keeps us honest.

As the slowest moving planet, Saturn’s tedious eye keeps track of every action that is performed. He admits no shortcuts and no easy ways out of difficult situations. With Saturn’s blessing the limitations of the mind and body are confronted and renovated by persistency and patience. In order for spiritual growth to occur, the body and mind must be prepared.

This post includes Shree Maa singing the mantra of Shani, the Emblem of Control.

Navagraha 8 – Rahu (The North Node) Mantra

Rahu (Sanskrit: रहु, rahu) is “He Who Commands Direction” and he is the North Node of the Moon.

Rahu is the North Node of the Moon and is responsible for eclipses. As the Moon pertains to the mind, Rahu commands the direction of the mind’s outward projection. This symbolically signifies the occult power wielded by Rahu. Even the luminaries are subject to the clandestine influence of Rahu.

This post includes Shree Maa singing the mantra of Rahu, The North Node of the Moon

Navagraha 9 – Ketu (The South Node) Mantra

Ketu (Sanskrit: केतु, ketu) is the introspective function of the mind that scrutinizes the inflowing stimulus.

Ketu, like Rahu is related to spiritual attainment, but works inwardly where Rahu works outwardly.
Together they function as the evolutionary and karmic orientation of the soul. Ketu is oriented toward renunciation and self-inquiry in order to perfect the inner realm.

This post includes Shree Maa singing the mantra of Ketu. Ketu is “He Who Presents Obstacles” and is the South Node of the Moon.

Santoshi Maa Worship Questions

I’m about halfway through performing the 16-week Santoshi Mata fast,and now am starting to get a little worried about how I will be able to get the udyapan performed to conclude the fast. I am supposed to feed eight boys with kheer and gram curry and be sure that none of them eats any sour […]

Das Mahavidyas Worship Questions

~~OM~~ Is the puja to the Das Mahavidyas done as a whole? Swamiji Says: You can perform either individually for each deity, or collectively as a whole.

Vishnu Worship Questions

Vishnu Sahasranam Question: In chanting the Vishnu Sahasranam, if you only have a limited amount of time, is it better to chant just the thousand names or just the puja? If you really are short on time can you break up the chanting of the thousand names into two separate sittings and should you do […]

Lalita Worship Questions

Can we recite Lalita Sahasranaam before the altar of Durga? Swami Says: Absolutely. There is no scripture that the Gods and Goddesses do not like to hear! Swamiji talks about chanting the 300 names of Lalita as greater and fruitful than Her 1000 names. Does this mean the thousand names are not as powerful as […]

Lakshmi Worship Questions

Offerings Question: In the Laksmi Puja there doesn’t seem to be the nectar bath offering. Why? Swamiji Says: All the offerings are in the Cosmic Puja. I didn’t want to keep cutting and pasting from one book  to another, so I gave the shell of the puja, and you can supplement as per your desire. […]

Chandi Path Questions

Title of the Chaṇḍī Pāṭhaḥ Question: Sometimes the Chandi Path is referred to as the The Devi Mahatmyam, and The Durga Saptasati. Why are there three names for the same scripture? Are there differences in the contents in a book with one of the other names? Swamiji says: The scripture became known by different names […]

Learn About the Jyotirlingams

~~OM~~ The twelve Jyotirlingams are: Somanatham Mallikarjunam Mahakalam Omkareswaram Kedaranatham Bhimasankaram Visveswaram Tryambakam Baidyanatham Nageswaram Ramesvaram Ghusmesvaram Please click here for a presentation of the Jyotirlingam mantras. Somanatham The Divine Mother took birth in Daksha’s house in the form of Sati and after performing tapasya, became Shiva’s wife, and went to live with him on […]

Questions About Diwali

Diwali Question: I would like to know what pujas are done prior week to Diwali and on the main day.  Swamiji Says: We perform the entire Cosmic Puja every day, just to make sure, but traditionally people worship Lakshmi – Ganesh, Gauri – Mahesh, and on the Bengal side they also worship Saraswati and Kartik. […]

About Ganesh

Meaning of Gam Question: What is the meaning of the syllable in “Gam”? Swamiji Says: There is a sanskrit shloka that explains the syllables: The letter “ga” is the form of wisdom; the letter “a” is that which is in the middle of creation; the anusvaara (m) is the form of perfection. Thus, the attainment […]

Guru Gita Questions & Answers

~~OM~~ Message of the Guru Gita The repetitive message in the Bhagavad Gita is “Serve God, Serve God, Serve God!” In the Chandi Path the repetitive message is “Take one asan and chant the Chandi!” What is the repetitive message in the Guru Gita? Swamiji Says: “na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam | na guroradhikam |” […]

Rudrashtadhyayi

Uvach in Rudri Question: Some of the scriptures progress/teach through a conversation between a God/Goddess and a devotee or Rishi. Why is there no particular conversation in the Rudrastadhyayi? Swamiji Says: The Rudrastadhyayi is Vedic. The Puranic scriptures occur in story form, but the Vedas are hymns of praise. Purusha Suktam Question: Are there different […]

Saints and Lineage

~~OM~~ Lineage of Sanyasis What are the different lineages established by Shankaracharya and why were they formed?Shankaracharya divided the Sannyasins into ten tribes called Dasnami: Bharati full of light Giri live in the mountains Puri live in cities Saraswati scholars Van live in forests Aranya live in groves Tirtha live in pilgrimage places Parvat live […]