According to Narada Purana, there are six stages of Sannyas. This article describes the six stages: Kutirchak, Bahudak, Hamsa, Paramahamsa,
Turyatita, and Avadhuta.…read more
This section contains a large variety of spiritual answers covering topics that are relevant to seekers of all ages and backgrounds.
You will find answers about relationships, living in the world, the guru-disciple relationship, as well as answers regarding specific practices, scriptures, mantras, and deities.
Rudraksha related questions
In the video “Om Namah Shivaya”, I noticed that Maa uses the thumb and index fingers to move the mala. I have heard that index fingers are not to touch the mala. Can Swamiji please comment.
Swamiji says:
That is the method that Shree Maa uses to worship Shiva. But the important thing is not which finger you use, but that you do the japa. So many people waste so much time debating which finger to use, that they do not perform the practices.
Could Rudraksha beads be used for Narasimha mantras, and Ganesha/Lakshmi mantras?
Swamiji says:
Yes. More traditional would be a tulasi mala, but followers of Shiva and Shakti can definitely use rudraksha.
Is it forbidden to eat meat when using Rudraksha?
Swamiji says:
Is the question, “At the same time,” or “While wearing?”
Generally, there are vegetarians and non-vegetarians. There is nothing “Forbidden.” It is just a question of the practices one observes.
Vaishnavas forbid. Shaivites and Shaktis request us to use our discrimination.
Offerings for Navaratri
Question:
I would like to know what we can do at home for Navaratri, especially if there are offerings we can make to Shree Maa.
Swamiji says:
The following link gives the special offerings to the Goddess –
http://shreemaa.org/drupal/node/300 . You can offer all that you do to Shree Maa. Especially the food that you cook with mantra, offer with mantra. The other functions you perform can be accompanied by mantra. Picture her image in your mind, and conceive that you are doing for her.
Question:
Does the link http://shreemaa.org/drupal/node/300 mean that we make 3 offerings – one for the month, one of the lunar day and one for the day of the week ?
Swamiji says:
Yes, this does mean 3 separate offerings.
Santoshi Maa Vrat and Her Mahima
Question:
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 food for the entire day.
I don’t personally have any boys to invite/feed, and have no one among my family or friends who would understand or partake of this kind of thing. Does Swamiji have any suggestion on how to perform this udyapan? Is it possible to have this done at a temple in the US or India, or is there an alternative ceremony that I could do that doesn’t involve feeding Brahmin boys (since I don’t know any)?
Swamiji says:
Yes, you can perform this udyapan at a local temple. Call the priest and ask how he or she can help you organize the puja and what would be appropriate in their tradition.
If you choose, we could help organize the puja here.
Question:
I have a question about Santoshi Maa. Im confused as to whether she is a Devi conceived by the popular bollywood movie of the same title, or if there are historical references to Santoshi Maa before the movie. From what I had read, I had understood that the former was the correct assertion.
Swamiji says:
Santoshi Maa was a Goddess long before there were movies. The movie is a depiction of some of the main stories of her katha.
Question:
I was watching a program on Santoshi Maa and it was mentioned if one kept a fast for 8 continuous Saturdays, Santoshi Maa has never failed to give her devotees the desires of her heart. Could you please give me more information.
Swamiji says:
That is written in Her Katha, the story of Santoshi Maa. However, I don’t think that it would be enforceable in a court of law. The devotee requires the right motivation, the right concentration, the right planning and execution. But it is written.
Guidelines for Observing Navaratri
Question:
When is Navaratri celebrated ? Could you please let me know if there are six Navaratris and are they Varsha, Sharad, Shishir, Hemant, Vasant, Grishma?
Swamiji says:
Navaratri can be celebrated at any time. Most often it is observed from Pratipad to Navami or from Shashti to Purnima or Amavashya. There are four Navaratris which are special: Magh, Chaitra, Ashadh, and Ashvin. These correspond to winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Question:
Can you please suggest any guidelines for people wishing to observe the Navaratri fast in the same way that you do. (24 hours X 9 days. No water, no food)
Swamiji says:
Start off small and be content with small steps. Observe 24 hours with only water, then drink. Actually you will probably want salt more than water. Then try three days. And eat only fruits and water one time a day for the remainder of the nine days. Slowly you will extend it.
Question:
It is my understanding that no grains, or salty food is to be eaten during Navaratri. It is a symbolic giving up for the goddess. Are fruit and vegetables ok? To fast completely is for a greater tapas, and austerity. Is this correct?
Swamiji says:
The fasting gives forth a number of benefits. We suggest that everyone observe the vow according to their own capacity: the needs of the body, the activities in which the body must engage during the vow, etc. Some will give up grains and pulses, some will only take fruit and dairy, some will only take water: each according to his or her own capacity.
Question:
How do we count Navratri? Sundown to Sundown? Sunrise to Sunrise? Or Sunrise to Sundown?
Swamiji says:
We use a Panchanga, an almanac timed according to the phases of the moon.
Question:
Does one fast for 9 days during Navraatri without food, only water?
Swamiji says:
Some will fast on only water.
Question:
I would like to know is it possible to do homa of 108 names of Durga Ma from the Chandi Path for Navaratri?
Swamiji says:
Yes.
Navaratri at the Mandir
Question:
How do you observe Navaratri at the Mandir?
Swamiji says:
Mahalaya is the new moon before the Navaratri begins. We will perform the Cosmic Puja, complete Shraddha and Tarpana, and complete Chandi. The day after Mahalaya is the first day of Navaratri. Every day we will perform the Cosmic Puja, and complete Chandi. We will break the fast on the 8th night (ashtami).
Question:
What is the system that You and Shree Maa follow for prayers during Navratri?
Swamiji says:
We recite the entire Cosmic Puja and Chandi Path every day.
Question:
When during Navaratri do we worship Durga, when Lakshmi, and when Saraswati? What prayers are done during this period? Can Lalita Stotram also be recited?
Swamiji says:
We perform the entire Cosmic Puja every day. That includes Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasarasvati.
Lalita can also be recited, but Chandi Path is not to be neglected.
Homa
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Definition of homa
- Auspicious days for homa
- Homa viddhi
- Fire pits
- Fire sacrifice out open or in shade
- Homa in the day or the night
- Homa purnahuti
- Wood and masala for homa
- Using modern appliances for homa
- Blowing into fire
- Fire hazards
Guidance for Leading a Spiritual Life
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Attributes of spiritual seekers
- Goals and surrender
- Spiritual goal
- Dealing with our faults
- How to speak
- Surrender
- Sincerity
- Charity
- Efficiency in karma
- How not to be exploited
- How to respond when people get physical
- Desire to remain aloof
- How to make friends with God
- When the world comes knocking
- Surrender and correct attitude
- Making more time for God
- Unable to say “No”
- Negative emotions
- Challenges of family
- Fear of death
- Stress and confusion
- Detachment in the middle of suffering
- Choosing an Ishta Devata
- Combining relationship and spiritual life
- Does God love me?
- When our friends fall
- Understanding death
- Stillness
- Serving the world
- Destiny
- Silence
Altar and Puja
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Mudras
- Murtis
- Purification
- Puja to Saints and Masters
- Puja Experiences
- Prana Pratishtha
- Consumption of Prasad
- Visarjana
- Altar Vastu and Altar Direction
- Yantra
- Disposing of Old Articles of Worship
- Worship Restrictions for Women
- Short Puja to Deity
- Puja for Welfare of Humanity
- Expanding Our Puja
- Order of Worship
- Rearranging Altar
- Duration of Sankalpa
Significance of worshipping Ardhanarishwara
~~OM~~
Swamiji on Nine Planet Pujas
~~OM~~
In this article, Swamiji stresses the need to do make worship of all the daily influences everyday and the beneficial effects of worshipping the nine planets.
Question: Swamiji, what is the attitude that one should have when facing adversity? In India, the priests suggest pujas (worship) to Shani (Saturn) to make things normal again. What do you think?
Swamiji: I think that we should make puja (worship) everyday, and not just for Shani but for everybody, everyone that’s Divine, and all the Divine influences in our lives. Now, what happens in India is that, generally, priests know that householders are so busy with their worldly tasks that they’re not making puja, and their neglect of the pujas is what causes confusion.
So most of the priests in India who suggest that you worship Shani are really saying, “Get on a spiritual path.” For anyone who’s really on a spiritual path, you have no need for a priest who says to do a puja for Shani. You’re doing puja everyday yourself. What need have you for a pujari who says, “It’s Shani dosha (affliction) that’s causing your problem”?
Shani has many benevolent effects in our astrological ecology. Shani is the Lord of discipline. Shani is a very great benefactor to anyone who creates a discipline. He is the strength of that discipline, and the focus of that discipline, and the commitment to that discipline. And now we are seeking freedom through action – not freedom from action. The moksha that we are seeking is freedom in action, not being inactive. The verses in the Bhagavad Gita say, “No one can be free from action. Even I who am the Lord of the three worlds, I must continue to act.” Therefore, do your action with the spirit of the rishis (sages). Do your action as the servant of Ram, do your action as an instrument in the hands of God.
So I appreciate the priests of India who recommend that we do Shani puja or the like, because they’re really saying, “Do something spiritual.” But I appreciate even more those great sadhus who are doing it themselves, not because some priests in India told them to, but because they are really in love with God. And they are following this path just as an inspiration so that they lead a pure life, a focused life, and a disciplined life which brings them to their ultimate objectives.
Graha shanti (peace) is to put to all your planets in harmony. Now look, the Sun is the light of wisdom, the Moon is the warmth of devotion, Mars has strength and fortitude and focus, Mercury is the communicator, Jupiter is the great guru and teacher, Venus fills us with love and pure attachment, Saturn will take us to discipline, Rahu and Ketu polarize obstacles and help us to reconcile the opposites. Look at the beneficent aspect of the planets and then they’ll all be in shanti. That’s the puja.
Prayers, Remedies, and Practices
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Negative thoughts, anxiety, tamas guna
- Discernment
- Bad dreams
- Customs for a child’s teeth falling out
- Mantras for honoring deceased
- Marjana, Anushthana, and Purascharana
- Remedy for pain
- Restless mind
- Tarpan Viddhi
- Puja for the loss of a parent
- Singing for God
- Puja for a deceased pet
Sadhana and Setting Goals
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Definition of sadhana
- Regularity in sadhana
- Sadhana plan
- Learning to recite scriptures
- Sankalpa, sadhana, and tapasya
- Making our sadhana strong
- Worship over prayer and meditation
- Beginner practice
- Reducing body-consciousness
- Short intensive or regular non-intensive sadhana
- Group sadhana
- Serving through sadhana
- Manifesting our sadhana as love
- Sadhana and personality
- Who am I?
- Purification
- Managing illness and pain in the course of sadhana
- Cultivating the will for sankalpa
- Lengthening sadhana
- Sadhana and compassion
- Break in sadhana
- Tapasya and siddhis
- Sitting still and being with God
- Brahmamuhurtha
- Devas and Sages are with us
- Setting goals
The Guru-Disciple Relationship
Topics covered in this Question and Answer session with Swamiji:
- Who is a disciple
- Following the example of the Guru
- Diksha
- Bad Guru History
- Guru-disciple relationship
- Attachment and loyalty to the Guru
- Satguru
- Swami, Guru, Sadhu
- Guru’s protection
- Guru taking the karma of the disciple
- Meditation on the Guru’s form
- Supporting the Guru’s sadhana
- Choosing one’s Guru
- Devotion to the Guru