Durgaputra

You can find people like this in every community in the world. They are not Brahmins. They are just contemptible.

Dear Rigden, This does not seem to be a statue of Kali. Dakshina Kali and Smashana Kali have 4 arms. Mahakali has 10 arms,10 feet. Tara has scissors in hand among the 4 arms. The head dress looks tibetean though- but it may not be a Goddess. Tara who comes from the Tibetean buddhist tradition has forms with just 2 arms though- but I am not familiar with all her forms though many of those forms are common with Hinduism.

There are many mantras and many paths of doing this. It is said that all the past impressions are stored in the sukhsma sharira at the bottom of the Kundalini. As the Kundalini rises up along the sushumna, the samskara and klesha get destroyed. Such is the path of Tantra, Hathayoga, Kundalini yoga etc. This is what happens even in bhakti marga. Even present life desires are a result of samskaras and hence are often the root of much unhappiness. Chasing after all present life desires is to chase after a tiger that can and will eat one. Current life desires can be a result of past life karma. The only way to escape is to abandon these desires. To know which mantra or path is better, seek a Guru and leave it to Him or Her. It depends on ones prarabdha and sanchita karma, ones state, ones samskaras and desires, which a Guru can identify. Jaya Devi Durge

It is better to get the full upadesha from a Guru. Guru is the living form of the mantra you receive- so it is fully effective. Also the Guru will take you along a path to your goal. The alternative is much more dangerous and difficult. Gurus may not give you the Chandi immediately, but may ask you to do something else beforehand... But this is so you are ready to receive the grace of Chandi in Her form when you start.. There is no caste/class/age/sex or any such distinctions in tantra. They go against the very spirit of sadhana/upasana and such distinctions are a block to the serious aspirant.

13th Monkey- very good post. Suchandra, methinks you are getting a bit paranoid here. The power centre today is the US, which is able to print as much currency as it wants because it is the 'reserve currency'. Look at Iceland and US- both had major banking system collapses- the one big difference is that the US has the US dollar and prints more money to finance its wasteful wars and other expenditures, whereas Iceland has to ask IMF for money.

Prokshana normally means sprinkling water on the head.

I havent heard of all the lack of restrictions about beej mantra that you say, but it could be my ignorance. Regardless of nature of mantra, it is better not to take up any mantra just like that, without a Guru to guide you. As far as destruction of enemies is concerned, whether you destroy enemies by mantra prayoga or by physical means, the karma phala is the same. So you should not take it up lightly. The biggest enemies are the shadripu( Kama, krodha, lobha etc) which are the internal enemies. Try praying for your enemies. It may sound pacifist or even defeatist, but it can get rid of your enemity, which would be better than destroying the enemy. Also doing abhisheka to Shiva with sugar is supposed to help destroy enemity. Jaya Devi Durge

Vegetarianism is not mandatory for Saiva/Sakta. It is necessary for Vaishnava. Like Soma Juice says, once the mantra takes hold and one becomes more Satvic, meat eating may just drop off. But this also depends on the Guru parampara and not just on the mantra or the Devatha. Jaya Devi Durge

Kshama- that is true- they remove it and place it in their hearts instead- because placing it on the altar is not enough! I have heard such things about Durga, Kali and many Goddesses who are ugra rupa. But this is purely out of ignorance and fear. The ugrata is towards the enemies of Her bhakta. The 6 internal enemies and the external enemies. Unless you are a bad person who intends to remain bad, then there is no need to worry. Even for a bad person who intends to change, she will bring about the change if worshipped with devotion. In general however, if you have done prana pratishta on an idol, then it needs to be worshipped daily. So it is better not to do prana pratishta in an external image if you are unable to do daily puja. Jaya Devi Durge

It is Namaha.

Yes I have fed the trolls and will not do so any more.

There are lots of different mantras to the same dieties. The Dieties have revealed themselves in different forms and mantras to different Rishis and hence we have so many.Even the dhyana sloka, nyasa etc may be different because of this. Based on the Guru parampara, the sishyas may get one or more of the different mantras. Jaya Devi Durge

This is not a Sanskrit symbol. It may be a symbol, but is not part of the devanagari alphabet which is used for Samskrit.

yes- but your question has nothing to do with any kind of sadhana- not to mention Hindu Sadhana. Your attempt is to question the utility/relevance of religion itself. Your last post is just sophistry. This shoe definitely does not fit- you probably need an atheist forum to post this on.

Soma Juice, "Arranged marriage is NEVER a happy marriage"- where do you get this one from ? More unhappiness is cause by a never ending search for romance and 'true love' than by arranged marriage. By this logic, for 1000s of years there were no happy marriages in India- something which is belied by just looking at my own parents and extended family- not to speak of society in general. Janaki, Namaskaram! I'm Very Sorry for what happened to you. At such times, it is difficult to listen to people giving all kinds of advice. Do not lose heart. Though I am just an beginner in this, I will also have a look at your horoscope. Everyone has to suffer for the results of past bad karma, but it is a very good sign that you have turned to Durga Devi. Her grace will lead to learning, wisdom and future happiness. She can reduce the even the effects of prarabdha karma.

I dont see what relevance this question has to 'Hindu Sadhana'. Narasingh, I notice you have avoided answering that question.

Forgive me if I come across as arrogant- but this is exactly like 'going to a king and asking for a pumpkin' as Swami Vivekananda put it. When She can give you Anything- why would you just ask for education for the child ? Education by itself may or may not give happiness, wealth, contentment etc.. Why not ask for those bigger things from Her ? Jaya Devi Durge

The important question is - in what way is this question relevant to this email list. This is plain and simple trolling. :deal:people- DO NOT FEED THE TROLLS.

From generic principles, these would work the same for men and women. But it is important to realise when one has to lean lessons for ones advancement and larger happiness and flow with things rather than using prayoga.

Initiation is required. Mantra sastra is not something which you can read from a book and understand or do. Grace is required. So is adhikara. The mantra is Keelita or locked and cannot be unlocked without Guru's grace, flowing from the proper lineage. Mere rituals or chanting keelakam or keelaka manta will not do. Life is not to be found on the internet. Neither can Guru be found just like that on the internet. Keep looking for a Guru. The Guru will give a mantra which suits you first and then may be Navarna mantra. Dont give up the search or stop looking just because things are difficult. Many Gurus prefer to remain hidden or to reveal themselves only to those they choose to. So keep looking.

Dear Sapnarani- are you expecting to get Siddhi from a mantra you learn off the internet ? Please get a Guru- in any sadhana, you need Guru krupa to be able to succeed. If you are already initiated, then you get Guru upadesha/adesh to do any particular sadhana. As for Vamachar, Dakshinachar, samayachar and sundry classifications- do not bother about such classifications. If the practice appeals to your mind and it is given by a qualified person, go ahead. Such distinctions and discriminations are a badha for a true sadhaka/upasaka. If you want to really know the meaning of panchamakara sadhana for example, read the panchamakara stotra from the Rudrayamala Tantra( Uttara khanda)- you will realise the true meaning and the true practice- which is in line with the highest advaita. Dear Khadga, Could you tell me which book this Dakshina Kali Kavacha is from OR if this is from your Guru parampara, could you tell me more about this ? Jaya Devi Durge

Anjali, These things work well only if done by an expert. They also need a diksha for it to work. Rather than doing it yourself, meet the people at Sooryakaladi mana. They will help.

Dear Kumar, please find a Guru and take deeksha( initiation) from Him/Her. Your Guru will prescribe the right mantra for you. There are many ways of knowing which mantra is the right one and your Guru is the being who will know and tell you. With Guru krupa, all obstacles on the path are cleared. Jaya Guru Deva, Jaya Devi Durge

It is indeed a blessing to even read or hear about such divine souls that have trodden this earth. Jaya Devi Durge

Please post this in astrology list.. You will get replies there I think.