JayaMahaDevi

Actually I have lost relatives in that manner. I also had a sister who was subject to molestation. It was her Karma to have to endure that I am sure. Yes it angered me when I was younger and I sought to curse the head of the person who did it, but then I remembered all things are in gods hands. I do live in America and my country is fighting a ridiculous war so I have lost people to terror and war. But it's all part of the Kali Yuga, I simply do not see these happenings as "evil" per se, I see them as a nessecary step of life, the world, human evolution, and god's plan. I do not see it as evil things. People do *bad* things and people receive *bad* happenings but that is Karma is it not? If it's part of what they have to endure for them to reach a higher state of consciousness then I see it not as an evil but NECESSARY. And if our world has to endure war, terror, and final dissolution then what is this but god's plan? My mind is filled with the love of God so I do not see evil in anything. I cannot see evil. It's a higher state of consciousness that has dawned upon me by my devotion to Maa. And if I had any property to sign away to you, maybe I would, but I don't own much. However I am not talking about normal distinctions that make life work, etc. Clearly you must see that. I don't hardly see people's gender anymore except on an outward physical basis. It has caused a great alleviation of suffering.

No this person is right actually. Shiva did have pre-vedic ancient forms, just like Kali Maa. They were assimilated into the vedic religion. Rudra was the vedic god identified with Shiva. You can find a good article on this here>>> http://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/formsofshiva/ And even still, why would you say anything that anyone believes is a crock of BS? That is seemingly very rude. Also if it is such a crock of BS, then where is your evidence to support such claims? Jut wondering...

Ey Pujarie, Sad story... However there is one thing we must consider. She may have had some karmic debt that entailed her suffering thus. If it was meant for her to suffer like this and meant for her to die, then that is the way of life. Maybe she had to go through this ordeal so she can go to an elevated state? Maybe Maa in turn healed her by finally laying her to rest. She may never have to suffer from a cancer again, she may have finally merged with Maa! Who knows? Maybe this was one last bit of smoldering Karma that she had to endure before Maa took all of them away and brought her home. Obviously it was not meant to be. As for the Pujaris, I think when something like this is concerned they should help someone prepare for the transition and pray for mercy. They can also help the person emotionally and spiritually right themselves with Maa/God if by chance they may be feeling anger or what not. We all suffer for a reason... And unless someone is willing to bear that burden for them, then they cannot promise it will go away. Everyone has to bear their own burdens... And once in a while someone may be so compassionate they may bear that burden, and sometimes the person may even be healed to give them a lesson in Faith. But do not be sad, or angry over what she had to endure. It was obviously meant for her to die this way. Hopefully she died with the name of her beloved on her lips!

And let's not forget some are our sisters too hehehe.

Yes, This is indeed Bahuchara Maa. She is a fertility aspect of Devi. Because homosexuals and transgender people and the eunuchs were born without fertility they believe that by abandoning all forms of their masculinity and worshipping her they will gain back their masculinity in another lifetime, or just be free from being born transgender which obviously had wonderful implications in the ancient world as being a sem-divine person on Earth, where as now in this day they are persecuted and forced into begging and prostitution for a living. In ancient times they were paid money to dance at weddings, new houses, or the birth of a child to remove misfortune. They also were kept as guardians and companions of harems, often keeping the women beautiful by their natural skills of hairdressing and teaching them with their natural talents to dance and sing. One could note the story of of Brihinala, or Arjuna who took the form of a transgender and took hiding in a nearby kingdom. S/he taught dancing, and singing to the Princess as well as served as a hairdresser and entertainer. She is also worshipped by women for the begetting of a Child. I know two girls who visited her temple and were both pregnant with children within a month. Bahuchara Mata can be worshipped on Sundays and Full Moons if you are looking for fertility within the family or if you are a transgendered and seek her blessings. Also another interesting note about the Transgender when they worship her is that before they commence with ANY sort of surgical body modification they through various forms of divination consult her before their gender changing surgery. If she says it is a right and auspicious time, the Hijra Chela will then undergo the operation by a person deemed a "mid wife". Then after they operation they are taken out as a bride, and shown to the community. They are also made to sit on a mill stone until they "mensturate" or basically bleed as a sign of being woman. During the castration ceremony they all gather and chant "Mata, Mata" over and over until the culmination of power, and then of course that is when the undesired object(s) are removed, and offered to the Goddess as a sign of their devotion. I also believe that they live in special quarters of town where there is a guru or elder Hijra that presides over her Chelas. They all live together like family. Isn't diversity wonderful!? I love the fact that Maa's children are so diverse all over the world, with so many customs and traditions. It's a shame that people hate each other for these differences. I mean clearly these people are devoted and dedicated to make such a sacrifice to the Goddess! Anyway, I just wanted to let you know about what I know about Bahuchara, her followers and her worship. I know the subject of gender variance and fertility, as well as diversity seems to be offensive to some, however I consider it beautiful. I also uploaded an image of Bahuchara Mata Devi, and two pictures I found of the very intriguing Hijras. I also want to say that if I said anything thay may offend someone who MAY be a Hijra on this board or who may read it online by getting something wrong, I appologize. I am just trying my best to convey a subject of people of diversity that I admire for their adamant devotion to the call of Maa! Jai Mata Di! [ATTACH]1537[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1538[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]1539[/ATTACH]

Jai Kali, Pujarie! I will just let it be known that I am fond of you and your posts ;-) I can see Maa's love all over you. Love and Light! And I hope all things are well for you and yours in Trinidad

We can disagree all we want. You may believe that Krishna is the ultimate reality while I believe Maa is the divine reality. The fact still remains we are both god's children regardless of our distinctions of path. Call it what you will.

The only evil that exists is in the mind of humans. The only fault is in the mind of humans. When you have evil and fault in your own mind then you see evil and fault in everything that is not your own. We live in an age of darkness, the Kali Yuga, whether you like it or not. I personally feel that the reason for all the strife and discord and terror is because we are ever closer to dissolution. God's will, in action. When entire galaxies are sucked up into black holes that may seem violent and terrible too, but it happens. The negative aspects of creation are just as much part of God as all the positive. I see no distinction.

That's all well and good. I just personally don't follow that path. I don't think there is anything WRONG with the path. It is just not mine, I do not identify with it. I have chanted Hare Krishna, it's nice to chant. I just find more splendor and satisfaction chanting and praying to Kali Maa. She is my Ishta-Devi like Krishna is your Ishta-Deva. I just think that a world where EVERYONE follows the same exact path would be very strange. I like diversity. I like the many different traditions, paths, mantras, religions, spiritualities, and forms of God. I just think binding oneself down to believing that only one form, one mantra, and one spiritual tradition can blind someone in the true nature of god which is infinite. And to me, God is my Mother. I appreciate that I can express my faith in this way, and others can express themselves in other ways. The only thing I was saying is that it would be a great loss to culture and diversity if everyone took up one way of worship, one form of god, and there was nothing else.

I totally agree, what you call Krishna Consciousness, I call Kali Conciousness. There are many names for it, many names for God. It's all the same source though. I just meant that every body in the whole world practicing one set path, with one set mantra, and one set form of God would be a very boring world, and scary as well, if everyone did not have their own path and own vision of God. When I said I had nothing against Krishna Consciousness I meant more in the direction of the movement itself that I had nothing against, not the actual conciousness as a whole and energy in and of itself.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to make a quick hello since I am new here. I have been following Maa for 8 years with great success. I am a Shakta, if there's a need for labels though I don't really find them necessary ;-). My IshtaDevi is Maa Kali, and I love her dearly. Ever since I have been in her lap she has taught me so many things about life, the Universe, the nature of the self, etc. I have learned to love all people, in all walks of life, and spiritual traditions. I have come to appreciate the diversity that is the manifestation of Shakti. And slowly she has been taking away the social conditionings and other conditioning that causes me to view her Maya as a delusion or in a biased way. She has taught me that the physical plane and all that is in it is for a reason, and that it is not an illiusion or delusion, the only delusion is in the minds of humans who look upon it with bias and negative emotions and do not see it as a manifestation of the divine. That's just a little about my beliefs. I am happy to be here on this forum and glad that Maa has led me here. Hopefully I can share, and help and serve as much as possible. I am not one who likes or seeks conflicts, but I am one to always stand up for what I believe. However I do not really see the duality of right and wrong, so I find no need in quarreling over certain spiritual matters... Though I do believe in some basic truths that should be upheld, like the Guru Principal which seems to be very neglected in this day and age. Anyway I will stop myself before I babble up an essay here. I just wanted to say hello to everyone! May the Love and Light of Maa touch everyone on this forum!

The best thing to do is present your problems to god so they can be solved yourself. Others praying for you is not as powerful as praying yourself and building your own connection to God/dess. And just remember that all things happen for a reason. If you are encountering problems, be glad you are suffering because maybe you are burning up bad karmas from the past! Suffering is purifying to the soul, karmically, I believe.

OK it seems you have nice intentions but that is just a bit extreme. Every city, village and town all over the world engaged in sankirtan chanting Hare krishna? If God only wanted one form of worship and did not assume different forms for people to lead their own path, wouldn't it be that way? I think there is a reason why everyone in the world has their own tradition and path... There's a reason why the names, forms of worship, and spiritual paths are diverse as the stars in the sky. There's a reason why the universe through God's Shakti is manifested in a multitude of forms, because clearly God enjoys the Lila of being manifested in various forms, including forms of life, and forms of divinity... The whole world converting to one spiritual path and chanting the same thing all over the world sounds scary. It sounds like the loss of diversity and the end of personalized paths to god. Sounds like some kind of communist take over! I have not one thing against Krishna Consciousness. However what you just described sounds pretty scary if you ask me, if all people decided to become one massive spiritual path with no diversity.

If you cannot comment or advise on this very important matter than why have you? Not to offend your personal path, but this experience was with this divine mother in the form of Durga Maa... And since you think the only form of divine mother that can be experienced is with a "Jesus Lila" (whatever that may be) then I think it's best that you should not confuse this person. A catholic nun or priest is certainly no guru in the Shakti/Tantric/Hindu Path, no offense. But if someone comes in talking about a vision of a Mother Goddess in the Hindu sense, and talks about the experience this person has, this person will MOST LIKELY be shunned as crazy, opressed, possesed or demonic by their 95% typically Christian Judgemental manner, which feels that their deities and their way is the only way lest the person suffer hell fire and brimstone, which instills negative emotions of fear, anxiety, and depression. I am not putting down your belief in anyway, I do not disagree with Christianity... However I think that in a serious matter that if you are not confident in knowing the subject matter of discussion, especially if it is a very serious spiritual nature, it is probably best to keep certain thoughts and opinions to oneself as to not confuse a poor soul further.

Hi there, There are many that claim you do not need a guru, that the guru is the divinity of God. However a Guru because of their accomplished state (that is of course IF they are a Siddha, or accomplished one) is the hand of God here on Earth. The Kundalini awakening is a VERY serious matter, in my experience. It can be very blissful and such, however it can also have VERY frightening, painful, extreme "side effects" if you will. The Kundalini, if it runs into a spiritual impurity will eat and burn it away, which of course can be felt. Also if you the Kundalini goes up one of the passages that is not the center channel it can also be very painful. The Guru can help guide this energy, and guide you in certain practices that can help make the experience better, and easier. It is sometimes much easier to allow someone who is accomplished and connected to god guide you, unless you and God communicates in a very real, and personal way. It is better because it can provide comfort, and very real immediate help when you need it, in the physical form of your Guru, which can make things a LOT easier for you. The Kundalini awakening is a very real, and wonderful tool to your spiritual growth. Just please get the proper guidance so that you do not end up in a situation of hurt, fear, or bewilderment. And of course always keep your faith in God, whomever that is to you. God will always protect you and not let you down. Personally I believe you approach God as Mother, and ask to be in her lap, she will always protect you and nurture you when you need her. I hope you find the right guidance and that your experience is enlightening, blissful, and leads you to where you need to be! May the blessings of God/dess always be with you.

Honey, One thing you should always remember is that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Both the good and bad. If you have family memebers suffering with addictions and what not, it is surely because of some Karmic debt. I know it sounds dark, but it is the truth. You can do all the most powerful sadhanas in the world, but if they are meant to go through some sort of suffering they will in one way or another. And if you try to take that awat then you may have to suffer for them. If you offer them help, and God, and they refuse then there's nothing to do. You must let it run it's course. Just pray that God will have mercy upon them! I doubt your family is cursed. We live in a very dark age. We live in a time of materialism, greed, lust, addictions, violence, etc. It is not that abnormal for families to experience these things. In fact, most families do! And if you do not KNOW any sadhanas for that matter for a certain purpose than I would not reccomend doing them unless you have been given one by your Guru, and is under his or her guidance. Sadhanas, unlike puja are very serious works. With many of them, if you slip up, the consequences can be dire! Sadhanas should only be practiced under the guidance and empowerment of a guru. Period. To do otherwise is asking for trouble, unless you are very experienced in Sadhanas. Many may disagree, of course, as people tend to always do...

I personally would say yes. You can do elaborate prayers, mantras, and rituals and what have you... But if you find that it hinders you, or is too elaborate, or you don't even know the real meaning then it's fruitless. Especially if the mantra has not been empowered. There's no sense in chanting a mantra unless you have empowered it with several thousands of recitations, and has been given to you by a guru. Some will disagree with this, and that's fine. I always think you should follow your heart. If you want to pray "Hare Krishna" or what have you that you find empowering in your tradition, and offer the food to him and thank him in your own special way, then by all means do it. Whatever you do that is heartfelt and sincere will be received by God. After all elaborate rituals which you hardly know the meaning, that you do not feel in your heart will cause confusion and bewilderment. It can even cause fear, if it is not heartfelt. Elaborate rituals are great for certain occasions, but a simple thanks and an offering will do just fine. And you can apply this to anything in life. A flower or piece of fruit offered to god with the upmost sincerity can be more rewarding than some elaborate ritual that has no meaning for you. God is ultimately residing in your heart, and if you do not do something that resonates well with your heart, then what point is there?

Just worship Maa from you heart and with whichever way you see fit! Always worship her as a mother, and always stay in her lap. She will always provide for everything you need, when you are in her lap. she of course has certain colors, and things that she likes... Like red wine and hibiscus flowers. The worship of God though should always be from your heart. If you have a gift you think she would like then give it! Or you can always give something you know they will like. My Kali always loves wine with un-processed raw honey and camphor mixed in it. I give her a glass every day and when the alcohol has totally evaporated by her receiving it, then I take it as prasadam. If you have a Mantra for Kali, I would hope that you have been given it by a guru or you have properly empowered it. Because without the proper pre-empowerment, and usually without a guru, especially in Tantra and Sadhanas... It is powerless. But if you feel totally led to, and it resonantes with power when you say it, or think of it, then I don't see any reason why you shouldn't. But just remember that worshipping her is one thing... Sadhana is another. If you are going to do Sadhana make sure you have a guru guiding you! And of course always approach Maa as a humble child. IF you approach her with an inflated ego (not saying that you have one) she will terrify you into humility! But if you approach her as her humble child then she will most certainly appear to you as beautiful, kind, loving, and motherly. I personally agree with some of the Tantras that say her worship is best suited to this age. She is very powerful, and she can cut through and pierce the heavy darkness, ignorance, and bad karmic tendencies that is so prevalent around everyone these days. That is why it is her that is best suited for these dark times because it is Maa in this form that is the most fierce and quick to save her devotees from darkness. Also remember that she has the power to destroy your bad Karmas. So sometimes, when people worship her they may experience some bad things, but it is because you are speeding up the process of your Karmas burning away by worshipping her, but in most cases you have to give some sort of effort in the physical plane through suffering of some kind. That is just part of life. If you are not ready to undergo radical change and seek the truth and light with all your heart, mind and soul without any hinderances and set backs then Maa Kali might not be for you. She always fiercely and radically brings change to her devotees. And nothing of course is ever free, and no practice or spiritual discipline is ever fruitful without sewing the seeds of your effort and labour. Just remember through it all that even if it is tough love she gives you, it is still love, and it is the best kind because soon you will see the truth and light! May Maa always shower you with her blessings and keep you in her lap. And May you find her path like a golden beacon of light! Love and Light to you!