Surrendering to Devi - Devi Upasana during the Nine days of Navaratri !

[Guest guest]

First,let me wish all the members here a very auspicious and fun-

filled Navaratri !

 

Neelakantan-ji has quoted a beautiful gem from Sri Nilakantha

Dikshita's AnandasAgarastava. the verse ends with the powerful

lines

 

tat tvAm ananya sharaNah sharaNam prapadye

mInAkhi vishvajananIm janaNim mamaiva ||

 

(therefore, I who > have no other refuge, take refuge in you, O

Meenakshi, the Mother of > the universe, as also my Mother!)

 

Yes! Devi's lotus feet is the refuge for all spiritual SEEKERS. She

is BHUKTI-MUKTI Pradayini, the divine Maa Bhavatarini !

 

On this second day of Navarati, we worship 'Brahmacharini', one of

the nine forms of Maa Durga Devi.

 

Who is 'Brahmacharini'? Brahma means 'tapas' or penance - In this

beautiful form as 'Brahmacharini' maa Durga is seen meditating on

her Ishta-nishta Sri Siva-shambhu! In her right hand , Brahmacharini

has a Rosary and in the left a Kamandalam. As per Legend, it is

believed that In her previous birth, Brahmacharini was none other

than Sati , the faithful wife of Lord Shiva. In this Janma also,

Brahmacharini wanted to marry only Lord Shiva - so she performed the

penance . On seeing Brahmacharini meditate thus day and night , her

mother mother Menaka addressed her as 'Uma' (THE MEDITATING ONE) -

Brahmacharini also means one who is unmarried.

 

please visit the foloowing link to see the Beautiful image of Maa

durga along with her nine manifestations - Nava durgas!

 

http://www.artandcraftsofindia.com/product/PG20

 

On this auspicious day of Navaratri , it is my pleasure to share a

story from KENA UPANISHAD on Goddess Uma from the chapter on Yaksha

prasna. It is *shakti* alone who can lead us to Brahma Tattwa or

knowledge of Brahman .

 

THE STORY FROM KENA UPANISHADS

 

The gods and the demons had been having a war. Somehow the gods won,

at least for the time being. But they did not realize that the power

of Brahman, the Supreme Being, had made their victory possible.

 

The gods took the credit themselves. When Brahman saw them

congratulating each other, he decided to act, and to teach them a

good lesson.

 

So he appeared before them in a form something like a ghost.

The gods said to each other in great wonder, "What is this awesome

spirit?"

 

Then they asked Agni, the god of fire, if he would try to find out

who it was, and he agreed. He ran toward the spirit and that spirit

said, "Stop! Who are you?"

"I am Agni, the god of fire," he proudly replied.

"I see. And what power do you have?" asked Brahman.

"Why, I can burn anything on the earth," said Agni.

So Brahman, in that spirit form, put a straw on the ground in front

of him, saying, "is that so? Burn this, then!" Agni went toward it,

his fiery breath crackling and arms ablaze, but in no way could he

burn that straw, for some strange reason, no matter how hard he

tried.

Going back to the other gods, he told them shamefully that he had not

been able to find out who that being was.Now they had to ask someone

else to try.

 

This time they chose Vayu, the god of the wind. "You please try to

find out who this spirit is," they said. Vayu agreed and ran boldly

toward the spirit, who told him, "Stop! Tell me who you are."

"I am Vayu, god of air and wind," he answered.

"Oh! What power do you have?" asked Brahman.

"Why, I make hurricanes and cyclones. I can lift up anything on this

earth," said Vayu.

"Is that so?" said the spirit, placing a straw in front of him. "Then

lift this up!" Vayu rushed at it with a terrific noise but no matter

how he huffed and puffed, the straw remained on the ground. He too

returned to the gods, ashamed, and let them know that the spirit

baffled him.

 

Finally the gods chose Indra, their highest and best, and asked him

to do the job. Indra agreed to it. But when he approached that

spirit, it suddenly disappeared!

 

In its place was seen the shining form of the goddess *Uma,* a

lovely woman adorned with gems, who is called the revealer of Truth.

"Who is that spirit," Indra asked her, "whom we have been seeing

here?"

"That is Brahman, the Supreme Spirit," she answered. "It is all due

to the power of Brahman that you have had victory over the demons,

and have become great. Don't you know that?"

Then Indra understood.

 

This story explains why Agni, Vayu and Indra rank higher than the

other gods.They came "nearest" to Brahman. And, of these, Indra

deserves first place, for it was to him that the Truth was first

revealed.

 

it is therefore obvious from the above Narration it is Devi ALONE

who could lead us to 'brahma-jnana' .

 

 

Kanchi Paramacharya says

 

"Uma, the Divine Mother, is the personification of pranava (Om). She

is brightness in light and fragrance in flowers. She has the

illumination of a thousand suns and yet has the soothing coolness of

a thousand moons. Along with Isvara, she is the Paramatma-swaroopa

sung by the Vedas."

 

Here is a verse 6 from Devi Stotram

 

Chida Basma lepo garala samanam, dik pata dharo,

Jadadhari kande bujagapathi hari pasupathi,

Kapali bhootheso bajathi jagadeesaika padavim,

Bhavani thwad panigrahana paripati phalamidham.

 

That god Pasupathi who applies ash from cremation ground,

Who eats poison, who wears no cloths,

Who wears a garland of serpent and who has a begging bowl,

Who has not washed or combed his hair and who is god of devils,

Has attained the position of the Lord of the universe.

Is it not Bhavani, because he has married you?

 

( translation by member P.R Ramchander - our member )

 

http://www.celextel.org/stotrasdevi/devistotram.html

 

OM SHAMBHAVYAI NAMAHA

Salutations to the Mother who worships Shambhu

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "dhyanasaraswati"

<dhyanasaraswati wrote:

>

>

>> On this second day of Navarati, we worship 'Brahmacharini', one of

> the nine forms of Maa Durga Devi.

>

> Who is 'Brahmacharini'? Brahma means 'tapas' or penance - In this

> beautiful form as 'Brahmacharini' maa Durga is seen meditating on

> her Ishta-nishta Sri Siva-shambhu! In her right hand ,

Brahmacharini

> has a Rosary and in the left a Kamandalam. As per Legend, it is

> believed that In her previous birth, Brahmacharini was none other

> than Sati , the faithful wife of Lord Shiva. In this Janma also,

> Brahmacharini wanted to marry only Lord Shiva - so she performed

the

> penance . On seeing Brahmacharini meditate thus day and night , her

> mother mother Menaka addressed her as 'Uma' (THE MEDITATING ONE) -

> Brahmacharini also means one who is unmarried.

>

> please visit the foloowing link to see the Beautiful image of Maa

> durga along with her nine manifestations - Nava durgas!

>

> http://www.artandcraftsofindia.com/product/PG20

>

>

 

 

Namste:

 

Can you help me understand the term "Brahmacharini" expressed above ?

 

To me this does not not make sense.

 

In one of the old text I have in my notes refers to this

as "brahmakaariNi" and not "brahmachaareNi", however, the text does

mentions this name as a "paaThabheda".

 

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.

 

Regards,

 

Dr. Yadu

[Guest guest]

Yadu-ji !

 

How can i even attempt to make you understand the beauty and

divinity of Sri Durga mata which cannot be even explained with the

help of six darshanas , On these nine days , please contemplate on

the beautiful and gorgeous form of Maa durga and her nine

manifestations ( Navadurgas - Sri Sailaputri, Sri Brahmacharini, Sri

Chandrakanta , Sri Kushmanda, Sri Skandamatha, Sri Kathyayani, Sri

Kalarathri, Sri Mahagauri and Sri Sidhidhathri ) and out of her

infinite compassion will reveal to you the knowledge and wisdom in

her divine manifestation as 'Brahmacharini'

 

Yadu ji , you have so many notes and books - all i have is only my

Faith and shraddha. What can i say?

 

Yaduji, all is know is Devi is not only a 'brahmacharini' in one of

her nine manifestations OF MAA DURGA , SHE IS ALSO BRAHMASWARUPINI!

 

Devi Suktam

Rig Veda X.125

 

Hymn to Vak – The Word

Vak is Speech personified, the Word, the first creation and

representative of Spirit, and the means of communication between men

and Gods.

 

 

1. I travel with the Rudras and the Vasus, with the Adityas and All-

Gods I wander. I hold aloft both Varuna and Mitra, Indra and Agni,

and the Pair of Ashvins.

 

2. I cherish and sustain high-swelling Soma, and Tvashtar I support,

Pushan, and Bhaga. I load with wealth the zealous sacrificer who

pours the juice and offers his oblation.

 

3. I am the Queen, the gatherer-up of treasures, most thoughtful,

first of those who merit worship. Thus Gods have established me in

many places with many homes to enter and abide in.

 

4. Through me alone all eat the food that feeds them, - each man who

sees, breathes, hears the word outspoken. They know it not, but yet

they dwell beside me. Hear, one and all, the truth as I declare it.

 

5. I, verily, myself announce and utter the word that Gods and men

alike shell welcome. I make the man I love exceeding mighty, make

him a sage, a Rishi, and a Brahman.

 

6. I bend the bow for Rudra that his arrow may strike and slay the

hater of devotion. I rouse and order battle for the people, and I

have penetrated Earth and Heaven.

 

7. On the world's summit I bring forth the Father: my home is in the

waters, in the ocean. Thence I extend o'er all existing creatures,

and touch even yonder heaven with my forehead.

 

8. I breathe a strong breath like the wind and tempest, the while I

hold together all existence. Beyond this wide earth and beyond the

heavens I have become so mighty in my grandeur.

 

http://www.orbcity.com/shrividya/suktam.htm

Hymns Of The Rig Veda, translated by Ralph T.H. Griffith 1889.

 

Yaduji ! may goddess Durga destroy all the 'bheda' and show you the

Path to jnana and bhakti!

 

Jai Mata di!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you help me understand the term "Brahmacharini" expressed above ?

>

> To me this does not not make sense.

>

> In one of the old text I have in my notes refers to this

> as "brahmakaariNi" and not "brahmachaareNi", however, the text

does

> mentions this name as a "paaThabheda".

>

> Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.

>

> Regards,

>

> Dr. Yadu

>

[Guest guest]

I would like to have the pictures of nine forms Devi on the nine days of Navaratri posted along with the particular sloka to be chanted to pray on each day.

Jabalimuni

 

dhyanasaraswati <dhyanasaraswati > wrote:

First,let me wish all the members here a very auspicious and fun-

filled Navaratri !

 

Neelakantan-ji has quoted a beautiful gem from Sri Nilakantha

Dikshita's AnandasAgarastava. the verse ends with the powerful

lines

[Guest guest]

advaitin, Jabali Muni <jabalimuni wrote:

>

> I would like to have the pictures of nine forms Devi on the nine days

of Navaratri posted along with the particular sloka to be chanted to

pray on each day.

 

 

 

The following sites may be useful:

 

 

http://tinyurl.com/f2q48

 

 

http://www.sanskritdocuments.org/all_pdf/navadurga.pdf

 

http://www.geocities.com/ggavaska/story.html

[Guest guest]

Dear Jabali muni ji :

 

Greetings!

 

our beloved moderator sri sunder-ji has already responded to your

request. The image of Navadurga he has posted on the 'tinyuri' photo

gallery is 'awesome' -way better than the link i had posted in my

post. Thank you SUNDER-JI also for the dhyana slokas on the

Navadurgas . JABALA MUNI , THE SLOKAS ARE IN DEVANAGARI SCRIPT ...

IS THAT O.K ?

 

also, please visit this link to see the magnificient images (

individually depicted) of each nava durga ) ON THIS LINK

 

http://www.mantraonnet.com/nav-durga.html

 

You can click on the Thumbnail of each picture to get an 'enhanced'

image . This site has wonderful mantras and Aartis to Devi Durga for

you to meditate on .

 

it is very auspicious to chant the 32 names of Durga ( as well as

the 108 names) during Navaratri - you can hear this in the melodious

voice of Sree maa of Devi mandir . She is a tantrika and a kali

bhaktin and is a realized Saint from Kamakaya , Assam and West

Bengal . She has her own ashram in Napa valley, CA. I HAVE HAD

HER 'DARSHAN' - SHE IS VERILY THE LIVING GODDESS.

 

http://www.shreemaa.org/durga.htm - 19k

 

here is a simple prayer in Hindi ( but written in English) on the

nine manifestations of Sree Durga devi!

 

Om Shaila-putri maiya raksha karo,

 

Om Jaga-janani devi raksha karo;

 

Om Navadurga namaha, Om Jaga-janani namaha.

 

 

 

Om Brahmacharini raksha karo;

 

Om Bhavataarini maiya raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Chadraghanta Chandi raksha karo;

 

Om Bhayaharini maiya raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Kushmanda tumhi raksha karo;

 

Om Shakti roopa maiya raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Skanda-mata maiya meri raksha karo;

 

Om Jagadamba Janani raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Katyaayani maiya raksha karo;

 

Om Paap-naashini Ambe raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Kaalaratri Kali raksha karo;

 

Om Sukha-daati maiya raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Maha-gauri maiya raksha karo;

 

Om Bhakti-daati raksha karo.

 

 

 

Om Sidhhi-daatri maiya raksha karo,

 

Om Nava Durga devi raksha karo;

 

Om Navadurga namaha, Om Jaga-janani namaha.

 

(http://www.geocities.com/swdesai21 - 21k - Cached )

 

the refrain 'raksha karo' just means 'protect me'

..

TODAY, ON THE THIRD DAY OF NAVARATRI, WE HONOR AND MEDITATE ON THE

BEAUTIFUL IMAGE OF CHANDRAGHANTA.

 

There is a half-circular moon in Chandraghanta's forehead. She is

bright and beautiful .She has a golden complexion. This three eyed

goddess has ten hands , each hand holding a different weapon .

Mounted on a Lion, devi is ready to fight all the enemies. She is

bravery personified . The bell is there to warn her enemies of her

arrival and rediness to engage in combat.

 

Where are the enemies ? they are not in the battlefield . They Are

within us . they ARE - KAMA, (LUST) , KRODHA(ANGER). MOHA

(ATTACHMENTS) . LOBHA (GREED), MATSARYA (JEALOUSY) AND aHANKAR (

EGO) . Durga mata's weapons are there only to slay these enemies

within us. This image of Durga mata ( chandraghanta) has two hands -

one hand is in boon giving gesture ( vara pradayini) and the other

hand has an 'abhaya' mudra 'do not fear' gesture . yes . our divine

mother has both a 'sowmya' and a ghora rupa . But only 'ghora' to

non-believers .

 

On another note , Durga mata or devi is not only Brahmaswarupini ,

she is verily the para-bhraman ! - this is a shakta belief. This is

stated in Tripura rahasya , a shakta treatise .

 

AUM Chandhrardha-mastakayai namah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

,

advaitin, Jabali Muni <jabalimuni wrote:

>

> I would like to have the pictures of nine forms Devi on the nine

days of Navaratri posted along with the particular sloka to be

chanted to pray on each day.

>

Jabalimuni

>

 

 

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