New to Sanatana Dharma - a few questions

[Raven Chorus]

Namaste -

 

This is my first post on this wonderful forum, so I thought I might introduce myself. As I am new not only to the forum but also to Hinduism, I was also going to share some of my concerns, hoping that more experienced people might kindly provide some advice. I hope you don't mind me sharing my doubts...

 

For a number of different reasons, I have taken the decision over the last year or so of joining the Hindu fold. As a European, I realise this will be a difficult process - hence my queries.

 

Basically, as someone who has always worshipped the Goddess (i.e. a female form of the Godhead), I am naturally drawn towards shakti sadhana (this is not so much a choice as a necessity for me). As I understand it, what is most important is to develop love of God (bhakti), and to cultivate the worship of the deva(s) we have chosen to worship.

 

What I am doing at the moment is 1) focusing on the shastras I find more relevant to me (Rg Veda and Devimahatmya); 2) trying to pick up some Sanskrit (which I guess will take years to master); 3) reciting prayers to the Devi.

 

It is point 3) I am most concerned about. Not having the knowledge to perform proper puja yet, I am currently spending part of my time reciting the condensed prayer known as the Durgasaptashlokistotra + a couple of mantras to Candika and Kali, offering a few flowers and incense, and listening (to recordings of)/reading the Lalitasahasranamastotra.

 

I realise that at some point I will have to get in touch with a priest, and with other Hindus, and I'm planning on doing so around September (when I will be moving to a different place with a substantial Hindu community). I do have some good friends who are devotees of Krishna, and I get to speak to them quite often, but the Gaudya-Vaishnava approach they follow is rather different from the path I am treading.

 

So I'm just posting this because maybe some of you have been where I am now, and might have a little advice to offer. Am I doing anything wrong in reciting these prayers/mantras and offering incense? Is there anything else I might do (in practical terms) to cultivate knowledge and devotion of the Devi before approaching a temple?

 

I hope all this doesn't come across as silly on my part. Any help/criticism will much be appreciated.

[Guest guest]

 

Namaste -

 

This is my first post on this wonderful forum, so I thought I might introduce myself. As I am new not only to the forum but also to Hinduism, I was also going to share some of my concerns, hoping that more experienced people might kindly provide some advice. I hope you don't mind me sharing my doubts...

 

For a number of different reasons, I have taken the decision over the last year or so of joining the Hindu fold. As a European, I realise this will be a difficult process - hence my queries.

 

Basically, as someone who has always worshipped the Goddess (i.e. a female form of the Godhead), I am naturally drawn towards shakti sadhana (this is not so much a choice as a necessity for me). As I understand it, what is most important is to develop love of God (bhakti), and to cultivate the worship of the deva(s) we have chosen to worship.

 

What I am doing at the moment is 1) focusing on the shastras I find more relevant to me (Rg Veda and Devimahatmya); 2) trying to pick up some Sanskrit (which I guess will take years to master); 3) reciting prayers to the Devi.

 

It is point 3) I am most concerned about. Not having the knowledge to perform proper puja yet, I am currently spending part of my time reciting the condensed prayer known as the Durgasaptashlokistotra + a couple of mantras to Candika and Kali, offering a few flowers and incense, and listening (to recordings of)/reading the Lalitasahasranamastotra.

 

I realise that at some point I will have to get in touch with a priest, and with other Hindus, and I'm planning on doing so around September (when I will be moving to a different place with a substantial Hindu community). I do have some good friends who are devotees of Krishna, and I get to speak to them quite often, but the Gaudya-Vaishnava approach they follow is rather different from the path I am treading.

 

So I'm just posting this because maybe some of you have been where I am now, and might have a little advice to offer. Am I doing anything wrong in reciting these prayers/mantras and offering incense? Is there anything else I might do (in practical terms) to cultivate knowledge and devotion of the Devi before approaching a temple?

 

I hope all this doesn't come across as silly on my part. Any help/criticism will much be appreciated.

 

Namaste, Raven!

 

Welcome to the forum and most importantly to the eternal path of Sanatana Dharma..

 

Note not many Hindus visit this forum.. and that's why your post has sat here unanswered. There are much more active Hindu forums on and orkut that you can visit. You can see some of the active in the subsections below this one...

 

Since it sounds like you are drawn to the Shakta path, your questions can best me answered here:

 

Shakti_Sadhan

 

Note the Hindu mysteries are best communicated from its living Masters (Gurus). The people you will encounter on forums are likely not enlightened and thus can only give you their intellectual knowledge or their speculations.. For serious enquiry, I recommend looking for a Guru to guide you on your path. This is the ancient method of learning the mysteries of Sanatana Dharma: the Guru/disciple relationship.

 

Blessings to you on your path!

[Raven Chorus]

Many thanks for your kind reply - I really appreciate your words.

 

I will certainly look into the discussion groups you have mentioned. I'm actually already following the Shakti Sadhana mailing list, and I find it useful in many ways. Unfortunately, though, I feel unconfortable at sending my queries by email: I would much rather use the more discrete means of a forum for the purpose.

 

Of course, I agree with you that I am much in need of a guru (who isn't? ), or even of just talking to real Hindus. Hopefully, as I mentioned, I will be taking that step in the next months.

 

I don't think that mine are in any way unrealistic aspirations: I merely wish, sincerely and humbly, to adopt an orthodox form of practice in conformity with Sanatana Dharma. Because, unfortunately, I was born in country where true spirituality seems to have died out quite some time ago...!