Guest guest Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvrRe: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting Fire Cc: "naaraayana_iyer" <narayan.iyerSaturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Namaste Ashwin Bhai, The head priest of Kali Temple in Chennai, when met me, asked about how i am reciting chandi Paath (Durga Saptashati). I told him that i try to follow conventional instructions given in the book i.e 13 chapters with Kavach,Argala, Kilak,Devi & Ratri Sukta, Nyas, 3 rasyas and Kshma Prarthana at the end. He told me that he only reads Kavach, Nyasa etc... at the begining and then continues reciting 13 chapters every day. THE IMPORTANT thing here is that He only indicated me his way of recitation, he NEVER asked me to do the same way or change the conventional way. I need to give one background. for many years i wonder about *Mahatmya* in many fo our spiriual books. take for instance Gita. it is indicated that Gita Mahatmya must be recited whenever Gita is recited and without that it'll not be complete. Ganapati Atharvashirsh also has added protion of the same. Durga Saptashati also says that if you don't recite this, this & this then the whole chandi paath is like fruitless. i am not able to reconcile with all these. IT gives a impression of injecting Fear. It is simply Dogmatic. If you don't do this then your efforts are wasted but if you do this along with the main thing then it'll bring Laddu, Peda, Luxuries, enjoyment of Swarga and even liberation. I am at loss to understand these extra things. it seems to me that it is a Ancient days Marketing gimmick added NOT by the original author but some others at later stages. it is quite possible that it was introduced everywhere out of good intentions to make people recite it and get benefited. BUT these things have a danger of creating religious Fanatics. Due to the above written feelings, i welcomed the way of the head priest and now i too recite the 13 chapters of Chandi Paath since last few recitation. my intentions are to avoid all the added things which glorifies the Fruits (Tempts us with Great Fruits or Intimadate with bad results) i think it was off the track. before i finish, must say that the sounds with which i do are Aim, Hreem, Kleem Yours, utpal , Ashwin Rawal <ashwinrawal wrote: > > Dear Narsimhaji > 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, > 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? > 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... > Thanks with respect. > Dr.Ashwin Rawal > > --- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote: > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr > Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re- igniting Fire > > Cc: " naaraayana_iyer " <narayan.iyer > Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends, > > Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan! > > * * * > > Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him. > > I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul.. > > * * * > > It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan. > > Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then. > > * * * > > A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident. > > One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said " good, go ahead and do it " . I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day. > > I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly " I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana. " > > He was absolutely right. As such, I was " proud " of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food! > > Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort. > > * * * > > I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth. > > When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said " Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities. " > > How true and wise! > > * * * > > Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of " I " ) within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment. > > Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves.. > > * * * > > Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal. > > The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > ---- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > > Namaste Friends, > > > > Some ramblings ... > > > > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it > > happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one > > perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane > > matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know > > there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must > > be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is > > impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept. > > > > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for > > nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to > > him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged > > his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with > > Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also > > consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi > > Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking! > > When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then > > occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on > > the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took > > it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then > > reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely > > in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between > > an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally > > performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but > > never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he > > did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I > > felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up, > > instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really > > intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the > > way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided > > to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt > > believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his > > grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking > > baby-steps and making progress everyday. > > > > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping > > me progress. > > > > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We > > are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very > > first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives. > > Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ... > > plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen > > overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be > > the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you > > get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and > > move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank > > our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding > > us ... what would be life without them! > > > > Thanks for listening. > > Regards > > -Narayan- > > > > > > > > , " utpal pathak " <vedic_pathak@ ...> > > wrote: > > > > > > Namaste Garu !!! > > > > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > > >anything. > > > > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride. > > > > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji, > > > > > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp. > > > > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > > blazing. > > > > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > > repeated negligence. > > > > > > warm regards, > > > > > > utpal > > > > > > > > > , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly. > > > > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > > mind and continue. > > > > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination? > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak. > > > > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > > much about the significance. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy. > > > > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > > master. > > > > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > > present on earth. > > > > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god. > > > > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > > valuable. > > > > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > > and darkness. > > > > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > > You are doing it for god. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- - - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- - - > > > > > > > > - > > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji > > > > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > > You said: > > > > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > > middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished? > > > > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > > continuing with the homa. > > > > > > > > -Regards > > > > Rajarshi > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra > > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Cc: " Phanikumar Velaga " <itsverysimple@ > > > > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani, > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda. > > > > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras. > > > > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > > mantra. The word mantra means " one that protects the mind " .. One can > > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra. > > > > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly. > > > > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant. > > > > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam. > > > > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity. > > > > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > > me. > > > > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > > But any day is fine really. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > > trip. > > > > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > > told me, " Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > > our homam finishes " . I just smiled. > > > > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > > wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > > home..comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > > nath..org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Namasthe, > > > > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > > have few questions > > > > > regarding it. > > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > Phani > > > > > > > > > > Be the first one to try the new Messenger 9 Beta! Go to http://in.messenger./win/ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Utpalji, thank you very much. You have given me clear thought. I was also of the same openion that these Stotras should not be compulsory. If we have time and if we wish to do it with joy, it is ok, but some weak minded or godfearing devotees will surely think that if they do not do it, something bad will happen. The entire book reading with all stotras involve much time so sometime we do not do this Chandi Path on regular basis. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Wed, 10/12/08, utpal pathak <vedic_pathak wrote: utpal pathak <vedic_pathak Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Date: Wednesday, 10 December, 2008, 10:24 AM Namaste Ashwin Bhai,The head priest of Kali Temple in Chennai, when met me, asked about how i am reciting chandi Paath (Durga Saptashati). I told him that i try to follow conventional instructions given in the book i.e 13 chapters with Kavach,Argala, Kilak,Devi & Ratri Sukta, Nyas, 3 rasyas and Kshma Prarthana at the end.He told me that he only reads Kavach, Nyasa etc... at the begining and then continues reciting 13 chapters every day. THE IMPORTANT thing here is that He only indicated me his way of recitation, he NEVER asked me to do the same way or change the conventional way.I need to give one background. for many years i wonder about *Mahatmya* in many fo our spiriual books. take for instance Gita. it is indicated that Gita Mahatmya must be recited whenever Gita is recited and without that it'll not be complete. Ganapati Atharvashirsh also has added protion of the same. Durga Saptashati also says that if you don't recite this, this & this then the whole chandi paath is like fruitless.i am not able to reconcile with all these. IT gives a impression of injecting Fear. It is simply Dogmatic. If you don't do this then your efforts are wasted but if you do this along with the main thing then it'll bring Laddu, Peda, Luxuries, enjoyment of Swarga and even liberation.I am at loss to understand these extra things. it seems to me that it is a Ancient days Marketing gimmick added NOT by the original author but some others at later stages. it is quite possible that it was introduced everywhere out of good intentions to make people recite it and get benefited. BUT these things have a danger of creating religious Fanatics.Due to the above written feelings, i welcomed the way of the head priest and now i too recite the 13 chapters of Chandi Paath since last few recitation. my intentions are to avoid all the added things which glorifies the Fruits (Tempts us with Great Fruits or Intimadate with bad results)i think it was off the track.before i finish, must say that the sounds with which i do are Aim, Hreem, Kleem Yours,utpal, Ashwin Rawal <ashwinrawal@ ...> wrote:>> Dear Narsimhaji> 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?,> 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory?> 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim......> Thanks with respect.> Dr.Ashwin Rawal> > --- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote:> > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr> Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting Fire> > Cc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ ...>> Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM> > > > > > > Namaste friends,> > Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!> > * * *> > Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.> > I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..> > * * *> > It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.> > Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.> > * * *> > A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.> > One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.> > I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."> > He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!> > Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.> > * * *> > I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.> > When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."> > How true and wise!> > * * *> > Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.> > Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..> > * * *> > Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.> > The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.> > Best regards,> Narasimha> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > ---- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > > Namaste Friends,> > > > Some ramblings ...> > > > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> > happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> > perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> > matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> > there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> > be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> > impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > > > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> > nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> > him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> > his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> > Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> > consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> > Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> > When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> > occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> > the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> > it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> > reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> > in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> > an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> > performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> > never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> > did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> > felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> > instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> > intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> > way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> > to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> > believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> > grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> > baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > > > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> > me progress.> > > > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> > are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> > first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> > Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> > plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> > overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> > the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> > get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> > move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> > our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> > us ... what would be life without them!> > > > Thanks for listening.> > Regards> > -Narayan-> > > > > > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > > >anything.> > > > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > > blazing.> > > > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > > repeated negligence. > > > > > > warm regards,> > > > > > utpal> > > > > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > > wrote:> > > >> > > > Namaste,> > > > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > > mind and continue.> > > > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > > much about the significance.> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > > master.> > > > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > > present on earth.> > > > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > > valuable.> > > > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > > and darkness.> > > > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > > > Best regards,> > > > Narasimha> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > > > - > > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > > You said:> > > > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > > > -Regards> > > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a> > > > > copper one?> > > > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the> > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > > me.> > > > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine?> > > > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > > trip.> > > > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > > > Best regards,> > > > Narasimha> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > > ---- -> > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ homam> > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > > wisdom> > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > > home..comcast. net> > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org> > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > > nath..org> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > > ---- -> > > > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > > have few questions> > > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a> > > > > copper one?> > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the> > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine?> > > > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > > > Phani> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Be the first one to try the new Messenger 9 Beta! Go to http://in.messenger ./ win/> Connect with friends all over the world. Get India Messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Dear Utpal Bhai, Namaskar. Very wisely said indeed!!! The Mother would love Her children to call Her with as many names, as many times and would never take offence. At most we would not get the phala siddhi as you rightly said. But what does ot matter, it is ultimately Her Grace that is utmost important, regards Nalini utpal pathak <vedic_pathak Sent: Wednesday, 10 December, 2008 5:54:37 PM Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Namaste Ashwin Bhai,The head priest of Kali Temple in Chennai, when met me, asked about how i am reciting chandi Paath (Durga Saptashati). I told him that i try to follow conventional instructions given in the book i.e 13 chapters with Kavach,Argala, Kilak,Devi & Ratri Sukta, Nyas, 3 rasyas and Kshma Prarthana at the end.He told me that he only reads Kavach, Nyasa etc... at the begining and then continues reciting 13 chapters every day. THE IMPORTANT thing here is that He only indicated me his way of recitation, he NEVER asked me to do the same way or change the conventional way.I need to give one background. for many years i wonder about *Mahatmya* in many fo our spiriual books. take for instance Gita. it is indicated that Gita Mahatmya must be recited whenever Gita is recited and without that it'll not be complete. Ganapati Atharvashirsh also has added protion of the same. Durga Saptashati also says that if you don't recite this, this & this then the whole chandi paath is like fruitless.i am not able to reconcile with all these. IT gives a impression of injecting Fear. It is simply Dogmatic. If you don't do this then your efforts are wasted but if you do this along with the main thing then it'll bring Laddu, Peda, Luxuries, enjoyment of Swarga and even liberation.I am at loss to understand these extra things. it seems to me that it is a Ancient days Marketing gimmick added NOT by the original author but some others at later stages. it is quite possible that it was introduced everywhere out of good intentions to make people recite it and get benefited. BUT these things have a danger of creating religious Fanatics.Due to the above written feelings, i welcomed the way of the head priest and now i too recite the 13 chapters of Chandi Paath since last few recitation. my intentions are to avoid all the added things which glorifies the Fruits (Tempts us with Great Fruits or Intimadate with bad results)i think it was off the track.before i finish, must say that the sounds with which i do are Aim, Hreem, Kleem Yours,utpal, Ashwin Rawal <ashwinrawal@ ...> wrote:>> Dear Narsimhaji> 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?,> 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory?> 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim......> Thanks with respect.> Dr.Ashwin Rawal> > --- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote:> > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr> Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting Fire> > Cc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ ...>> Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM> > > > > > > Namaste friends,> > Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!> > * * *> > Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.> > I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..> > * * *> > It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.> > Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.> > * * *> > A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.> > One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.> > I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."> > He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!> > Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.> > * * *> > I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.> > When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."> > How true and wise!> > * * *> > Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.> > Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..> > * * *> > Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.> > The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.> > Best regards,> Narasimha> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > ---- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > > Namaste Friends,> > > > Some ramblings ...> > > > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> > happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> > perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> > matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> > there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> > be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> > impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > > > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> > nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> > him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> > his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> > Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> > consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> > Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> > When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> > occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> > the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> > it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> > reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> > in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> > an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> > performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> > never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> > did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> > felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> > instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> > intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> > way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> > to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> > believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> > grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> > baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > > > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> > me progress.> > > > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> > are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> > first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> > Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> > plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> > overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> > the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> > get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> > move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> > our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> > us ... what would be life without them!> > > > Thanks for listening.> > Regards> > -Narayan-> > > > > > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > > >anything.> > > > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > > blazing.> > > > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > > repeated negligence. > > > > > > warm regards,> > > > > > utpal> > > > > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > > wrote:> > > >> > > > Namaste,> > > > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > > mind and continue.> > > > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > > much about the significance.> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > > master.> > > > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > > present on earth.> > > > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > > valuable.> > > > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > > and darkness.> > > > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > > > Best regards,> > > > Narasimha> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > > > - > > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > > You said:> > > > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > > > -Regards> > > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a> > > > > copper one?> > > > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the> > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > > me.> > > > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine?> > > > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > > > * * *> > > > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > > trip.> > > > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > > > Best regards,> > > > Narasimha> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > > ---- -> > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ homam> > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > > wisdom> > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > > home..comcast. net> > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org> > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > > nath..org> > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > > ---- -> > > > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > > have few questions> > > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a> > > > > copper one?> > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the> > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine?> > > > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > > > Phani> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Be the first one to try the new Messenger 9 Beta! Go to http://in.messenger ./ win/> Get the world's best email - Xtra Mail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008  Namaste, 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as "aing hreeng" invariably misponounce them. The "g" becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say "aing" and abruptly stop just when you are about to say "g", without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. Instead of trying "aing hreeng" and messing it up, it is better to just say "aim hreem". * * * Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Ashwin Rawal Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvrRe: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting Fire Cc: "naaraayana_iyer" <narayan.iyerSaturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Narsimhaji Namaste Sir,regarding Chandi Path,does one have to read in sanskrit,or is it ok. to read in hindi? I have the Geeta Press book which has hindi translation too.I dont know much of sanskrit. Sunita. , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr wrote: > > Namaste, > > 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. > > 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. > > Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. > > However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. > > 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as " aing hreeng " invariably misponounce them. The " g " becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say " aing " and abruptly stop just when you are about to say " g " , without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. > > Instead of trying " aing hreeng " and messing it up, it is better to just say " aim hreem " . > > * * * > > Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. > > There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. > > Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. > > Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana > Spirituality: > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org > > > - > Ashwin Rawal > > Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM > Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam > > > Dear Narsimhaji > 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, > 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? > 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... > Thanks with respect. > Dr.Ashwin Rawal > > --- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr wrote: > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr > Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting Fire > > Cc: " naaraayana_iyer " <narayan.iyer > Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM > > > Namaste friends, > > Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan! > > * * * > > Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him. > > I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul.. > > * * * > > It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan. > > Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then. > > * * * > > A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident. > > One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said " good, go ahead and do it " . I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day. > > I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly " I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana. " > > He was absolutely right. As such, I was " proud " of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food! > > Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort. > > * * * > > I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth. > > When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said " Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities. " > > How true and wise! > > * * * > > Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of " I " ) within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment. > > Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves.. > > * * * > > Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal. > > The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- - > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- - > > ---- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > > Namaste Friends, > > > > Some ramblings ... > > > > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it > > happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one > > perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane > > matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know > > there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must > > be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is > > impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept. > > > > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for > > nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to > > him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged > > his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with > > Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also > > consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi > > Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking! > > When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then > > occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on > > the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took > > it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then > > reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely > > in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between > > an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally > > performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but > > never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he > > did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I > > felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up, > > instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really > > intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the > > way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided > > to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt > > believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his > > grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking > > baby-steps and making progress everyday. > > > > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping > > me progress. > > > > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We > > are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very > > first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives. > > Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ... > > plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen > > overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be > > the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you > > get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and > > move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank > > our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding > > us ... what would be life without them! > > > > Thanks for listening. > > Regards > > -Narayan- > > > > > > > > , " utpal pathak " <vedic_pathak@ ...> > > wrote: > > > > > > Namaste Garu !!! > > > > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > > >anything. > > > > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride. > > > > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji, > > > > > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp. > > > > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > > blazing. > > > > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > > repeated negligence. > > > > > > warm regards, > > > > > > utpal > > > > > > > > > , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly. > > > > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > > mind and continue. > > > > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination? > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak. > > > > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > > much about the significance. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy. > > > > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > > master. > > > > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > > present on earth. > > > > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god. > > > > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > > valuable. > > > > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > > and darkness. > > > > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > > You are doing it for god. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > > > - > > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji > > > > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > > You said: > > > > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > > middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished? > > > > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > > continuing with the homa. > > > > > > > > -Regards > > > > Rajarshi > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra > > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Cc: " Phanikumar Velaga " <itsverysimple@ > > > > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani, > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda. > > > > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras. > > > > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > > mantra. The word mantra means " one that protects the mind " .. One can > > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra. > > > > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly. > > > > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant. > > > > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam. > > > > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity. > > > > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > > me. > > > > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > > But any day is fine really. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > > trip. > > > > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > > told me, " Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > > our homam finishes " . I just smiled. > > > > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > > wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > > home..comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > > nath..org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Namasthe, > > > > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > > have few questions > > > > > regarding it. > > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > Phani > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 Dear Sir, In my journey of 60 years, somebody guided me like this with authority. I am really very much grateful to you sir. You have rightly said, lot of misunderstanding is there about Chandi Path. It is also stated in Chandi Path that it should be chanted loudly to get more benefits. Is it true? I am always reading within my mind without any lips movement.Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Thu, 11/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Date: Thursday, 11 December, 2008, 10:39 AM  Namaste, 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as "aing hreeng" invariably misponounce them. The "g" becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say "aing" and abruptly stop just when you are about to say "g", without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. Instead of trying "aing hreeng" and messing it up, it is better to just say "aim hreem". * * * Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net>Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting FireCc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com>Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Invite them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008  Namaste, Well, if you read it loud, others can hear you! That is not a bad thing after all. In general, chanting in the mind without sound is better. When doing a homam, some minimal sound is recommended. Even if there is some movement of lips or atleast of the vocal cords, that is enough. That is enough to make some vaikhari sound (physical vibration of air). When you rely on an external fire, the physical vibration of air (sound) forms a connection between you and fire. You use that fire then to create powerful subtle vibrations, far more powerful than what you can generate. When doing japam, internal chanting without lips or vocal cords having any movement is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is better that way. When relying on the internal fire alone, physical vibration of sound is not needed and avoiding it can help focus the energy and generate stronger subtle vibrations. * * * You were earlier asking about skipping some things vs doing everything fully, in Chandipath. An interesting experience happened in my daily Chandi homam in the very morning after I replied to you. I think it was a Chaturdasi morning. I finished the homam and was about to offer poornaahuti. There are a few Vedic mantras that I normally read before poornaahuti. The fire was burning very bright. I closed my eyes, kept the poornaahuti on my head and started to chant the mantras. But suddenly I got this palpable feeling that the Mother was standing in front of me in the fire and asking me to hurry up. It felt very strongly like she was saying "enough with those mantras. They do not matter now. Just give me the poornaahuti, NOW." I did not think much. I surrendered fully to Her as manifested in my mind. It may just be the imagination of a fool, but I surrendered to Her as She existed in my mind at that time. I left the standard mantras and just said "om aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche vaushat" and offered the dry coconut in fire with eyes closed still. With eyes closed still, I went into meditation immediately. I had a really nice meditation session. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Ashwin Rawal Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:14 AM Re: Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Sir, In my journey of 60 years, somebody guided me like this with authority. I am really very much grateful to you sir. You have rightly said, lot of misunderstanding is there about Chandi Path. It is also stated in Chandi Path that it should be chanted loudly to get more benefits. Is it true? I am always reading within my mind without any lips movement.Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Thu, 11/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Date: Thursday, 11 December, 2008, 10:39 AM  Namaste, 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as "aing hreeng" invariably misponounce them. The "g" becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say "aing" and abruptly stop just when you are about to say "g", without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. Instead of trying "aing hreeng" and messing it up, it is better to just say "aim hreem". * * * Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net>Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting FireCc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com>Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Dear Sir, We are really enjoying this discussion. To exchange our ideas and experiences is really exciting sometime. There was a time when I was doing Gayatri Mantra constantly. Now I am doing only Thakur's Dixa mantra and after reading your articles I have again started Chandi Path daily. We really experience some sort of energy within us. I will narrate one of my experiences. In 1976/77 I was reciting Chandi Path daily before Shri Thakur's Photo kept in the Pooja (worship)cupboard. I was closing that cupboard after worshipping. At that time I was living in a single room only as I was newly transferred from Dwarka to Ahmedabad. One day one lady of 35 came to me to show her horoscope. She was Gujarati but was living in USA. After some discussion on astrology she suddenly went to trance and started saying me that "I hear Mantras of Chandi Path from that corner. I see some white blue rays are coming from that cupboard." I was surprised to hear these words as my Pooja Cupboard was closed and she was not knowing that I was doing daily Chandi Path in that corner. She was also reading Auras and said to me that 'I am seeing Purple and Blue coloured Aura coming from your body.' I asked her how you got this knowledge? She said that she was chanting ' Om Gam Ganapataye Namah' Mantra constantly from her childhood. This experience made my faith towards Chandi Path more strong. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sun, 14/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Date: Sunday, 14 December, 2008, 11:45 AM  Namaste, Well, if you read it loud, others can hear you! That is not a bad thing after all. In general, chanting in the mind without sound is better. When doing a homam, some minimal sound is recommended. Even if there is some movement of lips or atleast of the vocal cords, that is enough. That is enough to make some vaikhari sound (physical vibration of air). When you rely on an external fire, the physical vibration of air (sound) forms a connection between you and fire. You use that fire then to create powerful subtle vibrations, far more powerful than what you can generate. When doing japam, internal chanting without lips or vocal cords having any movement is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is better that way. When relying on the internal fire alone, physical vibration of sound is not needed and avoiding it can help focus the energy and generate stronger subtle vibrations. * * * You were earlier asking about skipping some things vs doing everything fully, in Chandipath. An interesting experience happened in my daily Chandi homam in the very morning after I replied to you. I think it was a Chaturdasi morning. I finished the homam and was about to offer poornaahuti. There are a few Vedic mantras that I normally read before poornaahuti. The fire was burning very bright. I closed my eyes, kept the poornaahuti on my head and started to chant the mantras. But suddenly I got this palpable feeling that the Mother was standing in front of me in the fire and asking me to hurry up. It felt very strongly like she was saying "enough with those mantras. They do not matter now. Just give me the poornaahuti, NOW." I did not think much. I surrendered fully to Her as manifested in my mind. It may just be the imagination of a fool, but I surrendered to Her as She existed in my mind at that time. I left the standard mantras and just said "om aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche vaushat" and offered the dry coconut in fire with eyes closed still. With eyes closed still, I went into meditation immediately. I had a really nice meditation session. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:14 AM Re: Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Sir, In my journey of 60 years, somebody guided me like this with authority. I am really very much grateful to you sir. You have rightly said, lot of misunderstanding is there about Chandi Path. It is also stated in Chandi Path that it should be chanted loudly to get more benefits. Is it true? I am always reading within my mind without any lips movement.Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Thu, 11/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi HomamThursday, 11 December, 2008, 10:39 AM  Namaste, 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as "aing hreeng" invariably misponounce them. The "g" becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say "aing" and abruptly stop just when you are about to say "g", without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. Instead of trying "aing hreeng" and messing it up, it is better to just say "aim hreem". * * * Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net>Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting FireCc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com>Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Get rid of Add-Ons in your email ID. Get yourname. Sign up now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008  Namaste Sir, Thakur himself loved Chandi path and taught it to many of his sishyas including Vivekananda. Of course, praying to Thakur is also good as done by many Thakur devotees today. However, when Thakur was alive, he told his disciples mantras of various deities. He would give Kaali mantra to one, Krishna mantra to one, Raama to one, Shiva to one and so on, based on their previous conditioning. But Chandi path was one common thing most of his direct disciples knew very well. * * * The experience you mentioned is very interesting. It shows what constant repetition of a mantra can do. I have seen some people with that kind of ability. When I was doing meditation once, a priest came to my house. He was talking to other people in another room.When I came out of pooja room and joined them, he asked me if I was doing mantra of a specific deity. I was. It is a deity I usually do not meditate on. He just felt the vibrations relating to that deity and asked me. The same priest came to my house another time. I showed him the place I was doing Chandi homam. However, before moving to that place, I was doing it in a different place. I had also done a lot of other sadhana in that old place. Though that place was empty now and had no indications of any sadhana, he just walked to that place, stood there and said "there are very good vibrations here." I told him that I was doing homam there previously and moved recently. * * * Such abilities are given by nature to those whom nature wants to use for certain purposes. Those are useful for instilling faith in people. But those are neither necessary nor sufficient for self-realization, which should be the final goal of sadhana. One should accept all abilities and experiences that nature gives, without *wishing for* any specific ability or experience and without *running away* from anything. One should also not let anything that the nature gives to interfere with the final goal and become an obstruction. Something becomes an obstruction when one becomes attached to it and lets ego to increase. * * * We were talking about doing Chandipath fully vs skipping some things like kavacha, argala and keelaka. I know a young boy who experienced something special in his very first Chandi homam. He just did saptashloki (7 verses) instead of saptashati (700 verses) because he is small and uncomfortable with Sanskrit. After he finished the short Chandi homam ritual with some guidance, we both sat down to meditate as the poornaahuti was burning. In the middle of my meditation, I felt a very powerful energy and jolted out of my meditation by it. I looked at the boy to see what he was doing. He was not meditating. His eyes were wide open and he was gazing above the fire in amazement. Later, after we wrapped up everything and were getting up, he told me what happened. He said he saw Vishnu's ten incarnations above the fire, with his naked eyes. He is a small boy and has no reason to make things up. Moreover, though I did not see anything with my eyes, I did perceive a powerful presence at the same time during my meditation. So I can believe him. Which specific mantras you read, whether you read everything or some things, whether your ritual is perfect or not are all secondary to how pure and sincere your heart is and how complete your sense of surrender is. Naturally, small children have a higher level of purity and sincerity than we grownups and they can experience faster. Children are mostly simple, while we grownups are complicated beasts of bloated egos. * * * I want to mention another episode related that boy. Once I asked him, "getting what thing will make you very happy right now? If Shiva appears in front of you right now and tells you to ask for a boon, what will you ask for?" He pondered for a few seconds and calmly replied, "there are some things that will make me very happy right now. But, if I get them now, I may get bored of them later. Or they may break later. Or other things may come later that I like more. So I may not remain happy later. Instead, if I ask Shiva to change and fix my mind so that it is always happy with what I have, I can remain happy always." In my view, that kid's vision of Vishnu's ten incarnations over fire is less important than the above realization. More than getting experiences, it is important to gain wisdom, clarity of thinking and purity. One child with well-developed muscles and nerves may still take longer to start walking. Another child with not-so-well-developed muscles and nerves may start walking earlier and even possibly damage his legs. What that small boy mentioned is very wise. Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Ashwin Rawal Cc: rawalketan Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:21 AM Re: Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Sir, We are really enjoying this discussion. To exchange our ideas and experiences is really exciting sometime. There was a time when I was doing Gayatri Mantra constantly. Now I am doing only Thakur's Dixa mantra and after reading your articles I have again started Chandi Path daily. We really experience some sort of energy within us. I will narrate one of my experiences. In 1976/77 I was reciting Chandi Path daily before Shri Thakur's Photo kept in the Pooja (worship)cupboard. I was closing that cupboard after worshipping. At that time I was living in a single room only as I was newly transferred from Dwarka to Ahmedabad. One day one lady of 35 came to me to show her horoscope. She was Gujarati but was living in USA. After some discussion on astrology she suddenly went to trance and started saying me that "I hear Mantras of Chandi Path from that corner. I see some white blue rays are coming from that cupboard." I was surprised to hear these words as my Pooja Cupboard was closed and she was not knowing that I was doing daily Chandi Path in that corner. She was also reading Auras and said to me that 'I am seeing Purple and Blue coloured Aura coming from your body.' I asked her how you got this knowledge? She said that she was chanting ' Om Gam Ganapataye Namah' Mantra constantly from her childhood. This experience made my faith towards Chandi Path more strong. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sun, 14/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Date: Sunday, 14 December, 2008, 11:45 AM  Namaste, Well, if you read it loud, others can hear you! That is not a bad thing after all. In general, chanting in the mind without sound is better. When doing a homam, some minimal sound is recommended. Even if there is some movement of lips or atleast of the vocal cords, that is enough. That is enough to make some vaikhari sound (physical vibration of air). When you rely on an external fire, the physical vibration of air (sound) forms a connection between you and fire. You use that fire then to create powerful subtle vibrations, far more powerful than what you can generate. When doing japam, internal chanting without lips or vocal cords having any movement is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is better that way. When relying on the internal fire alone, physical vibration of sound is not needed and avoiding it can help focus the energy and generate stronger subtle vibrations. * * * You were earlier asking about skipping some things vs doing everything fully, in Chandipath. An interesting experience happened in my daily Chandi homam in the very morning after I replied to you. I think it was a Chaturdasi morning. I finished the homam and was about to offer poornaahuti. There are a few Vedic mantras that I normally read before poornaahuti. The fire was burning very bright. I closed my eyes, kept the poornaahuti on my head and started to chant the mantras. But suddenly I got this palpable feeling that the Mother was standing in front of me in the fire and asking me to hurry up. It felt very strongly like she was saying "enough with those mantras. They do not matter now. Just give me the poornaahuti, NOW." I did not think much. I surrendered fully to Her as manifested in my mind. It may just be the imagination of a fool, but I surrendered to Her as She existed in my mind at that time. I left the standard mantras and just said "om aim hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche vaushat" and offered the dry coconut in fire with eyes closed still. With eyes closed still, I went into meditation immediately. I had a really nice meditation session. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:14 AM Re: Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Sir, In my journey of 60 years, somebody guided me like this with authority. I am really very much grateful to you sir. You have rightly said, lot of misunderstanding is there about Chandi Path. It is also stated in Chandi Path that it should be chanted loudly to get more benefits. Is it true? I am always reading within my mind without any lips movement.Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Thu, 11/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi HomamThursday, 11 December, 2008, 10:39 AM  Namaste, 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as "aing hreeng" invariably misponounce them. The "g" becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say "aing" and abruptly stop just when you are about to say "g", without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. Instead of trying "aing hreeng" and messing it up, it is better to just say "aim hreem". * * * Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - Ashwin Rawal Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... Thanks with respect. Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net>Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re-igniting FireCc: "naaraayana_ iyer" <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com>Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM Namaste friends,Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan!* * *Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him.I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul..* * *It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan.Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then.* * *A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident.One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said "good, go ahead and do it". I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day.I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly "I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana."He was absolutely right. As such, I was "proud" of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food!Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort.* * *I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth.When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said "Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities."How true and wise!* * *Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of "I") within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment.Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves..* * *Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal.The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > Namaste Friends,> > Some ramblings ...> > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it> happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one> perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane> matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know> there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must> be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is> impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept.> > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for> nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to> him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged> his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with> Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also> consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi> Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking!> When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then> occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on> the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took> it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then> reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely> in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between> an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally> performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but> never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he> did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I> felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up,> instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really> intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the> way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided> to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt> believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his> grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking> baby-steps and making progress everyday.> > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping> me progress.> > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We> are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very> first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives.> Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ...> plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen> overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be> the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you> get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and> move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank> our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding> us ... what would be life without them!> > Thanks for listening.> Regards> -Narayan-> > > > , "utpal pathak" <vedic_pathak@ ...>> wrote:> >> > Namaste Garu !!!> > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > >anything.> > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride.> > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji,> > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp.> > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > blazing.> > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > repeated negligence. > > > > warm regards,> > > > utpal> > > > > > , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr@> > > wrote:> > >> > > Namaste,> > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly.> > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > mind and continue.> > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination?> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak.> > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > much about the significance.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy.> > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > master.> > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > present on earth.> > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god.> > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > valuable.> > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > and darkness.> > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > You are doing it for god.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > - > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji> > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > You said:> > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > middle of a homam.> > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished?> > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > continuing with the homa.> > > > > > -Regards> > > Rajarshi> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra> > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote:> > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@>> > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam> > > > > > Cc: "Phanikumar Velaga" <itsverysimple@ >> > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM> > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani,> > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam.> > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda.> > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras.> > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > mantra. The word mantra means "one that protects the mind".. One can > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra.> > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly.> > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant.> > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam.> > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity.> > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > me.> > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > But any day is fine really.> > > > > > * * *> > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > trip.> > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > told me, "Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > our homam finishes". I just smiled.> > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on.> > > > > > Best regards,> > > Narasimha> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ homam> > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org/ tarpana> > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > wisdom> > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > home..comcast. net> > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > rologer.org> > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > nath..org> > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -----> > ---- -> > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Namasthe,> > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > have few questions> > > > regarding it.> > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3-> > floors) ? Can a homam> > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > used instead of a> > > > copper one?> > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > should one repeat the> > > > mantras mentally along with the audio?> > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > conditions/niyamas that> > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food?> > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > fine?> > > > > > > > Thanks!> > > > > > > > Phani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 , Ashwin Rawal <ashwinrawal wrote: > > Dear Sir, > We are really enjoying this discussion. To exchange our ideas and experiences is really exciting sometime. There was a time when I was doing Gayatri Mantra constantly. Now I am doing only Thakur's Dixa mantra and after reading your articles I have again started Chandi Path daily. We really experience some sort of energy within us. > I will narrate one of my experiences. In 1976/77 I was reciting Chandi Path daily before Shri Thakur's Photo kept in the Pooja (worship)cupboard. I was closing that cupboard after worshipping. At that time I was living in a single room only as I was newly transferred from Dwarka to Ahmedabad. One day one lady of 35 came to me to show her horoscope. She was Gujarati but was living in USA. After some discussion on astrology she suddenly went to trance and started saying me that " I hear Mantras of Chandi Path from that corner. I see some white blue rays are coming from that cupboard. " I was surprised to hear these words as my Pooja Cupboard was closed and she was not knowing that I was doing daily Chandi Path in that corner. She was also reading Auras and said to me that 'I am seeing Purple and Blue coloured Aura coming from your body.' > I asked her how you got this knowledge? She said that she was chanting ' Om Gam Ganapataye Namah' Mantra constantly from her childhood. > This experience made my faith towards Chandi Path more strong. > Dr.Ashwin Rawal > > --- On Sun, 14/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: > > Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr > Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam > > Sunday, 14 December, 2008, 11:45 AM  > Namaste, >  > Well, if you read it loud, others can hear you! That is not a bad thing after all. >  > In general, chanting in the mind without sound is better. >  > When doing a homam, some minimal sound is recommended. Even if there is some movement of lips or atleast of the vocal cords, that is enough. That is enough to make some vaikhari sound (physical vibration of air). When you rely on an external fire, the physical vibration of air (sound) forms a connection between you and fire. You use that fire then to create powerful subtle vibrations, far more powerful than what you can generate. >  > > When doing japam, internal chanting without lips or vocal cords having any movement is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it is better that way. When relying on the internal fire alone, physical vibration of sound is not needed and avoiding it can help focus the energy and generate stronger subtle vibrations. >  > *       *       * >  > You were earlier asking about skipping some things vs doing everything fully, in Chandipath. An interesting experience happened in my daily Chandi homam in the very morning after I replied to you. I think it was a Chaturdasi morning. I finished the homam and was about to offer poornaahuti. There are a few Vedic mantras that I normally read before poornaahuti. The fire was burning very bright. I closed my eyes, kept the poornaahuti on my head and started to chant the mantras. But suddenly I got this palpable feeling that the Mother was standing in front of me in the fire and asking me to hurry up. It felt very strongly like she was saying " enough with those mantras. They do not matter now. Just give me the poornaahuti, NOW. " I did not think much. I surrendered fully to Her as manifested in my mind. It may just be the imagination of a fool, but I surrendered to Her as She existed in my mind at that time. I left the standard mantras and just said " om aim > hreem kleem chaamundaayai vichche vaushat " and offered the dry coconut in fire with eyes closed still. With eyes closed still, I went into meditation immediately. I had a really nice meditation session. >  Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- > > > - > Ashwin Rawal > > Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:14 AM > Re: Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam >  > > > > > Dear Sir, > In my journey of 60 years, somebody guided me like this with authority. I am really very much grateful to you sir. You have rightly said, lot of misunderstanding is there about Chandi Path. > It is also stated in Chandi Path that it should be chanted loudly to get more benefits. Is it true? I am always reading within my mind without any lips movement. > > Dr.Ashwin Rawal > > --- On Thu, 11/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: > > Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> > Re: Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam > > Thursday, 11 December, 2008, 10:39 AM > > > > >  > Namaste, >  > 1. The instruction was to spread homam and create a community of sadhakas across the world who worship various deities in fire. It can be any deities. >  > 2. The beauty of Chandi Path is that it instills a great sense of discipline in one. Even 13 chapters take a long time, without anyting before or after. >  > Kavacha, argala, keelaka, raatri sooktam, nyasas and moola mantra are recommended before, while nyasas, moola mantra and devi sooktam are recommended after. >  > However, in my humble opinion, nothing is really compulsory. Doing just the 13 chapters everyday can be very powerful after a while. I see nothing wrong in it. >  > 3. Both are correct and work differently. However, those who try who pronounce the beeja mantras as " aing hreeng " invariably misponounce them. The " g " becomes explicit. Ideally, you should start pronouncing as though you are going to say " aing " and abruptly stop just when you are about to say " g " , without saying it. It is not easy to pronounce this correctly. >  > Instead of trying " aing hreeng " and messing it up, it is better to just say " aim hreem " . >  > *       *       * >  > Internal purity and lack (or minimization) of individualized ego is the key in any sadhana. Thousands of hours of sadhana without them is fruitless. One who is pure and has a very limited ego achieves results quickly. >  > There is a lot of misinformation and unfounded fears that are spread regarding Chandi path. Do not worry about them. >  > Eating an elaborate set of appetizers and desserts before and after a meal may be recommended. But one can get indigestion from it too. If the meal itself is correct for you, go ahead and enjoy it without appetizers or dessert! Whatever you eat, eat it happily and positively to get the most energy from it. Similarly, read whatever you read with a sense of surrender and limited ego. >  > Instead of doing everything with a lower focus, it is better to just do 13 chapters with a higher focus. >  > Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- ---- > > > - > Ashwin Rawal > > Tuesday, December 09, 2008 6:51 AM > Maha Ganapati Homam/Chandi Homam Dear Narsimhaji > 1.Since I have joined this group before some couple of months, some previous mails I have not read. You have mentioned somewhere that Manishji was inspired from Mother to start Homam daily. I would like to know whether it was for Maha Ganapati Homam too or only Chandi Homam?, > 2.Please also guide me whether really we should read Chandi Path or Sapta Sati Stotra with Devi Kavacha, Argala, Kilak and Ratri Suktam before 13 Adhyayas and Devi Sukta, etc in the end ? Suppose we recite only 13 Adhyayas only after Sankalpam-will it not be sufficient in daily routine worship? Or it is compulsory? > 3. Can you guide me the proper uttering of Beej Mantras in Navarna Mantra? some say it is Aing, Hring, Kling.... and some say it is Aim, Hrim, Klim...... > Thanks with respect. > Dr.Ashwin Rawal > > --- On Sat, 6/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr (AT) charter (DOT) net> > Re: Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam / Re- igniting Fire > > Cc: " naaraayana_ iyer " <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> > Saturday, 6 December, 2008, 5:03 AM > > > > > Namaste friends, > > Excellent and inspirational writeup Narayan! > > * * * > > Earlier, I mentioned the Mother's instruction to Manish when She appeared in front of him at the temple in Chennai during Shata Chandi homam, to spread the practice of regular homam around the world. However, Manish did not reveal that incident to me until much later. All he told me at that time was that Narayan really needed to do homam everyday and that I should teach a simple procedure to him. > > I experimented with homam, started doing occasionally and liked it. I started doing a quick procedure everyday. After doing it daily for a few months, I finally got down to the original task - teaching Narayan. I chose to write a detailed manual for that purpose. In hindsight, I made the correct choice, as many people in addition to Narayan are able to do homam using the manual now! I and many other people have benefited (and will benefit). However, as far as my mind concerned, all this started for Narayan! When it was time for Narayan to start doing homam, many people across the world started with him. What a fortunate soul.. > > * * * > > It was probably for a reason that Manish did not tell me at the onset itself what the Mother asked him to do. My attitude and mental state would've been different while working on the manual. I would've been more egoistic and also hurried more. Because the only thing I was told was to teach Narayan, I took my sweet time, arrived at the correct balance and also wrote it down without many pretensions. The whole effort ended up being more saattwik and I really benefited from the exercise. If I had known the full story, it would have had more rajas given my mental state then and I would not have had made the same progress I made, while preparing myself to teach homam to Narayan. > > Manish told me the full story only when I was better prepared to handle the information and, of course, I added it to the preface of the manual as asked by him then. > > * * * > > A good guru protects a sishya from unnecessary information that can wreak havoc with the ego. I remember another incident. > > One day in the spring of the same year, I decided to spend a whole day meditating with Gayatri mantra during the coming weekend. The inspiration came out of nowhere and I immediately latched on to it. When I told Manish, he only said " good, go ahead and do it " . I started before sunrise and went on till 9:30 pm. Except for 3-4 breaks of 2 min, a 20 min break at noon for bath and a small lunch and another 10 min break for another bath at dusk, I was basically sitting in the same place and meditating with Gayatri mantra. It was a very good experience. I was in a very nice state at the end of the day. > > I noticed on the next day that the previous day was Akshaya Triteeya (Vaisakha Sukla Triteeya). It is considered a very auspicious day and it is believed that spiritual sadhana on that day is 1000 times more powerful than on other days. Though I had not noticed it before, I picked a perfect day for the sadhana. I was excited. When I mentioned this to Manish with excitement a few days later, he said calmly " I knew it earlier itself. But I did not tell you because knowing it would've distracted you. You would have been excited at doing the sadhana on Akshaya Triteeya and that excitement would've changed the mental focus and brought more rajas into the sadhana. " > > He was absolutely right. As such, I was " proud " of doing such a sadhana. The ego and pride brought rajas and limited the mental focus on the mantra. If I was aware that I was doing this sadhana on a powerful day, it would've increased the pride and excitement, brought in rajas and reduced the saattwik focus on mantra further. Ego is a very dangerous entity. Even after one makes excellent progress, it can suddenly return and pull one down! After hearing Manish's words, I introspected and found that my ego was still alive and kicking and that he was wise not to feed it with more delicious food! > > Lucky are those who have a guru who can succintly tell them what is useful rather than what sounds good. Lucky are those who have a guru (or someone else) who can go to the heart of their problem and point it out, so that they can weed it out through further introspection and weaken it through conscious effort. > > * * * > > I remember one more similar incident. Before the shata chandi homam in early 2006, a priest we respect a lot took me to a Siddha (a perfected/advanced soul). When he looked at me, he mentioned the name of one of the saptarshis and said that I very close to him and that I would do some important work in this birth. > > When I saw Manish later that day, I mentioned this to him. He immediately became serious and said " Narasimha, do you need one more identity? Your ego is already strong with the identity of 'Narasimha, the Sanskrit scholar', 'Narasimha, the astrologer', 'Narasimha, the engineer', 'Narasimha, the spiritual seeker' etc. It will take great effort to overcome those identities and find True Self. As if that challenge is not sufficient, do you really need yet another new identity to feed your ego further? See, what he said may very well be correct. But it is not useful for your progress. You have to rise above all identities. " > > How true and wise! > > * * * > > Just as a fat and mighty dog may win over a lean and weak dog and get all the food given by the master, ahamkara (ego or the sense of " I " ) within us wins over the spirit of detachment and gets all the energy possible. Just as a good master may chain the fat dog and feed the lean dog specially, we too must consciously try to restrain ego and increase detachment. > > Manish has a unique way of looking at things and some simple points he made brought so much clarity to my thinking and sped up my spiritual evolution in this life. Even without giving any specific mantra to me, like many spiritual gurus do, he lit the lamp of knowledge in my heart. He would say the lamp and light were already there and he simply wiped the dust on the lamp that was blocking the light. That is what a good guru does. He/She wipes off the thick layer of dirt (conditioning by gunas) on the glass (ego) that encloses the lamp (Self) that is lit in the heart. Sometimes, we may be too caught up to notice that dirt ourselves.. > > * * * > > Homam and other spiritual sadhana tools are very helpful. But one should also try to introspect and change one's thinking, on an ongoing basis. There is no magic pill. For most people, this does not take just a single moment or day or month or year. It CAN take a long time. As Narayan indicated, one should start walking on the path and not worry about the progress and the distance left. One who keeps walking without distractions will reach the goal. > > The point I want to emphasize is that the external rituals (like homam) and the internal introspection (to change attitude) should go hand in hand. After a while, there will be synergy between them and they will start to work together very effectively. > > Best regards, > Narasimha > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > ---- naaraayana_iyer <narayan.iyer@ gmail.com> wrote: > > Namaste Friends, > > > > Some ramblings ... > > > > Regarding fire getting extinguished (or anything similar to it), it > > happens with all beginners and its only practice which makes one > > perfect. Most of us assume that this is only applicable in mundane > > matters. This is applicable in the path of spirituality too. I know > > there are people who think that any affair/process related to God must > > be done perfectly. Honestly ... unless one is an adept, this is > > impossible and only repeated and sincere attempts makes one an adept. > > > > Reminds me of the great Kalidasa who worshipped Goddess Mahakali for > > nine lives and he was born a dunce in his tenth and she appeared to > > him in his 10th lifetime, when his sadhana was complete and he banged > > his head out of sheer frustration. Imagine!!! In Kaliyuga, along with > > Homa, surrendering to ones chosen deity is the best path for most. > > > > Let me share one incident, when Narasimha's spiritual Guru whom I also > > consider my Guru, asked me (when we were in Chennai for Shata Chandi > > Homa) to learn Mahaganapthi homam, I thought he was really joking! > > When I got back to the US, he called me again and reminded me. It then > > occured to me he was really being serious. So, I started searching on > > the net and I found a really flimsy document, but nevertheless I took > > it up and performed it. But, I was not satisfied. Manishji then > > reminded me of the book he gifted me, but even in that it was entirely > > in Samskrit and illiterate that I am, I couldn't distinguish between > > an instruction and sloka . Around this time, Narasimha occasionally > > performed a longer version of the homam and I particpated in it, but > > never could grasp it. I then asked Narasimha to guide me, which he > > did, but still it did not get through my really dense brains . I > > felt really helpless, but the stars were such that I never gave up, > > instead I made a sincere prayer to Lord Ganesha, that If he really > > intends that I perform the homa, then he should kindly show me the > > way. In around two weeks time, Narasimha told me that he has decided > > to document the Laghu (Short) paddhati of the homa. I just couldnt > > believe my luck and thanked the Elephant-headed omnipotent for his > > grace. Well ... its been exactly 2yrs and I am still at it taking > > baby-steps and making progress everyday. > > > > I thank Manishji, Narasimha and the all the divine forces for helping > > me progress. > > > > My request, pls dont give it up, persist with it no matter what. We > > are humans and prone to mistakes. But then nobody got perfect the very > > first time, unless he has worked on it a lot in his previous lives. > > Its all a continuum. Dont worry about time, we have future lives ... > > plenty of time. These things take their own sweet time, doesnt happen > > overnight. No matter what, complete your homa everyday, that should be > > the primary goal ... nothing else. Pls dont waver from it, whether you > > get or dont get anything. Slowly we'll progress in our Sadhana and > > move on to higher things. I wish all the best. We should really thank > > our stars that people like Manishji and Narasimhaji are here guiding > > us ... what would be life without them! > > > > Thanks for listening. > > Regards > > -Narayan- > > > > > > > > , " utpal pathak " <vedic_pathak@ ...> > > wrote: > > > > > > Namaste Garu !!! > > > > > > >A servant carrying a million dollar check to the bank and cashing it > > > >is NOT superior to a servant carrying a $100 check to the bank and > > > >cashing it. Both are merely doing their master's work and do not own > > > >anything. > > > > > > from where such a telling analogy comes out? it was too good and > > > explains lot of things w.r.t. pride. > > > > > > Namaste Rajarshi ji, > > > > > > > > > today when i offered Purnahuti (Dry Half Coconut) the fire was about > > > to extinguish. when such things happen, i take a couple of Camphor > > > peice (square or round shape) put it in homa kund and light it by > > > some external stick lighted from a ghee-lamp. > > > > > > during Homam- 1) I keep vigile that fire remains always sufficiently > > > blazing. > > > > > > 2) if still in case if it extinguishes, i lit it again with Camphor > > > pieces and carry on without worrying about anything as if nothing has > > > happenned. MahaGanapati for sure will not be unhappy even if such a > > > thing happenned even after careful conduct..but NOT on account of > > > repeated negligence. > > > > > > warm regards, > > > > > > utpal > > > > > > > > > , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao " <pvr@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > Namaste, > > > > > > > > Narayan has already answered aptly. > > > > > > > > It is ideal if the fire does not go off in the middle. But, if it > > > does, don't worry. Re-ignite it as Narayan said, pray to Agni in the > > > mind and continue. > > > > > > > > Suppose a servant is asked by his master to carry a vessel of milk > > > to a place without spilling it on the way. Suppose a little milk is > > > spilled on the way. What should he do? Should he abandon the project > > > or atleast carry the remaining milk to the destination? > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > As Narayan said, fire going away can signal the bhutagni being weak. > > > > > > > > But, one is better off ignoring those things and not thinking too > > > much about the significance. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > I recommend doing homam without worrying about how well or badly it > > > went and what results it brought. Let me give an analogy. > > > > > > > > Think of your favorite deity as the master and yourself as a > > > servant. A servant simply serves the master. Similarly, all the > > > sadhana you do and your other activities are your way to serve your > > > master. > > > > > > > > A rich landlord may be very wealthy and have many big checks > > > everyday to cash and also many big checks everyday to mail others. > > > Yet, he may need a servant to physically carry papers to the bank and > > > do the needful. Similarly, god is capable of doing anything in this > > > world and yet god needs human beings who execute god's agenda in this > > > world. That is why various gods (including Vishnu himself) and > > > various rishis keep coming back to earth every now and then. The > > > supreme god of this world operates through various physical persons > > > present on earth. > > > > > > > > We do homam and other spiritual sadhana, purify ourselves and try > > > to help others, because that is god's work. Just as a servant carries > > > master's papers to the bank, we do such work for god. > > > > > > > > Doing what is applauded by others as good work tends to promote ego > > > and we need to guard against it. A servant carrying a million dollar > > > check to the bank and cashing it is NOT superior to a servant > > > carrying a $100 check to the bank and cashing it. Both are merely > > > doing their master's work and do not own anything. Both are just > > > *instruments* used by the master to carry out his agenda. Similarly, > > > one who does what are considered great deeds in this world and one > > > who does what are considered meagre deeds in this world are both > > > servants of god helping god execute god's agenda in this world. > > > Neither really owns anything. One may consider oneself superior to > > > the other because his/her deeds are considered superior by the world, > > > but he/she is just as foolish as a servant who considers > > > himself/herself superior to another servant carrying something less > > > valuable. > > > > > > > > If this attitude of being a servant of god fully penetrates one's > > > attitude, thinking and instincts, one is safe no matter what > > > situations his previous karmas place one in. One can remain happy and > > > blissful in pleasure and pain, in praise and criticism and in light > > > and darkness. > > > > > > > > Have the same attitude towards your sadhana like homam. It is a job > > > you are doing for god. You do the best you can. But you own nothing. > > > You are doing it for god. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - > > > > > > > > - > > > > rajarshi nandy > > > > > > > > Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:47 AM > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Dear Narasimhaji > > > > > > > > Reading your response another question came into my mind. > > > You said: > > > > > > > > It is not good if fire is extinguished by rain in the > > > middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Is it not good that the fire gets extinguished by rain, or > > > the fact that the fire is getting extinguished? > > > > > > > > I mean actyually i feel when someone starts doing homa > > > regularly, there can be instances when the homa agni gets > > > extinguished while the homa is still on..happened with me couple of > > > times... i seriously dont knbow what to make of it but as one member > > > in this list had suggested to me, i relight the fire and keep > > > continuing with the homa. > > > > > > > > -Regards > > > > Rajarshi > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra > > > > > > > > > > > > --- On Thu, 4/12/08, Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> wrote: > > > > > > > > Narasimha PVR Rao <pvr@> > > > > Re: Regarding Maha Ganapati Homam > > > > > > > > Cc: " Phanikumar Velaga " <itsverysimple@ > > > > > Thursday, 4 December, 2008, 6:48 AM > > > > > > > > > > > > Namaste Phani, > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > > > > Yes, you can do it on a rooftop. Doing it in the open is > > > actually better than doing it in closed space. But realize that a > > > rain can cause problems. Keep an umbrella around to protect the fire > > > if it rains while you are doing homam. It is not good if fire is > > > extinguished by rain in the middle of a homam. > > > > > > > > Yes, you can construct a homa kundam with bricks and sand > > > at the bottom. Use a square shaped huma kunda. > > > > > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > > > > One can repeat mentally while listening attentively (not > > > casually). Actually, even listening to mantras with all the attention > > > focused is as powerful as saying mantras. > > > > > > > > Suppose person X is chanting a mantra and thinking of > > > some mundane matter in the mind. Suppose person Y is listening to it > > > with focus and thinking of the mantra and its deity. Then the mantra > > > may do nothing for person X and yet person Y may benefit from the > > > mantra. The word mantra means " one that protects the mind " .. One can > > > say a mantra or listen to a mantra, to be protected. The key is > > > control over the mind and keeping the mind focused on the mantra. > > > > > > > > However, there is a difference between meditation and > > > homam. Mantra is submitted in the internal fire in meditation and it > > > is submitted in the external fire as well in a homam. So making some > > > external sound (even if feeble) is a good idea as opposed to silent > > > chanting or just listening. Try to repeat slowly. > > > > > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > > > > Yes. Anybody whose upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) > > > has been performed can do it. Bachelor or married is irrelevant. > > > > > > > > One should follow the yamas and niyamas set by one's > > > guru. Whatever rules one's guru sets, one should follow them > > > strictly. At the minimum, one should eat only vegetarian food on the > > > day of homam and take a bath before homam. Another rule I will > > > recommend is to avoid eating any solid food 2 hours before homam. > > > > > > > > By the way, if one without a sacred thread wants to do > > > homam for spiritual progress, I am willing to take responsibility and > > > allow them to do it. Such a person can think of me or my guru as guru > > > and perform homam. I am willing to take on any karma incurred in the > > > process until the person crosses some minimum threshhold of purity > > > through homam and other spiritual practices. Sacred thread or no > > > sacred thread, mantropadesa or no mantropadesa, it does not matter > > > after a while, when the person crosses a threshhold of purity. The > > > goal of upanayanam and other mantropadesa by guru is to speed this up > > > and make the person cross the threshhold of purity. > > > > > > > > As long as one desires no specific material benefits (and > > > ready to receive whatever god gives) and does homam for spiritual > > > progress, I am willing to help, even if it means some suffering for > > > me. > > > > > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > For Mahaganapathi homam, the best is a Chaturthi morning. > > > But any day is fine really. > > > > > > > > * * * > > > > > > > > Mentioning rain and rooftop homam reminded me of my India > > > trip. > > > > > > > > When I went to India in May 2008, I and my guru Manish > > > traveled together to several places (on a specific project). We ended > > > up doing homam in the morning in several places (wherever we were). > > > Before the trip, my guru told me to carry an umbrella with me. As > > > monsoons come only in June/July in India, I did not take it > > > seriously. We were in New Delhi in mid-May.. We proceeded to the > > > rooftop of the apartment complex we were in, to do a homam. Manish > > > told me, " Narasimha, it is going to rain heavily in this city after > > > our homam finishes " . I just smiled. > > > > > > > > To my surprise, it did rain as soon as our homas > > > finished. After we offered poornaahuti, it suddenly started raining > > > with really big drops. Luckily, there was a small towel/blanket on > > > the rooftop close to us. Together, we held it on top of the two small > > > homa kundas, closed our eyes and meditated. We held the cloth cover > > > on the homa kundas until fire in the two homa kundas went off and > > > then packed everything and went down. We left for Kurukshetra later > > > that day, but we were told that a heavy rain continued for a few days > > > in New Delhi. In fact, rain followed us on that trip as we covered > > > the north, east and west of India. It rained in every place we went > > > to, as we finished our task in that place and prepared to move on. > > > > > > > > Best regards, > > > > Narasimha > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ homam > > > > Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org/ tarpana > > > > Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- > > > wisdom > > > > Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. > > > home..comcast. net > > > > Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst > > > rologer.org > > > > Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan > > > nath..org > > > > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ----- > > > ---- - > > > > > > > > ---- Phanikumar Velaga <itsverysimple@ gmail.com> wrote: > > > > > Namasthe, > > > > > > > > > > I am interested in doing Maha Ganapati Homam daily, and > > > have few questions > > > > > regarding it. > > > > > > > > > > 1)Can Homam be performed on the roof top of a house(3- > > > floors) ? Can a homam > > > > > kundam made by arranging red bricks, with sand base be > > > used instead of a > > > > > copper one? > > > > > 2)While performing the Homam using the mp3 audio file, > > > should one repeat the > > > > > mantras mentally along with the audio? > > > > > 3)Can bachelors do Maha Ganapati Homam? Any Other > > > conditions/niyamas that > > > > > should be followed apart from having vegeterain food? > > > > > 4)Any good date to start the Homam? or any day would be > > > fine? > > > > > > > > > > Thanks! > > > > > > > > > > Phani > > > > > > > > > Get rid of Add-Ons in your email ID. Get yourname Sign up now! http://in.promos./address > Namaste............ I had been reciting Chandi Path not every day but on ashtami or navami and while reciting a brilliant blue light would appear in the text. During the chapter where Kalika comes out of the third eye a golden light with red aura would appear. I was not reciting every day, however these lights would appear during my daily routines, work, interactions with others, etc, as if Mother was reminding me of her presence in all my daily affairs. How could I be such a dunce so as to get involved with so many other mantras and dilute the pure shakti that comes as a result of reciting Chandi? I have been following these mails and I feel grateful to you gentlemen for your faith and wisdom. Warm Regards.................Ajaya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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