Vande Gurunam Caranaravinde

Reverence to the Gurus' Lotus Feet

by Manorama

Meaning of July 

Each year we celebrate the full moon of the guru known as Guru-Purnima.  This celebration is marked in July because in India the rainy season happens at that time.  It is said that teachers and students can’t easily move when the heavy rains come so the opportunity to bond and set a good course of study together is present during this time of year.  It is for this reason that July has become known as the month of the guru.  

The Lotus Feet 

During my time with Guru ji whenever I would move to touch his feet in the traditional manner of a student, he would hug me instead. As time went on I would say to him “But Guru ji I am your cela, I want to have the dust of your lotus feet I have my rights.” This made him chuckle a bit and he would say, “ok ok.” 

But what does it all mean? What does touching the feet signify? In India, children are born into a cultural system where they touch the feet of their parents or some respected elder. I am not sure if at times they even know why, it is simply woven into the culture. But with the guru the teaching is as follows: In most people the head is the highest seat of consciousness and the feet are the lowest, but in an enlightened being, the head and the feet are synonymous.  Moreover, to obtain the dust is symbolic of receiving the light.  There is also the cultural significance, which is that in the Indian culture this is how you show respect. The idea is you bow down your being to That and you trust in That. In such surrender and trust, you bridge a depth of teaching that is obtained no other way, and is quite beautiful. 

Of course many westerners are highly uncomfortable with this gesture seeing it as a kind of deference and submission of self to another. In some cases, they are right to feel that such submission may be dangerous. For these reasons, it is my feeling that there should be no force or expectation for such a gesture especially within our western world. However it would also be wise to apply no stigma to those who feel drawn to engage this movement.  From my own engagement and what I've observed in my life and practice, it is a very personal gesture. 

Mantras & The Value of Surrender

Many mantras praise the gurus lotus feet.  If the phrase is not something you care for, you can always translate it as; We respect and honor the light that comes through the teacher and to that we bow. The meaning of these lines is really that they are instructing the reader or chanter to be absorbed in surrender. There is a necessity of letting down one’s ego in order to enter the teachings more deeply. That is the aspect where a seeker ought not to make a choice about, but instead should find a way to connect with.  It is in surrender, where one finds a powerful spiritual opening and connection with one’s own heart. 

 * All references to Guru ji, refer to Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati in this article.

© 2013 Luminous Shabda, Sanskrit Studies & Manorama

Shifting the Contents of Your Mind Through Sanskrit

This June I thought to highlight a passage of something I read from my teacher, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati. He writes about language being like a river. In his statement, he evokes images of Sanskrit as having the capacity to carry one across the ocean of the worldly life or mind to the experience of peace. In his words, he mentions that our real problem is within us and that it is the inner work that we do which will support our growth and happiness. He highlights the Sanskrit language as a tool for elevating and expanding our minds and hearts to be able to stand in that happiness. Enjoy the read this month and contemplate the meaning of his words. 
~ Manorama

***

“Language is like the current of a river, such as the river Ganga. The Ganga originates from the Himalaya Mountains… it embraces all rivers coming into it, but continues to move on and on, with fresh currents in every moment, and finally its journey is perfected by merging into the ocean. The Sanskrit language is like the Ganga. It acts as a mother for many of the worlds’ languages, and its ultimate perfection is in freedom and enlightenment…you can not change the human mind, but you can change its contents. When mental contents change, then automatically our hearts become a divine center of unity…

…every problem originates from within; not only the obvious but countless subtle problems lie deeply rooted in the unconscious mind….We can not solve these problems easily, because the un-trained and undisciplined mind itself is a problem-maker. Therefore, we need to raise the contents of our hearts and minds through Sanskrit.” 
~ Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati

Devi Puja

Devi Puja

by Manorama

Each of us work with rituals that sustain and nourish us. This month I am suggesting that students work with this simple Devi Puja, as a new ritual for immersing in and supporting your practice.

Rituals do not exist to make us more neurotic and rigid. They exist to help us see and experience beyond our mundane life to our sacred core.

This month work with the Devi Puja exercise and watch your practice evolve.

Love & Blessings,

Manorama

Preparations for Puja: 

1. Quietly go to the market and purchase fresh flowers and fruit. 

2. At home place these items in an area where they will not be disturbed (please do not place these, or any puja items on the floor).

3. Set aside an hour where you will not be disturbed as you make the offering (i.e. no phone calls, texts, chatting with people, etc.).

4. Focus your attention on the meaning of the Devi. Wash your hands. 

Please note: Puja's are never accompanied by alcohol or the consumption of animal meat of any kind. 

It is highly recommended that one refrain from these items as a practicing yogi-in-training. However for the purpose of the puja it is highly recommended specifically to refrain from them for the duration of the festival. 

Devi Puja:

1. Clean your entire altar area. If you have a statue of the Goddess wash it in buttermilk or simply in cool water. Dry off and place back on your freshly cleaned altar. (If you do not have a Goddess murti do not worry. Just clean the altar or sacred area you have with care and love and that will suffice.) 

2. Place the fresh flowers you got at the market all around your sacred altar.

3. Place fresh fruit on a plate near your sacred area. (After the puja this fruit is to be offered to others).

4. Important: 

Energize your mind and attention on the Goddess and see what you want to request in terms of support. If nothing comes then perhaps you simply want to honor the mother for a blessing, wishing that all be calm in your life at this time. If, however, something or someone comes to mind, silently request healing and protective light from her generous and beautiful source.

5. Next, place a fresh candle on your altar. Light it. 

6. Perform Aarati (wave light in a clockwise direction three x's over the statue).

7. Repeat this mantra 108 x's (or 9 x's) 

OM

Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadra-Kali Kapalini

Durga Shiva Ksama Dhatri Svaha Svadha Namo'Stu Te

***

We extend reverence to the nine aspects of the divine mother.

May she ever guide and protect me.

Translation by Manorama

8. After performing aarati and chanting sit silently for 20 min* and feel the resonant healing energy you have all around you. 

*If you are a beginner please sit for no more than 5 to 8 min.

9. Afterwards touch the altar or offer your head on the floor, as a symbol of your love and reverence.

10. Begin your day with reverence in your heart. 

Repeat this simple exercise each day for 30 days.

This is a simple devi puja. The most important thing is to be sincere while offering and to be simple and genuine in your offering. 

Enjoy the process and be blessed everyone. 

Pranamah,

Reverence

Manorama

© 2013 Luminous Shabda, Sanskrit Studies & Manorama

The Goddess Saraswati

Interview with Manorama

by Lisa Dawn Angerame

For Yoga City NYC, March 2013

It is said that the trinity of the Goddess, devi, is represented by Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga. The first in the trinity, Saraswati, is the Goddess of language, learning, speech, art and music and is the force of creativity. It is late March and nature is hard at work. The trees are coming back to life, the flowers are blooming, and creativity is abound. Sanskrit scholar Manorama, who is kicking off her 2013 Drenched in Devi tour, invokes Saraswati at the beginning of any endeavor she undertakes and here is how we can too.

Lisa Dawn Angerame: What does Saraswati represent?

Manorama:  Saraswati represents purity, fluidity and the awakening to our own creative potential. There’s a verse in Sanskrit that likens Saraswati to the pure jasmine flower. And there’s something about that verse that really speaks to me. She’s likened to this incredibly pure, beautiful, fragrant flower. Her radiant beauty nourishes us through the creative process by giving us everything in this life and by standing by our side through all manifestation.

LDA: What is Saraswati’s essence?

Manorama: Her essence is purity, but not purity in the context of puritanical, and not purity in the context of chaste although she might represent that as well at times. Rather, it’s the kind of purity of sacred essence. Saraswati represents our link with that holy essence that is our core. She is the deity that guides us to truly connect by standing in our Self and then allowing manifestation to move through us from that grounding.

LDA: What does Saraswati mean to you personally?

Manorama: Saraswati is definitely one of my patron deities. I am devoted to Sanskrit and she is the Goddess of Sanskrit and language overall.  Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, my guru’s tradition, is also linked with Saraswati. His formal name is Brahmananda, but Saraswati is the lineage name.  And his mother was called Saraswati, which is a sweet connection. When I invoke the goddess through mantra, I instantly feel more luminous. Saraswati gives me, and all of us, the needed energy to fulfill all our dreams in life.

LDA: How can we invoke Saraswati?

Manorama: Here is a simple mantra:

Om Aim Saraswatayai Svaha

Say this mantra 108 times per month while waving a small tea light, in what is called aarti. You can say 108 repetitions at one time or break the reps up into multiples of 9. For example, you would say 27 repetitions of the mantra per week which would total 108 at the end of the month. Bring any kind of white flower to an image of Saraswati. If you don’t have an image you can offer the flower as a kind of mental puja, where you extend the flower to her internally. It’s really about your offering, your reverence, so that you extend some of your energy and then she extends back and gives you fulfillment in that area.  

LDA: How will invoking Saraswati help my practice?

Manorama: Our job as the student is to ask what is truly being meant by the imagery.  Invoking mantras to Saraswati calls to your own creative essence asking the energy to move through you and link up with the one vibration of the universe. It is like invoking a river of energy that flows underneath you that is ever connected with all. Saraswati doesn’t determine the creation, she just gives you access to your own storehouse of creative energy that is both satisfying and fulfilling. When you are connected with your source energy your creation has an immortal and eternal quality. The body passes, the mind shifts, but something about you remains eternal. When creativity syncs with your soul, what manifests through you is eternal.

Invocation to Goddess Saraswati

Translation by Manorama

Ya Kundendu-Tusarahara-Dhavala Ya Subhra-Vastravrta

Ya Vinavara-Danda-Mandita-Kara Ya Sveta-Padmasana

Ya Brahmacyutasankara-Prabhrtibhir Devaih Sada Vandita

Sa Mam Patu Saraswati Bhagavati Nihsesa-jadyapaha

***

Goddess Saraswati who is pure like the jasmine flower, bright like the moon, shimmering like snow and who wears white clothing, whose hand is adorned with the excellent stick, vina (music), and who has a white lotus as her seat, and who is worshipped by all the gods, beginning with Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. May that great Goddess Saraswati please protect me by completely removing all of my ignorance.

2013 Translation of Saraswati Mantra by Manorama

For students wishing to learn and work on invoking Saraswati through this verse, there is a wonderful recording of Manorama chanting this verse on the Learn to chant Yoga Invocations CD with Manorama.

Digital download is available through CD Baby or iTunes: CD Baby

CD’s are available for shipping through the Sanskrit Studies boutique: Sanskrit Studies Boutique

2013 Copyright Translation Luminous Shabda/Sanskrit Studies, Manorama

Q&A with Manorama: Where can I start?

Question from Student:

I'm a beginning student and recently attended a workshop with you. I become overwhelmed when I review my notes from class, or listen to your spoken word CD's. My question is, there's so much to understand where can I start? How do I begin a meditation practice? Is there a way I can use mantra and chanting to help as I found this very grounding and soothing in the workshop I took.

Manorama’s Answer:

Dear Student,

Let’s start at a place where you feel comfortable. There is no need to read all your notes and listen to every CD. The first thing I want you to do is to start to listen to your own breathing, your own heart beat, your own being. All vidya knowledge of texts and such will come later, but for now the most important thing is that you focus on you. Just be in contact with you. You physically. You mentally, and you spiritually. If you don’t know what that means well then that’s the very place to start. 

Begin by carving out a lil time each day to sit with your self and say inside, I don’t know who I am… then work to sit with that and breathe into this awareness. Watch the thoughts that rise as you engage this practice. Don’t move to make meaning with your mind, instead learn the art of sitting with the thoughts and not following them. Let the meaning around the practice rise in you rather than you impose meaning. This will help you develop the needed strength for the journey of Self-knowledge.

In Sanskrit, we say, Pade Pade which means Go Step by Step and the long road is travelled.

Love & Blessings,

Manorama