NavDurga, why ?

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste McKitty,

In addition to Shivafan's generous replies, here is another resource
in English about Devi for you... may She bless your efforts to cross
the ocean of illusion!

JAI MATA DI

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Thank you for the website, it really helped me !

So I understand about the NavDurga...But about the ten Mahavidhyas ? So, They are aspects of Devi too, but they seems much darker and deeper than the NavDurga ! It's like two side of a coin, one Shanti, one a little more Ugra...Tell me if I am wrong !

Also, I feel that the worship of the ten Mahavidhyas is more Tantra than Shakta...Mataji frighten me on these forms ^^"

I am gonna read the Markandeya purana to know more about the NavDurga. I feel like I can understand and worship Mataji better if I know more about Her.

Is it possible to worship each NavDurga ? Or just worship of Durga Maa cover every other ?

I'm still learning and thinking very hard to try to figure out the role and the forms of Shiva and Shakti around us, in our daily life and in the universe... I really feel this is an essential principle and a real presence, but it's difficult to get...It's like trying to catch a butterfly.

I know maybe a Bhakta of Shiva shouldn't wonder this or ask those questions, but I really feel something is missing where I think of Shiva and worship Him without Mataji ! I don't know how to explain this...But this is disturbing in a way, that's why I humbly turn to you and Durga Maa to learn more.

You gave me great knowledge, I have to study that ! Thank you so much for this blessing !

Aum Namah Shivaya

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste McKitty,

I would not be serving Devi properly, if I did not at least
attempt in my clumsy fashion to help those who wish to learn
more about Her... also, to my understanding, perhaps
a Lingayati might have issues with the feelings of incompleteness
you describe, but many Shaivas I have known at least consider Devi
as Lord Shiva's greatest devotee- and I am sure you are at least
a little familiar with "Shiva is the water, Shakti is the wave", etc.

As to your other questions, it is my opinion that the key would be
the comparison to catching a butterfly... for now, try sitting still
in the midst of the field, surrounded by flowers... watch the butterfly
drink from them... and before you expect it, the butterfly will alight
upon you

Even the most carefully constructed nets will bruise their wings...
and will not answer the question "What will you do with this butterfly,
once it has been caught?"

JAI MATA DI

[Viraja]

Originally Posted by McKitty

Vanakkam,

But about the ten Mahavidhyas ? So, They are aspects of Devi too, but they seems much darker and deeper than the NavDurga ! It's like two side of a coin, one Shanti, one a little more Ugra...Tell me if I am wrong !

Also, I feel that the worship of the ten Mahavidhyas is more Tantra than Shakta...Mataji frighten me on these forms ^^"

McKitty,

MahaVidyas worship I think are more frequently asked by scholarly Jyotishis to people suffering from deep curses of planets as indicated by the horoscope.

One good place to ask about Mahavidyas might be groups.yahoo.com/group/vedic-wisdom. (This group contains some already existing information about mahavidyas).

[Seeker123]

Namaste McKitty,

Try to visit Chinmaya Seattle if possible

http://www.chinmayaseattle.org/about...yaSeattle.aspx

They have a great book on various Hindu Gods and symbolism. Have a copy plan to read.

[McKitty]

Vanakkam,

Originally Posted by JaiMaaDurga

but many Shaivas I have known at least consider Devi
as Lord Shiva's greatest devotee- and I am sure you are at least
a little familiar with "Shiva is the water, Shakti is the wave", etc.

Well that IS the thing with me ! The more I think about it, the more I see Devi greatest than Shiva...Let me explain, I don't like to go blind on saying this is the greatest, this is the highest...I try to think about how can be the relationship between Devi and Shiva.
Shiva is the water, the pillar, the base of everything. I see him like the potential power. Therefore if I see the infinite Brahman like a pillar, that have no beginning and no end, I see Devi like the universe.

Devi is the active power, She is what moves everything around us...I see a bubble forming around a part of the pillar: this is Shakti, the Universe, that is spreading from the pillar. The Atma goes from the pillar, to Devi, they dwell in Her Mâya, in Her universe, and when they attain Moksha they go back to the pillar, into the stillness. Otherwise, they continue to dwell in the Universe, in Devi.

In times of dissolution, the bubble retract to the pillar, it becomes the full Shiv-Shakti. Then on another creation the bubble expand again, retract again, expand...Forever.

This is how I tried to figure out everything...I know this must be false or foolish, but I hope I didn't say only stupidity here ^^"

Seeing the universe like this...I realize that in the universe then, Devi is "closer". She create, sustain the world, Her Mâya is all around us ! I am puzzled sorry...I cannot really express this with words, I just feel that it's something really really great...

I do not belong to any sect or belief...I am more focused of acquiring knowledge to go on the path. Shiva came to me, I just follow Him. And I feel that He led me to meet Devi.

I don't know if how I see the Shiva-Shakti principle is right ^^" Maybe I'm completely off track

Originally Posted by JaiMaaDurga

As to your other questions, it is my opinion that the key would be
the comparison to catching a butterfly... for now, try sitting still
in the midst of the field, surrounded by flowers... watch the butterfly
drink from them... and before you expect it, the butterfly will alight
upon you

Even the most carefully constructed nets will bruise their wings...
and will not answer the question "What will you do with this butterfly,
once it has been caught?"

JAI MATA DI

Oh...This is completely right ! Why didn't I though of this ? Okay, I blame my impatient youth !
I do no expect the butterfly to just land like this...Oh yes, it will take all my life for Him to come maybe.

What will I do with the butterfly... I don't really know for now. Maybe it's like the saying I saw in a game, was I dreaming about the butterfly, or was the butterfly dreaming about me ?

Anyway I have to stay still then.



@Aspirant, Seeker,

Thank you very much for your links and advices ! I didn't knew they were related to Jyotishya...In fact I don't really know much about Jyotish for now...
As for the Chinnmasta mission, I'll try to go there...Unfortunately I leave next week and school have a busy schedule I cannot miss class, I have a presentation about my game to make


Thank you so much for your help, Really !


Aum Namah Shivaya