Navaratri 2020 Celebrations

As in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, desire to conduct a Maha Chandi Homam every day of the nine days came to mind in 2020. Articles for previous years can be found in the Writing Section of this blog. 

The  photo at the top of this post shows the offering of a "Pushpa Mala" ( flower necklace ) to the Goddess towards the end of one of the Maha Chandi Homams.

Being a year older, there was increased worry about stamina. To top it all, the pandemic situation created increased worry. As before, hoped for help from the Divinities.

Srimathy and Sapna organized the invitation of people to the function: only a limited number of people were invited and even those were spaced apart time wise so less than four physical invitees were present at any one point.

The set up of the massive Golu arrangement in the basement – eleven steps in all with side additions was the work of Srimathy and Sapna.

The following photo shows Srimathy and Smt. Kala Prasad by our Golu:

Boxes of wood were cut and kept ready; but getting coconuts was a problem. Due to trade restrictions, my usual source was running out; miraculously, an alternate source of coconuts came through and provided the massive quantities needed. 

Workplace co-operated. Health co-operated – no cold, flu, cough or digestion problems. Weather was generally good.

Special thanks to my friend, Shree Vishnu Pedireddi, who 3,000 miles away from California, shipped a huge box of items to be offered in the Homams: this was very moving indeed: a sample of the items he sent is shown below:

The following photo shows Sapna offering:

The following photo shows Srimathy offering:

The following photo shows James Smith from my workplace and Smt. Kala Prasad offering:

The following photo shows Smt.Uma Sekar offering:

The following 29 second video clip shows Maha Chandi Homam from the 1^st day:

There was Divine Music played in front of our Golu sung by people as they came in. Two clips : 28 seconds and 35 seconds of Sri Bala Thiru singing are below. Myself playing the Tabla.

Every day of the nine days was a Maha Chandi Homam performed. On the tenth day Shiva Sahasranama Homam was performed. The first day of Navaratri was very special, because that represented the 601st  Homam conducted at home from the start. Guests were fed.

The whole ceremony was pure bliss! 

Om Namaschandikaayai !

Maha Chandi Homam March 2018

Attempt is made to perform one Maha Chandi Homam every month at home. This time, when attending the Maha Chandi Homam being performed at the Para Shakthi temple in Michigan on March 18, it was observed that during the Navarna Mantra oblations, the Rtvig had prefixed one by one all the Aksharas “Am Aam In IIm Um Uum Kam Kham Cham Chcham”, etc to the main mantra. Hence it would be "Om Kam Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chaamundaayai Vichche Svaha", "Om Kham Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chaamundaayai Vichche Svaha" and so on. This created a mesmerizing effect on the psyche and really wanted to incorporate this method at home.

Hence the March event was scheduled and performed on the 24^th of the month which fell on a Saturday. It really came out well. A short less than three minute video clip is at the top of this post. Srimathy took the video. The clip is from Chapter 1 of Durga Sapthashathi that deals with the slaying of Asuras Madhu and Kaitabha; Maha Kaali is the Devata.

Incidentally, during the Homam, towards the last hour, a spider came and sat on a box very near the Homa Kundam. This is in the first photo below; note it gets very hot near that vicinity; didn’t want the spider to get hurt and yet didn’t want to disturb just in case He/She was a Divine Visitor; so kept going forward with the ritual, but stopped at the appropriate time and took a photo. Then when the Homam almost came to completion, the spider simply walked away !! This is shown in the second photo below.

Notice the spider.

Notice spider has gone. How did He/She know the completion of the ritual? Only He/She knows!

Hope everyone enjoys !

Om Namaschandikaayai !!

 

Durga Sapthashathi Complete Audio

Durga Sapthashathi is also called Devi Mahatmyam or Chandi Paat and is part of Markhandeya Puranam. The main part ( Pradhaana Charitram ) comprises 700 mantras and hence the name. This is one of the most powerful set of shlokas and is loaded with potent mantras that are SURE to transform any individual that recites them with a level of serious bhakthi and devotion. This post is one of the most important entries in this blog.

It was October 2013. After a small amount of effort, Adiyen ( the humble servant here ) had sung a small “anga” ( limb ) from this aforementioned text called Keelakam at the Golu festival in a family friend’s house whose name is Suja and her husband Ganesh. There was socializing going on in the other areas of the house; but as the song was being sung, an older lady ( unfamiliar at that time ) came rushing through with a book in hand and joined the recitation and at the end said “Raghavan, you must recite the entire Durga Sapthashati”. It was that one line that transformed Adiyen forever. It is a firm belief that Durga Devi Herself came and spoke those words through the lady – who happened to be Suja’s mom. The next day, they were in another person’s house and Adiyen showed a copy ( downloaded from the internet ) of the Argala Stotram to Suja’s dad and he said, “ You seem to be taking this pretty seriously rightaway!”

After about a month’s constant preparation after work every day, took November 15, 2013 - a Friday off from work (unheard of in life up to that point), with the sole intention of reciting the entire Durga Sapthashathi. It took 8 hours with tremendous struggles in pronunciation; started at 4:00 am and finished at noon. Went to work after that in cloud nine ! That was a marvelous struggle, but it was a tiny offering of love to Durga Devi by a nobody with no clue about anything (still holds true to this day).

Since then, life completely changed; everything remained the same outside, but the transformation inside has been going on every day, to this day. This text is used in Maha Chandi Homams ( there are a few articles regarding Maha Chandi Homams in this blog ) and words simply cannot express the feelings of love and affection that develop deep inside the heart when reciting or listening to Chandi Paath. Durga Devi in Her Forms as Maha Saraswathi and Maha Kali has bestowed upon Adiyen, the ability to recite Sanskrit shlokas in a nicer manner and through Her Form as Maha Lakshmi has bestowed sufficient wealth to lead a decent life. Adiyen ( the humble servant here )  is DEEPLY thankful to Durga Devi !

There are several books and articles available that describe in detail the meanings of Devi Mahatmyam and one can learn a lot from them. There is one thing for sure – this is no ordinary work – every shloka is a Divine Mantra, every sentence is a Divine Sentence. The transformation that Durga Saptashathi started has been taking Adiyen to deeper levels of spirituality with the parayanam of Srimad Devi Bhagawatham ( 18,000 verses ), Sri Kalika Puranam (8,462 verses), Sri Markhandeya Puranam (9,000 verses), Sri Shiva Mahapuranam (24,000 verses), Srimad Bhagawatham (18,000) verses, Sri Brahmanda Mahapuranam (12,000) verses, Sri Vishnu Puranam (6,000 verses), Sri Kurma Puranam (6,000 verses) and just getting ready to start Sri Matsya Puranam. Durga Devi has guided to start and complete the beautiful Rig Veda Parayanam ( over 10,000 verses), Yajur Veda Parayanam and currently guiding through Sama Veda Parayanam. SHE has guided through over 230 homams and guided the recitations of many Sahasranamams and shlokas – SHE IS the Doer – Adiyen ends up with the bliss !! All the while, SHE makes sure that income to carry on the worldly life keeps coming so the devotee does not suffer – Shouldn’t we offer our thanks to HER ? The Only reason all this is being written here is to give the potential devotee and potential aspirant a glimpse of the greatness of Devi Mahatmyam – SHE IS POWERFUL – SHE IS COMPASSIONATE – SHE HELPS ANYONE that approaches HER with LOVE !!! If SHE can help this nobody, can you imagine what the ardent devotees experience !

The audio here is broken down into small sections. There is a prelude ( Poorva Bhagam ), additional preludes ( Anya Poorva Bhagam ), Main Text ( Madhya Bhagam comprising 13 chapters) and postscript ( Uttara Bhaagam ). The order of recitation is exactly the order in which it is provided here. Keelakam, Argala Stotram, Siddha Kunjika Stotram, etc can be recited or listened to individually; if one is learning to recite specific shlokas, then individual chapters or shlokas may be addressed individually; however, if one is listening in the car or reciting directly as a prayer, then either the entire 13 chapters have to be done together or chapters 2,3,4 to be done together, chapters 5,6 together, chapters 9,10 together; other chapters can be addressed individually; for example chapter 1 by itself or chapter 7 by itself. This is easily remembered as 234-56-910. The reason is that one cannot start reading, reciting or listen to such a powerful set of stories and leave them half way complete to attend to any stupid worldly activity. For example, if you are listening to chapter 5 in the car and have arrived at your “worldly destination”, you cannot stop and go; you MUST finish 5 AND 6 before leaving. The minutes associated with these chapters are hence given, so you can plan ahead. It is recommended to have a separate playlist just for Durga Sapthashathi.

The text used in this recitation is Durga Sapthashathi from Giri Trading Co, Chennai, India. Book ISBN Number: 978-81-7950-339-3. Their phone number is: 91-44-66939315. This book is also available in many languages. The image on top of this post is the cover of this book. See also the section below entitled Lyrics - which provides lyrics for reference only here.

In this text, the order followed is:

Poorva Bhaagam and Anya Poorva Bhaagam: Pages 9, 20,21,28,32,183,47,48,43,34 through 42*,50.

Madhya Bhaagam: Pages 53-127.

Uttara Bhaagam: Pages 131,134,138,143,171,146

*In 34-42, after p.34 Navarna Mantra Vidhi, go to Karanyasa,, etc on p 40, Dhyaanam on p 41.
 Then on p. 50, after Sapthashathi Nyasa, go to Atha Dhyaanam at the bottom of p.52.

Madhya Bhaagam Ch 2 Verse 68 2nd line: Audio should be "Asooniva" not "Asoomuniva".

The audio duration to listen in one sitting is a little over 3 hours.

And now the audio:

( Mobile devices: click download; then play.)

Poorva Bhaagam:

Shaapoddhara Evam Utkeelana Mantra: 3 MB (3 minutes: 28 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znR2ZQSW5mMkZZdVE/view?usp=sharing

Kavacham: 12 MB (13 minutes: 20 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znYjVSNUtFc2FabVE/view?usp=sharing

Argala Stotram: 7 MB (7 minutes: 20 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znQk55WjZNb2JGaWM/view?usp=sharing

Keelakam: 4 MB (4 minutes: 11 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zncjFZMldZS3dxWTA/view?usp=sharing

Vedoktam Raathri Suktam: 2 MB (1 minutes: 43 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znLUw2ckJHcnA3cWM/view?usp=sharing

Tantroktham Raathri Suktam: 3 MB (3 minutes: 18 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znaDlrYTU4Rl95ams/view?usp=sharing

Devi Atharva Sheersham: 7 MB (7 minutes: 34 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zneGVnYXh2LWdwUjA/view?usp=sharing

Siddha Kunjika Stotram: 4 MB (3 minutes: 53 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znX3Z2TnZXUFBOWTg/view?usp=sharing

Anya Poorva Bhaagam: 14 MB (15 minutes: 47 seconds) ( includes Navarna Mantra )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znWXpudU1mQkVFUms/view?usp=sharing

Madhya Bhaagam:

Ch 1: 15 MB (16 minutes: 34 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znSERSTk5qNXRmbm8/view?usp=sharing

Ch 2: 12 MB (13 minutes: 17 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zneDNBNVZ2TG1XSE0/view?usp=sharing

Ch 3: 8 MB (8 minutes: 24 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znTDFkbW1Ha3VGa28/view?usp=sharing

Ch 4: 9 MB (9 minutes: 49 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znQ3RIdnVPd29ZQXM/view?usp=sharing

Ch 5: 14 MB (14 minutes: 50 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zncWxoXzloTVRWUnM/view?usp=sharing

Ch 6: 4 MB (4 minutes: 25 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znZl9Uc3FvMVNzanc/view?usp=sharing

Ch 7: 5 MB (5 minutes: 07 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zneUNCdnNmbnVHdlk/view?usp=sharing

Ch 8: 10 MB (10 minutes: 58 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znVExITU9yb3RmSVk/view?usp=sharing

Ch 9: 7 MB (7 minutes: 07 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znX2VhTXFkMjktZHc/view?usp=sharing

Ch 10: 5 MB (5 minutes: 15 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zncmlXa0JFS1h5dDA/view?usp=sharing

Ch 11: 9 MB (10 minutes: 01 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1zndkFHR2VtTzdGdzA/view?usp=sharing

Ch 12: 7 MB (7 minutes: 17 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znSGdlOGlZN2FQdkU/view?usp=sharing

Ch 13: 4 MB (4 minutes: 06 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znQVBEc3RmSnF1RzA/view?usp=sharing

Uttara Bhaagam:

Pradhaanikam Rahasyam: 6 MB (6 minutes: 03 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znZjZTR3pJRUZ3Q1E/view?usp=sharing

 Vaikruthikam Rahasyam: 6 MB (6 minutes: 47 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znUU1Jd1ZBaEtheFE/view?usp=sharing

Moorthy Rahasyam: 4 MB (4 minutes: 37 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znR2tWcEhBSGlFeDg/view?usp=sharing

 Kshama Praarthana: 1 MB (1 minutes: 32 seconds)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znNm9sOWFCZFkxY0U/view?usp=sharing

Lyrics:

Sanskrit lyrics used in the recitation are given below for reference only. Please purchase the book from the publisher referred to above for easy reading and ethical conduct. Note there is NO financial or commercial incentive here for this recommendation.

Lyrics -- Shaapodhara Evam Utkeelana Mantra:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znUm5Ja3BMTTZxc00/view?usp=sharing

 Lyrics -- Poorva Bhaagam: ( Includes Kavacham, Argala, Keelakam, etc )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znSkx2eDJheUpNc1E/view?usp=sharing

 Lyrics -- Madhya Bhaagam: ( Chapters 1 through 4 )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znelpoNkNad1B4MGs/view?usp=sharing

 Lyrics -- Madhya Bhaagam: ( Chapters 5 through 10 )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znMUFuUWRzeXNHd00/view?usp=sharing

 Lyrics -- Madhya Bhaagam: ( Chapters 11 through 13 )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znaHBWbnpnZjRIZFE/view?usp=sharing

 Lyrics -- Uttara Bhaagam: ( including all Rahasyams, etc)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5yrewH-M1znazFpa09QRVpzdGs/view?usp=sharing

 

Om Shree Durga Devi Namo Namaha !

 

Maha Periyava Appears in Chandi Homam

Salutations to Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava, whose photo is above here. In the performance of any homam, when the word “Svaha” is uttered, and one invokes the Divine Deities, They Do in fact arrive and bless the performer. This is what has been transmitted to us, average beings, by the knowledgeable ones. There is a video on the internet, connected to an episode of “Kanchiyin Karunai Kadal” that aired by DD Podhigai TV, wherein an old lady who wants to perform a first class homam in her house in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, goes to meet Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava and invites Him to her house to attend the homam and He accepts !

She thought He was going to travel to Salem from Kancheepuram and attend the Homam. She invited all her close friends and relatives who were equally excited that the Divine Periyava Himself was going to come to the homam and give His blessings. The hostess kept looking at the door, but there was no sign of the Sage from Kanchi.

After the completion of the ceremony, this lady goes and re-visits Maha Periyava and complains that He did not keep His word and that He should have shown up since that was what was promised. To that apparently Periyava replied: “Who told you I did not show up?” “You had a photographer taking pictures, didn’t you?” The lady replied “Yes.” And Periyava said, “Ask him to show you the picture of the Homa Kundam and you will see Me !” The lady prostrated before the saint, immediately rushed back to Salem, went to the photographer and asked him for the pictures immediately and she did in fact see an image of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava right in the Homa Kundam ! Apparently, this photo is on the wall of her house and is open for the public to see any time !

Following is a short video clip of Maha Chandi Homam performed on our back deck on April 29, 2016. Read the article below prior to watching video, which is best in full screen mode.

Prior to starting the Maha Chandi Homam, a sincere prayer was offered to Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava to please come and bless at the Homam. Note that the walls of the Homa Kundam started out all silvery, having a fresh layer of heavy Reynolds aluminum wrap, to protect the underlying copper -- no markings, no pictures, nothing. The Homam is performed facing east. North is therefore to the left of the yajamana (performer). The picture quality taken from a mobile phone is not the best; but if you focus on the inside north wall towards the yajamana, you will definitely see a serene picture of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava – only His face covering the entire wall ! He is present throughout the clip, with a calm posture, enjoying the offerings and the mantras. The short clip presented is from the Rahasyam part of Durga Saptashati that is being chanted. Sri Maha Periyava WAS there that day; He blesses ALL beings everywhere; He certainly satisfied this humble soul’s humble request and prayer! If this is not a miracle, then what else is?

Om Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha !

Devi Appears in Maha Chandi Homam Jan 2016

 Please read text below PRIOR to watching video.

Mobile devices miss details.



 

It is with great humility that this post is written. With the weather in Connecticut in January 2016 being with very little snow, there developed a deep desire to perform a Maha Chandi Homam on our back deck. As you may know from a previous post that a flimsy tent had been put up in October 2015 to keep the rain away; it is an ardous task to bring it down since it had started sagging from the weight of the little snow which had become ice. Amazingly, the tent itself came down and landed gently on the deck, so all that had to be done was to "sawz-all" the aluminum frames and dispose them off. This was perceived as a big encouragement from Chandika Devi Herself to proceed with the plans.

Prayed to Kanchi Maha Periyava, Dr. Krishna Kumar and all the Gods and Goddesses to help with the Homam and ensure that there are no obstacles and the offering of love happens to Their level of satisfaction. There has always been a sense of nervousness in the performance of any homam, especially a Maha Chandi Homam, because of the duration of the ritual and so the body stamina and all the other variables need to co-operate – this time was no different. The day was January 2, 2016. Outside temperature started low, but climbed slowly to 37 degrees F by the end. Upper body temperature was fine, but the legs were freezing in spite of two socks and sneakers, because the homam was being conducted in the open in the back deck.

While there was an interest to have my daughter take a short video clip, nervousness caused to wait until the tail end of the homam. The Ganapathi Homam, Poorva bhagam comprising of Kavacham, Argala Stotram, Keelakam, Devi Stuthi, etc had been completed; the Madhya bhagam with the 13 chapters of Durga Saptha Shathi was completed and the Uttara bhagam was in progress. A short video clip when Vaikruthikam Rahasyam was in progress was taken and that is what is presented at the top of this post.

Devi Appears:

We are all told that when a Homam is performed, the invoked Gods and Goddesses ARE present in Agni. They are present in a subtle form. But for those of us that are not enlightened souls, we seem to STILL trust our senses, even though all the scriptural texts and the Gyanis have told us not to do so. So we tend to look for physical signs.

The Homam was performed facing east. So north is to the left. If you focus inside the Homa Kundam on the North East corner in the video, you can see clearly an image of Devi covering the full height of the Homa Kundam wall corner in a calm, peaceful posture with a nice tilakam that comprises a red mark and on a white background (almost like a naamam), with Her eyes closed, enjoying the mantras and the offering of love in the Homam.

Because of the poor quality of the transfer of the video taken on a cell phone to You Tube,  mobile devices miss details. This is best viewed in HD setting of minimum 720 pixels or higher in a full screen mode on a laptop or computer. To do this on You Tube, once video has loaded, hit the pause key and click the gear icon, click on 720 pixels or higher, then hit the play button. The image lasts throughout the video, but gets clearer at and after the 2:00 minute mark. Note that there were no marks or images drawn on the inside of the Homa Kundam to start off – It was simply lined with silvery reflective Reynolds aluminum foil to protect the underlying copper.

Now, one could say that it is the mind that is playing tricks and that one simply imagines whatever. That is precisely the key to bliss – in spirituality it is intention that matters all the way. If you intend to see the Divine in an idol made of stone, you will see the Divine; if not, you will simply see the stone. We are all Divine beings and everything around us is Divine; realizing that is the key to spiritual progress.

Seeing Devi being present at the tiny offering of love made by this lost and wandering soul that has knowingly and unknowingly committed God knows how many sins, has filled the mind with a sense of humility and a sense of gratitude; it has also instilled a sense to try to perform any act of worship with greater devotion and bhakthi. Whether one agrees that Devi WAS present that day or not is secondary; if SHE was not present and it is just an imagination, then it means bhakthi and devotion were lacking; if SHE was present then it means that we have one more reason why we need to be grateful to the Goddess !

It was nothing but bliss! Thank YOU Maha Periyava! Thank YOU Adi Para Shakthi! Thank YOU Lord Shiva! Thank you Dr. Krishna Kumar !

Om Namaschandikaayai !