Vijayadasami: Learn for a better life!

Use Vijayadasami to channel Saraswathi's Grace into fresh learning!

Vijayadasami: more than a day of victory

In the wake of the powerful final day of Navaratri – and the final day of praising Saraswathi, the Goddess of Speech, Literature and the Arts – children in India have a tradition of learning something new or even starting a new semester at school on Vijayadasami.

It is not only children that have scope to learn and start something new today (or tomorrow depending on calendars) – Vijayadasami is an aupicious and spiritually powerful time for EVERYONE young or old to gain access to Saraswathi’s Grace.

In the spirit of this mantra-driven blog, I would encourage all to look to learning a new mantra of your choice to enhance your life in the coming twelve months till the next Navaratri. Examples of various mantras are available by clicking here.

Don’t know how to start?

Some resources and links are provided below on how one preps with mantra:

• First it is customary to praise Ganesha and wish for an auspicious start on all new undertakings. A few chants are fine to begin the invocation. Find mantras by clicking here.
• Second, praise Saraswathi with this mantra (click to follow link). A recommended count is a multiple of 16, or alternatively, 116, 1016, etc. 16 is auspicious to Saraswathi. Incidentally, it is the mantra often taught to young children before they start school to recite before studies begin.
• Third, work out what you want to learn and go for it!

The time of transformation is now! Don’t miss out!

Follow me on Twitter: @MantraYogi

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After Navaratri: How to Kill 10 Birds with One Stone

Many underestimate the Power and Grace of Rama - learn how to tap into it here!

Navaratri is over, what next?

Vijayadasami is related to both the victory of the Goddess Durga and the victory of Lord Rama – the incarnation of Vishnu – over Ravana, the 10 headed demon king of Ancient Lanka.

There is a wealth of literature and posts on Rama and the Ramayana out there so let’s skip over the explanation for now.

Ravana had how many heads…?!

Now one may take the literal understanding that Ravana was a demon with 10 heads. The metaphorical interpretation however is that he was ruled by 10 key drivers, 10 demonic qualities which were out of control within him.

These are enumerated below:

1. Kama vasana (Lust)
2. Krodha (Anger)
3. Moha (delusion)
4. Lobha (Greed)
5. Mada (Over Pride)
6. Matsara (Jealousy)
7. Manas (Mind)
8. Buddhi (Intellect)
9. Chitta (will)
10. Ahankara (Ego).

How many of us can claim that we have perfect control over these elements, particularly: ego, anger and lust?

A powerful technology for ridding oneself of the 10 evils is one that is incredibly simple is Rama nama (ie write or chant the name “Rama”).

Sounds too simple!

It sounds so simple its hard to believe. But the reality is the name “Rama” was the product of 1000s of years of meditation and intense tapas (spiritual penance) by the Rishis of yore before Ramachandra (the actual King and central protagonist of the Ramayana) came to have the name.

One reason why it holds such power is because it is composed of two primal sounds:

• “Ra” – from the Maha Mantra to Vishnu – Om Namo NaRAyanaya. Note that this is incidentally the name of the Egyptians’ Sun God.
• “Ma” – from the Maha Mantra to Shiva – Om NaMA Shivaya

Thus the compression of the mantras of two of the most powerful deities in the Hindu pantheon into one word gives it unbelievable power.

Why write the mantra?

Writing a mantra has been found to have more power than chanting for many people. There are a variety of reasons, such as: the mantra embeds itself in your subconscious mind; it prevents the beginner from fidgeting by  concentrating thought and action on one purpose; it provides a finite number of repetitions and a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment at the end when one looks over their sadhana.

Benefits

• Rids yourself of negative qualities by meditating on the perfection of Rama and the ruin of Ravana
• Builds a strong, courageous and righteous character
• Burns negative Karma given the mantra’s power is drawn from Shiva and Narayana themselves

Given the power and simplicity of the technology, it is the ideal method of introducing mantra to children.

No Guru initiation is required – simply learn and chant or write!

Footnotes:

• I have noted powerful benefits to writing Rama nama in conjunction with the Vishnu Sahasranama and the Hanuman Chalisa. Of course everyone is differently inclined and affected by mantras – you should try it and see if it works for you.
• Links to the audio for these mantras and stotras can be accessed by clicking here.

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Navaratri 2011: Victory is upon us; don’t stop now!

Celebrate Victory over Internal Evils at the end of Navaratri!

Navaratri day 9/10

Depending on your calendar, you will either be preparing for the final night of Navaratri or celebrating Dasami – the day good triumphs over a lingering evil.

For those who maintained an intense sadhana (spiritual practices) over Navaratri as a whole, the experience should have been cathartic.

It is not uncommon for one to see a vision of the Goddess in a dream or experience some good gesture or news at the end of the period in acknowledgement that the powers that be have listened and blessed you!

But what next?

Do not feel that mantra yoga sadhana ends with the final day of Navaratri; in fact it only begins!

The process of purification is over, one would have achieved the blessings of the Devi and moreover developed a clear idea of what the practices and methods are. It is an ideal time to set yourself the 40 day challenge – click here for details.

So don’t delay and make a committment today to undergo a lifechanging transformation through mantra yoga!

Follow me on Twitter: @MantraYogi

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