I see many postings on devi mahatmyam classes in this blog. Today we are living in a world that anyone can do anything. I do not subscribe to this thought process – hence this post. Every mantra/bija has potency – that needs to be learnt in the proper way. Devi Mahatmyam is NOT a puranic story – there are hundreds of hidden bija mantras in these 700 shlokas. Enough care has to be taken and more respect to the devata should be given. Recently someone reached out me to post about DM classes – I said the same thing i said in this post – that person got upset. I can’t help it. I will continue to caution folks – listen to it or not is your choice.
Here is my request to the teacher and the students:
as a teacher, please do not teach devi mahatmyam classes unless you are properly initiated AND qualified to do so. Also ensure that your guru approves your effort to teach others – don’t assume. If you or your guru can’t give mantra upadesam, it is ok not to conduct this class – no one is going to be upset – particularly ambal!
as a student, no matter how well you know the teacher, insist on getting navakshari upadesam initiation through proper process before learning this. You are learning for your own progression – not to brag about this in social media or in a party. So please take extra effort to follow the rules, find guru mandalams who can help you with this.
If you are offended by this post, that is fine.
Mahesh
13 Responses
Yes 100% correct
Yes100% true
I agree with you Sri Mahesh. One must be very careful with mantra japam — be it receiving or giving. I must recount three instances in my life: (1). In 1990, I visited a Siddhar Samadhi at Villiyanur near Pondicherry. There were so many message cards tied to a thread around the Samadhi. One of the cards read: “There is no need for someone who is engaged in performing trikaala Sandhyavandanam to run after Siddhars”. For a moment I looked away and turned my gaze again towards the card, it was not there. It just vanished. Immediately I understood that the message was meant for me and I left the place at once. (2) Again, in the very same year, 1990, I wanted to chant Dura Suktam at another Siddhar Samadhi, this time at Pondicherry, and I simply couldn’t. Words wouldn’t come out although I knew it by heart. I realized this is another indication and I left the place. Finally, (3) I visited Sri Vanjiam 3-4 times during 2011-2012. During my 4th visit, there was a tall lean, old man. He must be around 90. He saw me and told me that he would like to give me mantropadesam. Something in me told me to accept it from him. There used to be a small 100 sq. ft. kulam just outside the Temple those days. It is no more there. On its steps, he gave me a mantram. I asked him if he would accept a Guru Dakshina from me. He said, “Yes, if it is not a problem for you”. I did what was expected of me. He spoke that mantram and asked me to record it in my mobile, and repeat it so many times, to get it by heart. Well. We were 5 brothers then. [Reduced to 3 now]. We were generally discussing things and suddenly I started narrating about the mantra upadesam that I received in Sri Vanjiam. I wanted to share the mantram with my brothers. When I started, suddenly my lips twisted awkwardly, and no sound came out of my mouth. Then again, I realized that I am being warned and I changed the subject. Ever since, while I am practising it, I never talk about or discuss about these matters ever again, anywhere. For us, those who have Gayatri upadesam, that’s enough. Nothing more is required. “Rama” naamam is okay since there is no rules attached to it. [Please correct me, if I am wrong]. I received “Raama” naamam from Sri Sri Anna around 2002. Ever since I have been chanting Sri Rama japam too. Well. That’s it.
Hari Om Sriaiyerrs Garu, Periva Sharanam
It is really amazing to know your experience on Mantra. You said, there was mouth twisting kind of trouble when you wanted to discuss/share about your Mantra Upadesham and never discussed this with any. I wonder how did you now share the same us?
I strongly agree that one who does Trikaala Gayatri, need not worry about worldly things as Gayatri Maata will care of his hurdles. Does it mean to stop our ‘Jigyasa’? Our inquisitiveness should never stop until our last breath as far as spiritual and philosophical things are concerned.
Raama Name Japa, for that matter, any Bhavadnaama Japa is always accumulates the Punya in your accounts when it recited with true Bhavana.
Balaji-ji, sharing “mantra upadesham” is revealing the mantram. Generally, there is nothing wrong in discussing about an incident leading to receiving a mantram. When I wanted to reveal the mantram, my lips wouldn’t open. That’s it. It is like receiving the Gayatri from your father. Do you ever reveal Gayatri to anybody else later? Of course, you would, when you give upadesam to your son or grandson. But you don’t go around chanting it. But we do discuss Gayatri, right? It is quite possible that I am unable to put my thoughts more cogently making it easily understandable by others. I am sorry.
Hari Om Sriaiyerrs garu… Don’t be sorry and all…. Not everybody express everything to everybody precisely. This is quiet possible with most of us. I am the another living example of this. I am often mistaken by everybody that includes my wife, children and even my parents (surprising to me even now) sometimes. It’s ok to be like this. When our intent is right and true, let’s forget about others, because we are answerable to the Almighty not immortal people. BTW, was my writing hurt you anyway? If so, please excuse me.
Amazing experiences. You’re right – there is nothing higher than gayathri mantra – Krishna Himself says in Gita. Rama nama does not require any initiation – these two are enough until you find your guru who can impart other mantras.
I very much agree that there is a limit for online upadesam that is mantra upadesam and veda learning.
Finally!! Thank you for putting this message out there. However, I must add that unfortunately there are several gurus who also solicit students and teach without an initial mantra upadesam. And nothing can be done about that.
Thank you for your deep insights into this learning of Devi Mahatmyam. I have been longing to learn Devi Mahatmyam for quite some time. I am waiting for the right call from the right Guru to teach. Periyava has to shower his grace for this.🙏🙏
Ambal will show you the guru. Pl wait for her blessings.
Very well said.
Agreed with your comment.
Further, teachers should not keep promising “BENEFITS” which they themselves may not digest.
The goal of karma yoga, bakthi yoga, gyana yoga, chanting, meditating, doing japam / pUja, homam all attaining AATHMA SAAKSHAATKARAM.
Notruning behind material benefits.
The younger generation do not buy arguements “Since 1000s believe so, you also better believe””