DAY THREE - TUES 17 OCT

KARMIC RECKONING & Goddess chandraghanta

All life is based upon karma and is continually affected by the ongoing movement of karma. Learning the laws of karma and understanding our own individual karma is the foundation of Vedic living. The first thing Vedic tradition teaches us is that our lives are a product of our own action or karma. Who we are and what we experience, both individually and collectively, is the result of forces that we ourselves have set in motion and are ultimately responsible for.  We are responsible for ourselves and to some extent for the world as a whole. This assumption of “karmic responsibility” is the basis of all deeper yogic practices as well as our ability to gain freedom in life overall.

Life is action, which is karma. Life is never static or completed. Life consists of forces that are ever changing and reshaping themselves in various ways, undergoing regular renewal and transformation. While these forces in life cannot be destroyed, we can alter their level and degree of manifestation, sometimes in a radical manner. To do this we must be consciousness at every moment of the type of forces in play around us. We must remain wakefully aware at every instant, not as a state of stress but as a state of receptivity to the vast movement of life.

Karma means action and refers to the results of our previous deeds. It does not mean destiny or indicate that our lives are predetermined. The past projects can influence that can be very powerful but life in the present can modify that in various directions. There is always room for the new. The law of karma means that each of our actions have consequences that we should be aware of, not only for the present but also for the future.
The law of karma means that we are free to create our own destiny in life.

So my dear ones, with nature on your side you have free will to spin the karmic wheel in your favour.
The teachings below on Chandraghanta are very profound.
With love,
Kris x

NINE DAYS, NINE AVATARS

3. Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga and she is invoked and worshipped on the third night of Navarātri Chandra means “Moon” and Ghanta means “bell”.
Her third eye is always open which depicts her complete awareness and she is forever ready to fight a war against the demons and evil forces.
She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi. She bestows bravery and courage to her devotees and with her grace we are able to fight our inner demons and move towards the divine consciousness. reward people with her grace, bravery and courage.

When Lord Shiva appeared in his aghora form wearing skulls as a garland during his marriage procession, Goddess Parvati’s mother faints as she is unable to comprehend the fact that her daughter will have to live with a person like this. Chandraghanta persuaded Lord Shiva to re-appear in a charming form and Lord Shiva transforms himself into a charming prince adorned with jewels and precious stones. This brings a sigh of relief to Goddess Parvati’s family and they finally get married.

Chandraghanta has ten hands holding various weapons and She rides on a tiger or lion, which represents bravery and courage, she wears a half moon on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead. Her complexion is golden and her form is a beautiful expression of beauty, charm and grace combined.

Chandra also signifies the various feelings or shades of emotions and thoughts (similar to the different phases of the waxing and waning moon). Ghanta means a bell from which only one kind of sound arises. Do you ever hear multiple sounds from a bell? No matter how you play it, only one kind of sound comes from the bell. In the same way, when the mind that is scattered and entangled in different thoughts and emotions gets consolidated and established at one point (in the Divine), then it gives rise to the Divine energy within us which becomes one-pointed and rises upwards. This is what is meant by Chandraghanta. Her name literally means (The bell of the moon).
It means that state where the scattered mind becomes steady and consolidated towards one thing only. Do not run away from the mind, for the mind is also a form and manifestation of the Mother Divine. The Mother Divine is present even as sorrow, misery, hunger, and peace as well. The essence here is to take everything together – whether harmonious or unpleasant – as a collective whole, bringing all thoughts, emotions and sounds as one Naad (sound) like the sound a bell or a large gong makes. This is the meaning behind Devi’s name Chandraghanta, and the third day of Navaratri is celebrated to honor this form of the Mother Divine.

Ritual

Ritual is a way for us to be in relationship with the Divine and a way for us clear our karmic debt simply just by being alive. Being in this body is a divine blessing from the Divine Mother and a great responsibility. Ritual is considered Yajna; offering, worship, sacrifice and opens a doorway for the cosmic energies of the Devi to enter our world.

With all puja, there are 5 elements:

1. Preparation - light your ghee lamp or candle, take your seat. Light the incense. Prep and clear the space. 

2. Purification - purify Durga with water, the altar and then yourself (dip your fingers in the bowl and flick it)

3. Invitation - open with the Ganesh mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha once. Ganesh is envoked whenever we sit puja, to remove any obstacles that could obstruct our prayer or evolution.

4. Union - Chandraghanta mantra (see below) any amount of times (can be chanted 108 times with mala for a longer ceremony)

5. Offering - offer her a leaf, flower. water or fruit, or all 4. 

The main ingredient is devotion. Don’t worry about ‘getting it right’. This is a goal oriented tradition, not a ‘way’ oriented tradition.

CHANDRAGHANTA Mantra

ॐ ह्रीम श्री ब्रह्मचारिणी दुर्गायै नमः |

Aum Hreem Chandraghanta Durgaye Namaha

Self-study questions

1. Do I avert pain and attach to pleasure?

2. What parts of myself do I reject?

3. If something doesn’t feel good, do I think it’s not a part of the Divine?

If you have any questions, please email me at kristin@kristinspenceyoga.com

JAI MAA