DAY FOUR - WED 18 OCT

DISCOVERING YOUR INNER LIGHT (AGNI) & Goddess Kushmanda

The Vedic view of the cosmos is of a universe of consciousness, light and energy. This is described symbolically as Agni in Vedic thought, which means fire, particularly as the power of transformation. The Vedic concept of Agni extends to all aspects of light, life, intelligence and consciousness. It reflects the inherent light giving power at the very ground of existence. An understanding of Agni is key to the Vedic view of life, evolution, health, well-being and liberation.

Agni also represents the individual soul or divine consciousness within us that is hidden in the body like fire latent within wood. The individual human being is a particularized manifestation of Agni as the universal power of life, light and consciousness. In our soul or essence we are a flame of Divine light and aspiration.

Each one of us is a light being, seeking enlightenment, taking birth here on Earth in order to spread the light of awareness. The pursuit of enlightenment should be our primary goal and purpose.

Agni represents our primary power of will, motivation and aspiration to the higher truth. Cultivating our Agni allows us to develop the optimal energization of our faculties towards what we consider to be the highest goal in life. We are all individual flames seeking to expand into the full and comprehensive light, the spiritual Sun of truth.

Agni is the first deity of the Vedas, the original guru and priest. Inwardly that Agni is our own inmost will-power, motivation and intention, as allied with our inner soul, the Jivatman or reincarnating entity behind and beyond the ego of body and mind. Aligning our dharma, soul purpose and universal flame of awareness is the essence of Yoga, Vedanta and Vedic living.

Awakening the inner flame provides the knowledge and the inspiration, the insight and the motivation to take us forward to Self-realization.

WIth love,

Kris x

NINE DAYS, NINE AVATARS

4. Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the 4th form of Goddess Durga and she is worshipped on the 4th day of Navarātri.

Ku means little, Ushma means energy or warmth and anda means cosmic egg. So Kushmanda means the one who bears the little Cosmic egg to create this universe. Ku-ushma-anda may be thought of as the “Egg of Light in the World,” illuminating all things, making all things known, and is the source of energy for life.

She is the Goddess of warmth, smile and she is said to be the creator of the universe. Considered by some to be the Mother of the Sun, she brings the Sun’s warmth, light, and clarity to Earth. She resides in the sun and so provides the energy that creates tremendous heat. She is said to dwell in the core of the Sun (Surya) and she advises the Sun on cosmic affairs. She provides energy and light to the Sun God this bringing the entire universe to be filled with light.

Her role is to add heat and light to the cosmic egg, the egg or bija which gives the essence of all the possibilities for creation. So, Kushmanda Devi cooks the Cosmic egg.

The 4th house in Vedic astrology represents warmth, happiness and also the mother (creator). Kushmanda has a big role to play when it comes to 4th house indicators such as happiness, warmth and the unconditional love of a mother who carries us in her womb. She is the Cosmic Mother.

She represents the Anahata Chakra or heart chakra. You can perform the Lotus Mudra – which will help in opening your heart chakra. The lotus flower completely opens itself to the Sun from the top but it is deeply rooted in the muddy pond at the bottom. The Lotus flower symbolizes the fact that beauty and grace can coexist only when someone is deeply grounded or rooted.

“Anda” here means the Cosmic Egg or the Cosmic Sphere. “Ku” means small, “sh” means Energy. So energy pervades this entire Universe from the smallest to the largest. From small it becomes big and from big it becomes small. From the small seed it becomes a huge fruit, and from the huge fruit it comes back into seed.

Our energy has this unique quality of being smaller than the smallest, and larger than the largest. This is explained by Kushmanda and this is why the Mother Divine is also called Kushmanda. It means that the Mother Divine manifests as the Prana, as the energy within us

For spiritual aspirants, She is the Goddess of Purification, of Tapasya – adding heat and light to purify all of the actions we perform.

As we become inspired to learn the sacred studies and commit to practicing our chosen sadhana, grace falls upon us in the form of Kushmanda Devi.

This illumined Goddess of Purification elevates us on our Path by purifing all of our actions, making everything we do a form of puja.

She bestows brightness, clarity, and profound peace to her adorers. Her radiance is eternal. Maa brings light into darkness and establishes harmony in our life. She is a form of “Adi Shakti” and worshipping Maa Kushmanda lets us enter into the heart chakra.

Her warm nature nurtures the entire universe. Grace and dignity of Maa Kushmanda is truly incredible. Her beauty is boundless.

Upon obtaining the grace of Goddess Kushmanda, all of our actions are continuously purified so that they become the most expressive demonstration of the sincerity of our love!

Ultimately, with Her purifying grace, all actions become sadhana, a sacrificial offering, leaving no separation between the spiritual life and worldly life. It all becomes “one” and we enjoy the highest illumination, contentment, and peace with no room for conflict and strife. Such is the grace of this revered Goddess..

According to the legend, there was no light anywhere. It was null and void. It was Devi Kushmanda who created the world as we see it today.

The sun gives life to the world and Goddess Kushmanda herself is the power of the sun and is the source of all energy when she resides within the core of the Sun God. She is the Shakti which gives the sun its capability to give life to everyone, to create a balance in the universe by providing life to all living beings.

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 - Kushmanda mantra (see below) any amount of times (can be chanted 108 times with mala for a longer ceremony). Perform the Lotus Mudra during mantra recitation.

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.

LOTUS MUDRA

KUSHMANDA Mantra

ॐ ह्रीम श्री कुष्मांडा दुर्गायै नमः |

Aum Hreem Kushmanda Durgaye Namaha

EXTRA AGNI RITUAL

            Visualize your entire body seated in the lotus posture, dwelling like a flame within the lotus of your heart. Your body is sustained by and assumes the form of this flame in which it is purified, energized and transformed.

Offer your body consciousness into this internal flame or fire body. Along with it offer all your physical pain, disease, discomforts and inadequacies for it to transform as needed or simply to render irrelevant in its purer light.

            Let your body arise radiant from the fire, full of lightness, joy and energy, itself a spiritual flame in physical manifestation, an embodiment of the light, no longer tied to the density and inertia of physical matter. Let your body feel like a flame of light that no darkness can limit.

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

JAI MAA