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Shaktism and Shaivism for beginners.

Saint Frankenstein

Saint Frankenstein

Here for the ride
Premium Member
Yogi1054 said:
There is a saying that I head of "In public, a Vaishnava. In private, a Shaivite. In your heart, a Shakta."
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I like that saying. But I'm not hiding. :)
As a Shakti I would do what others have advised visit the temple and bring offerings to Maa, also find a good teacher.
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Eventually, I'd like to. But all the Hindu temples are outside of the city and I have no way of getting to them. When my living situation is fixed, I'm going to make a shrine to Kali.

What mantras are you using? Make sure your are grounded first in your practise - Maa has a very powerful energy
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Oh, I believe it. It's nothing to play around with or go into without being ready. I haven't really chanted anything yet. If you have some recommendations, I'm all ears. Meditation technique recommendations are welcome, too. I'm a newbie to this.

images
One of my favourite forms of Shakti at my temple - Jai Randal Maa
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She is so beautiful. *bows* :)
 
Aupmanyav

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Yogi1054 said:
images
One of my favourite forms of Shakti at my temple - Jai Randal Maa
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Jai Randal Maa
586,469,174 forms of mother in India. :D
According to the Census of 2011, including my wife (She is mother to two).
Ravirandal Mataji - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Durgā Gāyatri Mantra
Om Katyāyanāya Vidhmahe,
Kanyā Kumari cha Dhīmahe,
Tanno Durgāya Prachodayāt.

Om Let me meditate on the goddess who is daughter of Katyayana,
Oh, maiden Goddess, give me higher intellect,
And let that Goddess Durga illuminate my mind.
 
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Kalibhakta

Kalibhakta

Jai Maha Kali Ma!
As a fellow devotee, I would suggest some books.

In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning: Devadatta Kali: 9780892540808: Amazon.com: Books

The Devimahatmya is the Bhagavad Gita of Shaktism. The passages on the permanence and transcendent yet incarnate nature of Mother Divine is second to none. Ramakrishna will never fail to keep you on a good path.
http://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Four-Aspects-Mother-Babaji-Kindler/dp/1891893041
This is a good one and a personal favorite. Just picks up and smashes your attention, and does a good job of showing of detail.


Shiva: The Wild God of Power and Ecstasy: Wolf-Dieter Storl Ph.D.: 9781594770142: Amazon.com: Books

This is a good book on Lord Shiva. Written in a earthy, personal tone that really sells how rich the lord is. I am found of this one.





 
Saint Frankenstein

Saint Frankenstein

Here for the ride
Premium Member
Kalibhakta said:
As a fellow devotee, I would suggest some books.

In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya and Its Meaning: Devadatta Kali: 9780892540808: Amazon.com: Books

The Devimahatmya is the Bhagavad Gita of Shaktism. The passages on the permanence and transcendent yet incarnate nature of Mother Divine is second to none. Ramakrishna will never fail to keep you on a good path.
Twenty-Four Aspects of Mother Kali: Babaji Bob Kindler: 9781891893049: Amazon.com: Books
This is a good one and a personal favorite. Just picks up and smashes your attention, and does a good job of showing of detail.


Shiva: The Wild God of Power and Ecstasy: Wolf-Dieter Storl Ph.D.: 9781594770142: Amazon.com: Books

This is a good book on Lord Shiva. Written in a earthy, personal tone that really sells how rich the lord is. I am found of this one.




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Thanks! I've been looking into Ramakrishna a bit and he's a great teacher!
 
Vinayaka

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Through which lens would you like to learn more?
1) A Saiva scholar?
2) A Sanatani scholar
3) A Shaktite bhaktar
4) A Saiva bhaktar?
5) A Vaishnavite?
6) An advaitin?
7) A western Christian?
8) A Jewish scholar of religion?
9) An anti-Hindu biased Freudian?
10) A village Hindu

They're all out there, in varying ways. I just think it's important to know a bit about the lens of the person who wrote the book, or is sharing information.
 
Kalibhakta

Kalibhakta

Jai Maha Kali Ma!
Kalidas? This has been my username the whole time, I am not a Kalidas unless that is a nickname.


But is always nice to meet another devotee.

Like how one drunk knows another, says Rumi, the lover of god knows another!
 
Fireside_Hindu

Fireside_Hindu

Jai Lakshmi Maa
Kalibhakta said:
Kalidas? This has been my username the whole time, I am not a Kalidas unless that is a nickname.


But is always nice to meet another devotee.

Like how one drunk knows another, says Rumi, the lover of god knows another!
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Oh, nope, my mistake. Just saw your message number. There was another member who had the same profile picture. He's been gone for a while. I thought maybe he was back with a slightly different name. =)
 
Chakra

Chakra

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Shaivism historically have always rejected the Puranas, even the pro-Shiva ones.
 
Chakra

Chakra

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Kalibhakta said:
This is new to me. Why is that?

*Feels lucky that we Shakti have exactly two Puranas, plus the Devi Mahatmya. ...*
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There are many Puranas dedicated to Shiva. Shaivas have generally always relied on their agamas and Vedas. Of course, I could be wrong, but I've never seen a Shaiva quote Puranas besides Appayaa Dik****a. @Vinayaka -ji, please elaborate if you can.

The Devi Bhagavatam is not one of the major Puranas. It is an upa-Puranam, AFAIK.
 
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