When you have several "causes"

[Jainarayan]

"Causes" meaning concerns; things you fight for, desire, need; charities; etc.

When you have several of these and want to pray or perform some sort of sādhanā (I think tapas is too severe a word), do you pray or perform these sādhanā-s to the deity who is "in charge" of each? Or do you bring everything to your ishta? And by sādhanā I mean rounds of nāma japa (I don't do bija mantras) or some sort of prayer routine.

As a Vaishnava, of course I follow the Bhagavad Gita, wherein Sri Krishna says he is the final grantor of boons and blessings: "Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular god and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone."

The Srimad Bhagavatam says:

akāshāt patitam toyam
yathā gacchati sāgaram
sarvadeva namaskārām
keshavam prati gacchati

As the water that falls down in rain from anywhere in the sky finally reaches the Ocean, the worship of any divine aspect ultimately reaches the Supreme Lord Keshava.

OK so... but as a semi-hard polytheist who believes God takes on the form needed at the time the devotee needs him (or her, for our Shakta friends ) I can't help but think that for financial issues one does sādhanā for Maa Lakshmi; for animals I'm drawn to Lord Shiva as Pashupati; for strength and courage, to Lord Hanuman; to Lord Dhanvantari for health issues; etc.

I know there is really no pat or cut-and-dried answer or method, but I'm just curious about how y'alls peoples dig it, ya feel me? (I've been dying to speak 'Hood ).

 

[Vinayaka]

I go to who is in charge, (within my Saiva sect) so normally it's Ganesha. Occasionally, like when I'm looking to be reborn into a situation where renunciation is a possibility, it's Murugan, and in particular Dandapani. Always had an affinity/attraction for that.

Occasionally prayers are sent directly to devas as well. I rarely pray directly to Siva, as he's just sort of the overseer of the entire thing. In the summer I try to beseech Varuna. He's an awesome landscaper helper.

 

[Jainarayan]

So I’m not alone in my philosophy.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I send a general alert to all deities (like a true polytheist), so my desires/problems are sorted out fast.

 

[SomeRandom]

Well in my family we go to the "one in charge of each cause."
So basically all of them lol.
But you can go directly to the top, so to speak, if that's easier for you.

 

[sayak83]

"Causes" meaning concerns; things you fight for, desire, need; charities; etc.

When you have several of these and want to pray or perform some sort of sādhanā (I think tapas is too severe a word), do you pray or perform these sādhanā-s to the deity who is "in charge" of each? Or do you bring everything to your ishta? And by sādhanā I mean rounds of nāma japa (I don't do bija mantras) or some sort of prayer routine.

As a Vaishnava, of course I follow the Bhagavad Gita, wherein Sri Krishna says he is the final grantor of boons and blessings: "Endowed with such a faith, he endeavors to worship a particular god and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone."

The Srimad Bhagavatam says:

akāshāt patitam toyam
yathā gacchati sāgaram
sarvadeva namaskārām
keshavam prati gacchati

As the water that falls down in rain from anywhere in the sky finally reaches the Ocean, the worship of any divine aspect ultimately reaches the Supreme Lord Keshava.

OK so... but as a semi-hard polytheist who believes God takes on the form needed at the time the devotee needs him (or her, for our Shakta friends ) I can't help but think that for financial issues one does sādhanā for Maa Lakshmi; for animals I'm drawn to Lord Shiva as Pashupati; for strength and courage, to Lord Hanuman; to Lord Dhanvantari for health issues; etc.

I know there is really no pat or cut-and-dried answer or method, but I'm just curious about how y'alls peoples dig it, ya feel me? (I've been dying to speak 'Hood ).

As a scientist and educator, Saraswati has always been my primary go to.
When I am meditating, siva or Buddha are the beings whom I concentrate on.
When I need energy and inspiration to tackle challenges or fight exhaustion, it's Devi who comes to mind.

I do not do prayers usually. Its usually focused Darshan in my minds eye. I bask in Their purifying and vivifying presence.

 

[Sharmaji]

I guess it’s up to you. You can either focus on the one in charge or on all of them, as each represents a fulfillment of your desire. I think that’s the great beauty of Hinduism, you’re not forced to obey that “one God only”.

 

[Jainarayan]

I do not do prayers usually. Its usually focused Darshan in my minds eye. I bask in Their purifying and vivifying presence.

I like that method. I brought this up because I’m not good at prayer, except for the kind of babbling I do when I’m driving. Standing at my shrine or at a sanctum at temple, I can chant mantras and slokas, and I can stand there taking darshan silently but I can’t just talk. Though sometimes “talking it out” or bouncing it off God can help... it’s like cheap therapy.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I do not do prayers usually. Its usually focused Darshan in my minds eye. I bask in Their purifying and vivifying presence.

Nice. I do not do prayers. I talk to them like you said “talking it out” or "bouncing it off God", cheap or whatever, it works.

 

[Viraja]

Jai,

To me material success is as important as spiritual success. In fact, I believe that one's material success or blessings originate from how well spiritually-off one's being is. This does not mean all those who are prosperous materialistically are all spiritually endowed or good or gifted. The lessons or paths shown by the divine to the mankind is unique to each individual and thus many faceted.

What I mean is that, while those young souls prone to serious mistakes may still be prosperous materialistically, spiritual success and well-being/efforts in this direction for a prolonged period of time, does not go unrewarded or under-recognized. I believe all those top-rankers, IIT/MIT-ians, all those CEO's of giant proportions, all those high achievers in any field, certainly do possess a degree of spiritual giftedness and advancement out of one's own effort, more so than normal people.

What a great and rewarding feeling this would give to me! I certainly want such a birth -- of great achievements. And, within this birth, I want to achieve what *I am capable of* to the fullest. Thus, many times, my prayers are focused on material advancement. Thus, when I know, my natal chart shows a very weak Venus and Sun, I pray to Lakshmi and Sri Rama and also Narasimha. When I want to prosper career-wise, I propitiate Hanuman, the embodiment of planet Mars, for strengthening my natal career-lord (10th lord) Mars. During 7 1/2 yrs Saturn transit, I do not hesitate to propitiate my natal Saturn too.. And so forth...

All I know is that there awaits a time for me, when I am focused 100% on my spiritual progress alone... but right now, it is a mixed bag. I want it to be this way, because I believe lessons of life, including those that test material progress, are but a true test of spiritual progress, and thus material success is linked in a way to spiritual progress.

Hope I make sense.

 

[Sharmaji]

Jai,

To me material success is as important as spiritual success. In fact, I believe that one's material success or blessings originate from how well spiritually-off one's being is. This does not mean all those who are prosperous materialistically are all spiritually endowed or good or gifted. The lessons or paths shown by the divine to the mankind is unique to each individual and thus many faceted.

What I mean is that, while those young souls prone to serious mistakes may still be prosperous materialistically, spiritual success and well-being/efforts in this direction for a prolonged period of time, does not go unrewarded or under-recognized. I believe all those top-rankers, IIT/MIT-ians, all those CEO's of giant proportions, all those high achievers in any field, certainly do possess a degree of spiritual giftedness and advancement out of one's own effort, more so than normal people.

What a great and rewarding feeling this would give to me! I certainly want such a birth -- of great achievements. And, within this birth, I want to achieve what *I am capable of* to the fullest. Thus, many times, my prayers are focused on material advancement. Thus, when I know, my natal chart shows a very weak Venus and Sun, I pray to Lakshmi and Sri Rama and also Narasimha. When I want to prosper career-wise, I propitiate Hanuman, the embodiment of planet Mars, for strengthening my natal career-lord (10th lord) Mars. During 7 1/2 yrs Saturn transit, I do not hesitate to propitiate my natal Saturn too.. And so forth...

All I know is that there awaits a time for me, when I am focused 100% on my spiritual progress alone... but right now, it is a mixed bag. I want it to be this way, because I believe lessons of life, including those that test material progress, are but a true test of spiritual progress, and thus material success is linked in a way to spiritual progress.

Hope I make sense.

Sister, I wish I had your strength, I lost years searching other religions as I was very self conscious about my beliefs being marked as silly. My depression and my living in the past is keeping me from fulfilling my dream and limits my energy. I don’t know what to do about it as I’ve tried several antidepressants and none worked. I want to take whatever chance I still have oh completing my academic career and live up to my potential. I feel so stupid or maybe I am stupid. As it’s only now that I’m returning to the Shakta tradition I’m desperately looking for help as I feel so lost. I want to know if there is anything I can do that’s within our tradition that could help me move forward in my life. I’m so scared of going under. Of drowning. If you have any advice let me know.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Our sages said:
"Vidyā dadāti vinayam, vinayāt yati pātratām;
pātrātvat dhanamāpnoti, dhanāt dharmam tatah sukham."
(Education engenders humbleness, humbleness makes a person a good candidate;
a good candidate earns well, money allows a person to fulfill his duties, therefore, creates happiness)

Sprituality and worldly life make a whole sphere. Why should there be a dividing line?

 

[DeviChaaya]

I like that method. I brought this up because I’m not good at prayer, except for the kind of babbling I do when I’m driving. Standing at my shrine or at a sanctum at temple, I can chant mantras and slokas, and I can stand there taking darshan silently but I can’t just talk. Though sometimes “talking it out” or bouncing it off God can help... it’s like cheap therapy.

I'm not good at prayer either. I feel stupid closing my eyes and praying... so what I do is turn my day into a prayer. I talk to Ma all the time but most especially when I am at home. She and Her family get a lamp lit almost every day and some incense and camphor (although I've since run out and need to get more...). But I just... talk to Her during the day and at night. I like to think of it as talking to my mother or a friend as Ma is both, isn't She?

 

[Aupmanyav]

She is, and she understands you.

 

[Viraja]

Our sages said:
"Vidyā dadāti vinayam, vinayāt yati pātratām;
pātrātvat dhanamāpnoti, dhanāt dharmam tatah sukham."
(Education engenders humbleness, humbleness makes a person a good candidate;
a good candidate earns well, money allows a person to fulfill his duties, therefore, creates happiness)

Sprituality and worldly life make a whole sphere. Why should there be a dividing line?

Of course! Nice message, but that is exactly what I am trying to convey too...

Cheers.

 

[Viraja]

Sister, I wish I had your strength, I lost years searching other religions as I was very self conscious about my beliefs being marked as silly. My depression and my living in the past is keeping me from fulfilling my dream and limits my energy. I don’t know what to do about it as I’ve tried several antidepressants and none worked. I want to take whatever chance I still have oh completing my academic career and live up to my potential. I feel so stupid or maybe I am stupid. As it’s only now that I’m returning to the Shakta tradition I’m desperately looking for help as I feel so lost. I want to know if there is anything I can do that’s within our tradition that could help me move forward in my life. I’m so scared of going under. Of drowning. If you have any advice let me know.

Sharmaji,

1. Rewards from efforts at spirituality is measured partly out of true spiritual progress and partly from the eagerness expressed by the soul to make efforts in achieving progress. That is, you will get rewarded when you have made enough spiritual progress, but you will also be rewarded when you *try enough*.

2. While rewards do await to those who strive, it is important to keep in mind, such rewards do not come in 1 day! To some, it may take several years, to some others, it may take even longer... as in, decades. The karmic effects of one's karmas cannot be ruled out completely.

3. The most important point to keep in mind is *Keep at it!*. Strive in all possible ways, be a good human and a good sadhaka. Rewards will be thrown your way.

 

[Jainarayan]

I'm not good at prayer either. I feel stupid closing my eyes and praying... so what I do is turn my day into a prayer. I talk to Ma all the time but most especially when I am at home. She and Her family get a lamp lit almost every day and some incense and camphor (although I've since run out and need to get more...). But I just... talk to Her during the day and at night. I like to think of it as talking to my mother or a friend as Ma is both, isn't She?

I've begun a semi-regular routine at home, often in the morning before work, wherein I light the shrine lamp, incense, and recite some prayers I've gathered from here and there. It's actually sort of a mini-puja. I do this in Sanskrit, because they're actually stotrams and and slokas from here and there. It feels like I'm starting the day right. But I also do a little babbling in English, just conversational. But I realized I do talk to Him extensively as I'm driving to work and home, and I often work out problems. Maybe He is answering me then.

 

[Aupmanyav]

2. While rewards do await to those who strive, it is important to keep in mind, such rewards do not come in 1 day! To some, it may take several years, to some others, it may take even longer... as in, decades. The karmic effects of one's karmas cannot be ruled out completely.

Beg to differ, Viraja. The rewards are instantaneous. Is a peaceful frame of mind not a reward? Don't make it so difficult for newbies.

 

[Viraja]

Beg to differ, Viraja. The rewards are instantaneous. Is a peaceful frame of mind not a reward? Don't make it so difficult for newbies.

Do you get mental peace that fast?

 

[Vinayaka]

Sharmaji,

1. Rewards from efforts at spirituality is measured partly out of true spiritual progress and partly from the eagerness expressed by the soul to make efforts in achieving progress. That is, you will get rewarded when you have made enough spiritual progress, but you will also be rewarded when you *try enough*.

2. While rewards do await to those who strive, it is important to keep in mind, such rewards do not come in 1 day! To some, it may take several years, to some others, it may take even longer... as in, decades. The karmic effects of one's karmas cannot be ruled out completely.

3. The most important point to keep in mind is *Keep at it!*. Strive in all possible ways, be a good human and a good sadhaka. Rewards will be thrown your way.

I concur with this sentiment. Patience is lost these days, and some folks will just give up. Personally, I think it is the underlying subtle overtone from Abrahamism that we only have one life to live. This is because people identify with the individual ego/personality of this life, rather than the soul. Where you say 'decades' above, I would say 'lifetimes'.

When discussing this topic with my Guru, one of his observations was to look at frequency. So how frequently do you get angry, or upset, of have restless nights. If you can decrease the frequency of negative, and increase the frequency of the positive, you're gaining. In my view, this allows for the slow but sure change we are all looking for.