Swami Shivapadananda continues meditation instructions
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
572
[Preparation for meditation continued]
The next part [in meditation preparation] that you must follow is dhyanam. Dhyanam means you meditate as described in the dhyanam mantra.
I will give you one example: Let us say Ganesha [the aspect of God that removes obstacles – pictured] is your deity, and he is seated on a lotus in your heart. Then you say this mantra:
Gajaananam bhoota ganaadhi sevitam,
Kapittha jamboo phalachaarubhakshanam,
Umaasutam shokavinaasha kaarakam,
Namaami vigneshwara paada pankajam.
Maybe you do not know Sanskrit so in English you can say:
The Lord has taken the form of Ganesha. He has an elephant face and is draped with a yellow dhoti. He has four arms: in one hand he has a whip; with another hand he is blessing; with another hand he is saying, 'Fear not,' and with his fourth hand he has taken something to eat (a ladu or a piece of fruit). He has lotus feet (see that he has lotus feet) and I prostrate to him.
Mentally prostrate to him within yourself.
Now you offer your deity something. You may offer him any five or ten things, whatever you like. But the less things you offer the better for you, because then it will not puzzle your mind.
I like to take agarbatti [or dhoop – incense] and light it. I wave it round the face of the deity three times. Then I take a little chandan [sandalwood paste] and put it on the deity's forehead. Then I take a
little bit of sweetmeat [ladu, fruit, jalebi (pictured) milk, etc.] and I feed him.
After feeding him I offer a little water. Then I say, 'Lord, now sit in a firm asana [seated posture] inside me so I will also be firm.' Then I meditate. [To be continued]
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