What is the “Sri Devi Khadgamala Stotram”?Sri Devi refers to Shakti, the Divine Mother. Khadga means Sword, Mala meansGarland, Stotram means a hymn or song of praise. So the Khadgamala Stotram(hereafter, KS) is a hymn to the Divine Mother, which is said to bestow agarland of swords (see FAQ #2, below) upon those who recite it. The KS takes usmentally through the Sri Chakra; i.e. The mystical geometric representation ofthe Supreme Goddess. This Yantra consists of nine enclosures – each more secretand esoteric than the one before – surrounding a central point, or bindu, inwhich Devi, the Supreme Goddess (here in Her erotic form as Kameshwari) isjoined in coitus with her consort (see FAQ #2, below).
The Devi Khadgamala is a very important Mantra for a Srividya Upasaka. The origins of this Vidya may be traced to Puranas and Tantras. Among the fifteen Khadgamalas, five are for Shakti, five for Shiva and the other five for Shiva-Shakti as Mithunas. Each of this set of five has Sambudyanta, Swaahaanta, Tarpananta, Jayanta and Namonta.
As we make our way tothe center of Sri Chakra, we pay homage to the 98 yoginis or aspects of Devi(by reciting each of their names) who guard the various “power points” of thecharka along the way. We internalize each yogini to become Her; and thisprepares us to meet the next yogini on our path – and so on until we reach thecenter.2. What is the symbolic meaning of the KS?' SHAKTI' (Devi) is the Sanskrit word denoting power, or energy – all Energy,whether we perceive it (from our perspective) as positive or negative. (It isthe Shakta belief that there is no “positive” or negative energy.
Energy isalways the Creatrix.) Einstein said that all matter is energy. Shaktism saysall energy – that is, everything in and of the three worlds – is all DEVI.SHIVA is Consciousness, and is visualized as Devi’s consort. Consciousnessenergized by Power = the UNIVERSE. Energy animated by CONSCIOUSNESS also = theUNIVERSE. Love – the desire of SHAKTI and SHIVA to Unite as One – is theessence of all Creation. That why the KS envisions Devi 'IN COITUS' with HerConsort.
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This implies that SHAKTI (Energy) is fully animated by SHIVA(Consciousness) – She is, in fact, in an eternal state of creative orgasm. Thatis the cosmic bliss we begin to access through our sadhana (spiritualdisciplines). The human sexual impulse is merely a metaphor for the CosmicCreative Impulse that creates that all we see and do not see. The Stotram isinviting us to ride that wave with Her; in essence, to become Her. The SWORDbestowed upon reciters of the KS symbolizes the power (Energy) that enables usto transcend attachment, enabling Self-Realization. As Sri Amritananda Nathaexplains, “the Sword metaphorically severs the head, separating body frommind. It can be interpreted also as Wisdom – that which separates, categorizes,and classifies.
So it is a symbol of Knowledge. Khadgamala is about imagining agarland of synergistic ideas, nourishing and protecting them and putting lifeinto them.”3. Of all the Shakta recitations, why did you choose to share the KS?Many people have asked us over the years how to begin a serious Shakta practice– something more advanced and specific than our most basic (and still totallyvalid) advice, “Just pray to the Mother!” and yet not so complex andtime-consuming as to place it beyond the reasonable capacity of an averagedevotee. The KS is a very advanced, very powerful recitation from the Srividyaschool of Shaktism – and yet it is totally within the reach of anyone whoapproaches it in a spirit of serious, sustained devotion and practice.4. Why should I use it?Because it condenses a long series of complicated rituals into a very simple,easily achievable recitation/meditation that anyone can learn and hugelybenefit from. The full pooja of the Devis of the Sri Chakra takes hours,because at each point we pause and do smaller, detailed poojas. Hence the sagesof yore created this KS as an alternative, short-form recitation that is moresuitable for the demands and time constrictions of modern life.
According toone advanced Srividya upasak who is a member of this group: 'All of thesadhana of Srividya can be achieved by the recitation of the Khadgamala. Hoursof long ritual compressed to less than half an hour of intense meditation thatwill give you a ticket on the same plane as the great Srividya Upasakas.Whatever your developmental stage, this is IT.' Even those who have notbeen initiated into Srividya can benefit from the Khadgamala. Stotras are onetool of Srividya upasana that is open to all categories of people. It does nothave ritualistic injunctions of dos and don’ts. All you need do is recite;then, by and by, the Devis will become visible and you will feel the bliss ofunion with the ultimate and as one goes on, the necessary teachers will appearas if from thin air and guide you further (this is the personal experience ofmany a member of this group).5.
How do I begin?Simply print out the Khadgamala Stotram as linked from the Shakti Sadhana site,download the MP3 recitation from site, and begin reciting it. It’s aseasy as that. Listen and read till you know it by heart. Then listen only. Thenstop even that. Just contemplate it in your mind.6.
How do I recite the KS?Sri Amritananda advises, “As you are reciting each name, that yogini’s portionof Sri Chakra should spring up in your imagination. The power comes fromintensifying concentration to visualize the form, hear the sound, feel thetouch, taste, and smell of the divine perfume of the yogini manifesting thatpart of the ever youthful Goddess. The Goddess loves fun. She is deeply inlove with you, making you Siva.” Don’t worry if your recitation is awkward oryour pronunciation is bad.
As Sri Amritananda Natha counsels, you should simplydismiss all of those technical concerns for now and simply “begin your journeyto Goddess today, no matter how feebly. You can add power and depth as you movealong. We are there to help you.” It is said “Bhava grAhI JanArdana (Godunderstands the feeling and intent and does not bother about mistakes.) Also,in your meditation, do not try too hard to concentrate – because you cannot!!Just recite, let the mind wander; let it do whatever it wants. Still the resultwill come. If one tries to concentrate, the body will become tense and theresults will not appear.7.
How often should I use it?Once a day is ideal. So do it daily; and, if possible, at the same time andsame place. But if your circumstances make that kind of commitment difficult orimpossible, do not worry! Simply do it when you can.
Especially when you aresad and/or facing a problem; just do it and you may well see miracles.8. What is the effect of using it supposed to be?One Srividya upasak in our group, who is quite experienced in use of the KS,says, “It’s a hyperplane that will take you anywhere you want (or need) to go.”It clears your doubts and fears, removes your psychic baggage, and preparesyour mind and spirit for dramatic spiritual advancement. “It fulfils allwishes, more than you desire, instantly,” adds Sri Amritananda. “Therein liesits power. Regular practice protects you, nourishes you, and takes you beyond.”9.
Is it okay to recite Khadgamala Stotram without a guru?Yes, it is a stotra and is also a mala mantra (i.e., a mantra with more than1,000 letters). Keep in mind that the original source document of the Stotramhas been lost, to the best of modern knowledge, other than a few stray excerptsthat have survived here and there. So injunctions, if any, have also been lost.But the simple fact is that many, many people have recited the KS withoutinjunctions and attained everything. Therefore, it can safely be assumed thatthere are no negative injunctions.””.
For reading translations of 656 stotras: For reading about meanings of 615 Carnatic music krithis: For reading about rules and rituals of Brahmins: For reading Raja Thatha’s 77 Blogs: For reading about 59 Kerala temples: For reading about, 65 village gods of Tamil Nadu: For reading stories and rhymes for children: For reading poems by Ramachander: For stories illustrating Malayalam Proverbs: My translation of Narayaneeyam: of Vikramadhithya:http://vikramadhithya.blogspot.com/.