Comments | chef2b: Post Shivaratri

chef2b

Post Shivaratri

Feb 19, 2007 07:42

It was an incredible function. They did an amazing job of decorating the Temple and preparing the 108 collosums topped with bilva leaves and large conch shells filled with water, saffron, and camphor. There was even a designated chanting area filled with men who know Rudram far better than I. I've managed to memorize small parts, but nothing ( Read more... )

temple

Comments 4

Heh... huxbear February 19 2007, 16:27:39 UTC

Heya, dude! I admire your dedication and focus... It's something I did in my youth (the festivals, prayer-rounds and such), but have been out of that circle for soooooooooo long that I don't even know who from my old circle of cronies is even still living in the city (this was back when I was 14-18)...

Being rudely honest? You look a LOT different without your face-fur... I must say, Shiva might appreciate the sacrifice, but I bet He appreciates the *willingness* even more than the sacrifice... ;o) I mean... It's FACEFUR, dude! [[bugs his eyes out]] ;o)

[[chants a few zillion rounds of "Om Namaha Shivaya" just 'cuz]]

:o)

Re: Heh... chef2b February 21 2007, 16:11:48 UTC

Why thank you kind, sir. I'm amazed that you were doing all that chanting between 14 and 18. That's dedication!

I was lucky that I loved ciphers as a kid, so the trick to being able to Sanskrit transliteration was recognizing the pattern in the symbols. Pronunciation is a bear, but I've got a good ear. Fortunately, I found a good transliteration of Rudram so I don't need to follow it in Sanskrit. I'm a few years off from being able to recognize the symbols fast enough to make that connection between brain and mouth.

That and several CDs from slow to fast as well as listening to it in the car and chanting along with those sections that I do have memorized have made it easier. I still trip around a bit near the beginning and the end and I utterly butcher Chamakam. ::deep breath:: one thing at a time.

You aren't being rude at all. The shaved and unshaved pics are bloody night and day and I prefer having facefur. Lots of it! LOL.

Perhaps, I'll be lukcy enough to make your acquaintance some day.

Re: Heh... huxbear February 21 2007, 19:56:16 UTC

Well, it's not like I didn't have LOTS of help and encouragement in the chanting... I have a natural aptitude for languages (or at least I did way back when) -- especially Sanskrit (and its brethren)... I'm just starting on some basic Mandarin with one of the BF's who's been to China for a 3month Tai Chi intensive and might go back next year... So we decided to learn "basic" Mandarin so he's able to get by easier, and I decided to help him practice between now and then. :o)

I need to get some good "chanting" CD's...that sounds like an awesome plan... [[nods]] I used to have some tapes from various different traditions within the whole Hindu spectrum, but have NO idea where they've been "stored"... I get "helped" in my storage by the husbear and then can't find nuffink when I want it. ;o)

Re: Heh... chef2b February 22 2007, 15:19:58 UTC

Once I get beyond the weekend, let me see what I can dig up. I can probably burn something for ya.

If you get a chance check out the "Vedic Mythology, Music, and Mantras" podcast on iTunes. There's a story followed by chants related to the subject of the story. Really fun.