--- In [email protected], Vaj <vajradh...@...> wrote: > > > On May 13, 2009, at 11:43 AM, grate.swan wrote: > > >> It's given me choices about how to interact with "creation" or the > >> mandala of life, it makes life easier and freer from obstructions. > >> For example, a friend dying of cancer or AIDS, I may decide to do a > >> retreat to parlay some iota of assistance from a certain devata. In > >> many cases we'll get groups of yogis to help friends in need of some > >> sort or another. > >> > > > > Looking at it ecumenically, most religious people would say similar > > -- "we prayed to Jesus, Allah, etc we asked for healing (particular > > aspects) of his fullenss to heal our friend." An most would cite > > personal evidence that "the lord was with us" and brought comfort, > > healing, etc. > > > > What would distinguish devata from those practices and efforts? > > > > Is it that the effects of the mantra is known with more precisions > > and thus more focused results can be obtained? > > > In this particular case I'm speaking of terma, yogic textual/sadhana > realizations which include certain practices for certain diseases. > Terma, being "fresh" revelations tend to bear siddhis very quickly > for one and two they're by their very nature intended for the > suffering of a specific age, era or time. This is part and parcel of > the compassionate display of wisdom that comes from such treasure > bearers (tertons). A good example would be Padma-25, a medical > formulation, which has been successfully used in shrinking some > tumors. Also the sadhanas themselves are often very precise. > > In general, initiation into a certain devata may include the root > mantra, and after it's accomplishment, a host of "action mantras" for > specific functions. Once accomplishment has dawned, one has a host of > practices for modifying their environment.
Sounds a lot like what MMY said in his talk on the Vedas: "....through Vedic hymns, it is possible for those expert in chanting those hymns to produce certain effects here, there or there. The universe is vast, so many worlds and all that. We do something here according to Vedic rites; particular, specific chanting to produce an effect in some other world, draw the attention of those higher beings or gods living there." "The entire knowledge of the mantras or hymns of the Vedas is devoted to man's connection, to man's communication with the higher beings in different strata of creation." MMY The Vedas page three.
