Anushtubh
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The most widely used meter in stutis, chanted in rhythmic units of eight syllables — the predominant meter of Shri Durga Saptashati; distorting it, even for emotional effect, corrupts the meaning and the fruit of recitation.
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What does the prohibition against "singing" Durga Saptashati actually mean?
Many misinterpret it to mean chanting according to prescribed meter (Chhandas) should be avoided — but the forbidden 'singing' actually refers to distorting the poetic meter, not reciting it correctly according to the meter specified in its Viniyoga.
What is the Anushtubh meter, and how does it govern chanting?
Meter (Chhanda) means structured verse, chanted in rhythmic units of eight syllables in Anushtubh meter — the most widely used meter in stutis, and the predominant meter of Shri Durga Saptashati.
Does diksha remove the need to learn?
No. In diksha it will not happen that the guru gives you such a vidya that everything comes to you without study. Bhaktaraj Dhruva did not know how to praise, so Bhagavan Narayan touched his cheeks with the shankha and all four Vedas came to him by themselves — but your guru will not have the power to touch you and give you seven hundred shlokas.
Should Saptashati shlokas be read with sandhi vichhed, or exactly as written?
Brother, first learn to read this, the speaker says. By doing sandhi vichhed the meaning will many times turn into a distortion of the meaning. So not that either, and not exactly as it stands — learn to read it in the manner of the chhanda, how the eight varna aksharas of the Anushtubh are taken; a half akshara will not be counted.
What is the science behind the number 108?
Our birth has taken place among these very 27 nakshatras and four charans. The beads of the mala are also 108, and the names are 108 too. The science behind it has been told: 27 nakshatras into four charans equals 108. Whatever karmakand we will have done to this day — good, bad, sin, merit — all of it lies among the four charans of these 27 nakshatras, and their nivritti too will happen from these very 108.
When no upsanhar vidhi can be performed, only naam japa is left, and the Ashtottar Shatnam is sharpest because its whole vidhan follows the 27 nakshatras
In such a situation, what will you do? Which upsanhar vidhi will you perform there at that time? Only naam japa. And in naam japa too, the Ashtottar Shatnam is so very sharp because the whole system of the Ashtottar Shatnam — its whole vidhan according to the chhand, or according to whichever rishi set it in whichever tantra — has been set according to the 27 nakshatras and four charans.
At what hour should a Gupt Navratri anushthan be done?
Since before sunrise is not possible, the anushthan should be done in the night hours, or in the evening around six or seven o'clock. Many kinds of anushthan have been given on the channel and any of them may be done. The third chief and special point is that when you have completed the purnahuti and some fruit comes to you, some pleasant experience occurs, you should not discuss that fruit at once — you should keep it limited to yourself. That is why it has been called gupt.
What is a Bhujang stotra, and when is it done?
Every deity has a Bhujang stotra of their own. Stotra means that the stuti which has been made has a lay, a manner; and when we do the stuti in that manner — when its path is done — it is in the kind of chhanda in which it has been said to be sung, the chhanda being named in the viniyoga, as one says the Anushtup chhanda, the Gayatri chhanda. Every chhanda has its own way of being sung and spoken. It is precisely here, he says, that a guru is needed.
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