Guest guest Posted December 25, 1999 Report Share Posted December 25, 1999 << the father initiates his son into sun-worship, by passing on the Gayatri mantra in secret. >> Daughters don't get to learn it? Ever? phoebe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 26, 1999 Report Share Posted December 26, 1999 Hi Phoebe, > > ><< the father initiates his son into sun-worship, by passing on the Gayatri >mantra in >secret. >> > >Daughters don't get to learn it? Ever? > >phoebe When I wrote the above lines, I was thinking this question might pop up, especially from you :-), and I thought I'd elaborate if necessary. There are different kinds and levels of " secrets " ... The secret transmission is symbolic, and not a " withholding from " any group. The mantra is really well-known, and especially since She is after all a *Goddess*, anybody (including and especially women) can recite it, obtain it, or get initiated into it. What I was referring to above was its use in standardized, ritual male-to-male initiation. Also, traditionally, as you probably know, obtaining this and other (Goddess-related) mantras from a woman initiate/guru is regarded as many (the texts use the no:s 100 or 1000 or a lakh) times more powerful. That seems to overdo it to the other extreme, to my taste. (Tantric initiation from a lover excepted.) There are different advantages to having a male or female analyst, and similiarly with male or female teachers (as I see it). But, yes, I am unaware of the Gayatri mantra's use in routine transmission from mother to daughter. There are other rituals for that. To personalize this, I would want to give my daughter the mantra, but not in the specific context as a son would get it. I would not infer that my daughter is deprived or excluded in any way by this; her initiation would be equally if not more special, and the mantra *much more* potent (since personalized rituals are imbued with much more meaning that the routine, collective ritual male-to-male transmission, per my experience, and understanding of Jung). - Anand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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