Durga Pahimam-A Healing Justice Puja

I’m exploring ways to make my healing justice practice available to everyone. In this video, I begin by offering a kirtan, “Durga Pahimam”, arranged by Jai Uttal. The kirtan invokes the great Mother Goddess Durga, Goddess of Justice. Then I make an offering of puja to Kwan Yin, Bodhisattva of Compassion, my Buddha figure. I offer sound (chimes), incense, light (a candle), food (a jar of herbs), and water. I touch the three water vessels with a bottle with sacred water from the lake in Tibet where Yeshe Tstogyal is said to have been born. I chant the refuge vows and then chant the Mantra of Compassion, Om Mane Padme Hung, 108 times. I offer this puja for everyone, all sentient beings everywhere. But in particular this week, I offer it for the victims of the massacre at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, and for the whole queer community, our lovers, family and friends.

Durga Pahimam
Hey Ma Durga, Hey Ma Durga
Oh Mother Durga, Oh Mother Durga

Hey Ma Durga, Rakshamam
Oh Mother Durga, You are my protector

Hey Ma Durga, Hey Ma Durga
Oh Mother Durga, Oh Mother Durga

Hey Ma Durga, Pahimam
Oh Mother Durga, You are my savior — I offer myself completely to you, now I am no longer mine, I am Yours