1982-08-01 21 names (not 24) of Shri Vishnu (Shri Adi Shakti, Cowley Manor Seminar, Cheltenham, UK)

...Why these 21 names are taken, before every Puja, even before the re-renovation of it? First, you have to worship Shri Ganesha. But even before worshiping, why these names are taken is important to understand. Everything has a ‘why?’. Because these are the 21 channels within your Sushumna. Twenty-one channels, we should say, in the complete Ida, Pingala and Sushumna nadi. So to raise you, absolutely to give you the ascent, 21 channels in Ida, Pingala, Sushumna. So one would say 7 channels in the Sushumna nadi, but these 7 channels are divided, multiplied by 7 into 3. So every channel has got 21 inner channels. So, Sushumna nadi has got also 21 channels. Left-hand side nadis are, as you know that, perhaps you know, I do not know if you know the names. And the right-hand side also like Gayatri, Parvati and all these are on the right-hand side. And left ones are called as Chamundi and all these left-sided things, there are 7 of them. Now, the central part has got 21 channels and has got 21 powers and their deities are named according to the 21 aspects of Shri Vishnu. And that’s why these 21 aspects are first said so that within you all these 21 channels are awakened, within you, first of all. Puja is a double thing: that a cup has to be made and then the source has to be opened out. So you are the cup. The Sushumna is the channel you have by which you suck in. So to open the Sushumna these 21 names are said. Now why first Shri Ganesha? Because Shri Ganesha is the beginning of the desire, and the end of the desire. You start with Ganesha and end up with Ganesha. That’s why Shri Ganesha is worshiped. Is the other way around now, is the source. When you direct your attention to the source, you worship it, and when you want to incite or open out your own being, then you chant it. This is the difference between worship and a mantra. If you just say mantra, you open yourself out. But when you worship and chant, then you tap the source. I don’t know if I’ve said this before or not. That’s how you understand the puja part. Now those who are newcomers, their cup is completely useless. And when you excite the deities, they get busy opening their cups, everybody’s cups, also, so its a double work. So if your cup is ready, it’s very easy to fill it. So now these 21 names I think you should take AGAIN with the understanding, it’s better. [ignoring Her guidance 24 names are taken]....