Naive Childhood..
In my childhood days my mother and her group of friends would often talk about the weekly bhajans conducted at the Bhuwaneshwari Temple.
Oh! Lemme tell you that this is a must-visit temple in Jamshedpur situated on a hill-top in Telco Colony- my birthplace and where I grew up. On rare occasions did I get to see a group of devotees (usually aged group) chanting songs praising lord Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman and Lord Ayyappa. I haven’t been a part of the group as it was believed that this was reserved for a particular age group. Sarcastic but never did I see any teenager or even youth taking part. Neah!!
Not that we do not worship God, but it’s the new generation ideologies that rule our thoughts. Social norms to be strictly followed. Do as others expect you to do and no complains. Anyways I was happy with my studious life.
A decade later..
An established writer by profession and based in Chennai. Four years of the rat-race and then finally I was well placed in a place full of calm and an ambience that supported work. I wanted to learn something to relax. Violin, music, French classes and the list of possibilities added on. Finally, out from nowhere did I type ‘Art of Living'- Chennai centers. Till today I donno what made me do that! Seriously! Basic course was over and I did gain quite a lot. Learning makes no sense until put to practice on a regular basis.
During the course I came to know about satsangs and all the decade long perception that it is meant for the oldies, went for a fizz. Youngsters who take this path of exploring thyself and getting closer to God are the forerunners during Satsang. Postponing the willingness to attend one such satsang under the influence of external factors did not give me ample courage. But then, what we resist persists. There would be an agony within ruled strictly by the mind. But for how long can the heart bow. When the time came, I did make it to the Satsang.
The way to celebrate joy and peace..
It was a casual day. Having done with the morning kriya and prayer I started off for Tiruvanmiyur. I boarded the bus after a long wait. I had to board two buses and a rickshaw to reach the venue.
The colorful kolam or rangoli at the entrance to the hall was simple and symbolized purity.
I entered at the right time despite all delays involved. The pooja had commenced. There was a swami ji clad in white who looked very much at peace and deeply immersed in the present moment. There were 4 Vedic pundits and 6 children pundits who were performing the pooja as per Vedic tradition. At the stage there were the arrangements made for ‘Shiv-ling pooja’- even though I could not see the shiv-ling as we see, there was a skeleton of the ling. The skeletal figure was later sanctified by offering holy waters and flowers while reciting all the relevant slokas- shivopasana mantra and 108 Namavali mantras . The floral decorated shiv-ling was indeed a miracle form of the actual inverted U-shaped linga.
Then there were many bhajan songs sung in full zeal accompanied by dholak beats and other supporting instruments.
NAVAGRAHAS
There was a big havan-kund. The navagrahas were placed on a raised platform just in front of the havan-kunj. The main poojari ignited the fire and started reciting the mantras. The smoke filled the entire hall in a mild way and it seemed as if there was a a complete purity and holiness. I felt as if all the devotees present there were washed off ,of their mistakes and unpleasant thoughts and deeds.
The bhajans appraising lord Shiva, lord Ganesh and many other deities were so alluring that even I started singing along with the rhythm . I was a bit resistive initially and had been indifferent. But then after the whole satsang was over, I felt nice, for no specific reason at all. I was feeling a bit exhausted too because it was a long satsang- the first experience for me and that the climate being a bit humid cannot be questioned though.
Then the swamiji present from the ashram spoke a few words-‘How was it?’-just a few but it was so pure and calm just as his smile.
An experience I take pride in...
I then went and had the ‘prashad’ along with the others. During my way back, I really cannot explain what I was feeling, perhaps light and tension-free. I was wondering, I went there without knowing anyone and became a part of the whole pooja without speaking to anyone. There were no gossips, no arguments and no conversation. I felt a sense of freedom of being with myself. My mind had been wandering or rather pondering over many thoughts. But by the end of it all I was actually enjoying the present moment. Happiness is all about enjoying the present moment-your way.
In my childhood days my mother and her group of friends would often talk about the weekly bhajans conducted at the Bhuwaneshwari Temple.
Oh! Lemme tell you that this is a must-visit temple in Jamshedpur situated on a hill-top in Telco Colony- my birthplace and where I grew up. On rare occasions did I get to see a group of devotees (usually aged group) chanting songs praising lord Krishna, Rama, Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman and Lord Ayyappa. I haven’t been a part of the group as it was believed that this was reserved for a particular age group. Sarcastic but never did I see any teenager or even youth taking part. Neah!!
Not that we do not worship God, but it’s the new generation ideologies that rule our thoughts. Social norms to be strictly followed. Do as others expect you to do and no complains. Anyways I was happy with my studious life.
A decade later..
An established writer by profession and based in Chennai. Four years of the rat-race and then finally I was well placed in a place full of calm and an ambience that supported work. I wanted to learn something to relax. Violin, music, French classes and the list of possibilities added on. Finally, out from nowhere did I type ‘Art of Living'- Chennai centers. Till today I donno what made me do that! Seriously! Basic course was over and I did gain quite a lot. Learning makes no sense until put to practice on a regular basis.
During the course I came to know about satsangs and all the decade long perception that it is meant for the oldies, went for a fizz. Youngsters who take this path of exploring thyself and getting closer to God are the forerunners during Satsang. Postponing the willingness to attend one such satsang under the influence of external factors did not give me ample courage. But then, what we resist persists. There would be an agony within ruled strictly by the mind. But for how long can the heart bow. When the time came, I did make it to the Satsang.
The way to celebrate joy and peace..
FLORAL SHIV-LING
It was a casual day. Having done with the morning kriya and prayer I started off for Tiruvanmiyur. I boarded the bus after a long wait. I had to board two buses and a rickshaw to reach the venue.
The colorful kolam or rangoli at the entrance to the hall was simple and symbolized purity.
I entered at the right time despite all delays involved. The pooja had commenced. There was a swami ji clad in white who looked very much at peace and deeply immersed in the present moment. There were 4 Vedic pundits and 6 children pundits who were performing the pooja as per Vedic tradition. At the stage there were the arrangements made for ‘Shiv-ling pooja’- even though I could not see the shiv-ling as we see, there was a skeleton of the ling. The skeletal figure was later sanctified by offering holy waters and flowers while reciting all the relevant slokas- shivopasana mantra and 108 Namavali mantras . The floral decorated shiv-ling was indeed a miracle form of the actual inverted U-shaped linga.
Then there were many bhajan songs sung in full zeal accompanied by dholak beats and other supporting instruments.
NAVAGRAHAS(Manifest in Coconuts)
There was a big havan-kund. The navagrahas were placed on a raised platform just in front of the havan-kunj. The main poojari ignited the fire and started reciting the mantras. The smoke filled the entire hall in a mild way and it seemed as if there was a a complete purity and holiness. I felt as if all the devotees present there were washed off ,of their mistakes and unpleasant thoughts and deeds.
The bhajans appraising lord Shiva, lord Ganesh and many other deities were so alluring that even I started singing along with the rhythm . I was a bit resistive initially and had been indifferent. But then after the whole satsang was over, I felt nice, for no specific reason at all. I was feeling a bit exhausted too because it was a long satsang- the first experience for me and that the climate being a bit humid cannot be questioned though.
Then the swamiji present from the ashram spoke a few words-‘How was it?’-just a few but it was so pure and calm just as his smile.
An experience I take pride in...
I then went and had the ‘prashad’ along with the others. During my way back, I really cannot explain what I was feeling, perhaps light and tension-free. I was wondering, I went there without knowing anyone and became a part of the whole pooja without speaking to anyone. There were no gossips, no arguments and no conversation. I felt a sense of freedom of being with myself. My mind had been wandering or rather pondering over many thoughts. But by the end of it all I was actually enjoying the present moment. Happiness is all about enjoying the present moment-your way.
Jai Gurudev!!!!!
2 comments:
Way to go lady..Try n follow the Art of Living...Its definitely an "Art" of Living which all of us should be learning than just running around all day behind material things & career...You made me remind the Art of Living course i had attended while i was in junior college...Will definitely try to follow some things that i learned there for a start...
Thanx.
Jai Gurudev..
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