Guru Poornima-A day of the Devotees

Celebrating the essence and the presence of ‘The Devine’ in our life.. Celebrating the grace and blessings showered in our life..

Rejoicing by tuning in to the melody of Satsang.. Rejoicing in meditation and offering gratitude through sacred chants..

Smiling and warding off all worries and fear.. Smiling and surrendering to the blissful aura of our Gurudev..

An experience to cherish, an opportunity sure not to miss,I say. The evening on the eve of Guru Poornima started with devotional bhajans praising Lord Shiva, Durga mata, Krishna and not to forget the beloved Lord Ganesha.


The devotees were equal participants along with the lead singers and the orchaestra. Enthusiasm and happiness was as though forming waves, to reach out high to Guruji. Guruji ‘s photograph was all in décor, in his charismatic smile, fresh garlands teaming up all through the programme. The devotees love is much more than the flowers offered in love and respect.


It was as though Guruji was right there even though unseen, smiling, singing and dancing with each one of us. There was oneness all around. I just closed my eyes and became a part. Music was in the air, in the mind, in the heart. Music that brought everyone together! Music that evoked happiness and smile!



Followed by Gurupuja through chanting .This symbolized the true vedic chants to praise our Guru. The moon meditation was unbelievable. It was as though I was taking a walk in the clouds on a full moon night. Moonlight was my torchbearer and the twinkling stars welcomed me to the celestial abode. Even though it was getting a bit strenuous for my legs sitting squatted, I felt the pain vanish to the experience so pure and graceful. I was blessed and smiled.


A knowledge tape was played where Guruji answered to many questions of the devotees seated quite calm and cool. Relaxed and smiling while he explained. An evening full of gratitude and fun with satsang left everyone in high spirits and the ‘prashad’ to mark a pleasant depart for one and all.


Jai Gurudev..

Can ‘I’ belong to ‘U’?

Can ‘I’ belong to ‘U’?

Let's See ' I ' Comes 9th in the alphabetical order-grammatically correct Comes 3rd as a vowel -grammatically correct Comes 1st as the pronoun to take the lead - grammatically correct Comes 1st in terms of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs-theoretically correct Comes 1st to safeguard the honor of Ego-emotionally correct Let's see 'U' Comes 21st in the alphabetical order-grammatically correct Comes last as a vowel -grammatically correct Comes 2nd as the pronoun to follow the first lead - grammatically correct Comes 2nd in terms of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs-theoretically correct Comes 2nd to safeguard the honor of Ego-emotionally correct Let’s see ‘I’ and ‘U’ ‘I ' outstands 'U' in all possible ways-it’s there in everything we do, whether consciously or subconsciously. It is closely associated with 'U'. Isn't it so?

If there was no the 'U' glory, then would there ever emerge the 'I ' crown we carry? That makes ‘ I ’ and ‘U’ the ‘Crowning Glory’ YOU are an inseparable part of ME. I am an inseparable part of YOU. YOU belong to ME. I belong to YOU.

Jai Gurudev !!!

Satsang so refreshing...

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..

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!!!!!