Om Hrim Annapurnayai Namaha!

[Guest guest]

Dear Family,

 

Namaste and Pranams!

 

Our Kashi Yatra continues...

 

We went to bed at 11 on Tuesday night. We were up at 2 AM on Wednesday

morning so that we could be there for early morning Arati at Annapurna

Mandir. Like the Vriddha Brahmin in Satyanarayan Vrat, I could not

sleep much.

 

Security is tight at the temple, but by Her grace we are able to get

through. Arati is beautiful. Mother is in black stone, but after the

arati is over, the pujari affixes a shining silver face so we can all

see Her beautiful face. Words cannot describe Her beauty! We then sat

down and chanted from Swamiji's Annapurna book, her 1000 names, her

100 names, and Her Ashtothram. Surprise: One of Her names is Shree

Maa.

 

Next we go to bathe in the Holy Ganges. Maa had asked us to say the

Gayatri as we went inside. I managed to go inside 50 times and

remembered my friends and family with each dunk. Its a lot of fun!

Then I swum a little bit. The water is actually a bit warm. As Maa

would say, " we did mast (fun) "

 

Our friend then kindly arranged to take us to Annapurna Mandir again.

An unexpected surprise was in store for us. After a short wait, the

Pujari asked us to come inside and we did abhishek to Mother (Milk,

Yoghurt, Honey, Sugar, Ghee, Panchamrit, and Ganga Snan). We offered

the sari that Maa had sent us and some sweets and dakshina.

 

Mother's grace is incomprehensible. Mother, your form is small here

and yet you hold the Universe aloft in Your tiny hands. We are Your

naughty children. Our mind wanders, but keep us with you! May you be

with us in every word, thought, and deed!

 

We then bowed to Maheswar again.

 

After that we met the Mahant of the Ashram, a wise sadhu. He said to

us that there were three things that are most important: a human

birth, the inclination for religious and dharmic karma, and the

company of saints. Everything else pales in insignificance. He said

that we were so fortunate that we could be with Maa and Swamiji. He

also said that the Puranas are voluminous but their essence can be

summarized as follows: Do good to others and you will receive good

(sukh); give sorrow to others (dukh) and you will receive sorrow.

 

With these elevating thoughts we left the Mandir. But God brought me

down to earth quickly. My stomach started hurting badly and I had to

relieve myself really quick. But then driving by car in Varanasi is a

slow affair and the ride was half hour. I started calling

out, " Narayana " first slowly and then loudly and in desperation.

Meanwhile, Ramya and our friend were trying to discuss some spiritual

topics to distract me. A car passes by which has a sticker, " Hari Om " .

I treat that as a sign and I started saying Hari Om Narayana. I am

sure Lord Krishna was smiling at my discomfiture. His blessing was I

got a practical lesson on how to do japa with intensity!!

 

We then boarded the plane to Delhi. Came back and rested. We got up at

8:45 PM and chanted the Chandi.

 

Then Mother Yoga Nidra welcome us into Her loving arms.

 

with love and prayers,

srini