Guest guest Posted February 19, 2004 Report Share Posted February 19, 2004 Last night was The Big Night ! The setup must now be familiar to all that know the Mandir ...the four pujas, ...walking up and down Napeshwar, ...hurrying to make sure you dont miss any of the pujas, ...doing the offerings at the same time if you miss one, ...bhajans , harmonium, drums, violins ...new faces - some shy and some friendly , ...dancing and whirling dervishes , ...seeing a few familiar faces that appear and disappear only to be seen at the next Shivaratri, ...Maa and Swamiji, ...Arati, ...Chanting - Rudri, 1000 names of Shiva , ...creative Skits and Plays (I am counting on ya Brian to fill in for the rest of the Sridar story ) ) ...People gravitating to the back so that they can sneak a quick nap in the hope that Shiva wont notice, ...queuing up for blessings, ...a feast at 3 am (yes in the morning) and I saved the best for the last ...FIRE CEREMONY ! This is going to be pretty one-sided as this Shivaratri for me was all about FIRE ! The previous Shivaratris were about staying indoors in the temple, keeping warm, listening to Maa's divine voice. This year, I had the urge to stay outdoors and be meditative. The fire ceremony was the perfect outlet. Maa wanted us to chant "Om Namah Shivaya Svaha" atleast 10000 times, that is a hundred rounds of a 108 count rosary. Swamiji started the process, stoked the fire , chanted a few rounds and then let us take over. We , the disciples and devotees took turns in sitting in front of the fire. I took up a slot, intending to do a few rounds , but landed up staying there for most of it. It is a different feeling , sitting in the makeshift havankund with the fire in front of me and the winds and chill of the night behind me . It felt like I was sitting with the Sahara Desert in front of me and Antarctica behind me simultaneously. My body ached with all the contortions of trying to shiver and sweat at the same time. And not to forget, keeping count of the mantra with consistent pranayam, and offering to the fire . The best lesson I learned was during the Rudrashtadhyayi. In my eagerness to reserve a spot, I took one VERY close to the fire pit. I had to hold my book up to cut down the heat and the book cover was blazing hot by the time I was done. Learn from my mistakes, dear readers, and the next time seat yourself at an optimal distance. The FIRE is HOT (whats new) and SPITS at you. Oh and also, take a towel with you to cover your lap to prevent any sparks getting on your clothes. I was amazed at some of the senior disciples chanting with so much ease and poise ! How many years of practice it must have taken them to come to the level of ease they exhibited ! How much commitment one disciple showed, chanting the Rudri determinedly even with the rivulets of sweat running down his red face. Another disciple with all humility was willing to chant with me for "however many verses I wanted to - 15,20 take your pick" and was perfectly happy to scale down to my 10-12 to a breath . One act of inspiration from them says more than a thousand sermons ever can. Thank you dear family for your continuing inspiration ! Thank you, Agni bhagavan for burning up one of huge load of Karmas yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2004 Report Share Posted February 19, 2004 Hi Latha, What do you mean by the "makeshift" hawan kund? What happened to the hawan kund that was near Maa's trailer? I have no idea what the Mandir looks like now. Are the trailers still there? Where is Maa and Swamijji's house located? Is the temple still in the same building that it was in 2001? I am glad you had a wonderful Shivaratri. I always like chanting at the fire. But I also loved the pujas and the bhajans. I ended up celebrating at home. It was heavenly. Ardis "Latha Nanda" <lathananda > Fri, 20 Feb 2004 03:15:00 -0000 ShivaRatri Atlast ! Last night was The Big Night ! The setup must now be familiar to all that know the Mandir ...the four pujas, ...walking up and down Napeshwar, ...hurrying to make sure you dont miss any of the pujas, ...doing the offerings at the same time if you miss one, ...bhajans , harmonium, drums, violins ...new faces - some shy and some friendly , ...dancing and whirling dervishes , ...seeing a few familiar faces that appear and disappear only to be seen at the next Shivaratri, ...Maa and Swamiji, ...Arati, ...Chanting - Rudri, 1000 names of Shiva , ...creative Skits and Plays (I am counting on ya Brian to fill in for the rest of the Sridar story ) ) ...People gravitating to the back so that they can sneak a quick nap in the hope that Shiva wont notice, ...queuing up for blessings, ...a feast at 3 am (yes in the morning) and I saved the best for the last ...FIRE CEREMONY ! This is going to be pretty one-sided as this Shivaratri for me was all about FIRE ! The previous Shivaratris were about staying indoors in the temple, keeping warm, listening to Maa's divine voice. This year, I had the urge to stay outdoors and be meditative. The fire ceremony was the perfect outlet. Maa wanted us to chant "Om Namah Shivaya Svaha" atleast 10000 times, that is a hundred rounds of a 108 count rosary. Swamiji started the process, stoked the fire , chanted a few rounds and then let us take over. We , the disciples and devotees took turns in sitting in front of the fire. I took up a slot, intending to do a few rounds , but landed up staying there for most of it. It is a different feeling , sitting in the makeshift havankund with the fire in front of me and the winds and chill of the night behind me . It felt like I was sitting with the Sahara Desert in front of me and Antarctica behind me simultaneously. My body ached with all the contortions of trying to shiver and sweat at the same time. And not to forget, keeping count of the mantra with consistent pranayam, and offering to the fire . The best lesson I learned was during the Rudrashtadhyayi. In my eagerness to reserve a spot, I took one VERY close to the fire pit. I had to hold my book up to cut down the heat and the book cover was blazing hot by the time I was done. Learn from my mistakes, dear readers, and the next time seat yourself at an optimal distance. The FIRE is HOT (whats new) and SPITS at you. Oh and also, take a towel with you to cover your lap to prevent any sparks getting on your clothes. I was amazed at some of the senior disciples chanting with so much ease and poise ! How many years of practice it must have taken them to come to the level of ease they exhibited ! How much commitment one disciple showed, chanting the Rudri determinedly even with the rivulets of sweat running down his red face. Another disciple with all humility was willing to chant with me for "however many verses I wanted to - 15,20 take your pick" and was perfectly happy to scale down to my 10-12 to a breath . One act of inspiration from them says more than a thousand sermons ever can. Thank you dear family for your continuing inspiration ! Thank you, Agni bhagavan for burning up one of huge load of Karmas yesterday. / <?subject=Un> Terms of Service <> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Wow thats really cool! how do you get invited to something like this? Aum Shanti AaronLatha Nanda <lathananda > wrote: Last night was The Big Night !The setup must now be familiar to all that know the Mandir..the four pujas, ..walking up and down Napeshwar, ..hurrying to make sure you dont miss any of the pujas, ...doing the offerings at the same time if you miss one,..bhajans , harmonium, drums, violins ..new faces - some shy and some friendly , ...dancing and whirling dervishes , ..seeing a few familiar faces that appear and disappear only to be seen at the next Shivaratri,..Maa and Swamiji,..Arati,..Chanting - Rudri, 1000 names of Shiva ,..creative Skits and Plays (I am counting on ya Brian to fill infor the rest of the Sridar story ) )..People gravitating to the back so that they can sneak a quick nap in the hope that Shiva wont notice,..queuing up for blessings,..a feast at 3 am (yes in the morning)and I saved the best for the last..FIRE CEREMONY !This is going to be pretty one-sided as this Shivaratri for me was all about FIRE !The previous Shivaratris were about staying indoors in the temple, keeping warm, listening to Maa's divine voice. This year, I had the urge to stay outdoors and be meditative. The fire ceremony was the perfect outlet.Maa wanted us to chant "Om Namah Shivaya Svaha" atleast 10000 times, that is a hundred rounds of a 108 count rosary. Swamiji started the process, stoked the fire , chanted a few rounds and then let us take over. We , the disciples and devotees took turns in sitting in front of the fire.I took up a slot, intending to do a few rounds , but landed up staying there for most of it.It is a different feeling , sitting in the makeshift havankund with the fire in front of me and the winds and chill of the night behind me . It felt like I was sitting with the Sahara Desert in front of me and Antarctica behind me simultaneously. My body ached with all the contortions of trying to shiver and sweat at the same time. And not to forget, keeping count of the mantra with consistent pranayam, and offering to the fire .The best lesson I learned was during the Rudrashtadhyayi. In my eagerness to reserve a spot, I took one VERY close to the fire pit. I had to hold my book up to cut down the heat and the book cover was blazing hot by the time I was done. Learn from my mistakes, dear readers, and the next time seat yourself at an optimal distance. The FIRE is HOT (whats new) and SPITS at you. Oh and also, take a towel with you to cover your lap to prevent any sparks getting on your clothes.I was amazed at some of the senior disciples chanting with so much ease and poise ! How many years of practice it must have taken them to come to the level of ease they exhibited ! How much commitment one disciple showed, chanting the Rudri determinedly even with the rivulets of sweat running down his red face. Another disciple with all humility was willing to chant with me for "however many verses I wanted to - 15,20 take your pick" and was perfectly happy to scale down to my 10-12 to a breath .One act of inspiration from them says more than a thousand sermons ever can. Thank you dear family for your continuing inspiration !Thank you, Agni bhagavan for burning up one of huge load of Karmas yesterday. Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Namaste Aaron, It is different for each person and is usually by invitation only. The best approach would be to get acquainted with the Gurus teachings , meet some of their students and learn some of the Pujas . Invitation to a function will happen when the time is right. Best Wishes, Latha , Skud Thirteen <skud_13> wrote: > Namaste, > > Wow thats really cool! how do you get invited to something like this? > > Aum Shanti > > Aaron > > Latha Nanda <lathananda> wrote: > Last night was The Big Night ! > > The setup must now be familiar to all that know the Mandir > > ..the four pujas, > ..walking up and down Napeshwar, > ..hurrying to make sure you dont miss any of the pujas, > ..doing the offerings at the same time if you miss one, > ..bhajans , harmonium, drums, violins > ..new faces - some shy and some friendly , > ..dancing and whirling dervishes , > ..seeing a few familiar faces that appear and disappear only to be > seen at the next Shivaratri, > ..Maa and Swamiji, > ..Arati, > ..Chanting - Rudri, 1000 names of Shiva , > ..creative Skits and Plays (I am counting on ya Brian to fill in > for the rest of the Sridar story ) ) > ..People gravitating to the back so that they can sneak a quick nap > in the hope that Shiva wont notice, > ..queuing up for blessings, > ..a feast at 3 am (yes in the morning) > and I saved the best for the last > ..FIRE CEREMONY ! > > This is going to be pretty one-sided as this Shivaratri for me was > all about FIRE ! > > The previous Shivaratris were about staying indoors in the temple, > keeping warm, listening to Maa's divine voice. > This year, I had the urge to stay outdoors and be meditative. The > fire ceremony was the perfect outlet. > > Maa wanted us to chant "Om Namah Shivaya Svaha" atleast 10000 times, > that is a hundred rounds of a 108 count rosary. Swamiji started the > process, stoked the fire , chanted a few rounds and then let us take > over. We , the disciples and devotees took turns in sitting in front > of the fire. > > I took up a slot, intending to do a few rounds , but landed up > staying there for most of it. > > It is a different feeling , sitting in the makeshift havankund with > the fire in front of me and the winds and chill of the night behind > me . It felt like I was sitting with the Sahara Desert in front of me > and Antarctica behind me simultaneously. My body ached with all the > contortions of trying to shiver and sweat at the same time. And not > to forget, keeping count of the mantra with consistent pranayam, and > offering to the fire . > > The best lesson I learned was during the Rudrashtadhyayi. In my > eagerness to reserve a spot, I took one VERY close to the fire pit. I > had to hold my book up to cut down the heat and the book cover was > blazing hot by the time I was done. > > Learn from my mistakes, dear readers, and the next time seat yourself > at an optimal distance. The FIRE is HOT (whats new) and SPITS at you. > Oh and also, take a towel with you to cover your lap to prevent any > sparks getting on your clothes. > > I was amazed at some of the senior disciples chanting with so much > ease and poise ! How many years of practice it must have taken them > to come to the level of ease they exhibited ! How much commitment one > disciple showed, chanting the Rudri determinedly even with the > rivulets of sweat running down his red face. Another disciple with > all humility was willing to chant with me for "however many verses I > wanted to - 15,20 take your pick" and was perfectly happy to scale > down to my 10-12 to a breath . > > One act of inspiration from them says more than a thousand sermons > ever can. Thank you dear family for your continuing inspiration ! > > Thank you, Agni bhagavan for burning up one of huge load of Karmas > yesterday. > > > > > > > Links > > > / > > > > > Terms of Service. > > > > > > Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 latha thanks for sharing this with those not present. you sweet person! sounds like a bit of india here in usa. mother, mother, mother, across this earth! love! jai maa! praises to swami's kindness and austerities! sc , "Latha Nanda" <lathananda> wrote: > Last night was The Big Night ! > > The setup must now be familiar to all that know the Mandir > > ..the four pujas, > ..walking up and down Napeshwar, > ..hurrying to make sure you dont miss any of the pujas, > ..doing the offerings at the same time if you miss one, > ..bhajans , harmonium, drums, violins > ..new faces - some shy and some friendly , > ..dancing and whirling dervishes , > ..seeing a few familiar faces that appear and disappear only to be > seen at the next Shivaratri, > ..Maa and Swamiji, > ..Arati, > ..Chanting - Rudri, 1000 names of Shiva , > ..creative Skits and Plays (I am counting on ya Brian to fill in > for the rest of the Sridar story ) ) > ..People gravitating to the back so that they can sneak a quick nap > in the hope that Shiva wont notice, > ..queuing up for blessings, > ..a feast at 3 am (yes in the morning) > and I saved the best for the last > ..FIRE CEREMONY ! > > This is going to be pretty one-sided as this Shivaratri for me was > all about FIRE ! > > The previous Shivaratris were about staying indoors in the temple, > keeping warm, listening to Maa's divine voice. > This year, I had the urge to stay outdoors and be meditative. The > fire ceremony was the perfect outlet. > > Maa wanted us to chant "Om Namah Shivaya Svaha" atleast 10000 times, > that is a hundred rounds of a 108 count rosary. Swamiji started the > process, stoked the fire , chanted a few rounds and then let us take > over. We , the disciples and devotees took turns in sitting in front > of the fire. > > I took up a slot, intending to do a few rounds , but landed up > staying there for most of it. > > It is a different feeling , sitting in the makeshift havankund with > the fire in front of me and the winds and chill of the night behind > me . It felt like I was sitting with the Sahara Desert in front of me > and Antarctica behind me simultaneously. My body ached with all the > contortions of trying to shiver and sweat at the same time. And not > to forget, keeping count of the mantra with consistent pranayam, and > offering to the fire . > > The best lesson I learned was during the Rudrashtadhyayi. In my > eagerness to reserve a spot, I took one VERY close to the fire pit. I > had to hold my book up to cut down the heat and the book cover was > blazing hot by the time I was done. > > Learn from my mistakes, dear readers, and the next time seat yourself > at an optimal distance. The FIRE is HOT (whats new) and SPITS at you. > Oh and also, take a towel with you to cover your lap to prevent any > sparks getting on your clothes. > > I was amazed at some of the senior disciples chanting with so much > ease and poise ! How many years of practice it must have taken them > to come to the level of ease they exhibited ! How much commitment one > disciple showed, chanting the Rudri determinedly even with the > rivulets of sweat running down his red face. Another disciple with > all humility was willing to chant with me for "however many verses I > wanted to - 15,20 take your pick" and was perfectly happy to scale > down to my 10-12 to a breath . > > One act of inspiration from them says more than a thousand sermons > ever can. Thank you dear family for your continuing inspiration ! > > Thank you, Agni bhagavan for burning up one of huge load of Karmas > yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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