Durga Ashtami celebrations at the Mandir

[Guest guest]

We started at 7 pm with a few rounds of "Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye

Vicce" . This was both a "appetizer" mantra until the real course -

the Chamunda Puja . We were waiting for that auspicious moment when

Ashtami (8th lunar day) finished and Navami

 

began. According to tradition, this junction of time is when Kali

killed Chanda and Munda and hence earned the name Chamunda. So at the

appropriate moment, Swamiji said "She's here" and we chanted her

Mantra which is "Om Hrim Chum Chamundaye Swaha" for the next 45

minutes.

Swamiji told us all to give up our anger and misdirected passion to the fire.

 

So we started - gently at first and then the tempo built up . Maa was offering ghee to the fire .

Well, it IS 45 minutes and my untamed mind couldnt chant one mantra

that long without getting tired. So I decided to go to a movie - so

for every mantra I offered - I said "may the benefit of this mantra

go to so-and-so" and I remembered my friends and family and of course

you my online family. As many names that I could remember - the

regulars - and your recipients in the prayer club- I mentally

remembered you once for each offering. And my time flew quickly.

 

Around 8pm, Swamiji started ringing the bell with one hand and

offering with the other. Of course we were all saying the mantra for

all that we were worth.

When we had crossed the allotted time, Swamiji put down the bell and

softened his tone. We followed suit. Then only his lips moved to the

mantra and finally he sat silent.We sat quietly - hearing the fire

crackle.Finally, Swamiji came back into our world and invited a

little girl, not more than 5 years old - the daughter of one of the

devotees and wanted to do Kumari Puja to her.

 

Shree Maa called this little adorable blonde blue eyed doll to her and

put a skirt that She had made. Now this little girl was officially our

Goddess .Dressed in a faded tee shirt but SPLENDID skirt, Maa offered

flowers and other goodies to her.

 

Swamiji followed with the offering. Everytime he made an offering,

this little girl smiled shyly at him. At one point when Swamiji

offered her a chocolate, he unwrapped it and took it near the mouth

of the little girl. She opened her moutn and kept looking at the

candy , but Swamiji certainly took his time popping it into her

mouth. There was much laughter all around.

We sat this little goddess in front of the Cosmic altar, with a folded

towel as her asan. Then we did Arati and everyone went to her to get

her blessings. She certainly knew what to - she patted the heads of

all those that fell at her feet. Those that fell at her feet but

beyond the reach of her little hands had the air between patted.

Everyone offered something - a dollar,

or lights , garland and someone even put a flower on top of her head.

 

Once the Arati completed and we all sat in silent meditation, I was

watching her. Still playing her part, she was now looking cross-eyed

above her head to ensure that the flower on top of her head wouldnt

fall off.

 

Swamiji commented later (and I paraphrase) - "She is a very

experienced Goddess and RICH too by the look of it". Lots of folks

had offered money to this little Goddess.

 

We ended the day with the usual dinner and friendly banter in the kitchen.

 

The next day (Sunday) , we celebrated the birth of Ram by chanting the Sundar Kand.

 

And thus ended Spring Navaratri.

 

JAI MAAAAAAAANanda