Happy Navratri To All
On this auspicious day of "Navratri" we pray divine mother Sai Maa to fill in our heart with Her pure and sacred love so that we feel ever exalted with the flow of stream of Her universal and divine love.
Navratri, the festival of nights, lasts for 9 days with three days each devoted to worship of Ma Durga, the Goddess of Valor, Maa Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Maa Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. During the nine days of Navratri, feasting and fasting take precedence over all normal daily activities amongst the Hindus. Evenings give rise to the religious dances in order to worship Goddess Durga Maa.
1st - 3rd day - On the first day of the Navaratras, a small bed of mud is prepared in the puja room of the house and barley seeds are sown on it. On the tenth day, the shoots are about 3 - 5 inches in length. After the puja, these seedlings are pulled out and given to devotees as a blessing from God. These initial days are dedicated to Durga Maa, the Goddess of power and energy. Her various manifestations, Kumari, Parvati and Kali are all worshipped during these days. They represent the three different classes of womanhood that include the child, the young girl and the mature woman.
4th - 6th day - During these days, Lakshmi Maa, the Goddess of peace and prosperity is worshipped. On the fifth day which is known as Lalita Panchami, it is traditional, to gather and display all literature available in the house, light a lamp or 'diya' to invoke Saraswati Maa, the Goddess of knowledge and art.
7th - 8th day - These final days belong to Saraswati Maa who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. This in turn will free us from all earthly bondage. But on the 8th day of this colorful festival, yagna [holy fire] is performed. Ghee [clarified butter], kheer [rice pudding] and sesame seeds form the holy offering to Goddess Durga Maa.
Mahanavami - The festival of Navratri culminates in Mahanavami. On this day Kanya Puja is performed. Nine young girls representing the nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshiped. Their feet are washed as a mark of respect for the Goddess and then they are offered new clothes as gifts by the worshiper. This ritual is performed in most parts of the country.
Jai Sai Maa, Jai Sai Janani, Jai Maa Bhawani, Jai Maa Kali, Jai Maa Laxami, Jai Maa Sarswati.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Maa Durga Bhajan And Sloka
Durga Bhajan
Tu Rishiyo Ke Riddhi Siddhi, Tu Brahma Ke Bhaktu Maa
Tu Vishnu Ke Maya Devi, Tu Shanker Ke Shakti Maa
During Navratri, Durga Maa is worshiped mainly in Bengal and other parts of the country.
Here is an easy Durga Bhajan
Maa Teri Mamta Kitni Pyaree, Kitna Pyar Jagaate Hai
Swaas Swaas Ke Raksha Karti, Pag Pag Praan Bachati Hai
Tu Maato Say Bhaag Jagaday, Bhaagi Bhaagi aati hai
Tu Kali Maha Kali Durga, Tu Hai Baal Bhavani Hai
Tu Puran Ka Saar Sarada, Tu Vedo Ki Baani Hai
Tu Balak Goad May Lay Kar, Jeewan Geet Sunaati Hai
Durga Slokas
Durga Puja is traditionally performed in Bengal and other parts of Eastern India during Dussehra or Vijayadasmi.
She is Mother Goddess, Shakti [or the divine force] and an incarnation of Parvati, Shiva's wife. She was manifested to kill Mahishasura, a powerful demon who could not be defeated by man or God. Only a woman could kill him. The victory of Durga over Mahishasura [good over evil] is celebrated on Vijayadasmi.
Here is a easy Durga sloka
Sarva-Mangala-Mangalye Shive Sarvaartha-Sadhake
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
Explanation
Goddess Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva and is worshiped as Shakti. The Puranic literature describes her as having many forms, including Durga, Chandi, Kali and Uma.While Shiva symbolizes the efficient cause of the creation, Shakti symbolizes the material cause.
Translation
The one who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious [Sarvamangalamangalye], the consort of Shiva [Shiv], who is the means of accomplishing all desires sarvarthasadhake, who is the refuge of all [Saranye], the three eyed one [Tryambake], the fair complexioned one [Gauri], Salutations to you, Narayani [Narayani Namostute]. Salutations to the consort of Shri Narayana [Maa Lakshmi Devi], who is all auspicious, who is the Mother of all, who blesses devotees succeed in their efforts and who is the refuge of all.
Tu Rishiyo Ke Riddhi Siddhi, Tu Brahma Ke Bhaktu Maa
Tu Vishnu Ke Maya Devi, Tu Shanker Ke Shakti Maa
During Navratri, Durga Maa is worshiped mainly in Bengal and other parts of the country.
Here is an easy Durga Bhajan
Maa Teri Mamta Kitni Pyaree, Kitna Pyar Jagaate Hai
Swaas Swaas Ke Raksha Karti, Pag Pag Praan Bachati Hai
Tu Maato Say Bhaag Jagaday, Bhaagi Bhaagi aati hai
Tu Kali Maha Kali Durga, Tu Hai Baal Bhavani Hai
Tu Puran Ka Saar Sarada, Tu Vedo Ki Baani Hai
Tu Balak Goad May Lay Kar, Jeewan Geet Sunaati Hai
Durga Slokas
Durga Puja is traditionally performed in Bengal and other parts of Eastern India during Dussehra or Vijayadasmi.
She is Mother Goddess, Shakti [or the divine force] and an incarnation of Parvati, Shiva's wife. She was manifested to kill Mahishasura, a powerful demon who could not be defeated by man or God. Only a woman could kill him. The victory of Durga over Mahishasura [good over evil] is celebrated on Vijayadasmi.
Here is a easy Durga sloka
Sarva-Mangala-Mangalye Shive Sarvaartha-Sadhake
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayani Namostute
Explanation
Goddess Parvati is the consort of Lord Shiva and is worshiped as Shakti. The Puranic literature describes her as having many forms, including Durga, Chandi, Kali and Uma.While Shiva symbolizes the efficient cause of the creation, Shakti symbolizes the material cause.
Translation
The one who is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious [Sarvamangalamangalye], the consort of Shiva [Shiv], who is the means of accomplishing all desires sarvarthasadhake, who is the refuge of all [Saranye], the three eyed one [Tryambake], the fair complexioned one [Gauri], Salutations to you, Narayani [Narayani Namostute]. Salutations to the consort of Shri Narayana [Maa Lakshmi Devi], who is all auspicious, who is the Mother of all, who blesses devotees succeed in their efforts and who is the refuge of all.
Monday, September 29, 2008
I Will Seek Him
Aum Sairam
Even when we don't think we know, our soul knows. Our soul knows whom it seeks and for what. Part of the reason we so easily sleep through our life is because our soul does not feel fulfilled. It does not communicate to us that the love for which it longs has been found and claimed. Because we do not know this fulfillment, we seek to find it through the normal, natural, regular means of daily life. When nothing in the normal, natural, regular daily pattern satisfies our deep longing, we simply go on autopilot and relax into a state of somnolence. Every once in a while our eyes flutter and we cast a glance around to see if there has been any change – if our soul has found what it is looking for. And, once in a while, we catch a glimpse of that love that is beyond description, beyond manipulation, beyond comprehension, and for an instant our soul is wakened. When the normal, natural, regular patterns return again, however, our eyes close back down.
In those short moments when love slips through the gap of our sleep, filling our soul with delight and fullness, we might choose instead to fully waken ourselves. We might hold onto those moments as if they were gold. We might, like Neo in the movie The Matrix, refuse to return to our sleepy, rather lifeless state and seek instead to find the object of our soul's desire. We might seek the Holy One until the Holy One is found. We might find our souls touching the gate of heaven.
Oh God, when the sliver of your love slices my soul, waken me to run after you until I run head long into your embrace.
Allah Malik
Even when we don't think we know, our soul knows. Our soul knows whom it seeks and for what. Part of the reason we so easily sleep through our life is because our soul does not feel fulfilled. It does not communicate to us that the love for which it longs has been found and claimed. Because we do not know this fulfillment, we seek to find it through the normal, natural, regular means of daily life. When nothing in the normal, natural, regular daily pattern satisfies our deep longing, we simply go on autopilot and relax into a state of somnolence. Every once in a while our eyes flutter and we cast a glance around to see if there has been any change – if our soul has found what it is looking for. And, once in a while, we catch a glimpse of that love that is beyond description, beyond manipulation, beyond comprehension, and for an instant our soul is wakened. When the normal, natural, regular patterns return again, however, our eyes close back down.
In those short moments when love slips through the gap of our sleep, filling our soul with delight and fullness, we might choose instead to fully waken ourselves. We might hold onto those moments as if they were gold. We might, like Neo in the movie The Matrix, refuse to return to our sleepy, rather lifeless state and seek instead to find the object of our soul's desire. We might seek the Holy One until the Holy One is found. We might find our souls touching the gate of heaven.
Oh God, when the sliver of your love slices my soul, waken me to run after you until I run head long into your embrace.
Allah Malik
Shake Yourself From The Dust
Aum Sairam
It's like we're caught in a cobweb. Everything around us can be as complex as intricate filament. We are held within the fragile grasp of the intricacies, and after a time our mind and soul simply shut down. They feel unable to free themselves from the netting that, while fragile, is nonetheless relentless. Our mind and soul begin to collect dust, and the wonder of our true selves is clouded over with powdery grime. What we don't realize is that our very sleepiness and resignation is all that keeps us bound. We may feel precariously wedged within the web, but the web truly is surprisingly frail.
When we are ready to break free, we need only shake ourselves, see the dust fly, feel the filament being broken, and step into the divine grace of freedom. To begin, try this. Take a few moments to quiet yourself and then imagine the web of work, relationships, demands, financial concerns, advertising gimmicks that surrounds you. Feel the pressure that it puts on your mind and soul. Observe yourself going limp in the middle of the web. Watch particles of dust drop silently over you until you are as foggy as the ocean behind a cloud of mist. Then notice that the Spirit of the Holy One is calling to you to wake up. At first the voice is faint no more than a whisper. Then it becomes stronger, and you can feel your heart beginning to beat more quickly. You long to respond. You lift your head and begin to stretch your limbs. The threads of the web push out in tandem with your cat like stretch. Note that the web is not as taut as you thought. Begin to shake yourself and witness the dust and filament of the web disappear like the tiniest atoms into the unseen air.
Oh God, wake me from the cobweb of life that keeps me from breathing, and fill me with the possibility of freedom.
Allah Malik
It's like we're caught in a cobweb. Everything around us can be as complex as intricate filament. We are held within the fragile grasp of the intricacies, and after a time our mind and soul simply shut down. They feel unable to free themselves from the netting that, while fragile, is nonetheless relentless. Our mind and soul begin to collect dust, and the wonder of our true selves is clouded over with powdery grime. What we don't realize is that our very sleepiness and resignation is all that keeps us bound. We may feel precariously wedged within the web, but the web truly is surprisingly frail.
When we are ready to break free, we need only shake ourselves, see the dust fly, feel the filament being broken, and step into the divine grace of freedom. To begin, try this. Take a few moments to quiet yourself and then imagine the web of work, relationships, demands, financial concerns, advertising gimmicks that surrounds you. Feel the pressure that it puts on your mind and soul. Observe yourself going limp in the middle of the web. Watch particles of dust drop silently over you until you are as foggy as the ocean behind a cloud of mist. Then notice that the Spirit of the Holy One is calling to you to wake up. At first the voice is faint no more than a whisper. Then it becomes stronger, and you can feel your heart beginning to beat more quickly. You long to respond. You lift your head and begin to stretch your limbs. The threads of the web push out in tandem with your cat like stretch. Note that the web is not as taut as you thought. Begin to shake yourself and witness the dust and filament of the web disappear like the tiniest atoms into the unseen air.
Oh God, wake me from the cobweb of life that keeps me from breathing, and fill me with the possibility of freedom.
Allah Malik
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Think Positive and Act
Aum Sairam
This is nice - finding something positive out of every negative, which we don't always manage to do.
For the children who complain about doing dishes, because that means they are at home and not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means, that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a floor that needs mopping, and windows that need cleaning, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that have been blessed with transportation.
For the noise I have to bear from my neighbors, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
Allah Malik
This is nice - finding something positive out of every negative, which we don't always manage to do.
For the children who complain about doing dishes, because that means they are at home and not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means, that I have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a floor that needs mopping, and windows that need cleaning, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that have been blessed with transportation.
For the noise I have to bear from my neighbors, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
Allah Malik
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Those Who Call On God, To Them God Comes
Aum Sairam
There is an answer to every call, those who call on God, to them God comes.
There is no doubt that if an individual believes that a teacher or a reformer will come, he will surely come to them. Similarly, in the case of those who do not believe that any teacher or reformer will come, to them he will not come. To those who expect the Teacher to be a man, a man will bring the message; to those who expect the Teacher to be a woman, a woman must deliver it. To those who call on God, God comes. There is an answer to every call.
There is nothing that you ask that this universe will not answer. For it is the nature of this universe to answer your soul's call. When a person seeks for something in the universe and he cannot find it, it is not true that it is not there. The fact is that he does not see it.
He who is always there has said, 'I am Alpha and Omega. I exist every moment. When you call me, I am there. Knock at the door, and I will answer you.' And those whose eyes are open for them in the eyes of every infant & in the smile of every innocent child, they receive the blessing of God.
It only means changing one's outlook on life, and recognizing the divine in man. But man has ignored the divine spirit that manifests in humanity, and always prefers an idol, a painting, a picture, to the living God, who is constantly before him.
For the sage, the seer, the saint, and the yogi who begin to see the master, and see him living, there is no place where he cannot be seen. Then everywhere the beloved master is ready to answer the cry of the soul coming from friend, father or teacher. And if we go a little further forward, we will find that the teacher speaks aloud, not only through living beings, but through nature.
If the heart is alive, the whole life becomes one single vision of His sublime beauty, speaking to us at every moment.
Allah Malik
There is an answer to every call, those who call on God, to them God comes.
There is no doubt that if an individual believes that a teacher or a reformer will come, he will surely come to them. Similarly, in the case of those who do not believe that any teacher or reformer will come, to them he will not come. To those who expect the Teacher to be a man, a man will bring the message; to those who expect the Teacher to be a woman, a woman must deliver it. To those who call on God, God comes. There is an answer to every call.
There is nothing that you ask that this universe will not answer. For it is the nature of this universe to answer your soul's call. When a person seeks for something in the universe and he cannot find it, it is not true that it is not there. The fact is that he does not see it.
He who is always there has said, 'I am Alpha and Omega. I exist every moment. When you call me, I am there. Knock at the door, and I will answer you.' And those whose eyes are open for them in the eyes of every infant & in the smile of every innocent child, they receive the blessing of God.
It only means changing one's outlook on life, and recognizing the divine in man. But man has ignored the divine spirit that manifests in humanity, and always prefers an idol, a painting, a picture, to the living God, who is constantly before him.
For the sage, the seer, the saint, and the yogi who begin to see the master, and see him living, there is no place where he cannot be seen. Then everywhere the beloved master is ready to answer the cry of the soul coming from friend, father or teacher. And if we go a little further forward, we will find that the teacher speaks aloud, not only through living beings, but through nature.
If the heart is alive, the whole life becomes one single vision of His sublime beauty, speaking to us at every moment.
Allah Malik
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday’s Message
Aum Sairam
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Give You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
We thank You, Oh Sai, for the love You have implanted in our hearts.
May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feelings, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes.
Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings.
Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your prudence guide our life and love.
Bless our life, Oh Sai, with peace and happiness, and make our Love fruitful for Your glory and our joy both here and in eternity.
May Sri Sai Baba on this Thursday bless all the wonderful people who pray for others to get them out of difficult situations. I personally believe that it's in this that the hallmark of our friends lies.
Allah Malik
May This Thursday [Baba's Day] Give You Strength, Good luck, Success, Happiness And Joy.
We thank You, Oh Sai, for the love You have implanted in our hearts.
May it always inspire us to be kind in our words, considerate of feelings, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes.
Help us to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings.
Increase our faith and trust in You and may Your prudence guide our life and love.
Bless our life, Oh Sai, with peace and happiness, and make our Love fruitful for Your glory and our joy both here and in eternity.
May Sri Sai Baba on this Thursday bless all the wonderful people who pray for others to get them out of difficult situations. I personally believe that it's in this that the hallmark of our friends lies.
Allah Malik
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
