Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Napalogue: 2014 New Year’s Worship
The Devi Mandir hit the ground running in the New Year with a spectacular celebration! Shree Maa and Swamiji led the devotees in singing and chanting, as we concluded 2013 with worship, and then ushered in the New Year with even more worship.
A theme throughout the 2014 New Year’s celebration was Shree Maa’s blessing and prayers that Her children’s hearts be filled with pure love, inspiration, and appreciation in 2014. She repeated this blessing over and over, and one time actually had us repeat the three qualities a few times so it stayed with us! She explained that, if we live with these three virtues in our lives, then we will experience just how beautiful life can be.
The celebration began on New Year’s Eve with arati at 6:00 in the evening followed by a short meditation. Then, we celebrated with devotional singing led by Shree Maa, who picked several of her favorite songs to share with us.
Her voice was mesmerizing as it pierced the silence and one could tell She was singing with Her whole heart and offering Her love to the Divine.
Indeed, at one time in the program, as we flipped the pages between songs, She paused and gave some wisdom to Her children. She explained, “When you sing devotional songs, think about your own soul, sing to your own soul, God is right there in your soul – in your heart.” She reminded us just how close God is to us. So close that we can feel the presence in our own hearts.
As the evening progressed, one could feel the devotion getting deeper and deeper. The last song was a very special New Year’s song written by Shree Maa herself. The lyrics were perfect for this New Year’s celebration: “Come, Come Mother, Stay in My Heart, Make a Happy New Year.”
As we sang this song, the devotion in the room grew more and more, as did the tempo of the song. Suddenly, Shree Maa stood up and began dancing! Soon, everyone in the room was on their feet!
Shree Maa distributed dancing sticks and went person to person and individually danced with them. She had such an uplifting bhavana as She continued to dance with everyone!
Swamiji, on the drums, and Mitra, on the keyboard, were jamming so vigourously that they must have been blessed with Hanuman’s endurance and stamina! All the while, they continued to sing “Come, Come Mother Stay in My Heart.”
It was so exhilarating to be at the temple and watch how the Devi Mandir Family celebrates the New Year.
I knew that we offered our best in 2013. I also felt that the New Year, 2014, will indeed be happy and filled with the bliss of the Divine Mother.
At the end of kirtan, the group headed to the kitchen for a scrumptuous meal. Then, at 10:00 pm, we returned to the temple to recite the Chandi Path. Swamiji chanted with such devotion and intensity that he inspired all of us to do the same!
The Chandi Path recitation was the last thing we did in 2013 and the first thing we did in the New Year, as we actually concluded the Chandi shortly after midnight.
Shree Maa and Swamiji then gave each of us a blessing and divine prasad. What a glorious way to usher in the New Year! Jai Maa!
Of course, the New Year’s worship was still not complete. The next morning at 10:00, we all gathered to sing the Sundar Kanda.
The temple was packed with devotees who enthusiastically participated in the singing. After the recitation and a lively arati, Shree Maa and Swamiji again blessed everyone in attendance while a group of devotees sang beautiful bhajans in the background.
Prior to leaving the temple, Shree Maa reminded the group, once again, about the three seeds She has sown in our hearts for the New Year. Do you remember them? They are: pure love, inspiration and appreciation! Surely all in attendance felt the comfort of Mother’s love at that moment.
With such an auspicious beginning to the New Year, I have no doubt that 2014 is going to be a wonderful year for us all. There will be new beginnings, transformations, and some endings. But, through it all, without a doubt, it will be filled with the blessings of our beloved Gurus, Shree Maa and Swamiji.
Thank you Shree Maa and Swamiji!