Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
The day started with Shree Maa performing Her Puja and Swamiji leading the chanting of the Kali Sahasranam.
After the morning sadhana, they traveled to Naren’s house, a long-time devotee, who had invited them to visit his home and bless his altar.
Upon arriving, Naren and his family, with great devotion, showed their respect for Shree Maa and Swamiji by performing a Pada Puja, which is the worship of the Guru’s feet.
Both Shree Maa and Swamiji were pleased with their worship.
Then, Shree Maa performed the Shiva Puja, offering an abundance of Bilva Patra. Bilva leaves are extremely auspicious and sacred in the worship of Lord Shiva.
It was a special moment watching Shree Maa worship Her devotee’s Shiva Lingam with so much love and devotion!
After the Puja, our beloved Swamiji, Shree Maa and the devotees chanted the Rudrashtadhyayi.
During the recitation of some of the key chapters, Shree Maa offered leaves of Bilva with each verse.
At the end of each chapter, the energy lifted as both the Damaru (small two sided drum held by Lord Shiva) and the conch were played and everyone shouted out with great intensity “Mahadev Ki Jai!” (Victory to the Great God, Lord Shiva)
Share in the Bhava – Watch the Rudrashtadhyayi Chanting:
After the chanting, Swamiji offered prasad to Lord Shiva and the entire group performed Arati.
Swamiji then delighted the eager-to-learn devotees with a discourse on Lord Shiva’s form as Rudra and the meaning of each chapter of the Rudrashtadhyayi.
Swamiji explained – “Asru Trayate Iti Rudra” – He who takes away the tears is Rudra.
In the first chapter of the Rudrasthadyayi, we pray “May I have the same Sankalpa as Lord Shiva – to be completely still, focused and concentrated with one point of Consciousness. May I be completely absorbed in the goal.”
Related: Check out Swamiji’s Workshop on Goal Setting
The second chapter states: “Lord Shiva, you have a thousand heads, a thousand eyes and a thousand feet! You are everyone, in every form, and in every being. Every being in the entire universe is a reflection of You completely. They are all Purush!”
The third chapter continues to explain Lord Shiva’s attributes by saying, “Lord Shiva, You are Indra, the Ruler of the Pure. You don’t allow for any impurity.”
The fourth chapter says, “Lord Shiva, You are the light of the sun, the light of wisdom, and the warmth of devotion. Everything we perceive is through You, through the light of wisdom and the warmth of devotion.”
In the fifth chapter, we show our respect by saying, “Lord Shiva, we bow to You in everyone and in every form. You manifest in all – You are in the lake, the river, the trees, the sun, the moon. You are every where and we bow to You!”
In the sixth chapter, we pray to Lord Shiva to give us blessings.
In chapter seven, we acknowledge that Lord Shiva is in the tapasya, is in the sadhana, is in the light, and is in the truth.
In the eighth chapter we realize, “Lord Shiva, you are inside me! You are inside me in the form of truth, tapasya and sadhana. By means of sacrifice, I can conceive that everything is within me.”
In the ninth chapter we pray for all beings and everything to be at peace. This is the prasad of our worship.
After explaining the meaning of the chapters, Swamiji concluded the discourse by stating “This is why we chant the Rudrashtadhyayi. It is our offering to Rudra, He who takes away the tears. He removes all of our pain and suffering and He unites us with God on every level – this is the highest form of worship.”
The devotees present bowed to the Gurus in gratitude for these spiritually significant teachings.
Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!