Devi Mandir

Temple of Divine Mother

Video: Story of How Hanuman Came to be on the Pandavas’ Flag

~~OM~~ Draupadi found a lotus, it was a mountain lotus that we call Pahari lotus, (Pahari Pomo) and they grow up above the snow line. She said, “Bhima, I love this lotus, could you go up in the mountains and see if there are any more. Go find me some lotuses. I want to offer […]

Shree Maa- Trip to India- Holi Festival in Delhi

Shree Maa giving blessings on Holi. Picture taken March 21 2008 in India.   The Divine Mother’s holy feet decorated for Holi. Picture taken March 21 2008 in India.   Sushil and Sanjay properly adorned for Holi. Picture taken March 21 2008 in India.   Our Delhi sat sangh after playing Holi. Picture taken March […]

Shree Maa & Swamiji- Trip to India- March 20 2008

~~OM~~

A Temple in Every Home, God’s Abode in Every Heart

Our plane touched the sacred soil of Mother India on March 11, 2008 and our hearts were filled with love and joy! Shree Maa and Swamiji humbly bent down and bowed down to Mother India as soon as we got off. Swamiji has explained to us that Bharat means the land where the Light of Wisdom shines. Today, even amidst neon signs proclaiming malls and global brands, we still see the eternal light of Divine wisdom shining and feel the sweet love of God in the lap of Mother India.

We were taken to a devotee’s house which was decorated with marigold flowers and lights and most of all devotion to Mother and Swamiji! We went to their temple room which had many little Shiva lingams, numerous deities and beautiful pictures of Shree Maa and Swamiji. The shrine room is small and can seat only 10 people.

We walked around the house and saw the living room. It was decorated in a modern cosmopolitan style – with western European hand sketches, an ancient blouse from the Mughol era and decorative statues. Maa and Swamiji said, “We will make a temple here.”

In a matter of minutes, the couches were moved and space was made on the northern wall. A long table was placed and Chandi Maa’s picture housed in the middle. The walls were decorated with artificial flower garlands. Shree Maa placed two beautiful vases of flowers besides Chandi Maa. She was smiling at all of us – in Her new home! We brought a Shiva Linga for Maa’s puja and all other deities came running too!! Besides the main altar, Maa made an altar for Ganesh on the right and Thakur Ramakrishna on the left. Tea candles were placed all around the altars and incense sticks were lit.

Maa started ringing the bell and lit the arati lamps! She was singing to God and our hearts were brimming with delight! The room was completely transformed – from a room for dinners and parties to the divine abode of Gods and all devotees. In a matter of minutes, we learnt from Shree Maa and Swamiji, make place for God and God will come! We learnt that as we create a divine atmosphere outside, we create space within ourselves for divinity to reside.

That very evening, we had satsang with arati and little singing. Our host, Maa’s devotee was drowning in tears of joy, adoration and love. The whole community joined us in singing to God and feeling divine presence in our lives.

Shree Maa- Trip to India- Family Reunion

Bara Maa, Shree Maa’s mother, came today along with many members of the family. After twenty-five years their family joined in one place. We all joined in arati. After arati, Summi, Shree Maa’s niece, sang. It was a great delight for us all. Listen Here… This is Shree Maa’s immediate family. They all met in […]

Dissolving Sivalinga!

~~OM~~


Photo of the week – Mar 14 – Mar 20, 2008
(Picture taken March 2008 at Devi Mandir, Napa, CA)

After Sivaratri, we dissolve all 1008 clay Siva Lingas in the creek

Shiva Meditates on Vishnu

~~OM~~ So Shiva always meditates on Vishnu. And it’s very interesting, one day in Kailash, Parvati was looking a little bit bored because Shiva was just sitting there in deep, deep meditation. And she called, “Oh Lord.” And Shiva didn’t respond. And she said, “Shiva!” And Shiva didn’t move. And Parvati just stood there watching […]

Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 9

~~OM~~

    Verse 32

  1. The verse says ” For those who take refuge in Me, even if they took birth in a sinful womb, or as women, as business people or as laborers, all attain the supreme refuge.”

    My reason tells me that in this verse, which begins and ends with the Supreme, ultimately there are no differences in the One- Without-a-Second and through devotion and sadhana we all can attain the Supreme Refuge. Yet the alarms still go off inside me! How can I best understand this or deal with this resistance? Thank you very much

    We can give up the resistance by understanding the cultural context in which this was written. In that society there was a distinction of authority, and what this verse is saying is that no matter what one’s station in society may be, if one takes refuge in God, that individual attains the Supreme Refuge.

Story of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana

~~OM~~ Ravana and Kumbhakarna, and Vibhishana, the three, when they were young men, they went off to do tapasya. And Brahma came and said, “I’m satisfied with your tapasya, what do you want?” And Ravana said, “I want power, I want to be the king of the earth.” And Brahma said, “Tatastu. I give you […]