Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Om Namah Shivaya: During Devi Bhava last weekend in Los Angeles I had just completed a stretch of dinner serving Seva. The dinner line was very long even at this 9:00 pm hour. Bhajans played in this outdoor dining area equipped with a screen showing Amma giving Darshan two floors below. The southern california evening was filled with Amma's indescribable calm laden Shakti. >From a distance I observed the orange robes of a Swami. He was very far back in the line accompanied by several women. I was struck by his orange robe because it was very similar if not identical to the ones worn by the Ramakrishna Order of Monks. Somewhat boldly I approached the Swami and asked him what Order he represented. He answered in American accented English. The Swami's appearance looked to be Caucasian. I discovered he was Swami Bhajananda Saraswati the chief Kali priest of famed "Kali Mandir" of Laguna Beach, California. Kali Mandir worships the black Goddess Ma Dakshineshwari. Bhajananda is the chief (Pujari) of the temple and a renowned authority on the proper worship of Kali. Here is the Kali Mandir's website description of the nature of their temple: "Kali Mandir is a traditional temple dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother Kali in the mother/child relationship. We are modeled after the public Indian temple ideal—no presiding guru, no membership, open to all. Founded in 1993 by Elizabeth Usha Harding, author of Kali, the Black Goddess of Dakshineswar, we have grown into a beautiful blend of sincere Indian and Western devotees from different lineages, as well as aspirants with no formal affiliations" Apparently the Swami brought a contingent of devotees with him. He mentioned that Elizabeth Usha Harding was there as well but not on the dinner line. I would have liked to meet her since I enjoyed her book. The book helped me understand the complex art of Kali worship. I confess I am not much of a ritualist. The Swami seemed very humble and did not mind having to wait on a very long line for food. Brothers and Sisters of this list. Amma is Kali. I am of this belief. I did not have the gumption to say this to the Swami. With Love, GeorgeSon P.S. Click on the Kali Mandir link: http://www.kalimandir.org/homepage.asp Discover Get on-the-go sports scores, stock quotes, news & more. Check it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Perhaps the Swami also thinks that Amma is Kali and that's why he brought a group to see her. What do you think? Aikya Ammachi, GeorgeSon <leokomor> wrote: > Om Namah Shivaya: > > During Devi Bhava last weekend in Los Angeles I had just completed a stretch of dinner serving Seva. > > The dinner line was very long even at this 9:00 pm hour. Bhajans played in this outdoor dining area equipped with a screen showing Amma giving Darshan two floors below. The southern california evening was filled with Amma's indescribable calm laden Shakti. > > From a distance I observed the orange robes of a Swami. He was very far back in the line accompanied by several women. I was struck by his orange robe because it was very similar if not identical to the ones worn by the Ramakrishna Order of Monks. > > Somewhat boldly I approached the Swami and asked him what Order he represented. He answered in American accented English. The Swami's appearance looked to be Caucasian. > > I discovered he was Swami Bhajananda Saraswati the chief Kali priest of famed "Kali Mandir" of Laguna Beach, California. Kali Mandir worships the black Goddess Ma Dakshineshwari. > > Bhajananda is the chief (Pujari) of the temple and a renowned authority on the proper worship of Kali. > > Here is the Kali Mandir's website description of the nature of their temple: > > "Kali Mandir is a traditional temple dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother Kali in the mother/child relationship. We are modeled after the public Indian temple ideal—no presiding guru, no membership, open to all. > > Founded in 1993 by Elizabeth Usha Harding, author of Kali, the Black Goddess of Dakshineswar, we have grown into a beautiful blend of sincere Indian and Western devotees from different lineages, as well as aspirants with no formal affiliations" > > Apparently the Swami brought a contingent of devotees with him. He mentioned that Elizabeth Usha Harding was there as well but not on the dinner line. I would have liked to meet her since I enjoyed her book. The book helped me understand the complex art of Kali worship. I confess I am not much of a ritualist. > > The Swami seemed very humble and did not mind having to wait on a very long line for food. > > Brothers and Sisters of this list. Amma is Kali. I am of this belief. > > I did not have the gumption to say this to the Swami. > > With Love, > > GeorgeSon > > P.S. > > Click on the Kali Mandir link: http://www.kalimandir.org/homepage.asp > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Discover > Get on-the-go sports scores, stock quotes, news & more. Check it out! > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Ammachi, GeorgeSon <leokomor> wrote: > Om Namah Shivaya: > > Brothers and Sisters of this list. Amma is Kali. I am of this belief. > > I did not have the gumption to say this to the Swami. > > With Love, > > GeorgeSon > > P.S. > > Click on the Kali Mandir link: http://www.kalimandir.org/homepage.asp Hi GeorgeSon, I understand your predicament about telling him so; it could have been awkward. . Anyway, I enjoyed your story (and enjoy reading your posts) very much. Thanks. Jai Ma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulQuest7 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 This Swami has a great CD I'm listening to a lot at the moment. It's called Kali Kirtan: In Praise of the Divine Mother. Wonderfully simple arrangements of harmonium, kartals, and mrdangam, with Swami and Rampriya Das singing. Nice, simple chants that anyone can sing along with. You can buy it at their "shop" at Kalimandir.org and it's right on the front page too. I just spent the weekend with Ammachi in Chicago and when i wasn't with her I was mostly listening to Kalir Kirtan! =-=-=- om===-=- Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.