My experience - Please explain!!!

[Guest guest]

Namaste, All !

 

Here is my experience with Rudrakshas over the past 2 weeks or so.

I got my Rudrakshas on 02/13/05 and I started wearing them the same

day; I take them off only before I shower, otherwise I am wearing

them all the time, even while asleep. I have been using my Japa Mala

to keep track during prayers, (also when I am driving on the highway).

 

The past 2 Fridays (considered auspicious back in southern India), I

prayed at the Sri Lakshmi temple in Ashland, MA. Apparently, (correct

me if I am wrong here) the rituals in this temple are performed in the

Telugu tradition (Telugu is the language spoken in Andhra Pradesh

state). I am more used to the Kerala and Tamil Nadu traditions.

 

The second visit (yesterday), especially, was a unique experience. As

I waited in a line with other devotees outside the shrine for Goddess

Lakshmi, the priest, after performing the rituals, came out to bless

us all. As he walked down the line, he gently put a tall, cone-shaped

silver cup (called "kaapu", I believe -- correct me, again) to each

devotee's head, lightly touching the head. I bowed down my head as the

priest approached me. He touched the "kaapu" to my head. At that

moment I became emotional and my eyes started tearing up. Then they

all started chanting MahaLakshmi Ashtakam("Namastestu Mahaamaaye...").

This was a stotram that I used to recite (in the evenings) back in

India in my childhood and I found myself chanting along as I

discovered that I could recall much of it. After accepting from the

priest the Prasadams (flowers), Bhasmam (sacred ash), Kumkumam

(saffron), Chandanam (Sandalwood paste) and Naivedyams (any fruit or

prepared sweet already offered to the deity), I proceeded to make

Pradakshinams (walk in a circle) around the shrines. I don't recall

having spent that much time, almost an hour, worshipping at a temple

in my past.

 

This morning, I read through Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam once again; then I

proceeded to chant Arjuna's prayer:

 

Thwameva Mata Cha Pita Thwameva,

Thwameva Bandhuscha Sakhaa Thwameva.

Thwameva Vidyaa, Dhravinam Thwameva,

Thwameva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

 

(Meaning: O Lord You are my mother and father. You are my relative

and friend. You are my knowledge (wisdom) and wealth (strength,

valour and power) and you are my all - My God of Gods.)

 

That is when I started sobbing out aloud, uncontrollably. It was as if

all the emotions I dammed up inside me at the temple last night broke

free this morning. I am not an emotional person, not given to break

into tears that easily. I don't know how to explain this. Even now, as

I recite "Twameva..." I am tearing up.

 

My question to you all is, have the Rudrakshas begun to work for me ?

Are they finally (after barely 2 weeks of having them) beginning to

manifest their power and influence over me ? Is my emotional outburst

a sign of submission to the Lord? What do I read into this incident?

Having read thru' other people's experiences with Rudrakshas, I

thought I would also experience something similar, such as dreams of

Lord Shiva, etc. None of that has ocurred to me -- yet.

 

I eagerly await your considered opinion. Thank you, All!

 

 

GaneshLakshmi

 

 

GURUR BRAHMA GURUR VISHNU

GURUR DEVO MAHESHWARAH

GURU SAKSHA PARA BRAHMA

TASMEI SHRI GURAVE NAMAH