Guest guest Posted February 12, 2010 Report Share Posted February 12, 2010 My first Shivratri is NOW! Although I live far away from a temple, I chant " Om Nama Shivaya " and watch mantra videos on YouTube and read posts about Shiva on Hindu mailing lists :-) Shanti (Silke Liria) -------Originalmeldung------- Von: Aikya Datum: 10.02.2010 03:29:11 An: Ammachi Betreff: Your First Mahashivaratri Do you remember your first Mahashivaratri? Mine was in the Hindu Temple in Flushing, Queens, NY. I was 39 years old. I was getting ready to go the live in an ashram the following November. I had no idea what I was supposed to do for the feast so I chanted Om Namah Shivaya all night and watched all the pujas. I knew somehow -- maybe the pujari explained -- that at the midnight puja they would do a special chant to welcome all the new swamis, the people who had taken vows of renunciation on that night, the traditional time to do that. Then they chanted the same chant they say when Amma enters the hall everywhere -- Na karmanaa na prajayaa dhanena tyage naike amritatwa maa nashuh Not by action or progeny or gifts but only by renunciation is immortality attained. I've never forgotten that first Mahashivaratri. As the night wore on, I became more and more calm. I noticed that my fear and anxiety were gone and I understood that they were feelings I put on like a coat. I decided not to put them on again. At the end of the night as the sun came up, it began to snow just a little. It was as though the world was getting a slight dusting of vihuti. The next day I locked myself out of my apartment and decided that some anxiety--such as about not forgetting the keys -- had its usefulness. What was your first Mahashivatratri like? Aikya 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.