| The Nine Nights of the Devi |
| Sunday, 20 September 2009 | |||||
 The first night - of silence - we were able to offer a small Puja. We offered a beautiful red sari which had come from the Sheffield collective. Also, as it was the night of Shri Shailaputri, who holds a lotus and a trident, we offered the most enormous trident that we found in the Castle. It was a silent and deep experience, with a small number of the hosting countries present. On the second night - of the Guru principle, we made some special offerings. Prasad - channa, no sari, modest decorations, but lots of laxshmi baskets from UK, Israel, Ukraine, as it is a night of peace and prosperity. This was also a special night because the film crew, who have been in Cabella for the last 2mths, had completed their trailer and were able to show it to Shri Mataji. There was so much joy and lots of wonderful bhajans. It was the night when Shri Mataji announced that Diwali Puja would be in Cabella. The room was full with beaming faces and amazing Italian joy. On the third night - the first night of the Devi Kavach - there were extensive and wonderful Puja preparations. We presented a wonderful garland, beautiful fragrant anklets, wristlets and a hair pin. By this time, there were more Yogis present, and the bhajans were in praise of the Devi. We prayed that our surrender would be deeper, so that Her work would be faster. She was offered a broad-sword, an axe, dagger, whip, pistol and flowers. There were trays of prasad, fresh fruit, nuts, dried fruit and 5 more laxshmi baskets Everyone felt totally blessed and rejuvenated. On the fourth night - whose offerings were completed a few minutes ago - Shri Mataji graciously accepted some more small offerings. We were informed that only 7 people could come inside, so there was the smallest possible multiple of 7 that could be managed!. The Puja began with an invocation for this night, when the light comes into the darkness and the blessing of Devi Kavach is complete "Glory to thee My God this night, For all the blessings of the Light. Keep me Oh keep me, Queen of Queens, beneath thine own Almighty wings" Its a slight adaptation, as some of you will recognise, but in the 9 nights booklet, Shri Mataji also talked about the need for religious integration and detachment on this night. We offered a beautiful purple sari, flower adornments, trays of prasad made by the hosting countries, lots of flowers, and more weapons - another huge sword, a rosary, tinsel and a dagger. There was no music tonight, but a depth of silence that inspired many to take long and luxurious namaskars. There were tears, as conditionings dissolved and a wonderful silent joy afterwards. As the nights continue, a whole evolution of its own is unfolding. We heard that the children in Dharamshala are also performing daily celebrations, as are many international collectives.
Powered by !JoomlaComment 4.0alpha3
!joomlacomment 4.0 Copyright (C) 2009 Compojoom.com . All rights reserved." |
News Updates
Local Time
| Cabella |