SHARAD NAVRATRA CELEBRATIONS at SHANTI MANDIR, NEW DELHI :
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4
by Shri Arun Gupta

DELHI WELCOMES SWAMI NITYANANDJI FOR SHARAD NAVRATRA CELEBRATIONS

September 25: the prelude

The bi-annual celebration of Navrata is considered to be a most auspicious, sacred time for the performance of pooja and sadhana. For nine nights the Goddess is ritually worshipped in various forms - as Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, in accordance with ancient Vedic tradition.

Chaitra Navratra, which falls during spring, was last celebrated by Gurudev in Delhi in April 2003. When he announced that Sharad Navratra, which falls during autumn, would be again celebrated by him in Delhi, it was indeed an unpredicted, thrilling bonus for the Delhi devotees.

Under the guidance of Shri Madan Gopal Sharma, everyone made their best effort to prepare a glorious welcome for Swami (Gurudev) Nityanand who was accompanied by his assistants, Devayani and Ashok, the respected Brahmin priest, Anant Lavarji Shastri, and four other Pandits from Maharashtra, Naveen from the ashram in Magod and devotees from distant places including Maharashtra, Gujarat, U.P. and Haryana, as well as from overseas.

On September 25, 2003, the evening before the Navratra celebrations began, everyone gathered at the Green Field School which had been freshly painted and was glowing with hundreds of decorative lights. The air was richly fragrant with incense and the scent of blossoms; the surroundings beautified by extensive floral arrangements of marigolds, rajnigandhas, roses and ashok leaves.

The evening aarti began 6:00 pm, Gurudev arriving as it ended, amidst the blowing of conch and trumpet and recitation of Swastivachan Shlokas by Shastriji. Mrs. Khanna and ten young girls dressed in bright, colourful, traditional Indian costumes, and carrying decorated brass thalis, performed aarti

After Hemantji welcomed Gurudev on everyone’s behalf, chanting began of “Om Guru Om Guru Om Gurudev,” Gurudev’s deep, sonorous voice leading the way. Te atmosphere became charged as people poured their feelings of love and devotion into the singing.

Afterwards, Gurudev spoke, urging everyone to come and be part of the celebrations as much as possible, according to their circumstances.

He said, “While chanting the name of God, we should not feel confined by the boundaries of consciousness. Instead, we should let go of our mind’s thoughts and notions so that we can spontaneously experience the bliss and joy within.”

He continued, “Trapped in the cage of our mind it is fear that keeps us separated from truth. Depending on our individual state, we are trapped in an iron, steel, silver or golden cage. But, whatever the cage, until we break free of it we will always be deprived of the real nectar of love that the great saints, such as Tukaram and Meerabai, experienced and sung about.”

Gurudev also reminded us that while most of us feel inspired when attending Satsang, as soon as we leave we tend to forget the teachings and values and start behaving in common ways. He emphasized, “We should be self-driven, continuing to live the teachings day-by-day, whatever the circumstances. In a world fraught with hatred and bloodshed we should stand out as role models, as beacons of love, with an uncompromising commitment to selfless service, even if no-one else seems to notice.”

To illustrate the point he then told a story. “One day, a man was walking on the sea-shore when a wave threw a small fish on to the beach. It became stranded and was flapping on the sand. He immediately stopped, and with much love lifted the fish and released it back into the sea. A bystander who was watching remarked sarcastically, ‘Millions of fish die every day. Why bother saving the life of one?’ The man replied calmly, “I don’t know about those millions of fish but I do know that I have saved the life of this one fish, and that is what makes me happy.”

Gurudev concluded with a message that the spiritual path is not easy and that it can take many lives of dedicated sadhana before realizing God. “During the journey,” he said, “we should not feel discouraged by slow progress and other obstacles but should continue to act in ways that uplift us and others. So, with the grace of Goddess Kali break out of the mental cage, and with the blessings of Goddesses Saraswati and Lakshmi, attain true knowledge, abundance and bliss.”

At the conclusion of Gurudev’s discourse, everyone was invited for his darshan, a most joyful occasion that continued more than an hour, after which delicious prasad was distributed.

September 26

This year’s nine-day Sharad Navratra celebrations began on September 26. The morning worship included poojas, chanting and meditation from 6:30 am to 10:00 am. The evening worship, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, included chanting of Lalita Sahasranam, often followed by a discourse from Gurudev. In addition, Shastriji conducted individual poojas for devotees from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Those who were unable to perform the individual pooja were able to participate in a collective pooja performed on October 2 and 3.

 Every activity was performed in an impeccable manner, observing all the traditional values, with strict adherence to the schedule.

Navratra always begins with the ritual for inviting the Goddess to be present for the nine days of worship. With various mantras and offerings she is duly installed, the Sthapana (her various forms) enlivened by the mantras. The hall, already transformed into a temple, is further sanctified with the perceptible feeling of the presence of the Shakti.

The first three days & nights of Sharad Navratra were celebrated from 26-28 September 2003 with timeless rituals performed by Gurudev and the priests including the chanting of shlokas worshipping Goddess Kali, the energy of dissolution - the Shakti of Lord Shiva. The next three nights, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped - the energy of abundance, the Shakti of Lord Vishnu. And on the final three nights, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped - the energy of knowledge and wisdom, the Shakti of Lord Brahma.

Each morning thereafter the Navratra morning worship includes Devi Pooja and meditation while the evening worship begins with aarti followed by recitation of Lalita Sahasranam and kirtan.

After the first evening chant which Gurudev lead with such zeal and sublime feeling that everyone spontaneously started swaying, he talked about the value of chanting, saying

Chanting should be done with great respect, honor and reverence, or we do not experience the joy within. Inside each of us, the name of God is always pulsating. Even though that sound is vibrating we cannot hear it. Chanting teaches us how. By immersing our mind in the mantras, we not only prevent it from wandering but beautify it, filling it with peace. Baba Muktananda used to say that chanting God’s name is the only medicine that cures all ailments, particularly the devastating ones of desire, attachment and anger, and the many others created by the different games of the mind and ego.


Gurudev also initiated a question and answer session each evening. Some of the questions and answers on the first three evenings included:

Q: Is it the disciple who chooses the Guru or the Guru who chooses the disciple?

Gurudev:
Actually, the relationship between Guru and disciple is a long relationship spanning many lifetimes.

We first need to explore our own being and become clear about what we wish to achieve in our life, understanding our purpose on this earth. Once we are clear about that it becomes much easier to choose the right Guru to facilitate our efforts.

Once, a professor visited a great saint and asked for knowledge and enlightenment.

The saint graciously welcomed the professor, inviting him inside for a cup of tea.

When the saint served the tea, he continued to pour it into the professor’s the cup from the teapot even though the cup was full. The professor grew very perplexed as he watched the tea run over the top of the cup into his saucer, then on to the table and floor.

Amazed that saint could so careless he demanded an explanation.

The saint smiled and replied, “Just like this cup, you have also come here with your heart and mind already overflowing with your own knowledge. Where is the room in the cup for God’s knowledge?”

In the true sense, for a purposeful relationship, the Guru and disciple choose each other.

It reminds me of the time during Baba’s second world tour when he was approached by an Englishman who informed Baba that he was searching for an able, Self-realized Guru capable of imparting enlightenment, then asked if Baba was such a Guru. Baba replied, “Actually, I am searching for an able disciple capable of complete surrender. Are you that?”?

While we may be searching for an able Guru to fulfil our expectations we should also look within our hearts and ascertain our worthiness as a capable disciple.

Q: Who am I? From where do I come and where do I go?

Gurudev:
“I am the supreme power. I am Brahma. I come from God and I go back to God.”

This requires no further explanation beyond the fact that we are not who we think we are – we are not the body, not the nationality, not the family or work role – not all those things with which we identify. So, who are we? We are consciousness, that which enlivens us, that which permeates all. We are that supreme, eternal One.

Q: Although we are aware that attachment, aversion and ego are our enemies, still, these traits constantly influence our lives. Why do we become egotistical? Where does this ego reside? How can we overcome it?

Gurudev:
According to the scriptures, the ego fills our psyche, indeed, our whole body.

The sense of being an individual separate from all others - a limited self - is the root of all suffering. It is only the spiritual path which cautions us against this and shows us the true way.

Because of limited self-identification – universal consciousness attaching itself to one form among the many – we have such feelings as “I am this body and mind,” “this is mine, not yours.” Such feelings inevitably produce desire and fear, and attachment and aversion.

And so we are caught in the play, trapped in a cage of our own making. But the cage which imprisons us is nothing more than a creation of our own mind and ego.

We can break free of it by becoming aware of the actual workings of our mind and ego, detaching from them, observing their movement and play. This is how we start to live the teachings.

Q: Do all mantras have the same power?

Gurudev:
Baba Muktananda always said that there are two types of mantras: chaitanaya (live; dynamic) and jad (lifeless; inert).

When we are given a mantra by our Guru, it is chaitanaya - enlivened with the Guru’s Shakti, with that power, wisdom and knowledge. It is how the Guru enters the disciple.

On the other hand, when we choose a mantra for ourselves - for example, from a book – because it is not infused with the divine energy it is considered jad.

Since the purpose of the mantra is to give us the direct experience of God, a true seeker accepts the mantra from the Guru and constantly repeats or chants it to reap the full benefit.

Q: Different saints profess different paths for self-realization. Is it not possible to define only one undisputed path to achieve the goal?

Gurudev:
For even minor issue in our lives, we are unable to reach a consensus and you are asking me to give one undisputed path for such challenging matters as achieving moksha (liberation) and nirvana (enlightenment).

The fact is that different seekers live in different modes of consciousness, their mind in any number of states. As a result, each requires a path that fits their situation. That is why there are so many paths to God.

The Guru recommends to the seeker the path that best suits their temperament and present state of spiritual growth.

Of course, it must be clearly understood that all paths lead to the same destination - realization of the divine Self, God.

 

September 29 – October 2

As the celebrations approached the grand finale, Mahanavmi, the number of devotees grew rapidly, the darshan queue becoming longer each day. More devotees arrived from abroad to be a part of the celebrations as well as many from Mumbai and Gujarat.

The pitch and tempo of nectarine Dhun chanting intensified and recitation of the Devi Stuti, Chandi Path and Lalita Sahasranam became ever more pulsating and ecstatic.

Gurudev’s discourses focused on the mind and how we become trapped in its cage which may be of four types, from a very gross one made of iron to a very refined one made of gold.

The analogy of the cage became a central theme for the sharing of wisdom, Gurudev explaining how we become more aware and focused as we progress on the spiritual path, advancing from an iron cage to a steel cage, then to a silver cage and finally to a gold cage, ultimately breaking free of all the cages, becoming one with the eternal truth.

Gurudev invited devotees to come forward and share their experience of spiritual life, with special reference to the cage in which their mind is trapped.

This sharing of experience and introspective understanding extended over a two-day period, beginning with Shri Prem Chaddhaji who said, “It is true that of all the rare fortunes, the rarest is to be in the company of a great saint. All of us who have been blessed with the divine company of Babaji or Gurudev are truly fortunate and find that our mind is in a silver cage, if not a golden one.”

Gurudev reiterated the value and importance of sincerely implementing the teachings, saying:

“To perceive God within, we must harness our inner Shakti by inculcating virtuous qualities and improving our lifestyle and habits.

Be closer to nature, more appreciative of the natural ways, and try to reduce your dependence on man-made things for they isolate from what is natural, often bringing harmful influences to our body, mind and soul.

Try to enjoy more the natural gifts of God such as the bright rays of the sun, the chirping of birds, the crispness of the fresh, cool breeze and the cascading song of water.

No amount of pooja is worthwhile if we do not improve our life style and habits.”


On the evening of September 30, soon after the conclusion of Lalita Sahasranam, fifteen young boys and girls entered the hall reciting Shlokas from the Mahishaur Mardini. The boys carried fresh flowers which they offered to Gurudev while the girls, holding brass Thalis decorated with colors and lights, performed aarti.

As people wondered about the significance of what was happening the mystery was resolved with the announcement that this fifth day of Navratra, Panchimi, was Gurudev’s birthday according to the Hindu calendar. The Delhi devotees had decided to celebrate his birthday in this most simple form.

Later, as another birthday gift, young girls from Gujarat sang bhajans to Gurudev. It was very moving to see them singing so beautifully with tears of love in their eyes while Gurudev remained seated with a childlike expression, smiling warmly like a father with his children around him.

On October 2, a special pooja of Goddess Lakshmi was performed by a large group of devotees under the guidance of Shastriji, the head priest.

As October 2 is also the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhiji, Gurudev offered a tribute by remembering his message of non-violence, urging everyone to follow his footsteps by embracing honesty and simplicity, showing humanity to all.

Later, everyone chanted Om Namo Bhagwate Nityanandaya while watching video coverage of Baba Muktananda’s world tour. The chanting of the divine name became so melodious, vibrant and emotionally charged that tears of love flowed from quite a few devotees.

Another surprise was the arrival of the Guru-Seva brass band from Yeola, Gujarat who had performed many times for Baba on special occasions.

So profound is the love and respect Gurudev commands that the members of the band travelled more than a thousand kilometers to be with him during the Navratra celebrations and to play devotional tunes in his honor.

Life around Gurudev is always full of spontaneous delight and so it was when he announced that a Garba dancing session would be held at the end of the evening program.

When darshan was over and prasad had been served, everyone assembled in the open ground outside the hall and when Gurudev emerged the band stuck up its lively music and the devotees began dancing with much exuberance and love. Gurudev retired a short time later but the dancing went on long afterwards. It was a memorable day.