Trip to Kanchikaram

Since yesterday the pilgrim-group is in Kanchipuram:

 

(the Hindu god of fertility and love). Another legend attributes it to the Raja Rajeswari pose of the deity that signifies an absolute control over the land under its control, leaving no otherffered worship to a Shivalingam made out of sand,under a mango tree and gained Shiva's hand in marriage.

Kamakshi Amman Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi a divine form ofParvati. It is located in the historic city Kanchipuram, near Chennai, India and is popularly associated with Adi Sankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu saints. Along withMadurai Meenakshi, Thiruvanaikaval  Akilandeswari, Vishalakshi Varanasi, Kamakshi is an important part of

worship of Parvati. It is interesting to note that the main deity is seated in a

majestic Padmasana posture, an yogic posture signifying peace and prosperity, instead of the traditional standing pose in most other temples of Parvati. The goddess holds a sugarcane bow and lotus and parrot in the lower two of her arms

two divine instruments Pasa and Angusa in her upper two arms. It is interesting to note that there are

all the other shakthi forms to give boon to Manmatha

forms of Shakthi.Legend has it that Kamakshi o

  

Adi Sankaracharya is significantly associated in the rich history of the temple. Like many other ancient goddesses, the form of Kamakshi was less benign than the current form. There used to be various forms of animal and human sacrifices in ancient Shakthi temples and it is believed that Adi Sankarachar ya led to the more peaceful representation of the goddess by placing a divine Chakra before it. And the goddess agreed to show her benign side in the temple, while the forms of Shakthi outside

Kanchipuram still had more angrier forms of Shakthi. There is no verifiable historical proof for this, though it is a part of the local folklore. Symbolic of this, during the festivals when the processional deity is taken for a procession around the templestreets , it takesleave from Sankaracharya, at his shrine in the inner corridor.

It is also believed that Sankaracharya defeated Buddhist and other philosophers in this place, sparking a revival for Hinduism.

(Many of the Hindu god forms generally have four arms) and has theno traditional Parvati or Shakthi shrines in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this temple, which is unusual in a traditional city that has hundreds of traditional temples. There are various legends attributed to it. One of them according to Kamkshivilasa is that the Goddess had to absorb

After the morning pooja in the Mookambika temple

 

Swami Vishwananda shows the large and beautiful Deepa Sthambha ( a pillar to hold lamps). It has 21 concentric circles in which the oil lamps can be lighted.

The golden pilar of the Mookambika temple

Swami Vishwananda in the yard of the temple a golden pilar at he entrance of the Sanctorum.

The temple of Mookambika with the deity

Inside the sanctorum Swami Vishwananda and the pilgrimers could venerate the goddess Mookambika. The Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. Here infront of the deity covered with a gold lid.

Swami vishwananda with one of the priest of the Mukambika Temple

This very nice and devoted priest performed puja for Swami and the pilgrimers inside the Temple.

Swami Vishwananda with Mahishasur

After the dancing procession the "demon" Mahishasur take some rest. He does the job since he is young!

Swami vishwananda tells the story of the west orientation of the murti inside the Krishna temple in Udupi

A holy devotee of Krishna could not enter the temple because he was of a low caste. He was praying outside the temple: "Krishna I would like so much to see your face." The prayer of this man brought the wall to break down and through nine holes the holy sage could watch the murti of Krishna. The murti turned on itself and the devotee could see the face of Krishna. After this event, anybody could enter the temple (also westeners). The main entrance was closed and a silver window replaced the nine holes symbolic of the nine forms of Bhakti.

Swami Vishwananda was yesterday in Udupi

Madhavacharya discovered this murti which was hidden inside a block of chandan. A temple was build then around the murti. The seat of Madhavacharya is still in the temple.

Swami Vishwananda in Udupi

In Udupi on the west coast of India the murti of Krishnainside the Temple is the oldest representation of Krishna. Krishna is represented as a child holding a stick.It was made during the life time of Krishna and given to Rukmini who worshiped  it.

Tombola of Navaratri in Sri Peetha Nilaya

This story happend on Navaratri, at the center of Swami Vishwananda in Germany. Carlotta and her husband are from Italy and looking forward to receive a baby next year around Shivaratri. They came to celebrate with us in the Center for the whole time of Navaratri. On the night of the 13. during Devipuja in the tent we met in the Chapel for our tombola drawing. I told Carlotta but she prefered to stay in the tent. She won the first price of the beautiful red sari from Navaratri 2009. We wanted to surprise her und asked Rukmini (new name of Alana) to hand it over to her immediately afterwards. We went back to the tent and saw Carlotta sitting at the Yagna. As we didn´t want to disturb her prayer we waited. As soon the Yagna was finished Rukmini rushed to her and gave her the sari. She was overwhelmed.

Deeply touched she told us, that she had been cheating. She told the Divine Mother during the yagna in case she wins the sari she will wrap firstly her new born baby in it. How can the Divine Mother not answering such a prayer?

By the way the main Devi last year was wearing this Sari over all 10 days as all new Saris are wraped on top of each other. The red sari was the first one and thus very close to her all the time. What a blessing for the baby!

New price for the next drawing November 13th  

1. Preis: Swamiji´s socks, which he wore during Devipuja (not washed!!)
2. Preis: T-Shirt from Swami
3. Preis: CD to choose
4. and 5. price: handsigned book from Swami

Trip to India

Yesterdayat the Airport in Frankfurt Swami Vishwananda at the Check In for his Pilgrimage to India. I had the possibility to take some (paparazzi) fotos:

"...its overbooked?"

...so we stay here!    ;-) "

"...Yes , vegetarien meal, please!"

In Mumbay there was already a bus waiting for the whole group- (it was perfectly planned by Yamunashree and her team- ... but you never now!) - to bring them directly to Shirdi.

The 21th of Oktober a Questions and Answers program took place in Russia.

Swami Vishwananda answered many spiritual questions.

Satsang of Swami Vishwananda in Moscow

 

The Hall was filled with russian devotees. 

The picture of Swami Vishwananda praying

The picture of Jesus is covered with Vibhuti

 During Swami Vishwananda trip in Russia three pictures where covered with Vibhuti.

Swami Vishwananda in Moscow

   

In the room where Swami was sleeping tonight by Lakshia place, the picture of Narayana was covered with Vibhuti in the morning.

Meditation

Aditya writes:

Here is a nice meditation Swamiji gave in Poland about Divine Mother. I have done it for a couple of days now, it is very nice.

Meditation: Sit in the Divine Mother's Lap (given by Guruji during the darshan in Poland)

Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting on the lap of the Divine Mother. See yourself small sitting in Her lap. Just enjoy being in her lap. Feel Her motherly love, Her protection. Feel that you don’t need to bother about anything. You’re a child – what should you bother about? What should you think about? Just be...

Now talk to the Mother. Talk to the Mother the same way you talk to everybody. Ask Her whatever you want. See and hear Her answering you.

Now, when you have tasted the sweetness of the Mother, know that She is always with you. Ever ready to help you, ever ready to fulfill all your wishes. Don't be shy to ask. Because She is the only one that gives. She has abundance, she has to give more that you can think. So take from the inexhaustible source.

6th night Navaratri: Katyayani

Katyayani

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

"...singing and dancing for Ma"

Swami Vishwa Anashuyananda writes:

„Last night was such a wonderful experience singing and dancing for Ma. It felt that in the atmosphere there was much joy and happiness from all the people present. It is such a joy to sing, dance and be part of Navaratri and have Ma’s darshan. It is the greatest blessing to be able to share this with guests that come to visit and share this joy, happiness, dancing and love of the Divine with them. So all you people out there who will come for Navaratri this year be prepared to sing, dance and rock yourselves this year. Enjoy the joy! Jai Ma“

Anashuya

4th night Navaratri: Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

3rd Night Navaratri: Chandra Ghanta

Chantra Ghanta , the third facet of Goddess Durga is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

Bramacharini Celebration

Bramacharini

2nd Night Navaratri: Bramacharini

She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha

1st night Navaratri: Shailaputri

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.

Navaratri

Nine Goddesses of Navratri are collectively known as Navdurga and are mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and Durga Saptashati. The Nine Goddesses worshipped on each nine-day of Navaratri are incarnations of Goddess Shakti.

The nine goddess are:

1. Shailaputri, (green)
2. Brahmacharini, (grey)
3. Chandraghanta, (pink)
4. Kushmanda, (white)
5. Skanda Mata, (red)
6. Katyayani, (blue)
7. Kala Ratri (Kaalratri), (yellow)
8. Maha Gowri (Violet)
9. Siddhidayini. (Peacock green /Turkis)

Navratri Colours 2010 – Dress Colors during Navaratri

During the nine days of Navratri there is a custom of wearing different colour dress – (Sarees).  Information on what are the Navratri 2010 colours usually appears a couple of days before in the newspapers. This year the nine Navratri colors for 2010 where published on Indian newspapers on October 6, 2010.

Download a Talk from Swami Vishwananda

Talk by Sri Swami Vishwananda, Saturday, Oct 2, 2010 during the Mass:

.

Swami Vishwananda:

“Christ reveals Himself, but like all the masters He doesn’t reveal His true aspect. People think that they know who the master is, but…”

(John 8: One of the most beautiful parts of the Gospel.)

klick here:
"Not understanding the master"

The audio file contains the reading of the Gospel and the interpretation by Swami.

Pitra Paksh

Pitra Paksh is a special prayer that we send to our ancestors, to affirm our gratitude and resolve all karmic bonds.

Swamiji explained the process.

Here is a small group of altars consisting of flowers, incense and sweets for our ancestors.

This ceremony was performed yesterday by Swami Vishwananda. He said that the ceremony is not only for removing family karma but also, one can ask a relative on another plane to guide and assist you through life if one wishes to do so.

During the ceremony we had to refrain from taking photographs since for many of the participants it was a very profound, emotional and intense experience.

Chapel

(A picture of Swamiji taken during Saturday evening's Mass in our Chapel)

Krishna from the Heart

This is Santushta (seen here with a dog from a shelter in Kenya). Santushta has experienced something very special indeed with Swami Vishwananda! He knows Swamiji for quite some time already and has once again brought Swami to Kenya.

Here is the story:

One evening, during dinner, Swamiji gave Santushta half of a very acidic fruit and said "Try it! It tastes good!" Swamiji himself ate the other half and made a rapt face and said "Ahhh sooo sweet! I love it!" Santustha screwed his face at the taste of the sour fruit and asked Swamiji "Who are you to like something like that?!" Swamiji: "Do you really want to know?" Santushta: "Yes, why not?" Swamiji: "Have you no fear?" Santushta: "No, why should I?" Swamiji then turned to him and told him "Put your hand on my heart!" Santushta laid his hand flat on Swamiji's heart. Then Swamiji said after a moment "Take it!" Santushta did not understand ---- So Swamiji repeated it, "Take it!" Then slowly Santushta closed his hand and suddenly he felt something in it. He opened his hand and looked: there was a wonderful statue of Krishna! Swamiji had just materialised a statue of a dancing Lord Krishna in Santushta's hand!



Pictures from Kenya