Durga Homam,Mumbai June 14th 2010
Bhagawan often says that it takes just a little devotion with pure love to melt his heart. There could not have been a bigger proof to these Divine words to the devotees who experienced thunder, lightening and heavy showers at the end of the two day Durga Homam at Dharmakshetra. The otherwise parched city waiting for rains was soaked in showers of blessings reiterating the fact loudly that “When Prayers go up, Blessings come down”.
Chanting of “Aum Sarva Mangala Maangalye..” continued in Jalan Mandap from the previous day with various groups taking lead in keeping the chant on for more than 24 hours. Not bearing time and strain the enthusiasm of the devotees was infectious that kept drawing in more and more people as the day unfolded.
The Poorna Aahuti started a little before 5:00 p.m and the more than 100 priests were chanting Durga Suktam. Shri. Sharad Chandra Bhat the chief priest explained the meaning of “Aum Sarva Mangala Maangalye, Shive Sarvartha Saadhike, Sharanye Trayambake Gauri, Namo stute” to everyone and reminded everyone that they were indeed blessed to be gathered in Dharmakshetra for this noble cause of praying for the peace & prosperity of the entire world .
Shri. Nimish Pandya, District President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Mumbai thanked each one present and said that the prayers have been answered instantaneously by the over pouring rains and he was sure that Bhagawan Himself was behind the thunder & lightening . Shri. Pandya thanked all the priests present and made special mention of the chief priests from various groups. He thanked Pandit Shridhar Aadi who has the rare title of “Veda Moorthy” and is the chief exponent of Atharva Veda in India, Pandit Gauri Shankarji, Pandit Kishore Shastry who was the chief priest of the Gujarat group of priests and Pandit Shri Ram who is a name to reckon with in the ‘Sama Veda’ stream. Shri. Pandya, specially mentioned Pandit Sharad Chandra Bhat who had been appointed as the main priest to look after all the proceedings.
Aarti was offered to the Lord of Lord’s with the natural forces of thunder & lightening in full glory also ringing bells out of ecstacy. The gathered devotees could not ask for anything more and most left with a heartful of gratitude and tears of joy in tune with the outpour of blessings from the skies above.
Durga Homam, Mumbai June 13th 2010
It is often said that the grace of the Lord is ever flowing and it is only up to the devotees to soak themselves in this shower of grace and to make the best of it. This grace of Beloved Bhagawan not only got the devotees of Maharashtra & Goa together to thank for the eternal flow of love but also pray for the peace & prosperity of all beings.
The Durga Havan in Mumbai was arranged in Bhagawan’s own home -beloved Dharmakshetra . The Jalan Mandap was decked up once again this time to chant the name of the Divine Mother who is the protector of good and destroyer of evil. A beautifully set up stage with Bhagawan and Durga Maa in the back drop set the right vibes for the day. As devotees started pouring in from various corners of Mumbai & Navi Mumbai, Bhajans sung in the glory of the Lord welcomed them.
The District President of Mumbai Shri. Nimish Pandya was genuinely happy that one & all had gathered for this unique event of praying for World Peace. He said the glimpse of unity of the world could be seen in the conglomeration of priests who had assembled more than 108 in number belonged to various regions like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh etc.