Dear Friends, March, 10, 2021
Maha Shivratri is tomorrow, Thursday, March 11. The literal meaning of Maha Shivratri is “the great night of Lord Shiva”. It is a night of honoring Lord Shiva, of celebrating the Divine Lord and immersing in His immensely powerful energies. It is a night to awaken oneself, and travel from darkness to The Light, praying to overcome darkness and ignorance in life and the world.
It is a time when devotees of Lord Shiva, fast throughout the day, meditate, chant “Om Namah Shivaya” and other Shiva mantras, stay awake through the night singing praises of Lord Shiva, worship the Lord by performing “Abhishekham” of the Shivling and celebrate the transcendental energies of the Lord.
There are different versions to the story of Maha Shivratri. One of these is that Lord Shiva and Parvati (Shakti) got married on this great night.
Another is that Lord Shiva saved the earth and all creation on this night by consuming the poison (Haalaa-hala) that was one of the bi-products of the churning of the cosmic ocean. Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison and held it in His throat by His Yogic powers and saved the whole of creation. His throat turned Blue with the effect of the poison, giving Him the name, Neelkantha (the Blue throated one).
I have taken Shivaratri into my heart after meeting Shri Babaji in Wape, Gujarat at Shivratri time in 1981. That same summer I was fortunate to bring my two sons (ages 8 and 10) to India and spend three months in Haidakhan with Babaji. He had me observe the sacred month of Savan dedicated to Lord Shiva, which made my love for Shiva grow even more.
As Shivaratri approached in 1982, I wanted to observe it but was not sure how to do it. I was living in Maui, Hawaii, working a regular 9-5 job, I did not know any other Babaji devotees that lived there, and there was no Hindu temple on the island. I prayed for an answer and as Baba would have it, I met a woman who worked a few stores down from where I was working and her name was Parvati of all things! Of course we began the discussion of her name and Lord Shiva and my time with Shri Babaji (whom devotees feel is a manifestation of Lord Shiva), and Shivaratri.
It turned out she was quite a devotee of Lord Shiva, had a lovely altar in her small apartment, wanted to chant Om Namah Shivaya all Shivaratri night, and even had a shruti box (which is like a small harmonium without keys, that keeps a nice drone for accompanying chanting). So the two of us after work, took our bathes, put on fresh clothing, and began at sunset with offering flowers, incense, fruit, and water to Lord Shiva. We then began to sing a very slow rendition (I think from the Muktananda tradition) of Om Namah Shivaya with the shruti box. At first it seemed like forever for me, particularly being tired from a day of work and such a slow repetitive chant. But I continued and things slowly changed and I became quite deeply absorbed in my Lord Shiva and I prayed to Him, “Please show Your Self to me.”
At sunrise, we completed the observance and I went home to get a few hours of sleep before my full day of work ahead of me. Shortly before I arose, I was awaken by the sound of thunder and a flash of lightening that felt so close, I jumped out of bed to make sure the house was not struck. All seemed well, so I got up and prepared and left for work. When I walked out the door, however, I saw that the house next door had been struck by lightning and the huge hole in the roof was covered with a big blue tarp. As this was something I had never observed in Maui before, I felt like it was Lord Shiva showing His Power and His availability to me and that it was not to be taken lightly. I am reminded of Shri Babaji’s words. “I am like fire. Don't keep too far away or you will not get the warmth. But don't get too near or you may burn yourself. Learn the correct distance. My name is Maha Prabhuji (the Great Lord).”
So over the years, I have spent this night chanting. I remember in 1996 there were only 4 of us through the night chanting from evening aarati until morning aarati in the small temple that had very little heat in it. We were freezing but our hearts were warm with Shiva’s love. As the new kirtan hall was added in early 2000’s, it was more comfortable and more people attended. Particularly in those early years, I remember spending so many hours leading Shiva chants on the harmonium that I could barely walk the next day.
This year will be more inward without the 75 or so folks that would normally join us in the temple, due to its closure. We will have evening aarati and then will be joined by people around the world on Zoom at 6:30pm MST for a puja to the Shiva Lingam followed by an hour or so of chanting to Lord Shiva. The Shiva Lingam we use is one that was consecrated at the Pashupatinath Temple many years ago and gifted to the Ashram. It will be bathed in milk, yoghurt, ghee, and honey. All are invited to join us for this special evening at: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09 Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020 Passcode: 474473 One tap mobile+16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# US
In Truth and Love, Ramloti for the Ashram
More Events!
Saturday, March 13 – 11am MST
Live-Stream New-Moon Fire Ceremony, Pitra Puja, and Chanting At: https://www.facebook.com/HaidakhandiUniversalAshram
Sunday, March 14 – 11am MDT Zoom Satsang (Daylight Savings begins in the US)
Hear many Devotees from around the world sharing their stories of how they came to Shri Babaji. Many did not meet Babaji in physical form and yet their experiences are deep and life transforming. If you have a story, you are welcome to share.
We will ask that folks keep them to 5 minutes or so the first round so everyone gets a chance to share. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVG
o4UT09 Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020 Passcode: 474473 One tap mobile+16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# US
Wednesday, March 17 – 7:30am MDT
Haidakhandi Conclave of Devotees - Live from India produced by the Haidakhand Samaj of India, meet devotees from around the world and hear their stories. This link is different from the Satsangs we are doing at the Ashram so please note it is: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/82362928497
Sunday, March 21 – 11am MDT Zoom Satsang
Join Gayatri Devi from Rhode Island and Nagini from Arizona. Gayatri met Shri Babaji in the early 80’s and stayed with Him until His Mahasamadhi. Her stories have rarely been shared and are deeply inspirational. Nagini came to Babaji in the mid 70’s and spent much of her time in the Sacred Dhuni with the Sacred Fire. She also learned Jara healing from Shri Babaji and has many deep and meaningful stories to share.
The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09 Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020 Passcode: 474473 One tap mobile+16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# US
Saturday, March 27 – 10am MDT Zoom Satsang
Join Neelam, Saradambe, and Others from the German Ashram in Reiferath and hear their inspiring stories. Neelam met Babaji in the late 70’s and her older sister, Saraswati was the one who founded this lovely Ashram. The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84820406020?pwd=RXRKYnJYSDFKYmhxYVMrNXBOVGo4UT09 Meeting ID: 848 2040 6020 Passcode: 474473 One tap mobile+16699006833,,84820406020#,,,,*474473# US
Sunday, March 28 – 11am MDT
Live-Stream Full-Moon Fire Ceremony and Chanting
At: https://www.facebook.com/HaidakhandiUniversalAshram
On-Going Events
Daily 20 Minute Silent Meditations and Discourses on the Srimad Devi Bhagavatam, which are available at YouTube at the Ramloti Wood channel and posted on the Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.
Live-Stream Evening Aarati one night each weekend and Small Daily fire Ceremonies a few days a week announced and live-streamed on Haidakhandi Universal Ashram Facebook Page.
Gratitude and Maha Lakshmi Shop
Once again, thank you to all who have been donating to the Ashram and purchasing from the Maha Lakshmi Shop. Both are a big help in keeping everything going at the Ashram. Please know we always remember you in the Temple at Baba’s and Mother’s feet and at our Fire Ceremonies. Perhaps the easiest place to get information about donations and to make one is at: https://www.babajiashram.org/donate. And to see our Maha Lakshmi Shop catalogue of devotional items and to purchase on line, go to: https://mahalakshmishop.wazala.com.
Call or email us anytime with questions, feedback, or requests at info@babajiashram.org or 719-256-4108. We love to hear from you. Bhole Baba Ki Jai! Jai Ma!