Written by: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Look at ends and beginnings with enthusiasm and hope, and channel your energy to positive action, says SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR, founder, the Art of Living Foundation
You think you are a part of this world, but actually, the world is a part of you. Therefore, you cannot be at peace when the world around you is in turmoil. When mid-life crisis begins prematurely in teenage years, society is rattled by violence and drug abuse; humanism appears utopian; joy, love and compassion are confined to books and celluloid; corruption and crime come to be accepted as a way of life — these are warning signals for us to wake up and meet these challenges.

Young And Eager
Today, we see a catastrophic decline in human values all over the world. A young boy recently opened fire at little children in an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut, in the US. And in India, we are still reeling under the shock of the heinous attack and gang rape of a young girl by a group of men, leaving her in a critical state. The incident provoked youth to come out on the streets and demonstrate in large numbers, demanding justice. Youth need to exercise restraint and keep anti-social elements and vested political interests at bay. Protest is essential to bring awareness, but not beyond that.

We are witnessing a movement: awareness and enthusiasm among youth and their eagerness to create a better India by bringing about changes is gaining momentum; we should not allow this momentum to degrade into chaos and violence.

The need is to channel these energies constructively. We need to create an atmosphere of support and contribution rather than of blame and accusation.

While the authorities are certainly accountable for law and order, diffusing stress in the environment and taking steps to bring out human values in society becomes our responsibility as well; otherwise, people to whom this message has not reached might harm us or our loved ones out of their resentment. All of us should take out some time — at least a few hours in a week — to volunteer for a better India. If we have just a few people with this magnanimous outlook, who can take responsibility for others’ emotional well-being, society has a very realistic chance of being peaceful and harmonious to a large extent.

Remain Stress-free
There are little things we can all do to keep our environment stress-free. We need to develop the habit of sharing our joy with others. If you are happy, infect others with your happiness; don’t keep it to yourself. Any action done with this idea behind it is service and the best form of service is uplifting someone’s state of mind. Of course, we must be careful and sensitive so as not to upset anyone with our enthusiasm. When we decide to share what we have been given, the Divine showers more abundance on every one of us.

Being spiritual does not mean turning a blind eye to the world. On the contrary, as you learn more and more about yourself, you come to know more and more about the world as well and begin to infer things that are beyond the obvious. Somewhere within we all want to know who we are, why we are here and what the purpose of life is. Most people choose to push these questions aside as a waste of time. Being spiritual is about keeping this little fire of Self-inquiry alive and not extinguishing it; not giving up the pursuit. These questions serve as a compass and help you bring a sense of direction to your life.

Every end creates a sense of completion and relief and every new beginning brings with it a sense of hope and enthusiasm. Therefore there is celebration associated with both. The past has made you wiser, the future beckons you to act and it is in the present that you can plan and begin. Although bitter experiences of the past should not prevent you from taking risk and plunging into adventure, you should also not be foolish in repeating old mistakes. A few moments of reflection should become a daily routine to infuse inspiration, innovation and intuition, all of which are much needed for planning and action.

Create A New Beginning
As you pass through events one after the other, become aware that life is like a river. There may be stones on the path, but the river flows above or around them. No year passes by without a touch of joy or without posing challenges. You should plan to utilise every moment of joy to serve and see every challenge as opportunity for growth. The year 2012 has not brought on the end of the world, and the coming New Year, 2013, is most certainly the start of a new beginning.

Last Saturday, I have gone to an insurance office to surrender my policy. There a gentle man was discussing about some pension plan. Since he is going to retire soon, he wanted to do some pension plan to bear his expenses after retirement. He was just talking about his requirement – “I’m working as a Govt. employee. Since my retirement time is coming, my salary will be reduced to almost half. But expenditure will not reduce. Blah blah!!”. Then the insurance manager asked him about his job. He told that, he was working in income tax office. Than the insurance manager laughed & told him, “then no need to explain you about how to save your money from tax.” Then he told that, “I’m working in income tax department. That doesn’t mean that you said. People always think like this. That’s why I often tell about my profession to others.”

People have always this type of perception. If anyone is working in police department, that means, he has enough money (black money!). He has no problem in life. As my father is a police officer, I know about their problems.

• They don’t have any holidays throughout the year except their leaves.
• They may have 24 hours duty. They can be called to duty any time. It may be dinner time; it may be at 2 o’clock night.
• People come to home at evening. But they are standing at traffic signal in evening.
• They do their duty on rainy time by bringing umbrella in their hands.
• They are doing their duty in heavily cold & fug.

Who cares about them? People say, police always asking about money. I can categorise them in three types.

• No doubt, most of police men are like this. 
• Some police are asking for money with some situation. I’m not in favour of them, but I’m trying to say something about their situation. 
• There are also some good people in police department who never in favour of corruption in any condition.

The 1st & 3rd types are obvious. I’m talking about the 2nd type.

• Suppose a police officer is working in an outpost. He is supposed to give at least Rs 5000/month to IIC, Rs 15000/quarterly to Circle Inspector, Rs 20000/quarterly to DSP and more than Rs 20000 to SP. To survive in police department, he has to do this. Then should he give them from his own pocket? When he earn (!) this money allegedly, then he did some extra amount for his own pocket.
  
• Family members including wife encourage him to do the same.

Recently there as a gang rape case in New Delhi by 6 people. People protested at India Gate. The act 144 has been implemented on that place. Then tear gas, water & lathi charge implemented by police to control the situation. It is not their fault to implement the act 144. Govt has not taken any action. But police are blamed. More than 70 people injured. (And today I came to know that, one police men died on attack on him by public. But the controversial statements says, the guys who helped the police men to bring to hospital told that, no one attacked on him. He was died in cardiac arrest. Here politician played game with dead body of the police man claiming that, protesters has attacked on him & detained some protesters including some political party workers.) Here also police are blamed without any reason. If any misshapen will occurred with any public, then Govt will suspend 2-3 police men to satisfy the people. Here also police are blamed.

Here you can watch a beautiful video.

A student asks a teacher: What is love?

The teacher said: in order to answer your question, go to the paddy field and choose the biggest paddy and come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick. The student went to the field, go through first row, he saw one big paddy,but he wonders.... may be there is a bigger one later. Then he saw another bigger one... but may be there is an even bigger one waiting for him Later, when he finished more than half of the paddy field, he start to realize that the paddy is not as big as the previous one he saw, he know he has missed the biggest one, and he regretted. So, he ended up went back to the teacher with empty hand. The teacher told him, this is love... you keep looking for a better one, but when later you realize, you have already miss the person.

The student asked: What is marriage then?

The teacher said: In order to answer your question, go to the corn field and choose the biggest corn and come back. But the rule is: you can go through them only once and cannot turn back to pick. The student went to the corn field, this time he is careful not to repeat the previous mistake, when he reach the middle of the field, he has picked one
medium corn that he feel satisfied, and came back to the teacher. The teacher told him, this time you bring back a corn.... you look for one that is just nice, and you have faith and believe this is the best one you get....

Karthika Purnima is a very special and auspicious day - the full moon of the month Karthika.

This full moon has a special significance for many different traditions, and is celebrated for many reasons... :)

Some of them being the following:

• It is considered the day that Vishnu or Narayana took avatara in the form of Matsya (the fish).
• It is considered the day that Shiva relieved the three worlds from the terror of Tripurasura (and it is thus considered as a day very dear to Shiva, after Shivaratri).
• It is called Deva Dipavali (the diwali of the Gods).
• Jains celebrate and worship Lord Mahavira on this day.
• It is considered the day Karthikeya took birth.
• It is also dedicated to the ancestors that have passed away (Pitris).
• Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday.

Q: What happens in death?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You will just see the body out there. Once you come out of the body, you will see your whole life flashing like a movie in a few minutes, and you will only know how much love you gave and how much knowledge you received.

These will be the only two questions that will stand.

1. How much love you gave! Not how much love you received, and
2. How much knowledge you gained.

This question will come and you will say, 'I will do better in the next', and that is it. Then there is peace.

It is like, sometimes at night before sleeping you review what all work you have to do the next day. You say, 'This all has to be done tomorrow. Okay, I will do it', and then you to bed, isn't it!

Same thing happens after death. Then that intention of what you will do next life will bring the next body and the next birth to us. Then we choose our parents, the place, and everything else and then we come to this world.

So nothing to be worried about death!

Anantha samsara samudhra thara
naukayithabyam guru bhaktithabhyam,
Vairagya samrajyadha poojanabyam,
namo nama sree guru padukhabyam

Meaning:
Salutations and Salutations to the sandals of my Guru, which is a boat, which helps me, cross the endless ocean of life, which endows me, with the sense of devotion to my Guru, And by worship of which, I attain the dominion of renunciation.

Karpura-Gauram Karunna-Avataaram
Samsaara-Saaram Bhujagendra-Haaram
Sadaa-Vasantam Hrdaya-Aravinde
Bhavam Bhavaanii-Sahitam Namaami

Meaning:
1: Pure White like Camphor, an Incarnation of Compassion,
2: The Essence of Worldly Existence, Whose Garland is the King of Serpents,
3: Always Dwelling inside the Lotus of the Heart.
4: I Bow to Shiva and Shakti Together.

Why we celebrate Navratri?

Every Indian festival has a reason and significance behind its celebration. It is not only celebrated for fun and enjoyment.

It is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe. Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change.

Due to climate change & solar influence, the energy level of the body goes up & down. If energy level is up, Satwa increases, positivity increases. On the result of it, human becomes dynamic, enthusiastic, creative & happier. When energy level is down, Tamas increases, negativity increases. So all types of negativity like greed, jealousy, hatred develops in human’s body.

In the month of Vadraba, there is lowest energy. Our saints are so clever. They thought about it & want to do something to keep our energy level up. So they performed Ganapati Puja for first 10 days of Vadraba. We worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance. Then they keep Shradha to remember our ancestors. So we can remember the beautiful memory those we have spent with our grandfather, grandmother & others. When we think about those happy moments, our Satwa goes up, so our energy level goes up.

Then on the first day of Ashvin, they put 9 days of worship to the mother, the source of energy. There is no rakhyas like Mahisasura. The real rakhyasas are our ego, sorrow, greed, jealousy etc which should be killed from ourselves. The 10 days (including Vijaya Dasami) refers to 10 evils.

1) Kaam (Lost)
2) Krodh (Anger)
3) Lobh (Greed)
4) Moh (Attachment)
5) Ahankar (Ego)
6) Darr (Fear)
7) Irsha (Jealousy)
8) Jadta (Inertia)
9) Nafrat (Hate)
10) Paschataap (Guilty)

Each day we take commitment to destroy one evil from our selves. On the tenth day, we celebrate Vijaya Dasami, i.e. win over all these negativity.

Reason for doing Religious Works at Night

The saints have given more importance to night. Understanding it scientifically; night is peaceful and quite, tantra-mantra and other supernatural things are in strong position. It is easy to concentrate in the night. Chanting Mantra in a peaceful environment yields auspicious results. Many obstacles of nature are removed. This time may be used for gaining mental power and Yogic powers.

Scientifically, performing things during the day increases the chances of problems in concentrating; just the way radio signals face problems during day time but improve in the night. The sound of the bells and conch kills Germs up-to far-away places. This period is used for Siddhi for fulfilling wishes.

The four important ratri (night)

There are four nights which are special meant for worship.

• Navratri
• Maha ratri (Maha Shiv Ratri)
• Kaal ratri (Deewali)
• ......... (Couldn't remember)

These four falls on 15th of the month instead of 14th.

What is Navratri?

Navratri is a combination of two words. 'Nav' means nine while 'ratri' means night. Therefore, this celebration is literally translated as 'nine nights'.
Navarathri is celebrated five times a year. They are Vasanta Navaratri, Ashadha Navaratri, the Sharada Navaratri, and the Paush/MaghaNavaratri. Of these, the Sharada Navaratri of the month of Puratashi and the Vasanta Navaratri of the Vasanta kala are very important.

1. Basanta Navaratri: Basanta Navaratri, also known as Vasant Navaratri, is the festival of nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the spring season (March–April). It is also known as Chaitra Navaratri. The nine days of festival is also known as Raama Navratri.
2. Gupta Navaratri: Gupta Navaratri, also referred as Ashadha or Gayatri or Shakambhari Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Ashadha (June–July). Gupta Navaratri is observed during the Ashadha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
3. Sharada Navaratri: This is the most important of the Navaratris. It is simply called Maha Navaratri (the Great Navratri) and is celebrated in the month of Ashvina. Also known as Sharad Navaratri, as it is celebrated during Sharad (beginning of winter, September–October).
4. Paush Navaratri: Paush Navaratri is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Paush (December–January). Paush Navaratri is observed during the Paush Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).
5. Magha Navaratri: Magha Navaratri, also referred as Gupta Navaratri, is nine days dedicated to the nine forms of Shakti (Mother Goddess) in the month of Magha (January–February). Magha Navaratri is observed during the Magha Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon).

But popularly Navratra is celebrated twice a year. First Navratra is from Pratipada of Chaitra month to Navami and the second is exactly after six months in Pratipada of Ashwin Shukla Paksha to a day before Vijayadashami. In the two Navratras Sharada Navratra is given more importance. The celebrations begin on the first day of the month of Ashvin (i.e. Ashwin Shukla Paksha Pratipada) according to the Hindu calendar.

First three days
The goddess is separated as a spiritual force called Durga also known as Kali in order to destroy all our impurities.

Second three days
The Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees inexhaustible wealth, as she is the goddess of wealth.

Final three days
The final set of three days is spent in worshiping the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order to have all-round success in life, believers seek the blessings of all three aspects of the divine femininity, hence the nine nights of worship.

We need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

Each of the nine days of Navratri has special significance. Each day is dedicated to a particular Goddess who is worshipped on that day.


First Day - Shailputri

The first day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Shailputri', the daughter of the Himalayas. She is a form of Shakti, the companion of Lord Shiva.
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.

Second Day - Brahmacharini

She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. The name is derivative of the word 'Brahma', which means 'Tapa' or penace. 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.

Third Day - Chandraghanta

The third day is dedicated to the goddess 'Chandraghanta', the symbolic representation of beauty and bravery.
The third facet of Goddess Durga is ‘Chandraghanta’, who 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.

Fourth Day - Kushmanda

The fourth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Kushmanda', the creator of the entire Universe.
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.

Fifth Day - Skand Mata

The fifth day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Skand Mata', the mother of the chief warrior of the Gods army, the Skanda.
The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. She is accompanied by the Lord Skanda in his infant form. Skanda Mata has four arms and three eyes, holds the infant Skanda in her right upper arm and a lotus in her right hand which is slightly raised upwards. The left arm is in pose to grant boons with grace and in left lower hand which is raised also holds a lotus. She has a bright complexion and often depicted as seated on a lotus.

Sixth Day - Katyayani

The sixth day is dedicated to the goddess 'Katyayani' with three eyes and four hands.
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.

Seventh Day - Kaalratri

The seventh day is dedicated to the Goddess 'Kaalratri', meant to make the devotees fearless.
This is the seventh form of Mother Durga and is worshipped on the seventh day of Navaratri. She has a dark complexion, dishevelled hair and a fearlessness posture. A necklace flashing lightning adorns her neck. She has three eyes that shine bright and terrible flames emanate from her breath. Her vehicle is the donkey. Her raised right hand always seems to grant boons to all worshippers and all her right lower hand is in the pose of allaying fears. Her left upper hand holds a thorn-like weapon, made of iron and there is a dragger in the lower left hand. She is black like Goddess Kali and holds a sparkling sword in her right hand battle all evil. Her gesture of protection assures us of freedom from fear and troubles. So she is also known as ‘Shubhamkari’ – one who does good things.

Eighth Day - Maha Gauri

The eight day is dedicated to the Mata Rani or 'Maha Gauri' representing calmness and exhibits wisdom.
She is worshiped on the eighth day of Navaratri. Her power is unfailing and instantly fruitful. As a result of her worship, all sins of past, present and future get washed away and devotees get purified in all aspects of life. Maha Gauri is intelligent, peaceful and calm. Due to her long austerities in the deep forests of the Himalayas, she developed a dark complexion. When Lord Shiva cleaned her with the water of the Ganges, her body regained its beauty and she came to be known as Maha Gauri, which mean extremely white. She wears white clothes, has four arms, and rides on a bull. Her right hand is in the pose of allaying fear and her right lower hand holds a trident. The left upper hand holds a ‘damaru’ (a small rattle drum) and the lower one is in the pose of granting boons to her devotees.

Ninth Day - Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri is the ninth form of Goddess. She is worshipped on the ninth day of Navaratri. Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. In ‘Devi Bhagvata Purana’ it is mentioned that Lord Shiva worshipped her and was blessed with all Siddhis (supernatural powers). By her blessings his half body became female and other half body male in the avatar of Ardhnarishvara.

Tenth Day - Vijaya Dasami

Today is considered the Day of Victory, Vijaya Dashami, where the divine energy that is in all of us, the

power of the consciousness (devi shakti), is victorious over all the negative tendencies that sometimes

arise in the small mind and that prevent us from being happy, healthy and aware of our true nature (for

more details, also see the note I wrote on this page on the significance of the symbolism in Navaratri! :))

As is the custom the day, I wish all of you.

Shantir Astu (may there be peace in your life),
Pushtir Astu (may there be abundance in your life)
Tushtir Astu (may there be contentment and fulfillment in your life)!

Other related posts:

• Navratri
• Navaratri Invokes The Moving Force
• Navadurga
• Nava Durga

Written by: Bhanumathi Narasimhan

We float in the effulgence of one scintillating unseen cosmic energy called the ‘Devi,’ Divine Mother, womb of all creation. She is the seed of all dynamism, radiance, beauty, equanimity, peace and nourishment. She is the life force energy.
Devi, as Goddess Durga is epitomised as Shakti who wards off all evil. Durga also means hill. Something difficult is often described as an uphill task. In the presence of Durga Shakti, negative forces fade away.

Durga is referred to as ‘Jaya Durga’ or the one who brings jai or victory. She is Durgatipariharini – one who removes obstacles. She transforms negativity into positivity. Even difficulties find it difficult to come near her.

When you pray to Mother Divine as Durga, you become courageous, victorious and compassionate. That is the beauty of the Divine as mother. She nourishes all qualities, nurturing the positive. It is like collecting good luck. For example, when you are with the mother all ‘goodies’ are available. We become meritorious and we gain power to manifest good luck and hold or sustain it as well. Many times life may shower you with courage, prosperity and abundance but your ability to hold and transform this energy into happiness and compassion is lacking. Navaratri is a special time to pray to Durga to have all these qualities together – uniting and harmonising –magnifying and inculcating it in one’s life.

If we are always victorious but not happy it is of no use. Similarly, if we are always making efforts but never succeeding, that is also frustrating. Durga energy can give you all this together. All qualities are available to you as one unit. We pray to Durga for all these qualities to be instilled in our consciousness, bringing physical well being, material fulfillment and spiritual uplift.
Durga is associated with the colour red. She is depicted wearing a red saree. Red is the colour of dynamism – a bright attitude, the ‘moving’ energy. You may be trained and skilled but if you are not able to move things together, move people or your efforts in unison, the fruits are delayed. But when you pray to Durga, she makes this possible. The fruit is immediate.

The Mother Divine is Prakriti or this entire creation. Everything is creation is made up of three gunas or qualities: Sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva is associated with calmness, clarity of mind, enthusiasm and peace. Rajas is needed for action but often creates feverishness. Tamas is inertia and an imbalance in tamas can lead to laziness, dullness and even depression. When you handle tamas properly you move into sattva. Every being in this creation is caught in the play of the gunas. How does one come out of this cycle, and transcend them?

Raise your sattva and come out of the cycle through proper meditation, silence and food control. Transcending the gunas, one gets established in the Shiva tattva or the pure and infinite consciousness. Prakriti is full of opposites like night and day, heat and cold, pain and pleasure, joy and sorrow. Rising above opposites, transcending duality, once again the Shiva tattva is attained.

This is the purpose of all pujas and other rituals during Navratri -- to manifest the unmanifest and unseen energy, the Durga Shakti, by whose grace one can transcend the gunas and attain the supreme, undivided, indivisible, pure, infinite consciousness.

Navadurga (Devanagari:नवदुर्गा), which literally means nine Goddess Durgas, constitute, according to Hindu mythology, the manifestation of Durga in nine different forms. These nine forms of manifestation are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandraghaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī.

Meditative mantra

Each one of the Navadurga is known by a particular name and the deity has a particular dhyana-mantra, a mantra for meditation.

1. Shailputri

वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चंद्रार्धक्रतशेखराम !
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्री यशस्विनीम !!

Vande Vanchhitalabhay chandrardhakritshekharam !
Vrisharudham Shooldharam Shailputreem Yashasvineem !!

Meaning (Hindi) - शैलपुत्री माता जो यशस्विनी हैं, जिनके मस्तक पे आधा चन्द्र सुशोभित है, जो वृष पे आरुड़ हैं , इच्छित लाभ देने वाली हैं, उनकी हम वंदना करते हैं !!

Explanation- Shailputri is one of many names of goddess Parvati. She is called Shail-bala or Shail-putri because she was born as Himalaya's Daughter. Himalaya, being a mountain( parvat or Shail), she is called parvati or shail-putri. Navratre's first day is devoted to Shailputri mata. She rides on Vrash (Bull), she has Shool (Trident) in one of her hands, there is half-moon on her crown, she is benefitial for whatever one wishes.


May the illustrious Shailputri Durga whom I salute and whose head is adorned by a halfmoon, who rides nandi, a bull and carries a spear fulfill the desires of my heart. She is known as 1st phase of Durga when she took birth as the daughter of Great Himalayas.

Durga Shailputri (Daughter of Mountain) : "Shail" means mountains, "Putri" means daughter. Parvati, the daughter of the King of the Mountains Himalaya, is called 'Shailputri". The first among nine Durgas and 1st night of Navratras is devoted to the puja of Shailputri. Her two hands display a trident and a lotus. Her mount is a bull.

2. Brahmacharini

दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमाला कमण्डलु !
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्म्चारिन्यनुतमा !!

Dadhana karpadmabhayaamaqshmala kamadalu !
Devi prasidatu mayi brahmchaarinyanutama !!

Meaning (Hindi)-
जिनके हाथों में पद्म (अर्थात कमल का पुष्प) , रुद्राक्ष माला, और कमंडल है, वो उत्तम ब्रह्मचारिणी माता मुझ पर प्रसन्न हों !!

Explanation-
Goddess Brahmchaarini wears white color clothes, she holds rudraksh mala, lotus flower, kamandalu, in her hands. Goddess brahmcharini is the "tapaswini" roop of goddess.. who gives freedom from Kaama, krodha.


May the supreme Brahmachari Durga, who holds rosary and kamandalu in her lotus hands and whose nature is to attain Sachchidanandamaya Brahmaswarupa the Existence-Knowledge-Bliss absolute, be propitious on me. Devi is Devi's that phase when Maa Parvati before marriage was Devi Yogni and Devi Tapsvini.

She is the Roop of Maa Parvati before Her marriage to Lord Shiva. Brahmacharini ~ One who has done severe Tapasya. Brahmacharini Maa is seen with Rosary and Kamandal.Her jwellery is made from Lotus. She is Goddess of Love and Loyalty. An ideal wife to be.

3. Chandraghanta

पिंडजप्रवरारुढ़ा चन्दकोपास्त्रकैर्युता !
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघंटेति विश्रुता !!

Pindajpravararoodha chandkopaastrakairyuta !
Prasaadam tanute mahyam chandraghanteti vishruta !!

As a goddess she exemplifies calm and material well being. Her adornments are rich and signify material comfort. In a sense, She is the goddess who rids our life of obstructions and evil energy.

She derives her name from her most prominent ornament, a half moon shaped like a bell that smites all evil beings such as demons and instills fear in their hearts.

As a potent force and facet of the female energy, Goddess Chandraghanta claims as her own the Manipur Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with ten petals, this chakra is also known as "nabhi" or navel chakra. This Manipur chakra embodies the change or conversion from simplicity to complexity.


May that Durga Devi, who rides on Tiger, who is endowed with intense anger and violence and is renowned by the name of Maa Chandraghanta, bestow her grace on me. Chandraghanta Maa is known and named Chandraghanta or Chandra-Khanda as Maa Durga wears the semi-circular moon (Chandra) which appears like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead.

She is the Goddess of Justice. Her name means the Moon Hour. A time of Peace and Bliss.

4. Kushmanda

सुरासम्पूर्णकलशं रूधिराप्लुतमेव च !
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्याम कुष्मांडा शुभदास्तु मे !!

Sura-sampurn-kalasham Rudhiraplutmeva Ch !
Dadhana Hast-padhmabhyaam Kushmanda Shubhdaastu me !!

Goddess Kushmanda is always portrayed as radiating with an immense inner light. The radiance of a hundred thousand suns is contained in her, her brilliance is incomparable and she resides deep within the heart of the sun where no other god or goddess can withstand the brilliance. She alone illuminates the ten directions and all the worlds.

Anahat Chakra - symbolised by a lotus with 12 petals. Also known as Heart chakra, emphasis the qualities of the heart - love and compassion but most of all equilibrium.


May Kushmanda Ma Durga who holds two pitchers full of blood in her lotus hands and the universe is created, sustained and drawn within Devi's ownself in a wink be propitious for me. In this form Mother Durga creates solar system by liberating her power to Lord Sun.

5. Skandamata

सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया !
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी !!

Singashangata Nityam PadmashritKardwaya !
Shubhdaastu Sada Devi SkandMata Yashashwini !!

Meaning - नित्य सिंह के आसन पर विराजमान, दो हाथो में कमल के पुष्प धारण करने वाली, यशश्विनी देवी स्कन्दमाता सदा शुभ फल प्रदान करो !!

Explanation-
Astride a Lion while holding the infant, Skanda, in her arms, the four-armed goddess is also known as Pasmasana Devi !

Skandmata is revered for having produced such a remarkable son and worshiped as the mother figure par excellence. she does not wield a weapon and holds instead 2 lotuses in her 2 upper hands.As a potent force and facet of the female energy, Skandmata claims as her own the Vishuddhi Chakra.
Symbolized by a lotus with 16 petals, this Chakra is also known as the throat Chakra that symbolizes creativity and communications.

*SkandMata - Mother of Skanda (Kartikey) is another name of goddess parvati.


May the renowned Durga Devi Skandamata who is eternally seated on a throne and whose hands are adorned with lotuses, be ever propitious to me. As Mother of Skanda or Kartikeya, Maa Parvati or Maa Durga is known as Skandmata.

Skand literally means Reeds. If you will observe most Forms of Devi Maa have a Loop/Noose or पाश in their Hands. It symbolises attachment. The पाश noose is used to secure Demons before slaying them. You can say it's used as a rope. It's one of the weapons in Maa's Hands.

The 5th Vidya is Maa Bhairavi. Just seeing her makes the demons tremble. In Durga Saptashadi She is hailed as Chandi by Maa Parvati Herself. It is not that Maa Bhairavi and Maa Parvati are different. In Durga Saptashadi, on a complaint by a demon all manifestations of Maa become one. It is then explained in Durga Saptashadi that Names and Forms of Maa may be different, but ultimately they are all One, the Aadi Shakti. The demon complained, "You say You are One but have got so many women to fight with me" Maa replied, "Idiot they are but me".

6. Kathyayini

चंद्र्हासुज्ज्वलकरा शार्दुलवरवाहना !
कात्यायनी शुभम दध्यादेवी दानवघातिनी !!

ChandrhaasujjwalKara Shaardulvar-wahana !
Katyayani dadhyadevi Daanavghaatini !!

Meaning -
चन्द्र को उज्जवल करने वाली. सिंह के वाहन वाली , दानव का नाश करने वाली कात्यायनी देवी को प्रणाम !!

Explanation-
The origins of Katyayani goddess are closely linked to bloodline of the sage KAT who beget the saint Katya as his son. Eventually famous saint katyayan was born in this line. It was his desire that goddess be born in his house as his daughter. The world meanwhile was reeling under tyrannies of demon mahishasur. The goddess appealed by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva born on 4th Navratra. Goddess accepted the ritual worship of katayayan rishi for 3days and on the tenth day Durga slew the demon Mahishasur. Goddess was born in Katayan's house so she adopted the name Katyayani.

Katyayani devi is depicted as a four armed goddess astride a lion. She holds a sword in one hand, a lotus in another, and remaining 2 hands are composed in mudras of blessing and the mudra of fearlessness, the blessing extended to all of katyayani's devotees.

As a potent force and facet of female energy, Katyayani claims as her own the Ajna or Agya Chakra. Symbolized by a lotus with 2 petals, this chakra is also known as third eye chakra.


May the ever watchful Durga Devi Katyayani, who holds shining Chandrahasa (Sword) in Devi's hand and rides a magnificent lion and destroys the demons, bestow welfare on me. When Maa Parvati's Partial expansion took birth in Sage Katya's home and gets energy from trinity and demi Gods, then the Goddess was known as Maa Katyani.

The sixth Durga - Maa Katyani (Ferocious Roop/ Demon slayer/ assoc.colour red/ daughter of Sage Katyayan). The sixth Mahavidya is Maa Chhinnamasta. Maa Parvati's companions since childhood Jaya and Vijaya are called Tara and Raja as Maa Chhinnamasta's companions. Roop of Maa Chhinnmasta teaches devotees to not get haughty on achieving materialistic gains in this world. Chhinnmasta means severed head. The benevolent Divine Mother would even severe her own head if Her devotees ask Her for food.

Maa Chhinnmasta stands for perpetuity. Life-Sex-Procreation-New Life-Death.

7. Kaalratri

जय त्वं देवि चामुंडे जय भूतार्तिहारिणी !
जय सर्वगते देवि कालरात्रि नामोSस्तु ते !!

Jaya-Twam Devi Chamunde Jaya Bhootartihaarini !
Jaya Sarwagate-Devi KaalRaatri Namostute !!

Meaning -
देवि चामुंडे ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! सम्पूर्ण प्राणियों की पीड़ा हरने वाली देवि ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! सब में व्याप्त रहने वाली देवि ! तुम्हारी जय हो ! कालरात्रि ! तुम्हे नमस्कार है !!

Despite her terrifying appearance, she is also known as Shubhankari because she is the unparalleled granter of boons and harbinger of success.

The terrible and terrifying energy of goddess Durga is manifested on the seventh day in the form of Kaalratri. Armed with Khadag apart from brandishing the scythe like weapon, Kaalratri is also a 4 armed goddess like Katyayani, her 2 bare hands are also composed in mudras of Var (blessing) and Abhay (Fearlessness).
She is also the most powerful force of protection, a goddess who protects all her devotees from all kinds of harm - physical and metaphysical.


May she Bhayankari Maa Durga who is with long lips, riding an ass, shining in various hues looks formidable because of the halo of Devi's lustre and is adorned with multi coloured ornaments remove my darkness of ignorance. In Skand Purana, Maa Parvati liberates Devi's golden outer sheath and becomes dark complexioned then Goddess becomes Goddess Kaalratri.

On Day 7 most ferocious form, Maa Kala Ratri is prayed to. The One who can kill even Time! The 7th Vidya is Maa Dhoomavati. In many traditions married women are not allowed to see the vigrahe of Maa Dhoomavati. Here's a song dedicated to Her.

Om Jayanti Mangla Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini,
Durga Kshama Shiva Dhatri Swaha Swadha Namastote

Let's see meaning of this song. The eleven names of mother is as follows.

11 Names of Maa

1. Jayanti ~ the best
2. Mangla ~ one who gives salvation
3. Kali ~ The Destroyer
4. Bhadrakali ~ accepts devotees offering
5. Kapalini ~ Has a Kapal in Hand
6. Durga ~ One who is pleased by Bhakti or Gyaan
7. Kshama ~ One who forgives
8. Shiva ~ One who blesses
9. Dhatri ~ One who takes in all words
10. Swaha ~ She gives the offering in yagya to devtas
11. Swadha ~ One who looks after our ancestors

Now that you know the meaning of the song.

8. Mahagauri

श्वेते वृषे समारूढा: श्वेताम्बरधरा शुचि: !
महागौरी शुभम दद्यान्महदेवप्रमोददा !!

Shwete Vrashe Samarudhah Shwetambar-dhara Shuchi !
Mahagauri Shubham Dadhyanmahdev-pramodada !!

Representing Calmness and absolute innocence, this form of goddess represents the parvati aspect of the Great Goddess.

The eighth manifestation of Great Goddess Durga is MahaGauri. The white goddess, the fairness of her being is constantly compared to the conch, moon and kund flowers. All her adornments, clothes and jewelery are always white. She is always envisaged and worshiped as an 8-years old.

Due to Intense and prolonged nature of her arduous tapasya, the body of Sati was shriveled and blackened. When Shiva was moved bu her devotion, he consented to take sati as his consort and bathed her body with the waters of the celestial river Ganga and immediately her body became dazzling white and returned to the fresh vitality of 8-years old, the age at which possibly the goddess as a young girl heard the words of Narada muni, which moved her to seek the most perfect of bride-grooms, Shiva as her consort.

Mahagauri holds in 2 of her hands the Trishool and Damroo, symbols most closely associated with Lord Shiva. The benign goddess symbolizes the purity of childlike innocence as well as the unwavering determination needed to fulfill her arduous meditation.


May the Mahagauri Ma Durga who rides a white Rishabha bull and who wears spotless white clothes and remains ever pure and also provides ever lasting bliss to Mahadeva Lord Shiva bestow all auspiciousness. Devi is 16 years old unmarried Goddess Parvati.

On the 8th Day, Maa Maha Gauri is prayed. May I be allowed to see a similarity between Her and Maa Tripur Sundari. Maha Gauri Maa and Maa Tripur Sundari are both manifestations of 16 year old, Maa Parvati (before Her marriage to Lord Shiva).

Read in the Shiv Puran: Maa Parvati prayed to Lord Brahma to shed Her dark cells (of Maha Kaali avatar) and became Gauri (White).

But according to another belief, Maa became dark after Her penance to obtain Lord Shiva and then, Lord Shiva cleaned Maa Parvati with the Holy Ganga. She shed her dark cells and became crystal white. Then her Roop was called MahaGauri.

If you personally see, a lot of similarity between Maa Maha Gauri and Ganga. Both destroy sins, remain pure. The eighth Vidya of Maa is Maa Baglamukhi. She is the Goddess of Speech.

Maa Mahagauri fulfils all our desires. Mahagauri is the eight form of Goddess Shakti. She is white in colour. Whiteners is shown by shell, moon etc. Mahagauri means one clean and bright like a ray of lightning. This is also an important day for worshipping Maa Saraswati.

Actually she is the original form of Goddess Parvati when she did penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. It is believed that due to her intense Tapas without moving caused soil and dust to collect on her body her colour became black. Then Lord Shiva cleaned her with Ganga water. Due to this reason she becomes white and shines like an electricity and thus named as MahaGauri. This form of Durga depicts purity.In this form Maa is like aneight-year old child with complexion as fair as a conch, moon and jasmine. Her clothes and ornaments are white and pure. She has three eyes and four arms. Her right upper hand is in the pose of allaying fear and right lower hand holds a trident in it. The left upper hand holds a tambourine and the lower one is in the pose of blessing. All sins of devotees are washed away due to her worship. Her power is unfailing and instantly giving results. Unmarried girls can get good husband and married women are blessed with happy married life by offering puja to Maa Mahagauri.
Durga Ashtami Puja is celebrated in many parts of India. By worshipping her after fast the devotees get fruits immediately. She appeared in the form of Maa Ambaji, Maa Kalika, and Maa Bahucharaji etc. She rides on bull. He gets purified in all respects and becomes fit for inexhaustible virtue .Her power is said to be unfailingly and instantly fruitful. All sins of the past, present and future are vanished and we are purified in all aspects of life when we worship this form of Durga. Maha Gauri is calm, peaceful and exists in serene intelligence. She stays in devotes heart. Devotees can wear Red, Saffron, Yellow, White; Pinkcolour to please Maa. Devotees can see Maa Mahagauri in a temple at Kankhal near pilgrim center Haridwar, India.

MANTRA FOR WORSHIPPING MAA MAHAGAURI

Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu maa Gauri rupen sanisthita Namastasye,
namastasye namastasye namoh namah

HOW TO WORSHIP MAA MAHAGAURI

Devotees worship the small girls on this day. It is believed that at the time of her origin she was only eight years old so devotees get the blessings of Maa Mahagauri by offering food to eight girlchildren. She is the actual representation of Maa Annapurna in the form of small girl. You can do kanyapujan on Navmi but it is great to worship and feed them on Ashtami. If you are unable to arrange 8 kanya, you can worship only two girl child. The girl child should not more than 10 years. It is believed that two years old girl child is called Kumari, three years old girl is Trimurti, four years old girl is kalyani six years old girl is Kalika, seven years old is Chandika, eight years old is Shambhavi, nine years old girl is Durga and ten years girl is called Subhadra. Do not forget to give them dakshina after feeding and worshipping them to make your wishes fulfilled and to save ourselves from all problems.

MAHAUPAY TO PLEASE MAA MAHAGAURI

If you want Kuber Ji to always stay in your home, offer seven petals of rose kept in a paan on the feet of Maa Mahagauri, you will get enormous money. Shakti always resides with Shiv, to get the real vision of Shiv, get a chodahmukhi rudraksha stud in gold, keep it on a flower, offer milk, curd, honey, and Gangajal, worship it with dhoop, deep, and then have it , it can surely remove your financial problems and as well as you will get the blessings of Shiv and Shakti. To get married soon take 36 cloves, and 6 camphor, mix it with haldi and chawal and offer this in to the hawan.
To bless with a happy child mix pomegranate seeds with cloves and kapoor and offer it to Maa, you will be blessed very soon with a child. To flourish your business mix cloves and camphor with amaltash flower or any other yellow flower, it will create magic in the sudden development of your business.

BHOG FOR MAHAGAURI

On this day Coconut is offered to the Goddess as Bhog. Coconut is also given to Brahmans. Goddess Mahagauri fulfils the wishes of childless couples with child.
So do not lose your hope even in a very critical and crucial movement of your life. Believe in the magnificent and imperishable power of Maa Durga and worship her with all your love, devotion, dedication and commitment, Maa will take away all your sorrowand problems from your life and bless you with best of your health, wealth, joy and contentness.

9. Siddhidaatri

सिद्धगन्धर्वयक्षाद्यैरसुरैरमरैरपि !
सेव्यमाना सदा भूयात सिद्धिदा सिद्धिदायिनी !!

SiddhGandarv-Yaksha-dyair-Surai-ramrairapi !
Sevyamaana sada bhuyaat siddhida siddhi-daayini !!

Meaning-
सिद्ध गर्धर्वो , यक्षों , देवताओं, असुरों द्वारा सदा पूजित सिद्धि देने वाली माता हमको सिद्धि प्रदान करें !!

At once of the world and the originator of that world, SiddhiDaatri is the summation of the manifesations of Durga.

She is the repository of all the Siddhis or Blessings, whether the 8 listed in Markandaye puraana or the 8 listed in Brahmveyvat Purana. Siddhidaatri is possessor and dispenser of all these Siddhis.

Siddhidaatri has 4 hands. She holds in her hands the Chakra, mace , a conch and a lotus flower. She is depicted either astride a lion or, as is more common, sitting on a lotus. In her resides the ascetic virgin - Brahmachaarini , and the supreme content wife - Shailputri. The innocent child - Mahagauri , co-exists with the terrible destructive energy of Kaalratri. The warrior goddess Katyayani becomes one with the tender motherhood of Skandmaata. Siddhidaatri is the summation of all manifestations of Durga and by merging and mingling with the energy of Shiva, she brings the world and all its energy into perfect balance.


May the ever victorious Siddhidayini Ma Durga, who is always worshipped by the hordes of siddha, gandharva, yaksha, asura, and Deva, bestow success at my every venture. She is one who was worshiped by Lord Shiva to become in the form of Goddess Ardhnarishwara, then Goddess Shakti Appeared from the left side of Lord Shiva.

Other related posts:

• Navratri
• Navaratri
• Navaratri Invokes The Moving Force
• Nava Durga

Written by: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam


Friends, let me share with you a beautiful experience when I visited Greece in April 2007. I was negotiating and climbing towards Acropolis mountain top in Athens and came across a group of 150 Greek students. They threw a spontaneous smile on me, the teachers came forward and introduced the students. They said, they were very happy to see the Indian president and that the children would like to hear from him few words. My mind at that time was thinking about the great personalities, the land of Greece had given to the world: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The words of Plato were ringing in my mind when I saw the young students. Plato brings out that “Our aim in founding the State was not the disproportionate happiness of any one class, but the greatest happiness of the whole”, 2400 years ago.

With these thoughts, I made up my mind, of what to say to the students and the youth of Greece. I slowly repeated line by line, a hymn which I normally hear in Indian spiritual centers.

Righteousness
Where there is righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
there is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home.
There is an order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.

When the students and the youth repeated with me, the tourists around at the Acropolis also repeated and there was all round ovations. Then I realized how people from multiple nations, young and experienced were influenced by the thought of righteousness in the heart irrespective of their nationality. You can see how the righteousness in the heart generates beauty in the character in the human beings and beauty in the character leads to harmony in the home. Harmony in the home in an integrated way generates order in the nation. Of course the order in the nation finally blossoms peace in the world. The righteousness in the heart is the starting point for great individual, great family and great nation and ultimately great planet earth.

Now the question is: How do we inculcate the righteousness in the heart. In my opinion, there are three sources which can build a youth with righteousness in the heart. One is mother, second is father and the third and the most important is the teacher, particularly primary school teacher. Also to provide righteousness in the heart to the young minds, we should have an environment of great education and a spiritual way of life and spiritual environment.

Today is the first day of Ganesha Mahotsava - the big festival honoring & celebrating birthday of the elephant-headed god Ganapat! He is said to be present on earth during these days. Wishing all a beautiful Ganesha Chaturthi, and let us remember the profound significance that Lord Ganesha symbolizes:

Ganesha is Ganapati, the Lord of ganas, or groups of atoms (molecules). He is the energy, or Shakti, that keeps this manifest creation together. Without this, the universe as we know it would not exist. To make sure that every substance (dravya) fucntions according to its respective quality (guna), there needs to be a force that upholds this balance and maintains it - this is Ganapati. And because this force has to be so huge, to take care of this whole creation, the symbol of the elephant was chosen: the biggest animal!

Another beautiful symbolism of the elephant is the fact that in an elephant, the organs of perception (jnanendriya) and the organs of action (karmendriya) come together: the trunk is used to grab, as well as to smell! A beautiful symbol of how the Shakti or energy that Ganesha represents is a combination of Jnana Shakti and Kriya Shakti moving together - the ability of understanding/knowing and the ability to act are aligned to each other.

In our body, the Ganesha Tattva, or energy, is located at the base of the spine: the muladhara cakra. It is the kundalini shakti. And that is also why Ganesha is shown holding a noose (pasha) and a goad (ankusha) - the goad is a symbol for that which awakens the energy, and the noose is a symbol for the control over it, giving it the proper direction. Because if this energy is awakened and not properly directed or channelized, it can be dangerous also. And a way to invoke this energy, to awaken it, is through mantras... the mantra (which is symbolized by the mouse that is the vehicle of Ganesha) becomes the way to move this energy, to awaken it!

And this is just a glimpse of the beautiful and profound symbolism of this happy elephant-headed boy, who loves to eat sweets!

The whole universe is nothing but groups of atoms, groups of qualities, of energy. Gana means group and a group cannot exist without a lord. Ganesha was born from the unmanifest transcendental consciousness called Shiva. Just as when atoms bond, matter comes into existence; so when all the fragmented aspects of human consciousness bond, Divinity happens effortlessly and that is the birth of Ganesha from Shiva. ~~ Sri Sri

See other posts related to Ganesha -

Ganesha (Ganpati) Sahasranama
108 Names of Lord Ganesha
Shri Ganesh (Ganpati) Arti
Ganesha Mantra Stuti

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car.
The sand is everything else. The small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Its easy to joke on a Sardar, but It's too difficult to be a Sardar".

I was standing at jalandhar station when my attention went towards a Sikh youth standing near me wearing a Black turban having a long beard and wearing a kirpan over his shirt.

After a while, one local train arrived, which was totally packed. The Sikh youth tried to alight the train but failed to do so. Just then a voice was heard from the back coach 'Sardarji Barah Baj gaye' (Sir it's 12 o'clock!)

The Sikh youth looked over at that voice maker who was a young Mischievous type of person and instead of showing any anger made a smile towards him.

The smile made was so enigmatic that it seemed as if some type of truth lies behind it. Not able to resist my temptation, I walked towards him and asked why did he smile at that person who teased him.

The Sikh youth replied, 'He was not teasing me but was asking for my Help'. I was surprised with these words and he told me that there was a big history behind that which one should know. I was eager to know the History and the Sikh youth narrated:

During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as there own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam and even used to kill the people if they were refusing to accept.That time, our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward, in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against all these cruel activities.

Guruji told the Mughal emperor that if he could succeed in converting him to Islam, all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed, he should stop all those activities. The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellow members, were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk. Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated.

Thus Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu religion.

Can anybody lay down his life and that too for the protection of another religion?
This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", shield of India. For the sake of whom he had sacrificed his life, none of them came forward to lift his body, fearing that they would also be assassinated.

Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of khalsa made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily located in thousands. At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes.

It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army although fewer in numbers but were brave hearted and attacked them at midnight, 12 O'clock and rescued women.

After that time when there occurred a similar incidence, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help and Sikhs used to attack the raider's at Midnight, 12 O'clock. Nowadays, these "smart people" and some Sikh enemies who are afraid of Sikhs, have spread these words that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as I thought that his Mother or Sister would be in trouble and wants my help and was reminding me by saying off 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'.

One wonders what is the psyche of a fundamentalist? What is it that spurs them on their mission of hatred? How should one deal with such a person? We were lucky to witness an interaction between a handful of SIMI activists and His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar a couple of years ago. We felt that the same would be of relevance and could serve as an eye-opener in the current scenario. The backdrop for this article is one of Sri Sri’s tours of Kerala in the first week of December 2000. A series of Anandotsavams had been planned in various cities of Kerala to coincide with Sri Sri’s visit to those cities. Sri Sri ‘s visit was expected to attract huge crowds running into several hundred thousands and the local organizers spared no effort in ensuring the smooth conduct of such public meetings. The planning for these functions began several months before the actual event and drew upon the efforts of hundreds of enthusiastic Art of Living volunteers. A week before the tour commenced, towards the end of November there was a surprise in store. The newspapers announced that SIMI – Student Islamic Movement of India had called for a general strike (hartal) all over Kerala on December 6th, being the Babri Masjid demolition day. Coincidentally, an Anandotsavam had been planned on December 6th at Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala. The police also warned that they had received bomb threats. However, when contacted. Sri Sri assured Xavier, the president of the organizing committee that "Satsang will happen". On December 6th, though the newspapers had announced that the function was cancelled and the police had withdrawn their permission due to the bomb scare, more than a lakh of people attended the satsang. The following day, Sri Sri gave an audience to the SIMI leaders. Four leaders from SIMI came to meet Sri Sri at the residence of one of the organizers. Following their entry, an air of tension enveloped the hall where hundreds were waiting to meet with Sri Sri. Naseeb, one of the devotees, guided them to the room where Sri Sri was sitting with a few of us. They (the SIMI leaders), were dashing youths in their mid 20’s. One of them was carrying the holy Koran. They were little stern and stiff. Their eyes were fixed and seemed to reflect an inner fire. They looked prepared to repulse anything that Sri Sri would tell them and most unlikely to listen to reason.

Sri Sri was His usual smiling self.

The stage was set. It had all the signs of a classic confrontation. On one side were the brash youth – intemperate, impatient, driven by ideology and out to prove their superiority. On the other was a youthful, realized sage, unperturbed, offering sane explanations that echoed an uncommon depth and breadth of understanding. Those of us in the room, were eager to see how Sri Sri would deal with these firebrands. Sri Sri embraced them and offered them chairs to sit. There was not an iota of difference in His attitude. Any casual onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that Sri Sri considered these gentlemen as amongst His most ardent devotees. Perhaps the only difference that we could see was that they were seated on chairs while the rest of us were on the floor! For us, it was yet another opportunity to witness the unconditional love that Sri Sri exemplifies.

The leader of the group spoke first. He asked

SIMI: You had wanted to meet with us.

SRI SRI: Yes. I wanted to understand why your organization was opposed to the Anandotsavam.

SIMI: We thought that holding an Anandotsavam (celebration) on December 6th was a deliberate move to insult our religious sentiments. Do you know about our religion?. Do you believe in the Koran at all?

SRI SRI: Yes of course.

SIMI: (Not expecting this answer, pointing to the Koran, they shot the next question) We believe that Koran is the only knowledge. What about you?

SRI SRI: This is one amongst the various knowledge revealed to man from time to time.

SIMI: But God has said this is the only knowledge. The way of the Koran is the only way. There is no other way.

SRI SRI: This message can be found in scriptures of all religions. In the Vedas it is said "Naanyah Panthaah Ayanaaya Vidyate" meaning "There is no other way but the way of Truth!" The same is said in the Bible, Jesus says, "To go to my father, you have to go through me. I am the only way".

SIMI: But our scripture says worshipping any form or idol is evil, it is blasphemy.

SRI SRI: What is Good and Evil after all? It is relative. Relative existence is not the complete picture For example: Milk is good, but too much milk can kill you. Poison is harmful, but a drop of poison can save your life. Most lifesaving medicines have poison written on them! These are neither absolutely good nor bad they are just there. Truth transcends duality, and God is the Absolute and only Truth. So, where is the place for evil?

SIMI: Yet you Hindus worship many Gods, whereas our ideal is there is only one God and His message is what is required to go to heaven.

SRI SRI: There is only one god in many forms…

SIMI: (Restless and unwilling to listen to any explanation, they interrupted Sri Sri.) But the Koran says you should only worship Allah who is formless whereas the Hindus worship idols which are only stones.

SRI SRI: At this, Sri Sri suddenly asked them: Do you honour the Koran?

SIMI: (They seemed a little taken aback at this question from Sri Sri and with a righteous air answered). Yes, it is God’s word!

SRI SRI: Do you honor the Mecca?

SIMI: Yes, of course! That is our sacred place.

SRI SRI: So also, Hindu’s honour God’s creation as God. Just like sound (Koran), the crescent moon, Kaaba and the month of Ramadan are sacred for you, Hindus consider the River Ganges, the Himalayas, Saints as sacred. See, a picture of your daughter is not your daughter, but you still adore the daughter’s picture. When you see the picture aren’t you reminded of your daughter?

(They nodded a yes)

SRI SRI: So also, a symbol is not God but is honoured as God. This sense of honouring and sacredness makes you awake and alive. That is why the ancient Rishis said to feel the entire creation and your whole life as sacred. They considered God as omnipresent, as inseparable from His creation; like the dance and the dancer.

Sri Sri elaborated further – Spirit loves diversity. Is there only one type of vegetable or fruit? God created many type of fruits and vegetables. There is not just one type of tree, not just one type of snake, cloud, mosquito….Even you change your dress for different occasions. So how could this consciousness that manifested this whole creation be monotonous? There is only one God in many forms. Only one God is advocated. When you accept the variety of Divinity, you cease to be a fanatic and fundamentalist. A pregnant silence filled the room as they looked at each other expecting the other to speak. Then as a face saving measure, the SIMI leader replied, "I will need to go and consult my higher scholars." With a compassionate expression on His face, Sri Sri said: Never mind, (with a wave of His hand) forget about religion. We are all human beings. Let us have a peaceful society. Let us focus on development.

SIMI: No No No! What are you saying? You are talking about this world. What we do here is immaterial. The Koran tells us that what matters is what you get in eternal life and not to worry about material life. By doing service to the society you will simply remain here. You have to obey Allah. Allah is the only God and Mohammed is the last prophet.

SRI SRI: At this Sri Sri stopped them and after a pause asked them: Do you think the Sikh Gurus are not prophets. Isn’t Mirabai a prophet? What about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?

Once again, there was silence. Their expressions had changed. The rigidity had weakened and in its place was some confusion/uncertainty. Sri Sri seemed totally at ease unmindful of the challenges posed at Him.

SIMI: No! You can go to heaven only if you believe in Allah and the Koran.

SRI SRI: No my dear – there was Buddha, Mahavira, Nanak, Jesus, Shankara… Do you think they are not in heaven? If not, then I would rather be with them!

SIMI: You are such a nice person, but we pity you because you cannot get the truth. You can’t go to Allah. You can’t be rewarded by Allah. God will never show mercy on you.

SRI SRI: Never mind. (with a mischievous smile ) I will be with these people (Shankara, Jesus, etc.)

(Even as we were admiring Sri Sri’s patience and objectivity, we were concerned at the wrong indoctrination that these youths had been subjected to. We also observed a few others who were in the room were getting a little restive, possibly wondering why Sri Sri was spending so much time with these people who were obviously not at all receptive and that too when hundreds were waiting outside just for a glimpse of Sri Sri.)

SIMI: Do you know, that over 1400 years ago, in the middle of the desert, God revealed the secrets of creation. Even when there was no science, God said that the Atom is the smallest particle!

SRI SRI smiled and said: Yes, the same is there in the shaastras too which were known more than 10,000 years ago. In the shaastras it is said that the Earth is over 19 billion years old! Truth is beyond time and space. It is not confined to one time or one place One needs to have a scientific spirituality.

As if to conclude the conversation Sri Sri gave them Ladoo as prasad. By now there were traces of a smile on their faces. When they were about to leave He gave them a hug. They definitely seemed to be less stern than earlier. Could their attitude have changed? We wondered whether this (‘changed attitude’) would persist or would they go back to their old fanatic ways. But one thing was for sure, Sri Sri had made an impression that they would not forget!

Later, while Sri Sri was having His lunch, someone asked Him, "Why is that Islam is producing so many terrorists all over the world? No other religion has given rise to so many terrorists in the world. What is the reason?"

SRI SRI: Look at the commitment and the fire in them. Take the good from them and learn what you should not be doing. Don’t label them as bad people. They have not been imparted the knowledge of Vedanta. (Then as He was adding ghee to the chilli powder) He smiled and said "In this creation, there is a place for everything."

Paramahansa Srimat Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Deva
Once upon a time SHANKARACHARYA stepped to world and show the light of jnana (knowledge to get mokhsa) then after a long time GOURANGA DEV who sho the light of prema (mokhsa by the help of prema) But they are in different time. But we get the both at same time by one and only Sri Sri Guru Dev Thakur Maharaj. Today is His birth day. How lucky we are...................

Here is some things about Sri Sri Thakur.

YEAR-1880
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On Thursday, 19th of August, at 2:00 AM, a son was born to Bhubanmohan Bhattacharya and Yogendramohini at Radhakantapur, the maternal home. The child was named Nalinikanta who in time became known as our beloved Shri Shri Thakur. It happened to be the auspicious day of Jhulan Purnima in the month of Shraban.

YEAR-1889
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At the age of nine, thakur saw Devi Durga in the form of a young girl with ten arms at the family Chandi Mandap near his home at Kutabpur.

YEAR-1891
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When Nalinikanta turns eleven, his father Bhubanmohan performed his Upanayan (the sacred thread ceremony) at Radhakantapur.

YEAR-1892
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At the age of twelve, Nalinikanta started visiting Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, a renowned literary figure of Bengal and engaged in many spiritual and intellectual discussions with him.

YEAR-1893
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THAKUR’S mother Yogendramohini passed away suffering from Asiatic Cholera.

YEAR-1895
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(1) After passing out from Dariapur Middle English School, Nalinikanta started attending Meharpur High School.
(2) Nalinikanta went to Dhaka Survey School (renamed as Ahsanullah School of Engineering and currently Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology).

YEAR-1897
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(1)While still in Survey School, at the age of seventeen (16 years and 6 months) Nalinikanta got married to Sudhanshubala (Rani), the daughter of late Baidyanath Mukhopadhyay of Halisahar, now in West Bengal.

(2)After two years of study in Dhaka Survey School, Nalinikanta taught for some time at lower primary school at Kutabpur while waiting for a job outside. Around the same time, he demonstrated his creative literary talents by writing dramas like Shobha Bilap or Taranisen Badha, and Bhagabatir Nikah and poems like Marma Gatha and novels like Charubala.

YEAR-1898
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THAKUR’S novel Sudhansubala was written. Nalinikanta got a job as an overseer in Dinajpur Distict Board.

YEAR-1899
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Nityananda Pustakalaya of Calcutta published Nalinikanta’s novel Sudhansubala. Nalinikanta got a respectable job as Supervisor at Narayanpur in the estates of Krushna Pramada Dasi.

YEAR-1901
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One night, in the month of September around 9 PM, Sudhansubala took her last breath and left the world.
At that moment, Nalinikanta was at work in Narayanpur attending to some urgent papers. Around the time of his wife’s eternal departure, the lamp on the table he was working on slowly became dim and he saw Sudhansubala standing by the side of his table. Her complexion was radiant but her face was pale and gloomy and she did not say anything. He got frightened and screamed. The figure vanished leaving Nalinikanta disturbed over the event. He left for Kutabpur as soon as he got leave from service and heard the sad news from villagers on his way.

Nalinikanta found out the details of his wife’s last moments and her last words for him. Despite best efforts, he could not overcome his grief. In the following days, he had glimpses of Sudhansubala’s astral figure twice, which left him wondering about the existence of the soul after death.

Nalinikanta asked his father to perform the Shradha and left for Calcutta to attend an urgent case. During this period, one night, Sudhansubala appeared before Nalinikanta in her astral form and requested him to perform the Shradha. The next morning, Nalinikanta made all arrangement for the Shradha and kept the articles liked by her as offering. He then remembered Sudhansubala and waited for her to accept the offerings. As time passed and Sudhansubala did not appear to take offerings he got annoyed and then started taking the offering himself. At that moment, Sudhansubala appeared again in her astral form and asked him to refrain from eating because they were her left over.

After repeated visions of his deceased wife, the belief in the existence of life after death got firmly rooted in Nalinikanta’s mind.

After repeated visions of his deceased wife, the belief in the existence of life after death got firmly rooted in Nalinikanta’s mind.

Meanwhile, Nalinikanta got transferred to Kumira.

In his quest to get connected to his wife, Nalinikanta joined the Theosophical Society in Calcutta and later travelled to the society headquarters at Adyar near Madras (Chennai). After having learnt the techniques of attracting souls, he got to hear his wife through a medium. He was not satisfied and still had a lot of unanswered questions.

Nalinikanta returned to his work at Kumira but kept an eye on any saints visiting Calcutta. Around November-December 1901, he heard about Swami Purnananda, an ex-professor who enjoyed a good deal of reputation. Nalinikanta finally got a chance to meet Swami Purnananda at Calcutta and narrated his story to which Swamiji advised him that the Sadhana to reach the Mother of the Universe (Adyashakti Mahamaya) will lead him to his wife as well.

Back at Kumira, one night in the month of Margasira, Nalinikanta woke up with the room illuminated and found a tall and radiant saint standing beside him. The saint offered him a single-lettered mantra written in red sandal paste on a Bilwa (wood apple tree) leaf and vanished.

In the search of finding the method of recitation of the mantra, Nalinikanta met a number of saints at many holy places and finally ended up in Kashi. Without any answer in sight, he became confused and frustrated, and decided to end his life. That night, a Brahmin appeared in his dream and advised him that his guru is the famous Tantrik saint Bamakhepa of Tarapith in the district of Birbhum.

YEAR-1902
----------------
(1) (Month of Magha/Phalgun)

Per his dream, Nalinikanta went to Tarapith and surrendered to Bamakhepa. Under the tutelage and supervision of his Tantrik Guru, Nalinikanta learnt all the practices in connection with the tantrik way of sadhana leading to see the Cosmic Mother in just 20 days. On the midnight of the 21st day, the Krushna Chaturdasi (night before new moon), at a cremation ground, he started chanting the mantra given by his guru. First, Mahashakti (omnipower) appeared in the form of his beloved wife Sudhansubala and subsequently revealed her divine cosmic form. She granted him the boon of appearing in the form of Sudhansubala whenever he would wish. This was Shri Shri Thakur’s enlightenment in Tantrik Sadhana.
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(2) (month of Chaitra)

Nalinikanta returned to Kumira and enjoyed the company of the Universal Mother in the form of Sudhasubala. However, when he tried to touch her, the image would dissolve (merge) into his body. Nalinikanta then went back to Bamakhepa seeking an answer to this enigma. Bamakhepa posed his questions to Tara Devi and her answer was that Nalinikanta must seek sannyas in the Vedantic line under the guidance of a Gyani Guru.

Nalinikanta resigned from his job and started his quest for Gyani Guru. He visited different places of India before finally meeting Swami Sachchidananda Saraswati, a renowned vedantic saint at Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan. At the first sight, Nalinikanta remembered that the saint was the same person who offered him the single-lettered mantra at Kumira. Then he stayed in his Guru’s ashram at Pushkar as a sebak and led a life of Brahmachari.

YEAR-1903
--------------
On the 11th day of Bhadrava (July-August), Nalinikanta was initiated into Sannyasa and was named “Nigamananda” by his guru. He had mastered with ease the secrets of the knowledge of the Nigama (Vedas). In order to realize the deeper spiritual import of four great sayings of Vedas, as a sannyasi, Swami Nigamananda had to undertake a pilgrimage to the four dhams.

He was accompanied by Swami Sachchidananda to Badrinath and on the way they stopped at Gouri Maa’s ashram. She was a renowned female Yogic saint. During this visit to Badrinath, Swami Nigamananda learnt the method of realizing the Mahabakya of Vedas, “Ayamatama Brahma”. After returning from Badrinath, Shri Shri Thakur went to visit the remaining three dhams, Dwarka, Rameswar and Puri alone where he realized the “Tatwam Asi”, “Aham Brahmasmi” and “Pragyanam Brahma” Mahabakyas respectively.

Upon his return from his pilgrimage of the four dhams, his guru advised him to search for his Yogi Guru for yoga sadhana and acquire the knowledge of Bramha through “Nirbikalpa Samadhi”.

Swami Nigamananda started his journey to search for a Yogi Guru towards the end of winter. While wandering through the forests of Kota, he met two young women, who he later found out were yoginis. Per their direction, he left for Calcutta.

Continuing his quest, around the month of May-June, Swami Nigamananda travelled eastward to Kamakshya and Parasuram Tirtha now in Arunachal Pradesh. At Parasuram Tirtha, he fell ill with fever and dysentery but recovered with the help of the tribal people in that area. One day while enjoying the natural beauty of the hills, he wandered into the jungle and was lost and decided to rest the night in the hollow of a big tree trunk. Towards dawn, he met a saint with a radiating glow below the tree. This was his Yogi Guru Swami Sumerudasji. Under his guidance, for a period of three months, Swami Nigamananda read yogic scriptures and learnt and practiced methods of Yoga Sadhana.

Per the direction of his Yogi Guru, Swami Nigamananda left and went on to stay at the home of Sarada Prasad Majumdar, zamindar of Haripur in Pabna district (now in Bangladesh) and started practising yoga.

YEAR-1904
---------------
Over a period of nine months, thakur made a good progress in yogic practices. However, due to some interruptions and external disturbances, he had to leave Haripur for Guwahati. He ended up staying at the home of Yajneswar Biswas, a senior government officer, and continued practicing yoga. He practised meditation (Samadhi) for one whole day, then three days and finally for seven days at a stretch before coming back to senses. This state is called the “Sabikalpa Samadhi”.

One day in the month of Pousha, he went up the hills of Kamakshya and found a lonely spot where he sat and started his meditation. Shri Shri Thakur succeeded in reaching “Nirbikalpa Samadhi”, the ultimate attainment in Yoga Sadhana. During the sublime state of this Samadhi, he had a firm and exuberant feeling of “I am Guru”. His face was beaming an aura of radiance.

He was eager to meet his guru, Swami Sachchidananda, to tell him about it and hence bade farewell to Yajneswar Biswas and his wife, Saraju Devi. He went to Kumbhamela at Ujjain and found that his Gyani Guru was also there. By the direction of Jagadguru Sankaracharya of Shringeri Math, his Gyani Guru Swami Sachchidananda bestowed on him the title of Paramahansa with approval of all saints present there. From that day, his full name was Paribrajakacharya Paramahansa Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Dev.

Per his Gyani Guru’s direction, Shri Shri Thakur gave dikshya to Yajneswar Biswas and his wife Saraju Devi.

YEAR-1905
--------------
In the month of Magha, Shri Shri Thakur was in Kashi and had a chance to meet Devi Annapurna in the form of an old lady. Later that night Devi appeared in his dream and advised him to perform Bhaba Sadhana. Shri Shri Thakur then decided to see Gouri Maa whom he had met on the way to Badrinath with Swami Sachchidananda during his Paribrajaka period. He learnt Prema Sadhana from Gouri Maa and attained Bhaba Samadhi.

Shri Shri Thakur returned to Guwahati and then went to Garohill in Assam, which was later known as Garohill Yogashram (now in Meghalaya) and started a lower primary school for the children of the Hajong inhabitants in that area.

During this period, the divine mother appeared before him in her physical body of flesh and blood, and lavished all love, humor and joys of the universe on him.

A few days later, the divine mother reminded him of his responsibility as a Guru. She granted Shri Shri Thakur two boons, the first one was “those who accept him as guru would attain salvation in three births even though they go against him in the later part”, and the second one was “those who will continue to be his disciples to the end will attain liberation in one life whether they perform sadhana or not”.

It was here, Shri Shri Thakur wrote the book ‘Yogi Guru’ in just 14 days.

‎YEAR-1906
---------------
During the first quarter of the year, Shri Shri Thakur went to public.

Later, he stayed at the house of Umacharan Sarkar of Beniachar in Mymensing.

YEAR-1907
------------
A young man named Chandicharan Das, having read Shri Shri Thakur’s first book, “Yogi Guru”, came to him and became his sebak. He was later known as Swami Chidananda after taking sannyas from Shri Shri Thakur.

Shanti Ashram was founded at Durgapur near Kumilla (Comilla). Later it was moved to Dhaka. During this period Shri Shri Thakur wrote the book “Gyani Guru” in 21 days.

YEAR-1908
--------------
Shri Shri Thakur’s third book, “Gyani Guru” was published on the 2nd day of the month of Bhadrab. Under his guidance, in the month of Kartik, the first issue of the monthly magazine, “Arya-Darpan”, was published.


YEAR-1909
--------------
Shri Shri Thakur visited the ancestral home of Dr. Nrupendra Chandra Roy of Dhaka.
On the 16th day of month of Jyastha, Shri Shri Thakur gave dikshya to Priyanath Khasanabish, who was later known as Swami Premananda.

On the day of Laxmi Purnima, Dr. Rajachandra Dhar, who was later known as Swami Swarupananda, met Shri Shri Thakur for the first time.

YEAR-1910
--------------
Shri Shri Thakur’s book, “Bramhacharya Sadhan”, was published from Shanti Ashram of Durgapur.

On the 21st day of the month of Ashadha, Shri Shri Thakur gave dikshya to Dr. Rajachandra Dhar (later Swami Swarupananda) and his wife.

‎‎YEAR-1911
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While staying at Shanti Ashram in Dhaka, Shri Shri Thakur wrote “Tantrik Guru” in 7 days. The book was published on the day of Jhulan Purnima.

On the 26th day of the month of Margasira, “Anatha Niketana” was started.

Later that year, Shri Shri Thakur wrote the book “Premika Guru” in 17 days.

YEAR-1912
--------------
On the 14th day of the month of Magha, Shri Shri Thakur went to Kokilamukh in Assam with Rajachandra Dhar to look at the land for the new ashram.

On the 22nd day of the month of Phalgun, the ashram was shifted from Dhaka to Kokilamukh in Assam state.
On the auspicious day of Akshaya Trutiya in the month of Baisakha, Shri Shri Thakur set up the Shanti Ashram at Kokilamukh. The seat of Gurubramha was established. On the day of Rasa Purnima, Shri Shri Thakur’s book, “Premika Guru” was published.

YEAR-1913
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Shri Shri Thakur visited his birthplace at Kutabpur.

YEAR-1914
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On the 12th day of the month of Baisakha, Shanti Ashram was renamed as Saraswata Math and Shri Shri Thakur gave Sannyas dikshya to seven of his disciples on that day. During the month of Chaitra, Shri Shri Thakur along with his disciples travelled to the Kumbhamela at Haridwar.

YEAR-1915
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The first Bhakta Sammilani was organized at Saraswata Math and was attended by eleven bhaktas – seven Sannyasis and four Grihastha devotees. They were Swami Bodhananda, Swami Chidananda, Swami Swarupananda, Swami Yogananda, Swami Sudhananda, Swami Premananda, Swami Saradananda, Khepadas Bhattacharya, Banamali Sarakar, Surendramohan Dasgupta and Nagendranath Rai.

YEAR-1917
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(1)On the 3rd day of the month of Phalgun, Saraswata Ashram was established in a
rented house in the Jariyatuli area of Dhaka.

(2)In the month of Chaitra, Shri Shri Thakur bought land in Maynamati with the
purpose of establishing an ashram. Subsequently in 1919, with the hardwork and
dedication of Kumarananda Brahmachari, (later Swami Atmananda Saraswati), a
beautiful ashram was built there.

YEAR-1919
-------------
On the auspicious day of Jhulana Purnima, Shri Shri Gouranga-Sebashrama was established at Boguda (Bogra). It was later renamed as Uttara Bangla Saraswata Ashram.

YEAR-1920
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On the 27th day of the month of Aswin, the Saraswata Ashram in Dhaka shifted to Jayadevpur of Bhawal Pragana. On the day of Akhya Trutiya in 1921, this ashram was established and went on to host the Bhakta Sammilani in 1922. This ashram was later renamed as Madhya Bangla Saraswata Ashram.

YEAR-1923
---------------
He came to Puri in 1923 & stayed in "Nilachala Kutira".

YEAR-1934
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Shree Shree Thakur Established "Nilachala Saraswata Sangha" at Puri on His birthday 24.08.1934 i.e Julana Purnima.

YEAR-1935
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He had taken Mahasamadhi at "Kolkatta" on 29th November 1935.


Other things about Sri Sri Thakur
-----------------------------------
Thakur’s original name was “Nalinikanta Chattopadhyay”. After his ordination as a sannyasi, he came to be known as “Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Paramahansha”.
Nalinikanta was appointed as overseer at the Dinajpur District Board, but he was saddened at the sudden death of his wife, Sudhangshubala. Following the instruction of his guru, he became an ascetic. Nalinikanta wrote several books on ascetic philosophy and TANTRICISM, among them, Brhmacharyasadhan, Tantrikguru, Jnaniguru, Yogiguru, and Premikguru. He also published a religious monthly, Aryadarpan. However, his greatest achievement was the establishment of the Assam-Bengal Saraswata Math (centre for learning) at Kokilamukh, Assam and of five ashrams for sannyasis: Dhaka Madhya Bangla Saraswata Ashram, Bogra Uttar Bangla Saraswata Ashram, Mainamati Purba Bangla Saraswata Ashram, Halishahar Dakshin Bangla Saraswata Ashram and Kharkunama Pashchim Bangla Ashram. He also established 'Rsi Vidyalay', a school for ascetics, and a charitable hospital.