This Is Heaven...
A young couple on their way to get married, met with a fatal accident and found themselves standing in line at the Pearly Gates.
When they met St. Peter, they told him, that they wanted to get married before going into Heaven. He looked a bit harassed and said that it was the first time anyone had asked, and that he would go find out… and left.
The two of them waited and waited … a month passed, then another … And suddenly they got to wondering, supposed the marriage doesn’t work out, then what? Would they be stuck to each other for ever?!
After two more months of waiting and talking and doubting, a fairly bedraggled looking St. Peter returned.
“Yes!” he tells the couple,” you can get married in Heaven…”
“Great” they say, “but we were wondering, just in case, if things don’t work out between us, can we also get divorced in heaven?”
A very red faced St. Peter slammed his foot on the clouds and there was loud thunder and a few sparks of lightning
“Whats wrong??!” asked the frightened couple
“Oh come on!” St. Peter fumed, “Don’t you know this place is Heaven?!”
“It took me 4 months to find a priest here… Do you have any idea how long it will take me to find a lawyer?!!”
Jai Gurudev
Note:- This post has been adopted from http://bawandinesh.name
Celebrating The Divine Mother -Bhanumathi Narasimhan
The Divine Mother has unconditional and infinite love for Her children, that is, every being in entire Creation.
During the nine nights of Navaratri, Devi is worshipped in all Her names and forms each of which has a special significance. We remember a sandalwood tree by the memory of its perfume. Each name and form of the Devi refers to a specific quality or attribute of the Divine. By remembering the form or by chanting the many names of Devi, we enliven those qualities in our consciousness and they manifest in us according to the need.
Navaratri is a journey from the outer world of names and forms to the subtle world of energies, invoked through the various yagnas. The first three days celebrate the Devi in the form of Durga. Durga also means hill. A very difficult task is often described as an uphill task. The goddess is depicted as riding a lion or tiger, alluding to the aspect of courage and valour, the essence of Devi Durga.
The Nava Durga symbolises the nine aspects of Durga-energy that act like a shield to ward off all negativities. When you have obstacles and mental blocks, just remembering these qualities of the Devi can help you overcome the mental blocks.
As Mahishasuramardini, Durga is the destroyer of Mahisha. The word mahisha means buffalo, a symbol of lethargy and inertia. These are the qualities that impede the spiritual and material progress of an individual. The Devi is a storehouse of positive energy and any trace of laziness or inertia dissolves in Her very presence.
The second set of three days honour the Devi as Lakshmi. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Wealth is a vital ingredient bestowed upon us for maintenance and for progress in our life. It is much more than just having money. It means abundance in knowledge, skills and talents. Lakshmi is the energy that manifests as the complete spiritual and material well-being of a person.
The final three days are dedicated to Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge. She gives the essence, the Sara of the Self, Sva. She is often depicted as being seated on a rock. Knowledge, like a rock, is a steadfast support. It stays with us at all times. She plays the veena, a musical instrument whose mellifluous notes bring harmony and peace to the mind. Similarly, spiritual knowledge brings relaxation and celebration into life.
Saraswati is the ocean of understanding and the consciousness that vibrates with different types of learning. She is the source of spiritual light, remover of all ignorance and the source of knowledge.
The Devi is offered flowers in a multitude of hues and fragrances like jasmine, hibiscus, lotus, lilies and roses. From outer beauty, as we turn our focus inward and are soaked in the divine attributes, our consciousness flowers.
Navaratri is a time of celebration of both inner and outer beauty, a time to give thanks to the Divine Mother Devi for her love and protection, guidance and understanding.
What does Swastik denotes? - SRI SRI
SRI SRI: "Swastik is a symbol and they are the people who make something out of the symbol.For eg, the `Do Not Enter´ symbol is only recognized in USA and Europe. It is not known in India and hence it has no significance.