Sri Gurubhyo Namaha, Sri Maatre Namaha!
We are very happy to share with you the details of the events for Maha Sivaratri this week. That night being the auspicious Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, reciting Devi Mahatmyam during Sivaratri is equally important for Devi upasakas. Lord Brahma invokes Mahamaya as ‘Maharatri’ in the Raatri Suktam which is also known as ‘महत: ईश्वरस्य रात्रि:’ - the Raatri of Ishwara.
With the blessings of our Guru Mandala and the boundless grace of Sri Chandi Mahalakshmi, for the first time ever, BPA disciples will do Akhanda Adhyaaya Devata Sahita Devi Mahatmyam Parayanam during this Sivaratri.
Adhyaaya means chapter. Devi Mahatmyam consists of thirteen chapters or Adhyaaya, each of which has a presiding deity or Devata which is a manifestation of Chandika Mahalakshmi. Thus She manifests in the form of 13 different Devatas. Normally, in a Devi Mahatmyam Parayanam or Chandi Homam, this Adhyaaya Devata is invoked and hailed once at the end of each chapter. In the Adhyaaya Devata Sahita Devi Mahatmyam Parayanam, the Adhyaaya devata is invoked at the end of each verse, making the chanting even more auspicious. Chanting this flawlessly requires constant utmost attention, thus enabling us to stay awake through the auspicious night of Maha Sivaratri!
This Sivaratri, BPA disciples from across the globe will do 28 hours of Akhanda Parayanam of Devi Mahatmyam in this method. We will start with the Rudrabhishekam at the Chennai Ashram on Mar 11th at 6PM IST, followed by seven rounds of Adhyaaya Devata Sahita Devi Mahatmyam parayanam and will conclude on Mar 12th 9.30PM IST without a break.
The text will be uploaded onto the Publications tab in our website by this Tuesday. Please follow the text and join us during the auspicious Sivaratri night.
In addition, starting from this Maha Sivaratri (March 11, 2021) till the Pournami (Full Moon day) on April 27, 2021 following the Vasanta Navaratri, we invite you all to do the Devi Mahatmyam Parayanam everyday for a period of 48 days so each one of you could do the Parayana for one Mandala.
You can do this either by joining us on the You tube or Facebook or do at your own convenient time. This will go a big way in helping us with the Laksha Chandi goal. If you miss a day for various reasons, you can make up for missing parayanams during that period by completing them before the Mandala ends.
Since all these parayanams count towards the Laksha Chandi, be sure to log your counts. As always, all these programs will be live on YouTube and Facebook. You can watch at your convenience from your place and participate remotely.
We humbly request again all the Ashram Disciples and Devi Upasakas all over the world to participate in these parayanams for your own spiritual upliftment and Atma Sadhana as well as to seek Sri Chandi Mahalakshmi’s blessings for the well being of the entire humanity.
Namaste.