Miracle filled 2019 Aadi Krthikai Paada Yaatraa

 

The Divine Experience of Aadi Krthikai Paada Yaathraa during 2018 has been detailed in this blog, which can be found here . This year 2019 also, Srimathy ( Adiyen’s better half ) decided to do all of the arrangements of “Kaavadis”, “Paal Kudams”, food volunteers set up, etc.

But this year, something different happened – and this post is directed completely towards that. Srimathy decided to do the Paada Yaathraa also – from our home to the temple in Middletown – all in all 40 miles ( 60 kilometers ) of tough walking through uphills and downhills alongwith Adiyen. Men may do this, but this is the first time I have seen a lady do it in Connecticut. And Lord Muruga decided to fill the journey with miracles detailed here ……

The journey started with 12 miles on Wednesday July 24^th , 11 miles on Thursday July 25^th, 15 miles on Friday July 26^th and 2 miles on Saturday July 27^th around the temple – making a total of 40 miles. No headphones, no music, no ipod, nothing but the Divine Names of Rishis, Gods, Sidhdhars, Gurus during the walk. It was absolutely blissful.

And now the miracles…( co-incidences for the non-believers )

Because both of us decided to do the Yaathraa, there was no one available to provide support system – by way of a temporary stop along with the way with a car so we could cool off and rest up for a few minutes before resuming….this is a serious problem. Finally, the night before the first day, I told Srimathy to call her friend Mrs. Sumathi Karthi in Ellington, to see if she would show up at about the 7 mile mark from home for ten minutes to cool off. We didn’t think she would accept; but miraculously, she said “I was somewhat down on the possibility of having to skip the Lord Muruga function on the upcoming Saturday due to monthly bodily functions and here you are asking for a favor for Lord Muruga for tomorrow….this I take as a blessing from Him – sure I will show up !!” And she did….we are grateful to her !!! And Mrs. Suchitra Subrahmaniam ( Last Name same as Lord Muruga's !!! ) from Glastonbury offered to provide us multiple rest area supports during the very difficult 3rd day !! We are grateful to her !!

At the end of the first day, Srimathy got in the mail, a packet of Kumkumam and a packet of Vibhoothi from the Thiruththani Lord Murugan temple in India !!!! This packet could have come one week before or one week later …. But exactly the first day of the journey? (!)

At the end of the second day, Srimathy called the Chief Priest at the temple and said that by the time we reach the temple, it would be about 3:30 pm on Friday the 26^th and that after the long strenuous journey, would like to have darshan of the Great Lord Muruga. To that she was told, “No, the temple would open only at 6:00 pm and so no way.” Srimathy felt totally dejected. The next day, we woke up at 4:30 am and she told me her face had swollen up and eyes had puffed up from the extreme heat weather and was worried. I told her to keep moving and we cannot stop now.
She then went to our Pooja Room in the house and pointed her fingers at all the Gods, especially Muruga and said “Here I am….torturing my body with my face swelled and eyes puffed and body aching and still trying to walk to see You and You are not interested in seeing me ???” ( referring to the temple not being opened before 6:00 pm ). And she continues “ Here is the deal. You better give me darshan TODAY. If not, when I come back, You and me are going to have a fight !!”. In Tamil, such a statement is called “ a Savaal  ”.  We reached the temple at 4:00 pm, completely exhausted. As expected, the main front door was locked. But miraculously, there was a man inside the temple which was dark, with a light in the office room on the phone !! We knocked hard; he opened the main front door and let us in ! But beyond the office area, is another heavy door with a chain and a lock, behind which the Sannidhis ( sanctorums ) of the Gods are. I tried to see if there is any hole through which we could see the Gods. Miraculously, the chain was there, the lock was there, but it was left unlocked having not gone over the other door knob !!!! We opened the door, and felt prostrate in front of Lord Subrahmanya !! My wife Srimathy broke down and started crying !!! Such is the miraculous power of Lord Muruga !! Even Lord Subrahmanya was moved by Srimathy’s devotion and gave Darshan !!

Then we spoke to the Gentleman in the temple. He happened to be an IT professional who was told the payment system had malfunctioned and he was trying to fix it. He could have come to fix during normal hours after 6:00 pm; but decided to leave work early to fix the problem !!! The next day, the payment system had NOT been fixed and they were using an alternate system !! So his being there was of no technical use; yet he was there !!! Lord Muruga did it !!!!!!

My daughter Sapna joined us in the last day for the 2 mile walk in the vicinity of the temple carrying a Paal Kudam !! Son Ajay was not able to attend unfortunately. In the picture at the top of this post, Sapna is wearing a white dotted chudidar dress and Srimathy is wearing a yellow chudidar with a red salwar.

Here are some photos.

 

Day 1: Start. On our back deck.

 

 

 Day 1: Resting on a fallen tree limb in South Windsor.( Note Srimathy's tilak all gone from sweat )

 

 

 Day 1: Mrs. Sumathi Karthi with her daughter giving us a ten minute rest break.

 

 

 Day 2: Start. Resting in East Hartford.

 

 

 Day 2: A kind soul had put a Peace Bench in front of their house in East Hartford. Srimathy resting.

 

 

 

 

Day 3: Mrs. Suchitra Subrahmaniam giving rest support.

 

 

 Day 3: Mrs. Suchitra Subramaniam giving us some food along the way !!

 

 

 Day 3: Srimathy on the Arigonne Bridge !!

 

 Day 3: Srimathy thanking the lonely soul Mr. Hari in the temple !!

 

 

 Day 3: THE UNLOCKED MAIN DOOR !!

The following are short video clips showing the progress.

 

Day 1: 6 miles from home
 

 

 Day 2: Through East Hartford

 

 

 Day 2: 33 miles from home

 

 

 Day 3: In Portland

 

 Day 3: On the Arigonne Bridge !

 

 

 Day 3: 2 miles from the Destination .. My favorite one !

 

 

 Day 3: At the Destination !

 

 

 Day 4: Sapna with Paal Kudam !

 

What an Experience !!  Vel Vel Muruga !! Vetri Vel Muruga !!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Divine Service in Michigan

The heart was itching desperately for darshan of Sri Aadhi Para Shakthi Devi at the Para Shakthi Temple in Michigan, USA and darshan of Raja Rishi Sri Dr. G. Krishna Kumar, Founder and Spiritual Director of the temple. This is one of the most beautiful temples in the world and the spiritually inclined can “feel” a tremendous “Power” in the environment there.

So, got in the car Friday March 16, 2018 and drove about 800 miles one way to the location. Small miracles happened which are not discussed here. On Saturday the 17^th, attended Kubera Shiva Lingam Abhishekam, offered bilva patras taken from home to Lord Shiva and subsequently attended Ganapathy Homam, recited Durga Saptashathi, followed by attendance of Maha Chandi Homam the next day. Darshan of all the Gods and Goddesses was blissful and to add to that bliss was the Divine Darshan of Sri Dr. Krishna Kumar !!

Moving to the sannidhi of the Nava Grahas, to the left of the front reception desk, the eyes saw long work tables with about ten ladies all formally dressed and busily working on sorting flowers, cutting them and making “maalaas” ( garlands ) for the Deities. It was so heart-moving to see these volunteers working so hard to ensure the timely availability of garlands to the Gods.

Made an audible statement: “ To see all of you working with so much love is amazing! Can I take a picture?”

To that a lady by the name of Ms. Manonmani said: “Hey all of you …. This man appreciates our contribution and wants to take our picture …!”

That is the photo at the top of this post.

She continued..: “I am in charge of the flower committee; all of us are volunteers in seva to Para Shakthi Devi. We all have families and domestic responsibilities too; but if someone commits to this seva but keeps coming up with excuses, I get them out of the flower service. Ambaall needs our flowers; we are here to serve Her !”.

It was so heartwarming to see the volunteers hard at work making garlands for Sri Karumaari Amman. The mind wanted to thank them… but being a “nobody” didn’t know how to express gratitude to these Divine Souls. On the drive back home, a voice inside said “Write an article.” – that is how this post came into being.

To all of the flower committee volunteers of the Para Shakthi temple, offering Divine Service, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste”. Your “Kainkaryam” (service) is surely appreciated by the Divine!

Om Sri Aadhi Para Shakthi Devi Namo Namaha !

 

Involvement of Divinities during Navaratri 2017

 

Just like in 2015 and 2016, the same desire to conduct a Maha Chandi Homam every day of the nine days came back in the mind now in 2017. ( The article in 2015 along with the miracle then can be found  here and the one in 2016  here . However, being a year older the mind worried about stamina. And as before, hoped for the help of the Divinities.  

Srimathy wanted to install the already massive Golu arrangement in the basement – eleven steps taller than six feet, 12 feet wide and front to back was 9 feet. Srimathy, Sapna and Ajay were busy setting up the beautiful eleven step golu which is the picture on top of this post; to give a perspective of the size, below is a picture with Srimathy, Sapna and Ajay (along with Adiyen) beside the golu. The new additions this year included Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava in the 7^th step from the top extreme left and Sri Annapoorni Devi from Varanasi in the 8th step in the middle between two small lamps.

Twelve boxes of wood were cut and kept ready, four forty pound bags of pre-cut coconut halves were purchased and put into smaller bags of 50 pieces, plenty of bottles of ghee, cashews, raisins, almonds, etc were purchased; flowers, betel leaves and mango leaves were obtained from Vivek Flowers in New Jersey. Srimathy made fresh food for the Divinities every day after shower and in a state of “Madi” ( which means absolute cleanliness in Tamil ). This time workplace allowed me to come AFTER the Homam every day around 2:30 pm and do whatever had to be done.

As before, health co-operated – no cold, flu or cough or digestion problems. This year, the biggest issue to deal with was the weather. Hurricane Irma was on full swing and had wrecked the Carribean and had hit Florida and was scheduled to hit Connecticut on the 20^th September 2017; kept praying to Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava to avert bad weather; finally on the evening of 19^th , decided to start on the 21^st and thus avoid the potential havoc. ( this year there was confusion – many started on the 20^th and many on the 21^st ). Guess what – nothing happened on the 20^th; there was no storm. So started 1^st day on the 21^st; but hurricane Maria was right behind and was scheduled to hit the following Wednesday on the 27^th; workplace was planning to shut down that day and the mind was REALLY worried as to how will the tent hold up; where to do the function – finally said “If Maha Periyava wants the Homams to go as planned, then He will take care of the weather, whatever that might be – why worry” – and you know what Nothing Happened AGAIN --- no hurricane, no wind, nothing – the hurricane took a sudden curve to go to sea !!! If this is not a miracle then what is ?

Also, for a long time, there has been a desire to offer seedless dates to Agni; miraculously, a friend by the name of Vishnu from California, texted asking if he could do anything for the Homams this year – immediately requested to ship a pound ( half a kilo ) of high quality seedless dates; he said “You know, I have been thinking of dates for myself – amazingly, you are asking for the same; will go right after work and send them by FedEx.” The beautiful dates came and were offered every day during the Homams – every video in this post at the bottom, shows (hard to see) the dates from Sri Vishnu of California being offered to Agni. The Gods wanted the dates and Vishnu was the instrument.

 The event went beautifully – everyday the Homam comprised of Pavamaana Suktham, Ganapathi Homam followed by Kavacham, Argala Stotram, Keelakam, Sidhdha Kunjika Stotram, Devi Atharva Sheersham, Vedoktam Raatri Suktam, Tantroktam Raatri Suktam, Navarna Mantra, Nyaasams,etc, then Thirteen Chapters of Durga Saptashati, Rahasyams, Kshama Praarthanaa, Sri Suktham. The Navagrahas were invited, Siddha Purushaas, Maha Purushaas, Bhairavas, Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Saraswati, Kali, Mahalakshmi, Para Shakthi Devi, Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava, Sri Dr. G. Krishna Kumar, Sri Sivan Sar, Maharishis, Mata Amrutanandamayi, Ramanuja, Manavala Maa Muni, Hayagreeva, Mitra, Varuna, etc, etc, etc all with an offering of Aahuti. It took roughly 2 ½  hours to prepare, 4 hours for the Homam and ½ hour to clean up after every Homam.  At the end it was pure bliss! James, the Divine Soul from the workplace, attended the 4^th day – Devi Herself invited him! This time acquaintances Sri Dr. Chitra and Sri Vaitheeswaran -- attended on the 6^th day.

Short two minute video clips were taken during the Homams by Srimathy and are presented below for each of the nine days followed by a clip of Shiva Sahasranama Homam performed on the tenth day. When watching these short clips, please see full screen with headphones on high volume. YouTube links are at the bottom of this post. Brief details are given in the YouTube description for each video. One can see the Divinities present, by focusing at the walls of the Homa Kundam.

During Navaratri, music was presented to the Deities in the Golu. Here is a short clip of a song sung by Sri Bala Thiru of Connecticut. (Adiyen on tabla) Pardon the ruckus by toddlers.

 
And here is one by Sri Dr. Vijayasekar (Adiyen on tabla)

And below are the links for the Maha Chandi Homams for the nine days and the Shiva Sahasranama Homam for the tenth day: 

Sep 21 2017 Day 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSchtkno0as

Sep 21 2017 Day 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLyXK-eAIm8

Sep 21 2017 Day 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWlvEOH0RfQ

Sep 21 2017 Day 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ne-gPOmAMY

Sep 21 2017 Day 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_8FCL5z3hw

Sep 21 2017 Day 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o773yAhucw

Sep 21 2017 Day 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stWiR903uDY

Sep 21 2017 Day 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxKgkD1KKE0

Sep 21 2017 Day 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3gGxag6kXE

Sep 21 2017 Day 10 – Shiva Sahasranama Homam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Tpg38T55AU

Om Sri Kalika Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Mahalakshmi Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Maha Saraswati Namo Namah ! Om Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Krishna Kumaraaya Namo Namaha ! Om Namaschandikaayai ! Om Namah Shivaaya !

 

Miracle during Navaratri 2016

Just like in 2015, the same desire to conduct a Maha Chandi Homam every day of the nine days of Navaratri came back in the mind now in 2016. ( The article in 2015 along with the miracle then can be found at  here  . And as before, the Divinities tend to help anyone who has a desire to propitiate Them.

This year, the biggest issue to deal with was the weather. It so happened that we were supposed to visit a friend’s house in September; it was later cancelled and then subsequently Re-instated for the same original time – upon reaching their house, they had installed a green-house for their plants – that gave the clue to purchase a similar one to conduct the Homams. Hence, immediately purchased one from Amazon. Ajay, the son, helped with the installation, which was re-inforced at the roof level with straps. The tent was now ready – note that it would not have happened had the meeting been cancelled – this was therefore definitely Divine Intervention.

The wife wanted to expand our already massive Golu arrangement – we used to have nine steps – she wanted to make it eleven this year. Hence some modifications were done and the wife and daughter set up the beautiful eleven step golu which is the picture on top of this post; the wife and daughter are in the picture also. The golu comprised of new additions this year including Khodiyaar Maata as well as another Devi Karumaari Amman. The width of the golu steps is 6 feet and the height is almost 7 feet. There were two dangling decorative ornaments hanging from the ceiling. One of them was accessible and the other one not; the inaccessible ornament decided to let loose and drop down -- however MISSING the Divine Figurines by less than an inch !!! That was a miracle -- if it had hit one, the golu would have been destroyed. The other ornament was then removed for symmetry.

Just like in 2015, eleven boxes of wood were cut and ready ( two boxes extra just in case ), four forty pound bags of coconut were purchased and cut in halves and put into smaller bags, plenty of bottles of ghee were purchased; flowers, betel leaves and mango leaves were purchased and shipped by FedEx Next Day Air from Vivek Flowers in New Jersey. The wife made fresh food for the Divinites every day after shower and in a state of “Madi” ( which means absolute cleanliness in Tamil ). The workplace allowed "Adiyen"  ( humble servant here ) to leave every day around 8:30 am to go home to perform the Maha Chandi Homam.

As before, health co-operated – no cold, flu or cough problems. The very first couple days was rain and the last day was rain – the tent protected everything! The event went beautifully – everyday the Homam comprised of Pavamaana Suktham, Ganapathi Homam followed by Kavacham, Argala Stotram, Keelakam, Sidhdha Kunjika Stotram, Navarna Mantra, Nyaasams,etc, then Thirteen Chapters, Rahasyams, Kshama Praarthanaa, Sri Suktham. From the start of “go” it took four hours every Homam and at the end it was pure bliss! James, the Divine Soul from the workplace, attended the 4^th day – the Devi Herself invited him! ( He can be seen in the video at the bottom for 4th day )

This year, wanted to make short video clips of each of the nine Homams about two minutes or so each – these are presented here – one can see the Divinities such as Devi, Kanchi Maha Periyava, etc on the walls of the Homa Kundam – details are given in the YouTube description for each video. When watching these short clips, please see in full screen mode with headphones for best effect. YouTube links are at the bottom of this post.

Of course, Adiyen ( the humble servant here ) desired a sign of some form ( just like in 2015 ), reassuring that these beautiful mantras are reaching Para Shakthi Devi – a photo or a cell phone message or some statement from someone would have been great it was felt. The wife had invited about 70 people to come and seek the blessings of the Golu Deities on Saturday the 8^th of October and have lunch. She had to leave out a lot of acquaintances since fitting so many people at once is a challenge. Saatvic food was catered from the Vallabdham temple in Newington. The Homam for that day was completed at 11:45 am. People started dropping in by 12:48 pm.

Around 2:00 pm, the wife turned and said “Look, look who has come !” Without any invitation, a lady acquaintance by the name of Sri Kaaleeshwari came in to the house !!

Sri Kaaleeshwari said “I know I have come without a formal invitation; is that okay”

Wife said: “With a name like Kaaleeshwari, You Are the most important Person here. Please come and be happy ! With Maha Chandi Homams happening every day here, this is the best that one can ask for !”

We all felt Sri Kalika Devi Herself in human form came and blessed all of us ! If this is not a miracle, what is?

Links to YouTube Videos:

October 1 2016 - Day 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWv_oENKkkM

 

October 2 2016 - Day 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTZYn4op7sQ

October 3 2016 - Day 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7ED7UvFcIA

October 4 2016 - Day 4

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AiVBQqouc8

October 5 2016 - Day 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha5oPkBfgEM

Oct 6 2016 Day 6 - From Right of Yajamana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EK0voW7NtY

Oct 6 2016 Day 6 - From Left of Yajamana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXsyhO8XISQ

Oct 7 2016 Day 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydjC8Xfjo6A

Oct 8 2016 Day 8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0_6Ytio8lM

Oct 9 2016 Day 9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP4usew9-C0

Om Sri Kalika Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Mahalakshmi Devi Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Maha Saraswathi Namo Namah ! Om Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha ! Om Sri Krishna Kumaraaya Namo Namaha ! Om Namaschandikaayai !

 

Maha Periyava Appears in Chandi Homam

Salutations to Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava, whose photo is above here. In the performance of any homam, when the word “Svaha” is uttered, and one invokes the Divine Deities, They Do in fact arrive and bless the performer. This is what has been transmitted to us, average beings, by the knowledgeable ones. There is a video on the internet, connected to an episode of “Kanchiyin Karunai Kadal” that aired by DD Podhigai TV, wherein an old lady who wants to perform a first class homam in her house in Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, goes to meet Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava and invites Him to her house to attend the homam and He accepts !

She thought He was going to travel to Salem from Kancheepuram and attend the Homam. She invited all her close friends and relatives who were equally excited that the Divine Periyava Himself was going to come to the homam and give His blessings. The hostess kept looking at the door, but there was no sign of the Sage from Kanchi.

After the completion of the ceremony, this lady goes and re-visits Maha Periyava and complains that He did not keep His word and that He should have shown up since that was what was promised. To that apparently Periyava replied: “Who told you I did not show up?” “You had a photographer taking pictures, didn’t you?” The lady replied “Yes.” And Periyava said, “Ask him to show you the picture of the Homa Kundam and you will see Me !” The lady prostrated before the saint, immediately rushed back to Salem, went to the photographer and asked him for the pictures immediately and she did in fact see an image of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava right in the Homa Kundam ! Apparently, this photo is on the wall of her house and is open for the public to see any time !

Following is a short video clip of Maha Chandi Homam performed on our back deck on April 29, 2016. Read the article below prior to watching video, which is best in full screen mode.

Prior to starting the Maha Chandi Homam, a sincere prayer was offered to Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava to please come and bless at the Homam. Note that the walls of the Homa Kundam started out all silvery, having a fresh layer of heavy Reynolds aluminum wrap, to protect the underlying copper -- no markings, no pictures, nothing. The Homam is performed facing east. North is therefore to the left of the yajamana (performer). The picture quality taken from a mobile phone is not the best; but if you focus on the inside north wall towards the yajamana, you will definitely see a serene picture of Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava – only His face covering the entire wall ! He is present throughout the clip, with a calm posture, enjoying the offerings and the mantras. The short clip presented is from the Rahasyam part of Durga Saptashati that is being chanted. Sri Maha Periyava WAS there that day; He blesses ALL beings everywhere; He certainly satisfied this humble soul’s humble request and prayer! If this is not a miracle, then what else is?

Om Sri Kanchi Maha Periyava Namo Namaha !

Miraculous experience of Kishore with Vak Siddhi of Sri Kanchi Bala Periyava and Sri Pudu Periyava

Vak is speech; siddhi is power. Vak Siddhi is a power whereby whatever one says, happens. This is a supernormal power and the pre-requisite to acquire Vak Siddhi is Vak Shuddhi which is purity of speech. This incident was narrated by brother-in-law Kishore during his recent trip to India in April of 2016. It was felt that this story should reach beyond the immediate family and hence this post.

Kishore had made an elaborate trip to India in conjunction with his work that comprised stops at New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. After finishing up with all sorts of business meetings, he had two days left to himself and wanted to pursue his spiritual interests. So he ended up going to Kamakshi Amman temple in the middle of Chennai, where the Acharyas of Kamakoti Matam were staying – both Sri Bala Periyava and Sri Pudu Periyava. The photo at the top of this post, shows Sri Bala Periyava on the left and Sri Pudu Periyava on the right. Kishore was not appropriately dressed for the occasion; he was dressed in suit and tie having just finished his last meeting; hence felt that it not behoove to visit the saints.

As he entered the premises of the establishment, two ladies poorly clad approached him. One of the ladies decided to speak to him and said the following:

“Sir, we are poor people and we make our living by assisting cooks at functions such as upanayanam, weddings, funerals, etc. I have a daughter whose wedding has to be conducted. The proof is this ‘thiru maangalyam’ (which is the equivalent of a wedding ring). I went inside and saw the saints and told them my concern as to how I would pay back the loan taken to buy this; I really cannot afford this; this modest thiru maangalyam cost me six thousand rupees ; the saints told me ‘The money will come. Everything will be fine; the wedding will take place well.’ So I am begging you to give me whatever you can……..”

Kishore, who is an enlightened soul himself, reaches to his pocket, takes out his wallet and finds EXACTLY six thousand rupees, no more, no less ! And he gives the entire sum to the lady; in response, one can imagine the emotional state of the lady, full of tears of joy, blessed Kishore and went away!

When true saints speak, it happens.

So many things had to be aligned for the event to take place the way it did; Kishore could have missed the ladies; Kishore could have decided to stay home; he could have had only five hundred rupees; he could have chosen not to part with his money thinking these are crooks; and so on and so on. For help to a needy person coming from a far away land -- This is called Divine Intervention. This is nothing but a miracle.

Thanks to Kishore for sharing this story.

 

 

Kalika Devi Miracle

This article is written at the request of Shree Sendhil Kumar, who had commented on the post entitled Kalika Ashtakam in this blog, in response to another comment there.

The year was 2014; the month June. Parayanam of Srimad Devi Bhagavatham was in progress. There developed a keen desire to perform parayanam of Sri Kalika Puranam. However, the book comprising original Sanskrit verses with English translated meanings was not locatable for purchase. After considerable search, Soujanya Books in New Delhi, India was found to carry a new copy in stock. Immediately the order was placed and the process of waiting to receive the book started. After a week or so, there was no book yet; the improper thought then was may be the seller was not going to meet the expectations of delivering the item that was already paid for.

Simultaneously, it was learnt that in order to recite, one must either have a vigraham ( idol ), a yantram or a photo of Kalika Devi. None of these were in the house. They say if one has a vigraham, then proper worship procedures are needed which was not easily performable. Downloading a yantram from the internet did not seem sacred enough at that time. The third option of getting a photo was the most appealing. However, the heart’s desire was to get a sowmya roopam – meaning a photo of Sri Kalika Devi with a benign posture rather than one with an ugra roopam – meaning one with a ferocious posture – did not know where to get such a photo from. The heart was melting with thoughts of Kalika Devi and how desperate the desire to recite the Kalika Purana was.

This situation was explained in a cryptic manner to James, a co-worker. James is a tall, Caucasian male who cares about others and their predicaments, a quality rare to find amongst human beings in the present Kaliyuga. James was born and brought up in America and follows Christianity. James had a week and one day vacation scheduled starting Friday of one week and was to return back to work on Monday of the following (second) week. On Thursday, he was wished a happy time off.

Lo and behold, the very next day on Friday afternoon, he showed up back at work with a bag in his hand that he held with great respect and a divine posture holding the bag with both hands.

He said: “I have a gift for you !”

“Who asked you to spend money? You shouldn’t be buying gifts.”

James replied: “It did not cost me a lot of money. I was at this second-hand consignment store looking for some shaving supplies and something caught my attention. It was a box with some divine looking picture and I felt This does not belong here. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO IT IS; I HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT THIS WHATSOEVER. I felt It belongs to you; so I bought It for about five dollars. So I want to present you this gift.”

The bag was opened – IT WAS A PHOTO OF SRI KALIKA DEVI ! She has a beautiful benign sowmya smile and the heart was melting – it is still melting to this very moment of typing. It felt as though Sri Kalika Devi said “You wanted Me; I am here now.” She is the one at the top of this article and was referred to in the Kalika Ashtakam article. The very next day, the Kalika Purana Book arrived in a beautiful package!

The doubt now was can we keep a photo of Kalika Devi in our house; the internet had some sites that were giving all kinds of false information. The only interest in the heart was to offer love and devotion to the Great Goddess. So, a close friend Madi was contacted in Pennsylvania to touch base with the ParaShakthi temple in Michigan and ask the gyanis (knowledgeable ones) there this very same question. It so happened that Dr. Krishna Kumar, Himself, (who is the Founder and Spiritual Director of the Temple) talked with Madi and said to keep the photo happily and with complete confidence! Additionally, Dr. Krishna Kumar gave Madi a mantra to be delivered. Madi is a great enlightened soul! And Dr. Krishna Kumar is an embodiment of Devi ParaShakthi Herself !

And the Kalika Purana Parayanam got completed without any obstacles !

See, we are all connected to the Divine. It does not matter what religion one follows. As Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi has said “Sabka Malik Ek” meaning “Everyone’s Master is One.” The quality and qualification of the messenger is important too – in order to be chosen by the Divine to be a messenger, one needs to have performed penances – in one’s own way – the opinion here is that Sri Kalika Devi chose James to be the messenger carrying Her – James is therefore an enlightened Divine soul – there is no doubt about that – She made sure that day, James went to that particular store and She made sure he looked at Her and took Her with his loving arms and made the trip back to the workplace and delivered Her with appropriate posture – James WAS and still IS the chosen one – it is an honor to be associated with Divine souls such as James.

And ParaShakthi Devi in the form of Dr. Krishna Kumar chose Madi to be the messenger; not anybody off the street. Thank You Sri Kalika Devi! Thank You Dr. Krishna Kumar ! Thank You Madi ! Thank You James! Sri Kalika Devi has filled the heart with blissful feelings.

Om Shree Kalika Devi Namo Namaha !