Shiva Sahasranaam was celebrated on 15th July at Jagadeeshwara Temple, Powai. Registrations started at 6.30 am. Swami Bodhatmanandaji, resident acharya, presided over the entire ceremony.
After the initial invocation ceremony, Swamiji gave a brief talk, stating the importance of study of Vedanta. He explained that such study, observing of austerities and performing certain ceremonies were prerequisites for a seeker to discover his true self. This indeed would grant him freedom from the sorrows of samsara. Further, he stated that Bhagawan is the controller of our life. We require the right mind-set and right attitude. We need to avoid making erroneous decisions. We need to perform pujas, like that planned for the day. We need to have clarity about our life goals. Bhagawan hears our appeal and leads us to the right place.
This was followed by archana, where amidst chanting of 1000 names of Shiva, devotees offered flowers, bel patras and akshata to Shivaling placed before each of them. The ceremony concluded with aarti and breakfast Prasad. The devotees proceeded home with a Shivaling and the prasad buddhi to pursue the goal of life, to discover the true self.
