The morning after …………Blessings from the Sri Suktam Sadhana

Which morning after did you think I was talking about ?

The morning after the Sri Suktam Sadhna ofcourse . 😊 😊 😊.

All through the Sri Suktam Sadhna, when my alarm went off at 3.30 am I would pray fervently for the day when I wouldn’t have to get out of the warm quilt to rush down to the yagyshala by 4.05 am . Well, today was that day . And I still got up at 3.30 wondering what to do since I didn’t have the yagyashala to go to.

I missed sorely the cool breeze and the starry skies which used to mesmerize me as I ran down the unpaved path to get a seat .  I  would wish I could just stop and stare at the starry blanket that enveloped the ashram . I missed the dawn breaking behind the beautiful mountains and the first rays of the sun being heralded by the sonorous chants from the yagyashala .

 As I looked outside my window , I missed seeing the Blessing Birds . Well, don’t be surprised. They aren’t a new species discovered by yours truly 😊  Blessing birds is what we called  a group of small birds, with glistening red and yellow wings , which used to fly over the Sri Hari temple everyday,  after the Sri Hari aarti in the morning -reminding us of His innumerable  beautiful blessings . Whenever , I had a lump in my throat or a cloud of sadness rising in my heart,  because of my own emotional roller coaster – seeing the blessing birds – instantly revived my spirits and the sunshine of hope  pushed away the dark clouds of despair. That’s why my friend Rashmi and I called them the Blessing Birds – they always reminded us of the immense  grace of Swami ji and Sri Hari.

Through the sadhana I saw the immeasurable  grace of the Divine Mother showering on me and my family which is what I wanted to share through this story .

Spiritual Blessings 

As Swami ji mentioned in his discourse on Diwali – it was only by  the grace of Ma Lakshmi and Sri Hari that we could be at the ashram on the momentous occasion and how a million threads had to connect to enable us to be in the divine space for the powerful Sadhana – and this indeed was the most potent and beautiful blessing of Ma . Indeed I was wait listed when I applied and then accepted for the Sadhana …I had  severe health challenges before I came in which magically disappeared right before I was supposed to travel . My husband supported me wholeheartedly, although it meant facing the wrath of his parents since I was missing an important family wedding …..the list of threads that connected and blessings that showered  once I had applied is countless.

The other big boon that came through while doing the Sadhana  ,was the acceptance of my initiation request which made me dance with joy  for that had been the  only prayer in my heart ever since I first came to the ashram .

Material Blessings 

I had resigned from my job when I came to the ashram for the sadhana . I was confused about the next steps- I had 2 attractive  alternative opportunities but I loved my current organization dearly .

For the first time in over a decade , I truly disconnected from the constant demands of my job and tried to be in the moment – whether it was by the gushing Giri Ganga or in the divine silence of the Sri Hari temple  

 One day breaking the reverie of the gurgling water while meditating on a rock next to the river  – I got a call suddenly from my mentor, telling me that he is trying to secure for me a lucrative and high visibility role – and he will do everything need to put the wheels in motion in the current organization itself . My manager , clearly upset with me for leaving , nonetheless  messaged  soon thereafter ,to let me know that the top leadership had approved an off cycle increment for me given only to the top 5% employees . While this was approved long before I put down my papers – I only learnt of it while I was at the ashram . This was on  Day 3 of the Sadhana and it looked like Ma Lakshmi knew what was in my heart .

On Day 6 or 7 of the Sadhana – I got another congratulatory message – for being chosen as a ‘Talent Catalyst’ for the organization  globally ( and I am not in the HR function )- something that took me totally by surprise – for this was global recognition coming through for how I had been managing my team and my key stakeholders for several years now .

One of the constant worries in my heart when I came for the Sadhana was about my husband – he had given up his cushy  job to pursue his dreams of building a business and to strike a better balance and  take care of his health ,which had steadily deteriorated . I am unfortunately  the extreme risk averse types and had opposed this move for more than a decade . Finally , reading and re reading some of Swami ji’s blogs struck a chord and I had supported him in his decision . As they say in the Mountain Dew advertisement –  Dar sabko lagta hai .gala sabka sookhta hai He was hoping to be retained on a consulting retainer( since he was in a critical role)  with the same organization – which gave him the freedom to pursue his dreams while not plunging the household finances into chaos .

Contrary to his expectations , the CEO took a strong stance and wanted to  make an example of him to those seeking a healthier work life balance . So , it looked almost certain that he would be starting from the scratch as far as building an income stream was concerned .While this wasn’t exactly a crushing worry since we were reasonably financially secured – again thanks to Ma’s  grace of having  abundance  – it was a nagging tension nonetheless . I prayed to Ma to bestow her grace on my husband as well . As I returned from the ashram I saw my husband in a better space mentally and physically which was very reassuring .Just last evening his manager informed him that in the most unexpected turn around – the CEO and MD of his organization are keen to continue with him as a consultant on board – which looked impossible just a few days back !

Ma bestowed her blessings and grace in every aspect – material and spiritual. From a spinning washing machine of emotions she made me a quiet one – with a deep sense of tranquility during this sadhana . She heard my prayers , spoken and unspoken and showered her grace immeasurably . soaking me up in reverence and gratitude .  Its difficult to  find words to express the gratitude to the Jagat Janani and to the beloved Swami ji who listens to every prayer .

All I can do is to bow my head and say  Narayani Namostute