A NEW LIFE
Aadya
(previously Aditi)
Chh. Sambhaji Nagar
अहं किमपि न जानामि न कर्तुं मम योग्यता।
यत्किञ्चिदपि मे शक्यं गुरोः कृपया केवलम्॥
"I do not know anything; nor do I have the capability to do anything.
Whatever little is possible from me is only by the grace of the Guru."
I am still overwhelmed by Sree Guru’s grace and blessings, that dawned on me on the very auspicious day of Sree Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti on 2nd May 2025. Guru Maa blessed me with a new life; a life to walk the path shown by Her, by the revered Sree Guru Parampara, with a single pointed Goal! I was humbled by the nectar like name that came from Guru Maa’s Sree Mukh - “Aadya”!
“Pray, tell me what it means Maa…”
Guru Maa’s words still ringing in my ears, and going into each cell inside me, “Aadya - the Aadi Shakti, Goddess Durga!”
As Maa blessed me with the sacred initiation, seated on the Holy Vyaaspeeth, witnessed by Lord Shiv, Maa Sree Saraswati, Jagat Guru Sree Adi Shankaracharyra ji, Param Guru Sree Tapovan Maharaj ji, Gurudev Swami Chinmayanand ji, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude by Their acceptance, and of all the years of learning that They had blessed me with at the Holy Feet of Guru Maa. How ignorant I was to even the significance of this holy day some years ago, which is now the Milestone, for the journey that lays ahead!
The Divinity in the holy land of SISS expressed itself with a magical shower at the break of dawn on the day of Sree Adi Shankaracharya Jayanti. The sunlight reflected from Sree Ishwar’s magnificent crown, His smiling aura filled our hearts with joy, the chants of Sree Vishnu Sahastranaamam reverberated auspiciousness. At the holy feet of Sree Ishwar temple, the Brahmakund offered the Lord with three blooming lotuses, all collinear – in one line! It was truly a Divine display of the continuous yagnya at SISS, the grace of the revered Sree Guru Parampara shone through the bountiful nature!
Immersed in devotion, we prepared for the puja offering to Sree Adi Shankaracharya ji and Gurudev Swami Chinmayanand ji. Just as a mother prepares her child for what lays ahead, Maa called Suhrid ji and me to clear any doubts in our minds, as though removing our lingering impurities before receiving the sacred Deeksha. Throughout the puja offering under the auspices of Guru Maa, the mind stayed focussed on the Holy Altar, as was never ever experienced before! After the Shaanti paath, Guru Maa blessed Suhrid ji (previously Sourish ji) and me (previously Aditi) with a new life, a new name – Sourish ji and myself Aadya respectively. There was nothing more that I could have asked for; with Sree Guru’s Deeksha, I had been blessed with a Deeksha brother too!
The same evening commenced discourses by Maa ji on Sree Durga Saptashati. As the sun set, the majestic Deepstambh stood lit in its glory with the Vaahan-s showing us the way to Sree Ishwar. The aarti at the Ishwar darshan temple was special, with Maa compassionately explaining to us the significance of Sree Ishwar. We all chanted with Maa, Sree Ishwar Ashtakam. The antahakaran felt bathed in the Holy teerth of the Lord.
The next day, on the auspicious day of Sree Gurudev Jayanti, Suhrid ji and I were humbled to be offering shodashaupachaar Sree Guru Paad Puja at Maa ji’s Holy feet. Keeping our thoughts and actions focussed on the worship of the siddhaant, the principles that the Holy Feet stood for, along with the sacred chants, each step reminded me of its deep significance as taught by Guru Maa. A new life it was, for when could I have ever thought of a bhajan offering during Rajaupachaar! Guru Maa’s radiant smile and encouragement was the only instrument that was needed, for the prayerful bhajan, “Amba vimal mati de…”!
This special Milestone retreat had started for me with the Holy pilgrimage to Shuktaal led by Manish ji and in company of fellow satsangis. It all seems connected now, the dots forming a perfect picture: the holy teerth with Manish ji, the blessings of Maa Ganga… receiving the blessed Deeksha by Guru Maa as Aadya… the impactful sessions on Sree Durga Saptashati… humbled by Sree Guru Paad Puja – It was indeed a new beginning for me, an initiation purifying me inside out!
With the grace of Sree Guru Parampara, I pray that each day of this new life, blessed by Guru Maa, I walk the path shown by Them – the path to perish the bondages, the vasanas, the jeevatva, and with complete faith and surrender in Their teachings move towards True Knowledge.
I humbly seek forgiveness for all my errors of omission and commission; and seek Maa ji’s and Manish ji’s guidance to correct me where I err. No words render enough to express my deep gratitude towards them.
Humble prostrations at Guru Maa’s Lotus Feet. I pray that I stay worthy of the shower of Your blessings.
Hari Aum!
Suhrid
(previously Sourish)
Kolkata
Hari Aum!
My humble pranaam at the Lotus feet of my Guru Ma ...
I am feeling really blessed to come to this divine place at SISS... So much to learn, so much to understand, so much to feel, that I can't explain…
The atmosphere, the divinity, the nature, the love, the blessings, the sacred feelings, everything is so pure, I can't explain... It's a new journey for me... it's a new life for me.
Naam - Diksha brings new meaning to my life...
I always wanted a place, a shelter like this... as my sacred home, a loving and divine home, that I have got here…
I am ever grateful to the Supreme, Sree Ishwar for gifting me such a wonderful divine shelter here at the Lotus feet of Ma.
Dhanyavaad Manish ji.
Ma, Humble Pranaam!