The tears came, but I made no effort to stop or wipe them. O divine mother, I said through my prayers, I prayed to you for long, but now I know that you always listened to my prayers.

This Durga Puja I decided to have a different experience. I wanted to be in Gurumaa Ashram in the presence of a living Durga. Every year, Durga Puja came and I prayed to the Divine Mother by reading the Durga Saptashati. I worshipped her at puja pandals and at an Ashram near home. But this year, Gurumaa has given me a unique opportunity to be in her benign presence and I can feel her blessing pouring forth!

Thank you Gurumaa for this wonderful chance to be with you in the Ashram which is reverberating with immense Shakti. Added to that, the stutis we are singing to the Goddess have made the atmosphere charged with her power!

I pray to Goddess Durga to keep me ever in her shelter and let me not wander into the tamas of ignorance. Let the flame ignited within me burn brightly with the grace of my guru.

O mother, let me be worthy of my Guru and be able to practice as well as spread her glory and teachings.

Ya devi sarvabhooteshu Shakti rupen sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah!

Seema Mishra

Kolkata