Hi Friends,
Through this blog I would like to share with you my views, ways of doing things, recipes etc. I have chosen this name for the blog because in all probability you will find that it is not what is generally accepted or what is commonly done. I invite your feedback and active participation so that we can interact and generally get to know each other better.
My first post is about repeating prayers.
I believe the best prayer is the one which comes straight from the heart and is not a part of the rituals of the religion we follow. But how often are we able to connect with the supreme being in that way? I do not see that happening in my case even though it would be wonderful to be able to converse with the supreme being as we do with our friends and family members. So what do we do? We pray to a particular God or Goddess by reciting the standard text be it a shloka or arati or any other form of prayer.
I am a devotee of Ma Vaishnodevi. In the morning after my bath I light the diya, sing the Ganesha arati, Vaishno chalisa and recite some mantras. Before ending I do have that heart-to-heart but that generally comprises of standard phrases. What I try to do differently is that I try to replace certain words with what I consider to be more appropriate ones. Eg. Almost all our aratis end with "............ki arati jo koyi nar gayey........" I prefer "jo koyi nit gayey". Similarly, in Ma Kali's arati "Ambe tu hai jagadambe kali.............." the last stanza is: Nahin maangte dhann aur daulat na chandi na sona, hum toa maangay ma tere mann ka ek chotasa kona......" My version is: "Hum toa maangein dhann aur daulat aur chandi aur sona, aur hum maangay ma tere mann ka ek barha sa kona".
Am I wrong in doing this? Please do share your views.
Pramila
Through this blog I would like to share with you my views, ways of doing things, recipes etc. I have chosen this name for the blog because in all probability you will find that it is not what is generally accepted or what is commonly done. I invite your feedback and active participation so that we can interact and generally get to know each other better.
My first post is about repeating prayers.
I believe the best prayer is the one which comes straight from the heart and is not a part of the rituals of the religion we follow. But how often are we able to connect with the supreme being in that way? I do not see that happening in my case even though it would be wonderful to be able to converse with the supreme being as we do with our friends and family members. So what do we do? We pray to a particular God or Goddess by reciting the standard text be it a shloka or arati or any other form of prayer.
I am a devotee of Ma Vaishnodevi. In the morning after my bath I light the diya, sing the Ganesha arati, Vaishno chalisa and recite some mantras. Before ending I do have that heart-to-heart but that generally comprises of standard phrases. What I try to do differently is that I try to replace certain words with what I consider to be more appropriate ones. Eg. Almost all our aratis end with "............ki arati jo koyi nar gayey........" I prefer "jo koyi nit gayey". Similarly, in Ma Kali's arati "Ambe tu hai jagadambe kali.............." the last stanza is: Nahin maangte dhann aur daulat na chandi na sona, hum toa maangay ma tere mann ka ek chotasa kona......" My version is: "Hum toa maangein dhann aur daulat aur chandi aur sona, aur hum maangay ma tere mann ka ek barha sa kona".
Am I wrong in doing this? Please do share your views.
Pramila
Oh wow... Very well written. I am quite impressed by your candid views and honest confessions. On deeper thought I too do feel there is nothing wrong in customising the standard shlokas to our needs. In fact by doing that we are adding a personal touch instead of repeating them meaningless! Great idea indeed. I shall do so too:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sunitha. I am glad this bondhu of mine is on the same page regarding this.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely not wrong in doing so.. Basic feeling is intact .. Love , respect and prayers for the Almighty all there . Customising it for ourselves enhances the fact that the prayers are not being done as a mundane task instead a time devoted to God seeking his blessings with all our heart and soul and wishes 😍😇😇
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly how I feel hence I took the liberty. I hope others who agree will do so too.
DeleteI am also of the same opinion mam.
ReplyDeleteThat is great dear.
ReplyDeleteThat is great dear.
ReplyDelete