:)

:)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Why I Pray?

II OM GANESHAYE NAMAH II

We all are aware with Valmiki’s story. How a low-born dacoit, mere by chanting Lord Rama’s name became one of the revered sages. Prayer washes away sins and can work like a very soothing balm on hurt minds and souls. Hence, not just in my religion, prayers are essential part of any good household. Prayer unites religions and people across the world.

There are various forms of praying. By the word ‘pray’ I mean not only the ritual ‘pooja’, but also the entire process of developing a heart to heart bond with the Almighty like chanting, meditation, sacred dancing etc. Here are my major reasons for praying and also the things I pray for. 
1.                 For knowledge and wisdom

For knowledge and wisdom, I sing to her,
Divine white, my holy Saraswati mother,
In reverence, I kneel with folding hands,
To her golden ‘Veena’ and sacred swan.

My day starts with the chant of Maa Saraswati, ‘Om Saraswataye Namah’. Her holy name is the first word that I utter. Knowledge is liberation. For us, a good earthy life and ‘Moksha’ can only come from right decisions that in turn come from wisdom. Hence, to Her, I always pray after getting up and before going to bed.

2.                 To face the world with confidence

When spines snap and spirits crack,
I pray to Him for a stronger back,
Not to lessen my old debt and load,
But for a tougher resolve, on to hold.

A strong will power and resolve only can keep us on the tracks of our goals. Whatever we get here, is directly related to our past life karmas, for I strongly believe in the Karmic theory. Hence, I ask for a stronger back and not for a lesser load from God.

3.                 Prayer is healing, it does heal!

When beloveds leave, never to return,
Above they shine as stars from heaven,
I pray to my God for a calmer mind,
To help arranging what’s left behind.

In such times, mediation helps regain mental and physical composure. I also pray for the departed, for the eternal peace of their souls.

4.                 For my concentration- focus is everything.

When goals seem hazy and dim,
For some more will, I pray to Him,
Walking on a path to my dreams,
I plead for Thy divine blessings.

Just like others, I too have many dreams and goals. I pray for God’s blessings so that I may never fall into snares while on my way to them.

5.                 When I have none with me- when emotions bleed.

When the world turns a brutal face,
When robbed of dignity and grace,
Only for His love and mercy I pray,
All my heart’s secrets to Him I say.

When my kin became my enemy and I had no one to derive emotional support from, prayer only kept me going as it makes me feel in a divine bond with God.

6.                 For maintaining balance and harmony.

Far from cacophony and ugly fight,
I pray deep to soak His divine light,
Floating in clouds of peace and amity,
I dip in the aura of God almighty. 

At least for the time I am praying, I am far away into a world where only positive energies are present. Hence, prayer immensely helps me to shed the dirt of everyday life.

7.                 The ultimate liberation – Moksha.

All I yearn is to dissolve in His light,
I pray for ‘Moksha’, the final flight,
When none is there, no kin, no friend,
When I am but a free soul, in the end.

A sinless soul never returns to this world and dissolves forever into God’s aura. For all souls like me trapped in earthly bodies, ‘Moksha’ is the final destination. Hence, I pray for Moksha. 



The festival of lights, sweets and gold is always fascinating! I look forward to this day the whole year. With house dressed like a bride, we pray to Goddess Lakshmi to enter our abode bringing along happiness and prosperity. May we all develop sacred and deep bonds with our Holy Creator!

A very happy and prosperous Deepawali to all of you!


(Images: Monk In Prayer sketch by me)

34 comments:

  1. Prayer is the key to the heart of God. It is the only way to have personal relationship with God.

    Happy Diwali to you and your family Ankita.

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  2. Hi SG

    Yes, very rightly said. Only prayer can make us one with God.

    Thanks a lot and same to you!

    Happy Deepawali!!

    :D

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  3. Nice one Ankita. Liked the way you have portrayed various forms of prayer throughout the post.

    Shubh Deepavali!!

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  4. My personal relationship with GOD has been getting better with age. I am also begining to understand the differences in the way we approach GOD in different religions.
    HAPPY DIWALI to you and your loved ones.

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  5. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this post, I am religious too and can connect with every reason which prayer has a solution for.

    Definitely agree with you that Prayer unites religions and people across the world. I am a born Hindu and a regular visitor to temples but after coming to England, I found the same peace and calmness in Churches too. So, I believe God is one, different people approach him in different ways.

    Prayer is motivating and energizing, we can overcome a lot of hurdles - both physical and emotional through sincere prayer. God gives peace of mind, so prayer is the food for soul.

    Wishing you and your family a very Happy Deepawali :) All the best for your career and also for all the contests you participate in :)

    Take care,
    Sai :)

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  6. Oh such deep and connecting words from the heart! I was wondering whether you wrote all the verses at just one go.

    It is really an awesome skill to be able to freely interlace our feelings in a sweet sounding poetic verse. Loved the way you expressed it.

    Happy and Prosperous Deepawali to you as well. May the bright lights of the festival bring happiness, joy, peace and everything we deserve into our lives.

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  7. I pray everyday..its a part of my living..No reasons required here..

    Wishing you all the best for contest and happy Diwali to you and your loved ones!!1

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  8. I love this post, Ankita! Thanks so much for sharing. I am so fascinated by your religion!

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  9. May all your prayers be answered.

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  10. I am a very strong believer in the power of prayer :)

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  11. prayer is the key to the heart of God. beautifully written.

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  12. Hi Shrikant

    Thanks a lot, I am really happy you liked the concept :)

    Subh Deepawali!!

    :D

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  13. Hi Munir

    Thanks a lot. I am really happy you liked the post! Ya, with time, our relationships and expectations from prayers do change :)

    Happy Deepawali!!

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  14. Hi Sai

    Thanks a lot. I am really happy you liked this post! Ya, all prayers give relief and comfort irrespective of the religions and methods :)

    I have been to a few Churches (in Goa) and their architecture and peace was amazing! Prayer is indeed the food for our souls :)

    Thanks a ton for the good wishes! same to you as well!

    Happy Deepawali to you and your family too!!

    Cheers!!

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  15. Hi Anonymous

    Thanks a lot. I am really happy you liked the post!

    Happy Deepawali!!

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  16. Hi Renu

    Thanks a lot. I am really glad you liked this post! Ya, it is a very essential part of my life as well :)

    Thanks a lot and Happy Deepawali!!

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  17. Hi Katrin!

    Thanks a lot. I am really happy you liked the post!

    That's really nice :)

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  18. Hi Rajesh

    Thanks a lot!!

    Happy Deepawali!!

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  19. Hi Yedukondalu

    Yes I agree, indeed it is :)

    Thanks a ton!

    Happy Deepawali!!

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  20. Prayer brings us closer to God and ourselves too in today's busy world.Praying is soothing and makes us feel lighter and calmer. Happy and safe deepavali to you and your family Ankita :)

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  21. Hi Reshma

    Yes, I agree. Prayer brings us closer not only to God but to our own selves too. Thanks a ton!

    Thank you and a Happy Deepawali to you and your family too!!

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  22. A prayer helps strengthens our relationship with God and I so love doing that!! Loved your reasons to pray! Good luck for the contest, Ankita :)

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  23. Hi Shilpa

    yes, very true. I love doing puja too!
    Thank you!!

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  24. Beautifully written. Loved the verses. All the very best.

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  25. Hi Saru

    Thanks a ton!I am really glad you liked the post!

    Thank you!

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  26. well written Ankita. Did you check the results?

    Well I just nominated you for a liebster award on my blog. pl do checka nd post in ur tongue in cheek replies :)

    http://www.numerounity.com/2013/10/liebster-award-by-novel-idea.html

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  27. Hi Ekta

    Thanks a ton!! results have not been announced yet I think.

    Thanks a lot for the wonderful award! would love to do it!

    :)

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  28. Lovely. Moksha is the ultimate goal of all souls. Wish you a Happy Diwali - peace and joy all through the year.

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  29. Hi Suzy

    Thank you! Yup, right :)

    Thank you and same to you!

    Happy Deepawali!

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  30. Good to know that you pray ( in a time when religion is losing its hold everywhere). Happy Diwali to you too.

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    1. Hi Nihar

      Thank you! Prayer is always so soothing :)

      Thank you and same to you! Happy Deepavali :)

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  31. Such a rich variety on prayers.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Onkar

      Thanks a lot!

      Happy Diwali!

      :)

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