***** MahaShivratri ki hardik badhaai *****

Source : Ashram's official website and hariomgroup.org

***** Maha-Shivratri *****

Puranas contain many stories and legends describing the origin of this festival. According to one, during the samudra manthan, a pot of poison emerged from the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was capable of destroying the entire world, and they ran to Shiva for help. To protect the world from its evil effects, Shiva drank the deathly poison but held it in his throat instead of swallowing it. This made his throat turn blue, and he was given the name Neelakantha, the blue-throated one. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world.

Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout the country; it is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh. Maha Shivratri falls on the I3th (or I4th) day of the dark half of 'Phalgun' (February-March). The name means "the night of Shiva". The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva and it is believed that on this day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati.
On this festival people worship 'Shiva - the Destroyer'. This night marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'.

>> Thousands get ‘diksha’ from Asaram Bapu <<
HT Live CorrespondentAllahabad, February 1 [ Lucknow Edition ]

web link :
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1917495,0015002500010000.htm

IT WAS a moment which once again reflected the faith of thousands of devotees towards their revered guru 'Bapuji' and his teachings to propagate Hindu culture.

Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras, about 25,000 devotees, including a large number of youths, took 'diksha' from Sant Shree Asaram Bapu 'Bapuji' at his Satsang Shivir in Ardh Kumbh Mela area on Thursday. This was the second occasion during the last nine days when such a large number of devotees gathered at the Satsang Shivir, from at least six states, to attend Bapu's three-day 'Shaktipat Camp' and take diksha from their guru.
The diksha programme started at 6.30 am in the morning. But Bapuji's disciples, including a large number of women and youth, started gathering at his Satsang Shivir at around 3 am. A large number of devotees stayed overnight at the camp to avoid any delay in getting diksha. After taking diksha, they remained at the camp till 12 noon and listened to the teachings of Bapuji in the most disciplined and dedicated manner.

Sant Shree Asarama Bapu gave some useful tips to maintain good health by practicing yoga and taking only Ayurvedic medicines. He said: "The pain killers destroy life cells in the body, due to which a person remains unhealthy all through his life. Imbalance of 'vaat', 'pitta' and 'kaf' leads to 132 types of health disorders in the body. This further creates hundreds of other complications. But by following simple steps like having powder of basil (tulsi) leaf in morning one can stay healthy all through his life. The basil seeds also stop aging." Bapuji said he found that people in Allahabad were addicted to tobacco and its products like pan masala. He said due to consumption of these products the people were suffering from skin diseases, gastric disorders and even cancer. "These people should consume butter milk and practice 'pranayam' to get rid of tobacco addiction," he suggested.

Bapuji said few Vedic mantras were very effective in the treatment of heart diseases, high BP, headache and stomach disorders. "Regular chanting of some mantras also gives relief to jaundice patients," he said.

**********Jai Jai Sai Asaram**********

The Grace of GOD is totally spontaneous.

**The words spoken by a lady saint in Western Culture and She is the First western disciple of Bapuji **

Source : mail on hariomgroup from Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram , Saturday,

December 30, 2006 10:07 AM

Web page: http://www.enlightenmentashram.com/enlightenment.htm

Shri Swami Asaramji Maharaj, my former Advaita Monism practical Vedanta Guru from Gujarat, India, now known as Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu gave me a Blessing to teach practical Vedanta.

Guruji founded a new lineage, the Direct Enlightenment Tradition, and also carries the lineages of Swami Sri Master Ram, Saint Sri Asaramji Bapu, Yogeshwar Muni, and Jesus Christ. She teaches from the Center of Her Compassionate Conscious Being. Many find Her spontaneous well of inspiration and sharing from the lives and teachings of other contemplatives, who have come through Advaita Monism Vedanta, Zen, Ch'an, Sufi, and Christian traditions, useful and transforming.

Narayan Narayan