Yet another Shivaratri celebration at M.A. Center DC, filled with devotion and energy. Led by Br. Ramanandamrita Chaitanya, devotees were carried through a night of devotional singing, a spiritual talk, meditation, and the holy bathing (abhishekam) of the Shiva Linga. Every person who attended took a turn performing the abhishekam as the Sri Rudram was chanted, and the Amrita Bala Kendra children recited the Shiva Manasa Puja and the Lingashtakam together, bringing a feeling of devotion and innocence.
In his talk, Br. Ramanand elaborated on Amma's Shivaratri message — that Shivaratri is a celebration of sacrifice. He outlined the four aims of life (righteous duty, prosperity, desire and liberation) and reflected on how one should use one's wealth to perform righteous deeds, and sacrifice the mundane for the higher longing for liberation. Everyone joined in bhajans past midnight, concluding with prayers for world peace.
