The Ashram inmates are celebrating this 2006 Shivaratri with a grand function full of grace. We did not inform devotees that they must come to the celebration this year because there is not enough accommodation here for many people to stay.

However, we will complete the 40 dwellings on the apartment land by 2007. As well as that we have started many new project works. All of these will be done very well.

Shivaratri is the day that Swamiji showers divine grace on all the devotees. They are blessed through the lingams and I solve all their difficulties and problems on this day. All are aware of this. There is a divine grace in the vibhuti prasadam that I give on this day. Divine power is also in the small cloth pieces in which I catch kumkum coming from my mouth on Shivaratri. These are given to you with my blessings.

The power and grace of Shiva-Shakti emanates from the maha-abishekam, yagams and pujas that are performed at this time. Those who attend and those who cannot be present, because the ceremonies are being done in your name, will receive great blessings on this day.

I think of those who have faith in and devotion towards me and I bless them. Whether or not you feel it within you, this is being done in the right way. The meaning of God's grace is that even to think about it and to receive it you should have God's grace! Only if you attain his supreme grace, can you have the gift of understanding his divine energy which is his grace. In order to feel, understand and attain the highest energy within our souls, we chant the Panchakshara mantra, OM NAMAH SHIVAYA once a year for 24 hours on Mahashivaratri. Then we will feel and realize the meaning within us and the mind will become still. Mahashivaratri day helps us to come to the level when the mind slowly stops jumping here and there and getting absorbed in the worldly life. This great day helps us to realize the state of absolute truth, to keep the mind in peace and forget ourselves.

This day of Mahashivaratri is especially for you to understand your truth, to know the powerful grace of God, to feel the supreme energy within us and to guide us towards the highest wisdom.

If you chant OM NAMAH SHIVAYA with deep and true feeling then your soul will experience the state of absolute purity. This mantra will cause your soul to enter the right way to merge with the Supreme. It will make you understand the third eye. Chant this mantra and relish its taste! Hear heavenly music with your inner ears! Smell the fragrance of nature inside! Even though you have two external eyes you can perceive the universal light within you. Your mind will become one-pointed. You can experience all this by chanting OM NAMAH SHIVAYA.

Jai Prema Shanti!

Swami Premananda