Devi Bhava - Amma

Devi Bhava:

Devi Bhava is a incredible night filled with just about the highest bliss available, no intoxicants needed, just Amma's most radiant intoxicating love who has taken form as Devi Herself. We are very lucky to still be in the presence of Devi in the west, for Amma no longer dresses as Devi in India.

So before Amma takes on the Bhava of Devi, a few things happen prior. I believe the Atma puja (offering of the self) starts at about 5:30 pm. There is a token line that is started prior to the puja so if you wish to get a low number i recommend arrive early, if you do not care what token you recieve then you can still get a token later in the night after the puja and after Devi Bhava has officially started. If you wish to recieve darshan you must get a token, which are usually distributed at the back of the hall. If you have never been to the puja and are interested in being in the hall where the puja takes place, make sure to get their early enough. Try not to bring a lot of bags and ofter stuff with you for the puja, the space gets very crowded very quickly, by bringing less stuff, you will most likely feel less crowded ;o) If you aren't able to get in the hall for the puja, now-a-days it is overflowed into other rooms via TV screen so you can still see and hear Amma. Before the puja starts Amma offers specific rituals in blessing water and stting the tone for the puja. After the water is blessed, water containers will be distributed throughout the hall. After the puja is over the water is invibed with supreme energy. Some people drink their whole cup in that moment some people keep it and add it to a bigger vessel later. Every single drop of the water is Amma's prasad so.. however you choose to cherish it, is completely up to you ;o) After Amma has blessed the water and before the puja starts Amma gives a satsang about key points She wishes to share with all of Her children.

After the satsang has taken place, Amma and Swamiji then guide everyone thru the Atma puja. There are specific rituals that wash away impurities that we carry around with us, which are performed as part of the puja process. It is an incredible experience, many upon many feel totally cleansed and sooo much lighter after doing the Atma puja.

After the puja is completed you will be asked to sit and meditate for a few moments and then someone at this point will announce what is to happen next. There is a lot of rearranging of the audio equipment and people that takes place after the puja is complete so make sure to listen to the announcement. The space gets a little crowded and hectic at moments because many people gather to see Devi. At this point also Amma gets up from the puja and goes behind the silk curtains to get ready for the Bhava of Devi.

While Amma is getting ready the Swami's gather around the sound system which is right in front of the stage and start off the night with the first ecstatic bhajan. ;o) This is a great time to get yourself situated somewhere. Within a few minutes later the curtains open.. this happens for about 30 seconds or so and if the crowd is quiet enough you can hear Amma's sweet voice singing Ambike Devi..

Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram
S'armadayike S'ive Santanam Namskaram
Ambike Devi Jagannayike Namaskaram

~O Mother, Goddess of the Universe, I bow before Thee.
O Giver of happiness, I bow before Thee.
(Bhajanamritam vol. 1 pg. 29)

Amma sings this as She is humbly sitting on the floor facing the crown, sari and garland of our beloved Devi.

After She sings this the silk curtains close again as Amma now adorns Herself with Devi's attire. During this time the swami's sing another bhajan or two and then the moment arrives. The curtains start to move again as the swami's excitingly open them.

There sits upon Her thrown, our Most beloved Queen of the Universe, Devi!!

Shimmering with such beauty and delight adorned with the most beautifully colored silk sari and jewel studded crown, Devi then showers flower pedals as Arati begins. At this point the first person waiting in line approaches Devi for the first Devi Bhava darshan of the night...such sweet bliss!!

And for the rest of this night following into the morning hours the mood is just like this, Devi embraces hundreds upon hundreds, sometimes even thousands for the whole entire night of Devi Bhava. And the bhajans.. WOW!!! Cannot say enough about these most ecstatic bhajans... they go on and on and on, one after the other after the other.. soooo supreme!! If you have bhajan books and you love to sing along, make sure to bring your bhajanamritams, they are a must have !!

Throughout this most blissful night snacks, chai and other goodies are offered just outside the hall. The Amma shop is also open if you wish to make any last purchases before the night is thru.

One just never really knows just how long Devi Bhava will go until.. it could go all the way until 1pm. You just never know!

After Devi has embraced everyone who came up for darshan, She then will perform specific ceremonies. These ceremonies include:

~First feedings for infants. Devi feeds them a very yummie sweet rice pudding. reallly sweet!!

~Rice Ceremonies: For children who are going into school. Devi will take their hand and draw certain things on a bed of rice, blessing their schooling.

~Wedding Ceremonies: Where Devi will perform a traditional indian wedding ceremony for the couple getting married.

These are the three main ceremonies that take place. It is rare though sometimes Devi will also give new colors to a brahmachari, though i have only seen this done once.

After the ceremonies are finished, everyone is then asked to form a line because at this point Devi will get finally up from Her chair, the same chair She has been sitting in the whole entire night, She will then come to the end of the stage, grab a handful of flower pedals, and She will then shower Her children with pedals as they walk passed Her. After the pedals are complete Devi stands at the end of the stage, beaming with such divine radiance.. looks at every single one of Her children in the hall. It is one of the most amazing things to witness. It is almost as if She gazes with a thousand lotus-pedaled eyes as She lovingly glances at each and everyone person. Still blows me away thinking about it..

While She stands their as radiant as the morning sun, She takes a handful of pedals and moves Her hands as some of the pedals drop to the floor. She does this a few times and closes Her eyes a few times and in that moment the silk curtains close one last time...

Many cry and call out to Her.. In this moment certain mantras are chanted to end this most auspicious night. One mantra chanted is Amritesvari Mangalam:

Amritevari mangalam
pranamatam muktiprade mangalam
bhuvanesvari mangalam
sukritinam ekasraye mangalam
(repeat)
hrdayesvari mangalam
hridilasa tejomayi mangalam
mrdu bhasini mangalam
vijayatam prema krte mangalam (3x)

O Amritesvari, may there be auspiciousness,
O bestower of Liberation for those who surrender to You, may there be auspiciousness.
O Goddess of the universe, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother the sole refuge of the noble hearted, may there be auspiciousness.

O Goddess of the Heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Effulgent One who shines in the heart, may there be auspiciousness.
O Mother who speaks softly, may there be auspiciousness.
Victory onto You, the embodiment of Love; may there be auspiciousness.

(bhajanamritam vol. 3 pg. 278)

After Devi Bhava the hall is filled with Devi's unconditional love and supreme grace along with many many touched hearts. ;o) The floor is covered in flower pedals that Devi had previously showered, which you may collect for yourself or to share with others. Sometimes after this most blissful night, Amma will come out from behind the curtains dressed in Her whites again and either leave the hall or sometimes She will even stay to help clean up afterwards..Her love grace and selflessness is truly endless...!!


Source: http://ammachi.tribe.net/thread/b7ee41d7-5dea-4211-88bf-1180e4614bde