This beautiful
bhajan about the Guru’s protection reminds me of a dream I had recently. I was on a boat with friends, but I had to leap off into the water. I waved goodbye to my friends as I left. Next I was floating on my back, with my head and legs supported on two boards.
Soon I started racing very fast with the current. The current was supposed to take me to shore, but what if it didn’t? Then something gravel-like appeared beneath me and my boards. I realized I was in trouble and felt afraid.
Just then I felt a large hand—warm, firm, strong. I clutched onto it. “Gurumayi?” I asked. “Gurumayi?” The hand, although not like Gurumayi’s physical hand, was in fact Gurumayi’s hand! It was also Baba’s hand and the hand of the Goddess. It was my safe harbor.
My relief was overwhelming. I knew in that moment I was perfectly safe.
Auckland, New Zealand
I have listened to this exquisite abhanga over and over again, singing along at times with Rani; this draws me into a deep state of devotion. This feeling is similar to one which inspired me to write the following poem to express my gratitude to Gurumayi for her compassionate presence in my life:
O lover of God,
gracing upon me
this day
your many
blessings.
O giver of faith,
in my hour of need
granting to me all
this heart desires.
O Lord, beneficent One,
Holy of Holies,
this one stands
amazed in gratitude,
for surely your hand
has touched my
life in ways
unknown to me.
Massachusetts, United States
Shri Guru Sarikha is gorgeous. Jnaneshvar Maharaj’s words are so true and filled with love. Gurumayi’s music is sweet and beautiful. Rani’s voice, perfect enunciation and timing, lilting tones, and modulations are mesmerizing. My heart soared as I noticed each beautiful element blending perfectly with others to allow me to embrace the Truth of the extraordinary opportunity of now in this life.
After experiencing two grievous losses in the past months, I have been moving slowly toward acceptance of this reality. As I listened to Rani sing Shri Guru Sarikha and then joined in, my heart expanded and I felt joy for the first time in months. All of the beautiful moments of the past months, when my delight had been suppressed by sorrow, seemed to resurface—glowing with the joy I missed.
I thank Gurumayi for reaching out and touching me so tenderly.
North Carolina, United States
This
abhanga caught me by surprise. The words, the melody, and the voice of the singer all blended into an expression of a profound truth in my own life. I felt I was listening to the words of a wordless prayer from my innermost being as the
abhanga revealed wave upon wave of gratitude and longing. I recognized the tremendous longing as my yearning to become one with the Beloved, to be absorbed in the divine, and to shine forth as a flame of that love in this world.
California, United States
During a challenging period of the pandemic, I prayed to know that I had the Guru’s full protection. Then one night I found
Shri Guru Sarikha on the Siddha Yoga path website. I had an instant recognition of grace—Rani Doyon’s devotion and Jnaneshvar’s poignant and sage words drew me into my heart. To absorb myself more deeply in this experience, for several months I sang with Rani every night before I went to bed. Absorbing myself in the Guru’s grace in this way heightened my feeling of protection and safety, which carried me through the days and nights of uncertainty. My practice evoked in me a profound reverence for the Guru’s divine and everlasting protection, and I understood the truth of Jnaneshvar’s words: “Having a protector like Shri Guru, why would I seek the aid of anyone else?”
At this auspicious time of Gurupurnima, I feel immense gratitude and appreciation for the sacred bond with my Guru.
Maryland, United States
This
abhanga is, for me, an exquisite love song.
Listening to the
abhanga and singing it with Rani reminded me that I have everything I need and that, little by little, issues or problems can be overcome. As I listened, I was immediately drawn into the most tender part of my heart, and I had the experience of completion.
London, United Kingdom
This is my favorite
abhanga. I listened to it on this beautiful July morning with the windows open and a nectarean, balmy summer breeze gently flowing through the living room. I felt as though I was transported to the courtyard in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. As Jnanadeva's name was sung, a divine fragrance arose, and I felt a divine presence touch my heart. I was filled with love, gratitude, and celebration of the Guru's grace in my life. I recalled the perfection of my life as it has unfolded.
Connecticut, United States
This
abhanga is a gem and one of my favorites! The sweetness in the singer’s voice and the depth of Jnanadeva’s words melt my heart every time I hear it.
Today the
abhanga held a special meaning for me, for it is my birthday. As I sang along with the recording, I felt my heart opening and inner obstacles within me dissolving, and I saw a clear path toward a blessed life aligned with the divine.
Rome, Italy
Listening to this beautiful
abhanga swept me out of my daily pressures and concerns and put me directly at the feet of my beloved Gurumayi. As I listened with tear-filled eyes, I had a vision of Gurumayi giving
darshan to person after person, blessing them gently with her peacock feathers and honoring each one as a magnificent and unique being. My heart was permeated with love for all and for the Guru, who was inspiring it. And along with the love came a divine feeling of peace and blissful contentment. “Truly, I am uplifted by my Guru’s grace.” Indeed.
New York, New York
As I listened to
Shri Guru Sarikha, I was moved by the pure sounds of this beautiful
bhajan. I was filled with a visceral experience of the bound soul feeling the immensity and mercy of the Guru’s protection.
Then I moved my laptop to the kitchen and listened to the
bhajan again while I cooked. When I finished cooking, I lifted the laptop from my kitchen table and found a
rakhi made of gold thread under the laptop. I was astonished.
With this
rakhi, I felt that I had received a confirmation of the gift of the Guru’s protection. I understood that the disciple’s devotion draws the protection of the Guru.
California, United States
I have been listening to
Shri Guru Sarikha, the
abhanga by Jnaneshvar Maharaj, as sung by Rani Doron, many times each day. I want to keep the company of this
abhanga as much as possible, since it carries me directly to the presence of the Guru within.
When I heard it for the first time, my longing to be in the presence of the inner Guru was so intense that I recognized that is where I want to be constantly. Every time I hear it, it is like gazing at the full Gurupurnima moon, having my entire being illumined by its brightness and seeing the Guru clearly in my mind’s eye. It is like feeling my divine inner flame with clarity, breathing completely freely, and understanding, for a moment, the oneness that connect us all. It is like being in this place beyond space and time where only peace, joy, and love exist.
I recognize these experiences as an encounter with my inner divinity.
Oregon, United States
To help give myself support during this time when I am facing some difficult family issues, I keep on listening to
Shri Guru Sarikha. As I do so, I reach a deep state of peace and silence where all my worries disappear, and where I float in the grace and love of my Guru.
Naples, Italy
Rani's nectarean voice and the sweet melody of the
abhanga, along with the resounding words of each stanza, permeated my entire being and I felt deep love for my Guru, Gurumayi.
This music evoked in me a strong and yet sweet longing that I have been experiencing ever since I heard the music this morning. Filled with gratitude and love for my Guru, I stand resolved to further strengthen my
sadhana.
Mumbai, India
As I heard Rani's voice and read the verses of this
abhanga, tears welled up in my eyes. Yes, I am truly grateful to have found my Guru, and that she has found me and my wife. Our marriage has been so rich with Gurumayi and the Siddha Yoga practices in our lives.
Truly, as the second verse suggests, we lack for nothing. We have Shri Guru's grace as we continue on our path of
sadhana, and so our lives continue to unfold in sweet and blessed ways.
Florida, United States
Last night, when I heard this beautiful abhanga during the “Be in the Temple” satsang for Gurupurnima, I was filled with a feeling of calm, safety, and peace.
Recently I’ve been given a new role in my work—supporting early childhood educators impacted by last summer's bushfires here in Australia. To my surprise I have watched old thoughts of “I can't do this” arise, as well as feelings of anxiety, grief, and trauma. And yet I feel sure that this is the work I am meant to be doing.
This morning as I listened to Rani sing Shri Guru Sarikha, I again felt that sense of safety and deep peace; after reading the meaning of the words, I understood why. I now intend to make this beautiful abhanga a part of my morning practice for the month of July, the month of Gurupurnima, reminding myself again and again that, with “a protector like Shri Guru,” what more do I need?
I am filled with love and gratitude for the Guru’s constant grace and protection.
Hurlstone Park, Australia
This has been the year that I have begun to know Jnaneshvar Maharaj and I have fallen in love. Before listening to this exquisite
abhanga of his, I chanted the mantra with the intention to palpably experience God within and without. Then, in listening, my intention was fulfilled. Siddha Yoga music often gives me a feeling that is like being immersed in heaven on earth and heaven in heaven—all with the awareness that Gurumayi has brought this experience forth for all of us.
I listened to this
abhanga about twenty times in a row! I did hatha yoga with it playing and I sang with it. This experience of being fully in the Guru’s world of pure sweetness, all goodness, and boundless love—all this and more came flowing forth from this beautiful song. I was also profoundly moved to hear Rani singing this
abhanga; it gave me a sense of Gurumayi's intention and work flowing forward for generations to come.
Connecticut, United States