I am so caught by the beauty of the visual design on this minisite. Like many others on the Siddha Yoga path website, it touches me; it speaks to my inner being, and my rational mind cannot grasp or translate it.
This beautiful, pure “newness” inspires me to sing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram with new love, to read the translation with the stance of the beginner. Sound and image grow into one unity—creating a new inner texture. I still ponder about the colors blue and gold and the secret, the wonder they reflect. I feel there is more than my mind can ever reach. I feel the concerted energy of Bade Baba’s radiance and love. I feel embraced, as my heart’s yearning directs its antennas to That.
Hindelang, Germany
Singing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram and contemplating the meaning of the verses is one of my favorite Siddha Yoga practices, one which I hold dear to my heart.
To me,
Shri Avadhuta Stotram represents Bade Baba in sound form. Almost every time that I think of or sing the verses of this sacred hymn
, I feel the tangible presence of Bade Baba within me and without. My mind, body, and soul seem to become energized. Often, when I sing this
stotram, I experience that I am being enfolded in Bade Baba’s protective embrace.
For several years, singing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram has been a vital part of my daily schedule.
I am so grateful to Baba for this beautiful hymn. I am so thankful to Gurumayi for making this
stotram available on the Siddha Yoga path website.
Hosur, India
I have loved this hymn ever since I first heard it. It was so great to read today that Baba Muktananda wrote the first and last verses, and that the others came from a devotional text called the
Vedanta Chandavali. How knowledgeable of sacred texts was our Baba Muktananda, and how devoted to his divine Guru, Bhagavan Nityananda!
This hymn describes the great state of a Siddha Master. Every time I read it or sing it, I am touched deeply in my heart that these great beings are mine and I am theirs. They are ever flowing fountains of love, wisdom, protection, and grace. Such gifts in this world are rare and beyond compare.
Florida, United States
I am grateful that the beautiful meaning of
Shri Avadhuta Stotram was posted at this time. I had been feeling anxious about an upcoming change in my workplace location.
In my
sadhana circle, one of my fellow
sadhakas suggested that we contemplate the meaning of this
stotram. I immediately rushed to the minisite to see the meaning of the
stotram. As I read each verse, my mind started longing to experience that state of fearlessness and dispassion that is described there—and I soon calmed down. I felt this was an immediate response from Bade Baba to remind me of my purpose in life.
Chennai, India
While singing with the music ensemble, I could feel both the sweetness and the strength of Bade Baba infusing my entire body, heart, and soul. A feeling of gratitude brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Nuremberg, Germany
When I sing this
stotram as I recall standing before Bhagavan Nityananda in the Temple, I feel as though he gathers me into his arms and holds me in his lap and close to his heart. I hear him reassuring me that no matter what happens, I am now, and will always be, safe and protected and loved by him. I feel his calming energy, his fearlessness, and his ecstasy.
California, United States
My wife and I have been singing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram each morning in our studio before work for many years now. It is so full of devotion and gratitude to the Guru. This hymn prepares us for the day’s work by drawing our minds to the source of creativity, the Guru within!
Malinalco, Mexico
When I sing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram, I feel the powerful presence of Bhagavan Nityananda in my heart. In this hymn, he is described as “supremely nectarean,” and this is the experience I always have in my relationship with Bade Baba.
Once I had a dream in which I saw the divine face of Bade Baba in the vast darkness of the cosmos. His eyes were black like brilliant gems and full of infinite love and peace.
“To that Nityananda, I bow,” with infinite gratitude and love.
Milan, Italy
I am grateful to Gurumayi for making this wonderful hymn available on the Siddha Yoga path website.
When I feel the sweet presence of Bhagavan Nityananda and my awareness turns towards him, it feels as though he can’t wait to respond. I feel that he is reminding me that I am the Self shining with joy.
London, United Kingdom
Hearing
Shri Avadhuta Stotram on the Siddha Yoga path website is an answer to a deep longing I’ve had.
Some years ago in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, I was blessed with the beautiful
seva of chanting and playing the harmonium for the noon chant in the Bhagavan Nityananda Temple. We often sang this hymn
, followed by the mantra
Om Namah Shivaya. But as years went by, I did not play it and forgot the notes. Now I can play it again, and it takes me straight back to the Temple—this time deep in my heart.
Paspels, Switzerland
As I read this hymn in honor of Bhagavan Nityananda’s Lunar Punyatithi
, so many memories arose within me: seeing Bade Baba’s picture for the first time; seeing an 8mm film of Baba Muktananda; standing in the presence of beloved Shri Gurumayi; and having countless experiences of meditation,
seva, and
dakshina. Each such moment of grace has taken me closer to fully comprehending that indeed, “I am not the body, nor is the body mine; I am not a bound soul, for I am Consciousness.”
I am uplifted by the realization that my own self-effort is necessary, and all the ups and downs on my journey must be endured and overcome in order to enter permanently into that final attainment described in this hymn.
California, United States
Every day I bow to the divine Shri Bhagavan Nityananda, for he is truly “all holy places” for me, as the magnificent
Shri Avadhuta Stotram says.
Over the years, I have always felt his constant protection. Every time that I remember him, I experience relief, hope, and joy for his existence and our good fortune in knowing him. I thank God for the miracle of the birth of Bhagavan Nityananda on this earth.
New York, United States
I spent the early morning honoring this auspicious day of Bade Baba’s Lunar Punyatithi, deep in meditation and reciting
Shri Guru Gita several times. Afterwards, with my body humming in sweet vibrations, I lay down for a while to bask in the bliss I was experiencing.
Then I had an inspiration to look at the Siddha Yoga path website to see if Gurumayi had a message for me.
As I began to read the verses from the
Shri Avadhuta Stotram, I found my eyes lock into a line of the first verse, “…who has assumed a body for the needs of devotees.” I felt I was reading this for the first time, and its impact was profound. It’s hard to put into words the depth of the feelings that came over me. All I can say is that I am overwhelmed and grateful for God’s compassion to bestow upon humanity a human form of perfect Consciousness. It truly is one of the great miracles of life on Earth.
San Felipe, Mexico
“To him nothing is insentient; the whole world is filled with Consciousness.”
This line has settled deep in my being. I look around the room I am in, look out of the window, with wonder at the shapes and forms I see. Every form draws my respectful response—for everything is filled with Consciousness. This line of the magnificent prayer opens in me a tenderness that invites me to acknowledge and bow to all forms I encounter.
Melbourne, Australia
Each line of this beautiful hymn shines with the highest state of yoga that is embodied in Bhagavan Nityananda. Sometimes I reflect and meditate upon just one word of a line in order to imbibe some of its power, its inherent
shakti and essence.
The hymn reminds me to strive for the highest in myself and to reflect on the fact that this same state exists in everyone. The Self is in me, the Self is in all beings and objects. And when I perceive this truth directly, I am connected with my true nature, at the center of my being.
New Jersey, United States