Shri Surya Narayan Mandir celebrated Holi
on Sunday February 28th 2010. The children could not wait to go outside and
play with other devotees. After Pandit Tulsie gave his pravachan about Holi and
its origin, the mandir began their joyous chowtaal singing. This year's
chowtaal singing was extra special because, as in most cases, the young ladies
of our mandir were more enthusiastic singers than anyone else.
Neither snow nor cold weather could affect
anyone from playing and enjoying the festive season. Our President, Bhai Amar
Persaud, came to mandir directly from the airport to address the audience about
the Bharat Yatra [India trip] that a group of the mandir's devotees had just
returned from that morning. He later joined in on the celebration and remarked
about celebrating Holi in India and the US on the same day.
Seva (Selfless Service without any expectation of result) is the greatest form of purification of past karmas. Our Shastras declare that it is only through selfless action that man can rid himself of the entanglements of prarabdha (results of past actions).
The wise, detached from the fruits of their actions, are freed from the bondage of past karmas and ultimately reach the state of Anandam (blissfulness).
Seva is even more beneficial when performed at Mandir and surrounding areas since you will help to clean and maintain the home or house of worship of Bhagawan. One should be humble and be free of Ahamkara (ego) in his quest for spiritual enlightenment. During Sunday services we always hear that helping to clean the Mandir, cooking, etc, are the best form of Seva and are the first things one should participate in when you begin the journey of becoming one with Bhagawan.
SSNM is embarking on a new initiative call ‘SEVA Saturday’. On each Saturday of the month starting at 10 am we will clean the Mandir and the Mandir Yard. In an effort to teach community involvement/service to our youths we will also clean the block that the Mandir is located on.
