Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda’s brief talk- A blessing for the devotees who performed Shivasahasranamarchana at Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Jagdeeshwara Temple on 15th July 2012

"You all have just completed the Shiva archana and puja. Normally, it is understood that such pujas will save us from difficulties, sorrows, problems and miseries of life. When that does not happen we feel what is t...he use of all pujas and prayers, is it not?

True, archanas or pujas do not alter or change situations arising due to individual or collective actions done in the past. Then why should we do all these? To develop love for the Lord. When that happens His grace flows and creates an umbrella in our lives. We remain unaffected, just as although the rain from the clouds may be pouring down, one who has an umbrella is totally protected. So also, when we pray and chant the name of the Lord, we are protected. Due to the love for the Lord, the mind remains at peace. It gets purified and steadily reaches its destination.

In the puranas, we find a number of examples which proves this fact, even if it were in an animal body, namely Jad Bharat (became a deer) and Gajendra (the elephant king).

May His grace be on all of us."