“Importance of Puja and Havan”. Paris (France), 18 June 1983

[Starts at 9:04]
Shri Mataji: Hello, so we were waiting for you to come here. So, I think, I’ll get my sweater. Hello, we were waiting for you to come, for Christopher to come here. How is he? Very good. What’s happened to his head?
Marie-Amélia: Changing of milk, Shri Mataji.
Shri Mataji: So, Christopher you are back, here? Oh, oh, oh…
You must cover his head. It’s very cold still.
All right. All right. All right. What’s the matter?
He is in meditation. [Baby complains] No, no, no, no, no.
[Shri Mataji rocks the baby]
You must keep him close, all the time. Better cover him more. All right, you’ll get something more from inside. I think you also wear your sweater or something. It’s rather cold outside.
Marie-Amélia: Thank you, Shri Mataji.
Shri Mataji: Just cover him much more on the head.
Gregoire: This is a present from the Austrian Sahaja Yogis, Austrian Sahaja Yogis to the French Sahaja Yogis.
Shri Mataji: Ah! It’s beautiful.
Gregoire reads the word on the poster: “And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse”. Shri Mataji: Translate it in French.
At last I was to bring My sweater. Geneviève can bring.
Gregoire: Sweater for Shri Mataji.

Michel C.: Mother I have a gift, two gifts for you.
Shri Mataji: I beg your pardon?
Michel C.: First is from Rouen we offer You the cushion where your feet are settled. It’s from Rouen. And the “armours” [city coat of arms] of the town.
Shri Mataji: Oh, I see. What’s this?
Michel C.: The blazon of the town of Rouen.
Shri Mataji: What’s that?
Michel C.: The blazon of the city, of Rouen.
Shri Mataji: And what are these marks about?
Michel C.: Three lilies.
Shri Mataji: Lilies?
Michel C.: Lilies. I think it’s like a lotus in France, in old kingdom.
Shri Mataji: Beautiful. Thank you very much.
Michel C.: No thank you, Mother.
Shri Mataji: So, can you keep it? Thank you.

It’s quite cold still. The wind will blow away the clouds. As soon as I came out here, it plays, you see, it plays some tricks with you all the time.
[Laughter]
Yes, better have him covered. And you too wear something warm.
I hope you are all warm enough.

I am so happy and joyous to be here with so many Sahaja Yogis, and so many of them are very new; not very new to Me, perhaps I have known all of you, thousands of years back.

[Shri Mataji is laughing] You are sitting in the sun.

In Sahaja Yoga you all have to understand one simple thing, that you are the Spirit. And whatever is not the Spirit, is not yourself. We can compare Spirit with the sun. The sun can be covered with the clouds, there could be superimpositions on the sun, but sun remains as it is, at its point. You cannot enlighten the sun. It is illumined by itself. Now, when the clouds are removed, the superimpositions are removed, the sun shines through the atmosphere. So, our Spirit is also, is superimposed by ignorance.

As long as there is superimposition, you can’t see the Spirit. And even when few clouds disappear the superimposition exists. One has to have a clear sky to see the light of the Spirit shining through. There are many ways by which we can try to remove the clouds. The first and the foremost thing is the assumption, the faith that you are the spirit and that the rest is superimposition. You have to assume that within yourself. After Realization it should become very easy that you are something much more, something very different from what you have known so far. So, now the new situation arises that you do not have a blind faith, but you have a faith that has come out of an experience. So, your intellect should not fight it. It should not try to challenge it. If it challenges and if you heed to your intellect, you’ll again go down.

Even if you get the glimpse of a star in the sky, then the scientists believe that there is a star. So, in the same manner, even if you get the glimpse of your Realization, you have to at least believe that you are also a Spirit. You go on sticking on to that experience and keeping your attention on the fact that you are the Spirit. Tell your intellect not to cheat you anymore. You can turn the face of your intellect by this. Now your intellect will start working for the pursuit of the Spirit. This is what faith means. Faith gives rise to pure intelligence. Now, when you are seeing clouds removed to a great extent, still there are clouds. So you have to use the wind to remove the clouds, wind of the Holy Ghost. And that, you know, there are many ways of taking advantage of the wind.

I hope the Italians understand.

So, the wind comes from some other source, that is the source of the Holy Ghost, your own Kundalini. And also, you have in person the Primordial Kundalini before you. Compared to many other seekers who came before you, I must say, you are very fortunate. Because worshipping any “vigraha”, any – even a statue of self-created vibrations from the Mother Earth, people had big problems. They had to, first of all, do a meditation which was called as “Savikalpa Samadhi”. That means, in that state you had to concentrate on such a statue, “vigraha”. “Vigraha” means the one which is a vibrating statue.

And then, go on looking at that statue and trying to raise your Kundalini. And Kundalini used to come up to Agnya. But the jumping beyond the Sahasrara was an impossible task, because one had to go from form to formless, and it was so difficult to get out of form to formless. And even to concentrate on abstract or formless was another impossible task as the Muslim did, or many other people tried to do.

Under these circumstances it was necessary that the formless had to take a form, so there was no more complication to you. As soon as you concentrated on the form, you became formless. Like if you have ice before you, and as soon as you start touching the ice, it melts away, and you start feeling the cool. So the problem is very easily solved now.

Puja is one of the things by which you can excite the forms into formless. Now, your centers are the centers of energies. But they too have a guiding deity sitting on all these chakras. They are also the formless made into forms. And when you do the puja, the forms melt into formless energy, and this formless energy then starts flowing, and that, then blows the wind. And that’s how this misidentification, superimpositions on the Spirit are removed.

Now, you cannot think about the puja. The whole thing happens in a realm which is beyond thinking. So, you have to understand that you cannot rationalize the puja. You should have the maximum advantage on your chakras. For that you must fully just concentrate on the puja and how the wind is blowing. And the wind will see to it, that they drive out all the clouds.

So, your only work is, or your only method is just to concentrate on the puja, and witness. You are a “seer”. “Seer” has double meaning. The one who sees only, just sees, and is only knowledge, is a seer. Without any thought, without any reaction, just sees and absorb, automatically, spontaneously, is the seer. And so, that is the best way to perform a puja.

For Me sometimes it’s burdensome, because there should be some parity between you and the deities. Some balance must be there. Here you are saying all the mantras and the deities are awakened, and there you are, who do not want to receive anything within your heart. So, I am the one who has to store up all the extra energy that is produced in the body.

So, it would be better if you all keep your hearts open and watch the puja without thinking about it. Today we’ll reverse the method of puja. First, we’ll do the havana and then the puja, will be better. Because by that we’ll evoke the fire element, which burns away all the evils. When you wash My feet, you do the same thing. And even when you evoke the fire, you do the same thing. So today first we’ll have the havana and then we’ll have the puja. Both are just the same. You can worship Me with water or with fire.

The essence of fire is the glow, “tejas”. All that is wrong, all that is evil is burned out, and then the glow shows on the faces and the body of the seekers. And also atmosphere is charged with the beautiful vibrations when you have the havana. So, I think best thing will be to do the havan first and then the puja.

May God bless you all!

Of course, always we have to praise Ganesha before starting any puja, so you start praising Shri Ganesha.

Alexandre: Mother, we have learned the Ganesha “Atvatham Shirsham”.
Shri Mataji: Atharva, Atharvashirsha. Ganesha Atharvashirsha.
Alexandre: Then we’ll say in French, or in English, I don’t know, up to You.
Shri Mataji: All right, say it in French.
Or better to translate it because there are other people.
Alexandre: OK.
Shri Mataji: First English and then French.
Alexandre: And first, in Sanskrit we don’t say, Mother?
Shri Mataji: It’s all right, I can understand English all right.
[Laughter]
It’s all mantras for Me to understand.
Alexandre: Shri Ganesha. Om tawme wa sakchat, Shri Ganesha sakchat, Shri Adi Shalti Mataji, Shri Nirmala Devi namoh namaha
The holy mantra of Shri Mataji. [The three great mantras]
[Ganesha Atharvashirsha in English and in French]

Shri Mataji: Beautiful. Voice is very beautiful. It’s good. All right, now.
Right now we’ll be having the fire. It’s all right.

Shri Mataji: Now, how do you make it [inaudible]
Alexandre: There’s already some, it’s behind.
Camila, there’s some work for you to do.
Come along. You can look after the fire.
Let others see the fire.
Alexandre: Mother, [first should] we recite Your names or names of Shri Vishnu?
Vishnu, Vishnu’s names?
Shri Mataji: Yes, Vishnu’s names.
Alexandre: 108 names of Vishnu?
Shri Mataji: It would be better Vishnu’s names.
Have you got 1000 names?
Alexandre: Not, 108 names.
Shri Mataji: Devi’s?
Alexandre: Devi’s we can go.
Marie: The Devi’s names Mother we have a translation in French
Alexandre: 108. Mother is asking for 1000. We have Lalita Sahasranama.
Shri Mataji: But who knows Sanskrit? It’s in Hindi?
Alexandre: It’s written in French.
Shri Mataji: All right, then it’s all right.

Sahaja Yogi: The vibrated Kumkum.
Shri Mataji: Now you put some water in it and put it to all the people, now.
Today I would say that from France those who came to see Me, from all these places, one from each centre should come forward.

One from Britany.
These are too big, I think. You can put the bigger ones to make a triangle first, downward. The bigger ones.

Maria? The triangle on the three sides.
Marie: Where do they come Mother, for the havan?
Shri Mataji: One on top of another, this be better. Yes, it’s closer, yes, that’s why.

Sahaja Yogini: Would You like some tea or?
Shri Mataji: Yes, it would be nice
Sahaja Yogini: More than water, you don’t want water, yes Mother.

Shri Mataji: No, no, no, something like a [inaudible] paper like thing, lighter.
Is that the light thing? And have you got camphor with you? Something lighter to be, underneath.
You don’t have anything. Make it smaller, smaller here, yes.
Put it on top of this thing, not underneath. Not underneath, put it on top.
Covering this. Yes, put these on top.
Yes, like that, yes, that’s the right thing.

You have to keep a hole in between. Arrange it in such a way there is a hole in between, in the centre.

All right, now arrange on top of this. Now, this is all right. Please cover with this [inaudible]. I think there should be a platform first. There should be a platform first and then, in the centre there should be a platform.
Yes, make a platform there, yes, down here, yes, that’s it. And on the platform- just wait, Marcus, on the platform you put another thing. That’s better, yeah. Do you have some more with you? All right. Like that, yes.
To begin with that’s sufficient.
That’s all.

Alexandre: Mother we have Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram and Shri Lalita.
Shri Mataji: But it should be in Sanskrit.
Alexandre: No, there is, also here it’s written in…
Shri Mataji: You can read that.
Alexandre: Yes.
Shri Mataji: So.
Alexandre: This is Vishnu’s names.
Shri Mataji: You’d like to do 108 names, yes? What we do, we can do 108 of the Goddess and 108 of Shri Vishnu, that’s the best.
Alexandre: All right, Mother. All right.

Shri Mataji: And one from Paris also should be there, a new person.
Alexandre: A new person yes.

Shri Mataji: From Paris, someone. 58:36
Shri Mataji: Children, please, you’d better now [inaudible].
Marie: Mother?
Shri Mataji: Yes.
Marie: We have the 108 names translated in French in the form of a poem.
Shri Mataji: Oh. Where?
Marie: Here.
Shri Mataji: [Inaudible]
Now, can you put something for Me there?
Alexandre: You want to sit here, on the chair?
Shri Mataji: You tell them also; I’ll guide them better.
Some chair.
Vanessa you come here, you come and sit here, this side.
You come this side. All the children can sit next to Me.
I’m worried about it.
[Cut in the video] 59:53
Alexandre: Shall we say the mantra for the fire, Mother?
We have to say together Shri Agni Devata, who is the Devi-
Shri Mataji: Be careful about it. Don’t be too near. Little further, it’s moving all the time.
Now say the mantra.
Alexandre: Shri Agni Devata who is a Devi, the aspect of fire in Shri Mataji.
[Collective mantra]
Shri Swaha Swamini who is a principle of-
Shri Mataji: No, no. What’s the?
Alexandre: Swaha Swamini.
Shri Mataji: OK. Swa-ha.
Swaha is the quality of the, of the fire which consumes everything. Swa-ha.
[Collective mantra]

Shri Mataji: Now, after every name that he takes, you have to take the thing from your hand like this, and take it round to the right side and put it in the fire. But those who haven’t got these things in the hand should take up just their hand like that, thinking that they have it in their hand, and moving it upward like that and put it in the fire. And you all should say “Swaha”. Now, just a minute. After every name, after every name.
Alexandre: The 108 names of Shri Vishnu. First, Mother, it’s all right?
Shri Mataji: First the Devi.
Alexandre: First the Devi, sorry.
OM twame wa sakchat Shri Mata namaha
OM, Swaha
OM twame wa sakchat Shri Maharajni namaha
OM, Swaha…

Shri Mataji: Now we’ll do the Vishnu Sahasranama, hundred and eight. Again, you distribute the rice, distribute it.
Alexandre: Is it enough, Mother?
Shri Mataji: Beg your pardon?
Alexandre: Is it enough, it should be made quickly, the names?
Shri Mataji: What’s the time now?
Alexandre: The time?
Marie: It’s 2 o’clock, Mother.
Alexandre: 2 pm. We have only to be at 6.30 in Paris later on. But You don’t need to be there as early. We can arrive before You and we can give a practical session to the people. Explain them to [inaudible].
Shri Mataji: Then you should come at 6 pm.
Alexandre: Yes, that’s true.

Shri Mataji: You see, these people want to be there only for their body.
Alexandre: Yes, that’s true.
Shri Mataji: One fellow, he has got back pain.
Alexandre: Yes, something like that.
Shri Mataji: He’s the only one who had. You bring the oil and all that and you can massage him.
Alexandre: Yes, all right, Mother. We’ll give him a treatment. No problem. I think we can manage.
Shri Mataji: You would like to do 108 [inaudible]
Alexandre: Some people can go there and give them a practical session Mother, on how to meditate in Sahaja Yoga, how to work on themselves.
Shri Mataji: So, I said, 21 names of Vishnu are sufficient.
Alexandre: All right, Mother. OK.
[Collective mantras]

Shri Mataji: OK. What you call the finishing part of it [inaudible]. For that you have to use some sort of a fruit. Last thing. Would you have something? What is the special fruit of France?
Alexandre: The special fruit of France? Apples!
Shri Mataji: Apples, or you should have…
Alexandre: Strawberries, cherries, cherries and grape, grape, Mother!
Shri Mataji: Grape is the best.
[Laughter]
Alexandre: You have to bless it, Mother.
Shri Mataji: That’s the real thing. You just bring that.
That’s all. This is not sufficient.
You bring it here, bring it here.
So now, this is the ultimate puja we have done now. This is the end of the puja, it’s finished. Throw all that in there. All the, all the remaining things are to be thrown.
Yes, put it.

Now, we have put today the grapes in it. That means the grapes will lose their capacity to ferment.
[Laughter]

That’s the best. Ah, the wind is blowing now. So, let’s then have our lunch and do the Puja inside as outside it’s very cold. [Inaudible]
The main thing was to have the havan today
[Hindi].
Alexandre: Mother, the dinner is not ready.
Shri Mataji: Hum?
Alexandre: The lunch is not ready.
Shri Mataji: Not ready, is it?
Alexandre: Not, yes. In one hour, in one hour.
Shri Mataji: So, we’ll finish the puja.
Alexandre: Yes, Mother.