___The Goddess Lakshmi arose from the Ocean of Milk, during the great churning of the oceans.
Last night I donned one of my saris and headed out to celebrate the Festival of Lights, Indian Devali.
Image via shedrums
This morning, I woke up with a bindi.
Last night, at the home of Indian friends, I offered fruit and lotus petals to the goddess Lakshmi, who offers Divine Energy (Shakti) and the blessings of wealth and happiness. At the altar, Ami pushed a gilded, red bindi on my forehead, and offered puja. And then there were lassis and an impressive 
offering of delicious Indian food that practically made me melt in rapture. In another life, I was Indian. The incense, the candles, the rich, mythological legends of gods and goddesses are, for me, a pageantry. And, the warm hospitality shown to me by my Indian friends is balm for a troubled soul: a contrast of light and color in the dark streets of the city.
The warmth and radiance of this painting touches my heart.
Posted by: Princess Haiku | Sunday, 18 November 2007 at 03:22 AM