In a miraculous demonstration of the power of prayer,  predictions of rain proved false as the Peetadhipathi of Devipuram and head of Soundarya Lahiri, Shri Subbarao Kompella performed the Ashtalakshmi Sametha Mahalakshmi Homam done in the open at the Great Brook Farms in Carlisle, MA on August 30, 2009.

"Mahalakshmi proves that She is more powerful than any weather predictions. I had told the volunteers to go ahead full swing with the preparations and leave the weather to the Goddess," said Subbarao. "She came through as expected."

This is the second time that the weather have been proved wrong and the rain stayed away during a Soundarya Lahiri event. The last homam held at Georges Island had a similar experience.

This particular Mahalakshmi homam was originally performed 800 years ago by Vidyaranya Swami to receive the Pratyaksha darshan and blessings of Sri Mahalakshmi. The yagam involves nine homa kundas for invoking the Asta (eight) Lakshmis and Mahalakshmi and worshiping them in fire with Four powerful Mantras coupled together in a unique way and using different Sowbhagya Dravyas such as 108 Vana Mulikas (Herbs), nagakesaras, perfumes, ashtaganda, edible camphor, saffron different flowers, etc.

In the typical Soundarya Lahiri style, every participant performed the homam by themselves under the guidance of Guru Subbarao. He explained the mantras clearly and showed how to correctly perform the pooja. "You need to pour the Ghee in only when I say Svaha. Agni Dev is the communication medium, and He opens His during the chanting of the Svaha and conveys your offering to the Deity in whose honor the prayer is being done" said Guruji.

He also advocated the chanting of the Mantra.

"Om Sreem Hreem Sreem Kamaley Kamalalaye, Praseeda Praseeda, Sreem Hreem Sreem Om, Mahalakshmiye Namaha"

He asked that people chant this daily 8 times in the morning and the evening.

For the participants doing the homam in the green pastures of the Great Brook Farms under a clear blue sky presence of the Divine was perceptible.

"Our next homam will be one that is performed by children," said Guruji. The volunteers who spent countless hours setting up the homam, breaking it down and providing all the requirements for the prayers should be applauded for the terrific job they did .

For more information on Devipuram, please check out their website at http://www.devipuram.com.

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