Kashi Satsangh - Hindu Prayers and Hymns

KASID SATSANGH - Hindu Prayers and Hymns is a collection of Mantras, Stotrams, Chaalisas, Aartis and Bhajans. This collection was assembled during my studies in Kashi - India. My inspiration to do this came from many sources during my lifetime and also mostly inspired during my time in India.

There is no claim to originality in this work. The words and information within this book are all available in ancient and modern scriptural work. To all the authors, creators, known and unknown, I owe a deep debt of gratitude to all of them.

My hope is that this book will allow seekers, practitioners, followers and inquisitive minds to learn, practice, and sing the praises of God through any of the mediums listed. Mantras become a part of our minds, Stotrams sing the mighty praises of God, Aartis allow us to perform worship to God, Chaalisas reminds us of the many actions performed by God, and Bhajans allow us to rejoice and be connected with God.

Some of us are born with the intent to pursue our passion, while some of us are born with the intent on sacrificing so our children can pursue their passion. I was lucky enough to be one of those children who has never had to sacrifice. I have always been told I can do whatever I feel is right for me, whatever I feel is challenging or comfortable. I have always been able to take advantage of each opportunity that carne my way from the help and support of my parents. They have always made sure I had everything I needed and more, all the while teaching me values and morals that will take me far in living an honest and fulfilling life. Our family dynamic has grown tremendously as Ravi and I have matured. Our family unit is a form of support, love and guidance and it is something to never be questioned, something that will always remain, no matter where we live, who enters our lives, or where our lives, opportunities, and sacrifices take us.

My father has been speaking about studying in India all my life. He has been speaking about studying music, writing a book, and experiencing the way of life there. This is a man who carne to the United States with nothing, built a life for himself and his family, worked the the graveyard shifts in the beginning of his career around the time I was born, and continues to always do his part and more in philanthropic measures. Here he was going on and on about his dreams, while I am out here living mine because of him. There was no question in my mind that he needed to go. I am personally excited to have a book of his, featuring his interpretations of Sanatan Dharma to keep forever, from a time in his life where he got to fulfil his lifelong dream.

I am so proud that my father was able to do this. I am so proud that our family is able to take part in all of these opportunities and I can only thank my parents, grand- parents, and ancestors for instilling in us a strong sense of self and love for our family. My father has taught us throughout our whole life, from taking notes during presidential debates when we were 10 and being quizzed on them to writing essays on why we wanted to study abroad, but the one thing that has resonated within me is that throughout all of my family's accomplishments, my father always instilled in us the quote by Mahatma Gandhi, "Simple Living, High Thinking," and I think it was immensely symbolic that he gave up his life in his home to study his passion for Sanatan Dharma, while making sure his wife and children continued to enjoy the comfortable spoils of his success.

To my father, thank you for everything! I know your time in India was well worth it and I am so glad you were able to accomplish this in this lifetime. I cannot wait for you to come home!

**Contents and Sample Pages**