The 10 Great Hindu Observances

I came across the following... And it got me thinking, that the more of these which we can attain, the more content we as an individual shall become. How many can you say you have attained?

1 Patience, firmness and stability (Dhruti)

2 Forgiveness (Kshama)

3 Self-control and contentment (Dama)

4 Not to steal or conceal, or be selfish (Asteya)

5 Cleanliness, purity and honesty (Saucham)

6 Control over senses and sexual energy (Indriya Nigraha)

7 Right knowledge of the scripture (Dhee)

8 Material and spiritual knowledge or study (Vidya)

9 Truth (Satya)

10 Absence of anger (Akrodha)

Some Thoughts...

Everything is the Lords leela... We do not know what is going to happen. We sometimes spend endless time worrying about the "what-if" and "how can I". Pray to Bhagwan, and it will help you... Praying with pure bhakti and devotion will help you feel better, because remembering the Lord, will help you forget all your other worries.

- Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless who have no bed to lie in.

- Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, know that there are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

- Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

- Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

- Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.

- Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

- Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

- Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, what is my purpose? Be thankful, there are those who don't live long enough to get the opportunity.

- Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember, things could be worse. You could be them!

- Should you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten someone's day.

"Imagine The World Today" - TELECOM ITALIA S.P.A. "GANDHI"

Imagine the world today - if he could have communicated like this...

Here is simply a superb advertisement that shows popularity and respect to Gandhiji. A great advertisement, ironically from a non-Indian company!

This ad won the EPICA awards for "Film Award, in the Communications Service."

Although the award was in 2004, we are only finding out about it now! With this post, I would like to Thank everybody behind this and and enlightening us. We are honoured and glad.

Indeed we need to think on the message "Imagine the world today, if he could have communicated like this."

Click the link: TELECOM ITALIA S.P.A. "GANDHI"

Finally, a BIG "Thank You" to the devotee in England, for emailing the link to me. Keep me informed, and I shall keep all informed!

"The True History and the Religion of India: A Concise Encyclopedia of Authentic Hinduism" - By Swami Prakashanand Saraswati

I purchased the above book for myself... Having gone through it, I simply had to recommend this book to as many people as possible. It is not a "light" read. Being hard-backed and with around 800 pages (dependending on whether you purchase an India printed copy or American one), its not something you can carry around with you! However, don't let that put you off!

This single book covers topics which you would find dozens of of books. It covers the arguments of evolution (big-bang theory) and how they are illogical! How Brahma created the universe, our Hindu Dharma evolved and the first Man (Swayambhuva Manu) and Woman (Shatroopa) were created.

An earlier chapter of the book cover topics on the Sankrit language, and how the British tried to destroy the culture, religion and history of India! This is all documented by the author Swami Prakashanand Saraswati with references to the orignal material written by the Europeans scandalizing our dharma!

The contents of the book can be viewed here: Contents

"The accounts of this book reveal the complete history, philosophy, knowledge of our eternal Divine scriptures and the Divinity of Bhartiya religion in a precise manner; thus, it is a concise encyclopedia of authentic Hinduism produced for the first time in 400 years. Bhartiya history, philosophy and the knowledge of God and God realization are the various aspects of one single Divinity, and thus, they are all intertwined together. You cannot claim to know one aspect without knowing the others, and that needs proper training, learning and a careful understanding of all the facts that are related to Hinduism.

As it describes all the aspects of Hinduism in a precise and concentrated manner, this book has to be studied like a text book, not like a regular reading material, because its every word and every sentence has its value. Just like a lawyer, while studying a law book, if he skips even 2% of its sections, his knowledge remains incomplete and he cannot fully understand the law until he studies the entire book. Similarly, to understand Hinduism, you have to study and learn all of its features: social, cultural, historical and the Divine. Only then you can have the correct understanding of Hinduism that was introduced and established by Brahma through the Vedas and the Puranas, and was further augmented by the descensions of supreme God, Bhagwan Ram and Krishn."

Purchasing the book

:: If you are in Austin, Texas (USA), then you can go to the Barsanadham temple.

:: From the book website (orders in America)

:: Amazon USA (You can still order from here if you are in the UK.)

:: Amazon UK

Finally, I use the source "Abe Books", (who have both a UK and USA websites, depending on where you wish the book to be delivered) to order many books. I recently ordered another copy from a bookstore in India:

:: AbeBooks USA

:: AbeBooks UK

I hope you purchase a book! I am not affiliated with the author, publisher or sellers of this book. I just feel that this book is such a good read - every Hindu household should have a copy!

Monday Morning Sutra...

Every Monday morning, I receive a Sutra (email) from Sandipani Vidyaniketan, and I thought I would share this mornings message with you all. But first, let me explain what a Sutra is.

Sūtra literally means a rope or thread that holds things together. In Hinduism the sutras form a school of Vedic study and they are used to serve and continue to act as grand treatises on various schools of Hindu Philosophy. They elaborate in succinct verse, sometimes esoteric, Hindu views of metaphysics, cosmogony, the human condition, moksha (liberation), and how to maintain a blissful, dharmic life, in a cosmic spin of karma, reincarnation and desire.

A sutra - the thread will help you weave your life blissfully and karmically into achieving moksha. When the thread becomes thicker and stonger thus becoming a rope - it shall help pull you towards God.

If you know Hindi, you can click on the text below to read it in full size:

Sukh ki aasakti mein dukh ka nimantran hai. Jahan sansaar makaan, dukaan, putra, parivar aadi ek pal ka sukh dete hain, doosre hi kshan dukh bhi dete hain.

Attachment towards happiness is an invitation to unhappiness. Temporal pleasures such as possessions, wealth, family and relatives give happiness for one moment and grief the very next moment.

- Pujya Bhaishri

Deepavali Sandesh 2006

A Diwali Sandesh mailing went out today. If you did not receive it, please click on this link to download it.

Shubh! Shubh! Deepavali!

"Follow The Cowherd Boy" - By J.A. Joshi

I am delighted to write this post, for I have been lucky enough to read the manuscript of "Follow the Cowherd Boy", which comes out officially on Wednesday 25th October! Having heard the Bhajans of Mirabai and knowing a little about her life, the book gave me a beautiful insight into her life and educated me on the history, customs and traditions within Indian in the 16th century.

If you've heard of Mirabai, then this is a book you must certainly read to know more about her. If you've not heard of her - then what are you waiting for...?

Below is a brief synopsis of the novel:

"Follow the Cowherd Boy” is the story of Princess Mira Ratan Rathore, who was born in Rajasthan, India during the 16th century. The area, located on the India and Pakistan border, was plagued by waves of attacks from invading tribes of Moghuls and Afghans. The conquering tribes tried to force the local Indian Hindu people to convert to Islam."

Mira, a princess of war-torn Merta, has been in love with Krishna since she was five years old. When her father arranges her marriage to Bhoj, the prince of the neighboring kingdom Merwar, she is devastated. She ultimately agrees to the marriage in order to save her people from invading Moghuls. The alliance between their kingdoms brings peace to the land but is fragile. Her marriage brings surprises not only to Mira but to Bhoj also. Then when Mira meets a wandering holy man by the name of Ravi Das, things get complicated. Ravi steers Mira through a spiritual journey that poets have sung about for centuries.

Unfortunately, Bhoj's corrupt cousin Vikram is not interested in peace. For him, Bhoj and his wife are pawns in his plan to usurp the throne of Merwar. He is a master of manipulation and Mira realizes what is happening too late.

Unbeknownst to all, there are even greater forces at work.

The book can be ordered directly from:

• The Publisher - contains excerpts
• Amazon.com (USA) - contains excerpts
• Amazon.co.uk (UK) - contains excerpts
• Amazon.ca (Canada) - contains excerpts
• Barnes & Noble
• Lehmans - Germany

About the Author

J.A. Joshi was born and raised in North London, England, the youngest of five children. Her parents fascinated her with stories about Krishna and India since she was a baby. Her fascination grew as she did. She always had passion for reading and writing which was lucky as she loved to read her own writing. By the time she was fourteen, it was a foregone conclusion that she would be a writer in a family of scientists and she completed an English Literature degree as a result. She began writing Follow the Cowherd Boy during her final year at university, completing it in 2004 when she was 22 years old.

Lewisville Leader newspaper (TX) review

Dvaraka: Lost city 'could rewrite history'

I came across the following article from the BBC News website. Although it is dated January 2002, I am surprised that I only came across this yesterday, and that other people I have spoken to were not aware of this!

The remains of what has been described as a huge lost city may force historians and archaeologists to radically reconsider their view of ancient human history.

Marine scientists say archaeological remains discovered 36 metres (120 feet) underwater in the Gulf of Cambay off the western coast of India could be over 9,000 years old.

The vast city - which is five miles long and two miles wide - is believed to predate the oldest known remains in the subcontinent by more than 5,000 years.

The site was discovered by chance last year by oceanographers from India's National Institute of Ocean Technology conducting a survey of pollution.

Using sidescan sonar - which sends a beam of sound waves down to the bottom of the ocean they identified huge geometrical structures at a depth of 120ft.

Debris recovered from the site - including construction material, pottery, sections of walls, beads, sculpture and human bones and teeth has been carbon dated and found to be nearly 9,500 years old.

Lost civilisation

The city is believed to be even older than the ancient Harappan civilisation, which dates back around 4,000 years.

Marine archaeologists have used a technique known as sub-bottom profiling to show that the buildings remains stand on enormous foundations.

"The whole model of the origins of civilisation will have to be remade from scratch"
- Graham Hancock

Author and film-maker Graham Hancock - who has written extensively on the uncovering of ancient civilisations - told BBC News Online that the evidence was compelling:

"The [oceanographers] found that they were dealing with two large blocks of apparently man made structures.

"Cities on this scale are not known in the archaeological record until roughly 4,500 years ago when the first big cities begin to appear in Mesopotamia.

"Nothing else on the scale of the underwater cities of Cambay is known. The first cities of the historical period are as far away from these cities as we are today from the pyramids of Egypt," he said.

Chronological problem

This, Mr Hancock told BBC News Online, could have massive repercussions for our view of the ancient world.

"There's a huge chronological problem in this discovery. It means that the whole model of the origins of civilisation with which archaeologists have been working will have to be remade from scratch," he said.

However, archaeologist Justin Morris from the British Museum said more work would need to be undertaken before the site could be categorically said to belong to a 9,000 year old civilisation.

"Culturally speaking, in that part of the world there were no civilisations prior to about 2,500 BC. What's happening before then mainly consisted of small, village settlements," he told BBC News Online.

Dr Morris added that artefacts from the site would need to be very carefully analysed, and pointed out that the C14 carbon dating process is not without its error margins.

It is believed that the area was submerged as ice caps melted at the end of the last ice age 9-10,000 years ago

Although the first signs of a significant find came eight months ago, exploring the area has been extremely difficult because the remains lie in highly treacherous waters, with strong currents and rip tides.

The Indian Minister for Human Resources and ocean development said a group had been formed to oversee further studies in the area.

"We have to find out what happened then ... where and how this civilisation vanished," he said.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1768109.stm

Makar-Sankranti

This year (2006) Makar-Sankranti is on the 14 in the first half (sudh) of the months of Posh. Last year, it was on the 5. Makar-Sankranti is probably only one festival, which does not follow the vedic calendar, for every year, it falls on January 14th. This is further explained in the "Astrological Significance" section below. However, before you continue reading might I add, its great to be back on such an auspiscious day! :) Enjoy the information below:

Introduction of Makar Sankranti

Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious day for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & gaiety. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag and pray to Lord Sun. It is celebrated with pomp in southern parts of the country as Pongal, and in Punjab is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi. Gujarati's not only look reverentially up to the sun, but also offer thousands of their colorful oblations in the form of beautiful kites all over the skyline. They may be trying to reach upto their glorious God or bring about greater proximity with the one who represents the best. It is a day for which Bhishma Pitamah kept waiting to leave his mortal coil.

Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God of Hindus begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere. Sun for the Hindus stands for Pratyaksha-Brahman - the manifest God, who symbolizes, the one, non-dual, self-effulgent, glorious divinity blessing one & all tirelessly. Sun is the one who transcends time and also the one who rotates the proverbial Wheel of Time. The famous Gayatri Mantra, which is chanted everyday by every faithful Hindu, is directed to Sun God to bless them with intelligence & wisdom. Sun not only represents God but also stands for an embodiment of knowledge & wisdom. Lord Krishna reveals in Gita that this manifested divinity was his first disciple, and we all know it to be indeed a worthy one too. No Sundays for the Sun, may be because one who revels in its very 'being', the very essence of his own Self, is always in the Sunday mood.

The co-relation of cosmic events with individual life and values is one of the most astounding traits of Hindu Masters. Once this co-relation is brought about thereafter these cosmic events become instrumental to remind us the best which we cherish & value. Of all the cosmic bodies Sun is the most glorious & important, thus every sun-centric cosmic event became very important spiritual, religious & cultural events. On Makar Sankranti day the Sun begins its ascendancy and journey into the Northern Hemisphere, and thus it signifies an event wherein the Gods seem to remind their children that 'Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya'. May you go higher & higher - to more & more Light and never to darkness.

Astrological Significance

Makar means Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankranti's as well. Each of these sankranti's has its own relative importance but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day begins the six-month long Uttarayana, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter. While the traditional Indian Calendar is basically based on lunar positions, but sankranti is a solar event, so while dates of all festivals keep changing, the english calendar date of Makar Sankranti is always same, 14th January. Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the Hindu Calendar month of Magha. There is another significance of this day, after this day the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on decline.

Religious Significance

1. The Puranas say that on this day Sun visits the house of his son Shani, who is the swami of Makar Rashi. These father & son do not ordinarily get along nicely, but inspite of any difference between each other Lord Sun makes it a point to meet each other on this day. Father in fact himself comes to his son’s house, for a month. This day symbolized the importance of special relationship of father & son. It is the son who has the responsibility to carry forward his fathers dream and the continuity of the family.


2. From Uttarayana starts the ‘day’ of Devatas, while dakshinayana is said to be the ‘night’ of devatas, so most of the auspicious things are done during this time. Uttarayana is also called as Devayana, and the next half is called Pitrayana.


3. It was on this day when Lord Vishnu ended the ever increasing terrorism of the Asuras by finishing them off and burying their heads under the Mandar Parvat. So this occasion also represents the end of negativities and beginning of an era of righteous living.


4. The great savior of his ancestors, Maharaj Bhagirath, did great Tapasya to bring Gangaji down on the earth for the redemption of 60,000 sons of Maharaj Sagar, who were burnt to ashes at the Kapil Muni Ashram, near the present day Ganga Sagar. It was on this day that Bhagirath finally did tarpan with the Ganges water for his unfortunate ancestors and thereby liberated them from the curse. After visiting the Patala for the redemption of the curse of Bhagirath’s ancestors Gangaji finally merged in the Sagar. Even today a very big Ganga Sagar Mela is organized every year on this day at the confluence of River Ganges and the Bay of Bengal. Lakhs take dip in the water and do tarpan for their ancestors.
   
   We salute such a great devotee & benefactor of his ancestors. One who can express such gratitude to his ancestors, work with tireless resolve to redeem the pride, pledges & resolves of his forefathers, alone possess a personality, which the history reveals to be a true benefactor of the world too. A person who has severed his own roots gets soon rooted out in the flow of time. Moral of the story is to see to it that the roots of the tree of ‘our’ life are not only intact but nourished well, thereafter alone the tree blooms & flourishes.
   
   There is another spiritually symbolic aspect of this story. The 60,000 cursed son of Maharaj Sagar represent our thoughts, who become dull & dead-like because of uncultured & blind ambition. Redemption of such people is only by the waters of Gangaji, brought down ‘to’ & later ‘from’ the Himalayas with great tapasya. This represents dedicated hard work to get the redeeming Brahma-Vidya, which alone enlightens, enthuses & enlivens the life of anyone.


5. Another well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bhishma, declared his intent to leave his mortal coil on this day. He had the boon of Ichha-Mrityu from his father, so he kept lying on the bed of arrows till this day and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day. It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayana, becomes free from transmigration. So this day was seen as a sure-shot Good Luck day to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.

Jalaram Bapa Jayanti - Tuesday 8 November 2005

Life Story of Jalaram Bapa

Shree Jalaram Bapa was born in the year 1800 AD in the village Virpur, Gujarat. His mother, Rajbai was very fond of serving sadhus and saints. No sadhu and saint could go from Virpur without receiving the hospitality of Rajbai. Shree Jalaram Bapa's father's name was Pradhan Thakkar, who was engaged in business.

At the tender age of 16, Jalaram married Virbai, daughter of Thakkar Pragji Somajia. Jalaram was however not inclined to live household life and to continue to do business with his father. He is mostly engaged in serving sadhus and saints. He separated himself from his father's business and stayed with his uncle, Valjibhai, who was very fond of Jalaram. It was obvious that Jalaram was inclined to completely withdraw from marital life. Fortunately his wife, Virbaima decided to follow the path of Jalaram. So, when Jalaram decided to go for a pilgrimage for holy places, Virbaima followed him.

At the age of 18, Jalaram Bapa accepted Shree Bhojalram from Fatehpur as guru and was given a "Guru Malaa and Mantra" in the name of Shree Ram. With blessings of his guru, he started "Sadavrat" a feeding centre, a place where all sadhus and saints as well as the needy could have food any time during 24 hours. Nobody returned from that place without having food. All this he did single handed with Virbaima assisting him.

Soon his fame spread as an incarnation of the divine. Whoever come to Virpur, whether Hindu or Muslim was fed by Bapa. Once three Arabs in the service of Thakore of Rajkot demanded an increase in wages by four rupees in a month. Being refused, the Arabs resigned and set out to Junagadh. On their way, they hunted few birds and kept them in their shoulder bag. When they reached Virpur, Bapa asked them to have their meals and then go. When they protested that they were Muslims, Bapa said that in the court of God there was no distinction in caste and creed and they were welcome.

The three Arabs had their meals in the temple but they were embarrassed that they were carrying dead birds in their bag. The Bapa touched the bag and said that the birds were feeling suffocated. The Arabs opened the bag and found that the birds were alive. They flew away to a nearby tree. The Arabs were amazed and understood that they were in the presence of divine person. They fell at his feet and asked whether they would get a job in Junagadh.

Bapa said "What was the need to have a job in Junagadh? The Arabs serve only one master." Just at that time, a camel man sent by Thakore of Rajkot arrived there. He took back the Arabs with him saying that Thakore has sanctioned an increment of seven rupees in their wages.


There are many stories about the greatness of the saint of Virpur. Remembering the stories, we can fill the heart with devotion and gratitude.

In 1934, Jalaram Bapa worked very hard for whose who were struck by the terrible famine. In 1935 Virbama died and in 1937 Jalaram Bapa left his body in his prayers. This is the story of the great saint of Virpur.

Source: website

The Five Days of Diwali - Day 5

The Fifth Day of Diwali - Bhai Beej

The fifth day of Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated as Bhaiya Dooj, popularly know as Bhai Dooj. The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e it falls on Dooj, the second day after the new moon. This day Yamaraj went to his sister's house who put an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. Thus, on this day sisters perform puja for their brothers safety and well being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love.

Another version is after killing Narakasur, Lord Krishna, went to his sister Subhadra who welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting on his forehead a tilak of her sisterly protection. Another myth behind this begins as when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during this festival.

The festival of Diwali is not complete without "Bhaiyya-Duj" in the Hindi-speaking belt, "Bhav--Bij" in the Marathi-speaking communities, "Bhai Phota" to the Bengalees and in Nepal by the name of "Bhai-Tika".

Diwali is a personal, people-oriented festival when enmities are forgotten, families and friends meet, enjoy and establish a word of closeness. Reflecting this essence, Bhai dooj has its own importance in continuing to maintain the love between brothers and sisters for it is the day of food-sharing, gift-giving and reaching out to the inner most depths of the hearts.

As a festival of light and beauty it encourages artistic expressions through home-decorations stage-plays, elocution competitions singing and dancing programmes, making gift items and making delectable sweets thereby discovering new talents of younger people. As a result innumerable communities with varying cultures and customs mingle together to make Bhai Dooj celebrations a very happy occasion for all.

Vikram Samvant 2062 Naya Varsh Ki Abhinandan

Diwali is a time to spend with family and friends. It is a joyous occasion, with laughter and merriment, mouth watering foods and homes decorated with rangoli and diyas. However, sometimes, we cannot be with those close to our hearts as they are not with us anymore. They may have become a departed soul, or they may be somewhere else in this world. My heart goes out to all those who are missing their dear one, and are facing this Diwali without them. I pray that this new year is not as difficult as the one gone by and that peace, laughter, health, happiness and prosperity comes back into all our lives.

Dipa-Anjali and Anuraga

~ would like to take this
opportunity to thank
all the readers and contributors
of their websites a ~

Happy, Peaceful, Healthy and Prosperous new year.

A Diwali Sandesh mailing went out last week. If you did not receive it, please click on this link to download it.

The Five Days of Diwali - Day 4

The Fourth Day of Diwali - Padwa & Govardhan Puja

Padwa

The day following the Amavasya is "Kartik Shuddh Padwa" and it is only on this day that the King Bali would come out of Pathal Loka and rule Bhulok as per the boon given by Lord Vishnu. Hence, it is also known as "Bali Padyami". This day also marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya and Vikaram-Samvat was started from this Padwa day.

Gudi Padwa is symbolic of love and devotion between the wife and husband. On this day newly-married daughters with their husbands are invited for special meals and given presents. In olden days brothers went to fetch their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day.

Govardhan-Puja

Govardhan-Puja is also performed in the North on this day. Govardhan is a small hillock in Braj, near Mathura and on this day of Diwali people of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar build cowdung, hillocks, decorate them with flowers and then worship them. This festival is in commemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Krishna. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul.

People were afraid that the downpour was a result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra accepted the supremacy of Krishna.

This day is also observed as Annakoot meaning mountain of food. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-six or 108 different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. In temples specially in Mathura and Nathadwara, the deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and take Prasad from it.

The Five Days of Diwali - Day 3

The Third Day of Diwali - Laxshmi Puja

The third day of the festival of Diwali is the most important day of Lakshmi-puja and is entirely devoted to the propitiation of Goddess Lakshmi. On this very day sun enters his second course and passes Libra which is represented by the balance or scale. Hence, this design of Libra is believed to have suggested the balancing of account books and their closing. Despite the fact that this day falls on an amavasya day it is regarded as the most auspicious.

The day of Lakshmi-Puja falls on the dark night of Amavasya. The strains of joyous sounds of bells and drums float from the temples as man is invoking Goddess Laxmi in a wondrous holy "pouring-in" of his heart. All of a sudden that impenetrable darkness is pierced by innumerable rays of light for just a moment and the next moment a blaze of light descends down to earth from heaven as golden-footed Deep-Lakshmi alights on earth in all her celestial glory amidst chantings of Vedic hymns.

A sublime light of knowledge dawns upon humanity and this self enlightenment is expressed through the twinkling lamps that illuminate the palaces of the wealthy as well as the lowly abodes of the poor. It is believed that on this day Lakshmi walks through the green fields and loiters through the bye-lanes and showers her blessings on man for plenty and prosperity.

Lakshmi Pooja, or the worship of the goddess of wealth, is the main event on Diwali in North and West India. It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. This is also the reason why the broom is worshiped on this day with offerings of haldi and kumkum (turmeric and vermilion). Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up Her path.

Lakshmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities: Ganesha is worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta; Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in her three forms - Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali; Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.

The Five Days of Diwali - Day 2

The Second Day of Diwali - Chhoti Diwali

The day before Diwali is celebrated as Choti Diwali / Narak Chaturdasi or 'small Diwali'. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made the world free from fear. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit and fewer crackers burst. The morning after Choti Diwali, the women of the house make beautiful, colored rangoli in the doorway and courtyard. Tiny footprints made out of rice paste are a special feature of the rangolis made for Diwali. In Hindu homes, Choti Diwali celebrations involve a ritual puja to Lakshmi and also to Rama in the evening. Songs in honor of the god are sung and aarti is performed.

On this day, one should massage the body with oil to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest so that Diwali can be celebarated with vigour and devotion.

Legends

The story goes that the demon king Narakasur ruler of Pragjyotishpur (a province to the South of Nepal) after defeating Lord Indra had snatched away the magnificent earrings of Aditi, the Mother Goddess (the ruler of Suraloka and a relative of Satyabhama, Lord Krishna's wife) and imprisoned sixteen thousand daughters of the gods and saints in his harem.

On coming to know about this, Satyabhama was enraged by Narakasura's malevolence towards women, and she appealed to Krishna to give her the golden chance to destroy Narakasura. The legend also says that Narakasura was given a curse that he would be killed by a woman. Krishna granted Satyabhama a boon to fight with Narakasura. With Krishna as the charioteer, Satyabhama entered the battle field. During the war, Krishna swooned for a while, a preordained divinely act adopted to empower Satyabhama to kill the demon. After Narakasura was beheaded, the imprisoned women were released, and Krishna accepted to marry them.

So on the day previous to Narakachaturdashi, Lord Krishna's divine intervention led to the killing of the demon, Narakasura and liberation of the imprisoned damsels as well as recovery of the precious earrings of Aditi. As a symbol of that victory Lord Krishna smeared his forehead with the demon king's blood. Krishna returned home in the very early morning of the Narakachaturdashi day. The womenfolk massaged scented oil to his body and gave him a good bath to wash away the filth from his body. Since then the custom of taking bath before sunrise on this day has become a traditional practice specially in Maharashtra.

It is interesting to note that Bhudevi, mother of the slain Narakasura, declared that his death should not be a day of mourning but an occasion to celebrate and rejoice. Since then, Deepavali is being celebrated by people every year with joyous celebrations with lot of fun and frolic, and fire works.

In South India that victory of the divine over the mundane is celebrated in a very peculiar way. People wake up before sunrise prepare a paste by mixing Kumkum in oil, symbolizing blood and after breaking a bitter fruit that represents the head of the demon King that was smashed by Krishna, apply that mixture on their foreheads. Then they have an oil bath using sandalwood paste.

In Maharashtra also, traditional early baths with oil and "Uptan" (paste) of gram flour and fragrant powders are a `must'. All through the ritual of baths, deafening sounds of crackers and fireworks are there in order that the children enjoy bathing. Afterward steamed vermicelli with milk and sugar or puffed rice with curd is served.

The Five Days of Diwali - Day 1

Diwali is a festival of joy, splendor, brightness and happiness. It is the festival of lights and is celebrated with great enthusiasm by all Indians all over the world. The uniqueness of this festival is its harmony of five varied philosophies, with each day to a special thought or ideal. People celebrate each of its five days of festivities with true understanding, it will uplift and enrich the lives.

The First Day of Diwali - Dhanteras

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at sunset, Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets offered at worship time) to Yama Raj, the Lord of Death and pray for protection from untimely death. This offering should be made near a Tulsi tree, the Holy Basil or any other sacred tree that one might have in their yard. Dhanteras falls two days before Diwali. The word "Dhan" means wealth. God Yama is worshiped on this day to provide prosperity and well being. On this day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

Believing this day to be auspicious women purchase some gold or silver or at least one or two new utensils. New Dhan or some form of precious metal is bought as a sign of good luck. "Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung.

Legends

According to legend, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Dhanavantri (the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir.

A very interesting story about this day is of the sixteen year old son of King Hima. As per his horoscope he was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.

When Yam, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

Celebrations

"Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya.

In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.

The Hindu Calendar - Part IV

The Solar Calender

This begins with Vernal Equinox, on or about March 21. The twelve months, known as the Saur Maas, correspond to the entry of the Sun into the signs of the Zodiac Rashi.

The Twelve Rashi (Zodiac Signs)

1. Maysha (Aries) The Ram
2. Vrushabha (Taurus) The Bull
3. Mithuna (Gemini) The Twins
4. Karka (Cancer) The Crab
5. Simha (Leo) The Lion
6. Kanya (Virgo) The Maiden
7. Tula (Libra) The Scales
8. Vrushchika (Scorpio) The Scorpion
9. Dhanu (Saggitarius) The Bow
10. Makar (Capricon) The Crab
11. Kumbha (Aquarius) The Pot
12. Meena (Pisces) The Fish

The first month of the lunar calender, Chaitra, corresponds to the solar month Maysha. Maysha begins on or close to 12th day of April, and this day is celebrated as the New Year Day known as Vaishakhi or Yugadhi.

Makar Sankranta, which corresponds to the entry of the Sun into Makar Rashi, occurs on January 14 every year.

Source

The Hindu Calendar - Part III

Adhika (Purushottam) Maas

Since the calender is based on the phases of the moon, the twelve as above take 354 days, 8 hours and 34.28 seconds. This creates a difference of 10 days, 21 hours and 35.16 seconds from the actual solar year (365 days, 6 hours, 9.54 seconds)

When the accumulated difference exceeds 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.865 seconds, an adjustment id made with a extra month (Adhika Maas), which carries the name of the previous or the next month, depending on the proximity of the month. Normally, seven extra months occur in 19 years.

Shalivahan Shaka

The Shalivahan Shaka is based on the lunar calender and the new year starts with Chaitra Maas (Shukla Paksha). The current year (1914) started on April 2, 1992. This calender is believed to have been initiated by King Shalivahan in the year 78 A.D.

Vikram Samvat

The Vikram Era started with Raja Vikramaditya of Ujjain, following his victory over the Saka in 56 B.C. The new year begins with the first day of Kartik following Deepawali Amaavasya. The current Vikram Samvat is 2048. The Yudhisthir Shaka, which started approximately around 5500 B.C, is not very popular today.

To be continued...

Source

The Hindu Calendar - Part II

The Lunar Calender

Each month consists of 29 to 30 days, and is based on the phases of the moon. Each month is divided into two fortnights (paksha). Shukla Paksha (Sudi) ends with a Poornimaa (full moon), and Krushna Paksha (Vaadi) ends with a Amaavasyaa (New Moon). In some regions, (eg., Uttar Pradesh) the month starts with Krushna Paksha following Poornimaa, but for most regions of Bharat, the month starts with Shukla Paksha following Amaavasya.

The twelve months of the lunar year correspond to the following calender months and make up the six seasons (Rutu) :

1. Chaitra (March-April)
2. Vaishakh (April-May) - Vasanta Rutu (Spring)
3. Jyeshta (May-June)
4. Aashaadh (June-July) - Greeshma (Summer)
5. Sharaavan (July-August)
6. Bhadrapad (August-September) - Varsha (Monsoon)
7. Ashwin (September-October)
8. Kaartik (October-November) - Sharad (Autumn)
9. Margasheersh (November-December)
10. Paush (December-January) - Hemanta (Winter)
11. Maagh (January-February)
12. Phalgun (February-March) - Shishira (Dewey)

To be continued...

Source

The Hindu Calendar - Part I

As the year of Vikram Samvat 2061 ends, beginning a new year of 2062, I thought I would bring to you some information on the Hindu calendar, and time.

The ancient Hindu seers have had a comprehensive study of time. The minute details covered by those fantastic minds in reckoning time is bewildering. The Hindu calender is based on the age of Bramha, the Creator. The life span of Creator Lord Bramha is 100 years. His age now is 51 years. Each day of Lord Bramha is designated by a Kalpa. Each Kalpa comprise of 14 Manus and each Manu consist of 71 Mahayuga. 1000 such Mahayugs completes Lord Bramha's 1 day. At present, we are in the 28th Mahayug.

One Mahayuga comprises of :

1. Krutayug = (432,000 X 4) years
2. Tretayug = (432,000 X 3) years
3. Dwaparyug = (432,000 X 2) years
4. Kaliyug = (432,000 X 1) years

We are passing the Kaliyug today, which started in the year 3102 B.C.

The Yugas are further sub-divided into 60 year cycles. The current cycle began on March 30, 1987 and will end in April 2047. Each year (called the Samvatsar, Shaka or Samvat), normally consists of the 12 months except when there is a Adhik Maas (Additional Month).

The religious ritualistic activities are mainly based on the Lunar Calender. However, some regions of Bharat follow the Solar Calender.

To be continued...

Source