INTRODUCING
FESTIVALS & RITUALS POSTED ON HINDU REFLECTIONS
(BY N.R.
SRINIVASAN, NASHVILLE, TN, USA, FEBRUARY 2018)
We all need a religion which will stir the depths of the heart and
give room for the exercise of faith, devotion and love. In this
Hinduism has the longest history and colorful tradition with built in religious
discipline among all religions in the world being the oldest
religion. Hindu way of life is so knitted that no human activity is
segregated from the divine and so are the Hindu Festivals. Hindu
Reflections includes 72 discourses on Hindu Festivals and Rituals posted
over the past seven years. We get tired of hard work or monotonous activity in
the country of our migration. We want some change or variety. We
want relaxation. We want something to cheer us up. Celebration of
Hindu Festivals make us cheerful and happy and give us rest and
peace. Moreover it indirectly helps to promote Hindu culture in the
minds of young generation who are born in a foreign soil and are constantly
influenced by the various cultures of the land forgetting our
own. Hindu American Temples play a significant role in this to promote and
perpetuate Hindu culture.
"In India Religion has entered into the cooking pot" said
Swami Vivekananda once. It is this that makes festivals and
rituals added attraction
particularly to children! In the bargain they learn about the festival and turn
religious too! Hindus eagerly wait for a particular festival or ritual
looking forward to the Prasad (blessed food) delicacies. Tamils even name their
festivals after food--Pongal with its spiced and flavored Kichadi, Karadiyan
Nobu with its special lentil cake, Koodarai Vellam (though corrupted) for
its flavored sweet Kichadi.
Besides we have Ram Navami with varieties of Panakams (fruit juices) and spiced
lentils though a fasting day, Krishna Jayanti with 32 types of sweets
and savories, Hanuman Jayanti with crispy pepper vada, Ganesh Chaturthi
with sweet Modakams etc. Even we have special menus for Ekadasi when people
can’t observe complete fasting based on their health and constitution for
restricted sustenance diet. Perhaps this makes Hinduism spicy and so no
proselytizing is required like other religions! The list is endless.
I wonder anybody has made a booklet out of it giving the recipe and explaining
the significance? Only you need to visit Puri Jagannath Temple where every day
is celebrated as a festival day with countless delicacies offered to Lord
Jagannath. I could hardly see a priest skinny and famished there! So also
Udupi. I believe Lord Krishna takes care of his devotees very well! You have to
visit any ISKCON temple!
Celebration of Hindu Festivals and observance of Hindu
rituals takes one’s thought to Puranas. All great Hindu Festivals have religious,
social and hygienic element in them. In every festival there is bathing in the
morning before sunrise. Every individual will have to do some prayer, Japa, Kirtan,
Recitation of Sanskrit verses and Meditation.
All things in this vast creation function upon definite laws.
There is always a beautiful system and sound rationale governing every
phenomenon and process, mundane or mystical. Just as gross elements and
physical forces operate variously under different conditions, so too
the subtler and higher forces respond
and react in the inner mystic planes and in the purely spiritual process like
worship, prayer, meditation performance of rituals etc. Therefore we find
definite injunctions for performing rituals and certain types of worship like
Pradosham, Vratas, Eclipses, Ekadasi etc. Some are meant for morning
observance, some for mid-day and some others for evening observance. Thus a
sort of religious discipline is built in the worship and performance of rituals
that indirectly influences our way of life and attitude to life.
I hope this collective reporting of all introductions will help
those who are busy in their life’s pursuits to take a quick glance at them
to understand the significance of Hindu Festivals and Rituals and then go to
individual discourses at leisure to understand its full meaning and its
socio-religious significance. This will also be useful guide to introduce the
subject to young minds in our Baal Vihaar Schools and Hindu Heritage Classes.
With the
help of my classified list of discourses you may pick your discourse of choice
for your detailed study:
E-MAIL
INTRODUCTION TO HINDU FESTIVALS AND RITUALS
1. UPAAKARMA
On this day those Hindus who have undergone Upanayana
Samskaara (thread ceremony) atone for the sins committed during the year by
repeating the abreviated Vedic mantra 108 or 1008 times
"Kamokarsheet manyurakarsheet namonnamaha", change their holy
threads, pay obeisance to all the sages as a sort of Thanksgiving Ceremony and
start the study of Vedas. A detailed discourse has been
circulated to all of you with elaborate explanation as posted on the Blog
<nrsrini.blogspot.com>. I wonder why this day could not be venerated by
all to atone for the sins committed at least once in a year, pay our homage to
our scriptures and ancient sages even if they had not undergone Upanayana
Samskara?
Those of you who observe Upaakarma, it makes more sense to
repeat the whole Vedic Mantra understanding its meaning which is not too long
108 times, rather than the abbreviated one of convenience with no
significant meaning as recommended by Vaideekas (Religiously devoted Brahmins),
being an annual event. The mantras
in Vedas which has been adopted by religious followers for
convenience but not full significance read as follows:
KAMOKAARSHEET-MANYURA KARSHEET MANTRAAH FROM
MAHAA NAARAAYANA UPANISHAD OF YAJURVEDA
Kaamoekaarsheennamoe
namah| kaamoekaarsheet kaamah karoti na-aham karomi kaamah karta na-aham
kartaa kaamah kaarayitaa na-aham Kaarayitaa esha te kaama kaamaaya
swaahaa ||
Manyur-akaarsheennamo
namah | manyur-akaarsheen-manuyuh karoti na-aham karomi manyuh kartaa na-aham
kartaa manyuh kaarayitaa na-aham kaarayitaa esha te manyo manyave swaahaa ||
These mantras could also be used for Homa (fire sacrifice) to devatas as the
word "Swaaha" is
included. These Mantras with explanation can be found in the discourse:
"Homa Mantras from Mahaanaaraayana Upanishad" posted on the Blog
(Please see discourse no 5 posted on the blog in February 2012 and
communicated by e-mail to participants). As you are aware all Sandhyavandana
mantras are adopted from Maha Naaraayana Upanishad including Praanaahuti
Mantras for thanking the Supreme before and after consuming food or
offering food to your favorite deities. Sandhyaavandana mantras are daily
prayers of repentance for the sins committed during the morning hours, evenings
and nights and can be chanted by any; so also mealtime mantras given in
the discourse. Vaideekas (Religously devoted Brahmins) made them specific to
those who have undergone Upanayana Samskaara.
Hindu Temples of North America have come out with a new
set of special worshipful-days like New Year's Day, Mothers' Day, Father's Day, Valentine's
Day, Thanksgiving Day etc and also festivals suitable for all Samprdayas
(traditions) drawn from different religious cultures of India. Daily
repentance, Gayatree prayer, Thanking the Supreme before and after
mealtime is needed for
all as described in Mahaa Naaraayana Upanishad Mantras
whether they have undergone Upanayana Samskaara or not. If not possible on
daily basis with our busy life it is worth making it obligatory once a year and
paying our homage to all the sages (Navakaanda rishis) and pay our respect to
Vedas and Upanishads as we do to Valmiki and Tulsidas Ramayanas and
Bhagavadgeetaa. This will also suit children of inter-racially
married couples who respect both cultures. We cannot question the wisdom
of our pundits and temple authorities in India. But certainly we can
use our judgment and look into our practices here and dedicate this day to Kaamokaarsheet Manyurakaarsheet Homa, Navakaanda
Rishis Homa and Japas as an annual event for all. This would
make lot of sense which will be pleasing to all. Please visit the Blog:
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a discourse on “Sraavan Poornima Rituals and
Festivals (Upaakarma, Rakshaabhandan etc.)”
2. GARUDA
PANCHAMI AND NAAGA PANCHAMI
\Why do Hindus venerate animals? Why do they celebrate
Garuda Panchami and Naaga Panchami? Who is Garuda? Who is Ananta? Which are the
divine serpents? Why is serpent glorified in many cultures? Why is Bald Eagle
chosen as Symbol of USA? Why Golden eagle is chosen as the Symbol of Vishnu?
How does the Eagle and serpent co-exist under the care of Vishnu, being arch
enemies? What could be the right Mother's Day for Hindus? Who are Nairs, Nagas?
How is serpent worshipped in different regions? How are they celebrated
in Hindu scriptures?
Probably you are aware Naaga Panchami was celebrated even before
the arrival of Aryans. Garuda is glorified in Vedas and Vedic altar is
modeled after Eagle. Did Greeks adopt their mythology based on Hindu culture as
they did in the field of mathematics? For all these and to know more
about serpent and eagle Parivaara (family members) of Vishnu please visit<nrsrini.blogspot.com> Garuda Panchami
and Naaga Panchami.
3. GURU
POORNIMA
The Full Moon Day in the Hindu calendar month of
Aasaadha falls on July 3rd this (2012) year. This day is very sacred
to the memory of the great sageVedvyaasa who
is also an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. Puranas mention this day as his birthday. After worshiping him on this
day Sanyasis (who have renounced worldly pleasures like Sankaracharya) settle
down at one place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sootras composed by him
and engage themselves in Vedantic and philosophical
investigations. Spiritual aspirants and devotees perform Vyaasa Pooja on
this day and disciples (sishyas) worship their preceptors (Gurus).
Saints, monks and men of God are honored on this day. It will be the
appropriate Day to honor our
priests who serve the community throughout the year. They conduct
worship on our behalf, invoke the blessings of God on our behalf and always
wish for our welfare. It could be a Gurudakshina day to create a welfare fund on their
behalf to take care of them in their days of distress and hours of need.
Probably this would
make them permanently attached to the society wherever they live. They are
our religious guides and selected few
could be our spiritual and moral guides too in addition to parents.
This is the day to remember all those who impart us Apara Vidya (religious and
spiritual Knowledge) and guide our destiny like Sunday Spiritual and Religious
Teachers. It can be aptly be said our Spiritual (or Vedic Cultural) Thanksgiving Day.
Vedavyaasa with his four disciples Sumantu, Vaismapaayana,
Palia, and Jaimini has done unforgettable service to
humanity for all times by compiling and editing four Vedas, writing eighteen
Puranas, the Mahabhaarata and Srimad Bhaagavata. To-day whole humanity
have access to the knowledge and wisdom of Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas
in written form only due to him which otherwise was limited to few
deserving, chosen and fortunate few called their chosen Sishyas.
Today we have these funds of knowledge available to us through the
electronic media. This knowledge will be available to us as long as world
exists or until the time the Supreme Principle desires to
withdraw the power vested in electronic media which we discovered
recently for assimilation and dissimulation. All this was possible
because of the foresight of Vedavyasa.
As Hindus we are grown with the culture of "Gurur
Brahma, Gurur Vishnu Gurur devo Mahesvarah". Those who have undergone
Upanayanana Samskara pay their homage not only to Vedavyasa but also others by
way of Navakaandarishi Homa on Upakarma Day. Why to deny this opportunity
all others who do not observe Upaakarma? America can be called a Land of
Appreciation Days. As Hindu Americans we are introduced to a new culture.
America celebrates Administrative professional Day (April 25), Grand Parents
Day (Sept. 9), Patriot Day (September 11), National POW/MIA Day (Sept. 21),
Boss's Day (Oct. 16), Veteran's Day (Nov 11) besides the highly commercialized Valentine's
Day, Mother’s Day, Father's Day and Thanksgiving Day. Recently Tennessee
has introduced Teacher's Appreciation Day. Why not think of these
venerable Gurus on a specific day? We recently celebrated Akshaya Triteeya Day
with our prayers "In Gold We
Trust". We Do many Lakshmi Poojas with this motive Daridrya Naasaanam (eradication
of poverty). Why not celebrate this day with Geeta's wisdom "Na hi Jnaanena Sadrisam"--Nothing
in the World matches Knowledge" which is both secular and spiritual.
Guru Poornima Day appeals as the most significant Thanksgiving
Day not only thanking but paying our obeisance primarily as Hindus
paying our respect to all those who impart Para and Apara vidya (secular
and spiritual knowledge) in preserving and propagating our Hindu Culture.
This could include our Priests, Religious Heads, Sunday School
Teachers, Yoga Teachers, Teachers of Fine Arts and others.
Please visit BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a detailed discourse on Guru
Poornima Celebration.
4.
KRISHNA JANMAASHTAMI
Vishnu descended on earth as Lord Krishna after six months of
the descent of Rudra as Lingodhbhava Moorti on Mahaasivaraaatri Night in which
form he is popularly worshiped. They both take care of us during the whole year
and keep vigil on the vast Universe. It is customary to conduct Geetaa
Paaraayanam (Holy reading), Vishnu Sahasranaama Archana and Vishnu Sahasrnaama
Homa worship during the three days celebrations of Lord Krishna's descent
on Earth. Both Bhagavadgeetaa and Vishnusahasranaama (VSN) are the
products of the Puranic period of Mahaabhaaarata cleverly introduced into
it by its author Vedavyaasa in glorification of Lord Krishna.
Bhagavadgeetaa belongs to the devotional school of Hindu Religion, the
Bhagavata. This monotheistic school was founded by Krishna-Vasudeva, belonging
to the Saatvata School of the Yadu class long before the arrival of Krishna,
who was referred to as Bhagavaan, oft quoted in Bhagavadgeetaa. Bhaagavata
records that Krishna sat up every morning for meditation, merging with the
transcendental self. We read in Mahaabhaarata also that Krishna was in the
habit of meditating on Brahma in the hours before sun-rise. Krishna (also
his brother Balarama) in all probability belongs to history, as
confirmed by the excavations of Kambhata in Gujarat as circulated to you, a
philosopher who harmonized the Saankhya-Yoga with the Brahamavaada of
Upanishads (Kalpatharu Research Academy of Sankar Math). Puranas mention
that Raama lived for 10000 years while historic postulations reveal Krishna lived
only for 126 years as is normal to humans like Historic Buddha who is also
considered as one of the incarnations of Vishnu by many. The name Krishna
existed long before his birth meaning "one who delights the
world" referred to Brahman in Upanishads (MNU-- Varaahena Krishnena satabaahunaa).
Krishna actually meant Vishnu long before the birth of Krishna in
Dvaapara yuga. Vishnusahasranaama is a bye-product of Bhagavadgeetaa.
Krishna mantra is
also as popular as Raama mantra referred
in VSN, like Vedic Mantra Om and
often initiated by religious heads to seeking disciples. Sankara's
commentary on VSN draws lot of material from Upanishads and also from the
Puraanic literature. We end all prayers with the words "krishnaarpanamastu".
What
prompted the recitation of VSN for the first time? Is god's name
limited to 100 or 1000 as we often indulge (Ashtottara, Sahasranaama
Ashtottara)? Why do we add 8 to make it Ashta uttara (later eight)? Origin of
Ashtottara, Sahasranaama and Laksaarchana form of worship; Motivation
behind Phalasrutis; Can we believe all that Phalasrutis guarantee?
What is the origin and significance of the number 108 referred in
Hindu Worship? What is a mantra? What is sloka? Why the word Rama is
used effectively as a Mantra by his devotees like Hanumaan, like OM? Why do we
repeat mantras at least three times? What is the importance of 108th Sloka in
VSN? Why did Lord Siva introduce Raamajapa instead VSN? (sri rama rama
rameti);for such questions which may arise in our mind please refer to the
detailed discourse on VSN.
Normally Krishna Janmashtami celebrations conclude on the third
day after Astami which is called Uriyadi in
Tamilnadu and Dahi Handi in
the North. In the North young boys climb on each other's shoulders and make
human pyramids to get the pot (matki) of yoghurt, fruits and money which is
tied at a high place. As you know Krishna loved yoghurt and butter
as portrayed in Puranas. Quite often, he climbed up high to get the
butter pot from the loft as described in Puranas. This act of Krishna is
being re-enacted on Dahi Handi or Uriyadi Day.
Please visit the Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a
detailed discourse on “Krishna Janmaashatami” and “Darsanodaya (Exposition) of Vishnu
Sahasranaama.”
5. VARALAKSHMI VRATAM
A Vrata is
a special religious vow observed to ensure the prosperity and security of one's
household. Unlike Vedic Yajnas and Brahmin worship, this ritual worship is open
to all Hindu women and does not need the intervention of male priests. During a
Vrata women purify themselves by bathing, wearing special clothes often
keeping all-night vigils. They paint ritual diagrams on walls and
floor, make floral or pastel decorations of Rangoli chant
prayers of special verses, sing and dance to propitiate goddess and recite
tales which extol the virtue of participation in the Vrata.
Glory of Vara Laksmi
Vrata is described in the Skanda Purana. This Vrata is observed on
the Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sraavana by
all ladies in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu in India. This Vrata
particularly finds favor with the followers of Siva being celebrated in Skanda
Purana and not very popular with Vaishnavites. Lakshmi invoked in Kalasa
is worshiped with all reverence. I do not know why this Vrata is
considered as auspicious and popular only in the Southern parts of India.
Probably North Indians concentrates more on "In GOLD We Trust" festivals of Akshaya Triteeyaa
and Diwali where Lakshmi is pampered and worshiped purely focusing on material
wealth. Vara Lakshmi Vratam is more focused on spirituality and repentance than
asking for a favor which may at best be confined to prosperity and
security of one's household.
Many observe
this Vrata as Vara
Mahaalakshmi Vrata. We find Mahaalakshmi Sampradaya (tradition) in Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Mahaalakshmi is the most
popularly worshiped form of Lakshmi. Visvakarma Saastra asserts that the real
form of Mahaalakshmi can be seen only in Kolhapur, even though she is
worshiped as Mahaalakshmi in many places. Mahaalakshmi is not to be considered
as the consort of Vishnu, but as the primordial energy manifesting herself
as Mahaasarasvati (Satva
aspect), Mahaalakshmi (
Rajas aspect) and Mahaakaali (Tamas
aspect), from whom the three gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra took shape to
create, preserve and dissolve the universe. Maahaalakshmi was the first to
appear before everything and was of the nature of Three Gunas (Satva, Rajo and
Tamo Gunas). She was both manifest and un-manifest. Mahaalakshmi herself
is all things and governs all things.
Vara Mahaalksmi in her boon (vara) giving mood is worshiped on
Friday, July 27 in 2012. For a detailed discourse please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>: Vara
Mahaalakshmi Vratam
Taantric Mantra:"Om sreem hreem sreem kamale kamalaalaye praseeda praseeda
sreem hreem sreem mahaalakshmiee namah"
6. NARASIMHA
JAYANTI
Prahlaada, a great devotee of Vishnu was severly tortured by his
father, The demon Hiranyakasipu, who was a non-believer. Narasimha (Man-lion) appeared instantly (sadyojaata)
responding to the prayer of Vishnu by Prahlaada out of the pillar shown by him
and killed the demon. Being a combination of man and the lion Narasimha represents best of
creation from the two categories.
Narasimha and Siva are both are worshiped as Panchaanana (five
faced form) as Sadyojaata, Vaamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusha and Easana and in
this form meditated upon asPancahbrahma by
Vedic Mantras. His Mantra is said to be powerful, capable of destroying enemies
and exorcising evil. In Ahobilam, a famous pilgrim center in Andhra
Pradesh Vishnu is worshiped in his dual incarnation Varaaha-Narasimha who destroyed the
twin brothers Hiranyaaksha and Hiranyaksipu as described in Puranas. Narasimha
is worshiped in several forms, both ferocious and pleasant. Saivites believe
that Siva took the form of the most powerful form of Sardoola to close the
fearful form of Narasimha after its mission was accomplished. Tantric form of
worship of Jagannath in Puree is
closely linked with the worship of Narasimha and Soorya. In Bhuvaneswarr there is sanctum for
Narasimha which is not common in all Siva temples.
Narasimha Jayanti (Birthday of Lord
Narasimha) falls on Vaisaakha Sukla Chaturdasi. It falls on May 5 this year. Ardent worshipers
of Narasimha observe fast on all Sukla Chaturdasi days. There is an
exclusive Upanishad called Narasimha Tapaneeya Upanishad which glorifies
Narasimha as Panchaanana. Narasimha Karaavalmba Stotram by Sankara is chanted
by all Narasimha devotees. There are very many exclusive temples for Narasimha
in the South while individual sanctum for Narasimha is included in
all North Indian Siva as well as Vishnu Temples.
Many of us may not be able to participate in the elaborate
worship that is usually conducted in Hindu temples on this day conducted on
behalf of all the devotees drawn from different traditions (Sampradayas). It
would be therefore logical to conduct worship at home during the Pradoshakaala
(twilight zone time) with the following guide-lines:
a) Begin the puja with Laksmee-Nrisimha Karaavalamb Stotram by Sankara or Prahlaada-krita Nrisimha Stotram.
b) Chant the Vedic mantras Panchabrahmam/Panchanana. These are available with
meaning in the discourse on the Blog under the title Pancha-Brahma--Panchaanana
mantra: "Some Vedic Mantras used in Hindu Rituals"
c) End the Worship with Brahmopaasana. Mantras for the
same are available in the discourse
on the Blog under the title Vaisvadeva
Mantrah: "Knowledge of Brahman and Prayer Mantras"
These Mantras are from Mahaa Naaraayana Upanishad and are appealing to all
Sampradaayas, as their ultimate focus is on Brahman, the Supreme Principle.
For more details about this most ferocious at the same time
most benevolent avataar of Vishnu visit the Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> "Narasimha"
7.
BASAVA JAYANTI OF KARNATAKA
Birthday of Basaveswara is celebrated on the same day of
Akshaya Tritheeyaa festival. It falls on April 24 in 2012. Many
things are common in Ten Commandments and Basaveswara's Sayings. (Basveswara vachanagalu). Let us remember and focus our thoughts
on this day on the high principles he stood for and practiced throughout
his life. It is a pity that this philosopher is forgotten by many in India to-day.
Please go through the detailed discourse on his life and philosophy by
visiting the Blog site: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
"Basaveswara the Philosopher Forgotten".
8. AKSHAYA TRITEEYA FESTIVAL OF NORTH INDIA
Akshaya means imperishable or which has no decay. To many this
day means to rush for some new gold ornament purchase and then go to temple to
get the blessings of Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth. This day is
significant for many other events and also opens the gate for
spiritual awareness there-by signifying wealth does not stop at material
wealth which is only Kshaya or perishable.
Bhagavadgeetaa talks about Sreyas and Preyas, permanent bliss and
material benefit. We should all focus our thoughts on Sreyas and
strive for it in this life as per the advice of the Lord. For more details
please go to my Blog:
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> and read the discourse on Akshayaya Triteeya Festival and the
Philosopher's Fortnight. This discourse includes brief
introduction to four great philosophers-- Rishabha, Basaveswara, Sankara, Ramanuja and Buddha. Detailed discourses
will follow in continuation. In my next introductory e-mail on this vast
subject I will be talking about different philosophy schools and
philosophers who inspired them.
9. PHILOSOPHERS’
FORTNIGHT
Basaveswara's Jayanti falls on April 24 the same day we
celebrate Akshaya Triteeya IN 2012. This day also happens to be an important day for Rishabha another great
philosopher king like Basaveswara. Basava was a revolutionary social reformer,
an architect of a new classless and casteless society based on equality and
social justice. He was an emancipator of Indian womanhood and savior of the
downtrodden. Basava was the originator of a new economic order, pure and honest
work being its cornerstone. His philosophy combines ethics with economics,
temporal well-being with spiritual happiness, and dignity of labour with the
dignity of the human being. It is a pity that this great practical philosopher
who showed the way to solve vexing problem of hunger amid plenty and grinding
poverty and unemployment in the presence of accumulation wealth in the
developed countries and the caste system that is plaguing Indian society today
was soon forgotten except in small circles of Karnataka. A discourse on Basaveswara has been inserted
on the Blog.
It is rather a strange coincidence the Birthdays of Adi Sankara and Ramanuja, the two great
philosophers fall together after two days on April 26 (Vaisaakha Sukla Panchami), all on
the same bright fortnight of
the Hindu month Vaisaakha. It will be appropriate to give a brief
introduction on these three great philosophers as included in the
discourse posted in the Blog: "Akshaya
Triteeya Festival and the Philosophers' Fortnight". Sankara and
Ramanuja disagreed to agree on Monoism called Advaita. Ramanuja elaborated mostly Sankara's
latter approach to Bhaktimaarga while elaborating on Monoism called Vishishtaadvaita (Qualified
Monoism) which later philosophers like Vallbha, Nimbalkar,
Chaitanya and others followed.
In his life and teachings, Ramanuja upheld that all humans are born equal and the caste
or social status has no role in determining one's relationship with
Paramaatman. He accepted Kanchi Purna, who was not a Brahmin, as his guru,
though coming from an orthodox Vaishnava Brahmin family. One of his most
trusted disciples, Dhanurdasa was from scheduled caste. Ramnuja upheld
Bhakti (loving surrender to God) as the sole path to the realization of God.
His school of philosophy is known as Vishishta-advaita (qualified Monoism) and
his followers, the Srivaishnavas. For Ramnuja, a Vaishnava (man of
God) is worthy of respect and that Vaishnava is truly one who has abundant
love for God.
Sankara's life may be compared to a
brilliant flash of light that eradicated many areas of darkness in the life of
man. He had an intellect that probed fearlessly, a mind that questioned
constantly and a heart that felt deeply. Out of these God inspired gifts, and
thirty-two years of tireless inner-search, arose a great system of
philosophy, Advaita, and an inspiring treasure of spiritual literature. I
have briefly summarized his philosophy in my introductory discourse "AkshayaTriteeyaa Festival and the
Philosophers' Fortnight" as every one of you are well
acquainted with his life and philosophy.
Buddha refused subscribe to the caste system
which had ceased to be upholder of social order and had become a tool of
oppression. He questioned authority of Vedas, Vedic rituals and
sacrifices. On enlightenment he returned to preach what he had known and
experienced out of compassion to his fellow beings. He was neither a
revolutionary nor did he start a new religion. He preached non-violence
and practiced the same also. "All suffering and pain, fear and hatred,
come from desire; the man who is free from all desires, need not worry or
suffer" he preached.
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for the following
discourses: 1) Basaveswara,
the Philosopher Forgotten; 2) Vishitaadvaita Philosophy of Ramanuja;
3) Philosophy Schools of Hinduism. 4) Is it Bauddha or Buddha in
Dasaavataara and 5) Historic Buddha is an Avatar of Vishnu, why not then Jina?
10. CHANDRAMAANA YUGAADI
March 23, 2012 heralds Yugaadi this year for many Hindus-- for
those hailing from Karnaataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharaashtra, Kashmir and
others. In our Sankalpa (religious resolution) we refer to the 60 years'
cycle beginning with the year Prabhava and
ending with Akshaya and
mention the particular year in which we perform our worship. Accordingly Nandana year will be starting on
this day of March this year. In Sanskrit language Samvatasra is the name given to particular group of
years, that is the 60-years cycle in Vedanta. Taitrtareeya Brahmana mentions
five groups of such years. These are: Samvatsara, Parivatsara, Idavatsara, Iduvatsara and Idvatsara. Our
Saastras follow Samvatsara with
60-years cycle.
This New Year is based on Chandra Maanam or Lunar calendar.
In this a year commences from the Shukla Paksha Prathama Tithi of Chaitra Month
[ i.e., the first Tithi after the New Moon in Panguni (Meena) month according
to Soura Maanam system] and spans over 354 days, ending with the New Moon
in the next Phaalguna (meena) is over. That is why this does not go well with
Gregorian calendar.
Yugaadi is heralded as the New Year and this day is called
Yugaadi. Yugaadi consists of two words Yuga+Aadi, meaning beginning of the
Yuga. It is believed that Brahma started his creation on this day and
therefore this day assumes religious importance. As many of us have already
made our official New Year resolutions as per the Gregorian religious
calendar, this day is for meditation on Supreme Principle and celebration
as we always wish to combine our devotion with celebration.
Why do we consider this day as a worshipful day from Vedantic
point of view? Samvatsara in
Sanskrit is derived from "samyak vasanti sarvabhooteshu asmin
iti" all entities existing in this and so Brahman is Samvatsara. So we meditate on Supreme Principle as
"Samvatsara" or Kaala Purusha--Custodian of Time, for
all good Times throughout the Year. Everything is created, destroyed and
recreatedin Time followingorderliness
(ritam in Sanskrit). He is called Kaala, Kalavikarana-one who is causing the divisions
of moments like nimisha, muhoorta
etc. Mantra Pushpa says "Samvatsarah eva apaam aayatanam
aayatanavaan bhavati"-- he who approaches the source of support for
the Year will obtain
protection. That support is Naaraayana who rests on water; Samvatsara is water
and a Vyaahriti (compliment) of Brahman; and so Samvatsara is meditated upon as
Naaraayana or the Supreme Principle or Brahman.
11.
SAURAMAANA YUGAADI
First generation Hindu migrants will know that Government of
India adopted Indian Calendar based on Saka Era in the year 1957 which is the Chandramaana Yugadi
Day. Salivaahaana Saka used to be quoted in all official
and religious Hindu records before this adoption which had traditionally
enjoyed the royal patronage. It started on Chaitra 1, in 1879. Religious
Pandits to the North of Vindhya Hills observe Brahaspatyam and Vadhyars,
Pandits and astrologers to the South of Vindhya Hills observe
Souramaana and Chandramaana Calendars. India has
also adopted as official Calendar Gregorian Calendar to show it is secular.
Thus we have quite a bit of confusion in observing religious dates which
we try to interpret with Gregorian dates for various Hindu religious
observances and celebration of festivals. Yet another Era that is prevalent in
India is the Vikrama Era. Vikrama Era whichstarted in 57 A.D. falls
in mid-April and coincides with Souramaana calendar. Souramaana
Calendar is adopted in Assam, Bengal, Cambodia, Kerala,
Manipal, Orissa, Punjab, Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Thailand. In Western
Parts of India Particularly Gujarat the fourth day of Diwali week is
celebrated as the first day of Vikram Samvat (Chitra) calendar. It is
also considered the beginning financial year in North India by the
powerful financial communities in the North where money speaks and it has to
coincide with Lakshmi Pooja. I don't know why Akshaya Triteeya which
falls also in April, the day we rush to buy gold, was not considered? To top
all this we have the Kaliyuga calendar which started on February 17 or 18th of
3102 B.C.
Accidentally Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
shifted Tamil New Year day in April to the day of Makara Sankraanti, when the
Sun enters the zodiac sign of Aries. This is also the first day of the
most celebrated Tamil Month Thai and is also the harvest season in many parts
of India, celebrated as Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Often Tamils name their festivals
after their favorite dish! Unlike Chaandramaana Yugadi which falls on different
days of the Gregorian Calendar many of the Tamil festivals based on Souramaana
calendar coincide with the same date as Gregorian calendar, for e.g.
Pongal, Tamil Putthandu, Dakshinaayana Punyakaala etc. Makara sankranti is also
the holiest day when Uttaraayana Punyakaala begins. North American
Hindu Panchangam which has adopted American timings and dates
as per Gregorian Calendar covers all Hindu Religious days from January to
December. This Panchangam is published by The Council of Hindu Temples of
North America. Souramaana based calendar seems to be more popular not only in
India but also in many overseas countries and is more adaptable to go
hand in hand with Gregorian Calendar to which whole world is committed. Both
these calendars have 365.25 days in a year. 12 Sankrantis (Aries to Pisces-Mesharasi
to Meenarasi) in a year are cyclic and rhythmic and fit well into astronomical
cycle. I wonder whether Karunanidhi had any such logic in shifting the Tamil
New year Day to the Tamil month of Thai. (Probably Tiruvalluvar, the
staunch Dravidian was in his mind; not Agastyar though a favorite of
Tamils but of Aryan descent).
Hindu Americans drawn from different Sampradayas, inherited
from their land of origin, India, attend only Hindu Temple complexes which
in principle has to cater to the religious aspirations of all
devotees participating in mass worship. It will be therefore logical to have
American Hindu Panchangm from Makara Sankranti to Makara Sankranti. If all
the religious days could be fitted into it they will go hand in hand with
Gregorian from which we cannot gET out. Essentially it is a Souramaana
Panchangam only the New year day being shifted from Mesha Sankranti to
Makara Sankranti.
Makara Sankranti is the most significant
and auspicious day, as it is the first day of
Uttaraaayana Punyakaala--Sun's
journey towards northern solstice sacred to all Sampradayas. We may
not then able to call this a year beginning in the 60 years cycle. But
Vedas mention also 5 different types of years. We do not know much about
the other four. North American Panchangam also does not stick to any Hindu year
in the 60 years cycle. Vedas proclaim
five types of years--Samvatsara, Parivatsara, Idvatsara, Idaavatsara and
Iduvatsara. Luckily we adopted Samvatsara only of 60-years cycle with so
much confusion. Christians added one more Gregorian though moved it away
slightly from Christmas, the day Jesus was born. What would have been our fate
had we all the five? Supreme Principle wanted the confusion perhaps to prevail
for the Maaya to be operative! We moved away from the conviction of "Tadekam" and
OM" and caught in the world pool of confusion to struggle through Maayaa. Samvatsara means Brahman ("Samyak
vasanti sarva bhootaani asmin iti"--in whom all entities live) and is one
of the names of Vishnu in Vishnu Sahasranaama is Samvatsara.
That is why we chant "Samvatsaroe vaa apam pushpam'" during
16-step Pooja praying to Brahman.
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a discourse on "Souramana (solar) New Years Day".
12. PANGUNI UTTIRAM FESTIVAL OF TAMIL NADU AND HANUMAAN
JAYANTI
This festival occurs on the auspicious day in the Tamil Month of
Panguni. Panguni Uttiram is the most celebrated divines' wedding
day in Tamil Nadu and wherever Tamils are settled. It is an auspicious day of
Divine weddi onth of Panguni when Uttira nakshatram and Poornima come together.
This is the day on which Paarvati and Paramesvara married as also
Murugan and Devayaani. This festival has assumed greater importance to
Tamils not only because of these two weddings but also because Ranganayaki
and Lord Ranganatha in Srirangam are seen together on this day in the
holy city for Vaishnavites. This is celebrated as the day of coming
together. Sage Valmiki glorifies this day as the day of marriage of
Rama with Seetaa. On the same day Lakshmana married Urmila, Bharata
married Maandavi and Satrughna married Srutikeerti. Lord Rama is always
worshiped with Sita as Nitya Kalyaana Moorti like Radha and Krishna.
This day is celebrated with reverence by all prospective brides seeking
suitable bridegrooms of their choices with divine blessings. In upper
India it is customary to chant this sloka from Raamaayana when the bride is
given away: "Iyam Seetaa mama sutaa sahadharamachaaree tava |
prateechchha chainam bhadram te paanim grihneeshwa paaninaa | pativrataa
mahaabhaaghaa chhaayevaanugataa sadaa || [This Seetaa, my
daughter is going to be your life time partner in discharging your sacred
obligations (Nitya and Naimittika karmas). Take her hands in your own and
accept her as your own. May good betide you! She is highly fortunate and
will remain exclusively to you and ever follow you as shadow.] This was
chanted on Panguni Uttiram day when Seetaa married Rama.
It will be a good idea Hindu Temple complexes in USA celebrate
this day as "Seeta Kalyaana Day" on a grand scale to suit all
Sampradaayas instead of sectarian Panguni Uttiram. Probably India is not
celebrating that way as they consider Raama to be Nitya Kalyaana Moorti and in
every wedding Seeta is glorified (Seetaa kalyaaname Vaibhogame). It is also a very sacred and
significant Poornima day among customary monthly observances of
Satyanarayan Vratas.
Immediately the next day is earmarked for the celebration
of the Birthday of Hanuman, Rama's devotee by all those who start the Tulsidas
Ramayan Path. On this day Hanumaan Chaleesaa of Goswami Tulsidas is
repeatedly chanted with reverence 40 times by all devotees. Hanuman's life
story is scattered all over in various Puraanas though he is introduced to us
by Valmiki in Sundara Kaanda with a brief background in his Ramayana. You may
all be interested in a detailed life-story of this great devotee of Rama who is
adored and worshiped all over India. In South India and by some others Hanumaan
Jayanti is celebrated on the Amaavaasya day in the Hindu calendar month of
Dhanus. I wonder why he was not considered as avataar of either Siva or Vishnu
though he is earmarked to be next Brahma? He was more suited to fit into
Darwin's theory of evolution than Narasimha. Perhaps Raama avataar over shadowed
both him and Lakshmana! It is strange how Balarama got into the favored list?
He is also an incarnation of Adisesha likeLakshmana. We cannot question the
wisdom of Puraanas which had served the need of the hour!
Hanuman's story is scattered all over Puranas and various
Ramayanas--Valmiki, Tulsidas, Ananda, Kirtivarma etc. Where was he born? Why is
Hanuman anointed with vermilion mixed with oil? Why do we bathe Sani
Bhagavan with Oil? Why is he called Sankatharan? Why he is seen with five
faces? For these and other interesting Puranic stories please visit the BLOG.
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
my detailed discourses on “Panguni Uttiram” and “Hanumaan”
13. RAMANAVAMI
Birth of Sri Rama took place in Tretayuga on Chaitra Sukla
Navami in Ayodhya. This day is celebrated with great reverence all over India.
Unlike Lord Krishna's Birthday which is celebrated with lot of sweets
and snacks and merriment Rama's Birthday is celebrated with all simplicity.
Rama was not a pampered child, like Krishna but a duty-bound son. The
whole day is devoted in reading Valmiki Ramayana or Tulsidas
Ramaayan. Some people start Ramayan Path (holy reading of Ramayana) on
Vasanta Navaratri Day which is the first day of Chaitra Sukala and end the same
on Rama Navami Day or on Chaitra Poornima Day. Rama Navami is also the Day when
the Durga pooja comes to an end as the concluding day of Vasanta Navaratri. As
you all know Rama worshiped Durga. You may be wondering how Rama's parents
thought about his name not knowing he is Saguna Brahman?
Lord Siva is a great admirer and devotee of Rama. That is
why he suggests to Parvati to chant only the Name Rama if she can't find time as a busy housewife to chant
whole Vishnu-sahasranama. You all know how Rama was a great devotee
of Siva. Rama did Kumbhabishekam for Ramalinga in Rameswaram. Upanishads
are also considerate to us. MNU suggests that 3 mantras of Twarita Rudram and Pancha Brahmam are
good enough if one can't find time to chant whole Rudram. Probably Supreme
Principle is considerate to the busy nature of Hindu American
professionals who are always running against time to suggest these short
cuts for meditation? Here are some quick fixes for your spiritual needs.
Puranaas say the sacred name Rama existed long before the birth
of Rama. Narada administered two alphabet mantras "Ma" and
"Ra" to the way side robber, murderer and hunter who
later turned to pious sage Valmiki who wrote Ramayana. In fact such
conversion of capital crime personalities has taken place in all religions
which inspires us to upgrade our spiritual life even after late
realization. Both Moses and David the celebrated prophets were capital
criminals before their pursuit of religious life. So was murderous dacoit
Angulimala who reformed to a Buddhist saint late. As the hunter started to
chant the letters Ma and Ra repeatedly he ended up chanting Rama Mantra. Rama
Mantra is made up of two seed letters (Beejaaksharas) of two famous Mantras: "Na(ma)h Sivaaya" (Panchaaksharee)
and "Om Namoh
Na(ra)yanaaya" Ashtaksharee. Namah Sivaaya without Ma
conveys the opposite meaning and so "Ma" is a beejaakshara. Similarly in Naaraayana "Ra" is the
Beejaakshara without which it will convey the opposite meaning. Hence Rama means Brahman or Satyam (tad Brahma tad Satyam).
Hence the Puranas say Ramanaama existed even before Rama was born and
Valmiki started chanting them long before Rama's arrival. Therefore Ramanaama
Japa is considered most sacred for Saguna Brahman. (Raama-taaraka or
Raama-rakshaa Mantram)
One who does not know its deeper meaning may ask why a
personal name of Rama for Supreme and its chant as mantra ?
Sometimes we are misunderstood and criticized by other religions for these as
idol worshipers or idolators. Some names have divine powers like those stated
above. Christians end their prayers with the words "In Jesus' name". Christian
God has also personal name as in Hinduism. Yahweh is the name of the God of the fore fathers of
Jesus. Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Yehoshua or Joshua which
means "Yahweh
saves" or "Yahweh
is salvation". When Moses asks the burning bush "who are
you?" the response was
Ehyeh-Asher- Ehyeh" (I am what I am). This in shortened
form became "Yahweh" for
English speaking people. This is similar to "I am that" in Hinduism. That is why
the name of Jesus is mentioned at the end of all prayers like "Om" and is not a
simple name of a human as people think it to be.
There is no Hindu who is not conversant with the story of Rama.
I may not be able to add anything new to what you already know? I therefore
take this opportunity to attach my discourse on Sant Tulsidas instead, whose
life story may not be familiar to many from the South. He is considered to be
an incarnation of sage Valmiki by many. His Ramayan in Avadh language is most
popular in the Northern parts of India and its non-stop holy reading takes
place during Vasanta Navaratri.
"ja din te hari
garbhahi aaye, sakal lok sukh sampati chhaye | Dashratha putrajanam suni kana,
manhu brahmaanand smana" --Tulsidas.
Rama Gayatri:
"Daasarathaaya vidmahe| seetaavallbhaaya dheemahi| tannoe raamah
prachoedayaat |
"Om hreem sreem
draam daasarathaaya seetaavallbhaaya trailokyanaathaaya Namah |"
Please visit BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com for
a detailed discourse on Goswami
Tulsidas.
14.
VASANTA NAVARAATRI
The first nine nights of the waxing
moon in the month of Chaitra are sacred to mother Goddess. Vasantra
Navaratri begins on the same day as Yugadi on March 23 in 2012 and is
considered to be a very ancient festival. The last day of Vasanta Navaratri
marks the birthday of Sri Rama, the seventh Avataar of Vishnu. Puranas
say Rama started Devi Puja on this day worshiping Goddess Durga to launch
his war on Lanka, praying for its success. As you all know Ganesha is not
at all mentioned in Valmiki Ramayana while Kartikeya is celebrated in an
exclusive chapter by sage Valmiki. All Poojas in those days of yore
should have been started with the worship of Vedic Durga
instead of the present day practice of later Puranic male
deity worship of Ganesha introduced by the male dominated puranic society of
Dwaapara Yuga. In earlier days Bhoodevi worship was also very significant
who is celebrated in Vedas. Uma and Sarasvati (Medha devi) were the two other
Vedic Goddesses highly venerated for their intelligence. Mother
Earth has receded to the background
these days in worship though she is invariably found with Lakshmi the
dominating consort of Vishnu in processional icons of Vishnu assembly
irrespective of who the main deity is in the form of Vishnu. Saraswati has not
found favor with temple icons except in rare temples. Durga Devee in
Durgaasooktam refers to Mother of Difficulties (refer Durgaam
deveem saranam aham prapadye in Durgaasooktam) and therefore meditated
upon to overcome all the difficulties in our endeavor. Durga is referred as
Kanyakumari in Durga Gayatree who has decided to stay looking at the tip
of the land's end as a virgin where all ocean and river waters mingle and
lose their identity reminding us to concentrate and meditate on one Universal
Primordial Energy (Saguna Brahman).
The sixth form of Nava Durga according
to Puranas is worshiped as Kaatyaayini. Some believe Durga derives
the name form the lineage of Kata while others think she assumed the name to
honor her first devotee Kata. Katyaayani name appears in Upanishads in the
Durga Gaayatri. Her nine Puranic names with which she is worshiped on
nine nights of Vasnta Navaratri are: Shailaputri; Brahmachaarini,
Chandraghanta, Koosmaanda, Skanda maataa, Kaatyaayini, Kaalaraatri, Mahaagauri and Siddhidhaatri.
Markandeyapurana and Skanda Purana glorify Durga.
With the passage of time, the Autumn
Navaratri overshadowed Spring Navaratri in North India. There is also Ganga
Dassera celebrated during first ten days of Jyeshta, at the height of
Summer, dedicated to the Mother Ganges in the North,apt pooja for
the right season to enjoy holy dip every day.
Easter Festival celebrated in USA
is also a Spring Festival and has its origin in a Devi worship! It has
nothing to do with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ the way it is celebrated
with chocolate bunny and Easter eggs. Unlike here it is a National Public
holiday in India and is devoted to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Please visit BLOG at <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
detailed discourses on "Spring
Festivals of Vasanta Navaratri and Others" and "Durga, The Inaccessible"
15. PHALGUN
POORNIMA FESTIVALS
Phalgun Poornima celebrates the Holi, Festival of
Colors in the North and Kaamana Habba in the South, in Karnataka
particularly. Prahlada blessed by Naaraayana escaped from the clutches of
the demonness Holika who was burnt to ashes on the previous night of
Holy. Kaamadeva, Lord of Love had his defeat for the first time and got
reduced to ashes the same night but was restored to life by his devoted
wife Rati by pleading to the same merciful Lord whom she approached at
the right time with great reverence.
Seven colors constitute white light. Fire is the source of
light. So before reveling in colors people start with fire. They enjoy
fire that night being a cold winter. In Vedantic sense they burn their
ego and seek light scattered in seven colors. In the South they raise a bonfire
in the night symbolically burning Kaama. This signifies burning of passion as
well as ego.
Both Narasimha and Siva are instantly born and are
worshiped as Sadyojata. Both are terrible to look at and formidable
in their angry moods by their enemies but most benevolent in their
pleasant moods to their devotees. Both are worshiped as Jyoti or Jwala or
Fire. When Holika lit fire and entered it with Prahlada in her lap
Lord Narasimha arrived on the arena burnt Holika and rescued Prahlaada without
feeling any pain from the glowing fire. You may here recall the story of
Hanuman burning Lanka with his fire-lit tail feeling cool inside when Lanka was
reduced to ashes due to the prayers of Sita. Good Lord is concerned about
his ardent devotees and takes care of them in their critical times and also
destroys the evil to save the society.
This is a significant day for Rasleela. In spite of Siva's fury,
Rati with her devotion and loyalty was able to prevail upon Siva and restore
back her Love to the world. World needs love but with right approach and
attitude and that is depicted in Raasleela. Bhakti (devotion) is always
associated with love.
This is also a day considered most auspicious to observe Satyanarayana Pooja. Sathya
means Truth and that is Naraayana (Om Tat Satyam). So this Pooja is directed to
the Supreme Principle.
It is a sacred day for Holy Dip and is particularly important
for Tamils who call this day as Maasi
Magam. Holy deep is significnat to immerse oneself in spiritual
knowledge. Please join the special Pooja on March 8, 2012.
Please visit BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
for details of “Phalgun Poornima Festivals”.
16. KOODAARAI VELLUM FESTIVAL OF TAMIL NADU
Koodaarai Vellum festival is celebrated on 12th of this month,
on the 27th day of Tamil month Maargazhi (Dhanus), by Tamilians wherever they
are settled mainly Vaishanvites and followers of Saint Ramanuja. One hymn each
day of the 30 hymns of Tiruppavai of the Saint Aandaal (Aazhwaar)
are dedicated to each day of Maargazhi.
"Koodaarai Vellum" festival derives its name from the
27th verse of Tiruppavai, the poetic devotional esoteric
composition by Andaal, the incarnation of Mother Earth and foster child of
Vishnuchittar of Tamil Nadu in adoration of Lord Krishna. This is similar in
approach to Geeta Govinda of Jayadeva. "Koodaarai Vellum" means you
have the capability to win over all those who have been your enemies. You
all know how Lord Krishna vanquished his arch enemy Narakasura who before
his death completely surrendered to him and gained a favor from him which
he granted that is to celebrate that Chaturdasi (14th Day) on which he died, by
all, as a convert who became a devotee of Lord Krishna prior to his
death. We all celebrate this day with merriment remembering him. Towards his
end he realized the Supreme and also completely surrendered (saranaagati) to him.
It was not too late for him to attain salvation though a last minute's
thought like Ajamila. But why did Kamsa did not repent at his death bed? He
((being a cursed dwarapalaka of Vishnu in Bhooloka) desired death at the hands
of the Lord to join him as soon as possible. So he instigated boy Krishna
a lot to be killed by him soon.
Almost every Vaishnava Temple in Tamilnadu has a sanctum for
Aandaal. The 27th compositon in Tamil Language is a mystic poetic
composition. The first line of this devotional hymn reads "Koodaarai vellum seer Govindaa" after
which this festival is named. With
my limited spiritual knowledge I would have just translated it as:
"Oh Govinda, You have the unique quality of winning over your arch enemies" if not calling the
festival wrongly as Koodaarai
Valli or Kooda arai Vellam! But let us hear what wise
men say! The deeper meaning of Aandal's love to Lord Krishna and her
divine inspiration is described vividly by His Holiness Srimadaandavan
Gopalachar, a Vaishnava saint and scholar of recent
years as follows:
"Oh Lord Krishna! You should shower the affection on us
similar to the way you shower compassion on the cattle. We should indeed drown
in the ocean of your compassion without reaching the shore. Even in
your previous incarnations, you have won over all those who have been your
sworn enemies, those who ran against you with the might of their strength or
the might of their penance. You have given yourself to us after all this. Many
a suitors tried in vain to win the hands of Sita by stringing the
mighty bow, Sivadhanus. You came as Sri Rama and strung the bow with
power, only to break it and bring the heads of others down in shame. Oh
Krishna! who won the hands of Sita during Raama avataara, we
pray, shower benevolence on us. The adversaries quote: "The other world
is delusion. The reality is this world alone. There are no celestial
worlds. There are no Jeevaatmas. The Supreme exists neither. Everything
perceivable is illusion". You by means of your imparts through
Baghhavadgeetaa, have refuted all these adversaries thoroughly. Oh Govinda! You
have affirmed with clarity everything perceivable is absolutely true and real.
You are one who has won over your adversaries with arrows and weapons. At the
same time, with your affection, mercy, beauty and high mindedness you have also
won those devoting themselves at your lotus feet. We have been observing this
festival for the past twenty-six days. You are our sole object of
attainment and means of attainment. We pray to you along with your consort to
bestow upon us the highly acclaimed merit that benefit us duly."
So much for the first line of hymn 27--who can fathom her depth
of love, affection and knowledge in 30 hymns of several lines? Visit the temple
with this knowledge of Supreme Spirit and enjoy the festivities, not as a
sectarian festival of a very small group celebrated in remote temples of Tami
Nadu. I am sure someone will distribute the mouthwatering Sakkkarai Pongal
(Sweet rice pudding) Prasadam (blessed food)of Lord Radha-Krishna to
attract you every year for this festival celebrated not necessarily on a Sunday
because it has to be the 27th day of the month of Tamil month Margazhi.
Please visit BLOG<nrsrini.blogspot.com>
for a discourse on "Aandaal ((Kodai), Incarnation of Mother Earth".
17. TIRUVAADIRAI
FESTIVAL OF TAMILNADU
This festival very
little known to many of the worshipers of Lord Siva other than in Tamil
Nadu and Kerala. Tiru is
a sacred prefix added to the name of the Lord or anything associated with him.
Balaji is known as Tiruvengadamudaiyan
in Tamil, the great Lord from Venkatagiri (Venkata Hills). Birthdays
of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu are celebrated by their ardent devotees
on Tiruvaadirai (Asterism
Aridra) and Tiruvonam (asterism
Sravana). Festival of Lights is celebrated in the Tamil month of
Kaartigai is known as Tiru
Kaartigai. Tiru is added to the month
Kartigai for celebrating the Festival of Lights because it is
dedicated to both Siva and Vishnu. Tiru is not added to the month
of Kaartigai at any other time.
Nakshatra in astrology is
translated as asterisk not star as is normally done because
Nakshatra in astrology is not the twinkling star in the sky of
astronomy. Asterism is one of the 27
sectors along the ecliptic. Atharva veda and Satapata Brahmana mention
about 28 asterisks. Unlike the 27 Nakshatras of modern astrology, Vedas
mention 28 asterisks. Between the last quarter of Uttara Aashaadha
and first quarter of of Sraavana (Tiruvonam) there exists an asterik
called Abhijit which
is believed to be the birth-star of Vishnu, though in real sense Supreme Principle
is Aja and Ayonija. So also Siva. Vedik Nakshatras start with Krittikaa
and end with Bharani with the inclusion of Abhijit.
Saivites go through Kailasa
Vaasal or High Way to Heaven (Svarga) on the day of Tiruvaadirai as Vaishnavites do during
Vaikuntha Ekadasi. So, saivites need not lag behind and our Temple can create a
dramatic influence on devotees by creating a Svarga Vaasal on that day. It is
the Birthday of Lord Siva as
Puranas say. While celebrating Aarudra Darsanam on January 8 it is worth
chanting at least the last Anuvaka of Chamakam of
Rudraprasna wherein Brahman is meditated up on with many odd and even numbers. Vedas say
"Eko viprah bahudaa vadanti" hence this address with several numbers
without explaining what it is. Please visit my
BLOG:<nrsrini.blogspot.com> for the revised text "What
do odd and even numbers signify in Chamakam?" Lord Krishna
says in Bhagvadgeeta "Rudraanaam sivoham" --among 11 Rudras I am Siva, the auspicious. Rudra
in Vedas refer to Parabrahman whom Saivites have later adopted as Siva. Rudra
means one who wipes out our miseries--"Rutaat traayate iti Rudrah"
In our ignorance we believe in Vishnu and
Siva's birth dates as hailed in Puranas and want to celebrate them
with all pomp and show though they are both one and the same
unborn and eternal. I often wonder whether we should think of any
birthday for Siva and Vishnu as Puranas only instigate the concept of
Birthday celebrations. They both are Saguna Brahman with different
names. May be we can to some extent celebrate the birthdays for
their incarnations described in my discourses for they both took their
birth here and lived with humanity for sometimes sharing the happiness and miseries
as humans! I am not sure about Siva's Incarnations, but Vishnu did! As humans
we make lot of mistakes. To err is human, the wise say.
It is interesting to recall here Lord Sankara's three mistakes
that he declared before the Lord Viswanath and asked for his pardon: 1)
"My first sin is that in spite of my knowing (and also teaching
others) that God is beyond mind and speech, I have tried to describe you
through the several hymns (stotras) composed by me. This betrays lack of
conformity between my thought and my word". 2) Next, having been
convinced of the scriptural sayings that God pervades and permeates everything
in the manifested universe, I have been preaching this Truth to one and all.
Nevertheless, I have come to Vaaraanasi to have your Darsan (viewing). This shows
that my thoughts, words and deeds are at variance with one another. This is my
second offence. 3) Thirdly, I have a firm belief in the teaching of the
scriptures that the one and the same Aatman (Self) is imminent in all beings
and there is no difference between the so called Jeevaatma and the Parmaatma
(Supreme soul). While I have been proclaiming this Truth in all my discourses,
I have come to stand before you as if we two are separate and different from
each other. This is my third lapse. For a detailed discourse on
18.
VAIKUNTHA EKADASI AND GEETAA JAYANTI DAY
Geetaa Jayanti Day heralds the birth
of Bhagavdgeetaa, most sacred scripture among Smritis, celebrated by
Hindus all over the world on the 11th day (Ekaadasi) of the bright half
of the Hindu calendar month Maargaseersha (December--January). It is on this day
Sanjaya narrated the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna to the blind king
Dhritaraashtra and made the glorious teachings availabe to humanity. It is
Vedavyaasa , another Avataara of Vishnu who recorded it and presented it to us.
It is observed as Geeetaa Paaraayana (Non-stop chanting the whole day)
Day. Geetaa as is known to Westerners as "The Song of the
Celestial" is a literary masterpiece conveying vividly the highest
philosophy in the form of a poem which has acquired honored place in the
scriptural literature of the Country along with Brahmasootra and the
Upanishads--Prasthaana Trayee. It is philosophical in outlook and very
practical in intent.
The first six chapters of this divine gospel dwell on Tvam--the soul. The next six chapters
explain Tat--the Supreme Principle and
the last six union of soul and God (Jeevatman with Parmaatman). Together they
reveal the deep meaning contained in Upanishad's Mahaavaakya Tat-Tavm-Aci (That
Thou Art). Geetaa stresses the importance of Sreyas (Eternmal Bliss-Permanent
happiness) over Preyas (temporary worldly pleasures). Geetaa leads one to
happiness with a doctrine that is beyond national and religious boundaries in a
language that surpasses all human imagination and admiration. The study of
Geetaa alone is sufficient for the purpose of studying Upanishads like
Mahaanaaraayan Upanishad for the study of Vedas.
As it is also a celebrated
Ekaadasi Day, Upavaasa vrata (fasting ritual) is observed.
It is a ritual because while fasting from sunrise to sunset we chant Geetaa. I
often wonder why this day is not earmarked for Geetaa as Swami Sivananda thinks
and only Vaikuntha Ekadasi Svargavasal (Highway to heaven) entry ritual
is observed at 6.00 P.M in our temple. Probably they think that
Mahbharata war would not have started on that Day because the very religious
Drona, Kripacharya and Aswatthaama would be observing fast and whole night
vigil to enter Svargavasal at early morning hours which is the prescribed
saastric procedure than what it is in America modeled for busy executives and
for short-cut entry to heaven at 6 P.M.! Evidently they seem to believe this is
not the day of Birth of Geetaa as I do. Observing Geetaa Jayanti
Day would have been more appropriate to the Hindu-American crowd than the
observance of sectarian Srivaishnava Tamil Nadu ritual! This is like Sivaratri
for Saivites where you will find no Vaishanvite.
Vaikuntha Ekaadasi also known as
Mukkoti Ekaadasi, is the most important Ekadasi of the year. This also
falls on the same day as Geetaa Jayanti Day. Geetaa Jaynti often does not
match with Puranic predictions of Bishma's fall and final giving up his ghost
on Makara Sankranti Day. Vaikuntha Ekadasi is also the most sacred
day for Vaishnavites who observe whole day fast, keep whole night vigil (like
Sivaratri for Saivites) and also chant Vishnu Sahasranaamam. This is the
day when the doors to heaven are said to open. All Vaishanvites living in Tamil
Nadu Divyakshetras (sacred Vishnu pilgrimage centers) rush to the temple during
early hours after whole night fast and vigil to symbolically walk through the
door to Svarga. For details as to the importance of this day please visit the
BLOG for discourse On
"Vaikuntha Ekadasi"
What surmises me most is why this High way to Heaven should be available only in Sri Vaishnava
temples and that too in Tamil Nadu and USA? Unless Siva gives clearance to the
soul after declaring that the soul is free from all Karmas
afte- its body of occupancy is turned into ashes at His will, we can
ascend to heaven or reincarnate. Why then it is not important in Siva temples
and also in other Sampradayas of North, South, East and West in India or
in other foreign lands where Hindus have migrated? Probably Tamil Nadu
Vaishnava thought of such observance to force people to fast whole day, keep
whole night vigil and then only rush to High Way where accidents do take place
in India during the rush minutes of entry. I believe Maharashtrians
also attach importance to Ekadasi Vrata but Chooda (mouth-watering beaten rice
preparation) and Ksheera are permissible. I don't know about their entering
High Way, nor about the devotees of Jagannath and what they do on
this day giving up 32 varieties of snacks in their famous temple! As a true Sri
Vaishnava from Tamil Nadu and a direct descendant of Ramanuja I should not
question any form of worship or observance of the ritual and so I simply
participate if I can or fast at home chanting Bhagavdgeerta or Vishnu Sahasrnama.
For detailed information on Geetaa Jayaanti Day please
visit the BLOG for my discourse
on "Geetaa Jayanti Day".
19. DEEPAAVALI OR
DIWALI
Hindu festivals have a deep spiritual import. They contain
religious, social and hygienic elements in them. Deepaavali or
Diwaali contains all these elements though people concentrate mainly on merriments. It focuses
on the goal of life and attainment of God-consciousness by noble thoughts
and deeds.
Deepaavali or Divaali
means “a row of light”. Main festival of
Deepaavali falls on the last two days
of the dark half of Aswin (Aswija Krishna Chaturdasi and the following
Amavasya) month of the Hindu calendar during October or November. It is a great
festival of rejoicing and merriment all over India with several traditions and
cultures. People mix with one another without any reservation, all enmity being
forgotten. They also worship their favorite deities on these days. General cleaning, fireworks, illumination of
all houses, exchange of sweetmeats and greeting one another make this festival
an all India festival. In South India people take oil-bath and wear new
clothes.
For a detailed discourse on Deepaavali or Diwaali please visit
Hindu Reflections <nrsrini. blogspot.com> “Deepaavali or Divaali, the
Festival of Lights.
20. UTTAANA
DVAADASI AND TULASI WORSHIP
If Bilva is dear to Siva as you have seen in my discourse on
Sivaratri, so is Tulasi for Lord Vishnu (Vanamali). There are many
mythological stories connected with Tulsi and her association with Lord
Krishna. Lord Krishna recommends worship with at least a leaf, flower,
fruit or water with devotion in Bhagvadgeetaa. Here the Vaishnavas have chosen
Tulasi and Saivites Bilva based on the Puraanic story or history. To a
pious Hindu Puraana is history. History to him is His Story that is the
story of the Lord. You are all familiar with Ganesha who is fond of Jambuphala,
the rose apple (black berry like), violet fruit bigger in shape and
Milk-weed flower (Erakkum Poovu in Tamil). Krishna is fond of Paarijata(coral)
flower. Vishnu worshipers prefer Satvic flowers which are Arka, Nandyavartam,
Drona, White Lotus, Jasmine, Coral flower (paarijaata). We hear in
Vedic literature flowers like Asoka, Kunda, Kumuda, Neel-kamal. In fruits
co-coanut, banana and Mango are very sacred. Some of the Vedic celebrated
flowers are now not available. You also glorify Krishna as "Asatee
pushpa sankaasam haaranoopura sobhitam''. Asatee pushpa is also the favorite of
Lord Krishna.
Amongst all these Tulasi is the most celebrated and worshiped
plant in every Hindu Vaishnava home in their court yards or pots
besides its popularity in temple worship and medicinal and beauty-aid
preparations. Uttana dwaadasi is very important day for Tulasi worship.
On this day the marriage celebration of Goddess Tulasi with
Lord Vishnu is celebrated and revered by all Vaishnavites. Sometimes Tulasi is
also worshiped with the myrabolan (amla) branch in this ceremony.
Special poojas are conducted in all Vishnu Temples. Durga and Siva
are not worshiped with Tulasi. Japaa Kusuma is the favorite of Durga. Ganesha
is worshiped with Tulasi only on Ganesha Chaturthi Day.
This year Uttaanaana Dwaadasi falls on November 7, 2011. Please
visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
for my discourse on “Uttaana Dwaadasi and Tulasi Worship”which includes Vedic
Mantras and slokas for chanting.
21. KARWA
CHAUTH AND TEEJ FESTIVALS OF NORTH INDIA
Karwa chauth and Teej are regional traditions and festivals.
Saturday, 15 of October in 2012 is the fourth Day after Sharad Poornima which
occurred on last Tuesday this year. Karwa Chaut in most part of the
North India and Teej in Rajasthan are celebrated four days after Sharad
Poornima in the month of Kartik. Women wear their bridal dresses on this day,
fast and pray for the prosperity of the household and longevity of their
husbands. On this day married women do not eat until they see the reflection of
the moon in the platter of water and paying their respect and love to
their husbands. The moon symbolizes Siva, the husband of Parvati.
Siva is believed to be very handsome but unpredictable and also unconventional
too in his ways. He is a very care-free person as for as the family is
concerned. He is always deeply involved in meditation and not a regular
breadwinner for the family. It needs all the resilience and patience of Parvati
to subdue him to bring back to family way of life. Women pray to possess
the resilience of Parvati so that they could develop an ideal temperament to
tolerate their husbands and live in peace instead of fighting.
Karwa means a small earthen pot filled with sprouts, which is
given by elderly married woman to new brides on this day. It is a gift symbolic
of fertility passed from woman to woman as an offering of Devi's grace.
Sprouts are symbolic of fertility and are used in paalika visarjan in Southern
tradition (Please refer to the discourse on Hindu smaskaaras).
Teej is celebrated in North India, especially in Rajasthan
dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the princess of Himalayan Kingdom who
domesticated the recluse Siva and charmed him to become a householder.
Parvati's image is bedecked with bridal finery (sola Singar) and carried in procession
on this night.
Please visit the Blog for a discourse on “Karwa Chauth and Teej
Festival” at <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
12.
MAHAASIVARAATRI
Whatever may be said in defense, Mahasivaratri is heavily
Saivite sectarian oriented and is participated only by the followers of Siva
in India. Even though we participate in all worships in
Temple-complexes of Overseas like in USA,
worship on Mahaasivaraatri night heavily leans towards Saiva
Aaagamas and ardent followers of Siva only go through the severe
ritualistic practices of fasts and vigilance called for the night. Others by
and large attend without active participation or without much interest grown
with their own Sampradayas at homes and ignorance, if they choose to
attend or use the occasion just for social meet.
The fight between Vaishnavism and Saivism still continues
in India and mostly Hindu temples are sectarian only in worship
patterns. Advaitism is very strong. Even Ramanuja had to live in
exile for long and work on his philosophy from outside Tamil Nadu. He
preached his philosophy irrespective of caste and creed and even to so called
Harijans like Basveswara. His respected Guru Nammazhwar and
disciple Dhanurdasa were from the low castes. His closest disciple
Kuresaa (Kooratt-aazhwar) was blinded cruelly by the Chola King
who was a staunch promoter of Saivism who got his eyes plucked for not
accepting supremacy of Saivism.
We need not follow or recall the past history. Living
in USA in a multicultural atmosphere and society how can we make such
worships more broad based and also focus our attention towards spiritualism?
We need also at the
same time Aagama and Sakta
trained priests to conduct our worships. One ideal example is to
follow the traditions of Oriyan
temples in India like Puri and Bhuvaneshewar. Here you can
see worship conducted
simultaneously to Jagannatha, Siva, Naraismha, Devi and
Soorya with no reservation at the same sanctum. Both Linga and
Saalagrama are worshiped together in Bhuvaneswar where they also have a
sanctum for Narashimha in Tribhuvasneshwara Temple.
We have been moving
away from Srutis (Vedas) and concentrating more on Smritis. Vedas are the ultimate authority--Vedokhilam dharma Moolam. I
therefore thought it best to draw your attention to an Upanishad which
prescribes Vedic Mantras suitable for all sampradayas to be
chanted and to be followed by everybody in common form of worship by
properly understanding its Universal approach for all kinds of Sampradayic
traditions. I have collected exclusively all such mantras which are
easy to practice by all and also employ in worship within the Aaagama and
Tantric injunctions and forms of worship. This Upanishad's focus aims
at repentance, meditation on Brahman and self-surrender (saranaagati) through its Vedic
Mantras.
To quote an example Mahanarayana Upanishad (MNU)
contains a Panchabrahma Mantras which
are applicable both to Siva as
Panchaanana or Sadyojata and also to Lord Narasimha and Rama. Similarly
the famous Mritunjaya Mantra. These
have been explained fully in the discourses posted on the Blog. Our priests
could explain such mantras to the crowd and employ them on a great occasion
like Maha Sivaratri or Narasimha Jayanti and direct their final prayers to Panchabrahman to concentrate
and meditate upon Supreme
Spirit. Mantra Pushpa and Om Jagadeesa Hare carry the same
message but many do not understand their meaning and significance but
chant them mechanically. We are not focusing on this aspect at present
because of our lack of study of
Vedas with proper understanding. It may not be possible
to have a unified form of worship in India with all participation
due to vested interests in Temple Management, but here it
is a necessity living together as a multi-cultural Hindu society and need to
focus on monotheism through spiritual focus as we are living as a
minority among major religions of the land of adoption. We need a unified approach. I have
stressed the same in my discourse "Hindu Mass Worship in Temples and the Need for Spiritual
Focus". The idea is not to replace or revolt against present
practices but suitably blend Vedic mantras to focus on spirituality and monotheism with proper
explanation. Our worship procedures include lot of Vedic
mantras and so this is not anything new suggested. We usually go
with long explanations following
polytheistic cultural approach in our worship to show how we are monotheistic. Why not
then in practice?
Please find on the BLOG a collection of Mantras for our
daily use and worship with meaning and explanation. These are Vedic mantras.
These contain: Gayatri mantra on various deities; Bhudevi Mantras;
Daily prayer Mantras for self-atonement (sandhyavandana Mantras for evening
and Morning prayers); Mealtime prayers: Mantras for Aaarati (waving of Lights
before deities); Panchaanana,
Panchabrahma Mantras; Mantras on meditation of Siva; Shanti
Mantras; Mrityunjaya Mantra; Trisuparna
Mantras; Satru Nivaarana mantras (mantras for destruction of hostile
influences) etc. Some more Mantras will appear in a different discourse all
from the one upanishad which stresses the importance on meditation on Brahman
and complete surrender to him. These appear as Sooktas--Purushasookta,
Narayana Sookta, Durgasooka, Mrittika Sokta, Medha Sookta, Hiranyagarbha
Sookta etc. from MNU.
Please visit the Blog at <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for discourses: Prologue on Mahasivaratri and Pradosham; Mahaa
Sivaraatri; Vedic Mantras from Mahaanaarayana Upanishad: Sooktas from
MNU; Homa Mantras from MNU with meaning and explanations
and the discourse on Linga
and Saalagraama.
23. MAHAA PRADOSHAM
Worship of Siva and Parvati every fortnight
during the Twilight period after fasting is considered to be very auspicious.
Staunch devotees take food only after the completion of The worship.
Devotees believe that they are catching Siva and Parvati in their happy hours
during this period and would be blessed with wealth, happiness, progeny
and fame. There are in all 24 pradoshams in a year. The one preceding
Mahaasivaratri night is called Mahaa Pradosham (The great Twilight).
On the right hand wall center of Siva's
sacrosanct as one faces Linga there is a Gomukhi, the outlet for
Abhishekha (divine bathing) water and the location for Chandrasekhareswara in
all Siva temples. Soma-sootra Pradakshina (circumambulation) is considered to
be auspicious and done by all Siva devotees who observe this ritual (Vrata).
First pay your obeisance to Nandi (holy bull), go anticlockwise and salute
Chandrasekhareswara (not crossing the Gomukhi); now return in the clockwise
direction and pay obeisance to Nandi and continue clockwise till the
Gomukhi (do not cross it again); then return in anticlockwise direction
salute Nandi and proceed towards Chandrasekahreswara; from their return back
clockwise without worshiping Nandi and reach Gomukhi. Finally return back
anti-clockwise from there to pay obeisance and continue Chandrasekhara and
return back to Nandi and worship Sivalinga at the altar by viewing through
the two horns of the Holy Bull. This is One circumambulation. Perform in all
three such circumambulations (pradakshina). If we carefully observe this
represents the periphery of the crescent moon.
Self-conditioned by Maaya is
Easwara (maayopaadhih sah Easwarah Ityuchyate-Tattvabodha). Here
Nandi is Maya and together with Nirguna Brahman is Easwara. What
you visualize through the two horns of the bull is Parabrahman.
When somebody comes as an obstruction while
doing a job Tamils usually exclaim: "Why do you stand like a
Nandi before Siva?" What is meant
here is Maaya is the obstruction standing before as a veil to realize Brahman
which one should overcome to realize Brahman.
Mahaapradosham falls on February 19, 2012 a
day prior to Mahaasivaraatri. Please visit the temple for this twilight
ritual to catch Siva in his happy hours and meditate up on. It is
interesting to note that Lord Narasimha also appeared during the
twilight period to his ardent devotee Prahlada and relieved him of his
unsurmountable trouble and granted him immortality. Lord Narasimha and Siva
are both instant born and are meditated upon as Sadyojata (Parabrahman).
They both area also worshiped a Agni (Jaataveda), Vyaahriti of Brahman,
in the form of Jwaalaa Narasimha and Jyotirlinga.
"Jyotir-jwalati
Brahmaahamasmi" --I am the self-luminous; I
am Brahman (MNU).
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a detailed discourse on “Pradosham,
Its Significance” and “Prologue on Pradosha and Sivaraatri w Worships”
|
24. THAI POOSAM
FESTIVAL OF TAMIL NADU
Thai Poosam which falls on February 6 in 2012 is a Tamil Festival celebrated with
great reverence all over Tamil Nadu as well as wherever Tamils are
settled in the world. The festival derives its name from the Tamil month "Thai"
and Poosam (Pushyua), the asterism of the day on which it is celebrated.
It is the day on which the young boy Lord Muruugan was presented with an
invincible weapon "VeL" (lance) by his mother Parvati and was
appointed as "Deva Senaapati" Supreme Commander of all Divines by his
father Siva to annihilate the evil and establish Dharma, World Order.
Murugan is known by several names as the son of Siva and
Parvati--Kartikeya, Shadaanana, Shanmuka, Skanda, Guru Guha etc. Though
his name appears in Tretayuga celebrated in one complete chapter of Ramayana,
glorified in Bhagvadgeetaa by Lord Krishna," among Generals I am
Skanda" (Senaaneenaam aham Skandah) in Dwaaparayuga and celebrated
in his famous drama by Kalidasa, Kumaara Sambhava, in Kali Yuga. There is no
mention of Ganesha in either of these scriptures.
While North was troubled by too many wars and invasions from
foreign tyrants Tamil Nadu had lot of time to develop more Puranas and
also focus on spiritual matters. Tamil religious literature abounds in
scriptures and Puranas on Lord Murugan. North needed to pray more on
Ganesha to remove their obstacles and to progress and so Ganesha was always in
the lime light. Even Lord Siva accepted Kartikeya as his Guru on
Spiritual matters who earned the title of Guru Guha defeating his father in spiritual
discussions. It is strange though he was introduced through Ramayana by
Valmiki from Ayodhya very early he is not at all popular in the North!
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a detailed discourse on Thai Poosam. Also go through the discourse
on Subhramanyan previously
posted on the BLOG, if you had not gone through the same earlier.
25.
VASANTA PANCHAMI
Vasantu Ritu in India covers the Hindu months of Chaitra and
Vaisakha. One may wonder why Saraswati Puja celebrated mainly in
Bengal on Magha Shukla Panchami, in Sisira Ritu, in the Hindu
calendar is called Vasanta Panchami. In 2011this festival falls on
Friday 27 January according to North American Panchangam published by the The
Council of Hindu Temple Society of North America, for which Sri Ganesha Temple
in Nashville holds the Secritariat. Yet they celebrate this on Saturday, 28.
Probably this Panchangam is not for us though this Panchangam says Magha
Sukla Shashthi is for the whole day of Saturday. May be Bengali religious calendar
is different!
Vasant is one of the pleasant musical modes (Raag Basant) dear
to Saraswati. Probably the name is derived from it. Sarswati
is considered to be the daughter of Shiva and Durga in Bengal.
Goddess Lakshmi is her sister and Ganesha and Kartikeya are her brothers,
contrary to the general belief that Ganesha and Kartikeya are sons of Siva and
Parvati (both of them are Ayonijas, born outside the womb). Lakshmi is the
consort of Vishnu while Saraswati is the consort of Brahma both born at different
circumstances with different reasons and sources according to many. Durga is a
Vedic deity like Rudra in Vedas and probably because of that she is not
identified with Parvati. Parvati is identified with Uma another Vedic
deity who is mentioned as daughter of Himavan. When did Durga marry Siva, it is
best known to Puranaas. Anoher Puranic story tells Kausiki Durga emanated from
the body of Parvati who herself became Kaali the dark one after this
manifestation. Tantric people claim Subhadra in Puri is Durga and the presiding
deity and not Jagannth. Probably we would have been less confused
and better had we remained with Vedic deities!
Saraswati does not find favor with temple worshipers, as
she neither wields power nor wealth, except in Sringeri Saarada Peetham
and one or two lone temples in India. She is also not popular in Hindu
complexes in USA as those who built the temples needed no further favor from
her being highly qualified when they left their homes. They carry this
tradition to their children too. But there is no Hindu home where she is not
worshiped or preyed daily wherever they are settled. You always find her photos
hanging somewhere in the Hindu homes. She is celebrated in Vedas as a
river and Medha Devi as you have seen in Medha Sooktam in my discourse on
Mahaa Naarayan Upanishad. It is a pity we fight for installing Buddha or
Jina or Saibaba apart from host of minor Puranic deities
in Hindu temples consecrated according to Aagama Saastras but do not
think of Saraswati at all! Durga, Parvati and Lakshmi dominate all Hindu
Complexes overseas. I do not know why poor Saraswati has not found favor with
Aagamas and Tantras?
I often wonder why Puranas should have regional bias and
differ so much? Of course such variations keep the institutions of temple
busy and financially sound particularly in temple complexes like
those in USA. If we are serious we may fill the Hindu religious calendar
for all the 365 days in a year for special Poojas. But will that help
more towards spiritual progress is any body's guess?
26. MAKARA SANKRAANTI
When the Sun enters the constellation of
Capricorn (Makara) it is called Makara
Sankranti. It is also the beginning of Devayaana or Uttaraayana Punyakaala. This
begins on January 15th and ends on July 15th this year. Then starts the
Pitruyaana or Dakshinaayana Punyakala. Makara Sankranti is a very
auspicious day for all Hindus. Makara Sankranti signifies peace, prosperity and
plenty. Bhishma is supposed to have given up his ghost on this day? How
did he reincarnate on Bhishma Ekadasi Day later to impart Vishnu
Sahasranaam to Yudhishtira is anybody's guess?
Panchangams, Puranas, Temple festivals and rituals confuse me a lot!
In Tamil Nadu this is a three day festival called
Pongal heralding the harvest season and offering the first crop to Sun God by
cooking fresh crop of rice in a mud pot, called Pongal (Kichadi, spiced rice
and dal) and offering to God and sharing the blessed food with friends and
relatives. In Karnataka this festival is called Sankranti. It is
also customary to read the influential effects of good and bad effects of Sankranti Devata for the whole
year on this day. She is supposed to not only influence the life of individuals
but also the nation like planet Saturn. Karnataka people keep Sankrtanti
Devata on their good side by offering roasted sesame seed with
copra cubes, jaggery cubes and roasted peanurs which is her favorite
snack called "Sankranti
Ellu" in Kannada and then distributing the same to all
their friends and relatives.
Sun god is
supposed to ride on a Chariot with 7
horses and 12 wheels representing seven days of the week and 12 months in year. Seven also stands for seven colors
in the white light. Please read my Konark visit
under "Pilgrim centers we visited" on the BLOG for more details. Sun
God's horses take some time to get on to the track of Uttaraayana path
(Highway to Heaven). That occurs on Rathasaptami Day which is also a day
for the worship of Aaditya. His charioteer is Aruna and wives Sanjana, Chaayaa
and others.
Makara in Sanskrit means Crocodile. Sankranti
means crossing over. These words remind
us of Indradyumna, the elephant inflicted with curs, crossing over from
the clutches of the crocodile due to the timely intervention of Lord
Vishnu moved by its cry and calling for his help called Gajendra Moksha.
Probably he was under the bad influence of Makara Sankranti Devata in
which Karnataka believes in.
This festival is directed toward Sun God. It would be appropriate to
chant Aaditya Hridayam on
this day and also several Vedic Mantras on Surya. Probably you are aware that
Sage Agastya administered Aaditya Hridayam to Sri Rama before his final
encounter with his formidable enemy Ravana.
Rama succedded. So this stotra
(hymn) is meant for those who seek freedom from evil and success in their
struggle. This festival has more of festival content than the ritualistic part
with lots of merriment, cattle race, open-air lunch, dance, singing etc.
The I-discourse on Makara Sankranti is quite
elaborate dealing with various traditions all over India. Please visit
the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com for
details. Also go through the discourse on “Aiyappan”
27. RATHA YAATRA OF JAGANNATH
Ratha Yatra of Jagannath is celebrated on 9th of July in 2012 in
Hindu Temples of America. Many of you who regularly attend Jagnnath Puja every
Saturday at the temple may like to know more about Lord Jagnnaath whom
Jaydeva has glorified as none other than Lord Krishna as he was not
happy of him being worshiped Just as an avataar of Vishnu. He visualized
all the avatars emanated from Lord Krishna only.
Indradyumana, the pious king performed a penance as a result of
which Vishnu appeared in four-fold form which includes two of his Vyuha forms
in his dream: Purushottama (Vaasudeva), Balabhadra (Sankarshana),
Kaatyaayani (Primordial energy) and Sudarshana (Divine flame). His dream and
conceptualization Concritized as the famous temple of Jagannath in the temple
town called Purushottama Kshetra (modern Puri). Its greatest event is Ratha
Yaatra, Temple-car festival. Based on the pious king's dream Tantric worshipers
call this place Srikshetra and consider Subhadra as the main deity on the Diaz,
Rathna Singhaasana. Peculiarly all the deities are seen clothed in female
attire with prominent ear-rings. Long before, the Diaz had accommodated
Bhairava the fearful form of Siva which is no longer seen. Vishnu's circular
weapon in circular flame form is here represented by a staff which reminds the
form of Lingodbhavamoorti in a column of endless flame, though we miss Bhairava
form of Siva today. Puri priests in their worship offer their
preliminary worship to Lord Narasimha and Soorya other Jawaala(Fiery flame)
forms of deities of Vaishnavas and Sun worshipers (Saura) to remind us of the
Bhairava missing from the Diaz.
Please go through the discourse on “Lord Jagaannath of Puri and
Ratha Yatra” on the blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> The English word "Juggernaut"
coined and permanently included in the Oxford Dictionary originates from
the word Jagannaath. In fact the British were struggling hard to find an
appropriate name for their powerful military vehicle and were happy with the
word "Juggernaut" though a wrongly spelt.
28. KAARTIGAI DEEPAM FESTIVAL OF SOUTH INDIA
"Kartika Poornima heralds the
First Incarnation of Vishnu--Matsya, the dawn of Life and Animates; Kartigai
Deepam also heralds the birth of Lord Subrahmanya, Guru Guha, Peak of Knowledge"
In 2011 Siva Deepam is celebrated on December Eighth.
Siva Deepam somehow does not coincide often with Poornima day of the
month of Kartigai, in Tamil. This is a great day of religious significance for
Tamilians as it is the Birthday of
Lord Murugan or Subhramanyan, known as Kartikeya in some parts of
the North. That is why it becomes "Thiru
Karthikaai Deepam" being the most venerated festival of
Saivite Tamils. Somehow he is not very popular with the North Indian
crowd. It is on this day that the huge beacon is lit on the holy hill
Arunachala, in South India. On this day Siva is worshiped as Fire element
by Tamilians. Tiruvannamalai Hill is the place that represents the Fire (Agni)
element of Siva, that is as Tejo
Lingam.
Once Lord Siva assumed the form of a hill at Tiruvannaamalai as
the local legend goes. He quelled the pride of Brahma and Vishnu who were
quareelling as to their relative greatness. Of course Vaishnavites may have
their own story to tell how this is wrong and manipulation by
Saivites! Unforunately no one will come to the rescue of Brahma as he is
ignored in Hindu iconic form of worship except in Rajasthan! One day when Lord
Siva was on meditation, love-lorn Parvati went away to the hill of
Arunachala to perform penance. Siva often ignored Parvati and went on
meditation as a recluse. She was the guest of Gautama there. During her penance
there Mahishusara was killed by Durga hidden by Parvati. Bengalis may have
their own version! Parvati saw Siva as Arunaachalesvara. She was welcomed back
by Lord Siva to his side as Ardhaangi once more that is she occupied half the
body of the Lord. This is the origin of Ardhanareesvara say the Tamilians. If
you visit India you should take sometimes too visit Hyderabad Museum to see the
beautiful sculpture of Ardhanareesvara.
To VaishnavitesVishnu Deepam marks the day of the First Avatar
of Vishnu, Matsya (fish). A
section of scientists strongly believe that humans are evolved
from Fish. Therefore it is the day on which the light by way
of human life was brought on Earth. Human creation is the essential step for
Liberation. If Vaishnavites come to common terms with Saivites, which can never
happen, then Narasimha would be the ideal replacement for Jyotirlinga as
Jwaalaa Narasimha. Both can then agree to worship Fire as Vyaahriti (glory) of
Brahman on this day. This would fit into Americanization form of Worship which
is a new trend developing like worship in Hindu Temples in USA celebrating
Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
and New Year's Day as well as worshiping all traditional deities under one roof
including some Neo deitie (Saibaba, Swami Narayan, Mahaveer and Gautam
Buddha etc.) in Hindu Temples. Guru Nanak is also of Hindu origin like Buddha
and Jina and why not bring him also to Hindu Temple complexes? Perhaps Sikhism
is sensitive to idol worship unlike Buddhism and Jainism! May be Sikhs in USA
will compromise like Buddhists who initially were averse to idol worship!
Hindus in India, being conservative have only
Sankritization combined with Vernacularization of worship regulated by
Aagama and Sakta regulations of worship about which we will talk soon
except some lone temples for Saibaba, Bharatmata and others. Swami Narayan and
Hare Krishna temples have there own domination in India and do not come under
the traditional category. They can attract faithful followers of Hindu Religion
by their mouth watering prasaadams and tourist attraction if not for serious
worship and devotion. In America founding fathers have good control
over priests and can interpret scriptures to suit local needs in their
endeavor to preserve Hindu culture and honor Western culture of USA too.
Please
visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for the discourses on Kartigai
Deepam, Lord Subhramanya, and Human Evolution from Fish.
29.
CHITTIRAI POORNIMA FESTIVAL OF SOUTH INDIA
Tamils are particularly very careful not to offend any deity
and therefore there are countless number of festivals and rituals unknown to
many in other parts of India.
Chittirai Poornimai is a sectarian Tamil festival to honor
Chitragupta, the divine record keeper and Tamils have found a good day to keep
him on the right side to reduce their load of sins as well as increase the merit
of good deeds. They have a found a good example and friend in Indra who
often gets into trouble in Hindu Mythology. They worship him too on this
day! This is a great day of grand festival in Madurai in Tamil Nadu and a day
of reverence to Tamils and their neighbouring
people from Kerala. For a discourse on "Chittirai Poornioma Festival" please visit tha
Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>. In the North this day is earmarked for
Hanumaan and his Jayanti is celebrated with chanting of Hanumaan Chalisa of Goswami
Tulsidas.
30.
KAARADAIYAN NONBU OF TAMILNADU AND VATASAVITRI VRAT OF THE NORTH
North American Panchangam 2012 indicates the festival of Kaaradian
Nonbu on March 13, this year. It is celebrated on 14th in Nashville Hindu
Temple. This is a sectarian Tamil Festival observed more as a ritual to pray
for the longevity of their husbands by married woman in Tamil Nadu mainly by
certain communities than celebrated as festival. Married women remember
Savitri on this day, who brought her husband back to life. This ritual derives
its name from a special cake prepared for the occasion to offer to Devi called Kaaradai in Tamil (cake
made out of black-eyed pea). Nonbu means
ritual in Tamil.
It is rather intriguing why the same festival is celebrated in
the month of Jyeshta (on the previous New Moon Day) in Orissa and other parts
of Eastern India. People in these parts believe that Satyavan died on this
day under the banyan tree and so this tree is worshiped with flowers,
incense and sweets. Women go round the trees seven times and tie threads round
it in the hope that their husbands will live as long as the Banyan tree. Banyan
tree is supposed to be one of the long living among trees. The ritual in these
parts derives its name from the tree and is called Vata Savitri Vrat.
Hindu Puranas celebrate five great women known for their
chastity and devotion to their Huisbands. One couplet on Sanskrit
glorifies these women as follows: "Ahalyaa Draupadee Taaraa Seetaa
Mandodaree tathaa | Panchkanyah smaren nityam mahaapaataka naasaanam" --You
get rid of all your sins if you remember these five great women--Ahalya,
Draupadi, Taaraa, Seetaa and Mandodari. I wonder why Gandhari and
Savirtri were not included
in this Roll call of Honor for Great Womanhood (Pativratas) !
I also do not know how Satyavan could have died on different
Days? As you all know Hanuman was born on Chaitra Poornima for those hailing
from Rama-janmabhoomi and Dhanur Amavasya for South Indians. South Indians
claim they are right as Hanuman is of Deccan Plateau origin. North
American Panchangam published by "The Council of Hindu Temples
of North America" mentions only the latter date. Sri Ganesha Temple
holds the Secretariat for this Council but yet does not follow this Panchangam
! Our Saastras say that such rituals and religious festivals should be
performed only at specified times in the space-time continuum. If these Naimittika
and Kaamya Karmas performed otherwise, although may not cause harm,
they certainly will not be efficacious. How do we go about it? One option
is to celebrate it both the days as per the regional traditions. Go by
North American Panchangam for all festivals and rituals as another
option or get these clarified by the authors of this Panchangam published every
year for Hindu Aamericans' use and issued by the Council. Unfortunately
North American Panchangam does not talk about Vata Savitri Vrat? Why? I do not
know. Probably Hindu Americans can't grow a Banyan tree wherever they
are located!
In typical American practice birthdays are celebrated as per
convenience to attract maximum participation. There is a Presidents weekend
celebrating the birthday of Great Presidents together irrespective of when
they were born. Probably Hindu Americans have adopted this concept for
celebrating some of the Religious Festivals and Rituals too as cited
above!
Please visit BLOG at <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a brief discourse on
the subject: Kaaradiyaan Nonbu--Vata
Saavitri Vrat.
31.
RATHA SAPTAMI AND SURYA NAMASKAARAM
Ratha Saptami is celebrated on Monday 30 January 2012. It is the
day on which the planet Sun-God slowly moving after entering Makara
brings his seven horses to position to continue his Journey
Northwards. It is celebrated in Vishnu temples also
with a procession of the deity displayed with orb of the sun
(sooryaprabha) at the back. All Siva temples where Navagrahas are installed
special worship is carried out to Soorya Devata on this day with the chanting
of Aadity Hridayam found in Raamayana.
Closely following Ratha Saptami Hindu temples here on Sunday 5
February 2012 conduct special Pooja to Soorya Devata by performing Yoga
assanas chanting Soorya mantras for the twelve aspects of Soorya. It looks as
though this day is arbitarily fixed by Yoga enthusiasts who assemble in the
morning hours before sun rise on the designated day for yoga practice in
the open air though it is a cold day in winter. I understand Madhya Pradesh in
India conducted mass Soorya Namaskara worship on Vivekanand Birthday in January amid protest
from Muslim Leaders who issued also fatwa stating it is anti-Islamic.
This would not be possible in USA where we enjoy the religious freedom from The
Bill of Rights. It happens in India. That is the reason why I had
suggested celebration of this day during Festival of Lights Season which is
shown in our religious calendar as Christmas Week-end in my discourse
"Hindu Mass Worship in Temples and the Need for Spiritual
Focus" which call for your close study and serious thinking.
These discourses on" Ratha Saptami" and
"Obeisance to Sun-God" include some customary mantras from Vedas
for offering prayers to Soorya and also Sooryaashtakam.
-
Please visit BLOG for discourses on Ratha Saptami and Soory Namskaaram (Obeisance to Sun-God) at <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
32.
NAVARAATRI, DUSSERA AND KOLU (DOLLS’) FESTIVALS
Navaraatri is celebrated predominantly as a festival dedicated
to Devi as Primordial Energy in her emanations as Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati
as well as Ramleelaa celebrations, celebrating the termination of Ravana, the
purpose for which the 7th incarnation of Vishnu took place. In the South
it is celebrated as colorful Festival of Dolls and also celebration of Rama's
ascending the throne on Vijayadasami Day. They complete the holy reading of
Valmiki Ramayana during these ten days.
Durga poojaa, Aayudha Poojaa, Vidyaarambha are also celebrated
besides others as per the traditions prevailing in different parts of India. In
North India particularly U.P., and Delhi this is also celebrated as Ramleelaa
celebrations with the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Kubhakarna and
Indrajit, the stars of evil that stood against the practice of Dharma which
needed divine intervention. This symbolizes dawn of spiritual wisdom and destruction
of ego.
This is an exclusive festival dedicated to Goddess Durga
(sometimes in the form of Nava Durga and Kaali) in Bengal, the most important
day being Durgaashtami on the eighth day. Gujarat celebrates these days
dedicated to Amba with reverence, Garba dances and merriment. It is
customary to chant Lalita Sahasranaamam and read Vaalmeeki Ramayanam during
Navaraatri.
Please visit BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>. For
detailed description and symbolism of these festivals and for a detailed
discourse on Navaraatri, Kolu(Festival of Dolls) and Dussera
Festivals.
33.
GANESHA CHATURTHI
Ganesha Chaturthi falls on September 19 in 2012. Tamils observe
all Chaturthi days as special worshipful days for Ganesha and all
Shashti days for Skanda every
month though in the North it is only an annual event. To Tamils Chaturthi comes
first and Ganesha next. Therefore they call it as Chathurthi Pillai-yaar.
Pillai-yaar is the Tamil favorite word for Ganesha which means SON-WHO?
Ganesha has also two mothers Ganges and Parvati and so called Dvai
Maatura. Siva gave his ruling that
Ganesha is Parvati’s son. That raises the question whose son he is? Pillai-yar is
worshiped with 31 names starting with Baalaganapati and ending with
Mahaaganapati. Mudgil Puraana mentions 32 names where Mahaaganapati is repeated twice. Generally odd
numbers are preferred for the divines.
You will be surprised that when OM is written artistically in
Tamil script it represents Vakratunda, curved Ganapati graphically. So also the
Sanskrit letter OM they say. But Tamil OM is closer. Tamilians always
claim Ganesha and Murugan came from Pre-Aryan culture which belonged to them
and later merged with Sanatana Dharma. The rogue elephant that was destroying
their cane sugar fields was caught by the Ganaas of Siva and its separated
Head was taken to the headless body of the child for grafting by Siva.
Elephant's head represents Macrocosm and the headless body of the
child Microcosm. Ganesha also got the name Vighnaraja because he was a great obstacle to their sweet
crop. Later they started worshiping Man-Elephant God and had plentiful
crops all the year round. They also then on agreed to pay their first
respect to Gajanana and not to Murugan as per their earlier practice who
was their Hill-God. Therefore they claim Ganesha more as their God but
Maharastrians do not agree for they took care of him all the while, got him
married etc. and also claim that the Elephant belonged to them and went to
Tamil Nadu.
It is customary to make figures of Ganesha out of clay, worship
him on Bhadrrapada Sukla Chaturthi Day, take him out in procession (3 to 10
days) and immerse the idol in sea or river. Ganesha is the most popular deity
in the Hindu pantheon in Kaliyuga. He is the most lovable of the Puraanic Gods.
His stories are scattered all over the Puranas. Please go through the following
discourses posted on the Blog; <nrsrini.blogspot.com>: 1. Ganesha
Worship—Origin and Popularity; 2. Sri Ganesha; Ganesha (Janma) Chaturthi; 3.
Ganesha curses Moon; 4. Naming Ceremony of Man-Elephant God; and 5. Squeezing the Ears in Ganesha Worship
34. BHEESHMA EKADASI AND VISHNU
SAHASRANAAMA
Maagha
Sukla Ekadasi is called Bheeshma Ekadasi.
It is on this day Vishnu Sahasranama was imparted to Yudhishtira by his
beloved grand-father lying on the bed of arrows. Bhagavadgeetaa came out of the
discussions that took place between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the first day of
the Mahabharata War and Vishnu Sahasranaama on the day when Bheeshma departed
from the mortal world to join his team
of Vasus. On that day Krishna showed for
the last time His Viswaroopa to Bheeshma and Bheeshama gave up his ghost
chanting his name. Vedavyasa is the author of both of these who managed to
include them in the Great Epic Mahaabhaarata while composing it. This day is
observed as a Vrata Day fasting all day and chanting Vishnu Sahasranaama.
Truth is one. The Infinite is
one. It manifests in the world of
plurality with its endless varieties of names and forms. Thousand names of
Vishnu provide us with thousand clear arrow-marks rising from the known,
pointing to the unknown. These thousand and odd names, with which Vishnu is
addressed are contained in 108 Slokas of Vishnu Sahasranaama contained in
Mahaabhaarata. This has given us the
support to worship him daily with ashottaara archana form of worship if we do
not find time to chant all the 108 Slokas. Ashtottara is the short form for
satanaama asshtotaara (meaning 100+8). Vishnusahasranama ends with Vishnu Gaayatri
contained in Vedas and alsom contains the powerful Rama Mantra whose Guru is
Lord Siva and the recipient disciple Paarvati, who has left it behind for the benefit of mankind.
For a detailed discourse on Bheeshma Ekaadasi and Vishnu
Sahasranama please visit the Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
35. THIRU AADIPPOORAM FESTIVAL OF TAMIL NADU
This sectarian Tamil Festival is celebrated in some Hindu
Temples in USA. In 2012 Thiru Aaadi pooram falls on July 22 this
year which is also the Tamil month of Aaadi. The asterisk Pooram
falls on this day. It is considered sacred (Thiru in Tamil) because it is the
birthday of Tamil Saint-Poetess Aandaal of Tiruppavai and Thirumozhi
fame. Invariably you will find an exclusive sanctum for her shrine
in all Srivaishanva temples in Tamil Nadu as she is considered to be an
avatar of Goddess Mother Earth. Aadi Pooram is celebrated on a grand scale in
the Vaishnava shrines all over Tamil Nadu and in some of the neighboring states
as well wherever Tamils are settled.
Aandaal is one among the 12 Aazhwaars (Tamil Vaishnava Saints)
who were the most ardent devotees of Lord Vishnu and the authors of
Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam--4000 verses in praise of Lord Vishnu. This is
considered as Tamil Veda and invariably sung along with Sanskrit Veda in Tamil
Nadu in all Vishnu Temples.
Aadi pooram is a ten day festival in all Vishnu Temples in
Tamil Nadu which starts before the actual date. It is most most famous in
Sri Villiputhur, birth place of Aaandaal. The tenth Day is celebrated as Thiru
Aaadi Pooram. Special worships are conducted on this day with bridal decoration
of Aandaal. It is believed that if unmarried girlls observe this day as Vrata
(Religious Vow) they will soon get married to a boy of their choice.
Please refer to my discourse on "Aandaal (Kodai) Incarnation of Bhoodevi" posted
on the Blog <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
in November 2011. This discourse also associated with Aandaal was delivered
during the festivla of "Koodaarai vellum Festival" another
Sectarian festival celebrated by Srivaishnava sampradaaya. As you all know
we do not have Aandaal Shrine in Sri Ganesha Temple at Nashville but
with deft touches Lakshmi shrine is decorated by priests as Aandaal in
her bridal attire. Vishnu processional idols are always accompanied by Sridevi
(Lakshmi) and Bhoodevi (Mother earth) as his inseparable consorts
in temple traditions. Aandaal and Paarvati are always seen in their bridal
attire with 'sola singar' (16 steps of beautification) wherever they are
installed, in Hindu Temple Traditions.
36. THIRUVONAM FESTIVAL OF KERALA
At the
end of the monsoon, and also in the month of Sraavan, comes Onam, the harvest
festival of Kerala. Thiruvonam popularly called Onam is usually
celebrated for ten days. During these days the prosperous rule the
people enjoyed during the reign of mythological King Mahaabali is being
celebrated with all pomp and show to commmorate the golden period.
Onam
comes in August-September. June, July and up to the middle August are rainy
months. September sees the skies bright and blue. The countryside hedges are
pretty with flowers and sweet with song of birds. Padddy is almost harvested
and bananas are everywhere in plenty. The farmer living close to nature feels
the surge of new life in the soil and in the air. It is but natural to
celebrate this festival with music and dance. Like nature putting on the new
garb, Keralites go in for new clothes for the entire family. During these
festival days Kerala comes alive with multifarious activities. Katkakali
dancers tell stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata through dance
movements. At Kottayam, boat races are held. The huge snake-boats have about a
hundred oarsmen rowing each boat. As they row, they keep up a joint rhythm by
singing songs about famous people of Kerala.
Malayalees wherever they are settled make this festival an
opportunity for reuniting their family ties. Relatives from distant
places visit their homes. The family members get new clothes and presents from
the head of the family. The children and adults too play a lot of indoor
and outdoor games. Rich food is prepared and lavishly served to all, especially
to the poor and the working classes. The farmers bring presents to their
landlords, and in turn get presents for themselves in the form of clothes,
cash and food. All these external hilarity and customs produce the
salient effect of bringing a sense of oneness among the people with no caste,
status, age or sex considerations. People of other faiths too apart
from Hindus actively participate in this festival. The social fabric of Kerala
is so knitted that no human activity is segregated from the divine. Therefore
this festival is called Thiruvonam or the sacred Onam.
For a detailed discourse please visit the Blog:
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> "Thiruvonam
Festival of Kerala"
37.
SANI PEYARCHI RITUAL
Sani Peyrchi is a Tamil word like Tirukaartigai. Sani
Peyarchi is the periodical transit of the planet Saturn from one zodiac sign to
the other in our birth charts. According to Vaakya Panchangam Sani moves
from Kanya Rasi to Tula Rasi on Dec 21st December 2011 in the early hours.
As is usual with Panchangam predictions, according to Drigganita Panchangam
this is on 14th November 2011 at 12.45 P.M. Saivite Tamilians follow Vaakya
Panchangam. It looks as though Tamilians like me are most affected than other
Hindus. In fact all over India Hindus have strong belief in astrological
predictions and many should be following Drigganita (mathematical) Panchangam
also. I do not know why they were left out in November?
Of all the deities Hindus are scared of two deities Yama and
Sani who are the sons of Soorya whom they love and worship all the time. Yama
is cleverly avoided by prying to Rudra or conducting Mrityunjay Homa or
chanting Japa. He is also propitiated as one of the Dikpalakas (Guard of
the Quarter) in all worships and rituals. Sani needs to be propitiated in
a special manner. There is a lone temple for Sani in Maharashtra near Shirdi,
Shinganapore. All other temples for Sani are in Tamil Nadu--Kuchanoor;
Thirunalla; Thirukodikaadu. The scare starts from these temples where grand
poojas are conducted. One may do it by telepathy also to appease Saturn.
This transit of Sani may cause few changes in our life style,
bad or good. The most affected are those whose Janma Rasi is Tula. This
pertains to those whose Janma Nakshatras are Chitra 3rd and 4th quarters,
Swaati (all quarters), and Visakha 1st 2nd and 3rd quarters. All those
who are having Tula Rasi as their Janma Rasi and who believe in Astrology will
run to the temple to seek the blessings of Sani Bhagavan. Temples usually
conduct what are known as Shanti Homas or appeasement worship. Our priests and
astrologers strongly advise that all should participate in this in spite of
being a busy week day. Unfortunately this cannot be celebrated like
Thanksgiving at our convenience, for they have not yet found a method of
Hindu temple worship the American Way. It has to be 14th November or 21st
December. The choice lies with the founding fathers. The necessity for participation
by all is because every one will be affected by this transitory movement.
Some may even be rewarded. But you need to pay your gratitude to Sani Bhagavan
in order to keep him on the good side for these goodies.
Hindus also believe that one has to go through his Praarabhda
Karma and he cannot escape it under any circumstance. Perhaps such Shantis
prepares one psychologically to undergo those hardships when the severity
of the suffering may not be felt for long. It is strange why Vaishnava temples
are not concerned so much about it? You will find Navagraha installations only
in Siva temples. Probably they have a special association with Siva? In migrant
countries though these are temple complexes housing all deities, if the
presiding deity is from Saivism and if founding fathers are Tamil biased, Sani
Peyarchi worship is conducted with the usual piety and dedication.
Such occasional events celebrating planetary movements, and
Janma Nakshatras of great personalities and indication of events
by orthodox dates in scriptures have helped in arriving at the
historic dates from the orthodox dates as you see from my discourse. Nakshatra
is only one of the 27 segments of the Zodiacal Belt where as Nakshatras
in astronomy are stars, twinkling heavenly bodies.
Please visit the BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a brief discourse on Sani Peyarchi—saturns Transit Through our Birth
Charts. It is also helpful to go through in detail my discourses
on Navagrahas—Nine planrtary Hindu Deities delivered in the
past to understand the significance of the special planetary worship and also
the discourse on Orthodox and Historic Dates of Hindu Scriptures,
Events and Personalities of India. These are posted on the BLOG.
Your suggestions and additional information are welcome.
*38. INFLUENCE OF PLANETARY MOVEMENTS ON HUMANS
Many of
the Hindus who are born in India and have lived long there may know
the role of planets in human life. They might also have their horoscopes. Many
who are born here may not have given a thought to it. If you know the
exact time of the birth down to the minute, the place of birth,
longitude and latitude of the place you may be able to prepare a horoscope for
your child with a knowledgeable astrologer in India. There are too many fakes
too and you should be watchful!
The condition of an individual corresponds to changes in the
position of the nine Grahas (planets). One may be pushed up to high position
today or may be thrust down to the depths tomorrow. It is not the people alone that are subject to
changes of fortune. Establishments too have their ups and downs, so also
nations. Our ancient sages saw relationship between the position and
movements of the planet and destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness
experienced by him. This was the origin of astrology.
If our horoscope is cast on the configuration of the planets at
the time of birth our fortunes over the entire period of our life can
be predicted. I had such a horoscope made out for me by my very religious
and pious grand-father from his friend astrologer. While I was young
I did not believe in horoscope as many of you who are born and brought up
here and had all condemnation for it. After many years of my grand
father's demise I had a chance to go through my full-life prediction
horoscope. To my surprise many things said in it had come true. It
even predicted my life up to 2002 and beyond, followed by a great risk at
72, and predicted that life will continue further and closed the
horoscope. I survived my first stroke and my bye-pass surgery in 2002 and I am
healthy and back to life at 81.This prediction was at a time when an average
Indian lived up to 46 years only. I do not even now know who that astrologer
was. When I started believing in my predictions and wanted to thank the
astrologer, my grand-father was not there to tell me who he was; may
be the astrologer was also not there! If we know the planetary position at the
time of commencing a job or enterprise, with its help we should be able
to find out how it could take shape and how we would fare in it. Here
again we can't go by general predictions; it is bound with the person.
Hence correct guidance by a knowledgeable astrologer is needed. With one of the
priest-astrologer's reliable predictions to start the business at the right
time, a business man built a fortune. The astrologer knew his own future
too; he too was blessed with fortune and though a migrant poor priest, he
now owns a helicopter of his own in which he flies around. Obviously he
knew his future also and so associating with the businessman at the right time migrated
to USA at the earliest opportunity and rose to riches. He has also
raised a Hindu Temple with the active support of his business magnet
friend in USA and with his own contribution.
The course of the planets governing our life is in accordance
with Karma. We come to know the consequences of our actions in previous births
in various ways and astrology is a powerful tool. Astrological calculations
help us to find out such consequences as indicated by heavenly bodies. Saturn
is one such powerful Planet. That is why people think of appeasing Saturn by rituals
called Shaanti Homa and worship in temples or at home. Those who can't
participate on such mass rituals and have the faith and belief chant the
Navagraha Stotra all day or at least 28 times on 21st December. Sani Peyarchi is a Tamil word but
it does not mean that Tamils only are affected. Planetary movements influence
all human beings, all over the world. Hindus are cognizant of it while others
are ignorant of it or indifferent to it. That is why in
Western culture people do not bother about it.
It is left the individuals to believe it or not. For those who
believe correct data and particulars at the time of birth are needed as well as
well as good luck to get correct predictions by a well learned astrologer to
have a horoscope.
Detailed
discourse on " Sani
peyarchi” are posted on the BLOG. If you
need navagrahstotra with its meanings please visit my discourse "<nrsrini.blogspot.com "Navagraha Devatas and Planetary
deities" where you will find the Stotras in the end.
39. MAHAALAYAPAKSHA—HINDU MEMORIAL DAY
Hindu
Saatras proclaim due to the grace of God of Death, it has been ordained that
offering oblations to the departed, whether they are connected or not to the
performer of the ceremony, benefit all the departed souls during this sacred
fortnight of Mahaalayapaksha irrespective of the date and time of the deceased.
In a way Mahaalayapaksha can be called Hindu American Memorial Fortnight for
all Hindus living in USA. Many of us who have visited the holy city of Gaya in
India, know that mass ceremony is conducted every day to assist the faithful
pilgrims to offer oblations to 31 generations of their ancestors, all their
deceased relatives, friends and the desired ones irrespective of the date and
time of their death. The sacred
fortnight of Mahaalayapaksha has the same mandate. That is conducted in a holy
place and this is conducted on a sacred fortnight. Hindu Temples in America
could promote similar mass participation and also run Annadaana Fortnight (Food
Charity Fortnight) as an act of charity. Hindu Americans influenced by the
major culture of the land and their busy pursuits may not be able to carry out
the same at their own homes and also may not know the spiritual benefit behind
it. They may not also be able to perform their naimittika (specific
ordained) sraaddhas on the stipulated dates. For them the mass participation in
Mahaalayapaksha sraddha will be a blessing in disguise. Let us avoid also the costly mistake in life
made by Daanasoora Karna, Champion of Charity, to whom there is none equal in
charitable disposition and repent for it! I am not sure whether any such mass
program runs in India. But almost all famous temples run Annadaana (Food
Charity) Programs as a routine feature. Also plentiful priest services, fake
and genuine, are available to guide the
faithful to conduct such rituals at homes.
In some
of these religious ceremonies and rituals, we are most focused on heaven one day and seem least focused on making this earth more like heaven to-day. One of the
wisdom thoughts in Sanskrit says;
"atyutkataih punyapaapaih ihaiva phalamasnute"-- we experience the fruits of our extreme good as well as bad actions in this very earth itself.
While it is great to think about
heaven let us think of our task
here: let us feed the hungry, give water
to the thirsty, heal the sick, love our neighbors, be sympathetic to our
enemies, promote peace, show mercy, seek justice for others, be humble and do unto others as we
would have them unto us. Let us ennoble
the world with our thoughts (Krinvantoe Viswamaaryam). Let us look upon all
beings as our own self (Aatmavat sarvabhooteshu). Then we need not worry too
much if someone dear to us is not able to think of us for uplifting us on
Mahaalyapaksha Day when we leave this world
for pitruloka. Many of us often
worry what will happen with future generation and the culture when we leave
this world.
Please
visit the Blog Hindu Reflections: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a detailed
discourse on "Mahhlayapaksha--Hindu American memorial fortnight".
Also please do not miss to go through my article: “Hindu Rites for the deceased
Parents and Ancestors”
40. KEDAARAGOWRI VRATAM
We have recently gone through Swarna
Gowri Vrata or Gowri Habba popular in Karnataka and neighboring States. There
are many such vratas performed by Hindus in India essentially following the
same ritual practices. But Kedaara Gowri vrata is the longest where Siva is
also propitiated side by side. If Sivaratri
is the night of the emergence of Siva as Ligodhbhava Moorti, Kedara Gowri Vrata
Day is the day on which Siva emerged as Ardhanaareeswara. The 21 days of
observance of Kedaara Gowri Vrata culminates on Deepavali Day as Kedaara Gowri
Vrata grand Celebration in the Southern States of India with spiritual values
and contentment while North India concentrates on Kubera Pooja on that day followed by Lakshmi Pooja
next day aspiring to be rich and prosperous.
Ardhanareeswara is very popular in
Andhra Pradesh symbolizing the union of Siva and Sakrti. Tamil nadu also
celebrates this day as the union of Kamakshi and Siva. South abounds in many
popular Puranic stories Making it a day of imporrtance for Siva diverting the
attention of Vaishnavites who celebrate Deepaavali as the day of return of Rama
to Ayodhya or Krishna getting rid of the demon Narakasura and giving shelter to
16000 girls kept under his captivity and marrying them supporting polygamy if
one can afford without partiality. In
Ramayana days a ruler was supposed to have three wives, one from Kshatriya the
other from Vaisya and the third from Sudra community though Dasaratha had all
three from Kshatriya clan.
All Hindu rituals have a deep spiritual
import based on strenuous religious observance and ritualistic formalities and contain
social and hygienic elements in them.
But many seem to miss their
spiritual focus for heaven one day with their main focus on making this earth
heaven to-day, misled by
the benefits (Phalsrutis)
glorified by mechanically observing the Vrata.
Week long Deepaavali or Diwaali celebrations imply lot of spiritual
thoughts though people concentrate mainly on immediate benefit and merriment.
It focuses on the goal of life and attainment of God-consciousness by noble
thoughts and deeds.
The New Moon Day marks the worship of
blood-thirsty Kaali in Bengal and the worship of Lakshmi in rest of India. Devi
is worshiped as Dhana Lakshmi, Goddess of Wealth, Dhanya Lakshmi, Goddess of
Food, Vaibhava Lakshmi, Goddess of Fame and Aiswarya Lakshmi, Goddess of
Success. Those who observe Kedara Gowri Vrata, must remember that they worship
her as Sakti, Primordal energy on that Day, giving main importance to her as
the Sakti of Lord Siva, the motive force behind creation and all his actions.
For a detailed discourse on Kedarareswara Vrata and to know the spiritual aspect of the iconic
representation of a Ardhanareeswara please visit the Blog; Hindu Reflections
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> : " Kedaara Gowri Vrata, worship of Devi
as Sakti
of Siva"
41. MAHAALAYAPAKSHA—HINDU
MEMORIAL FORTNIGHT
Hindu Saatras proclaim due to the grace of God of Death, it has
been ordained that offering oblations to the departed, whether they are
connected or not to the performer of the ceremony, benefit all the departed
souls during this sacred fortnight of Mahaalayapaksha irrespective of the date
and time of the deceased. In a way Mahaalayapaksha can be
called Hindu American Memorial Fortnight for all Hindus living
in USA. Many of us who have visited the holy city of Gaya in
India, know that mass ceremony is conducted every day to assist the faithful
pilgrims to offer oblations to 31 generations of their ancestors, all their
deceased relatives, friends and the desired ones irrespective of the date and
time of their death. The sacred fortnight of Mahaalayapaksha has the
same mandate. Hindu Temples in America could help in similar mass
participation and also run Annadaana Fortnight (Food
Charity Fortnight). Hindu Americans influenced by the major culture of the land
and their busy pursuits may not be able to carry out the same at their own
homes and also may not know the spiritual benefit behind it. They may not also
be able to perform their naimittika (specific) sraaddhas on the
stipulated dates. For them the mass participation in Mahaalayapaksha
sraddha will be a blessing in disguise. Let us avoid also the costly
mistake in life made by Daansoora Karna, Champion of Charity, though there is
none equal to him in charitable disposition and repent for it! I am not sure
whether any such mass program runs in India. But almost all famous temples run
Annadaana (Food Charity) Programs as a routine feature. Also plentiful priest
services are available to guide the faithful to conduct such rituals
at homes.
Please visit the Blog Hindu Reflections:
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a discourse on “Mahalayapksha—Hindu Memorial Fortnight”
(September 2012)
42. SHARAD POORNIMA
FESTIVALS
Aswayuja Sukla Poornima (full Moon d Day) comes in Sharad Ritu
before winter and hence called Sharad Poornima. After killing the powerful
Mahishaasura (Dwemon-Buffalo) in Dussera, Devi needed rest. She sheds her
fierce form and awakens as the charming and benevolent goddess Lakshmi on
Sharad Poornima to some. As you all know in Bengal Lakshmi is considered
to be the daughter of Parvati, whose spinsters are Kartikeya, Ganesha and
Saraswati. So this night is celebrated as Lakshmi’s birthday in
some Hindu traditions and is heralded by beating drums. It is believed
that Lakshmi goes this night around to find out who is awake and shows her
pleasure when one is awake and celebrates it as Kojagarti night.
Maataa Kaali pooja begins on this day and ends on Diwali night with Nishaa
Pooja to many Bengalis.
Even though ardent worshipers of Murugan do not
agree Hindus in Orissa celebrate this night as Kumar Poornima heralding
the birth of Kartikeya. Swami Narayana worshipers all over the
world rush to their exclusive temples to celebrate the birthday of
Swami Narayan and so do not find time to visit Traditional Hindu
Temples.
Ardent followers of Lord Krishna (like Hare
Krishna devotees) in Brindavan and in some parts of North
India are busy with Rasakreedaa on this night
singing and dancing feeling the presence of Lord Krishna and
colorful Gopis around. Puranas say that Lord Krishna and Gopis engaged in
traditional folk dance on this romantic night and called it Mahaa Raas poornima.
Some Gujarrati devotees of Krishna celebrate it with their colorful Garbha
Dance.
Essentially it is a significant Poornima for
many Hindus hailing from the North. They eagerly look forward to the
Chaturthi moon after four days to observe Karva Chauth Vrat and they need the
co-operation of moon very much. South Indians however do not lag behind. They
call this night Tula Poornima and make it a special day
for their worship of Siva or a holy dip. Any thing associated with Tula is
sacred to them.
Hindu American Temples, confused by many traditional poojas
of significance of this night inherited from different traditions of
India some ancient and some unknown resort to Annabhishekam for Sri
Siva. It is a house cleaning day for all deities in some traditions when
all idols get a fresh look under the plea of Abhishekam.
Usually Rudra is Abhisheka Priya with water or milk with constant
flow which we do not grudge but on this night he gets a special Abhishekam
with milk pudding (payasam or Kheer). What better day can there be for Hindu
Temple Complexes in America to please all traditions! As you know
some Temples in America have also installed Swami Narayan
idol in their Temple complexes though they cannot match
the variety of Sweet Prasadams of exclusive Swami Naraayan
Temples.
For those who observe Satyanaarayana Vrata this
is a special Poornima Night calling for delicious Prasadam and
lengthy story telling praising the glory of the Lord. This also gives an
idea as to how many priests we need on this night to keep with the busy schedule
to please all sampradayas.
A spiritual seeker who visits the temple this night goes with his own mental make up chanting”Om tad Brahma, Om tad Vaayuh, Om tat Satyam, Om tad Aaatma, Om tat Sarvam, Om tat puror namah’’ and is not confused like the curious visitor of Western Culture to the temple on this special Poornima night baffled with many worships not knowing which to attend in a temle comlex? May be the distortion is due to the special effects of Moon on this night as Hindus believe Moon has strong influence on the minds of people but the spiritually inclined is not affected!
43. GANAPATI
VISARJANAM—SEND-OFF TO GANAPATI
It is customary to give a warm send off to Lord Ganesha in
Maharashtra with the words “Ganapati Bappa Moriya! Puduchya varshi laukar
yaa—Oh Lord Ganapthi, My Lord! Soon
return next year, where Ganesha worship is very popular and then immerse the
idol deep in running waters or deep sea. In Tamil Nadu where he is equally
popular Tamils send off with affectionate words Ganapati Appa, Poria? Oh Father
Ganesha, are you going away? But why this send-off of repetitive or cyclic
nature symbolized in action and worship? Aavaahan brings the Lord from the
concept of Niraakara (formless) to Saakaara (form) and again in Visarjan from
Saakaara to Niraakara as the idol which came from the clay of river bed goes
back to the river bed as clay. Saakaraa
needs physical medium. This comes out of elements, earth, water, air, fire and
ether. After Visarjan this form merges with nature reminding us of the cyclic
nature of life. As is usual with Hindu
concept there are deep ygienic, ecological and spiritual significance in Hindu form
of worship. It is necessary to revive the bed of the rivers and lakes exposing
fresh soil by removing surface soil. When it returns with antiseptics like
turmeric and vermilion it helps the living water creatures. That is why there
is the orthodox view to make Ganesha idols out of clean river-bed clay and
natural colors and not plaster of Paris. Of late bio-degradable paper mache idols are also popular.
Goddess Gowri molded Ganesha’s form from exfoliates of her skin.
She is mother earth and clay symbolizes her body’s exfoliates from which
Ganapati was formed. In simple symbol worship,
Ganesha is made with vermilion, turmeric, flour or are-ca-nut and betel
tied with a sacred thread all being
natural elements. These go back to nature when invoked deity is
withdrawn by visarjan, being biodegradable. In Hindu Moorti Upaasana worship where permanent deities are installed
with elaborate consecration ceremony extending over 48 days,
God is invoked or woken up before worship and is given a warm send off
to rest, the way we treat an honored guest regularly . In
the temporary installations of Ganesha Puja the idol is invoked by prayers and
given a warm send off by Visarjan. When Visarjan is completed the idol gets
back to a lifeless art piece. An idol is not fit for worship if signs of
deterioration or cracks are developed in the consecrated idol. Hence the need
forquick send off. Those of you, who are familiar with Jagannath worship, know
such a system is built in as the idol here is of wood. We have learnt about it
in detail in the discourse on Jagannth. Probably this is the origin for this
type of Visarjana form of worship from Nava kalebar. Jagannath tradition is
very old and pre-dates Ganesha worship. Even if the permanent idols become
defective or damaged they are suitably disposed off and new deity installed as
happened in ancient Guruvayur Temple of Kerala recently. The other orthodox
form of invoking deity is in Kalasa of an earthen pot filled with water. These
also go back to nature after visarjan when the invoked deity is withdrawn after
final pooja.
In the concept of Puranic religious worship Lord Ganesha comes
to us heeding to our prayers to take care of our worries and troubles during
Ganesha Chaturthi time and goes back to his abode Kailasa building comfort and
happiness in us and after the religious visarjana ceremony joins his mother,
Gowri (Mother Earth). That is why the idol is immersed in deep waters and in
running waters.
(September 2011)
44. ELEPHANT FESTIVAL OF
IYENGARS OF KARNATAKA (YAANAI PANDIGAI)
A year before last I briefly explained about this sectarian
festival like Thirivaadippooram festival we celebrate in Hindu temples where
there is not even a sanctum for the Popular Vaishnava saint deity of Tamil Nadu,
Aandaal. We have a temple complex
which has to cater to the religious need of wide variety of traditions and it is but natural to base the sanctums to meet broader interests. But we can also plan our common festivals and rituals
to the deities presented and also
on broad based deities not consecrated
like Earth, Brahmaa, Viswakarma etc.,
that could be followed by all in spirit and thought. It is not because I belong to this
community I present this discourse of a
minor festival but because of its focus on Wild Life and Forest Preservation and Hinduism ‘s concern for environmental protection and
preservation of the pristine beauty
of flora and fauna. I had also described
to you about the Paalikaa Visarjan ritual during Upanayanam and Wedding ceremonies
observed by the Brahmin community with the same objectives which could be
followed by all Hindu Americans. Such festivals are meant to bring our
awareness to social problems and our duty towards animals and
nature.
This festival is celebrated along with Kartigai deepam in Karnataka Iyengarn Community worshiping clay made
elephants for three days and send them
back to their natural habitat
religiously and ceremoniously. Ladies
fast for three days during daylight and worship Goddess Gajalakshmi in the night with lights and
pray for the health and
longevity of their husbands. Thus it is
both ritual and festival for three days. On the last day at the conclusion of
the ritual and worship the elephants (usually a pair) are given a warm send off
after token feeding to its natural surroundings with the request to revisit
again during Karthigai. Visarjan
ceremony brings our focus to recycling. Natural clay taken out of river beds
revives the soil. The clay after having served its purpose returns to soil with disinfectants like turmeric and
vermilion after use and helps to make the soil healthier. The motive behind the festival is to promote
Wild Life and Forest Preservation with a prayer to the Goddess. Elephant has
the longest life among animals and so this worship also appeals to the Goddess
to grant long life to their beloveds. Please go through the attached discourse
for details. Most Hindu festivals focus on our duty towards different planets
and living beings besides basing them on
Puranic lore.
My mother was a dedicated religious woman and very orthodox. She
implicitly followed her equally religious and orthodox parents however wrong
they may be? I always questioned blind beliefs and orthodoxy extended to the
point of ridicule! She failed miserably to convert me to her line of thinking.
She passed away peacefully after elephant Visarjan on the third day after
Karthigai without any suffering chanting the name of God. Her formidable faith
guided her all through her struggle in life.
I left her at the age of eight and was not there also when she gave up
her ghost. I thought of making her last days comfortable but He willed
otherwise! This discourse is dedicated to her and to her firm belief in Hindu Festivals and Rituals. I started understanding
the meaning and motivation behind these rituals and festivals and their broad
based appeal later in my life.
(November 2013)
Veneration of Elephants
in Hinduism
I was fascinated by an incident about the elephant herd in South
Africa that walked 12 miles to the rural home of their master Lawrence Smith, a
conservationist, to mourn his death who was their human friend in spring
2011. People saw visibly their hung down
head and tears in their eyes. He had befriended and helped them in their re-habitation
in the Zulund Bush. He died of heart attack. They arrived in a single file, and
hung around for two days--apparently a period of mourning--before turning
around and heading back. Feeling the poignancy of an elephant funeral march, I
felt it is not a bad idea to observe Mahalaya Paksha as a fortnight for praying
for the souls of the departed some near and many distant but deserving. If
animals can be so concerned why shouldn't not we as humans?
I often wondered why Ganesha and Vishwaksena, iconic
representations of elephant head on human body is so popular and so venerated.
Of course Hinduism believes in the same Self residing in all living beings
(antascharati bhooteshu).Therefore Hindus believe that respect for the natural
world is respect to God. Hindus therefore have built into the system a number
of natural worships showing our
veneration. Elephant worship seems to be one such popular worship. This celebration started as Festival of
Elephants, before Ganesha worship became popular. Elephant
is considered to be the most powerful, intellectual and humane being.
Its long life symbolizes prosperity and healthy living for a long life. It is
grateful to its master as seen above. it
has excellent memory. The trunk of an elephant represents the intellect, the
faculty of discrimination which arises out of wisdom. It uses its trunk as
powerful tool in all it’s intelligent
and life-supporting actions.
Puranas say that along with Lakshmi came the six-tusked, white
skinned elephant Airavata. She also came
with all boon-giving things--Kamadhenu, Chintaamani, Kalpataru, Akshayapaatra
etc.The Gods (devas) wisely claimed the elephant while asuras (demons) missed
the opportunity. Sacred elephants (Ashta-dik-gajas) that held up the sky from
the eight quarters of the Universe
raised their trunks and consecrated her with life-sustaining water. This
is the origin of Abhisheka ritual in Hindu worship of icons. Elephants are invariably found in the company
of Lakshmi. She is therefore called Gajalakshmi (co-born with elephant in
creation) and worshiped along with her two elephants. Vaishnavites consider
elephant as Vyaahriti (emanation) of Lakshmi, a symbol of prosperity. Hence
Some Vaishnavites worship elephant for three days during the Vishnudeepam about
which I talked about recently.
Probably this elephant worship gave rise to later popular
worship of Ganesha and Viswaksena, which icons combine both human body and
elephant head, a symbol of supreme intelligence and might. For a simple
aboriginal living in a group near a forest or mountain, the mighty elephant
might have provided the clue as to the form of almighty God which they started
worshiping. As the group became more
refined and cultured, the elephant God might have been transformed into the present
forms to symbolize more qualities.
Puranas have fantasied and exaggerated as to their birth and active
participation and projected them as very powerful deities for general worship.
Some even have gone to the extent of
bringing forth Upanishadic style religious texts to impress upon religious worshipers that their
worship only means worship of the Supreme principle drawing support from Bhagavadgeetaa another
product of Puranas which consolidated all Upanishadic thoughts and conveyed them through powerful spokesman
Bhagawaan who is believed to be Lord
Krishna. These texts also promise heaven
and beyond for all devoted worshipers in their elaborate religious texts unlike
the major Upanishads that contain no promises but show the path for Self-realization.
That has turned Hinduism today very complex in rituals and worship moving away
from spiritual evolution.
45. ALL HINDU WORSHIPS
AND RITUALS AIM AT HAPPINESS FOR ALL--SARVE
JANAAH SUKHINO BHAVANTU; AATMAVAT SARVA BHOOTESHU
We have come to the conclusion of all discourses on Hindu
Samskaras, Rituals and Festivals as generally observed or followed in migrant
countries by Hindus which are accessible on the Blog: Hindu Reflections. Every Hindu is expected to do his or her
Nitya Karmas (daily duties) like daily atonement for sins committed, mealtime
prayers, daily prayers to the Lord
etc., as well as Naimittika Karmas,
duties for specific occasions like
Vratas (rituals) and samskaras. While these Samskaras, rituals and pujas
refine and purify the performer, the mantras chanted at the time create benign
vibrations in the world. While each Karma is apparently meant for the performer
as an individual, it also brings benefits to the entire world. So all Hindu
rites begin with the prayer "Jagat-hitaaya Krishnaaya" (for the comfort of the world and to the
Lord) and all prayers to the Lord end with "Sarve
Janah sukhino bhavantu" (may all live happily!). Hindus often include
in their prayers: "Sarve bhadraani
pasyantu | maa kaschid svabhaag bhavet"--(may all perceive good; may
not any attain unhappiness!). You find
many such quotes of Mantras in my discourses as often as possible and as
appropriate, but it may not be possible to repeat them here. Let me therefore give below two examples one from the popular
Nitya Karma referring to Sandhyaavandana Gayatri mantra and the other from the naimittika karma
referring to the present Mahaalaya paksha ritual.
When we chant the Gayatri
Mantra "Bhargo devasya
dheemahi dheeyo yo nah prachodayaat"-- we do not say "May the Sun
God quicken or inspire "my intelligence", but "our"
intelligence. So the Gayatri is a prayer made on behalf of all creatures.
Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaisya boys including girls from Namboodri Brahmin
community who have undergone Upanayana ceremony must chant Gayatri Mantra not
only for their own good but for that of all castes, all creatures and all
sentient beings.
It is considered most appropriate for all communities to observe
Mahalayapaksha vrata irrespective of the date of the deceased person. It is
customary to perform tarpana---pay water sesame seed oblation to the deceased
ancestors called Pitru Yajna as a part of Mahalayapakasha Sraadha.
Tarpana is the most important part of Sraaddha. The opening prayer of Tarpana runs as follows:
From the highest point to the lowest
point so far as this Universe extends, let all divine sages and patriarchs, all
deceased father’s and mother’s side be worshiped. Let this humble offering of
sesame seeds and water go to the benefit of the whole world from the highest
heaven to lowest earth to benefit inhabitants of the seven continents belonging
to unlimited families in the past.
“Aa Brahma stamba
paryantam devarshi pitru maanavaah | traapyanta pitarah sarve maatru maata
mahaadayah || ateeta-kula-koeteenaam sapta dweepa nivaasinaam | aa Brhama
bhuvanaat loekaadidam astu tiloedakam ||
Tarpana ritual ends with the following Mantra: "Yeshaam na pitaa na bhraata na bhandu naanya goetrinah | te trupti makhilaa yaattu
mayaa tyaktai kusaih sthitaih || May all who are neither my father, nor my
brother, nor my relative nor belonging to my gotra (leniency) may get the
satisfaction by this water librated by me through the medium of Kusa grass and
sesame seeds! Thus this is a Universal prayer which is very common way to end
all Hindu prayers, praying for the welfare of all.
You may thus see how in all these rituals Vedic mantras are
chanted for the benefit of all human beings including all sentient beings.
Please keep this objective while discharging your daily duties as well as
observing rituals and Vratas and conducting worships. "Aatmavat Sarvabhooteshu"--Look upon all beings as you
alone.
46. SPECIAL MODE OF
PAYING OBEISANCE TO LORD GANESHA
It is a common sight to witness Ganesha being worshiped in a posture called Dhobit Karana based on a mythological story. The most venerated Ganesha is a mythological product as you all know. Dhobit karana has now been corrupted into "Thoppu Karanam" by Tamilis who invariably worship him in this form. Devotees force themselves to kneel with their hands holding their ears cross-wise as also their legs. You may often witness priests doing Dhobit Karana within Sanctum Sanctorum. No Shastaanga Pranaama (paying obeisance body touching eight parts to the ground) is done within the sanctified area as along the border of that square various deities are invoked and installed during Kumbhabishekam. No offence should therefore be meant pointing legs at any direction from within. Shasshtaanga Pranama is completed at the flag-post. That is why you see devotees doing Atma -pradakshina (Self circum-ambulation) only during Jagannatha Puja. By mistake and with good intentions some do Saashtaang Pranaama with added reverential attitude. Dhobit Karana has also additional medical benefits.
Religious Hindus pay their obeisance to Ganesha by standing
before the deity with legs crossed and hands also crossed along the breast,
with their fingers squeezing the air lobes. In this posture one has to sit down touching the floor and
then get up and repeat this exercise as many times as one has vowed to do. This
exercise is not easy. It purifies vital plexus which tunes the psychic power of
the worshiper. Though many make fun of this practice there are medical studies
made in U.K. which show health benefits.
Squeezing the ear could be useful in treating heart problems
according to an Indian Medical Team, working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital
for Children in London. The simple procedure of squeezing the ear produces a
temporary effect on heart dynamics, causing a small reduction in pulse rate, a
profound drop in the amplitude of the pulse and a drop in the peak and mean
flow velocity.
Orthodox Hindus tie around their ear tightly their holy thread
worn in the fashion of a garland.
According to Dr. Saxena working at Queen Elizabeth’s Children Hospital,
London, the act of tying the thread on the ear enhances spasmodic movements of
the intestines enabling easy and complete evacuation of fecal matter. At the
same time the bladder evacuates the urine completely without hindrance.
In the opinion of Ayurveda, Indian Medicine, the nerves around
the right ear are linked with muscles controlling evacuation of the bladder and
those on the left are linked with anus. Orthodox Hindus tie their long holy
thread worn in the form of garland around their neck round their right ear when
passing urine and when passing stools on the left side. These keep one free of
diseases like excessive urination, diabetes, piles, fistula and other ailments
pertaining to passing urine and stools.
(August 2011)
47. PHILOSOPHY OF
NAVARAATRI KOLU CELEBRARION (FESTIVAL OF DOLLS OF TAMILS)
Once upon a time King Surata sought the advice of his Guru
Surata ways and means to get rid of his enemies. As advised by him he made the
idol of Kaali out of the river-bed clay, consecrated the icon and worshiped
Kaali by observing fasting. His successful story started the tradition of making dolls of all kinds out of clay,
painting them and decorating them, arranging them in orderly fashion on steps
and worship them during Navarathri celebrated as Kolu in Tamil Nadu. Sarasvati worship during Navaratri is the
most important and significant worship.
All human beings should focus on gradual and progressive
spiritual evolution which philosophy is reflected in the arrangement of Kolu
and worship. The ninth step is allotted to beings with single sense like trees,
plant creepers etc. The eighth step is allotted to beings with two senses like
dolls of snails, sankha (conch), tortoise etc. The seventh step is allotted to
beings with three senses like dolls of ant and other crawling insects. The sixth step is allotted to beings of four
senses like dolls of crabs, wasps, birds etc. The fifth step is allotted to
dolls of five senses like cow, goat, tiger, lion, elephant, dog etc. The fourth
step is allotted to beings with six senses that are human beings. The third
step is allotted to dolls of elevated beings like Rishis, sages and saints. The
second step is allotted to dolls of divine beings like Navagrashas, deities
symbolic of five elements, Vedic deities etc. The very first step is allotted
to Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Ten Incarnations, Durga, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Ganesha,
Kartikeya, Venkateswara etc.
It is believed that if we follow this order and worship Devi in
her emanations of Sarasvati, Lakshmi and Durga we will be blessed with
knowledge, wealth and valor or strength. The philosophy behind Kolu steps
arrangement is as follows: In the last three steps we find material and
household world representation of Taamasic nature (Ignorance or dullness). In
the next three middle steps we focus on things of Rajasic nature (active or
egoistic or worldly concerns). In the first three steps we concentrate on
Saatvic nature (noble, brightness and divinity).
Sarasvati who is celebrated in Vedas is the Guardian of all fire
worships and sacrifices (yajna) and she is invoked with the word Swaaha at each oblation. She is
worshiped for all household happiness and grant of wisdom. Durga is worshiped
as Sakti during Vasanta navaratri during the Hindu month of Chaitra. The
Navaratri observed in The Hindu month of Bhadrapada for all round happiness is
called Saarada Navaratri. In the Tamil month of Purattasi Kolu Navaratri is
started on the first day of bright half fortnight and completed on the tenth
day called Vijayadasami. This worship is believed to help young girls to find
suitable partners. Married women are
blessed with long and happy married life. Elderly ladies will be blessed with
happiness and contentment. Durga is
worshiped as Navadurgas, Lakshmi as Ashta Lakshmis and Sarasvati as Ashta
Sarrasvatis by Tamils. They are the emanations of Devi in the presiding role of Durga, Lakshmi and Sarasvati.
(September 2011)
48.
SRIVENKATESA SATANAAMA ASHTOETTARA, SAHASRANAAMA aSHTOETTARA AND THEIR NAAMAAVALIS
Hindu Temple Complexes overseas invariably have a separate
sanctum for Lord Viswanatha and Lord Venkateswara wherever they are settled.
"When you have lost your eyes of wisdom, have none to depend upon
and perturbed join the crowd of devotees, cross the seven hills and
worship Lord Srinivasa in his abode which is the seat of Sridevi, Lakshmi--Araayi
kaane vikate girim gaccha sadaanvay | Sirim peethasya
satvabhih tebhishtvaa saatayaamaci (Rigveda 8-8-3)" says a
Rigvedic Hymn. Incidentally there are seven lokas and Puranas say there
are seven steps to heaven. Srirangam temple has seven Prakaaras and Tirupati
seven hills. So it seems Lord
Venkateswara worshipwas prevalent even in Rigvedic days like that
of Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vaayu and Prithvi. Later Puranas describe
Laksmidevi left her abode insulted and angered by sage Bhrigu and resided
permanently in Karaveerapura (modern Kolhapur). She was then born as
Padmaavati to Kasiraja and Married Venkateswara. That is how she lives in
seclusion in Tiruchanoor as the Purana tells and not seen by the side of the
Lord.
Brahmaandapurana includes Venkatesa sahasranaama stotra and
Varaha Purana includes Venkatesa
satanaama stotra which are not known to many but chanted in worship of the Lord
in Tirumala Tirupati (TT). TT Devasthaanam came out with the publication of
these in 1969 and has again reprinted it in 2011. They have also come out with
Venkatesa Ashtottaram and Venkatesa Sahasranaamaavali in their publication. It
is logical and appropriate to employ these in Lord Venkateshwara Archanas
rather than the usual Vishnu Sahasranaama of Mahabharata days.
Unlike Vishnun Sahasranaamam, Venkatesa Sahasranaamam
elaborately glorifies all the Dasaavataaras of Vishnu. Bhaktimaarga followers
may like to familiarize with Venkatesa Sahasranaamam and derive the benefit of
Lord Venkateswara’s blessings by chnting them daily as promoted by igveda.
Please visit the Blog:<nrsrini.blogspot.com> for an
English transiliteration of Venkatesa Sahasranaamam, Venkatesa Sata
Ashtoettaram, Venkatesa Sahasranaamaavali, Venkatesa Ashtoettara Sata
Namaavali, Venkateswara Govinda Naamaavali, and Venkatesa Satanama Ashtoettaram
and Namavali rendered by Swami Narayanananda Saraswati of Chaitanya Kuteer,
Swargaasram, UP, India.
(February 2013; March 2013)
49. KALYAANOETSAVA
SERVICE IN VENKATESWARA TEMPLES
It is a tradition in all Vishnu temples to celebrate
Kalyanoetsava (wedding ceremony) with Sridevi (lakshmi) and Bhudevi
(Mother earth) accompanying Lord Vishnu or his incarnation Krishna with his
twin consorts. There are some gods celebrated in Puranas with consorts on
either side--Vishnu with Sridevi and Bhudevi: Krishna with Rukmini and
Satyabhama; Subrahmanya with Valli and Devayani etc. Lord Vishnu suffering
the pangs of love came to Seshachalam with the fond hope to join Lakshmi
who was residing in Karaveerapura, the modren Kolhapur. He did succeed in
uniting with Lakshmi with all pomp and show by marrying Padmavati who
was the daughter of Akshyarja. Padmavati was none other than Lakshmi
descended on Earth as Padmavati, daughter of Akshayaraja as Puranas
narrate. He married Padmavati through the good offices
of his foster mother Vakuladevi who approached the king with a marriage
proposal. This wedding is re-enacted and celebrated on
a grand scale once a year. This year it will be celebrated
from May 19 to May 21 in Tirumalai Tirupati.
But why then all Kalyoenotsava services in Tirupati are
only with Sridevi and Bhudevi, and also in all temples where Venkatesa
sanctums are found? As you all know Sridevi is Rukmini and Satyabhama is
Bhudevi. According to Puranas Vakuladevi was an incarnation of
Yasoda, the foster mother of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna had promised to
reveal to her at all times as Kalayanamurti with his two consorts Satyabhama
and Rukmini. In order to cherish the memory of his past life to his
foster mother Vakuladevi He always appears with his twin consorts which is more
pleasing to his beloved mother than the present alliance with Padmavati who has
still chosen to live separate in Alamelamangapura but for her customary annual
visit on the Wedding Day in The Hindu month of Vaisakha.
It is also a common feature that the main deity in
all South Indian Vishnu Temples is invariably seen alone
without His consorts while the processional deity is always seen
with the twin consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi making it possible for the
devotees to conduct Kalyanoetsavas to fulfill their desires. Such lonely
immobile main deities are designated as Kevala Vigraha. Sri Rama
Temple in Madurantakam and Parthasarathy temple in Chennai are few exceptions.
It is unusual to find the Linga form among the mobile icons. When the main
object of worship is Linga(aniconic form) in the sanctum , its mobile
form will be Siva or Devi in a human iconic representation. One wonders
why in Siva temples the processional deity is always seen with the chosen
consort Parvati only and not with Bhudevi as in Vishnu temples!
There is a temple for Siva where he is worshiped as Element Earth.
Polytheism being an essential characteristic of Hinduism has
provided ample opportunity for Indian iconography to use its imagination and in
turn makes the Hindu temple as a monumental record of the Puranic
religion.
Please read my detailed discourse Kalyana Utsava for the Lord in
Temples on the Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> while we are busy with
Venkatesa Laksharchana, a traditional annual worship for world peace during
winter months.
(February 2012)
50.
MAHAASIVARAATRI, AN AUSPICIOUS NIGHT FOR FASTING, VIGIL, AND PRAYERS TO THE SUPREME PRINCIPLE
Sivaratri, the important festival of Lord Siva is celebrated
with great solemnity and piety on the night of the fourteenth day after full
moon, this year on 10th. This is the day on which Maheswara took the form of
Sivalinga,(Lingodbhava) He is the Supreme Being without beginning or end.
Mandukya Upanishad says that Siva is:"Prapanchoepasamam Saantham Sivam
Advaitam"--The Emancipator of the World, the embodiment of peace and
bliss, the most auspicious and the one without a second. The central Idea
emerging from this and all other religious scriptures on Lord Siva is that He
is not a sectarian God but is the Supreme Being who is omnipresent and all
pervasive who manifests in all matter, energy and motion, and the entire
Universe the smallest of the small and biggest of the big beautifully brought
out in Sri Rudram, Tevaram (of Tamils) and Saundarya Lahari, a beautiful poetic
composition by Sankaracharya.
You might have probably had a chance e to go through Twarita
Rudram (Fast-track-Rudram), Panchabrahma mantras as well as Sivoepaasana
Mantras in my discourse Vedic Mantras from Mahanarayana Upanishad(MNU).
These Panchbrahma Mantras are related to the Supreme Brahman. Saivites have
adapted it as Panchaanana mantras for the Siva celebratd in Puranas.
Srivaishnavas have adopted in the worship of Lord Narasimha as in
Narasimha Tapaneeya Upanishat. Parabrhman is addressed by the five epithets,
Easaana, Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Ghoraaghora and Mahadeva. These names are
often addressed to both Siva and Narasimha, an incarnation of Vishnu. Rama is
also addressed as Sadyojata in Skanda Purana. Yet the sectarian fight
continues.
Who is a Siva Bhakta (devotee)? Siva Bhakta is usually
identified by five things, viz 1) Wearing Vibhuti; 2) Wearing Rudraksha; 3)
Performing Japa chanting Namassivaaya; 4) worshipping with Vilva Leaves and 5)
Always having Lord Siva in his heart. The Rudraaksha is a seed from a holy tree
in the Himalayas symbolizing the eye of Rudra. It is said that the seeds which
resembles tears represent the tears of Siva when He sees his devotees with
benevolence. All Sivabhaktas fast and keep vigil on Sivaratri Night. Srutis
say:"Raatrim jaagarayanta aasate suvargasya lokasya
samashtaih ||--Night vigil leads one to highest world. It is strange
that in Siva temples there is no Prasadam distribution like in Vishnu temples
and so there is no food temptation.
Narayana sooktam describes Vishnu as "Agra-bhuk"--one
who consumes food first. Therefore the
tradition has started among Vaishnavites to offer food first to Vishnu in
worship and then only consume food. Even at home the initial offering is to
Jataraagni (Stomach fire) first with a prayer"Amritopastaranamaci". Any
how there is no temptation on Sivaratri night as there is no offering of food
to Siva which also gives relief to house-wives to concentrate on worship.
Please chant Brahmopasana Mantram on Sivaratri night from
MNU which will be pleasing to both Saivites and Vaishanvites which at the same time is directed towards
Brahman for spiritual progress particularly when all sampradayas visit temple
on this holy night as is in vogue in temple complexes of USA. This is easier
and simpler than Rudram and least time consuming for those who are
busy and have not practiced Rudram. It pleases all those devotees who
are accustomed to pray to their Puranic Ishtadevatas but at the same
time helps to spiritually elevate their thoughts. Please go through
my discourses on Mahaa Sivaraatri, Pradosham and Vedic Mantras
from MNU on the Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
(February
2012)
51. HANUMAN IS
PARABRAHMAN
Someone among you who participated in the non-stop chanting of Hanumaan chaaleesa on Hanumaan Jayanti Day should have listened to the mantra Trayambakam Yajaamahe from Srirudram chantedn ten times.. It did appear to be divine inspirational and not intentional, and chanting it ten times was also inspirational. This Rigvedic mantra is an appeal to Parabrahman which Saivites effectively use in all the worship of Siva. Though I am brought with Srivaishnava tradition this did not appear strange but with my spiritual bent of mind appeared logical drawing support from Puraanas and Vedas. As most of the participants were followers of Siva they could easily chant this mantra though the priests stood wondering! If you all recall my past discourses the logics behind this inspiration would be clear.
Srirudrm is directed to Brahman though apparently it looks
directed to personal deity Siva. I have
also given two different interpretation of this Trayambaka mantra,
one as it is generally understood as applicable to Siva the other to
Paraasakti and Parabrahman if you recall my past discourse on the subject. My thinking is based on yet another group of
mantras called Panchabrahma mantras found in Vedas. Saivites use it as Panchanana mantra for the
five faced Siva, Sadyojaata, Aghora, Vaamana,
Easaana and Tatpurusha. With the same epithets and sectarian Vaishanava
tradition Lord Narasimha is addressed with these five epithets. But in actual
sectarian worship these mantras are never focused as Panchabrahma mantras and
the devotees are not guided in that direction for spiritual advancement, but
focused on mostly for short term gains and benefits.
Many of you would have had a cursory glance of my lengthy
discourse on Hanuman. If you closely study I have projected Hanuman as a
composite deity to all traditions for worship like Aiyappan of Kerala even from
Puranic point of view. Hanuman is said to be an incarnation of Siva born to
Punjikasthala who by a curse was born as
a monkey. By another story Hanumaan is a brother of Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata
and Satrughna. He is also Vayuputra as
you know from Valmeeki Raamayana. His Guru was Soorya by choice. Both Vaayu and
Soorya are aggregate (vyaahriti) of Supreme Principle Brahman talked often in
Rigveda and so he is Prabrahman himself as Jayadeva thinks about Lord
Krishna. Hence Trayambaka mantra was
appropriate for the occasion and most appealing to the multi-traditional crowd
chanting Hanuman chaleesa. Only thing lacking was the understanding that there
focus was on Brahman through Hanuman and this awareness to the crowd who were
blindly chanting motivated by Bhakti. Here blending of Jnaana with Bhakti is
needed to make the participation effective.
Drawing a lesson from such a situation I often wonder why we
cannot draw the attention of such a cosmopolitan crowd in which there were also
some from western culture and inter-racial descendants as to our concept of
Universal Oneness, One God and Spiritual goal.
I also wonder why we cannot employ Purushsooktam for Ganesha Abhishekam,
Rudram for Venkateswara Abhishekam ansd Sreesuktam for Paarvati Abhishekam
though we go round about explaining we
are not idolatrous, we direct all our worship to one God and yet show
our sectarian approach in all worships?. As Hindu Americans it is necessary to
bring such concepts in all our worship guided by the Wisdom of Vedas.
I was impressed by the spiritual approach of a Trinidad
Hindu temple of Siva In Sacramento which
attracted mostly Spiritually starved
Western crowd whereas in the traditional Ganesha Temple of Sacramento
there were hardly any!
(March 2012)
52. SRAAVAN POORNIMA
RITUALS AND FESTIVALS
Yajur Upaakarma, celebrated on August 20 this year on Sraavan Poornima Day in USA, is considered as a ceremony to herald the commencement of Vedic studies annually. Thus it is a helpful reminder to start Vedic studies, neglected by almost all Hindus. Besides this ceremony has two other significant aspects which are side tracked--annual day of repentance for desire and anger motivated acts and the fire sacrifice (Homa) offered to Brahman. Every Hindu chants knowingly or unknowingly Gayatree mantra or at least Om. Symbolically this is the reverential starting point of the study of Vedas, though religious view is only those who undergo formal Upanayana Samskara should observe this ceremony. In practice, this ceremony is performed by all who have undergone thread ceremony whether they study Vedas or not as per religious mandate. Everyone is expected to offer prayers to Supreme Principle in one form or other, which in essence is Sandhyaavandana or daily prayer in a prescribed form for those who have undergone Upanayana. Upaakarma ceremony is observed by Rigveda followers in the Hindu month of Sravana on Sravana Nakshatra (star) Day; Yajurveda followers observe on Sraavan Poornima Day; Saamaveda followers observe on Hastaa Nakshatra (star) in the month of Bhadrapada. I wonder why this should be on different dates? In order to help the Hindu community, where priest services or elderly guidance is lacking as in India, Hindu Temples overseas conduct this ceremony in Hindu temple complexes for all drawn from different traditions but limit it for those who have undergone thread ceremony.
There is a religious injunction that Praanaayama and Gaayatree
Mantras as administered at the time of Upanayana Samskaara is exclusive to
those who have undergone Upanayana Samskaara and others are prohibited. MNU
mentions one shortest Gayatree Mantra "Om tadbrahma | Om tad Vaayuh | Om
tadaatmaa | Om tatsatyam | Om tatsarvam| Om tat puroernamah || This is
universal prayer mantra and can be used by all including girls, women and so
called low caste with reverence, for both Praanaayaama and Gaayatree Japa.
(Please see the meaning and explanation in the discourse).
Sraavan Poornima Day, packs many events and is as important a
day as Diwali extending for two days for many rituals for many traditions as
detailed in my discourse attached.
Should this important spiritual meaningful day of worshi be restrictive or can be broad based for all to actively
participate? We can understand how broad based even Upaakarma is, if the meaning
of the mantras employed in this ritual are understood. According to Hindu Saastras all married
women are presumed to have undergone Upanayana Samskara. This is obvious by the
investiture ceremony during marriage. The bridegroom undergoes investiture
ceremony with sacred thread (jahnoo) and the bride a girdle of Kusha grass (mounjee
dhaarana) in lieu of sacred thread during marriage ceremony, whether they have
undergone Upanayana samskaara or not. Both are administered Gaayatree mantra
also at that time. Upaakarma rituals
consist of Changing of thread, Tying of Mounji (grass girdle), Kamokarsheet
japa as well as Homa, Rishi Tarpana (oblations to sages) Gayatree Homa (fire
sacrifice) 1008 times etc. In modern practice performer just chants abridged
mantra "Kamokarsheet Manyurakarsheet Namoh namah" as a quick fix without
chanting full mantra. This shortened form makes divinity of both Desire (Kaama)
and Anger (Manyuh) to whom obeisances
are paid (namah) as the apparent meaning
goes. This is not the intention of full mantra. We are not paying obeisance to
Anger and Desire but to Savitar (Brahman). Could it mean to say we are bidding good bye to anger
and desire by salutation in a fit of anger! Ignorant people in a fit of anger
call name of God, like Jesus in Western culture! It will be therefore more
meaningful to chant the whole mantra which is not long 108 times instead of
parrot chanting of the meaningless abridged form 1008 times. Full mantras have
been explained in the discourse attached. This mantra is just a repentance
mantra for all sins arising out of desire and anger. Why should this be
exclusive to some and women be excluded? Gayatree mantra and Homa are directed
to Brahaman (Supreme Being) praying for
sharpening the intelligence. Who does not need this? Repentance (paschattaappa
and praayaschitta), Dhyaana (meditation)
and Nyaasa (Surrender) are the essential steps
promoted by all Upanishads for attaining liberation from repeated births. Who does not need this? Who
will not like to pay homage to our great Rishis, who gave us Upanishads and were the pioneers of science, which is
done in Navakaanda Rishi Tarpana on this
day?
In India Upaakarma
ceremony is a home affair mostly
and is popular in the South only among Brahmins claiming the status by birth,
not by pursuit of Vedic studies. Overseas, this is a mass ceremony for obvious
reasons and limitations of Hindu
immigrants. Why then not make it more universal to suit all sampradaayas
(traditions) particularly Kamokaarsheet Homa (fire sacrifice), Gayatree homa (fire sacrifice) and
Navakaanda Rishi Tarpana, at least once
a year for the spiritual involvement and focus for all. This is also a popular
day for expressing love for universal brotherhood in the North (Rakhee). This
day could also be a day offering prayers to Supreme through sacred fire
sacrifice praying for the well-being and long life for all brothers for
promoting universal brotherhood seeking peace all around--Aaatmavat
sarvabhooteshu, love thy neighbor as thyself is the Universal maxim in all
religions. It makes more sense for Hindu Temple complexes overseas to celebrate
this day as Sraavan Poornima Day, a day
of great religious and spiritual significance conducting mass Navakaanda rishi tarpana, Gayatree Homa and Kamoekaarsheet homa in which all can participate and focus the
ritual on Savitar (Vyaahriti or attribute of Brahman heralded in Rigveda)
instead of restricting to sectarian worship of
Aavani Avittam Day or Rakshaa Bandhan Day. Kamoekaarsheet Mantra is mainly a Fire Sacrfice (Homa) Mantra as it ends in
Swaaaha and not a Japa as practiced with wrongful abridged mantra. Yet another day is Mahaalaya
Amaavaasya Day on the eve of Navaraatri
which could be observed as All Souls Day following Danasoora Karna as already
explained.
Please visit the Blog for a discourse on the subject; <nrsrini.blogspot.com> (August 2013)
53.
KRISHNA JANMAASHTAMI
Krishna Janmaashtami (birth tithi-eigth day of the dark fortnight of Sraavana) is celebrated on 28th of this month in all Hindu temples in USA. This is also celebrated as Krishna Jayanti or Sree Jayanti ( birth star date Rohini) on 29th of this month, the difference being some consider Tithi and others Nakshatra as important for His descent. The Incarnations of Raama, Krishna and Buddha are historical in Hindu belief assigned to Treta, Dwaapara and Kali Yugas and they are called Yugapurushas--men of the Eon. The Puraanic account of Buddha incarnation, however, is at variance with the historical details concerning the founder of Buddhism. His worship is diplomatically avoided by Hindu temples in India to avoid controversy though some Hindu Temples in USA do celebrate his birth day on Buddha Poornima Day having installed his idol in Hindu Temples. Mahavira Vardhamana also joins Buddha for worship in some Hindu Temples of America. It is also customary to celebrate the birthdays of religious visionaries who are Jeevanmuktas like Aandal, Sankaracharya, Ramanuja, Madhva,Swami Narayan, Chaitanya etc. who are raised to the level of divines. Sai devotees do not lag behind. and have even built temples with ceremonial worship!
In
Vishnu Temples or Temple-complexes
(Club House of Gods) as in USA, it is customary to observe with special
worship and festivity the "days of appearance or descent" of the
ten avataaras. These may be aptly called Avataara Jayanti Tithi; These are as
follows: Matsya--the third day of the bright half of Chaitra A/N; Koorma--the
full-moon day of Visaakha, evening; Varaaha--the third day of the bright half
of Bhaadrapada, afternoon; Narasimha--the thirteenth day of the bright half
of Vaisaakha, evening; Vaamana--the twelfth day of the bright half of
Bhaadrapada, noon; Parasu-Raama--the third day of the bright half of
Visaakaha, noon; Raama--the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra,
afternoon; Krishna-- the eighth day of the dark half of Sraavan, midnight;
Buddha--the tenth day of the bright half of Aasvin, evening and Kalki-- the sixth day of the bright half of
Sraavana, evening. Of the ten Avataras of Vishnu, the most widely celebrated
and popularly worshiped all over the country are those of Raama and Krishna.
Next in importance is Narasimha. Worship of the other avataaras, with the
exception of Kalki, are not non-existent, but are rare. Followers of Siva celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi, Skandha
Shashti and Mahaa Sivaraatri (Lingodhbhava night). Birthdays of Lakshmi (Phalguna, Poornima or
Uttira nakshatra) and Hayagrieva (Yajur Upaakarma day) are also celebrated
though not on a grand scale. I often
wonder why we should earmark particular day
for particular Lord as Birthday? As soon as I get up I become conscious that He who cannot be
identified by any name Is said to be
unborn and eternal (Geetaa) and is within us to guide us
in all our wakeful moments and
sleep and that calls for celebration and praise each day by morning prayers
and Aaraadhana. Janma Jayanti thinking indicates multiplicity of God
heads diverting our thoughts from
spiritual focus to Puraanic lores and beliefs. We pride in saying Hinduism is not a
religion of beliefs and yet we believe in such births and celebrate with all
pomp and show! Are we running a popularity contest with various religions of the world?
Lord
Krishna is not considered as an Avataar by the followers of Jagannath. Yet
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with all pomp and show and reverence at
Puri Jagannath as in Mathura. Probably they do not know the time Indradyumna dreamt about the appearance of Rigveda celebrated log of
wood and so consoled to the idea of
celebrating Krishna Janmaashatami with others. They are probably
influenced in their thinking by the
Veda mantra "Krishnena Satabaahuna" in the Upanishads. The word
Krishna existed long before the birth of Lord Krishna. Here Krishna means one
who delights the world. Satabahunaa means one who has innumerable arms having
his hands in everything in this Universe.
Therefore Krishna in their concept refers to Viratpurusha or
Jaganntha, glorified in Purushasookta as
Sahasraseersha, Sahasraakshah and Sahasrapaat and not an Avtar.
True
to the word Krishna in Vedas Lord
Krishna of Puraana continues to delight our hearts with his historic stories and brains with
his Bhagavadgeetaa. His birthday is celebrated with thirty-two varieties of
snacks and sweets, though he is happy with
only one fruit, one flower or even little drops of water offered with
devotion, with a remote thought to delight the starving at least on
Janmaashtami day. We do not plan any food charity on this day. As Hindu
Americans with over-eating habits we may beat our counterparts in India in
our offerings to the Lord on this day
and enjoy the Prasaadam (blessed food) later!
Krishna
as a historic figure is most
popular even with kids.
As a Spiritual Guru he is
beyond my comprehension. So as a matured adult and with my little knowledge I
thought it safe to leave this subject for your study and imagination though I
tried to touch upon few topics on Bhadgavadgeetaa and a few anecdotes here and there as
posted on the blog Hindu Reflections.
Of course we have our Hare Krishna friends around us who carry the
Encyclopedia Krishna with them whenever you are curious to know more about
Him. We have talked about Hare Krishna
Movement too in April 2013 as posted on the Blog
<nrsrini.blogspot.com>.
|
KRISHNA JANMAASHTAMI MESSAGE
Till this day Sri Krishna's timeless and eternal,
infinite and universal message, his light, and his grace continue to shine on
us. The message of his life is: never lose ourselves to external circumstances,
never lose our smile and never lose our song. His life was full of trials and
tribulations, beginning with his birth in a jail cell. But no matter what the
challenges were, he always smiled. He always played his divine flute - the song
of Krishna's flute was always on, wherever he went. The song emanated from His
very being. The word Krishna in Sanskrit means one who delights the world.
(October
2011)
54. FASTING AND FEASTING ON KRISHNA
JANMAASHTAMI DAY
Krishna's Birth according to Puranas took place in the midnight of a Wednesday. So Janmaashtami this year (2013) falling on a Wednesday assumes greater significance and so also Krishna Jayanti to the followers of Krishna Jayanti.
Why
do we have to fast on Gokulaashtami Day, on
a day when we are expecting the birth of the Lord, a happy occasion?
Fasting is considered to be a Tapas. Complete fasting helps to control sleep.
Fasting is a natural process of controlling sleep and praying while waiting for
the Zero hour like New Year's Day. Fasting is one of the ten cannons of Yoga.
Fasting control passion. It checks the emotions. It controls senses. It
purifies the mind and heart. Fasting overhauls the respiratory, circulatory,
digestive and urinary systems. It destroys the impurities of the body and all
sorts of poisons. Impure mind is rendered purer by resorting to repeated
fasting like gold is rendered pure by melting in the crucible again and again.
Urine tests of the same person before fasting and after fasting showed negative
tests for poisonous materials like lead arsenic, uric acid deposits etc of poisonous
materials before and positive immediately after thereby indicating positive
fleshing out of poisonous substances. Occasional fasting thus helps the
system. But excessive fasting should be
avoided. Sri Rama advocates in Raamaayana duration of fasting should be based
on one's constitution. If you cannot fast for full twenty-four hours, at least
fast for 10 to 12 hours and then take some milk and fruit. Gradually increase your fast to 15 hours and
then to 24 hours. Hindus on and off observe Upavaaasa Ritual. Upavaasa means
going without food--aharbhoejana nivrittih. Puraaanaas
strongly recommend this ritual on specific days of the month and during special
occasions like Krishna Janmaashtami.
Naarad Puraana says: "Upoeshya
janma chinhaani kuryaaj-jaagaranam tu yah
| Ardharaatrayuta-ashtamyaam
soe-asvamedha-phalam labhet|| [If you fast on Krishna Jayanti Day and keep
vigil till midnight You derive the same benefits as performing the horse
sacrifice]. Religious observers will be delighted to hear the same. Hindu
Religion offers lot of goodies for your Bhakti content!
So,
observe fast, keep vigil and raise your spiritual level while meditating upon
the Supreme who delights the world, as the word Krishna implies in Vedas. One
question remains why they make so many varieties of food to Krishna and offer
on this night while Rama is offered
only soaked beans, sweet juice and buttermilk on Rama Navami Day? Krishna revealed himself as Vishnu with mace,
disc and conch to Vaasudeva with the customary weapons of Vishnu in the jail
showing his strength and power and also showed to Yasoda he had the stomach to
contain the whole world in his stomach according to Puraanaas. He would
therefore prefer these varieties everyday but the devotees cannot fulfill his
request as a child. They go by his advice in Geetaa --patram, pushpam, phalam and toyam
on regular days when he turned a Guru. But in Puri Jagannath, Temple
kitchen is busy day in and day out with 32 varieties of food offerings. May be
that is why it attracts so many everyday particularly from Bengal which is
famous for its famines! People do not fail to enjoy midnight snacks Prasadam
after strenuous fasting! Rama never realized that he was an Avatar of Vishnu
only when Narada reminded him in the end, before his asacxwent.
(OCTOBER 2011)
55. AS MANY GANAPATIS AS
YOU DESIRE AND AS MANY HOMAS AS YOU NEED DURING GANAPATI WEEK
This year Ganesha Chaturthi falls on Monday September 9. It is an annual event extending over many days as per convenience and needs culminating in Ganesha Visarjan, a grand send off. Hindu Reflections includes many informative discourses on Ganesha, the most popular deity with majority of Hindus. Please refer to them at your convenience. They include the description of different forms of Ganesa as given in Mudgil Purana, stories connected with Ganesha including Syamanthakopakhyaana and an Upanishad. The letter "Ga" and Ja" in Gajaanana assumes great spiritual significance. Therefore temples conduct Gakaara homam and sahasranaamams to match with Vishnu Sahasranaamam to meditate upon Supreme Principle. "Ga" indicates gati, the final goal towards which the entire creation is moving whether knowingly or unknowingly. "Ja" stands for Janma, birth or origin. Hence Gaja means God from whom the worlds come out and towards whom they are progressing to ultimately dissolved in Him. Hence in Gakaara Homa the focus is on Supreme Principle through the medium of Puranic figure of Ganesha with his elephant head and human body. Again these two are symbolic of Macrocosm and Microcosm as explained in my discourses. While Ganesa is One, the Wise say Ganapatis are many!
It
is also customary to conduct Homa in temples for Ganesa during the week-long
and beyond festival culminating in ratha Yaatra or visarjan. Ganesha Temple in
Nashville has decided to conduct this year many Homas for six emanations of Ganesha-- Swetaarka Ganapati; Uchchishta
ganapati; Vidyaa Ganapati; Lakshmi Ganapati; Heramba Ganapati besides the main
deity Mahaa Ganapati, the great and glorious. Some of these forms of Ganapati
are not listed in Mudgil Puraana where Mahaa Ganapati is one of the emanations
in its 32. It is also customary to name
the temple after these emanations celebrated in Mudgil Puraana. Tamil Nadu
enhanced the popularity of Ganesha beyond imagination by breaking his idols on
streets in Tamil Nadu by DK and later Tamil Bhaktas of Ganesha have widened
their vision and increased the number of emanations indicated as 16 by
Nashville Temple Bhajan book even beyond 32 of Mudgil Purana to include Vidya
Ganapati of Sringeri Bhaktas' vision from Karnataka. Every street in Chennai
has a Ganesha idol ignoring traffic hazard and looking forward for housing in
the middle of the street by a donor. Hanuman is closely competing elsewhere in
the North.
Swetaarka
Ganapati is believed to be one who dissipates all Vaastudoshas and one who
accomplishes all desires. Lakshmi Ganapati as the name suggests is the one who
bestows wealth and prosperity to his devotees like Goddess Lakshmi. Vidyaa
Ganapati imparts knowledge--both para (spiritual) and apara (secular). Vidyaa
Ganapati of Saaradaa Peetham in Sringeri is quite famous and is equated with
Goddess Saraswati for learning by the devoted Ganesha followers. Hermaba
Ganapati is the protector of the weak and handicapped. In fact everyone is born
handicapped with his load of Praarabhda Karma!
Ucchishta Ganapati is a Taantric deity associated with impure substances
and remnants of meal. Taantric
philosophy is known for its Makaara tatva and the loaded impurities. This name
may look repulsive. Maayaaprakriti consists of three Gunas--Sattva, Rajas and
Tamas. Sattva is stated to be pure; as
compared to it Rajas and Tamas are
impure. Since creation is impossible out of pure Sattva it has got to be mixed
with Rajas and Tamas to effect it. This
seems to be the import of the story of the impure substances being used by
Mother Paarvati to shape Ganesha. Making Ganapati preside over impurities and
handle dirt scientifically and religiously seems to be the philosophy behind
the concept of Uchchishta Ganapati who is there for our soul cleansing. Mudgil Puraana did not apply Avataara concept
to Ganesha like Buddha or Jina. Later, an Upanishad came out offering lot of
goodies as benefits by chanting. Half of this Upanishad is Phalasruti. We have a homa for that too with recommended
1000 Modakas. Hanumaan misses an
Upanishad, 1000 Vada Homa and has to be content with Maala of 108 Vadas. But following the Vaishnava tradition of
Chaturvimsati Murti corresponding to 24 letters of Gaayatree, Puranas came out at first with 32 Emanatory Forms of Ganesha. Today there are
as many Ganapatis as our desires and impurities
making it possible to have number
of homas, but with my limited knowledge
and ignorance I will limit myself to
Mahaganapti homa to grant me what is
good for me, for he is the best judge of my devotion and needs. But such
multiplicity of homas is good for the sound economy of temples which have to
function to cater to the religious hunger
of the people with so many wants. Charity comes often with matching
rewards only! Same person may also have many desires and may need more soul
cleansing and so may like to participate
in many homas too! We may not be
surprised if one day our temples
come up with 24 Homas for Chaturvimsati Moorti form of Vishnu if not Sahasra
homas based on Vishnu Sahasranama! Of course that will keep the temple and
devotees busy throughout the year and beyond! At present they are confined to
few Avatars of Vishnu and Lord Sudarsana. Sudarsana Homa is the most popular in
Vishnu Temples as Ganesha Homa in Saivite Temples. What happened to Vishwaksena,
Vaishnava version of Ganesha, I can't tell!
"Viswaani
deva savitar duritaani parraasuva | yad bhadram tanma aasuva ||" Oh
resplendent Lord Savitar, the cause of this universe! Do destroy our sins! Grant us that which is
ultimately good! [Ganesha is equated with Brahman by his devotees as Savitar of
Rigveda. Ganesha is celebrated as
Koetisoorya-samaprabha in prayer slokas if not found in Vedas. The word Gana in
Vedas is conveniently transferred to Ganesha from Indra! May be He is the
elephant of Indra, Airaavata in human form like Nandi. Indra is Brahman as
Rigveda depicts—described as
vyahriti like Varuna, Soorya,
Agni etc.]
*56. AARATI--WAVING LAMP BEFORE
THE LORD
There are 16 upachaaras ( items of uses in regular life) which are offered to those who you respect, like or worship. Each of them is offered has a sequence and procedure:
For example, Bathing: all over the body, specially all corners.
Flowers on the top of the head; Sandal paste on the chest; Dhupam (incense
smoke): near the nose (Male deities
right side first; female deities, left
side first); Food right in front of you; Aarati or waving of Light:
Between both the eyes first and then all over the body. This goes with the
prayer “aatmaa deepoe bhava (Oh
Self! Please start glowing!)--you get
enlightened through your eyes which spreads
all over the body.
The sanctum sanctorum in Hindu Temples known as Garbha Griha
(Housing of the womb) is purposely kept dark to be made visible by the waving
of the light. In traditional sacred temples no electric lighting in garbhagriha
is allowed except for a lamp on the sides. The South Indian icons are
of black granite. The temple represents a human body and garbagriha
the Self within us. Standing before Lord Viswanatha in Varanasi Sankara said “I
am making a big mistake standing before you thinking You and I are different
though I preach they are one and the same in my Advaita philosophy”. This
Aatman or Self is the Light of all lights and is not even comparable to
thousands of Suns you see in the sky as said In Geeetaa (divi soora
sahasrasya). Oppenheimer quoted this hymn from Geeta when he exploded
nuclear bomb. This light is the cause of Dissolution (at the time of Pralaya)
and the cause of Creation. The little light symbolically reveals that
fact and brings our focus on Supreme Light. This is the same light Moses saw in
the bushes while receiving Ten Commandments. These facts are reminded while
revealing Self through waving of light and worshiping.
At the end of the aarati, waving of the lamp before the Lord, we
place our hands over the flame and then touch our eyes and the top of the head.
It means—may the light that illuminated the Lord that merges with Lord light up
my vision and, may my vision be divine and my thoughts noble and beautiful
rising to spiritual heights. Aarati
is one of the sixteen steps of the Pooja ritual. It is referred to as
auspicious light. Aarati is often performed with camphor. Camphor when lit
burns itself completely without leaving a trace. Camphor represents our inner
tendencies. When lit by the fire of knowledge which illuminates the Lord
(Truth), our inherent tendencies (called Vaasanas in Sanskrit) also burn
themselves out completely, not leaving a trace of the ego which creates in us a
sense of individuality that keeps us separate from the Lord. Also when camphor
burns to reveal the glory of the Lord, it emits a pleasant perfume even while
it sacrifices itself. In our spiritual progress, even as we serve the Guru and
society, we should willingly sacrifice ourselves and all we have is, to spread
the fragrance of the Lord.
The sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire are the natural sources
of light. The Lord is the source of all these wondrous phenomena of the
universe. It is due to Him alone that all exist and shine. As we light up
the Lord with the flame of the Aarati, we turn our attention to the very source
of light, which symbolizes knowledge and life. The Lord is the Supreme
Consciousness. As we perform Aarati, we chant:“Na tatra sooryoe bhaati
na Chandra taarakam; Nema vidyutoe bhaanti kutoeya-magnihi; tameva
bhaantamanubhaatisarvam tasya bhaasaa sarvamidam vibhaati-- “He is
there where the sun does not shine; nor the moon, stars and lightning; Then
what to talk of this small flame (in my hand)! Everything in this universe
shines only with His light alone and with this light alone we
are all illuminated.”(Sveta 6-14; Katha 2-18; Mundaka 2-2-11).
In all our prayers we touch some vital parts of our body like
in aachamana,aarati, chharan spars etc. This is to magnetize
those parts to rise to spiritual heights. Head is called Sahasraara
through which the soul departs at the time of death with the help of Udaana,
the up-breath on its onward journey. This again is the desire to express thinking
towards heaven and merge with the Supreme when the soul is
liberated by the act of worship. This is Tantric Concept of Kundalini Power which needs deeper study.
There are a number of discourses on Temple Traditions, Temples
and 16 Steps Worship Ritual, on the website Hindu
Reflections<nrsrini.blogspot.com> on the internet.
57.
AAYUDHA POOJAA DAY, VISWAKARMA POOJAA DAY AND SRAMIK DIN POOJA DAY—THREE-IN-ONE
WORSHIP DAY FOR HINDU AMERICANS
Worshiping their tools is an age old tradition with Hindus. It all started with the concept of Sastras and Astras mentioned in Puranas sought after by the divines and the demons. All these weapons have their birth in Sudarsana Chakra known as Aayudha Purusha. These weapons need divine invoking of the presiding deities of weapons of war by appropriate mantras initiated by their Gurus. WMD need computer assistance (Invisible Guru) now-a-days. Even a blade of grass could be turned to a powerful steel blade with a mantra and could be used as a weapon as we learn from Puraanas. Slowly this worship got extended to all tools in the hands of Labor so needed for earning his livelihood in their peaceful life. Society started honoring Labor, users of tools, serving the society. This dignity of labor started with Brahma, the Creator himself. He in his role as Viswakarma was the divine architect, builder, craftsman, carpenter etc. Hindus started worshiping Supreme in his emanation of Viswakrma or worshiped him as Brahman Himself honoring tools and the man behind the tools. Honoring labor force and worship of tools became a regular annual event in a Hindu's life.
In
North India Labor Day and Aayudha Pooja Day concepts are combined together prominence being given to the Universal Man
behind the tools, Viswakarma with his tools. He is a favorite of labor force
and considered as their Guru if not the leader. His idols match with that of
Brahma. So He and the working tools are worshiped together. his extends to
factories and machines as in Aaydhapooja in the South.
In
the South commercial enterprises largely remain in the hands of non
-Vaishnavites. Majority Labor force is
Saivism oriented. Hence Ganesha is elevated to be the presiding deity on
Aayudhapooja day. Ganesha with his powerful animal goad used to drive elephants
symbolically idealized using his tool to
goad people out of their ego. While Ganesha represents Viswakarma for them his
goad represents tools. Sudarsana who is
hailed as Aayudha Purusha and is in control of all Aayudhas in the world has
gone to the background who became popular with Vaishnavites who are mostly
study oriented. There are many powerful slokas on Sudarsana and he is a popular
deity in Orissa too. South Indians however have taken to Saraswati worship
restricting their worship to books and
musical and art instruments which are tools for artists. May be computer
will join them too! Labor is honored by declaring Aayudhapooja Day and Viswakarma
Day as a Labor Holiday for all factories, industrial establishments and shops
in India.
However
highly educated or materialistic a Hindu American may be he never fails to rush
to a temple to get a pooja done for his new car. He starts working on his new
computer only after a pooja if he is not an atheist. I have seen Hindus keeping an icon of their
chosen deity in car and start driving only after paying obeisance even in USA.
Hindu Temples though have their reasoning,
do not fail to keep the temple open all day long with special worship on
Labor Day in September which is a National Holiday which
all American Hindus celebrate and enjoy.
The concept of Aayudha (Tool) and Labor coming together( cannot be easily
dismissed. Hindu Americans however do not conduct separate Aayudha pooja as in
India for they rarely own commercial and industrial units, which remain with
Western culture or dominated by their culture.
They combine it with Saraswati Puja as indirect or token worship. Why
not then combine all these concepts and celebrate Labor Day in Hindu Temples
dedicating Labor Day to Lord Viswakarma or the Creator? This will appeal to all
traditions; to South Indians as Ayudha Pooja and North Indians as Viswakarma
Pooja. Orissa will be thrilled to remember Viswaakrma's hands in shaping Jagannath's
icon to pay their obeisance on this day, so also Aiyappa worshipers who owe
their temple to him!
Please
go through my discourse on Aayudha Pooja posted a Hindu Reflections: Hindu
Worship of Weapons, Tools and Universal Crafts Person led to Labor Day
Celebrations (Aayudha Poojaa; Viswakarma
Poojaa; Sramik Din Poojaa)
(OCTOBER 2013)
58. A FESTIVASL NAMED
AFTER FOOD AND FOOD WORSHIPED AS BRAHMAN--PONGAL OF TAMILS
American Hindus are drawn from various Hindu Traditions prevailing in India. To them to watch the way Tamils do worship and celebrate Makara Sankranti calling the festival by the name of their favorite food- stuff Pongal looks bizarre. To North Indians this means Kichadi which is the food for the sick and recovering patient. This as it was originally intended was a very healthy diet food which is prepared by boiling rice and green gram together with pepper corn, curry leaves, ginger and turmeric with no oil, though it is today made rich and spicy as desired by food lovers.
Why
the Tamils alone think it proper to name their most important festival after
their favorite food Pongal and also worship the cooking pot which is enjoyed
after worship as prasadam (blessed food),
with another favorite side dish from the neighboring state of Kerala to
make it popular as PONGAL—AVIYAL. Swamy Vivekananda famous Vedic scholar
generally known as Vendantin in India lamented that “in India Religion has
entered the kitchen”. He should be referring here to the boiling pot of kichadi
on the Makara Sankranti Day, which the
Tamils worship and name the festival also Pongal, as no other Hindu Tradition
name their festival after food. Of course Tamils have one more festival called
Kaaradiyan Nonbu and are trying to make Koodaarai vellum as Koodaarai Vellam
meaning additional Jaggery. Of course our Ganesha Temple has renamed it as
Koodaarai Valli pleasing Lord Muruga. Murugan has two wives one a tribal woman
called Valli the other a divine Damsel called Devayani.
Swami
Vivekananda however forgot the Vedic
mantra "Annam na nindyaat" don't abuse food from
Taittareeya Upanishad which glorifies food (annam) as the root cause of
creation and prescribes mantras for worship of
food as Brahman alone. This divine worship of food coming from Tamils
who are very knowledgeable on Vedas should be spiritually motivated.
There
are a number of mantras singing the praise of food and worshiping food as
Brahman found in principal Upnishads, Katha, Prasna, Taittareeya and
Mahaanaarayana Upanishads. Manu Smriti as well as Bhagavadgeetaa has also dealt
at length on nature and values of food. These will be elaborately discussed in
a separate discourse.
(JANUARY
2014)
59. UNIVERSAL PRAYER OF KANU PONGAL FESTIVAL OF
TAMILS
You might have gone through my discourse on Pongal, the great Tamil Festival named after the favorite food Pongal of Tamils. Here I had described Kanu Pongal as being an act of worship praying for the longevity and happiness of all at parent’s home, all at parent-in -laws home and the brothers with the following couplet in Tamil whose actual meaning I had not explained;
“Kaakkaaiku pidi vaithen kanukku pidi vairthen
Pukkaam pongi vaazha pirandaam tirandu vaazha udanpirandhavaal usandu vaazha pongalo
pongal”
This
means I am praying o the crow with this food ball, I am praying to the one I am
visiting with this food ball, I am praying for my parents-in–laws’ family to
be overflowing in their living, my
parents’home always kept open and welcome for me, and my siblings to reach great heights of
prosperity in life”
This
festival is essentially like “Bhai dhuj” celebrated in North India during
Diwali season praying for brothers and in turn sister’s being honored with
gifts on a magnified scale covering all family members and others who are
visited, as the couplet explains. It is also extended to all beings through the
medium of crow. But why particularly
crow? In fact the girl or lady who performs this worship eagerly waits on the
crows to consume the food she offered before breaking the fast. Crows appear in
large numbers and part-take the food. It
is very interesting to note that before the crows eat, they call their mates to
part-take the food that they are about to eat.
Valuable lessons are conveyed here, to share what one has with his near
and dear and friends. This bird spirit
is reflected in celebrating Pongal.
What
does this mean to-day to an American Hindu Tamil? There are no crows seen in
America in daily life. But they carry the crow-spirit with them by sharing
their food and caring for others in this great celebration. In fact Kanu is the
corrupted form of Kaanum in Tamil. Kaanum means visit, the day of visiting all
those they are acquainted with and exchange greetings. It is also customary to
call affectionately a young one as tambi or tangachi, the older one as anna or
akka (brother and sister ), the elderly
aged ones as Maama (uncle) and Maami (aunt) irrespective of their caste or
creed.
So
the prayer above is universal in nature and belongs to the entire humanity. It
is much more appropriate for an American Hindu Tamils while they celebrate this
festival amidst people drawn from different cultures. Here pukkaam means immigrant country and Pirandaam means India her
(udan pirandavaal) home of
origin in the above prayer. The prayer is thus directed to all as
universal brothers and sisters.
(JANUARY 2014)
60. VASANTOTSAVA OR
MADANOTSAVA
We celebrated Vasanta panchami on February 4, in USA in the midst of severe winter and it went without much fanfare. But in certain parts of India Vasnta Panchami is considered the first day of spring. In most of the country Vasanta Rutu or spring is assigned to Chaitra Vaisakha March-April. That is why in my description of Vasanta Navratri earlieR it was mentioned that Vasanta Navaratri concludes with Rama Navami. On Vasanta Panchami Day all wear yellow clothes. Even the food is colored yellow using saffron. It goes well with Pongal festival and pongal food color of yellow about which I talked about while describing Makara Sankranti. People start practicing vigorous Yoga on this day. It is customary to take a dip in Ganges on this day as the next sacred day after Makara Sankranti. This is the day lord Kamadeva who was sent by gods to tempt Siva was reduced to ashes but resurrected later. Bengalis call this festival Sarswati Puja. They worship the Goddess Saraswati on this day. The image of the Goddess is taken in procession and immersed in the holy Ganges. In Bengal, Durga is seen as the manifestation of Parvati, Siva's consort. Lakshmi and Saraswati are considered as daughters of Parvati and Ganesa and Kartikeya as sons of Parvati. On the sixth day of Durga puja Parvati is believed to visit her father ‘s house along with her daughters and sons. That is why Sakta concept mostly remains within the fold of Saivism and looks like it has branched out of it. In all logic Sakta tradition should have focused more as Trinity Saktis of Trinity male power of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. In the South of India more focus is on Saivism only along with Vaishnavism though Parvati is worshiped as Parasakti.
According
to traditions and beliefs in Andhra Pradesh Siva after his marriage with
Parvati assumed Pasupata vrata and went
into deep meditation. Anxious to enjoy the pleasures of the newly wedded life
and motherhood Parvati was quite upset and annoyed at the prolonged
self-absorption of her Lord. She solicited Indra’s help who sent his
specialists Manmata and his consort Rati to obstruct the penance of Siva and
make him Parvati-minded. Then these two came to the spot and played all their
veils on Siva. Siva perturbed opened his eyes and found Manmata with his favorite sugarcane stalk and
five flowers arrows taking a good aim at him. At Siva’s behest Bhairava burnt
Kamadeva and was given the title of Damanaka. But Bhairava got the displeasure
of Parvati whose plans were foiled because of the burning of KamAdeva. She
therefore cursed him to be born as a tree on earth. That is why tree before the
Siva temple is worshiped in the South. Siva again favored him with a blessing
that his day be celebrated as Damanka
Parva. Madana’s wife was plunged into grief at the demise of her companion.
Moved by this Parvati approached Siva and submitted that Madan was her agent; all Devas including
Indra joined with their appeal to the ever merciful Siva who has the weakness
for his devotees. Siva was ultimately
moved and revived Madana but ordained that one day in the year, that is thirteenth day of bright half of
Chaitra, he would assume the bodily form and for the rest of the year he would
be Ananga. Vasantotsava or Madanotsava was a celebration in honor of the
resurrection of Madana blesssed by Siva and Parvati. It is popular spring
festival during the most pleasant and best season of the year. It is the mating seson for animalsa and
birds.
The
science of astrology ascribes the great importance of Vasanta or the spring,
when the sun the Lord of all planets and greatest giver of health wealth and
prosperity would be in the sign of Aries (Mesha) his most exalted place during
the two months of Vasanta and would be most favorable for human welfare.
Vasntotsava is a festival celebrated in the country for a very long time and
therefore historical significance. References found in Bhavishya Purana and Kamasutra of Vatssyayana, Dharmasindhu, Nirnayasindhu,
Sakuntala, Malvikagnimitra and Ratnavali testify the hoary antiquity and great
popularity of this festival beginning from Vasant Panchami; the Vasantotsava
celebration lasts nine days called Vasanta Navaratri, the nine nights of Spring
Season in many parts of India.
This
period of celebrations runs parallel to the religiously celebrated St.
Valantine’s Day in the Western circles on February 14. Just as Christians
observe this day as a religious day honoring St. Valentine we could also
celebrate on the same day Madanotsava as ordained by Siva and Parvati.
Intentional or otherwise Vasanta Panchami is a great day for Saraswati worship
in Bengal. Saraswati is considered as
the daughter of Parvati unlike in the South and so it can be safely assumed she
joins Parvati to honor Kamadeva on this day. Thus worship of Kamadeva,
Saraswati, Bhirava, Celebration of Birth of Ramayana which had the inspiration from love bird
mates misfortune all
indicate American Hindus have a
strong reason to observe February 14th as a special religious day like
religiously inclined Christians who
celebrate it as religious St.
Valentine’s Day. As Christian worshiped days like Mother’s day, Father’s day etc., have been appropriately adopted by
American Hindus as worshipful days, St Valentine’s day which is so popular
could also be jointly celebrated in the
same way. In a devout Muslim society where adultery is
punishable, by death and public displays of love are forbidden, the young are
increasingly popularizing Valentine’s Day celebration. In India it’s
celebration is a popular and permanent feature. Vasantotsava and Madanotsava
are religiously observed and
celebrated and are popular.
61. WHOSE ABHISHEKAM ARE WE WATCHING ON MAHASIVARATRI—IT IS OF SAGUNA BRAHMAN ONLY
Mahasivaratri is the last winter festival that announces the end of cold winter according to Tamils. According to Vedic scholars the Siva linga that you see in temples is actually Vyakta-Avyakta form of TRINITY. This form of consecrated Lingam has Pedestal base known as Brahma Bhaga (part), Pedestal middle portion (yoni or female component) known as Vishnu bhaaga, which are normally not noticed in worship as the focus is on the decorated Linga above (antya Bhaga) the pedestal. Devotees focus on the top portion known as Linga (male component) of visible half Linga part (of the ellipsoid) in worship in all Shiva temples, thinking they are praying to Siva only. On Mahasivaratri night individuals perform Abhishekam on a miniature Linga also which is just an oval shaped icon. These worships are considered as exclusively for Siva because on that night Hindus go to temples to worship the Lingodbhava Moorti whom they consider as Siva only glorified in Siva Purana as superior to Vishnu and Brahma among the Trinities. In fact Brahma was even condemned as to not to receive temple worship. Similar is the belief about ice formed Lingam in Amarnath focused on Siva only. Vaishnavites usually go on pilgrimage to Badrinath and do not include Amarnath in their itinerary. If you think deep these are Jyotis and represent Saguna Brahman as fire column or bright white column. Among the miniature Siva-Lingam, normally occurring Narmadesvara Siva-Linga like Salagrama is considered to be the holiest that can only be found in Narmada River bed that flows through Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and then into Arabian Ocean. It has been said that these Lingas were created millions of years ago when a meteorite collided with the earth at a place that is now the source of the Narmada River. The Narmadesvara Linga has red marking on them representing crypto crystalline quartz, the meteorite material. These unique materials’ blending from earth and space has excellent density and rhythmic vibration that brings positive energy and fertility which are popular in house worship like salagrama which is also naturally occurring and not hand sculpted; Pedestal Lingas are hand sculpted.Narmada lingas are considered very sacred for individual abhishekam on Mahasivaratri night.
We
learn from the Puranas that when the deadly poison Haalaahala or
Kaalakoota came up during the churning of the ocean Siva saved the disaster
by swallowing the poison to become Neelakantha. There is a story behind this
incidence. When the Devas requested Siva to save the world, Siva told Ganesha
who was nearby, “Listen, Ahamkaraa (ego) is influencing the world. The spirit
of time has made the qualities of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas”. Hardly were these
words were spoken, when Sakti manifested Herself in Siva, who immediately entered into Her and came out as
a Linga. Ganesha, an eye witness to
these miracles found Brahma, Vishnu and Siva and other divinities in the Linga
and also beheld the Linga and Sakti without any change of identity and also as
powerful as before. The whole universe was seen merged in it—Lingamoorti. It is most enigmatic that the Linga was seen immersed in Prakriti and
Prakriti was completely permeated with Linga—Sakti and Linga were found
intertwined mutually and this is the origin of Lingodbhavamoorti whom you
worship on Sivaratri night. In reality whom you are worshiping on this night is
Trinity and their domain and that is Sadguna Brahman. That is the Abhishekam
you witness on Pedestal Lingam which is the Vyakta-avyakta form of Sadguna Brahman and not Siva alone. Those who
are staunch Saivites do Abhishekam on Narmadeswara miniature whole Linga
with red streaks with the firm belief that it has exclusive Siva (black ) and Sakti (red streak) components.
Siva
devotees rush to Amarnath on the holy
Sraavan Poornima day in August to worship Siva thinking that is the most sacred and pure
form of Siva Linga. As you know Siva Icons are always seen with white face
(Siva, the white skinned) unlike Vishnu who is dark faced (Vishnu, the blue
skinned). The sacred river Amaraavati
flows at the root of the cave in whose waters a few very devout, sturdy and
strong take a dip. Inside the cave is the
six foot Lingam of ice resting on a platform of ice. On the left side of
the ice pedestal are two shapeless blocks of ice, believed to be representing Parvati and
Ganesha. Skanda (Murugan) likes warm weather and remains in Pazhani for
Tamils.This natural phenomenon of drops of water shaping like a Linga is
remarkable. Amazingly it dwindles in size till on the New Moon Day when the outline of the base of the Lingam alone remains on the pedestal. It is on the
Full Moon Day in the month of Sravana (August) the Linga is at its maximum and
crowds attending also the maximum. It cannot be said to be a stalagmite, for in
that freezing atmosphere the stalagmite must increase in size and not get
reduced and vanish except the platform. Science has no explanation! Siva and
Vishnu complement each other—Vishnu, the custodian of Sattva Guna is dark
outside and white inside while Siva custodian of Tamo-guna is white outside and
dark inside. Brahma is their inseparable companion as there can be no temple without a niche for Brahma in the
northern wall of the sanctums in all temples. All our worships in reality
is thus directed to Nirguna Brahman
through the manifestation of Saguna Brahman in Trinity form in all
temples.
Please
go through the discourse "Whose
Abhisheka is done on Pedestal Linga on Sivaratri night? It is Saguna Brahman
only" as attached and posted on Blog;<nrsrini.blogspot.com>. Your
comments are always welcome as my discourses are subject to constant revision
based on new information.
(February 2014)
62. ABHISHEKAM OUTFLOWS ARE SACRED; TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT
American Hindu temples do not lag behind Hindu Temples in India in performing Abhishekam with tons of materials being rich and affluent-- more the quantity more the benefits. This mode of worship has inspiration from Bhagavadgeeta—“Patram, pushpam, phalam toyam yo me bhktya prayachchati” . One fruit, one flower, one leaf and little water with lots of devotion, was Lord Krishna’s recommendation for 16-steps pooja (worship). Devotees on the other hand think more of all these materials and little or no Bhakti. Temples have to satisfy the religious hunger of these devotees; so the materials flood the drains and find their way to sewers to mingle with other polluted effluents. In this process we indirectly disrespect and abuse the Prasadam (blessed materials), not being properly disposed of after worship. Hindus are expected to do with reverence all visarjanams like Ganesha Visarjanam. We take all care what goes into Abhishekam. It is equally important to focus what happens to the sacred effluents generated. This has hurt someone as Internet reveals. Abhishekam is done with rich nutrient and healthy products like oil, honey, yogurt, milk etc. Abhishekam is the most popular and colorful of the services of the temple performed on behalf of individuals to fulfill their vows. Besides, temples also conduct it once a week as scheduled worship attracting large gatherings. This is a good source of income to the temple also.
In
olden days, these products after Abhishekam were collected and absorbed in the
soil that helped bio-degradation and served as soil nutrients to feed the
earthworms, ants and plants or fed to cows.This was considered as one of the
Yagnas (sacrifice) called Bootha yagna, in
serving God’s creations. In America they drain into sewer system. It was
also customary to distribute Abhishekm liquids after worship which devotees
used to consume with reverence as Abhisheka teertha prasadam. This prasada distribution
is given up in America to comply with health regulations.
Please
recall my remarks about the outburst of a young Hindu American boy questioning
his father watching Abhishekam on Lord Ganesha : “Dad, why do we have to waste
so much milk on Lord and send it to sewers, why not feed the poor? Dad silenced
the boy but I do not know whether he satisfied the inquiringmind. It is worth going through here
the Internet message of www.livinghindu.com drawing attention of American
Hindus reproduced in the Appendix of attached discourse which has gone into
detail pros and cons of such a wasteful ritual overloading the sewers and
wasting valuable nutrient food which could very well be diverted to feed the
hungry. At the same time the message
respects the sentiments of Hindu religious devotees and has made some
suggestions which would not go against the injunctions of Hindu Saastra.
Abhisheka
on Salagrama is considered more sacred than Abhisheka on the consecrated
idol.Therefore it is would be a great religious idea to conduct Abhishekam on
Salagrama or even the processional icons symbolically and regularly
to conserve the waste and divert the excess collected material to feed
the needy after worship creating a food Bank to adjust to the present day
conditions without lessening the ritualistic aspects or effectiveness of
Mantras following the steps adopted by a celebrated pilgrimage center Melkote in the South
and Puri Jagannath in the East. Once a year Grand Abhisheka can be done
as Brahmostsava. Salagrma or miniature Linga worship is easy in Vishnu and Siva temples. I
understand that there are also salagramas of Ganesha and Devis. In Mangalore
Devi is worshiped in Linga (Vykta-avyakta form) form as also as natural stone
in Assam and natural stone form in Koorma-varaaha in Simhachalam as well as in other places.
The
discourse attached above suggests how to minimize use of materials and generate less religious effluent and also if
that is not possible how effectively and cheaply it could be effluent treated
and disposed respecting the mandates of
Upanishads if we still want to continue grandeur of present day practices.
Vedas
say "Annam na nindyaat"
(Don't abuse food). Modern Abhisheka excessives and its disposal to municipal
sewers go against this Vedic mandates
and Mantras. If limited to small quantities the sacred material could be
distributed as prasadam and the excess conveniently discharged on the lawns or
flower gardens or foliage maintained on the temple grounds manually and large
quantities could be effectively treated and discharged on vegetation if not
avoidable. Please go through the detailed discourse as attached or posted on
the blog Hindu Reflections <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
(February 2014)
63. HOLI, THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
Holi is observed with great fanfare by Hindus all over the world. Holi celebrations begin on the eve of the festival with bonfires and prayers. On the day of Holi, people throw colored powder and liquids at each other. A common greeting during this time is, "Happy Holi."
Holi
celebrations are particularly riotous in India as social rules are relaxed.
Colored water is squirted on passers-by, and people are dunked into muddy
water. Many people consume bhang, an intoxicating drink made from the female
cannabis plant. Social barriers are broken as people of all ages, genders,
castes, and wealth gather together and celebrate the festival. In fact, it is
said that one can get away with almost any kind of behavior on the day of Holi
by saying "bura na mano holi hai," or, "don't take it bad, it is
Holi." In addition to the boisterous nature of the festival, this is a
time for family members to get together, give gifts, eat special foods and
decorate their homes. Overall, this is one of the most spirited and beloved
festivals of the Hindu calendar.
The
celebration of Holi is recounted in Hindu sacred texts and stories that have
passed from generation to generation. Holi commemorates the miraculous story of
Prahlada, a young boy and a devoted follower o thef Hindu god Vishnu. According
to Hindu texts, Prahlada was born to Hiranyakashipu, the king of demons. Unable
to tolerate Prahlada's devotion to Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu attempted to
kill his son several times by poisoning him, throwing him from the top of a
mountain, etc. but failed each time. Finally, he ordered his son to sit on a
pyre on the lap of his demoness sister, Holika, who was protected from fire
burning her. Prahlada accepted his father's command and survived unharmed from
the fire while Holika burned to death. The burning of Holika gave rise to the
tradition of lighting bonfires on Holi eve. Holi also celebrates the immortal
love of the divine couple, Radha and Krishna. And Holi immortalizes the story
of Kama, the Hindu god of love, his incineration to death by Lord Shiva,
restoration and his love and sacrifice for all. These are three of the most
popular stories, and as with most Hindu festivals, the stories vary slightly in
different parts of India.
(MARCH
2014)
64. RAMA NAVAMI AND
RAMAYANA OR SUNDERKAND PARAYANA OR PATH
Ramanavami is celebrated on April 18th this year. For all Hindus the Ramayana is an important religious text. Among the Seven Kaandas (Cantos) of Ramayana, Sunderakaanda is considered the most important. Why did Valmiki titled other kaandas describing the event or Status (Baala Kaanda, Yuddhakaanda etc.), while he did not call this “Hanumad_vijaya-Kaanda”, for this entirely deals with Hanuman’s adventure. But that would not have gone well to Hanuman’s liking with the humble nature of Hanuman. It would not have pleased Hanuman stealing the show from Rama while his name is glorified. Hanuman throughout Ramayana presents himself as a humble servant and devotee of Rama. The Key sloka of Sunderkaanda is in chapter 13:
Namostu raammaya
salakshmanaaya devyai cha tasmai jankatmajaayai |
Namostu rude rendra yama-anilebhyo namostu chandraarka marudganebhyaha || 60 ||
Namostu rude rendra yama-anilebhyo namostu chandraarka marudganebhyaha || 60 ||
Obeisance
to Rama! Obeisance to Lakshmana! Obeisance to the daughter of Janaka! Obeisance
to Rudra, Indra, yama, Vaayu, Chandra, Soorya and Maruts”.
Thus
in the above sloka devotees Join Hanuman in paying their obeisance to the
Supreme Lord, Devi and his Brother Lakshmana, avatars of Vishnu and
Adisesha).
Tulsidas
was no less a devotee of Sri Rama. Sunderkaand of his Ramachrait
Manas ends with the
verse: Sakal
sumangal daayak raghunayak gun gaan | saadar sunarhi te tarahim bhava sindhu
bina jalajaal [Sunderkaand sings the praises of Sri Rama. It helps
to achieve all that is good and auspicious, both worldly and spiritual.
Whoever hears it with devotion shall without any means be able to cross the
ocean of life. Thus devotees here also join Tulsidas to worship Rama,
Lakshmana.Sita nad the then known Vedic Gods. We have now gone up to 33 crores
latest being Saibaba.
The
seven parts of Tulsidas Ramayan are equated with seven great pilgrim
centers in India that lead to salvation –Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi,
Kanchai, Avantika Puri (Ujjain) and Dvarvatin (Dwaraka). Sunderkand is equated
with Kanchi known for its Shiv Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi. So it is appealing to
all; both Siva followers and Vishnu followers. Also Rama and Siva are closely
associated. It is strange Rameswaram is not in the list!
Beauty
and inspiration of the verse of Sunderkand of Tulasidas Ramayan directs one
towards attaining spiritual knowledge and is attractive to all from the worldly
and spiritual point of view.
Hanuman
is Chiranjeevi(immortal) and will become the next Brahma when the present
tenure of Brahma ends. Devotees chant the Sunderkand as an unfailing
ritual and seek the blessings of Hanuman.N He is the one living God for all
times, simple and easily accessible. Faith and devotion are the key virtues he
builds in us. “Do you seek god? Then see him in Man. His divinity is
manifested more than in any other object. Man is the greatest manifestation of
God” says Ramakrishna Paramhamsa. Then you see how hard it is to explain the
manifestation of Hanuman who has chosen to live with us when Rama left for his
Vaikuntha to help and guide us forever!
My
grand-father used to read Ramayana every day after bath before even consuming
his morning coffee. He always used to keep a plank before his Ramayan path
Peeth (seat). I was curious to know whom it was for? He told me that seat
was for Hanuman to take his sea, he comes every day to listen to him and he is
visible only to a true devotee and I should concentrate and listen with Sraddha
(faith). Immature as I was then, not that I am anything better now, I was
always fascinated with his monkey pranks and values. I always felt there was
lot of time for liberation and it is time for me to enjoy life-like
Hanuman in his childhood. I now know how wrong I am as I reach my 84!
(MARCH 2014)
*65. HINDUS CELEBRATE
THE BIRTH OF KRISHNA
I have pleasure in forwarding a write-up "Hindus celebrate Birth of Lord Krishna" as appeared in Huff-post which most of you are familiar with. I have not made any special attempt to cover it with a discourse as you all know more about it than I do:
"Hindus around the world are observing Janmashtami, a
holy day that celebrates the birth of Krishna, who is believed by devotees to
be the eighth avatar of Vishnu (the Hindu deity of cosmic maintenance) and the
Supreme Lord of the Universe. The holiday falls on August 17 in 2014.
Krishna is the teacher in the Bhagavad Gita, a 700-verse scripture
set on a battlefield that contains some of the most important teachings of
Hinduism. He is often depicted in the form of a dark-skinned young boy playing
a flute, wearing a peacock feather crown and yellow garments.
Krishna, whose name is often translated as “all-attractive,” is
honored and worshiped in many ways. To his devotees, he is not only the Supreme
Lord and a wise teacher, but also a dear friend, beloved child, and a handsome
lover.
According to Hindu teachings, Krishna was born at midnight on the ashtami or the 8th day of the Hindu lunar month
of Shravan in a prison to Vasudev and Devaki in the town
of Mathura. Moments after his birth he escaped to the village of Gokul, where
Krishna was raised by Nanda and Yasoda, his foster parents. The stories of
Krishna’s childhood and youth paint the picture of a mischievous and endearing
flute-playing cowherd who loved to play pranks on everyone and flirt with
the gopis, or cowgirls.
Janmashtami is a festive
occasion and celebrations on this day re-enact popular tales from Krishna’s
childhood. Many devotees fast on this day and stay up all night worshiping,
listening to stories about Krishna’s childhood and singing devotional songs. In
Krishna temples across the world, a statue of the infant Krishna is bathed and
placed in a cradle which is rocked by devotees amidst the chanting of
devotional songs.
One particularly popular Janmashtami tradition in India is dahi handi. In this observance, a
clay pot filled with butter or curd is hung high on a rope while a human
pyramid is formed underneath it. The person on the top tries to catch and break
the pot with a blunt object. This tradition is based on popular Krishna
narratives according to which he would steal butter, prepared by the women of
the village and hung on handis. In fact, one of
Krishna’s many names is maakhan chhor, meaning
one who steals butter.
Many Hindus believe that one night when Krishna played the
flute, all the gopis of the village were so
entranced that they left their houses and families to come and dance with him
in the forest for the entire night. In bhakti or
devotional paths of Hinduism, the supreme form of devotion is understood to be
the soul’s ecstatic love for Krishna, who is believed to be the Supreme Lord.
On Janmashtami, young boys and girls dress up as Krishna and his gopi lovers, and in this spirit of devotion, perform Rasa Lila.
Have you been to a Janmashtami celebration in your local temple?
Share your experience with us in the comments section".
66. KARTIKAI DEEPAM FESTIVAL OF SOUTH INDIA
Friday 5, 2014 and the week end is Kartikai Deepam Festival
in the South and Kartik Pournima Festival in the North. This
Festival is the most sacred festival of lights and so Tamils and Malyalees call
it Thiru Kartikai or sacred Kartikai. Deepaavali is not called Thiru Deepaavali
though it is the one that is recognized by Hindus as Festival of lights and
often compared to Christmas Holiday Season Lighting. Diwali,
Kartika Pournima and Makara Sankranti are known for their Divine lights
by the way of welcoming Rama or viewing divine lights of Arunachaleswara
on the Hills of Arunachala in Tiruvannamali or Makara Vilakku in Sabarimalai of
Kerala or at Amritasar Golden Temple. It will be a good and thoughtful
idea Hindu Americans start their lighting on Diwali day and end it
after Makara Sankranti day Makara Vilakku of Sabari Malai or Sun's journey in
the direction of Northern solstice (as Hindus believe if not scientifically
correct) and call the period as Festival of Lights Holiday Season as Hindu
culture always love Long Holiday Seasons unlike the Western culture.
The lighting activity for Festival of Lights in Western culture
starts after Thanksgiving Dinner night and ends on January 19th which day is
celebrated as Epiphany by Eastern Orthodox Church. They celebrate Christmas on
January 7th. Christmas is a 12 days celebration and is not confined
to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Epiphany is the celebration of the
three miracles that manifest divinity of Christ and January first is the most
sacred day of Circumcision of Christ. This is the day Hindu Americans rush to
Hindu Temples as the auspicious day to make New Year resolutions and seek
prosperity and peace which makes no sense to a religious Hindu. It would
be worth performing New Year Day worship in Hindu Temples on Makara Sankranti
day the holiest day for Hindus and also the most significant for all people in
the world as the day on which the Sun starts his Northern solstice Journey.
January 1 , holiest Christian Day was pushed as International New Year
Day by Western Powers which was earlier devoted to God Janus by Romans. To
postpone New Year Day worship to January 14 is quite appropriate with Hindu
American practice as they often push their celebration like Durga puja, Holi
etc to convenient week ends brought up with the wisdom of American culture
of celebrating Holidays and President Birthdays. Makara sankarati celebration
as New Year Day will fulfill the sentiments of religious Hindus also and
will fit into their social practice of celebrating religious holidays. of
course our priest will come out with proper mantra for "kaalaateeta
durita prayaschitta" atoning for late performance in Sankalpas
(resolutions) if we feel we are belated to celebrate New Year Day.
Incidentally January 14, Makara Sankranti Day is also
Circumcision Day for Jesus as observed by Eastern Orthodox and will be pleasing
to interfaith married couples in which one partner is Christian and the other
Hindu mostly which trend is becoming more popular in Hindu weddings celebrated
in temples for interfaith couples. Hindu American lighting may as well
start on Diwali Day carried through the peak Kartikai festival and culminated
on Makara Sanktranti Day to match with the Western culture with which they
live. If they put up Christmas tree which often they do to please their kids
this can be done on Christmas Eve.
(DECEMBER 2014)
67. WHY NOT CELBRATE
KARADIYAN NONBU AS SAVITRI VRATAM?
Kaaradiyaan nonbu or Savitri Vratham, is a vow observed in Tamil Nadu on the last day in Maasi masam or the Masi month in Tamil calendar (Phalguna Krishna Navami). This festival also marks the Meena Sankramanam or the transition of Sun into Meena Rasi (Pisces) from Kumbha rasi (Aquarius). In 2015, Karadayin Nonbu date is March 14. Married women worship Mahalakshmi, Goddess Gauri or Parvathi or Shakti for marital bliss and better health of husband and children. Unmarried girls perform the vratam to get ideal person as their husband. Tamil ladies wear the sacred thread called Saradu in Tamil at the auspicious time determined by the astrologers for the day, usually morning hours.
Kaaradiyin
Nonbu falls on March 14 this year for Hindus in USA. For those living in
USA CST Zone it is 6 A.M. in the morning though it is tied at one's
convenience. Karadaiyin Nonbu is observed on the day of the conjunction of the
Tamil months Masi and Panguni. It is to remember the great battle won by
Savithri - a mythological character - over the God of Death - Yama, not by arms
or ammunition but by her clever arguments to regain her husband's life. Married
women observe fast till the auspicious time arrives, whether it is late evening
or midday or afternoon. The fast for Karadayan Vritham is observed from sunrise
on the transition day when God Surya moves from Kumbha Rashi to Meena Rashi.
Fast breaking time for Savitri Nombu might fall any time between current day
Sunrise to next day Sunrise depending on time of Meena Sankramana. Please note
that duration of fast depends on local Sunrise and Sankramana moment and varies
for all locations. Kaaradayin Nonbu is similar to that of Soubhagya
Gauri Vratam or Gauri Tritiya vratam of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Gangaur
vrat of Rajasthan, Jyeshta Gauri Vrat of Maharashtra, Jitiya Puja of Bihar,
Karva Chauth of all other North Indian states’ festivals celebrated on
different months and dates of the Hindu Calendar year. This vratam is the same
as Vat Savitri vrat observed in Raajasthan, Bengal, Orissa and some other
places of India, the date for which is not the same as Karadiyan Nonbu. I
do not know why Puranas do not agree on the death date of Satyavan while
Panchangas are so particular about the auspicious date and time as per Hindu
calendar? This shows again how astrologers mislead us about astronomical
facts. Similarly Hindu confused astrologers also do not agree on the birth day
of Hanuman. Hanuman Jaynthi is celebrated on Poornima day on April 4,
2015 in USA by North Indians while South Indians celebrate it on Amavasya day
in the Hindu Calendar month of Dhanus. South Indians claim Hanuman is
the son of the soil of South India and they are right while
North Indians say Hanuman is Rama Bhakta and Rama knows better and
celebrate it immediately after Rama Navami. Vata Savitri Vrat in the
North falls on the previous New moon day in the month of Jyeshth. The
Tamil festival derives its name from the special sweet cake made out of
black-eyed pea lentils and jaggery by Tamils. Kaaradai means kaaraamani (blackeyed
pea) adai meaning cookie or cake. Probably Yama loves
Kaaradai and it is the best way to please Yama who pardoned Satyavan and
restored his life impressed by the devotion of Savitri to her husband. Probably
Tamils call Yama as Karadiyan? Hindus know how
to please their gods or buy gods with special dishes for each festive
occasion which list is too elaborate and may need a special discourse.
Jagannatha of Puri enjoys all these varieties everyday based on Oriyan culinary
skills. Even one of the Sankaracharyas has given a detailed spiritual discourse
on Tamil food for the festivals and their significance which I sent to you long
time back. Tamils often name their festivals after the special food
item they prepare and offer to God as Naivedyam, like Pongal and Karadiyan
Nonbu. Many do not understand the meaning of Naivedyam but enjoy
Prasadam including even the coconut broken on ground for
warding off evil when the deity is taken on procession? Such ignorance is
unfortunate but we frown when someone says it is all blind belief?
I often
wonder why it is also called Saradu Pandigai by Tamils who call the holy
yellow three stranded thread tied around their neck as Sharadu? Probably
Sharadu comes from the Sanskrit word Sharad means winter.It is customary to
bless any one or seek blessings to live for hundred winters--Pasyema Saradassatam. It is the wish of the lady who keeps
the Vrata to plead to the deity to grant a life for her husband to survive
hundred winters!
Hindu
Americans drawn from several traditions may make this festival more broad based
and call it Savitri Vratam instead of calling it Kaaradiyan Nonbu, named after
a food item. It could also be celebrated in Hindu American Temples on the
day earmarked in the North in many States rather than observing it
in March which could be left to Tamils to celebrate at homes as
they do many such special and exclusive festivals of their own
tradition. Please go through my detailed discourse published on the Blog Hindu
Reflections titled "Kaaradaiyin Nonbu--Vata Savitri Vrat"
68. CHAANDRAMMANA YUGAADI AND PANCHAANGAM
(ALMANAC)
Nearly every festival in Hinduism has an astronomical basis.
Most ancient cultures had festivals based on astronomical events, especially
the Sun or Moon. There are four landmarks in the Sun's journey in the
heavens: Vernal Equinox; Autumnal Equinox; Summer Solstice; Winter
Solstice which are religiously celebrated by world cultures. Astrology is a
part and parcel of everyday life in India even to this day whether people
realize it or not. Hindu mundane astrology gives prime importance to Moon
though Sun has never been undermined or left out. Tamil, Malayalam and Bengali
Hindus who are more inclined towards religion attach importance to Sun.
A Chandramaana New Year commences from Shukla Paksha Prathma
Tithi of Chaitra Month and spans over 354 days ending when the New Moon
in the next Meena is over. The first day of Chandramana New Year is the
first Tithi after the New Moon in Panguni of Tamils or Meena according to Soura
Maanam System which I have described earlier. The principal religious
contents of the Chandramana Panchaangm like others are Nakshatras and Tithis,
both of which are calculated on the basis of positions of the Sun and the Moon
in relation to the Earth. It is important to observe that the framers of the
various systems have universally adopted the convention of
forecasting the ending moments of daily celestial phenomena such as Tithis and
Nakshatras, applicable to place for which the Panchaangam is prepared. People
living in North America cannot blindly follow the Indian Panchaangams which has
to be adjusted to specified place/time in the space-time continuum. This void
is fulfilled by the American Hindu Panchaangam which at the same time continues
to carry certain lapses as in all Hindu Panchaangams. If there is a will this
can be corrected? Find out what Nakshatra means?
Panchaanga is almanac that serves two purposes: 1) It
provides a dating system which can be used in civil affairs such as dating of
documents, letters etc., maintaining accounts. 2) It also forecasts the
occurrence of daily celestial phenomenon such as Thithis and Nakshatras, the
dates and times religious festivals are to be observed and the auspicious
moments for other religious social functions such as wedding, Upanayana
etc., based on duration of tithis and nakshatras and on planetary positions.
There are thirty different calendars in India. Indian National
Calendar Committee in 1957 brought out a National calendar aligning it with the
Gregorian calendar basing it on Salivahana Saka Era and Chandramana Calendar
which was popular with majority traditions but not close to Gregorian official
calendar. Their task was complicated by the fact that with calendar reform
religion and local sentiments were involved. India's first Prime Minister
Jawaharlal Nehru in his preface to the Report of the
Committee, which was published in 1955, wrote: “They (different calendars)
represent past political divisions in the country…...now that we have attained
Independence, it is obviously desirable that there should be a certain
uniformity in the calendar for our civic, social and other purposes and this
should be done on a scientific approach to this problem.” This National
calendar was therefore brought in line with Gregorian calendar.
Hindu Americans drawn from different Hindu traditions will be
better advised to go by the Indian National Calendar of 365.25 days which will
slowly go into archives torn in politics and religious prejudices.
They need not follow any one religious panchaangam \from India which
are all inaccurate and do not comply with scriptural injunctions to
perform rituals and worships as per time, date and place of living. This
needs a proper aligning of Hindu American Panchangam of today with Indian
National Calendar or even better base it on Sauramana Panchangam taking
into consideration its serious neglect in not correcting for astronomical facts
that has moved Makara Sankranti by 23 days from actual day of December 22
Winter solstice day when the Sun’s direction changes actually towards North (Uttarayana).
As highly enlightened and religious conscious society with lot of computer
geniuses they have to base things on astronomical facts which were the
basis on which our Rishis carried out their worships and rituals. We should not
go by blind faith and faulty Panchaangams of astrologers which have certain
missing links.
Even the present Hindu American Panchaangam which is unique in
many respects and easy to use in USA brought out by the Hindu Temple
Society of North America published since 1997 with its unique features is
not followed by all of its Members of the Council. Hindu Americans in spite of
their broader outlook still are as religiously biased as Hindus in India and
tradition bound who have not adopted Indian National calendar prepared for the
benefit of the country by experts and are not concerned with astronomical
corrections over centuries needed because of the influence of family
trained astrologers who have not studied astronomy like our ancient Rishis.
Hindu American Temple authorities are also guided by these family trained
or family tradition oriented priests imported from India. Living in
USA American Panchaangam needs alignment with Indian National Calendar or
follow solar calendar with the astronomical correction needed for the lapses
over centuries. It should not be difficult for Mr. R. Kumar, Author of
Hindu American panchaangam to correct the situation and provide Americans with
an accurate religious Panchaangam aligned to Gregorian calendar, being an
author of several books on astronomy and astrology and is also recipient of
several awards if only our worries and requirements are placed before
him.
69. DAKSHINAAYANA AND
AADI FESTIVALS OF TAMIL NADU
I was blessed to witness the Abhirbhav Utsav of Jagannath Parivar
on July 17 which day also happens to be Thiru Aadippooram to Tamils being
the Birthday of Aandaal or the Day Vishnuchittar found a baby lying on
Mother Earth like Sita. This is a Grand celebration day in all
Tamil Nadu Temples like Koodaarai Vellum and Panguni Uttiram
on which subjects I have given my discourses
direct to audience as well as my E-mail Participants. As a
Sriviashnava and Tamil, though I do not follow the tradition, I was
doubly blessed on this day because Mother Earth as Bhoodevi also joins
Jagannath Parivar. Though neglected in Temple Traditions to enjoy
popular temples all over the country She makes her dominant presence as Aandal
to have separate sanctums in all Srivaishnava temples in Tamil Nadu
as Tamils believe Aandaal is an incarnation of Bhoodevi. Some
Tamils have been successful to push the sectarian festivals of Koodarai Vellum
and Panguni Uttiram in Hindu American Temples which makes other traditions
bewildering, but I enjoy along with few Iyengars who claim their title by
birth.
Happily, Tamil Month Aadi 1 coincides with South
Indian Asrtrological DakshinayaPunyakala
(North Indian Panchangs wisely align with Summer solstice day on June
21) and so an important day for all South Indians and probably to
North Indians who do not anyhow worry much for Dakshinaayana Day,
as Observance Day. Probably this day could also be a significant
day to pay our tributes to Sage Patanjali who brought all cultures and
world together by his magical Yogasastra while June 21 will continue to be
official International Yoga day. As Hindu Americans we believe in actual
days as well as observance days. Thus this day happens to be an important day
for all traditions. We could also make this day significant to pay
our respect to all Gurus since by the end of July month we are going to
have Guru Purnima day. Guru Poornima, we do not observe as a Special Religious
Day though it is in India. The Month of Aadi is very sacred to Tamils who
at the same time also say it is inauspicious month like Kartigai for
auspicious samskaras like wedding. So we can also make this day
significant to pay our respects to all philosophers--Vyasa, Dattatreya,
Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhwa, Basaveswara as the observance day for
respecting Gurus, all dedicated to Mother Earth. Our Odisha friends will
lend their support too being an important period for them. I have therefore
pleasure in bringing out a discourse " Daksinayana Punyakala and
Thiru Aadippooram" focusing on the thought to make it a Special Day of
Worship for all Traditions of Hinduism as attached. This Day has much more
significance and meaning like All Divines' Wedding Day of Panguni
Uttiram. Koodarai Valli is an insignificant day for others
but for Iyengars from South.
Please go
through my detailed discourse as indicated.
70. KUMBHAMELA—THE LARGEST RELIGIOUS MASS IN THE WORLD
Kumbha means pitcher and Mela means
Fair. When the Asuras and the Devas churned the milky ocean, Lord Vishnu
appeared bearing the pot of nectar which blessed all with ever- lasting life.
Thus the Kumbha or Kalasa also symbolizes immortality. Before Brahma the
Creator and the creation came into being, Lord Vishnu was reclining on
Adisesha in the milky ocean. From his navel emerged a lotus from which appeared
Brahma and started his creation. The water in Khumba symbolizes the
primordial water from which the entire creation emerged. Hindus start all
worship establishing a Kumbha filled with water and invoking Sapta Sindhus or
SevenHoly river spirits. This is their microform of worship. Kumbhamela is the
Macroform of that worship with the participation of all humanity on an
auspicious day and time.
Kumbhamela is held this year in Nashik from July 14 to September
25 and expects a much larger crowd than in 2003; devotees will be busy with
holy dips on several days in River Godavari which is considered to be Southern
Ganga, meeting holy people (sadhus, listening to their speeches
and worshiping the Jyotirlinga of Tryambakesvara. Kumbhamela
is not restricted to North Indian Traditions alone and can be seen in South
Indian temple traditions too. Mahamasi Magam in Kumbakonam and the annual holy
dip in Tirupathi Swamipushkarani are the same kind of celebrations
as Kumbhamela.
Over centuries, Vedic sacrifices gradually found their way out
due to their inherent difficulties in performing them including
animal sacrifices. Their place was soon taken up by ritualistic worship, simple
Homas by way of oblation into consecrated fires associated with popular puranic
deities, religious vows called Vratas and Teerthayaatras, visit to pilgrim
centers located on sacred river banks. These were eulogized as easy to
perform, but, giving equally good and quick results. Kumbhamela
celebration was an outcome of these developments .
The Global Mother Earth (Prithvee Kumbha) holding water
(Aapah) in her pitcher containing life sustaining Praana (Vaayu) releases the
same through the heat (Agni) generated by Tapas to the atmosphere
(Aakasa) to make its journey further or return back if
unsuccessful. This is the philosophy of Kumbhamela and
the purpose behind this great ritual and worship. Water is the
ruling deity in the body around 70%, keeping the life’s flow with Praana
(vayu). So we revere all flowing waters. Why so many Kumbhamelas?
We know definitely the pitcher we live in called Mother Earth and the solar
system. Science has just discovered its cousin recently. There may be
many such Kumbhas to match at least 12 Aadityas (Suns)
mentioned in Vedas.
The new Prithvee Kumbha is described as follows: “Called Kepler
452b, the planet orbits a 6 billion-year-old sun-like star about 1,400
light-years away. Kepler 452b is about 60 percent larger than Earth, and
perhaps five times as massive. With a year lasting 385 days, it sits in the
region around its star where temperatures are just right for maintaining liquid
water on a world’s surface”—National Geography
Please
recall my E-mail on the subject with a priliminary draft. This has been
developed to a full and detailed discourse including all the Kumbhamelas
with special focus on the current one in Nashik. Please go
through the discourse as attached.
71. SRAVAN PURNIMA IS IDEAL FOR MASS
WORSHIP LIKE DIWALI
Hindus often go to temples on special
Religious Events Day to get the blessings of the Lord both as a community and
as individuals. We may mentions here
festivals like Sivaratri, Rama Navami, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh
Chaturthi, Vaikuntha Ekadasi and others. Here again these are sectarian based and
people go to their own familiar temples. Individuals often go to temples with
their desire motivated worships as individuals. Mass worship on specific days
like Diwali, Makara Sankranti, Navaratri
indirectly helps in economic running of the temples and also in
bringing the community together. It becomes more complicated to celebrate such
days in Hindu Temples Overseas to suit all traditions where we often find One
Temple for All Traditions.
Sravan
Purnima day is the day on which Brahmin community goes to temple in USA to
perform Upakarma ritual for changing the sacred thread. It is the
day ladies go to temple with the Rakhi to get the blessings of the
Devi which they later tie on their brothers as well as others who they
consider as their brothers for a long time relationship. It is also
a day for Satya Narayan puja. It is the day when poor and ignorant people
worship water offering coconuts most popular in Maharashtra (Nariyal
Purnima) while the enlightened meditate on it as Brahman. Thus it is an
important day for many events.
A detailed discourse
is available on the subject as posted on the Blog and earlier circulated. The
present discourse deals with Upakarma, Rakhi and Nariyal
Purnima that could be made more broad based to benefit all. There is a wrong
notion that Upakarma is exclusive to Dwijas or who have undergone thread
ceremony. The origin of Upanayana initiation and the purpose is in Vedas. Vedas
talk of atonement for our past sins and meditation on Supreme Being for
all and the need for the study of Vedas by proper initiation
to Vedas. Upakarma day is also a
day on which we pay our indebtedness to sages and Vedas. This is also common to
all. All these are needed by all though
it is mandatory for those who have
undergone Upanayana samskaras. So this day could be a great day for Kamokarshit
Homa and Navakanda Rishi homa and initiation of Vedic studies Sindhu
(Water) Puja for all. We have created Bhagavadgita Day and
Ramayan Path Day. Why not Veda Parayana Day? Upanayana samskara was a later
development from the act of
Upanayana mentioned for all in Vedas. Regimentation of
Upakarma only to the chosen few is a later development enforced by
orthodoxy. This day could also be celebrated as Brother's day for all
ladies seeking the blessings of Lord Jaganntha and need not be restricted to
North Indians only drawing inspiration from Jagannatha Assembly of Gods where
we see Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra together worshiped promoting brother
-sister relationship. This is a
unique concept. In Chennai Krishna assembly is seen as family assembly
promoting son-father-grandfather-brother-friend relationship. Mostly we
see Radha-Krishna in many temples though their wedding never took place
like that of Andal with Ranganath. This worship and celebration of
wedding send a wrong message to critics based on Puranas who do not go
deep into Vedanta. Very few go deep into spirituality in our popular
worship but are influenced by blind faith in puranas. They say it leads
the way but when will that day come? Brother-sister relationship of Krishna is
very much glorified in Puranas and this day is very ideal to promote that
concept. The discourse deals with these details and explains how this day can
be made as important as Diwali for Mass Participation instead of ending as
lame-duck worshipful day with few participating.
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-can-we-make-sravan-purnima-temple.html
*72. KARWA CHAUTH AND TEEJ FESTIVALS OF NORTH INDIA
Karwa chauth and Teej are regional traditions and festivals celebrated on Sunday 8, October in 2017 on the fourth Day after Sharad Poornima which falls on October 4 this year. Karwa Chaut in most part of the North India and Teej in Rajasthan are celebrated four days after Sharad Poornima in the month of Kartik. Women wear their bridal dresses on this day, fast and pray for the prosperity of the household and longevity of their husbands. On this day married women do not eat until they see the reflection of the moon in the platter of water and paying their respect and love to their husbands. The moon symbolizes Siva, the husband of Parvati. Siva is believed to be very handsome but unpredictable and also unconventional too in his ways. He is a very care-free person as for as the family is concerned. He is always deeply involved in meditation and not a regular breadwinner for the family. It needs all the resilience and patience of Parvati to subdue him to bring back to family way of life. Women pray to possess the resilience of Parvati so that they could develop an ideal temperament to tolerate their husbands and live in peace but not in pieces instead of fighting.
Karwa
means a small earthen pot filled with sprouts, which is given by elderly
married woman to new brides on this day. It is a gift symbolic of fertility
passed from woman to woman as an offering of Devi's grace. Sprouts are
symbolic of fertility and are used in paalika visarjan in Southern tradition
(Please refer to the discourse on Hindu Samskaaras).
Teej
is celebrated in North India, especially in Rajasthan dedicated to Goddess
Parvati, the princess of Himalayan Kingdom who domesticated the recluse Siva
and charmed him to become a householder. Parvati's image is bedecked with
bridal finery (sola Singar) and carried in procession on this night.
Both Karwa Chaut and Teej attach great religious significance though a
cultural, and social harvest and rain festival like Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
The social fabric of a Hindu wherever he is settled is so knitted that no human
activity is segregated from the divine. Hindus wherever they are settled tried
to continue with the tradition, whether relevant or not, but also promote it to
their children. Here they have additional support from major culture.
Please recall my discourse on Valentine’s Day being observed as a Special
Worshipful Day in American Hindu Temples. No Aagamas come into picture on these
days but our priests suitably adopt to make it religious
within their frame-work. It is no surprise Nashville Ganesha Temple has
also rushed to celebrate this day as a Special Worshipful day with its theme of
Love as the Universal Binding Force (Kaamaaya swaahaa). These
religious and community celebration of festivals help in strengthening
relationship between married couples. This is particularly of great
significance to American Hindu couples where divorces and single parental care
for children is slowly influencing the Hindu society also, living amidst
major culture where it is difficult to hold on to even first marriage though
sprung out of love for more than five years and where children often are
forced to be raised by a single parent based on research studies! No doubt
every truthful husband would be influenced by this devotion visibly and
sincerely expressed calling divine presence and intervention to lead a Happy
and Prosperous Marrieds Life with Heaven’s choicest Blessings! This makes
Kaduva Chaut Meethaa Chaut!
*These have not been covered by exclusive
discourses but may be supplementary
e-mails reflecting thoughts on discourses already covered.