Hinduraksha - हिन्दुरक्षा

क्यों है, एक ओंकार सतनाम ? - ओशो

2012-01-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

नानक कहते हैं कि उस एक का जो नाम है, वही ओंकार है। और सब नाम तो आदमी के दिए हुए हैं- राम कहो, कृष्ण कहो, अल्लाह कहो। ये हमने बनाए हैं। लेकिन उसका एक नाम जो हमने नहीं दिया- वह ओंकार है।

क्यों ओंकार उसका नाम है? क्योंकि जब सब शब्द खो जाते हैं और चित्त शून्य हो जाता है, तब ओंकार की धुन सुनाई पड़ती है। वह हमारी बनाई हुई धुन नहीं है। वह अस्तित्व की धुन है। एक ध्वनि है। कोई उसका स्रोत नहीं है। कोई उसे पैदा नहीं करता।

जैसे कि जल प्रपात के पास बैठो तो उसकी एक ध्वनि है। लेकिन वह पानी और चट्टान की टक्कर से पैदा होती है। हवा का झोंका निकलता है, तो जो सरसराहट होती है, वह हवा और वृक्ष की टक्कर से पैदा होती है। संगीतज्ञ गीत गाता है, वीणा का कोई तार छेड़ता है- लेकिन ये सभी ध्वनियां संघर्ष से पैदा होती हैं। संघर्ष के लिए दो जरूरी हैं। तार चाहिए वीणा का और हाथ चाहिए उसे छेड़ने वाला। इस तरह जितनी ध्वनियां द्वैत से पैदा होती हैं, उनमें से कोई भी उसका सच्चा नाम नहीं हो सकता। उसका नाम तो वही है- जब सारा द्वैत खो जाता है, तब जो एक ध्वनि गूंजती रहती है।

नानक कहते हैं, वही एक उसका नाम है- ओंकार। नानक बहुत बार 'नाम' शब्द का प्रयोग करेंगे। कहते हैं, उसके नाम की रटन में जो डूब जाएगा, वह उसे पा लेगा। तो ध्यान रखना, नाम जब भी नानक कहते हैं, तब उनका इशारा ओंकार की तरफ है। क्योंकि वही एक उसका नाम है, जो हमने नहीं दिया।

यह 'सत' शब्द भी समझ लेने जैसा है। संस्कृत में दो शब्द हैं- एक सत और एक सत्य। सत का अर्थ होता है एक्जिस्टेंस, अस्तित्व। और सत्य का अर्थ होता है ट्रुथ। मूल धातु तो एक है, लेकिन कुछ फर्क हैं, जिन्हें समझ लेना जरूरी है। सत्य तो चिंतक की खोज है- वह खोजता है कि दो और दो मिल कर चार होते हैं, पांच नहीं होते, तीन भी नहीं होते। गणित का यह सूत्र सत्य है, लेकिन सत नहीं है। क्योंकि यह मनुष्य का ही हिसाब है।

तुम सपना देखते हो रात को। सपना सत तो है , लेकिन सत्य नहीं है। सपना है तो ! नहीं होता तो देखते कैसे ?लेकिन तुम यह नहीं कह सकते कि सत्य है। क्योंकि सुबह पाते हो कि वह न होने के बराबर है। लेकिन वह हुआजरूर था ! एक सपना घटा था। तो दुनिया में ऐसी घटनाएं हैं जो सत्य हैं और सत नहीं। और ऐसी भी घटनाएं हैं, जो सत हैं लेकिन सत्य नहीं। गणित सत्य है , सत नहीं। और सपना सत है , सत्य नहीं।

परमात्मा दोनों है - सत भी , सत्य भी। और इसलिए न तो उसे गणित से पाया जा सकता , न विज्ञान से। विज्ञानखोजता है सत्य को और कला खोजती है सत को। इसलिए न तो कला उसे पूरा खोज सकती है और न विज्ञान।दोनों अधूरे हैं। तो जब नानक कहते हैं , एक ओंकार सतिनाम - तो इस सत में दोनों हैं - सत्य और सत। उस परमअस्तित्व का नाम , जो गणित की तरह सच है और जो काव्य की तरह भी सत है। जो स्वप्न की तरह मधुर है औरगणित की तरह सही है। जो हृदय की भावना की तरह भी है और मस्तिष्क की प्रतीति की भांति भी है।

जहां मस्तिष्क और हृदय मिलते हैं , वहीं धर्म शुरू होता है। अगर मस्तिष्क अकेला रहे या हृदय को दबा दे , तोविज्ञान पैदा होता है। अगर हृदय अकेला रहे या मस्तिष्क को हटा दे , तो कल्पना और कला पैदा होती है। औरअगर मस्तिष्क और हृदय दोनों मिल जाएं , दोनों का संयोग हो जाए , तो हम ओंकार में प्रवेश करते हैं।

सिक्‍खों का इतिहास वास्‍तव में सिक्‍ख खत्री गुरूओं का ही इतिहास है

2011-11-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

सिक्‍खों का इतिहास वास्‍तव में सिक्‍ख खत्री गुरूओं का ही इतिहास है , जो गुरू नानक से गुरू गोविन्‍द सिंह तक बताया जाता है। सिख धर्म प्रचारक गुरू नानक लाहौर जिले के तलबंडी (ननकाहा साहिब) के वेदी खत्री थे। उनके उत्‍तराधिकारी गुरू अंगद टिहुन खत्री थे। उसका असली नाम लहना था। गुरू अमरदास ( 1552-1574) भल्‍ला खत्री थे। हरमंदिर या स्‍वर्णमंदिर के संस्‍थापक गुरू रामदास (1554-1581 ) खत्रियों की सोढी अल्‍ल के थे। गुरू गोविंद सिंह ने अपने ग्रंथ 'विचित्र नाटक के अध्‍याय दो से 4 में अपनी और गुरू नानक की उत्‍पत्ति भगवान रामचंद्र के पुत्र लव और कुश के वंश में बतायी है। गुरू गोविन्‍द सिंह सिक्‍खों के अंतिम गुरू थे।

मुगल काल में सिक्‍ख खत्री गुरूओं के इतिहास की एक अलग ही कहानी है। 1901 की जनगणना के कुल 1030078 खत्रियों की जनसंख्‍या में 60685 सिख खत्री दर्ज किए गए थे। इस जनगणना में जैन धर्म को माननेवाले 704 और बौद्ध धर्म को माननेवाले 27 खत्री भी दर्ज किए गए थे। आज इन सिक्‍ख खत्रियों में कुछ अल्‍ले विशेष रूप से पायी जाती हैं , जैसे अगिया , अरिन , उहिल , एलवी , कालछर , खुमाड , गंगादिल , चारखंडे , चुनाई , छेमदा , जुडे , तिपुरा , तेहर , थागर , पखरा , फलदा , भगादि , भोगर , मालगुरू , बालगौर , वाहगुरू , शोडिल , हेगर , हूगर औ हांडी वगैरह ।

हिन्‍दू और सिक्‍ख खत्रियों का संबंध तो पूरी तरह रोटी बेटी का सा एक ही रहा है। दोनो का खान पान , विवाह संस्‍कार और अन्‍य प्रथाएं भी एक जैसी रही हैं। एक समय में खत्री परिवार में पैदा होनेवाला पहला बालक संस्‍कार करके सिख बनाया जाता था। अरदास और भोग हिन्‍दु खत्रियों में भी समान रूप से प्रचलित था। सिक्‍ख खत्रियों में गुरू नानक वेदी और अन्‍य सभी सोढी खत्री थे। सिक्‍ख खत्री आज भी अपने नाम के साथ खत्री ही लगाते हैं , ताकि उनमें और जाट सिक्‍खों में अंतर किया जा सके तथा अन्‍य सिखों में उन्‍हें आसानी से पहचाना जा सके।

इस तरह हिन्‍दू और सिख धर्म को जोडनेवाली कडी खत्री ही है। धर्म से उनके बीच कोई फर्क नहीं पडा है तथा दोनो ही धर्म मानने वाले खत्री साथ साथ भोजन तो करते ही हैं , विवाहादि संबंध भी वैसे ही करते हैं , जैसे वैश्‍य वर्ग के लोग जैनियों से करते हैं। बीच में आतंकवादी गतिविधियों के कारण इसमें कुछ व्‍यवधान अवश्‍य आया था , पर समय के साथ पुन: यह प्रभावहीन होता चला गया और पंजाब में हिन्‍दुओं और सिखों के मध्‍य विभाजन नहीं हो सका।इस राजनीतिक चाल का असफल हो जाना बहुत अच्‍छी बात रही। यह सिख हिन्‍दु मैरिज एक्‍ट और डाइवोर्स एक्‍ट के अधीन ही आते हैं। इस तरह शताब्दियों पुरानी खत्री जाति परंपराएं , रीति रिवाज और संबंधों की ही ऐसी कडी बनाता आया हैं , जिन्‍हें व्‍यक्तिगत स्‍वार्थवश नहीं तोडा जा सकता

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यह लेख पहले फेसबुक पर भी पोस्ट किया गया था, परन्तु कुछ सिख भाइयों ने इसे बिना पड़े ही विवाद खड़ा कर दिया, हमारा आग्रह है कि आप पहले इसे पड़ लें और उसके बाद ही कोई टिप्पणी दें .

Teej...

2011-06-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

Just as in the case of several other Hindu festival, many traditions and rituals are associated with Teej celebrations। On Teej, women keep fast and perform other customs for long and healthy life of their husband. Every ritual has its own significance and so ladies perform all Teej customs with extreme devotion. Women start preparing for Teej well in advance and go out shopping to bring all the items used in performing Teej rituals.

Teej Customs and Rituals
Teej customs and rituals make the festival more interesting and full of colors। Women who observe fast for their husband take proper care that no carelessness is committed while carrying out the rituals. Teej festival calls for performance of all rituals seriously if one wants to be blessed with marital bliss.

Shrinjhara
To celebrate the auspicious occasion of Teej, women perform some serious rituals. It is customary for married women to return to their parents' home at the time of Teej. Married women and engaged girls get lot of presents from their father-in-law as per Teej customs. A traditional gift package called 'Shrinjhara' or 'Sindhare' is gifted to their daughter-in-law. This traditional name originated from the Hindi word shringaar meaning adornment. Shrinjhara package consists of Ghewar (sweet), traditional laheria dress (tie & dye), henna and lac bangles. All these items are used by the ladies to adorn herself.

Baya
Baya is another traditional package given to women observing fast on Teej. It includes dry fruits, mathris, new clothes, bangles and jewelry. It is given by mothers of the newly wed girls on the Teej Festival day.

Tradition to Adorn Oneself
On Teej, both married and unmarried girls dress up in traditional colored clothes. Women are usually seen in auspicious red, green and yellow colored lehangas, suits and sarees. Women start shopping for Teej well in advance. It gives them the opportunity to look beautiful of all.

Mehandi and Alta
The most important ritual is to beautify hands with special mehandi designs and alta. Girls and women apply intricate patterns of alta and mehandi to their hands and feet. This is also a part of Teej Shringar. Women usually hide name of their love in these mahendi designs and later ask them to find out their name. This tradition becomes a playful activity and adds vigor to the day's celebration.

Jewelry
Ladies also wear new gold and diamond jewelry. Some women wear very heavy jewelry while some wear light jewelry. Women have full liberty to ask for anything they wish. Even their husband do not stop them from doing anything and gift them whatever they desire as they starve themselves for well-being of their husband.

Teej Fast
The most important ritual of Teej Festival is Teej Fast. Women and unmarried girls keep fast for long and healthy life of their husband. Teej fast goes for 24 long hours. It is the most rigorous fast in which a woman neither drinks nor eat.

Tradition of Lighting a Lamp
As per the ritual of Teej fasting, a woman should keep an oil lamp lit all night। If the oil lamp dies away, it is considered a bad omen.

Goddess Parvati

The most important ritual of Teej is to bedeck Parvati Mata and carry out auspicious processions on the streets. Idol of Goddess Parvati is decorated with fine jewelry and new colorful clothes. The fasting day of Teej is very vital as women pray to Goddess for marital bliss and happy life.

Swings
Last but not the least, swings are the common sight when Teej is near. Beautifully decorated swings are hung from trees in the garden and gaily dressed up women swing and sing traditional Teej songs. Some women also dance while singing the holy songs.

Teej Celebrations

Teej celebrations takes place in various parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. Being an important women festival, Teej is celebrated with full verve and enthusiasm. It is held to mark the advent of monsoon season and also a very important festival for engaged and married women. On this day, women pray to Goddess Parvati for long and healthy life of their husband. There are many activities performed by women to celebrate the holy festival of Teej. Women feel immense pleasure in celebrating the festival and make various preparations before hand.

Why is Teej Celebrated?
Teej commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Goddess Paravati took 108 births to have Lord Shiva as her husband. Since then it is proclaimed that who so ever worships Parvati Ma is blessed with happy married life. At the time of Teej, women observe Nirjara Vrat so that Goddess Parvati becomes happy and bless their husband with long and healthy life.

How is Teej Celebrated?

Teej is celebrated in a very colorful way. Women start preparing for Teej a week before the festival. For Teej celebration, women buy new clothes, jewelry and accessories to wear on the festival day. Markets are usually crowded with women shopping for various items to adorn oneself. On Teej, women try to look as beautiful as they can. Intricate mehndi designs are also applied to hands and feet. On the main Teej day, women even visit beauty parlors. Women spend a lot of money of Teej preparations. Even husbands do not say anything to their wife and help them in festival preparations.

Teej celebrations are not only confined to the women celebrating the festival. Teej celebrations take place round the city. A special Teej procession is organized in which the bedecked idol of Goddess Parvati is kept on a palanquin and carried out in the procession. Numerous artists, performers, band members and folk dancers follow the procession showing their magnificent skills. People dance down the streets along with other performers as they completely engross in Teej festivities.

Apart from this, women love to celebrate the festival by making their own special arrangements. Beautifully decorated swings are hung from trees and attractively dressed women dance and sing various Teej and Sawan songs. Fragrance of flowers on Teej swings pervade the atmosphere. After this, women offer prayers to Parvati Mata and the Teej Vrat successfully completes.

At the end of the day, husbands come to pick their wife and sometimes even bring presents for them. This way Teej Celebrations bring lot of happiness for both married and unmarried couples and create some everlasting memories.

Teej Mata – Goddess Parvati
Teej honors Goddess Parvati – symbol of utter devotion and love. Hence Teej is also called Teej Mata Festival. Both married and unmarried Hindu women observe the three-day-long festival seeking blissful married life and happiness for their husband. Teej festivities and its celebrations are dedicated to Goddess Parvati this is why it's purely a festival of womenfolk.

Goddess Parvati
The divine figure of Goddess Parvati is worshiped with earnest dedication at the time of Teej. The day's celebration has an ancient legend associated with it. It is said on this day Goddess Parvati reunited with her consort Lord Shiva. Mata Parvati went through rigorous fasting and a penance of 100 years. She took 108 births to be accepted by Lord Shiva in the form of his wife. Even today the auspicious day is celebrated to honor Goddess Parvati for her true love and positive spirit. And since the celebration of Teej totally relate to Goddess Parvati, so she is also called Teej Mata.
Procession of Teej Mata
On the last day, Teej idol is taken out from the pat (holy place where she is kept). The idol is freshly painted and bedecked with pure gold and other fine jewelry. Bright colors are used to decorate the Goddess. The idol is offered fruits, milk, chapati, nookti, ghewar and pure jal by saints performing prayers and chanting holy shlokas.

Teej idol covered with a canopy is taken out in the procession. Specially decorated 'band baaza' with a team of performers precede the procession. The 'Teej Mata Palki' or 'Takht-e-Rawan' is carried by 8 men dressed in red color. In the Pink City of Rajasthan, Jaipur where grand celebrations for Teej takes place carries out Teej Mata in a royal procession from the city palace so that the general public can pay homage to the festival Goddess and get their desires fulfilled.

In the Teej Mata procession there are around 10-12 elephants, 16 well-adorned horses and performers including dancers, singers and folk-artists. Beautifully decorated camels and bullock carts are an added attraction to the festival procession. Bhog is also given to the devotees who come closer to pay homage to the deity.

There is a huge rush to have a single glimpse of Teej Mata Palki. People in colorful traditional dresses even reach the top of houses and tree tops to have a splendid view of the holy procession. As the procession moves forward people keep offering precious ornaments to the idol. The time when “Mata” is about to reach back its place, the idol gets almost covered with gold and silver jewelry.
Teej Puja Process

Teej Puja is a vital part of Teej celebration. Women, both married and unmarried, start preparing for the final puja well in advance. The verve, enthusiasm and devotion is apparent on their face. On the puja day, women wear new and beautiful clothes. This is the day to look best of all. Teej Puja is not a very long affair. Women read aloud the Teej Katha and offer their worship to Goddess Parvati.
Teej Puja Rituals
Lot of activities and rituals are performed at the time of Teej Puja. Attired in traditional sarees and lehangas, women congregate in a temple to worship Parvati Ma, who took 108 births to reunite with Lord Shiva. On this day, idol of Goddess Parvati is bedecked with rich silk cloth and heavy jewelry. This day is considered very important as married women and engaged girls observe fast for long and healthy life of their husband and to-be-husband.
Teej Puja Process
Women either gather at a nearby temple or a garden where the puja is arranged. The main puja takes place with holy offerings of flowers, sweets and coins. A semi-circle is created and an idol of Goddess Parvati is kept in the middle. A pujarin or all the ladies together narrate the holy Teej Katha. Young girls also sit to listen the auspicious katha. While listening to the katha, women are expected to put their mind and thoughts towards their soul mate.

When the puja gets over women offer fruits, flowers and other holy items and seek blessings of Goddess Parvati for marital bliss. Another very important part of Teej Puja is the oil lamp which should be kept alight throughout the night as it is bad omen if it dies away.

At some places, after paying homage to Goddess Parvati, women bath with red mud found on the roots of the sacred Datiwan bush. This is an act of purification. It is believed that a woman is absolved from all sins after taking this holy bath.

At the end of the day, women share their happiness and joy by dancing and singing traditional songs in praise of Lord Shiva and her consort Parvati.

Teej in Punjab

2011-06-29T00:41:00.000-07:00

Teej is an important festival for the women of Punjab. The sawan month is eagerly waited by the people of Punjab as different festivals fall at this time period. The festival of Teej brings exuberance and chance to get along each other. Young girls and boys actively participate in events taking place in various towns and districts in Punjab. Celebration of Teej begins from the third day of sawan - the fifth Hindu month beginning from Chaitra.

Teej Celebrations in Punjab
Young women and men enthusiastically celebrate the occasion of Teej. At the time of Teej, many schools and colleges in Punjab organize competitions and cultural programs. Some competitions are organized on higher scale and are attended by senior government officials. The theme of the competitions is totally traditional and cultural. Competitive categories include rangoli, mehndi, dance, singing, painting etc. In colleges, Teej beauty contests take place where young girls passionately participate and win various titles like “Miss Teej”, “Teej Queen” and “Baby Teej”.

Teej celebrations in villages too, are full of joy and verve. Young girls and women get along to perform Teej rituals. Girls swing on decorated swings called peeng and adorn their hands and feet with intricate mehndi designs.

Girls who perform gidda on Teej dedicate it to their husband or to-be-husband. Some of these special Teej dance and songs symbolize that women are always ready to sacrifice their life for their lover. After the dance performance young ladies offer prayers and sing songs for good health of their love. Teej fairs called Teelan are organized which has stalls with collection of traditional items like colorful bangles, juttis, dresses and earrings. Main attraction of Teej fair are the mehndi stalls.

At homes, people prepare special Punjabi Teej dishes like Kheer Puri, Gulgale, Karah and Pakoras. Family members sit together and enjoy the lavish feast. Men give blessings to their wife and both pray for each others' long and cheerful life.

Special Teej Punjabi Songs
Dance and songs are an integral part of Teej celebrations in Punjab. It is also considered a very important medium to convey their heartiest thoughts and messages . Women freely express their feelings for their love or husband by singing and dancing on traditional Teej songs. Some the most popular Punjabi Teej songs are:
"Sawan Da Mahina Din Giddha De Sabhe Sahalyan
Aiyan Nachan Kundan, Jhutan Pingan Piyan Vadiyan
Gharan Diya Jaiyan Bhij Gai Rooh Mitra Sham Ghatan Chad Aiyan".

A very common song sung to welcome the sawan festival of Teej after a long year is given below:
"Teeyan Teej Diyan Bhadon De Muklave Teeyan Teej Diyan”.

In the sawan month, young girls gather and celebrate the auspicious occasion of Teej. They dance on cultural songs with a perfect mood to welcome the sawan. One of the famous songs sung is:
"Sase Teri Mahen Marh Jaye,
Mere Veer Nu Sukhi Khand Payee."

In various households, a very beautiful song is sung on Teej which describes a woman's extreme love for her soul mate. She thinks that her lover's pain and sorrows are her own.
"Akh Mere Yaar Di Dukhe,
Lali Merian Akhan De Wich Aiyee".

The song given below depicts a love scene in which women consider her man to be a face of God.
"Aya Sawan Da Maheena Aa,
Tun menu Rab Lagdha Naleh Naleh Makka Te Madina Aa".

This song depicts a girl's desperation to meet her lover who is away for work.
"Teri Do Takyan Di Nokri
Mera Lakhan Da Sawan Jaye.
Chhuti Lai Ke Aja chann Ve"।

Punjabi Teej Songs

Sawan Aya Ni
Ral auo sahio ni,
Sabh tian khedan jaiye
Hun aya sawan ni
Pinghan piplin ja ke paiye
Pai ku ku kardi ni,
Sahio koel Hanju dolhe
Papiha wekho ni,
Bherha pee-pee kar ke bole.
Paye pailan pande ni,
Bagi moran shor machaya.
Arhio khil khil phaulan ne,
Sanu mahia yad kariya.

Sawan da Mahina
"Sawan Da Mahina Din Giddha De Sabhe Sahalyan
Aiyan Nachan Kundan, Jhutan Pingan Piyan Vadiyan
Gharan Diya Jaiyan Bhij Gai Rooh Mitra Sham Ghatan Chad Aiyan".

When is Teej?

2011-06-29T00:28:00.000-07:00

There are three different variations of Teej, namely – Hariyali, Kajari and Hartalika Teej. All the three Teej falls in different times and are celebrated with fervor and enthusiasm by womenfolk in India. Date of Teej Festival is decided according to the arrival of monsoon and hence it changes every year. There are special rituals and customs associated with every Teej. These traditions hold great importance for women celebrating the festival of Teej. Read on to learn about different dates of all the three Teej celebrations.

When is Haryali Teej?

Celebrate Haryali Teej on August 2, 2011, Tuesday

Haryali Teej falls on Shukla Tritiya in the Hindu month of Sawan। The day heralds the onset of monsoon as a symbol of happiness, prosperity and love. As the name suggests, Haryali Teej is mainly related with greenery. It is commemorated for abundance of greenery and also a good harvest. Haryali Teej is celebrated in a grand way in the ancient 'Banke Bihari' temple of Vrindavan. Thousands of devotees congregate to worship Lord Krishna and Radha. Holy water is sprinkled over the devotees to welcome the monsoon season. At some places, womenfolk offer prayer to moon on the first day of Teej i.e. Haryali Teej.

Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej also called Teejen is celebrated with extreme mirth and devotion by womenfolk. It falls in the Shukla Paksha of Shravana, corresponding to the month of August. As the name says, Hariyali Teej relates to greenery. On this day, many women clad themselves in green colored clothes and wear green bangles. A special puja is performed to worship moon. Traditional singing of songs and dance escalates the verve of Haryali Teej celebrations.

Hariyali Teej Celebrations
A day before Hariyali Teej, women celebrate 'Sindhare'. It is a significant day for newly wed brides. On her first "Sindhara" after marriage, it is customary to receive clothes and ornaments from her Mother-in-law. On Hariyali Teej, women gather to worship moon. The puja performed on this occasion is done with milk, curd and flowers.

Hariyali Teej is mainly related with greenery and commemorates for abundance of greenery and good harvest. Women wear green colored clothes like lehanga, suits and sarees. They wear green bangles and adorn their hands with beautiful mehandi patterns. Women both married and unmarried enjoy the festive spirit by swinging on adorned swings singing songs relating to the month of Sawan. Various delicious food items are cooked which is relished by all in the family.

The day is enjoyed with full craze that even the Gujarati women adopt the Rajasthani traditions. In Gujarat, special Garba dance is arranged. Women in their traditional clothes, carry pots on their heads and dance singing songs in praise of Goddess Parvati.

In Maharashtra, women wear green bangles, green clothes, golden bindis and kajal for luck. They distribute beautifully painted coconuts to their female relatives and friends and offer fresh fruit and green vegetables to the goddess as thanks giving.

Hariyali Teej Celebrations in Vrindavan
There are great festivities in Vrindavan which goes on up to Janmashtmi. Lord Krishna devotees celebrate Hariyali Teej with great enthusiasm and excitement in the holy place of Vrindavan. At the time of Hariyali Teej, swings are laid down in the shrines of Vrindavan for the deities to swing upon. This religious ceremony is called 'Jhullan Leela'. Religious songs and hymns are chanted in the famous 'Banke Bihari' temple. Even leelas of Radha and Lord Krishna are narrated. Hariyali Teej is the most auspicious occasion as on this day idols Lord Krishna and Radha comes out of their 'pat' (place where idols are kept in the temple) to give their devotees a single vision. Idols of Lord krishna and Radha are adorned with fine clothes and jewelry.

The main attraction of Hariyali Teej in Vrindavan is the gold-ornamented swing of Lord Krishna which comes only once a year. After offering prayers in the temple, holy water is sprinkled over the devotees to give a feeling of the advent of the monsoon. Various devotees from India and abroad come to Vrindavan to attend special Hariyali Teej celebrations.

When is Kajari Teej?

Celebrate Kajari Teej on August 16, 2011, Tuesday

Kajli Teej is celebrated on Krishna Paksh Tritiya, the third day of the month of shravan. Kajli Teej is most popularly celebrated in a small district of Rajasthan called Bundi. In Bundi, Kajari Teej is celebrated on the third day of the month of 'Bhadra'.

On this day, there is a community pooja of neem and a procession is carried on which has beautifully decorated idol of Goddess Parvati.
Kajari Teej is celebrated with immense devotion and love. It falls on the Krishna Paksh Tritiiya, the third day of sawan or shravan - the fifth month in Hindu calendar. On the auspicious occasion of Kajli Teej, women gather to sing songs in honor ofLord Krishna and perform sacred pooja of neem.

Kajli Teej Celebrations
Kajli Teej is celebrated with extreme gaiety and enthusiasm by womenfolk. Women and young girls wear new clothes on Kajli Teej. On this day, swings are laid down in the garden and ladies sing auspicious songs and dance with full enthusiasm. Some Kajari songs are sung to welcome monsoon season while others depict happiness and union of lovers. There are some other songs which portray the pain of separation. Festival of Kajri Teej is also identified with blackish shades of clouds which cover the sky during the monsoon before raining down. On this day, there is a community pooja of neem. Women gather around the holy neem tree and perform specific rituals.

Kajari Teej in Bundi, Rajasthan
Celebrations of Kajari Teej in Bundi, Rajasthan are the most famous one. In Bundi, Kajari Teej is celebrated enthusiastically and joyfully. Here it is celebrated on the third day of the month of 'Bhadra'. The festival of Kajli Teej starts with a procession of Teej Goddess in a decorated palanquin. The procession moves from the picturesque Naval Sagar. It heads with bedecked elephants, camels, performers, musicians, folk dancers and artists. There are stunning performances by artists and cultural performers specially organized for the tourists who have come to see Kajari Teej celebrations in Bundi.

Kajari Teej in UP and Madhya Pradesh
Kajari Teej is also celebrated with extreme verve in parts of North and Central India also। Women in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, especially in Varanasi and Mirzapur celebrate Teej with enthusiasm। Rich folk heritage of these states are brought to light with Kajari Teej celebrations.

When is Hartalika Teej?

Celebrate Hartalika Teej on August 31, 2011, Wednesday

Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of 'Bhadra'. It is the most important Teej of all and lasts for three days. On the second day, women keep Nirjara Vrat for the welfare and longevity of their husband. Evening prayers along with traditional singing and dancing are important part of Hartalika Teej celebration.

Hartalika Teej

Hartalika Teej is the biggest of the various variation of Teej. Hartalika Teej falls on the third day of the first fortnight of the month of 'Bhadra'. It is a three-day festival which is celebrated by women in honor of Parvati Ma. On this day, womenfolk keep fast for long and conjugal life of their husband. Hartalika Teej fast proceeds without even drinking a drop of water. By rigorous fasting and praying to Goddess Parvati on Hartalika Teej, married women are blessed with healthy life of their husband while the unmarried girls are said to be blessed by a husband like Lord Shiva.

Hartalika Teej Celebrations
Hartalika Teej commemorates the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. On this day, idol of Parvati Mata clad in bright colorful clothes is taken out in a palanquin in a procession. The procession of Hartalika Teej is represented by various artists and performers. Parvati idol is also accompanied by several elephants and camels which is the most attractive part of the Teej procession. A fair is also organized on Hartalika Teej.

Women celebrate the festival of Hartalika Teej with immense fervor and enthusiasm. Married ladies come back to their parents home to celebrate the festival. Hartalika Teej is the time to adorn oneself with new clothes and jewelry. Applying mehndi on hands and feet is a unique feature of Hartalika Teej celebrations. Women usually dress up in green colored clothes, wear golden bindi and apply a thick layer of kajal. They do their best to look beautiful at the time of Hartalika Teej.

Women also distribute beautifully painted coconuts to their female relatives and friends. Fresh fruits, sweets and green vegetables are offered to Goddess Parvati as thanks giving. The fasting day proceeds with evening prayers and traditional dancing and singing activities.

Prema Sai Baba: The next Avatar of Sai Baba

2011-04-24T00:42:00.000-07:00

Sathya Sai Baba says that He is the second of a triple incarnation. The first was Shirdi Sai Baba and the third will be Prema Sai Baba. Below, we give the information that is known about Prema Sai Baba, with references to the sources.

The first mention of Prema Sai by Sathya Sai Baba appears to be in the discourse Shiva Shakthi, 6 July 1963, In a conversation between Shiva, Shakthi, and Bharadwaja after Bharadwaja performed a ritual, Shiva said that they would take human form and be born in the Bharadwaja lineage, thrice: Shiva alone as Shirdi Sai Baba, Shiva and Shakthi together at Puttaparthy as Sathya Sai Baba, and Shakthi alone as Prema Sai, later.

More information about Prema Sai :

We have heard often that Prema Sai will be born eight years after the passing of Sathya Sai Baba, which will take place when Sathya Sai Baba is 96. We do not have a reference for this information. In "The Sai Trinity", by Dr. S.P. Ruhela (Taring paperbacks, Vikas Pubishing House Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, 1997), the author states that Sathya Sai Baba has been disclosing small amounts of information to close devotees from time to time and states that Sai Baba has predicted that Prema Sai will be born in Karnataka about 8 years after He leaves this body.

Howard Murphet, in his book Sai Baba: Invitation to Glory (Chapter 4), says that Finally, Sathya Sai states, there will be Prema Sai who, one year after the passing of the Sathya Sai form, will be born in Karnataka (the old Mysore State), at a place between Bangalore and the city of Mysore. On page 16 of the book Living Divinity author Shakuntala Balu writes, Sri Sathya Sai Baba has said that there will be one more Sai Avatara called Prema Sai.

The third Sai will be born in Gunaparthi, a village in the Mandya district of Karnataka. Thus, Sri Sathya Sai Baba refers not only to his past, but also to the future form he will assume as Prema Sai. In Sathya Sai Baba, The Embodiment of Love, by Peggy Mason and Ron Laing, the authors write about a discussion they had about Prema Sai. We wondered if the next descent as Prema Sai, to come very quickly after the present form is vacated at the age of ninety six, would be female. Baba replied, "No, male, in Mysore -- Karnataka." (Since 1972, the state of Mysore is called Karnataka.) In Glimpses of the Divine: Working with the Teachings of Sai Baba" (1993), author Birgitte Rodriguez writes In a more private talk to students in recent years, Baba told them that the father of His next incarnation, as Prema Sai, had been born in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

He also said that the body of Prema Sai was in the process of being formed. The missions of the triple incarnations In Spirit and the Mind, by Sam Sandweiss, the author recounts an extended interview given by Sathya Sai Baba to the Senior Editor, Mr. R.K. Karanjia, of Blitz new magazine in September 1976. Question: Why had this task to be divided into three separate incarnations of the Shirdi, Sathya, and Prema Baba? Baba: They are not separate.

I have already mentioned the complete oneness of the three in the final objective of the mission. ... Their tasks and powers requisite to them differ according to the time, the situation, and the environment. But they belong to, and derive from, the same divine body (dharma swarup). ... The previous Avatar, Shirdi Baba, laid the base for secular integration and gave mankind the message of duty as work.

The mission of the present Avatar is to make everybody realize that the same God or divinity resides in everyone. People should respect, love, and help each other irrespective of color or creed. Thus, all work can become a way of worship. Finally, Prema Sai, the third Avathar, will promote the evnagel news that not only does God reside in everybody, but everybody is God. That will be the final wisdom that will enable every man and woman to go to God.

The three Avathars carry the triple message of work, worship, and wisdom. Hislop's changing ring In John Hislop's My Baba and I, page 55-56, Hislop writes about Swami materializing a ring for Hislop with Prema Sai on it. The image of Prema Sai on the ring actually changed its position over the years. Hislop writes, The stone was a cameo of Prema Sai, the loving Lord of Creation, destined to appear on Earth a few years after the death of the Sathya Sai Body. It was a brownish stone, highly glazed, sculptured in profile, the bridge and length of the nose visible with a suggestion of the arch of the left eye. It was a noble head with shoulder-length hair, moustache, and beard; the head resting on, or emerging from, a lotus flower.

His countenance was tranquil, peaceful, majestic. Baba said, "He is only now in the process of birth, so I cannot show more of him. This is the first time he is shown to the world." ... Wherever I go, devotees ask to see the ring. ... In a year or so, those devotees who had seen the ring sometime earlier said something surprising on seeing it again. They said, "It is turning. The whole nose can be seen now.

" My reply was always, in truth, that I could see no change. But they said, "You see it every day and do not notice." ... One day, [in 1980], at a devotee meeting, I was showing the ring, and I looked at it carefully. It struck me, "It is different! It is changing!. Now the entire nose is there and visible, whereas at first the entire nose was not visible -- or better to say the nose merged into the edge of the stone and did not appear to be fully visible. But now there is a space between the nose and the edge of the stone. Moreover, a portion of the left eye can be seen and also a portion of the left cheek.

आइये जाने हिन्दू नववर्ष का महत्व

2011-04-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

दो हजार वर्ष पहले शकों ने सौराष्ट्र और पंजाब को रौंदते हुए अवंती पर आक्रमण किया तथा विजय प्राप्त की। विक्रमादित्य ने राष्ट्रीय शक्तियों को एक सूत्र में पिरोया और शक्तिशाली मोर्चा खड़ा करके ईसा पूर्व 57 में शकों पर भीषण आक्रमण कर विजय प्राप्त की। थोड़े समय में ही इन्होंने कोंकण, सौराष्ट्र, गुजरात और सिंध भाग के प्रदेशों को भी शकों से मुक्त करवा लिया।

वीर विक्रमादित्य ने शकों को उनके गढ़ अरब में भी करारी मात दी। इसी सम्राट विक्रमादित्य के नाम पर भारत में विक्रमी संवत प्रचलित हुआ। सम्राट पृथ्वीराज के शासनकाल तक इसी संवत के अनुसार कार्य चला। इसके बाद भारत में मुगलों के शासनकाल के दौरान सरकारी क्षेत्र में हिजरी सन चलता रहा। इसे भाग्य की विडंबना कहें अथवा स्वतंत्र भारत के कुछ नेताओं की अकृतज्ञता कि सरकार ने शक संवत को स्वीकार कर लिया, लेकिन सम्राट विक्रमादित्य के नाम से प्रचलित संवत को कहीं स्थान न दिया।

31 दिसंबर की आधी रात को नव वर्ष के नाम पर नाचने वाले आम जन को देखकर तो कुछ तर्क किया जा सकता है, पर भारत सरकार को क्या कहा जाए जिसका दूरदर्शन भी उसी रंग में रंगा श्लील-अश्लील कार्यक्रम प्रस्तुत करने की होड़ में लगा रहता है और स्वयं राष्ट्रपति एवं प्रधानमंत्री पूरे राष्ट्र को नव वर्ष की बधाई देते हैं। भारतीय सांस्कृतिक जीवन का विक्रमी संवत से गहरा नाता है। इस दिन लोग पूजापाठ करते हैं और तीर्थ स्थानों पर जाते हैं। लोग पवित्र नदियों में स्नान करते हैं।

मांस-मदिरा का सेवन करने वाले लोग इस दिन इन तामसी पदार्था से दूर रहते हैं, पर विदेशी संस्कृति के प्रतीक और गुलामी की देन विदेशी नव वर्ष के आगमन से घंटों पूर्व ही मांस मदिरा का प्रयोग, श्लील-अश्लील कार्यक्रमों का रसपान तथा अन्य बहुत कुछ ऐसा प्रारंभ हो जाता है जिससे अपने देश की संस्कृति का रिश्ता नहीं है। विक्रमी संवत के स्मरण मात्र से ही विक्रमादित्य और उनके विजय अभियान की याद ताजा होती है, भारतीयों का मस्तक गर्व से ऊंचा होता है जबकि ईसवी सन के साथ ही गुलामी द्वारा दिए गए अनेक जख्म हरे होने लगते हैं। पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री मोरारजी देसाई को जब किसी ने पहली जनवरी को नव वर्ष की बधाई दी तो उन्होंने उत्तर दिया था- किस बात की बधाई? मेरे देश और देश के सम्मान का तो इस नव वर्ष से कोई संबंध नहीं। यही हम लोगों को भी समझना होगा।

हमारे देश से गोरे अंग्रेज तो चले गए मगर काले अंग्रेजों को छोड़ गए। ये काले अंग्रेज विदेशी परंपराओं और फूहड़ नाच गानों के ऐसे दीवाने हैं कि अपने देश की गरिमामयी सांस्कृतिक परंपराओं, मूल्यों और आचरण का इनके लिए कोई मूल्य नहीं है। संस्कृति के इस प्रदूषण के करेले में नीम का काम किया है सैटेलाईट चैनलों ने। बहुराष्ट्रीय कंपनियों द्वारा प्रायोजित विदेशी उत्सवों को इन खबरिया चैनलों पर खूब प्रचार मिलता हैं मगर हमारे अपने ही देश की परंपराओं और संस्कृति से जुड़े कार्यक्रमों को लेकर इऩ चैनलों द्वारा हमेशा उदासीनता बरती जाती है। इसके बावजूद देश भर के और देश के बाहर बसे हमारे हजारों पाठकों ने हमसे आग्रह किया कि हम भारतीय नवसंवत्सर के महत्व, इसको मनाए जाने के तौर तरीके आदि के बारे में विस्तार से जानकारी दें।

गुड़ी पड़वा और इसका महत्व:

हमें गर्व है कि हम इसाई कैलेंडर से 57 साल आगे हैं। इसाई कैलेंडर जहाँ अभी वर्ष 2011 तक ही पहुँचा है, वहीं हमारा भारतीय कैलेंडर 4 अप्रैल 2011को गुड़ी पढ़वा के दिन 2068 वे वर्ष में प्रवेश कर जाएगा। इसी दिन से चैत्र नवरात्र प्रारंभ होंगे जिसका समापन रामनवमी पर होगा। 04 अप्रैल 2011 से शुरू हो रहे नव संवत्सर 2068 पर कई संगठनों द्वारा हिन्दू नव वर्ष का स्वागत किया जाएगा।

ऐसे तो विश्व के विशाल धरातल पर अनेक प्रकार वर्षों (कैलेंडरों) का प्रचलन है। उनके आरम्भ के अनुसार भिन्न-भिन्न कारणों के साथ भिन्न-भिन्न समय में मनाये जाने की परंपरा है। अपनी-अपनी आस्था-श्रद्धा, परंपरा, विभिन्न देश-राष्ट्र, धर्म-जाति, समाज और सांस्कृतिक मान्यताओं के अनुसार अपने-अपने तौर-तरीकों से नववर्ष बड़े धूमधाम से उत्साहपूर्वक मानते हैं। विशेष रूप से सम्पूर्ण विश्व में इसाई नववर्ष (३१ दिसम्बर की रात्रि और १ जनवरी के आरम्भ को लेकर) बड़े धूमधाम से मनाते हैं, किन्तु हमारा अपना भारतीय नववर्ष अति प्राचीन और वैज्ञानिक आधार लिये हुए है। हमारे धार्मिक एवं सांस्कृतिक संस्कारों के साथ भी जुड़ा हुआ है, अत: घर-घर में कुल धर्म के रूप में स्थापित भी हैं, इसे भव्यरूप में संगठित होकर मनाया जाना चाहिये।

चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा कल्पादि, सृष्टि्यादि, युगादि के आरंभ के साथ-साथ प्रथम सतयुग का आरंभ भी इसी दिवस से होने से यह भारतीय नववर्ष अति प्राचीन है। अरबों वर्षों की प्राचीनता इसके साथ जुड़ी हुई है। फिर उज्जैन कालगणना की सर्वसम्मत नगरी है, यही कालगणना के प्रतीक ज्योतिर्लिंग महाकालेश्वर भी स्थित है, इसी विशिष्टता के कारण सम्राट विक्रम ने विक्रम संवत् प्रदान किया था तथा जयपुर के महाराजा सवाई मानसिंह ने उज्जैन में वेधशाला की स्थापना की थी। अत: उज्जयिनी की महत्ता और भारतीय नववर्ष की प्राचीनता को जन-जन तक पहुँचाने की दृष्टि से संवत् २०३५ (सन् १९७८ ई.) से नववर्ष की शुभकामना संदेश और नववर्ष को उत्सव का स्वरूप देते हुए भिन्न-भिन्न नगरों में भी इस उत्सव को स्थापित करने की दिशा में सतत प्रयास कर रहे हैं। संवत् २०५७ (सन् २००० ई.) से इस उत्सव को भव्य रूप में शास्त्रीय मर्यादाओं के साथ आयोजित किए जा रहे हैं।

क्या विशेषता है हमारे नववर्ष की?

भारतीय नववर्ष की विशेषता, कैसे मनाये नववर्ष?

वेद-पुराण, इतिहास और शास्त्रीय परंपराओं को जोड़कर नववर्ष मनाये जाने की रूपरेखा तैयार की गई है। उज्जैन में संवत्सर मनाने की प्राचीन परंपरा क्यों चलती आ रही है? उस पर भी विचार किया गया है। आषाढ़ शुक्ल पूर्णिमा को सान्दीपनि स्मृति महोत्सव आदर्श गुरु शिष्य परंपरा को लेकर संवत् २०३५ से ही मनाया जा रहा है। श्रीकृष्ण जन्म को ५ हजार वर्ष से अधिक हो जाने के कारण ``व्यास-सान्दीपनि-श्रीकृष्ण पंचसहस्राब्दी पंच वर्षीय महोत्सव'' नाम देकर मना रहे हैं। हमारे प्रयास से नेपाल सहित देश के अन्य नगरों में भी यह उत्सव मनाया जा रहा है।

आओ हम सब मिलकर चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा के प्रात: सूर्योदय पर नववर्ष का महोत्सव मनावें और इसके लिये अन्य लोगों को भी प्रेरित करें।

यातो धर्मस्ततो जय:।

श्री नववर्ष मङ्गलम

(कल्पादी-सृष्ट्यादि-युगादि महोत्सव)

चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा नववर्ष आरम्भ

चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा के प्रात: सूर्योदय की प्रथम रश्मि के दर्शन के साथ नववर्ष का आरंभ होता है।

``मधौ सितादेर्दिनमासवर्षयुगादिकानां युगपत्प्रवृत्ति:''

महान गणितज्ञ भास्कराचार्य ने प्रतिबादित किया है कि चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा से दिन-मास-वर्ष और युगादि का आरंभ हुआ है। युगों में प्रथम सतयुग का आरंभ भी इसी दिन से हुआ है। कल्पादि-सृष्ट्यादि-युगादि आरंभ को लेकर इस दिवस के साथ अति प्राचीनता जुड़ी हुई है। सृष्टि की रचना को लेकर इसी दिवस से गणना की गई है, लिखा है-

चैत्र-मासि जगद् ब्रह्मा ससर्ज प्रथमे%हनि ।

शुक्लपक्षे समग्रे तु तदा सूर्योदये सति ।।

चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा तिथि के सूर्योदय के समय से नवसंवत्सर का आरंभ होता है, यह अत्यंत पवित्र तिथि है। इसी दिवस से पितामह ब्रह्मा ने सृष्टि का सृजन किया था।

इस तिथि को रेवती नक्षत्र में, विष्कुंभ योग में दिन के समय भगवान का प्रथम अवतार मत्स्यरूप का प्रादुर्भाव भी माना जाता है-

कृते च प्रभवे चैत्रे प्रतिपच्छुक्लपक्षगा ।

रेवत्यां योग-विष्कुम्भे दिवा द्वादश-नाड़िका: ।।

मत्स्यरूपकुमार्यांच अवतीर्णो हरि: स्वयम् ।।

प्रकृति खुद स्वागत करती है इस दिन का

चैत्र शुक्ल पक्ष आरंभ होने के पूर्व ही प्रकृति नववर्ष आगमन का संदेश देने लगती है। प्रकृति की पुकार, दस्तक, गंध, दर्शन आदि को देखने, सुनने, समझने का प्रयास करें तो हमें लगेगा कि प्रकृति पुकार-पुकार कर कह रही है कि पुरातन का समापन हो रहा है और नवीन बदलाव आ रहा है, नववर्ष दस्तक दे रहा है। वृक्ष-पौधे अपने जीर्ण वस्त्रों को त्याग रहे हैं, जीर्ण-शीर्ण पत्ते पतझड़ के साथ वृक्ष शाखाओं से पृथक हो रहे हैं, वायु के द्वारा सफाई अभियान चल रहा है, प्रकृति के रचयिता अंकुरित-पल्लवित-पुष्पित कर बोराने की ओर ले जा रहे हैं, मानो पुरातन वस्त्रों का त्याग कर नूतन वस्त्र धारण कर रहे हैं। पलाश खिल रहे हैं, वृक्ष पुष्पित हो रहे हैं, आम बौरा रहे हैं, सरसों नृत्य कर रही है, वायु में सुगंध और मादकता की मस्ती अनुभव हो रही है।

shiit -व्यतीत होकर ग्रीष्म के आगमन के साथ मिला-जुला सुहाना मौसम अनुभव हो रहा है, यह सुहानी-सुगंधित-सुवासित, मादकता से युक्त वायु का स्पर्श सभी को आनंदित आंदोलित कर रहा है। प्रकृति की प्रसन्नता, खुशी-हास्य सर्वत्र बिखर रहा है। मानो एक बड़े उत्सव की यह साज-सज्जा है, सजावट है, समस्त भूमंडल एक विशाल सुसज्जित मंच के रूप में तैयार है। पक्षियों का कलरव, चहचहाहट, कोयल की कूक, उनकी स्वच्छन्द उड़ान एक संगीतमय वातावरण बनाते हुए अंतरिक्ष को सुसज्जित कर रहा है। पुष्पों की सुगंध से वायुमंडल `सुगंधिम् पुष्टिवर्धनम्', का पर्याय बन गया है। प्रकृति के द्वारा इत्रपान की व्यवस्था अनुभव हो रही है। पुष्पों फलों से लबालब वृक्ष अभिनंदन के लिए झुके हुए प्रसन्नचित्त, मुस्कराते, सुगंध बिखेरते हुए नववर्ष के आतिथ्य के लिए अपनी तैयारी दिखा रहे हैं।

पतझड़ के पश्चात वसंत में वसंत पंचमी के अवसर पर नवपल्लवित-पुष्पित पत्र-पुष्प और नव फसल को परमात्मा को अर्पण करते हैं।

होली के पश्चात चैत्र कृष्ण प्रतिपदा को वसंतोत्सव के रूप में नववर्ष के महोत्सव का आरंभ हो जाता है, जो एक पखवाड़े तक चलते हुए चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा के सूर्योदय के अवसर पर नववर्ष का महोत्सव मनाया जाता है। इस प्रकार यह एकमात्र भारतीय नववर्ष है जो प्रकृति के साथ जुड़ा हुआ है, भव्य है, अद्वितीय है, महापर्व है।

पूर्णतः विज्ञान सम्मत है यह नव वर्ष

हमारे नये वर्ष को जानने के लिए किसी पंचांग या केलेन्डर की आवश्यकता नहीं है

ऊपर हमने लिखा है कि हमारा नया वर्ष प्रकृति के साथ जुड़ा हुआ है। नये वर्ष आने से बहुत पहले ही प्रकृति का संकेत हमें प्राप्त होने लगता है। पतझड़ के पश्चात वृक्ष पौधे अंकुरित पल्लवित-पुष्पित, फलित होकर भूमंडल को सुसज्जित करने लगता है, यह बदलाव हमें नवीन परिवर्तन का आभास देने लगता है। प्रकृति के संकेत को सुने, समझे और देखें तो नए वर्ष की सन्निकटता को समझ सकते हैं।

आकाश व अंतरिक्ष हमारे लिए एक विशाल प्रयोगशाला है। ग्रह-नक्षत्र-तारों आदि के दर्शन से उनकी गति-स्थिति, युति, उदय-अस्त से हमें अपना पंचांग स्पष्ट आकाश में दिखाई देता है। अमावस-पूनम को हम स्पष्ट समझ जाते हैं। पूर्णचंद्र चित्रा नक्षत्र के निकट हो तो चैत्री पूर्णिमा, विशाखा के निकट वैशाखी पूर्णिमा, ज्येष्ठा के निकट से ज्येष्ठ की पूर्णिमा इत्यादि आकाश को पढ़ते हुए जब हम पूर्ण चंद्रमा को उत्तराफाल्गुनी नक्षत्र के निकट देखेंगे तो यह फाल्गुन मास की पूर्णिमा है और यहां से नवीन वर्ष आरंभ होने को १५ दिवस शेष है। इन १५ दिनों के पश्चात जिस दिन पूर्ण चंद्र अस्त हो तो अमावस (चैत्र मास की) स्पष्ट हो जाती है और अमांत के पश्चात प्रथम सूर्योदय ही हमारे नए वर्ष का उदय है।

इस प्रकार हम बिना पंचांग और केलेंडर के प्रकृति और आकाश को पढ़कर नवीन वर्ष को सहज ही प्राप्त कर लेते हैं। ऐसा दिव्य नववर्ष दुर्लभ है।

नव वर्ष और उज्जयिनी

देश के सबसे प्राचीन और समृध्द शहरों में से एक उज्जयिनी (जिसे आज उज्जैन भी कहा जाता है) को समस्त सिद्धांतकारों, पूर्वाचार्यों और ज्योतिर्विज्ञानवेत्ताओं ने कालगणना का केंद्र माना है। यहीं से समय की गणना होती है। सृष्ट्यादि- युगादि की गणना मानते हुए देश के समस्त पंचांगों की गणना उज्जयिनी मध्यमोदय लेकर होती है। यही कालगणना के प्रतीक ज्योतिर्लिंग महाकालेश्वर पृथ्वी की नाभि पर स्थित है, और स्कंद पुराण में उल्लेख है-

कालचक्रप्रवर्तको महाकाल: प्रतापन:।

पृथ्वी की भूमध्य रेखा और भौगोलिक कर्क रेखा यही उज्जयिनी में मिलती है, इसलिए भी यह स्थान समय गणना के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है। ज्योतिष के प्राचीनतम सूर्य सिद्धान्त में उज्जयिनी के महत्व को इस प्रकार प्रतिपादित किया है-

राक्षसालय दैवौक:शैलयोर्मध्यसूत्रग: ।

रोहितकमवन्ती च यथा सन्निहितं सर: ।।

इसी बात को `सिद्धान्तशिरोमणि' में भास्कराचार्य ने इस प्रकार लिखा है-

यल्लङ्कोज्जययिनी-पुरोपरि कुरुक्षेत्रादि देशान् स्पृशत्।

सूत्रं-मेरुगतं बुधैर्निगदिता सा मध्यरेखा भुव:।।

अन्य सिद्धांतों में हाह्मस्फुट सिद्धांत, वराहमिहिर की पंचसिद्धान्तिका, आर्यभटीय, ग्रहलाघव, केतकर का केतकी ग्रहगणित एवं तिलक का रैवतपक्षीय गणना आदि सभी ने उज्जयिनी मध्यमोदय को गणना का आधार स्वीकार किया है। नोबल पुरस्कार विजेता अमर्त्यसेन ने भी उज्जैन के इस महत्व को स्वीकारा है।

अत: स्पष्ट है कि जहाँ समस्त भूमंडल के स्वामी पृथ्वी की नाभि पर स्थित होकर काल-समय का संचालन कर रहे हैं। ऐसी पवित्र और सिद्धभूमि उज्जयिनी में ही कल्पादि-सृष्टि्यादि युगादि नववर्ष महोत्सव आयोजित करने का विशेष महत्व है।

कैसे मनाएं अपना नववर्ष

धर्मशास्त्र के निर्देशानुसार चैत्र शुक्ल प्रतिपदा के प्रात: ब्रह्म मुहूर्त में नित्यकर्म से निवृत्त होकर अभ्यंग स्नान अथवा तीर्थ, नदी, सरोवर में स्नान करके शुद्ध पवित्र होवे। स्नान के पश्चात् अपने-अपने नगर के स्पष्ट सूर्योदय के समय (अथवा संपूर्ण देश में एक ही समय उज्जयिनी मध्यमोदय ६ बजकर २ मिनट पर) नववर्ष के शुभारंभ के अवसर पर सूर्य की प्रथम रश्मि के दर्शन के साथ ही शंख ध्वनि, ढोल-नगाड़े, तुरही, शहनाई आदि वाद्यों के साथ नववर्ष का उद्घोष करें। यह कार्य तीर्थ, नदी, सरोवर के तट पर अथवा धार्मिक स्थल पर एकत्रित होकर आयोजित करें।

नववर्ष के उद्घोष के पश्चात् समस्त उपस्थित आस्थावान् लोग पूर्व दिशा में मुख करके नीचे लिखे मंत्र से सूर्य को जल-पुष्प सहित अर्ध्य प्रदान करें।

आकृष्णेन रजसा व्वर्तमानो निवेशयन्नमृतम्मर्त्यञ्च ।

हिरण्ययेन सविता रधेना देवो याति भुवनानि पश्यन् ।।

सूर्य को जलार्ध्य प्रदान करने के पश्चात् नीचे लिखे मंत्र से उपस्थान करें।

विश्वानि देव सवितर्दुरितानि परासुव यद् भद्रं तन्न आसुव ।

तश्चक्षुर्देवहितं पुरस्ताच्छुक्रमुश्चरत्

पश्येम शरद: शतम्, जीवेम शरद:शतम् शृणुयाम शरद: शतम् ।

प्रव्ववाम शरद: शुतम् अदीना: स्याम शरद: शतम् भूयश्र शरद: शतात्।

हे सविता देव, हमारे सभी दुखों को दूर करो। जिससे हमारा भला हो, वही प्राप्त कराओ। वह ज्ञानियों का हित करने वाला शुद्ध ज्ञान नेत्र पहले से उदित हुआ है। उसकी सहायता से सौ वर्षों तक नेत्रों से दिखाई देवे, सौ वर्षों का जीवन प्राप्त हो, सौ वर्षों तक श्रवण करें, सौ वर्षों तक अच्छी तरह से संभाषण करें, सौ वर्षों तक किसी के अधीन न रहे और सौ वर्षों से अधिक समय तक भी आनन्दपूर्वक रहें।

पश्चात् वैदिक संवत्सर मंत्र का पाठ करें

१. संवत्सरोसि परिवत्सरोसी दावत्सरोसीद् वत्सरोसि व्वत्सरोसि।

उखसस्ते कल्पन्ता-महोरात्रास्ते कल्पन्ता मर्द्धसास्ते कल्पन्ताम्मासास्ते कल्पन्तामृतवस्ते कल्पन्ता संव्वत्सरस्ते कल्प्पताम् ।

प्रेत्याएत्यै सञ्चाञ्च प्प्रसारय ।

सुपर्ण्ण चिदसि तया देवतयाङि्गरस्वद् धुवासीद।

२. समास्त्वाग्न ऋतवोव्वर्द्धयन्तु संवत्सरा ऋखयो जानि सत्या।

सन्दिव्ये नदीदिही रोचनेनव्विस्वा आभाहि प्प्रदिशस्चतस।।

सूर्य के द्वादश नामों के उच्चारण के साथ सामूहिक सूर्य नमस्कार करें।

वसन्तऋतु का स्मरण मंत्र से करें-

व्वसन्तेनऋतुना देवा व्वसवस्त्रिवृतास्तुता: ।

रथन्तरेण तेजसा हविरिन्द्रेव्वयोदधु ।।

सृष्टिकर्ता ब्रह्माजी की पूजन- जलसहित गंध, अक्षत, पुष्प लेकर देश-काल का उच्चारण करके इस प्रकार संकल्प करें।

`मम सकुटुम्बस्य सपरिवारस्य स्वजन परिजनसहितस्य आयुरारोग्यैश्चर्यादिसकल- शुभफलोत्तरोत्तराभिवृद्धयर्थं ब्रह्मादि संवत्सर देवतानां पूजनमहं करिष्ये।

ऐसा संकल्प करके स्वच्छ पाठ के ऊपर सफेद वस्त्र बिछाकर उस पर चावल से अष्टदल कमल बनाकर ब्रह्माजी की सुवर्ण प्रतिमा स्थापित करें। गणेश-अम्बिका पूजन के पश्चात् ` ब्रह्मणे नम:' मंत्र से ब्रह्माजी का आवाहनादि षोडशोपचार पूजन करें। प्रथम अवतार मत्स्य अवतार का भी पूजन करें।

ब्रह्माजी के लिए वैदिक मंत्र से ध्यान करें-

ब्रह्म जजान्प्रथमम्पुरस्ताद्धिसीमत सुरुचोव्वेन आव: ।

सबुध्न् याउपमा अस्यव्विष्ठा, सतश्चजोनिमसतश्चव्विव:।।

प्रथम मत्स्य अवतार का पूजन करके भागवत का यह मंत्र उच्चारण करें-

सोनुध्यातस्ततो राजाप्रादुरासीन्महार्णवे।

एक शृंर्गंधरो मत्स्यो हैमौ नियुत योजन: । भागवत ८।२४।४४

पूजन के पश्चात् विघ्न विनाश और वर्ष की सुमंगल भावना के लिए ब्रह्माजी की इस प्रकार प्रार्थना करें-

भगवैस्त्वत्प्रसादेन वर्षक्षेममिहास्तु मे ।

संवत्सरोपसर्गा मे विलयं यान्त्वशेषत: ।।

प्रार्थना के पश्चात् ध्वजपूजन, ध्वजवन्दन, कलशार्चन विधि विधान से करें। गीत, वाद्य, नृत्य, लोकगीतों के माध्यम से नववर्ष उत्साह और उमंग के साथ मनावें। आज के दिन नीम की पत्तियाँ खाने का विशेष महत्व है, लिखा है-

पारिभद्रस्य पत्राणि कोमलानि विशेषत:।

सुपुष्पाणि समानीय चूर्णंकृत्वा विधानत: ।

मरीचिं लवणं हिंगु जीरणेण संयुतम्।

अजमोदयुतं कुत्वा भक्षयेद्रोगशान्तये ।

नीम के कोमल पत्ते, पुष्प, काली मिर्च, नमक, हींग, जीरा मिश्री और अजवाइन मिलाकर चूर्ण बनाकर आज के दिन सेवन करने से संपूर्ण वर्ष रोग से मुक्त रहते हैं। तीर्थ की आरती पूजन करके मंत्र पुष्पांजली और प्रसाद वितरण के पश्चात् नववर्ष का अभिनन्दन और परस्पर शुभकामना, मंगलकामना, नववर्ष मधुर मिलन आदि व्यवहारिक पक्ष के साथ पंचांग का फल श्रवण करें। नवसंवत्सर आरंभ के दिन नूतन वर्ष के पंचांग की पूजन, पंचांग का फल श्रवण, पंचांग वाचन और पंचांग का दान करने का उल्लेख धर्मशास्त्र में लिखा है। यह परंपरा आज भी गाँव-गाँव में प्रचलित है, गांव गुरु, गांवठी, पुरोहित आदि गांवों में पंचांग वाचन करते हैं। विद्वान का पूजन-अर्चन, ब्राह्मणों को भोजन, दक्षिणा वस्त्रादि से अभिनंदन करे।

अपने-अपने घरों में ध्वज लगावें (गुडी लगावें) ध्वज पूजन करें। घरों को दीप और विद्युत्सज्जा से आलोकित करें।

द्यौ: शान्तिरन्तरिक्षं शान्ति:

पृथिवी: शांन्ति: आप: शान्ति:

औषधय: शान्ति: वनस्पतय:शान्ति:

विश्वेदेवा: शान्ति: ब्रह्मशान्ति:

सर्व शान्तिरेवशान्ति: सामाशान्तिरेधि ।

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिन: सर्वे सन्तु निरामया: ।

सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु मा कश्चिद् दु:खमाप्नुयात् ।।

ओम शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति:।

(लेखक देश के जाने माने ज्योतिषाचार्य हैं और महर्षि सांदीपनि के वंशज हैं। इनके परिवार द्वारा विगत कई पीढि़यों से पंचांग का प्रकाशन किया जा रहा है, जिसे नारायण विजय पंचांग के रूप में दुनिया भर में प्रतिष्ठा प्राप्त है)

गुड़ी पड़वा और इसका महत्व

चैत्र मास के शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा वर्ष प्रतिपदा कहलाती है। इस दिन से ही नया वर्ष प्रारंभ होता है। ‘युग‘ और ‘आदि‘ शब्दों की संधि से बना है ‘युगादि‘ । आंध्र प्रदेश और कर्नाटक में ‘उगादि‘ और महाराष्ट्र में यह पर्व ‘ग़ुड़ी पड़वा‘ के रूप में मनाया जाता है।

कहा जाता है कि इसी दिन ब्रह्माजी ने सृष्टि का निर्माण किया था। इसमें मुख्यतया ब्रह्माजी और उनके द्वारा निर्मित सृष्टि के प्रमुख देवी-देवताओं, यक्ष-राक्षस, गंधवारें, ऋषि-मुनियों, नदियों, पर्वतों, पशु-पिक्षयों और कीट-पतंगों का ही नहीं, रोगों और उनके उपचारों तक का भी पूजन किया जाता है। इसी दिन से नया संवत्सर शुंरू होता है। अत इस तिथि को ‘नवसंवत्सर‘ भी कहते हैं।

शुक्ल प्रतिपदा का दिन चंद्रमा की कला का प्रथम दिवस माना जाता है। जीवन का मुख्य आधार वनस्पतियों को सोमरस चंद्रमा ही प्रदान करता है। इसे औषधियों और वनस्पतियों का राजा कहा गया है। इसीलिए इस दिन को वर्षारंभ माना जाता है। आंध्र प्रदेश, कर्नाटक और महाराष्ट्र में सारे घरों को आम के पेड़ की पत्तियों के बंदनवार से सजाया जाता है। सुखद जीवन की अभिलाषा के साथ-साथ यह बंदनवार समृद्धि, व अच्छी फसल के भी परिचायक हैं। ‘उगादि‘ के दिन ही पंचांग तैयार होता है। महान गणितज्ञ भास्कराचार्य ने इसी दिन से सूर्योदय से सूर्यास्त तक दिन, महीना और वर्ष की गणना करते हुए ‘पंचांग ‘ की रचना की थी।

चैत्र मास की शुक्ल प्रतिपदा को महाराष्ट्र में गुड़ीपड़वा कहा जाता है। वर्ष के साढ़े तीन मुहुर्तों में गुड़ीपड़वा की गिनती होती है। शालिवाहन शक का प्रारंभ इसी दिन से होता है। इस अवसर पर आंध्र प्रदेश में घरों में ‘पच्चड़ी/प्रसादम‘ के रूप में बांटा जाता है। कहा जाता है कि इसका निराहार सेवन करने से मानव निरोगी बना रहता है। चर्म रोग भी दूर होता है। इस पेय में मिली वस्तुएं स्वादिष्ट होने के साथ-साथ आरोग्यप्रद भी होती हैं। महाराष्ट्र में पूरन पोली या मीठी रोटी बनाई जाती है। इसमें—गुढ़, नमक, नीम के फूल, इमली और कच्चा आममिलाया जाता है। गुढ़ मिठास के लिए, नीम के फूल कड़वाहट मिटाने के लिए और इमली व आम जीवन के खट्टे-मीठे स्वाद चखने का प्रतीक के रूप में होते हैं। भारतीय परंपरा में घरों में इसी दिन से आम खाने की आम का रस बनाने की और आम के रस की मिठाई बनाने की शुरुआत होती है।

गुड़ी पड़वा की लोक कथा:

शालिवाहन नामक एक कुम्हार के लड़के ने मिट्टी के सैनिकों की सेना बनाई और उस पर पानी छिड़ककर उनमें प्राण फूँक दिए और इस सेना की मदद से शक्तिशाली शत्रुओं को पराजित किया। इस विजय के प्रतीक के रूप में शालिवाहन शक का प्रारंभ हुआ।

एक कथा यह भी है कि इसी दिन भगवान राम ने बाली के अत्याचारी शासन से दक्षिण की प्रजा को मुक्ति दिलाई थी । बाली के त्रास से मुक्त हुई प्रजा ने घर-घर में उत्सव मनाकर ध्वज (ग़ुड़ियां) फहराए थे। आज भी घर के आंगन में ग़ुड़ी खड़ी करने की प्रथा महाराष्ट्र में प्रचलित है। इसीलिए इस दिन को गुड़ीपडवा नाम दिया गया।

गुड़ी पड़वा के साथ ही नौ दिन की चैत्र की नवरात्रि शुरु हो जाती है। नौ दिन तक चलने वाली यह नवरात्रि दुर्गापूजा के साथ-साथ, रामनवमी को राम और सीता के विवाह के साथ सम्पन्न होती है।

Mantra for Sreegrha (Fast) Marriages and to avoid delays in Marriage

2011-03-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

"Om Devemdrani Namastubyam
Devendra priyabhamini
Vivaha Bhagyam Arogyam
Sreeghra labhincha Dehime"

The unmarried girls and boys whose marriage proposals are being get delayed due to various reasons are advised to recite the above mantra with utmost faith at recite the same at least 21 times daily or 108 times daily to fulfill their desire. This mantra is also useful for those who want to go for second marriage may be benefited.

Especially, on Tuesdays, this mantra should be recited at least 108 times for 41 days regularly and feed red grams with jaggary to the cow as food will give faster results.

Spiritual Remedies for delayed Marriages

2011-03-31T22:43:00.000-07:00

We give hereunder some of the ancient mantras for the benefit of the readers whose marriage get delayed due to various reasons. With the blessings of Goddess Durga Devi,Here are some mantras which should be recited with utmost devotion and faith to get their wish fulfilled.

KATYAYANI MANTRA

‘Katyayani Mahamaye
Mahayoginiyadheeshwari
Nand Gop Sutam Devi Patim Me
Kuru te Namah’

This prayer should be recited a number of times according to one’s convenience by unmarried girls whose wishes will be fulfilled early.

PARVATI SWAYAMVAR MANTRA

‘Ballarkayutsatprabhaam kartale
lolbru malakulam
Malamsanddahatim manohartanum
Mandsmitadhomukheem
Mandam mandmupesushee
Bariyitum shambhum jaganmohimim
Vanditpadamishtarthadaam
Parvateem’

This sloka should be recited every Friday evening regularly with utmost devotion. The natives get the desired husband early.

VIVAH SIDDHIDAYAKA MANTRA

‘ Om vahri presyasi swaha’

This mantra should be recited ten thousand times and should be started on an auscipicious day without Durmuhurtam or Varjam and should be continued till Navaratri.

SWAYAMVARKALA MANTRA

‘Om hreem yogini yogini yogeshwari
yogeshwari yog bhayankari
Sakalsthavarjangmasya mukham
Hradyam mum ashmakarshayakarshaya
Swaha’

This mantra should be recited ten thousand times and should be started on an auscipicious day without Durmuhurtam or Varjam .

BHAGVATI MANTRA

‘Haristvamaradhya pranatjana
saubhagya jannim Pura nari
bhootwa pur ripumpi
Kshobhmanayt Samroapi twam
Natwa ratinayanlehyen vapusha
Muninamapyantah prabhavati hi
Mohay mahataam’

PARVATI MANTRA

‘Sudhamapyaswadya pratibhaya jara
mrituharini
vidhishatamkhadya divishadah
Karlam yatkshvelam kavalitvatah
Kaalkalana
Na shambhostanmoolam tav janani
Tatakmahima’

VED MANTRAS

‘Sa devi nityam paritapyamanah
twameva seetetyabhibhaashanah
Dradhvrato rajsuto mahatma tavalva
Laabhaya kratpraytnah’

PRITHVI MANTRA

‘mahamaha Indro ya ojasa parjanyo
vrashtim tamarind iv
upayaamgraheetosi
mahendrayatwesh tey
yonimmahindraya twa’

AMBA MANTRA

‘Om Ambe Ambike Ambalike na
Manayati Kashchana
Sasatyashwakah Subhadrikam
Kampeelvasinim’

For Male Natives

Durga mantra

‘Patneem Manoramaam Dehi
Manovratanusarineem
Tarineem Durg Sansara Sangarasya
Kulodbhavaam

SUCHI DEVI MANTRA

‘ Om devendirani Namstubhyam
Devendra Priya Bhamini
Vivaham Bhagyamarogyam
Sheeghram labham cha Dehi me’

VIJAYA SUNDARI MANTRA

‘Om Vijayasundari kleem’

Vaibhav Laxmi Vrat Katha

2011-03-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

Vaibhav Laxmi Vrat Katha

Many years ago there was a very big city. Lakhs of people lived there. In ancient times, people really lived the happy social life. They used to meet and sit together and enjoyed themselves. In those days, people used to lead the life completely in different way. People of this city were totally busy engaged in their own personal worldly affairs. The elements of holy devotion, benevolence, sympathy and affection all these virtues were rarely visible in the cultural life of the society. Innumerable vices had spread in the daily-life of the citizens living in that city. Wine and gambling, race and speculation, illegal relations and various guilty misdeeds were done by the people living in that city.There is always a silver line hidden among the black clouds in the sky. The lightning of the eternal hope spreads into the thousands of dark clouds of disappointments. Inspite of so many vices prevailing in the social life some pious people lived the virtuous life like the lotus in the muddy water of the pond. Among all the virtuous people, Sheela and her husband also lived pious worldly life. Sheela was of religious nature living the contented life. Her husband was a humble fellow having good character.Sheela and her husband lived honestly. They never abused or displeased anyone. They were happy to utilize their time in worshipping God. Their worldly life was ideal and people never got tired while praising them.Thus she had been passing her life happily. It is said that the end of the misdeeds is quite strange. Who could read the words of fate written by the Goddess of Fortune? A king becomes a poor man, and a poor man becomes a king. By the destiny, in just a moment, such a great change can be done. As a result of misdeeds done, Sheela’s husband got the company of bad friends. It is said that the man is influenced by the company he keeps. Due to the influence of the company of bad friends, Sheela’s husband dreamed to be one of the wealthiest people gaining crores of rupees. As a result he misled his life and became as good as a beggar instead of becoming the wealthy person. He followed evil ways of immorality and began to ruin his life. He indulged in drinking wine, gambling, and race, speculation that had spread in the city-life. His friends were also on the same immoral path. He began to waste his money in the way of immorality. And at last he lost all the savings and also the ornaments of his wife. Once there was a golden time when he was passing his life happily with his wife and they were utilizing the time in worshiping God. Now there was a great change in their life. They became so poor that they could not get food to satisfy their hunger. Moreover Sheela had to suffer much due to the abusive language of her husband.Sheela was a polite and well-cultured woman. She had suffered a lot because of her husband’s misbehavior. But keeping faith in God she began o bear the sufferings of unhappy life. Unhappiness is followed by happiness and happiness is followed by unhappiness in this worldly life. That is the eternal truth. Having faith in the eternal truth of the happiness and unhappiness, Sheela forgot herself in praying and worshipping God, she was hopeful for future happy life. While she had been passing her unhappy time of her life, one day at noontime someone came knocking at her door. She began to think, ‘who would have come to my place as I am so poor and have nothing with me?’ Still however, inspired by Aryan religious culture of welcoming the guests at the door, she stood up and opened the doors of her house.To her wonder, she saw an old woman standing in front of her. She was a very old woman. Her face was dazzling with the glow of divine light. Her eyes were dripping with the glow of divine light. Her eyes were dripping the nectar of love. Her majestic face was overflowing with the compassion and love. Sheela experienced immense peace in her heart though she was not acquainted with her. She was full of delight. She welcomes her and gave her the only torn mat and requested her to sit with hesitation. The old lady said, ‘Sheela! Don’t you know me?’
Sheela humbly said, ‘Mother, I feel delightful to see you and experience peace in the soul, as if I have been searching you for a long time, but it seems that you are not known to me!’
With a smile the old lady said, ‘why! Did you forget me? Every Friday I used to come to the temple of Goddess Laxmiji, when there had been singing praise of the Goddess. There we happened to meet each other!’Sheela was full of sorrow, as her husband had gone to the immoral way of life. She had stopped going to the temple of Goddess Laxmiji. She felt ashamed to get associated with others. She tried much to recollect the memory of that old lady. But she was not successful.After a while, the old lady said to Sheela, ‘How sweet you had been singing prayer of Goddess Laxmiji in the temple amidst the devotees! Now days you are not seen there. Hence I have begun to think the reason for it. At last I have come to see you’. Hearing the kind words of the old lady, Sheela’s heart moved and her eyes were full of tears. She began to sob painfully. The old lady moved near her and began to console her striking lightly on her back with love.
The old lady said to Sheela, ‘My dear, happiness and sorrow are like the heat and shadow of the Sun. Happiness and misery come one after the other. Please have patience and tell me all about your sufferings. You will feel exempted from your pains, and will get the remedy for the same’.
Hearing the consoling words of the lady, Sheela’s heart felt peace and comfort. She said to her, ‘We were very happy in our life and enjoyed ourselves with the bliss in our heart. My husband was also having a good character. By the grace of God, we wee pleased with our financial position. We used to utilize our time in worshipping God. But by our ill luck, my husband was influenced by his bad company. At last he ruined the life by going on the path of immorality: drinking wine, speculation, gambling, race, intoxicating drugs etc. As a result we have become as good as beggars of the footpath’.The old lady said, ‘Dear, happiness and sorrow come one after the other. Moreover the end of the misdeeds is strange. Every man has to suffer the consequences of his good or bad deeds. Now don’t get worried. You have already suffered all the consequences of your husband’s misdeeds. Now, you will have happy days of your life. You are the devotee of Goddess Laxmiji. Goddess Laxmiji is the incarnation of love and compassion. She is very merciful to her devotees. Hence, have patience and observe the Vrat of the Goddess Laxmiji and your life will be quite easy-going.’Having heard about the observance of the Vrat of divine Goddess Laxmiji, Sheela’s face glittered with light. She said to the old lady, ‘Mother! Kindly tell me how the Vrat of Laxmiji can be observed. I will certainly observe it.’The old lady said, ‘The Vrat of Laxmiji is very easy to follow. It is called the ‘Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat’ (Vrat giving wealth) or ‘Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat’ (Vrat giving Luxury). All the hopes of the person who observes the Vrat, will get fulfilled, and she or he becomes happy, wealthy and reputed’. Then she began to describe how to perform the Vrat.‘Dear, this Vrat is very simple and easy to observe. Many people observe this Vrat by the improper method. Hence they don’t have good result. People believe that the Vrat can be observed only by applying yellow and red turmeric to golden ornaments. But it is not so. Vrat should be performed with proper ceremony according to the religious scriptures or shastras. Then only the observance of the Vrat becomes fruitful. The celebration of the Vrat also should be performed as prescribed by the shastras with proper ceremony’.‘The Vrat should be observed on Friday every week. One should put on clean clothes after taking bath and should utter silently ‘Jai Ma Laxmi’. One should not speak evil of others. Having washed hands and feet in the evening, one should sit on the wooden seat facing the east direction. One should put a big wooden seat, and then one should put a copper pot on the small heaps of rice arranged on the handkerchief spread on the wooden seat. One should keep gold or a silver ornament or a rupee coin in a small bowl placed on the copper pot. One should light the lamp-stand and the incense stick near the wooden seat.”“There are many incarnations of Goddess Laxmi.” A person observing the Vrat of Vaibhava Laxmi should devotedly see ‘Shree mystical diagram’ and various complexions or forms of goddess Laxmiji. Then one should sing the prayer of Laxmiji. Afterwards one should apply the ornament or a rupee-coin with the yellow and red turmeric and rice-grain. Then after adorning it with a red flower, one should wave lights keeping sweets or piece of jaggery and should utter ‘Jai Ma Laxmi’. After the rituals one should offer the prasad among the members of the family. That ornament or a rupee-coin should be put to the safe place. The water kept in the copper-bowl should be poured into the pot of basil-plant [tulasi] and the rice grain should be thrown to the birds. In this way one gets his or her desires fulfilled by observing the Vrat according to the prescribed ceremony of the shastras. A Man gets wealthy by the grace of Goddess Laxmiji. An unmarried girl gets married. The married woman maintains the happy state of wifehood and a childless woman gets a child by the influence of observance of the Vrat.Sheela was pleased to know about the observance of the Vrat from that old lady. She said to her, ‘Mother! You have shown me the ceremony of the Vrat. Now I will surely observe it. But please, tell me how long this Vrat should be done and how it should be celebrated’. The old lady said, ‘People say that this Vrat can be done in one’s own way. But it is not so. This Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat should be done for eleven or twenty-one Friday. On the last Friday, the Vrat should be celebrated offering a coconut and sweet dish of rice. Then on that day the sweets should be given to seven unmarried girls or ladies, and saying…’Jai Ma Vaibhava Laxmi’ they should be given a book of ‘Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat’. Afterwards you should bow down your head to the photograph of Goddess Dhanlaxmi and should pray in the heart! Mother! I have observed the Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat. Please fulfill all our wishes! Kindly give wealth to the poor and give children to the childless woman. Let the married woman enjoy the happy state of wifehood. Let the unmarried girl fulfill her desires. Please have grace on those who observe your Vrat and be kind to them by favoring happiness in their lives’. By praying in this manner, bow down your head to the Dhan Laxmi, incarnation of the Goddess Laxmiji and Keep your hand above (not to touch) the flames of the lamp and apply it to your eyes’. Hearing the ceremony for the observation of Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat, she closed her eyes and decided in her mind to do the Vrat with full faith according to shastras for twenty-one Friday and to celebrate the same with ceremony. When Sheela opened the eyes, she was very much surprised to know that the old lady had disappeared! That old lady was no one else but Laxmiji Herself! As Sheela was the devoted worshipper, Goddess Laxmiji Herself had come in the form of an old lady to show Sheela the path of happiness.On the very next day it was Friday. After taking bath Sheela began to utter, ‘Jai Ma Laxmi’ with full faith in the Goddess Laxmi. During the day she didn’t defame any one. In the evening having washed her hands and feet, Sheela placed the wooden seat. She put her nose-ornament in the small bowl placed on the copper pot, which was on the heaps of rice arranged on the handkerchief spread on the wooden seat. Sitting in the east, Sheela observed the Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat with proper ceremony as informed by that old lady. Then she offered some sugar to her husband. Immediately there was a great change in her husband’s nature. As usual her husband did not beat her! She was very much happy to see such miraculous change in husband. Then after observing the Vrat with devotion and faith for twenty-one Friday. Sheela celebrated the last Friday. She gave a book of Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat to seven ladies and bowing down her head to the photograph of Goddess Laxmiji, prayed: ‘Mother! I have finished observance of the Vrat today. Kindly fulfill the desires of the unmarried girls and return the happiness of those who observe the Vrat. Be merciful to bless us with bliss of life uttering, “Give wealth to the poor, a child to the childless woman and preserve the happiness of the married woman. Kindly fulfill the desires.” Uttering these words, Sheela kept her hands above the flames of the lamp and applied her hands to her eyes and paid homage to the Goddess. In this way, Sheela could get the result as she had observed the Vrat according to the prescribed ceremony of the shastras. Her husband gave up the immoral way of life and began to earn with great efforts. With the pious power of the Goddess, her husband became wealthy. He got back the ornaments of Sheela mortgaged by him. Hence forward he became a noble man and Sheela regained the peace and happiness in her life as before.Having seen the pious power of the Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat, other women of the street began to perform the Vrat according to ceremony described by the shastras.Oh! Goddess Dhan Laxmi! Be merciful to all, as you had been to Sheela. Fulfill the desires of all. Bless all with peace and bliss. Jai Ma Dhan Laxmi! Jai Ma Vaibhava Laxmi!!.

Rules to Observe

If married women observe this Vrat, they achieve the award. If there is no married woman in the family, any woman or unmarried girl can observe this Vrat.
If a man observes this Vrat instead of a woman, he also achieves the award in the same way.
One should observe this Vrat with full faith and pious conception, not by dislike or without intense desire.
Vrat should be observed according to the rites prescribed by Shashtras for eleven or twenty-one Friday as per one’s oath.
It should be celebrated according to Shashtras performing proper ceremonies after the observance of Vrat on Friday as decided at the time of the oath. This ceremony is very simple to be preformed. If the Vrat is not observed according to proper ceremony described by the Shastras, one does not achieve its award or fruit.
After having once observed the Vrat, it can be observed again taking the oath devotedly.
Goddess Laxmiji has innumerable incarnations. Among all, ‘Shri Yantra’ Amulet of Goddess Laxmi is very beloved to her. Her incarnation of Dhan Laxmi itself is Vaibhava Laxmi. One should bow down one’s head to each and every incarnation of Goddess Laxmi given above. And also, while observing the Vrat one should pay homage to Shri Yantra. Then only it is fulfilled. If one doesn’t want to take the least trouble to observe Vrat, Goddess Laxmi also doesn’t take any trouble for her or him and she doesn’t show any mercy to such person.
On the day of observance of the Vrat, from morning one should utter ‘Jai Goddess Laxmi’ or ‘Jai Ma Laxmi’ at heart as many times as possible.
If one has to go on tour or outside the residence on Friday, one should observe the Vrat the next Friday at one’s residence only. One should observe the Vrat for as many Friday as decided by oneself at the time of oath.
The silver ornament should be utilized if one has no golden ornament for observing the Vrat. One should place a rupee coin if one has no silver ornament.
At the time of the celebration of the Vrat one should give the book ‘Vaibhava Laxmi Vrat’ to seven, eleven, twenty-one, fifty one or hundred and one women according to one’s own desire. (Goddess Laxmi would bless you more if you give more books as gifts to more women, and the Vrat of Goddess Laxmiji would spread more and more.I
f the woman is in menses or having ceremonial defilement and consequent untouchability owing to death in the family on the Friday, one should observe the Vrat the following Friday. And at the end, one should observe the Vrat for as many Friday as decided at the time of oath.
In the beginning of observing the Vrat, one should recite once the hymn or praise the Goddess Laxmi.
One should be on fast on the day of observing the Vrat on Friday, and should eat the sweet dish offered to Goddess Laxmiji. One may eat fruits or take meals once a day. The weak persons may observe the Vrat having food twice a day. The important thing is that one should have full faith and devotion in Laxmiji that Goddess would certainly fulfill the desire. Most important point to note is one doing the Vaibhav Lakshmi vrat should do it with full faith, and emotion. Confidently pray taking an oath that Mother will fulfill my desire.

Maa Durga Mantra...

2011-03-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

II Introduction to Devi Maa Mantra II

The following mantra describes the various qualities of Devi Ma.

We have taken 4 of them here. You can add other forms like shradha, shanti, trishna,chaya, vishnu mayeti, kanti,nidra ... in place of ma, shakti... and say the mantra

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Maa rupena samsthita I

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Shakti rupena samsthita I

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Buddhi rupena samsthita I

Ya Devi Sarva Bhutesu Laxmi rupena samsthita I

Namestasyai II Namestasyai II Namestasyai II

Namo Namah II

II Meaning of Devi Mantra II

To the Divine Goddess who resides in all existence in the form of universal mother

To the Divine Goddess who resides in all existence in the form of energy

To the Divine Goddess who resides in all existence in the form of intellegence

To the Divine Goddess who resides in all existence in the form of true wealth

We bow to her, we bow to her, continually we bow to her

There are various Mantras which are recited to revere the 'Mother' or 'Ma' as every devout Hindu calls Her.

Below I present some:

1) Asato Ma sadgamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya

Mrityur Ma Amritam gamaya

Which means:
From untruth, lead me to the Truth,
From Darkness, Lead me towards the Light,
From Death, Lead me to Life Eternal.

Ma does not mean 'mother'..its an 'avyaya' used for negation (write Mayank)

2) Sharanaagata dinaarta

Paritraana paraayane

Sarvasyaarti harey Devi

Naraayani namostute

Which means:

Salutations be to you, O Mother
You who are intent on saving the downtrodden
and distressed that come under your refuge.
Oh Devi! you remove the suffering of everyone

The following Mantra of Ma, is one of my favourites as it can be said anytime of the day, and anytime during your life, to pray for benediction for yourself and all your loved ones.

3) Om Sarva mangala Maangalye

Shivey Sarvaartha Saadhikey

Sharanye Trayambikey Gauri

Naraayani Namostutey

Which means:
Oh Gauri Ma!, consort of Lord Shiva,
You, who bestow auspiciousness on all,
And fulfill everyone's' wishes,
I prostrate myself before Thee,
Take me under your care.

The following Mantras describe the various qualities of Ma:

I have picked up 3 and I generally like to say them during Navratra as they are rather simple to remember and recite:

4) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu

Shakti Rupena Sanshtita

Namastasyai Namastasyai

Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Which means:
Prostrations unto Thee, O Devi (Ma)
who dwells in all beings in the form of Shakti (Energy)

5)Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu

Budhi Rupena Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai

Namastsyai Namo Namaha

Which means:
Prostrations unto Thee O Devi (Ma)
who resides in all beings as Intelligence (Wisdom)

6)Ya Devi Sarva bhuteshu

Laxmi Rupena Sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai

Namastasyai Namo Namaha

Which means:
Prostrations unto Thee O Devi (Ma)
who resides in all beings in the form of Laxmi (abundance

शिवलिंग के विभिन्न प्रकार व लाभ

2011-03-05T07:23:00.000-08:00

“गन्धलिंग” दो भाग कस्तुरी, चार भाग चन्दन और तीन भाग कुंकम से बनाया जाता हैं।

मिश्री(चिनी) से बने शिव लिंग कि पूजा से रोगो का नाश होकर सभी प्रकार से सुखप्रद होती हैं।

सोंढ, मिर्च, पीपल के चूर्ण में नमक मिलाकर बने शिवलिंग कि पूजा से वशीकरण और अभिचार कर्म के लियेकिया जाता हैं।

फूलों से बने शिव लिंग कि पूजा से भूमि-भवन कि प्राप्ति होती हैं।

जौं, गेहुं, चावल तीनो का एक समान भाग में मिश्रण कर आटे के बने शिवलिंग कि पूजा से परिवार में सुख समृद्धिएवं संतान का लाभ होकर रोग से रक्षा होती हैं।

किसी भी फल को शिवलिंग के समान रखकर उसकी पूजा करने से फलवाटिका में अधिक उत्तम फल होता हैं।

यज्ञ कि भस्म से बने शिव लिंग कि पूजा से अभीष्ट सिद्धियां प्राप्त होती हैं।

यदि बाँस के अंकुर को शिवलिंग के समान काटकर पूजा करने से वंश वृद्धि होती है।

दही को कपडे में बांधकर निचोड़ देने के पश्चात उससे जो शिवलिंग बनता हैं उसका पूजन करने से समस्त सुख एवंधन कि प्राप्ति होती हैं।

गुड़ से बने शिवलिंग में अन्न चिपकाकर शिवलिंग बनाकर पूजा करने से कृषि उत्पादन में वृद्धि होती हैं।

आंवले से बने शिवलिंग का रुद्राभिषेक करने से मुक्ति प्राप्त होती हैं।

कपूर से बने शिवलिंग का पूजन करने से आध्यात्मिक उन्नती प्रदत एवं मुक्ति प्रदत होता हैं।

यदि दुर्वा को शिवलिंग के आकार में गूंथकर उसकी पूजा करने से अकाल-मृत्यु का भय दूर हो जाता हैं।

स्फटिक के शिवलिंग का पूजन करने से व्यक्ति कि सभी अभीष्ट कामनाओं को पूर्ण करने में समर्थ हैं।

मोती के बने शिवलिंग का पूजन स्त्री के सौभाग्य में वृद्धि करता हैं।

स्वर्ण निर्मित शिवलिंग का पूजन करने से समस्त सुख-समृद्धि कि वृद्धि होती हैं।

चांदी के बने शिवलिंग का पूजन करने से धन-धान्य बढ़ाता हैं।

पीपल कि लकडी से बना शिवलिंग दरिद्रता का निवारण करता हैं।

लहसुनिया से बना शिवलिंग शत्रुओं का नाश कर विजय प्रदत होता हैं।

How to do Mantra Japa ?

2011-03-04T23:34:00.000-08:00

There is a Sakti or power in every word. The Name of God, chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully, is sure to give the desired result.The glory of the Name of God cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can be experienced or realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Name. By Mantra japa, you can attain peace of mind quickly. By prolonged and constant practice the inherent power of the Mantra (Mantra-Sakti) will be awakened, which will fill your very existence with the Divinity of the Mantra.

MANTRAS FOR JAPA

Lord Ganapati:

Om Sri Ganapataye Namah

Lord Shiva:

Om Namah Shivaya (Panchakshara)

Maha-Mrityunjaya Mantra:

Om tryambakam yajamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
uurvarukamiva bandhanaan
mrityor mukshiya maamritaat.

Sri Devi:
Om Sri Durgayai Namah

Sri Kalika:
Om Sri Kalikayai Namah

Sri Lakshmi:
Om Sri Maha-Lakshmyai Namah

Lord Hari:

Om Namo Narayanaya (Ashtakshara)

Hari Om

Hari Om Tat Sat

Lord Krishna:

Maha-Mantra :

Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

Om Sri Krishnaya Govindaya Gopijana Vallabhaya Namah

Om Sri Krishnaya Namah

Sri Hanuman:

Om Sri Hanumate Namah

Lord Rama:

Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram

Om Sri Ramaya Namah

Sri Rama Rama Rameti,
Rame Rame Manorame
Sahasranama Tattulyam Rama Nama Varanane

Om Sri Sita-Ramachandradhyam Namah

Sri Ram

Sri Saraswathi:

Om Sri Sarasvatyai Namah

Lord Subramanya, Kartikeya:

Om Sri Saravanabhavaya Namah

Sharangati Mantra (for surrender):

Om Sri Ramah Sharanam Mama
Om Sri Krishnah Sharanam Mama
Om Sri Sita-Ramah Sharanam Mama

Sharada:

Om Sri Bala-Parameshvaryai Namah

Tripurasundari:

Om Sri Tripura-Sundaryai Namah

Vedantic Formulae:

Om Soham

Om Tat Tvam Asi

Om Aham Brahma Asmi

PRACTICAL AIDS TO JAPA

1. Select any Mantra or Name of God, preferably that given to you by your Guru, and repeat it from 108 to 1,080 times daily (one to ten malas).

2. Always keep your Guru-Mantra a secret. Never disclose it to anyone. It is better to stick to one Mantra only. Take a bath or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning. At other times this is not absolutely necessary. Do Japa whenever you have leisure, at the three junctions of the day - morning, noon and evening - and before going to bed.

3 The early morning period (Brahmamuhurta) and dusk is the most favourable time for Japa and meditation. This is when Sattva (purity or steadiness) is predominant.

4. Face east or north during the practice. This enhances the efficacy of the Japa.

5. Sit on a deer skin or rug. Spread a piece of cloth over it. This conserves body-electricity. Sit in a separate meditation room or in any suitable place, such as a temple, on a river bank or under a banyan or peepul tree.

6. Maintain a steady pose. Attain mastery of the posture. You must be able to sit in Padmasana, Siddhasana or Sukhasana for three hours at a strech. Recite some prayers before starting the Japa. Reslove to complete a certain minimum number of malas before leaving your seat.

7. A rosary is a whip to goad the mind towards God. Use a rudraksha or tulsi mala of 108 beads. Do not allow the mala to hang below the navel. Keep the hand near the heart or the nose. The mala must not be visible to you or to others. Cover it with a towel or handkerchief, which must be clean and washed daily. Use the middle finger and the thumb of the right to roll the beads. The use of the index finger is prohibited.Do not cross the meru while rolling the beads. Turn back when you come to it.

8. Do mental Japa for sometimes without a mala. When the mind wanders, do the Japa aloud, or whisper the Mantra for some time and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.

9. When you repeat the Mantra, have the feeling or mental attitude that the Lord is seated in your heart, that purity or Sattva is flowing from the Lord into your mind, that the Mantra is purifying your heart, destroying desires, cravings and evil thoughts.

10. Do not do the Japa in a hurried manner. Do it slowly with feeling, one-pointedness of mind and single-minded devotion. Pronounce the Mantra distinctly and without any mistakes. Repeat it neither too slowly nor too fast. Increase the speed only when the mind wanders. Be vigilant and alert during Japa. Stand up when sleep tries to overpower you.

11. Try to associate the Japa with the rhythm of the breath and meditate in the form of your Deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front of you. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it. Regularity in Japa Sadhana is most essential if success is to be achieved. Sit in the same place and at the same time every day. Do not beg for any worldly objects from God while doing Japa. Feel that your heart is being purified and that the mind is becoming steady by the power of the Mantra and the Grace of the Lord.

12. Observe silence and avoid distractions, calls and engagements. It is important not to leave the place at once after the Japa is over and mix with everyone or plunge into worldly activity. Sit very quietly for at least ten minutes, humming some prayer, remembering the Lord and reflecting upon His infinite love. Then, after devout prostration, leave the place and commence your routine duties and activities. In this way the spiritual vibrations will remain intact. Continue the current of Japa mentally at all times, whatever be the activity in which you are engaged. Carry on your Sadhana with tenacity and perseverance, without a break. Realize the glorious goal of life and enjoy supreme bliss

Mantras For All Purpose...

2011-03-04T23:03:00.000-08:00

Mantra for a Child

This mantra may be recited for getting a son, or for childless couples, who want a child.

Mantra:

Devaki-sut Govinda Vasudeva Jagatpate
Dehi me tanayam Krishna Tvaamaham sharanam gataha

Meaning:

O Son of Devaki and Vasudeva, the Lord of the Universe
O Krishna! give me a son; I take refuge in you

Mantra for Marriage

This is a mantra for girls who want to get married. They should say this mantra every day

Mantra:

Kaatyaayani Mahaamaayey Mahaa YoginyaDheeshwaree
NandaGopasuta Devi Pati Mey Kuru Tey Namaha

Meaning:

O Katyaayani! MahaaMayey (Names of Ma the Mother Goddess) Supreme Lord of all great Yoginis, Make Shree Krishna, my husband Prostrations unto Thee.

Mantra to be chanted before you begin your studies:

Mantra:

Saraswati namastubhyam
Varde Kaamarupini
Vidyarambham karishyami
Siddhir bhavatu me sadaa

Meaning:

My humble prostrations unto Thee, O Goddess Saraswati,
You are the fulfiller of all my wishes, I start my studies, with the request that I achieve perfection in them.

Mantra for Health

Mantra:

Om! Tryambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtee Vardhanam
Urva ruka meva Bandhanaat
Mrityor Muksheeya Ma amrutaat

Meaning:

Om! We worship Lord Shiva (The 3-Eyed One) who is full of fragrance and who nourishes all beings; may He liberate me from death, bestow salvation and (lead me) towards Eternity (Make me immortal) just as the ripe cucumber is severed (from the creeper) of its bondage.

Mantra For Prosperity

Mantra:

Aayur dehee Dhanam Dehee
Vidyaam dehee Maheshwari
Samastamakhilam dehee
dehee mey Parameshwari

Meaning:

Give me long life
Give me wealth,
Give me knowledge,
O Maheshwari (Mother Goddess)
O Parmeshwari,
Give me everything that I desire

This is a mantra of Maheshwari. Maheshwari is the consort of Maheshwara, another name for Siva. It is said that Siva always grants the boons of those that pray to him or his consort.

Mantra for a Peaceful Life

Mantra:

Sarveshaam Svaastir Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Shaantir Bhavatu,
Sarveshaam Poornam Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Mangalam Bhavatu
Om Shanti, Shanti Shanteeh

Meaning:

May Health abound forever
May Peace abound forever
May complete abundance, abound forever
May auspiciousness abound forever
Om Peace Peace Peace!

MANTRA for the FULFILLMENT OF DESIRES and RELEASE FROM BONDAGE

Mantra:

Om kaaram bindu samyuktam nityam dhyaayanti yoginah
Kaamadam mokshadam chaiva Omkaaraaya namo namaha

Meaning:

The sages constantly meditate upon the sound of Om and its 'Bindu´ (dot) We offer our obeisance to the Divine sound of Om repeatedly,
Which has the power to fulfill our desires and release us from bondage.

MANTRA FOR DESTRUCTION OF EVIL AND REMOVAL OF MISERIES-KRISHNA

Mantra:

Krishnaaya Vaasudevaaya Haraye Paramaatmane
Pranatah Klesha naashaaya Govindaaya namo namaha

Meaning:

O Krishna! Son of Vaasudeva, You are the Supreme Lord, remover of miseries.
You destroy all evil, O Govinda!
I repeatedly bow to You!

THE EPITOME OF DUTY.

Mantra:

Raamaaya Raamabhadraaya Raamachandraaya vedhase
Raghunaathaaya naathaaya Seetaaya pataye namah.

Meaning:
I bow to the Brilliant Rama, doer of good, Lord of the Raghus, the Beloved husband of Seeta.

Mantra for Easy Delivery

2011-03-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

Mathru boodeswaro devo
Bakthanaam ishta thayaka
Sukanthi kunthala naavaha
Suka Prasava Mrichchathuhu.

Hima vathyuththarey parthavey
Surathaa nama yakshini
Tasyaha smarana mathrena
Visalya karpini paveth.

Hey sankara smarahara
Bramahathathi natha
Mannatha samba sasisooda
Harathri soolin
Sambo sukaprasavakrutha
Pavame thayalo
Shri mathrubootha
Siva balayamam namasthey

The pregnant lady should chant the mantra 11 times a day daily after bath. It is also recommended to read the mantra 108 times on Mondays either between 6-7 am,1-2 pm 0r between 8-9 pm especially during the hora of moon. You can look up the hora for each day in

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

2011-03-01T23:02:00.000-08:00

Introduction to Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

he great mantra dedicated to Shiva as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda. It is called the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, the Great Death-Conquering mantra. It is a mantra that has many names and forms. It is called the Rudra mantra, referring to the furious aspect of Shiva; the Tryambakam mantra, alluding to Shiva's three eyes; and its is sometimes known as the Mrita-Sanjivini mantra because it is a component of the "life-restoring" practice given to the primordial sage Shukra after he had completed an exhausting period of austerity. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is hailed by the sages as the heart of the Veda. Along with the Gayatri mantra it holds the highest place among the many mantras used for contemplation and meditation.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

OM. Tryambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat

Aarti Shiv Shankar Ji Ki

2011-03-01T22:52:00.000-08:00

OM Namoh Shivai

Jai Shiv onkara, Prabhu jai shiv onkara
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv ardhangi dhara,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Ekanan, chaturanan, panchanan raje, Shiv panchanan raje,
Hansasan GarudaSan, Hansasan GarudaSan Vrishvahan saje,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Do bhuj, char chaturbhuj, dashmukh ati sohe, Shiv dashmukh ati sohe
Tinon rup nirakhte, Tinon rup nirakhte tribhuvan janmohe,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Akshyamala, banamala, mundmala dhari Shiv mundmala dhari
Chandan mrigmad sohai, Chandan mrigmad sohai bhale shubhkari,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Shvetambar Pitambar Bagambar ange, Bagambar ange,
Brahmadik Sankadik, Brahmadik Sankadik Pretadik sange,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Kar madhye kamandalu chakra trishul dharta,
Sukhkari dukhahari jagpalankari,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv janat aviveka,
Pranavakshar ke madhye Pranavakshar ke madhye tinon hi eka,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....
Trigun svami ki arti jo koi nar gave shiv Prem sahit gave
Kahat Shivanand svami Kahat Harihar svami man vanchhit phal pave,
Om Har Har Har Mahadev....

Shiva Mool Mantra...

2011-03-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

About Shiva Mool Mantra
The Mool Mantra of Lord Shiva is known as the great redeeming mantra also known as five-syllable mantra. Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Shiva is the name of your true identity- your self. In this mantra the chanter (one who repeats the mantra) bow to Shiva- his true self.
Shree Shiva Mool Mantra
Meaning of Shiva Mool Mantra

Samudra Manthan

2011-03-01T21:01:00.000-08:00

This very popular Shivaratri legend from Puranas explains why people stay awake all night on Shivaratri. Besides, it also tells us why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha.

Legend Behind Samudra Manthan
Once Indra - the King of Gods, while riding on an elephant came across Durvasa Muni who offered him a special garland. Indra accepted the garland but put in on the trunk of the elephant. The elephant was irritated by the smell and it threw the garland on the floor. This enraged the sage as the garland was a dwelling of Sri (fortune) and was to be treated as prasada. Durvasa Muni cursed Indra and all devas to be bereft of all strength, energy, and fortune.

In battles that followed this incident, devas were defeated and asuras (demons) led by Bali gained control of the universe. Devas sought help from Lord Vishnu who advised them to treat asuras in a diplomatic manner. Devas formed an alliance with asuras to jointly churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality and to share it among them. Lord Vishu told Devas that we would arrange that they alone obtain the nectar.

The Churning of the Ocean
The churning of the milk - ocean was an elaborate process. Mount Mandara was used as churning rod and Vasuki, the King of Serpents, became the churning rope. Lord Vishnu himself had to intercede in so many ways to aid the Devas. All kinds of herbs were cast into the ocean and many great beings and objects were produced from the ocean and were divided between asuras and gods. It is said that following things emerged from the Samudra Manthan:

Sura or Varuni - Goddess and creator of wine
Apsaras - various divine nymphs
Kaustubha - a rare diamond said to be the most valuable jewel in the world
Uchhaishravas - the divine white horse
Kalpavriksha - the wish-granting tree
Kamadhenu - the wish fulfilling cow
Airavata - the white elephant
Lakshmi - the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth. Vishnu and Her were reunited after having been separated for many ages.

Haalaa-Hala - the Poison
During the Sagar Manthan by the gods and demons, haalaa-hala, a pot of poison also came out of the ocean. This terrified the Gods and demons as the poison was so toxic that it effects would have wiped out the entire creation. On the advice of Lord Vishnu, Gods approached Lord Shiva for help and protection as only he could swallow it without being affected. On the request of gods and out of compassion for living beings, Lord Shiva drank the poison. However, Parvati - Lord Shiva’s consort pressed his neck so that the poison does not reach his stomach. Thus, it stayed in his throat neither going up nor going down and Shiva remained unharmed. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of Lord Mahadeva’s neck to blue. For this reason, Lord Shiva is also called Neelakantha (the blue-necked one) where ‘Neela’ means blue and ‘Kantha’ means neck or throat.

As part of the therapy, doctors advised gods to keep Lord Shiva awake during the night. Thus, Gods kept a vigil in contemplation of Lord Shiva. To amuse Shiva and to keep him awake, the gods took turn performing various dances and playing music. As the day broke out, Lord Shiva, pleased with their devotion blessed them all. Shivaratri is the celebration of this event by which Shiva saved the world. Since then, on this day and night - devotees fast, keep vigil, sing glories of Lord and meditate.

Churning Out Divine Nectar
At last, Dhanvantari - the Divine Physician appeared with a pot of Amrita (nectar of immortality) in his skilful hands. Fierce fighting ensued between devas and asuras for the nectar. To protect the nectar from asuras, devas hid the pot of nectar at four places on the earth - Prayag (Allahabad), Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. At each of these places, a drop of the nectar spilled from the pot and since then, it is believed that these places acquired mystical power. Grand Kumbh Mela is celebrated at the four places after every 12 year for this reason.

Eventually, Lord Vishnu took the form of a beautiful woman, Mohini. While her beauty bewildered the asuras, Mohini seized the nectar and returned it to the Devas, who drank it immediately.

शिवजी का वाहन नंदी बैल ही क्यों

2011-03-01T20:58:00.001-08:00

यह एक लोककथा है : यह उस समय की बात है, जब भगवान शिव के पास कोई वाहन न था। उन्हें पैदल ही जंगल-पर्वत की यात्रा करनी पड़ती थी। एक दिन माँ पार्वती उनसे बोलीं,‘आप तो संसार के स्वामी हैं। क्या आपको पैदल यात्रा करना शोभा देता है?’

शिव जी हँसकर बोले-‘देवी,हम तो रमते जोगी है। हमें वाहन से क्या लेना-देना? भला साधु भी कभी सवारी करते हैं?’

पार्वती ने आँखों में आँसू भरकर कहा,‘जब आप शरीर पर भस्म लगाकर, बालों की जटा बनाकर, नंगे-पाँव, काँटों-भरे पथ पर चलते हैं तो मुझे बहुत दुख होता है।’
शिव जी ने उन्हें बार-बार समझाया परंतु वह जिद पर अड़ी रही। बिना किसी सुविधा के जंगल में रहना पार्वती को स्वीकार था परंतु वह शिवजी के लिए सवारी चाहती थीं।अब भोले भंडारी चिंतित हुए। भला वाहन किसे बनाएँ। उन्होंने देवताओं को बुलवा भेजा। नारदमुनि ने सभी देवों तक उनका संदेश पहुँचाया।

सभी देवता घबरा गए। कहीं हमारे वाहन न ले लें। सभी कोई-न-कोई बहाना बनाकर अपने-अपने महलों में बैठे रहे। पार्वती उदास थीं। शिवजी ने देखा कि कोई देवता नहीं पहुँचा। उन्होंने एक हुंकार लगाई तो जंगल के सभी जंगली जानवर आ पहुँचे।

‘तुम्हारी माँ पार्वती चाहती है कि मेरे पास कोई वाहन होना चाहिए। बोलो कौन बनेगा मेरा वाहन?’

सभी जानवर खुशी से झूम उठे। छोटा-सा खरगोश फुदककर आगे बढ़ा- ‘भगवन्, मुझे अपना वाहन बना लें, मैं बहुत मुलायम हूँ।’

सभी खिलखिलाकर हँस पड़े। शेर गरजकर बोला-‘मूर्ख खरगोश,मेरे होते,तेरी जुर्रत कैसे हुई, सामने आकर बोलने की?’बेचारा खरगोश चुपचाप कोने में बैठकर गाजर खाने लगा। शेर हाथ जोड़कर बोला,‘प्रभु, मैं जंगल का राजा हूँ,शक्ति में मेरा कोई सामना नहीं कर सकता। मुझे अपनी सवारी बना लें।’

उसकी बात समाप्त होने से पहले ही हाथी बीच में बोल पड़ा-‘मेरे अलावा और कोई इस काम के लिए ठीक नहीं है। मैं गर्मी के मौसम में अपनी सूँड में पानी भरकर महादेव को नहलाऊँगा।’

जंगली सुअर कौन-सा कम था? अपनी थूथन हिलाते हुए कहने लगा-‘शिव जी, मुझे सवारी बना ले,मैं साफ-सुथरा रहने की कोशिश करूँगा।’ कहकर वह अपने शरीर की कीचड़ चाटने लगा। कस्तूरी हिरन ने नाक पर हाथ रखा और बोला-‘छिः, कितनी गंदी बदबू आ रही है, चल भाग यहाँ से, मेरी पाठ पर शिवजी सवारी करेंगे।’

उसी तरह सभी जानवर अपना-अपना दावा जताने लगे। शिवजी ने सबको शांत कराया और बोले‘कुछ ही दिनों बाद मैं सब जानवरों से एक चीज माँगूगा, जो मुझे वह ला देगा, वही मेरा वाहन होगा।’

नंदी बैल भी वहीं खड़ा था। उस दिन के बाद से वह छिप-छिपकर शिव-पार्वती की बातें सुनने लगा। घंटों भूख-प्यास की परवाह किए बिना वह छिपा रहता। एक दिन उसे पता चल गया कि शिवजी बरसात के मौसम में सूखी लकड़ियाँ माँगेंगे। उसने पहले ही सारी तैयारी कर ली। बरसात का मौसम आया। सारा जंगल पानी से भर गया। ऐसे में शिवजी ने सूखी लकड़ियों की मांग की तो सभी जानवर एक-दूसरे मुँह ताकने लगे। बैल गया और बहुत सी लकड़ियों के गट्ठर ले आया।

भगवान शिव बहुत प्रसन्न हुए। मन-ही-मन वे जानते थे कि बैल ने उनकी बातें सुनी हैं। फिर भी उन्होंने नंदी बैल को अपना वाहन चुन लिया। सारे जानवर उनकी और माँ पार्वती की जय-जयकार करते लौट गए।

Maha Mrityunjay Mantra

2011-02-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

The Maha Mrityunjay Mantra or Lord Shiva Mantra is considered extremely powerful and significant by the Hindus. Also known as the Moksha Mantra of Lord Shiva, chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is said to create divine vibrations that heals. Devotees of Lord Shiva further believe that Maha Mrityunjay evokes the Shiva within human beings and removes the fear of death, liberating one from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Significance of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
Devotees strongly believe that proper recitation of the Maha Mrityunjaya rejuvenates, bestows health, wealth, long life, peace, prosperity and contentment. It is said that chanting of Shiva Mantra generates divine vibrations that ward off all the negative and evil forces and creates a powerful protective shield. Besides, it is said to protect the one who chants against accidents and misfortunes of every kind. Recitation of the mantra creates vibration that pulsates through every cell, every molecule of human body and tears away the veil of ignorance. Hindus believe that recitation of the mantra ignites a fire within that consumes all negativity and purifies entire system. It is also said to have a strong healing power and can cure diseases declared incurable even by the doctors. Many believe Maha Mrityunjay Mantra to be a mantra that can conquer death and connect human beings to their own inner divinity.

The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra
The following Maha Mrityunjay Mantra has been taken from the Sukla Yajurveda Samhita III. 60. The Mantra is addressed to Lord Shiva and is a centuries old technique of connecting one to pure consciousness and bliss.

Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam |
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat ||

Meaning:
Om. We worship The Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant and who increasingly nourishes the devotees. Worshipping him may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk.

Explanation:
The mantra is a prayer to Lord Shiva who is addressed as Sankara and Trayambaka. Sankara is sana (blessings) and Kara (the Giver). Trayambaka is the three eyed one (where the third eye signifies the giver of knowledge, which destroys ignorance and releases us from the cycle of death and rebirth).

Best Time to Chant
Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra with sincerity, faith and devotion in Bramha Muhurata is very beneficial. But one can also do Maha Mrityunjaya japa anytime in a pure environment with great benefit and discover the happiness that's already within.

Different Names of Lord Shiva

2011-02-28T22:36:00.000-08:00

One of the most important Hindu deities, Lord Shiva is known by several names. The Shiva Purana list 1008 names for Lord Shiva. Each of these names in Sanskrit signifies certain attribute of the Lord. Given here are 108 names of Lord Shiva with their meaning.

108 Names of Lord Shiva
S No	Lord Shiva Name	Meaning
1	Aashutosh	One who fulfills wishes instantly
2	Aja	Unborn
3	Akshayaguna	God with limitless attributes
4	Anagha	Without any fault
5	Anantadrishti	Of infinite vision
6	Augadh	One who revels all the time
7	Avyayaprabhu	Imperishable Lord
8	Bhairav	Lord of terror
9	Bhalanetra	One who has an eye in the forehead
10	Bholenath	Kind hearted Lord
11	Bhooteshwara	Lord of ghosts and evil beings
12	Bhudeva	Lord of the earth
13	Bhutapala	Protector of the ghosts
14	Chandrapal	Master of the moon
15	Chandraprakash	One who has moon as a crest
16	Dayalu	Compassionate
17	Devadeva	Lord of the Lords
18	Dhanadeepa	Lord of Wealth
19	Dhyanadeep	Icon of meditation and concentration
20	Dhyutidhara	Lord of Brilliance
21	Digambara	One who has the skies as his clothes
22	Durjaneeya	Difficult to be known
23	Durjaya	Unvanquished
24	Gangadhara	Lord of River Ganga
25	Girijapati	Consort of Girija
26	Gunagrahin	Acceptor of Gunas
27	Gurudeva	Master of All
28	Hara	Remover of Sins
29	Jagadisha	Master of the Universe
30	Jaradhishamana	Redeemer from Afflictions
31	Jatin	One who has matted hair
32	Kailas	One Who Bestows Peace
33	Kailashadhipati	Lord of Mount Kailash
34	Kailashnath	Master of Mount Kailash
35	Kamalakshana	Lotus-eyed Lord
36	Kantha	Ever-Radiant
37	Kapalin	One who wears a necklace of skulls
38	Khatvangin	One who has the missile khatvangin in his hand
39	Kundalin	One who wears earrings
40	Lalataksha	One who has an eye in the forehead
41	Lingadhyaksha	Lord of the Lingas
42	Lingaraja	Lord of the Lingas
43	Lokankara	Creator of the Three Worlds
44	Lokapal	One who takes care of the world
45	Mahabuddhi	Extremely intelligent
46	Mahadeva	Greatest God
47	Mahakala	Lord of All Times
48	Mahamaya	Of great illusions
49	Mahamrityunjaya	Great victor of death
50	Mahanidhi	Great storehouse
51	Mahashaktimaya	One who has boundless energies
52	Mahayogi	Greatest of all Gods
53	Mahesha	Supreme Lord
54	Maheshwara	Lord of Gods
55	Nagabhushana	One who has serpents as ornaments
56	Nataraja	King of the art of dancing
57	Nilakantha	The one with a blue throat
58	Nityasundara	Ever beautiful
59	Nrityapriya	Lover of Dance
60	Omkara	Creator of OM
61	Palanhaar	One who protects everyone
62	Parameshwara First among all gods	First among all gods
63	Paramjyoti	Greatest splendor
64	Pashupati	Lord of all living beings
65	Pinakin	One who has a bow in his hand
66	Pranava	Originator of the syllable of OM
67	Priyabhakta	Favorite of the devotees
68	Priyadarshana	Of loving vision
69	Pushkara	One who gives nourishment
70	Pushpalochana	One who has eyes like flowers
71	Ravilochana	Having sun as the eye
72	Rudra	The terrible
73	Rudraksha	One who has eyes like Rudra
74	Sadashiva	Eternal God
75	Sanatana	Eternal Lord
76	Sarvacharya	Preceptor of All
77	Sarvashiva	Always Pure
78	Sarvatapana	Scorcher of All
79	Sarvayoni	Source of Everything
80	Sarveshwara	Lord of All Gods
81	Shambhu	Abode of Joy
82	Shankara	Giver of Joy
83	Shiva	Always Pure
84	Shoolin	One who has a trident
85	Shrikantha	Of glorious neck
86	Shrutiprakasha	Illuminator of the Vedas
87	Shuddhavigraha	One who has a pure body
88	Skandaguru	Preceptor of Skanda
89	Someshwara	Lord of All Gods
90	Sukhada	Bestower of happiness
91	Suprita	Well pleased
92	Suragana	Having Gods as attendants
93	Sureshwara	Lord of All Gods
94	Swayambhu	Self-Manifested
95	Tejaswani	One who spreads illumination
96	Trilochana	Three-Eyed Lord
97	Trilokpati	Master of all the Three Worlds
98	Tripurari	Enemy of Tripura
99	Trishoolin	One who has a trident in his hands
100	Umapati	Consort of Uma
101	Vachaspati	Lord of Speech
102	Vajrahasta	One who has a thunderbolt in his hands
103	Varada	Granter of Boons
104	Vedakarta	Originator of the Vedas
105	Veerabhadra	Supreme Lord of the Nether World
106	Vishalaksha	Wide-eyed Lord
107	Vishveshwara	Lord of the Universe
108	Vrishavahana	One who has bull as his vehicle

Shiva Chalisa

2011-02-28T21:36:00.000-08:00

Shiva Chalisa is a prayer for Lord Shiva - one of the Gods of Hindu trinity, the other two being Brahma and Vishnu. Shiva Chalisa praises the Lord and asks for his help in removing hardships and obstacles in devotee's life. It is said that devotees seeking blessings of Lord Shiva must recite Shiva Chalisa with devotion and sincerity. It is suggested that devotees should focus their mind on Lord Shiv or his image and then recite Shiv Chalisa.

Here, Lord Shiv Chalisa is presented along with English Translation for better understanding.

Lord Shiv Chalisa	English Translation
Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan Mangal Mul Sujan Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya Varadan	Glory to Lord Ganesh, the Divine Son of Goddess Girija, the cause of all auspiciousness and intelligence. Ayodha Dass (the composer of these verses) humbly requests that every one be blessed with the boon of being fearless.
Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala Sada Karat Santan Pratipala Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke	O Glorious Lord, consort of Parvati You are most merciful. You always bless the poor and pious devotees. Your beautiful form is adorned with the moon on Your forehead and on your ears are earrings of snakes' hood.
Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain	The holy Ganges flows from your matted hair. The saints and sages are attracted by Your splendid appearance. Around Your neck is a garland of skulls. White ash beautifies Your Divine form and clothing of lion's skin adorns Your body.
Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari	O Lord, the beloved daughter of Maina on Your left adds to Your splendid appearance. O Wearer of the lion's skin, the trishul in Your hand destroys all enemies.
Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi Ko Kahi Jata Na Kauo	Nandi and Shri Ganesh along with Lord Shiva appear as beautiful as two lotuses in the middle of an ocean. Poets and philosophers cannot describe the wonderful appearance of Lord Kartikeya and the dark complexioned Ganas (attendants).
Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari	O Lord, whenever the Deities humbly sought Your assistance, You kindly and graciously uprooted all their problems. You blessed the Deities with Your generous help when the demon Tarak outraged them and You destroyed him.
Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara	O Lord, You sent Shadanan without delay and thus destroyed the evil ones Lava and Nimesh. You also destroyed the demon Jalandhara. Your renown is known throughout the world.
Tripurasur Sana Yudha Machayi Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bachayi Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari Purva Pratigya Tasu Purari	O Lord, Purari, You saved all Deities and mankind by defeating and destroying the demons Tripurasura. You blessed Your devotee Bhagirath and he was able to accomplish his vow after rigorous penance.
Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin Veda Nam Mahima Tab Gayaee Akatha Anandi Bhed Nahin Payee	O Gracious One, devotees always sings Your glory. Even the Vedas are unable to describe Your greatness. No one is as generous as You are.
Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sahayee Nilakantha Tab Nam Kahayee	Lord, when the ocean was churned and the deadly poison emerged, out of Your deep compassion for all, You drank the poison and saved the world from destruction. Your throat became blue, thus You are known as Nilakantha.
Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha Pariksha Tabahin Purari	When Lord Rama worshipped You, He became victorious over the king of demons, Ravana. When Lord Rama wished to worship Thee with one thousand lotus flowers, the Divine Mother, to test the devotion of Shri Ram, hid all the flowers at Your request.
Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar Bhaye Prasanna Diye-Ichchhit Var	O Lord, You kept on looking at Shri Ram, who wished to offer His lotus-like eyes to worship Thee. When You observed such intense devotion, You were delighted and blessed Him. You granted His heart's desire.
Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai	Glory be unto You O Gracious, Infinite, Immortal, All-pervading Lord. Evil thought torture me and I keep on travelling aimlessly in this world of mundane existence. No relief seems to be coming my way.
Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro	O Lord! I beseech Your help and seek your divine blessing at this very moment. Save and protect me. Destroy my enemies with Your Trishul. Release me from the torture of evil thoughts.
Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari	O Lord, when I am in distress, neither my parents, brothers, sisters nor loved ones can relieve my suffering. I depend only on You. You are my hope. Eliminate the cause of this tremendous torture and bless me with Your compassion.
Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari	O Lord, You bless the downtrodden with prosperity and grant wisdom to the ignorant. Lord, due to my limited knowledge, I omitted to worship Thee. Please forgive me and shower Your grace upon me.
Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain	O Lord Sankar, You are the destroyer of all miseries. You remove the cause of all obstacles and grant Your devotees eternal bliss. The saints and sages meditate upon Thy most beautiful form. Even celestial beings like Sharad and Narad bow in reverence to You.
Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Sahayee	O Lord, prostration to You. Even Brahma is unable to describe Thy greatness. Whosoever recites these verses with faith and devotion receives Your infinite blessings.
Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari Patha Karai So Pavan Hari Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi	Devotees who chant these verses with intense love become prosperous by the grace of Lord Shiva. Even the childless wishing to have children, have their desires fulfilled after partaking of Shiva-prasad with faith and devotion.
Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha	On Trayodashi (13th day of the dark and bright fortnights) one should invite a pandit and devotedly make offerings to Lord Shiva. Those who fast and pray to Lord Shiva on Trayodashi are always healthy and prosperous.
Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari	Whosoever offers incense, prasad and performs arti to Lord Shiva, with love and devotion, enjoys material happiness and spiritual bliss in this world and hereafter ascends to the abode of Lord Shiva. The poet prays that Lord Shiva removed the suffering of all and grants them eternal bliss.
Nitya Nema kari Pratahi Patha karau Chalis Tum Meri Man Kamana Purna Karahu Jagadish Om Shivaya Namaa	O Universal Lord, every morning as a rule I recite this Chalisa with devotion. Please bless me so that I may be able to accomplish my material and spiritual desires. Om Shivaya Namaa

Significance of Shivratri

2011-02-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism
Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Significance of Shivaratri for Women
Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.

Shivaratri Fast

2011-02-28T21:28:00.000-08:00

Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival.

Merits of Mahashivratri Vrat

According to Hindu mythology, observance of mahashivratri Vrat with discipline helps a devotee to control the two great natural forces that afflict a man, rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of inertia). When a devotee spends an entire day in the Feet of Lord and worships with sincerity, his motion is controlled and evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas are ignored and subdued. Besides, when a devotee observes vigil throughout the night (jaagran) he manages to conquer the evils of Tamas Guna too. It has also been mentioned that when a devotee observes a round of worship every three hours, the Shivaratri Vrata becomes perfect.

Devotees of Lord Shiva believe consider Shivratri fast to be extremely auspicious and rate it equal or more than performing an Ashwamedha Yagna. Some believe that a devotee who observes a Shivaratri Fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Customs and Traditions of Shivaratri Fast

As a tradition, devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with the water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away bodily impurities. After putting on fresh new clothes, a devotee visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual Shiva Linga bath with milk, honey etc. While bathing the Lingam a devotee prays, "O Lord ! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I may be one with Thee-the One alone without a second."

Following the sacred bath, devotee applies haldi-kumkum on the lingum and place a garland of white and pink lotus flowers on it. Bel leaves are also placed at the top of the Lingum. Aarthi and bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva are also sung to invoke his blessings. Devotee also light incense stick and ring temple bell to invoke the blessing of the large-hearted Lord Shiva.

It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the Puja of the deity a feast follows, a Shivratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya" and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, Shiva Lings is given the holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shivaratri and Lord Shiva and to understand its deeper meanings. It is only in the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the prasad offered to Lord Shankar.

Shivaratri Celebrations

2011-02-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

Shivaratri Celebrations in India are marked with devotion and religious fervor. Joy is writ large on the faces of millions of Lord Shiva devotees as they start preparing for the biggest Lord Shiva festival in advance. Celebrations of Shivaratri began with the break of the dawn on the Shivratri day and continue all though the night. Devotees observe fast and spend the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva. Many worshippers also participate in the jaagran or the night vigil organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of Lord Shiva will absolve them of all their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.

Shivaratri Celebrations in Temples
After the ritual bath, preferably in the sacred waters of river Ganga, devotees pay a visit to the nearest Lord Shiva temple carrying the traditional puja items like milk, water, bel leaves, fruits, incense stick, oil lamp etc. Due to massive popularity of the festival several stalls selling puja items come up outside the temple and do a thriving business.

In the bigger and more popular Shiva temples there is massive rush of devotees. Long queues can be noticed as devotees, mostly women, wait for their turn to perform puja. Since, bathing of Shiva Linga with milk is part of the Shivaratri Puja tradition; little rivers are formed due to the excessively overflowing milk and fruit in the Shiva temples on this day.

Ritual worship of Shiva Linga is done by temple priests every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. Shouts of ‘Shivaji ki Jai’, chanting of the mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells make the atmosphere religious and devotional.

Nightlong vigil on Shivratri or the Jaagran is celebrated by singing of devotional hymns and songs in worship of Lord Shiva. And, it is only in the following morning that the devotees break their fast by consuming prasad offered to the Lord.

Shivaratri Celebrations by Women
Shivratri Festival is particularly awaited by Hindu women. On Shivaratri, married and unmarried women perform puja with great faith, as Goddess Parvati who is also called 'Gaura', is regarded as the giver of 'suhag' - good husbands, marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life. One can therefore see find women enthusiastically observing the fast and performing the rituals Shiva Pujas on the day.

Tradition of Drinking Thandai
Since Lord Shiva is regarded as an ascetic god, Maha Shivratri is very popular with ascetics. Thandai, a drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, is essentially drunk by the devout on the day as cannabis is said to have been very dear to Shiva.

Shivaratri Pooja...

2011-02-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

Merits of Shivaratri Puja
According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive details on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
Honey is for sweet speech.
Ghee is for victory.
Sugar is for happiness.
Water is for purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja
To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja
Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

The Legend of Holika and Prahlad

2011-02-26T01:09:00.000-08:00

The Legend
There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.

Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.
Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.

Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

Celebration of the Legend
Even today, people enact the scene of 'Holika's burning to ashes' every year to mark the victory of good over evil.
In several states of India, specially in the north, effigies of Holika are burnt in the huge bonfires that are lit. There is even a practice of hurling cow dungs into the fire and shouting obscenities at it as if at Holika. Then everywhere one hears shouts of 'Holi-hai! Holi-hai!'.

The tradition of burning 'Holika' is religiously followed in Gujarat and Orissa also. Here, people render their gratitude to Agni, the god of fire by offering gram and stalks from the harvest with all humility.

Further, on the last day of Holi, people take a little fire from the bonfire to their homes. It is believed that by following this custom their homes will be rendered pure and their bodies will be free from disease.
At several places there is also a tradition of cleaning homes, removing all dirty articles from around the house and burning them. Disease-breeding bacteria are thereby destroyed and the sanitary condition of the locality is improved.

The Legend of Radha-Krishna

2011-02-26T01:06:00.000-08:00

The Legend
Young Krishna is known to be very playful and mischievous. The story goes that as a child, Krishna was extremely jealous of Radha's fair complexion since he himself was very dark.

One day, Krishna complained to his mother Yashoda about the injustice of nature which made Radha so fair and he so dark. To pacify the crying young Krishna, the doting mother asked him to go and colour Radha's face in whichever colour he wanted.
In a mischievous mood, naughty Krishna heeded the advice of mother Yashoda and applied colour on her beloved Radha's face; Making her one like himself.

Well, there is also a legend to explain Krishna's dark complexion. It so happened that once a demon attempted to kill infant Krishna by giving him poisoned milk. Because of which Krishna turned blue. But Krishna did not die and the demon shriveled up into ashes.
The beautiful scene of Krishna's prank in which he played colour with Radha and other gopis has been made alive in myriad forms in a number of paintings and murals.

The Celebrations

Somehow, the lovable prank of Krishna where he applied colour on Radha and other gopis using water jets called pichkaris gained acceptance and popularity. So much so that it evolved as a tradition and later, a full-fledged festival.
Till date, use of colours and pichkaris is rampant in Holi. Lovers long to apply colour on their beloveds face and express their affection for each other.

This legend is wonderfully brought alive each year all over India, particularly in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon-the places associated with Krishna and Radha.
In fact, the entire country gets drenched in the colour waters when it is time for Holi and celebrate the immortal love of Krishna and Radha.

In some states of India, there is also a tradition to place the idols of Radha and Krishna in a decorated palanquin, which is then carried along the main streets of the city. All this while, devotees chant Krishna's name, sing devotional hymns and dance in the name of the lord.

Rituals of Holi...

2011-02-26T01:02:00.000-08:00

Rituals of the ancient festival of Holi are religiously followed every year with care and enthusiasm.

Preparations
Days before the festival people start gathering wood for the lighting of the bonfire called Holika at the major crossroads of the city. This ensures that at the time of the actual celebration a huge pile of wood is collected.

Holika Dahan Celebrations
Then on the eve of Holi, Holika Dahan takes place. Effigy of Holika, the devil minded sister of demon King Hiranyakashyap is placed in the wood and burnt. For, Holika tried to kill Hiranyakashyap's son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. The ritual symbolises the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of a true devotee.

Children also hurl abuses at Holika and pray pranks, as if they still try to chase awayDhundhi who once troubled little ones in the Kingdom of Prithu. Some people also take embers from the fire to their homes to rekindle their own domestic fires.

Play of Colors
Next day, is of course the main day of Holi celebrations. The day is called Dhuleti
and it is on this day that the actual play of colours take place. There is no tradition of holding puja and is meant for pure enjoyment.
The tradition of playing colours is particularly rampant in north India and even in that region, there can be no comparison to the Holi of Mathura and Vrindavan. In Maharashtra and Gujarat too Holi is celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and fun.

People take extreme delight in spraying colour water on each other with pichkaris or pouring buckets and buckets of it. Singing Bollywood Holi numbers and dancing on the beat of dholak is also a part of the tradition. Amidst all this activity people relish gujiya, mathri, malpuas and other traditional Holi delicacies with great joy.

Drinks, specially thandai laced with bhang is also an intrinsic part of the Holi festivity. Bhang helps to further enhance the spirit of the occasion but if taken in excess it might dampen it also. So caution should be taken while consuming it.

Holi Celebrations in South India
In south India, however, people follow the tradition of worshiping Kaamadeva, the love god of Indian mythology. People have faith in the legend which speak about the great sacrifice of Kaamadeva when he shot his love arrow on Lord Shiva to break his meditation and evoke his interest in worldly affairs.

After, an eventful and funfilled day people become a little sober in the evening and greet friends and relatives by visiting them and exchange sweets. Holi special get togethers are also organised by various cultural organisations to generate harmony and brotherhood in the society.

History of Holi

2011-02-25T22:56:00.000-08:00

Holi is an ancient festival of India and was originally known as 'Holika'. The festivals finds a detailed description in early religious works such as Jaimini's Purvamimamsa-Sutras and Kathaka-Grhya-Sutras. Historians also believe that Holi was celebrated by all Aryans but more so in the Eastern part of India.

It is said that Holi existed several centuries before Christ. However, the meaning of the festival is believed to have changed over the years. Earlier it was a special rite performed by married women for the happiness and well-being of their families and the full moon (Raka) was worshiped.

Calculating the Day of Holi
There are two ways of reckoning a lunar month- 'purnimanta' and 'amanta'. In the former, the first day starts after the full moon; and in the latter, after the new moon. Though the amanta reckoning is more common now, the purnimanta was very much in vogue in the earlier days.
According to this purnimanta reckoning, Phalguna purnima was the last day of the year and the new year heralding the Vasanta-ritu (with spring starting from next day). Thus the full moon festival of Holika gradually became a festival of merrymaking, announcing the commencement of the spring season. This perhaps explains the other names of this festival - Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

- Vasanta-Mahotsava and Kama-Mahotsava.

Reference in Ancient Texts and Inscriptions
Besides having a detailed description in the Vedas and Puranas such as Narad Purana and Bhavishya Purana, the festival of Holi finds a mention in Jaimini Mimansa. A stone incription belonging to 300 BC found at Ramgarh in the province of Vindhya has mention of Holikotsav on it. King Harsha, too has mentioned about holikotsav in his work Ratnavali that was written during the 7th century.

The famous Muslim tourist - Ulbaruni too has mentioned about holikotsav in his historical memories. Other Muslim writers of that period have mentioned, that holikotsav were not only celebrated by the Hindus but also by the Muslims.
Reference in Ancient Paintings and Murals
The festival of Holi also finds a reference in the sculptures on walls of old temples. A 16th century panel sculpted in a temple at Hampi, capital of Vijayanagar, shows a joyous scene of Holi. The painting depicts a Prince and his Princess standing amidst maids waiting with syringes or pichkaris to drench the Royal couple in coloured water.

A 16th century Ahmednagar painting is on the theme of Vasanta Ragini - spring song or music. It shows a royal couple sitting on a grand swing, while maidens are playing music and spraying colors with pichkaris.

There are a lot of other paintings and murals in the temples of medieval India which provide a pictoral description of Holi. For instance, a Mewar painting (circa 1755) shows the Maharana with his courtiers. While the ruler is bestowing gifts on some people, a merry dance is on, and in the center is a tank filled with colored water. Also, a Bundi miniature shows a king seated on a tusker and from a balcony above some damsels are showering gulal (colored powders) on him.

Legends and Mythology

In some parts of India, specially in Bengal and Orissa, Holi Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (A.D. 1486-1533). However, the literal meaning of the word 'Holi' is 'burning'. There are various legends to explain the meaning of this word, most prominent of all is the legend associated with demon king Hiranyakashyap.

Hiranyakashyap wanted everybody in his kingdom to worship only him but to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana. Hiaranyakashyap commanded his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. Holika had a boon whereby she could enter fire without any damage on herself. However, she was not aware that the boon worked only when she enters the fire alone. As a result she paid a price for her sinister desires, while Prahlad was saved by the grace of the god for his extreme devotion. The festival, therefore, celebrates the victory of good over evil and also the triumph of devotion.

Legend of Lord Krishna is also associated with play with colors as the Lord started the tradition of play with colours by applying colour on his beloved Radha and other gopis. Gradually, the play gained popularity with the people and became a tradition.

There are also a few other legends associated with the festival - like the legend of Shiva and Kaamadeva and those of Ogress Dhundhi and Pootana. All depict triumph of good over evil - lending a philosophy to the festival.

Tradition of Holi

2011-02-25T22:52:00.000-08:00

The colourful festival of Holi is celebrated by different names in this vast and culturally diverse country. The traditions followed for the festival varies a little and at times a lot as one moves from one state to other studying the various facets of the festival and getting behind the various colours of it.

Nowhere it is celebrated with so much charm and enthusiasm as in Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon - the places associated with the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna. At Barsana Holi assumes the name of Lathmaar Holi. Here, women of Barsana give a tough time to men of Nandgaon as they come to play Holi with them. Women drag the unlucky captives, beat them, dress them in a female attire - yet all is in the spirit of Holi.

Women of Haryana, specifically the bhabhis too get an upper hand on the day as they get a social sanction to beat their devars and take a sweet revenge for all the mischiefs they have played on them. This revengeful tradition is called the Dulandi Holi.

The most enjoyable tradition of Holi, of course, apart from the play of colours is the tradition of breaking the pot. It is celebrated with much fan fair in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Here a pot of buttermilk is hung high on the streets. Men form a huge human pyramid and one on the top breaks the pot with his head. All this while women keep singing Holi folk songs and throwing buckets and buckets of water. The tradition has its roots in the mischievous nature of Lord Krishna who was so fond of butter milk that he used to steal it from every accessible house in the village. To hide the butter from young Krishna, womenfolk used to hang it high. All in vain!

Holi is celebrated in the most dignified manner in the state of Bengal. At Vishwa Bharti University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore founded the tradition of celebrating Holi as 'Basant Utsav' or 'Spring Festival'. Students decorate the campus with intricate rangolis and carry out prabhat pheris in the morning. Clad in a traditional attire young boys and girls sing songs composed by Gurudev and present an enchanting view to the onlookers who gather in large number here. In other parts of Bengal, Holi is celebrated as Dol Yatra where the idols of Radha and Krishna are placed on a decorated palanquin and taken out in a procession.For Sikhs, Holi calls for the display of their physical strength and military prowess as they gather at Anandpur Sahib a day after Holi to celebrate Hola Mohalla. The tradition was started by the tenth and last guru of Sikh religion, Guru Gobind Singh ji and is being religiously carried forward.

In the north east, Manipuris celebrate the festival in a colourful manner for six continuous days. Here, the centuries old Yaosang Festival of Manipur amalgated with Holi with the introduction of Vaishnavism in the eighteenth century. The highlight of the festival here is a special Manipuri dance, called 'Thabal Chongba'.

Well, there are many-many more ways in which Holi is celebrated. Different states, different cities and different villages have come out with their unique and innovative styles of playing Holi. It may not be possible to describe all of them at one place. What is noteworthy though is the fact that the spirit of Holi remains the same throughout. It is the festival which generates the spirit of brotherhood and bring people close - and this is what matters most than anything else.

What enhances the spirit of Holi though is the tradition of consuming the intoxicating bhang. It is generally consumed with thandai or as pakoras. People go high on it and enjoy the festival to the hilt. Other Holi delicacies include gujiya, mathri, malpua, puranpoli, dahi badas, etc. After a frenzied play of colours people love to gorge them up.

Regional Names of Holi

2011-02-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

Popularity of Holi can be gauged from the number of names Holi has in different states. Also of great interest is the story behind each of these names.

As one moves across from one state to another, one can surely discover the myriad shades of human emotions behind the story that goes with each of these names of holi. These stories will make you feel proud of the rich cultural diversity of India. Besides, what is to be appreciated is the underlying strong bond of unity that binds this uniquely culturally diverse country.

Even the Gods that are worshiped on Holi differ in different corners of the country. The way the festival is celebrated also differs but the spirit is same - the one of love and brotherhood. Inspite of their uniqueness in different states, the festival is considered to be the one which enhances the secular fabric of India.

Let us now unravel the traditions of Holi by learning the story behind the different names of Holi -

Process Of Holi Pooja...

2011-02-25T22:41:00.000-08:00

Holi Pooja Process

Holi Pooja takes place a day before the Holi Festival. This day is called as 'Holika Dahan'. There is no special pooja performed on the Holi day. This day is only meant for celebrations and play of colors. Holika Dahan is the major ritual performed at the time of Holi which is also considered an important Holi Puja. People light bonfires on the eve of Holi festival to celebrate the victory of 'good' over 'bad' which is called Holika Dahan.

Holi Pooja Process or Holika Dahan Process
Holika Dahan preparations begin almost 40 days before the festival. People start gathering woods on the important crossroads of the city. Holi Pooja or Holika takes place on an auspicious time in the evening a day before the Holi festival. Given below are the steps and rituals for the Holi Pooja:

Holi Pooja can be performed at any place.
A log of wood is kept at a prominent public place on the Vasant Panchami day.
People extend the log centre with twigs, dried leaves, branches of trees and other combustible material.
On the day of Holika Dahan, an effigy of Holika and Prahlad is placed on the huge heap of woods.
Effigy of Holika is made of combustible material while Prahlad's effigy is made of non-combustible material.
On the eve of Holi, the heap is set alight and the people chant Rakshoghna Mantras of the Rig Veda to cast away the evil spirits.
Left over ashes are collected by people next morning. These ashes are considered holy and are smeared on the limbs of the body as Holi Prasad.
Smearing of body limbs is an act of purification.

Holi Pooja is performed in a different manner in some communities. Marwari women offer Holi puja in the afternoon and evening i.e. before setting fire to 'Holika'. It is called 'Thandi Holi'. The whole puja process is considered very auspicious for the married women. It ensures well-being and healthy life of their husband.

बड़ा महत्त्व है...

2011-01-17T00:23:00.000-08:00

जीवन में आज का
सुर में साज का
पूजा में नाल का
सिर में बाल का
सृष्टि में आकाश का
सूर्य में प्रकाश का
कुल में आन का
स्त्रियों में मान का
स्त्री में लाज का
राज्य में ताज का
स्त्री में चाल का
खाने में दाल का
जीवन में विकास का
दोस्ती में विशवास का
क्षत्रिय में शान का
चबाने में पान का

लोहड़ी की कहानी और लोहड़ी के लोकगीत

2011-01-12T19:43:00.000-08:00

सुंदरी-मातृ-विहीन थी, उसके बाप का साया भी उसके सिर पर नहीं था। चाचा जमींदार था। इलाके में से अकबर बादशाह गुजरने वाला था, जमींदारों ने फैसला किया कि सुंदरी को बादशाह के सामने पेश किया जाए। गांव की सबसे सुंदर (लाल पटाखा) और सबसे गरीब (फटे सालू वाली) लड़की की रक्षा करने वाला ‘कौन बेचारा था ? बात दुल्ला भट्टी तक पहुंचाई गई। दुल्ला दीन-दुखी का हितैषी था, उसने फौरन अपनी बेटी की तरह सुंदरी की शादी रचा डाली। जल्दी-जल्दी में शादी की धूमधाम का इंतजाम भी न हो सका।

‘सेर शक्कर’ से ही शादी का शगुन किया गया। लेकिन उसने ‘चूरी’ कूटने वाले जमींदारों की खूब दुर्गति बनाई।

इस मुसीबत की घडी में दुल्ला भट्टी ने ब्राह्मण की मदद की और लडके वालों को मना कर एक जंगल में आग जला कर सुंदरी और मुंदरी का व्याह करवाया। दुल्ले ने खुद ही उन दोनों का कन्यादान किया। कहते हैं दुल्ले ने शगुन के रूप में उनको शक्कर दी थी। इसी कथा की हमायत करता लोहड़ी का यह गीत है, जिसे लोहड़ी के दिन गाया जाता है

ਸੁੰਦਰ ਮੁੰਦਰੀਏ, ਹੋ
ਤੇਰਾ ਕੋਣ ਵਿਚਾਰਾ ਹੋ
ਦ੍ਲਹਾ ਭੱਟੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਹੋ
ਦੂਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੀ ਧੀ ਵਿਆਹੀ ਹੋ
ਸੇਰ ਸੱਕਰ ਆਈ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦੇ ਬੋਝੇ ਪਾਈ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦਾ ਲਾਲ ਪਟਾਕਾ ਹੋ
ਕੁੜੀ ਦਾ ਸਾਲੂ ਪਾੱਟਾ ਹੋ
ਸਾਲੂ ਕੋਣ ਸਮੇਟੇ ਹੋ
ਚਾਚਾ ਗਾਲੀ ਦੇਸੇ ਹੋ
ਚਾਚੇ ਚੂਰੀ ਕੁਟੀ ਹੋ
ਜਿਮਿੰਦਾਰਾ ਲੂਟੀ ਹੋ
ਜਿਮੀਂਦਾਰ ਸਦਾਏ ਹੋ
ਗਿੰਨ ਗਿੰਨ ਪੋਲੇ ਲਾਏ ਹੋ
ਬੜੇ ਭੋਲੇ ਆਏ ਹੋ
ਇਕ ਭੋਲਾ ਰਹੀ ਗਯਾ
ਸਿਪਾਹੀ ਫੜ ਕੇ ਲੈ ਗਯਾ
ਸਿਪਾਹੀ ਨੇ ਮਾਰੀ ਈਟ
ਭਾਵੇਂ ਰੋ ਤੇ ਭਾਵੇਂ ਪਿਟ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ
ਸਾੰਨੂ ਦੇ ਦੇ ਲੋਹਰੀ ਤੇਰੀ ਜੀਵੇ ਜੋੜੀ

ਹੁਣ ਇਹੀ ਗੀਤ ਹਿੰਦੀ ਵਿਚ ਪੜੋ...

अब यही गीत हिंदी में...

सुंदर मुंदरिये, हो
तेरा कौन विचारा हो
दुल्ला भट्टी वाला, हो
दुल्ले दी धी ब्याही, हो
सेर शक्कर आई, हो
कुड़ी दे बोझे पाई, हो
कुड़ी दा लाल पटाका, हो
कुड़ी दा सालू पाटा, हो
सालू कौन समेटे, हो
चाचा गाली देसे, हो
चाचे चूरी कुट्टी, हो
जिमींदारां लुट्टी, हो
जिमींदार सदाये, हो
गिन-गिन पौले लाये, हो।
बड़े भोले आये हो
एक भोला रह गया
सिपाही पकड़ के ले गये
सिपाही ने मारी ईंट
चाहे रो या चाहे पिट
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी
सानु दे दे लोहड़ी ,तुहाडी जीवे जोड़ी

पंजाब में लोहड़ी त्यौहार आने के कई दिन पहले युवा लड़के-लड़कियां द्वार द्वार पर जा कर गाना गा गा कर लकड़ियाँ तथा मेवा मांग कर इकट्ठा कर लोहड़ी की रात आग जला कर नाचते गातें व फल मेवा खाते हैं।

कंडा कंडा नी लकडियो कंडा सी
इस कंडे दे नाल कलीरा सी
जुग जीवे नी भाबो तेरा वीरा सी,
पा माई पा, काले कुत्ते नू वी पा
कला कुत्ता दवे वदायइयाँ,
तेरियां जीवन मझियाँ गईयाँ,
मझियाँ गईयाँ दित्ता दुध,
तेरे जीवन सके पुत्त,
सक्के पुत्तां दी वदाई,
वोटी छम छम करदी आई।

दुल्ला भट्टी की जुल्म के खिलाफ मानवता की सेवा को आज भी लोग याद करते हैं और उस रात को लोहड़ी के रूप में सत्य और साहस की जुल्म पर जीत के तौर पर मनाते हैं। इस त्योहार का सबंध फसल से भी है, इस समय गेहूँ और सरसों की फसलें अपने यौवन पर होती हैं, खेतों में गेहुँ, छोले और सरसों जैसी फसलें लहराती हैं।