Monday, July 27, 2009

Important days in the month of Aashaada

Gurupurnimaa (गुरुपूर्णिमा / ಗುರುಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ)


ಆಶಾಡ-ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮಾ

आशाड-पूर्णिमा

Aashaada-Full moon day


On this day, after bathing and offering abulations (sandhyaavandane), one should go the place of the spiritual teacher and with one-pointed mind offer fruits and coconut. Doing thus, one shall be free from disasters and be happy.


Start of Dakshinaayana (दक्षिणायनस्य प्रारम्भः / ದಕ್ಷಿಣಾಯನ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭ)


Usually the start of Dakshinaayana occurs in the month of Aashaada. At this meeting point of Uttaraayana and Dakshinaayana, one should take holy bath, give alms, and take part in homa.

Significance of Aashaada maasa

Significance of Aashaada maasa

It is said in the shaastraas that we should bathe in the Taapi river in the month of Aashaada. At least one should remember the river Taapi when taking bath. It is said that Taapi being the daughter of Sun-god, is the embodiment of all good qualities. When washing away the sins of people, how can she be affected wrongly ? In the Kruta yuga, she originated in the month of Aashaada, and hence its our duty to remember her in this month.


In the past, when a competition came up between Ganga and Taapi, it was decided that Taapi, with her superior qualities was superior. During that time, when a brahmin wanted to be freed of all his sins and he was going towards the Ganga, but upon hearing the greatness of Taapi, prefered Taapi over Ganga, bathed for 3 days upon which his fallen tendencies and greatest sins were washed away just by taking bath in the Taapi river. From then onwards, all the great sages and brahmins start seeking the help of Taapi, not even considering this. The left Ganga despressed, and grew jealous of Taapi. Seeing the plight of Ganga, Lord Brahma appeared in front of Ganga and enquired the reason for her depression. Ganga said, "O Lord, daughter of SUn-god, Taapi has acquired fame and surpassed all other rivers. The people bathing in her waters are attained great worlds. The people who were bathing in my waters are now seeking Taapi. What happened to your promise of making me as the most revered river ?"


Upon hearing this, Brahma ordered Naarada, "Hey Naarada, destroy the greatness of river Taapi immediately." When Naarada tried to do so, he lost all his knowledge and went back and fell at Brahma's feet. Brahma, realizing Taapi's greatness, asked Naarada to surrender to the same Taapi river. Naarada did the same and was freed from ignorance. Naarada went back to Brahma and asked him to destroy Taapi's greatness himself. Brahma went to Taapi, and started praising her. When Taapi enquired about Brahma;s sudden visit, Brahma instructed her to go back to Heaven and she followed suit.

Then, Ganga was happy. We should remember Taapi who made it to heaven from Earth in this month of Aashaada.


Advice:

ಅಚೋದ್ಯಮಾನಾನಿ ಯಥಾ ಪುಷ್ಪಾಣಿ ಚ ಫಲಾನಿ ಚ|

ಸ್ವಂ ಕಾಲಂ ನಾತಿವರ್ತಂತೇ ತಥಾ ಕರ್ಮ ಪುರಾ ಕೃತಂ ||


अचोद्यमानानि यथा पुष्पाणि च फलानि च ।

स्वं कालं नातिवर्तन्ते तथा कर्म पुरा कृतम् ॥


Flowers and fruits are borne by plants at the right times wihtout anybody overseeing them. Similarly, our prvious deeds fructify and yield fruits when the time is ripe.

Mud bullock's new moon day

Mud bullock's new moon day (मृद्वृषभ अमावास्या / ಮಣ್ಣೆತ್ತಿನ ಅಮವಾಸ್ಯ)

ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಅಮವಾಸ್ಯ

ज्येष्ठ-अमावास्या

Jyestha-New moon day


On this day, two bullocks must be made out of mud, Taurus (वृषभ / ವೃಷಭ) must be invoked in them and worshipped in 16 ways as described in the shaastraas. The shaastraas command us to worship mud idols for five times in a year, and this one among them.

More details can be found at http://sampada.net/blog/brahmana/12/09/2008/11695

Onset of the rainy season

Onset of the rainy season

ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಕೃಷ್ಣ-ಪ್ರತಿಪದ

ज्येष्ठ-कृष्ण पक्ष-प्रतिपद्

Jyestha-Dark fortnight-First day


On this day, the Mrigashira star will appear. Starting from this day, the duties of the rainy season can be commenced. More details along with their scientific signicifance shall be posted later.

Vata Saavitri course of conduct

Vata Saavitri course of conduct (वट सावित्री व्रत / ವಟ ಸಾವಿತ್ರಿ ವ್ರತ)

ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ

ज्येष्ठ-पूर्णिमा

Jyestha-Full moon day


This course of conduct is said to give well-being, children and marriage. It is said that this course of conduct has to be practised for three days and must be followed at least for one day. More details about this shall be posted later.

Dashaharaa and Bhageerathi Jayanti

Dashaharaa course of conduct (दशहरा व्रत / ದಶಹರಾ ವ್ರತ)

ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಶುಕ್ಲ-ದಶಮಿ-ಹಸ್ತಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ವ್ಯತಿಪಾತ ಯೋಗ-ಗಜಕರಣ ಆನಂದಕರಣ

ज्येष्ठ-शुक्ल पक्ष-दशमी-हस्ता नक्षत्र-व्यतिपात योग-गज आनन्द करणौ

Jyestha-Bright Fortnight-Tenth day


On this day, a Tuesday, in Hastaa star being pleased by Bhageeratha's austerity, Ganga descends to the plains from the Himalaayas. Along with vyatipaata yoga (व्यतिपात योग / ವ್ಯತಿಪಾತ ಯೋಗ), gaja&aananda karanas (गज आनन्द करणौ / ಗಜ ಆನಂದ ಕರಣಗಳು), Moon (चन्द्र / ಚಂದ್ರ) in Virgo (कन्याराशि / ಕನ್ಯಾರಾಶಿ) and Sun (रवि / ರವಿ) in Taurus (वृषभ / ವೃಷಭ) constellationस्, the day becomes auspicious. To get rid of ten types of sins, one should take holy bath and worship Ganga.


The three important types among the ten are as follows:

1. Physical (कायिक / ಕಾಯಿಕ) - Sin committed by physical body; includes accepting things from others without giving anything in return, torture, extra-marital affairs etc.

2. Spoken words (वाचिक / ವಾಚಿಕ) - Sin committed by spoken words; includes harsh words, lies, complaining, loose talk etc.

3. Mental (मानसिक / ಮಾನಸಿಕ) - Sin committed by thoughts; thoughts of stealing others' belongings, intending harm to others, getting agitated unecessarily etc


One has to engage in dashahara course of conduct to overcome the above said sins.


Bhaageerathi Janati (भागीरथी जयन्ति / ಭಾಗೀರಥೀ ಜಯಂತಿ)


ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ-ಶುಕ್ಲ-ದಶಮಿ-ಹಸ್ತಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ವ್ಯತಿಪಾತ ಯೋಗ-ಗಜಕರಣ ಆನಂದಕರಣ

ज्येष्ठ-शुक्ल पक्ष-दशमी-हस्ता नक्षत्र-व्यतिपात योग-गज आनन्द करणौ

Jyestha-Bright Fortnight-Tenth day


This was the day that Ganga, being pleased by Bhageeratha's austerity descended to the Earth from Heaven. Bhageeratha, striving for the betterment of his ancestors, brought the Ganga to Earth on this very day. On the first day of this fortnight, Ganga flowed as a small stream and grew to a large river by the tenth day. Hence, these days are regarded very highly by us.

Jyestha Maasa

Jyeshta Maasa (ज्येष्ठ मास / ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ ಮಾಸ)

From the very name, one can infer its significance. It is said that distribution of curd rice in this hot summer month is laudable. The significance of this month appears in the story of Bhageeratha. Shiva orders Bhageeratha thus:


"In Jyestha maasa, wake up early in the morning and having finished the daily rites, take a holy bath. Then pray to the Lord with the form of Trivikrama and distribute curd rice and water to brahmins. If you act thus for one month with devotion, thn Shri Hari shall be pleased and river Ganga, capable of washing away all our sins, shall descend to the Earth." Bhageeratha followed the orders, and the rest is history. It is to be noted that this month was instrumental in the descent of river Ganga. This description is available in the 'Bhavishya' puraana (भविष्य पुराण / ಭವಿಷ್ಯ ಪುರಾಣ).


ವಿಷ್ಣುರ್ವೈ ಸರ್ವದೇವಾನಾಂ ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠಃ ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿಃ |

ತಥಾಯಂ ಸರ್ವಮಾಸಾನಾಂ ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ತಮಸ್ಮೃತಃ ||


विष्णुर्वै सर्ववेदानां ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठः प्रजापतिः ।

तथायं सर्वआसानां ज्येष्ठः श्रेष्ठः तमस्मृतः ॥


Meaning :- Just like Vishnu is the supreme among all Gods, so is the month of Jyestha among all other months.

Shanaishcara Jayanti

Shanaishcara Jayanti (शनैश्चर जयन्ति / ಶನೈಶ್ಚರ ಜಯಂತಿ)

ವೈಶಾಖ-ಅಮವಾಸ್ಯ-ಕೃತ್ತಿಕಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ಅತಿಗಂಡಯೋಗ

वैशाख-अमावास्या-कृत्तिका नक्षत्र-अतिगण्ड योग

Vaishaakha-New moon day


Saturn / Shani being one among the nine planets, hardly needs any introduction. Usually people have felt the grace and disgrace of Shani, who is said to be capable of almost anything. He can induce sins from rich men and destroy them, or impair their health, or even bring about accidental death. Shani is the planet who keeps us thinking about the effects on our life from celestial bodies. He is said to govern the constellations of makara and kumbha. The literal meaning of his name is "slow mover" - शनैः चरति इति शनैश्चर; शनैः means 'slow'. He stays two and half years in one constellation. He is also known to observe the preceding and succeeding constellations from the constellation which he is in. Hence, Shani influences our lives for 7 years. He was born as the son of Sun-god and Chaaya, and as the grandson of Daksha prajaapati. Being a devotee of Narasimha, he has composed hymns in praise of Narasimha. He has promised not to trouble devotees of Narasimha and Anjaneya/Hanumaan. The hymn about Narasimha is as follows:

"The one who takes bath, performs abulations (sandhyavandane), gives alms, visites holy places, engages in satsanga, and remembers you always; I shall not trouble him."


Lord Narasimha has endorsed this. Hence, its our duty to engage in the above said activites without showing lethargy and perform navagraha homa if possible.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Veda Vyaasa Jayanti

Veda Vyaasa Jayanti (वेदव्यास जयन्ति / ವೇದವ್ಯಾಸ ಜಯಂತಿ)

Vyaasa classified the huge body of literature of Vedas into four parts and hence he got the name "Veda Vyaasa" (वेदव्यास / ವೇದವ್ಯಾಸ). Veda Vyaasa, being a great guru in our tradition was a great reservoir of knowledge. He composed the essential message of the vedas in the language of the commoners as Mahabharata (महाभारत / ಮಹಾಭಾರತ), Bhaagavata (भागवत / ಭಾಗವತ) , and other 18 puraanas (पुराण / ಪುರಾಣ) . He taught all this to Sumanta (सुमन्त / ಸುಮಂತ), Jaimini (जैमिनि / ಜೈಮಿನಿ), Vaishampaayana (वैशम्पायण / ವೈಶಂಪಾಯಣ), Shuka (शुक / ಶುಕ) and others who preserved it by teaching others. He was born to Satyavati and Paraashara in an island of the Yamuna river. One has to remember this great guru for the protection of the knowledge learnt.

Kurma Jayanti

Kurma Jayanti (कूर्म जयन्ति / ಕೂರ್ಮ ಜಯಂತಿ)

ಕರ್ಮ ಹರಿಃ ಮಾಂ ನಿರಯಾತ ಅಶೇಷಾತ್

कूर्म हरिः मां निरयात अशेषात्


This also is an incarnation of the lord, where he took the form of a turtle and supported the sinking mandara (मन्दर / ಮಂದರ) mountain which was used as a churning tool. More deeply, he is supporting the entire universe compsoed of living and non-living beings. This is regarded as the second among the dashaavataaras, and the story appears in kurma puraana (कूर्म पुराण / ಕೂರ್ಮ ಪುರಾಣ). It is regarded highly in astrology and in correcting vaastu defects (वास्तु दोश / ವಾಸ್ತು ದೋಶ).

Narasimha Jayanti

Narasimha Jayanti (नृसिम्ह जयन्ति / ನರಸಿಂಹ ಜಯಂತಿ)

ವೈಶಾಖ-ಶುದ್ಧ-ತ್ರಯೋದಶಿ-ಚಿತ್ತಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ವಜ, ಸಿದ್ಧಿ ಯೋಗಗಳು-ತೈತಲಿಕರಣ

वैशाख-शुक्ल पक्ष-त्रयोदशी-चेत्ता नक्षत्र-वज,सिद्धि योगौ-तैतलिकरण

Vaishaakha-Bright Fortnight-Thirteenth day


This was the day the lord descended as "Narasimha" (नृसिम्ह / ನರಸಿಂದ).

The lord who descended to slay the wicked demon Hiranyakashipu (हिरण्यकशिपु / ಹಿರಣ್ಯಕಶಪು) always protects good people / saadhus. While remembering the lord who descended in a pillar to slay the demon and bless his devotee Prahlaada, how can Prahlaada be forgotten ? By remembering him, people are freed from all sins, enemies and troubles alike. One of the nine planets, Saturn / Shani himself has praised Narasimha and promised that he won't affect people who remember Narasimha. Thus, by remembering Narasimha, one can be free from the troubles of the world.

Birth of Ganga

Birth of Ganga

ವೈಶಾಖ-ಶುದ್ಧ-ಸಪ್ತಮಿ-ಪುಶ್ಯನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ಶೂಲಯೋಗ-ಗಜಕರಣ

वैशाख-शुक्ल मास-सप्तमी-पुश्य नक्षत्र-शूलयोग-गजकरण

Vaishaakha-Bright Fortnight-Seventh day


This was the day on which Jahnu drank all the water, (from the Ganga river) which engulfed his homakunda, in a bust of anger, and when Bhageeratha begged pardon, could let the river flow again. Hence, the river Ganga is also known as Jaahnavi (जाह्नवि / ಜಾಹ್ನವಿ), meaning coming from Jahnu.


This being the day the most revered river "Ganga", one should remember Ganga on this day. Having come to this Earth, she is cleansing the people of their sins. While bathing in our homes, she can be invoked just by remembering her at the time of using water. Such water will cleanse our minds of all sins and bad thoughts. She is said to have flowed in the devaloka (देवलोक / ದೇವಲೋಕ) as well, hence getting the name "Dyunadi" (द्युनदी / ದ್ಯುನದಿ). It is said that this river will never dry up. Being the eldest daugther of Himavanta, she came down to the plains through the Herculian effort of Bhageeratha. She is also known by other names as: nandini (नन्दिनी / ನಂದಿನಿ) , nalini (नलिनी / ನಲಿನಿ) , seeta (सीता / ಸೀತಾ), maalati (मालती / ಮಾಲತಿ), malaapaha (मलापहा / ಮಲಾಪಹ) etc.

Parashuraama Jayanti

Parashuraama Jayanti (परशुराम जयन्ति / ಪರಶುರಾಮ ಜಯಂತಿ)

ವೈಶಾಖ-ಶುಕ್ಲ-ತೃತೀಯಾ-ಕೃತ್ತಿಕಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ-ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ ಯೋಗ-ತೈತಿಲಕರಣ

वैशाख-शुक्ल पक्ष-तृतीया-कृत्तिका नक्षत्र-सौभाग्य योग-तैतिलकरण

Vaishaakha-Bright fortnight-Third day


The day the lord descended to the Earth by name Parashu - to cleanse the Earth of corrupt Kshatriyas/kings (क्षत्रिय /ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯ) who cause trouble to law-abiding citizens; and teach the other remaining Kings about principles and morals. Parashu (परशु / ಪರಶು) is Sanskrit word meaning axe, and for holding that weapon he was named "Parashu-raama". Being born to Jamadagni and Renuka, he circled the Earth 21 times to complete his task of cleansing the Earth of corrupt kings. He should be remembered on this day as "destroyer of wicked people".


ಜಮದಗ್ನಿ ಸಂತೋವೀರ ಕ್ಷತ್ರಿಯಾಂತಕರ ಪ್ರಭೋ |

ಗ್ರಹಣಾರ್ಘ್ಯಂ ಮಯಾ ದತ್ತಂ ಕೃಪಯಾ ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ ||


जमदग्नि सन्तोवीर क्षत्रियान्तकर प्रभो ।

ग्रहणार्घ्यं मया दत्तं कृपया परमेश्वर ॥


Meaning :- Hey son of Jamadagni, Great Hero / warrior, death for wicked/corrupt kings, please accept my offering of water (अर्घ्य / ಅರ್ಘ್ಯ) and protect me from wicked people. Keep me be away from such wicked people always. Protect me so that I never commit any sins. Thus, everyone shall pray so on this day.