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.

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.

Significance of Akshaya Truteeya

Significance of Akshaya Truteeya (अक्षय तृतीया / ಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತಿಯಾ)

ವೈಶಾಖ-ಶುಕ್ಲ-ತೃತಿಯಾ, ಕೃತಿಕಾ ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ, ಸೌಭಾಗ್ಯ ಯೋಗ, ತೈತಿಲಕರಣ

वैशाख-शुक्ल-तृतीया, कृतिका नक्षत्र, सौभाग्य योग, तैतिल करण

Vaishaakha-Bright fortnight-Third day

It is believed that Akshaya truteeya (अक्षय तृतीया / ಅಕ್ಷಯ ತೃತಿಯಾ) was the first day of Kruta yuga (कृत युग / ಕೃತ ಯುಗ). It is said that all deeds done on this day, which comes once in a year, will become undiminished. As a result, one must make every effort to do good deeds. Specially bathing in the Ganga, visiting holy places, and fire sacrifices are performed. One should also donate rice.

ಯಃ ಪಶ್ಯತಿ ತೃತಿಯಾಯಾಂ ಕೃಷ್ಣಂ ಚಂದನ ಭೂಷಿತ |

ವೈಶಾಖಸ್ಯ ನೀತೇ ಪಕ್ಷೇಸಯಾತ್ಯಂಚ್ಯಚ್ಯುತ ಮಂದಿರಂ ||

यः पश्यति तृतीयायां कृष्णं चन्दन भूषितम् ।

वैशाखस्य नीते पक्षेसयात्यञ्च्यच्युत मन्दिरम् ॥

Meaning: One can attain Vaikuntha loka (वैकुण्ठ लोक / ವೈಕುಂಠ ಲೋಕ) by praying to Krishna who 

is completely clad with gandha (गन्ध / ಗಂಧ).

On this day, study, meditative thinking and donations performed will result in undiminished fruits. For this day, Rohini star and Wednesday will provide special austerity. Any activity can be begun on this auspicious day. People may donate earthen pot filled with water. (The reason and significance of this shall be made known later).

Significance of Vaishaakha maasa

Significance of Vaishaakha maasa

Taking bath in the month of Vaishaakha is revered as conveyed by the saying "वैशाख स्नान मात्रेण न पुनः चार्यते भुवि" / "ವೈಶಾಖ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾತ್ರೇಣ ನ ಪುನಃ ಚಾರ್ಯತೆ ಭುವಿ", which means that a person taking bath in this month Vaishaakha won't walk on the Earth again. So, the purity one maintains in Vaishaakha is all important.

The following may be gifted to the needy in this month: - specially filled earthen pot, footwear, umbrella, fan to guests, cold water, coconut drink, paanaka, boiled rice. One may get freed from untimely death by gifting bed, bedding, chaape, blanket. One may also gift goood quality cotton cloth. Its all important to have faith, conviction and devotion while doing so. There is a legacy behind these gifts --

In the past, a Brahmin Shankha (शङ्ख / ಶಂಖ) was travelling from one village to another through a forest where he was stopped by a wicked hunter. He took away the belongings of the brahmin, and let him go. As the hunter had taken away even the footwear of the Brahmin, he was struggling to walk in the heat of the sun. On seeing this, the hunter felt pity for the poor Brahmin. The hunter donated his torn slippers to the Brahmin, upon which the Brahmin whole-heartedly blessed the hunter, and explained to him the significance of the month of Vaishaakha. On hearing this, the hunter's mind got transformed and he returned back the Brahmin's belongings that he had snatched.

A lion and an elephant which were quarelling up until then stood silently. Upon seeing them Shankha questioned "You being enemies, what are you doing standing here ? Who are you ?" The animals started speaking about their past. One of them said, "In our previous birth, we were the sons of a Rishi (ऋषि / ಋಷಿ) named Matanga (मतङ्ग / ಮತಂಗ). Our father ordered us to arrange for drinking water and fans for people travelling in the sunny month of Vaishaakha (there is shaakha in the name itself :-) ). But, we being adamant, neglected that duty. Being angered by this, our father cursed us to be born as animals filled with anger and apathy/sloth. So, I, Dantila (दन्तिल / ದಂತಿಲ) became a lion, and Kohala (कोहल / ಕೋಹಲ) became an elephant. After requesting my father in various ways, he suggest the following to us. When a Brahmin named Shankha gives a discourse on the significance of the month of Vaishaakha, listen carefully. Then you will leave the animal bodies and rejoin me. Hence, thanks to you, we are liberated." Saying thus, they departed. This legacy was revealed by Shrutadeva (शृतदेव / ಶೃತದೇವ) to a king named Shrutakeerti (शृतकीर्ति / ಶೃತಕೀರ್ತಿ). This story appears in the Skanda puraana (स्कन्द पुराण / ಸ್ಕಂದ ಪುರಾಣ).