Deepawali - The Festival of Light

Deepawali , the Indian festival of light, falls on the day of 'Amavasyaa', when the moon does not rise and there is darkness all around. Light, which is symbol of hope and positive energy, indicates the victory of good over evil. By spreading light in every corner of our homes, we try to destroy the reign of darkness, on the night of Deepawali.
To Hindus, darkness represents ignorance, and light is a metaphor for knowledge. Therefore, lighting a lamp symbolizes the destruction, through knowledge, of all negative forces- wickedness, violence, lust, anger, envy, greed, bigotry, fear, injustice, oppression and suffering, etc.
While Deepawali is popularly known as the "festival of lights", the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". Central to Hindu philosophy is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepawali is the celebration of this inner light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Ananda (joy or peace). While the story behind Deepavali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region (festive fireworks, worship, lights, sharing of sweets), the essence is the same – to rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman).

Lakshmi Puja (30 Ashvin or 15 Krishna Paksha Ashvin): Lakshmi Puja marks the most important day of Diwali celebrations in North India. Hindu homes worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the God of auspicious beginnings, and then light lamps in the streets and homes to welcome prosperity and well-being.

Significant events associated with Diwali:

The return of Lord Shree Ram after 14 years of Vanvas (banishment), and the death of Ravana. To welcome his return, candles were lit in rows of 20.

The killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Deepavali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. Krishna's wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the Dwapara Yuga. In another version of the belief, the demon was killed by Krishna or Krishna provoked his wife Satyabhama to kill Narshna, defeating Indra.


Jai Maa Mahalakshmi !
Blessed Be !

Siddha-Kunjika-Stotram...

शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि कुंजिकास्तोत्रमुत्तमम्‌।

येन मन्त्रप्रभावेण चण्डीजापः शुभो भवेत्‌॥1॥

न कवचं नार्गलास्तोत्रं कीलकं न रहस्यकम्‌।

न सूक्तं नापि ध्यानं च न न्यासो न च वार्चनम्‌॥2॥

कुंजिकापाठमात्रेण दुर्गापाठफलं लभेत्‌।

अति गुह्यतरं देवि देवानामपि दुर्लभम्‌॥ 3॥

गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन स्वयोनिरिव पार्वति।

मारणं मोहनं वश्यं स्तम्भनोच्चाटनादिकम्‌।

पाठमात्रेण संसिद्ध्‌येत्‌ कुंजिकास्तोत्रमुत्तमम्‌॥ 4॥

अथ मंत्र:

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे। ॐ ग्लौं हुं क्लीं जूं सः

ज्वालय ज्वालय ज्वल ज्वल प्रज्वल प्रज्वल

ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ज्वल हं सं लं क्षं फट् स्वाहा

॥ इति मंत्रः॥

नमस्ते रुद्ररूपिण्यै नमस्ते मधुमर्दिनि।

नमः कैटभहारिण्यै नमस्ते महिषार्दिनि॥ 1॥

नमस्ते शुम्भहन्त्र्यै च निशुम्भासुरघातिनि॥ 2॥

जाग्रतं हि महादेवि जपं सिद्धं कुरुष्व मे।

ऐंकारी सृष्टिरूपायै ह्रींकारी प्रतिपालिका ॥3॥

क्लींकारी कामरूपिण्यै बीजरूपे नमोऽस्तु ते।

चामुण्डा चण्डघाती च यैकारी वरदायिनी॥ 4॥

विच्चे चाभयदा नित्यं नमस्ते मंत्ररूपिणि॥ 5॥

धां धीं धूं धूर्जटेः पत्नी वां वीं वूं वागधीश्वरी।

क्रां क्रीं क्रूं कालिका देवि शां शीं शूं मे शुभं कुरु॥6॥

हुं हुं हुंकाररूपिण्यै जं जं जं जम्भनादिनी।

भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रूं भैरवी भद्रे भवान्यै ते नमो नमः॥7॥

अं कं चं टं तं पं यं शं वीं दुं ऐं वीं हं क्षं

धिजाग्रं धिजाग्रं त्रोटय त्रोटय दीप्तं कुरु कुरु स्वाहा॥

पां पीं पूं पार्वती पूर्णा खां खीं खूं खेचरी तथा॥8॥

सां सीं सूं सप्तशती देव्या मंत्रसिद्धिं कुरुष्व मे॥

इदं तु कुंजिकास्तोत्रं मंत्रजागर्तिहेतवे।

अभक्ते नैव दातव्यं गोपितं रक्ष पार्वति॥

यस्तु कुंजिकया देवि हीनां सप्तशतीं पठेत्‌।

न तस्य जायते सिद्धिररण्ये रोदनं यथा॥

Om Sri Durgayai Namah!

Blessed Be!

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav (festival of Ganesha) is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhaadrapada, starting on the shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon period). It is believed that Lord Ganesh bestows His presence on earth for all His devotees during this festival. It is the day Shiva declared His son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune and traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel.

Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of these Ganesh statues in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures mandapas (pandals) in every locality. The pandals are decorated specially for the festival, either by using decorative items like flower garlands, lights, etc. The priest, usually clad in red or white dhoti and uttariyam (Shawl), then with the chanting of mantras invokes the presence of Ganesha using the statue as a channel, or body for his energy. This ritual is the Pranapratishhtha. After this the ritual called as Shhodashopachara (16 ways of paying tribute) follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas, 21 durva (trefoil) blades of grass and red flowers are offered. The statue is anointed with red unguent, typically made of kumkum and sandalwood paste. Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and the Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

Ganesha is worshipped for 10 days from Bhadrapada Shudha Chaturthi to the Ananta Chaturdashi, On the 11th day, the statue is taken through the streets in a procession accompanied with dancing, singing, and fanfare to be immersed in a river or the sea symbolizing a ritual see-off of the Lord in His journey towards His abode in Kailash while taking away with Him the misfortunes of His devotees.


Om Shree Ganeshay Namah!
Blessed Be!

Guru Purnima

The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadh (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.

In Hinduism, Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the Immortal. The word Guru is derived from two words, 'Gu' and 'Ru'. The Sanskrit root "Gu" means darkness or ignorance. "Ru" denotes the remover of that darkness. Therefore one who removes darkness of our ignorance is a Guru. Gurus are believed by many to be the most necessary part of lives.

On this day, disciples offer puja (worship) or pay respect to their Guru (Spiritual Guide). This day is also the beginning of the Chaturmas -- a four-month period when wandering ascetics and their disciples would settle down to study and give discourses. Celebration of this festival is most prominent in the fields of classical Indian music and dance as well as yoga among others wherein students pay homage to their teachers, thanking them for sharing their knowledge; however it is also observed, often informally, in schools and colleges across the country. In several temples, Vyasa Puja is held and symbolic gifts are given away in this honour. While practices may differ from place to place, they include recitations of the Bhagwad Gita (one of the many books Vyasa authored) and singing of hymns and feasting.

Om Namo Naranay!

Blessed Be!

Essential Elements of Hinduism

INCARNATION:
Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, God incarnates himself on earth to restore righteousness.

AHINSHA:
Non-violence, non-injury and non-killing

HARMONY OF RELIGION:
All true religions lead to the same goal. Hindus do not seek to convert.  

DOCTRINE OF KARMA:
It means action or deeds.Every action produces a justified effect based on its moral worthiness

DHRAMA:
Dharma means righteousness and good moral and ethical practices in accordance with the scriptures; includes all duties -- individual, social and religious.

SUPREME REALITY-BRAHM:
Brahm is the supreme reality and becomes manifest in various aspects and forms, and is known by various names.

ATMAN:
Essence of all living things and beings is Atman, infinite and eternal, unchanging and indivisible. True nature of the individual is the Atman, which is one with  the underlying reality of the Universe.

MOKSHA:
Freedom from cycle of birth and death. To make an individual a better person, so that he/she can live harmoniously in this world and seek union with God.

Deities:
Often believed that Hindus worship many gods. In reality it is One eternal god (Brahm). The other gods  are  different aspects  of the Brahm.

Hindu Trinity:
Brahma: creator
Vishnu: preserver
Shiva: destroyer


Rituals:
LIGHTING OF LAMP
Light represent Knowledge and darkness the ignorance. The Lord is ‘knowledge Principle” (chaitanya), source of all knowledge.

NAMASTE:
It is a form of greeting with the two hands folded and held against the chest one bows  one's head forward. The spiritual significance is "I bow to you", or "I bow to the Divinity in you".

BINDI:
A bindi is an auspicious mark worn by young girls and women. It signifies female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands.

AARTI:
It is performed as mark of worship and to seek blessings of the Lord.



Om Namo Naraynay!
Blessed Be!

Source:HCCI

Vivekanand Quotes

The Vedanta recognizes no sin, it only recognizes error. And the greatest error, says the Vedanta, is to say that you are weak, that you are a sinner, a miserable creature, and that you have no power and you cannot do this and that.

The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be purified, and God will be in them.

All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.

The greatest religion is to be true to your own nature. Have faith in yourselves!

YOU know, I may have to be born again, you see, I have fallen in love with mankind.

BY the study of different religions we find that in essence they are one.

Our duty is to encourage every one in his struggle to live up to his own highest idea, and strive at the same time to make the ideal as near as possible to the Truth.

If faith in ourselves had been more extensively taught and practiced, I am sure a very large portion of the evils and miseries that we have would have vanished.

MY nature is to love Him. And therefore I love. I do not pray for any-thing. I do not ask for anything. Let Him place me wherever He likes. I must love Him for love’s sake. I can not trade in love.

To devote your life to the good of all and to the happiness of all is religion. Whatever you do for your own sake is not religion.

Truth can be stated in a thousand different ways, yet each one can be true.

The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect - but there is something behind the will which is free.

As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God.

When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.

All differences in this world are of degree, and not of kind, because oneness is the secret of everything.

Religion is the manifestation of the Divinity already in man.

That man has reached immortality who is disturbed by nothing material.

External nature is only internal nature writ large.

Do not stand on a high pedestal and take 5 cents in your hand and say, "here, my poor man", but be grateful that the poor man is there, so by making a gift to him you are able to help yourself.It is not the reciever that is blessed, but it is the giver.Be thankful that you are allowed to exercise your power of benevolence and mercy in the world, and thus become pure and perfect.

GOD is to be worshipped as the one beloved, dearer than everything in this and next life.

Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.

It is our own mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thought make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light. First, believe in this world, that.

The moment I have realized God sitting in the temple of every human body, the moment I stand in reverence before every human being and see God in him - that moment I am free from bondage, everything that binds vanishes, and I am free.

|| सिद्धकुञ्चिकास्तोत्रम् ||

शृणु देवि प्रवक्ष्यामि कुंजिकास्तोत्रमुत्तमम्‌।

येन मन्त्रप्रभावेण चण्डीजापः शुभो भवेत्‌॥1॥

न कवचं नार्गलास्तोत्रं कीलकं न रहस्यकम्‌।

न सूक्तं नापि ध्यानं च न न्यासो न च वार्चनम्‌॥2॥

कुंजिकापाठमात्रेण दुर्गापाठफलं लभेत्‌।

अति गुह्यतरं देवि देवानामपि दुर्लभम्‌॥ 3॥

गोपनीयं प्रयत्नेन स्वयोनिरिव पार्वति।

मारणं मोहनं वश्यं स्तम्भनोच्चाटनादिकम्‌।

पाठमात्रेण संसिद्ध्‌येत्‌ कुंजिकास्तोत्रमुत्तमम्‌॥ 4॥

अथ मंत्र

ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे। ॐ ग्लौं हुं क्लीं जूं सः

ज्वालय ज्वालय ज्वल ज्वल प्रज्वल प्रज्वल

ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे ज्वल हं सं लं क्षं फट् स्वाहा

॥ इति मंत्रः॥

नमस्ते रुद्ररूपिण्यै नमस्ते मधुमर्दिनि।

नमः कैटभहारिण्यै नमस्ते महिषार्दिनि॥ 1॥

नमस्ते शुम्भहन्त्र्यै च निशुम्भासुरघातिनि॥ 2॥

जाग्रतं हि महादेवि जपं सिद्धं कुरुष्व मे।

ऐंकारी सृष्टिरूपायै ह्रींकारी प्रतिपालिका ॥3॥

क्लींकारी कामरूपिण्यै बीजरूपे नमोऽस्तु ते।

चामुण्डा चण्डघाती च यैकारी वरदायिनी॥ 4॥

विच्चे चाभयदा नित्यं नमस्ते मंत्ररूपिणि॥ 5॥

धां धीं धूं धूर्जटेः पत्नी वां वीं वूं वागधीश्वरी।

क्रां क्रीं क्रूं कालिका देवि शां शीं शूं मे शुभं कुरु॥6॥

हुं हुं हुंकाररूपिण्यै जं जं जं जम्भनादिनी।

भ्रां भ्रीं भ्रूं भैरवी भद्रे भवान्यै ते नमो नमः॥7॥

अं कं चं टं तं पं यं शं वीं दुं ऐं वीं हं क्षं

धिजाग्रं धिजाग्रं त्रोटय त्रोटय दीप्तं कुरु कुरु स्वाहा॥

पां पीं पूं पार्वती पूर्णा खां खीं खूं खेचरी तथा॥8॥

सां सीं सूं सप्तशती देव्या मंत्रसिद्धिं कुरुष्व मे॥

इदं तु कुंजिकास्तोत्रं मंत्रजागर्तिहेतवे।

अभक्ते नैव दातव्यं गोपितं रक्ष पार्वति॥

यस्तु कुंजिकया देवि हीनां सप्तशतीं पठेत्‌।

न तस्य जायते सिद्धिररण्ये रोदनं यथा॥

Om Sri Durgayai Namah!
Blessed Be!

Swami Vivekananda Quotes

When an idea exclusively occupies the mind, it is transformed into an actual physical or mental state.
It is our own mental attitude which makes the world what it is for us. Our thought make things beautiful, our thoughts make things ugly. The whole world is in our own minds. Learn to see things in the proper light. First, believe in this world, that there is meaning behind everything. Everything in the world is good, is holy and beautiful. If you see something evil, think that you arenot understanding it in the right light. Throw the burden on yourselves!
If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience.
As different streams having different sources all mingle their waters in the sea, so different tendencies various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to God.
Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, that is way great spiritual giants are produced.

We are responsible for what we are, and whatever we wish ourselves to be, we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our own past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions; so we have to know how to act.

Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin ? to say that you are weak, or others are weak.

You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.

The goal of mankind is knowledge ... Now this knowledge is inherent in man. No knowledge comes from outside: it is all inside. What we say a man 'knows', should, in strict psychological language, be what he 'discovers' or 'unveils'; what man 'learns' is really what he discovers by taking the cover off his own soul, which is a mine of infinite knowledge.

We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.

Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.

Om Namo Naraynay!
Blessed Be!

Makar Sankranti

Sankranti is the Sanskrit word in Hindu Astrology which refers to the transmigration of the Sun from one Rāshi (sign of the zodiac) to another. Hence there are 12 such sankrantis in all. However, the Sankranti festival usually refers to Makara Sankaranti, or the transition of the Sun from Dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to Makara rashi (Capricorn). Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and is celebrated in almost all parts of India in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion. Millions of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar (the point where the river Ganges meets the Bay of Bengal) and Prayag and pray to the Sun God (Surya). Makara Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow.


Makar Sankranti, apart from a harvest festival is also regarded as the beginning of an auspicious phase in Indian culture. It is said as the 'holy phase of transition'. It marks the end of an inauspicious phase which according to the Hindu calendar begins around mid-December. It is believed that any auspicious and sacred ritual can be sanctified in any Hindu family, this day on wards. Scientifically, this day marks the beginning of warmer and longer days compared to the nights. In other words, Sankranti marks the termination of winter season and beginning of a new harvest or spring season.

All over the country, Makar Sankranti is observed with great fanfare. However, it is celebrated with distinct names and rituals in different parts of the country. In the states of northern and western India, the festival is celebrated as the Sankranti day with special zeal and fervor. The importance of this day has been signified in the ancient epics like Mahabharata also. So, apart from socio-geographical importance, this day also holds a historical and religious significance. As it is the festival of Sun God and he is regarded as the symbol divinity and wisdom, the festival also holds an eternal meaning to it.

Om Namo Naraynay!
Blessed Be!