Jai Maa Saraswati

या कुंदेंदु तुषारहार धवला, या शुभ्र वस्त्रावृता |

या वीणावर दण्डमंडितकरा, या श्वेतपद्मासना ||

या ब्रह्माच्युतशंकरप्रभ्रृतिभिर्देवै: सदा वन्दिता |

सा मां पातु सरस्वती भगवती निःशेष जाड्यापहा ||

शुक्लां ब्रह्मविचार सार परमां आद्यां जगद्व्यापिनीं

वीणा पुस्तक धारिणीं अभयदां जाड्यान्धाकारापाहां|

हस्ते स्फाटिक मालीकां विदधतीं पद्मासने संस्थितां

वन्दे तां परमेश्वरीं भगवतीं बुद्धि प्रदां शारदां||

Jai Maa Saraswati!
Blessed Be!

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!

Tantroktam Ratri Suktam!

Om Shree 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!

The Gayatri Mantra

"OM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI

DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT......

Gayatri Mantra (the mother of the vedas), the foremost mantra in Hinduism and Hindu beliefs, inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". The mantra is also a prayer to the "Giver of light and life" - the Sun (savitur).





Jai Maa Gayatri!
Blessed Be!

Teachings of Atharva Veda

Life without goodness, good thoughts, good actions and good words is like the sky in the night without the moon or stars. It is like a wheel without a hub or spokes! No one can push a boulder away while standing on it; you cannot be free from anxiety while all the entrances through which it sneaks in are open.

The person, who causes the downfall of a noble woman... who causes loss to his friend...who despite of his superiority is ignorant; is called a fallen man.

One, who earns leadership of the masses by working ceaselessly for people's welfare finally realizes that he has been rewarded with many added advantages.

In pursuit of money, man descends to the level of the beast. Money is of the nature of manure. Piled up in one place, it pollutes the air. Spread it wide; scatter it over fields; it rewards you with a bumper harvest.

A person should refrain from all those things that take him towards fallacy, misery, ignorance and degradation.

The blossom of Love will make the air fragrant; the river of Love will murmur along the valleys; and every bird, beast and child will sing the song of Love.

Contemplating and meditating on the 'real-self' accelerates this process of self-development and makes liberation possible.

One, who acquires knowledge and then pass it on to others, gets all his wishes fulfilled and achieves success, happiness and prosperity in his life.

Money and mansions are not the only wealth. Hoard the wealth of the Spirit. Character is wealth; good conduct is wealth; and spiritual wisdom is wealth.

Anxiety is removed by faith in the Lord; the faith that tells you that whatever happens is for the best and that the Lord's will be done.

Develop the inner vision and the habit of listening to the inner Voice; and you are assured of unshakable Peace and infinite Joy.

When the sun is over your head, there will be no shadow; similarly, when faith is steady in your head, it should not cast any shadow of doubt.

Those who are greedy and avaricious end up in misery. Because of their evil deeds they are short lived.

Do not be led by others; awaken your own reason; amass your own experience; and decide for yourself your own path.

There is only one Caste; the Caste of Humanity.There is only one Language; the Language of the Heart.

The sweetness and pleasantness of personality should be evident in his actions and thoughts. This will help in establishing peace and happiness all round and lead to the feeling of universal brotherhood.

In order to accomplish his duties fearlessly, a man must take the refuge of 'Truth'.

Forbearance, compassion and incorruptible virtue are the three pillars of a happy life. Only such a life can be called civilized; the rest is barbarian existence.

Open yourself, create free space; release the bound one from his bonds! Like a newborn child, freed from the womb, be free to move on every path!

Prayer has been made to mother Earth that she blesses us with the knowledge required to enjoy the treasures of nature without disturbig the environmental balance.

Achieve Every Goal

Krishna spells out the sure method to attain any goal that you have set for yourself in the Bhagvad Gita’s ninth chapter. He tells Arjuna, ‘Give your mind wholly to me, be my devotee, worship me, surrender to me. Make me your supreme goal.’

On the surface it sounds as though Krishna is very demanding. Some may also feel that while Krishna asks us to renounce our ego by uttering these words, He seems to be more egoistic than all of us. But all that Krishna is saying is that if you unite your mind with Him, you will attain Him. There is nothing egoistic about this Shloka; it is just a simple statement of fact – ‘If you unite your mind in me, you will not stray anywhere else.’

There are two kinds of goals in life – the ultimate goal and the immediate, specific goal. Each person may have a different goal in life – one may want to become political leader or a great artist, another might wish to be a scientist or an educationist. The goal can be time-bound, long term or short term, temporary or permanent. Whenever we want to achieve anything or reach anywhere, sankalpa or focused thought should be there first. If this wish or thought itself is not there, there is no question of any further progress.

Courtesy: Swami Tejomayananda

Guru Parab - The Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak

Guru Parab is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first or the founder guru of Sikhs, on the full moon day of Kartika (October-November). Guru Parab, also known as Jyototsava, is one of the most sacred festivals of the Sikhs. 
Guru Nanak was born at Talwandi, in 1469, about 45 kms from Lahore, which is known as Nankana Sahib today. Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion, and also a great philosopher, a social reformer, a poet and a teacher. Guru Nanak said that one need not become a sanyasi sacrificing one's family, to please God. Those who practice devotion, whose mind is pure and who have sympathy, patience and honesty, are in no way inferior to a sanyasi. He preached that we should not ask someone’s caste or creed because those, whose devotion is accepted by God, are good people. God appreciates those who have conquered the 'I' and 'greed'. 
A few days before Guru Parab, people take out Prabhat Pheris, or the early morning processions, from Gurdwaras. They go around their locality singing shabd or the religious hymns. Later in the day, special kirtans are arranged in the Gurdwaras. The devotees attend langar or the common meals where everyone eats the same food irrespective of caste, class, or creed. Devotees offer their services for cooking food, cleaning the Gurdwara or carrying out other chores. This is called the Kar Seva.

The celebrations begin with the Akhand path or the continuous reading of Guru Granth Saheb, the sacred book of the Sikhs, three days before Guru Nanak Jayanti. The sacred scripture is read non-stop from beginning to end. The recital lasts for 48 hours and is accompanied by with langar for the devotees attending it. During the Akhand Path, it is customary for the devotees to voluntarily serve food to other devotees. The Akhand Path culminates on the day of the Guru Parab and the holy book is then taken out in a procession, or Nagar Kirtan. It is beautifully decorated with flowers and carried on a float. Five armed guards who are called the panj pyare lead the procession. At the head of the procession is the Nishan Saheb or the Sikh flag.

Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal !
Blessed Be !

The Matsya Avatar

In Hindu mythology, Matsya is the first avatar of Vishnu. According to ancient texts, Vishnu appeared in the form of a fish during the Satya Yuga to save living beings from a great flood – a story that has striking similarities with the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The great flood is mentioned in texts such as the Satapatha Brahmana, where the Matsya Avatar appears to save the pious and the first man, Manu, and advises him to build a great boat.

According to the Matsya Purana, the king of pre-ancient Dravida and a Vishnu devotee, Satyavrata – who was later known as Manu – was washing his hands in a river when a fish swam into his hands and pleaded with him to save its life. Satyavrata put the fish in a jar. As the fish began growing, Satyavrata moved it to a tank and then to a river. But there was no vessel big enough to contain the fish. The fish then revealed itself to be Vishnu and prophesied that a deluge would occur within seven days and destroy all life on earth. Satyavrata was instructed to build a boat that could accommodate ‘all medicinal herbs, all the varieties of seeds, and accompanied by the seven saints’ along with the serpent Vasuki and other animals.

The Matsya Avatar of Vishnu is usually represented as a four-armed figure with the upper torso of a man and the lower body of a fish. The importance of the fish in many Indian cultures is often linked to this avatar. The fish is also seen as a symbol of constant renewal and plays a major role in wedding ceremonies in many parts of India.

Blessed Be!

Worship as Act of Living

Worship or adoration of the Divine has the potential to bring one nearer to God. This could take many forms – rituals, prayer, chanting, service and contemplation, to name a few. What is important, however, is how you seek God.

True worship is to realize that every individual is essentially divine. We see others only as good or bad, ugly or beautiful, rich or poor and we treat them accordingly. We miss out the essential core of being, which is divinity. True worship is when we see God in everyone. If worship of God is restricted only to an image, neglecting God’s living images ( all beings (, such worship is incomplete and imperfect.

Swami Vivekananda said, “ If you can not see God in the human face, how can you see Him in the clouds, or in the images made of dull, dead matter, or in mere fictitious stories of our brain? When you see man as God, everything even the tiger, will be welcome. Whatever comes to you is but the Lord, the Eternal, the Blessed One, appearing to us in various forms, as our father, mother, friend and child – they are our own soul playing with us.”

Blessed Be!

Source: Swami Atmashraddhananda

A Creed for Those Who Have Suffered

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise...

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.

I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.

I was given life, that I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing I asked for - but everything I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I, among all men, am most richly blessed!

Blessed Be!

Veda Wisdom…

Restrain the mind until it dissolves in the consciousness. This is wisdom, this is meditation. The rest is all logic and verbal extensions.

By getting up early in the morning one also gets more time at his disposal for work as compared to late-risers. Scholars and thinkers get up early in the morning and contemplate.

In real worship, we just not do ritualistic worship but we try to imbibe the qualities of the one we are worshipping.

Those who do not perform their duties and lack a sense of responsibility can never succeed in their lives.

Laziness erodes a person of his enthusiasm and energy. As a result, the person loses all opportunities and finally becomes dejected and frustrated. The worst thing is that he stops believing in himself.

Beautifully crafted words have the power to captivate the mind of anybody. A sweet-tongued man is loved by one and all. Audience is always attracted towards those who can speak efficiently and effectively.

People, who rise above their petty individual selfishness and work for the welfare of society are considered patriots.

Blessed Be!