Curse Behind The Birth Of Lord Hanuman

Curse Behind The Birth Of Lord Hanuman

Lets read an interesting incident behind the birth of Lord Hanuman. This incident of Lord Vihnu and Narada is derived in the Vishnu Purana and Naradeya Purana.

Narada wanted to marry a princess. So, to impress her, he wanted to look as good as Lord Vishnu. He went to lord Vishnu and requested Him for Hari-mukh (Face resembling Vishnu). Hari is another name of Vanara (Ape) also. So, Vishnu bestowed him with the face of an ape. Unaware of this, Narada went to the princess. Seeing Narada’s ape like face, she burst into laughter.

Narada felt humiliated and cursed Vishnu that one day Vishnu would be dependent upon an ape. Vishnu replied Narada that he intentionally gave him because after entering into matrimony, Narada would undermine his powers. Vishnu also told him that Hari is another meaning of vanara (ape).

Listening all this, Narada regretted on his action. But Vishnu told him not to regret as the curse would act as a boon.

In Treta Yuga, this incident lead to the birth of monkey-face Lord Hanuman. Without the help of Hanuman, Lord Rama (Incarnation of Vishnu) could not kill Demon King Ravana.

Why Goddess Laxmi is depicted as sitting next to Lord Vishnu’s feet?

Why Goddess Laxmi is depicted as sitting next to Lord Vishnu’s feet?

The posture gives a wrong message to society about women’s status in Hinduism. There is an interesting story behind this posture of Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu. The picture is just a symbolic representation of cleanliness, order, preserving and has nothing to do with the relationship of man/woman. Vishnu is the keeper or lord of the house and Laxmi is the one who ensures that the keeper is guarded from misfortune.

Alaxmi is the older sister of Laxmi. Laxmi is the goddess of prosperity while Alaxmi is the goddess of misfortune. Alaxmi follows Laxmi wherever she goes.

Alaxmi does not have a husband. She is extremely jealous of Laxmi. Her sole intention in life is to capture Vishnu. She is described as being cow-repelling, antelope-footed and bull-toothed. She has a wrinkled body, thick lips, and small, globular, glittering eyes. She sometimes takes the form of an owl that is depicted accompanying Laxmi.

One day Laxmi went enraged and asked Alakhsmi – “Why do you want my husband? Please leave me alone and let me enjoy his company”.

To this alakhsmi had said – “I do not have a husband and I am not worshipped. I will follow you wherever you go”.

Laxmi then said – “Mrityu, god of death, decay, and degeneration will be your husband and she will dwell wherever there is dirt, ugliness, sloth, gluttony, envy, rage, hypocrisy, greed and lust.”

So it is Laxmi who is cleaning Vishnu’s dirty feet, because if it is dirty, Alaxmi will come and drive her out and claim her husband.

The symbolic representation

Indian mythology is mostly symbolic and subjective. Here is the subjective meaning:

Fortune and misfortune go hand in hand, just like Laxmi and Alaxmi. When good fortune showers on you, misfortune sits quietly next to the entrance, waiting for an opportunity to come inside. That is alaksmi, waiting for an opportunity to enter your house and drive out the laxmi.

Whenever your house is dirty, there is fight among parents, there is lust, hypocrisy among brothers, gluttony among women, greed between son and father, women are dressed in dirty clothes. It is a sign of Alaxmi entering the house and driving Laxmi away.

Hence, the laxmi in the house must wake up and prevent alaxmi from entering. This is why you see the house is cleaned every morning, agarbatties (Incense sticks) are lighted, people wear fresh new clothes in festivals. This is done to prevent misfortune (Alaxmi) from entering the house.

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा

विक्रम सम्वत् 2071  कार्तिक शु. पूर्णिमा  06th Nov 2014

Kartika Poornima (Kartika purnima) is a Hindu, Jain and Sikh holy festival, celebrated on the Purnima (full moon) day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartika (November–December). It is also known as Tripuri Poornima and Tripurari Poornima. It is sometimes called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali - the festival of lights of the gods

संसार की रचना के समय से ही कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन का अपने आप में बहुत खास महत्तव रखता है। हिन्दु धर्म में इस तिथि को पवित्र मानने के पीछे एक कारण यह भी है कि इस दिन को ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, शिव, अंगिरा और आदित्य जैसे देवताओं का दिन माना गया है।

शास्त्र कहते हैं-

पुराणों और शास्त्रों की कथा के अनुसार कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन ही भगवान शिव ने त्रिपुरासुर नामक महाबलशाली राक्षस का संहार किया था इसी कारण इसका महत्व केवल वैष्णव भक्तों के लिए ही नहीं बल्कि शिव भक्तों के लिए भी है। इस दिन श्रीसत्यनारायण जी की कथा सुनने का प्रचलन है और शाम के समय भक्त मंदिरों, चौराहों को साथ-साथ पीपल के वृक्ष, तुलसी के पौधे पर भी खास तौर पर दीपक जलाये जाते हैं। इस दिन गंगाजी को भी दान अर्पण किया जाता है। पुराणों में उल्लेख है कि कार्तिक पूर्णिमा को धर्म, अर्थ, काम और मोक्ष जैसे चारों पुरूषार्थो को देने वाला दिन माना गया है और स्वयं विष्णु ने ब्रह्मा को, ब्रह्मा जी ने नारद को और नारद जी ने महाराज पृथुकों को कार्तिक मास के दिन सर्वगुण सम्पन्न महात्म्य के रूप में बताया है।

क्या करते है कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन-

ऐसा माना जाता है कि कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन से शुरु करके प्रत्येक पूर्णिमा को व्रत और जागरण करने से सभी मनोकामनाएँ सिद्ध होती हैं। इस दिन भक्त स्त्रान, दान, हवन, यज्ञ और उपासना करते हैं ताकि उन्हें मन चाहे फल की प्राप्ति होती हो सके। इस दिन गंगास्त्रान और शाम के समय दीपदान करना भी बहुत शुभ माना गया है। कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन भारी तादाद में गंगा जैसी पवित्र नदियों में स्नान करना शुभ माना जाता हैं। शास्त्रों में कहा गया है कि भरणी नक्षत्र में गंगा स्नान व पूजन करने से सभी तरह के ऐश्वर्य और सुख-सुविधा की प्राप्ति होती है।

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा का महत्तव-

साल मे करीब 16 अमावस्या पड़ती है लेकिन साल की सबसे काली और लंबी अमावस्या की रात कार्तिक मास की अमावस्या यानि दीपावली के दिन मनाई जाती है और इसके 15 दिन बाद कार्तिक मास की पूर्णिमा पड़ती है जो संसार में फैले अंधेरे का सर्वनाश करती है। लोगों में ऐसी आस्था है कि इस दिन ईश्वर की अराधना करने से मनुष्य के अंदर छिपी सभी तामसिक प्रवृतियों का नाश होता है और इनकी सामप्ति के साथ ही मनुष्य देव स्वरूप प्राप्त कर सकता है। कार्तिक में पूरे माह ब्रम्हा मुहूर्त में नदी, तालाब, कुण्ड, नहर में स्त्रान कर नियमपूर्वक भगवान की पूजा की जाती है। कलियुग में कार्तिक मास व्रत को मोक्ष का द्बार बताया गया है।

गंगा स्नान का महत्तव-

शास्त्रों में कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन गंगा स्नान का बड़ा महत्तव बताया गया है। ऐसा श्रद्धापूर्वक माना जाता है कि कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन गंगा स्नान करने से पूरे साल गंगा मईया आप पर प्रसन्न रहती है। इस दिन न केवल गंगा बल्कि अन्य पवित्र नदियों के साथ-साथ तीर्थों में भी स्नान करने की प्रथा है यमुना, गोदावरी, नर्मदा, गंडक, कुरूक्षेत्र, अयोध्या, काशी में भी स्नान करने से विशेष पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है। कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन उत्तर प्रदेश के गढ़मुक्तेंश्वपर तीर्थ में लोग बड़ी श्रद्धा से स्नान करते है। क्योंकि गढ़मुक्तेिश्व र और महाभारत काल के बीच गहरा संबंध है। दरअसल युद्घ समाप्त होने के बाद युद्धिष्ठिर अपने परिजनों का शव देखकर बहुत दुखी हो उठे थे। पाण्डवों को इस दुख से निकालने के लिए ही भगवान श्री कृष्ण ने गढ़मुक्तेश्वर में आकर इसी दिन मृत आत्माओं की शांति के लिए यज्ञ और दीपदान किया और तभी से कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन गढ़मुक्तेृश्वंर में स्नान और दीपदान की परंपरा शुरू हुई थी।

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा की पूजन विधि-

इस दिन सुबह स्नान करने के बाद पूरा दिन निराहार अर्थात बिना भोजन के रहा जाता है और भगवान विष्णु की आराधना करते हुए पूरे दिन भगवान का भजन करते हैं । इस दिन मंदिरों को विशेष रुप से सजाया जाता है। कार्तिक पूर्णिमा का व्रत करने वाले भक्त ब्राह्मण को भोजन भी कराते है, जो विशेष पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है। ब्राह्नण को भोजन से पूर्व हवन भी कराया जाता है। अपनी क्षमता के अनुसार ब्राह्मण को दान-दक्षिणा दी जाती है और रात्रि में चन्द्रमा के दर्शन करने पर शिवा, प्रीति, संभूति, अनुसूया, क्षमा तथा सन्तति इन छहों कृत्तिकाओं का भी पूजन किया जाता है। ऐसा माना जाता है कि इस दिन पूजन तथा व्रत के बाद यदि बैल दान किया जाता है तो व्यक्ति को शिवलोक की प्राप्ति होती है। इस दिन गंगा तथा अन्य पवित्र स्थानों पर श्रद्धा-भक्ति के साथ स्नान करने वालों को भाग्यशाली माना जाता हैं।

कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन दान का महत्तव-

शास्त्रों में दान का बड़ा महत्व बताया गया है लेकिन कार्तिक पूर्णिमा के दिन किए गए दान का अपना ही एक अलग विशेष महत्व है। हिन्दू धर्म में ऐसी मान्यता है कि इस दिन जिस वस्तु का भी दान किया जाता है, वो उसे मृत्यु के पश्चात स्वर्ग में वापस मिल जाती है और प्रेमपूर्वक जो भी जरूरतमंदों को वस्त्र,धन और अनाज का दान करता है, उसे बहुत पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है।

Kartik Purnima Fair in Sidhpur

Kartik Purnima festival in sidhpur city at Patan district of Gujarat is famous for worldwide. The folk festival called katyokana fairs. The Mata of fair procedure tarpana cultural tradition associated with it. People across the country are coming to the fair dead maa (Mother) as well as several generations of his mother Saraswati River as beds Sidhpur brahrman tarpana vidhi.

Patan district passes a town in the primal Saraswati River basin and many of the works in this area. Which is the spontaneous in Siddhpur sivalinga, Siddhpur rudramahalaya as well as during fairs were katyokana tarpana vidhi Siddhpur town and is popular throughout of India. Situated on the shores of the sacred Saraswati river town old Siddhpur many constructions have been built by Solanki vansana rajoo famous Jag. Official who called Saraswati River also identifies a virgin. 

The river until the sea is not mixed up in any other river, so it is also called a virgin. Such a sacred place for thousands of years as a folk fair is held on Kartik Sud moon is known as the fair katyokana festival.

Siddhpur thagala bapaji at the temple with the patanavada around Visnagar and its adjacent living Modi society at large thagala bapaji tonsure ceremony for the forelock of Kartik Sud Poonam agiyarasathi flocking. So this is also a large number of people are fair society Modi.

Three river confluence

According to one myth conflux of three previous times, this place was so triveni sangam spotlights bath for a large number of people were believed to have originated in this folks fairs.

Popular for Siddhpur matrgaya

This time is matrutarpan ceremony as beds for people to come to the fair. Where the vidhi tarpana for thousands of people is per year are remotely.

In this fair:-

The people who stayed overnight stay away from the river as beds. Lowell contents themselves with the river as beds as well as beds of river jamata cooking and overnight cooking enjoying the Show.

Le animals - but this fair so well known for Marketers

Saraswati River as beds bharata large number of cattle traders in the fair's own camel, cattle, horses, domesticated animals, such as the sale of thousands of people to buy these animals are fair. The fair one million five - seven million rupee cost tens of thousands of cattle and horses, as well as take - also in marketing.

The fair held horse races, camel races are also a number of people are attracted to the fair. On the other hand, the value of such animals might do to the mouth of the animals subjected kharidanara race.

Guru Nanak Dev Prakash Purab

Guru Nanak Dev Prakash Purab

विक्रम सम्वत् 2071 कार्तिक शुक्ल पूर्णिमा        6th November 2014

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh faith was born in 1469 A.D. in the village of Talwandi in  Lahore, Pakistan. Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh  religion. Sikhs do not worship idols and believe that God is formless. They celebrate the birth  anniversaries of 10 Sikh gurus as Gurupurabs with devotion and dedication.

 About Guru Nanak Dev

 Guru Nanak was born into a Kshatriya family and was a son of an accountant. Even as a child, Nanak  had a mystic disposition and had a contemplative mind. He was of a pious nature and started meditation and spiritual practices very early in life. As a seven year old boy, he questioned his Hindi teacher about ‘knowledge’ and how will it help to attain freedom. His father then tried to divert his mind to worldly affairs and asked him to cultivate land and tend the cattle. He also put him in charge of a shop but all his efforts failed as his only work was meditation and praying to God. Guru Nanak eventually married and had two sons but he left his family life and became an ascetic.

The three basic guidelines

Guru Nanak founded & formalized the three pillars of Sikhism :

1. Naam - Guru ji led the Sikhs directly to practise Simran and Naam Japna – meditation on God through reciting, chanting, singing and constant remembrance followed by deep study & comprehension of God’s Name and virtues. In real life to practice and tread on the path of Dharam (righteousness) - The inner thought of the Sikh thus stays constantly immersed in praises and appreciation of the Creator and the ONE ETERNAL GOD Waheguru.

2. Kirat Karni - He expected the Sikhs to live as honourable householders and practise Kirat Karni – To honestly earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting both pains & pleasures as GOD's gifts and blessings. One is to stay truthful at all times and, fear none but the Eternal Super Soul. Live a life founded on decency immersed in Dharam - life controlled by spiritual, moral & social values.

3. Vand Chakna - The Sikhs were asked to share their wealth within the community by practising Vand Chakna – “Share and Consume together”. The community or Sadh Sangat is an important part of Sikhism. One must be part of a community that is living the flawless objective values set out by the sikh Gurus and every Sikh has to contribute in whatever way possible to the common community pool. This spirit of Sharing and Giving is an important message from Guru Nanak.

Celebrations

Guru Nank Jayanti is marked by prabhat pheris or early morning processions that begins from the gurudwaras and then moves to different localities singing hymns or shabads. The celebration lasts for three days. Usually two days before the birthday of Guru Nanak, ‘Akhand Path’ or forty-eight hour non-stop reading of the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is carried on at the gurudwaras. A procession is carried out on the day before his birthday which is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones). Sikh flag, or the Nishan Sahib and the palki or the palanquin of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is taken out in the procession. The procession also includes a group of singers singing hymns in praise of Guru Nanak and Gatka teams displaying their showmanship through martial arts. The leaders of the procession also spread the message of Guru Nanak.

Gurupurab day begins early with the singing of the Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) and hymns from the Sikh scriptures. It is followd with Katha or the exposition of the scriptures along with poems and lectures in praise of Guru Nanak. Langar or special community lunch is prepared at the gurudwaras. The langar along with ‘Karah Prasad’ is offered to men and women of all communities.

Tulsi Vivah

Tulsi Vivah 

विक्रम सम्वत् 2071 कार्तिक शुक्ल एकादशी     3rd November 2014

Tulsi means the "incomparable one", has spiritually uplifting qualities. The Tulsi (Basil) plant is a sacred plant  for the Hindus. Tulsi Pooja (Worship of Tulsi) is observed almost every day in almost all the Hindu houses. It is  regarded as an incarnation of Mahalaxmi. The festival of ‘Tulsi Vivah' or the wedding day of Tulsi and  Shaligram. is celebrated after Kartik Shukla Ekadashi uptil Purnima. Tulsi Vivah is considered the beginning  of the wedding season. Tulsi plant which is sacred bush of herbal leaves symbolizes Hindu femininity  respected by men and women. Tulsi is regarded as the "Mother of the World."


It is said that Tulsi an incarnation of Maha Lakshmi, who was born as Vrinda in her previous birth. Vrinda was married to a demon king Jalandhar. But she prayed to Lord Vishnu that her demon husband would be protected, with the result that no God was able to harm him. However on the request of the other Gods, Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi. When the truth emerged after Jalandhar's death, Vrinda cursed Vishnu and turned him to stone (Shaligram) and collapsed. From her body emerged the Tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu pooja is considered incomplete without Tulsi leaves. Tulsi vivah is celebrated on the next day of Kartiki Akadashi. On this day Tulsi is married to Shaligram.

Another legend behind this goes as Tulsi came out of the ocean during Amrita manthan as a younger sister of Lakshmi. She was devoted to Lord Vishnu and wanted to marry him but Lakshmi, who was already married to him, did not like the idea and cursed her to become a plant. Thus the Tulsi plant was born. But the all merciful Lord Vishnu took pity and fulfilling her wish declared that when he will be in the form of a Shaligram she will remain close to him in the form of a Tulsi leaf.

On this day Tulsi plants are beautifully decorated as a bride. Sugarcane and branches of tamarind and Amla trees are planted along with the Tulsi plant. People prepare various delicious sweet dishes at home. In Goa a typical Goan ojhe (load of sweets) is sent to the daughter from her parental home along with jodi (cotton threads used to light lamp while performing aarti). Tulsi Vivah ceremony takes place in the late evening. Various poha dishes are offered to Lord Vishnu. Then prasad is distributed among family members and friends.

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja 

विक्रम सम्वत् 2071 कार्तिक शुक्ल षष्ठी       29th October 2014

Chhath (Hindi: छठ, also called Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity, unique to Bihar, Jharkhand and the Terai . This major festival is also celebrated in the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Chhattisgarh. Even in Tamil Nadu, the migrants from the north celebrate Chhath.

The word chhath denotes the number 6 in Hindi and the festival begins on the sixth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, which corresponds to months of October and November (a week after Diwali). Chhath is the holiest Hindu festival of Bihar & eastern UP. It extends to four days.

Mythology

The ancient Sanskrit epic Mahbharata has references to Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, worshipping the sun, which was believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and ensure longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders. In addition, it is believed that Chhath was started by Karna, the son of Surya, who became a great warrior and fought against the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War.

Festival

It is celebrated twice a year: once in the summers (May-July), called the Chaiti Chhath, and once in the winter (September-November) around a week after Deepawali, called the Kartik Chhath. The latter is more popular because winters are the usual festive season in North India, and Chhath, being an arduous observance, requiring the worshippers to fast without water for more than 24 hours, is easier to undertake in the Indian winters. Chhath is mainly a Bihari festival, and so it is celebrated wherever people from Bihar have migrated. This is a ritual bathing festival that follows a peri of abstinence and ritual segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes ritual purity, and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. The main worshipers, called Parvaitin (from Sanskrit parv, meaning 'occasion' or 'festival'), are usually women. However, a large number of men also observe this festival. The parvaitin pray for the well-being of their family, for prosperity and offspring.

On the eve of Chhath, houses and surroundings are scrupulously cleaned. One the first day of the festival, the worshiper cooks a traditional vegetarian meal and offers it to the Sun God. This day is called Naha-Kha (literally, 'Bathe and eat'!). The worshiper allows herself/himself only one meal on this day.

On the second day, a special ritual, called Kharna, is performed in the evening after Sun down. On this day also, the worshiper eats his/her only meal from the offerings (Prashad) made to the Sun God in this ritual. Friends and family are invited to the household on this day to share the prashad of the ritual. From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours, the worshiper goes on a fast without water.

Third day, the evening of the next day, the entire household accompanies the worshiper to a ritual bathing and worship of the Sun God, usually on the bank of a river, or a common large water body. The occasion is almost a carnival. Besides the main worshiper, there are friends and family, and numerous participants and onlookers, all willing to help and receive the blessings of the worshipper. Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried on through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-law, are sung on this occasion.

Fourth day, the same bathing ritual is repeated on the following day at the crack of dawn. This is when the worshipper breaks his/her fast and finishes the ritual. Chhath being celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience connecting the modern Indian to his ancient cultural roots

Bhaiya Dooj

Bhaiya Dooj

The fifth day of Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated as Bhaiya Dooj, popularly know as Bhai Dooj. The name itself denotes the day of the festival i.e it falls on Dooj, the second day after the new moon. This day Yamaraj went to his sister's house who put an auspicious mark on his forehead for his welfare. Thus, on this day sisters perform Puja for their brother’s safety and well-being. Brothers in return give gifts to their sisters as a token of love.

Another version is after killing Narakasur, Lord Krishna, went to his sister Subhadra who welcomed him in the traditional way by showing him a light and putting on his forehead a tilak of her sisterly protection. Another story informs when Bhagawaan Mahavir found nirvana, his brother Raja Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during this festival.

The festival of Diwali is not complete without "Bhaiya-Duj" in the Hindi-speaking belt, "Bhav-Bij" in the Marathi-speaking communities, "Bhai Phota" to the Bengalees and in Nepal by the name of "Bhai-Tika". Bhai Dooj has its own importance in continuing to maintain the love between brothers and sisters for it is the day of food-sharing, gift-giving and reaching out to the inner most depths of the hearts. As a festival of light and beauty it encourages artistic expressions through home-decorations stage-plays, elocution competitions singing and dancing programmes, making gift items and making delectable sweets thereby discovering new talents of younger people. As a result innumerable communities with varying cultures and customs mingle together to make Bhai Dooj celebrations a very happy occasion for all