Vijayadasami

 

Vijayadasami, or Durgadasami, also known as Dasara or Dussehra, is celebrated on Ashwayuja Shukla Dasami. Vijayadasami 2010 date is October 17, 2010. It is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil. On this day, Mother Goddess Shakti demolished bufello demon Mahishasura.
And, Lord Sri Rama killed demon king Ravanasura and returned to his kingdon Ayodhya where his people celebrated the festival of success (Vijayadashami). On the day of Vijaya Dashami, Ravanasura, who is also called Dashakanta was killed, to commemorate his defeat this festival is also called as ‘Dussehra’ / Dasara / Dassara.
‘Ravanasura Vadha’ – a tradition of blasting the idol of Ravana is performed on Vijaya Dashami in some places in India.
Simollanghan, Shami Puja, and Ayudha pooja are main rituals in North India during Vijayadasami. In Kerala and some places of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Vidyarambham or Saraswati Pooja is the main ritual of the day.

Saraswathi Pooja -

Saraswati Puja is undoubtedly the most popular festival in the eastern region. Saraswati is the goddess of learning, arts and crafts. According to her different specialities she is known by different names like Bakdevi, Biraj, Sarada, Brahmi, Satarupa, Mahasweta, Sarbasukia, Prithudar, Bagiswari and, ofcourse, Saraswati.
This festival is held in the month of Magh (January-February). It is a festival celebrated by the youth, particularly students who invoke the blessings of the goddess for success in learning, arts and crafts. Throughout Bengal Saraswati Puja is celebrated in schools, colleges, clubs as well as homes.
Among all the Hindu deities, Saraswati stands out as the most controversial. Her origin is shrouded in mystery. Starting from the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads to the popular ancient mythology, Saraswati appears through a veil of mystery.
According to the Matsya Purana, Saraswati evolved from the mouth of Brahma. Such was her beauty and grace that Brahma pursued her. As she fled in different directions a head appeared and so Brahma is attributed with five heads, she was the most unique creation of Brahma. Saraswati is our equivalent of the classical Goddess Minerva and also the Teutonic Goddess Fira. The moon and the lotus associated with Saraswati are both symbols of eternal womanhood.
Some of the many mythological stories connected with Saraswati have interesting sociological interpretations. The gods and the demons by mutual agreement decided to churn the ocean for the Arnrit or the elixir of life. Mainak mountain was used as the churning rod and Basuki as the churning rope. when Lakshmi appeared with the Arnrit kunbha both wanted the elixir. Saraswati with her exquisite beauty lured away the asuras. As the Gods were drinking the Arnrit, Rahu and Ketu, two asuras saw them and slipped in with the Gods. As they drank the Arnrit which would make them immortal like the gods, Vishnu detected them. He immediately cut off their heads. The two enraged asuras, swallowed the sun and moon but could not retain them as their throats were cut. This led to the origin of the solar and lunar eclipse. Saraswati, who was instrumental in helping the Gods to be immortal, was established in the heavens as the Goddess Saraswati.
The Gods and the Gandharvas both wanted the Soma Ras. It was again Saraswati who with her beauty and grace lured and so exhausted the Gandharvas that they could not acquire the Soma Ras which naturally went to the gods.
The Aryans fought with the non-Aryan Comi tribes (tribal dominance among the Aryans) like Nished, Sabar and Pulindar on the banks of the river Saraswati. At the request of Vishnu, Saraswati disappeared underground and again reappeared in far off Rajasthan. The tribals were thus deprived of the life-saving water. They were forced to abandon the area. In both cases we see the importance of the river Saraswati in Aryan life and how Saraswati was used to deprive the weak of water, without which life is impossible. Saraswati is known as Prithudhar (subjugator of the Aryans).
Vashishtha and Vishwamitra, the two sages, were both violently opposed to each other. Vishwamitra ordered the river Saraswati to wash away Vashishtha along with all he possessed. Saraswati refused to comply with his command. To punish Saraswati, he turned the water of the river into blood. At the behest of Shiva, the two sages became amicable and once again there was pure water in the river Saraswati.
In some areas she is believed to be the daughter of the Sun or Surya Kanya. In Western India, Saraswati is seen with the lion or peacock. She is married to Kartikeya. This is really the sun cult.
In Eastern India, particularly Bengal, Saraswati has been absorbed into the Bengali culture. She has been given the mantle of daughter of Parvati and is treated as a daughter. Vishnu had three wives-Saraswati, Ganga and Lakshmi. He was tired of Saraswati because of her superior knowledge and to gave her away to Brahma. Ganga was too frivolous and so was given to Shiva. Lakshmi quiet and sedate, remained his wife. These were the three Sris.
History tells us that the Aryans came to India through the. Khyber pass and settled in Punjab, Haryana and North Rajasthan. Saraswati is one of the seven holy rivers flowing through modern Punjab, Haryana and North Rajasthan.
In the North West along the banks of the river Saraswati. They were a pastoral people and the river was their means of communication as well as source of life.
Hence Saraswati was highly venerated and is associated with the fertility cult.
The mythological background of Saraswati shows the importance of the river Saraswati in the life of the Aryans settled along her river banks. Sociologically the River Saraswati was an important factor in ancient civilization. She is therefore a part of the fertility cult.
The Aryans who lived along the banks of the river were pastoral and rural.
All early development took place on the river bank. Consequently Saraswati came to be venerated as a symbol of knowledge.
It is evident that the upper strata of society used their superior knowledge and expertise to deprive the ignorant lower half of society.
The other name of Saraswati is Prithudhara. It has an important sociological aspect. The Comi tribes were subdued by being deprived of the most essential requirement, water. This story influenced Tagore to write Muktadhara (a play) where Bibhuti the engineer uses his superior knowledge to deprive the ignorant farmers by constructing a dam to divert the river water and satisfy the king.
The story of Kalidas has been built around Saraswati. There was a proud and learned princess who rejected all suitors who could not match her knowledge. The pundits in anger planned to marry her off to a fool. They saw a man cutting the branch on which he was sitting and decided he was the ideal fool for the princess. Kalidas was presented to the princess as a man of wisdom who only spoke in signs. The pundits answered all the princess's questions by interpreting Kalidas's signs. The two were married but on the wedding night the princess realized she had been duped. She kicked Kalidas out of her bed. He in sorrow and shame went to commit suicide. The Goddess Saraswati appeared and asked him to take a dip in the river. As he emerged from the river Kalidas was transformed. He began to recite verses in praise of the Goddess. Unfortunately for him he began to praise her beauty not from her feet upwards but from her breasts downwards. Saraswati in anger cursed Kalidas for his audacity. He would die in an ignonimous place.
This festival is celebrated all over Bengal with great fervour and gaiety.

Durgashtami – Importance of Durga Ashtami

Durgashtami, or Durga Ashtami, is the eight day of the Navaratri and Durga Puja celebrations. Durgastami is also known as Mahashtami and is one of the important days of Durga Puja and afasting is undertaken by many people. Weapons of Goddess Durga are worshipped on the day and it is known Astra Puja. In 2010, the date of Durga Ashtami is October 15. The day is also known as Virashtami as there are displays using arms or martial arts. It is one of the most important day for Goddess Worship in Hindu religion.

There is also a belief in some regions that Goddess Kali appeared from the forehead of Durga on this day to annihilate Chanda and Munda and Rakthabija. During the Durga Puja rituals on Mahashtami day the 64 Yoginis and Ashtanayikas – the eight consorts – of Durga are also worshipped.

The eight consorts of Durga, also known as Eight Shaktis, are interpreted differently in different regions of India. But ultimately all the eight goddesses are incarnations of Shakti with different aims. Sometimes they are also an attempt to give form to a particular aspect of Shakti.

The Ashtanayikas that are worshipped during Durga Puja are Brahmani, Maheswari, Kameswari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasinghi, Indrani and Chamunda.

Numerous minor deities including many attendants and guards of Durga are worshipped on the day.

A fast is observed by staunch Durga devotees on Durga Ashtami. Both men and women observe the fast. Shakti temples conduct special pujas on the day and are visited by millions of devotees.

Durgashtami day ends with Sandhi puja, which overlaps into the next day which is the Mahanavami day.

Navaratri Gift Ideas

Auspicious nine-day-long festival of Navaratri is an occasion to worship Shakti or Divine Mother. It is also the time to express good wishes for loved ones by sending them delightful Navratri Gifts! In case you are searching for exclusive gift ideas for Navaratri here are some wonder tips and suggestion that will surely help you in selecting the most memorable Nau-Durga gifts for your dear ones.

Navaratri Puja Hamper

Highly popular nowadays, Navaratri Puja Hampers come in attractive packaging and wide price range. In a typical hamper, you may find all pooja items necessary for performing Navaratri Puja including idol of Durga Ma, chunari, chhatar, kalash, teeka, mauli, thali, roli, Ma Durga Arti book etc.

Mata ka Chhatar

Silver or gold-plated Mata ka chhatar makes an auspicious Navaratri gift idea for dear ones. One may easily shop for chhatars adorned with beautiful meenakari work and zalar (hangings) from jewelry stores or online Navaratri gift shopping sites. Considered to be a lucky symbol of Mata Rani, Chhatars are kept in back lockers or other such places to enhance prosperity and wealth. A chhatar is traditionally accompanied by a red chunree with zari border.

Chaniya Cholis

When you wish to impress your sweetheart, fiancé or a sweet sister on Navaratri nothing works better than traditional Chaniya Cholis. Embellished with beads, mirrors and bandhani work, the very colorful ghaghra cholis add more vibrancy to Navaratri celebrations. Nowadays you may send Chaniya Cholis by shopping from online stores.

Dandiya Sticks

Navaratri is synonymous with the joyous dandiya or stick dance in the colorful states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Wooden sticks used in Dandiya come embellished with paint, mirrors, doris etc and make an fabulous gift idea for loved ones. It is said that the sticks used in dandiya represent the sword of Durga. When gifted on Navaratra, the dandiya stick expresses love and depicts all the beautiful colors of Navratri.

Ma Durga Books and CDs

Navaratri is the time to invoke blessings of Durga Ma and hence Ma Durga books and CDs make an auspicious gift idea for Navratra. Popular products in the category include Ma Durga Saptashati, Durga Sahastranama, Durga Chalisa, Durga Kavach CDs, Navaratri Prayer books etc.

Goddess Durga Pendants and Idols

To your near and dear ones you may send a Navaratri gift of Goddess Durga idols, Mata pendants, rudraksha lockets, Durga Shakti pendants, Ma Durga silver coins, Durga Yantra etc. These days you may shop for auspicious Durga items online and send it to loved ones anywhere in the world.

Navaratri significance

Awaken the Shakti within You!

The Goddess, who is the invisible divine feminine, lives both in the human male and the female. Within the human body, the Goddess' energy is called Shakti. She is the power of economy, beauty, luxury, joy, physical strength, power, fertility, and creativity.

The 9 Nights of the Goddesses -- the Legend

The great legend of Navratri dates back to the story of Mahishasura, the mighty demon, who worshipped Lord Shiva and obtained invincible powers. Soon, he started killing the innocent lives on the earth and set out to win the seven lokas, and acquired the swarglok. Even the three mighty Gods of the Hindu Trinity - Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva were unable to defeat him. Therefore, all the Gods, including the Hindu Trinity, united their supreme powers and created a divine being called Shakti or Durga, the Warrior Goddess.
On these unique 9 nights, connect to the Goddess energy and get empowered with Shakti.

It's Time to Get Blessed -- Navratri

The Goddess, who is the invisible divine feminine, lives both in the human male and the female. Within the human body, the Goddess' energy is called the power (Shakti); she is the power of economy, beauty, luxury, joy, physical strength, fertility, and what not!

The Trinity Goddesses Package

Availing the right time to take charge on your life comes with ease on these special 9 nights. Appease the Trinity Goddesses one by one at once! AstroVed offers the "Featured Shakti Power Package" which can bestow your life with the tri-fold energy of Shakti.

How To Celebrate Navaratri with Golu

Navratri - the nine sacred nights, is a festival celebrated, with great fervor both religiously and socially, all over India to commemorate the victory of the good over the evil. The celebrations spread over nine auspicious nights. According to Hindu belief,  ‘The Embodiment of Divine Power' (Para-Shakti), has three important manifestations: Maha- Saraswati (Goddess Of Knowledge) (Satwic), Maha-Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity) (Rajasic) and Mahakali or Durga (Warrior Goddess) (Tamasic). During the Navaratri, the Goddess "Para-Shakti" is struggling to overcome the forces of vice, wickedness and egoism and on Vijaya Dashami (Dasara, the tenth Day commemorating victory), she conquers and destroys all evil forces (i.e. bringing to an end the atrocities of Asuras like Mahishasuran, Shumban, Nishumban, Madhukaidapan, Thumralochanan and Rakthabheejan). Para-Shakti is all-pervasive, omnipotent, infinite as well as all-knowing.

Step 1

Navaratri - Devoted to Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.  The Navaratri has been divided into three components. The first three days are dedicated to the worship of Durga, the next three days to the worship of Lakshmi and the last three days to the worship of Saraswati. On the occasion of Navaratri, we invoke three kinds of potential energies--Ichchaa Shakti (will power), Kriyaa Shakti (the power of action) and Jnana Shakti (the power of discrimination) from Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswat.  On the tenth day (Vijaya Dasami), we offer the valedictory worship to mark the victory of good over evil by Durga. It is a festival of thanksgiving. Gratitude is divine. Ingratitude is demonic.

Step 2

Vasant and Sarat Navaratris.  In North India, people celebrate two Navaratris - Vasant and Sarat. Vasant Navaratri falls during April-May (Hindu Calendar month Caitra) and Sarat falls during September-October (Hindu Calendar month Ashwin). The ninth day of Caitra is doubly auspicious and is celebrated as the birthday and marriage day of Lord Rama (Rama Navami). In South India, Sarat Navaratri is celebrated with the dates falling in Shukla Paksha, a day after the new moon in Puratasi month (Tamil Calendar), which is September-October month in the Western calendar.

Step 3

Golu and its philosophy.  In Tamil, Nadu Navarathri is celebrated by setting up ‘Golu' in a corner of every home (i.e. a gallery of handcrafted dolls representing major deities, scenes from everyday life, thematic doll sets representing mythological events or even modern day happenings and so on). In Tamil, Golu means a sovereign sitting in his royal durbar. The underlying belief in arranging these Navratri dolls on the tier is to depict that Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini is sitting in her Golu, prior to the slaying of the demon Mahishasura.

Step 4

Kalasa Puja.  The housewives commence golu with "Kalasam puja."   Instead of icon or photo we represent the goddesses in the form of kalasam. What is Kalasam? The Hindu house holds will always represent God or Goddesses in kalasam. For Kalasam, they will choose brass or silver pot and fill the brass or silver pot with water. After this, they will place a coconut amidst mango leaves on top of the pot.

Through the Kalasa puja mantra, they will invoke the power of goddess Durga or Parashakthi to come reside in kalsam or pot. It is called 'Avahanam.'  After this puja it is believed that goddess Durga will be reigning our households for the entire nine days.  She is the prime deity of Navaratri. So they attach more importance to this Kalasam and do kalasa puja.

After this puja, the Kalasam is kept in the golu i.e. first and foremost place and will remain fresh for the whole of nine days. During these nine days, the pot or Kalasam is decorated with new clothes, flower and sandal paste. Daily prayer, invocation songs, offerings, etc. will be performed with devotion. Once the festival is over, we will perform some rituals and remove kalasam and pour water in a well or pond. After this, everything comes to normalcy.

Our Mantra is powerful and invokes the goddess to reside in the pot full of water. For those who feel it difficult to understand 'Kalasa puja', it is a simple ritual to represent goddess PARA SHAKTHI in a pot or kalasam.

Step 5

Number of tiers and steps in arrangements.  Golu means display. Goddess is present in our home during these nine days. The house holds organising 'GOLU' will prepare the display furniture either in metal or in wood. The furniture or golu stand will have nine steps or tiers. The furniture or golu stand is readily available in the market. The slanting steps are like our door steps or staircase steps. Imagine a furniture is designed to display dolls in graded steps or tiers.

The furniture or golu stand has 9 tiers or steps. It is significant that the Navaratri Golu is set up with the arrangement of dolls on an odd number of steps (usually 3,5,7,9). The counting of the first step begins from top and proceeds to the bottom most step. The top most is step one, the next one is step two and the step nine is the bottommost one.

Maximum number of tiers in which dolls are arranged are 9 depending on time and space constraints. The golus show different themes in different homes - from the elaborate, extravagant ones to the simple, traditional and artistic ones. Year after year the women folk enthusiastically organize these dolls as per their tastes. Yet there are beliefs and conventions in arranging dolls in respective steps:

Tiers 1-3: You are expected to arrange Kalasam on the first tier or step. The first tier or step begins on top of the display furniture (golu stand). Goddess Durga or Mahishasuramardini, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati, Siva, Vishnu, Brahma and all other gods and goddesses occupy tier one to three. You may keep Dasavatharam set.

Tiers 4-6: Counting from top to bottom. You are expected to organize the next three steps to saints like Azhwars, Nayanmars, Guru Raghavendra, Sai Baba, and the like and you may even locate men and women of importance, i.e. national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Ramakrishna Paramahamsar, Swami Vivekananda etc.

Tier 7: Counting from top to bottom. You are free to organize sets of dolls on themes like family, marriage, festivals like Deepavali, Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanthi, etc.

Tier 8: Counting from top to bottom. You may organize sets of dolls according to your imagination and creativity. You may arrange various businesses and crafts, say for example your Chettiar dolls sitting in his business shop surrounded by grocery items like rice, pulses kept in bags or other utensils.

Tier 9: Bottom-most tier. You have the liberty to arrange the traditional wooden dolls called (Marapachi) - covered and decorated with glittering dresses. So also you may keep dolls of fish, tortoise, reptiles, birds, lion, tiger, cow, bulls, etc.

Step 6

Nine days rituals.  You may invite your friends and relatives to view your golu. Every day you are supposed to offer sweet pongal, sweets, sundal (boiled dhall with spices), etc., as naivedhyam and distribute among friends and relatives. Every day, you may dress up your children with fancy dresses depicting Lord Krishna, Devi Lakshmi or Devi Saraswati and so on. You may offer clothes, coconut, fruits, sweets, small mirror, kumkum, turmeric, comb, beetle leaves with supari to married woman folks (Sumangalis).

Conclusion.  On the 10th night after the ceremonial art and prayers, the dolls are put to ‘sleep.' You may pack up the dolls and preserve them for the next year golu.

Uma Maheshwara Vratam, - September 23,2010

 

Uma Maheshwara Vratam, also known as Uma Maheshvara Vrata, is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati and is observed on the 14^th day or the full moon day in the Bhadrapad month as per traditional Kannada calendar. In the Tamil Calendar, it is observed in the Puratassi month. In 2010, Uma Maheshvara Vratam as per Kannada calendar is on September 23.

How to perform pooja ?

A murti of Uma and Maheshwara (Shiva and Parvati) made of metal is worshipped on the day. The devotee observes a fast during the day and eats only after sunset on the day.

It is believed that the desires of the devotee will be fulfilled, if he observes the Uma Maheshwara Vratam.

Earlier, the Vrata was observed for 12 years on the full moon day in the Bhadrapad month. On the final year the metal murti of Uma and Maheshwara was donated to a Shiva temple.

Today as per Tamil calendar, Uma Maheshwara Vratam is observed in Puratassi month. The Vrata can be observed on the Ashtami (eight day during waxing phase of moon), or Chaturdasi (14^th day during waxing phase of moon) or Ammavasi (no moon day) or Pournima (full moon day). 

Legend :

Information about Uma maheswara Vratham is available in "Siva Rahasyam" . Once Durvasa Maharshi presented a vilvam mala gifted by Lord Siva to him, to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu indifferently threw the mala on Garuda. Durvasa Maharshi got annoyed and cursed Lord Vishnu. The Maharshi said that Lord Vishnu is  too proud since he has Maha lakshmi as his wife and that is why he threw the vilva mala. He cursed that Lord Vishnu will lose Maha Lakshmi and Garuda . Accordingly both Mahalakshmi and Garuda  disappered in the pal kadal.
   Lord Vishnu under distress was roaming about in the forest and on his way met Gauthama Maharshi. Realising Lord Vishnu's distress Gauthama Maharshi suggested this Vratham as  pariharam. Accordingly Lord Vishnu conducted the vratham and  got back Mahalakshmi and Garuda.
  Who ever does this Vratham is believed to receive all desired benefits. This Vratham is  observed on full moon day in Purattasi / Thulam month ( September- Ocotber) Whole day fasting is undertaken and completed with Uma-Maheswara Puja

Anandha Padmanabha Vrath: 2010

Anandha Padmanabha Vrath:
The fourteenth day in the bright fortnight of the month of bhaadrapada is known as anantana vrata Lord Visnu is believed to haved to have appeared on this day as Padmanabha lying on the couch of Ananta (the thousand-hooded serpent).
How to perform Pooja?
The Lord Ananta Padmanaabha is invoked in a pot filled with water and decorated with coconut and flowers.  Special puuja is celebrated with fourteen varieties of dishes.An icon of Ananta the great serpent, and manifestation of Visnu, has to be prepared in durva grass, kept on a jar and worshipped. A thread dyed in saffron or turmeric-technically called 'doraka'-with 14 knots (symbolizing the fourteen worlds created by God) is to be offered to Ananta with a mantra and then worn. Women should wear it on the left wrist and men on the right. It may also be worn round the neck.
Legend :
In times of yore, Yudhisthira, the eldest son of the Pandava brothers, is said to have observe this vrata for 14 years on the advice of Sri Krsna, to overcome all his diffculties and get back his kingdom. 'O Vasudeva! Save people sunk in the great and endless ocean of samsara and make them apply themselves to the contemplaction of the form of Ananta. Salutation to Thee that hast numerous forms!' Anyone doing the same, is assured of living in the abode of Visnu.
Naivedyam :
The naivedyam for Ananta Padma Nabha Vratam is mix Jaggery with Atta (Wheat Flour) and fry it in oil. Make 28 sweats (Appalu).14 sweats are for giving to a Brahmin as vayana danam after naivedya and remaining 14 sweats for you. In the bygone days, sages like Agastya, kings like Janaka, Sagara, Dilipa, Harischandra have done this vrita. You to do this vrita and all your troubles will be over. Listening to this the exiled king Dharmaraja also performed this vrita. 
One who hears this story or narrates it will be rid of all woes and difficulties and will acquire all kinds of wealth.
Hope the following links will help you.

• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Part 1 A - Vedabrahma Sri Ganapati Shastry
• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Part 1 B - Vedabrahma Sri Ganapati Shastry
• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Part 2 A - Vedabrahma Sri Ganapati Shastry
• Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Part 2 B - Vedabrahma Sri Ganapati Shastry

Anantha Vrath Story

With faith and devotion, Susheela performed the puja with those gathered there, distributed half of the fried wheat flour to brahmanas, wore the red thread and with the thoughts of Ananta Padmanabha accompnied her husband to his ashram. Because of the power of anantavrata, Kaundinya's ashram acquired beauty and wealth. All his relatives were eagerly waiting to do the Anantavrata. Susheela had acquired an aura of brilliance.
One day Kundinya sees the red thread on Susheela's hand and asks for an explanation; In spite of her telling him the truth, in a fit of anger and jealousy, Kaundinya forcibly removes the thread and throws in the fire. Sushila picks up the half burnt thread and immerses it in milk. His behaviour proved very dear to Kaundinya; pretty soon all his wealth was lost; his relatives desert him; his cattle died and he now knows that this was on account of his rudeness to Ananta Padmanabha swami in the form of red thread.
Kaundinya leaves his house in search of Anantha padmanabha. Like ademented person enters the jungle and asks a mango tree full of mangoes, have you seen Ananta Padmanabha swami ? He goes further and asks a cow along with its calf the same question. A little further he meets a bullock to who he poses this question. His travel brings him near two lakes which were overflowing to whom he puts the same question. The next in line were a donkey and an elephant who could not answer his question. By now he was tired and heartbroken. He falls down there. Lord in His infinite compassion comes there in the form an old brahman, revives him and takes him to a palace where he shows him his four armed form along with Mahalakshmi. Kaundinya praises the Lord in many stotras. The Lord please gives him three boons viz., Removal of poverty, ability to follow dharma, mukti saubhagya.
Now Kaundinya asks the Lord about the strange sights he saw on the way to Him. The Lord explains. The man who was full of knowledge but did not teach his disciples and was useless became the mango tree. Although wealthy one who never ate himsef and did not give to others as became this cow. The king who gave non productive lands as gifts is born now as a bullock. The two lakes which overflow are dharma and adharma. One who neglected his ancestors' dharma has become an elephant. The donkey reperesents the person who condemned others and lived through unrighteous metheds. Do this vrita for 14 years and I shall grant you a permanat place in the heavens.
Kaundinya returned home and did the puja with shraddha and bhakti. He lived a life of wealth and happiness. In the bygone days, sages like Agastya, kings like Janaka, Sagara, Dilipa, Harischandra have done this vrita. You to do this vrita and all your troubles will be over. Listening to this the exiled king Dharmaraja also performed this vrita. One who hears this story or narrates it will be rid of all woes and difficulties and will acquire all kinds of wealth.

Vamana Jayanthi 2010

 

Vamana Jayanthi is the first appearance day of Lord Vamana, the fifth and the dwarf avatar of Lord Vishnu. This is the first complete human incarnation of Sri Maha Vishnu. Vamana Jayanthi 2010 date is September 19. It is observed on Shukla paksha Dwadashi (12^th day in bright half) of Bhadrapad month
The main purpose of Vamanavatara was to restrain the demon king Maha Bali and to restore the rule of Gods on the earth. That is the main reason why Vamana sent Bali to Pathala loka. 
Lord Vamana is the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the first avatar of Treta Yuga. Vamana is the first ever avatar of Lord Vishnu who appears in a complete human form. He is in the form of dwarf
Brahmin.
 Vamana was born to Aditi and Kashyapa. Vaman is the younger brother of Lord Indra. According to Bhagavata, Lord Vishnu was taken the avatar of Vaman to protect Indras rule over the heavens, which was disturbed by King Mahabali. King Mahabali was so generous and so much devoted to Lord Vishnu but he was a demon. To restore Indras powers on the heavens, King Mahabali should not rule the Earth. For that purpose, Vishnu incarnated as Vaman and went to Mahabali to beg three steps of land to live in.
King Mahabali agreed to give Vamana, a dwarf brahmin, to give three steps of land. Shukracharya, Mahabalis Guru, warned him that the dwarf brahmin is Vishnu and not an innocent brahmachari. But Bali ignored his warning and went ahead to donate three steps of land. Then, Lord Vaman, the Supreme God Vishnu, grows so huge to cover the heaven and the earth in two simple steps. King Bali was unable to stand by his words, offers his head for the third step. Then Vamana puts his third foot on Bali and provides him immortality as a reward for his great benevolence
Vamana Jayanti is celebrated with utmost devotion in Vaishnavite Temples.

Garuda Vahanam

 

Garuda , the bird is assumed as the body of Vedas and since Lord rides upon it; the Lord is said to be the ultimate reality. It is a magnificent chariot with the garuda holding the feet of the Lord. It is the greatest vahana of the Lord.  Lord Venkateshwara is also called as Garudadhvaja because of a emblem of garuda on his banner.
According to Hindu texts, Garuda the king of Birds is the embodiment of Vedas (Vedatma vihageswara). Garuda is also known as periya thiruvadi meaning First Devotee. Hence, Lord Srinivasa selects Garuda as his Vahanam
Garuda BhagavAn is Veda Moorthy .His nakshathramis SvAthi , which is the same as for Lord Narasimhan.Garudan incarnated as PeriyAzhwAr at SrI VilliputthUrand became the Father-in-Law of Lord RanganAthanand had the privelege of having his daughter and son-in-law live at his home in SrI VilliputthUr,
which is known today as NaacchiyAr ThirumALigai.
Oh Magnificently luminous Lord !in whatever quarter You may be residing ,be it East, west, north or south , Your BhakthAsinvoke You to hasten to their sides to protect them and give them comfort. Oh PraNata-arTi-haraPrabhO! Oh Magnanimous One! May Thou readily come without delay -when You are invoked- to them ,who vigorously follow You .
When such invocations are made by dear bhakthAs likeGajEndran , our Lord is carried on the back of Garudan in great haste for Bhaktha SamrakshaNam.
In Vishnu Temples,Purattasi Saturdays are very auspicious. Garuda vahana procession is very important.Today is 1st saturday and The dharshan of Lord Venkateswara on Garuda Vahanam is very auspicious and fulfill our all desires.

Kamalamba Navavaranam

The Kamalamba Navavarana Kritis by Shri Muthuswami Dikshitar (1776-1836) are some of the most famous pieces of music in the Carnatic system of Indian classical music. They are treasures which embody not only the technical brilliance of the composer but also offer a peep into the advaitic school of Hindu philosophy and elements of Tantric rituals. They are very elaborate compositions which may be well compared with major symphonies in the Western system.
These songs are set in praise of the Goddess Kamalamba who is enshrined in Tiruvarur in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu in South India. The Goddess is the reference to the Divine Mother of the universe, or the Supreme Consciousness. The lyrics and the descriptive details are loaded with the mystical symbolism of the Vedantic (advaita) tradition and the chakras of the human system are closely linked to the evolutionary aspects described in the compsitions that reflect the scholarly reach, musical depth and mystical significance of the composer.
Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar was a great Devi Upasaka and was well versed in all aspects of Sri Vidya Upasana. Out of his devotion to Sri Kamalamba, (one of the 64 Sakti Peethams in India), the celebrated deity at the famous Tyagaraja Temple in Tiruvarur and his compassion for all bhaktas, Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar composed the Kamalamba Navavarana kritis, expounding in each of the nine kritis, the details of the each avarana of the Sri Chakra, including the devatas and the yoginis. Singing these kritis with devotion, sraddha and understanding would be the easy way to Sri Vidya Upasana.
Musically, they are par excellence and the majestic sweep of well known ragas (melodic forms) like Todi, Kalyani, Kambhoji, Sankarabharanam, Sahana, Anandabhairavi and Bhairavi are offset against haunting melodies in lesser known ragas like Punnagavarali, Ghanta and Ahiri.
Dikshitar uses several talas (time measures) although Rupakam (3 beats) seems to be his favourite. Ata talam (14 beats) and Misra Jampa (10 beats) in the Kambhoji and Bhairavi pieces are rarely used because of the technical difficulty in executing these. An added element is the use of different case endings (which Dikshitar uses in his other group krities, like the Abhayamba and Nilotpalamba set). The Dhyana (invocatory) kriti in Todi is in the vocative case, followed by the Anandabhairavi in the nominative, Kalyani in the accusative, Sankarabharanam in the instrumental, Kambhoji in the dative, Bhairavi in the ablative and so on. The ninth avarana kriti in Ahiri has all the cases; interestingly the raga itself has all the 22 Sruti (notes) in the octave. It is believed that such a fusion of all melodic and temporal elements in the same kriti is a musical way of expressing the advaitic ideal of "aham Brahmasmi" or complete union with the Absolute. Indeed the Ahiri composition is very unusual musically especially the pallavi which has a repeating and distinctive prose sections, are seamlessly put together.
The set concludes with a short and sweet mangalam (auspicious conclusion) in Sri ragam set in Khanda Ekam (5 beat talam). The entire set consists therefore of the dhyanam (invocation), the nine avaranas, and the mangalam (conclusion), a total of 11 pieces.

Kritis

The 11 kritis are as follows:

1. Kamalambike - Todi - Rupakam
2. Kamalamba Samrakshathu - Anandabhairavi - Misra Chapu
3. Kamalambaam Bhajare - Kalyani - Adi
4. Sri Kamalambikayam - Shankarabharanam - Rupakam
5. Kamalambikayai - Kambhoji - (Khanda) Ata
6. Sri Kamalamba param - Bhairavi - Misra Jampa
7. Kamalambikayaastava - Punnagavarali - Rupakam
8. Sri Kamalambikayam - Sahana - Tisra Triputa
9. Sri Kamalambike - Ghanta - Adi
10. Sri Kamalamba Jayati - Ahiri - Rupakam
11. Sri Kamalambike - Sri - Kanda Ekam. 

It is a custum to sing Navavarnam during Navaratri. It is equivalent to performing Navavarna Pooja. Let us see each kriti separately. 

Navaratri Pooja

How to perform Navaratri Pooja?
The nine-day festival of Navaratri is dedicated to the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga.In South India, Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days.
Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the next three days
Goddess Saraswathi is worshipped during the last three days.
The main event during Navrathri in South India is the display of dolls and idols – Kolu and the placing of Kalash, which represents Goddess.Navratri puja might seem a huge complicated event for many. You can always perform a simple puja by worshipping the Goddess on nine days by lighting a lamp and offering a fruit as prasadam. Rituals are not important but devotion is important.
Step by step method on how to perform Navratri Puja.
Getting Ready
Get the house cleaned and ready. You are inviting Goddess into the home. Usually this is done on the Amavasi day, a day before the beginning of Navratri.Mango leaf festoons are installed on doors, windows and in puja room. Fresh Kolams are drawn.If you are keeping Kolu, get all the Kolu dolls ready. Repair broken pieces and use natural colors to paint them.Decide upon the Bommai Kolu Theme.Plan early about the pooja prasadam (neivedya) and also about the gifts that you plan to give to women guests.
Requirements for Navratri Puja
If you are keeping Kolu dolls, purchase new dolls at least a couple of new ones. The most important doll needed is the Marapachi dolls (Male and Female pair of dolls).
A pot for Kalasha or Kumbha (brass pot)
Sweets
Ingredients of the Prasadam to be prepared (this depends on what neivediya you are preparing)
Betel leaves
Betel nuts
Bananas
Coconut
Usual fruits
Usual pooja items like lamp, incense, agarbathis etc.
Lotus flower for Goddess Saraswathi and Goddess Lakshmi. Jasmine for Durga. Avoid wild flowers.
If you are giving gifts to women invited for Navratri Pooja, then the bag should contain betel leaves, betel nuts, a pair of round turmeric roots, a coconut, fruits, sweets, flowers, a small gift. You can also include cosmetics like eye kohl, kumkuma, bangles etc.
A day before Navratri Puja
Navaratri Puja begins on the Bhadrapada Amavasi day or Puratasi Amavasai day, a day before Navratri begins. All arrangements are done on this day.In the evening, Kalasha or Purna Kumbha is prepared. This is an invitation to Goddess to enter your home.Kalasha is a coconut circled by mango leaves on a pot and is an important accompaniment in various rituals in Hindu religion. A kalasha when filled with water, rice or other grains is known as "Purnakumbha".The pot for the Kalasha can be made of clay, brass or copper. Nowadays various designer types of pots are used as Kalasha.Mango leaves are arranged in the mouth of the pot. A coconut – outer green covering removed – is placed over the mouth of the pot. The neck of the pot is tied with a white, yellow or red colored thread or cloth. Depending on their artistic skill, some people draw various designs using natural products.
Purna Kumba or Kalash is kept on a kolam in such a place that there is space behind to keep the Bommai Kolu. You can attach a face of Goddess to the Purna Kumbha and decorate the Kumbha with jewelry, turmeric, sandal paste, flowers etc.Those who do not keep Kolu, keep the Kalash in the Pooja room.
Betel leaves, Betel nuts, a coconut is placed in front of the Kalasha. Cooked rice or boiled and sweetened milk is kept as prasadam or neivedya in front of the Kalasha.This Kalasha is to be kept for next nine days – it symbolizes Goddess.A lamp is lit every evening and morning for nine days.Normal puja is performed.
Arranging the Bommai Kolu
Next you can start arranging the Kolu dolls. Some people keep Lord Ganesha on the first step. Others opt for the Marapachi dolls. How to arrange dolls can be found here in this articlehttp://vittalsangh.blogspot.com/2010/09/bommai-kolu-arrangement-of-dolls-during.html
Navratri Puja Begins
Women perform all the pujas during Navratri.
You have already installed the Goddess in the form of Purna Kumbha. Light a lamp morning and evening on all nine days.Elaborate pujas are conducted in the evening.Other women are invited on any one of the evening.The first three days is dedicated to Goddess Durga.The next three days is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi.The final three days is dedicated to Goddess Saraswathi.Fresh kolams are done on all nine days.
Shlokas that are recited on nine days include Durga Ashtotaram, Devi Mahatmiyam, Shyamala Dhandakam, Lakshmi Sahasranama, Lakshmi Ashototaram, Lalitha Sahasranama, Saraswathi Stotram, Saraswathi Ashototaram.Slokas are recited while performing the puja.
Sweets and neivedya prepared are shared with neighbors, relatives and friends.A kannika (young girl) is invited and she is given lunch and new clothes on the first day.Some people do the Kannika Pooja it on all nine days.The lamp is diffused after the puja daily.The puja concludes on the ninth day evening.
Navavarnam Krithis
For the devotees familiar with Muthu Swamy Deekshadar's Krithi or ShyamaSastrigal ,Kamakshi Navavarnam,Swathi Tirunal's Navavarnam they may sing Navavarana Kirthana daily.
Related Posts :
Significance-of-navratri.
Inner-significance-of-navarathri.
How-to-perform-or-observe-navratri-vrat.
Story-of-navratri-and-durga-puja-legend.
Bommai-kolu-arrangement-of-dolls-
Kamalamba Navavarnam
How To Celebrate Navaratri with Golu
Navaratri significance
Navaratri Gift Ideas

Bommai Kolu – Arrangement of Dolls during Navratri and Dusshera

Bommai Kolu or Bommala Koluvu is the artistic display of dolls by women during Navarathri and Dusshera in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and among certain communities in Kerala. In 2010, Navaratri begins on October 8. The dolls, called Kollu or Golu, represents the durbar or assembly of Goddess Durga. This assembly is held just before Mother Goddess ventures on her mission to slay Mahishasura, the buffalo-headed demon. Therefore when depicted along with the ‘kolu,’ Goddess Durga is also referred as Mahishasura-mardini.
Arrangement of Dolls

Earlier, special artisans were invited to homes to create kolu dolls. But nowadays most people rely on readymade kolu dolls and ‘special Bommai kolu’ sets that hit the market during the period. The kolu arrangement is a forte of women and young girls. Creative women add new dolls to their collection each year. Some women collect dolls throughout the year keeping in mind the Navratri Kolu. It must be noted here that some of the dolls used in Navratri kolu are very old as they have been handed down to generations.

But sadly the Bommai Kolu ritual is no longer held as elaborately as they used to be in houses. Nowadays, people rarely find time to collect or make dolls and therefore the Bommai Kolu is slowly becoming a community affair. The huge collection of dolls from various households in an area makes the community Bommai Kolu a grand affair.

How the Kolu Dolls are Traditionally arranged?

The Navratri or Dasara kolu is displayed on stairs created from wood. The number of steps depends on the availability of the dolls. The maximum number is nine – representing the nine days of Navratri. Usually, the steps erected are even numbers – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11.

There are no hard and fast rules for arranging the dolls. Nowadays, the arrangement depends on the availability of dolls. In most places, the entire nine steps will be filled with statues of various gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon. For some, the Navratri Kolu is a simple arrangement of various deities in three steps.

The topmost three steps are dedicated to various gods and goddesses. In some areas, people place a ‘Purna Kumbham’ on the topmost step.

The next three steps – 4, 5 and 6 – are dedicated to Gurus, saints, religious personalities and other highly respected figures in the country and world.

The seventh step is dedicated to various social activities and festivals. People depict marriages and important festivals in this step.

Business, crafts and other economic activities are depicted in the eighth step. Creative women depict a buzzing market place and other activities.

The ninth step is dedicated to dolls made of wood. Dolls of men, women, children, animals and birds are placed in this step.

During Bommai Kolu, the entire neighborhood, friends and relatives gather in a house and sing bhajans dedicated to Goddess Durga. Special sweets are prepared during the period.

On the Vijayadashami day (the tenth day), the dolls are taken out

Story of Navratri and Durga Puja - Legend

 Navratri and Durga Puja in Hindu Mythology – Durga slaying Mahishasura 

The story associated with Navratri and Durga Puja is found in the Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is referred as Devimahatmya and is recited during the Navaratri and Durga Puja. It symbolized the victory of good over evil.

Devi-Mahatyma extols the greatness of Durga in 700 hymns grouped into 537 sections and therefore it is also known as Durga Sapta Sati. It details the exploits of the goddess in her three major forms: Kali, Lakshmi and Saraswati, representing the three fold energy: strength, wealth and wisdom. The most famous episode is Durga killing Mahishasura.

Birth of Mahishasura

Legend has it that two sons of Danu called Rambha and Karambha performed penances to gain more powers. Rambha performed the austerities by standing amidst five ritual fires called Panchagni and Karambha by standing in neck-deep in water.

Indra, the lord of the gods, felt threatened by such intense austerities and took the form of a crocodile and killed Karambha. Rambha, who came to know about his brother’s death, increased the intensity of his austerities and won several boons from gods like great brilliance, beauty, invincibility in war. Most importantly, the boon that he will not be killed by humans or Gods or Asuras (demons).

After receiving the boon, he was roaming in the garden of Yaksha and there he fell in love with a female-buffalo. To express his love Rambha took the form of a male-buffalo and copulated with the she-buffalo. But soon a real male buffalo discovered Rambha in the garden and killed him.

Rambha’s inflated ego made him not to ask the boon of invincibility from animals. And an animal happened to be the reason for his death.

The female-buffalo, who was pregnant, decided to kill herself in the funeral pyre of Rambha. She jumped into the pyre and from the pyre sprang up a mighty asura (demon) with the head of a buffalo and human body. This was Mahishasura.

Mahishasura Defeats Gods

Mahishasura defeated the gods and the demons. He attacked the heaven and captured it and made ‘devas’ his slaves. He proclaimed that he is now Indra – the lord of the gods. The gods led by Brahma approached Vishnu and Shiva and appraised them of the situation.

Birth of Goddess Durga

The actions of Mahishasura caused intense anger in the Trimurtis. The anger emerging out of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva combined to the take the shape of a terrible form and this was Durga.

It is said that the flames of fire that gushed out of the eyes of the Trimurtis – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – formed a mountain, brilliant like a million suns. Out of this mountain, Durga took shape as the goddess more powerful than all the gods.

‘samasta devanam tejo rasi samudbhavam’ Durga is the brilliance of all the gods.

Captivated by the awe-inspiring Durga, the gods bestowed on her their own characteristic weapons. Shiva – the trident, Vishnu – the discus, Varuna – the conch, Agni – the spear, Yama – the cudgel, Vayu – the bow, Surya – the arrows, Indra – the vajra, Kubera – the mace, Brahma – the water pot, Kala – the sword and Vishwakarma – the axe. Himavan gifted a mountain lion as her vehicle.

Goddess Durga kills Mahishasura

When the goddess was seen by Mahishasura, he fell in love with her and sought to marry her. The goddess promised to marry him, if he defeated her in the battle. A terrible combat ensued and continued for nine days. Finally, Durga assumed the terrifying form of Chandika and pinned Mahishasura down with her foot and pierced his neck with her spear and she cut his head off with her sword.

The legend about the killing of Mahisha is found in many Puranas and therefore there are slight variations in the story. The story is also found in Vamana Purana, Varaha Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Devi Bhagavatam and Kalika Purana.

How to Perform or Observe Navratri Vrat?

 

Navratri Vrat or Navaratri Vratam is an important fast observed by Hindus during Ashvin (September – October). It is believed that those devotees who perform Navratri fasting will find happiness on earth and will receive ‘moksha.’ Legend has it that, how to observe the Navarathri Vrat was once narrated by Goddess Durga to one of her ardent devotee. The Vratam is observed by both men and women and Navratri mantra is repeated during the period.

Navratri Fast

The Navratri fast is observed from the first day to the ninth day of Ashvin month. People take bath in the morning and evening during this period and some even drink water only after the ritual bath in the morning.

Most devotees take only a single meal during the day. Non-vegetarian food is totally avoided. Some people confine to milk and fruits during the nine days.

Some devotees only observe fast during three days i.e., first fast during any one of the first three days and second fast during any one of the next three and last in any one of final three days.

How to perform the rituals?

A Kalash is prepared at home and the water is changed daily for nine days. The kalash is placed on grains on raised platform or in the Puja room. Goddess Durga is worshipped during the first three days, Goddess Lakshmi for the next three days, and Goddess Saraswathi during the last three days. (Some people make clay figures of the Goddesses during the period).

Each day fresh flowers and fruits are offered to the Goddess. Arati is performed and bhajans are recited.

The Mantras and Bhajans to be recited

Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) and Sri Lalita Sahasranama are recited during the period. The important Navratri mantra is ‘Aaim hreem kleem chamundayai vichche.’

Some devotees conduct special homas and pujas during the period.

On the ninth day, all books, pen and whatever implements that a person uses for his/her livelihood is worshipped and is not touched on the day.

On the tenth day, that is the Vijayadashami day in South India, especially in Kerala, young children are initiated into the world of learning.

There are no hard and fast rules for any fasting in Hindu religion. There is always scope for flexibility. Some people just abstain from non-vegetarian food during the period. Some people just visit temples all the nine days. Some people read Bhagavad Gita or other holy books during the period.

Inner Significance Of Navarathri Festival

Inner Significance Of Navarathri Festival
Navarathri means nine nights. Darkness is associated with night. What is this darkness? It is thedarkness of ignorance. The purpose of the Navarathri celebration is to enable man to get rid ofnine types of darkness which have taken hold of him. When a reference is made to Devi, itsignifies the unified form of Dhurga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi. The three together represent
Shakthi. Shakthi is the energy that accounts for all the phenomena of Prakruthi (Nature). Nature
is energy and the controller of that energy is the Lord.
Prakruthi (Nature) is made up of the three qualities, Sathwa, Rajas and Thamas. Saraswathi
represents the Sathya Guna. Lakshmi represents the Rajo Guna and Parvathi represents the
Thamo Guna. As Prakruthi (Nature) is made up of these three qualities (Sathwa, Rajas and
Thamas), to get control over Nature, man has been offering worship to Dhurga, Lakshmi and
Saraswathi. These are not goddesses but deified symbols of the three qualities.
The role of Nature in the creative process
To acquire the grace of the Lord, man has to offer worship at the outset to Prakruthi. On the one
hand you need human effort and on the other you have to acquire the grace of the Divine.
Prakruthi (Nature) and Paramaatma (the Omni-Self) are like the negative and positive poles in
electricity. However powerful the Lord may be (as the positive pole), there can be no creation
without Prakruthi (representing the negative pole). The basis for creation is Prakruthi. For
instance, however good the seeds you may have with you, without planting them in the ground
you cannot reap the fruit. The role of Nature in the creative process is similar.When man forgets God and desires to enjoy the benefits of Nature, he becomes ultimately ademon like Ravana who brought about his own destruction. To secure the grace of the Lord, onehas to have purity of the heart, purity in speech and purity in action. This triple purity isdescribed in Vedantic parlance as Tripurasundari. Lakshmi, who is the embodiment of allprosperity, is represented by the heart. The mouth represents Saraswathi. Kriyaa Shuddhi (Purityin action) is represented by Dhurga. The observance of the Navarathri celebration is to get rid ofthe darkness in which man is enveloped, by cultivating the triple purity of thought, word anddeed.
The human body emerged from Nature. Nature has two forms: Aparaa Prakruthi and Paraa
Prakruthi. Aparaa Prakruthi includes Ashta Aishwaryas (eight forms of wealth), and Kaama,
Krodha, Moha, Lobha, Mada, Maatsarya and the three mental faculties in man: Manas, Chitta
and Ahamkaara. Paraa Prakruthi (the higher Nature) represents the consciousness in man.
Without the Praana (life force) and Chaithanyam (consciousness) man is only a corpse. True
humanness consists in controlling the five elements which make up the Aparaa Prakruthi (lower
Nature) and merge in the higher Nature represented by the life force and Chaithanyam
(consciousness).
Maintain steadiness of mind during worship
The Navarathri has been divided into three parts the first three days being dedicated to the
worship of Dhurga, the next three days to the worship of Lakshmi and the last three days to the
worship of Saraswathi. All Hindu festivals have a sacred purpose. Unfortunately, nowadays the
festivals are observed only with external rituals without understanding their inner meaning. In
the performance of all forms of worship there should be steadiness of mind and body. Only then
concentration can be achieved. Today men are unable to maintain steadiness of body and mind.
(At this stage Swami referred to the advent of Shirdi Sai and described incidents from his early
life. This part of Swami's discourse is published separately in the next chapter. Towards the end
of His discourse, Swami again reverted to an exposition of the inner significance of the Dashara
festival).
The basic significance of Devi Navarathri is the adoration of Prakruthi (Nature). Devi refers to
Bhudevi (Mother Earth). All the vital requirements of man can be found in the earth. Those who
travel to the moon have to carry with them the oxygen, water and food they need from the earth.
None of these can be found on the moon.
Adoration of Nature
Students! The progress of modern technology, by polluting the atmosphere with Carbon dioxide
smoke, is causing a threat to life on earth. This smoke has already created a hole in the ozone
ring above the earth which has been serving as a protecting cover against harmful radiation from
the sun. If the ozone layer is destroyed, the effect of the sun's rays may be disastrous. All nations
are now worried about this threat. All that needs to be done to avert this danger is to reduce the
pollution of the atmosphere caused by automobiles and industrial effluents. The uncontrolled
development of industries has to be checked. Development should be in the common interest, to
promote the welfare of all.
The Navarathri celebration is an occasion for revering Nature and considering how natural
resources can be used properly in the best interests of mankind. Resources like water, air, power
and minerals should be used properly and not misused or wasted. Economy in the use of every
natural resource is vital. Pollution of the air has many evil consequences. The inner significance
of observances like Nagarasankirtan and bhajans is to fill the atmosphere with sacred vibrations
and holy thoughts.
The power of Manthra
Today we know how radio and television broadcasts are transmitted to all parts of the world by
radio waves. Is it unbelievable that Krishna was able similarly to appear in the homes of Gopikas
simultaneously? If a Yantra (machine) could achieve such a result, how much more power
should be attributed to Manthra? The power of the divine name and form is all pervading. The
electromagnetic waves in the atmosphere can preserve sounds and forms for all time.
When Swami was recently in Hyderabad, His activities there were seen on the TV in various
parts of the country. If a mechanical contrivance could achieve this, is it incredible that much
more could be done by the divine power of manthras? What is needed is the power to tune in to
the Spirit just as appropriate tuning is needed to receive a radio or TV broadcast. Regard your
heart as a radio receiver. Your concentration is the tuning device. You will experience the Divine
when you tune your heart properly. This calls for firm, unwavering concentration.
The inauguration of the Navarathri celebrations means that you should use this occasion for
offering worship to Nature and resolving to make sacred use of all natural resources.
Prashanthi Mandir, 27 Sep 1992

Significance of Navratri

"Nava-ratri" literally means "nine nights." This festival is observed twice a year, once in the beginning of summer and again at the onset of winter.

What's the Significance of Navratri?

During Navaratri, we invoke the energy aspect of God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as "Durga," which literally means the remover of miseries of life. She is also referred to as "Devi" (goddess) or "Shakti" (energy or power). It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation anddestruction. In other words, you can say that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.

Why Worship the Mother Goddess?

We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. "Why mother; why not father?", you may ask. Let me just say that we believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God. Just as a child finds all these qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as mother. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute.

Why Twice a Year?

Every year the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter are two very important junctures of climatic change and solar influence. These two junctions have been chosen as the sacred opportunities for the worship of the divine power because: (1) We believe that it is the divine power that provides energy for the earth to move around the sun, causing the changes in the outer nature and that this divine power must be thanked for maintaining the correct balance of the universe.
(2) Due to the changes in the nature, the bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change, and hence, we worship the divine power to bestow upon all of us enough potent powers to maintain our physical and mental balance.

Why Nine Nights & Days?

Navaratri is divided into sets of three days to adore different aspects of the supreme goddess. On the first three days, the Mother is invoked as powerful force called Durga in order to destroy all our impurities, vices and defects. The next three days, the Mother is adored as a giver of spiritual wealth, Lakshmi, who is considered to have the power of bestowing on her devotees the inexhaustible wealth. The final set of three days is spent in worshipping the mother as the goddess of wisdom, Saraswati. In order have all-round success in life, we need the blessings of all three aspects of the divine mother; hence, the worship for nine nights.

Why Do You Need the Power?Worshipping "Ma Durga" during the Navaratri, She will bestow on you wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge, and other potent powers to cross every hurdle of life. Remember, everyone in this world worships power, i.e., Durga, because there is no one who does not love and long for power in some form or the other. 

Significance of Ashtapathi on this Radhashtami

 

Happy Radhashtami.

   Today is Radha Rani's b'day. On this auspicious day let us have some idea about Sri Jayadeva Kavi 

and his Geetha Govindha Mahakavyam.

To understand the relationship between Radha and Krishna, first we have to clear the worldly impurities from our mind, which is clogging our vision. Once these impurities are removed we will understand the true meaning of Raslila – the individual soul realizing that it is part of the universal soul, which is a continuity.

It is always Radha and Krishna together or simply Radhakrishna. Radha exists with Krishna; not without Krishna. Radha represents the individual soul and Krishna the universal soul. On a lower level, we say the individual soul merges with the universal soul.

In fact, Radha on seeing Krishna realizes that there is nothing called the individual soul and that she is Krishna.

Sri Jayadevar

         Sri Jayadeva was said to be living in the 12th century in the village "Kindu Bilwam" near Puri Jagannath in the present Orissa State, born to the saahtwic brahmin couple known as Sri Narayana Sashtri (also called Bhojadevan) and Smt.Kamala Devi (also called Radha Devi). In his early age Sri Jayadeva lost his parents and was staying in a Kutir in the forest, composing songs and singing them with music in praise of Sri Krishna. Sri Jayadeva is said to be the avathar of Sri Puri Jagannath.

Padmaavathi was born to a devoute Brahmin Deva Sarma, who,during his prayers longed for a child and promised to present the child after growth to the Lord Jagannath Himself. When she became of marriageable age, Sri Deva Sarma, in fulfilment of his promise, offered her to Lord Jagannath, who ordered the chief priest in his dreams to take the child to Sri Jayadeva and get her married to him. Lord Jagannath informed the priest that Jayadeva is none other than Himself. Thus, the girl was left at the Kutir of Sri Jayadeva, against his wish, who refused to enter into Gruhasthaasrama. Due to the stead fastness of Padmaavathi & her Bhakthi and service to him, he considered it as God's will and ultimately married her in the normal way. Sri Jayadeva enacted the scenes of this Kaavyam while composing it along with Padmavathi dancing to the tunes. Thus, this Kaavyam is a living monument of Srigaara Rasa Bhaava. 

  ASHTAPTHI:

  The Ashtapathi songs are called "GEETHA GOVINDA MAHAA KAAVYAM", which is said to be the ancient form of Sringaara Kaavyams. These are full of Sringaara Rasapravaaham. In short, These songs describe the celestial love between Raadhika Devi and Krishna, The Egoistic nature of Raadhika, Her Anger towards Krishna, Her viraha thaapam (sorrow in separation), reunion and their Sallapam. This Kaavyam is composed by Sri Jayadeva Swamigal, from self experience of the Godly principle within. 

The summary of contents of Ashtapathi:
.
Like Bhagawatham describing Krishna
Leela and Raasakreeda in 12 Skandams, Ashtapathi also has 12 Sargams, containing
24 Ashtapathi songs. Each song comprises mostly of Eight stanzaas with the
exception ofone or two Ashtapadis which are less or more than 8 stanzaas. (This
kaavyam was placed before the Raja Sadas and this has been named as Ashtap0adi
by the Pandits and Raja. The contents of Sargams, in short, are:

1. Picturisation of Dasaavathaarams
of Krishna and the prabhaavams of the Lord in various avathaars are described in
priase of Lord in the first two Ashtapadis. The third & fourth Ashtapadis
are the description of Vasantha Kaala Varnanai & Raasa Leela of Krishna with
other Gopis in Brindaavan described by the Sakkhi.(1 to 4 Ashtapadis-
1st Sargam called: " Samoda Damodarah " )
.
2. Raadhikaa's grief as Krishna is
enjoying with other Gopis, ignoring her totally and getting herself annoyed,
being too possessive of Krishna and staying alone in the kutir made of plants
and requesting Sakkhi to go and explain to Krishna Her plight and to fetch him
to Her to accept Her. (5th and 6th Ashtapadi - 2nd Sargam called: " Aklesa
Kesavah " ).
.
3. Krishna's realisation of his
mistake of ignoring Raadhika & spending his time with other Gopis.(7th
Ashtapadi-3rd Sargam called: " Mugddha Madhusudhanah " ).

4. Sakkhi explaining the Viraha
Thaapam suffered by Raadhika and pleading to God to please Raadhika by His
presence before Her..(8th & 9th Ashtapadi - 4th Sargam
called: " Snigddha Madhusudhanah " ).
.
5. Sri Krishna asking Sakkhi to
pacify Raadhika & fetch Her to Him. (10th & 11th Ashtapadis - 5th Sargam
called: " Abhisaarikaa Varnane Saakaamksha
Pundareekakshah " ).
.
6. Sakkhi explaining the aweful
condition of Raadhika due to Viraha Thaapam and Her inability to move &
requesting Lord to go to Her.(12th Ashtapadi - 6th Sargam called:
" Sothkkhantta Vaikunttah " ).
.
7. Shri Raadhika's plight of
suffering due to Viraha Thaapam and started blabbering like a mad person in
imagination of Krishna being in company of other Gopis.(13th, 14th, 15th and
16th Ashtapadis - 7th Sargam called: " Vipralabhdha
Varnane Naagareeka Naaraayana " ).
.
8. In the dawn Sri Krishna arriving
at Raadhika's Kutir and Raadhika, in anger, drives away Krishna saying 'YAAHI
MAADHAVA " .(17th Ashtapadi - 8th Sargam called: " Kkhanditha
Varnane Vilaksha Lakshmipadi: " ).



9. Sakkhi, criticising about
Raadhika's angry mood which mades Krishna disappear. The Sakkhi advices Her to
behave well when He comes next. Raadhika realises Her faults and repents.(18th
Ashtapadi - 9th Sargam called: " Kalahaantharitha Varnane
Mugddha Mukundah " ).
.
10. Sri Krishna reappearing before
Raadhika and pacifying Her with His sweet words like: you are my Jeeva, you are
my ornament, you are my Pearl etc. and pleads for Her forgiveness and goes
away.(19th Ashtapadi - 10th Sargam called : " Radha
Varnane Mugddha Maadhavah " ).
.
11. Sakkhi, pointing out to
Raadhika about the kindness of Krishna and His behaviour and that She should now
go to Krishna's place and unite with Him & please Him. Raadhika visits
Krishna Mandir(where Krishna was waiting to receive Her) and gets thrilled in
his darshan.. (20th, 21st and 22nd Ashtapadis - 11th Sargam called:
" Saanada Govindah " ).
.
12. Both enter the house &
become united.Krishna does alankaaram to Raadhika, whose dresses were crumbled
and displaced during the Union.Thus ends the Sringaara Rasa Kaavyam.(23rd and
24th Ashtapadis - 12th Sargam called: " Swadheena
Barthrukaa Varnane Supreetha Peethaambarah " 

Significance of Ashtapathy

Jayadeva’s ‘Ashtapathi’ occupies a prominent place in any Radha Kalyanam to this day. Ashtapathi is part of the ‘Gita Govindam’ ranked as the foremost of the devotional literature and Jayadeva, the holy saint-poet, drips of love, passion, compassion and devotion in his matchless versification of the poetry on Krishna. Ashtapathi is an eight-liner of 24 verses depicting the various phases of love between Radha and Krishna. Initially it is love at first sight; then indifference peeps in; again there is passion; then jealousy creeps; again there is parting between the lovers; unable bear the pain of parting Radha sends word to Krishna but Krishna teases; then Radha recoils; finally Krishna rushes to surrender unto Radha’s love and there is holy union. The 21st Ashtapathi is called ‘Madhava Sameepam’ meaning the proximity of Krishna to Radha, wherein their differences vanish and the 22nd, ‘Kalyana Ashtapathi’ or in other words the holy union of Radha and Krishna thus becoming Radhe-Krishna as one.

Two Bhagavathars, one dressed as Krishna and the other as Radha, draped in a sari dance to the mellow verses of Jayadeva. On the one side, the bold passion of Krishna and a shy Radha retreating. The scene changes in a flash. A teasing Krishna to the passionate advances of Radha; again a change of scene in a spark! The disappointed love lorn Radha weeping that melts everyone's heart; again a Krishna in the height of passion uttering the poem,

‘Smara garala khandanam, mama sirasi mandanam, dehi pada pallava mudharam’

(Oh Radha! Place your tender leaf-like soft feet upon my head to cool down my hot scorching passion)

Interesting Story :

There is an interesting story behind this verse. Jayadeva in a state of ecstasy and frenzy composed the holy Ashtapathi and this particular verse scarcely cognizant of his physical consciousness. After writing he used to review the verses and while thus going through it, was shocked to find that he had put an irreverent and ‘atrocious’ statement of Radha ‘placing her feet upon the head of Krishna, the supreme God’. Vexed, he struck out the lines and put the palm leaves aside and proceeded to the river to take oil bath. After a lapse of some time, his wife Padmavathi was surprised to find her husband return from the river with oil dripping from his hair and face and ask for the palm leaves. To her query, her husband answered that he had had a sudden inspiration to pen a new song and might forget if he did not jot it down immediately and hence returned. Padmavathi struck by this unusual behaviour of her husband, nevertheless brought out the palm leaves and writing material whereupon, Jayadeva scribbled something and went back to the bath. After the daily poojas and meals, a stunned Jayadeva commanded his wife as to who had come in the middle and written down once again what he had already deleted. Again an amazed Padmavathi reiterated that he only returned in the middle of the oil bath and scribbled something on the palm leaves and went back. Stupefied, Jayadeva found the very exact words that he had previously written reinstated back in place and realized that Sri Krishna Himself had come in his form and written the verse again. He hugged the palm leaves and beat on his chest and lamented that he, the devotee could not have a glimpse of the Almighty, but his wife without any devotional effort had seen Him. But again a thought took hold of him – wasn’t this uncomplaining, toiling Padmavathi, ever serving him putting up with his most unruly habits, a Karma Yogi, a real devotee of Him and hadn’t he neglected her as an ignorant and crude woman? When reality thus dawned upon him, he saluted his wife and penned an instant poem extolling her virtues and feeling pride in being her husband:

‘Padmavathi Ramanam – Jayadeva Kavirayam’

(I, the poet Jayadeva is in sooth the husband of Padmavathi)

Incidentally, it is only too true that God Almighty reveals His presence first to the consort of the devotee and next only to the devotee. Saint Thyagaraja, beheld the holy vision of Sri Rama, his deity, only after his wife perceived Him.
The link to download the Jayadeva Ashtapathi [Geeta Govindam] rendered by SAUNDARAVALLI & KRISHNAMURTHY....
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=f...1b60e8188a3461

For more about Radhashtami,
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