Monday 31 October 2016

Let’s take a look at some of the well-known and lesser known stories associated with Diwali.

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🙏🏻 Jai Shri Ram ~ Om Namo Narayana ~ Om Namah Shivaya! 🙏🏻
Let’s take a look at some of the well-known and lesser known stories associated with Diwali.
Main legend is The story of Lord Rama and Maa Sita. Diwali is the day when King Rama`s coronation was celebrated in Ayodhya after his war with Ravana. Lord Rama a great warrior, was exiled by his father Dashratha along with his wife Sita and his younger brother Lakshman. Lord Rama returned to his Kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, in which he put an end to Ravana. In Ayodhya, the people welcomed them by lighting rows of clay lamps. So, it is an occasion in honor of Rama's victory over Ravana, of Truth's victory over Evil.
According to various Puranas, Lord Vishnu in his 8th incarnation as Krishna destroyed the demon Narkasura. The demon Narakasura was the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam. Power made the demon king arrogant and he became dangerous to his subjects and even to the gods. He ruled with a reign of terror, abducted 16,000 daughters of the gods, and stole the earrings of Aditi, mother of the gods. Krishna had to fight with the demon. The rescue of the 16,000 girls is said to be the origin of the story that Krishna had 16,000 wives. Krishna granted Narakasur one last request, because of the good deeds he had done. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. So, before being killed, he cried, “Let this day be celebrated as a day of feasting in the World!" Krishna granted his request. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils. Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Deepavali tradition. This Diwali story is a reminder that good always defeats evil. The day therefore is dedicated to lights and prayers heralding a future full of joy and laughter.
Another legend about Diwali celebrations relates to one of the legendary Hindu kings Vikramaditya. Historically it is believed that on a Diwali day in 56 BC King Vikramaditya, famed for his wisdom, bravery and large heartedness, was crowned and declared to be a king.
Another story is related to Sri Vishnu. as it's said that lord Vishnu miraculously assumed the form of a dwarf, Vamana. It was on a Kartik day that Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a short Brahmin and approached Bali for some charity. A large-hearted king, Bali tried to help the Brahmin. But the whole thing was a trick by Lord Vishnu and ultimately the King had to give up all his kingship and wealth. Diwali celebrates this defeating of Mahabali by Lord Vishnu.
On the auspicious new moon day, which is 'Amavasyaa' of the Hindi month of Kartik, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi had incarnated. She appeared during the churning of the ocean, which is known as 'Samudra Manthan', by the demons on one side and 'Devataas' on the other side. Therefore, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Pujan, on the day of Diwali, became a tradition.
Another very interesting story about Diwali day is from the Kathopanishad. A small boy Nichiketa believed that Yam, the god of Death was as black as the dark night of amavasya. But when he met Yam in person he was puzzled seeing Yam's calm countenance and dignified stature. Yam explained to Nichiketa that on Diwali, passing through the darkness of death, man sees the light of highest wisdom. It is only then only his soul can escape from the bondage of his mortal frame to mingle with the Supreme Power. It was then that Nichiketa realized the importance of worldly life and significance of death.
Maa Kali is the fearful and ferocious form of the mother goddess Durga. She assumed the form of a powerful goddess and became popular with the composition of the Devi Mahatmya. She is depicted as having born from the brow of Goddess Durga during one of her battles with the evil forces. As the legend goes, in the battle, Kali was so much involved in the killing spree that she got carried away and began destroying everything in sight. To stop her, Lord Shiva threw himself under her feet. Shocked at this sight, Kali stuck out her tongue in astonishment, and put an end to her homicidal rampage. On Diwali, Kali Puja is done to diminish the ego and all negative tendencies that hinder spiritual progress and material prosperity. The main purpose of the puja is to seek the help of the goddess in destroying evil, both in the outside world and within us.!
Good night ~ शुभ रात्री ~ सर्व जन सुखिनो भवन्तु ! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

Be thankful to those who have hurt or harmed you, they are the ones who help you grow strong!

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जीवन में कभी किसी को भी कसूरवार न बनाएं , अच्छे लोग खुशियां लाते हैं , और बाकी लोग तजुर्वा !! 📿🌟📿 Namaste Beautiful Souls. It's time for Monday Mantra. 🕉🕉 Yes, Be thankful to those who have hurt or harmed you, they are the ones who help you grow strong! Be thankful to those who didn't stand with you in difficult times, those who left you, for they taught you that you can fight it all alone. When life sets you up with a such situation, there’s a reason for it. it’s meant to test your courage and willingness to make a change. Accept the truth and be thankful. Let go of the anger. Holding on to the weight of anger, resentment and hatred will not only hold you back, but also block your present blessings and opportunities. All these people taught you an important lesson. People will hurt you, people will come and go. In the end you find out that you are strong enough to move on and make it without them. They made you see you can't trust just anyone. They are the reason you are strong and can keep it together. You should be thankful to people who left. They showed you how to let go. How to breakdown and how to pick up the pieces. How to put your life back together and make it on your own. They showed you it's better to love and lose. They also made you see who you belong with and who truly loves you. And before getting upset always ask yourself, will this even matter in next few months, in a year or in couple of years. If the the answer is no, then just let it go. So Keep your chin up, it's their loss. You are the one that is going to continue to live an amazing life and losing them will give you the strength to face bigger hurdles in the future! Love, Light, Happiness & Peace ~ Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Jai Bholenath!! 🙏🏻💀👁🌙🐍📿🕉🎨🙏🏻
Shubh Somvaar ~ Sarva Jana Sukhino Bhavantu!! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

Happy Govardhan Puja, Annakut Puja (31st October)

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Happy Govardhan Puja, Annakut Puja (31st October)
Govardhan Puja day falls next day after Diwali Puja and it is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna defeated God Indra.
***Gowardhan Puja is also known as Annakut Puja. On this day food made of cereals like wheat, rice, curry made of gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked and offered to Lord Krishna.
Govardhana (गोवर्धन) is a 8km long hill located near the town of Vrindavana, in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is considered sacred. Known as Govardhan or Giriraj it is the sacred center of Braj and is identified as a natural form of Krishna
***As per the story, Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offering to Indraand questions his father Nanda about it. He debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. They were farmers, they should do their duty and concentrate on farming and protection of their cattle. He continued to say that all human beings should merely do their 'dharma', to the best of their ability and not pray or conduct sacrifices for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Indra was then angered, and flooded the village. Krishna then lifted Mountain Govardhan and held it up as protection to his people and cattle from the rain. Indra finally accepted defeat and recognized Krishna as supreme. This aspect of Krishna's life is mostly glossed over - but it actually set up on the basis of the 'karma' philosophy later detailed in the Bhagavad Gita.
ॐ ~ψ~ || ॐ ~ψ~ || ॐ नमो भागवते वासुदेवाय || ~ψ~ ॐ || ~ψ~ ॐ

Veda Mantras ( The Very Breath of God )



                           

                           Vedam being chanted in Prashanti Nilayam

    Veda mantras or vedam chanting are the recital you hear being done by priests during homam or temple poojas.Well,these are the commonest examples that may get you to the idea of what these veda mantras mean.

 Are you familiar with these verses  ?  :


'' Yopam puspam Veda puspavan Prajavan pasuman bhavati ..''

'' Rajadi rajaaya ... '' 

'' Tatpurushaya vidmahe mahadevaya dheemahi thanno rudra prachodayaat''

'' Namaste astu bhagavan visveshvaraya mahadevaya trymbakaye...''

 Well ,these are small portions from specific veda mantras.Most of the common mantras you chant are also veda mantras - just that most are not aware of what exactly they are chanting.They are unaware of the power and greatness of what they are reciting.


  Veda mantras are not songs or 'prayers' like many people assume.There is a big difference actually.They are not to be confused with bhajans,kirtans, devaram or poems - which are written or composed from devotion by devotees or sages of a specific time.



So what are these veda mantras ? Where did it originate from ? 



 Veda mantras are cosmic sound (shabda brahman). Cosmos is the universe- the entire creation. So how are veda mantras  cosmic sounds ?







  See, where there is a movement,motion or vibration,there is sound.Conversely, to produce a sound,the vibration corresponding to it must be created. Veda mantras are the sound vibrations that are ever present in the cosmos.It is not composed or made by anyone. 


This is why Vedas are also called as apaurusheya - not of human origin.


 When ancient sages were meditating,these veda mantras appeared to them,in a flash,in their hearts.The sages whose names are associated with various chants ( veda mantras will have the name of the Rishi associated with it .For example, the Rishi for  Sri Rudram is Agni ) are not the composers of these chants.

They are merely the instruments who have seen ( or heard ) the chants. Thus,the sages are sometimes referred to as 'seers'.The Vedic seers have the name of mantra-drashtaas.A drashtaa is one who sees.



  'Seeing' or 'looking' here does not denote merely what the eyes perceives.It is a term that covers all forms of perception and all modes of cognition.For example, when we say that a man has 'seen' all sorrows in his life,does the term 'seen' imply only what he saw with his eyes ? The term mantra-drashtaa also could be taken in a similar manner as referring to what is perceived through inner vision.The sages were able to hear the Vedas in their hearts.



  The Rishis or sages are like radios who were able to tune in to the frequency of these cosmic sounds and hear them.They are like downloaders who downloaded these veda mantras from the cosmos.


   For example, each radio station emits radiowaves across the country.But we cannot listen to the waves or sounds ( music ) played by the radio stations.We need to use a radio and tune to the particular FM - only then we can hear to the songs played in the desired radio stations.



 Ancient sages were like these radios - who acted like an instrument to transmit these veda mantras.They taught these mantras orally to disciples, in a guru-shisya system.In ancient India of Satya Yuga ( the Golden age ) , people were extremely brilliant.They could learn everything just by listening.





 This is why, the Vedas initially had their name as just ' Shrutis' ( that which was heard ). Onlythen , they were compiled,written and arranged into four divisions - namely Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. Yajur Veda was then subdivided into two parts - Krishna  Yajur Veda and Shukla Yajur Veda. 

   Even today,with modern instruments, scientists have been able to identify certain Veda mantras. For example, the sound of Sun has been managed to be identified by scientists and they confirmed it as " OM ". 




                   Video above : Sound from the Sun recorded as "OM" 


  We don't have to go that far indeed.Our grandparents have told us symbollically '' If you sit quietly and meditate in the early mornings , you can hear God ... '' , Try it .If you sit silently around 4 am and just be still , you can hear the sound ' OM '. 




 The Power of Veda Mantras

  The power of veda mantras are indescribable.The mantras have the power to inspire good thoughts in people.




 In fact,in ancient times, Rishis and sages used to move to forests and chant these powerful veda mantras.These mantras spread across the world and purified everything.It purified all the elements polluted by bad thoughts and actions.Even today, if we chant , we are doing a great service by killing harmful microorganisms,destroying harmful electromagnetic waves in the air and such.

This is one of the main reasons for conducting Homam and Yagya. I have written an elaborate article on the significance of Homam and Yagya , which you can find here :

  http://maiyiliragu.blogspot.my/2016/10/why-do-we-conduct-yagya-  or-homam-fire.html



  In the past,veda mantras were used elaborately as technology. If the mantras are recited in particular ways,certain amazing results would take place, including changes in the weather, producing certain types of living beings or even palaces.



 Others have used it to produce weapons equal to the modern nuclear bombs,like the brahmaastra weapon - which was used in the Mahabaratha war.Specific mantras could be attached to arrows with the sound causing powerful explosions when the arrow reached its target.

   The Veda mantras also activate our subtle energies.The sound also affects the atmosphere resulting in individual and collective wellbeing of the world - which includes all beings and not just humans.




  These mantras can create new subjective states in ourselves,alter our physical being,reveal knowledge and faculties that we did not possess before.


  LEARN VEDA MANTRAS NOW :  


     The veda mantras were declining in use.This is a great gift from our culture,which is not very well recognised today.Today people have labeled it as a 'brahmin' thing. Everyone can and should chant the vedas.There is no restriction to anyone .


        

Video above : Baba emphasising the importance of Veda Mantras 

  Many spiritual gurus and particularly - Baghwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba had greatly emphasised that every individual should learn the vedam.Today,anyone can learn them.Tutorials online have been created too :- 


Learn Veda mantras here : 


https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIeP9vZsuEsbq7Y1rAOvKo5VZ4Rzi-JUU


There are many veda mantras :- famous ones include Sri Rudram , Chamakam, Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, Durga Suktam,Medha Suktam, Sivopasana mantra,Ganapathi Upanishad , Narayana Upanishad, Narayana Suktam and so on...


Try listening to some of these veda mantra recital in youtube..They will mesmerise you. 




There is an interesting point to note as to what Suktams are - as a lot of these veda mantras are called ' suktams'.

Rig Veda is the largest and the most important of all the Vedas.The Rig Veda consists of mantras and hymns of praise to various deities.These hymns are called riks. A collection of riks is a suktam. Each suktam consists of a number of riks


So all the suktams are from the Rig Veda in general.

Perhaps,the most important and emphasised veda mantra is Sri Rudram. I have even made a specific article on the importance of Sri Rudram specifically ( click here to read ) 



 
                           Video : Erhard Boys chanting Sri Rudram


  Different veda mantras have a particular deity associated with it. For example, Sri Rudram is associated with Lord Shiva and Purusha Suktam, for Lord Vishnu.




  Each confers various benefits and realisation. To briefly put, Sri Rudram is a great karma , dosha and sin destroyer and healer of everything , and it usually brings rain after chanting. Ganapathi Upanishad empowers our stability in life and intelligence.
Sri Suktam is said to be the basis of the entire carnatic music.Durga suktam empowers shakti within us... and so  

   When we chant the veda mantras, the very Gods start becoming alive within us.


  Let us all learn and chant the vedam.May we create a prosperous age in the future.Particularly,impart to kids while young - they will rock in every field of their life, guaranteed.



                 Video Above : Space sounds for healing and meditation

   The video above shows how other cultures have tapped into the science of cosmic vibrations and use it for spiritual purposes.. Our ancients have gifted the most advance method by providing us with veda mantras.Let us utilise and make sure it is transmitted to the upcoming generations.


   


For any enquires and doubts , email to mayiliragai@gmail.com.

Do contact too if you are interested in working together to spread vedic chantings across and work in helping people learn it .  -maiyiliragu.blog

Temple of lord shiva at Kanchikacherla

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Temple of lord shiva at Kanchikacherla