To Surya, the Sun God as he starts his Northerly trek Grace us with Warmth and Light
Happy Sankranti to All!
Happy Sankranti to All!
Makar Sankranti is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus, and is celebrated in almost all parts of the country in myriad cultural forms, with great devotion, fervor & amp; gaiety. It falls on the 14th of January every year according to the Solar Calendar. Lakhs of people take a dip in places like Ganga Sagar & Prayag, and pray to Lord Sun. It also commemorates the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated as Pongal in the southern parts of India; in Punjab, it is celebrated as Lohri & Maghi.
Makar means the Capricorn and Sankranti is transition. There is a sankranti every month (on the last day of every month of the Hindu calendar) when the sun passes from one sign of the zodiac to the next. There are twelve signs of the zodiac, and thus there are twelve sankrantis as well. Each of these sankrantis has its own relative importance, but two of these are more important - the Mesh (Aries) Sankranti, and the most important, the Makar (Capricorn) Sankranti. Transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn, during the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere is known as Makar Sankranti. From this day, begins the six-month long period called Uttarayan, considered very auspicious for attaining higher worlds hereafter.
From Uttarayan, starts the ‘day’ of Devtaas (Gods), while Dakshinayan is said to be the ‘night’ of Devtaas. So, most of the auspicious things are done during this time. There is another significance of this day. After this day, the days start becoming longer & warmer, and thus the chill of winter in on the decline.
Makar Sankranti is the day when the glorious Sun-God begins its ascendancy and entry into the Northern Hemisphere, and thus it signifies an event wherein the Sun-God seems to remind their children that ‘Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya‘, may you go higher & higher, to more & more Light (Knowledge) and never to Darkness.
To Hindus, the Sun stands for knowledge, spiritual light and wisdom. Makar Sankranti signifies that we should turn away from the darkness of delusion in which we live, and begin to enjoy a new life with bright light within us to shine brighter and brighter. We should gradually begin to grow in purity, wisdom, and knowledge, even as the Sun does from the Day of Makar Sankranti.
A well-known reference of this day came when the great grandsire of Mahabharata fame, Bheeshma Pitaamah, declared his intent to leave his mortal body on this day. He had the boon of Ichchha-Mrityu (death at one’s own wish) from his father. So, he kept lying on the bed of arrows struck by Arjuna, till this day, and then left his mortal coil on Makar Sankranti day.
It is believed that the person, who dies during the period of Uttarayan, becomes free from transmigration (cycle of births & deaths). So, this day is seen as a certainty for good luck to start your journey or endeavors to the higher realms beyond.
¤ Sun Therapy
Nowadays, many medical scientists after studying the glory of the compassion and benedictions of Sun God, are bringing forth stunning results by employing it in the medical field.
Dr. Hej Heuki says, “The rays of the Sun are more beneficial than medicines. The medicines destroy the useful bacteria along with the harmful ones.” Dr Hej Handrik found out through experiments that the rays of the Sun quickly penetrate into the body and increase its resistance towards diseases.
A scientist called Gardener Roni incurred wonderful benefits from Sun-therapy. He writes, “The body becomes so strong by Sun Therapy that it ejects the harmful bacteria and becomes capable of protecting itself on its own.” Gardener Roni cured many patients by using the Sun-therapy. For a healthy & disease free life, one should bathe his body regularly in the sunlight such that the sun rays fall on the body daily for at least 5-8 minutes on the front, and for 8-10 minutes at the back.
The son of Lord Shri Krishna, Saamb was suffering from various disorders of skin and digestion. Finding that he was not reviving, Shri Krishna said to him, “I obtained a good health and various other benefits by worshipping the Sun-God. I meditated on Sun-god and performed Sun-bath after doing pranayama etc. in its rays. Saamb! You should also worship the Sun.”
Lord Shri Krishna advised his ill son, Saamb to do Sun-bath, to offer libation to Him (the Sun) and perform Surya-Namaskara, and ultimately to meditate on him in the space between both the eyebrows (bhrikuti). Saamb was restored to health by following this.
The scientists are saying now, but five thousand years back, the father of all scientists, Lord Shri Krishna, and even before Him, our rishis had already told about the health-restoring qualities of the Sun. But we don’t worship the Sun just for this that we may be rendered health, that the rays would provide Vitamin-D on entering through the skin and thereby cure skin diseases. The Sun-bath will undoubtedly bring about material benefits, but our outlook is not restrained only to the mortal body by gaining material benefits. The rishis of India have their eyes set on realizing the Self, the Lord, and these additional benefits shall come along without restraint.
Vasant Navratri: The Nine Holy Nights of Spring Festival
Navratri (”nava” + “ratri”) literally means “nine nights”. This ritual is observed twice a year, in spring and in autumn. “Vasant Navratri” is nine days of fast and worship that Hindus undertake during spring every year. Vasant Navratri is also known as “Ram Navratri” because Ram Navami falls on the ninth day of Chaitra month.
The scriptures say, “I bow again and again before Maa Jagadambaa (Mother of the universe), abiding in all beings and objects in the form of energy.”
God manifests Himself in numerous shapes and forms. One of them is that of the Mother. The manifestation of Supreme Brahman in the form of power, compassion, forgiveness, and benevolence has been termed as Maa (Mother), and Navratri is the time to adore and worship the Mother in her various forms.
The Mother’s Grace is boundless. Her mercy is illimitable, Her knowledge infinite; Her power is immeasurable, Her glory ineffable and Her splendor indescribable. She gives us material prosperity as well as spiritual freedom.
In the ‘Srimad Devi Bhagawat’, it is written that one desirous of knowledge, wealth and begetting a son should meticulously observe the Navratri Vrat, which has the power of returning the kingdom to a dethroned king. Shri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. He fought and won through Her Grace. It was also on this day that Arjuna worshipped Devi, before starting the battle against the Kauravas on the field of Kurukshetra.
The festival of Navratri should be celebrated with great fanfare through the rendition of devotional songs, music and dancing. One should sleep on the ground. One should offer food to as many young girls as one can afford to feed. But girls less than one year of age cannot be considered. Only girls from the age of 2 to 10 years can be served food on this occasion.
One unable to observe fast on all Navratri days should fast on the 7th, 8th and 9th lunar days (22-24th Mar’10) and worship Goddess Durga. This affords religious merits of observing a fast on each of the Navratri days.
Night vigil during Navratri is beneficial when there are discussions according to the guidelines of the scriptures, the mind is cheerful, a pious lamp is lit throughout the night before Goddess Durga’s idol, and there is devotional chanting of the Divine Mother’s pious name with music. Saatvik dance should be performed, not disco or some other western dance.
The worship of Devi, the universal Mother, leads to the attainment of knowledge of the Self. Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has emphasized to such an extent the motherhood of God. One’s relationship with one’s mother is the dearest and the sweetest of all human relations. Hence, it is only proper to look upon God as mother.
SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.
It is the devout Hindu’s duty to perform the worship of Devi for both material and spiritual welfare during the Vasanta Navaratri, and follow the noble example set by Lord Rama. One cannot achieve anything without the Divine Mother’s blessings. So, sing Her praise and repeat Her Mantra and Name. Meditate on Her form. Do worship. Pray and obtain Her eternal Grace and blessings. May the Divine Mother bless us all with divine wealth!
Raksha Bandhan Festival
¤ A Pure BondThe pure bond of love and affection between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan. This thread, which vibrates with sisterly love and virtuous sentiments, is rightly called the 'Rakhi'. A "bond of protection".
Raksha Bandhan is a divine festival not only sisters tie the holy threads to their brothers, Priests tie to people of his congregation. During ancient times, if a woman tied a Rakhi on the hand of any man, then it became essentially important for him, as his religious duty of the highest order, to protect that woman. That man would put his life at stake to protect the honor of that woman.
Many Rajput Kings sacrificed their lives to protect their spiritual sisters. Humayun the great Mughal Emperor received a Rakhi from the queen Karmavati of Chittor and for that, Humayun carried out his sacred brotherly duty and protected her by opposing his own soldiers.
¤ The Following Traditions
People are committed to protect each other and the society in such congregational Rakhi Utsavs, popularized by the Nobel laureate Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore.
Rakhis are decorated with soft silky threads of various colors, and also with ornaments, pictures, gold and silver threads etc. These Rakhis enhance the artistry of the people.
Rituals like Rakhi, help ease out various strains relations, induce fellow-feeling, give ways for communications and enhance an opportunity to rework on our role as human beings, most significantly, brings delight in our monotonous lives.
¤ The Festival Celebrations
According to Indian traditions, the festival rituals follows as chanting of sacred sonnet (Mantras), sanctified with rice, red color ( roli) etc. The sister dressed in their typical Indian attires serves her brother by putting Tilak (red color) on his forehead added with raw rice. Then she ties Rakhi thread on her brother's wrist and offers him with the plate of sweets, here - the brother become obliged to protect her sister under any circumstances.
It is said that this protection thread protects from sins on the one hand and removes diseases on the other hand. By tying this thread, one is secured for the entire year and all kinds of fears are removed.
Dussehra Festival
¤ The Exciting Tales Associated With The Festival This hugely popular festival falls on the 10th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin (around September or October). A fascinating collection of mythological legends and regional tales are embroidered around Dussehra. On this day, Rama, the god-king and hero of the great Hindu epic, Ramayana, killed the unrighteous Ravana, the 10-headed demon king of Lanka who had abducted Rama’s wife, Sita.
It is believed that Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana, along with an army of monkeys, fought a colossal battle that lasted 10 days. Rama, who was a devout believer of Durga, the Goddess of War, prayed to her for the first nine days of battle and killed the evil Ravana on the 10th day. He shot Ravana with a bow that pierced his navel. Out flowed the nectar of immortality that was stored in a pot in his navel, thus destroying his invincibility. Ravana’s own brother Vibhishana (being the sensible one, he had switched sides) had divulged this secret to Rama. Rama also slew Ravana’s brother Kumbhkarna (more famous for maintaining a lifestyle worthy of a record in the Guinness Book – he hibernated for six months at a stretch each year!). Lakshmana killed Ravana’s son, Meghnath. and Dussehra is the festival that commemorates this triumph of Good over Evil. To this day Rama Lila (the enactment of the Ramayana, or literally the saga of Rama) is staged in towns and villages across the length and breadth of the country.
¤ Ram Lila- Depicts A Legendary Story of Lord Rama
The highlight of Dussehra is Ram Lila. It is enacted for 10 days to mark the 10-day battle fought between Rama and Ravana. Ram Lila is generally held in large open grounds that come alive with brightly-lit stalls, rickety giant wheels that might fall apart any minute but never do, merry-go-rounds, brightly-painted manually run mini giant wheels with bucket seats for children. All this is very reminiscent of a country fair. Gigantic effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath are erected on the fairgrounds. The grotesque and colourful effigies, generally filled with crackers, are set ablaze on Dussehra, or the 10th day of Ram Lila. Huge crowds gather around the burning effigies to enjoy the spectacle. Children are especially delighted at the sight and shoot arrows into the exploding effigies.
Ram Lila is generally held in the evenings, and year after year, people flock in huge numbers to watch the saga unfold, yet once again. In ancient times when it was considered demeaning for women to go up on stage, men performed the female roles. This still happens in most parts of India. Needless to say, the most effeminate and ‘beautiful’ boy is handpicked to enact the role of Sita.
¤ The blazing of Ravana
After the Ram Lila and the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath (right down to their curly moustaches), the stars of the night – Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are taken around in a huge chariot. Crowds of people shouting Jai Shri Ram (Victory to Rama) join the procession. (The processions of Mysore in Karnataka, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat are especially spectacular).
The stars are driven right up to their doorsteps, and India wakes up to a new day.
It is believed that Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana, along with an army of monkeys, fought a colossal battle that lasted 10 days. Rama, who was a devout believer of Durga, the Goddess of War, prayed to her for the first nine days of battle and killed the evil Ravana on the 10th day. He shot Ravana with a bow that pierced his navel. Out flowed the nectar of immortality that was stored in a pot in his navel, thus destroying his invincibility. Ravana’s own brother Vibhishana (being the sensible one, he had switched sides) had divulged this secret to Rama. Rama also slew Ravana’s brother Kumbhkarna (more famous for maintaining a lifestyle worthy of a record in the Guinness Book – he hibernated for six months at a stretch each year!). Lakshmana killed Ravana’s son, Meghnath. and Dussehra is the festival that commemorates this triumph of Good over Evil. To this day Rama Lila (the enactment of the Ramayana, or literally the saga of Rama) is staged in towns and villages across the length and breadth of the country.
¤ Ram Lila- Depicts A Legendary Story of Lord Rama
The highlight of Dussehra is Ram Lila. It is enacted for 10 days to mark the 10-day battle fought between Rama and Ravana. Ram Lila is generally held in large open grounds that come alive with brightly-lit stalls, rickety giant wheels that might fall apart any minute but never do, merry-go-rounds, brightly-painted manually run mini giant wheels with bucket seats for children. All this is very reminiscent of a country fair. Gigantic effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath are erected on the fairgrounds. The grotesque and colourful effigies, generally filled with crackers, are set ablaze on Dussehra, or the 10th day of Ram Lila. Huge crowds gather around the burning effigies to enjoy the spectacle. Children are especially delighted at the sight and shoot arrows into the exploding effigies.Ram Lila is generally held in the evenings, and year after year, people flock in huge numbers to watch the saga unfold, yet once again. In ancient times when it was considered demeaning for women to go up on stage, men performed the female roles. This still happens in most parts of India. Needless to say, the most effeminate and ‘beautiful’ boy is handpicked to enact the role of Sita.
¤ The blazing of Ravana
After the Ram Lila and the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnath (right down to their curly moustaches), the stars of the night – Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are taken around in a huge chariot. Crowds of people shouting Jai Shri Ram (Victory to Rama) join the procession. (The processions of Mysore in Karnataka, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat are especially spectacular).
The stars are driven right up to their doorsteps, and India wakes up to a new day.
