Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Navratri - The 9 Divine Nights
Origin of Durga - The Mythology
Devi is the great goddess of the Hindus,the consort of Shiva and she is worshiped in various forms corresponding to her two aspects: benevolence and fierceness. She is Uma, "light"; Gauri, "yellow or brilliant"; Parvati, "the mountaineer"; and Jagatmata, "the-mother-of-the-world" in her milder guise. The terrible emanations are Durga "the inaccessible"; Kali, "the black"; Chandi, "the fierce"; and Bhairavi, "the terrible."
Descent of the Goddess
Durga, a beautiful warrior seated upon a tiger, was the first appearance of the great goddess. The circumstance of her miraculous arrival was the tyranny of the monster-demon Mahishasur, who through terrific austerities had acquired invincible strength. The gods were afraid of this water-buffalo bull because neither Vishnu nor Shiva could prevail against him. It seemed that the joint energy of Shakti was only capable of vanquishing Mahisha, and so it was the eighteen-armed Durga who went out to do battle.
Battlefield
She went to battle on her ferocious mount lion, armed with the weapons given to her by the other Gods. Durga is one of the angry and aggressive aspects of the goddess Shakti, whose role in Hindu mythology was to fight and conquer demons and also personify the Sakti or female aspect of any male deity. In the battle, she fought and killed the evil Mahishasura and restored heaven to the Gods. Since then the goddess is invoked for protection from the powers of evil. Durga Puja is observed in her honor, to celebrate her victory over evil.
Revered Mother
She has been worshiped from about 400 AD, but probably earlier, to the present. Her literary references are chiefly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, epic and Puranic texts, and she is mentioned by name in Vedic literature. In general, Durga is regarded in northern India as the gentle bride epitomizing family unity while in southern India she is revered more in her warrior aspect.
Dussehra
The festival of Dassehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, is one of the fascinating festivals of India and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. According to the great Hindu scripture, the Ramayana, Lord Rama performed chandi-puja (holy prayer). This was carried out in order to invoke the blessings of Durga Maa for the killing of Ravana, the ten-headed demon king of Sri Lanka who had abducted Seeta, wife of Lord Rama.
Durga Maa divulged the secret to Rama on how he could slay the great Ravana. Hence upon vanquishing the demon Ravana, Lord Rama with Sita and younger brother Laxmana, returned victorious to his kingdom of Ayodhya on the day which is called 'Diwali'. Revelers across northern India re-enact the legend at sundown in a performance called the Ramlila, featuring actors dressed as Rama shooting flaming arrows at effigies stuffed with firecrackers.
Dassera day is considered a most auspicious day. It is a time-honored belief that if any new venture is started on this day, it is bound to be successful. Hence, all the undertakings be it laying-in of foundation of a new building, opening of a new commercial establishment or even initiating a child into the world of learning- are started on this day. Also on this day implements of agriculture, manufacturer's machines, the intellectuals pens, the household articles, the children's school books are placed before the idol of Durga and worshiped.
The Bengali Belief
Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajaapati a descendant of Bhrama. Sati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. Daksha was sponsoring a sacrifice and attendees came from various parts of the universe. He invited all of the gods and goddesses except his son in law Shiva. Against Shiva's wishes, Sati attended this sacrifice and was insulted by her father. Unable to bear this insult, Sati immolated herself.
Enraged at the insult and the injury, Shiva destroyed Daksha's sacrifice, cut off Daksha's head and when pleaded by other gods, replaced it with that of a goat and restored him to life. Still berserk with grief, he picked up the remains of Sati's body, and danced the dance of destruction throughout the Universe. The other gods intervened to stop this dance, and the disk of Vishnu cut through the corpse of Sati, whose various parts of the body fell at several spots all through the Indian subcontinent and formed the sites of what are known as Shakti Peethas today.
Shiva was finally pacified when the last piece fell off from his shoulder. Narayana revived sati as Uma for a new life. Ever since peace was restored, Uma, with her children, Ganesh and Kartick, and with her two 'sakhis' - Jaya and Bijaya, comes to visit her parent's home each year during the season of 'Sharat' or autumn when Durga Puja is celebrated.
Mahalaya
Mahalaya ushers in the aura of Durga Puja. The countdown for the Durga Puja begins much earlier, from the day of 'Janmastami'. It is only from the day of Mahalaya that the preparations for the Durga Puja reaches the final stage. The midnight chants of various hymns of 'Mahishasura Mardini' reminds one of the beginning of Durga Puja.
Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs.
The day of Mahalaya is also the day of remembrance. On this day, people offer 'tarpan' in memory of their deceased forefathers. The banks of River Ganga becomes a sea of humanity. Priests are seen busy performing 'Tarpan' for devotees in groups. The rituals start from early down and end during the midday. Devotees and worshipers buy clothes and sweets to offer to their forefathers. 'Tarpan' is to be performed in empty stomach. After offering 'tarpan', people eat at the same place.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
10 Rules for a Happy Day
1. Today I will not strike back:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I
will not respond in a like manner.
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind... I
will not respond in a like manner.
2. Today I will ask God to bless my
"enemy":
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will
quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy"
could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will
quietly ask GOD to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy"
could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.
3. Today I will be careful about what I
say:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not
spread gossip.
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not
spread gossip.
4. Today I will go the extra mile:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.
5. Today I will forgive:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.
6. Today I will do something nice for
someone, but I will not do it secretly:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.
7. Today I will treat others the way I
wish to be treated:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them
do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them
do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.
8. Today I will raise the spirits of
someone who is discouraged:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference
to someone who is wrestling with life.
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference
to someone who is wrestling with life.
9. Today I will nurture my body:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank GOD for my body.
10. Today I will grow spiritually:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading
something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place
(at some point during this day) and listen to the Heart/GOD's voice!!!
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading
something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place
(at some point during this day) and listen to the Heart/GOD's voice!!!
Questions???
We learn more by looking for the answer
to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself...
Quotes of Paramahansa Yogananda
“Self-realization is the knowing in all parts of body, mind, and soul that
you are now in possession of the kingdom of God; that you do not have to pray
that it come to you; that God’s omnipresence is your omnipresence;
and that all that you need to do is improve your knowing.”
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Discover yourself...
Looking back you
realize that a very special person passed briefly through your life;
And it was you.
It is never too
late to find that person again.
Don't Hate Just Love...
"Never hate
people, who are JEALOUS of you instead love them,
For they are the ones who think you are BETTER than them."
Guru Nanak Dev Quotes...
His (God) compassion is beyond all description.
The Lord's gifts are so great He expects nothing in return.
The Lord's gifts are so great He expects nothing in return.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Sour into Sweet...
It is TIME to make new CHOICES
and take this MOMENT to turn
what is SOUR into something SWEET...
Quotes of Paramahansa Yogananda
“The secret of health for both mind and
body mind is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles,
but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
body mind is not to mourn for the past,
worry about the future, or anticipate troubles,
but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”
Guru Nanak Dev Quotes...
However well I know Him, He cannot
be described.
He cannot be expressed by words.
The Guru is the secret that solves the riddle.
He is the benefactor of all.
Let me never forget Him.
He cannot be expressed by words.
The Guru is the secret that solves the riddle.
He is the benefactor of all.
Let me never forget Him.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Quotes of Paramahansa Yogananda
“The wave is the same as the ocean, though it is not the whole ocean. So
each wave of creation is a part of the eternal Ocean of Spirit. The Ocean can
exist without the waves, but the waves cannot exist without the Ocean.”
Guru Nanak Dev Quotes...
Remember the true name
and meditate on its glory in the ambrosial hour.
Through your actions you receive this body,
and by His grace the door to salvation opens.
and meditate on its glory in the ambrosial hour.
Through your actions you receive this body,
and by His grace the door to salvation opens.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Quotes of Paramahansa Yogananda
“Every morning I
offer my body, my mind and any ability that I posses, to be used by Thee, O
infinite creator, in whatever way Thou dost choose to express Thyself through
me. I know that all work is Thy work, and that no task is too difficult or too
menial when offered to Thee in loving service.”
Guru Nanak Dev Quotes...
If I have succeeded in attaining His
(God) pleasure,
I have bathed in all the holy rivers.
And If I fail to please Him,
why should I bathe and adorn myself?
I have bathed in all the holy rivers.
And If I fail to please Him,
why should I bathe and adorn myself?
Monday, March 5, 2012
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