JAI SHANI DEV !

The story and history of Shani Dev-The Benevolent

In our routine lives, there is a great importance of the kindness and the power of God Shani. Shani occupies the seventh place among the nine planets which govern the world. This is viewed as unlucky in conventional astrology. As per 'Kaagol Shastra', the distance of Shani from the earth is 9 crore miles. Its radius is about one billion and 82 crore and 60 lakh kilometers. And its gravitational force is 95 times higher than that of the earth. Planet Shani takes 19 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The astronauts have viewed the Shani's colours as beautiful, strong, influencing and eye-catching. It has twenty two satellites in its ring.

Shani's gravitational power is more than that of the Earth's. Therefore, when we think good or bad thoughts and make plans, they reach Shani by the strength of his power. In astrological terms, the bad influence is considered as unlucky. But the result of good deeds will be good. Therefore, we must understand God Shani as a friend and not as foe. And for bad deeds, he is Sade Saathi, disaster and an enemy.

As regards the birth of Shani, there are different stories. Foremost and accepted is the one in the ancient 'Scanda Poorana' of Kasi Khanda which is as follows.

God Soorya was married to Daksha Kanya Sadnya. Sadnya could not tolerate the radiance of God Surya. She used to feel that by doing penance she could increase her brilliance. Or, by the power of her penance, she could diminish the glare of God Surya. But for God Surya, she was a spouse worshipping wife. From God Surya, she had three children. One was Vaivastahva Manu. The second was Yama Raj. And the third was Yamuna. Sadnya loved her children very much. But, she was very upset with the radiance of God Surya. One day, she thought that she would separate from God Surya, go to her parents' home and undertake great penance. And if there was opposition, she would go far away to a lonely and undertake great penance.

By strength of her penance, Sadnya created a 'Chaya' (shadow) of herself and named her Suvarna. And, and then the shadow of herself became Suvarna. After handing over the children to Chaya, Sadnya told her that Chaya would thereafter play the role of womanhood and nurse her three children. She told her if any problem arose, she should call her and she would come rushing to her. But she cautioned her that she must remember that she was Chaya, not Sadnya, and nobody should know this difference.

Sadnya hander over her responsibilities to Chaya and went away to her parents' place. She went home and told her father that she could not stand the radiance of God Surya. And therefore, without telling her husband she had come away. Listening to this, her father scolded her very much and told her that without being called, if the daughter returns home, both her and her father would be cursed. He told her to go back to her home immediately. Then, Saudnya began to worry that if she went back, what would happen to the responsibilities which she had given to Chaya. Where would Chaya go? And their secret would be exposed. So, Sadnya went to the dense jungles in Uttar Kurukshetra and took repose there.

She was fearful of her safety in the jungle because of her youthfulness and beauty. And she changed her form into that of a mare so that none could recognize her and started her penance. Elsewhere, the union of God Surya and Chaya begot three children. God Surya and Chaya were happy with each other. Surya never doubted anything. The children of Chaya were Manu, God Shani and Putri Bhadra (Tapti).

As per the second story, the creation of God Shani was the result of Maharishi Kashyap's great 'yagna'. When God Shani was in the womb of Chaya, Shiv Bhaktini Chaya was so engrossed in penance of God Shiva that she did not care for her food even. She prayed so intensely during her penance that the prayers had a profound influence on the child in her womb. As a result of such a great penance of Chaya, without food and shade in the blazing sun, the complexion of God Shani became black. When God Shani was born, Surya was surprised to see his dark complexion. He began to doubt Chaya. He insulted Chaya by saying that this was not his son.

From birth itself, God Shani had inherited the great powers of his mother's penance. He saw that his father was insulting his mother. He saw his father with a cruel gaze. As a result his father's body was charred black. The horses of God Surya's chariot stopped. The chariot would not move. Worried, God Surya called out to God Shiva. God Shiva advised God Surya and explained to him about what had happened. That is, because of him the respect of mother and child had been tarnished and insulted. God Surya accepted his fault and apologized. And regained his earlier glorious looks and the power of his chariot's horses. Since then, God Shani became a good son to his father and mother and an ardent disciple of God Shiva.

THE ONLY SWAYAMBHU STATUE IN THE WORLD-BET DWARKA

HANUMAN & MAKARDWAJA

(HANUMAN DANDI TEMPLE-BET DWARKA)

(THE ONLY SWAYAMBHU STATUE OF LORD HASNUMAN ; MASKARDWAJA IN THE WORLD)

 Description

The image of Makardhwaj is on the left side taller than his father Lord Hanuman  on a closer look one finds Makardhwaj image is full butHanuman Ji is shown above the thighs between the two there is one Dand (club)  instead of Gada ( mace ) . Makardhwaj left leg is little raised and crushing a demons skull and tail is resting on ground . Right hand is raised above the shoulder in blessing form and left hand is on chest / heart . Lord Hanuman Ji right hand is raised above the shoulder and resting on the back of head , left hand is resting on chest/heart , tail is raised above the right shoulder and face is shown in a relaxed mood.

Legend-One

The legend is that  at the time of Ram and Ravan battle , the twin step brothers Ahi Ravan and Mahi Ravan of Ravan disguised them self asVibhishan and Jamvant , kidnapped Lord Ram and Laxman and took them to Patal Lok to sacrifice them to their deity , Lord Hanuman went in search and reached the Patal entrance where he was challenged by a Vanara ( monkey) , upon asking who he is he identified himself as son of Lord Hanuman Ji . Hnuman Ji was Bharamchari ( bachlor ) upon asking him if he ever met his father and how he is father because he is a bachelor , Makardhwaj replied that when Hanuman Ji burnt Lanka with his tail and went to the sea to dip his tail in the water to extinguish the fire at that time the sweat from his body dropped and a  it was swallowed by a Magar (Crocodle ) and he was born in the kitchen of his foster mother Chandersena  who is in service of  the demon twin brothers and he is also employed by them to not to allow any one to enter the Patal Lok , at this point Lord Hanuman Ji gave his introduction and wanted to enter , hearing the noise Chandersena came out and upon knowing the story agreed to help Lord Hanuman Ji  and after killing the twin brothers Lord Hanuman Ji bring Lord Ram and Laxman back to the safe place , before leaving, upon the request of Chandersena they made Makardhwaj the King of Patal Lok .

Legend Two

When Hanuman took a dip in the waters of sea, after burning whole of Lanka with the fire burning on his tail, a drop of his perspiration fell in to mouth of a mighty fish. Out of this the Makardhwaja was born.

According to another, slightly different version, when Hanuman took a dip in sea, for cooling himself after burning Lanka; a drop of his seed got discharged, due to extreme heat generated in his body and labor by him, which fell in to mouth of a giant fish-cum-reptile like creature, whose name was Makardhwaja, thus making it pregnant.

The fish was caught by people of Ahiravana, who ruled Patala, the nether-world. The Markardhwaja, was discovered, when stomach of fish was cut open and named after it. Ahiravana, seeing his strength & virility gave him job of guarding, the gates Makardhwaja name is derived from Hindu mythological creature Makara and depicted as part Makarā and part Vanarā (monkey).

Makardhwaja is sometimes also spelled as Magar-dhwaja - depicted as part Magarā (crocodile) and part Vanarā.of his Kingdom.According to Ramayana told by Valmiki, when Ahiravana took Rama and Lakshmana to Patala, Hanuman followed them to their rescue. He was challenged at the gate of Patala by a creature, who was part Vanaraand part reptile - a Makara. He introduced himself Makaradhwaja and son of Hanuman, the mighty warrior.

Hanuman was amused and said that, I am myself the Hanumana but he could not be his son, as he was celibate since birth. However, Hanumana then closed his eyes in dhyan to see the events described above of Makardhwaja's birth.

Makardhwaja asked him for his blessings, however, he said to Hanuman, that he will have to fight him to enter Patala, as he cannot betray Ahiravana, his mentor. Hanuman defeats Makaradhwaja in a duel and binds him to proceed further to ultimately kill Ahiravana and rescue Rama & Lakshamana.

Later on, upon Rama's advice he installed Makardhwaja, as King of Patala before returning to Lanka, to continue war with Ravana.The Jethwa clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja. As per folk tales of their clan, Makardhwaja had a son named Mod-dhwaja and he had a son named Jethi-dhwaja. Jethwas claim descant from Jethi-dhwaja and worship Hanuman as their Iṣṭa-devatā.The Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat, who once ruled major part of Kathiawar and later the princely state of Porbandar, therefore, had the image of Hanuman on their Royal flag.Temples dedicated to Makardhwaja can be found in India, especially in Gujarat, where Jethwas once ruled. Some noted temples in Gujarat are at :-

(MAKARDWAJA)

• Odadar village near Porbandar.
• Hanuman-Dandi at Bet Dwarka, where idols of Makardhwaja and Hanuman are worshiped together. 

In Rajasthan, also there is a temple known as

• Balaji Makardhwaja Temple at Beawar, which is dedicated to both father-son duo in form of Balaji Hanuman and Makardhwaja.

(TO CONTINUE)

BHAIYYA DOOJ

BHAIYYA DOOJ FESTIVAL IN INDIA

( OH VISHNU DEVTA IN THE FORM OF NARSINGH AWATAR--PROTECT MY BROTHER)

(THALI WITH SEVEN TIKAS , DIYA & HOLY WATER)

(THE SEVEN TIKAS)

(LORD VISHNU)

Bhau-Beej / Bhai Tika / Bhai Phota / Bhai Dooj / भाऊबीज is a festival celebrated by Hindus on the last day of the five-day-long Diwali festival. This is the second day of the bright fortnight or Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartika.

The celebrations of this day are similar to the festival of Raksha Bandhan. On this day, sisters pray for their brothers to have long and happy lives by performing the Tika ceremony, and sisters give gifts to their brothers.

Regional Names

The festival is known as:

·         Bhai Phota (Bengali:ভাই ফোঁটা) in Bengal and it takes place every year on the first or the second day of the Kali Puja festival.

·         Bhai Bij, Bhau-beej or Bhav Bij (Marathi : भाऊबीज) amongst the Gujarati, Marathi and Konkani-speaking communities in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka;

·         Bhai Tika in Nepal, where it is the second most important festival after Vijaya Dashami.

·         Another name for the day is Yamadwitheya or Yamadvitiya, after a legendary meeting between Yama the god of Death and his sister Yamuna (the famous river) on Dwitheya (the second day after new moon).

·         Other names include Bhayya Dooj, Bhathru Dwithiya, Bhai Tika and Bhatri Ditya.

According to another popular legend in Hindu mythology, after slaying the evil demon Narkasur, Lord Krishna visited his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She also affectionately applied tilak on Krishna's forehead. Some believe this to be the origin of the festival.

The ceremony

On the day of the festival, sisters invite their brothers for a sumptuous meal often including their favorite dishes. The whole ceremony signifies the duty of a brother to protect his sister, as well as a sister's blessings for her brother.

Carrying forward the ceremony in traditional style, sisters perform aarti for their brother and apply a red tika on the brother's forehead. This tika ceremony on the occasion of Bhai Bij signifies the sister's sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother. In return brothers bless their sisters and treat them also with gifts or cash.

As it is customary in Haryana, Maharashtra to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Bhau-beej, women who do not have a brother worship the moon god instead. They apply mehendi on girls as their tradition.

The sister, whose brother lives far away from her and cannot come to her house, sends her sincerest prayers for the long and happy life of her brother through the moon god. She performs aarti for the moon. This is the reason why children of Hindu parents affectionately call the moon Chandamama (Chanda means moon and mama means mother's brother).

The celebration

Bhai Phota in West Bengal is celebrated with much splendor. The ceremony is marked with many rituals along with a grand feast arranged for the brothers.

The festival of Bhai Bij is popular in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh,Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa and is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. Brothers and sisters look forward to the occasion with immense enthusiasm. To add charm to the occasion, Bhai Bij gifts are exchanged between brothers and sisters as a token of love and appreciation.

Bhav Bij is a time for family reunions as all brothers and sisters in the family get together. Close relatives and friends are also invited to celebrate the Bhav Bij in many families.

Special dishes for the festival include the Maharashtra sweet called basundi poori or kheerni poori.On this occasion sisters give gifts to their brothers - who reciprocate most generously.

GOVARDHAN PUJA

GOVARDHANA  PUJA

Friday 24th October 2014

Govardhana Puja, Go-Puja and Annakuta are all connected with the story of Lord Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan. On this day, a hill of sweets is made from food prepared by the devotees, which is then offered to the Deities, and subsequently distributed to everyone. This is known as the “annakuta” ceremony. Cows are honoured as part of the festivities as well.

THE STORY

The story behind Govardhan Puja

 

The day after Diwali is referred to as Annakuta, or Govardhan Puja. On this day the inhabitants of Vrindavan (Lord Krishna’s abode on Earth) would hold a harvest festival in honor of King Indra, the demigod who provided the rains essential for the harvest.

One day, however, Lord Krishna wanted to teach Indra a lesson. He convinced the inhabitants of Vrindavan to honor Govardhan Hill instead, whose fertile soil provided the grass upon which the cows and bulls grazed, and to honor the cows and bulls who provided milk and ploughed the lands. Outraged, Indra retaliated with terrifying thunderstorms. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, calmly lifted Govardhan Hill with the little finger of his left hand. For seven days and seven nights the Lord held up Govardhan Hill, providing a giant umbrella to shelter the inhabitants of Vrindavan from the torrential rain. Realizing the futility of his actions, King Indra bowed down before the Lord with folded hands and offered prayers of supplication. In this way, Lord Krishna demonstrated that He is Deva Deva, the lord of the demigods, and that any purpose for which demigods might be worshiped could easily be served by worshiping Him, the cause of all causes.

To celebrate this festival, devotees build a replica of Govardhan Hill made of various opulent foods, worship Lord Krishna as the lifter of Govardhan Hill, worship the hill as His incarnation, and worship the cows and bulls who are dear to the Lord.

At the end of the festival, the hill of prasada (sanctified food) is distributed to the public. All Vaishnava temples in India observe this ceremony, and hundreds of people are given prasada according to the capacity of each temple.

, 

GURU PURNIMA

Guru Purnima is a world wide festival which is dedicated to the Guru . Guru word is used for the teacher who teaches anything to a learner. If we relate it to the ancient times,it is actually worshipping the Guru Vyasa who wrote the 4 Vedas. But in today's  time, it is all about worshipping your teachers and showing gratitude towards them for their impeccable hard work in moulding you in various ways.

In 2014, Guru Purnima will be celebrated on July 12 i.e. on Saturday.

It is said that  Guru Vyasa wrote all the 4 Vedas that were recited by  Lord Brahma . He also wrote several Purans. And from those times, a day was dedicated towards the Gurus and this day is called as ‘Guru Purnima’. Purnima word is used because on this day, there is a full moon.

It had a deep significance in the past and even in today’s context this day is celebrated all over our country & abroad.As this day is dedicated to the Gurus, people irrespective of religion,caste ,creed,etc offer their prayers to their Gurus thanking them for the knowledge they have provided to them.

Over the years, the way Guru Purnima is celebrated has changed a lot as the age old  concept of Guru-‘Chela’ (Learner) relationship has undergone a change. In earlier times people used to host a special prayer for their Gurus and in those prayers they used to recite the greatness and the nobility of their gurus. That practice is still followed but not in the same magnitude. 

Guru can be any one who is teaching or providing knowledge to someone on any discipline/field/subject.Parents are the first gurus since they leave  indelible impressions  on the minds of young children right after birth.At times, even wives & children can be put in the category of 'Gurus'.But it is said that a Guru is the one who acts as the link between  God and  human soul. And having Guru in your life is a must . 

Guru is the one who guides the person on the                           ways of truth,righteousness,peace,happiness,tranquility,   knowledge, etc,  so as to seek  God. In various schools       and colleges special events are organized to               celebrate this day. 

Here is wishing you all an auspicious GURU-PURNIMA.

THE MACARONI CLUB

A macaroni (or formerly Maccaroni).

In mid-18th century England, was a fashionable fellow who dressed and even spoke in an outlandishly affected and epicene manner. The term pejoratively referred to a man who "exceeded the ordinary bounds of fashion" in terms of clothes, fastidious eating and gambling. Like a practitioner of macaronic verse, which mixed English and Latin to comic effect, he mixed Continental affectations with his English nature, laying himself open to satire.

There is indeed a kind of animal, neither male nor female, a thing of the neuter gender, lately [1770] started up among us. It is called a macaroni. It talks without meaning, it smiles without pleasantry, it eats without appetite, it rides without exercise, it wenches without passion.

It would appear that the macaronis originated among a number of young men,who had made the grand tour,and on their return,formed themselves into a club,which,from a dish of macaroni,then little known in England,being always placed upon the dinner table,was called the Macaroni Club.

A magazine writer of the time,evidently alluding to this origin,says,' The macaronis are the offspring of a body,a many-headed monster in Pall Mall,produced by a demoniac committee of depraved taste and exaggerated fancy,conceived in the Court of France and Italy,and brought forth in English.' 

Horace Walpole,however,writing about the same time,gives the macaronis different pedigree,ascribing their origin to the enormous wealth,lately gained by certain persons,through Clive's conquests in India, and asserts that their boundless extravagance soon dissipated it,and brought them to poverty.

'Lord Chatham', he says,'begot the East India Company begot Lord Clive,Lord Clive begot the macaronis,the macaronis begot Poverty,and all the race are still living,'

In the following year,1773,he writes,'A winter without politics-even our macaronis entertain the town with nothing but new dresses, and the size of their nosegays.They have lost all their money,and exhausted their credit,and can no longer game for Pounds 20,000 a night.'

The macaronis took the town by storm.Nothing was fashionable that was not a' la macaroni.

Even the clergy had their wigs combed,their clothes cut,and their delivery refined a'la macaroni.

The shop windows were filled with prints of the new tribe;there were engraved portraits of turf macaronis,military macaronis,college macaronis,and other varieties of the great macaroni race.

At balls,no other than macaroni music could be  danced to;   at places of public amusements,macaroni songs were sung.

As I visit places, especially Delhi,Calcutta, Chennai,Mumbai & Bangalore I find the likes of macaronis who have invented dress-eccentricities that were seen in the eighteenth century.Slowly their tribe is increasing everywhere.Good luck to them !