Shubho bijoya and happy dusshera to all readers!
~ Souvik
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Aaj Shubho Nobomi-Pala prai shesh
Aaj Moha Nobomi
Bangali'r mon ta jeno kharap kharap
Utsav prai shesh
Maa jeno Shob Bangali'r Maa'er kachey eki kamona
Maa, Nobomi'r ta jeno tartari shesh na hoi
Utsav kay dhore rakhar ek ontim proyash
Shubho Nobomi to all!
Jay Durga!
~ Souvik
Ananda Utsav-BAGC Durga Pujo
Dear readers,
I went to the BAGC Moha Ashthomi anushthan yesterday.
Here are some pics from the pujo and the function.
Maa Durga with her family killing Mahishashur.
Pujo shonkha and Bengali DVD/CD stall
Saree'r stall. How can Bengali women be kept away from buying sarees?
The great Indian dancer Tanushree Shankar doing the Surya Mantra dance depicting the dance associated with the dawn.
Tanushree's troupe doing the "Reincarnation" dance.
Shubhomita with her beautiful voice singing songs from her albums.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Aaj Moha Ashtomi - E-Anjali is ready
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Aaj Moha Shoptami - Pujor Manei ki?
Pujo manei pujor kodin porashuno bondho
pujo manei shat shokale shiuliphuler gondho........
pujo manei shondhyebela thakur dekhar bheer
hoichoi aar utshobete chardeek awsthir ..............
pujo manei patshalate bajlo chhutir ghonta
pujo elei chhelebelay paliye phere monta..........
pujo manei ma duggar ahsur nidhon pala
anjali aar proshad petam pujor dupurbela..........
pujo manei notun jama notun notun shaaj
alpona aar thakurdalan daaker shaajer kaaj.........
pujo manei pujoshonkhya didir shathe aari
didi ekhon onek dure,didir shwoshurbari............
pujo manei mahalaya kashphule math shada
pujo manei aponjoner tane poruk badha..........
pujo manei shagor pahar ekchhutetei pari
shwapne kokhon pouchhe jetam meghbhashano bari.........
pujo manei dhaker baddi,pujor bishorjon
ashchhe bochhor abar esho monkharaper mon..........
ajke pujo onyorokom onnobhabe ashe
bhorer bela shishir pore? shiuli gondho bhashe?????????
hoyto ashe! hoyto shobai bodle gechhi aaj
bohumulya shomoy ekhon shobar bheeshon kaaj............
bhalo theko bondhura shob bondhu thakuk mone..........
pujor dine chhelebela abar poruk mone.........
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Ananda Utsav-Bengali in Chicago Durga Pujo
Dear readers,
First time in Downtown Chicago, UIC along with the help of six other Universities organized Devi pujo and cultural function on Oct, 13th., 2007.
It was a great attempt and it felt great to be a part of the function and darshan Maa's protima.
Jai Durga!
Souvik
The details of this community's is in the following website on Durga Pujo 2007.
click here.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Awahan-Devi Durga
Dear members,
To hear the legendary Mahishashur Mardini, you may refer to any of the following links.
Jai Durga!
Souvik
Friday, October 05, 2007
Aagaman-Devi Paksha
Dear readers,
Its knocking!
Jai Durga!
Some important Dates:
Pitr-Paksha begins
Thursday
27-09-2007
Pitr-Paksha ends / Mahalaya
Thursday
11-10-2007
Durga Puja begins (Maha Saptami)
Friday
18-10-2007
Vijaya Dashami/Dusshera
Sunday
21-10-2007
Here is a link to some beautiful music on Maa Jagadambey!
Jai Durga!
Souvik
Monday, June 25, 2007
Again Home- Kolkata Bhromon
Dear readers,
May 31st., 2007 to June 25th., 2007 I took a vacation from work and visited India and my home town Kolkata.
Here is a brief of some of the places I visited.
City Centre, Salt Lake City- Really a cool place to hang out. Inox is good.
Forum- Another cool place. Inox is good.
Hakka Restaurant, City Centre- Average. Good decor but I wasn't really impressed with the food.
La Terrasse, Grand Hotel- Splendid. Loved it.
Eden Pavillion, Sonar Bangla- Ok. Excellent Decor but didn't get too impressed with the food.
Dakshineshwar Kali Bari- As usual my favourite place from childhood. Had a darshan of Maa on Amavasya (pure coincidence). Did a pradikshin of the dwadash shiva lingas (used to do it from childhood). Loved the renovated decor of the mandir. Did Maha Mantra kirtan with devotees. Visited Krishna mandir and Thakur's room. As usual it was an experience beyond words.
Tara peeth- Suddenly decided to visit Tara peeth. Took an A/C chair car ticket and went to Rampurhat. Had a car take me to Tara peeth. I was extremely lucky to have a "onabrito" darshan of Maa's "prokrito" rupa.
Spent a lot of time with family and near and dear ones.
In short my home visit after 2.5 years was a great experience. I loved it!
Regards,
Souvik
May 31st., 2007 to June 25th., 2007 I took a vacation from work and visited India and my home town Kolkata.
Here is a brief of some of the places I visited.
City Centre, Salt Lake City- Really a cool place to hang out. Inox is good.
Forum- Another cool place. Inox is good.
Hakka Restaurant, City Centre- Average. Good decor but I wasn't really impressed with the food.
La Terrasse, Grand Hotel- Splendid. Loved it.
Eden Pavillion, Sonar Bangla- Ok. Excellent Decor but didn't get too impressed with the food.
Dakshineshwar Kali Bari- As usual my favourite place from childhood. Had a darshan of Maa on Amavasya (pure coincidence). Did a pradikshin of the dwadash shiva lingas (used to do it from childhood). Loved the renovated decor of the mandir. Did Maha Mantra kirtan with devotees. Visited Krishna mandir and Thakur's room. As usual it was an experience beyond words.
Tara peeth- Suddenly decided to visit Tara peeth. Took an A/C chair car ticket and went to Rampurhat. Had a car take me to Tara peeth. I was extremely lucky to have a "onabrito" darshan of Maa's "prokrito" rupa.
Spent a lot of time with family and near and dear ones.
In short my home visit after 2.5 years was a great experience. I loved it!
Regards,
Souvik
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Aloukik
Dear readers,
A glimpse at these eyes, a pinch of reverence and a drop of devotion in a heart full of selflessness and you get nothing short of an ecstasy!
Shivoham!
I bow to the Shiva in you!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Amrit(a)-The nectar of immortality, the goal of life
Amrita or Amrit (Sanskrit: अमृत; Punjabi: ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ) is, according to Dharmic religions, immortal nectar or ambrosia (of which it is a cognate). It is the drink of the gods, which grants them immortality. In Sanskrit the word amrita literally means "without death", and is often referred to in texts as nectar.
In Hinduism
Amrit features in the Samudra manthan myth, where the gods, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. With the help of the asuras (demons), they churned the sea in order to find the nectar of immortality, amrit. After drinking it, the gods regained their immortality and defeated the demons.
Amrit features in the Samudra manthan myth, where the gods, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. With the help of the asuras (demons), they churned the sea in order to find the nectar of immortality, amrit. After drinking it, the gods regained their immortality and defeated the demons.
In Hinduism, Samudra manthan (Devanagari: समुद्र मंथन) or The churning of the ocean of milk is one of the most famous episodes in the Puranas and is celebrated in a major way every twelve years in the festival known as Kumbha Mela. The story is related in the Srimad Bhagavatam, a major work that describes the avataras in great detail.
Samudra manthan is also known as —
Samudra manthanam — Manthanam is the Sanskrit equivalent of Manthan meaning 'to churn'.
Sagar manthan — Sagar is another word for Samudra, both meaning an ocean or large water body.
Ksheersagar manthan — Ksheersagar literally means the ocean of milk. Ksheersagar = Ksheer (milk) + Sagar (ocean)
Samudra manthan is also known as —
Samudra manthanam — Manthanam is the Sanskrit equivalent of Manthan meaning 'to churn'.
Sagar manthan — Sagar is another word for Samudra, both meaning an ocean or large water body.
Ksheersagar manthan — Ksheersagar literally means the ocean of milk. Ksheersagar = Ksheer (milk) + Sagar (ocean)
The story of Samudra manthan
The story begins with Indra riding his elephant. He came upon a sage named Durvasa. The sage decided to honor Indra by giving him a scented garland. Indra took the garland, but placed it on the forehead of his elephant. The elephant was irritated by the scent and threw the garland off, trampling on it. The angry sage cursed Indra and the Adityas(Gods)to lose all their wealth. Indra was thus immediately dispossesed of all his wealth and treasures.
Appeal to Brahma
Indra then approached Brahma to help him regain his treasures who suggested him to churn the Ocean of Milk in order to regain his treasures and obtain the Nectar of Immortality. However, such a stupendous task could not be performed by the Adityas (Gods) themselves so they sought the help of their enemies, the Asuras, with the understanding that the Asuras would be allowed to partake a portion of the Amrutha (divine nectar of immortality).
Churning the Milky Ocean
The Ocean was churned by using the Mount Mandara as the pole and the king of snakes, Vasuki as the rope which was wrapped around the mountain. The Gods held the tail of the snake while the demons(Asuras) held the head end of the snake and pulled on it alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn would caused the Ocean to be churned. However, once the mountain was put on the Ocean, it began to sink. Then came Vishnu in his second incarnation, the form of a turtle Kurma, to support the mountain on his shell back.
Halahal
As the ocean was churned, a deadly poison known as Halahala emerged. This poison threatened to suffocate all living things. In response to various prayers, Shiva drank the poison; his wife Parvati, alarmed, stopped it in his throat with her hands. This caused the throat to turn blue. Due to this, he is called Nīlakantha (nīla = "blue", kantha = "throat"). Then, various treasures (ratnas) emerged from the ocean of milk.
The story begins with Indra riding his elephant. He came upon a sage named Durvasa. The sage decided to honor Indra by giving him a scented garland. Indra took the garland, but placed it on the forehead of his elephant. The elephant was irritated by the scent and threw the garland off, trampling on it. The angry sage cursed Indra and the Adityas(Gods)to lose all their wealth. Indra was thus immediately dispossesed of all his wealth and treasures.
Appeal to Brahma
Indra then approached Brahma to help him regain his treasures who suggested him to churn the Ocean of Milk in order to regain his treasures and obtain the Nectar of Immortality. However, such a stupendous task could not be performed by the Adityas (Gods) themselves so they sought the help of their enemies, the Asuras, with the understanding that the Asuras would be allowed to partake a portion of the Amrutha (divine nectar of immortality).
Churning the Milky Ocean
The Ocean was churned by using the Mount Mandara as the pole and the king of snakes, Vasuki as the rope which was wrapped around the mountain. The Gods held the tail of the snake while the demons(Asuras) held the head end of the snake and pulled on it alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn would caused the Ocean to be churned. However, once the mountain was put on the Ocean, it began to sink. Then came Vishnu in his second incarnation, the form of a turtle Kurma, to support the mountain on his shell back.
Halahal
As the ocean was churned, a deadly poison known as Halahala emerged. This poison threatened to suffocate all living things. In response to various prayers, Shiva drank the poison; his wife Parvati, alarmed, stopped it in his throat with her hands. This caused the throat to turn blue. Due to this, he is called Nīlakantha (nīla = "blue", kantha = "throat"). Then, various treasures (ratnas) emerged from the ocean of milk.
The 14 Ratnas were:
Sura, goddess and creator of wine
Apsarases, various divine nymphs like Rambha, Menaka
Kaustubha, the most valuable jewel in the world
Uchhaishravas, the divine 7-headed horse
Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree
Kamadhenu, the first cow and mother of all other cows
Airavata, the elephant which is the steed of Indra
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth
Parijat vriksh (tree)
Halahala or Kaalkut poison
Chandra, the moon
Dhanvantari with
Amrita
The nectar of immortality
Finally, Dhanvantari, the Heavenly Physician, emerged with a pot containing amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. As the Asuras rushed to take the nectar, the frightened Adityas appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the Asuras, took the amrita and distributed it amongst the Adityas who drank it. One Asura, Rahu, disguised himself as an Aditya, and drank some Nectar. But before the Nectar could pass his throat, Mohini cut off his head with Her Sudarshana Chakra. The head, due to its contact with the amrita, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.
The story ends with the rejuvenated Adityas defeating the Asuras.
Symbolism of Samudra manthan
The story represents the spiritual endeavor of a person to achieve self-realisation through concentration of mind, withdrawal of senses, control of desires and practice of austerities and asceticism.
The Devas and Asuras represent the positives and negatives respectively of one's personality. The participation of both the Devas and the Asuras signifies that when one is seeking bliss through spiritual practice, one has to integrate and harmonise both the positive and negative aspects and put both the energies to work for the common goal.
The ocean of milk is the mind or the human consciousness. The mind is like an ocean while the thoughts and emotions are the waves in the ocean.
Mandhara, the mountain symbolises concentration. The word Mandhara is made up of two words Mana (mind) and Dhara (a single line) which means holding the mind in one line. This is possible only by concentration.
Mount Mandhara was upheld by Lord Vishnu as a Kurma (tortoise). The tortoise here symbolises the withdrawal of the senses into oneself (just as a tortoise withdraws its head into its shell) as one practices mental concentration and meditation or contemplation.
Vasuki symbolises desire. Vasuki used in the churning of the ocean denotes that the Devas and the demons held desire (to seek immortality) as a rope and churned the mind with the help of concentration and withdrawal of the senses. Desire, if not controlled will overpower and destroy an individual.
The Halahala poison symbolises suffering and pain (counter-reaction of the mind and body) that one undergoes at the beginning of spiritual sadhana (practice). When the mind is subjected to intense concentration, the first thing that comes out of the process is intense suffering and great inner turmoil. These must be resolved otherwise further progress is not possible.
Lord Shiva symbolises the ascetic principle. His role in this story as the consumer of poison suggests that one can deal with the early problems of spiritual life by cultivating the qualities of Lord Shiva, namely, courage, initiative, willingness, discipline, simplicity, austerity, detachment, compassion, pure love and asceticism.
The various precious objects that come out of the ocean during the churning stand for the psychic or spiritual powers (Siddhis) which one gains as s/he progresses spiritually from stage to stage. The seeker should be careful about these powers as they can hamper her/his progress unless s/he uses them judiciously, not for selfish gains but for others' welfare. This is the reason why the Gods and demons distributed these objects as they did not want to lose sight of their original aim which was to gain immortality.
Dhanvantari symbolises health and signifies that immortality (longevity, to be correct) or spiritual success can be achieved only when the body and the mind are in a perfect state of health.
Mohini symbolises delusion of the mind in the form of (or originating from) pride. It is the pride of achievement to which the asuras or the demons succumbed and thus lost sight of their goal. Pride and egoism are the last hurdles one has to overcome in spiritual life before experiencing self-realisation.
The Amrit(a) symbolises the ultimate achievement of the goal of self-realistion.
Sura, goddess and creator of wine
Apsarases, various divine nymphs like Rambha, Menaka
Kaustubha, the most valuable jewel in the world
Uchhaishravas, the divine 7-headed horse
Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree
Kamadhenu, the first cow and mother of all other cows
Airavata, the elephant which is the steed of Indra
Lakshmi, the Goddess of Fortune and Wealth
Parijat vriksh (tree)
Halahala or Kaalkut poison
Chandra, the moon
Dhanvantari with
Amrita
The nectar of immortality
Finally, Dhanvantari, the Heavenly Physician, emerged with a pot containing amrita, the heavenly nectar of immortality. As the Asuras rushed to take the nectar, the frightened Adityas appealed to Vishnu, who then took the form of Mohini. As a beautiful and enchanting damsel, Mohini distracted the Asuras, took the amrita and distributed it amongst the Adityas who drank it. One Asura, Rahu, disguised himself as an Aditya, and drank some Nectar. But before the Nectar could pass his throat, Mohini cut off his head with Her Sudarshana Chakra. The head, due to its contact with the amrita, remained immortal. It is believed that this immortal head occasionally swallows the sun or the moon, causing eclipses. Then, the sun or moon passes through the opening at the neck, ending the eclipse.
The story ends with the rejuvenated Adityas defeating the Asuras.
Symbolism of Samudra manthan
The story represents the spiritual endeavor of a person to achieve self-realisation through concentration of mind, withdrawal of senses, control of desires and practice of austerities and asceticism.
The Devas and Asuras represent the positives and negatives respectively of one's personality. The participation of both the Devas and the Asuras signifies that when one is seeking bliss through spiritual practice, one has to integrate and harmonise both the positive and negative aspects and put both the energies to work for the common goal.
The ocean of milk is the mind or the human consciousness. The mind is like an ocean while the thoughts and emotions are the waves in the ocean.
Mandhara, the mountain symbolises concentration. The word Mandhara is made up of two words Mana (mind) and Dhara (a single line) which means holding the mind in one line. This is possible only by concentration.
Mount Mandhara was upheld by Lord Vishnu as a Kurma (tortoise). The tortoise here symbolises the withdrawal of the senses into oneself (just as a tortoise withdraws its head into its shell) as one practices mental concentration and meditation or contemplation.
Vasuki symbolises desire. Vasuki used in the churning of the ocean denotes that the Devas and the demons held desire (to seek immortality) as a rope and churned the mind with the help of concentration and withdrawal of the senses. Desire, if not controlled will overpower and destroy an individual.
The Halahala poison symbolises suffering and pain (counter-reaction of the mind and body) that one undergoes at the beginning of spiritual sadhana (practice). When the mind is subjected to intense concentration, the first thing that comes out of the process is intense suffering and great inner turmoil. These must be resolved otherwise further progress is not possible.
Lord Shiva symbolises the ascetic principle. His role in this story as the consumer of poison suggests that one can deal with the early problems of spiritual life by cultivating the qualities of Lord Shiva, namely, courage, initiative, willingness, discipline, simplicity, austerity, detachment, compassion, pure love and asceticism.
The various precious objects that come out of the ocean during the churning stand for the psychic or spiritual powers (Siddhis) which one gains as s/he progresses spiritually from stage to stage. The seeker should be careful about these powers as they can hamper her/his progress unless s/he uses them judiciously, not for selfish gains but for others' welfare. This is the reason why the Gods and demons distributed these objects as they did not want to lose sight of their original aim which was to gain immortality.
Dhanvantari symbolises health and signifies that immortality (longevity, to be correct) or spiritual success can be achieved only when the body and the mind are in a perfect state of health.
Mohini symbolises delusion of the mind in the form of (or originating from) pride. It is the pride of achievement to which the asuras or the demons succumbed and thus lost sight of their goal. Pride and egoism are the last hurdles one has to overcome in spiritual life before experiencing self-realisation.
The Amrit(a) symbolises the ultimate achievement of the goal of self-realistion.
In yogic philosophy (see yoga, Hindu philosophy) amrita is a fluid that can flow from the pineal gland down the throat in deep states of meditation. It is considered quite a boon: some yogic texts say that one drop is enough to conquer death and achieve immortality.
In Sikhism
Amrit is the name of the holy water used in the baptism ceremony (known as Amrit Sanchar or Amrit Chhakhna by the Sikhs). This ceremony is observed to initiate the Sikhs into the Khalsa brotherhood. The ceremony requires the drinking of the Amrit. This water is created by mixing a number of soluble ingredients, including sugar, and is then mixed with a Khanda (a type of sword) with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred Banis (chants).
Amrit is the name of the holy water used in the baptism ceremony (known as Amrit Sanchar or Amrit Chhakhna by the Sikhs). This ceremony is observed to initiate the Sikhs into the Khalsa brotherhood. The ceremony requires the drinking of the Amrit. This water is created by mixing a number of soluble ingredients, including sugar, and is then mixed with a Khanda (a type of sword) with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred Banis (chants).
In Buddhism
Amrita, under its Tibetan name of dutsi, also features in Tibetan Buddhist mythology, where it is linked to the killing of the monster Rahu by Vajrapani, whose blood dripped onto the surface of this earth, causing all kinds of medicinal plants to grow - which are now used to make dutsi.
Amrita, under its Tibetan name of dutsi, also features in Tibetan Buddhist mythology, where it is linked to the killing of the monster Rahu by Vajrapani, whose blood dripped onto the surface of this earth, causing all kinds of medicinal plants to grow - which are now used to make dutsi.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Are you ready to face the truth?
Dear readers,Recently I have been accused of not paying too much attention to my blogs and my yahoo group. Well there is truth to some extent to this but there are justifiable reasons to this too - some personal and some official.
However, in this article I would try to make up for my lack of projected devotion to my "alternative" life.
As I have restated time and again, that to me Shiva is not just a mythological figure and I have time and again tried to delve deeper into Him in cosmological perspective.
2012 has been an extremely intriguing subject for me for long. Recently an episode on the History Channel reignited this interest again.
The below article is completely my research and has absolutely no copyright. Anybody can reproduce it, make copies as many as they like and share it with anyone (even put their names as the author as I don't really care about it). The intention is to bring forth my ideas and the substantial evidence to support my claims. This is my view-point and the reader is absolutely free to disregard it as non-sense. I have tried to stick to references from reliable sources (websites) rather than "personal websites" which may indulge in their biased views (which may or may not be universally accepted).
Shiva as the centre of the galaxy-The Black hole!
We all know the very popular mythological tale of Ganesha winning a contest against his brother Murugan (Kartikeya) by cirumbulating the Shiva and Parvati as the center of the universe.
Was this tale just a mythological lesson of respect to one's parents or was there more to it than this?
(Link from here)
February 29, 2000 -- The core of the Milky Way galaxy is a busy place. It's filled with giant molecular clouds, the remnants of exploding stars, and mysterious filaments hundreds of light years long. At the center of this menagerie lies an object radio astronomers call Sagittarius A*. Sag A* is a radio source that looks like a faint quasar. Scientists have long suspected that it is powered by a supermassive black hole with 2.6 million times the mass of our Sun.
In the diagram above (taken from the NASA website), a few things caught my sight.
The snake, the mouse and the location of the "black hole" in constellation of Saggitarius.
I am sure most readers are well aquainted with the symbolism of Snakes with Shiva and mouse with Ganesha. Was this story of circumbulating Shiva by Ganesha actually trying to project this cosmic phenomenon?
In Hindu astrological system, the Dwi-bhava Rasis (Dual zodiac signs) have been designated to be ruled by Shiva. Pisces, Saggitarius, Gemini and Virgo being the four Dual signs. Out of these four signs, the sign with Agni tattwa (Firy sign) is Saggitarius. Most of us are aware of the association of Shiva with the third eye and fire. Is this just another coincidence?
2012/2013/2014
Extremely intruiging are these three years. Here is the summary of why I belive these three years are quite important.
2012
The Legend: Readers are just requested to google "Mayan + 2012" or any such sensible words and there are tons of websites where the readers would find intelligible material on this calender and this year. The summary is that Mayans along with some other ancient civilizations (mentioned in I-Ching) have predicted the end of the world (as we know of today) on 21st. December, 2012.
The Science: Astronomers believe that on this very day, the Earth, the Sun (our Sun) and the Black hole at the centre of our galaxy would come in perfect alignment. The results are yet unknown. Most scientists believe that the process would cause polar reversals and some claim that the process has already begun. In lay man terms, it could mean a topographical reconstruction of the Earth's outer strata (well not so lay man terms I guess).
2013
The reversal of this date gives an extremely interesting number. If 2013 is mirrored it gives the number 3102. It is believed by most Hindu ancient scholars that Kali Yug began after the "death" of Sri Krishna and the date is speculated to have been 18th. February, 3102 B.C.
A mirror image of the end of Kali yuga but is that the only reason why this year is special, if at all we can say it is. The below analysis of number is my personal observation and if I am lucky you may not have seen this earlier.
3102 B.C. to 0 B.C. (A.D.) = 3102 years
2013 A.D. to 0 A.D. (B.C.) = 2013 years
Total years = 5115 years
This year from again the ZERO B.C. (A.D.) line seems to have a special significance (under margins of error).
The expected birth year of Sri Rama (the avataar of Vishnu ) by most ancient scholars is 10th. January, 5114 B.C.
5114 years is approximately (within an error margin of 1 year ~ 5115) the total of time difference between the beginning of Kali Yuga and its error image year. Another coincidence perhaps!
2014
I have written about this year years ago in many astrological groups I was a member of. This relates to the Srimad Bhagvatam - the appearance of Kalki.
When Sun, Moon and Jupiter together enters Pushya nakshatra then would appear Kalki...it goes to give the description of his birth etc.
This astrological phenomenon happens on 26/27th. July 2014 A.D.
Interested in more...then please await my next article...trust me this is just the tip of the iceberg!
~ Souvik
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Ang se Ang lagana-Holi Hay!
In Vaishnava Theology, Hiranyakashipu is the king of demons, and he had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance, after which he had demanded that he not be killed "during day or night; inside the home or outside; not on earth or on sky; neither by a man nor an animal; neither by astra nor by shastra". Consequently, he grew arrogant, and attacked the Heavens and the Earth. He demanded that people stop worshipping gods and start praying to him.
Despite this, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlad, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. He was poisoned but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika, who could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. Prahlad readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as the shawl flew from Holika, who then was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed, after the shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.
It is also said that later Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).
Despite this, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlad, was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlad continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. He was poisoned but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, poisonous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlad to sit on a pyre on the lap of his sister, Holika, who could not die by fire by virtue of a shawl which would prevent fire affecting the person wearing it. Prahlad readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as the shawl flew from Holika, who then was burnt to death, while Prahlad survived unharmed, after the shawl moved to cover him. The burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi.
It is also said that later Lord Vishnu came in the form of a Narasimha (who is half-man and half-lion) and killed Hiranyakashipu at dusk (which was neither day nor night), on the steps of the porch of his house (which was neither inside the house nor outside) by restraining him on his lap (which is neither in the sky nor on the earth) and mauling him with his claws (which are neither astra nor shastra).
In Vrindavan and Mathura, where Lord Krishna grew up, the festival is celebrated for 16 days (until Rangpanchmi in commemoration of the divine love of Radha for Krishna). Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized the festival by playing pranks on the gopis here. Krishna is believed to be complained to his mother about the contrast between his dark colour and his consort Radha's fair colour. Krishna's mother decided to apply colour to Radha's face. The celebrations officially usher in spring, the celebrated season of love.
There is another story about the origin of holi. Kamadeva is a god of love. Kama's body was destroyed when he shot his weapon at Shiva in order to disrupt his penance and help Parvati to marry Shiva. Shiva then opened his third eye, the gaze of which was so powerful that Kama's body was reduced to ashes. For the sake of Kama's wife Rati (passion), Shiva restored him, but only as a mental image, representing the true emotional and mental state of love rather than physical lust. The Holi bonfire is believed to be celebrated in commeration of this event.
~Wish all readers a safe and happy holi!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Ananda Utsav
Dear Readers,
On this auspicious ocassion, please accept a humble gift from me.
Click on the link below to download the Sacred Chants of Shiva!
Here
Shivoham!
Souvik
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Archana
Dear readers,
Har Har Mahadev!
Please enjoy your day and seek the blessings of elders on this auspicious day of Shiv Ratri!
Om Namah Shivay!
~Souvik
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Aagaman
Dear readers,
February 16th., 2007 is Maha Shiva Ratri.
As I have always said, Shiva (and Shakti) are much more than just mythological figures and spans across the limited man-made boundaries of religion, society and rituals. However, given an ocassion to celebrate and dance to the tunes of damru, one would be a fool not to rejoice in the festivity.
There is no place that does not have Shiva's presence. Life is just another name of Shiva. Swami Vivekananda just said "Shiva Jnaney Jeeva Puja".
Shivoham!
~ Souvik
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
