Chaturmas

…..contd……..

Once Dharani Devi (Bhoomatha –mother earth) being concerned about the people who took birth in kaliyug pleaded Lord Varaha to reveal a method practicing which people would benefit more with little effort. Lord Varaha said ‘Any Dana, vrata, japa or Homam performed during this period would bring multi-folded benefits. Let this be known to all’. When Bhoomatha enquired as to why only these 4 months had that privilege He replied “Pushya to Ashadha months i.e., six months is the day and Ashadah to Pushya is the night of the Devas (Lenghts of day and night of various Beings already explained in detail in Reiki Meet.) so, during night all celestials take leave of the Lord Vishnu. Once Rathri, the deity of the Night part of the year who was dark and very beautiful approached Lord Vishnu and pleaded ‘ since no auspicious functions /events like marriages etc are not performed during this part of the year, I am called ‘inauspicious’ by all. Please bless me to become auspicious.’ Other Devas also felt bad for her and pleaded the Lord on her behalf.

Lord out of love granted her the boon saying ‘Henceforth 2/3^rd of the time of your rule i.e., 4 months would become dear to me and pious deeds performed during this period would increase day by day’ and hence Karthika month is the most sacred of these months.

Now from this story question as to “why only 4 months as Chaturmas” I hope is answered!

Next query was “What are we to do…..as told by Rishis………..?” well as you already have come to know no major auspicious events happen during Chaturmas. So, it’s the time to meditate, to do japam, study scriptures – in short to go within to find the ‘self’.

Just observe how beautifully everything is linked by our ‘Seers’. Lord Vishnu is the ‘sustainer’ and as such is full of jewellery, pomp etc. He represents ‘sustainer of Life’ and hence all the pomp and show. He caters to our worldly desires and their fulfillment.

But these four months, He goes into Yoga nidra – i.e., He becomes inactive and these months are auspicious for all rituals related to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is the Lord of knowledge – the ‘Adi Guru’ and hence the destroyer of ignorance which is responsible for all our worldly attachments. By gaining ‘knowledge’ – knowledge of self we develop vairagya and realize that all that remains at the end is “ash” – “vibhuthi” – the sacred ash. We are born, grow up and die and then get burnt to turn into ashes. So it is with everything in the world. Ultimately, everything gets converted into “ash”. That is the “last remainder” which is embraced by Lord Shiva – the Lord of Death. Which no one wants and what is thrown away, He takes. That which remains after all is lost is accepted by Him – nay He wants only that and nothing that is perishable and of the world. No doubt “smashan” (graveyard) is His home. A place where no one remains with me and from where I am all alone. He is sitting there telling me “Don’t worry, when the world forsakes you, I am there to take you. You are not alone on the journey from here – I shall be with you.” If this isn’t Love – what is?  And that’s why Hie is called “Love “ in Tamil (language) it’s said “Anbe Shivam” – Love is Shiva.  And that’s why it’s said no one knows to love like Lord Shiva. So true!

........contd..........

Chaturmas - Bali and Vaman Avatar

……contd………

Now, finally coming to the question – let’s find out what chaturmas is. Chaturmas begins in the month of Asada (june-july) from the day of Ekadasi in the fortnight of the waxing moon and ends in the month of Karthika (oct-nov) on Ekadasi. It’s a period of 4 months which is rainy season in India.

Let’s get to know the mythological story behind ‘Chaturmas’. King of Gods, Indra became so arrogant with power and forgot the importance of penance. Bali – Asura king on the other hand felt that he had to purify himself and did intense penance. As a result Daityas (Asuras) superceded Devas and Indra was dethroned.

Indra approached Vishnu and sought His Grace. Lord took the form of Vamana and visited Bali Chakravarthi who was performing Yagna seeking alms. He asked for land enough to cover three steps. Bali laughed and said he could give more and so requested Vamana to ask for more. But Vamana stuck to his wish. Bali agreed and Vamana covered earth in first and heavens in his second step and asked Bali as to where he should place his third step.

Bali immediately understood that Vamana was none other than Lord Vishnu and hence Bali asked Lord to place His feet on his head. Lord agreed and pushed Bali into the nether world (Pathala loka).

But, nonetheless Lord Vishnu was happy with Bali as he had followed Dharma being fully aware of the consequences of granting Vamana’s wish and hence asked him to seek a boon and Bali requested Lord along with his consort Goddess Lakshmi to come and stay with him 1/3^rd of the year. Vishnu agreed and hence during this period Lord is considered asleep.

.....contd.....

Hinduism - rituals

….contd……….

I have many times asked you to learn the art of asking ‘right questions’. No, I agree there’s nothing as wrong question. The moment you ask a question, I know where you are and where you are heading.

Not clear? I’ll explain, the questions that Vaibhav has asked now come under ‘right questions’. Anything that helps you to understand, follow or know about the practices, rituals etc which would help you to come face-to-face with your ‘real self’ are ‘right questions’.

And all the questions like ‘but why did he do that? He is bad and he should change/ be taught a lesson, but when I am good why should I not get what I want and he gets it when he doesn’t even deserve it etc are the wrong questions. Because, even after knowing the answers the state of mind is of being restless and our temperament irritating and based on anger and hatred. Hence! Any question that keeps you agitated, restless and suffering in pain is a bad question. Just remember that!

So, ask, ask as many questions as possible but for you to gain abundance – abundance of wealth, good health, success, peace, contentment and divine grace.

Before going to questions let’s read the posts dated :

Thursday, October 9, 2014,

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Friday, November 8, 2013

Friday, November 29, 2013

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013 to understand that Hindusim is multi-layered and has various reasons for every custom followed.

……contd………

Hinduism - The art of asking questions

Please refer to query raised on Monday, December 1, 2014 "I had few queries related to God's Sleep.(A different one.. not the night one..) During Chaturmas we hear that this is the time when "Lord Vishnu" sleeps or is in Yoga Nidra. ........... "

Yes, it’s been long silence and I am sorry about that! Yet, I am glad that few of you did not waste this ‘free time’ but instead used it to read the old blogs that you had missed reading or re-read the old posts to refresh your memory. Good. And as I gather from you all, you have learnt quite a few things about yourselves and the solutions to your issues too in this ‘re-run’. Good again!

Now coming to Vaibhav’s query (see comments section dt. Monday, December 1, 2014 ). Vaibhav where the _______ do you get these doubts from? And you read about ‘yoga nidra’ of Lord Vishnu? Really? At your age, what books are you reading where Lord Vishnu’s Yoga Nidra is mentioned! I really would like to know that! But seriously, I am really, really happy and proud of you. At your age, to be having this bent is really amazing. I just wish and bless that you keep up this bent of questioning and reading! God bless you!

It’s amazing that you not only read such books but also contemplate on such topics, question them and seek answers. As long as youth of this society have this questioning bent of mind, Hinduism will never die. It doesn’t need forced ‘convertism’. No one need do anything (external) to save it, protect it or spread it. It’s all about the way of life. Hinduism is the only religion in this world which doesn’t have a prophet or a founder. It’s ‘sanatana Dharma’ – i.e., ageless and ever flowing right way of life. It’s not based on fixed set of principles or a list of do’s and dont’s. those who understand it will do nothing to harm others or be forceful in their conduct in the name of ‘saving Hinduism’. It stands on it’s own – it has always stood the test of time. We aren’t the custodians who protected it during all these aeons of time. So, relax! Let be!

Does that mean ‘that as a Hindu we don’t have our set of duties.’  Yes, we do. That is to go within and find ourselves. Question all that bothers us and find our way towards peace, love and completeness through the maze of life.  That is all there is to Hinduism. All the traditions, rituals, customs are just woven around the philosophy that says ‘know who you are!’  that’s all!

Everything that is done, lived is to know ‘who am I’? But instead of finding ourselves we are lost in correcting or converting others – in various ways!

Next, when you ask a question, never say ‘sorry etc ..’ (This I tell one and all!). as you all know, I started writing because we couldn’t interact on regular basis personally because of our life-styles et all  and yet you all wanted to ! so, I started this blog. Like our class, this is also on interactive basis and I’ve re-emphasized it again and again.

I try as far as possible to answer your queries and clarify your doubts. So, shoot your questions – right and left. But yes, I would like to request you to bear with me with patience and not get irritated, depressed or angry when I am not able to reply immediately. There be with me. That’s all!

.........contd.........