DEVSHAYAN AND CHATURMAAS (27 JUL-22 NOV 2015)

DEVSHAYAN AND CHATURMAAS (27 JUL-22 NOV 2015) When Vishnu and male energies are in samadhi and the female energies of the cosmos reign supreme.
The 11th day of the bright half of Ashadh is known as Padma Ekadashi (more commonly known as Devshayani Ekadashi). It is the beginning of Chaturmaas (“chatur” means four and “maas” means months), the four auspicious monsoon months which are full of festivals and celebrations. In these four months the atmosphere is heavy with moisture and is a time for the downpour of cool rain. These four monsoon months in the Hindu calendar are Ashadh, Shravan, Bhadarpada and Ashvin. 

According to the Purans, from this day onwards Lord Vishnu takes rest in Ksheer Sagar (ocean). So, naturally all the oceans, rivers and ponds are believed to attain divinity due to the presence of Lord Vishnu in Ksheer Sagar during this period. This is one of the main reasons why great importance is given to taking holy bath during this period. A devotee who observes severe austerities and penance related with God during these four months becomes absolved of all sins and bestows indescribable virtues. 
Chaturmas, inauspicious for weddings and other celebrations,[5] is a suitable time for householders to have an annual renewal of faith by listening to discourses on dharma, and by meditation and vrata (self-control). Penance, austerities, religious observances, recital of mantras, bathing in holy rivers, performing sacrifices, and charity are prescribed. Fasts and purity during this period help maintain health,[4] for which there is likely a scientific rationale, disease spreading more readily with the onset of monsoon.[citation needed]

A number of Hindus, particularly those following the Vaishnav tradition, refrain from eating onions and garlic during this period. In Maharashtra, a number of Hindu families also do not eat any egg plant (Brinjal / Aubergene) preparations.

A festival in 19 years- navkalevra (new body of Rath yatra lord Jagannath)

A FESTIVAL IN 19 YEARS
The grandest festival of 21st Century, Nabakalebara is occurring this time after a period of 19 years, as mystical as it sounds the festival has many unique rituals that gets unfolded in over a period of 65 days. In this festival the Chaturdha Murti ( Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra & Sudarshan) of Jagannath Temple, Puri attain a new body meaning the old wooden idols are replaced by new set of Idols, no where on earth is there any similar ritual, which is what makes this festival so unique. This mystical event starts with an equally interesting ritual called ‘Banajaga Yatra’ or ‘Journey into the forest’, in which several servitors of the deities embark on a journey by foot in search for the sacred logs or ‘Daru’ (also known as Neem Tree ) which will be used to carve out the new idols. This team is composed of servitors like Daitas, Patimahapatra, Dadhakaran, Deulakarana, Padiakaran, Maharana, Lenka,Rajguru, some Brahmin servitors along with the other servitors and workers of the Temple Administration.

The journey (Banajaga Jatra) starts only after the chief servitor Gajapati Maharaj of Puri, officially commences the yatra by a ritual called the Gua Teka, which directs the servitors to set out on foot to identify and locate the sacred woods. After getting the due permissions from the Gajapati Maharaj,the Daru Identifiers/Investigators ­ Pati Mohapatra, Biswabasu, Dalapati, Badagrahi Daitapatis, Brahman Acharyas, Badagrahi Biswakarma Maharana, Tadaukarana and Deulakarana etc, proceed to Jagannath Ballav Math on the Grand road accompanied with the music of conches, trumpets, drums and gongs etc, enriched procession. All of them halt there for the day for their initial preparation. Next day early morning, all the Banajaga Jatri´s proceed to the temple of Maa Mangala at Kakatpur, arrange a special Majana (Ceremonial bath) for the deity, dress and decorate with a new saree and beautiful flowers. This particular ritual is one the most vital as well as mytical in its way, apparently it is believed that the locations of sacred woods is shown to particular servitors in their dreams ( a ritual called ‘Swapnadesha’) by Maa Mangala deity at the very temple. After getting a divine dream of the location of the sacred logs ( Daru), the servitors move from place to place in small groups in search of the individual Darubrukhya. Biswakarma inspects the Daru-Brikhya, checks, measures it and on receipt of his clearance, the process of identification of specific Daru is considered as final. The Daru-investigators proceed to the Neem tree identified for Sudarshan first and subsequently of Balabhadra, Shubhadra and Jagannath in the order. After the individual Darus (sacred woods) are identified and selected, several rituals are performed, the area around the selected tree is cleared, the entire area is made purified by sprinkling of scented water and utterances of vedic mantras, this is called normal Bhumisuddhi. There are several other rituals that are conducted before finally the process of felling of the Daru-Brukhya (sacred woods) starts. After the felling of the daru-brukhya, the transportation of DaruÂs are done on ‘Shagadis’ or carts to the Srimandir after. The principal part of the shagadi is made of the wood of a Kendu tree, the wheels of the shagadi are made of a Bata tree wood, whereas the axle is made of a tamarind tree wood. After reaching the Shree Mandir through northern gate of the temple, the sacred logs are kept in a temporary shed constructed in Koilibaikuntha within the temple-premises. These sacred logs then are carved into new idols by specific servitors called ‘Maharana’ inside koilibaikuntha as several rituals are performed side by side. One of the most important and mystical ritual of the Nabakalebara festival is the ‘Brahma Paribartana or Ghata Paribartana’ , which happens in the midnight of the 14th Lunar Day, on the Anasara Pindi. In this ritual the life substance ( Brahmapadartha ) are transferred from the old statues to the new statues on the anasara pindi. Change of Life Substance from the old idols to the new idols. Since the ritual is done very secretly as none of detailing of the ritual is not available .After the Ghata Paribartana the old idols are buried in a dedicated place inside koilibaikuntha.

The new idols are witnessed by devotees on the day of Nabajauban Darshan (though this time visitors cannot see the new idols on this day) and also on the day world famous Rath Yatra Festival.

भगवान् श्रीजगन्नाथ का नवकलेवर उत्सव

भगवान् श्रीजगन्नाथ का नवकलेवर उत्सव

जगन्नाथ मंदिर पुरी मेँ श्री जगन्नाथ जी की महत्वपूर्ण लीला नव कलेवर अनुष्ठान क्रिया होने जा रही हेै .... नवकलेवर यानी नया शरीर।
इसमें विश्वविख्यात जगन्नाथ मंदिर में रखे भगवान जगन्नाथ, बलभद्र, सुभद्रा और सुदर्शन की पुरानी मूर्ति को नई मूर्ति से बदला जाता है।
इसका आयोजन तब होता है, जब हिंदू कैलेंडर में आषाढ़ के दो महीने होते हैं, जैसा कि इस साल हो रहा है।
ऐसा संयोग 12 या 19 वर्षों में एक बार होता है। आखिरी नवकलेवर वर्ष 1996 में मनाया गया था।
भगवान की नई मूर्तियां नीम की विशेष किस्म की लकड़ी से बनाई जाती है, इसे स्थानीय भाषा में दारु ब्रह्म कहते हैं।
इस समारोह में न सिर्फ मूर्तियां बदली जाती हैं बल्कि रहस्यमयी अनुष्ठान के जरिये 'ब्रह्म शक्ति' भी पुरानी मूर्ति से नई मूर्ति में स्थानांतरित की जाती है।
इस प्रक्रिया की शुरुआत जगन्नाथ को दोपहर का भोग लगाने के बाद होती है।
भगवान व उनके भाई-बहनों के लिए विशेष तौर पर 12 फुट की माला, जिसे धन्व माला कहते हैं, तैयार की जाती है।
पूजा के बाद यह माला 'पति महापात्र परिवार' को सौंप दी जाती है, जो पुरी से 50 किलोमीटर दूर स्थित काकतपुर तक मूर्तियों के लिए लकड़ी खोजने वाले दल की अगुआई करते हैं।

काकतपुर में मां मंगला का मंदिर है।
वृक्षों की खोज पर निकला दल यात्रा के दौरान पुरी के पूर्व राजा के महल में रुकता है।
सबसे बड़ा दैतापति (सेवक) मंदिर में ही सोता है और माना जाता है कि देवी उसके सपने में आकर उन नीम के वृक्षों की सही जगह की जानकारी देती हैं, जिनसे तीनों मूर्तियां बननी हैं।

ये कोई साधारण नीम के वृक्ष नहीं होते।
चूंकि भगवान जगन्नाथ का रंग सांवला है, इसलिए जिस वृक्ष से उनकी मूर्ति बनाई जाएगी, वह भी उसी रंग का होना चाहिए।
जबकि भगवान जगन्नाथ के भाई-बहन का रंग गोरा है इसलिए उनकी मूर्तियों के लिए हल्के रंग का नीम वृक्ष ढूंढा जाता है।

जिस वृक्ष से भगवान जगन्नाथ की मूर्ति बनाई जाएगी, उसकी कुछ खास पहचान होती है, जैसे उसमें चार प्रमुख शाखाएं होनी जरूरी हैं।
ये शाखाएं नारायण की चार भुजाओं की प्रतीक होती हैं।
वृक्ष के समीप ही जलाशय, श्मशान और चीटियों की बांबी हो यह बहुत जरूरी होता है।
वृक्ष की जड़ में सांप का बिल होना चाहिए और वृक्ष की कोई भी शाखा टूटी या कटी हुई नहीं होनी चाहिए।
वृक्ष चुनने की अनिवार्य शर्त होती है कि वह किसी तिराहे के पास हो या फिर तीन पहाड़ों से घिरा हुआ हो।
उस वृक्ष पर कभी कोई लता नहीं उगी हो और उसके नजदीक ही वरुण, सहादा और बेल के वृक्ष हों (ये वृक्ष बहुत आम नहीं होते हैं)।
और चिह्नित नीम के वृक्ष के नजदीक शिव मंदिर होना भी जरूरी है।

मूर्तियों के लिए नीम के वृक्षों की पहचान करने के बाद एक शुभ मुहूर्त्त में मंत्रों के उच्चारण के बीच उन्हें काटा जाता है।
इसके बाद इन वृक्षों की लकडिय़ों को रथों पर रखकर दैतापति जगन्नाथ मंदिर लाते हैं, जहां उन्हें तराशकर मूर्तियां बनाई जाती हैं।

मूर्तियां बदलने का यह समारोह मशहूर रथ यात्रा से तीन दिन पहले होता है, जब 'ब्रह्मण' या पिंड को पुरानी मूर्तियों से निकालकर नई मूर्तियों में लगाया जाता है।
मूर्तियां बदलना इतना आसान नहीं है और इसके लिए कड़े नियम होते हैं, जिनका पालन करना अनिवार्य है।
नियमानुसार मूर्तियां बदलने के लिए चुने गए दैतापतियों की आंखों पर पट्टी बांध दी जाती है, पिंड बदलने से पहले उनके हाथ कपड़े से बांध दिए जाते हैं और लकड़ी की खोज शुरू होने के पहले ही दिन से उन्हें बाल कटवाने, दाढ़ी बनाने या मूंछ कटाने की अनुमति नहीं होती है।

मध्यरात्रि में दैतापति अपने कंधों पर पुरानी मूर्तियां लेकर जाते हैं और भोर से पहले उन्हें समाधिस्थ कर दिया जाता है।
यह ऐसी रस्म है, जिसे कोई देख नहीं सकता और अगर कोई देख ले तो उसका मरना तय माना जाता है।
इसी वजह से राज्य सरकार के आदेशानुसार इस रस्म के दौरान पूरे शहर की बिजली बंद कर दी जाती है।
अगले दिन नई मूर्तियों को 'रत्न सिंहासन' पर आसीन किया जाता है...।

||पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् जगन्नाथ की जय||

Rules to wear RUDRAKSH

Rules to Wear Rudraksh

RUDRAKSH OR TEARS OF RUDRA (SHIVA)
If Someone desires seriously to come out of unwanted habits and live a life of purity, can wear Rudraksha and may find themselves free soon after wearing it . This has happened to many. It may happen to you also, if you will strongly.

Rudraksha power is more than any gems, yantra, tantra, mantra and Jantra.

In general the wearer and the worshipper of Rudraksha is blessed with prosperity, peace and health. Yet there are certain precautions to be taken to avoid the gain of sins. These precautions are such as:-

Rudraksha must be worn after Sidhhi (method of purification & charging with Mantra), performing the prayers and ritual rites for its sanctification and Hawan etc. It should be worn on auspicious day, after consulting an Astrologer.

Rudraksha Mantra and Rudraksha Origin Mantra is to be chanted daily 9 times while wearing in the morning and after removing before going to bed. Rudraksha must be removed before going to sleep and must be kept at the puja place.

Rudraksha can be worn in the morning after having Bath. It can be worn after reciting the mantra as above and incense/ ghee lamp etc must be used. It must not be touched before bathing. One should clean his hands properly after using toilet.

The wearer of the Rudraksha should not eat non vegeterian food and should not take alcohol. He should speak truth always and must go to Lord Shiva temple for his blessings.

Rudraksha must not be taken to the cremation grounds and funerals. Also it must not be taken to the place while visiting a new born baby.

NEVER wear the Rudraksha while having sex.

WOMEN must not wear the Rudraksha during their menstrual cycle.

ALWAYS keep your Rudraksha clean. Dust and dirt can settle in the pores of the bead. Clean these as frequently as possible with something with soft, fine bristles. If the thread becomes dirty or worn out, change it. After cleaning, wash your Rudraksha with some blessed holy water. This helps maintain its sanctity.

ALWAYS keep the Rudraksha oiled... After regular cleaning, oil the beads with ghee and treat it with incense. This is of UTMOST importance. especially when not using the bead for sometime, or storing it for a while.

Many get confused with the shape and size. One should not seriously worry about it. Just see that the Mukhi is well defined, corns and contours are natural, and there are no cracks near the central hole. Normally the buyer gets a feel when Rudraksha is kept in the palm. He/She feels that this is the one which was wanted.

Rudraksha is hot in nature. Some people just can't wear it. Their skin shows signs of allergy. They can never wear any gold, silver or thread chain. So better not to use. Keep the beads in Puja room and offer daily Namaskars
OM SHUBHAMASTU!!

You can be God to anyone by www.AstroRrachita.In

A group of 15 solders led by a Major were on their way to the post in Himalayas where they would be deployed for the next 3 months. The batch which would be relieved was waiting anxiously.

It was cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb more difficult.

WWW.ASTRORRACHITA.IN

If someone could offer a cup of tea. . the major thought, knowing it was a futile wish..

They continued for an hour before they came across a dilapidated structure, which looked like a tea shop but locked. It was late in the night.

"No tea boys, bad luck", said the major. But he suggested all take some rest there as they have been walking for 3 hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea... We will have to break the lock", suggested one solder.

The officer was in great dilemma to the unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him to give the permission.

They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and also packets of biscuits.
The solders had tea & biscuits and were ready for the remaining journey.

The major thought, they had broken open lock and had tea & biscuits without the permission of the owner. But they're not a band of thieves but disciplined soldiers.
He took out a Rs 1000/- note from his wallet, placed it on the counter, pressed under sugar container, so that the owner can see.

The officer was now relieved of his guilt. He ordered to put the shutter down and proceed.

Three months passed, they continued to do gallantly in their works and were lucky not to loose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation.
It was time for another team to replace them.

Soon they were on their way back and stopped at the same tea shop which was open and owner was present in the shop.
The owner an old man will meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.

All of them had tea and biscuits. They talked to the old man about his life and experience specially selling tea at such a remote place.

The old man had many stories to tell, replete with his faith in God.
"Oh, Baba, if God is there, why should He keep you in such poverty?", commented one of them.

"Do not say like that Sahib! God actually is there, I got a proof 3 months ago."
"I was going through very tough times because my only son had been severely beaten by terrorist who wanted some information from him which he did not have. I had closed my shop to take my son to hospital. Some medicines were to be purchased and I had no money. No one would give
me loan for fear of the terrorists. There was no hope, Sahib".

"And that day Sahib, I prayed to God for help. And Sahib, God walked into my shop that day."
"When I returned to my shop, I found lock broken, I felt I was finished, I lost whatever little I had. But then I saw that God had left Rs 1000/ under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib what that money was worth that day. God exists Sahib. He does."

The faith in his eyes were unflinching.
Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of the officer and read the order in his eyes clear and unambiguous, "Keep quiet".

The officer got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God does exist. And yes, the tea was wonderful."

The the 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer, a rare sight.

The truth is

u can be God to anyone.

शुभ कार्यों के लिए भी समय का इंतजार करना अच्छी बात नहीं।

शुभ कार्यों के लिए भी समय का इंतजार करना यह अच्छी बात नहीं। शुभस्य शीघ्रं का आदेश हमारे शास्त्रों ने हमें दिया है कोई जरूरी नहीं आपके विचार जितने शुद्ध आज हैं वह कल भी रहेंगे। समय की तो छोड़ो विचार भी सदैव आपका साथ नहीं देते हैं। 
शुभ कार्य का अर्थ मात्र वे कर्म नहीं जिनसे आपको लाभ हो अपितु वे कर्म हैं जिनसे आपका लोक-परलोक सुधर जाता है और आप पुन्य के भागी बनते है। आपके माध्यम से किसी का भला होता है। 

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Parenting Guidance by www.AstroRrachita.In

It is Our Job to prepare Our Children for the Road & Not prepare the Road for Our Children"

A man, an avid Gardener saw a small Butterfly laying few eggs in one of the pots in his garden.
Since that day he looked at the egg with ever growing curiosity and eagerness.
The egg started to move and shake a little.
He was excited to see a new life coming up right in front of his eyes.
He spent hours watching the egg now. The egg started to expand and develop cracks.
A tiny head and antennae started to come out ever so slowly. The man's excitement knew no bounds.
He got his magnifying glasses and sat to watch the life and body of a pupa coming out.

He saw the struggle of the tender pupa and couldn't resist his urge to "HELP".
He went and got a tender forceps to help the egg break, a nip here, a nip there to help the struggling life and the pupa was out. The man was ecstatic!
He waited now each day for the pupa to grow and fly like a beautiful butterfly, but alas that never happened.
The larvae pupa had a oversized head and kept crawling along in the pot for the full 4 weeks and died!

Depressed the man went to his botanist friend and asked the reason. His friend told him the struggle to break out of the egg helps the larvae to send blood to its wings and the head push helps the head to remain small so that the tender wings can support it thru its 4 week life cycle. In his eagerness to help, the man destroyed a beautiful life!

Struggles help all of us, that's why a bit of effort goes a long way to develop our strength to face life's difficulties!
As parents, we sometimes go too far trying to help and protect our kids from life's harsh realities and disappointments.
We don't want our kids to struggle like we did.

Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Dan Kindlon says that over-protected children are more likely to struggle in relationships and with challenges.
We're sending our kids the message that they're not capable of helping themselves.

To quote clinical psychologist, Dr. Wendy 's Moral:
"It is Our Job to prepare Our Children for the Road & Not prepare the Road for Our Children"

All parents - do read it