Importance of Drinking Water Charity in the month of Shravana

Spiritual importance of doing drinking water charity in the month of Shravana:

The Legend – Once a thirsty person was asking for water to a shopkeeper of a kiosk. The merchant was not interested for any charity and so denied. The person then moved to the second trader in the line but again got the same response. He went on urging for water one after one kiosk owner in that row and finally arrived at the last cabin. The trader of the last kiosk was so rude that he even did not utter a single word but just showed his hand ahead.

If we translate the above stance of the owner it says “Aage Badho”, a sentence of denial. The thirsty person misunderstood the body language and got that perhaps the shopkeeper showed him a point where he can get drinking water.

Eventually the person moved in the direction that the merchant had waved his hand and co-incidentally found water over there. He drinks as per his satisfaction and proceeds ahead.

Now, come to the second episode of this mythological story – After some years the seller dies and (as per belief of Hindu philosophy) was presented before the court of Yamaraj, the God of death. Chitragupta, the analyst of vices and virtues there announced that the person had never performed a virtuous deed, except in one occasion. Hence, he deserves one day stay in heaven for that single virtuous deed and the rest of the period in hell.

The person gets astonished because as per his knowledge he had never performed any virtuous endeavor. Thus, he wanted to know what the exact act is for which he becomes eligible for heaven for the single day. Chitragupta explains – “On one occasion, you had served a thirsty person with drinking water unknowingly. You actually denied him but he misunderstood and got the water source as per your hand waving and so you are eligible for a single day stay in the heaven, the cherished place of all human being, who believes in Hindu Philosophy”.

Moral:

If someone unknowingly performs an act and avails the outgrowth of virtue for drinking water charity, when we will do the same with all our heart and soul, imagine how much virtue we will be blessed with. Hence, donating water is a great and highly virtuous act and so we suggest you to not to leave any chance of serving a thirsty person (or animal) with water.

Moreover, as per Hindu mythological texts, Lord Shiva dwells at his abode incessantly during the whole month of ‘shraavana’, for which lakhs of devotees bring sacred and sanctified water on pure pots to pour on the Lingam, the worldly manifestation of the God. It is also believed that the more pain you take, the Lord blesses you the more. Hence, devotees love to bring water from sources like rivers and springs from long destinations to perform ‘Jal-abhishek’ of the Lord.

Drinking Water Charity programme for Bol Bum devotees

Jai Mata Di. Om Namah Shivaya.

Balangir division of the Jay Mata Di Group is all set to organize a drinking water charity programme to serve the ‘Bol Bum’ devotees from evening onwards on 1^st August 2012. The main camp will be located at the ‘Barapudugia Chowk’, about 12 kms away from Balangir town on the way to Patnagarh.

In Balangir context, a huge number of Shiva devotees love to bring purified water from the famous abode of Lord Hari and Shankar, the Harishankar in Khaprakhol block jurisdiction in Balangir District at a distance of around 75 kms to the west of Balangir town. They travel by foot without any footwear, which is a tough job to endure.

Accordingly, we don’t want to leave the chance of serving them with drinking water and Jay Mata Di Group is organizing camp at the said venue since last few years. Other devotees also organize charity camps on the same route at different points.

For year 2012, so far some devotees have helped us and donated drinking water pouch. They are – Aditya Kejriwal, Ashok Sarkar, Bantu and Durga Dash. Volunteers cum devotees are working hard to make it a success. They are – Girish Sahu, Nakul Pattanaik, Firoz Pattanaik, Sinu Satapathy, Prashanta Sahu, Deepak (15), Sourav Pattanaik (8), Shankar Sahu, Ravi, Madhu Pattanaik, Chhabila, Pradeep, Tilu, Gopal Pradhan and Himanshu Guru. 

Jai Mata Di.

Lord Vishnu

Lord Vishnu

"Mangalam Bhagavan Vishnum, Mangalam Garudadhwajah !
Mangalam Pundareekaksham, Mangalayatano Harih" !!

Meaning - 

'All auspiciousness to God Vishnu
All auspiciousness to One who has Garuda as His flag
All auspiciousness to One who has eyes like the lotus flowers
And auspiciousness to Hari'

Akashath patitam toyam yadha gachati sagara !
Sarva deva namaskaram kesavam pratigachati !!

(Sandhyavandhana)

Every drop of water that falls from the sky goes to the ocean. Likewise, prayers offered to all Gods go to Kesava (the one God). 

Grand Road of Puri, Odisha, India ( Bada Daanda) in 1921

Grand road of Puri, The 'Bada Daanda' where the famous 'Rathyatra', the Car festival is celebrated in the year 1921

Annapurna stotram/ Ashtakam, the sacred way to get food

Annapurna stotram is a precious and miraculous hymn created by religious reformer and monastic Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This hymn is a key to obtain food daily even in this modern time. As per Hindu philosophy Lord Shiv, who is also known in the names Shankara, Lokanath, Bhootnath and in so many names, daily approaches to Mata Annapurna and begs her for food of the day. The mother Goddess serves Him three spoons of the food, which actually provides food to the three ‘Puras’, the Swarga (heaven), Martya (Earth) and the ‘Patala’. All the creatures including human being get fed from this foodstuff.

In this Kali Yug also if someone is not getting food despite several efforts to eat daily, he should chant this precious ‘Annapurna Stotram’ or ‘Annapurna Ashtakam’ with great belief and devotion with the Goddess and Lord Shiva. One can feel the miraculous and amazing effect of the ‘mantra’ when he will start getting food.

Annapurnastotram

Nithyaananda kari,Varaa abhya karee, Soundarya rathnaakaree,
Nirddhotahakila ghora pavaanakaree, Prathyaksha Maheswaree,
Praaleyachala vamsa pavavakaree, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll1ll

Naana rathna vichitra bhooshana karee, Hemaambaradambaree,
Mukthaa haara vilamba maana vilasa, Dwakshoja kumbaan dharee,
Kasmeera garu vasithaa ruchi karee, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll2ll

Yogaanandakaree ripu kshyakaree, Dharman artha nishtaakaree,
Chandrarkaanala bhasa maana laharee, Trilokya rakshaa karee,
Sarvaiswarya samastha vaanchithakaree, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll3ll

Kailaasaachala kandharaa laya karee, Gowree , umaa sankaree,
Kaumaree nigamartha gochara karee, Omkara beejaksharee,
Moksha dwaara kavata patana karee, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll4ll

Drusyaa drusya vibhootha vahana karee, Brhmaanda bhando dharee,
Leelaa nataka suthra kelana karee, Vijnana deeptham guree,
Sree viswesa mana prasaadhana karee, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll5ll

Urvee sarva janeswaree bhagawathee, Maatha krupaa sagaree,
Venee neela samaana kunthala dharee, Ananda dhaneswaree,
Sarvanandakaree bhayaa shubhakaree, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll6ll

Aadhi kshaantha samastha varna nikaree, Shabho tribhaava karee,
Kasmeeraa tripureswaree trilaharee, Nithyaamakuree sarvaree,
Kamaa kamksha karee janodhaya karee, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll7ll

Devee sarva vichitra rathna rachithaa, Dakshayanee sundaree,
Vama swadu payodhara priyakaree, Sownhagya maaheswaree,
Bhakthaabhishtakaree, sadaa shubhakaree, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll8ll

Chandrakaanala koti koti sadrusaa, Chandramsu bhimbaan dharee,
Chandrakaagni samaana kunthala dharee Chandrarka varneshwaree,
Maala pustaka pasasangusa dharee, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll9ll

Kshatrathraanakaree, mahaa bhayakaree, Mthaa krupaa sagaree,
Sakshaan mokshakaree sadaa shiva karee, Visweshwaree sridharee,
Daksha krundha karee niraa mayakaree, Kasi puraadheeswaree,
Bhikshaam dehi, krupaa valambana karee,
Mathaa Annapurneswaree ll10ll

Annapurne sadaa purne, Sankara praana vallabhe,
Jnana vairagya sidhyartham, Bikshaa dehee cha parvathy.
Mathaa cha Parvathy Devi, Pithaas cha Maheswara
Bandhawa Shiva Bhakatamscha, Swadesho Bhuvana Trayam ll11ll

Lord Jagannath in Elephant Avatar

Lord Jagannath of Puri wears the elephant avatar, known as 'Hati Besha' or 'Gaja Besha' in the local dialect Odia, at the time of ‘Deva-Snana Purnima’ in the year. This is the full moon day when the Lords take a ceremonial bathe with sacred water in 108 pots, drawn from a well inside the ‘Shree Mandir’ (Lord Jagannath temple in Puri) premises.

Each year this spiritual celebration of the three deities happens in a pompous show inside the temple at the ‘Snaana Mandapa’, the pendal for bathing of the Lords. As the snaana Mandap faces towards the Grand road, the ‘Bada Danda’ at the north-east corner of the temple premises, huge number of devotees get a chance to have ‘darshan’ of the Lords and their sacred bathing ritual. During this occasion the deities are given look of an elephant. This is called ‘Gaja Avatar’.

'Debasnana Purnima' is also known as the birthday of Lord Jagannath, as in the 12th century, on this day, King Indradyumna installed the deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra in the temple.

The Enormous Value of Name of God Ram

This is a tale from the Hindu spiritual epic ‘Ramayana’. But the message of the story will provide you the answer that a man (Who loves Lord Ram) searches for the whole of his life. During construction of the ‘Setu Bandh’, the mammoth bridge to Lanka, the monkeys were planting big boulders on the water and miraculously those were floating. In this way finally the bridge was constructed, over which the whole battalion of Rama crossed the sea at the English Channel, fought with Ravana and brought back Mother Sita.

However, during the construction of the bridge, once Lord Rama Himself put a pebble to the water, but astonishingly it sunk. He got surprised. Nobody was observing this event except Hanuman ji. Ram experiments for the second time and the same thing repeated. Now Hanuman ji went to the God and inquired whether His Lord wants assistance. Ram said “Yes, Hanuman, I want to know, when the monkeys are throwing the stones, it is floating over the water level, but when I am doing the same thing it is drowned, how?”

Hanuman answered, “My Master, I know you want me to answer in this context so that you can give an enormous message to the world for all the days to come and want that I should get the credit as you love me the most and want me to bless.

The answer is – the monkeys are bringing the stones, the engineers Nal and Neel are lettering ‘Ram’ on it and they are putting the stone on the water and those are floating. Means actually it is the power of your name that is working behind the screen. So Lord, when your pious name possesses so much influence that it makes a stone float on the water surface, when you yourself, the same great Ram will put the pebble, does that stone has any power to bear the power of your name? And so it gets drowned.”

Moral: Name of the God is tremendously powerful. Just we need to chant, utter, hum and repeat it to get the precious return. More than that, in this Kali Yug, chanting of the name of the God (in Hindu text) is sufficient to make one attain salvation, which is the cherished ambition of many saints and God-lovers.