Radhastami 2015

Goddess Radha

Taptakanchan Gaurangi Radhe Brindabaneswari l

Brishavanusute Devi Pranamami Haripriye ll

(Meaning - As fair as sparkling gold, the sovereign of Vrindaban, the daughter of Brishabhanu, Oh devi! I pay homage with joint hands to the consort of God Krishna.)  

Jai Jai Shree Radhe…

Radhashtami is the birth anniversary of Goddess Radha, the lover-consort of God Krishna. This year it was celebrated on 21st September, 2015.

The legend on the birth of Goddess Radha

On the eighth day (astami) in the Hindu month of Bhadraba, King Vrishnabanu came to the Jamuna to bathe and found himself engulfed in a golden aura of pure love. It was emanating from a lotus, which had a baby girl standing on its whorl. Then the king returned to the palace with the baby. His queen Kirtida was very much happy. Yet, She observed that the baby had closed her eyes. Krishna's mother, Yashoda, heard that her friend, Kirtida, had a baby, so she came to visit along with her husband and son. Krishna crawled up to the cradle and pulled himself up and looked in. At that moment toddler Radharani's eyes fluttered and opened wide and blossomed like lotuses.

Celebration

On this day devotees do kirtans, katha, and bhajans to woo the birthday baby.  They also seek bless from the Goddess in turn to acquire lord Krishna's grace. On Radhastami, Radha Krishna icons are traditionally attired. Devotees observe fast and sing devotional songs in praise of the divine couple and their pastimes.

As per Radha-stuti -- beautiful Shrimati Radharani is the queen and the origin of the rasa dance. She is the giver of pleasure to Krishna, who is the Super soul in the hearts of all. She is the lover of Krishna and is always situated upon the chest of the Lord.

Who is Goddess Radha

Radharani is the pleasure potency or alhadini Sakti of Krishna. Krishna is one but became two as Radha and Krishna. Therefore, Radharani is not a woman - she is the pleasure potency of the Lord. If you can please Radharani and she tells Krishna that there is this devotee who is nice, the lord will be very happy to give His mercy. Srimati Radharani is the queen of Vrindavana and dear most devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. She is an expert in all the fine arts and Her transcendental form is like an ocean of nectar. Her splendid bodily luster is like the molten gold, or stationary lightning. She wears wonderfully beautiful blue garments and She is decorated with various pearls and flowers.

As the greatest devotee, She is also the most compassionate. She is unable to bear the suffering of the souls trapped in the material world. When a soul starts to inquire about Krishna, Srimati Radharani is most pleased and takes charge of his devotional advancements. As one makes progress, one continues to invoke the mercy of Srimati Radharani and when She is pleased, Krishna is automatically pleased.

Drinking water distribution on Shrabana Purnima 2015

Jay Mata Di Group members are ready for the charity on the outskirts of Bolangir

Jay Mata Di group of Bolangir, Odisha distributed drinking water and other food material to Bol Bom devotees on the eve of Shravana Purnima 2015. The group has been doing this charity since last six years. They distributed water drinking water pouches, Upama with khata and tea to the devotees, who were coming from Harishankar with pots of holy water to pour on the Shiva Linga of different Shiva temples in Bolangir town.

The group also delivered health service to the devotees and distributed some medicines (everything free of cost). A big container of warm water was kept at the venue where the devotees put their feet to get rid of the pain to some extent.

Devotees have put their feet in warm water to get relaxed off the pain

Dr. N.K. Mohapatra providing health service to the devotees

The group members present on this occasion were Gopal Pradhan, Himanshu Guru (the blogger), Nakul Pattanaik, Girish Sahu, Srinu, Madhu Pattnaik, Shankar Agrawal, Balaram Yadav, Deepak Sadangi, Dr. N.K. Mohapatra, Suraj and others. The task was performed on 27^th August 2015. Among the contributors were Munu, Ashok Sarkar, Shankar Sahu, Himanshu Guru and Dr. N.K. Mohapatra.

Jay Mata Di.

Dwadas (12) Jyotirling

Dwadas Jyotirlinga

Dwadas (twelve) Jyotirlinga are the most pious twelve natural lingas worshipped in twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. All these Lingas are in India. It is believed a devotee can reap immense virtues by visiting and worshiping at these temples. The following hymn describes about the presence of these most sacred twelve Shivalingas.  

Saurashtre Somnatham Cha Shrishaile Mallikarjunam ||

Ujjainyam Mahakalomkare Mammaleshwaram ||

Parlyam Vaijnatham Cha Dakinyam Bheem Shankaram ||

Setu Bandhe Tu Ramesham Nagesham Daruka Vane ||

Varanasya Tu Vishwesham Tribakam Gautamitate ||

Himalaye Tu Kedaram Ghurmesham Cha Shivalaye ||

Aetani Jyotirlingani Sayam Prataha Pathennaraha ||

Sapta Janma Kritam Papam Smaranen Vinashyati ||

Meaning

Somanath in Saurashtra and Mallikarjunam in Shri-Shailam;

Mahakaal in Ujjain, Omkareshwar in Amleshwar;

Vaidyanath in Paralya and Bhimashankaram in Dakinya;

Ramesham (Rameshwaram) in Sethubandh, Nagesham in Daruka-Vana;

Vishwa-Isham (Vishvanath) in Vanarasi, Triambakam at bank of the river Gautami;

Kedar (Kedarnath) in Himalayas and Gushmesh (Gushmeshwar) in Shivalaya (Shiwar).

One who recites these Jyotirlingas every evening and morning,

is relieved of all his sins committed in past seven lives also even just by recalling these lingas.

Location

1.     Somnath: Somnath temple is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

2.     Srisailam: Mallikārjuna, also called Srisailam, is located on a mountain in Kurnool District in Rayalaseema in Andhra Pradesh.

3.     Ujjain: Mahakal or Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga temple is in Ujjain (or Avanti) in Madhya Pradesh.

4.     Omkareshwar: Omkareshwar temple is on an island in the Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.

5.     Vaidyanath: Baidyanath Jyotirlinga temple, also known as Baba dham and Baidyanath dham is located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkhand.

6.     Bhimsankar: Bhimashankara temple is near Pune in Maharashtra, which was referred to as Daakini country.

7.     Rameshwaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswaram.

8.     Nageshvara: Nageshvara Jyotirlinga temple is near Dwaraka in Gujarat.

9.     Varanasi: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is home to the Vishwanath Jyotirlinga shrine.

10. Trimbakeshwar: Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga shrine is near Nasik in Maharashtra.

11.  Kedarnath: Kedarnath nestled in the snow-clad Himalayas in Uttarakhand. The temple is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.

12.  Ghushmeshwar: Ghushmeshwar which is at distance of about 29 km from the city of Grishneshwar (Verul village) near Aurangabad.  

The hymn about the location of the twelve Jyotirlingas comes from an ancient mythological text. But in modern days names of the places have also been changed. Hence, there is still controversy about the exact location of some of these temples. Yet, the above description can be accepted as the best analysed one.

Where God dwells

Naham vasami vaikunthe yoginam hridaye na cha,

Mad-bhakta yatra gayanti tatra tishthami narada – Padma Purana.

Once debarshi Narada asked Lord Vishnu about His abode. Vaikuntha or Vaikunthapuri is the abode of Lord Vishnu. Again yogis or saints are the biggest devotees of God. Hence, normally one may assume God should be present at either of the place. And this is also a fact. But as per the above verse there is another favourite place of God where he loves to reside.

Answering to the query of debarshi Narada about His abode, Lord Vishnu said, “I don’t live in Vaikuntha or in the hearts of the yogins. Rather I dwell there, where my devotees sing.”

Naham comes from Na+aham. Na-no. Aham-I. Vasami-live. Vaikunthe- in Vaikuntha, the eternal abode of Lord Vishnu as per mythological books. Yoginam hridaye na cha- not even in the hearts of the saints. Mad-Bhakta means my devotees. Yatra gayanti – where sings. Tatra-there. Tisthami – I stay, narada – O Narada.

God very much loves the place where His devotees sing. Generally devotees sing devotional songs (bhajans) or ‘Naama-sankirtana’. Bhajan is the song about God while Naama sankirtana or simply sankirtana is about singing God’s name repeatedly in a tune. But sankirtana should also be backed by feeling (Bhava), love (Prema) and faith (Sraddha). Again, singing God’s name collectively yields even more result. Sankirtan is one of the nine modes of Bhakti (Navadha bhakti). This is the easiest method for salvation in Kali Yuga.

(The blogger solicits your precious and divine comments for the write up. Please feel free to mail me at himanshuguruz@gmail.com for any query)

Morning Slokas

After waking up in the morning first we should think about our cherished God. Close your eyes and try to see Her or Him. Like, I try to visualize Goddess Durga atop Her lion.

Then, it is time to clean yourself through a hymn –

Lord Ghanashyama

Apabitro pabitro ba sarbabasthan gatopi ba,

Yah smaret Pundarikashyam sa baahaayabhyantara suchi.

Ati nilo Ghanashyamam Naliyalatalochanam,

Smarami Pundarikakshyam teno snato bhabamyaham.

Meaning – The person who thinks of God Pundarikaskhya gets cleaned in whatever condition he remains. By thinking of God Ghanashyama we get a holy bathe (without actually bathing).

The next step is to look at the palm and chant this hymn –

Karagre basate Lakshmi, Karamadhye Saraswati,

Karamule tu Govindah, Prabhate karadarshanam.

Meaning – Look at the finger tip part of your hands and try to visualize Goddess Lakshmi there as She is belived to stay at the finger tips. Then, look at the middle part of your palm and try to see Goddess Saraswatee as She is believed to stay at this place of the hand. Finally, look at the root part of your palm and try to visualize Lord Govinda (Krishna or Vishnu) as He lives there. Finally offer your pranam to all of them.

Now, it is time to beg excuse to mother earth as you are going to put your feet on Her. Chant this hymn –

Samudrah basane devi, Parbatah stanamandale,

Vishnupatni namastubhyam paadasparsham Khyamaswame.

Meaning – Oh mother earth. Ocean is your clothe and mountains are there in your chest. Oh consort of Lord Vishnu please forgive me for putting my feet on you.

Then offer pranam to mother earth and get down from your bed. Now chant the Nabagraha hymn to please the nine planets –

Bramhaa Murari Tripurantakari, Bhaanu Sashi Bhumisutoh Budhascha, Guruscha Sukra Shani Rahu Ketabah, Kurbantu sarbe mama suprabhatam.

Meaning – Oh Lord Bramha, Murari (Another name of Lord Vishnu, Ari or enemy of Mura demon. Lord Vishnu had killed Mura and Daruna, two demons), Tripurantakari (Lord Shiva, who can end the three worlds), Bhanu (Sun), Sashi (Moon), Bhumisuta (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Brihaspati or Jupiter is the teacher or Guru of the Gods), Sukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu, please make my morning good.

When chanting this hymn try to visualize the face of these nine planets when uttering their names. Then first see some holy things like Mridanga, gold, mirror etc. and then go to wash your face.

(Besides the suggestion in the first paragraph, all other slokas can be found in the book ‘Nityakarma Pujaprakash’) 

Written by - Himanshu Guru (the blogger). If you have any doubt in the article please feel free to ask me at himanshuguruz@gmail.com

Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannth in Puri, Odisha

Nabakalebara is the reincarnation of Lord Jagannath of Puri. Though in every Jagannath temple Nabakalebara takes place, the one meant for the famous temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri is the most important. The great sacred and divine festival is celebrated amid a number of rituals where the sacred woods, called Daru (out of which the idols are made) are searched, cut and brought to the main temple (Sri Mandira).

Daru (neem tree) of Lord Balabhadra near Goddess Sarala temple at Jhankada in Jagatsinghpur district

  

Yagnyas are done at the site where the ‘most sacred’ trees are found. These yagnyas are done with ‘Patala Nrusingha mantra (hymn)’. During Nabakalebara new idols are made not only for Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and mata Subhadra, but idols of ‘Parswa Debatas’, weapons of the God (Ayudha) and carriers (Bahana) are also prepared on this occasion. The old idols are buried at the ‘Koili Baikuntha’, a garden inside the temple. Nabakalebara can be considered as the end of an era.

Akin to the life of Lord Srikrishna, whose all living and non-living elements vanished with his demise in the Dwapara Yuga, all devatas as well as stuff related to Lord Jagannath are buried during each Nabakalebara.

Nabakalebara falls in an interval of 12 to 19 years. The year that has two ‘Asadha’ months is selected for Nabakalebara. As per mythological texts the idols were first made in the ‘Aadapa Mandapa’. And they were brought to the temple (Srimandira) in a chariot by the then king (Gajapati) of Odisha Indradyumna Deba. It is an amazing fact that though a number of idols are buried in a small place, these are not found in the next Nabakalebara.

Devotion for God is not a matter to show off

Once upon a time there was a king. His queen was a big devotee of Lord Krishna. She was very punctual at worshipping her adorable God every day. Though she lived a happy life her only worry was that the king though was a good husband and ruling the kingdom successfully, was not showing any devotion to any God and Goddess.

On many occasions the queen asked the king whether he believes in God or not. But the king was not providing any direct answer. He was just offering a smile. Hence, the queen had taken it into granted that the king was an atheist. But since he loved his wife well and the subjects of the kingdom were happy, the queen was satisfied. But she always wanted to know if the king had even a little bit of devotion towards any God.

Once the couple was sleeping and the queen heard the king saying ‘Hei Shree Krishna’ when letting out a sigh when he was still asleep. She became overwhelmed to know that her husband was a devotee of God (as the king had uttered name of the God). Next day morning when the king awoke he found that a big celebration was going on in the palace. When enquired about it he was intimated that the queen had great news and thus she had announced the celebration and party.

Later the king approached his queen and asked her about the reason of her happiness. She said, “I was always thinking you were an atheist, but yesterday night I changed my mind after hearing you uttering name of the God. I’m so happy.” The king felt like he had lost a war. The queen asked why he was so worried and the king replied, “I feel I lost the most precious thing in my life.”

Moral: Devotion to God is not a matter to show off. It is the most precious asset of life. We should keep it preserved in our heart like we hoard our most valuable properties under lock and key. In the story as the king felt his most precious asset of life was revealed, he felt like losing a battle.

Ironically, in these days it is seen, many people wear clothes and different stuff that shows they are big devotees. But it is in fact just to get benefit by showing others that they are more closely related to the almighty.

Devotion is purely a heartly relation between the devotee and his God. It does not require any show off. Lord Krishna is ‘Antaryami’. He can very well trace out the devotion that is the secret corner of your heart. Thus, for that you don’t need to show off by wearing stuffs that establish you as a devotee.