Want to become rich? Worship Goddess Laxmi in Diwali

Wish you a happy and safe Diwali.

Everybody wants to become rich. Unfortunately, some people even adopt illegal means to become rich, which is not at all good. But the real way to get wealth is something else. Undoubtedly, it is the divine blessing which can make you rich.

The night time of Diwali is perfect for worship. Of course it is a tough task to sit for puja when others should be playing with the fire crackers. Okay, you burst crackers till 10 pm and then go for the worship. As such in many cities of our country bursting of fire crackers (beyond a certain decibels) is not permitted after 10 pm.

Worship

Take a holy bath and clean yourself. Bring clean water to be used in the worship. Do the puja the way you regularly do at home. Offer chandan (sandalwood paste), sindoor (vermilion), haldi (turmeric powder), roli (a type of vermilion), kajal (Kohl), flowers and perfume to the Goddess. Also if possible offer Her a new dress and chunri. Light a lamp, show incense stick and then offer sweets and fruits (including dry fruits) with water (in a glass, meant for drinking) and then chant the Shree Shuktam.

Chant Shree Shuktam for 108 times or if not possible chant at least 11 times and finally do arati. Then do a 'sastanga pranam' and beg excuse for the wrongs. 

Performing this ritual with devotion will definitely make you rich. In Kali yug, the Goddess will not appear before you in 'abhaya mudra', like we watch in films or TV serials, to utter the word ‘tathastu’. But you will get wealth. And for that what you need to do is, to keep the ways open so that property would get a medium to reach to you. I mean you should do some business or a job or should provide service, so that money would get a way to come to you through either the customers or your employer. Truth is that everything happens only by the wish of God. You must have heard 'Man supposes, God disposes'. One needs to believe this eternal truth.

N. B. - The worship should be with devotion to the God.

Sri Suktam:

हिरण्यवर्णां हरिणीं सुवर्णरजतस्रजाम् ।

चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१॥

Hirannya-Varnnaam Harinniim Suvarnna-Rajata-Srajaam |

Chandraam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||1||

तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् ।

यस्यां हिरण्यं विन्देयं गामश्वं पुरुषानहम् ॥२॥

Taam Ma Aavaha Jaatavedo Lakssmiim-Anapagaaminiim |

Yasyaam Hirannyam Vindeyam Gaam-Ashvam Purussaan-Aham ||2||

अश्वपूर्वां रथमध्यां हस्तिनादप्रबोधिनीम् ।

श्रियं देवीमुपह्वये श्रीर्मा देवी जुषताम् ॥३॥

Ashva-Puurvaam Ratha-Madhyaam Hastinaada-Prabodhiniim |

Shriyam Deviim-Upahvaye Shriirmaa Devii Jussataam ||3||

कां सोस्मितां हिरण्यप्राकारामार्द्रां ज्वलन्तीं तृप्तां तर्पयन्तीम् ।

पद्मे स्थितां पद्मवर्णां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥४॥

Kaam So-Smitaam Hirannya-Praakaaraam-Aardraam Jvalantiim Trptaam Tarpayantiim |

Padme Sthitaam Padma-Varnnaam Taam-Iho-pahvaye Shriyam ||4||

चन्द्रां प्रभासां यशसा ज्वलन्तीं श्रियं लोके देवजुष्टामुदाराम् ।

तां पद्मिनीमीं शरणमहं प्रपद्येऽलक्ष्मीर्मे नश्यतां त्वां वृणे ॥५॥

Chandraam Prabhaasaam Yashasaa Jvalantiim Shriyam Loke Deva-Jussttaam-Udaaraam |

Taam Padminiim-Iim Sharannam-Aham Prapadye-[A]lakssmiir-Me Nashyataam Tvaam Vrine ||5||

आदित्यवर्णे तपसोऽधिजातो वनस्पतिस्तव वृक्षोऽथ बिल्वः ।

तस्य फलानि तपसानुदन्तु मायान्तरायाश्च बाह्या अलक्ष्मीः ॥६॥

Aaditya-Varnne Tapaso[a-A]dhi-Jaato Vanaspatis-Tava Vrksso[ah-A]tha Bilvah |

Tasya Phalaani Tapasaa-Nudantu Maaya-Antaraayaashca Baahyaa Alakssmiih ||6||

उपैतु मां देवसखः कीर्तिश्च मणिना सह ।

प्रादुर्भूतोऽस्मि राष्ट्रेऽस्मिन् कीर्तिमृद्धिं ददातु मे ॥७॥

Upaitu Maam Deva-Sakhah Kiirtish-Ca Manninaa Saha |

Praadurbhuuto[ah-A]smi Raassttre-[A]smin Kiirtim-Rddhim Dadaatu Me ||7||

क्षुत्पिपासामलां ज्येष्ठामलक्ष्मीं नाशयाम्यहम् ।

अभूतिमसमृद्धिं च सर्वां निर्णुद मे गृहात् ॥८॥

Kssut-Pipaasaa-Malaam Jyesstthaam-Alakssmiim Naashayaamy-Aham |

Abhuutim-Asamrddhim Ca Sarvaam Nirnnuda Me Grhaat ||8||

गन्धद्वारां दुराधर्षां नित्यपुष्टां करीषिणीम् ।

ईश्वरींग् सर्वभूतानां तामिहोपह्वये श्रियम् ॥९॥

Gandha-Dvaaraam Duraadharssaam Nitya-Pussttaam Kariissinniim |

Iishvariing Sarva-Bhuutaanaam Taam-Iho[a-u]pahvaye Shriyam ||9||

मनसः काममाकूतिं वाचः सत्यमशीमहि ।

पशूनां रूपमन्नस्य मयि श्रीः श्रयतां यशः ॥१०॥

Manasah Kaamam-Aakuutim Vaacah Satyam-Ashiimahi |

Pashuunaam Ruupam-Annasya Mayi Shriih Shrayataam Yashah ||10||

कर्दमेन प्रजाभूता मयि सम्भव कर्दम ।

श्रियं वासय मे कुले मातरं पद्ममालिनीम् ॥११॥

Kardamena Prajaa-Bhuutaa Mayi Sambhava Kardama |

Shriyam Vaasaya Me Kule Maataram Padma-Maaliniim ||11||

आपः सृजन्तु स्निग्धानि चिक्लीत वस मे गृहे ।

नि च देवीं मातरं श्रियं वासय मे कुले ॥१२॥

Aapah Srjantu Snigdhaani Cikliita Vasa Me Grhe |

Ni Ca Deviim Maataram Shriyam Vaasaya Me Kule ||12||

आर्द्रां पुष्करिणीं पुष्टिं पिङ्गलां पद्ममालिनीम् ।

चन्द्रां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१३॥

Aardraam Pusskarinniim Pussttim Pinggalaam Padma-Maaliniim |

Candraam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||13||

आर्द्रां यः करिणीं यष्टिं सुवर्णां हेममालिनीम् ।

सूर्यां हिरण्मयीं लक्ष्मीं जातवेदो म आवह ॥१४॥

Aardraam Yah Karinniim Yassttim Suvarnnaam Hema-Maaliniim |

Suuryaam Hirannmayiim Lakssmiim Jaatavedo Ma Aavaha ||14||

तां म आवह जातवेदो लक्ष्मीमनपगामिनीम् ।

यस्यां हिरण्यं प्रभूतं गावो दास्योऽश्वान् विन्देयं पूरुषानहम् ॥१५॥

Taam Ma Aavaha Jaatavedo Lakssmiim-Anapagaaminiim |

Yasyaam Hirannyam Prabhuutam Gaavo Daasyo-[A]shvaan Vindeyam Puurussaan-Aham ||15||

यः शुचिः प्रयतो भूत्वा जुहुयादाज्यमन्वहम् ।

सूक्तं पञ्चदशर्चं च श्रीकामः सततं जपेत् ॥१६॥

Yah Shuchih Prayato Bhuutvaa Juhu-Yaad-Aajyam-Anvaham |

Suuktam Panchadasharcham Cha Shriikaamah Satatam Japet ||16||

Devotion is most essential to get divine blessings

During worship of God devotion is very much essential. It has been witnessed on some occasions that people forget about devotion entangled with the rituals. However, truth is that devotion is the top thing with which God gets pleased. In Mahabharata Lord Krishna said that He can be pleased with flowers and even with a leaf. The lord went to the house of Bidur and ate cooked green leaves.

People make effort to please God in different ways. There are mainly three ways – Satwika, Rajasika and Tamasika. Amongst these, Satwika is the best. One can even worship God just by thinking in his mind. It is called ‘manasika puja’ in Hindi. Devotees also chant names of their cherished Gods. Even singing devotional songs (bhajans) and dancing in the name of the Lord is part of the Sodasha Upachara puja. Yet, when executing any type of these aforementioned worships, devotees shouldn’t forget the Supreme Power, for whom actually he/she is performing the worship. Practically it is difficult for many people, because our mind is very unstable. And thus it is hard to keep it on God the whole time. Still, one should try to recall the idol of God in his memory.

Once Lord Shree Krishna sent Uddhav to Gopapuri, where He lived His childhood. Gopis are the top lovers and thus top devotees of Shree Krishna. Their devotion was such high that they were thinking that Krishna still abodes in Gopapura. Uddhav reached Gopapur and later tried to console Gopis that Lord Krishna is now Bridavan. Gopis didn’t believe him and said, “No, He never left us. He is always with us.” Uddhav was very wise. But gradually he felt the high level of devotion of the Gopis. He surrendered to himself that Gopi prem is of high value.

Gopis did not worship the Lord like we do regularly at our home. But still they could get closer with the Lord. They played Ras with Him and got opportunity to spend a lot of time with their cherished one. This became possible because they were full of devotion. The God was always in their minds. If in today’s world one can do such level of devotion, he must be admired.

Jay Shree Krishna.

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)