Ekadashi upavasa is on Wednesday August 26th and Dwadashi parane is onThursday August 27th after local sunrise.
Significance This Ekadashi in the month of Shravana is also called Putrada. Also This marks the beginning of Dadhi Vrat. where yogurt/Curds are not to be consumed for one month. This is a very interesting read. For people who don't have kids or sons., Our Dharma when looked at deeply explains to us who our family really is...read on. Maharaja Yudhisthira said, "Oh Madhusudana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, please be merciful to me and describe to me the EkAdasii that occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana (July- August)." Sri Krishna, replied, "Yes, Oh king, I shall happily narrate its glories to you, for just by hearing about this sacred EkAdasii one attains the merit of performing a horse sacrifice. "At the dawn of DvArpara-yuga there lived a king by the name of Mahijita, who ruled the kingdom of Mahismati-puri. Because he had no son, his entire kingdom seemed utterly cheerless to him. A married man who has no son gains no happiness in this life or the next. The Sanskrit word for `son' is putra. Pu is the name of a particular hell, and tra means `to deliver.' Thus the word putra means `a person who delivers one from the hell named Pu.' Therefore every married man should produce at least one son and train him properly; then the father will be delivered from a hellish condition of life. But this injunction does not apply to the serious devotees of Lord Vishnu or Krishna, for the Lord becomes their son, father, and mother. further. Srimadacharya in his Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya says anapatyOpi saddrma lOkajinnAtra saMshaya | Even if people don't have children, if they are doing satkarmas and obtaning good knowledge they will get sadgati without doubt. (Jignasa Page 43 ) Furthermore, ChANakya Pandita says, satyam mata pita jnanam dharmo bhrata daya sakha santih patni ksama putrah sadete mama vandhavah "The truth is my mother, knowledge is my father, my occupational duty is my brother, kindness is my friend, tranquillity is my wife, and forgiveness is my son. These six are my family members." Among the twenty-six leading qualities of a devotee of Sri Hari, forgiveness is the topmost. Therefore devotees should make an extra endeavour to develop this quality. Here ChANakya says "forgiveness is my son," and thus a devotee of the Lord, even though he may be on the path of renunciation, may observe PutradA EkAdasii and pray to attain this kind of "son." Practice: On the Dwadashi day, many devotees adorn Sri Hari with Pavitra known as Pavitraropana. The pavitra may be made from any of the following Gold, silver,brass, silk, grass or cotton. This will be three stringed and be woven three at a time. Do adhivasa from morning till evening or from evening to morning. Perform jagarne with bhajane, reading purana. Do namaskar to learned person and guru. Pavitra should be made by Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Bhilla, Shudra, Bedas irrespective of their background with devotion. This pavitra is then given to a Guru and that Guru will then offer this Pavitra to Sri Hari with the mantra "Athodeva avanthunah" . So after offering this to Sri Hari, bhaktas will then wear the pavitra. Listening to glories of Putrada ekadashi and pavitraropana will be rid of all sins. { my translations may not be exact, please consult your respective Gurus for more details } From Purana ( Story ) For a long time this king tried very hard to obtain an heir, but to no avail. Seeing his years advancing ever onwards, King Mahijita became increasingly anxious. One day he told an assembly of his advisers: `I have committed no sin in this life, and there is no ill- gotten wealth in my treasury. I have never usurped the offerings to the demigods or brahmanas. When I waged war and conquered kingdoms, I followed the rules and regulations of the military art, and I have protected my subjects as if they were my own children. I punished even my own relatives if they broke the law, and if my enemy was gentle and religious I welcomed him. Oh twice-born souls, although I am a religious and faithful follower of the Vedik standards, still my home is without a son. Kindly tell me the reason for this.' "Hearing this, the king's brahmana advisers discussed the subject among themselves, and with the aim of benefiting the king they visited the various ashrams of the great sages. At last they came upon a sage who was austere, pure, and self-satisfied, and who was strictly observing a vow of fasting. His senses were completely under control, he had conquered his anger, and he was expert at performing his occupational duty. Indeed, this great sage was expert in all the conclusions of the Vedas, and he had extended his life span to that of Lord Brahma himself. His name was Lomasa Rishi, and he knew part, present, and future. After each kalpa passed, one hair would fall out of his body ( One kalpa, or twelve hours of Lord Brahma, equals 4,320,000,000 years.) All the king's brahmana advisers very happily approached him one by one to offer their humble respects. "Captivated by this great soul, King Mahijita's advisers offered obeisances to him and said very respectfully, `Only because of our great good fortune, Oh sage, have we been allowed to see you.' "Lomasa Rishi saw them bowing down to him and replied, `Kindly let me know why you have come here. Why are you praising me? I must do all I can to solve your problems, for sages like me have only one interest: to help others. Do not doubt this.' Lomasa Rishi had all good qualities because he was a devotee of Sri Hari. "The king's representatives said, `We have come to you, Oh exalted sage, to ask for your help in solving a very serious problem. Oh sage, you are like Lord Brahma. Indeed, there is no better sage in the entire world. Our king, Mahijita, is without a son, though he has sustained and protected us as if we were his sons. Seeing him so unhappy on account of being sonless, we have become very sad, Oh sage, and therefore we have entered the forest to perform severe austerities. By our good fortune we happened upon you. Everyone's desires and activities become successful just by your darshana. Thus we humble ask that you tell us how our kind king can obtain a son.' "Hearing their sincere plea, Lomasa Rishi absorbed himself in deep meditation for a moment and at once understood the king's previous life. Then he said, `Your ruler was a merchant in his past life, and feeling his wealth insufficient, he committed sinful deeds. He traveled to many villages to trade his goods. Once, at noon on the day after the EkAdasii that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha (Trivikrama – May-June), he became thirsty while traveling from place to place. He came upon a beautiful pond on the outskirts of a village, but just as he was about to drink at the pond a cow arrived there with her new-born calf. These two creatures were also very thirsty because of the heat, but when the cow and calf started to drink, the merchant rudely shoved them aside and selfishly slaked his own thirst. This offense against a cow and her calf has resulted in your king's being without a son now. But the good deeds he performed in his previous life have given him rulership over an undisturbed kingdom.' "Hearing this, the king's advisers replied, `Oh renowned rishi, we have heard that the Vedas say one can nullify the effects of one's past sins by acquiring merit. Be so kind as to give us some instruction by which our king's sins can be destroyed; please give him your mercy so that a prince will take birth in his family.' "Lomasa Rishi said, `There is an EkAdashi called PutradA, which comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana. On this day all of you, including your king, should fast and stay awake all night, strictly following the rules and regulations. Then you should give the king whatever merit you gain by this fast. If you follow these instructions of mine, he will surely be blessed with a fine son.' "All the king's advisers became very pleased to hear these words from Lomasa Rishi, and they all offered him their grateful obeisances. Then, their eyes bright with happiness, they returned home. "When the month of Shravana arrived, the king's advisers remembered the advice of Lomasa Rishi, and under their direction all the citizens of Mahismati-puri, as well as the king, fasted on EkAdasii. And on the next day, DvAdashi, the citizens dutifully offered their accrued merit to him. By the strength of all this merit, the queen became pregnant and eventually gave birth to a most beautiful son. "O Yudhisthira," Lord Krishna concluded, "the EkAdashi that comes during the light fortnight of the month of Shravana has thus rightfully become famous as PutradA ["bestower of a son"]. Indeed, whoever simply hears the glories of PutradA EkAdasii becomes completely free of all sins, is blessed with a good son, and surely ascends to heaven after death." Thus ends the narration of the glories of Shravana-sukla EkAdashi, or PutradA EkAdasii, from the padma Purana: Part-3 uttarakhanda 56th chapter. MadhvesharpaNamastu
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Here comes a gentle reminder that coming Thursday(13th August) is a special day to earn Sri Rayaru's blessings. We have Guru Pushya Yoga on this day as the Pushya Nakshatra is coming on Thursday. Also we have one more similar combination that is occurring next month on 10th September. Pushya is a Sanskrit word, meaning "to nourish". The ruler of Pushya is Saturn or Shani and its deity is Brihaspati or Jupiter, the Guru of wisdom. When the Pushya Nakshatra falls on Thursday or Sunday, astrologers and religious minded people consider it as favourable and call it Pushya Amrit Yoga. This day (Pushya Nakshatra) is an auspicious day to see, take blessings and remember your Guru or spiritual teacher. It is in this manner that Pushya has an auspicious link with spiritual and religious matters. We all know that one of the greatest devotees of Rayaru was Sri Appanacharya. He brought out the benefits of remembering Rayaru on such a day or on Pushya Nakshatra. In his Raghavendra Stotra, Sri Appanacharya says, "Soma surya parogo cha pushyarkadhi samagame, Yo anuthamam idham stotramashtothara satham japeth, Bhootha praetha pisachadhi peeda thasya na jayathe" What this means is that when there is a lunar or solar eclipse or during Pushya Star on Sunday, any person reciting the shlokas of Raghavendra Swamy or remembering him, will not have any kind of trouble. No ghost, devil or/and any evil will trouble a person who recites the Raghavendra Stotra 108 times or performs the japa 108 times. This Vratha is also called as Jyothirbheemeshwara Vratha. 1. Who has to do this Vratha? Newly married ladies for first nine years after their marriage. Shravana maasa pooja starts with Bheemana Amavasye. 2. When this vratha to be observed? On Ashada Bahula Amavasye day 3. Why this Vratha is being observed? Women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands and brothers on this day. On this day, married ladies and unmarried girls pray for the welfare, happiness and long life of husbands, brothers and other males in the house. 4. For which God this Vratha is dedicated? This Vratha is dedicated to Manoniyamaka Rudradevaru and parvathideviyaru 5. What is the special of this Vratha? Tambittu Deepa is prepared. It is believed that lighting of these deepa throws out all the bad effects from home and makes home fresh, blissful and prosperous. An idol of Shiva and parvathi is made in mud. Special pooja to Parvathi-rudradevaru is made to please them. On this day, Kadubu, idli, and Wheat balls are prepared. Coins will be kept inside the kadubu/idli/wheat balls and male children will be asked to broke the kadubu. This process is called as “Bhandara broking”. or ‘Bhandara Hodiyuvudhu’. Keep Bandara on either side of the hostilu / bottom doorsill on betel leaves, betel nut, coins. Apply turmeric powder and kumkum / vermilion powder to hostilu. The brothers are made to stand one at a time with legs on either side of the hostilu and he has to break the Bandara with his elbows and as he bends to break them the sisters should bang the brother’s back with their elbows. This is lot of fun with laughter and guffaws. The bandara is stuffed with soaked Bengal gram or with coins. On this day no items will be usually fried. 6. Is there any story behind Bheemana Amavasye? This is a Vratha available in Skanda Purana Once there lived a king whose son(the Prince) dead prematurely. The King was getting his son married in a grand manner. Still he decides to get dead son married by announcing rewards for those who come forward to give their daughter to this dead son. A poor Brahmin comes forward to marry his daughter to the dead prince. The wedding was celebrated . That was a Amavasya Day. After the marriage celebration was over, the dead prince’s body was brought near Bhageerathi River for final rites. As the people were preparing the pyre, thunder and lightening strikes along with heavy rains. The people panicked and ran back to their homes leaving the dead body and the innocent girl there itself. The girl remembered that it was the day of Jyothirbheemeshwari vrata, which her mother made her perform without fail every year. She took bath in the river and molded two lamps and rolled out fiber of a plant to form the wick for the lamps. She poured water into the lamps and did bhandara with Mud as there was no rice/wheat . Shiva & Parvathi were the silent spectators for all her activities and were pleased with her devotion and blessed her. She finished her pooja with whatever is available at that place. As she finished her pooja Rudradevaru and Parvathi Deviyaru appeared before her. Lord Shiva broke the mud balls / bandara and asked her to ask for a boon. She requested them to bring her husband back to life, which was granted. The people next day were happy and surprised to see the prince alive and they took the two back in a procession and they lived happily ever after. Thus the Vratha became more popular after this incident. 7. Why Bheema’s name is there in this festival? - Bheema is one of the name of Mano Niyamaka Rudradevaru who is the main god for this festival. Ekadashi upavasa is on Monday August 10th and Dwadashiparane is on Tuesday August 11th after local sunrise.
Significance: This is a special ekadashi also known as kAmikA Ekadashi. This ekadashi brings out the importance of Tulasi while worshipping Sri Hari. Practice: On this Ekadashi we do pooja to Vamana roopi Sri Hari. On this day archana is done to Sri Hari using tulasi leaves. One tulasi leaf is equivalent to 8 tole golden flower and 32 tole silver flowers.Worship with Tulasi leaves is very dear to Sri Hari. ratna mouktitha vaiDUrya pralAdhiBhi rakshitaH | na tushyati taTHA viSHNuH tulasI dalatO yaTHA || worshiping Sri Hari with Tulasi means more dear to him than worshiping him with pearls, rubies, topaz, diamonds and other percious stones tulasi maMjarIBHiSHta pUjitO vana keshavaH | ajanma pAtakaM tasya, nishchyaM yAti saMkshayaM || Worshiping Sri Keshava with Tulasi tender leaves, or bunches of tulasi leaves, all sins since birth will be wiped out. yAvraSHtA niKilAGasaMGashmanI spraSHtA vapuH pAvanI | rOgANAmaBivaMditA nirasini siktAMtakatrAsini || pratyAsatti viDhAyini BHagavataH kraSHNasya saMrOpitA | nyastA tachcharaNE vimukti phaladA tasmai tulasyai namaH || just by looking at tulasi plant hordes of sins are wiped out. If you touch tulasi body becomes clean. If we bow to tulasi plant we become healthy. If we water the tulasi plant, even Lord Yama is afraid to come near. If we grow tulasi plant/creeper we make a connection with Krishna. If we keep tulasi leaves at the feet of Sri Hari we attain moksha. to this pious plant tulasi we bow our heads. Importance of Tulasi in Western medicine: Tulsi is used to treat eczema, psoriasis and aging effects. It is also used as an antibiotic, an immune system booster, an anti-inflammatory and a stress reducer. The tulsi plant is even known to purify or de-pollute the atmosphere and also works as a repellent to mosquitoes, flies and other harmful insects. Tulsi used to be a universal remedy in cases of malarial fever. Any home is incomplete without Tulasi. Another important sloka to note: GratEna dIpaM prajvAlya tilatElEnava punaH | prayAti sOryalOkEMcha dIpakOti shtArchitaH || People who light Ghee lamp or oil ( tilla oil ) lamp infront of Sri Hari will be worshiped by many many(koti) lamps and taken to suryaloka. On ekadashi day in whose house lamps light in-front of Sri Hari their forefathers will get amrita in swargaloka. Per conversation between Sri Krishna and Dharmaraja in Padma Maha purana, uttaraKhanda, explaining the importance Kamika Ekadashi in the 55th chapter. Sri MadhvesharpaNamastu |
AuthorKrishna Mutt Kondapur Blog is an attempt to update the mutt bandhus with Madhva events ,programs in Hyderabad Archives
March 2016
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