Guest guest Posted March 7, 2008 Report Share Posted March 7, 2008 Namaste learned friends, Thank you for sharing this with us. This information is very valuable. I want to make a critical comment on an astrological factor mentioned below. Please forgive me if this is out of line. > It is even more interesting that this Ashtami falls on the star > Swati. The ruling planet of the stars Tiruvadirai, Swati and > Sadayam is Rahu. The Goddess who rules over Rahu is the > all-powerful Goddess Durga Parameswari. It is simplistic to use planetary associations of nakshatras like this. Though a lot of people say things like this, such thinking is incorrect and relatively modern. Rahu owns Swathi only as per the Vimsottari dasa scheme. Maharshi Parasara taught tens of dasa schemes, though people ignore all those now. For example, the ruling planet of Swathi nakshatra is Mars as per Ashtottari dasa, Venus as per Shodasottari dasa, Sun as per Yogini dasa, Mercury as per Shat-trimsa sama dasa, Sun as per Chaturaseeti sama dasa, Moon as per Sataabdika dasa and so on. Then why take Rahu only? Ruling planets of nakshatras based on specific dasa schemes like Vimsottari are not of much importance. Ruling deities of nakshatras taught by rishis in nakshatra sooktam are far more important. For example, Sravana nakshatra is considered auspicious for Vishnu pooja. It is not because Moon is the ruling planet of Sravanam. It is because Vishnu is the ruling deity of Sravanam as per nakshatra sooktam. Suryopanishat says "yo hastaaditye japati sa mahaamrityum tarati" (whoever chants this when Sun is in Hasta nakshatra crosses death). As per Vimsottari ruling planets, Hasta is owned by Moon. However, that is immaterial. The actual reason is that Hasta is ruled by Savita (a form of Sun) as per nakshatra sooktam. That is why it is important for Sun's worship. Though the ruling planet of both Asresha and Revati is Mercury, the former is considered very inauspicious for most activities and the latter is auspicious. It is because its ruling deity of the former is Sarpa (snake) and the latter is Pooshan as per nakshatra sooktam. We should get out of the habit of paying attention to the Vimsottari dasa ruling planets of nakshatras and instead pay attention to the nakshatra sookta ruling deities. The former is of no significance. Best regards,NarasimhaDo Ganapathi Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Saravanan Balaraman sivacharya Thursday, March 06, 2008 10:29 AM [sivacharya] Vrata Days and Phalas - English Translation Namaskar. This is the English translation of Weekly Vrata Days/Phalas by Shri Shanmukha Sivacharyar on Sun TV every Sunday. Shri Deepa has taken lots of pains to make this available for us. Also we will be attaching this as a word document in our files section. VanakkamSaravanan 28 Jan 2008, Monday. Krishna Paksha Shashti Vratam This day falls on the 14th day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Monday. On this day, one must observe the Krishna Paksha Shashti Vratam. As we've seen already, Krishna Paksha is the waning fortnight. Shashti means the sixth day. Monday, called Soma vaara, is significant because it is a day when the all-powerful Lord Shiva is one with his Shakti Uma. It is "Sa + Uma" vaara, hence Soma Vaara. If you remember, we already realized that out of the six faces of Lord Muruga, five faces are Lord Shiva's and one face is the face of Ambal. He thus signifies the union of Shiva and Shakti. Thus, the day of Lord Muruga on Shashti, coinciding with a Soma Vaara is especially auspicious. They say, "Sattiyil irundhaal thaan agappaiyil varum" – It actually means that if one observes the vratam on Shashti, the Grace of Lord Muruga will bless her with progeny. We also believe that a family gets every prosperity and Sowbhagya by worshipping Lord Muruga. 30 Jan 2008, Wednesday. Ashtami Vratam This day falls on the 16th day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Wednesday. On this day, one must observe the Ashtami Vratam. We saw earlier that Ashtami means the eighth day. This day is especially auspicious for the propitiation of Goddess Durga, Lord Muruga and Lord Bhairava. Also, Ashtami and Chaturdashi tithis are said to be the best days for the performance of abhisheka to Lord Shiva. It is even more interesting that this Ashtami falls on the star Swati. The ruling planet of the stars Tiruvadirai, Swati and Sadayam is Rahu. The Goddess who rules over Rahu is the all-powerful Goddess Durga Parameswari. One must make an effort to visit any neighbouring temple and offer prayers to Goddess Durga on this doubly significant day. `Durgam' means grief or kashtam. By propitiating Goddess Durga Parameswari, it is our belief that we will be freed from all misery and grief, and be blessed with every prosperity and happiness. 02 Feb 2008, Saturday. Sarva Ekadashi This day falls on the 19th day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Wednesday. On this day, one must observe the Sarva Ekadashi Vratam. It is significant that this Ekadashi falls on a Saturday. This Ekadashi is called Saphala Ekadashi. What does `Saphala' mean? `Phala' means fruit – every action that we do is directed towards achieving an objective. The shastras say, "Nakuryaat nishphalam karma," which means, do not do that action that does not result in any fruit. Yes, Lord Krishna says, do not `expect' the fruits of your action. This is different from the action not resulting in any fruit at all. The shastra here says that every action should be performed in order to achieve some end result, which is the phalam or fruit of that action. Lord Krishna says we must not claim ownership of this action. For e.g., gossiping about someone unnecessarily, banging the table without purpose, sitting idly, etc. are actions that are fruitless. If you entrust an activity with someone, and he does not do justice to it, will you trust him again with the same activity? No. Similarly, the time on earth has been given to us for a reason. The Lord has blessed us with this life so we may lead a rich and fulfilling life and we must do justice to this time given to us. The Saphala Ekadashi bestows upon us all the fruits required to lead a fulfilling life. Since it also falls on a Saturday, which we have seen is the Stithikarakan and the day of Lord Vishnu, the very Lord whom we pray to on this day, it is our belief that He will grant every blessing required for our lives on this day. 04 Feb 2008, Monday. Soma Maha Pradosham This day falls on the 21st day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Monday. On this day, one must observe the Soma Maha Pradosha Vratam. Pradosha, as seen earlier, is "Pra + dosha" – a time when even the most wicked evil can be removed. This is even more powerful as it falls on a Monday. This is called Yogam. A zero next to one, makes it ten. If you add another zero next to it, it now becomes hundred. Things get value by what they are associated with. Similarly, when pradosham is associated with a Monday, it becomes even more significant. Shivam itself means mangalam, all goodness personified. It is our belief that we will attain every kind of mangalam in our lives, by offering prayers at a neighbouring Shiva temple on this day. 06 Feb 2008, Wednesday. Thai Amavasya, Sravana Vratam This day falls on the 23rd day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Wednesday. On this day, one must observe the Thai Amavasya Vratam. "Vratam" means to control. It is something that disciplines us. Why is it significant on an Amavasya? Amavasya is a day for our Pitru – ancestors. Whether one worships the Lord or visits the temples, it does not matter – one must worship one's parents while they are alive. What does worship mean? Making them sit and offering flowers? No, that's not the only meaning of worship. It also means to care for them in the best possible way. But for them, we wouldn't be here – be it a millionaire or a pauper, we all need parents to enter this world. Our parents are verily, the Lord Incarnate. The Vedas say, "Matru Devo Bhava; Pitru Devo Bhava." It exhorts us to see our mother and our father as the very God in flesh and blood. This is echoed by the Tamil saying we are all familiar with since childhood, "Annaiyum Pithavum Munnari Deivam." Our parents are the first Gods we are aware of. So we must take good care of them while they are alive. Then, when they pass away, they are given this posting called "Pitru" or ancestors. Amavasya is the day when we can worship these ancestors. It is absolutely essential to offer this worship according to each one's customs. Some people offer `tarpana' on this tithi. Some people offer `Annam Padayal,' offering of food in front of the pictures of the ancestors and then offering it to others. One must follow whichever custom one is familiar with but observe the Amavasya Vratam in order that our own progeny may lead a prosperous and happy life. The other significant thing about this day is that it is also the day of Sravana Vratam. It falls on the Druva star, and worshipping the Lord Vishnu on this day is sure to grant us every prosperity. 08 Feb 2008, Friday. Chandra Darshanam This day falls on the 25th day of the Tamil month Thai, on a Friday. On this day, one must have a darshan of Chandra, or the Moon. The Moon, who is Soma Deva, carries several names, such as "Pirai,Chandran", "Nishakaran" and so on. His house of Kataka is the House of the Mother. He is called Matru karakan and Buddhi karakan. If our mind is to work properly, we need the grace of Lord Chandra. Fickle-mindedness is the main reason why we are sometimes unable to accomplish what we set out to do. It is a disease of the mind – a lack of clarity and focus. For e.g., one may set out to wear a yellow shirt, then may think that the red shirt would look better and pick up the red shirt, change his mind and wear a black shirt and continue to wonder if he should probably have worn a white shirt. Look at the lack of clarity in his mind. If this is the state of the mind, one cannot succeed in any profession. It could be temple worship, or computers, or driving – we must first make up our mind – and then set out to do that. If your destination is Kumbakonam, you must not keep changing track on the way – else, you'll reach nowhere. Who grants us this clarity of mind? It is the Lord Chandra. We can get his grace by observing the Chandra Vratam. It is one of the easiest of Vratams to observe. Anyone can look up and see the moon. You don't have to go to a temple and stand in a queue for darshan, you don't have to alter your daily schedule and do anything extra, you can even work a night shift – all you have to do is probably walk upto the terrace, see the moon and chant "Om Chandraya Namah." It is our belief that the Lord Chandra will bless us with sharpness of the mind, and clarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2008 Report Share Posted March 8, 2008 Namaste, Look at nakshatra sooktam. If you get the book "Mantra Pushpam" (in Devanagari script) or "Saswara Veda Mantramulu" (in Telugu script) published by Ramakrishna Mutt, you can find nakshatra sooktam in it (with the intonation markings). On the internet, you can find the list at http://www.selfrealisation.net/Vedic Astrology/devata.htm Also, some detailed information on the qualities of these nakshatras (in addition to deities) is at: http://www.barbarapijan.com/bpa/bAstrHom.htm#twenty-seven%20nakshtras The above links only give the names. But nakshatra sooktam is not just names. It is a collection of Vedic chants for the 28 deities ruling the 28 nakshatras. Best regards,NarasimhaDo Ganapathi Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - Sharat Saturday, March 08, 2008 3:45 PM Re: Vrata Days and Phalas - English Translation Dear Narsimha ji, Could you please provide such a list or point towards the source, many thanks. Best Sharat , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao" <pvr wrote:>> Namaste learned friends,> > Thank you for sharing this with us. This information is very valuable.> > I want to make a critical comment on an astrological factor mentioned below. Please forgive me if this is out of line.> > > It is even more interesting that this Ashtami falls on the star> > Swati. The ruling planet of the stars Tiruvadirai, Swati and> > Sadayam is Rahu. The Goddess who rules over Rahu is the> > all-powerful Goddess Durga Parameswari.> > It is simplistic to use planetary associations of nakshatras like this. Though a lot of people say things like this, such thinking is incorrect and relatively modern. Rahu owns Swathi only as per the Vimsottari dasa scheme. Maharshi Parasara taught tens of dasa schemes, though people inore all those now. For example, the ruling planet of Swathi nakshatra is Mars as per Ashtottari dasa, Venus as per Shodasottari dasa, Sun as per Yogini dasa, Mercury as per Shat-trimsa sama dasa, Sun as per Chaturaseeti sama dasa, Moon as per Sataabdika dasa and so on. Then why take Rahu only?> > Ruling planets of nakshatras based on specific dasa schemes like Vimsottari are not of much importance. Ruling deities of nakshatras taught by rishis in nakshatra sooktam are far more important.> > For example, Sravana nakshatra is considered auspicious for Vishnu pooja. It is not because Moon is the ruling planet of Sravanam. It is because Vishnu is the ruling deity of Sravanam as per nakshatra sooktam. Suryopanishat says "yo hastaaditye japati sa mahaamrityum tarati" (whoever chants this when Sun is in Hasta nakshatra crosses death). As per Vimsottari ruling planets, Hasta is owned by Moon. However, that is immaterial. The actual reason is that Hasta is ruled by Savita (a form of Sun)as per nakshatra sooktam. That is why it is important for Sun's worship. Though the ruling planet of both Asresha and Revati is Mercury, the former is considered very inauspicious for most activities and the latter is auspicious. It is because its ruling deity of the former is Sarpa (snake) and the latter is Pooshan as per nakshatra sooktam.> > We should get out of the habit of paying attention to the Vimsottari dasa ruling planets of nakshatras and instead pay attention to the nakshatra sookta ruling deities. The former is of no significance.> > Best regards,> Narasimha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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