Wishing you all a very Happy Holi

March 4, 2007

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi..... May Sai gift you all the colors of life,colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship, colors of love and all other colors you want to paint in your life. HoliThe celebration of Holi is very ancient in its origin. And by its very origin, it celebrates an ultimate triumph of the 'good' over the 'evil'. While, a feast of colors associated with the Holi, is the face of this celebration, the original reason of celebrating Holi, lies in its soul. And this gives us the 'why' of this ancient festival. Literally "Holi" signifies "burning" in Indian language. But, how it came to be associated with 'burning', is a story. The reference is found only in ancient Indian mythology. And It is the legend of Hiranyakashipu, to whom the celebration of Holi is associated. Way back in the pre-Christian era, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India . He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother. The brother, also a demon, had been killed by

Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme trio, monitoring the life and death in the universe, (according to the Hindu belief). To take on Vishnu, the tyrant king wanted to become the king of the heaven, earth and the underworld. He performed severe penance and prayer for many years to gain enough power. Finally he was granted a boon. Powered by the boon, Hiranyakshipu thought he had become invincible. Arrogant, he ordered all in his kingdom to worship him, instead of God. The demon king, however, had a very young son, named Prahalad. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Despite his father's order, Prahalad continued to pray to Vishnu. So the demon king wanted to kill his son. He asked the favor of his sister Holika who, because of a boon, was immune to fire. They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death. A pyre was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad. Yet, at the end Prahalad emerged unscathed by the fire, And Holika, the demon, was burned to ashes. The earnest devotion and complete submission to Lord Vishnu saved young Prahlad. Thus was the triumph of Prahlad, the representative of good spirits. And the defeat of Holika, the representative of evil. Later, even the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu. But that is quite a different story. It is from Holika, that the Holi originated. This legend is relived even today on the Holi-eve when the pyre is re-lit in the form of bonfires. Even today, people celebrate this occasion. Huge bonfires are lit up every year on the eve of the full moon night of the Holi to burn the spirit of the evils. Hence the story associated with the soul of the celebration. the LEGEND behind celebrating colors .. the HOLI Holi or 'Phagwah' is the most colorful festival celebrated by followers of the Vedic Religion. It is celebrated as harvest festival as well as welcome-festival for the spring season in India . What is 'Phagwah'?'Phagwah' is derived from the name of the Hindu month 'Phalgun', because it is on the full moon in the month of Phalgun that Holi is celebrated. The month of Phalgun ushers India in Spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the country rises from winter's slumber. Meaning of 'Holi''Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest. Holi is celebrated every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved and they who torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes a la the mythical character Holika Now, let us look into the face of it. How did the celebration of Holi assume a colorful face? Well, it is linked to yet another legend, the legends of Krishna . Though of much later origin, still, it was in the pre-Christian era. According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of lord Vishnu himself. It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who

popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna . It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan. Situated in north India , these are the places where he spent his childhood. It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away. And, it did not take

long for other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village. Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colors to Krishna 's legendary love life. The legend of Krishna 's courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the Gopi's. The girls in the 'dairy' village of Gokul were mostly milkmaids, and, hence locally known as the Gopis. The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient pai ntings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent In South India , especially in Tamilnadu and Kerala, the festival is celebrated in remembrance of Kamdev, the Love-God who carries a bow made of sugarcane with a line

of humming bees as its string and the arrow-shafts topped with passion that consumes the heart it pierces. His favourite pastime during the spring is to move through woodlands hunting birds, beasts and men. Once vanity prevailed and he committed the sin of aiming his arrow at Lord Shiva who was sitting in deep meditation thus infuriating the Lord who then opened his third eye and burnt Kamdev to ashes. Kamdev's grief-stricken wife Rati implored the Lord to take pity on her and restore her husband to life. Shiva relented and granted her the boon on condition that she would be able to see her husband but he would remain anang (without the physical human form). Hence, the songs sung during Holi tell the pathetic tale of Rati. Holi in these parts is known by three different names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama-dahanam. Over the years the festival of Holi has acquired a

new significance. Besides being a spring festival it has also become the harvest festival. The winter crop of Rabi ripens and the corns of wheat become golden. For farmers, therefore, Holi is a joyful celebration of new harvest. With their hearts filled with joy and excitement they offer their first crop to Agnidev (God of fire) who the Aryans have always held in high esteem. Only after this offering do they start using their crops of personal consumption or sell it in the markets. . May This Holi Come With Full of Happiness Like Colors Of this Festival. "Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devoh Maheshwar; Gurur Shakshat Parambramha Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah" May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind. Sai bhakt, Deepa H debu7366

March 4, 2007

Deepa H <debu7366 Sunday, 4 March, 2007 4:13:46 AM Wishing you all a very Happy Holi

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi..... May Sai gift you all the colors of life,colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship, colors of love and all other colors you want to paint in your life. HoliThe celebration of Holi is very ancient in its origin. And by its very origin, it celebrates an ultimate triumph of the 'good' over the 'evil'. While, a feast of colors associated with the Holi, is the face of this celebration, the original reason of celebrating Holi, lies in its soul. And this gives us the 'why' of this ancient festival. Literally "Holi" signifies "burning" in Indian language. But, how it came to be associated with 'burning', is a story. The reference is found only in ancient Indian mythology. And It is the legend of Hiranyakashipu, to whom the celebration of Holi is associated. Way back in the pre-Christian era, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu in

ancient India . He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother. The brother, also a demon, had been killed by

Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme trio, monitoring the life and death in the universe, (according to the Hindu belief). To take on Vishnu, the tyrant king wanted to become the king of the heaven, earth and the underworld. He performed severe penance and prayer for many years to gain enough power. Finally he was granted a boon. Powered by the boon, Hiranyakshipu thought he had become invincible. Arrogant, he ordered all in his kingdom to worship him, instead of God. The demon king, however, had a very young son, named Prahalad. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Despite his father's order, Prahalad continued to pray to Vishnu. So the demon king wanted to kill his son. He asked the favor of his sister Holika who, because of a

boon, was immune to fire. They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death. A pyre was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad. Yet, at the end Prahalad emerged unscathed by the fire, And Holika, the demon, was burned to ashes. The earnest devotion and complete submission to Lord Vishnu saved young Prahlad. Thus was the triumph of Prahlad, the representative of good spirits. And the defeat of Holika, the representative of evil. Later, even the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu. But that is quite a different story. It is from Holika, that the Holi originated. This legend is relived even today on the Holi-eve when the pyre is re-lit in the form of bonfires. Even today, people celebrate this occasion. Huge bonfires are lit up every year on the eve of the full moon night of the Holi to burn the spirit of the evils. Hence the story associated with the soul of the celebration. the LEGEND behind celebrating colors .. the HOLI Holi or 'Phagwah' is the most colorful festival celebrated by followers of the Vedic Religion. It is celebrated as harvest festival as well as welcome-festival for the spring season in India . What is 'Phagwah'?'Phagwah' is derived from the name of the Hindu month 'Phalgun', because it is on the full moon in the month of Phalgun that Holi is celebrated. The month

of Phalgun ushers India in Spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the country rises from winter's slumber. Meaning of 'Holi''Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest. Holi is celebrated every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved and they who torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes a la the mythical character Holika Now, let us look into the face of it.

How did the celebration of Holi assume a colorful face? Well, it is linked to yet another legend, the legends of Krishna . Though of much later origin, still, it was in the pre-Christian era. According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of lord Vishnu himself. It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the ancient city of

Dwarka, who

popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna . It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan. Situated in north India , these are the places where he spent his childhood. It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away.

And, it did not take

long for other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village. Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colors to Krishna 's legendary love life. The legend of Krishna 's courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the Gopi's. The girls in the 'dairy' village of Gokul were mostly milkmaids, and, hence locally known as the Gopis. The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient pai ntings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent In South India , especially in Tamilnadu and Kerala, the festival is celebrated in remembrance of Kamdev,

the Love-God who carries a bow made of sugarcane with a line

of humming bees as its string and the arrow-shafts topped with passion that consumes the heart it pierces. His favourite pastime during the spring is to move through woodlands hunting birds, beasts and men. Once vanity prevailed and he committed the sin of aiming his arrow at Lord Shiva who was sitting in deep meditation thus infuriating the Lord who then opened his third eye and burnt Kamdev to ashes. Kamdev's grief-stricken wife Rati implored the Lord to take pity on her and restore her husband to life. Shiva relented and granted her the boon on condition that she would be able to see her husband but he would remain anang (without the physical human form). Hence, the songs sung during Holi tell the pathetic tale of Rati. Holi in these parts is known by three different names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama-dahanam. Over the years the festival of Holi has acquired

a

new significance. Besides being a spring festival it has also become the harvest festival. The winter crop of Rabi ripens and the corns of wheat become golden. For farmers, therefore, Holi is a joyful celebration of new harvest. With their hearts filled with joy and excitement they offer their first crop to Agnidev (God of fire) who the Aryans have always held in high esteem. Only after this offering do they start using their crops of personal consumption or sell it in the markets. . May This Holi Come With Full of Happiness Like Colors Of this Festival. "Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devoh Maheshwar; Gurur Shakshat Parambramha Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah" May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind. Sai bhakt, Deepa H debu7366

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March 19, 2008

----- Forwarded Message ----ramvijay dwivedi <ramvijaydwivediDinesh Kr. Sharma <dksphdesMonday, 17 March, 2008 8:42:45 PMFw: Wishing you all a very Happy Holi

----- Forwarded Message ----ramvijay dwivedi <ramvijaydwivedigayatri_parivar Sent: Monday, 17 March, 2008 1:54:53 AMWishing you all a very Happy Holi

Wishing you all a very

Happy Holi.....

May Sai gift you all the colors of life,colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship, colors of love and all other colors you want to paint in your life.

HoliThe celebration of Holi is very ancient in its origin. And by its very origin, it celebrates an ultimate triumph of the 'good' over the 'evil'.. While, a feast of colors associated with the Holi, is the face of this celebration, the original reason of celebrating Holi, lies in its soul. And this gives us the 'why' of this ancient festival. Literally "Holi" signifies "burning" in Indian language. But, how it came to be associated with 'burning', is a story. The reference is found only in ancient Indian mythology. And It is the legend of Hiranyakashipu, to whom the celebration of Holi is associated. Way back in the pre-Christian era, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India . He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother. The brother, also

a demon, had been killed by Lord Vishnu, one of the supreme trio, monitoring the life and death in the universe, (according to the Hindu belief). To take on Vishnu, the tyrant king wanted to become the king of the heaven, earth and the underworld.

He performed severe penance and prayer for many years to gain enough power.

Finally he was granted a boon. Powered by the boon, Hiranyakshipu thought he had become invincible. Arrogant, he ordered all in his kingdom to worship him, instead of God.

The demon king, however, had a very young son, named Prahalad. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Despite his father's order, Prahalad continued to pray to Vishnu. So the demon king wanted to kill his son. He asked the favor of his sister Holika who, because of a boon, was immune to fire.

They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death. A pyre was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad. Yet, at the end Prahalad emerged unscathed by the fire, And Holika, the demon, was burned to ashes. The earnest devotion and complete submission to Lord Vishnu saved young Prahlad. Thus was the triumph of Prahlad, the representative of good spirits. And the defeat of Holika, the representative of evil. Later, even the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu. But that is quite a different story. It is from Holika, that the Holi originated. This legend is relived even today on the Holi-eve when the pyre is re-lit in the form of bonfires. Even today, people celebrate this occasion. Huge bonfires are lit up every year on the eve of the full moon night of the Holi to burn the spirit of the evils. Hence the story associated with the soul of the celebration.

the LEGEND behind celebrating colors .. the HOLI

Holi or 'Phagwah' is the most colorful festival celebrated by followers of the Vedic Religion. It is celebrated as harvest festival as well as welcome-festival for the spring season in India .

What is 'Phagwah'?'Phagwah' is derived from the name of the Hindu month 'Phalgun', because it is on the full moon in the month of Phalgun that Holi is celebrated. The month of Phalgun ushers India in Spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the country rises from winter's slumber.

Meaning of 'Holi''Holi' comes from the word 'hola', meaning to offer oblation or prayer to the Almighty as Thanksgiving for good harvest. Holi is celebrated every year to remind people that those who love God shall be saved and they who torture the devotee of God shall be reduced to ashes a la the mythical character Holika

Now, let us look into the face of it. How did the celebration of Holi assume a colorful face? Well, it is linked to yet another legend, the legends of Krishna . Though of much later origin, still, it was in the pre-Christian era. According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of

lord Vishnu himself. It was Krishna, or, Krishn, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the tradition of Holi. The origin of the colorful and frolicking tone of Holi lies in the boyhood of Krishna . It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his boyhood mates of Gokul and Vrindavan. Situated in north India , these are the places where he spent his childhood. It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colors. At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away. And, it did not take long for other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village. Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colors to Krishna 's legendary love life.

The legend of Krishna 's courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the Gopi's. The girls in the 'dairy' village of Gokul were mostly

milkmaids, and, hence locally known as the Gopis. The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses. As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country. The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient pai ntings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent

In South India , especially in Tamilnadu and Kerala, the festival is celebrated in remembrance of Kamdev, the Love-God who carries a bow made of sugarcane with a line of humming bees as its string and the arrow-shafts topped with passion that consumes the heart it pierces. His favourite pastime during the spring is to move through woodlands hunting birds, beasts and men. Once vanity prevailed and he committed the sin of aiming his arrow at Lord Shiva who was sitting in deep meditation thus infuriating the Lord who then opened his third eye and burnt Kamdev to ashes. Kamdev's grief-stricken wife Rati implored the Lord to take pity on her and restore her husband to life. Shiva relented and granted her the boon on condition that she would be able to see her husband but he would remain anang (without the physical human form). Hence, the songs sung during Holi tell the pathetic

tale of Rati. Holi in these parts is known by three different names - Kamavilas, Kaman Pandigai and Kama-dahanam.

Over the years the festival of Holi has acquired a new significance. Besides being a spring festival it has also become the harvest festival. The winter crop of Rabi ripens and the corns of wheat become golden. For farmers, therefore, Holi is a joyful celebration of new harvest. With their hearts filled with joy and excitement they offer their first crop to Agnidev (God of fire) who the Aryans have always held in high esteem. Only after this offering do they start using their crops of personal consumption or sell it in the markets.

.. May This Holi Come With Full of Happiness Like Colors Of this Festival.

"Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu

Gurur Devoh Maheshwar;

Gurur Shakshat Parambramha

Tashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"

May the Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and happiness with peace of mind.

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