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युधिष्ठिर ने भगवान श्रीकृष्ण से पूछा : भगवन् ! कृपा करके यह बताइये कि माघ मास के शुक्लपक्ष में कौन सी एकादशी होती है, उसकी विधि क्या है तथा उसमें किस देवता का पूजन किया जाता है ?

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण बोले : राजेन्द्र ! माघ मास के शुक्लपक्ष में जो एकादशी होती है, उसका नाम ‘जया’ है । वह सब पापों को हरनेवाली उत्तम तिथि है । पवित्र होने के साथ ही पापों का नाश करनेवाली तथा मनुष्यों को भाग और मोक्ष प्रदान करनेवाली है । इतना ही नहीं , वह ब्रह्महत्या जैसे पाप तथा पिशाचत्व का भी विनाश करनेवाली है । इसका व्रत करने पर मनुष्यों को कभी प्रेतयोनि में नहीं जाना पड़ता । इसलिए राजन् ! प्रयत्नपूर्वक ‘जया’ नाम की एकादशी का व्रत करना चाहिए ।

एक समय की बात है । स्वर्गलोक में देवराज इन्द्र राज्य करते थे । देवगण पारिजात वृक्षों से युक्त नंदनवन में अप्सराओं के साथ विहार कर रहे थे । पचास करोड़ गन्धर्वों के नायक देवराज इन्द्र ने स्वेच्छानुसार वन में विहार करते हुए बड़े हर्ष के साथ नृत्य का आयोजन किया । गन्धर्व उसमें गान कर रहे थे, जिनमें पुष्पदन्त, चित्रसेन तथा उसका पुत्र – ये तीन प्रधान थे । चित्रसेन की स्त्री का नाम मालिनी था । मालिनी से एक कन्या उत्पन्न हुई थी, जो पुष्पवन्ती के नाम से विख्यात थी । पुष्पदन्त गन्धर्व का एक पुत्र था, जिसको लोग माल्यवान कहते थे । माल्यवान पुष्पवन्ती के रुप पर अत्यन्त मोहित था । ये दोनों भी इन्द्र के संतोषार्थ नृत्य करने के लिए आये थे । इन दोनों का गान हो रहा था । इनके साथ अप्सराएँ भी थीं । परस्पर अनुराग के कारण ये दोनों मोह के वशीभूत हो गये । चित्त में भ्रान्ति आ गयी इसलिए वे शुद्ध गान न गा सके । कभी ताल भंग हो जाता था तो कभी गीत बंद हो जाता था । इन्द्र ने इस प्रमाद पर विचार किया और इसे अपना अपमान समझकर वे कुपित हो गये ।

अत: इन दोनों को शाप देते हुए बोले : ‘ओ मूर्खो ! तुम दोनों को धिक्कार है ! तुम लोग पतित और मेरी आज्ञाभंग करनेवाले हो, अत: पति पत्नी के रुप में रहते हुए पिशाच हो जाओ ।’

इन्द्र के इस प्रकार शाप देने पर इन दोनों के मन में बड़ा दु:ख हुआ । वे हिमालय पर्वत पर चले गये और पिशाचयोनि को पाकर भयंकर दु:ख भोगने लगे । शारीरिक पातक से उत्पन्न ताप से पीड़ित होकर दोनों ही पर्वत की कन्दराओं में विचरते रहते थे । एक दिन पिशाच ने अपनी पत्नी पिशाची से कहा : ‘हमने कौन सा पाप किया है, जिससे यह पिशाचयोनि प्राप्त हुई है ? नरक का कष्ट अत्यन्त भयंकर है तथा पिशाचयोनि भी बहुत दु:ख देनेवाली है । अत: पूर्ण प्रयत्न करके पाप से बचना चाहिए ।’

इस प्रकार चिन्तामग्न होकर वे दोनों दु:ख के कारण सूखते जा रहे थे । दैवयोग से उन्हें माघ मास के शुक्लपक्ष की एकादशी की तिथि प्राप्त हो गयी । ‘जया’ नाम से विख्यात वह तिथि सब तिथियों में उत्तम है । उस दिन उन दोनों ने सब प्रकार के आहार त्याग दिये, जल पान तक नहीं किया । किसी जीव की हिंसा नहीं की, यहाँ तक कि खाने के लिए फल तक नहीं काटा । निरन्तर दु:ख से युक्त होकर वे एक पीपल के समीप बैठे रहे । सूर्यास्त हो गया । उनके प्राण हर लेने वाली भयंकर रात्रि उपस्थित हुई । उन्हें नींद नहीं आयी । वे रति या और कोई सुख भी नहीं पा सके ।

सूर्यादय हुआ, द्वादशी का दिन आया । इस प्रकार उस पिशाच दंपति के द्वारा ‘जया’ के उत्तम व्रत का पालन हो गया । उन्होंने रात में जागरण भी किया था । उस व्रत के प्रभाव से तथा भगवान विष्णु की शक्ति से उन दोनों का पिशाचत्व दूर हो गया । पुष्पवन्ती और माल्यवान अपने पूर्वरुप में आ गये । उनके हृदय में वही पुराना स्नेह उमड़ रहा था । उनके शरीर पर पहले जैसे ही अलंकार शोभा पा रहे थे ।

वे दोनों मनोहर रुप धारण करके विमान पर बैठे और स्वर्गलोक में चले गये । वहाँ देवराज इन्द्र के सामने जाकर दोनों ने बड़ी प्रसन्नता के साथ उन्हें प्रणाम किया ।

उन्हें इस रुप में उपस्थित देखकर इन्द्र को बड़ा विस्मय हुआ ! उन्होंने पूछा: ‘बताओ, किस पुण्य के प्रभाव से तुम दोनों का पिशाचत्व दूर हुआ है? तुम मेरे शाप को प्राप्त हो चुके थे, फिर किस देवता ने तुम्हें उससे छुटकारा दिलाया है?’

माल्यवान बोला : स्वामिन् ! भगवान वासुदेव की कृपा तथा ‘जया’ नामक एकादशी के व्रत से हमारा पिशाचत्व दूर हुआ है ।

इन्द्र ने कहा : … तो अब तुम दोनों मेरे कहने से सुधापान करो । जो लोग एकादशी के व्रत में तत्पर और भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के शरणागत होते हैं, वे हमारे भी पूजनीय होते हैं ।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण कहते हैं : राजन् ! इस कारण एकादशी का व्रत करना चाहिए । नृपश्रेष्ठ ! ‘जया’ ब्रह्महत्या का पाप भी दूर करनेवाली है । जिसने ‘जया’ का व्रत किया है, उसने सब प्रकार के दान दे दिये और सम्पूर्ण यज्ञों का अनुष्ठान कर लिया । इस माहात्म्य के पढ़ने और सुनने से अग्निष्टोम यज्ञ का फल मिलता है

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के सत्संग प्रवचनों में से नवनीत

एकादशी माहात्मय
एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण का माहात्मय

सब धर्मों के ज्ञाता, वेद और शास्त्रों के अर्थज्ञान में पारंगत, सबके हृदय में रमण करनेवाले श्रीविष्णु के तत्त्व को जाननेवाले तथा भगवत्परायण प्रह्लादजी जब सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए थे, उस समय उनके समीप स्वधर्म का पालन करनेवाले महर्षि कुछ पूछने के लिए आये ।

महर्षियों ने कहा : प्रह्रादजी ! आप कोई ऐसा साधन बताइये, जिससे ज्ञान, ध्यान और इन्द्रियनिग्रह के बिना ही अनायास भगवान विष्णु का परम पद प्राप्त हो जाता है ।

उनके ऐसा कहने पर संपूर्ण लोकों के हित के लिए उद्यत रहनेवाले विष्णुभक्त महाभाग प्रह्रादजी ने संक्षेप में इस प्रकार कहा : महर्षियों ! जो अठारह पुराणों का सार से भी सारतर तत्त्व है, जिसे कार्तिकेयजी के पूछने पर भगवान शंकर ने उन्हें बताया था, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ, सुनिये ।

महादेवजी कार्तिकेय से बोले : जो कलि में एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते समय वैष्णव शास्त्र का पाठ करता है, उसके कोटि जन्मों के किये हुए चार प्रकार के पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो एकादशी के दिन वैष्णव शास्त्र का उपदेश करता है, उसे मेरा भक्त जानना चाहिए ।

जिसे एकादशी के जागरण में निद्रा नहीं आती तथा जो उत्साहपूर्वक नाचता और गाता है, वह मेरा विशेष भक्त है । मैं उसे उत्तम ज्ञान देता हूँ और भगवान विष्णु मोक्ष प्रदान करते हैं । अत: मेरे भक्त को विशेष रुप से जागरण करना चाहिए । जो भगवान विष्णु से वैर करते हैं, उन्हें पाखण्डी जानना चाहिए । जो एकादशी को जागरण करते और गाते हैं, उन्हें आधे निमेष में अग्निष्टोम तथा अतिरात्र यज्ञ के समान फल प्राप्त होता है । जो रात्रि जागरण में बारंबार भगवान विष्णु के मुखारविंद का दर्शन करते हैं, उनको भी वही फल प्राप्त होता है । जो मानव द्वादशी तिथि को भगवान विष्णु के आगे जागरण करते हैं, वे यमराज के पाश से मुक्त हो जाते हैं ।

जो द्वादशी को जागरण करते समय गीता शास्त्र से मनोविनोद करते हैं, वे भी यमराज के बन्धन से मुक्त हो जाते हैं । जो प्राणत्याग हो जाने पर भी द्वादशी का जागरण नहीं छोड़ते, वे धन्य और पुण्यात्मा हैं । जिनके वंश के लोग एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते हैं, वे ही धन्य हैं । जिन्होंने एकादशी को जागरण किया हैं, उन्होंने यज्ञ, दान , गयाश्राद्ध और नित्य प्रयागस्नान कर लिया । उन्हें संन्यासियों का पुण्य भी मिल गया और उनके द्वारा इष्टापूर्त कर्मों का भी भलीभाँति पालन हो गया । षडानन ! भगवान विष्णु के भक्त जागरणसहित एकादशी व्रत करते हैं, इसलिए वे मुझे सदा ही विशेष प्रिय हैं । जिसने वर्द्धिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसने पुन: प्राप्त होनेवाले शरीर को स्वयं ही भस्म कर दिया । जिसने त्रिस्पृशा एकादशी को रात में जागरण किया है, वह भगवान विष्णु के स्वरुप में लीन हो जाता है । जिसने हरिबोधिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसके स्थूल सूक्ष्म सभी पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो द्वादशी की रात में जागरण तथा ताल स्वर के साथ संगीत का आयोजन करता है, उसे महान पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है । जो एकादशी के दिन ॠषियों द्वारा बनाये हुए दिव्य स्तोत्रों से, ॠग्वेद , यजुर्वेद तथा सामवेद के वैष्णव मन्त्रों से, संस्कृत और प्राकृत के अन्य स्तोत्रों से व गीत वाद्य आदि के द्वारा भगवान विष्णु को सन्तुष्ट करता है उसे भगवान विष्णु भी परमानन्द प्रदान करते हैं ।

य: पुन: पठते रात्रौ गातां नामसहस्रकम् ।
द्वादश्यां पुरतो विष्णोर्वैष्णवानां समापत: ।
स गच्छेत्परम स्थान यत्र नारायण: त्वयम् ।

जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान विष्णु के आगे वैष्णव भक्तों के समीप गीता और विष्णुसहस्रनाम का पाठ करता है, वह उस परम धाम में जाता है, जहाँ साक्षात् भगवान नारायण विराजमान हैं ।

पुण्यमय भागवत तथा स्कन्दपुराण भगवान विष्णु को प्रिय हैं । मथुरा और व्रज में भगवान विष्णु के बालचरित्र का जो वर्णन किया गया है, उसे जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान केशव का पूजन करके पढ़ता है, उसका पुण्य कितना है, यह मैं भी नहीं जानता । कदाचित् भगवान विष्णु जानते हों । बेटा ! भगवान के समीप गीत, नृत्य तथा स्तोत्रपाठ आदि से जो फल होता है, वही कलि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय ‘विष्णुसहस्रनाम, गीता तथा श्रीमद्भागवत’ का पाठ करने से सहस्र गुना होकर मिलता है ।

जो श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय रात में दीपक जलाता है, उसका पुण्य सौ कल्पों में भी नष्ट नहीं होता । जो जागरणकाल में मंजरीसहित तुलसीदल से भक्तिपूर्वक श्रीहरि का पूजन करता है, उसका पुन: इस संसार में जन्म नहीं होता । स्नान, चन्दन , लेप, धूप, दीप, नैवेघ और ताम्बूल यह सब जागरणकाल में भगवान को समर्पित किया जाय तो उससे अक्षय पुण्य होता है । कार्तिकेय ! जो भक्त मेरा ध्यान करना चाहता है, वह एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप भक्तिपूर्वक जागरण करे । एकादशी के दिन जो लोग जागरण करते हैं उनके शरीर में इन्द्र आदि देवता आकर स्थित होते हैं । जो जागरणकाल में महाभारत का पाठ करते हैं, वे उस परम धाम में जाते हैं जहाँ संन्यासी महात्मा जाया करते हैं । जो उस समय श्रीरामचन्द्रजी का चरित्र, दशकण्ठ वध पढ़ते हैं वे योगवेत्ताओं की गति को प्राप्त होते हैं ।

जिन्होंने श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण किया है, उन्होंने चारों वेदों का स्वाध्याय, देवताओं का पूजन, यज्ञों का अनुष्ठान तथा सब तीर्थों में स्नान कर लिया । श्रीकृष्ण से बढ़कर कोई देवता नहीं है और एकादशी व्रत के समान दूसरा कोई व्रत नहीं है । जहाँ भागवत शास्त्र है, भगवान विष्णु के लिए जहाँ जागरण किया जाता है और जहाँ शालग्राम शिला स्थित होती है, वहाँ साक्षात् भगवान विष्णु उपस्थित होते हैं ।

एकादशी व्रत विधि

दशमी की रात्रि को पूर्ण ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करें तथा भोग विलास से भी दूर रहें । प्रात: एकादशी को लकड़ी का दातुन तथा पेस्ट का उपयोग न करें; नींबू, जामुन या आम के पत्ते लेकर चबा लें और उँगली से कंठ शुद्ध कर लें । वृक्ष से पत्ता तोड़ना भी वर्जित है, अत: स्वयं गिरे हुए पत्ते का सेवन करे । यदि यह सम्भव न हो तो पानी से बारह कुल्ले कर लें । फिर स्नानादि कर मंदिर में जाकर गीता पाठ करें या पुरोहितादि से श्रवण करें । प्रभु के सामने इस प्रकार प्रण करना चाहिए कि: ‘आज मैं चोर, पाखण्डी और दुराचारी मनुष्य से बात नहीं करुँगा और न ही किसीका दिल दुखाऊँगा । गौ, ब्राह्मण आदि को फलाहार व अन्नादि देकर प्रसन्न करुँगा । रात्रि को जागरण कर कीर्तन करुँगा , ‘ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय’ इस द्वादश अक्षर मंत्र अथवा गुरुमंत्र का जाप करुँगा, राम, कृष्ण , नारायण इत्यादि विष्णुसहस्रनाम को कण्ठ का भूषण बनाऊँगा ।’ – ऐसी प्रतिज्ञा करके श्रीविष्णु भगवान का स्मरण कर प्रार्थना करें कि : ‘हे त्रिलोकपति ! मेरी लाज आपके हाथ है, अत: मुझे इस प्रण को पूरा करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें ।’ मौन, जप, शास्त्र पठन , कीर्तन, रात्रि जागरण एकादशी व्रत में विशेष लाभ पँहुचाते हैं।

एकादशी के दिन अशुद्ध द्रव्य से बने पेय न पीयें । कोल्ड ड्रिंक्स, एसिड आदि डाले हुए फलों के डिब्बाबंद रस को न पीयें । दो बार भोजन न करें । आइसक्रीम व तली हुई चीजें न खायें । फल अथवा घर में निकाला हुआ फल का रस अथवा थोड़े दूध या जल पर रहना विशेष लाभदायक है । व्रत के (दशमी, एकादशी और द्वादशी) -इन तीन दिनों में काँसे के बर्तन, मांस, प्याज, लहसुन, मसूर, उड़द, चने, कोदो (एक प्रकार का धान), शाक, शहद, तेल और अत्यम्बुपान (अधिक जल का सेवन) – इनका सेवन न करें । व्रत के पहले दिन (दशमी को) और दूसरे दिन (द्वादशी को) हविष्यान्न (जौ, गेहूँ, मूँग, सेंधा नमक, कालीमिर्च, शर्करा और गोघृत आदि) का एक बार भोजन करें।

फलाहारी को गोभी, गाजर, शलजम, पालक, कुलफा का साग इत्यादि सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए । आम, अंगूर, केला, बादाम, पिस्ता इत्यादि अमृत फलों का सेवन करना चाहिए ।

जुआ, निद्रा, पान, परायी निन्दा, चुगली, चोरी, हिंसा, मैथुन, क्रोध तथा झूठ, कपटादि अन्य कुकर्मों से नितान्त दूर रहना चाहिए । बैल की पीठ पर सवारी न करें ।

भूलवश किसी निन्दक से बात हो जाय तो इस दोष को दूर करने के लिए भगवान सूर्य के दर्शन तथा धूप दीप से श्रीहरि की पूजा कर क्षमा माँग लेनी चाहिए । एकादशी के दिन घर में झाडू नहीं लगायें, इससे चींटी आदि सूक्ष्म जीवों की मृत्यु का भय रहता है । इस दिन बाल नहीं कटायें । मधुर बोलें, अधिक न बोलें, अधिक बोलने से न बोलने योग्य वचन भी निकल जाते हैं । सत्य भाषण करना चाहिए । इस दिन यथाशक्ति अन्नदान करें किन्तु स्वयं किसीका दिया हुआ अन्न कदापि ग्रहण न करें । प्रत्येक वस्तु प्रभु को भोग लगाकर तथा तुलसीदल छोड़कर ग्रहण करनी चाहिए ।

एकादशी के दिन किसी सम्बन्धी की मृत्यु हो जाय तो उस दिन व्रत रखकर उसका फल संकल्प करके मृतक को देना चाहिए और श्रीगंगाजी में पुष्प (अस्थि) प्रवाहित करने पर भी एकादशी व्रत रखकर व्रत फल प्राणी के निमित्त दे देना चाहिए । प्राणिमात्र को अन्तर्यामी का अवतार समझकर किसीसे छल कपट नहीं करना चाहिए । अपना अपमान करने या कटु वचन बोलनेवाले पर भूलकर भी क्रोध नहीं करें । सन्तोष का फल सर्वदा मधुर होता है । मन में दया रखनी चाहिए । इस विधि से व्रत करनेवाला उत्तम फल को प्राप्त करता है । द्वादशी के दिन ब्राह्मणों को मिष्टान्न, दक्षिणादि से प्रसन्न कर उनकी परिक्रमा कर लेनी चाहिए ।

व्रत खोलने की विधि :

द्वादशी को सेवापूजा की जगह पर बैठकर भुने हुए सात चनों के चौदह टुकड़े करके अपने सिर के पीछे फेंकना चाहिए । ‘मेरे सात जन्मों के शारीरिक, वाचिक और मानसिक पाप नष्ट हुए’ – यह भावना करके सात अंजलि जल पीना और चने के सात दाने खाकर व्रत खोलना चाहिए ।

Jaya Ekadashi

It is said that if one observes upavasa on this day then one receives entrance to Visnu’s abode, even though one has not performed the other vratas of the year.

The half day fast (vrata) for the appearance of Lord Varahadev is also observed on this Ekadasi day, and the utsav (festival celebration – pujas and feasting, etc.) is observed on the Dvadasi, which is when He appeared.

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, “Oh Lord of the lords, Sri Krishna, all glories unto You! Oh Master of the universe, You alone are the source of the four types of living entities ” those born from eggs, ” those born from perspiration, ” those born from seeds and ” those born from embryos.
You alone are the root cause of all, Oh Lord, and therefore You are the creator, maintainer and destroyer.
“My Lord, You have so kindly explained to me the auspicious day known as Sat-tila Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Magha (January – February).
Now please explain to me the Ekadasi that occurs in the light fortnight (shukla or Gaura paksha) of this month.
By what name is it known, and what is the process for observing it?
Who is the presiding Deity that is to be worshipped on this sublime day, which is so very dear to You?

Lord Sri Krishna replied, “Oh Yudhisthira, I shall gladly tell you about the Ekadasi that occurs during the light half of this month of Magha.
This Ekadasi obliterates all kinds of sinful reactions and demoniac influences that may be affecting the spirit soul.
It is known as Jaya Ekadasi, and the fortunate soul who observes a fast on this sacred day is relieved of the great burden of ghostly existence.
Thus there is no better Ekadasi than this, for it truly bestows freedom from birth and death.
It is to be honoured very carefully and diligently.
So you to listen to Me very attentively, Oh Pandava, as I explain a wonderful historic episode regarding this Ekadasi, an episode that I have already related in the Padma Purana.

Long, long ago in the heavenly planets, Lord Indra ruled his celestial kingdom very nicely, and all the devas (demigods) living there were very happy and content.
In Nandana Forest, which was beautifully graced with Parijata Flowers, Indra drank ambrosia whenever he liked and enjoyed the service of fifty million celestial maidens, the Apsaras, who danced in ecstasy for his pleasure.
Many singers, led by Pushpadanta, sang in sweet voices beyond compare.
Chitrasena, Indra’s chief musician was there in the company of his wife Malini and his handsome son Malyavan.
An Apsara named Pushpavati became very much attracted to Malyavan; indeed Cupid’s sharp arrows pierced the core of her heart.
Her beautiful body and complexion, along with the enchanting movements of her eyebrows, captivated Malayavan.

“Oh King, listen as I describe the splendid beauty of Pushpavati:
She has incomparably graceful arms with which to embrace a man like a fine silken noose; her face resembles the Moon; her lotus eyes reached almost to her lovely ears, which were adorned with wonderful and costly ear-rings;
her thin, ornamented neck looked like a conch, having three lines;
her waist was very slender, the size of a fist; her hips were broad, and her thighs like the trunks of banana trees;
her naturally beautiful features were complemented by gorgeous ornaments and garments;
her breasts were highly raised emphasizing her prime of youth; and to look upon her feet was to behold newly grown red lotuses.
Seeing Pushpavati in all her heavenly beauty, Malyavan was bewitched at once.
They had come with the other performers to please Lord Indra by singing and dancing enchantingly, but because they had become so enamored of each other, pierced through the heart by the arrows of Cupid, lust personified, they were utterly unable to sing or dance properly before the lord and master of the heavenly realms.
Their pronunciation was wrong and their rhythm careless.
Lord Indra understood the source of the errors at once.
Offended at the discord in the musical performance, he became very angry and screamed, “You useless fools! You pretend to sing for me while in a stupour of infatuation with each other! You are mocking me! I curse you both to suffer henceforth as pisachas (hobgoblins).
As husband and wife, go to the earthly regions and reap the reactions of your offenses.’

Struck dumb by these harsh words, Malyavan and Pushpavati at once became morose and fell from the beautiful Nandana Forest in the kingdom of heaven to a Himalayan peak here on planet Earth.
Immeasurably distressed, and their celestial intelligence vastly diminished by the effects of lord Indra’s fierce curse, they lost their sense of taste and smell, and even their sense of touch.
It was so cold and miserable high on the Himalayan wastes of snow and ice that they could not even enjoy the oblivion of sleep.
“Roaming aimlessly hither and thither in those harsh altitudes, Malyavan and Pushpavati suffered more and more, from one moment to the next.
Even though they were situated in a cave, because of the snowfall and cold their teeth chattered ceaselessly, and their hair stood on end because of their fright and bewilderment.
In this utterly desperate situation, Malyavan said to Pushpavati, ‘What abominable sins did we commit to have to suffer in these pisacha bodies, in this impossible environment?
This is absolutely hellish! Though hell is very ferocious, the suffering we are undergoing here is even more abominable.
Therefore it is abundantly clear that one should never commit sins.”

And so the forlorn lovers trudged onward in the snow and ice.
By their great good fortune, however, it so happened that very day was the all auspicious Jaya (Bhaimi) Ekadasi, the Ekadasi of the light fortnight of the month of Magha.
Because of their misery they neglected to drink any water, kill any game, or even eat whatever fruits and leaves were available at that altitude, they unknowingly observed Ekadasi by fasting completely from all food and drink.
Sunk in misery Malyavn and Pushpavati collapsed beneath a Pipal tree and did not even try to get up.
The Sun had set by that time.
The night was even colder and more miserable than the day.
They shivered in the frigid snowfall as their teeth chattered in unison, and when they became numb, they embraced just to keep warm.
Locked in each other’s arms, they could not enjoy neither sleep nor sex.
Thus they suffered through the whole night under the powerful curse of the deva Indra.

“Still, Oh Yudhisthira, by the mercy of the fast they had by chance (unknowingly) observed on Jaya Ekadasi, and because they had remained awake all night, they were blessed.
Please hear what happened on the next day.
As Dwdasi dawned, Malyavn and Pushpavati had given up their demoniac forms and were once again beautiful heavenly beings wearing lustrous ornaments and exquisite garments.
As they both looked at each other in amazement, a celestial airplane (vimana) arrived on the spot for them.
A chorus of heavenly denizens sang their praises as the reformed couple stepped into the beautiful aircraft and proceeded directly to the heavenly regions, buoyed up by the good wishes of everyone.
Soon Malyavan and Pushpavati arrived at Amaravati, Lord Indra’s capital city, and then they immediately went before their lord (Indradev) and offered him their cheerful obeisances.

“Lord Indra was astonished to see that they had been transformed, restored to their original status and forms so soon after he had cursed them to suffer as demons far, far below his celestial kingdom.
Indradeva ask of them, ‘What extraordinary meritorious deeds have you performed so that you could give up your pisacha bodies so quickly after I cursed you?
Who released you from my irresistible curse?

“Malyavan replied, ‘Oh lord, it was by the extreme mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (Vasudeva) and also by the powerful influence of the Jaya Ekadasi, that we were released from our suffering condition as pisachas.
This is the truth, Oh master, because we executed devotional service to Lord Vishnu (even performed unknowingly – by ajnata sukriti) by observing the day most dear to Him, we have happily been restored to our former status.”

“Indradev then said, ‘Because you served the Supreme Lord Sri Keshava by observing Ekadasi, you have become worshippable even by me, and I can see that you are now completely purified of sin.
Whosoever engages in devotional service to Lord Sri Hari or Lord Shiva becomes praiseworthy and worshippable even by me.
Of this there is no doubt.’
Lord Indradev then gave Malyavan and Pushpavati free rein to enjoy each other and wander about his heavenly planet as they wished.

“Therefore, Oh Maharaj Yudhisthira, one should strictly observe a fast on the sacred day of Lord Hari, especially on this Jaya Ekadasi, which frees one from the sin of killing even a twice born brahmin.
A great soul who observes this fast with full faith and devotion has in effect given all kinds of charity, performed all kinds of sacrifice, and bathed in all the Holy places of pilgrimage.
Fasting on Jaya Ekadasi qualifies one to reside in Vaikuntha and enjoy unending happiness for billions of yugas – indeed, forever as the soul is eternal.

Oh great king, Lord Sri Krishna continued, one who even hears or reads these wonderful glories of Jaya Ekadasi achieves the blessed merit attained by performing an Agnistoma fire sacrifice, during which the hymns from the Sama-veda are recited.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Magha-shukla Ekadasii, or Jaya Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

HariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariom

to ashram

२२ फरवरी वराह भीष्म तिल द्वादशी | तिल का उपयोग करें स्नान में, प्रसाद में, हवन में, दान में और भोजन में | और तिल के दियें जलाकर सम्पूर्ण व्याधियों से रक्षा की भावना करोगे तो ब्रम्हपुराण कहता है कि तुम्हे व्याधियों से रक्षा मिलेगी |

22nd feb 2013 vraha bhishma til dwadashi

According to brahma puraana on this holy day one who use sesame seeds or sesame oil in bath ,food & in other holy rituals & lighting lamps with til oil is blessed with good health

Use of sesame in bathing, in oblations, during sacrifices, donation and in meals is recommended. Also, lightning lamps made of sesame oil with intention of alleviating all pangs of life will protect you as it is mentioned in BrahmaPurana that this provides protection from hassles in life.

वाराह द्वादशी महात्मय (Varah Dwadsi mahatmya)

जगत के कल्याण हेतु जो लीलाधारी भगवान अनेकानेक अवतार लेते हैं इन्हीं भगवान विष्णु के तृतीय अवतार वराह की पूजा माघ शुक्ल द्वादशी के दिन की जाती है जो वराह द्वादशी के नाम से जानी जाती है (Magha Shukla Dwadashi vrat). वराह भगवान का यह व्रत सुख, सम्पत्ति दायक एवं कल्याणकारी है. जो श्रद्धालु भक्त वराह भगवान के नाम से माघ शुक्ल द्वादशी के दिन व्रत रखते हैं उनके सोये हुए भाग्य को भगवान जागृत कर देते हैं.

वाराह द्वादशी कथा (Varah Dwadsi Katha)

सुखसागर कथा के अनुसार जब ब्रह्मा सृष्टि की रचना कर रहे थे उस समय मनु ने ब्रह्मा जी से कहा मनुष्य के निवास के लिए स्थान प्रदान कीजिए. ब्रह्मा जी के नाक से उस समय वराह रूप में भगवान विष्णु प्रकट हुए. विशालकाय और पराक्रमी वराह भगवान छलांग लगाकर अथाह समुद्र में कूद पड़े. दैत्यों द्वारा जहां पृथ्वी को छुपाकर रखा गया था वहां से अपने दाढ़ों पर पृथ्वी को उठाकर तीव्र गति से भगवन सागर तल स पर आ रहे थे.

रसातल से जब भगवान पृथ्वी लेकर पर आ रहे थे उस समय हिरण्यकश्यपु का भाई हिरण्याक्ष रास्ते में खड़ा हो गया और उन्हें युद्ध के लिए ललकारने लगा. उस समय हिरण्याक्ष के अपशब्द पर वराह रूपी विष्णु को क्रोध आया परंतु क्रोध पर काबू रखते हुए भगवान वाराह अत्यंत तीव्र गति से उस ओर आगे बढ़ते रहे थे जहां पृथ्वी को स्थित करना था. पृथ्वी को स्थापित करने के पश्चात भगवान हिरण्याक्ष से युद्ध करने लगे और देखते देखते हिरण्याक्ष के प्राण पखेरू उड़ गये.

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Vishwakarma विश्वकर्मा (“all-accomplishing, maker of all”/”all doer” is the personified Omnipotence and the abstract form of the creator God according to the Rig Veda.He is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. He is believed to be the “Principal divine Architect of the Universe “, and the root concept of the later Upanishadic Brahman.

Vishwakarma is visualized as an indirect form of the Ultimate reality (later developed as Brahman) in the Rig Veda from whose navel all visible things Hiranyagarbha emanate. The same imagery is seen in Yajurveda purusha sukta, in which the divine smith Tvastar emerging from Vishwakarma. in the holy puranis this concept is seen in the imagery of Padmanabha and Sadasiva.

Shwethashwatharopanishad described him as Rudrasiva, the one who is dwelling in all living forms.

Vishwakarma is appeared both as the Rsi and the Silpi .In yajurveda the term is seen as one of names of pancha risis. Though the term is an epithet of suryanarayana, One of the seven rays of Surya is also known as viswakarma. Bhuvana Vishwakarma (Atharva/Angirasa Gothra)is a vedic Rsi who was the author of Rg 10-81,82 suktha, (Prabasa Vishwakarma) was probably a silpi and the son of Prabhas, the eighth hermit of the legendary Astam vasu and Yogasiddha, sister of Brihaspati. He is said to have revealed the Sthapatyaveda/vasthusastra or fourth Upa-veda, and presides over the sixty-four mechanical arts.

Vishvakarma [ God ]created five prajapathies — from his five faces such as sadyojatham,vamadevam, akhoram,isanam, oordham . They are Manu, Maya, Twosta, Silpy, Viswajna and their respective Rishis are

Sanaga Brahma Rishi
Sanaathana Brahma Rishi
Abhuvanasa Brahma Rishi
Prathnasa Brahma Rishi
Suparnasa Brahma Rishi

Silpi Vishwakarma is the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons and divine attributes. Vishwakarma/Tvostar is also credited with creating the missiles used in the mythological era, including the Vajra, the sacred weapon of Lord Indra, from the bones of sage Dadhichi. He is regarded as the supreme worker, the very essence of excellence and quality in craftsmanship

In Mahabharata and Harivamsa, Viswakarma is the son of Vasu Prabhasa and Yoga-siddha. The Mahabharata describes him as “The Lord of the Arts, Executor of a thousand Handicrafts, the Carpenter of the Gods, the most eminent of Artisans, the Fashioner of all ornaments … and a great architect God…” In paintings he wears a crown and a large amount of gold jewelry and holds a water-pot, a book, a noose, and craftsman’s tools in his hands.
In some other Puranas he is the father of Barhishmatî and Samjna. The Ramayana represents him as having built the island-city of Lanka for the Shiva, and as God having generated the engineer twins apes Nala & neela, who helped inthe making of HolySri Ram sethu Rama’s bridge from the continent to the island

Since Vishwakarma is the divine engineer of the world. As a mark of reverence, he is not only worshiped by the engineering and architectural community but also by all professionals. It is customary for craftsmen to worship their tools in his name.Visvakarma Jayanthi.

Magh shukla tryodashi is celebrated as Vishwakarma Jayanthi by all industrial houses, artists, craftsmen, and weavers

Increase your Vital Energy by effectively managing daily routine -Pujya Asaramji Bapuji Health Tips

Ayurvedic medicine for Kidney stones, no need of any operation,
just eat two or three leaves of this holy ayurvedic plant shown in the ashram vdo for some days kidney stone problem will be cured easily
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to ashram.org

युधिष्ठिर ने पूछा: हे वासुदेव! फाल्गुन (गुजरात महाराष्ट्र के अनुसार माघ) के कृष्णपक्ष में किस नाम की एकादशी होती है और उसका व्रत करने की विधि क्या है? कृपा करके बताइये ।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण बोले: युधिष्ठिर ! एक बार नारदजी ने ब्रह्माजी से फाल्गुन के कृष्णपक्ष की ‘विजया एकादशी’ के व्रत से होनेवाले पुण्य के बारे में पूछा था तथा ब्रह्माजी ने इस व्रत के बारे में उन्हें जो कथा और विधि बतायी थी, उसे सुनो :

ब्रह्माजी ने कहा : नारद ! यह व्रत बहुत ही प्राचीन, पवित्र और पाप नाशक है । यह एकादशी राजाओं को विजय प्रदान करती है, इसमें तनिक भी संदेह नहीं है ।

त्रेतायुग में मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्रीरामचन्द्रजी जब लंका पर चढ़ाई करने के लिए समुद्र के किनारे पहुँचे, तब उन्हें समुद्र को पार करने का कोई उपाय नहीं सूझ रहा था । उन्होंने लक्ष्मणजी से पूछा : ‘सुमित्रानन्दन ! किस उपाय से इस समुद्र को पार किया जा सकता है ? यह अत्यन्त अगाध और भयंकर जल जन्तुओं से भरा हुआ है । मुझे ऐसा कोई उपाय नहीं दिखायी देता, जिससे इसको सुगमता से पार किया जा सके ।‘

लक्ष्मणजी बोले : हे प्रभु ! आप ही आदिदेव और पुराण पुरुष पुरुषोत्तम हैं । आपसे क्या छिपा है? यहाँ से आधे योजन की दूरी पर कुमारी द्वीप में बकदाल्भ्य नामक मुनि रहते हैं । आप उन प्राचीन मुनीश्वर के पास जाकर उन्हींसे इसका उपाय पूछिये ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रजी महामुनि बकदाल्भ्य के आश्रम पहुँचे और उन्होंने मुनि को प्रणाम किया । महर्षि ने प्रसन्न होकर श्रीरामजी के आगमन का कारण पूछा ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रजी बोले : ब्रह्मन् ! मैं लंका पर चढ़ाई करने के उद्धेश्य से अपनी सेनासहित यहाँ आया हूँ । मुने ! अब जिस प्रकार समुद्र पार किया जा सके, कृपा करके वह उपाय बताइये ।

बकदाल्भय मुनि ने कहा : हे श्रीरामजी ! फाल्गुन के कृष्णपक्ष में जो ‘विजया’ नाम की एकादशी होती है, उसका व्रत करने से आपकी विजय होगी । निश्चय ही आप अपनी वानर सेना के साथ समुद्र को पार कर लेंगे । राजन् ! अब इस व्रत की फलदायक विधि सुनिये :
दशमी के दिन सोने, चाँदी, ताँबे अथवा मिट्टी का एक कलश स्थापित कर उस कलश को जल से भरकर उसमें पल्लव डाल दें । उसके ऊपर भगवान नारायण के सुवर्णमय विग्रह की स्थापना करें । फिर एकादशी के दिन प्रात: काल स्नान करें । कलश को पुन: स्थापित करें । माला, चन्दन, सुपारी तथा नारियल आदि के द्वारा विशेष रुप से उसका पूजन करें । कलश के ऊपर सप्तधान्य और जौ रखें । गन्ध, धूप, दीप और भाँति भाँति के नैवेघ से पूजन करें । कलश के सामने बैठकर उत्तम कथा वार्ता आदि के द्वारा सारा दिन व्यतीत करें और रात में भी वहाँ जागरण करें । अखण्ड व्रत की सिद्धि के लिए घी का दीपक जलायें । फिर द्वादशी के दिन सूर्योदय होने पर उस कलश को किसी जलाशय के समीप (नदी, झरने या पोखर के तट पर) स्थापित करें और उसकी विधिवत् पूजा करके देव प्रतिमासहित उस कलश को वेदवेत्ता ब्राह्मण के लिए दान कर दें । कलश के साथ ही और भी बड़े बड़े दान देने चाहिए । श्रीराम ! आप अपने सेनापतियों के साथ इसी विधि से प्रयत्नपूर्वक ‘विजया एकादशी’ का व्रत कीजिये । इससे आपकी विजय होगी ।

ब्रह्माजी कहते हैं : नारद ! यह सुनकर श्रीरामचन्द्रजी ने मुनि के कथनानुसार उस समय ‘विजया एकादशी’ का व्रत किया । उस व्रत के करने से श्रीरामचन्द्रजी विजयी हुए । उन्होंने संग्राम में रावण को मारा, लंका पर विजय पायी और सीता को प्राप्त किया । बेटा ! जो मनुष्य इस विधि से व्रत करते हैं, उन्हें इस लोक में विजय प्राप्त होती है और उनका परलोक भी अक्षय बना रहता है ।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण कहते हैं : युधिष्ठिर ! इस कारण ‘विजया’ का व्रत करना चाहिए । इस प्रसंग को पढ़ने और सुनने से वाजपेय यज्ञ का फल मिलता है

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O glorious son of Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).

Lord Sri Krishna replied, Oh Yudhisthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall tell you about this great fast, known as Vijaya Ekadasi.
Whoever observes it certainly achieves success in this life and the next.
All the sins of one who fasts on this Ekadasi and hears its sublime glories are eradicated.

Narada Muni once asked lord Brahma, who sits on a lotus flower about the Vijaya Ekadasi.
Sri Narada said, Oh best of all the demigods, kindly tell me the merit one can achieve by faithfully observing Vijaya Ekadasi.’

Narada’s great father then replied, My dear son, this oldest of fasting days is pure, and it nullifies all sins.
I have never revealed this to anyone until today, but you can understand beyond any doubt that this Ekadasi bestows the result indicated by its name (Vijaya meaning Victory).

When Lord Rama was exiled to the forest for fourteen years, He, the goddess Sita, and His divine brother Lakshmana stayed at Panchavati as mendicants.
Mother Sita was then kidnapped by the demon Ravana, and Lord Rama seemingly became bewildered like an ordinary man by distress.
While searching for His beloved consort, the Lord came upon the dying Jatayu and thereafter killed  Kabandha rakshas
The great devotee-vulture Jatayu returned to Vaikuntha after telling Rama how His dear Sita had been abducted by evil Ravana.

Later, Lord Rama and Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, became friends.
Together they amassed a grand army of monkeys and bears and sent Hanumanji his minister to Sri Lanka, where he was able to see Janaki (Srimati Sita devi) in an Ashoka grove garden.
He delivered Lord Rama’s message and showed the ring proving his authenticity for rendering such great service to the Supreme Lord Sri Rama.
With the help of Sugriva, Lord Rama proceeded toward Sri Lanka.

Upon arriving at the shore of the ocean with the army of monkeys, He could understand that the water was uncommonly deep and hostile.
Thus He said to Lakshmana, Oh son of Sumitra, how can We earn enough merit to be able to cross this vast ocean, the unfathomable abode of Varuna deva?
I can see no easy way to cross it, teeming as it is with sharks and other ferocious aquatics.

Lakshmana replied, Oh best of all beings, Oh origin of all the devas, Oh primal personality, the great sage Bakadalbhya lives on an island just four miles from here.
Oh Raghava, he has seen many Brahmas come and go, so aged and wise is he.
Let us go to him, take his darshan (audience) and ask him how We can safely reach our goal.

So Rama and Lakshmana proceeded to the humble Ashram of the incomparable Bakadalbhya Muni.
Approaching him, the two Lords paid Their respectful obeisances to him as if he were a second Vishnu. Bakadalbhya could immediately understand, however, that Sri Rama was actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who for His own reasons had appeared on the Earth and was enacting just like a human being.

“Sri Rama”, said Bakadalbhya, “Oh best of the beings, why have You come to my lowly abode?”
The Lord replied, “Oh great, twice born brahmin, I have come here to the ocean shore with My phalanx of monkey and bear warriors in order to cross the sea and conquer Lanka and its demon horde headed by Ravana.
Oh greatest of sages, please be merciful unto Me and please tell Me how I can cross this vast ocean.
That is why I have come to your Ashram today.”

The sage said, “Oh Lord Sri Rama, I shall tell you of the most exalted of all fasts, observing which You will surely conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified.
Kindly now listen with full attention.”

“On the day before Ekadasi, fashion a water pot of gold or silver, or even copper.
Even clay will do if these metals are unavailable.
Fill the pot with pure water and then decorate it nicely with mango leaves.
Cover it and place it near a holy altar upon a mound of seven grains (the seven grains are barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas, kukani, and dahl or peas).
Now take Your morning bath, decorate the water pot with flower garlands and sandalwood paste, and in the concave lid atop the pot place there the barley, pomegranate, and coconut.
Now with great love and devotion worship the water pot Deity form and offer Him incense, sandalwood paste, flowers, a ghee lamp, and a plate of sumptuous foods.
Remain there awake that night beside this sacred pot.
On top of the lid filled with barley, etc., place a golden murthy of Lord Sri Narayana.
When Ekadasi dawns, take Your morning bath and then decorate the water pot with fine sandalwood paste and garlands.
Then worship the pot again with first class incense, lamps, sandalwood paste and flowers dipped in sandalwood paste, and then devoutly/devotedly place many kinds of cooked food, pomegranate, and coconut before the water pot.
Then remain awake over night.

When the Dwadasi dawns, take the waterpot to the bank of a holy river, or even to the shore of a small pond.
After worshipping it again properly, Oh King of kings, offer it with all the aforementioned ingredients to a pure hearted brahmin, expert in the Vedic sciences.
If You and Your military commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadasi in this way, You will surely be victorious in every way.”

Lord Sri Ramachandra Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, did just as Bakadaalbhya Muni instructed, and thus He conquered all demoniac forces.
Similarly, anyone who observes the Vijaya Ekadasi in this way will always be victorious in this mortal world, and after leaving this world he/she will reside forever in the anxiety free realm of the Kingdom of God known as the Vaikunthas.

Oh Narada, my son, from this history you can understand why one should observe this Ekadasi fast properly, strictly following the rules and regulations.
This fast is powerful enough to eradicate all one’s sinful reactions, even the most abominable ones.

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, Oh Yudhisthira, anyone who reads or hears this history will attain the same great merit as that which is earned by performing a horse sacrifice on days of yore.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Phalguna-krishna Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi, from the Skanda Purana.

प्रातः स्मरणीय परम पूज्य
संत श्री आसारामजी बापू
के सत्संग प्रवचनों में से नवनीत

एकादशी माहात्मय
एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण का माहात्मय

सब धर्मों के ज्ञाता, वेद और शास्त्रों के अर्थज्ञान में पारंगत, सबके हृदय में रमण करनेवाले श्रीविष्णु के तत्त्व को जाननेवाले तथा भगवत्परायण प्रह्लादजी जब सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए थे, उस समय उनके समीप स्वधर्म का पालन करनेवाले महर्षि कुछ पूछने के लिए आये ।

महर्षियों ने कहा : प्रह्रादजी ! आप कोई ऐसा साधन बताइये, जिससे ज्ञान, ध्यान और इन्द्रियनिग्रह के बिना ही अनायास भगवान विष्णु का परम पद प्राप्त हो जाता है ।

उनके ऐसा कहने पर संपूर्ण लोकों के हित के लिए उद्यत रहनेवाले विष्णुभक्त महाभाग प्रह्रादजी ने संक्षेप में इस प्रकार कहा : महर्षियों ! जो अठारह पुराणों का सार से भी सारतर तत्त्व है, जिसे कार्तिकेयजी के पूछने पर भगवान शंकर ने उन्हें बताया था, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ, सुनिये ।

महादेवजी कार्तिकेय से बोले : जो कलि में एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते समय वैष्णव शास्त्र का पाठ करता है, उसके कोटि जन्मों के किये हुए चार प्रकार के पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो एकादशी के दिन वैष्णव शास्त्र का उपदेश करता है, उसे मेरा भक्त जानना चाहिए ।

जिसे एकादशी के जागरण में निद्रा नहीं आती तथा जो उत्साहपूर्वक नाचता और गाता है, वह मेरा विशेष भक्त है । मैं उसे उत्तम ज्ञान देता हूँ और भगवान विष्णु मोक्ष प्रदान करते हैं । अत: मेरे भक्त को विशेष रुप से जागरण करना चाहिए । जो भगवान विष्णु से वैर करते हैं, उन्हें पाखण्डी जानना चाहिए । जो एकादशी को जागरण करते और गाते हैं, उन्हें आधे निमेष में अग्निष्टोम तथा अतिरात्र यज्ञ के समान फल प्राप्त होता है । जो रात्रि जागरण में बारंबार भगवान विष्णु के मुखारविंद का दर्शन करते हैं, उनको भी वही फल प्राप्त होता है । जो मानव द्वादशी तिथि को भगवान विष्णु के आगे जागरण करते हैं, वे यमराज के पाश से मुक्त हो जाते हैं ।

जो द्वादशी को जागरण करते समय गीता शास्त्र से मनोविनोद करते हैं, वे भी यमराज के बन्धन से मुक्त हो जाते हैं । जो प्राणत्याग हो जाने पर भी द्वादशी का जागरण नहीं छोड़ते, वे धन्य और पुण्यात्मा हैं । जिनके वंश के लोग एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते हैं, वे ही धन्य हैं । जिन्होंने एकादशी को जागरण किया हैं, उन्होंने यज्ञ, दान , गयाश्राद्ध और नित्य प्रयागस्नान कर लिया । उन्हें संन्यासियों का पुण्य भी मिल गया और उनके द्वारा इष्टापूर्त कर्मों का भी भलीभाँति पालन हो गया । षडानन ! भगवान विष्णु के भक्त जागरणसहित एकादशी व्रत करते हैं, इसलिए वे मुझे सदा ही विशेष प्रिय हैं । जिसने वर्द्धिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसने पुन: प्राप्त होनेवाले शरीर को स्वयं ही भस्म कर दिया । जिसने त्रिस्पृशा एकादशी को रात में जागरण किया है, वह भगवान विष्णु के स्वरुप में लीन हो जाता है । जिसने हरिबोधिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसके स्थूल सूक्ष्म सभी पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो द्वादशी की रात में जागरण तथा ताल स्वर के साथ संगीत का आयोजन करता है, उसे महान पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है । जो एकादशी के दिन ॠषियों द्वारा बनाये हुए दिव्य स्तोत्रों से, ॠग्वेद , यजुर्वेद तथा सामवेद के वैष्णव मन्त्रों से, संस्कृत और प्राकृत के अन्य स्तोत्रों से व गीत वाद्य आदि के द्वारा भगवान विष्णु को सन्तुष्ट करता है उसे भगवान विष्णु भी परमानन्द प्रदान करते हैं ।

य: पुन: पठते रात्रौ गातां नामसहस्रकम् ।
द्वादश्यां पुरतो विष्णोर्वैष्णवानां समापत: ।
स गच्छेत्परम स्थान यत्र नारायण: त्वयम् ।

जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान विष्णु के आगे वैष्णव भक्तों के समीप गीता और विष्णुसहस्रनाम का पाठ करता है, वह उस परम धाम में जाता है, जहाँ साक्षात् भगवान नारायण विराजमान हैं ।

पुण्यमय भागवत तथा स्कन्दपुराण भगवान विष्णु को प्रिय हैं । मथुरा और व्रज में भगवान विष्णु के बालचरित्र का जो वर्णन किया गया है, उसे जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान केशव का पूजन करके पढ़ता है, उसका पुण्य कितना है, यह मैं भी नहीं जानता । कदाचित् भगवान विष्णु जानते हों । बेटा ! भगवान के समीप गीत, नृत्य तथा स्तोत्रपाठ आदि से जो फल होता है, वही कलि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय ‘विष्णुसहस्रनाम, गीता तथा श्रीमद्भागवत’ का पाठ करने से सहस्र गुना होकर मिलता है ।

जो श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय रात में दीपक जलाता है, उसका पुण्य सौ कल्पों में भी नष्ट नहीं होता । जो जागरणकाल में मंजरीसहित तुलसीदल से भक्तिपूर्वक श्रीहरि का पूजन करता है, उसका पुन: इस संसार में जन्म नहीं होता । स्नान, चन्दन , लेप, धूप, दीप, नैवेघ और ताम्बूल यह सब जागरणकाल में भगवान को समर्पित किया जाय तो उससे अक्षय पुण्य होता है । कार्तिकेय ! जो भक्त मेरा ध्यान करना चाहता है, वह एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप भक्तिपूर्वक जागरण करे । एकादशी के दिन जो लोग जागरण करते हैं उनके शरीर में इन्द्र आदि देवता आकर स्थित होते हैं । जो जागरणकाल में महाभारत का पाठ करते हैं, वे उस परम धाम में जाते हैं जहाँ संन्यासी महात्मा जाया करते हैं । जो उस समय श्रीरामचन्द्रजी का चरित्र, दशकण्ठ वध पढ़ते हैं वे योगवेत्ताओं की गति को प्राप्त होते हैं ।

जिन्होंने श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण किया है, उन्होंने चारों वेदों का स्वाध्याय, देवताओं का पूजन, यज्ञों का अनुष्ठान तथा सब तीर्थों में स्नान कर लिया । श्रीकृष्ण से बढ़कर कोई देवता नहीं है और एकादशी व्रत के समान दूसरा कोई व्रत नहीं है । जहाँ भागवत शास्त्र है, भगवान विष्णु के लिए जहाँ जागरण किया जाता है और जहाँ शालग्राम शिला स्थित होती है, वहाँ साक्षात् भगवान विष्णु उपस्थित होते हैं ।

एकादशी व्रत विधि

दशमी की रात्रि को पूर्ण ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करें तथा भोग विलास से भी दूर रहें । प्रात: एकादशी को लकड़ी का दातुन तथा पेस्ट का उपयोग न करें; नींबू, जामुन या आम के पत्ते लेकर चबा लें और उँगली से कंठ शुद्ध कर लें । वृक्ष से पत्ता तोड़ना भी वर्जित है, अत: स्वयं गिरे हुए पत्ते का सेवन करे । यदि यह सम्भव न हो तो पानी से बारह कुल्ले कर लें । फिर स्नानादि कर मंदिर में जाकर गीता पाठ करें या पुरोहितादि से श्रवण करें । प्रभु के सामने इस प्रकार प्रण करना चाहिए कि: ‘आज मैं चोर, पाखण्डी और दुराचारी मनुष्य से बात नहीं करुँगा और न ही किसीका दिल दुखाऊँगा । गौ, ब्राह्मण आदि को फलाहार व अन्नादि देकर प्रसन्न करुँगा । रात्रि को जागरण कर कीर्तन करुँगा , ‘ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय’ इस द्वादश अक्षर मंत्र अथवा गुरुमंत्र का जाप करुँगा, राम, कृष्ण , नारायण इत्यादि विष्णुसहस्रनाम को कण्ठ का भूषण बनाऊँगा ।’ – ऐसी प्रतिज्ञा करके श्रीविष्णु भगवान का स्मरण कर प्रार्थना करें कि : ‘हे त्रिलोकपति ! मेरी लाज आपके हाथ है, अत: मुझे इस प्रण को पूरा करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें ।’ मौन, जप, शास्त्र पठन , कीर्तन, रात्रि जागरण एकादशी व्रत में विशेष लाभ पँहुचाते हैं।

एकादशी के दिन अशुद्ध द्रव्य से बने पेय न पीयें । कोल्ड ड्रिंक्स, एसिड आदि डाले हुए फलों के डिब्बाबंद रस को न पीयें । दो बार भोजन न करें । आइसक्रीम व तली हुई चीजें न खायें । फल अथवा घर में निकाला हुआ फल का रस अथवा थोड़े दूध या जल पर रहना विशेष लाभदायक है । व्रत के (दशमी, एकादशी और द्वादशी) -इन तीन दिनों में काँसे के बर्तन, मांस, प्याज, लहसुन, मसूर, उड़द, चने, कोदो (एक प्रकार का धान), शाक, शहद, तेल और अत्यम्बुपान (अधिक जल का सेवन) – इनका सेवन न करें । व्रत के पहले दिन (दशमी को) और दूसरे दिन (द्वादशी को) हविष्यान्न (जौ, गेहूँ, मूँग, सेंधा नमक, कालीमिर्च, शर्करा और गोघृत आदि) का एक बार भोजन करें।

फलाहारी को गोभी, गाजर, शलजम, पालक, कुलफा का साग इत्यादि सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए । आम, अंगूर, केला, बादाम, पिस्ता इत्यादि अमृत फलों का सेवन करना चाहिए ।

जुआ, निद्रा, पान, परायी निन्दा, चुगली, चोरी, हिंसा, मैथुन, क्रोध तथा झूठ, कपटादि अन्य कुकर्मों से नितान्त दूर रहना चाहिए । बैल की पीठ पर सवारी न करें ।

भूलवश किसी निन्दक से बात हो जाय तो इस दोष को दूर करने के लिए भगवान सूर्य के दर्शन तथा धूप दीप से श्रीहरि की पूजा कर क्षमा माँग लेनी चाहिए । एकादशी के दिन घर में झाडू नहीं लगायें, इससे चींटी आदि सूक्ष्म जीवों की मृत्यु का भय रहता है । इस दिन बाल नहीं कटायें । मधुर बोलें, अधिक न बोलें, अधिक बोलने से न बोलने योग्य वचन भी निकल जाते हैं । सत्य भाषण करना चाहिए । इस दिन यथाशक्ति अन्नदान करें किन्तु स्वयं किसीका दिया हुआ अन्न कदापि ग्रहण न करें । प्रत्येक वस्तु प्रभु को भोग लगाकर तथा तुलसीदल छोड़कर ग्रहण करनी चाहिए ।

एकादशी के दिन किसी सम्बन्धी की मृत्यु हो जाय तो उस दिन व्रत रखकर उसका फल संकल्प करके मृतक को देना चाहिए और श्रीगंगाजी में पुष्प (अस्थि) प्रवाहित करने पर भी एकादशी व्रत रखकर व्रत फल प्राणी के निमित्त दे देना चाहिए । प्राणिमात्र को अन्तर्यामी का अवतार समझकर किसीसे छल कपट नहीं करना चाहिए । अपना अपमान करने या कटु वचन बोलनेवाले पर भूलकर भी क्रोध नहीं करें । सन्तोष का फल सर्वदा मधुर होता है । मन में दया रखनी चाहिए । इस विधि से व्रत करनेवाला उत्तम फल को प्राप्त करता है । द्वादशी के दिन ब्राह्मणों को मिष्टान्न, दक्षिणादि से प्रसन्न कर उनकी परिक्रमा कर लेनी चाहिए ।

व्रत खोलने की विधि :

द्वादशी को सेवापूजा की जगह पर बैठकर भुने हुए सात चनों के चौदह टुकड़े करके अपने सिर के पीछे फेंकना चाहिए । ‘मेरे सात जन्मों के शारीरिक, वाचिक और मानसिक पाप नष्ट हुए’ – यह भावना करके सात अंजलि जल पीना और चने के सात दाने खाकर व्रत खोलना चाहिए ।

HariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariom

a request to all who has humanity and heart
please pray for the life and good health of a 3 year innocent baby girl

the 3 year poor little baby girl was brutaly attacked by most evil antisocial elements in malappuram district near kozhikode in kerala state

this little baby belongs to very poor homeless nomadic tribe
The poor minor girl  had undergone two surgeries at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital. The girl was admitted to the ICU and doctors said she had crossed the critical stage.

The small baby girl was sleeping along with her mother on the verandah of a shop when she was abducted. The little girl was later rescued from near place situated behind the Mahila Samajam building.

may all the people of earth come forward and protect our little children,  protect every girl and every women and punish the evils finish all evil.

may all children, girls and women be protected

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थितः।।

नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमो नमः॥

lets all pray for  the little innocent baby, in our own words  with full heart please pray

all mother earth pray for her dear daughter

ll The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra ll

महा मृत्युंजय मंत्र

Om Haum Joom Saha | Om Bhoorbhuvaha Svaha | Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhnam Urvvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityormuksheeya Maamrataat Om | Svaha Bhuvaha Bhooh Om | Saha joom haum om |

may bhagvan save his  dear daughter bless her good health and long life om shanti shanti shanti

Nasse rog hare sab peera japat nirantarr hanumat beera

hariomshanti

Om Namah Shivaya

Hari OM
10th march 2013 is most holiest maha shivratri
Mahashivaratri Mahaotsava from Ashram Satsang Dhyan Bhajan Kirtan Mantra jaap

to ashram.org

Om Namah Shivaya

आपके जीवन में शिव ही शिव हो

(पूज्य बापू जी कल्याणमयी मधुमय वाणी)
चार महारात्रियाँ हैं – जन्माष्टमी, होली, दिवाली और शिवरात्रि। शिवरात्रि को अहोरात्रि भी बोलते हैं। इस दिन ग्रह नक्षत्रों आदि का ऐसा मेल होता है कि हमारा मन नीचे के केन्द्रों से ऊपर आये। देखना, सुनना, चखना, सूँघना व स्पर्श करना – इस विकारी जीवन में तो जीव-जंतु भी होशियार हैं। बकरा जितना काम विकार में होशियार है उतना मनुष्य नहीं हो सकता। बकरा एक दिन में चालीस बकरियों के साथ काला मुँह कर सकता है, मनुष्य करे तो मर जाये। यह विकार भोगने के लिए तो बकरा, सुअर, खरगोश और कई नीच योनियाँ हैं। विकार भोगने के लिए तुम्हारा जन्म नहीं हुआ है।
विकारी शरीरों की परम्परा में आते हुए भी निर्विकार नारायण का आनंद-माधुर्य पाकर अपने शिवस्वरूप को जगाने के लिए शिवरात्रि आ जाती है कि लो भाई ! तुम उठाओ इस मौके का फायदा….।
शिवजी कहते हैं कि ‘मैं बड़े-बड़े तपों से, बड़े-बड़े यज्ञों से, बड़े-बड़े दानों से, बड़े-बड़े व्रतों से इतना संतुष्ट नहीं होता हूँ जितना शिवरात्रि के दिन उपवास करने से होता हूँ।’ अब शिवजी का संतोष क्या है ? तुम भूखे मरो और शिवजी खुश हों, क्या शिव ऐसे हैं ? नहीं, भूखे नहीं मरोगे, भूखे रहोगे तो शरीर में जो रोगों के कण पड़े हैं, वे स्वाहा हो जायेंगे और जो आलस्य, तन्द्रा बढ़ाने वाले विपरीत आहार के कण हैं वे भी स्वाहा हो जायेंगे और तुम्हारा जो छुपा हुआ सत् स्वभाव, चित् स्वभाव, आनंद स्वभाव है, वह प्रकट होगा। शिवरात्रि का उपवास करके, जागरण करके देख लो। मैंने तो किया है। मैंने एक शिवरात्रि का उपवास घर पर किया था, ऐसा फायदा हुआ कि मैं क्या-क्या वर्णन करूँ ! क्या-क्या अंतर्प्रेरणा हुई, क्या-क्या फायदा हुआ उसका वर्णन करना मेरे बस का नहीं है। नहीं तो जाने घिस-पिट के क्या हालत होती सत्तर की उम्र में ! ‘अरे बबलू ! ऐंह…. अरे जरा उठा दें… जरा बैठा दे।’– यह हालत होती।
इस दिन जो उपवास करे, उसे निभाये। जो बूढ़े हैं, कमजोर हैं, उपवास नहीं रख सकते, वे लोग थोड़ा अंगूर खा सकते हैं अथवा एक छोटे-मोटे नारियल का पानी पी सकते हैं, ज्यादा पीना ठीक नहीं।
शरीर में जो जन्म से लेकर विजातीय द्रव्य हैं, पाप-संस्कार हैं, वासनाएँ हैं उन्हें मिटाने में शिवरात्रि की रात बहुत काम करती है।
शिवरात्रि का जागरण करो और ‘बं’ बीजमंत्र का सवा लाख जप करो। संधिवात (गठिया) की तकलीफ दूर हो जायेगी। बिल्कुल पक्की बात है ! एक दिन में ही फायदा ! ऐसा बीजमंत्र है शिवजी का। वायु मुद्रा करके बैठो और ‘बं बं बं बं बं’ जप करो। जैसे जनरेटर घूमता है तो बिजली बनती है, फिर गीजर भी चलेगा और फ्रिज भी चलेगा। दोनों विपरीत हैं लेकिन बिजली से दोनों चलते हैं। ऐसे ही ‘बं बं’ से विपरीत धर्म भी काम में आ जाते हैं। बुढ़ापे में तो वायु संबंधी रोग ज्यादा होते हैं। जोड़ों में दर्द हो गया, यह पकड़ गया-वह पकड़ गया…. ‘बं बं’ जपो, उपवास करो, देखो अगला दिन कैसा स्फूर्तिवाला होता है।
शिवरात्रि की रात का आप खूब फायदा उठाना। विद्युत के कुचालक आसन का उपयोग करना। विद्युत के कुचालक आसन का उपयोग करना। भीड़ भाड़ में, मंदिर में नहीं गये तो ऐसे ही ‘ॐ नमः शिवाय’ जप करना। मानसिक मंदिर में जा सको तो जाना। मन से ही की हुई पूजा षोडषोपचार की पूजा से दस गुना ज्यादा हितकारी होती है और अंतर्मुखता ले आती है।
शिवजी का पत्रम-पुष्पम् से पूजन करके मन से मन का संतोष करें, फिर ॐ नमः शिवाय…. ॐ नमः शिवाय…. शांति से जप करते गये। इस जप का बड़ा भारी महत्त्व है। अमुक मंत्र की अमुक प्रकार की रात्रि को शांत अवस्था में, जब वायुवेग न हो आप सौ माला जप करते हैं तो आपको कुछ-न-कुछ दिव्य अनुभव होंगे। अगर वायु-संबंधी बीमारी हैं तो ‘बं बं बं बं बं’ सवा लाख जप करते हो तो अस्सी प्रकार की वायु-संबंधी बीमारियाँ गायब ! अगर तुम प्रणव की 120 मालाएँ करते हो रोज और ऐसे पाँच लाख मंत्रों का जप करते हो तो आपकी मंत्रसिद्धि की शक्तियाँ जागृत होने लगती है। ॐ नमः शिवाय मंत्र तो सब बोलते हैं लेकिन इसका छंद कौन सा है, इसके ऋषि कौन हैं, इसके देवता कौन हैं, इसका बीज क्या है, इसकी शक्ति क्या है, इसका कीलक क्या है – यह मैं बता देता हूँ। अथ ॐ नमः शिवाय मंत्र। वामदेव ऋषिः। पंक्तिः छंदः। शिवो देवता। ॐ बीजम्। नमः शक्तिः। शिवाय कीलकम्। अर्थात् ॐ नमः शिवाय का कीलक है ‘शिवाय’,'नमः’ है शक्ति, ॐ है बीज… हम इस उद्देश्य से (मन ही मन अपना उद्देश्य बोलें) शिवजी का मंत्र जप रहे हैं – ऐसा संकल्प करके जप किया जाय तो उसी संकल्प की पूर्ति में मंत्र की शक्ति काम देगी।
अगर आप शिव की पूजा स्तुति करते हैं और आपके अंदर में परम शिव को पाने का संकल्प हो जाता है तो इससे बढ़कर कोई उपहार नहीं और इससे बढ़कर कोई पद नहीं है। भगवान शिव से प्रार्थना करें- ‘इस संसार के क्लेशों से बचने के लिए, जन्म-मृत्यु के शूलों से बचने के लिए हे भगवान शिव ! हे साम्बसदाशिव ! हे शंकर ! मैं आपकी शरण हूँ, मैं नित्य आने वाली संसार की यातनाओं से हारा हुआ हूँ, इसलिए आपके मंत्र का आश्रय ले रहा हूँ। आज के शिवरात्रि के इस व्रत से और मंत्रजप से तुम मुझ पर प्रसन्न रहो क्योंकि तुम् अंतर्यामी साक्षी चैतन्य हो। हे प्रभु ! तुम संतुष्ट होकर मुझे ज्ञानदृष्टि प्राप्त कराओ। सुख और दुःख में मैं सम रहूँ। लाभ और हानि को सपना समझूँ। इस संसार के प्रभाव से पार होकर इस शिवरात्रि के वेदोत्सव में मैं पूर्णतया अपने पाप-ताप को मिटाकर आपके पुण्यस्वभाव को प्राप्त करूँ।
शिवधर्म पाँच प्रकार का कहा गया हैः एक तो तप (सात्त्विक आहार, उपवास, ब्रह्मचर्य) शरीर से, मन से, पति-पत्नी, स्त्री पुरुष की तरफ के आकर्षण का अभाव। आकर्षण मिटाने में सफल होना हो तो ॐ अर्यमायै नमः…. ॐ अर्यमायै नमः….. यह जप शिवरात्रि के दिन कर लेना, क्योंकि शिवरात्रि का जप कई गुना अधिक फलदायी कहा गया है। दूसरा है भगवान की प्रसन्नता के लिए सत्कर्म, पूजन अर्चन आदि (मानसिक अथवा शारीरिक), तीसरा शिवमंत्र का जप, चौथा शिवस्वरूप का ध्यान और पाँचवाँ शिवस्वरूप का ज्ञान। शिवस्वरूप का ज्ञान – यह आत्मशिव का ज्ञान। शिवस्वरूप का ज्ञान – यह आत्मशिव ही उपासना है। चिता में भी शिवतत्त्व की सत्ता है, मुर्दे में भी शिवतत्त्व की सत्ता है तभी तो मुर्दा फूलता है। हर जीवाणु में शिवतत्त्व है। तो इस प्रकार अशिव में भी शिव देखने के नजरिये वाला ज्ञान, दुःख में भी सुख को ढूँढ निकालने वाला ज्ञान, मरूभूमि में भी वसंत और गंगा लहराने वाला श्रद्धामय नजरिया, दृष्टि यह आपके जीवन में शिव ही शिव लायेगी।

स्रोतः ऋषि प्रसाद
ॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐॐ

Maha Shivratri To Ashram

Shivratri Mahima (Significance)

ज्योतिर्नमात्रस्वरुपाय निर्मलज्ञानचक्षुषे |
नमः शिवाय शान्ताय ब्रह्मणे लिंगमूर्तये ||

Jyotirmatraswarupaya normaljnanachakshushe |
Namah Shivaya shantaya brahamane lingamurtaye ||

“I bow before the auspicious Lord Shiva, an embodiment of Supreme peace, whose form is divinely effulgent, whose eyes are but pure knowledge, who is the Supreme Being in the form of a ‘Shivling’ (an oval shaped idol of Shiva).”

In the ‘Brahmottar Khand’ of the ‘Skanda Purana’, describing the significance of observing a fast and jagran on Shivratri, Sutaji expounded to the Rishis:

“It is a rare opportunity to observe a fast on the fourteenth moon day of the dark half of the month of Magha (Hindi month Phalguna). I feel it is still rare for human beings to keep awake on the night of Shivratri. The darshan of a Shivling and worship of Lord Shiva on this day, I believe, is even rarer.”

One gains an opportunity to worship Lord Shiva with ‘bilva patra’ (Sacred leaves used for worship of Lord Shiva) only when the punyas (Merits) of a billion lives fructify. The same punyas one earns through bathing in the Ganges for ten thousand years as are earned by worshipping Lord Shiva with ‘bilva patra’ for just once. The punyas that have gradually vanished from the world in every following age are fully present in the fourteenth moon day of the dark half of the month of Magha i.e., on the day of Shivratri. Lord Brahma and other Gods as well as Munis like Vashishtha wholeheartedly praise this day of chaturdashi.
If one observes a fast on this extolled day of Shivratri, one acquires even more punyas than those earned by performing 100 yajnas (Sacrifice, an ancient Hindu institution of religious sacrifice and oblation). ”Who in the three worlds can verily match the punya of a person who has worshipped the Shivling with just one bilva patra?’

Tridalam trigunakaaram trinethram cha triyayusham,
Trijanma papa samharam Eka bilwam shivarpanam.

Om Namah Shivaya

Shri Shiva Stuti mp3

Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya

Om Namah Shivaya
Maha Shivratri To Ashram

Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya
Maha Shivaratri Akhand Mantra Jap

HARIOM!!

Dear Aatman,

Pujya Bapuji advises every body to recite powerful Maha Mritunjya Mantra by doing Japa & Dhyan on Maha Shivratri Night. Doing chanting & meditation on Maha Shivratri Night (10-3-2013) is lakh times more beneficial than on a normal day.

http://www.ashram.org is pleased to organize 24 hour non-stopGlobal Jap Yagna of Maha Mritunjya Mantra on the eve of Maha Shivratri.

Sankalp: Let us get together on Maha Shivratri and participate in this Shri Maha Mrutunjay Mantra Jap Samarpit to Pujya Gurudev.

Maha-Mrityumjaya Shloka

Om Haum Joom Saha | Om Bhoorbhuvaha Svaha | Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhnam Urvvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityormuksheeya Maamrataat Om | Svaha Bhuvaha Bhooh Om | Saha joom haum om |

Shivaratri : The Supreme Vrata

[Excerpts from the Satsang of Pujya Bapuji]
In the Skanda Purana, Sutaji says, ”Shiva is the Lord. Shiva is the kinsman unto embodied beings. Shiva is the Atman. Shiva is the jiva as well. There is nothing else other than Shiva. Worthy is the tongue that sings praises of Lord Shiva. Worthwhile is the mind that remains engrossed in meditation of Lord Shiva. Truly worthy are the ears that always remain eager to hear the glory of Lord Shiva, and blessed indeed are the hands that worship Him. One whose all senses are fully engrossed in activities related to the worship of Lord Shiva in the aforesaid manner, transcends samsara and attains both worldly pleasures and salvation. (- Brahmottar Khanda : 4.1, 7, 9)
Mahashivaratri is the festival to worship and propitiate Lord Shiva, the Lord of all riches, the Supreme Being, the all pervading, the very personification of Truth- Absolute, Consciousness- Absolute and Bliss-Absolute, the attributeless, the formless, the Supreme Lord of the universe. It was on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri thatjyotirlinga came into existence on earth; and this is the pious day of Lord Shiva’s marriage too. As per the laws of Nature, it is the unique occasion when the stars and planets are conducive to the union of the individual consciousness of the jiva with the Supreme Consciousness of Shiva and thus aid in the realization of their essential unity.
Shiva means beneficence. Mahashivaratri is a night of supreme beneficence. Jap, austerities and fast done on this day earn a thousand times more religious merits compared to that accrued from the same effort exerted on any other day.
In the Ishana Samhita, Lord Shiva says to Maa Parvati, ”The fourteenth lunar day of the dark fortnight of the month of Falguna is a dark auspicious night known asShivaratri. Anyone observing a fast on this day successfully propitiates Me. A fast observed on this day is far superior to any other form of worship like bathing Me and even offering clothes, incense and flowers to Me.”
A vrata is primarily characterized by faith, fasting and prayers. A vrata has the capacity to convert an atheist to a theist, a hedonist to yogi, a selfish person to an altruistic, a miser to a generous, an impatient to a patient and an intolerant to a tolerant one. Those, firm in their vrata and righteousness, elevate their lives. TheShivaratri vrata destroys all sins and primarily facilitates the accomplishment of yoga and God-Realization.
The Skanda Purana states, ”The vrata of Shivaratri is supreme, there is none superior to it. The jiva who does not worship the Lord of all the three worlds on this day with ardent devotion is bound to be mired in the vicious cycle of life and death for thousands of years.”

The vrata of Shivaratri involves staying awake at night, worshipping Lord Shiva with Bael leaves, sandalwood paste, flowers etc. and engaging in japand meditation. 1,25,000 number of jap of the Beeja Mantra ”Bum” ( बं)done on this day, greatly helps to alleviate joint pains and diseases related to Vata Dosha.

If you remain awake on this night with the conviction that you are not going to fritter away this precious human birth in petty pursuits of sense enjoyments, but would rather persevere to take advantage of its true worth by utilizing it to attain Enlightenment, the supreme goal of human-birth; then such a night vigil will be supremely rewarding. It destroys the sins accumulated over a multitude of previous births and purifies the intellect. This paves the way for the final attainment of the very essence of Shiva, the Supreme Consciousness.

Otherfestivalslike Deepawali,Holi, Makar Sankranti give importance to delicacies, wearing new clothes and meeting people; but Shivaratri is not like that. This is a day of taking and observing vows of fasting and austerities so that the real meaning ofUpawas i.e. proximity to God -is realized. In other festivals one reaches out to meet others whereas Shivaratri is an occasion to destroy one’s own ego and become one with the Lord. It is a day when one can and should strive to attain oneness with the Shiva-Consciousness. A man, as such, is intrinsically endowed with extraordinary happiness, peace and capabilities. He is capable of experiencing the Supreme bliss in which Lord Shiva is perennially engrossed. If he gets the opportunity to be in the holy company of the Self-realised Saints, who are ever engrossed in the Shiva-Consciousness, listens to their satsang, obtains their guidance and is blessed with their nectarine glance, this night can very well turn into that of ultimate beneficence, into the real Shivaratri.
Mahashivaratri is the supreme festival of realizing the Supreme Being, the Shiva. It is the day of worshipping the Shiva of one’s True Self and becoming established therein.

Vikramaditya & Shivaratri

Once Veerya a poor hunter set out for a hunt.he wandered the whole forest but didn’t found a single prey .Tired & Hungry, he came near a pond in the forest and for the purpose of hunting he climbed a “bel” tree (sacred to Shiva). Sitting on a branch he waited for a hunt. But since the leaves obstructed his vision, he began to pluck a few leaves, which by chance fell on a Swayabhu Shiva Linga (“pindi”), which happened to be hidden in the green forest under that tree. Then a herd of deer came to drink water. The hunter took aim at a hind (female deer). But as she noticed the movement of the hunter, she cried out, “Please, wait a moment, before you shoot let me go home and meet my young ones for the last time. Afterwards you may take my life at your pleasure.”
The hunter gave the hind permission to go home, and re-mained sitting on the tree waiting for her to return. Waiting the whole night he was forced to observe fast.
Near by the forest there was a hermitage of a sage who was chanting the “Om Namaha Shivaya” Mantra.The hunter listenend the chanting whole night carefully and unknowingly water from his pot was poured drop by drop on the Shiva Linga under the Billi tree.
On the Shiva Linga he had inadvertently offered the “bel” leaves. With his mouth he uttered the name of Shiva, thus he fulfilled the conditions needed for the observance of the Maha Shiva Ratra vow. So without knowing how, his heart was changed and he was filled with sentiments of mercy.Before dawn the mother deer came back with the entire herd. “Now you may take my life at your pleasure” she said.

Seeing the hind’s honesty the hunter’s heart was further softened, and he completely gave up his thought of killing the hind. Shankar was so pleased that immediately making all of them sit in a plane he took them to heaven. Both the hind and the hunter can be seen at night in the sky among the stars in the constellation of Orion (“Mrugshirsh nakshatra”).

This veerya Bhil Hunter became a King Veersen in his next birth as a Great Devotee of Lord Shiva then hewent to Rudralok & became a Rudra Gan holy worshippers  of shiva

Karnumurti Lord Shiva Maha Deva the “Great God” blessed the poor hunter to become the commander of all Rudra Gans God Veera Bhadra who is born as Chakravarthy King Vikramaditya in his next birth on Earth .

Maha Shivratri Akhand Mantra Jap

We hope and wish that you all will be the part of this world wide seva team event.We also request you to spread this message to all your nearest and dearest and also to all the sadhak bhai&behen of your local samiti and centers and inspire others to be the part of this .You can register your name and time slot here.

Click here for online Registration to participare in the holy Jap Yagya

Namah shivaya

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Somavati amavasaya
सोमवती अमावास्या की शुभकामनायें

Somvati Amavasya Akhand Mantra Jap

To Ashram.org

Somvati Amavasya fall 11 th march 2013

Pujya Bapuji has advised that observing the following tips on this day would be very beneficial for sadhaks:

11 -03-2013

सोमवती अमावस्या

this time is indian standard time for other parts of the world time is different according to the sunrise of that places so convert ist to ur time ok

somavati amavasya is very dear to Lord Shiva & very holy to devotees

a very auspicious holy day for chanting & worshipping Tulsi or holy basil plant

This is very impotant for jobless person to get good jobs or promotions in their present jobs & removing poverty from life

get a green Tulsi plant just a liitle one before tat holy day
worship the plant by lighting lamp on the day before somvati Amavasya

keep the tulsi plant in a small pot ur prayer or ur own room where u get some privacy

worship the plant by lighting lamp on the day before somvati Amavasya tat is morning & evening

& on somvati amvasya  morning u worship this tulsi plant, & keep this plant in the middle of ur room ,so get some space

& do 108 parikrama circumambulations aound the Tulsi plant clockwise just go round slowly around the tulsi plant , atleast 108 times

normaly all house in villages in india has holy tulsi in their courtyard (aangan)

or in front of the  main door

those who live in some flats or such houses  wher thereisno such provision can do thier worship ritual intheir room ,others  can easily do this worhip ritual  in their garden were they have their Holy basil plant Dear tulsi plant

shree hari

For Attaining Prosperity and/or Relief from Financial troubles

If a devotee performs 108 circumambulations (parikrama) of the holy Tulsi (basil) plant on Somvati Amavasya, he will be relieved from financial problems and will attain increased success and prosperity in his job/service/business, etc. Pujya Bapuji advised that this tip is especially important for people who are doing a job (service) and nurture fears of their boss, anxiety of being laid off, etc. People, who have failed in their business earlier or have taken loan and would like to repay it, should also take benefit from this divine technique om

108 parikrama of Tulsi for removing dridrata ( Poverty). GuruJi has also advised that doing japa and meditation (dhyan) on Somvati Amavasya is lakh times more beneficial as compared to doing the same on any other day. He further said that performing japa Chanting and meditation on Somvati Amavasya would afford the same high religious merits as doing them on the supremely holy nights of Diwali, Holi, Shivratri, Janmashtami or during an eclipse.

for reaping rich spiritual benefits, a sadhak should try & practice the following on Somvati Amavasya:
i. Observe Maun (silence) or speak as little as possible
ii. Devote maximum time to japa & meditation (dhyan)
iii. If possible, do upvaas (fast) and stay only on milk.
iv. Sleep on the ground on Somvati Amavasya and on the night before as well.
v. On the night before Somvati Amavasya , the sadhak should make a firm resolve, “Tomorrow, I will observe maun (silence), study the holy scriptures & other Satsang books like Divya Prerna Prakash,Jeevan Vikas & Ishvar ki Or, and will engage myself constantly in japa and meditation.”

But all other sadhaks or devotees should definitely perform worship of the Lord and circumambulation of the Tulsi plant on Somvati Amavasya, setting aside all their other tasks. This will afford rich financial, intellectual and spiritual benefits to tthem whole life om om om…

Somvati Amavasi, or Somavati Amavasya, is no moon day that falls on a Monday (Somvar) in traditional Hindu calendar.

It is considered a highly auspicious day and millions of people take a holy dip in sacred Rivers like Ganga and Yamuna on the day. Married men and women also perform different pujas and rituals and also undertake Somavara Amavasya Vrat.
The Significance of Somvati Amavasya was narrated toYudhishtra by Bhisma in the Mahabharata. It is said that who ever takes a bath in the sacred rivers on the day would be prosperous, free of diseases and would be free from grief and sorrow. There is also a popular belief that the soul of ancestors will rest in peace if children and relatives take a holy dip in the sacred rivers.
Married women take the holy dip for a happy married life and for the long life of their husbands. They also worship the pipal tree on the day. Somavara Amavasya Vrata (fasting) is observed for a long and happy married life by couples. Many devout Hindus also fast on the day and some people only have a single meal.
On the day thousands of people take a dip in Ganga at Haridwar, Triveni and other places.

Pujya Bapuji adviced to perform 108 parikrama of Tulsi for removing dridrata ( Poverty). GuruJi has called on to all sadhaks to do jap and parikrama of Tulsiji.

Pujya Bapuji has also advised that doing japa and meditation (dhyan) on Somvati Amavasya is lakh times more beneficial as compared to doing the same on any other day. He further said that performing japa and meditation on Somvati Amavasya would afford the same high religious merits as doing them on the supremely holy nights of Diwali, Holi, Shivratri, Janmashtami or during an eclipse.

The Ashram.Org team is pleased to organize 24 hour non-stop Global Jap Yagna of  ” GURU MANTRA , OM HRIM OM and MAHA MRITYUNJAY  Mantra  on the eve of Somvati Amavasya.

Sankalp: Let us get together and participate in this Akhanda Japa for world peace and for safeguarding our Indian culture (Sanaatan Sanskriti).

;Somvati Amavasya Anushthaan vidhi

सोमवती आमवस्या इस बार

Somvati Amavasya  Pujya Bapuji has advised that observing the following tips on this day would be very beneficial for sadhaks:

इन तिथियों पर जप/ध्यान करने का वैसा ही हजारों गुना फल होता है जैसा की सूर्य/चन्द्र ग्रहण में जप/ध्यान करने से होता है:

१. सोमवती अमावस्या -
२. रविवार को सप्तमी हो जाए.)
३. मंगलवार की चतुर्थी हो जाए.
४. बुधवार की अष्टमी हो जाए.

इन तिथियों पर जप/ध्यान का फल ग्रहण के समय किये ही जप/ध्यान के सामान होता है. इसलिए हमें इन तिथियों पर जादा जप करना चाहिए, जिस से हमें थोडे में ही जादा लाभ मिले
सोमवती अमावस्या के दिन 108 बार अगर तुलसी की परिक्रमा करते हो, ओंकार का थोड़ा जप करते हो, सूर्य नारायण को अर्घ्य देते हो; यह सब साथ में करो तो अच्छा है, नहीं तो खाली तुलसी को 108 बार प्रदक्षिणा करने से तुम्हारे घर से दरिद्रता भाग जाएगी l

Om Haum Joom Saha | Om Bhoorbhuvaha Svaha | Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhnam Urvvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityormuksheeya Maamrataat Om | Svaha Bhuvaha Bhooh Om | Saha joom haum om |

Maha-Mrityumjaya Shloka in Shri Sureshananji’s Voice

Why Pujya Bapuji Celebrates Holi with Natural Colours ?

in our ashram & satsangs the holy  & ancient festival of holi is  celebrated in an natural  & ayurvedic way

Holi is the ancient festival of  nature and is  celebrated onthe falgun purnima   in the spring season vasant before holy chaitra navratra

holi  was  also celebrated  by little shri krishna bhagvan  in vrindavan as vasant utsava  about 5000 years ago

Holi is Celebrated in an exhilariting way by Bapuji at Surat Ashram every year. Enoromous number of Sadhaks come to Surat attend ashram to get colored in the Divine color of love by Bapuji.

Holi is not merely a festival of burning aheap of dung-cakes and wood. Rather , it is a pious day for removing one`s psychological weaknesses and burning the evil desires.

From this day , we should throw out our evil desires and cultivate in our life the divine virtues of love for God , goodwill , sympathy , faith in the chosen Divinity , fearlessness , steadfast adherence to dharma , etc.

We should invoke in our lives the virtues of the great devotee – Prahlada , viz a firm belief in God , tolerance , forgiveness , love for the Lord , compassion , benevolence , non-violence , etc.

The colours of Holi , colour only the body . You should colour your heart with the divine love . Holi is the festival  nature: it is the celebration of Spring: it is a pious observance of the tradition of offering newly harvested grains to the Lord before using the same One should stop taking dates from this day onwards

nowdays  people had really forgotten how to celebrated this holy festival , what is this festival  and why itis meant for
Holi is festival of burning down our vices , addictions and evil tendencies and of imbibing virtues. Holi is a life giving drug that rejuvenates our sadhana . It spreads the message of love in society . Take constant care not to insult , slander or harm anybody by your impertinence or arrogance . Guard against circumstances that tend to colour you with the poisonous hue of addictions . You should rather colour yourself  only with the colur of devotion to God …of Self-bliss , in which the Lord and His beloved saints abide…and colour yourself so fast that the colour should never fade away…

Holi a festival of purity

Pujya bapuji himself plays holi with natural colours of nature &  inspires everyone and all to do the same

so that everybody is protected from harmful chemical colours and have good health by the use of natural colours

palaash the holy flower rich in many ayuvedic qualities is used  inthe aurvedic holywater which cures many many diseases both mental & physical

the festival of holi  is really festival of nature

as the summer season is coming our ancient rishis started tis holy festival in order to protect us from the extreme heat of sun on our skin & body ,

used the  holy palash flowers , which has very high medicinal value in ayurvedic text , the holy tree is called Brahma virksha m its every part is used as medicine in ayurveda

thus our Ancient rishis prescribed everyone easiest way of healthy living

by  simply bathing with palaash mixed water   on the holy purnima ,

this  is an most ancient therapy to be healthy all the year

so by organising holy utsva and use of ayuvedic  natural flowers as colours Pujya Bapuji & ashram is doing favour to  humanity & the country

by saving millions of poor people from weakness both mental & physical  & blessing health to all

and saving nature  ,water & earth from pollution of chemical colours

holi the festival of joy  purity & happiness

Holi 26 march 2013 ashram

holi festival of Nature

holi the holy festival to get relived from all depressions &  get  near towards our true blissfull nature

Prahlad’s story begins during the time of Lord Vishnu’s fourth avatar (incarnation) Varaha. In order to rescue the earth from the captivity of Hiranyaksha, Lord Vishnu had arrived in the avatar (incarnation) Varaha (boar) form and killed him. Hiranyaksha’s elder brother Hiranyakashipu was very angry about this. He resolved to take revenge of his brother’s death. He went to the Himalayas and began to perform severe penance for many, many years. Lord Brahma was pleased by his penance and asked him for a boon. Hiranyakashipu asked that “May I never be killed neither by any weapon nor any creature made by you, neither in the day nor in the night, and neither on earth nor in the sky”. Lord Brahma agreed to Hiranyakashipu’s boon and gave it to him.
While Hiranyakashipu was away, the gods had attacked his kingdom. Devarishi Narad stopped Indra the king of devas not todo any harm to poor queen and her un born baby on his way back to heaven. Devarishi Narad however, assured Indra that the unborn baby was a supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu and that they should not fear him. Lord Indra was convinced and released Queen Kayadhu, who then began to stay at Devarishi Narad’s hermitage. Addressing the unborn baby, Narad daily used to tell stories about lord vishnu & preach Queen Kayadhu about the devotion one should have for God. This was the way the baby would never forget the preaching it received in the pre-natal stage.

At the appropriate time, Queen Kayadhu gave birth to a son, Prahlad. Prahlad was the youngest among Hiranyakaship’s four sons. He appeared to be the eldest in virtues. He did not have any desires. He was content like the hermits, truthful and always wished well for everyone. He had full control over his senses, mind and body. He was also completely untouched by the demonic virtues of his father and brothers. Since childhood, he remained submerged in devotion to Lord Vishnu. The demons even tried to use their illusionary powers on Prahlad but none of their powers could stand before him. Two sages, Shand and Amark produced an ogress, Kritya to kill Prahlad if he didn’t follow their ways, but she killed them instead of killing Prahlad. But Prahlad was kind hearted and prayed to Lord Vishnu and brought them back to life.

Hiranyakashipu tried another way to kill Prahlad. He had a sister, Holika who had a boon that she would not die by fire. King Hiranyakashipu asked her to sit on a bonfire with Prahlad on her lap in the hope that this would kill Prahlad. Prahlad was not at all worried and chanted Lord Vishnu’s name and was not hurt, but Holika was burned to her death. All the measures taken by the demons to kill Prahlad proved to be fruitless.

Because of this, Hiranyakashipu began to feel afraid. Once more, he forcibly sent Prahlad to the hermitage of Shand and Amark. Once there, Prahlad did take the education they offered but had no interest in their teachings. When his teachers used to get engaged in minor activities, Prahlad would assemble his fellow disciples around him and preach to them that, “Brothers, this human incarnation is not meant to be wasted. If we don’t find God in this birth, it would be a great loss. We can achieve the means to find God right in our childhood, for when we grow young, we are caught by the material wealth and nothing can be done in old age. It is very easy to find God. He is present in everyone’s hearts. He is in every living being. Hence, we should not torture any creature. We should concentrate our mind in the God”.

At the age of five years, Prahlad was preaching to the demon boys. The demon boys followed him faithfully. His teachers saw that Prahlad’s teachings were against demonic traditions, Prahlad was sent back to Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu decided to kill Prahlad with his own hands. He tied Prahlad to a pillar. Hiranyakashipu asked in a loud voice: “O fool, with whose powers you have been humiliating me with? Now, I am going to kill you, call your God to save you.”

Prahlad was unconcerned replied humbly: “Father, don’t be angry. Lord Vishnu is the protector of us all. I am not dishonoring you. One’s own mind is his biggest enemy in the world. Lord Vishnu is everywhere. He is in me, in you, in your sword and is also present in the pillar”.

Little Prahlad could not even finish his words when his angry father hit the pillar with his mace. As soon as the mace touched the pillar, it broke with a thundering sound. Everyone who was present in the court panicked. They saw a creature emerging from the pillar. It had the face of a lion and a human body. Emerging from the broken pillar was the avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu as Narsimha. Narsimha roared angrily. The demon king Hiranyakashipu tried his best to escape from Narsimha. But at last, Narsimha caught hold of him and dragged him towards the threshold. There, he put Hiranyakashipu on thighs and tore his belly with his terrifying nails.

The anger of Narsimha did not subside even after killing Hiranyakashipu. He was still roaring repeatedly. Lord Brahma, Lord Shankar and even Goddess Lakshmi prayed to Lord Narsimha from a distance but no one had the courage to go near him. Finally, Brahma sent Prahlad near Narsimha to calm him down. Fearlessly, Prahlad went near Narsimha and laid himself flat at his feet. Affectionately, the Lord in Narsimha form raised Prahlad and embraced him and said: “O son Prahlad, you had to bear the sufferings for so long. Please forgive me.”

Prahlad felt overwhelmed. The lord of the universe was standing before him and was stroking his head in assuring way. Prahlad bowed his head faithfully. Lord Narsimha then asked Prahlad to seek some boon. Prahlad said: “You are my true Lord. If you wish to grant me a boon, kindly bless me that no desire may arise in my mind for anything.”

Prahlad also prayed to Lord Narsimha for his father, asking him, “O Lord, my father had always criticized you. Please free him from the sins he has committed.” Lord Narsimha replied saying, “Prahlad, your father has now become holy.”
Lord Narsimha then escorted Prahlad to the throne of his father and made him sit on it, instructing him to follow good conduct and do his duties.

Holi gives us this holy message prahalada is our true blissfull nature
saving prahalada is saving our mind from all bad thoughts and keeping it pure & peaceful enlighted with the knowledge of holy Atman

Indian culture presents a chain of festivals based on scientific ground for the whole year. One of them, the festivals of Holi, which falls in the spring season, is the festival of fun and frolic, played with natural colours. It has a wholesome effect on health. If one plays Holi with flowers of  palash Butea Frondosa, resistance to the heat of the coming summer season is developed and one gains in terms of mental composure. It is also a good insurance against affliction triggered with the change of season.

dont be depressed be happy soul bliss & peace is ur own nature

ashram.org

Brahamleen Brahamnishth Pujyapad Swami Leelashahji Maharaj jayanti

Param pujjya Swami shri Leelashaji Maharaj was a Self-realized saint established in the Truth-consciousness-Bliss Personified Supreme Self and had guided many sadhakas (aspirants) towards the same . His life is a source of divine inspiration for all living beings on earth . His each and every action was directed towards the welfare of the entire creation. His mere ‘darshan’ would please the minds, the clouds of disappointment would get dispersed , and the dejected souls get charged with zeal, and with the perplexities of the confused ones being solved , a new life would possess them. His complete life was in a way a confluence of the yoga of Karma (action) , jnana (knowledge) , and Bhakti (devotion) . He was an accomplished yogi having tremendous powers. Many Incidences occurred knowingly or unknowingly in His life suggestive of his yogic powers , like halting the train , moving a neem tree across the ground , giving eyesight to blind , and child to the barren etc.

Once saint Leelaram (former name) was passing through a village . A poor woman was crying over her dead son. She had kept the dead body of her child a little far from her on the road . Seeing a dead child sleeping on road , suddenly the following words came out of His mouth : “Child! Get Up”

Listening to the words of Sant Leelaram , the dead child got up at once and fell at the saint`s feet. The poor mother , on seeing thios miracle , came running and started expressing her heartfelt gratitude holding the saint`s feet Santsri said to woman ,”Mother! I pray to you not to tell about this incidence to anyone.” But how long could the truth be concealed ?

तप करे पाताल में , प्रगट होय आकाश |रज्जब तीनों लोक में , छिपे न हरि को लाल ||

“Even if one performs austerities in the nether world , it is revealed in the heaven

Says Rajjab , that in all the three worlds , The son of ‘Hari’ can not remain hidden”

Within a short time , the villagers came to know of the might of this Great Man. Having known this , He at once left the villages and went elsewhere .

Sant Leelaram would sing the following lines of His self- compoised poem to his audience :

चार दिन की जिंदगानी में , तन से ,

मन से हमेशा के लिए रहता नहीं इस दारे फानी में |

कुछ अच्छा काम कर लो , चार दिन की जिंदगानी में ||

तन से सेवा करो जगत की , मन से प्रभु के हो जाओ |

शुद्ध बुद्धि से तत्वनिष्ट्ठ हो , मुक्त अवस्था को तुम पाओ ||

” Life is short: one does not live in this mortal world forver,

Do some nobel tasks in this short spam through your body , serve the world ;

And surrender your mind to God With a pure intellect become established in the truth.

And attain the state of liberation”

Thus his entire life was benevolent . The feeling only of benevolence and divine love circulated in His each and every vein. The message of His life was , “As long as there is life , keep performing altruistic activities . Know your self , attain your supream bliss which is beyond the burdens of sense of doer-ship.”

Papamochani Ekadasi

Sri Yudhisthira Maharaja said, “Oh Supreme Lord, I have heard from You the explanation of Amalaki Ekadasi which occurs during the light fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March), and now I wish to hear about the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).
What is its name, Oh Lord, and what results can one attain by observing it?”

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, replied, “O best of kings, for the benefit of everyone I shall gladly describe to you the glories of this Ekadasi, which is known as Papamochani.
The history of this Ekadasi was once narrated to the Emperor Mandhata by Lomasa Rishi.

King Mandhata addressed the Rishi, ‘Oh great sage, for the benefit of all people, please tell me the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra, and please explain the process for observing it.
Also, please describe the benefits one gains by observing this Ekadasi.’

“Lomasa Rishi replied, “The Ekdasi that occurs during the dark part of the month of Chaitra is named Papamochanii Ekadasi.
For the faithful devotee it removes the influences of ghosts and demons.
Oh lion among men, this Ekadasi also awards the eight perfections of life, fulfils all kinds of desires, purifies one’s life of all sinful reactions, and makes a person perfectly virtuous.

“‘Now please listen to a historical account concerning this Ekadasi and Chitraratha, the chief of the Gandharvas (heavenly musicians).
During the spring season, in the company of heavenly dancing girls, Chitraratha once came upon a beautiful forest bursting forth with a great variety of flowers.
There he and the girls joined the Gandharvas and many Kinnaras, along with Lord Indra himself, the king of heaven, who was enjoying a visit there.
Everyone felt that there was no better garden than this forest.
Many sages were also present, performing their austerities and penances.
The demigods particularly enjoyed visiting this celestial garden during the months of Chaitra and Vaisakha (April-May).

“‘A great sage named Medhavi resided in that forest, and the very attractive dancing girls would always attempt to seduce him.
One famous girl in particular, Manjughosha, contrived many ways to allure the exalted Muni, but out of great respect for the sage and feat of his power, which he had attained after years and years of ascetics, she would not come very close to him.
At a spot two miles from the sage, she pitched a tent and began singing very sweetly as she played a tamboura.
Cupid himself became excited when he saw and heard her perform so nicely and smelled the fragrance of her sandal-paste unguent.
He remembered his own unfortunate experience with Lord Shiva and decided to take revenge by seducing Medhavi.

“‘Using the eyebrows of Manjughosha as a bow, her glances as a bowstring, her eyes as arrows, and her breasts as a target, Cupid( kama) approached Medhavi in order to tempt him to break his trance and his vows.
In other words, Cupid) engaged Manjughosha as his assistant, and when she looked at that powerful and attractive young sage, she also became agitated by lust.
Seeing that he was highly intelligent and learned, wearing a clean white brahmana’s thread draped across his shoulder, holding a sannyasi’s staff, and sitting handsomely in the asrama of Chyavana Rishi, Manjughosha came before him.

“‘She began to sing seductively, and the small bells of her belt and around her ankles, together with the bangles on her wrists, produced a delightful musical symphony.
The sage Medhavi was enchanted.
He understood that this beautiful young woman desires for him, and at that instant Cupid increased his attraction for Manjughosha by releasing his powerful weapons of taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound.
Slowly Manjughosha approached Medhavi, her bodily movements and sweet glances attracting him.
She gracefully put her tamboura down and embraced the sage with her two arms, just as a creeper winds itself around a strong tree.
Captivated, Medhavi gave up his meditation and decided to go with her and instantly his purity of heart and mind abandoned him.
Forgetting even the difference between night and day, he went away with her to live together for a long, long time.

” one day ‘Seeing that the young yogi’s sanctity had become seriously eroded, Manjughosha felt regret in her innocent heart she decided to abandon him and return home.
She said. “O great one, please permit me to return home.”
‘Medhavi replied, “But you have only just arrived, O beautiful one.
Please stay with me at least until tomorrow.”
‘Fearful of the sage’s yogic power, Manjughosha stayed with Medhavi for precisely fifty-seven years, nine months, and three days, but to Medhavi all this time seemed like a moment.
Again she asked him, “Please permit me to leave.”
‘Medhavi replied, “O dear one, listen to me.
Stay with me for one more night, and then you may leave tomorrow morning.
Just stay with me until I have performed my morning duties and chanted the sacred Gayatri mantra.
Please wait until then.”

Manjughosha was still fearful of the sage’s great yogic power, but she forced a smile and said, “How long will it take you to finish your morning hymns and rituals?
Please be merciful and think of all the time you have already spent with me.
The sage reflected on the years he had been with Manjughosha and then said with great astonishment.
Why, I have spent more than fifty-seven years with you!
His eyes turned red and began to emanate sparks.
He now regarded Manjughosha as death personified and the destroyer of his spiritual life.
You  bad one! You have turned all the hard-earned results of my austerities to ashes!
Trembling with anger, he cursed Manjughosha, “Oh sinful one, Oh hard-hearted, degraded one! You know only sin! May all terrible fortune by yours! Oh woman, I curse you to become an evil hobgoblin – pishacha!”

‘Cursed by the sage Medhavi, the beautiful Manjughosha humbly beseeched him, “Oh best of the brahmanas, please be merciful to me and revoke your curse! Oh great one, it is said that association with pure devotees gives immediate results but their curses take effect only after seven days.
I have been with you for fifty-seven years, Oh master, so please be kind to me!”

“‘Medhavi Muni replied, “Oh gentle lady what can I possibly do?
You have destroyed all my austerities.
But even though you have done this sinful deed, I shall tell you a way you can be released from my wrath.
In the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra there is an all-auspicious Ekadasi that removes all one’s sins.
Its name is Papamochani, Oh beautiful one, and whoever fasts on this sacred day becomes completely freed from having to take birth in any kind of devilish form.”

‘With these words, the sage left at once for his father’s Ashram.
Seeing him enter the hermitage, Chyavana Muni said, “Oh son, by acting unlawfully you have squandered the wealth of your penances and austerities.”
Medhavi replied, “Oh Father, kindly reveal what atonement I must perform to remove the obnoxious sin I have incurred by privately associating with the dancing girl Manjughosha.
Chyavana Muni answered, “Dear son, you must fast on Papamochani Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Chaitra.
It eradicates all sins, no matter how grievous they may be.

Medhavi followed his father’s advice and fasted on Papamochani Ekadasi.
Thus all his sins were destroyed and he again became filled with excellent merit.
Similarly Manjughosha observed the same fast and became free of the hobgoblin curse.
Ascending once again to the heavenly spheres, she too returned to her former position.

Lomasha Rishi continued, ‘Thus, Oh king, the great benefit of fasting on Papamochani Ekadasi is that whoever does so with faith and devotion will have all his sins completely destroyed.

Sri Krishna concluded, “Oh King Yudhishthira, whoever reads or hears about Papamochani Ekadasi obtains the very same merit he would get if he donated a thousand cows in charity, and he also nullifies the sinful reactions he may have incurred by killing a brahmana, killing an embryo through abortion, drinking liquor, or having wrong sinfull desire about his guru’s wife.
Such is the incalculable benefit of properly observing this holy day of Papamochani Ekadasi, which is so dear to Me and so meritorious.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Chaitra-Krishna Ekadasi, or Papamochani Ekadasi, from the Bhavishya-uttara Purana.

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु शक्तिरुपेण संस्थितः।।
नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमो नमः॥

Navaratri & Navadurga from omshivashakti

The scriptures say, “I bow again and again before Maa Jagadambaa (Mother of the universe), abiding in all beings and objects in the form of energy.”

Chhaitra Navratri

11/4/2013 to 19/4/2013

Reading Sri Ram charitra Manas is extremly beneficial during Navarartri for fulfilling desires

Sri RamCharitra Manas from http://omshriram.blogspot.com/

God manifests Himself in numerous shapes and forms. One of them is that of the Mother. The manifestation of Supreme Brahman in the form of power, compassion, forgiveness, and benevolence has been termed as Maa (Mother) and Navratri is the time to adore and worship the Mother in her various forms.

The Mother’s Grace is boundless. Her mercy is illimitable, Her knowledge infinite; Her power is immeasurable, Her glory ineffable and Her splendor indescribable. She gives us material prosperity as well as spiritual freedom.

In the ‘Srimad Devi Bhagawata’, it is written that one desirous of knowledge, wealth and begetting a son should meticulously observe the Navratri Vrata, which has the power of returning the kingdom to a dethroned king. Sri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. He fought and won through Her Grace. It was also on this day that Arjuna worshipped Devi, before starting the battle against the Kauravas on the field of Kurukshetra.

The festival of Navratri should be celebrated with great fanfare through the rendition of devotional songs, music and dancing. One should sleep on the ground.

Worship

One should offer food to as many young girls as one can afford to feed.
and worship the goddess by pleasing them.
Butvery little ( babies) girls less than one year of age cannot be considered. Only girls from the age of 2 to 10 years can be worshipped on this occasion.

Serving food & sweets & new cloths to poor girls would definetly bring happines & sure Blessings of Goddess

for serving anyone age is no question

so anyone can please the goddes by helping & serving any female be it child or baby or girl or women

they all are Goddess in different forms

Nari is Naarayani

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थितः।।

नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमो नमः॥

One unable to observe fast on all Navratri days should fast on the 7th, 8th and 9th lunar days and worship Goddess Durga. This affords religious merits of observing a fast on each of the Navratri days.

Raatri Jaagran or Night vigil during Navratri is beneficial when there are discussions according to the guidelines of the scriptures, the mind is cheerful, a pious lamp is lit throughout the night before Goddess Durga’s idol, and there is devotional chanting of the Divine Mother’s pious name with music. Only Sattvik dance should be performed, not disco or some other western dance.

The worship of Devi, the universal Mother, leads to the attainment of knowledge of the Self. Hinduism is the only religion in the world which has emphasized to such an extent the motherhood of God. One’s relationship with one’s mother is the dearest and the sweetest of all human relations. Hence, it is proper to look upon God as mother.

SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates,sustains and destroys the universe.

Navratri me lakshmi prapti ki sadhna mantra

नवरात्रि विशेष

दुःख दर्द बढ़ गए, परेशानियाँ बढ़ गईं, रोग बीमारियाँ बढ़ गयी, मेहंगाई बढ़ गयी,तो क्या करना चाहिए?

देवी भागवत के तीसरे स्कन्द में नवरात्रि का महत्त्व वर्णन किया है | मनोवांछित सिद्धियाँ प्राप्त करने के लिए देवी की महिमा सुनायी है, नवरात्रि के ९ दिन उपवास करने के शारीरिक लाभ बताये हैं |

1.शरीर में आरोग्य के कण बढ़ते हैं |

2.जो उपवास नहीं करता तो रोगों का शिकार हो जाता है, जो नवरात्रि के उपवास करता है, तो भगवान की आराधना होती है, पुण्य तो बढ़ता ही है, लेकिन शरीर का स्वास्थ्य भी वर्ष भर अच्छा रहता है |

3.प्रसन्नता बढ़ती है |

4.द्रव्य की वृद्धि होती है |

5.लंघन और विश्रांति से रोगी के शरीर से रोग के कण ख़त्म होते हैं |

नौ दिन नहीं तो कम से कम ७ दिन / ६दिन /५ दिन , या आख़िरी के ३ दिन तो जरुर उपवास रख लेना चाहिए |

देवी भागवत में आता है कि देवी की स्थापना करनी चाहिए | नौ हाथ लम्बभण्डार( मंडप/स्थापना का स्थान) हो |

Anusthana of Saraswatya Mantra

Saraswatya Mantra Anushthan is very beneficial in Navratri days, following is the procedure details of Saraswatya Mantra Anushthan

Regular and sincere jap of Saraswatya mantra leads to the development of the intellect and memory power beyond our imagination. The elevated lives of great many students initiated by Pujya Bapuji in the Saraswatya mantra bear a testimony to this.

If a student wants to make his life brilliant, vibrant and divine and to emerge out victorious in all fronts of life, he must observe an Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra. The procedure for the Anushthana is as follows:

The Anushthana of Saraswatya mantra is to be completed in seven days.
170 rounds of mala are to be done each day.
One should wear only white clothes during these seven days.
One should take a saltless diet during the Anushthana. Khir prepared from milk and rice is recommended.
One should worship goddess Saraswati with white flowers before beginning the jap of the mantra. The Bhog offered to Goddess Saraswati should also be Khir.
One should pray to Maa Saraswati for a pure and sharp intellect.
One should sleep on the ground on a mat or a blanket and observe Mauna as much as possible.
Jap done on a mala of crystal beads is all the more beneficial.
Other rules regarding place, sleeping, purity, etc. are common to an Anushthana of other mantras. A detailed account of the guidelines and precautions for an Anushthana of mantras is given in the Hindi books Mantra-Jap Mahima evam Anushthana Vidhi and Ishtasiddhi published by the Ashram.

To Ashram

To Ashram
Chaitra Navraatri

a request to all who has humanity and heart
please pray for the life and good health of a 5 year innocent little girl

the 5 year poor little  girl  child was brutaly attacked by most evil  in delhi

in the national capital.

peace peace peace

may all the people of earth come forward and protect our little children,  protect every girl and every women and punish the evils finish all evil.

may all children, girls and women be protected

may all  litttle girls and babies be protected

या देवी सर्वभुतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थितः।।

नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमस्तस्यैः नमो नमः॥

lets all pray for  the little innocent baby, in our own words  with full heart please pray

all mother earth pray for her dear daughter

all mother nature pray for her dear daughters

ll The Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra ll

महा मृत्युंजय मंत्र

Om Haum Joom Saha | Om Bhoorbhuvaha Svaha | Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhnam Urvvarukamiva Bandhanaan Mrityormuksheeya Maamrataat Om | Svaha Bhuvaha Bhooh Om | Saha joom haum om |

shri Hanuman chalisa in pdf from gitapress

may bhagvan save his  dear daughter bless her good health and long life om shanti shanti shanti

Nasse rog hare sab peera japat nirantarr hanumat beera

On reciting Hanumanji’s holy name regularly all the maladies perish the entire pain disappears

hariomshanti

धर्म का साक्षात् विग्रह : श्रीरामजी

To Ashram

SHREE RAM CHANDRA KRIPALU BHAJ MANA

Shree Ram Stuti – Verse 45

Shreeramchandra kripalu bhaju man haran bhavbhaya darunum |
Navakanja-lochan kanj-mukha kar-kanj, pada kanjarunam || 1

Kandarp aganit amit chhabi, navnil nirad sundarum |
Pat peet manahu tarit ruchi suchi naumi janak sutavaram || 2

Bhaju dinbandhu dinesh danav-daitya-vansh nikandanum |
Raghunand anandkand kaushalchand dasharath-nandnum || 3

Seer mukut kundal tilak charu udaru ang vibhushanum |
Aajanubhuj shar-chaap-dhar, sangram-jit-khardushanum || 4

Iti vadati-tulsidas shankar-shesh-muni-man-ranjanum |
Mam hridaya kanj nivas kuru, kamadi khal-dal-gangjnum || 5

sri ram janam stuti

Shri Ram Chandra Stuti mp3

Rama Navami (Devanāgarī: राम नवमी) also known as Sri Rama Navami is a Hindu festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Sree Rama to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya of Ayodhya.

Lord Sri Rama is the 7th incarnation of the Dashavatara of Vishnu. The festival falls in the Shukla Paksha on the Navami, the ninth day of the month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. Thus it is also known as Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami, and marks the end of the nine-day Chaitra-Navratri celebrations.

Ramayan orginal Classic Series from omshriram.blogspot.com

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हनुमान जयंतीः 25अप्रैल 2013

Jai siyaram

Lord Shankara addresses Maa Parvati, “There is no one, O Girija, so blessed as Hanuman, no one so devoted to Lord Rama’s lotus feet! How often the Lord with His own lips has extolled His love and selfless service!” (Sri Ramcharita Manasa, Uttara Kanda: 49.4, 5)
Sri hanuman chalisa

MANGAL MURTI MAARUT NANDAN
Hanumat Stuti – Verse 36

Mangal-murti-maarut-nandan |
Sakal-amangal-mool-nikandan || 1 ||

Pavantanaya santan-hitkaari |
Hridaya biraajat avadh-bihari || 2 ||

Maatu-pita, guru, ganapati, saarad |
Shiva-samet shambhu suk, naarad|| 3 ||

Charan bandi binvau sab kahu |
Dehu rampad-neh-nibahu || 4 ||

Bandau ram-lakhan-baidehi |
Yeh tulsike param sanehi || 5 ||

To Ashram

Amongst the enlightened Ones, Hanumanji is considered to be of the highest echelon. His strength and might are simply unparalleled in the universe. His whole life inspires men towards Purushartha, courage, self-restraint, righteous conduct, devotion and selfless service.

“How can I rest before accomplishing the Lord’s task?” -

(Ram kaaj binu kahan vishrama)

Lord Hanuman (Sri Ramacharita Manasa, Sundara Kanda: 1)

Hanumanji is a living god, one of the seven immortals, celibate from childhood, extremely strong, a great gallant, completely fearless, wedded to the truth, extremely faithful to the Lord, charged with dispassion, highly accomplished, a devotee with supreme love for the Lord, an expert in the art of warfare and an epitome of sagacity, knowledge and valor. Hanumanji has the ability to grant the eight siddhis and the nine nidhis to his devotees.

Whatever be the adversities or obstacles on his path in the course of his service to Lord Rama, Hanumanji would always overcome them and march forward with aplomb. No enticement could sway him. Though a paragon of virtues, there was no trace of vanity in him.

When Hanumanji returned after locating Maa Sita and single-handedly ravaging Ravana’s kingdom and his ego, Lord Rama enquired, “Hanuman! How did you manage to burn down the fortess of Ravana, the conqueror of the three worlds?”

Hanumanji replied, “O Raghunatha! That was all by the virtue of your might. And in no sense was the strength of my own, O Lord.” (Sri Ramcharita Manasa, Sundara Kand: 32.5)

So exceptionally unflinching was the faith and total devotion of Hanumanji, the worthy son of the Wind-god!

Hanumanji is considered to be an Anshavatara, the last and final amongst the eleven Rudras, of Lord Shiva. This finds ample illustration in the following anecdote.

Once Maa Sita invited Hanumanji for a meal and prepared a number of delicacies Herself. Hanumanji sat down for the meal. He was blissfully savouring the ambrosial food prepared and served by Sitaji, quite unmindful of the quantity of food consumed by him. Maa Sita was surprised to see Hanumanji with such a voracious appetite. Even the delicacies prepared by Her were about to be finished. Then she took recourse to meditation and came to realize that it was Lord Shiva Himself who was having food in the form of Hanumanji. Mother Sita then chanted “Om Namah Shivaya” while serving some more food to Hanumanji mentally praying to Lord Shiva to become satiated. Her prayers were instantly answered and Hanumanji, the incarnation of Lord Shiva was finally satiated.

Chaitri Poornima is celebrated as the holy day of incarnation of Lord Shiva ‘s 11th Rudra Avtaar Shri Hanumanji on this Earth

to ashram.org

युधिष्ठिर ने पूछा: हे वासुदेव! फाल्गुन (गुजरात महाराष्ट्र के अनुसार माघ) के कृष्णपक्ष में किस नाम की एकादशी होती है और उसका व्रत करने की विधि क्या है? कृपा करके बताइये ।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण बोले: युधिष्ठिर ! एक बार नारदजी ने ब्रह्माजी से फाल्गुन के कृष्णपक्ष की ‘विजया एकादशी’ के व्रत से होनेवाले पुण्य के बारे में पूछा था तथा ब्रह्माजी ने इस व्रत के बारे में उन्हें जो कथा और विधि बतायी थी, उसे सुनो :

ब्रह्माजी ने कहा : नारद ! यह व्रत बहुत ही प्राचीन, पवित्र और पाप नाशक है । यह एकादशी राजाओं को विजय प्रदान करती है, इसमें तनिक भी संदेह नहीं है ।

त्रेतायुग में मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्रीरामचन्द्रजी जब लंका पर चढ़ाई करने के लिए समुद्र के किनारे पहुँचे, तब उन्हें समुद्र को पार करने का कोई उपाय नहीं सूझ रहा था । उन्होंने लक्ष्मणजी से पूछा : ‘सुमित्रानन्दन ! किस उपाय से इस समुद्र को पार किया जा सकता है ? यह अत्यन्त अगाध और भयंकर जल जन्तुओं से भरा हुआ है । मुझे ऐसा कोई उपाय नहीं दिखायी देता, जिससे इसको सुगमता से पार किया जा सके ।‘

लक्ष्मणजी बोले : हे प्रभु ! आप ही आदिदेव और पुराण पुरुष पुरुषोत्तम हैं । आपसे क्या छिपा है? यहाँ से आधे योजन की दूरी पर कुमारी द्वीप में बकदाल्भ्य नामक मुनि रहते हैं । आप उन प्राचीन मुनीश्वर के पास जाकर उन्हींसे इसका उपाय पूछिये ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रजी महामुनि बकदाल्भ्य के आश्रम पहुँचे और उन्होंने मुनि को प्रणाम किया । महर्षि ने प्रसन्न होकर श्रीरामजी के आगमन का कारण पूछा ।

श्रीरामचन्द्रजी बोले : ब्रह्मन् ! मैं लंका पर चढ़ाई करने के उद्धेश्य से अपनी सेनासहित यहाँ आया हूँ । मुने ! अब जिस प्रकार समुद्र पार किया जा सके, कृपा करके वह उपाय बताइये ।

बकदाल्भय मुनि ने कहा : हे श्रीरामजी ! फाल्गुन के कृष्णपक्ष में जो ‘विजया’ नाम की एकादशी होती है, उसका व्रत करने से आपकी विजय होगी । निश्चय ही आप अपनी वानर सेना के साथ समुद्र को पार कर लेंगे । राजन् ! अब इस व्रत की फलदायक विधि सुनिये :
दशमी के दिन सोने, चाँदी, ताँबे अथवा मिट्टी का एक कलश स्थापित कर उस कलश को जल से भरकर उसमें पल्लव डाल दें । उसके ऊपर भगवान नारायण के सुवर्णमय विग्रह की स्थापना करें । फिर एकादशी के दिन प्रात: काल स्नान करें । कलश को पुन: स्थापित करें । माला, चन्दन, सुपारी तथा नारियल आदि के द्वारा विशेष रुप से उसका पूजन करें । कलश के ऊपर सप्तधान्य और जौ रखें । गन्ध, धूप, दीप और भाँति भाँति के नैवेघ से पूजन करें । कलश के सामने बैठकर उत्तम कथा वार्ता आदि के द्वारा सारा दिन व्यतीत करें और रात में भी वहाँ जागरण करें । अखण्ड व्रत की सिद्धि के लिए घी का दीपक जलायें । फिर द्वादशी के दिन सूर्योदय होने पर उस कलश को किसी जलाशय के समीप (नदी, झरने या पोखर के तट पर) स्थापित करें और उसकी विधिवत् पूजा करके देव प्रतिमासहित उस कलश को वेदवेत्ता ब्राह्मण के लिए दान कर दें । कलश के साथ ही और भी बड़े बड़े दान देने चाहिए । श्रीराम ! आप अपने सेनापतियों के साथ इसी विधि से प्रयत्नपूर्वक ‘विजया एकादशी’ का व्रत कीजिये । इससे आपकी विजय होगी ।

ब्रह्माजी कहते हैं : नारद ! यह सुनकर श्रीरामचन्द्रजी ने मुनि के कथनानुसार उस समय ‘विजया एकादशी’ का व्रत किया । उस व्रत के करने से श्रीरामचन्द्रजी विजयी हुए । उन्होंने संग्राम में रावण को मारा, लंका पर विजय पायी और सीता को प्राप्त किया । बेटा ! जो मनुष्य इस विधि से व्रत करते हैं, उन्हें इस लोक में विजय प्राप्त होती है और उनका परलोक भी अक्षय बना रहता है ।

भगवान श्रीकृष्ण कहते हैं : युधिष्ठिर ! इस कारण ‘विजया’ का व्रत करना चाहिए । इस प्रसंग को पढ़ने और सुनने से वाजपेय यज्ञ का फल मिलता है

Yudhisthira Maharaj said, Oh Lord Sri Krishna, O glorious son of Vasudeva, please be merciful to me and describe the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Phalguna (February-March).

Lord Sri Krishna replied, Oh Yudhisthira, Oh king of kings, gladly I shall tell you about this great fast, known as Vijaya Ekadasi.
Whoever observes it certainly achieves success in this life and the next.
All the sins of one who fasts on this Ekadasi and hears its sublime glories are eradicated.

Narada Muni once asked lord Brahma, who sits on a lotus flower about the Vijaya Ekadasi.
Sri Narada said, Oh best of all the demigods, kindly tell me the merit one can achieve by faithfully observing Vijaya Ekadasi.’

Narada’s great father then replied, My dear son, this oldest of fasting days is pure, and it nullifies all sins.
I have never revealed this to anyone until today, but you can understand beyond any doubt that this Ekadasi bestows the result indicated by its name (Vijaya meaning Victory).

When Lord Rama was exiled to the forest for fourteen years, He, the goddess Sita, and His divine brother Lakshmana stayed at Panchavati as mendicants.
Mother Sita was then kidnapped by the demon Ravana, and Lord Rama seemingly became bewildered like an ordinary man by distress.
While searching for His beloved consort, the Lord came upon the dying Jatayu and thereafter killed  Kabandha rakshas
The great devotee-vulture Jatayu returned to Vaikuntha after telling Rama how His dear Sita had been abducted by evil Ravana.

Later, Lord Rama and Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, became friends.
Together they amassed a grand army of monkeys and bears and sent Hanumanji his minister to Sri Lanka, where he was able to see Janaki (Srimati Sita devi) in an Ashoka grove garden.
He delivered Lord Rama’s message and showed the ring proving his authenticity for rendering such great service to the Supreme Lord Sri Rama.
With the help of Sugriva, Lord Rama proceeded toward Sri Lanka.

Upon arriving at the shore of the ocean with the army of monkeys, He could understand that the water was uncommonly deep and hostile.
Thus He said to Lakshmana, Oh son of Sumitra, how can We earn enough merit to be able to cross this vast ocean, the unfathomable abode of Varuna deva?
I can see no easy way to cross it, teeming as it is with sharks and other ferocious aquatics.

Lakshmana replied, Oh best of all beings, Oh origin of all the devas, Oh primal personality, the great sage Bakadalbhya lives on an island just four miles from here.
Oh Raghava, he has seen many Brahmas come and go, so aged and wise is he.
Let us go to him, take his darshan (audience) and ask him how We can safely reach our goal.

So Rama and Lakshmana proceeded to the humble Ashram of the incomparable Bakadalbhya Muni.
Approaching him, the two Lords paid Their respectful obeisances to him as if he were a second Vishnu. Bakadalbhya could immediately understand, however, that Sri Rama was actually the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who for His own reasons had appeared on the Earth and was enacting just like a human being.

“Sri Rama”, said Bakadalbhya, “Oh best of the beings, why have You come to my lowly abode?”
The Lord replied, “Oh great, twice born brahmin, I have come here to the ocean shore with My phalanx of monkey and bear warriors in order to cross the sea and conquer Lanka and its demon horde headed by Ravana.
Oh greatest of sages, please be merciful unto Me and please tell Me how I can cross this vast ocean.
That is why I have come to your Ashram today.”

The sage said, “Oh Lord Sri Rama, I shall tell you of the most exalted of all fasts, observing which You will surely conquer Ravana and be eternally glorified.
Kindly now listen with full attention.”

“On the day before Ekadasi, fashion a water pot of gold or silver, or even copper.
Even clay will do if these metals are unavailable.
Fill the pot with pure water and then decorate it nicely with mango leaves.
Cover it and place it near a holy altar upon a mound of seven grains (the seven grains are barley, wheat, rice, corn, chickpeas, kukani, and dahl or peas).
Now take Your morning bath, decorate the water pot with flower garlands and sandalwood paste, and in the concave lid atop the pot place there the barley, pomegranate, and coconut.
Now with great love and devotion worship the water pot Deity form and offer Him incense, sandalwood paste, flowers, a ghee lamp, and a plate of sumptuous foods.
Remain there awake that night beside this sacred pot.
On top of the lid filled with barley, etc., place a golden murthy of Lord Sri Narayana.
When Ekadasi dawns, take Your morning bath and then decorate the water pot with fine sandalwood paste and garlands.
Then worship the pot again with first class incense, lamps, sandalwood paste and flowers dipped in sandalwood paste, and then devoutly/devotedly place many kinds of cooked food, pomegranate, and coconut before the water pot.
Then remain awake over night.

When the Dwadasi dawns, take the waterpot to the bank of a holy river, or even to the shore of a small pond.
After worshipping it again properly, Oh King of kings, offer it with all the aforementioned ingredients to a pure hearted brahmin, expert in the Vedic sciences.
If You and Your military commanders observe the Vijaya Ekadasi in this way, You will surely be victorious in every way.”

Lord Sri Ramachandra Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, did just as Bakadaalbhya Muni instructed, and thus He conquered all demoniac forces.
Similarly, anyone who observes the Vijaya Ekadasi in this way will always be victorious in this mortal world, and after leaving this world he/she will reside forever in the anxiety free realm of the Kingdom of God known as the Vaikunthas.

Oh Narada, my son, from this history you can understand why one should observe this Ekadasi fast properly, strictly following the rules and regulations.
This fast is powerful enough to eradicate all one’s sinful reactions, even the most abominable ones.

Lord Sri Krishna concluded, Oh Yudhisthira, anyone who reads or hears this history will attain the same great merit as that which is earned by performing a horse sacrifice on days of yore.

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Phalguna-krishna Ekadasi or Vijaya Ekadasi, from the Skanda Purana.

प्रातः स्मरणीय परम पूज्य
संत श्री आसारामजी बापू
के सत्संग प्रवचनों में से नवनीत

एकादशी माहात्मय
एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण का माहात्मय

सब धर्मों के ज्ञाता, वेद और शास्त्रों के अर्थज्ञान में पारंगत, सबके हृदय में रमण करनेवाले श्रीविष्णु के तत्त्व को जाननेवाले तथा भगवत्परायण प्रह्लादजी जब सुखपूर्वक बैठे हुए थे, उस समय उनके समीप स्वधर्म का पालन करनेवाले महर्षि कुछ पूछने के लिए आये ।

महर्षियों ने कहा : प्रह्रादजी ! आप कोई ऐसा साधन बताइये, जिससे ज्ञान, ध्यान और इन्द्रियनिग्रह के बिना ही अनायास भगवान विष्णु का परम पद प्राप्त हो जाता है ।

उनके ऐसा कहने पर संपूर्ण लोकों के हित के लिए उद्यत रहनेवाले विष्णुभक्त महाभाग प्रह्रादजी ने संक्षेप में इस प्रकार कहा : महर्षियों ! जो अठारह पुराणों का सार से भी सारतर तत्त्व है, जिसे कार्तिकेयजी के पूछने पर भगवान शंकर ने उन्हें बताया था, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ, सुनिये ।

महादेवजी कार्तिकेय से बोले : जो कलि में एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते समय वैष्णव शास्त्र का पाठ करता है, उसके कोटि जन्मों के किये हुए चार प्रकार के पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो एकादशी के दिन वैष्णव शास्त्र का उपदेश करता है, उसे मेरा भक्त जानना चाहिए ।

जिसे एकादशी के जागरण में निद्रा नहीं आती तथा जो उत्साहपूर्वक नाचता और गाता है, वह मेरा विशेष भक्त है । मैं उसे उत्तम ज्ञान देता हूँ और भगवान विष्णु मोक्ष प्रदान करते हैं । अत: मेरे भक्त को विशेष रुप से जागरण करना चाहिए । जो भगवान विष्णु से वैर करते हैं, उन्हें पाखण्डी जानना चाहिए । जो एकादशी को जागरण करते और गाते हैं, उन्हें आधे निमेष में अग्निष्टोम तथा अतिरात्र यज्ञ के समान फल प्राप्त होता है । जो रात्रि जागरण में बारंबार भगवान विष्णु के मुखारविंद का दर्शन करते हैं, उनको भी वही फल प्राप्त होता है । जो मानव द्वादशी तिथि को भगवान विष्णु के आगे जागरण करते हैं, वे यमराज के पाश से मुक्त हो जाते हैं ।

जो द्वादशी को जागरण करते समय गीता शास्त्र से मनोविनोद करते हैं, वे भी यमराज के बन्धन से मुक्त हो जाते हैं । जो प्राणत्याग हो जाने पर भी द्वादशी का जागरण नहीं छोड़ते, वे धन्य और पुण्यात्मा हैं । जिनके वंश के लोग एकादशी की रात में जागरण करते हैं, वे ही धन्य हैं । जिन्होंने एकादशी को जागरण किया हैं, उन्होंने यज्ञ, दान , गयाश्राद्ध और नित्य प्रयागस्नान कर लिया । उन्हें संन्यासियों का पुण्य भी मिल गया और उनके द्वारा इष्टापूर्त कर्मों का भी भलीभाँति पालन हो गया । षडानन ! भगवान विष्णु के भक्त जागरणसहित एकादशी व्रत करते हैं, इसलिए वे मुझे सदा ही विशेष प्रिय हैं । जिसने वर्द्धिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसने पुन: प्राप्त होनेवाले शरीर को स्वयं ही भस्म कर दिया । जिसने त्रिस्पृशा एकादशी को रात में जागरण किया है, वह भगवान विष्णु के स्वरुप में लीन हो जाता है । जिसने हरिबोधिनी एकादशी की रात में जागरण किया है, उसके स्थूल सूक्ष्म सभी पाप नष्ट हो जाते हैं । जो द्वादशी की रात में जागरण तथा ताल स्वर के साथ संगीत का आयोजन करता है, उसे महान पुण्य की प्राप्ति होती है । जो एकादशी के दिन ॠषियों द्वारा बनाये हुए दिव्य स्तोत्रों से, ॠग्वेद , यजुर्वेद तथा सामवेद के वैष्णव मन्त्रों से, संस्कृत और प्राकृत के अन्य स्तोत्रों से व गीत वाद्य आदि के द्वारा भगवान विष्णु को सन्तुष्ट करता है उसे भगवान विष्णु भी परमानन्द प्रदान करते हैं ।

य: पुन: पठते रात्रौ गातां नामसहस्रकम् ।
द्वादश्यां पुरतो विष्णोर्वैष्णवानां समापत: ।
स गच्छेत्परम स्थान यत्र नारायण: त्वयम् ।

जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान विष्णु के आगे वैष्णव भक्तों के समीप गीता और विष्णुसहस्रनाम का पाठ करता है, वह उस परम धाम में जाता है, जहाँ साक्षात् भगवान नारायण विराजमान हैं ।

पुण्यमय भागवत तथा स्कन्दपुराण भगवान विष्णु को प्रिय हैं । मथुरा और व्रज में भगवान विष्णु के बालचरित्र का जो वर्णन किया गया है, उसे जो एकादशी की रात में भगवान केशव का पूजन करके पढ़ता है, उसका पुण्य कितना है, यह मैं भी नहीं जानता । कदाचित् भगवान विष्णु जानते हों । बेटा ! भगवान के समीप गीत, नृत्य तथा स्तोत्रपाठ आदि से जो फल होता है, वही कलि में श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय ‘विष्णुसहस्रनाम, गीता तथा श्रीमद्भागवत’ का पाठ करने से सहस्र गुना होकर मिलता है ।

जो श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण करते समय रात में दीपक जलाता है, उसका पुण्य सौ कल्पों में भी नष्ट नहीं होता । जो जागरणकाल में मंजरीसहित तुलसीदल से भक्तिपूर्वक श्रीहरि का पूजन करता है, उसका पुन: इस संसार में जन्म नहीं होता । स्नान, चन्दन , लेप, धूप, दीप, नैवेघ और ताम्बूल यह सब जागरणकाल में भगवान को समर्पित किया जाय तो उससे अक्षय पुण्य होता है । कार्तिकेय ! जो भक्त मेरा ध्यान करना चाहता है, वह एकादशी की रात्रि में श्रीहरि के समीप भक्तिपूर्वक जागरण करे । एकादशी के दिन जो लोग जागरण करते हैं उनके शरीर में इन्द्र आदि देवता आकर स्थित होते हैं । जो जागरणकाल में महाभारत का पाठ करते हैं, वे उस परम धाम में जाते हैं जहाँ संन्यासी महात्मा जाया करते हैं । जो उस समय श्रीरामचन्द्रजी का चरित्र, दशकण्ठ वध पढ़ते हैं वे योगवेत्ताओं की गति को प्राप्त होते हैं ।

जिन्होंने श्रीहरि के समीप जागरण किया है, उन्होंने चारों वेदों का स्वाध्याय, देवताओं का पूजन, यज्ञों का अनुष्ठान तथा सब तीर्थों में स्नान कर लिया । श्रीकृष्ण से बढ़कर कोई देवता नहीं है और एकादशी व्रत के समान दूसरा कोई व्रत नहीं है । जहाँ भागवत शास्त्र है, भगवान विष्णु के लिए जहाँ जागरण किया जाता है और जहाँ शालग्राम शिला स्थित होती है, वहाँ साक्षात् भगवान विष्णु उपस्थित होते हैं ।

एकादशी व्रत विधि

दशमी की रात्रि को पूर्ण ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करें तथा भोग विलास से भी दूर रहें । प्रात: एकादशी को लकड़ी का दातुन तथा पेस्ट का उपयोग न करें; नींबू, जामुन या आम के पत्ते लेकर चबा लें और उँगली से कंठ शुद्ध कर लें । वृक्ष से पत्ता तोड़ना भी वर्जित है, अत: स्वयं गिरे हुए पत्ते का सेवन करे । यदि यह सम्भव न हो तो पानी से बारह कुल्ले कर लें । फिर स्नानादि कर मंदिर में जाकर गीता पाठ करें या पुरोहितादि से श्रवण करें । प्रभु के सामने इस प्रकार प्रण करना चाहिए कि: ‘आज मैं चोर, पाखण्डी और दुराचारी मनुष्य से बात नहीं करुँगा और न ही किसीका दिल दुखाऊँगा । गौ, ब्राह्मण आदि को फलाहार व अन्नादि देकर प्रसन्न करुँगा । रात्रि को जागरण कर कीर्तन करुँगा , ‘ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय’ इस द्वादश अक्षर मंत्र अथवा गुरुमंत्र का जाप करुँगा, राम, कृष्ण , नारायण इत्यादि विष्णुसहस्रनाम को कण्ठ का भूषण बनाऊँगा ।’ – ऐसी प्रतिज्ञा करके श्रीविष्णु भगवान का स्मरण कर प्रार्थना करें कि : ‘हे त्रिलोकपति ! मेरी लाज आपके हाथ है, अत: मुझे इस प्रण को पूरा करने की शक्ति प्रदान करें ।’ मौन, जप, शास्त्र पठन , कीर्तन, रात्रि जागरण एकादशी व्रत में विशेष लाभ पँहुचाते हैं।

एकादशी के दिन अशुद्ध द्रव्य से बने पेय न पीयें । कोल्ड ड्रिंक्स, एसिड आदि डाले हुए फलों के डिब्बाबंद रस को न पीयें । दो बार भोजन न करें । आइसक्रीम व तली हुई चीजें न खायें । फल अथवा घर में निकाला हुआ फल का रस अथवा थोड़े दूध या जल पर रहना विशेष लाभदायक है । व्रत के (दशमी, एकादशी और द्वादशी) -इन तीन दिनों में काँसे के बर्तन, मांस, प्याज, लहसुन, मसूर, उड़द, चने, कोदो (एक प्रकार का धान), शाक, शहद, तेल और अत्यम्बुपान (अधिक जल का सेवन) – इनका सेवन न करें । व्रत के पहले दिन (दशमी को) और दूसरे दिन (द्वादशी को) हविष्यान्न (जौ, गेहूँ, मूँग, सेंधा नमक, कालीमिर्च, शर्करा और गोघृत आदि) का एक बार भोजन करें।

फलाहारी को गोभी, गाजर, शलजम, पालक, कुलफा का साग इत्यादि सेवन नहीं करना चाहिए । आम, अंगूर, केला, बादाम, पिस्ता इत्यादि अमृत फलों का सेवन करना चाहिए ।

जुआ, निद्रा, पान, परायी निन्दा, चुगली, चोरी, हिंसा, मैथुन, क्रोध तथा झूठ, कपटादि अन्य कुकर्मों से नितान्त दूर रहना चाहिए । बैल की पीठ पर सवारी न करें ।

भूलवश किसी निन्दक से बात हो जाय तो इस दोष को दूर करने के लिए भगवान सूर्य के दर्शन तथा धूप दीप से श्रीहरि की पूजा कर क्षमा माँग लेनी चाहिए । एकादशी के दिन घर में झाडू नहीं लगायें, इससे चींटी आदि सूक्ष्म जीवों की मृत्यु का भय रहता है । इस दिन बाल नहीं कटायें । मधुर बोलें, अधिक न बोलें, अधिक बोलने से न बोलने योग्य वचन भी निकल जाते हैं । सत्य भाषण करना चाहिए । इस दिन यथाशक्ति अन्नदान करें किन्तु स्वयं किसीका दिया हुआ अन्न कदापि ग्रहण न करें । प्रत्येक वस्तु प्रभु को भोग लगाकर तथा तुलसीदल छोड़कर ग्रहण करनी चाहिए ।

एकादशी के दिन किसी सम्बन्धी की मृत्यु हो जाय तो उस दिन व्रत रखकर उसका फल संकल्प करके मृतक को देना चाहिए और श्रीगंगाजी में पुष्प (अस्थि) प्रवाहित करने पर भी एकादशी व्रत रखकर व्रत फल प्राणी के निमित्त दे देना चाहिए । प्राणिमात्र को अन्तर्यामी का अवतार समझकर किसीसे छल कपट नहीं करना चाहिए । अपना अपमान करने या कटु वचन बोलनेवाले पर भूलकर भी क्रोध नहीं करें । सन्तोष का फल सर्वदा मधुर होता है । मन में दया रखनी चाहिए । इस विधि से व्रत करनेवाला उत्तम फल को प्राप्त करता है । द्वादशी के दिन ब्राह्मणों को मिष्टान्न, दक्षिणादि से प्रसन्न कर उनकी परिक्रमा कर लेनी चाहिए ।

व्रत खोलने की विधि :

द्वादशी को सेवापूजा की जगह पर बैठकर भुने हुए सात चनों के चौदह टुकड़े करके अपने सिर के पीछे फेंकना चाहिए । ‘मेरे सात जन्मों के शारीरिक, वाचिक और मानसिक पाप नष्ट हुए’ – यह भावना करके सात अंजलि जल पीना और चने के सात दाने खाकर व्रत खोलना चाहिए ।

HariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariom

To Ashram

” Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Shashti”
The essence of Bharata lies in Her culture of Self-realization. ParamAtman is not seen as something apart, but as our very essence, the one True Self that resides in the heart of us all. Raising ourselves from ordinary individuals to the heights of Supreme Consciousness is only possible with the guidance of one who is already in that transcendent state. Such a one is called a Satguru, a True Yogi, as in one who has gained mastery over the mind, one who is beyond the mind.

A True Yogi Of Sreemad Bhagvad Gita

In Sreemadh Bhagvad Gita Bhagvan Shri Krishna says who is True Yogi ?

yoga-yukto visuddhatma
vijitatma jitendriyah
sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma
kurvann api na lipyate

Sreenad Bhagvad Gita 5.7

One who works in devotion, who is a pure soul, and who controls his mind and senses, is dear to everyone, and everyone is dear to him. Though always working, such a man is never entangled.

naiva kincit karomiti
yukto manyeta tattva-vit
pasyan srnvan sprsan jighrann
asnan gacchan svapan svasan
pralapan visrjan grhnann
unmisan nimisann api
indriyanindriyarthesu
vartanta iti dharayan

SBG 8-9

A person in the divine consciousness, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving about, sleeping and breathing, always knows within himself that he actually does nothing at all. Because while speaking, evacuating, receiving, opening or closing his eyes, he always knows that only the material senses are engaged with their objects and that he is aloof from them.

brahmany adhaya karmani
sangam tyaktva karoti yah
lipyate na sa papena
padma-patram ivambhasa

SBG 10

One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme God, is not affected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.

kayena manasa buddhya
kevalair indriyair api
yoginah karma kurvanti
sangam tyaktvatma-suddhaye

SBG 11
The yogis, abandoning attachment, act with body, mind, intelligence, and even with the senses, only for the purpose of purification.

Perfection must be sought in the right place. Thousands of years ago it was discovered in Ancient Dev Bhumi Bharata, that perfection could not be found in the external world, which is impermanent and full of contradictions. Freedom from all limitations is the Vedantic criterion of perfection. Immutable Truth, unity of existence, boundless bliss, this is what is meant by perfection in Vedanta. There is only one thing, which is free from all limitations of time, space, causation: It is absolute consciousness. It is in the depths of consciousness, that perfection is to be sought.It is this total freedom that is the vedantic criterion of perfection, and the individual who has attained this freedom is the ideal of perfection. He is known as the Bramavit, knower of Brahman.

Param Pujya Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu is the embodiment of this ancient Vedantic ideal of perfection. The ideal person according to Vedanta is one who after attaining liberation for himself strives for the liberation of others. Such a fully illuminated soul is called a Rishi. It is as a perfect Brahma Rishi that Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu is said to be the ideal man & a True Yogi of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita for modern age.

From ancient times up to the present day, an unbroken succession of Self-realized Yogis, Sages, Saints have incarnated in the Land of Yogis & Saints Bharata to lead seekers of Truth to the ultimate reality.

Yada Yada hee Dharmasya glaneer bhavati Bharat
Abhyusthanam Adharmasya Tadaatmanam Sreejamyaham
Paritranaaya Sadhunaam Vinaashaya cha Dushkritaam
Dharma Sansthapna arthaya Sambhavami Yuge Yuge

Gita 4.7 & 8

Bhagvan Shri Krishna Says In Srimad Bhagvad Gita:-
“Arjuna Whenever righteousness is on the decline, unrighteousness is in the ascendent, then I body Myself forth For the Protection of the virtuous, for the extirpation of evil-doers, and for establishing Dharma on a firm footing, I manifest Myself from age to age .”

Shri Asaramayan :- “One who recites this Holy booklet for 108 times, gets nobel desires fulfilled.” (in Hindi & Eng)
जो भी भक्त इस दिव्य ग्रन्थं का १०८ बार पाठ करे तो उनकी सभी शुभ कामनायें पूर्ण होंगी ॥

Shri Asaramayan in Pdf

Shree Asaramayan Yoga Leela for Mobile

HariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariomHariom

to Ashram
ashram.org

अक्षय तृतीया’

वैशाख के शुक्ल पक्ष की तृतीया (13 May 2013) ‘अक्षय तृतीया’ के नाम से जानी जाती है | यह अक्षय फलदायिनी होती है | इस दिन दिये गये दान, किये गये प्रातः पुण्यस्नान, जप, तप, हवन आदि कर्मों का शुभ और अनंत फल मिलता है |

‘भविष्य पुराण’ व ‘मत्स्य पुराण’ के अनुसार इस तिथि को किये गये सभी कर्मों का, उपवास का फल अक्षय हो जाता है, इसलिए इसका नाम ‘अक्षय’ पड़ा है | त्रेतायुग का प्रारंभ इसी तिथि से हुआ है | इसलिए यह समस्त पापनाशक तथा सर्वसौभाग्य-प्रदायक है |

इसमें पानी के घड़े, पंखे, ओले (खाँङ के लड्डू), खङाऊँ, पादत्राण (जूता) , छाता, गौ, भूमि, स्वर्णपात्र, वस्त्र आदि का दान पुण्यकारी तथा गंगास्नान अति पुण्यकारी माना गया है | इसी तिथि को ऋषि नर-नारायण, भगवान परशुराम, और भगवान हयग्रीव का अवतार हुआ था | यह अत्यंत पवित्र और सुख-सौभाग्य प्रदान करने वाली तिथि है | इस तिथि को सुख-समृद्धि व सफलता की कामना से व्रतोत्सव मनाने के साथ ही अस्त्र-शस्त्र, वस्त्र-आभूषण आदि बनवाये, खरीदे और धारण किये जाते हैं | नयी भूमि खरीदना, भवन, संस्था आदि में प्रवेश इस तिथि को शुभ व फलदायी माना जाता है |

ॐ ॐ ॐ… पुण्यमय अन्तर्यामी प्रभु में विश्रांति… ॐ ॐ ॐ

Akshaya Tritiya : A Grantor of Inexhaustible Virtues

13 th may 2013

Propitious and inexhaustible are the religious merits of charity,bath, Japa, austerities and fire sacrifices performed on Akshaya Tritiya, which is celebrated on the thrid lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month of ‘Vaishaka’

As per the ‘ Bhavishya Purana’ the merits of all deeds carried out on Akshaya Tiritya become imperishable (Akshaya);that is why is it has been given the epithet of Akshaya. The ‘Matsya Purana’ enjoins that even fasting on this day bestows inexhaustible religious merits. The tretayuga started from this day. Therefore, this day destroys all sins and beings all good fortunes. It is also counted amongst the 3 1/2 auspicious moments.

http://www.ashram.org/

Akshaya Tritya is a Hindu Holi Day , this day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is also traditionally celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth Avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven.

Bhagvan Rishabhadeva an incarnation of Hindu Trinity Lord Vishnu also known as Adinath is the first Tirthankara of the Jain sect. The Day of Akshay Tratiya is worshipped and said auspicious in Jainism because -
Tirthankara Rshabhdeva was king of Ayodhya. He being enlightened gave up all worldly pleasures and chose to lead the life of an ascetic and become a Jain monk. Jain monks do not own anything. They do not even cook food for themselves. While hungry or thirsty, they go to people and ask for food or drinking water. Tirthankara Rshabhdeva also went to people and asked food. However, the people of that time did not know anything about the acts of monks, as he was the first monk in this era. People of Ayodhya offered gold, jewellery, gemstones, elephants, horses, expensive garments and even their daughters to honour their beloved king. Rshabhdeva was not in quest of all these. He wanted only a morsel of food, but nobody it to offered him. Nobody understood that their king was asking for food. As there was no choice, he had to fast for a long time until his grand son Shreyansha kumara understood his need. Shreyansha Kumara, finally, offered him sugarcane juice and Rshabhdeva ended his fast after a year. This was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. This is considered by the Jains as one of the best offerings. It is believed that bestowing upon religious gifts on Akshaya Tritiya becomes inexhaustible. Jains, even today, observe fast to commemorate their first Tirthankara Rshabhadeva and end their fast on Akshaya Tritiya with sugarcane juice.

The word “Akshaya” means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you will be blessed.

This the day one bring home peace purity & prosperity ,even a Little flower is enough to bring all the happiness for mankind.

omtattvamasi.blogspot.com
:- Vaishakh Shukla Paksha Panchami

Sri Adi Shankaracharya as an Incarnation ‘Avataram’ of Lord Shiva & the first Vishwa Guru of Kaliyuga

The Supreme power assumes form from time to time to bring erring humanity back to the correct path. Leaving His all pervading spirit unaffected, He incarnates choosing a form, place and time. The form and nature He takes will depend on the cause and circumstances leading to the Avatara. Avataras differ in the vehicles or medium through which the Supreme manifests itself, according to the requirement. This is understandable as whenever we find the emergence of a great personality of Superhuman strength advocating or championing the cause of the eternal principles and values of life and Dharma and achieving great things,The ultimate purpose of an incarnation is always the re-establishment of right values, of Dharma in the world.

Sri Bhagavatpada Shankaracharya, was not only a great thinker and the noblest of Advaitic philosophers but he was essentially an inspired champion of Hinduism and one of the most rigorous missionary leaders in our country. No matter what superlative we wish to apply to Adi Shankara’s genious, words would scarce suffice to describe even an iota of the mystic we know as Shankara!

Pressing need for Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada Acharya’s avatar

When the Vaidic mode of communion with the ultimate was in jeopardy, with the rejuvenation and reassertion of its wisdom being a pressing need, Adi Shankara strode like a majestic lion across the country taking all other lions in his stride and converted even die hards making them opt for the path illumined by Upanishads, such a powerful leader was needed at that time when Hinduism had been almost smothered within an enticing entanglements of atheistic views and consequently the Hindu Society came to be disunited and broken up into numberless sects and denominations each championing a different new point and engaged in mutual quarrels and endless argumentations.
It was into such a chaotic intellectual atmosphere that Sri Shankara brought his life giving philosophy of non-dual Brahaman of the Upanishads. It can very well be understood what a colossal work it must have been for any one man to undertake in those days, when modern conveniences of mechanical transport and instruments of propaganda were unknown.

A peerless mystic
Also as a peerless mystic, Adi Shankara could well have united his ambit to only the fortunate ones. He could as well have been totally reclusive and stayed away from it all. Yet, he chose to illumine the path of divine in an exemplary manner propounding his wisdom among even the uninitiated common, ordinary people, in a manner suited to the listener’s capacity. He was fully awakened and totally aware of the intricacies of the unknown, yet he was humble and wise, as only the truly great ones can be.
In His missionary work of propagating the great philosophical truths of the Upanishads and rediscovering through them the true cultural basis of our nation, Acharya Shankara had a variety of efficient weapons in his resourceful armory. An exquisite thinker, a brilliant intellect, a personality scintillating super think tank with the vision of Truth, a heart throbbing with industrious faith and ardent desire to serve the nation, sweetly emotional and relentlessly logical, Adi Shankara was the fittest Spiritual General to champion the cause of Upanishads. It was indeed a vast program that Shankara accomplished within the short span of 20 effective years for at the age of 32 he had finished his work and had folded up his manifestation.
From masculine prose to feminine soft songs, from marching militant verses to dancing songful words, be in the halls of Upanishadic commentaries or in the temple of Brahmasutra expositions, in the theatre of his Bhagavad Gita discourses or in the open flowery fields of his devotional songs, His was a pen that danced to the rhythm of His heart and to the swing of His thoughts. But pen alone would not have won the war of culture for our country. He showed himself to be a great organizer, a far sighted diplomat courageous hero and a tireless servant of the country.
Before the advent of Sri Shankara numerous ritualistic cults engendered unclear practices which cried for reform. Sri Shankara completed this task. He gave them a new, purer and purposeful outlook. Working through its own tradition, each system or cult was helped to discipline mind conduct and practices, to be able to progress with the higher forum of truth. The evils were cleansed in the practice of rituals and a place was assigned to each cult in what may be described as a `federation of faiths’ with the prospect of leading its rotary to the understanding of Upanishadic ideal. Refinement of religious beliefs and practices leads to refinement of character and social respectability.

The Incarnation
SHANKARACHARYA

Lord Shiva’s Grace
It is stated that Sri Shankaracharya was born of Lord Shiva’s Grace to his parents. Kalati or Kalady is a beautiful village Kerala. Even today this fine village may be seen on the bank of river Poornaa. There lived an orthodox Namboodri brahim family .devoted to Lord Shiva. named Shivaguru and Aryamba.

Being a Devotees of Shiva Though rich, they led simple life Both the husband a wife were well educated. and very generous.

They were worried only about not having any children even after long time. They made vows an appeals to all godsand Temples. At last, suggested by unknown old Sanyasi, they we to Trishur (Trishwaperurur old name) for rendering devotional service to Lord Shiva Vaddukum Natha.(meaning the Lord of North Direction) The divinely graceful idol of the Lord Shiva attracted them. They spent many days there with a feeling that serving Him is the only way known to them One night Vaddukum Nathan appearred in their dream. It was a wonder experience.. Lord Shiva posed a question to them.. I am pleased with your steadfast devotion. I shall- grant your prayer. But there is one question, Does it suffice if you are given only one son of short life who will be a Maha Sanyaasi A great Ascetic or do you want many children of long life but dull wits?”

Would the Lord Shiva who is not easily accessible put an easy question? The couple who had such boundless faith in Lord Shiva found completely a different way out. They left everything to His decision only. Then the Lord said, I Lord shiva myself will be born as your son,& will become an universal spiritual teacher.the “Vishwa Guru” So, saying, He disappeared. Shivaguru and Aryamba felt very happy and stayed there for several more days offering their worship and service to Lord Shiva Ishwara. Afterwards they returned home.

A divine & beautifull son was born to Aryamba by the full Grace of Lord Shankara The baby was then named Shankara. Calculating according to solar calendar, the auspicious day has been said to be the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha. Shukla Panchami.The devotees celebrate – “Shankara Jayanti On that- day every year.

Shankara, being a divine incamation grew up right from his childhood as a prodigy in every respect. It is said that at the age of eight he had understood the four Vedas. By the time he was twelve years of age, he had understood all branches ofknowledge. And by sixteen he had written commen- taries on those Vedanta which are considered to be his major works. Sharp as his intellect was, so was his heart very broad. At The first year of his age he had learnt both Malayalam, his mother tongue, and Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas. During his second year he was able to read and write in these languages. During his third year he was able to read and explain epics and mythology. Thus is it stated in some books written about him.Even at a young age Shankara, had become proficient in Prakrit Magadhi and Sanskrit languages. Considered from an ordinary standpoint, one might feel that much of this may be an exaggeration. But instances of child prodigies endowed with a divine gift of brilliance are not uncommon.

At Gurukula
At the age of five Shankara’s Upanayana was performed. By that time his father Shivaguru passed away.Only the mother had to bear the responsibility of bringing up the child

Shankara was sent to the nearby Gurukula on the banks of river Poornaa. Under the guidance of Guru he studied the Vedas and its branches and also all other subjects. His brilliance brought credit to the entire Gurukula. From an incident that happened during his stay at the Gurukula one can understand his deep concern for the poor and distressed persons.

There is a convention that the pupils in a Gurukula should get their food by begging. Accordingly the boy Shankara went round to beg. He stood at the door of a house and shouted, “Mother, please give alms. He repeated the appeal twice. There was no reply. He repeated it several times. Then a woman came out and stood with a sad face. There was nothing in the house to offer to this boy. Hence that piteous look. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Shankara understood the situation. “Mother, I shall be content with whatever you give me. Thereby may there be no scarcity in your house,” he said. But how to give anything when there was nothing? What is there to give? At last she remembered the gooseberries grown in the backyard. She brought some gooseberries and gave them to Shankara. Shankara then prayed to Shreedevi, the Goddess of Wealth, to show her mercy on this humble and virtuous woman. Then, as Written in the books, there was a shower of golden gooseberries in the house. This means that as a, result of Shankara’s prayer to the Goddess, that family became rich and Prosperous.

Shankara stayed in the Gurukula for eight years. By then he made such a thorough study of all the subjects that he had them at his finger-Ups. More than any other subject, he was greatly interested in the Vedanta, the most advanced part of the Vedas, which is said to be the very came of spiritual truth. This is the highest and the culminating point of all knowledge. “By knowing which everything will be known, and that is what the Vedanta aims at,” say the learned. Even at such a tender age Shankara was attracted towards that goal. This shows the greatness of his personality.

For The Sake Of Mother
Many instances that reveal the divine spirit of great men are available at every stage of their lives. It was so in the case of Shankara also. After completing his education in the Gurukula, it was the time when Shankara was at home rendering service to his mother and also teaching some pupils. Aryamba had fallen ill. But still she insisted on having her daily bath in the river Poornaa. Though the river-bed was in front of her house, it had dried up because of summer, and the slender flow of water was far away. Aryamba had to cross the vast sand-bed to reach the water. One day she managed to finish her bath and was returning home. While crossing that sand-bed, not being able to withstand the sun and strain, she fainted and fell down on the way. Shankara got the news and rushed to the spot. He attended to her. When she recovered a little, he brought her home.

The summer might be unbearable and the water might be flowing at a distance across a broad bed of sand. But Aryamba would never agree to change her routine. So the next day, would she not go again to the river for bath? this worried Shankara. He folded his hands in salutation to the river goddess, Poornaa Devi. He prayed to her to flow in full, extending her waters up to their house, in order to facilitate his mother’s ritualistic bath. Maybe in answer to his prayer, or maybe by a seasonal phenomenon or due to both, there was a continuous downpour of rain throughout the night. The next morning river Poornaa was found flowing fully over the breadth of her sands in all her grace and majesty.

The miracle as having brought the distant river very near made all the people of the village Kalady joined the ailing Aryamba in praising and blessing Shankara.

Mother’s Longing And Anxiety
Who is not astonished at the routine of an eight year old boy being engaged in Vedic studies, contemplation on Vedantic thoughts and teaching the same to others? In addition to this he had to attend on his aged mother.

As days were passing like this, one day two Brahmin’s who were both old in years and in wisdom came to Shankara’s house. Aryamba and Shankara received them with respect and treated them hospitably. The guests found the atmosphere of the house extraordinary. They were enchanted by Shankara’s brilliance, modesty and godly qualities. They felt that only to work for the welfare of the world God must have endowed this boy at such a tender age with all those abilities and achievements. While departing, those old men told Shankara’s mother: “May your son live long. May he become a stalwart in establishing the Vedic tradition firmly and gloriously in Bharat which is now passing through a crisis, and may he thereby accomplish the welfare of the world.”

The mother’s heart was also yearning for the same. She prayed to Ishwara to grant her son a long life and to make the blessings of those Magis come true. But how is it that God Ishwara Himself appearing in the dream told, “Your son may have a short life but he will be the teacher of the world”? Then what does the blessing of these old Magis mean? Aryamba was puzzled. But she consoled herself saying, “May it be as He wills it.”

The son seems to have understood her anxiety. He tried to comfort her by saying, “Mother, don’t you see that incidents of everyday life point only to the transitory nature of life? If we make use of all the time at our disposal in the service of God, is there a better fortune than that?”

Shankara, the Ascetic
There is not the slightest doubt about an unseen hand shaping the life of Shankara. As if to confirm this, there happened an incident.

One day Shankara was bathing in the river Poornaa. A crocodile caught his leg and began to pull him into the river. However strong one might be one can’t fight with a crocodile in water and succeed. What could the plight of boy Shankara be then? He felt that his life had come to an end. He loudly called out to his mother. She came running. He told her, “Death isapproaching, mother, as I have been caught by a crocodile. I am unable to free myself from its grip. I see only one way out. I must take sannyasa before I die. Please permit me to take ‘instant sannyasa’. (Taking sannyasa in essence means to give up one life’ and get a new one. So by the decision to take sannyasa he would get over the death caused by the crocodile. Either way he would attain an exalted state. If he survived he would have a new life. If he should die, even then he would have a new life after casting away his body.) The son’s plight and his pathetic appeal moved the heart of the mother. She wasconfused. If he could live at least by becoming a monk, may it be so. She only wanted him to live. So, with a firm faith in Ishwara she gave her consent saying, “My child, may it be according to His will.”

Probably it was the will of God that Shankara should be freed from worldly life. The crocodile left Shankara unhurt and swam away in the water! Shankara. Crossed over the sorrow and misery of worldly life. By mere resolution of the mind, he became a Sannyasi and attained a new life.

Mother was grieved about his becoming an ascetic. A few days after this incident, the boy-monk told her about his life’s mission.

He requested her to permit her to leave Kalati.

He was her only son. And was a gift of god to her.

But when she realised that he was born only to render service both to God and to humanity, she blessed him and bade him farewell saying, “Attain great fame, my dear son.”

Shankara requested the elders and his dear friends of neighborhood to have good care about his mother and then he got ready to leave Mother could not control her grief “Shankara,” she said, “will I see yet again once at least before I die? Shankara, having understood mother., heart, assured her, “Mother, remember me at the time death. I will come to you wherever I may be. I am praying to God to grant me the ‘good fortune of serving my mother during her last days.” This was a reply of one who had supreme faith in God. To divert his mother’s attention towards God, he installed at home an idol of Sri Krishna. Leaving his mother to his gracious care, Shankara left Kalati.

A Matchless Guru For A Matchless Disciple
Now Shankara’s main aim was to search for a Guru. His intense desire was to have as his Guru only a person who had realised Brahman. If this is the expectation of a disciple, is not that Guru most fortunate? . Shankara went towards North. He came to the banks of river Narmada after passing through many hermitages. There he found the hermitage of a Mahayogi. And this was Govinda Bhagavatpada. Seeing him in a state of deep samadhi, Shankara’s heart was filled Iwith satisfaction. His expectation had been fulfilled. What did Govinda Guru see when he woke to his conscious state? A boy-ascetic with a bright and radiant face, standing there with folded hands. The inner spiritual development was writ large on his face. After prostrating before the Guru, Shankara introduced himself. He requested that he may be accepted as a disciple. Govinda Yogi felt happy at the very first meeting as h e had found the very type of person – the fittest disciple – for whom he had been waiting. Let alone teaching the pupil the mysterious secrets of the Vedanta, was it not a great pleasure for the Guru to find there a disciple who had not only digested the very philosophy of Vedanta but looked every inch the embodiment of that philosophy? Taking initiation from the Guru in a regular way to ascetic life, Shankara carried on his studies with all devotion.

For the boy Shankara who had obtained a marvellous success in comprehending the Advaita philosophy, “The spiritual Yoga” was very necessary. A person who at his will could forget himself and the world and enter the indescribable state of supreme peace! Such was the Guru. And the disciple was one who was qualified to attain that state. This was a preparatory step of Shankara in getting dynamic power which would facilitate the great work he was to do in future. Understanding the truth is different from experiencing it. Govinda Bhagavatpada enabled Shankara to attain this state of glorious experience. The wise who have attained this state call it the experience of the Infinite. This experience gave rich nourishment to Shankara’s personality. The entire world appeared to be full of Brahman to him. After this the only thing that remained to be done was to communicate the bliss he had known and experienced to one and all through Vedanta. This work was assigned also to him by his Guru Govinda Bhagavatpada. He was asked to write, in the light of truth he had realised, commentaries on the three basic texts, namely the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and Brahmasutras which are the spiritual treasure troves of Bharat. The Guru blessed him saying, “Whatever you wish, it shall be fulfilled by the power you have acquired from yogic practices.” The next period of Shankara’s life was devoted to the propagation of Vedanta.

0, Mother Parvati, – Give Me Alms’
After visiting many pilgrim centres of this holy land of Bharat, Sri Shankara came to Kashi. His object was to have darshan of God Vishweshwara on the banks of sacred Ganges. His march of religious conquest was to start in Kashi.
Shankara in Kashi felt that his first and foremost duty was to have darshan of Sri Annapurna, the presiding deity of the city of Kashi, that she should give him the first alms. But the alms that Shankara begged of her was unusual:
Jnaana-vairaagya-siddhyartham
bhikshaam dehi cha Parvati
“O Mother Parvati, give me alms such as will enable me to attain wisdom and austerity.” The humility and the intense feeling with which he was appealing to the mother of the universe, the radiance which far exceeded the tender age of that handsome boy-monk surprisedeverybody. If some thronged around him to listen to the ecstatic songs dominated by a note of devotion which Shankara sang in his divine voice, many others came to listen to his enlightening discourses on Vedanta. Still many more experienced peace in his company under a spiritual influence. In this way, before long the boy-ascetic won a place in the hearts of the people.
During Shankara’s stay in the city of Kashi an incident happened as ill to test his inner development.
The day was about to dawn. Shankara was on his way to the river for bathing. A man Chandala with his pets four dogs came across the road.blocking the way of Shankara, it seems, Shankara asked him to give way” The answer the other man gave was startling. “To which are you asking to move, this body or the Self? Is not this body also made of dust in the same way as your body? Does the Self ever get polluted? And how can the Self which is present everywhere keep itself at a distance? Is there any difference between you and me the way it has pervaded?” It is a situation in which any one might get confounded. But Shankara’s reaction was entirely different. Throwing away all his pride, he fell prostrating at the feet of that man. “This is not an ordinary man. One who has ‘described the nature of the Self in such a simple and lucid language is really not ordinary: He is no other than Lord Shiva Himself with the four Vedas Is not this inner enlight-enment a form of Vishweshwara’s Grace?” he said to himself and felt happy. Shankara even after experiencing the Advaita doctrine was caught for a moment in the illusion of high and low. He offered his salutation to that God in human form who had dispelled his illusion.
One Vishnu Sharma at Kashi prayed with great devotion. “I wish to be freed from the bondage of worldly life, please show me the way, Sir.” He became the first disciple of Shankara. It is this person who later became known as ‘Padmapadacharya’.

Commentaries
Shankara, a scholar of tremendous capacity, had one important task to do. The Upanishads, BhagavadGita and Brahmasutras are sacred scriptures of the Hindus; but it is not easy to understand them. Shankaracharya decided to write commentaries on these texts. He wrote first on the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. They became very popular. He was to write the commentary on BrahmaSutras. Hindus believe that Bhagavan Vyasa is still alive in Badari, the pilgrim centre. This centre is located at the foot of the Himalayas, at an altitude of 12,000 feet. Travelling was not easy in those days, about 1200 years ago. ButShankaracharya went to Badari itself to write his commentary on the BrahmaSutras.

Dedicating himself to the service of Ishwara and Bhagavan Vyasa, he launched upon his work. The writing of commentary went on smoothly. It is said that Vyasa himself gave darshan to Shankara and blessed him. As it happened, according to his expectation Shankara continued his work with a new vigour. This doubled his life-span as it were. Mainly this new vigour-call it longevity – was needed for the fulfil- ment of Shankara’s project. The heavy task of spreading the meaning of these great texts was also waiting. Shankara’s mission in life would not be completed without doing this. So in order to carry out this responsibility, a new vigour in the form of God’s Grace and Guru’s blessings was needed. Shankara, having got this, devoted the rest of his life to carry out his mission. This, as may be called, was the period of Shankara’s conquests.

As the first step of his conquests Shankara came to the city of Ruddha. There he was to encounter one Kumarila Bhatta in argument and win over him. Kumarila said, “If you want to debate on Vedanta you should go to MandanaMishra; and if you win over him in an argument, then surely you can expect victory for Vedanta everywhere.”

Mandana Mishra was an outstanding scholar. Even the most learned men would feel nervous to argue with him. He lived in a town called Mahishmati. Shankaracharya went there. Mandana Mishra agreed for a debate.

What is the stake?

The loser should become the winner’s disciple.

Both were stupendous scholars. Who should be the judge competent to decide as to who had won and who had lost?

The wife of Mandana Mishra was Ubhaya Bharat. She too had astounding scholarship. She was regarded as the incarnation of Saraswati (the Goddess of learning). She was made the judge.

The debate with thundering argument and counter-argument on for several days.

Mandana Mishra at last accepted his defeat. As per the agreement he became a sannyasi and disciple ofShankaracharya.

This victory of Shankara was of tremendous consequence, we should say. It was the triumph of Shankara Charya’s teaching. Besides, he got a brilliant person like Mandana Mishra as his disciple. It was this disciple who rendered memorable service to Vedanta and became known as ‘Sureshwaracharya.’

After this event Shankara went to the sacred Srishalila. His intention was mainly to defeat Ugra Bhairava who was notorious in Tantric field such as witchcraft and black magic. That Kaapaalika could not win over Shankara’s pious and spiritual Vedic doctrines. He with his black art even attempted to kill Shankara, but fell himself a prey to it. From Srishaila Shankara went to Gokarna, another famous pilgrim-centre. And then he proceeded along the Sahyadri range to the Mookambika Temple at the foot of Sahyadri hills.

‘Hastamalakal
Here he was to get one more great disciple. Prabhakara was a brahmin. He had a son who was a dumb boy. He appeared to be dull. But Shankara felt that he was a yogi. Instead of asking the parents who had brought the boy ‘Why is the boy like this? since when?’ he asked the boy straightaway : “Who are you, my boy?” What else could be so sacred a place as the one where the divine master was standing for the yogi to break his silence? One who was dumb poke in answer, “I am the eternal self and not dead matter.” This was the simplest form of expressing the nature of the self. By the grace of the master, the dull and the silent son of that couple revealed himself to be a great and wise sage. The master felt happy and taking him as disciple, named him ‘Hastamalaka’.

The Four Regional Monasteries Matthas
The next important event in Shankara’s life was his coming to Shringeri. This place is situated on the bank of river Tunga in Karnataka. It is the loveliest of spots. Long, long ago, great sages like Vibhan- daka, Rishyashringa and such others had carried on their penance there. Since then it had been a very sacred place.Enchanted with the tranquillity of that place, Shankara established his first Vedanta JnanaPeetha. He installed there the idol of Sri Sharada, the Goddess of Learning, and placed Sureshwara as the Head of that Sharada Peetha.

In Acharya Shankara’s view the entire Bharat was a holy land. Its welfare and unification was to be based on Dharma only. In connection with this unification, Acharya’s plan was to establish four centres in four corners of Bharat for spreading Vedanta and for guiding persons practising Vedanta. The founding of Sharada Peetha was the first step in this project. This was meant to provide guidance for South India. He established the Govardhana Peetha in Jagannath for the East, the Kalika Peetha in Dwaraka for the West, and the Jyotih Peetha in Badarikashrama for the North. These Peethas are called ‘Amnaya Peethas.

The Disciples
How at Shringeri during his stay Shankara showered his blessings on a disciple called Giri is very interesting. The co- students used to look down upon Girl thinking that Vedanta for him was a hard nut to crack. Once Shankara at the time of his lecture said, “Let us wait for Giri.” The other pupils said, “Why should we wait for him, Sir? A wall is much better than that dullard.”

Shankara felt pained when such a student as was devoted to the service of his master was jeered at. “What do you know about his nature and spiritual achievements? His ability will reveal itself shortly,” said the Master. “Isn’t it enough if Master knows my merit? Should it be made known to others also? Let me not have such conceit” – so Giri used to feel within himself and was serving his master silently. On that day as usual he came late and did obeisance to Acharya. Acharya said with a smile, “Look Giri, We want you to give a discourse on the Self and its nature. We have been waiting for you.”

It was the master’s command as well as blessing. The so-called dullard Giri, in a very modest way and full of devotion expressed in his eyes, presented the very gist of Vedanta in Trotaka Vritta, a highly complicated metrical form, but very enlighteningly as if he was making with all reverence as offering to the Master. The other students felt ashamed of their folly. They apologised to both Acharya and Giri. Shankara, thus revealing the literary ability latent in Giri, called him “Trotakacharya” to make this incident remembered for a long time.

Among the disciples of Shankara the most prominent are four Padmapada, Sureshwara, Hastamalaka and Trotaka. Shankara nominated them as the chiefs of the four Vedanta centres he had established: Sureshwara for shringeri the South zone center, Padmapada for Kalika Peetha of a, Trotaka for Jyotih’ peetha Dwarak of Badari, and Hastamalaka for Govardhana Peetha of Jagannath. He told that at their lives should be dedicated to re-organise ancient Hindu Dharma.

Service to Mother
Meanwhile Shankara felt that the end of his old mother Aryamba was nearing. Accordingly he returned to Kalati. When Shankara came to know that she was to die shortly, he offered ‘Shiva Bhujanga Stotra’ and ‘Vishnu Stotra’ which have a power to save the soul, and prayed that she might die peacefully and attain heavenly abode.

Shankara’s mother died. Her body was to be cremated. But none of Shankara’s relatives came forward to help. A monk cannot perform the funeral rites of anyone, not even of his parents. Still Shankara- charya felt, is it not a sacred duty to perform the funeral rites of the dead when required to? Shankara had to carry” the body himself with great difficulty to the burning place and light up the pyre. By doing this last service to his mother, he felt gratified.

Shankaracharya paid a visit to Sharada Nilaya in Kashmir known as Sarvajna Peetha (the seat of the all knowing). Those who are not all-knowing are not entitled to sit on it; no one could claim to be an expert in any religion or philosophy without sitting on it. Shankara did not wish to show himself off as Sarvajna. He felt that Sri Sharada Nilaya with Sarvajna Peetha was by itself a place worthy of visit by all devotees. Besides, Kashmir is the crown of Bharat. So he resolved to g 0 there, lest the ancient Hindu religion should perish there.

There are four gates in four directions for entering Sharada Nilaya. Eminent scholars and philosophers had entered it from various directions and had established their scholarly merit But no one so far had adorned this chair of Sarvajna. And also till their no one had even attempted to enter the temple through the Southern gate May be this gate was waiting for Acharya Shankara. only who was from the South! Scholars of many group and communities were waiting for him in ‘ the premises of Sir Sharada Nilaya All were filled with a feeling of reverence to see him who was learned in both Jnana and Vijnana Yet the scholars in religious philosophies of Jaina, Bouddha, Samkhya, Yoga, Nays and Vaisheshika confronted him at the time of his entry to the temple, Shankara defeated all of them in philosophical debate and then entered the temple through the Southern gate.

Acharya went to ascend Sarvajna Peetha. Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of all learning, herself set a test for him. Shankara passed this test also. After this the Goddess Herself blessed him, proclaiming his omniscience. So say the ‘Shankara Vijayas’.

We can take this to be an allegory of all the struggles Shankara had to face in his life. Ascending the seat of Sarvajna situated in Kashmir of the North is a symbol. The meaning of it is that Shankara reached the peak of spirituality. We can get an idea of his greatness from the fact that a person of just thirty had ascended the throne of all knowledge.

The Path That Shankara Showed
By that time the Acharya had probably gone round the whole of Bharat two times. He had travelled from Rameshwara and Kanyakumari of the South to Kashmir of the North, from Jagannath of the East to Dwaraka of the West, and had visited many places of pilgrimage. He got many temples renovated and inspired many to a righteous living.

Sri Shankaracharya showed I example how a man should live. The life should shine forth with pious qualities like knowledge, devotion and asceticism. He preached the way Advaita. That means everything in the world is Brahman and all are one. The world is constantly changing. These changes are neither important nor real. The reality that lies behind all these things and activities Brahman. One should develop an eye to see God everywhere and in everything. People who have that vie, take the whole world for the mother- land, and treat all human beings as their brothers.

Shankara many wrote philosophical book to help the people understand The Sanatana Hindu Dharma. Alongside he wrote man,many beautiful hymns that nourish devotional feelings in people. The hymn ‘ Bhaja Gowindam composed by him has been a very popular song all over Bharat . “If you want to get rid of the miseries of life and fear- of death, pray to Govinda.”

Futuristic plans ofSri Shankara Bhagavatpada Acharya’s avatar
Yet another significant aspect of brilliant leadership is vision and versatility which Acharya Sri Shankara personified in no mean measure, well versed in all shastras, endowed with razor sharp intellect and being dedicated to spreading his message to all, Sri Shankara’s futuristic vision is apparent in the methods employed for propogating the splendor of truth. Direct contact with people, through interunity travel, culminating in the establishment of the four vibrant centres of spiritual learning to cover the entire country.
Establishing 4 maths in the four quadrants of our country, opening temples, organizing halls of education, this mighty master left nothing undone in maintaining what he achieved. Among the four Maths two of them in the East and West were set up on the sea shore, while the Maths in the North and South were set up in the mountain regions. Sri Sureshwaracharya, who hailed from the north was placed in charge of the Math in the South, while Totaka from the South was sent to Badri in the North. He made it mandatory that the Nampootiris from Kerla should perform Pooja at Badri, while the Brahmins from Karnataka were assigned for Nepal. Likewise He ordained Maharashtra Brahmins to do Pujas at Rameshwaram. This shows what a broadmind He had when it came to leadership in matters of national interest.
Men of realization are of two classes. Some continue in their state of self absolution. They are charged with spirituality to their finger tips and they silently radiate spirituality to others.
Others choose to live in the world, but are not of the world; they love men and objects of the world, not in deed for themselves, but for the infinite in them. By living in their proximity, by speaking with them, one can understand more than what texts could provide.

SHANKARACHARYA The Guiding Light

Acharya Shankara, at the early age of 32, cut asunder all bonds of relation with the ‘world and attained the state of Brahman. Ordinary people will have to spend 32 years even for being able ask “What is the meaning of life?” But the Acharya during his brief life-time had brought about a great religious renaissance all over Bharat. By his memorable works on religion and philosophy he had pointed out the unique feature of our ancient religion. He found fulfilment of his life by consolidating the history of Bharat from the point of view of culture. He gave a concrete form to the truth that the whole of India was one by establishing spiritual centres in various zones.

May the divine life of such great avatar’s be a guiding light to us.

It is said that at the time of MahaSamadhi Bhagvan Sri Adi Shankara left his holy body at three holy places, mental body sukshma sharira at Trishur Vadakkum Nathan Temple Kerala, his physical body Bhoutika sharira at Kedarnath Himalaya and Spiritual body Adhyatmik Sharira at the Pavitra Bhumi Kailas KailashMansarovar.

This signifies that his personality had extended over the whole of Bharata Bhumi.

His message in a nutshell
The message that is contained in elaborate discussions in the Bhashyas of Sri Shankara is often succinctly expressed in a century of verses, in ten verses, in one verse or even half a verse. He has reconciled the seemingly contradictory conclusions of the Upanishads and in the integrated view that He has presented the eternal, impersonal, consciousness Absolute is the Brahman, the one without a second. By His power which is inscrutable ( अनिर्वचनीया ) and called maya, or mitya, He appears as the universe, conditions by space, Time, etc., that are ever changing. The jiva is not different from the absolute Brahman, but due to Upadhis appears to be different and subject to limitations. The Upadhis limit comprehensions and are unreal like limitless space appearing like room space, pot space, etc…
Once the conditioning factors vanish, jiva is seen as one with Brahman as taught in the Mahavakya of the Upanishads. The Knowledge of this oneness is liberation or moksha. Karma and Bhakti help from a distance in the attainment of Jnana by bestowing the needed mental purity when done in a spirit of dedication to Iswara.
In His Bhashya on the topic of meditation, Sri Shankara clearly differentiates the qualification between “seeking to scale yoga’s peak ” and “having scaled the same”. He maintains that one who has ascended the yoga has to simply maintain this equipoise, i.e. till chitta shuddhi is ripe enough to maintain the meditational equipoise, karma has to be done by all in nishkama spirit as a dedication to God.
He has also declared in many places that even the obligatory works done in Nishkama spirit have punya as the fruit. He said that any karma done, having been dedicated to God may not bear fruit is improper, indeed such dedication should make work non-fruitful besides bestowing the required mental purity. He Uses the word “फलसंकल्पस्य चित्तविक्षेपहेतुत्वात्”,- in this Geeta Bhashya i.e. mental clinging to the fruits of actions distracts. Therefore any doer of actions who has given up mental clinging to the fruits is a yogin, his mind concentrated, not being distracted. Hence Karma Must not be neglected.
Though Brahman alone is Absolute Truth (Paramarthika), the knowledge of the objective universe – erroneous form the highest stand point – can still be considered as a relative kind of truth for worldly transactions e.g., a mud pot, though a mud, can still be retained for keeping the water in it.
Every one of the several schools which developed in the past Shankara age, bears the influence of Sri Shankara’s teachings in one form or other. His message boils down to the formula – natural growth, assimilating what is compatible and `co-existence’ with what is incompatible.