Mokshada Ekadashi

 

Courtesy: Sri.GR.Raghunatha Rao[Attachment(s) from G R Raghunatha Rao included below]

6^th   December, Tuesday ,  EKAADASHYAAM)

 

 

                         "Mokshada" Ekadasi

       is a very special Ekadasi in two respect;

 

i) To-day is the all auspicious day on which Lord Sri Krishna spoke  

    the Srimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of

    Kurukshetra, at the place now known as Jyotisha tirtha.

 

ii) Anyone who gifts a Bhagavad Gita away to a deserving person on this day is bestowed profuse blessings by the Sri Krishna Bhagavan.

 

In Kerala, they call it as "Guruvayoor Ekadashi"

 

It is believed that the Gates to heaven open on this day-People fast completely this day-They break their fast the next day morning on the occasion of Mukkoti Dwaadashi.

 

It is believed that 3 crores of waters join the Swami PushkaraNi at Thirumala on this day

 

iii ) Geetha Jayanthi- Geetha paaraayaNa

 

18th October 1931 BC is the date on which (Shaalivaahana shaka Poorva 2009) Kurkshetra-RaNakshetra-  the day when Lord krishna  counselled Arjuna- the essence being Bagawad geetha.

 

( Courtesy: Hindu HabbagaLa Anatharanga- bahiranga by  vidwan V N Bhatta 1988 Page 37.)

 

iv)  GLORY of the GEETHA:

 

The  sacred day - Tha Bhagavad Geetha contains divine words emanating from the lips of God Himself-Its glory is infinite, unlimited-  Sri Bhagawad Geetha though imparted to Arjuna by Sri Krishna is meant to the entire  mankind, so it is divine in origin, purpose, import and composition.(Geethopadesha) - 

 

The Getha alone should be  sung, heard, recited, studied, taught, pondered and assimilated properly and well. For the Geetha  has emerged directly from the lotus-like  lips of God VishNu Himself.

 

The Bhagavad Gita has not only  attained the status of  Classics in literature but also accepted as the  Pre-eminent scripture.  The fact that it has attracted  numerous commentaries by many saints exhibits that it  is the philosophy of  perennial nature.  The word Gita  itself would mean nectar. 

 

It is interesting to note  that  the cannons of interpretation of the Gita  reflect the nine doctrines of the philosophy of  Acharya Madhwa and conversely the nine doctrines of  the Acharya find a striking support of the Gita. 

 

And  this is reflected in the Dasaru Pada  Hariae Mathave Hanumana Mathavu, Hanumana Mathave Haria Mathavu.  The  Baghavad Gita scores a point over the vedhas for the  following reason. 

 

The vedhas praise the Lord Krishna  and therefore the paramatma is superior to the vedhas.  Gita being the essence of the vedhas is the word of  the Lord and hence the conclusion

 

Next we note, in  Varahapurana, the great glories of Gita recitation and  its merits.

 

If  half of the Gita is recited (9 chapters) one gets  the benefit of  Go-dana.

 

If one third of the Gita is recited (6 chapters) the  benefit of  Somayaga phala is obtained.

 

Recitation of one sixth of the Gita (3 Chapters)  results in Gangasnana phala.

 

If two chapters are read daily , one enjoys the  benefit of spending one kalpa years in Indraloka

 

If one chapter is read daily one can derive the phala  of spending many years  in the Rudraloka

 

If one half or one fourth of a chapter is read ,one gets the benefit of  spending many years happily in Suryaloka.

 

If a minimum of  10,7,5,3,2 or even with half of a sloka recitation one gets the benefit of happily spending ten crore years in the Chandraloka.

 

In the last days who ever hears the Gita recitation or dicusses the meaning of the Gita certainly attain moksha.

 

At the time of performing ceremonies to the ancestors, due to the recitation  of the Gita, hell will be averted for them.

 

So let us chant the Gita everyday  and earn the blessings of the Sarvothama  Hari.

 

(Courtesy : Gururajan Madhava Rao, President, Sri Madhwacharya seva Sangha,Chennai-78)

 

v) Guruvayur Ekadashi:

In Guruvaayur, thousands of devotees go through out the day to have the Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna. The music virtuoso late Chambai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar has constructed a Hall inside the temple wherein, music concerts by various musicians are arranged like Thayagaraja Aradhana celebrations, the whole day, singing in praise of Lord Sri Krishna, in different languages..

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from G R Raghunatha Rao

2 of 2 Photo(s)

Vishwaroopa Darshana.bmp

GeetopadEsha.jpg

 

Uttaana Ekadashi & Dwadashi

 

Courtesy: Sri.G.Raghunatha Rao 
Sudarshana Homa,Tapta Mudra DharaNa,a
BhaagavataanaaM EkadashyaM (Prabhodini)
     Upavaasam.
 
DwidaLa Vrata Samaapti
 
i) Should start from Kartheeka Shudhdha Ekaadashi-
Must take bath from Gomaya., and  perform Nithya pooja-
 
ii)    Recite Vaasudeva mantra 108 times,
 
iii) From Dwaadhashi till HuNNIme should  perform Homa from Ghee reciting  "OM VISHnUVE NAMAH" 108 times
 
iv)  Instructions:
       Flower/ Leaf: pooja to  various parts of   'Devara Anga',
 
                               "Ahaara" to be taken are indicated below.:
 
 
Ist  Day    Kamala Pushpa - worship Devara Paada(Foot) –
                 Food-Upavaasa
 
2nd Day  Bilvapatra- worship Devara MoNakaalu(Knee and below) –
                Drink Gomootra-Gomaya
 
3rd Day  Bringaraaja patra,- worship Devara NaaBhi( Umlecus)- 
                Drink Milk
 
4th Day  Karaveera Patra- worship Devara NaaBhi - 
               Drink Dhadhi
 
5th day  Chamka Puspa- worship,Devara MuKha-(Face), 
               Drink Ghee.
 
Last day, i e on PooRNima day,
              perform udyaapane in the morning, Pooja, Homa, Brahmin Bhojan etc. Evening
              perform pooja with 5 Flowers to the Samagra Prathime of Bhagavantha.-
              To  give Argya to BheeShma-
 
iv)   Mantra:
Sathya Vrathaaya Shuchaye
Gaamgeyaaya Mahaathmane |
BheeShmaaya ThadpaadhamaRgyam
Aajanma BramhachaariNe||
 
v)  Must see Stars and then alone perform PaaraNe
 
7th November, Monday   Utthana EkAdasii
 
(Haribodhini - Prabodhini - DevotthAni - Utthana EkAdasii)
It has four names: Haribodhini - Prabodhini - DevotthAni - Utthana  EkAdasii
 
ChaturMasa samapti.
Dwidala Vrata Samapti.
 
7th NOVEMBER,  Monday  DWADASHYAM PAARAnE
PAARAnE:
Dwidhala  Vratha Samaapthi
 
a) Uththana Dwadashi-
 
b) Prabhodhotstva- -
 
Lord Lakshminarayana who slept on Ashada shukla Ekadashi  in Yoga nidra is gently awoken.  Those vratas observed during Chaturmasa ( in other words those which are not offered  as Neivedya to GOD and consumed by human  beings) should be given as Danam after offering to God as part of the fulfillment  of the VRATA.
 
c) Chaturmasa Samaapti
 
Chaturmaasa vrata SamrpapaNa mantra:
 
Idam Vratam Maya Deva Kritam
Preetye Tava Prabho|
NyunaM SampooRNathaaM
Yaathu Sukhena Deva ||
 
Devoth paapana  Mantra:
 
Bramhendra Rudrendra Kubere-
Soorya-Somaadibhir Vanditha vandaneeya|
Budhyasya Devesha Jagannivasa  mantra
prabhaavena sukhena deva||
 
Iyanthu Dwadashi deva
PrabhodhaaRthaM viniRmitha|
Twayyai SaRvalokaanam
HithaaRthaya Sheshashaayeenaa||
 
Uththsshouttishta Govinda
tyaja nidraam janagatprabho|
Gataa meghaa viyachaiya
nirmala dishaH\\
 
SHAARADAANi cha pushpaani
rihaaNa mama keshava\
Idam VishNuriti Proktam
mantramuththapane hare||
 
                                About Tulasi: The Tulsi is considered holy and is planted in a special planter called the Vrindavan.
   Its leaves are fragrant and cool. Its flowers bear seeds which fly with the wind to germinate everywhere.   The Tulsi leaf completes a gift given with love and purifies all food and water.The presence of tulsi plant symbolizes the religious bent of a Hindu family.
A Hindu household is considered incomplete if it doesn't have a tulsi plant in the courtyard.
Many families have the tulsi planted in a specially built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, and an alcove for a small earthen oil lamp.
Some households can even have up to a dozen tulsi plants on the verandah or in the garden forming a "tulsi-van" or "tulsivrindavan" - a miniature basil forest.
 

                Uththana Dwadashi  a) Prabhodhotstva-   Lord Lakshminarayana who slept on Ashada shukla Ekadashi  in Yoga nidra is gently awoken.  Those vratas observed during Chaturmasa ( in other words those which are not offered  as Neivedya to GOD and consumed by human  beings) should be given as Danam
 after offering to God as part of the fulfillment  of the VRATA.    b)   About Tulasi LOcimum sanctum [Lamiaceae]They call by the name Basil also.  The " Madanapaala" dictionary gives the following meanings for Tulsi.  TuLasi, Surasaa,Graamya Sulabha, Bahu Manjari,apEta,Rakshasi,Gowri,Baalaagni,Deva duMdubhi.  SIX  Important Factors to be observed on Uttan Dwaadashi day:  ii)            While pouring water  first to the
 Root portion and going upwards to the top   on the Tulsi Plant recite the following sloka:    Yanmoole SaRva theeRthaani|Yan Madhye SaRva Devathaa||Yadhagre SaRva Vedhaascha|Thulasi Thwaam  Namaamyaham||  a)            Now perform ProkShaNa of the water from the root portion.b)            Apply Tulsi Mrittike on your forehead.                                                       Tulasi Vanadanam:  Papani Yaani RavisoonupaTasthitAni GoBramha Baala Pitru Maatruvadhaadikaani!Nashyanti taani Tulasi vana darshanena gokoti daana sadrushaM  phala maashu cha syaat!!1 !!  lalaaTe yasya DrushEta tulasi moola
 mrittikA!YamasthaM Nekshitumshaktahah kimu dootaa bhayamkaraah !!2!!  Pushkaraadhyaani teerthaani angaadyaha saritasthatha!VAsdEvaadayO dEvA vasanti Tulasee vane !!3!!  Tulasikaananam Yatra yatra padmavanaani cha !Vasanti VaiShNavaa Yatra Tatra SannihitO Harihi !!4!!
  Yanmoole Sarvateerthaani Yanmadhye sarva
 Devataaha!Yadagre sarva vEdaashcha Tulasi twaM NamaamyahaM !!5!!  Praseeda Tulasi Devi Praseeda Harivallabhe!KheerOdamathanOdbhoote Tulasi TwaaM NamaamyahaM
 !!6!!  Yaa DrushTA nikhilaagha sanghatamanee SpruShTava puh paavanee rOgaaNaabhi Vandita a nirasanee siktaanta katrAsini Pratyaasatti vidhaayini Bhagawataha KrishNasya sanrOpitAnyastaa tachcharaNe vimukti phaladaa tasmai Tulasai Namah !!7!!   Tulasi shree sakhi Shubhe Paapa haariNi PuNyadE!Namasthe Naaradanute NARAYANA Manah Priye !!8!!  Take  Tulsi Moola Mrittika and apply
 to your fore head ( HaNe) as  OORdhaPnDra  and perform PradakshiNa to Tulasi.  c)            Now hold your right palm with Tulsi Branch on your palm. Pour water from the Left hand.The Tulsi leave is dipped.  Leave the Branch. The tirtha is ready. And drink – that'zs Tulsi Tirtha.  ii)            Sri Krishna  is expected to stay in Tulsi Brindavan. Hence the Tulsi  Brindavan is decorated to please the Lord with Mango leaves, Haldi- Kumkum,  Gejj Vastra, Flowers. A gooseberry Branch with Gosseberry is plated and tied to the Tulsi Plant.  iii ) Evening  hundreds of oil lamps are  lit. 5 Big size (BeTTada Nalli  kaayi or Kiru Nellikaayi  are taken, the top portion is slightly sliced and 5 vicks dipped in Ghee are placed  above thse five gooseberry   fruit. It is placed in a silver plate with Kumkum and water
 and Aarati is  performed to Tulsi.            Tulsi PradakShiNa HaaDu:  DAKSHIne dAKSHInoDBHOOTE dAKSHInAAm PriyankariKarOmi Te SadA BhaktyA VishNu BhaktyA PradakshiNam  Sri Tulasyai Namah PradakshiNam
 SamarpayAmi.  iv) Omdu PradakShiNe maaDidare, karma kaaTa kaLeyuvuduEraDu   PradakShiNe maaDidare HuTTu Daridravu
 ImguvuduMooru    PradakShiNe maaDidare,Muthaidetana KoDuvaLuNaalakku PradakShiNe maaDidare, Sriman NaaraayaNana paadaaAidu  PradakShiNe maaDidare, samastta San MaMgaLavu !!  By so doing one could attain SarvaabhiShTa.  Ondu Namaskara madidare Papa Inguvadu
Eradu Namaskara madidare Edadalli Papa Inguvadu
Mooru Namaskara madidare Mukthi Koduvalu
Nalakku Namaskara madidare Narayana Lokha kanuvadu
Idu Namaskara madidare  Pattabiramanna Sannidhiyallu Gyana kodu, mukthi kodu, Vairagya kodu, Somuvara Savu kodu, Aanthi Kalakke ninna smarane kodu.
 
 
 
b)  Ladies are invited and Tamboola are given.  vi) Next day these  five
 Gooseberries are kept in the bath Room. While  taking bath they are smeared  all over the body and bath taken. By all  members of the family.    PraaRthanaa:  Yanmoole SaRva theeRthaani|Yan Madhye SaRva Devathaa||Yadhagre SaRva Vedhaascha|Thulasi Thwaam  Namaamyaham||  Praseeda Deva
 DevEshi KrupayA Para yAsahAabheeshTa  Kaarya siddheencha KurumE MAdhava Priye !!  Sri Tulasai Namah. Iti Praarthanam Samparpayaami.    " Thulasi SmaraNam KuRyaatha SaRvathra Vijayi Bhaveth." By mere Tulsi plant  Darshanam, one would get Gokoti dhaana  Phala.  'Tulasyaamthu Ramadevi SaaviShNoh Nithyadha Priya'  Sri Puranadara dasa says:  Tulasi Vanadhalli Hari Ihanembhodhu| Shruthi saaruthidhe
 keLi|Tulasi DaRshanadhindha DhurithagaLella|Haridhu Hogodhu KeLi||-  Shree Puranadara Daasar further   said, that Lord Sri Hari is present wherever there is Thulasi.-  He further sings in  another Keerthana in Udayaraaga
 about Tulasi as:  Baladha kaiyalli Chakra, eDadha Kaiyali ShanKaKoraLoLaGhaakidhdha ShreevatslamhanaUragashayanana melemalagidhdha ParamaathmaKoraLoLu Dharisi kondihanalle tulasi,  Elamma Tulasi KomalvaaNi NeelavaRNa RaaNiNithya KalyaaNi(Daasa Thatwa Prakaashike
 -TTD-1995-Bhajane kusuma-I-page 75)    By reciting Shree tulasi Kavacham one would be rid of all
 difficulties.   KalyaaNam Tulasi KalyaaNam,   KalyaaNave namma Krishna Shree Sri TuLasige!  ballida  Shreenivaasa devanige ( PAllavi)  AMgaLidoLagella tulasiya vana mADishruMgaarava
 mADi shhegradiMdakaMgaLa paapava
 pariharisuva mudduraMga baMdalli taa nelesidanu  !!1!!  miMdu maDiyanuTTu saMdEhava biTTutaMda shree gaMdhakshategaLiMdasindhushayanana vruMdaavanadi poojisekuMdada bhaagyakoDutihaLu !! 2!!  Further Sri
 Purandara Dasar  says,-  BakshyabhojyagaLa Neaivedhyavaniththu|Lakshubaththiya deepava hachchi|MOkshaja sahitha Vrindhaavana poojise|Saakshaath Mokshava kodutihaLu|| 3 !!  Uththaana Dwaadashi dhivasadaMdadi Krishna|Uththama Thulasige vivaahava|Chiththa
 NiRmalaraagi maadidavarige|Uththama gathi Eva Purandara vitala|| 4!!  and thus he explains the Phala by so doing tulasi pooja on the Uththana Dwaadashi day.  He further
 elaborates.," Gange, Yamune, Godhavari, Kaaveri kamgoLisuva MaNikaRNikeyu,ThumgaBhadhre, KrishNaveNi theerthagaLella mumgaadisuva moolaVrikshadhaliruvar. Chandhra, SooRyaru tharu Mad DhyadhoLu, nelasiruvarurnru.  Not only this,Rigvedha, Yajurvedha, Sama, AthaRvaNa AphevaLisuva Vedha GhoShagaLu| AgraBhaagadhallidhe, Betta Dhodeya Alli| SheeGhradhi Oliva Shree Puranadharavitala"  The "SauBhaghya " would be immense for those who rear thulasi plants,  Mangalam Shree Thulasi devige| Jaya| MangaLa Vrindhavana Devige||  Muttidha maathrake Mukhthara maaduve|Mudha dhindha Udhdharisuva muni
 Vandhyage|  Kottare neeranu Berige Kaalana||Muttalesadha haage maaLpaLige||  Sri Vijayavitala in his "Shree Thulasi mahimaa stotra" in the VaaRdhika Shatpadhi says that the " Ananadha Bhaashpa of Sri VishNu was nothing but the Tulasi"  Thulasi illadha Sadhana Hole maadhigara sadhana| Thulasi illadha pooje  NarakikkeLuvo Haadhi|Thulasi illadha Theertha Beeruvudhu|Kondaadidhare puNya Aparimitha Vumtu| Mai| Dhindu lageriyali iraluHeenavalla| Panduranga Kshethrakke sari migilu....";    Sri Jagannatha Daasa in
 his Thathwa suwaali, under Brindhavana Sthuthi, in  stanza 114 says:  Jalajaakshanamala Kajjala Bindhu PeeyooshaKalakadhali BeeLe Janisidhi| Janisidhi hariyimdha ShreeThulasi neenemdhukaresidhi.  Nimdhisidhavarella Nimdhyaraaguvaru AbhiVamdhisidha janaru Surarimdha} Surarimdha nararimdha
 Vamdhyaraaguvaruemdhemdhu   ||118||  (Sri Jagannathadasara KruthigaLu by Dr K M Krishna Rao, Sindhushayana Publications, Banagalore-10. (1981).    b) Tulasi Vivaaha: also called " Chikka DeepaavaLi"
  Evening before tulasi Vrinadavanam- Tulsi-Damodara Managalaashtaka is sung and worshipped by lighting hundreds of Jyothis- Tulasi vivaha Mantra:  Devim Kanaka SampannaaMKanakabharaNaiurthaM|Dassyami Vishnave
 ThuBhyamBramha Lokajigishayaa|  Padmanaabha priye DeviPadma  sambhava poojitePadma patra Vishalaksh varadaBhava Me SadA !!  Divya roopadharA DeviDivyaabharaNa BhooshitAPadma  Kalhaar VadanAVarA
 Bhaya ChaturbhujA !!    Namastulasi kalyaaNi Namo VIshNu priye shubheNamo Moksha prade Devi
 Namah sampatpradaayike                                 SRI TULASI STOTRAM  JagaddhAtri NamastubhyaM VishNoscha  priya vallabheYato BramhaadayO devaaha SrushTi stiti AntyakaariNaha !!1!!  Namstulasi KalyaaNi Namo VishNu Priye ShubheNamo MOksha prade Devi
 Namah sampatpradaayike  !!2!!  Tulasi PAtu mAM nityaM Sarvaa padbhyoopi sarvadAKeerti tyaapi smrutA VApi pavitra yati manavam!3!  Namaami shirasaa DeviM TulasiM vilasattanuMYAM DrushtwA PApino martyaa muchchaNte tatrakilbishAt !4!  TulasyA rakshitaM Sarva jagadeta
 chcharaacharaMYaa vinahanti PAPAni druShTA VA PApibheernarai !5!  Namastulasya atitaram yasmai BaddhwanjaleeM kalauKalayanti sukhaM sarvaM streeyo Vaishyaastha thaapare !6!  TulasyA NAparaM Kinchidde daivataM jagateetaleYayaa pavitrito lokO VishNu sangEna VaishNavaha ! 7!  Tulasyaah pallavaM VishNOh shirasyaarOpitaM kalauAropayati sarvaaNi ShrEyaansi vara
 Mastake  1 8!  TulASYa SaKaLA DEvA vasanti satataM yatahAtstaamarchiye
 lloke sarvAn DevAn samarchayan !! 9!!  Namastulasi sarvajne PurushottamavallabhePaahi maaM sarva paapebhyah sarva sampat pradaayike !!10!!  Iti stotraM pura geetaM PunDarikEnNa DheematAVishNumarchayatANityaM ShObhanaistulasidalaIah !! 11 !!  Tulasi Shree Maarhalakshmi vidyA vidyA (PushTi) yashaswiniDharmyA DharmaananA Devi Deva Deva Mana priyaa !! 12 !!
      Lakshmi Priya sakhi Devi (Subhrooah)Dauybhoormirachalaa chalaaShODa shaitaani naamaani Tulasyaah Keertayennaraha  !! 13 !!  Labhate sutaraaM Bhakti mante VishNu PadaM LabhEtTulasi Bhr Mahaalakshmihi Padminihi Shree Hari !! 14 !!  Tulasi shree sakhi Shubhe paapa hariNi PuNyadeNamaste Naaradanute NaarayaNa Mana Priye !! 15 !!
    !! Iti shree Tulasi stotram !!                 SRI TULASI MAHAATWAYAM  PApAni YAni Ravi soonu PaTastitAniGO Bramha BAla Pitru MatruvadhAdikAni !  Nashyanti TAni TuLasi vana darshanEnaGo kOTi Dana SadrushaM Phala Maapnu vaMshi  !1!  PushkarAdyaani
 Tirthaani Gangaadyaaha
 SaritasthA!VAsudevaadayo dEvaa vasanti TulasivanE  !2!  Tulasi KAnananM yatra yatra padma vanaani
 chaVasanti VaishNavA Yatra tatra sanihitO harihi!3!  Yanmoole SaRva theeRthaani|Yan Madhye SaRva Devathaa||Yadhagre SaRva Vedhaascha|Thulasi Thwaam  Namaamyaham|4!  Tulasi shree sakhi Shubhe Paapa haariNi PuNyadE!Namasthe Naaradanute NARAYANA Manah Priye !!5!  rAjadwAre SabhA madhye samgraame shatru peeDEneulSI AMrnAM kURYaT Sarvatra
 vijayee BhavEt !6!  Tulasya Mruta Janmaasmi SadAA TwaM KEshava PriyeKEshavaarthe ChinOmi TwAm VaradA bhava ShObhana !7!  MOkShaika hEtOrdharaNi DharasyaViShNOh Samastasya GurOh
 PriyasyaArAdhanArthaM PurushOttamasyaChiMdE dalaM Te Tulasi Kshamasya !8!  KrishNaaraMbhe taTha PuNe vivAhe ChArtha e SamgraheSarva
 KaaryEshu sidhyarthaM Prasthaane Tulasim SmarEt !9!  Yaa SmarE ttulaseem Seetaam RamaM SaumeetriNaa sahaVinirjitya ripun SarvAn Punaraayaati Kaarya Krut !10!   Yaa DrushTA nikhilaagha sanghatamanee SpruShTava puh paavanee rOgaaNaabhi Vandita a nirasanee siktaanta katrAsini Pratyaasatti vidhaayini Bhagawataha KrishNasya sanrOpitAnyastaa tachcharaNe vimukti phaladaa tasmai Tulasai Namah !!11!!  KhaadamaamsaM pibanmadyaM sangachchannayantajaadhibhihisadyO bhavati pootaatmaa karNayOstu tulasiM dharan!! 12!!  Chatuhu KarNe mukhe ChaikaM NAbhavekam tathaiva chashirasyekaM tatha ProkaM teertha traya mudaahrutaM ! 13!  Anno ar tatha pancha
 bhOjanaante dalatrayaMEvaM Shree Tulasi Graahyaadashadalaah Sadaa ! 14 !    Iti SRI TuLasi  MahaathmyaM                                   Tulasi Gruha Muchyate  Na gruhaM Gruhanityaahuh TuLaseeGruhamuchyate

sadanaM TuLasi HeenaM Shashanaadi bheeruchyaate                  Tulasi dhyaana sloka   Dhyaayechcha TaulasiM DeviM ShyaamaaM Kamala
 LochanaaMPrasannaaaM Padma Kalhaara Varabhaaya ChaturbhujaaM  KeereeTa haara kEyyoora KunDalaadi vibhooshitaaMDhavalaakusha samyuktaaM niShEdushiM !!                                            Namaskaaram  VishNo Harshaasu sambhoote Tulasyaa Mara vanditeNamskarOmi twaaM Bhaktyaa manovaakkaaya Karmabhih  Namo Namo Jagadhaatre
 Jaganmaatreya Namo namahNamo Namo Jaganmaatraya Namo namah  Sri Tulasyai Namaskaaram Samarpayaami.  This is the day on which Sri Narahari thirtha gave to Sriman Madhwacharys  Moola Seetharama idols-In Uttaradhi mutt , evening pooja is done to those  idols
 
In Uttaradhi Mutt, evening Sri Moola Ramara pooja.
 
Udipi Laksha deepotstav.

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God

Ekadasi & sivarathri

Courtesy: Sri.PK.Ramakrishnan

=======================

There was a poet in Kerala
who used to compose humorous
poems. He was very poor.
He thought of earning something
by going to the petty kingdom
of Panthalam. Quite unsuccessful
in his attempt, he returned and told
his friend.

राज्ये पंतळभूपस्य
वासरा हरिवासरा: /
मत्कुणै: मशकैश्चापि
रात्रय: शिवरात्रय: //

The days in the Panthala Country
I spent were Harivasaras.

(Harivasara is the Ekadasi day dedicated to Vishnu
and one fasts throughout the day)

The nights I spent as Sivaratri because of
bed bugs and mosquitoes. (Sivaratri is the night
once in an year dedicated to Siva and one
keeps awake throughout the night.)

 

knr
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God

Ekadashi mahathmyam

http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/search/label/Ekadashi%20Mahathmyam

 

knr

--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
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Kaisika Ekadasi Mahathmyam

courtesy: Sri Vaishnava Australasia

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Special Significance of Kaishika Ekadasi

By Sri U.Ve. Mahavidhwan Elayavilli Srinivasa Bhuvarahachariar SwamiM.A (Retd) Prof of Sanskrit, Alwar Thirunagari

 

Ramanujaya Namah

Srimate Baladhanvi Mahagurave Namaha 

Srimad Varvara Munaye Namaha

 

In our Sri Vaishnava Sampradaya every Ekadasi (the 11th day of bright & black fortnight) has a special name. Accordingly during the Krittika month, the Ekadasi during the bright fortnight is called Kaishika Ekadasi (today some use the term Koushika Ekadasi, which is wrong; Sage Vishwamitra has nothing to do with this Ekadasi). Kaishika is a raga in music. How is this raga related with this Ekadasi will become clear in the course of this article.

 

Sri Varaha Puranam has this episode in its body. Once upon a time the earth got submerged in water. Lord Sriman Narayana assumed the garb of a wild boar and without hesitation entered the muddy water and brought out the earth from the deluge. Sri Bhoomi Piratti, who is the presiding deity, was very much upset by this tragic event. She was consoled and comforted by Lord Sriman Narayana, keeping Her on His lap. At that time she was very much worried about Her children on the earth. Their sufferings gave Her great sorrow and She very much desired to know a means (Upaya) for their deliverance from the worldly bondage. The Lord narrated the episode that took place in the village Thirukkurungudi near Thirunelveli in South India and assured Her that the soul means of salvation is singing His glory (Gana Rupa Upayam).

 

The story is as follows: 

 

Once there lived a man at Thirukkurungudi. He was fondly called "Nampaduvan" (We do not know his Original name). He was born in a Chandala family who were known for their merciless nature and activities. But quite contrary to his family behavior he was very pious and deeply devoted to Lord Sriman Narayana. He used to fast during every Ekadasi day. Getting up very early in the morning on the next day he used to go to the vicinity of the temple with his veena in his hands and remaining at a distance from the temple as per the prescription of the shastras he used to sing songs in praise of the Lord going around the temple.

 

Once during the month of Krittika on a bright fortnight Dwadasi i.e the 12th day, he went to the temple early in the morning as usual. On the way he was met by a Brahma Rakshasa who was very hungry and who therefore expressed his desire to eat him up. Nampaduvan was very happy to offer his body for the food of Brahma Rakshasa. That was because his suffering in this world would come to an end and he would reach the abode of the Lord. But he prayed to the Brahma Rakshasa to spare some time so that he may go to the temple and sing the songs and return. But the Rakshasa was not ready to grant his request, as he would never return having made this false excuse. But Nampaduvan made 18 oaths to the effect that he would certainly return.

1. If I do not return as per my promise let me get the sin of a man who is a liar.
2. Let me get the sin of a person who commits adultery, if I don't return.
3. While eating in the company of a person if a man differentiates in menu (i.e. serving inferior or less quantity of food to the guest), he gets a great sin (Papam). Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
4. If a man donates a piece of an earth to a Brahmin and takes it back after some time he will certainly accrue sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
5. If a man enjoys the company of a woman during her youthful age and subsequently rejects her when she becomes old he is sure to get sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
6. Having performed ablution rite (Tharpanam) on Amavasya day and then recourse (sexual relationship) to his wife the same day, he will entertain great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
7. Having dined delicious dishes in the house of a host and then if a person showers heaps of abuse on his host, he is sure to meet with great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
8. A man makes a solemn promise that he would give away his young daughter in marriage to a youth but later on breaks his promise, which would entertain sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
9. A man is prohibited from eating without taking bath on Shashti (the sixth day of both fortnight), Ashtami (the eighth day), Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day) and Amavasya (the fifteenth day of bright fortnight). Let me get that sin, if I don't return.
10. A man promises to donate something to another man but he doesn't keep up his promise. Let me get the sin of breach of promise if I fail to come back.
11. If a person tries to allure the wife of a friend who has helped him in manifold ways, he is sure of reaching hell. I will get that sin, if I fail to return.
12. If a person, afflicted by lust, enjoys the company of his revered teacher's wife who is responsible for his salvation; and so also the company of the wife of a king who endows all worldly pleasure to him - he will be the worst sinner. I will suffer that sin by not keeping up my promise.
13. A man marries two girls without being impartial to both of them. If he evinces greater pleasure in the company of one rejecting the other, he is sure to accrue very great sin. Let me get that sin, if I don't keep up my promise.
14. If a man divorces his wife who is very chaste and has no one to care for her, he will become a sinner. Let me be equated to him for not returning.
15. If a man causes obstruction to the cattle that are afflicted very much by thirst to drink water, he will get a sin. Let me also get that sin by breaking your faith in me.
16. Killing a Brahmin, addiction to liquor, stealing gold, breaking a vow are all considered to be heinous crimes. Severe punishments are prescribed for a sinner, who commits all these crimes. Let me suffer all these punishments in case I fail to get back to you.
17. If some people worship only other deities and not Sri Vasudeva who is easily accessible to His votaries and is Omnipresent, they will get a great sin. Let me get that sin, if I do not return.
18. Sriman Narayana is the supreme deity. He is the inner soul for all created beings, both sentient and insentient. He is worshipped by all karmas (i.e. by all holy rites prescribed by the Shastras). He is to be meditated by all who are desirous of liberation. He alone has the ability to grant salvation. He is to be reached by all the liberated souls. Having understood the supreme qualities of the Lord, if a man equates Him to all other angels who are bound by karma, He will be born in this world again and again. Let me get that sin, by breach of this promise.

Note: All these promises did not convince or satisfy the Brahma Rakshasa, but the 18th one totally convinced him about the certainty of Nampaduvan's return. We therefore have to understand that the last sin is the greatest sin of all sins. Hence it is to be meticulously avoided.

 

The Brahma Rakshas became pleased by all these promises and saluted Nampaduvan and bade him farewell so that he may fulfill his vow and come back to him.

 

Accordingly Nampaduvan went to the neighborhood of the temple and sang the songs as usual.

Afterwards the day dawned. Having completed the vow pertaining to Ekadasi (i.e. spending sleepless night) Nampaduvan surrendered to the Lord. With great speed, he returned to the Rakshas as his heart was filled up with pleasure owing to his desertion of his body, which was inimical to his attaining salvation.

On his way a person met him. That man questioned him "Hello, where are you going with such speed?" Nampaduvan replied him in a sweet manner – "I am going to Brahma Rakshas. If I don't find him there, where I met him before and departed having made several promises, I will go in search of him and offer my body as food for him."

 

That man desired to test his mind on hearing his steadfast resolve. He said "There stands a Rakshasa by birth. He is not righteous minded like Vibeeshana, but a worst criminal. You cannot escape from his cruel clutches, as he is a cannibal. Don't go to that strong devil."

 

Though exhorted by that man, Nampaduvan refused to listen to him and was very adamant in keeping up his promise. That stranger, who obstructed him and advised him, was none other than Sri Varaha (the Lord Himself). Nampaduvan found Brahma Rakshas at the same place and offered his body as a carcass (meat) for him, but the Rakshas, remembering his previous birth did not accept it. He narrated his previous life history. He was a Brahmin by name Somasarma in his former birth. While performing a sacrifice, he committed all sorts of blunder, as he was niggardly. Moreover a fatal disease in the course of performing sacrifice afflicted him. The result was his birth as Brahma Rakshasa.

 

Having given a detailed account of his previous life the Rakshasa knelt before Nampaduvan to grant him the merit of all these songs that he sang in praise of the Lord for a long time but the songster refused sternly. Finally being moved by pity he granted him the merit (Punya) of one song, which he sang that day morning which was in the raga named "Kaishika". The Brahma Rakshas was relieved of his bond. Later he was born in a family of Vaishnava and at the end of the birth he reached Vaikunta.

 

This is the story narrated by Sri Varaha Perumal to Sri Bhoomi Devi. The whole episode as found in "Sri Varaha Puranam", is taken up by Sri Parasara Bhattar for an elaborate commentary in Tamil. Every year the whole episode with all Sanskrit shlokas and commentary of Sri Bhattar is read out in all the Vishnu temples especially at Thirukkurungudi where the event actually took place. This is enacted on the stage even today. Those who take part in the festival or who hear the episode will be rid of their sins. Hence I gave this story in an abridged version.

 

What do we understand from this episode? Somasarma though a Brahmin became a Rakshasa, but Nampaduvan though a Chandala was able to expiate him of all his sins. Hence caste is not a criterion for us to salute a person. His deep devotion to the Lord, knowledge of the Lord and a total renunciation of all worldly pleasures are very important criteria. The caste is physical. It does not belong to the soul. Hence Nampaduvan was elevated to the highest order. In case of such holy men of that high order, consideration of the caste is an offence. They are equal to Nithyasooris. Hence our Acharyas equate Nampaduvan with Vishwamitra, Sri Vishnuchitta and ThondarAdiPodi Azhwar, all of whom sang divine songs in order to wake up the Lord (Thiruppalliyezhuchchi). The Lord (Sri Varaha) also showered on him love and affection and called him Nampaduvan (My Singer).

 

Let us therefore be very careful in not committing Bhaagavata Apachara. 

 

This is what we learn from Kaishika Puranam.

 

knr

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If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.

  Every moment, thank God