Holy Pilgrimage - Hindu temples in USA
Shri
Gaayatri Mandir, Minneapolis,
MN
Shri Gaayatri Mandir
2555 NE California Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55418 USA
2555 NE California Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55418 USA
Thanks for visiting SGM's website.
We sincerely hope you find the information you are seeking and please
know, we are always looking forward to your involvement so that collectively we
can work towards becoming better individuals, strengthening our families and
creating a better community. This is all in the process of striving for
God Realization.
Founded in March, 1993, SGM strives to
"foster the development of spirituality, religion, education and culture
within the community." The temple has established four central objectives,
which include:
i) Spiritual Development,
ii) Membership Growth, iii) Youth Development, and iv) Cultural Promotion
Please join in weekly Sunday Satsangh, 9 - 11am
The SGM was registered with the State of Minnesota as a non-profit organization in
March 1993. The organization started with a few members congregating at one of
the founder's residence. After the rapid growth in attendance, satsangs
were held at the Geeta Ashram in Brooklyn
Park through, June 2004 and now at SGM.
Format of the Sunday Satsang
The weekly satsangs are held every Sunday from 9:00 – 11:00
am. The service includes chanting of dhoons, meditation, havan,
recitation of chapter 12 of the Bhagavad-Gita / Hanuman Chaleesa, discussion
/lecture, bhajans, and aarti. This is a unique opportunity for members of
the community to participate in puja, join in chanting, and understanding the
teachings of the scriptures.
Ongoing
Activities
- Bhajan Sammelan - Bhajan Sammelan is a monthly event of the SGM where members of the community gather at a host family's residence to sing bhajans, dhoons, and kirtans for two hours (5 - 7pm). This event has been used in the past to celebrate a graduation, house opening, birthday, birth of a child, and just a way to have singing at one's residence or other appropriate venue.
- Celebration of Major Hindu Festivals - Diwali, Holi, Maha Shivaraatri, Krishna Janamashtmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Naavraatri, etc.
- SGM Tutors - Need help with your homework? We are extremely pleased to be able to provide tutoring service to the general community. Please call any of the Board members and you'll be connected to an appropriate tutor.
Bhajan Sammelan is a monthly event of the SGM where members of the
community gather at a host family's residence or at SGM to sing bhajans,
dhoons, and kirtans for two hours (5 - 7pm). This event has been used in the
past to celebrate a graduation, house opening, birthday, birth of a child, and
just a way to have singing at one's residence or other appropriate venue.
Our Bhajan Sammelan Coordinator is Anita Ali. She can be
reached at 612-724-9674 and at premkumariaali@gmail.com
Lessons on Hinduism
Lesson of the Day – Shri Gaayatri Mandir –
Ramraj (Ram) Singh
Note: Some lessons are
taken from websites and publications. We recognize and thank our sources for
valuable information.
Lesson 1: Who was the founder of
Hinduism?
Answer: No one founded
Hinduism.
Lesson 2: What are the
roots of Hinduism?
Answer: Hinduism is a
revealed religion but the revelation is internal. It is the result of the
questionings, experiences, and collective wisdom of sages and saints over the
ages.
Lesson 3: Since Hinduism
is a “revealed” religion was the name” Hinduism” revealed to the World?
Answer: No. The name
“Hinduism” is a Western construct which has become accepted by Hindus as well
as non-Hindus. It is believed that the name Hindu was used by invaders of India who could
not have correctly pronounced the name Sindhu (river).
Lesson 4: Why our
religion was not given a name at the beginning?
Answer: Religion is not
an isolated concept in Indian culture. It permeates all life. Hindu culture is
inclusive. We respect all faiths. This is the reason why a Hindu should never
ask another person, “What is their religion?” It is considered impolite to do
so.
Lesson
5: Are there Prophets in the Hindu
religion?
Answer: No. We have
incarnations of God such as Rama, Shiva, Krishna
and the Universal Mother. And,
throughout the ages we have great teachers and poets such as Kabeer Dass,
Tulsidas Valmiki, Ved Vyas and Kalidasa.
Lesson
6: Are there Commandments in Hinduism?
Answer: No, there are no
Commandments in Hinduism. Hinduism has rules of righteous conduct known as
Dharma. We do not have a common creed.
Lesson
7: What is Dharma?
Answer: Dharma is the
path of righteousness, and living one’s life according to the codes of conduct
as described by our saints and sages in our scriptures. It is the conduct that
upholds harmony and truth in individuals and society.
Lesson
8: What are the rules of righteous
conduct in Hinduism (Dharma)?
Answer: The ancient sage
Manu prescribes 10 essential rules for the observance of Dharma:
- Patience (dhriti).
- Forgiveness (kshama)
- Piety or self- control (dama)
- Honesty (asteya)
- Sanctity (shauch)
- Control of senses (indraiya-nigrah)
- Reason (dhi)
- Knowledge or learning (vidhya)
- Truthfulness (satya)
- Absence of anger (krodha)
Manu further states that “Non-violence, truth, non-coveting,
purity of body and mind, and control of senses are the essence of dharma.”
Therefore, dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all of society.
Lesson
9: Discussion on the shooting and
murder of six members of the Sikh Temple at Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Lesson
10: Which is the holy book or sacred
scripture of Hinduism? Do Hindus have a sacred text like Christians have the
bible?
Answer: Hindus have
several holy texts but no one enjoys primacy over the others. Five of the most
important holy books are
- The Vedas – The Rig Veda, The Sama Veda, The Yagur Veda and The Atharva Veda.
- The Ramayan – The most popular of Hindu epics, composed by Valmiki and depicts the story of the royal couple of Ajodhya – Ram and Sita and a host of other characters.
- The Bhagavad Gita – The most well- known of the Hindu scriptures, called the “Song of the Adorable One.”
- The Puranas – There are 18 “major” Puranas ( Maha Puranas). The Puranas play a vitally important role in the construction of contemporary Hinduism for it is in these works that many of the stories and concepts central to Hindu dharma are to be found.
- The Upanishads – meaning “sitting down near” or “sitting close to,” and listening closely to the mystic doctrines of a guru or spiritual teacher.
Lesson
11: Why Hindus have so many Gods?
Answer: We have only one
God (Brahman). What we see are the many manifestations of the divine, with many
names such as Bhagwan, Prabhu, Ram, Lakshmi, Vishnu, Hanuman, Durga, Shiva,
Saraswati, etc.
Lesson
12: Why some of Hindu Gods have many heads,
eyes and hands?
Answer: The Divine,
being infinite, cannot be limited in either name or form. The heads, eyes and
hands are symbolic representations of omniscience, omnipresence and
omnipotence, respectively.
Lesson
13: Why Hindus pray to so many idols?
Answer: We do not have
idols and we do not pray to idols. We have images (murtis) of different aspects
of God. We pray before them, not to them. Each murti helps us to focus our
attention on the particular God. The icons of the early Christian church do the
same thing. Other faiths have angels; we have devas and devis.
Lesson
14: Do you have to be born a Hindu?
Answer: No. You can be
a Hindu if you identify with the cultural and social values of Hinduism. There
is no formal admission or initiation ceremony into Hinduism like baptismal for
Christians. Hindus do not wish to proselytize. This undermines the mutual
respect we have for other religions and can cause disharmony.
Lesson
15: We repeat the word “Shanti” three
times after our prayers. What is the meaning of
“Shanti?”
Answer: “Shanti” means
peace. All our devotions end by chanting “Shanti” three times, wishing for
peace in the three worlds (earth, heaven, and the lower regions) and for all
living beings.
Lesson 16: We repeat
the word ”OM” at the beginning of every prayer, in meditation, and scripture
reading. What is the meaning and significance of OM?
Answer: OM or AUM is
the symbol of the absolute. Om is very important in Hinduism. The symbol is a
sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism –
omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, the source of all manifest existence.
Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help
us realize the Unknowable. OM, therefore, represents both the unmanifest
(nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why OM is called
pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breadth.
In Katha Upanishad 1, it is stated that whoever knows this syllable OM (AUM)
obtains all that she/he desires. This is the highest support. Whoever knows
this support is adored in the world of Brahma.
Lesson 17: A devotee wrote a letter to the editor of
a local newspaper and complained that it made no sense going to the temple, and
the pandits and religious leaders were just wasting their time. He said that he
had gone to the temple for over 30 years and heard more than 3,000 mantras. But
for the life of me, he said, I can’t remember a single one of them.
Answer: The editor
replied, “I have been married for over 30 years now. In that time my wife has
cooked over 32,000 meals for me. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the
entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this…. they all
nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to live do my work. If my wife
had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Like-wise, if I
had not gone to the temple for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today.
Lesson 18: Who is Goddess Mother Durga?
Answer: The Mother
Goddess is known variously as Durga, Bhavani, Amba, Chandika, Gauri, Parvati –
and her other manifestations. The name “Durga” means “in-accessible and she is
the personification of the active side of the divine “shakti,” energy of Lord
Shiva. In fact, Mother Durga represents the furious powers of all the male
gods, and is the ferocious protector of the righteous, and destroyer of the
evil. Mother Durga is usually portrayed riding a tiger, and carrying weapons in
her many arms.
Every year during the lunar months of Ashwin
and Kartik (September and October), Hindus observe ten days of ceremonies,
rituals, fasts and feasts in honor of the Supreme Mother Goddess. It begins
with the fast of” Navaratri” and ends with the festivities of” Dusshera.”
Lesson 19: What is the Hindu view of reincarnation?
Answer: Everything in
this world is governed by the cyclic law of nature. The sun rises, it sets and
rises again. There is creation, existence, dissolution and recreation. Humans
are subject to the same universal law. We are born, we live, we die and we are
re-born again. This is called Samsara or reincarnation. It means transmigration
through a sequence of individual lives.
Karma – (action, the law of cause and effect) binds us to this
cyclical process – Samsar. This attachment is called Karmabandha. To liberate
oneself from Karmabandha and to attain Moksha, there are four options: (1) Raj
Yoga – establishing union with the supreme (Brahman); (2) Gyaan Yoga – Pursuit
of knowledge (self-realization); (3) Bhakti Yoga – Devotion to a personal God;
and (4) Karma Yoga – Selfless action that benefits the world. Notable exponents
of these Yogas are respectively, Swami Vivekananda, Parmahansa Yogananda,
Meerabai, and Mahatma Gandhi Ji.
Lesson 20: Each year Hindus around the world celebrate
Diwali with much devotion and merriment.
What is the significance of Diwali?
Answer: Diwali is a
celebration of Light over Darkness, Knowledge over Ignorance and the triumph of
Good over Evil. Diwali or Deepavali means “Cluster of Lights.” Diwali is
celebrated on the last day of the dark half of the lunar month of Kartik in the
Hindu calendar.
Divine Mother Lakshmi is worshipped
at Diwali. The Holy Vedas states: “God is not only Father but Mother
also.” Mother Lakshmi born out of the
ocean of milk, is the Goddess of beauty, light, knowledge, purity, wealth and
good fortune. Mother Lakshmi is celebrated in our daughter, sister,
sister-in-law, niece, aunt, wife and mother.
Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s victory
over the demon King Rawana, the end of 14 years in exile, and the triumphant
return of Lord Rama to assume his rightful place as King of Ayodhya. Millions
of diyas (lights) showed the way to the Holy City of Ayodhya, itself aglow with
lights on Diwali night.
Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesh, in
the company of Mother Lakshmi are worshipped at Diwali. We pray to Mata
Saraswati, goddess of learning, temporal and spiritual, and goddess of music
and the arts. We pray to Lord Ganesh the all- powerful God of wisdom and good
fortune, the remover of obstacles, for his blessings for success to attend all
our undertakings.
Goddess Lakshmi visits every home of
her believers on Diwali night, and lives in that home which is beautiful and
clean, where peace, harmony, knowledge and goodwill dwell, and where beautiful
lights brighten the home to welcome everyone.
Goddess Lakshmi holds lotus flowers
in her hands. The lotus flowers represent purity. The roots are in the mud, but
the beautiful flower remains above dirty water. Live a lotus life. Be in the
world, but unaffected by impurities. Her other hands are giving. As Goddess of
wealth, Mother Lakshmi shares her wealth with everyone who worships her. She
blesses us with wealth, happiness and prosperity.
At Diwali, we celebrate the blessings
of the Light of Knowledge – Knowledge which provides answers to the
questions-what, where, why and how. Knowledge makes us humble in that young or
old, we are all students in the school of life, and of the mystery of the
universe. Knowledge sheds light on our path made dark by ignorance. Knowledge
is the key to freedom from bondage and from conflicts. Knowledge is the key to
harmony and peace, the key to personal inner peace. Diwali lights are our
prayer, as in this Sanskrit verse in the Upanishads:
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya;
Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya;
Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya.
Lead us O Lord from Falsehood to
Truth
From Darkness to
Ignorance to the Light of Knowledge;
From Death to Immortality.
Lesson 21: Today (November 11) is Veteran’s Day. What
is the connection between veterans and our ability to attend mandir and worship
freely?
Answer: Veterans fought in
many wars to preserve the freedom we in the USA enjoy to attend our mandirs,
churches, masjids and other places of worship. People in many other countries
are not this fortunate. Some veterans paid the ultimate price giving their
lives defending our freedom. We tip our hats to our veterans and families for
their sacrifices. Thank you for a job well done. We will never forget your
service.
Lesson 22: Mother Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of
wealth. If we pray with bhakti and Mother Lakshmi is pleased with us, what
forms of wealth can she grant us?
Answer: Lakshmi is the
Hindu goddess of wealth. She will honor and grant requests from devotees who
worship and pray to her with bhakti. Mother Lakshmi can grant requests for the sixteen
forms of wealth - Knowledge, intelligence, strength, valor, beauty, victory,
fame, ambition, morality, gold and other wealth, food grains, bliss, happiness,
health and longevity, and virtuous off-springs.
Lesson 23: Goddess Mother Lakshmi is seen holding lotus
flowers in her hands. Her other hands are for giving and represent her many
manifestations or different forms. What are the different forms of Mother
Lakshmi?
Answer: This concept of
Goddess Lakshmi in her different forms is referred to as the
Ashta-Lakshmi. The eight forms of Ashta
-Lakshmi are believed to fulfill the sixteen human necessities and desires
through their individual nature and manifestations. The eight divine forms of
Ashta - Lakshmi are:-
1.
Aadi-Lakshmi (The
Primeval Goddess) or Maha Lakshmi (The Great Goddess)
2.
Dhana-Lakshmi or
Aishwarya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Prosperity and Wealth). The Money Lakshmi
(money and gold)
3.
Dhaanya-Lakshmi
(Goddess of Food Grains). Giver of riches and agricultural wealth.
4.
Gaja-Lakshmi (The
Elephant Goddess). Giver of animal wealth like cattle and elephants.
5.
Santana-Lakshmi
(The Goddess of Progeny). Bestower of offsprings.
6.
Veera-Lakshmi or
Dhairya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Valor and Courage). Bestower of courage and
strength to overcome difficulties in life.
7.
Vidya-Lakshmi (The
Goddess of Knowledge). Bestower of knowledge of the arts and sciences.
8.
Vijaya-Lakshmi or
Jaya Lakshmi (The Goddess of Victory). Bestower of victories not only in
battles but also in conquering everyday hurdles in order to be successful in
life.
Lesson 24: How many times a day do Hindus pray?
Answer: We do not have a
set number of times to pray. We pray anytime and anywhere. We pray when we wake
up in the morning and before going to bed. We pray in our home, in mandir, at
work or school, while driving, traveling, resting, or before attempting a
special task. We pray during pujas and yagyas, and whenever we feel the need to
communicate with our God. We pray to thank God and to ask for blessings.
Lesson 25: What is Karma?
Answer: The law of cause
and effect forms an integral part of Hindu philosophy. This law is known as
karma which means to “act”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English
defines it as the “sum of a person’s actions in one of his successive states of
existence, viewed as deciding his fate for the next.” In Sanskrit karma means
“volitional action that is undertaken deliberately or knowingly.” This also
dovetails self-determination and a strong will power to abstain from
inactivity. Karma is the differentia that characterizes human beings and
distinguishes humans from other creatures of the world.
The theory of karma harps on the
Newtonian principle that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction.
Every time we think or do something, we create a cause, which in time will bear
its corresponding effects. And this cyclical cause and effect generates the
concepts of samsara (or the world) and birth and reincarnation. It is the
personality of a human being or the jivatman – with its positive and negative
actions – that causes karma.
Karma could be both the activities of
the body or the mind, irrespective of the consideration whether the performance
brings fruition immediately or at a later stage. However, the involuntary or
the reflex actions of the body cannot be called karma.
Every person is responsible for his
or her own acts and thoughts, so each person’s karma is entirely his or her
own. Occidentals see the operation of karma as fatalistic; but that is far from
true since it is in the hands of an individual to shape his or her own future
by schooling his or her present.
Hindu philosophy, which believes in
life after death, holds the doctrine that if the karma of an individual is good
enough, the next birth will be rewarding, and if not, the person may actually
devolve and degenerate into a lower life form. In order to achieve good karma
it is important to live life according to “dharma” or what is right.
According to the ways of life chosen
by a person, his or her karma can be classified into three categories. The
satvik karma, which is without attachment, selfless and for the benefit of
others; the rajasik karma, which is selfish where the focus is for gains for
oneself; and the tamasik karma, which is undertaken without heed to
consequences, and is supremely selfish and savage.
Bhagavad Gita Chapter 11, verse 64,
states “The self- controlled person, moving among objects, with his senses free
from attachment and malevolence and brought under his own control, attains
tranquility.”
Lesson 26: How can I be an ideal Hindu?
Answer: Being an ideal
Hindu simply implies living a righteous life by obeying the basic tenets of
karma, i.e. believing in what is right in order to attain salvation from this
world. This is a very difficult task and it is an on-going and life-long
process. We are encouraged to do our best, practice self- control, and live a
good life.
Here are twelve requirements or
suggestions for being an ideal Hindu (anyone can add to this list):-
1.
Rise up from bed
before sunrise.
2.
Complete morning
ablutions and bath.
3.
Pay homage to the
family deity.
4.
Spend 10-15
minutes each day praying, meditating and reading/reciting from the scriptures.
5.
Prepare breakfast
and consume only after offering the same to the family deity.
6.
Then throughout
the day execute the tasks pertaining to one’s profession or job with complete
devotion, sincerity and honesty for the maintenance of the family.
7.
In the evening
perform group prayers in the family shrine along with all the members of the
family.
8.
This is followed
by supper and obeisance to the family deity before retiring to bed.
9.
Besides this daily
routine, an ideal Hindu is advised to visit the mandir/temple as often as
possible and participate in devotion.
10. Observe important Hindu festivals with due
reverence, and go on pilgrimage to holy places.
11. A Hindu is expected to give charity, help the
needy, respect the elders in society, and scrupulously pursue the path of moral
rectitude in both personal and social life.
12. Compassion, consideration for others, love,
sympathy, non-violence, should be the ruling words in the life of an ideal
Hindu.
Tips: Some tips to help you
achieve your goal of becoming an ideal Hindu:-
(a) Avoid the seven deadly sins of wrath, envy,
pride, covetousness, gluttony, sloth, and lechery.
(b) Family deity can be any god or saint whom
you consider your own true god.
(c) Have
faith in God and believe in yourself.
Lesson 27: As the year 2012 comes to an end and we start
a New Year, what would you like to accomplish in 2013?
Answer: If you don’t know where you are going, you will never
arrive there. God has endowed
us as human beings the ability to think and reason. As such, it is our
responsibility to determine where we were (in 2011), where we are (in 2012),
and where we are going (in 2013). All of us want to improve our status in life,
and to do so, we must stop and do some introspection. What are some of the
things we are proud of this past year? What did not go well for us, and what
changes we need to make to improve our well-being?
The start of a New Year is the
perfect time to turn a new page, which is probably why so many people create
New Year’s resolutions. A new year often feels like a fresh start, a great
opportunity to eliminate bad habits, and establish new routines that will help
us grow psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, financially, physically
or intellectually. Of course, resolutions are much easier to make than to keep,
and by the end of January, many of us have abandoned our resolve and settled
back into our old patterns.
Ten Tips for Goal Setting:-
1. Choose
specific realistic goals. Every year, millions of people resolve to
“lose weight” or “get in shape” during the next year. Instead of selecting such
an ambiguous goal, focus on something more concrete that you can realistically
set your sights on. For example, you might commit to losing 10 pounds in the
first three months, or running a mile a day for the first two months. Choosing
a concrete, achievable goal also gives you the opportunity to plan exactly how
you are going to achieve your goal over the course of the year. Goals must be
specific and measureable.
2.
Just pick two or three goals you definitely need to work on: You
may choose a “health goal,” a “financial goal,” and a ”social or educational”
goal. Of course, you can always revisit your goals and make changes if and when
necessary. Focus your energies on these
goals rather than spreading yourself too thin attempting a number of different
objectives.
3.
Don’t wait until New Year’s Eve: Planning is an essential part of
achieving any goal. Experts suggest that you should spend some time planning
out how you will tackle a major behavior change. You can start by writing down
your goals, making a list of things you might do to achieve each goal and
noting any obstacles that might stand in your way. You also need to prioritize
the goals and determine which ones are more important for you to work on.
4.
Start with Small Steps: Taking on too much is a common reason why so
many New Year’s Resolutions fail. Dramatically slashing calories, over-doing it
at the gym, or radically altering your normal behavior are sure-fire ways to
derail your plans. Instead, focus on taking tiny steps that will ultimately
help you reach your larger goals. If you resolved to run a marathon, start out
by going for a jog two or three times a week. If you are trying to eat
healthier, start by replacing your favorite junk foods with more nutritious
foods or work on portion control. While it may seem like a slow start, these
small changes make it easier to stick to your new habits and increase the
likelihood of long-term success.
5.
Avoid Repeating Past Failures: Another strategy for keeping your New Year’s Resolutions is to not make the
exact same resolutions year after year.” If people think they can do it they
probably can, but if they’ve already tried and failed, their self-belief will
be low.” However, if you do reach for the same goal you tried in the past,
spend some time evaluating your past results. Which strategies were the most
effective? Which were the least effective.
What prevented you from keeping your resolution in the past years. By
changing your approach, you will be more likely to see real results this time.
6.
Remember That Change is a Process:
Those unhealthy habits that you are trying to change probably took years to
develop, so how can you expect to change them in just a matter of days, weeks
or months? It may take longer than you would like to achieve your goals, but
remember that this is not a race to the finish. Once you have made the
commitment to change a behavior, it is something that you will continue to work
on for a long time.
7.
Don’t let Small Stumbles Bring You Down: Encountering a setback is one of the most
common reasons why people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions. It is not how
many times you fall, it is how many times you are able to get up and move on
that makes you a successful person. If
you suddenly relapse into a bad habit, don’t view it as a failure. The path
toward your goal is not a straight one, and there are always going to be
challenges. Instead, view relapses as learning opportunities.
8.
Get Support from Family and Friends:
Yes, you have heard this advice a million times before, but that is because the
buddy system actually works. Having a solid support system can help you stay
motivated. Explain what your goals are to your family members or close friends,
and ask them to help you achieve your objectives. You will be amazed how
helpful they would be.
9.
Renew Your Motivation: During the first
days of your New Year’s Resolutions, you will probably feel confident and
highly motivated to reach your goals. Because you have not really faced any
discomfort, failures, or temptations associated with changing your behavior,
making this change might seem all too easy. After dealing with the reality of
the sacrifices needed to achieve your goals, your motivation to keep your
resolutions will probably start to dwindle. When you face such moments, remind
yourself of exactly why you are making the sacrifices. What you have to gain by
achieving your goal (no pain no gain).
10. Keep Working on Your Goals: By February, many people have lost
their initial spark of motivation that they felt immediately after making their
New Year’s Resolutions. Keep that inspiration alive by continuing to work on
your goals, even after facing setbacks. If your current approach is not
working, re-evaluate your strategies and develop a new plan.
My appeal to all of you is to
remember God and include Him in your goals/resolutions. Consider spiritual
goals that will bring you closer to God. You will never regret it.
Best wishes setting your goals
/resolutions and keeping them through the New Year.
A
better life awaits you!
Lesson 28: The Gayatri Mantra: Inner
Meaning and Significance for Hindus?
The Gayatri mantra is one of the
oldest and most powerful Sanskrit mantras. It is believed that by chanting the
Gayatri mantra and firmly establishing it in the mind, if you carry on your
life and do the work that is ordained for you, your life will be full of
happiness. This is considered the most important prayer for Hindus.
The word “Gayatri” itself explains
the reason for the existence of this mantra. It has its origin in the Sanskrit
phrase “Gayantam Triyate iti. It means that Almighty God may illuminate our
intellect, which may lead us on the righteous path. All the problems of a
person are solved if he is endowed with righteous wisdom. Having far-sighted
wisdom, a man is neither entangled in avoidable calamity nor does he tread a
wrong path. A wise man intuitively finds solutions to his problems. Those who
lack this clear-sightedness find themselves always facing problems and ever
living from crisis to crises. The worship of Gayatri mantra bestows the boon of
righteous wisdom. The teachings of and the powers incorporated in Gayatri
mantra fulfill this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging as soon as Jaap
of this mantra is taken up as a Sadhana.
The Gayatri mantra is composed of a
meter consisting of 24 syllables – generally arranged in a triplet of eight
syllables each. Therefore, this particular meter (tripadhi) is also known as
the Gayatri Meter or “Gayatri Chhanda.”
“Om bhurbhuvah swah tatsaviturvarenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo
nah prachodayat”
Om! - Brahma or Almighty God
Bhuh - embodiment of vital spiritual energy (Pran)
bhuvah - destroyer of sufferings
swah
- embodiment of happiness
tat - that
savituh - bright, luminous
like the Sun
varenyam - best, most exalted
bhargo - destroyer of sins
devasya - divine
dhimahi - may imbibe
dhiyo - intellect
yo - who
nah - our
prachodayat – may inspire
In short, it is a prayer to the
Almighty Supreme God, Creator of the entire cosmos, the essence of our life
existence, who removes all our pains and sufferings and grants happiness
beseeching His Divine Grace to imbibe within us His Divinity and Brilliance
which may purify us and guide our righteous wisdom on the right path.
Gayatri Mantra is the Best Divine Prayer Hymn in the World – Dr.
Howard Steingeril, American Scientist.
Dr. Howard Steingeril, an American Scientist, collected Mantras,
Hymns and Invocations from all over the world and from all religions, and
tested their strength in his physiology laboratory. He concluded that the Hindu
Vedic Gayatri Mantra is the most rewarding scientifically. That the Gayatri
Mantra produced 110,000 sound waves per second. This was the highest, and found
it to be the most powerful prayer hymn in the world. The combination of sound
and variation in the sound waves and its particular frequency is capable of
developing specific spiritual potentialities. The Hamburg University initiated
this research into the efficacy of the Gayatri Mantra both on the mental and
physical plane of CREATION…
The Gayatri Mantra is now being
broadcast daily for 15 minutes from 7 P.M. onwards over Radio Paramaribo,
Surinam for the past two years, and also in Amsterdam, Holland for the past six
months.
I respectfully commend the Gayatri
Mantra to you. Gayatri Mata’s blessings
to all.
Lesson 29: Prasada: Divine Food Offering: Part 1
In Hinduism, food plays an important
role in rituals and worship, and the food offered to god is called “prasada.”
The Sanskrit word “prasada” means “mercy,” or “peace”or the divine grace of
God.
We can make the preparing of food,
the offering of food to God, and the eating of the food offered, into a
powerful devotional meditation. If, as a meditative discipline, we offer our
food to God with devotion before eating it, not only are we not implicated in
the karma involved in acquiring the food, but we can actually make spiritual
progress by eating the offered food. Our devotion, and God’s grace, subtly
transforms the food offered from material nutrition to spiritual mercy or
prasada.
Preparation of Prasada: First, Bhagwan only accepts purely
vegetarian offerings – offerings that are acquired without pain and suffering
on the part of any creature. So, we have to strictly avoid any meat, fish and
eggs.
Bhagawad Gita, Chapter 9, Shloka 26,
Bhagwan Krishna says:
“PATRAM PUSHAM PHALAM TOYAM
YO ME BHAKTYA PRAYAC CHATI
TAD AHAM BHAKTY – UPAHRTAM
ASNAAMI
PRAYATA-AATMANAH
IF ONE OFFERS ME WITH LOVE AND DEVOTION, A LEAF, A FLOWER, A FRUIT
OR WATER, I WILL ACCEPT IT.
1.
Approach the
entire prasadam ritual with devotion and reverence. You are preparing food for
the Lord’s pleasure.
2.
Offer only fresh
fruits, vegetables, legumes, dairy products, ghee. Avoid using pre-packaged
foods since they sometimes contain chemicals and may have been prepared in
environments that are not worthy of food offered to the Lord. Food for the Lord
should be void of garlic, mushrooms and onion.
3.
Clean your kitchen
or cooking area. Take a bath. Use plates, bowls and cups that are kept as
dedicated utensils for the Lord. As you prepare food, contemplate devotion to
God.
4.
Never taste the
food before it is offered to God. The preparing of prasada is done as an active
devotional meditation. So, the goal is to prepare delicious foods, not with our
own satisfaction in mind, but thinking only of the satisfaction of God.
Therefore, He should be the first to “taste” the fruits of our labor.
5.
Offer the prepared
food, arranged pleasantly on the Lord’s special dinnerware with a simple
prayer, such as,”My Sweet Lord, please accept this food.” As you ring a bell
three times, repeat a prayer to your guru and to the Lord. Chant and sing
praises to the Lord.
6.
After you have
offered the food to the Lord, wait about five minutes. Remove the food from the
special plates, wash them and put them away. Now you can enjoy food blessed by
Bhagwan, which frees you from karma. While eating the prasada, always be conscious
and aware that you are partaking in the special grace of Bhagwan. Eat with
reverence, and enjoy!
If we can follow all of the above
guidelines and, most importantly, maintain a meditative consciousness of love
and devotion for God as we are performing these activities, Bhagwan will gladly
accept our offerings.
Lesson 30: Prasada: Divine Food Offering: Part II
In Bhagawad Gita, Chapter 9, Shloka
26, Bhagwan Krishna says to Arjuna, “If one offers me with love and devotion, a
leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.”
The main prasada that is offered at pujas and
other religious functions is Mohanbhog. “Mohan” is Krishna, and “bhog” is offering. Therefore,
mohanbhog is food for Krishna. Another item that is offered to Krishna is
“panjeerie”. As we prepare and offer
mohanbhog and panjeerie to Bhagwan Krishna, and other prasada items to
different deities, we follow the same steps and guidelines as mentioned in
Lesson 29.
When we do pujas for special deities,
we offer a variety of fruits including bananas, dungs, pineapple, pomegranite,
coconut, lime and nutmeg as prasada. Another popular prasada item is “rote”for
Hanuman Ji.
Since items used as prasada are
offerings to God, it is important that we not only prepare them and offer them
with devotion, but we share and consume prasada in a joyful and graceful
manner. Prasada is offering to our Lord.
We accept prasada in the name of the Lord.
We never place it on the ground where everyone walks. If we have to, let
us place prasada on a clean table or a mat dedicated for that purpose.
Prasada should be served in portions
that can be eaten at the puja site. If we are going to take prasada away from
the premises, then it should again be treated with respect because it was
offered to God and He is sharing it with us. I believe that it is wrong to
dispose of prasada in the garbage. If you cannot consume all the prasada that
you have, share it with other people, or with birds and animals. However, be
careful and do not put items out that are harmful to the animals. You may also
dispose of prasada in running water.
As we know, some of the main prasada
items are prepared with flour and sugar. Too much of these items may not be
good for the health of devotees, especially those suffering from diabetes or similar
ailments. My recommendation is that we cut down on the amount of these items
shared with devotees after pujas, and that we make available prasada that
devotees can take with them if they so desire.
Lesson
31: Bhagwan Shiva: Interesting Facts
1.
Bhagwan Shiva is the most powerful and fascinating deity in Hinduism. He
represents death and dissolution. Shiva is one of the godheads in the Hindu
Trinity, and known by many names - Mahadeva, Pashupati, Nataraja, Vishwanath,
Bhava, Bhairava, Bhole Nath. Shiva is
perhaps the most complex of Hindu deities. Hindus recognize this by putting
Shiva’s shrine in the temple separate from those of other deities. Shiva is worshipped as a phallic symbol
called the "Shiva Lingam.” He is considered the easiest godhead to appease
because He is an ocean of compassion.
2. The
Sanskrit word Shiva is an adjective meaning auspicious, kind, gracious. As a
proper noun it means "The Auspicious One.” He is synonymous with Om.
3. He
rides on "Nandi," the bull decked in garlands.
4. The
holy river Ganges (Gangadhara- bearer of the River Ganga) flows from Shiva's
head and through His matted hair (jatin).
5. Shiva
is "Shakti" or power. Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god
of the Hindu pantheon.
6. The
Lingam represents Shiva’s energies necessary for life.
7. Shiva
is depicted with a ”third eye” with which He burnt Desire (Kama) to ashes. He
has a crescent moon tucked into His
hair. Around the neck is a coiled serpent representing Kundalini or the
spiritual energy within life. He carries a trident in His left hand in which is
bound the "damroo" (small leather drum).Shiva also carries a deer in
one hand indicating that He has removed the Chanchalata of His mind. He sits on a tiger skin and on His right is a
water pot. He wears "Rudraksha" beads and His whole body is smeared
with ashes. Shiva is said to be fair like camphor or like an ice-clad mountain.
8. Shiva
destroys in order to create; since death is the medium for rebirth into a new
life. He is the dissolving force in life. The opposites of life and death, and
creation and destruction both reside in His character.
9. Shiva
is referred to as "Neelkanta." At Samudra Manthan, the “Churning of
the Ocean,”Bhagwan Shiva came forward in a calm disposition and drank the
Halahala (poison) so that His devotees can sustain peace and find the nectar of
immortality. Goddess Parvathi, Bhagwan Shiva's consort who was present as Shiva
was drinking the poison, stepped forward and strangled His neck, and prevented
the poison from spreading all over His stomach which contained the entire
universe. The poison was so potent that it changed the color of Shiva's neck to
blue. The poison had the power to destroy the entire universe.
10.
Bhagwan Shiva's favorite day is the 14th night of the new moon, in the dark
fortnight during the month of Phalgun.
11.
According to the Puraanaas, the Kailash Peak of the Himalayas is the abode of
Bhagwan Shiva. Varanasi (Benares) is considered as the city specially loved by
Shiva. This is one of the holiest places of pilgrimage in India.
12. As
the Lord of creatures, Shiva is metaphorically called Pashupathi and His
fearless nature is euphemised as Sarpabhushana. His posture in meditation is
ascribed to Him as the head of Yogis (Yogiraja) who practice various spiritual
feats to attain salvation.
13.
Shiva is considered the "Pure One," or the One who is not affected by
the three Gunas of Prakrti (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas). He is also considered
the One who purifies everyone by the very utterance of His name.
14. Bhagwan
Shiva, as a family man, has a spouse, Parvati , daughter of the Himalayas, and
known variously as Tripura Sundari, Uma, Durga, Kamakshi, Meenakshi, Gauri and
Narayani. Shiva has two sons, Ganesha and Veerabhadra.
15. Five
is a sacred number of Shiva. One of His most important mantras has five
syllables – namah sivaya. Shiva’s body is said to consist of five mantras
called the pancabrahmans. As forms of God, each of these mantras has its own
name and distinct iconography – Sadyojata, Vamadeva, Aghora, Tatpurusa and
Isana.
Lesson 32:
Vasant Panchami: Significance and Observance
Vasant Panchami, sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja, Basant
Panchmi or Shree Panchami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of
Mata Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day
of "Panchmi" of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha,
which falls during January - February. "Vasant" comes from the word
"spring," as this festival heralds the beginning of the spring
season.
Mata
Saraswati represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Saraswati means
one who is possessed of infinite knowledge of the universe, of words, their
objects and relations. Saraswati is
another feminine name of God and is the manifestation of “Gyaan Shakti” – the
power of speech and wisdom. In short, she represents learning, knowledge and
speech. She is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the
"Saraswati Vandana"often begin and end Vedic lessons.
Saraswati
is the daughter of Bhagwan Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Durga). It is believed
that Goddess Saraswati endows human beings with powers of speech, wisdom and
learning. She has four hands representing the four aspects of human personality
in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. She has sacred scriptures in
one hand and a lotus - the symbol of true knowledge - in the second. With her
other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument
called the veena. She is dressed in white - the symbol of purity - and rides on
a white swan - symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. The
learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of Goddess
Saraswati. As a practice, only educated people worship her for knowledge and
wisdom. They believe that only Saraswati can grant them "moksha" -
the final liberation of the soul.
It is
believed that on this day of Vasant Panchami, goddess Saraswati was born.
Hindus around the world celebrate Vasant Panchami with great fervor in temples,
homes, and even schools and colleges. Saraswati's favorite color white assumes
special significance on this day. Murtis of the Goddess are dressed in white
clothes and are worshipped by devotees adorned in white garments. Saraswati is
offered sweets which are served as "prasad" to all people attending
the puja. There is also a custom of ancestor worship known as
"Pitri-Tarpan" in many parts of India during Vasant Panchami. Also,
on this day, Brahmins are invited for lunch, and the god of love, Kamadeva is
worshipped.
The most
significant aspect of Vasant Panchami is that it is also the most auspicious
day to begin laying the foundations of education - how to read and write.
Pre-school children are given their first lesson in reading and writing on this
day. All Hindu educational institutions conduct special prayers for Mata
Saraswati on Vasant Panchami. It is also an appropriate day to inaugurate
training institutions and new schools - a trend made famous by the renowned
Indian educator, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946), who founded the
Banaras Hindu University in India on Vasant Panchami day, 1916.
During
Vasant Panchami, the advent of spring is felt in the air in India, as the
season undergoes change. New leaves and blossoms appear in the trees with the
promise of new life and hope. Vasant Panchami also announces the arrival of
another big spring time event in the Hindu calendar - Holi, the festival of
colors.
The
following popular "pranam mantra" or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati
devotees chant with utmost devotion, eulogizes the goddess of knowledge, arts,
music and culture:
Om
Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney!
Viswarupey
Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey!!
Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobita, Mukta
Haarey!
Vina
Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bharati Devi Namohastutey!!
Om
Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!
The
beautiful human form of Saraswati comes to the fore in this English translation
of the Saraswati hymn:
“May
Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon,
And
whose pure white garland is like the frosty dew drops;
Who is
adorned in radiant white attire,
On whose
beautiful arm rests the veena,
And
whose throne is a white lotus;
Who is
surrounded and respected by Gods,
Protect
me.
May you
fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance."
May peace be unto all.
Lesson 33: Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude: Lead a More
Enriching Life
The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today is
to start being grateful for what you have right now. No gesture is too small
when done with gratitude. Gratitude can be practiced no matter what is going on
in your life, and everyone has something to be grateful for. By concentrating
on what’s good and giving it your energy, you attract abundance. If you focus
on what’s lacking in your life – money, time, good health, positive
relationships, resources, a better job – you will never have enough and you
will never be happy.
“Gratitude opens the door to abundance consciousness because it
gets you to the source, which is the source of all things,” says Deepak Chopra,
world-renowned mind-body healing pioneer, author of more than 65 books and
co-founder of the Chopra Foundation. Dr. Chopra reminds us that you open the door
to power, wisdom and the creativity of the universe, all through gratitude.”
Dr. Deepak Chopra founded the Chopra Center to help others reach a
state of peace, health and well-being. Many of his teachings and meditations
focus on cultivating gratitude, which he says can impact more than emotions –
it can also benefit physical health. In fact, scientific studies have shown
that those who have grateful outlook on life, get sick less often, exercise
more, sleep better, and have more energy.
The intention and the action of gratitude is the inner symphony of
the heart. It opens to sing with thanks for the smallest of things. To hear a
bird sing, to see a child laugh, to receive a friend’s affection – all are
invitations to practice the attitude of gratitude. Gratitude is the kind of
loving thanks which touches another’s heart in a place where they will allow
you to reside for a long time.
Whatever your state in life is right now, it can improve, and the
first step is to become more grateful. Luckily, living a grateful life is just
a few thoughtful moments away. If you want to lead a life of gratitude, try
these three tips from the Chopra Center:
- Write it down: Every day write down five things you are most grateful for. There is power in the words you write – even simple things like “fresh flowers” or somebody holding the door open for me.” Writing moments of gratitude down helps you focus on the good in your life, rather than what you don’t have – and, in turn, makes life brighter and more fulfilling
- Take a gratitude walk: Set aside some time (10, 15, 20 minutes) each day and walk in your neighborhood, through a park, a mall, around your office or around the block. Pay attention to your senses – everything you’re seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, tasting – and see how many things you can find to be grateful for. Doing so can improve your mood and make you open to the abundance around you.
- Be intentional: If you wake up in the morning and consciously look for things to be thankful for, you’re more alive and receptive to the goodness that comes in your life. When you allow yourself to feel gratitude in the present moment, in the now, what I promise you is that the spiritual dimension of your life will begin to change. It opens up, it expands, and you just grow with it.
I hope that by sharing these insights with you, I am able to
inspire you to see yourself, connect with yourself, and own yourself more
fully. Whether it’s finding strength in a tough situation, changing an outlook,
or gaining clarity on your own life’s purpose, you understand that there is a
greater power guiding you. When you tap into it, you have that power, and it is
your real responsibility in life – nobody else’s – to change your life and make
it better.
Best wishes leading a more enriching life
Lesson 34: Holi- Legends and Celebrations
Holi, also known as Phagwah or The Festival of Colors, has several
legends and reasons for celebrations. The most popular legend is the story of
King Hiranyakashipu and his son, Bhakta Prahlada. In Lesson 35 we will discuss
this royal legend. In Lesson 34 we discuss three other popular legends of
Holi:-
- Barsana ki Holi, celebrated in memory of the divine love of Radha for Krishna. Lord Krishna was
very sad about his dark complexion and wondered why Radha and
other gopis were so fair. One day, his mother Yashoda playfully suggested that
he could smear colors on Radha’s face and change her complexion to any color he
wanted. Fascinated by this idea, Krishna proceeded to do so and thus, introduced
The Festival of Colors.
Lord Krishna is believed to have popularized
the festival by playing pranks with Radha and the gopis. In Mathura, the
birthplace of Lord Krishna and in Vrindavan, Holi is celebrated with special
pujas and the traditional custom of worshipping Lord Krishna. Here, the
festival lasts for sixteen days.
- Legend of the Invicible Dhundhi – In the kingdom of Prthu, there was a very ugly and terrible ogress called Dhundhi . Dhundhi was once a religious person and had performed penances and secured several boons from the deities that made her almost invincible. However, due to a saraap (curse) from Lord Shiva, Dhundhi was not immune to the pranks and abuses of young boys as she was to weapons and arrows.
Although she was at one time a very religious person, Dhundhi had a mean streak in her. She loved to devour innocent children. After several children were missing from the village, word got out that Dhundhi had captured and devoured them. One day, the courageous boys from the community became intoxicated from drinking bhaang and chased Dhundhi out of the village beating drums, making loud noises, and hurling insults and obscenities at her. They continued until she left the village for good. All the children were now safe to play and move freely in their community. The expulsion of the ogress Dhundhi from the village on this day is another reason for celebrating Holi.
- Legend of Kamadeva: The God of Love and Passion - The legend has it that Lord Shiva’s partner Goddess Sati died after her father, King Daksha insulted Shiva. Lord Shiva got extremely miserable after this incident and sat down for deep meditation. Bhagwan Shiva abandoned everything including his responsibilities for the world. Soon, the entire world fell out of balance which worried the other gods. Sati was reborn as Goddess Parvati and married Lord Shiva, but she could not penetrate Lord Shiva’s deep trance. That is when she went to Kamadeva, the god of love and passion, and asked him to help bring Lord Shiva back to his normal self. Kamadeva heard her pleas and despite knowing that it would not make Shiva happy agreed to help.
Kamadeva then struck Lord Shiva with his love arrow. Of course,
Lord Shiva was very angry. He opened his third eye and burnt the god of love
into ashes. However, the arrow left the effect of love on Lord Shiva and
later he granted the love god Kamadeva immortality.
Later, Kamadeva’s wife prayed to Lord Shiva to
bring back her husband and Shiva accepted her request and brought Kamadeva back
to life. In South India, on Holi, people worship the love of god, Kamadeva for
his sacrifice. Holi is celebrated as the sacrifice of the love god, Kamadeva.
Lesson 35: Holi (Phagwah) – Hindu Festival of Colors
Holi – the festival of colors, is undoubtably the most fun-filled
and boisterous of Hindu festivals. It’s an occasion that brings in
unadulterated joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and of course, lots
of bright colors. Holi is also regarded as a celebration of unity and
brotherhood – an opportunity to forget all differences and celebrate without
any distinction of cast, creed, color, race, status or sex. It is one occasion
when sprinkling colored powder (gulal) and colored water (abir) on each other
breaks all barriers of discrimination so that everyone looks the same and
universal brotherhood is re-affirmed.
History and Meaning of Holi:
Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi’s precise form and purpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders (gulal). Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring. Spring is for everyone. It is the time when the rich mingle with the poor, the ugly with the pretty, and the weak with the strong, all seeking happiness after the night of the full moon when holika, a bond fire, planted forty days before is burnt and the cruel winter is conming to an end.
Celebrated all over India since ancient times, Holi’s precise form and purpose display great variety. Originally, Holi was an agricultural festival celebrating the arrival of spring. This aspect still plays a significant part in the festival in the form of the colored powders (gulal). Holi is a time when man and nature alike throw off the gloom of winter and rejoice in the colors and liveliness of spring. Spring is for everyone. It is the time when the rich mingle with the poor, the ugly with the pretty, and the weak with the strong, all seeking happiness after the night of the full moon when holika, a bond fire, planted forty days before is burnt and the cruel winter is conming to an end.
The Legend of Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada and Narasimha:
The legend commemorated by the festival of Holi, involves an evil
king named Hiranyakashipu who had been granted a boon by Brahma, which made it
almost impossible for him to be killed. The boon was due to his long penance
(sacrifice), after which he had demanded that he not be killed “during day or
night; inside the home or outside, not on earth or in the sky; neither by man
nor an animal; neither by astra or shastra.” Consequently, he grew arrogant and
considered himself immortal. He attacked the Heavens and the Earth, and
demanded that people stop worshipping Vishnu and start praying respectfully to
him. Those who did not obey his orders were imprisoned or killed without mercy.
He even imprisoned the Devas and the Rishis. Everyone was terrified with his
mystic powers and they all went to Lord Vishnu for help. Bhagwan Vishnu gave
them the relief when he told them that Hiranyakashipu and his wife Kayadhu will
bring forth a son to be called Prahlada, and this son will become the cause of
Hiranyakashipu’s death. So all the Gods and Goddesses waited to see when
Prahlada will be born and how he would become the cause of death of
Hiranyakashipu.
As years passed by, Kayadhu, the wife of Hiranyakashipu, gave
birth to a son, Prahlada in the Ashrama of Narada Muni. Sage Narada used to
tell stories of Lord Narayana to the child Prahlada. Hearing the glorious
tales, Prahlada became a devotee of Lord Narayana. Hiranyakashipu who wanted everyone
to worship him was greatly disappointed by hearing his own son chanting the
names of Maha Vishnu. To change the mind of Prahlada, the king sent his son to
the Ashramam of Shukracharya’s sons Shaku and Amarka. However, they were also
unsuccessful in breaking the solid devotion of Prahlada to Vishnu.
All the efforts of Hiranyakashipu to change the mind of Prahlada
were in vain. At last, he was so angry with his son, he decided to kill him. In
spite of several threats of harm from his father, King Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada
continued offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Prahlada was poisoned by the king,
but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by
elephants, yet remained unharmed. He was put in a dungeon with hungry, poisonous
snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu’s attempts to kill his son were
fruitless. Each time Hiranyakashipu tried to kill Prahlada Lord Vishnu’s
magical hands were there to protect him. Finally, the king ordered young
Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, Hiranyakashipu’s demoness
sister, who could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being
burnt by fire. She was blessed with a shawl that could prevent fire from
harming her. Prahlada readily accepted his father’s orders, and prayed to Lord
Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement
as Holika burnt to ashes, while Prahlada survived unharmed.
At this point King Hiranyakashipu was seething with anger. The
king challenged Prahlada and asked where his Narayana can be found. Prahlada
replied, “My Vishnu is omnipresent and there is not a single place Narayana is
not found.” The king was furious and got up from his throne and asked Prahlada,
“Can you show me Vishnu in this pillar as well?” Prahlada said, “Yes, He is
there!” The king drew his mace and struck the pillar. With a thundering sound
the pillar cracked and Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Lord Narasimha – in
half man half lion form. The furious Narasimha grabbed Hiranyakashipu, pulled
him to his lap and tore open his body with his claws to kill the asura. Lord
Narasimha chose this way to kill Hiranyakashipu so that Lord Brahma’s boon
could not be offended. As Hiranyakashipu’s death wish and Brahma’s boon, Lord
Narasimha was neither a man nor an animal, the time was twilight, neither day
nor night, he sat on the threshold of the room, keeping the body of the king on
his thighs, used his nails to kill the demon instead of astra or sasthra. After
killing the demon Hiranyakashipu, Lord Narasimha was furious and was pacified
when his devotee Prahlada prostrated before him and touched his feet. Prahlada
was crowned as the next king by Lord Narasimha.
On Holika Dahan (evening before Holi), at a specified time people
gather at a special location in town where Holika was planted 40 days earlier,
and build a huge bonfire. Prayers are offered and the elder in the community or
a selected person
lights the bonfire. Early on Holi day people return to the site of
the bonfire and celebrate by rubbing ashes on each other to celebrate the death
of the wicked Holika. Later, the celebrations continue with colored powder
(gulal) and colored water (abeer) being showered on each other. Families and
friends share special food, drinks and gifts. Chowtal is sung in homes, mandirs
and communities and there is grand merry-making. At Holi (Phagwah) we celebrate
the triumph of good over evil. If we truly believe in Lord Vishnu (like Bhakta
Prahlada did), his magical hands will always protect us from all evil.
From my family to yours, have a safe and Happy Holi. May the
spirit of Bhakta Prahlada always be with you.
Our leadership team consists of:
|
Ramoodit Kimal
|
President
|
612-385-8530
|
|
|
Radhika Persaud
|
Vice President
|
763-670-3030
|
|
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Sunita Shivnarine
|
Secretary
|
763-425-5818
|
|
|
Geeta Gerau
|
Treasurer
|
952-432-7758
|
|
|
Anita Ali
|
Bhajan Sammelan Coordinator
|
612-724-9674
|
|
|
Devi Doobay
|
Youth Coordinator
|
651-373-9811 |
|
|
Nicola Balram |
Youth Representative
|
763-213-7975
|
|
|
Bhanmatie Ramlall
|
Special Events Coordinator
|
651-322-5161 |
|
|
Bhai Ramjas Singh
|
Public Relations Coordinator
|
|
763-566-1352
|
|
Pt Totaram Doobay |
Priest
|
651-336-2050
|
|
|
Pt Latchman Persaud
|
Priest
|
612-243-8929
|
Shri Gaayatri Mandir, Minneapolis,
MN
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(My
humble salutations to the great devotees
, wikisources and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the
collection )
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