Adivo Alladiva (Annamayya)

HAPPY UGADI / GUDI PADWA / CHET - I - CHAND

Slokam Part 3

For Education and Memory power :

Yaadevi sarva butheshu buddhi rupena samasthitha
Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namo namaha
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For Happiness :

Yaadevi sarva butheshu SHANTHI rupena samasthitha
Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namo namaha.
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For Wealth :

Yaadevi sarva butheshu lakshmi rupena samasthitha
Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namo namaha.
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For Health :

Yaadevi sarva butheshu kaanthi rupena samasthitha
Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namasthasyai Namo namaha.
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When We offer Naivedyam to God :

Brahmaarpanam brahma havihi Brahmagno
braahmanaahutham Brhamaivathena
ganthavyam Brahmakarma samaadhina

(repeat twice and then start the second verse)

Daivamaiva parey yagnam Yoginah paryupaasathe
Brahmanyaava parey yagnam Yagney naivopa juhvathi

(repeat this verse also twice)
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Source :http://www.indusladies.com/

Ugadi

Ugadi , the word is derived from Yuga+Aadi, yuga is era, aadi means start, the start of an era is the new year's day for the people of the Deccan region of India. While the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh use the term Ugadi for this festival, the people of Maharashtra term the same festival, observed on the same day, Gudi Padwa. Sindhis, people from Sindh, celebrate the same day as their New Year day Cheti Chand.
Ugadi is celebrated on a different day every year because the Hindu calendar is a lunisolar calendar. The Saka calendar begins with the month of Chaitra (March/April) and Ugadi marks the first day of the new year.
Observance in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh :
The Kannada and Telugu people celebrate the festival with great fanfare; gatherings of the extended family and a sumptuous feast are de rigueur. The day, however, begins with ritual showers (oil bath) followed by prayers, and then the eating of a specific mixture of - Neem Buds/Flowers for bitterness Raw Mango for tang Tamarind Juice for sourness Green Chilli/Pepper for heat Jaggery for sweetness Pinch of Salt for saltiness This mixture with all six tastes called "Ugadi Pachhadi" in Telugu and "Bevu-Bella" in Kannada symbolizes the fact that life is a mixture of different experiences (sadness, happiness, anger, fear, disgust, surprise) , which should be accepted together and with equanimity.
Later, people traditionally gather to listen to the recitation of the religious almanac(Panchangam) of the coming year, and to the general forecast of the year to come. This is the Panchanga Sravanam, an informal social function where an elderly and respected person refers to the new almanac pertaining to the coming year and makes a general benediction to all present.Ugadi celebrations are marked by literary discussions, poetry recitations and recognition of authors of literary works through awards and cultural programs. Recitals of classical Karnatik music and dance are held in the evenings.
source : wikipedia.

Chet - I -Chand

Cheti Chand is celebrated as New Year's Day by Sindhis, which falls on the same day as Ugadi, the New Year in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and Gudi Padwa, the New Year Day in Maharashtra.
According to the Hindu calendar, Cheti Chand is celebrated on the first day of the Chaitra month known as Chet in Sindhi. Hence it is known as CHET-I-CHAND.
The Sindhi community celebrates the festival of Cheti Chand in honour of the birth of Ishtadeva Uderolal, popularly known as Jhulelal, the Patron Saint of the Sindhis. This day is considered to be very auspicious and is celebrated with pompous and gaiety. On this day, people worship water – the elixir of life.
Followers of Jhulelal observe Chaliho Sahab. It suggests that for forty long days and nights they underwent rituals and vigil on the bank of Sindhu. They did not shave, nor did they wear new clothes or shoes. They did not use soap or oil or any opulent thing. They just washed their clothes, dried them and wore them again. In the evening, they worshipped God Varun, sang songs in his praise and prayed for their solace and salvation. After 40 days of Chaaliho, the followers of Jhulelal celebrate the occasion with festivity as 'Thanks Giving Day' even till today. On this day many Sindhis take Baharana Sahib to nearby River or Lake. Baharana Sahib Consists of Jyot, Misiri, Phota, Fal, Akha. Behind is Kalsh and a Nariyal in it, covered with Cloth and phool, patta. There is also Murti of Pujya Jhulelal Devta.

How to wish :
When you meet any Sindhi and want to wish him for Sindhi New Year, you say

"Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav".

In response :

"Tohan khe bhi Cheti Chand jyon Lakh Lakh Wadayun Athav".

To know the full story of JHULELAL , check this website :
http://www.jhulelal.com/completestory.htm
Source : http://www.festivalsofindia.in/ChetiChand/

Gudi Padwa

The festival is called "Gudi Padwa" in Maharashtra; it heralds the advent of new year and is one of the most auspicious days for Maharashtrians. It is customary to erect ‘Gudis’ on the first day (Padwa) of the Marathi New Year. 'Gudi' is a bamboo staff with a colored silk cloth and a garlanded goblet atop it, which symbolizes victory or achievement. Hence, this day is known as “Gudipadwa” in Maharashtra. The New Year is ushered in with the worship of the "Gudi" and the distribution of a specific "Prasad" comprising tender neem leaves, gram-pulse and jaggery. The symbolism of tastes is the same as what is described above. Also in many Maharashtrian homes they celebrate the occasion by making Shrikhand Puri.

The Gudhi :
Gudhi Padwa is especially dedicated to the worship of Lord Brahma. Many legend states that this festival is celebrated to commemorate the corronation of Rama after his return to Ayodhya from 14 years of exile. Some Maharashtrians see the gudhi as a symbol of victory associated with the conquests of the Maratha forces lead by the great hero Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Gudhi is also displayed as they are expected to ward off evil and invite prosperity and good luck into the house.Ghudi is also symbol of victory of Shalivahana over Sakas, which people hoisted when he returend to Paithan. The gudhi, Brahma’s flag (Brahmadhvaj) is hoisted in every house as a symbolic representation of Rama’s victory and happiness on returning to Ayodhya after slaying Ravan. Since a symbol of victory is always held high, so is the gudhi (flag). A bright green or yellow cloth adorned with brocade (zari) is tied to the tip of a long bamboo over which gathi (a type of sweet), neem leaves, a twig of mango leaves and a garland of red flowers is tied. This is then hoisted by placing a silver or copper pot placed in the inverted position over it. Beautiful designs with special powder of soft, white stone (rangolis) are drawn on the floor in front of it. Everyone eagerly waits to usher in the new year. Then uttering meaning, ‘I offer obeisance to the flag of Lord Brahma’ one should ritualistically worship the gudhi with a resolve. Since Lord Brahma created the universe on this day, this flag is called ‘the flag of Brahma’ (Brahmadhvaj) in the scriptures. Some also refer to it as ‘the flag of Indra’ (Indradhvaj). On Gudhi Padwa, you will find gudhi hanging out of window or otherwise prominently displayed in traditional Maharashtrian households.

Position of the Gudhi :
The Gudhi is raised next to the main entrance of the house. The spot selected should be on the right side (when sighted from the house) of the entrance. The right side symbolizes active state of the soul.

Source : http://www.aryabhatt.com/fast_fair_festival/Festivals/Ugadi.htm

Annai & Aurobindo - Part 4

Sri Aurobindo's Symbol :

The descending triangle represents Sat-Chit-Ananda. The ascending triangle represents the aspiring answer from matter in the form of life, light and love. The junction of both, the central square, is the perfect manifestation having at its center the Avatar of the Supreme which is symbolised by the lotus. the water inside the square represents the multiplicity, the creation.
Mother's Symbol :

The central circle represents the Divine Consciousness. The four petals represent the four powers of the Mother - Wisdom, Strength, Harmony and Perfection. The twelve petals represent the twelve powers of the Mother manifested for Her work. The twelve psychological attributes are Aspiration, Perseverance, Gratitude, Humility, Sincerity, Peace, Equality, Generosity, Goodness, Courage, Progress, Receptivity.
(Thanks to Vidyo for Giving me all the points about Annai & aurobindo.)

Annai & Aurobindo - Part 3

The Mother was back in India, back in Pondicherry , that small town in the South-East where Sri Aurobindo had been pursuing his integral yoga-path since 1910. Her return was now final and she was never again to leave India, the country of her choice. The Mother had foreseen this development in a significant vision which Sri Aurobindo once related to a disciple: "The Mother (Mirra), Richard and I were going somewhere. We saw Richard going down to a place from which rising was impossible, Then we found ourselves sitting in a carriage the driver of which was taking it up and down a hill a number of times, At last he stopped on the highest peak. Its significance was quite clear to us."
The Mother's arrival in Sri Aurobindo's house entailed several changes in the household. His disciples had so far been living rather freely and without constraints. Sri Aurobindo did not interfere much with what they were doing, since he was immersed in his own sadhana. Properly speaking, he was not yet playing the role of a guru and therefore at this stage we can only speak with reservation of'disciples'. The Mother became part of this community now and the whole household was newly arranged by her. Books were nicely stacked in cupboards and everything found its right place. At the same time collective meditations were begun in which Sri Aurobindo, the Mother, the members of his group as well as visitors took part. All these changes and the new discipline made some disciples revolt and grumble, but the Mother was, in course of time, more and more accepted and recognized. Sri Aurobindo left to her increasingly the charge of the household and he also told seekers who turned to him for guidance that he would help them 'through Mirra'. Her devotion and respect for him gradually brought about a change in the relations between Sri Aurobindo and his disciples. Nolini Kanta Gupta, who had known Sri Aurobindo even from the time of his political activities and was later to become the Secretary of the Ashram, writes with reference to these early times, "the Mother taught by her manner and speech, and showed us in actual practice what was the meaning of disciple and master. .. It was the Mother who opened our eyes. "
It was at this moment that the foundation of the Ashram was laid, even though it was not consciously planned or discussed. Things took their own course and there was an organic development. It is characteristic of the Mother that even at this stage she already included in these developments members of the animal and plant world. A well-kept garden took shape in the courtyard, and some cats which received the Mother's special attention found their way into the small community.
In 1926 already three or four women belonged to the group and they meditated regularly with the Mother. There was now an increasing number of disciples who approached her to seek her guidance. It was obvious that Sri Aurobindo was more and more withdrawing, leaving to the Mother not only the outer organisation, but also the responsibility for the inner sadhana of the disciples. Some time in these months it also happened that he did not call her any more 'Mirra', but 'Mother'. Even earlier the disciples had noticed that he often uttered the name 'Mirra' with a slight hesitation and was stopping, as it were, with the M. Then finally the great moment arrived when the predestined name came over his lips.
Finally came the day of the great event, 24 November 1926. It was in the late afternoon that the Mother had all the disciples called for a special gathering. Some were busy with their work and others were walking at the beach. At about 6 o'clock all had gathered on the verandah in front of Sri Aurobindo's room. On the wall behind Sri Aurobindo's chair there was a black silk curtain showing three Chinese dragon: ,The tail of each dragon reached up to the mouth of the other . There was an old prophecy in China that Truth would manifest on earth when the three dragons would meet: they symbolise the regions of earth, mind and sky. Whilst there was a deep silence, the disciples felt the pressure in the atmosphere. Some saw a flood of Light rushing down from above. Then Sri Aurobindo and the Mother came and a meditation was held. Thereafter the two avatars blessed their disciples, and again there was a short meditation. They all felt distinctly that something special had happened, the atmosphere was so much charged with vibrations of Light. When Sri Aurobindo and the Mother withdrew, Datta spoke in a moment of inspiration, "The Lord has descended into the physical today. " Later on, Sri Aurobindo explained the significance of this descent: "The 24th November 1926 was the descent of Krishna into the physical. Krishna is not the supramental Light. The descent of Krishna would mean the descent of the Overmind Godhead preparing, though not itself actually, the descent of Supermind and Ananda. Krishna is the Ananda- maya; he supports the evolution through the Overmind leading it towards his Ananda."
Sri Aurobindo also made a preliminary draft of his magnum opus Savitri. Eventually it “became a poetic chronicle of his yoga.” We have similarly the record of his later Yogic realisations in his poetic compositions of the 30s. But what stands out as the double autobiography, his and the Mother’s spiritual realisations in the transformative Yoga of the earth-consciousness, is his supreme creation—in the Mother’s phrase, supreme revelation—Savitri. That indeed marks Divya Yoga of the Supreme himself.
Sri Aurobindo left his body on 5 December 1950, Tuesday at 1.26 a.m. In crimson-gold splendour it lay there for 111 hours before it was put in the Samadhi. The Mother’s prayer expresses the gratitude for all that he had done in triumphantly accomplishing the divine task. “To Thee who hast been the material envelope of our Master, to Thee our infinite gratitude. Before Thee who hast done so much for us, who hast worked, struggled, hoped, endured so much, before Thee who hast willed all, attempted all, prepared, achieved all for us, before Thee we bow down and implore that we may never forget, even for a moment, all we owe to Thee.” About the significance of this event the Mother said later: “He was not compelled to leave his body, he chose to do so for reasons so sublime that they are beyond” our grasp.As soon as Sri Aurobindo withdrew from his body the Mind of Light as the leader of the intermediate race, prior to the arrival of the gnostic being, got realised in the Mother. It was only by “consciously experiencing and transforming death” that the divine pace could be hastened in the earth consciousness. It was an occult imperative, an aspect of yogic action itself.

Chronology Of Mother's Life :
http://www.searchforlight.org/Srinivas/ChronologyOfMother.html
(to be continued)

Annai & Aurobindo - Part 2

Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on 15 August 1872. His father was an anglophile and sent him with his two brothers to England for education when he was seven. Sri Aurobindo spent fourteen years in that country .He first stayed with an English family at Manchester, then he joined St. Paul's School in London and later studied at King's College in Cambridge. He passed the open competition for the Indian Civil Service, but got himself disqualified by not presenting himself at the riding examination. In 1893 Sri Aurobindo returned to India, and the next thirteen years he worked in Baroda in the Revenue Department and the Secretariat, then as a Professor at the Baroda College and, finally, as Vice-Principal there. During this period he studied keenly the basics of Indian culture, learnt Sanskrit as well as some modern Indian languages and wrote many poems.

The year he withdrew from the political field , following an inner command, he sailed first to Chandernagore and later to Pondicherry where he completely devoted himself to developing a new path of spirituality, the Integral Yoga. Richard had several meetings with Sri Aurobindo and one of his questions related to the symbolic character of the lotus. Sri Aurobindo explained that the lotus represents the opening of the consciousness to the Divine.

Mother married Paul Richard, a well-known and well-read philosopher who was keenly interested in Eastern and Western spirituality as well as Vedantic Yoga. He had also political plans and so in 1910, in connection with an election campaign, he came to Pondicherry , which was at that time part of French India. He also wanted to consult an advanced Yogi about the symbolic meaning of the star of David and therefore went to see Sri Aurobindo who was in exile outside British India. When Richard had returned to France, he told the Mother about Sri Aurobindo and they started some correspondence. Mother felt now irresistibly drawn towards India, the one country which she had always felt to be her true mother country. In 1914 her longing was at last fulfilled and she could embark on a journey to Pondicherry with Paul Richard. They left Paris on 5 March, 1914 and the next day they boarded the , Kaga Maru ' , a Japanese steamer. The Mother and Paul Richard left the boat at Colombo and arrived in Pondicherry in the early hours of March 29. Even while approaching the town, the Mother had a vision of a huge column of light in the centre of Pondicherry , and the intensity of the light became greater when they got down at the railway station. On the very day of their arrival the Richards met Sri Aurobindo in the afternoon at his place in rue Fransçois Martin. The first physical meeting with Sri Aurobindo was a decisive experience for the Mother and she immediately recognized in him the one whom she had so often met in her dreams and whom she had called 'Krishna '. She was now deeply convinced that her place was at his side, that her work was here in India. After the meeting she noted in her diary. It matters little that there are thousands of beings plunged in the densest ignorance; He whom we saw yesterday is on earth; his presence is enough to prove that a day will come when darkness shall be transformed into light, and Thy reign shall actually be established upon earth. " The Mother had sat down at Sri Aurobindo's feet and made her mind completely empty, giving up all her ideas and concepts, in order to be completely open only to him. After some time an infinite silence had descended into her and settled in her mind. This experience brought about a deep inner change in her: "It seems to me that I am being born into a new life and that all the methods and habits of the past can no longer be of any use. It seems to me that what was once a result is now only a preparation. It is as if I was stripped of all my past, of my errors as well as my conquests, as if all that had disappeared to give place to one new-born whose whole existence has yet to take shape. An immense gratitude rises from my heart. I seem to have at last arrived at the threshold which I have long sought. " The Richards now met Sri Aurobindo every afternoon, whilst he came to the Richards on Sundays and his companions joined him for dinner with the Richards after their daily football game. The talks often continued until late in the night. The Richards now started publishing a philosophical journal, the Arya, in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo

While the first copies of the Arya were going out into the world, Paul Richard was called home to join the French Reserve Army and had to leave Pondicherry . Mother went with him, certainly against her will. But obviously Sri Aurobindo felt that the time for their direct collaboration had not yet come. So they started the return journey on 22 February 1915, one day after the Mother's birthday. She later stated in one of her talks, with obvious pain: "He (Sri Aurobindo) did not keep me, what could I do? I had to go. But I left my psychic being with him, and in France I was once on the point of death: the doctors had given me Up." The separation from Sri Aurobindo, from India was a powerful shock for the Mother. She was drawn, as it were, into the whirlpool of the World War to become its silent witness. In Paris she saw trains with wounded soldiers arriving and was deeply moved on seeing the noble manner in which they bore their sufferings. She tried to help them in her own way, by inwardly enveloping them in love, and she discovered that the soldiers had a great receptivity for her invisible gift.

Sri Aurobindo continued his correspondence with the Mother and helped her in her serious crisis. After the departure of the Richards he shouldered all alone the responsibility of publishing the Arya.

(to be continued )

Annai & Aurobindo

Mother Childhood :

Mirra was born in Paris on 21 February 1878 at 10.15 a.m. The house of her parents was at the boulevard Haussmann near the Opera. Her father, Maurice Alfassa, was a Turkish banker from Adrianople, whilst her mother, Mathilde Ismaloun, came from Cairo. Mirra was thus of Turkish- Egyptian descent, a fact which is significant in so far as these two countries are on the threshold between Orient and Occident. It became evident later that the Mother(Mirra), like no one else, knew how to bring together these two worlds in a happy synthesis. Mirra grew up in Paris where she was to spend the first part of her life. Her parents had moved to France a year before her birth and settled down there. Even in her early years Mirra became conscious of her special purpose of life, her mission on earth: "I started contemplating or doing my Yoga from the age of 4. There was a small chair for me on which I used to sit still, engrossed in my meditation. A very brilliant light would then descend over my head and produce some turmoil inside my brain. Of course I understood nothing, it was not the age for understanding. But gradually I began to feel, 'I shall have to do some tremendously great work that nobody yet knows.'
From the age of five she was conscious that she did not belong to this world and did not have a human consciousness. At this age she began her spiritual discipline, her sadhana. But her mother , who was a rationalist, knew little of what was going on in Mirra's mind. Once she asked her, when she was meditating in her small chair, "Why do you sit thus with a set face, as if the whole world were pressing upon you?" And prompt came the answer, "Yes, indeed, I do feel the weight of the world's miseries pressing upon me!"
Whilst Mirra was thus developing her inner experiences, she had to fulfill, externally, the demands of society. She learnt to read and write, went to school and wondered at many strange things in the life of grown-up people. Once when she was carefully dressed up in order to pose for a photo, she looked with astonishment at the older people around her and told herself, "But how childish all this is!" At the age of eight she started practising a sport which was to play a daily role at a later stage in her life, that is, tennis. In order to make quick progress she used a special method: instead of playing with her comrades of the same age, she chose older players who were more experienced. It disturbed her little that with this method she always lost: "I never won, but I learnt much." At the age of about 12 we find her on lonely walks in the forests of Fontainebleau near Paris. "It was a very old forest,where there were trees that were even 2000 years old. I would sit quietly under a tree going deep into meditation. At that time I often felt a close intimacy with those trees that gave me great joy. My consciousness came into communion with those trees, and even the birds and squirrels from them would come down, very close to me and fearlessly run across my body in a playful mood. ..Once there was talk of cutting down an old tree, and when I went under this tree, I distinctly felt that the tree had become aware of its danger and was soliciting me to somehow stop this cruelty. " Another time it happened that while climbing up a steep slope she slipped and fell. While falling, it was as if someone was supporting her and bringing her down slowly. Her comrades were happily surprised to see her safely arriving on the street which was covered with sharp black flint stones. At the same age Mirra also started developing interest in occultism. Her inner experiences assumed new dimensions now: "Between the ages of 11 and 13 a series of psychic and spiritual experiences revealed to me not only the existence of God, but man's possibility of uniting with Him, of realising Him integrally in consciousness and action, of manifesting Him upon earth in a life divine. This, along with a practical discipline for its fulfilment, was given to me during my body's sleep by several teachers, some of whom I met afterwards on the physical plane. Later on, as the interior and exterior development proceeded, the spiritual and psychic relation with one of these Beings became more and more clear and frequent. "Although Mirra knew little of Indian philosophy and religion at that time, she called the special Being 'Krishna '. She made a sketch of him and was firmly convinced that one day she would meet him on earth. Another revealing experience has been recorded by her in her Prayers and Meditations. "When I was a child of about thirteen, for nearly a year every night as soon as I had gone to bed it seemed to me that I went out of my body and rose straight up above the house, then above the city, very high above. Then I used to see myself clad in a magnificent golden robe, much longer than myself; and as I rose higher, the robe would stretch, spreading out in a circle around me to form a kind of immense roof over the city. Then I would see men, women, children, old men, the sick, the unfortunate coming out from every side; they would gather under the outspread robe, begging for help, telling of their miseries, their suffering, their hardships. In reply, the robe, supple and alive, would extend towards each one of them individually, and as soon as they had touched it, they were comforted or healed, and went back into their bodies happier and stronger than they had come out of them. "
(To be continued )

Kalki Avatar

In the year , 2001-2002 we were said to be in the 5102nd year out of the total of 432,000 years of the KALIYUGA. The Kali Yuga is said to come to and end after 426,898 years. During this period, the evil forces would progressively gain control and destroy all good ones by the time Kaliyuga comes to a close. BRAHMA is believed to have told NARADA about all the Avatars including the apocalyptic KALKI AVATAR. According to Puranas, when the evil becomes unbearable, Lord Vishnu will be born in a village called 'SAMBALAM' on the banks of Ganges as the son of a Brahmin couple called VISHNUYASAS and SUMATHI. He will be riding a white horse called ?kalkam (karkam) and wielding a sharp sword will traverse the entire Universe in three nights weeding out all evil forces and establishing a Krita yuga back again -thus being the harbinger of the 'Golden Age' on earth. May the Lord who now appears to us in Archaa form and who is going to take this form of Kalki put an end to our cycle of births and deaths in Samsaara.

Paritranaya saadunaam vinashayasa dushkrudham dharma
samsthaba narthaya sambavami yuge yuge

Meaning :

Whenever evil over-takes the good and the world is sinking with sins at that time I will come to annihilate the evil and establish righteousness.

Source : http://dasavatharastotra.blogspot.com/

Krishna Avatar

In this avathar Lord Krishna gave Bhagavat Gita to mankind - a compilation that is a religious classic with profound phylosophical thoughts. Gita has taught many things to mankind - to lead a life of love, affection,devotion,duty to parents,duty to country etc. God Sri Krishna says he liberates mankind from their sins when they completely surrender to him and helps them attain perfection. He also says in Gita "abandoning all rites and duties take refuge in me alone. Do not grieve for I shall librate you from all sins. Kamsa the king of Madhurapuri was a cruel ruler.He imprisoned his father and took over the reign. He got his sister Devaki whom he loved very much married to Vasudeva and was bringing them home when Yogamaya appeared in the sky and warned Kamsa that the eighth child of Devaki born with the astrologoical star "Rohini"
would kill him. Immediately kamsa was very restless and consulted his friend Jarasanda and according to his advice imrpisoned both Devaki and Vasudeva. When ever devaki gave birth to a child he would immediately kill the baby. Devaki and Vasudeva were very sad and prayed to God Vishnu. The God appeared before them and said "I will be born as your 8th child and I will kill Kamsa Do not worry and have peace of mind." So saying God disappeared. Aside to the story of Krishna avathar: In the mean time Sri vishnu ordered Aadhi-sesha his five-hooded snake to go into Devaki's womb to be the seveth child. But He said this child would in time be transfered to the womb of Rohini the first wife of Vasudeva and would be born as Balarama - another avathar of the God. God again ordained that Yokamaya Shakthi would be born as a girl child to Yasoda a lady in the yadava clan in Gokulam at the same time when Sri vishnu would be born as Lord Krishna to Devaki. When Devaki gave birth to Lord Krishna God ordered Vasudeva to take the baby to Gokulam leave it with Yasoda and bring the female child born to Yasoda to the prison to be with Devaki. By Gods will the jail gates unlocked by themselves, the guards fell asleep to facilitate Vasudeva to take the child to Gakulam as divinely ordained. Further the river Yamuna which was in spate parted to open a path for vasudeva to pass with the child on his head. It was raining also. By Gods instruction a five-hooded snake opened its hood like an umbralla over the child to protect it from the rain. He reached to gokulam and exchanged the children and he came back to the jail with Yogamaya born as a female child. The doors closed and locked itself automatically. All the gaurds woke up from deep slumber. As soon as he left the child with devaki Immediatly the child began to cry. The guards immediately informed to Kamsa that a child was born to Devaki. Kamsa immediately went to the jail and was surprised and confused to find that the eighth child was a baby girl. However he snached the baby and dashed it head against the jail wall. The baby rose up and appeared as Devi Yokamaya and said "Oh merciless king why are you trying to kill me ? The one to kill you is already born and is growing up somewere. You cannot escape from death." saying this Yogamaya disappeared. Kamsa was stunned and went to his palace a worried person. He felt very restless. In the mean time grand celebrations were going on in Gokulam over the birth of Sri Krishna. Kamsa heard about this and sent his men to Gokulam to find out how many children were born with Rohini as their zodiac star. They went to Gokulam and found that 25 such children were born and informed Kamsa accordingly.They also told him that grand celebrations were going on in one Nandan's house Kamsa somehow felt very uncomfortable about the birth of Krishna to Nandan and Yasoda and tried various means to kill the child but did not succeed. In time Lord Krishna killed the cruel king. Nandan sent young Krishna to a hermit for 'gurukula-vasam' for his formal education. Krishna learnt all the sasthras and all the arts. On finishing his education he shifted to Dwaraka from Madhura. He distroyed all the evil forces and and established Dharma. Krishna helped the 'Pancha-pandavas' the five brothers among whom Arjuna was Krishna's very close friend.He helped them win the war with 'Kowrawas' - the evil 100.During the war between the Kowravas" and the 'Pandavas' Lord Krishna gave the message of Bhagvat Gita to Arjuna and to the world.
Sources : Wikipedia

Balarama Avatar

Balarama was born as the brother of Krishna. Balrama is a symbol of strenght, an obedient son, an ideal brother and husband, an ideal man and god. He is a protector from desires, the divinity of strength or the strength of the divine, symbolizing duty, honesty and simplicity.
Vishnu incarnated as Balarama when Indra and the other gods came to lord Vishnu and asked for release from the demon son Kamsa, king of Mathura. Vishnu took one black and one white hair from his head and promised that these two would come to fight against the demons. This way, first Balrama (the white hair) and then Krishna (the black hair). Etymologically, Balarama derives from the Sanskrit words bala (meaning "strength") and Rama (a name of god). Accordingly, Balarama is considered to be extremely strong and, as such, he is also known by strength monikers such as Halayudha ("carrier of the plow"). Though overshadowed in worship by his brother Krishna, Balarama still plays a role in Hindu tales and remains a popular deity for some Hindus today. Together with Krishna he grew up in a cowherd's family. At an early age, he killed the demon Dhenuka, accompanied Krishna to Mathura and supported him until Kamsa was killed. Balarama also released Krishna´s son, Samba, from Duryodhana's prison. His wife was Revati, king Raivata´s daughter. They had two sons, Nistha and Ulmuka. Balarama was a weapon expert and is famous for his ability as an instructor of combat tactics. He taught both Duryodhana of the Kauravas and Bhima of the Pandavas the art of fighting with a mace. When war broke out between the corrupted Kauravas and the dharma-abiding Pandavas, Balarama considered himself equally affectionate toward both parties and so decided to side with neither group. Bhima, a warrior of greater strength, eventually defeated Duryodhana, a warrior of greater skill, by dealing him a blow below the navel with his mace. Upon hearing of this, Balarama threatened to kill Bhima, and was only prevented from doing so by Krishna.
Balarama's death is described in the Bhagavata Purana. After taking part in the battle that caused the destruction of the remainder of the Yadu dynasty, Balarama witnessed the disappearance of Krishna from the earthly realm. Having seen this, he then sat down in a meditative state and produced a great white snake from his mouth, that is, the holy serpent Shesha of whom he is sometimes said to be an incarnation. Shesha then carried Balarama into the ocean and out of the physical world.

There is not much significance in this avathar. From the evolutionary angle this avathar marks the period when humans started a settled way of life taking to agriculture

Sources : sanatansociety.org , newworldencyclopedia

Thanks to Padma , who collected all the points .

Rama Avatar

Rama avathar is called Dharma Avathar. He not only overcame 'adharma' (evil forces) but also taught mankind how to lead a perfect life of truthfulness, kindness, obeisance to parents etc.In RAMA Avatar, Lord Vishnu incarnates himself as RAMA ,he is one of the more popular figures and deities in Hinduism, The majority of details concerning Rama come from the Ramayana, one of the two great epics of India. Born as the eldest son of Kaushalya and Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya, Rama is referred to within Hinduism as Maryada Purushottama, literally the Perfect Man or Lord of Restrictions. Lord Rama is the central character in the epic RAMAYANA , in this myriad of topics are covered, including war, love, brotherhood,ideal man , son etc.

Prince of Ayodhya :
King Dasaratha performs a putrakamesti yagna , a sacrifice to obtain offspring by pleasing the gods. He gives the sacred, sacrificial nectar to his three wives according to their seniority: Kousalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. On the night of the ninth day after Amavasya, Rama was born. He is the eldest brother to Bharata, son of Kaikeyi, and the twin sons of Sumitra, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. Rama is dark-complexioned, mainly bluish – a symbol of divinity. The Ramayana describes the relationship between the brothers as intensely loving and devotional,
Initiation of the Avatara :
Sage Vishwamitra takes the two princes, Rama and Lakshmana, to the Swayamvara ceremony for Sita. The challenge is to string the bow of Shiva, and shoot an arrow with it. This task is considered impossible for any ordinary king or living being, as this is the personal weapon of Shiva, more powerful, holy and of divine creation than conceivable. While attempting to string the bow, Rama breaks it in two. This feat of strength spreads his fame across the worlds and seals his marriage to Sita. When it was time king Dasaratha wanted to crown Rama as the king and retire to the forest to devote his time to penance renouncing all pleasures of life. Kaikeyi the third wife of dasaratha and a step-mother to Rama however wanted her son Bharatha to be crowned the king Long time earlier King Dasaratha Promised kaikeyi two favours she would ask for. She however did not ask for anything at that time , now she invoked the promise that King dasaratha had made and asked that Bharatha be crowned the King instead of Rama. Her second wish was that Rama should be banished to the forest and live there for 14 years as an ascetic before returning to the kingdom. King dasaratha was distressed, but Rama realizes that the king must not break a solemn promise at any time, and neither should a son disobey his father's command. Sita joins her husband in exile despite his discouraging her, as it is her duty and out of love for Rama that she must be at his side at all times. His younger brother Lakshmana also immediately decides to join Rama rather than remain in the city.

Once Ravana's sister Soorpanagai was wandering around in the forest and ran into Rama and Lakshmana and was struck by the handsome features of the princes. She went up to Rama and spoke to him coyly to entice him but Rama was so much devoted to Sita that he would not countanence any other women in his life. He chasticed her and drove her away. She next went to Lakshmana with similar intentions. But Lakshmana did not like her obsene manners and to spite her he cut off her nose with his sword. Soorpanaga vowed to take revenge on both the brothers She ran to her brother Ravana and misrepresented her encounter with Rama and Lakshmana. She also told him about the rare beauty of Sita and kindled his desire to possess Sita. Ravana took help from Marchan , and inturn Marichan took the form of a deer and went near the ashram. Sita was so struck by the beauty of the animal and wanted to keep it in the ashram. She asked Rama to bring the deer to her. Rama went after the animal which was running fast taking Rama away from the ashram. At one point the deer gave out a cry "hey Lakshmana" mimicrying the voice of Rama. Sita was panic stricken and thought Rama was in deep trouble and asked Lakshmana to immediately go and see what was wrong. All the while Ravana was watching and when Lakshmana was out of sight pounced upon Sita and carried her away in his sky-chariot to Lanka. Rama was disconsolate when he returned and found sita missing. He upbraided Lakshmana for leaving sita un-guarded. On regaining composure they both set forth in search of sita. On their way they saw the wounded jatayu the eagle who told them that he saw Ravana the King of Lanka carrying away Sita south-ward. Jatayu was wounded by Ravana when he tried to rescue sita.So Rama and Lakshmana went south-ward towards Lanka in search of Sita. On the way they met Hanuman who became most faithful and devoted to Rama. Through Hanuman Rama got the following of Sugriva and his army of monkeys. Hanuman found sita in the asoka-vana in Lanka disconsolate and sorrounded by evil-ladies. Rama set forth with the army of monkeys to rescue sita.Knowing the prowess of Ravana Rama prayed to lord for strength to fight Ravana and his hordes. Shiva granted him the boon. Armed with this Rama invaded Lanka. After an epic battle he vanquished Ravana and his army and rescued Sita.
Agni pariksha :
After Rama slays Ravana and wins the war, Sita wants to come before him in the state which over a year's imprisonment had reduced her to, Rama arranges for Sita to be bathed and given beautiful garments before they are re-united. But even as Sita comes before him in great excitement and happiness, Rama does not look at her, staring fixedly at the ground. He tells her that he had fought the war only to avenge the dishonour that Ravana had inflicted on Rama, and now Sita was free to go where she pleased. At this sudden turn of events, all the vanaras, rakshasas, Sugriva, Hanuman and Lakshmana are deeply shocked . Sita begs Lakshmana to build her a pyre upon which she could end her life, as she could not live without Rama. At this point, Lakshmana is angered at Rama for the first time in his life, but following Rama's nod, he builds a pyre for Sita. At the great shock and sorrow of the watchers, Sita walks into the flames. But to their greater shock and wonder, she is completely unharmed. Instead, she glows radiantly from the centre of the pyre. Immediately Rama runs to Sita and embraces her. He had never doubted her purity for a second, but, as he explains to a dazzled Sita, the people of the world would not have accepted or honoured her as a queen or a woman if she had not passed this Agni pariksha before the eyes of millions, where Agni would destroy the impure and sinful, but not touch the pure and innocent
Maryada Purushottama :
As a person, Rama personifies the characteristics of an ideal person (purushottama) who is to be emulated. He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire, and he fulfils all his moral obligations (maryada). Rama's purity and piety in his intentions and actions inspires affection and devotion for him from a variety of characters from different backgrounds. For example, he gave up his rightful claim to the throne, and agreed to go into exile for fourteen years, to fulfill the vow that his father had given to Kaikeyi, one of King Dashratha's wives. This is in spite of the fact that Kaikeyi's son, Bharat, begged him to return back to Ayodhya and said that he did not want to rule in place of Rama. But Rama considered his dharma as a son above that of his own birthright and his life's ambition. For such supreme sacrifices, and many other qualities, Shri Rama is considered a maryada purushottam.
Maha-vishnu took this incarnation to show to the world an example in
virtuous living. From another angle this marks the period when humans
evolved as a perfect being in the long process of evolution.

Karadayan Nonbu (English version )

Karadayan Nonbu or Vratam is an important fast observed by Tamil women. It is based on the legend of Satyavan and Savitri. Based on this myth each region in India observes an Upvaas in different time of the year. In Tamil Nadu, it is observed during the transition of Tamil Month Maasi and Panguni. The story of Satyavan and Savitri is a sub plot in the Mahabharata.
King Ashtapati had a beautiful and intelligent daughter named Savitri. The King gave her the permission to choose her husband. One day, Savitri met a young man in the forest who was carrying his blind parents in two baskets balanced on either side of a stick. The young man was Satyavan.
Impressed by Satyavan’s devotion towards his blind parents, Savitri decides to marry him. On enquiry, the King found out from Sage Narada that Satyavan was the son of a deposed king and that he was destined to die in a year.
King first refused to the marriage but Savitri was adamant. Finally, the King relented and the marriage was conducted and the couple left for the forest.They led a happy life and soon a year passed and Savitri realized that Satyavan would die any moment. So she kept fast and always followed him. She cooked a special adai and served it to her family and gave some as offering to the Gods.Next day, she followed Satyavan to the forest. While cutting woods, he fell down and fainted. Soon, Savitri realized that Satyavan is dying. Suddenly she felt the presence of Yama, the god of death. She saw him carrying the soul of Satyavan and she followed Yama.
Yama first ignored Savitri thinking that she will soon return back to her husband’s body. But she persisted and kept on following him. Yama tried few tricks to persuade her but nothing worked. Then Yama said that it is impossible for him to give back the dead as it is against the nature’s law. Instead, he will give her three boons.
Savitri agreed with the first boon she asked for a son for her father. With the second boon she asked that her in-laws be reinstated in their kingdom with full glory.Finally, for the third boon she asked ‘I would like to have children.’Yama immediately said ‘granted.’ But soon Yama realized that he had been tricked by Savitri.
Yama remained silent for a minute and then smiled and said ‘I appreciate you persistence. But what I liked more was you readiness to marry a man whom you loved even though you knew that he would only live for a year. Go back to your husband he will soon wake up.’
Soon Savitri and Satyavan were reunited.


Preparations for the Pooja :

First we have to do the pooja in the exact time when Maasi month ends and Panguni month starts , this year karadayan nonbu falls on Saturday , 14th of March 2009 , timing is between 12.00 - 1.30 PM. And the fast is observed from the sunrise on the supposed transition day.The important things needed are An idol or image of Goddess Kamakshi. Karadi , a yellow thread tied with flowers and Manjal . Karadai, (sweet and salt adai) and butter .


First we have to :

• Place the banana leaf on the kolam or the puja area
• and place both sweet and salt Karadai dish along with butter on the leaf
• Other items to place on the leaf are the betel leaf, betel nut, fruits, coconut, banana and butter.
• the nivediya is offered to the goddess.It can be offered by sprinkling some water and ringing the bell or by performing an arati.
• then either Mothers or husbands tie the thread , to girls/ women around the neck

while we tie the thread, have to chant this slokam :
Urugda Venaiyum oru adai naan tharuven .
Oru kaalam yen kanavan yenaai piriyatha iruka vendum
Source : www.indusladies.com




karadayan nonbu adai recipes :

Uppu / Salt Adai :

http://kaviskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-salt-adai-gayathris.html

Vellam / Sweet adai :

http://kaviskitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2009/03/karadayan-nonbu-sweet-adai-gayathris.html

Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Lyrics

Namosthesthu Maha Maye,Sree peede, sura poojithe,Sanka, chakra, Gadha hasthe,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 1

Namasthe garudarude,Kolasura bhayam kari,Sarva papa hare, devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 2

Sarvagne Sarva varadhe,Sarva dushta Bhayam karee,Sarva dukha hare, devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 3

Sidhi budhi pradhe devi,Bhakthi mukthi pradayinee,Manthra moorthe, sada devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 4

Adhyantha rahithe, devi,Adhi Shakthi maheswari,Yogaje yoga sambhoothe,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 5

Sthoola Sukshma maha roudhre,Maha Shakthi Maho dhare,Maha papa hare devi,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 6

Padmasana sthithe, devi,Para brahma swaroopini,Para mesi, jagan matha,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 7

Swethambara dhare, devi,Nanalankara bhooshithe,Jagat sthithe, jagan matha,Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe. 8

Maha lakmyashtakam stotram,Ya padeth Bhakthiman nara,Sarva sidhi mavapnothi,Rajyam prapnothi sarvadha.

Yeka kale paden nithyam, maha papa vinasanam,Dwi kale paden nithyam Dana dhanya samanvitha,Tri kalam paden nithyam Maha shathru vinasanam,Maha Lakshmir Bhaven nithyam Prasanna, varada Shubha.

Mahalakshmi Ashtakkam audio format link :

http://hindutradition.blogspot.com/2009/01/mahalakshmi-ashtakam.html

(The last two paragraph is not there in audio format )
Thanks Padma for the lyrics.

Why do we offer Coconut ?

In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, the use of a new vehicle, bridge, house etc. It is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa. The coconut is broken and placed before the Lord. It is later distributed as prasaada. The fibre covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolising the breaking of the ego. The juice within, representing the inner tendencies (vaasanas) is offered along with the white kernel - the mind, to the Lord.
A mind thus purified by the touch of the Lord is used as prasaada ( a holy gift). In the traditional abhishekha ritual done in all temples and many homes, several materials are poured over the deity like milk, curd, honey, tender coconut water, sandal paste, holy ash etc. Each material has a specific significance of bestowing certain benefits on worshippers. Tender coconut water is used in abhisheka rituals since it is believed to bestow spiritual growth on the seeker.The coconut also symbolises selfless service. Every part of the tree -the trunk, leaves, fruit, coir etc. Is used in innumerable ways like thatches, mats, tasty dishes, oil, soap etc. It takes in even salty water from the earth and converts it into sweet nutritive water that is especially beneficial to sick people. It is used in the preparation of many ayurvedic medicines and in other alternative medicinal systems.The marks on the coconut are even thought to represent the three-eyed Lord Shiva and therefore it is considered to be a means to fulfill our desires.

Holi

What is Holi?
• Holi is literally one of the most colorful festivals in the world celebrated in early March.
• Lasts 1-5 days
• Bonfires are lit and coloured powders and dyes are thrown over people.
• Holi symbolises spring and the mythological stories of the God Krishna and the King Prahlad.


How did the celebration of Holi assume a colorful face?
• According to the Hindu belief, Krishna was a reincarnation of lord Vishnu himself.
• It was Krishna, or, the king of the ancient city of Dwarka, who popularised the tradition of Holi.
• The origin of the colorful and playful tone of Holi lies in the childhood of Krishna.


Krishna’s pranks :
• It all came up as part of his pranks, he used to play with his mates of Gokul and Vrindavan.
• Situated in north India, these are the places where he spent his childhood.
• It was at this time of year, Krishna used to play pranks by drenching the village girls, with water and colours.
• At first it offended the girls. But they were so fond of this mischievous boy that soon their anger melted away.


How it added more colour?
• It did not take long for other boys to join in, making it a popular sport in the village.
• Later, as Krishna grew up, the play assumed a new dimension. It added more colour to Krishna's legendary love life.
• The legend of Krishna's courtship with Radha, and playing pranks with the 'Gopi's.
• The girls in the 'dairy' village of Gokul were mostly milkmaids, and, locally known as the Gopis.


How it spread?
• The same tradition has transpired through the ages, turning it into a community festival of the masses.
• As time kept flowing, the culture spread roots to other regions of the country.
• The Holi play of Krishna is documented in hundreds of ancient paintings, murals, sculptures and scriptures found across the subcontinent.


Holi’s second meaning :
• Way back in the pre-Christian era, there lived a demon king named Hiranyakashipu in ancient India.
• He wanted to avenge the death of his younger brother.
• The brother, also a demon, had been killed by Lord Vishnu.


The king’s boon :
• To take on Vishnu, the king wanted to become the king of the heaven, earth and the
underworld.
• He performed severe penance and prayer for many years to gain enough power.
• Finally he was granted a boon.
• Powered by the boon, Hiranyakshipu thought he had become invincible.


Prahalad’s devotion :
• Arrogant, he ordered all in his kingdom to worship him, instead of God.
• The demon king, however, had a very young son, named Prahalad.
• He was a passionate devotee of Vishnu.
• Despite his father's order, Prahalad continued to pray to Vishnu.


Killing Prahalad :
• So the demon king wanted to kill his son.
• He asked the favor of his sister Holika who, because of a boon, was immune to fire.
• They planned that Prahalad would be burned to death.
• A pyre was lit up and Holika sat on it, clutching Prahalad.


Prahalad’s devotion :
• Yet, at the end Prahalad came out unharmed by the fire, and Holika, the demon, was burned to ashes.
• The sincere devotion and complete obedience to Lord Vishnu saved young Prahlad.
• Thus was the triumph of Prahlad, the representative of good spirits. And the defeat of Holika,the representative of evil.
• Later, even the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Vishnu, but that is a different story.


How Holi originated?
• It is from Holika, that the Holi originated.
• This legend is relived even today on the Holi-eve when the pyre is re-lit in the form of bonfires.
• Even today, people celebrate this occasion.
• Huge bonfires are lit up every year on the eve of the full moon night of the Holi to burn the spirit of the evils.
• Hence the story associated with the soul of the celebration.


What happens?
• A large tree branch, representing Prahlad, is placed in the middle of the fire.
• The branch is removed, recreating Prahlad’s rescue.
• The next morning, people put on old clothes and drench each other with colored powders.
• It’s the one day of the year that parents encourage their children to get filthy!

Parasuram Avatar

Parasurama was born to Rishi Jamadhagni and his wife Renuka, as the fifth boy.He was initially named Bargava Rama and later on when he took to great penance ,lasting over 10 years in the Himalayas ( Kailash) , Bargava Rama was renamed Parasurama by Lord Siva himself , who gave him his Siva Dhanus and the Parasu (the Axe) as the boons for his deep penance and devotion and blessed him toachieve his objectives with the help of those gadgets . Parasurama , primarily did the penance to Lord Siva, only to get enough powers to avenge the kshatriyarulers , who were harming the sages.

Vasugi sage jamadhagni's wife was very devoted to her husband and her children and looked after all the students with kindness and great care. Everday she used to go to the river closed by very early in the morning to bathe. After taking bath she would make an earthern pot and fetch water for the family. One day as she was making the pot a 'gandharva' ( celestial beings) passed over-head in the sky. She saw the reflection of the gandharva in the river water and was struck by the handsome features just for a moment. That wavering of the mind was considered being untrue to her husband. As a result that day however much she tried she could not make the pot. It broke every time she shaped it. Vasugi was unnerved by this and was afraid to go home. Sage Jamadhagni sensed this through his mental powers and became incensed that his wife admired the beauty of some one other than her husband. Wanting to punish her he ordered Parasurama to behead his mother. Being an obedient son he immediately carried out his father's order.
However Parasurama was overcome with great grief and also felt very angry towards his father. He developed a cruel nature though he remained a sage all his life.

In Vaikuntam , Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi were talking to each other. Goddess Lakshmi questions her husband Mahavishnu , how He could take an avatar like that in the world , where He is forced to cut His own mother’s head based on theorders of His father and how can He give word to His father without understanding the details of the wishes of His father. Was it not an act of arrogance or immature behaviour ? She says she was unable to understand the significance of this Avatar. While this may look a bit strange , actually Goddess Lakshmi wanted the Lord Himself to convey to the world , the significance of this Avatar . As usual Lord Vishnu then replies calmly and says that, He wanted to prove to the world how even a well read and accomplished person can succumb to the ego , if he does not have self control. While the saying "Pithru Devo Bhava" is to be observed , so also the saying "Mathru Devo Bhava" , which is equally important.When He talks of Mathru here , the Lord covers all the Women folk in the universe.He even says , because of the impulsive action of Parasurama , in only desiring to fulfill his promise to his father , he engaged himself in such acruel action , which when goes in history , is not going to bring him a big fame and despite all his other achievements and accomplishments it would remain as ablemish in his life history. Also the path chosen by any one to achieve his objectives should be bounded by the laid down laws of the universe. Moreover ,persons should never be self centered and impulsive in their actions . Persons should use their head more than their heart whiletaking crucial decisions in life .

sources : http://d.scribd.com/

Shree Ashta Lakshmi Stotram

Ashta Lakshmi :

1. Shree Adhi Lakshmi (Goddess of health)
2. Shree Dhanya Lakshmi (Goddess of food )
3. Shree Dhairya Lakshmi (Goddess of courage)
4. Shree Gaja Lakshmi (Goddess of luck)
5. Shree Santana Lakshmi (Goddess of children)
6. Shree Vijaya Lakshmi (Goddess of victory)
7. Shree Vidhya Lakshmi (Goddess of education)
8. Shree Dhana Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth)

Vamana Avatar

Vamana was born to Aditi and Kashyapa . Vamana is known to be the younger brother of Indra.
The legend of Bhagavata has it that the Vamana avatar was taken by Vishnu to restore Indra's authority over the heavens, which was taken away by force by the demon king Bali in Dravida.There is an interesting story behind this avatharam. Emperor Mahaballi ruled over the Pathala-loka. Instead of being confined to his-loka he captured the other lokas and was ruling over them. The Gods and others from other lokas Implored to God to put Mahabali in his place. Once Mahabali was performaing a big "yaga"( offering things in the sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity. Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask whatever they wished and the king would certainly oblige them. God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as a dwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 footmeasure of land for himself. The king was perplexed and wondering why the dwarf was asking for only a 3 foot-measure of land when he could ask for acres and acres of land. However the king agred and asked the dwarf the measure the land with his feet. ho! God assumed gigantic proportions his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth. God took one step and that covered all the worlds above the second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for his third foot measure. God asked king " Mahabali , I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas tell me where to keep my foot for the third foot-measure"Mahabali realising that the dwarf was no other than God himself Bowed before the dwarf and said " Please my lord you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathala'loka' and told him "O king! this is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realised his folly and ruled long over Pathala-loka. This is to show the people that they should live in their own places and should not be so greedy to occupy the other lands. Thus , Vamana taught King Mahabali that arrogance and pride should be abandoned if any advancement in life is to be made, and that wealth should never be taken for granted since it can so easily be taken away. Vamana then took on the form of Mahavishnu. He was pleased by King Mahabali's determination and ability to keep his promise in the face of his spiritual master's curse and the prospect of losing all his wealth. Vishnu named the King Mahabali since he was a Mahatma (great soul). He allowed Mahabali to return to the spiritual sky to associate with Prahalada (the demoniac Hiranyakashipu's pious son, also a descendant of the demon race) and other divine beings. Mahavishnu also declared that Mahabali would be able to rule the universe in the following yuga (age). Mahabali was the grandson of Prahlada being the son of Prahlada's son Virochana who was killed in a battle with the Devas.
Mahabali is supposed to return every year to the land of his people, to ensure that they are prosperous. This is celebrated as the Onam festival in Kerala, where he is also called Maveli (which is a contraction of Mahabali - the Great Bali).

Sources : http://en.wikipedia.org/

Maasi Magam

Maasi Magam, is an auspicious day in the Tamil month of Masi (February – March). Magam, is one among the twenty seven (stars) Nakshatras in the Hindu astrological system. A major ritual on this day is, the bathing of Temple Idols in sea, pond or lake. Idols of gods and goddess that are worshipped in Temples are carried in a procession to sea shores, rivers or ponds and pujas, rituals are held. Thousands of people gather to witness this auspicious event.
It is believed that those who take bath in the seas or rivers or ponds on the Masi Magam will attain Moksha.Once in twelve years, Masi Magam attains special significance and then it is known as Maha Maham.The reason for observing Masi Magam varies from region to region and sometimes even from temple to temple.The day is of great significance in Pondicherry, Kumbakonam, Srirangam and in numerous other shrines associated with Lord Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti in South India and in those regions around the world which has Tamil speaking population.
There are numerous myths in vogue related to Masi Makam. Each temple has a myth for celebrating Masi Makam. The most important one is related to Lord Shiva. Legend has it that Lord Shiva appeared as a child before King Vallala of Tiruvannamalai who was an ardent devotee. The king had no child and Lord Shiva promised to perform his last rituals. The king died on a Masi Magam day and it is said that the Lord performed his last rites. Lord Shiva also blessed the king by saying that whoever bathes in the sea during Masi Magam will merge with him and will get ‘mukthi.’ It is believed that every year the Lord visits the sea to perform the last rites of the king.
sources : http://www.hindu-blog.com/

Narasimham Avatar

The Lords fourth incarnation was Nara-simham. This incarnation was demi-human- Half human and Half animal(lion). Nara means human simham means lion. There is an interesting story to explain how and why God took this incarnation. Once Sage Doorwasa went to vishnu-lokha to worship Lord Vishnu. But the guards at the gate - Jayan and Vijayan didn't allow the saint inside to see the lord. The sage got very angry and cast a curse that the two should leave the heavens and be born in the earth as rakshasa- cruel and violent human beings and went away. The two guards were very sad and worried. After thinking for a long time they went inside and saw Lord Vishnu. They told him about the curse cast by the sage Doorvasa. However even Lord Vishnu could not reverse the curse. The guards should not have stopped sage Doorvasa at the gate. Vishnu said You both should not have stoped that sage and I can do nothing about the sage's curse but I can give a new boon that is: you both can come back to me as my enemy after 3 births or you can come back to me as my devotee after 30 births. Take your choice. They said 'O lord we don't want 30 births. Please we want to come back to you soon in 3 births even though the three births would be as your enemies'. Lord Vishnu agreed to this. So in that order their first birth was as Hiranyaksha & Hiranyakasibu
brothers. These brothers were very cruel.
Lord Vishnu in his previous avatara of Varaha, killed Hiranyaksha. Greatly angered by this, started to abhor Lord Vishnu and his followers. To which end he decides to attempt to kill Vishnu by gaining mystical powers, which he believes Brahma, the chief among the devas will award him if he undergoes many years of great austerity and penance. This initially seems to work as planned with Brahma becoming pleased by Hiranyakashipu's austerities. Brahma thus appears before Hiranyakashipu and offers him a boon that he will personally make true anything he wishes for. In reply to which Hiranyakashipu requests the following:
O my lord, O best of the givers of benediction, if you will kindly grant me the benediction I desire, please let me not meet death from any of the living entities created by you. Grant me that I not die within any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought about by any weapon, nor by any human being or animal. Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or nonliving. Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any demigod or demon or by any great snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no rival. Give me sole lordship over all the living entities and presiding deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore, give me all the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time.
One day while Hiranyakashipu was performing austerities at Mandaracala Mountain, his home was attacked by Indra and the other devas, seizing the opportunity in his absence. At this point the divine sage, Narada intervened in order to protect Kayadu, who he describes as 'sinless'. Following this event Narada takes Kayadu into his care and while under the guidance of Narada, her unborn child (Hiranyakashipu's son) Prahlada, became affected by the transcendental instructions of the sage even at such a young stage of development. Thus, Prahlada when later growing as a child began to show symptoms of this earlier training by Narada, gradually becoming recognised as a devoted follower of Vishnu, much to his father's disappointment. Hiranyakashipu eventually becomes so angry and upset at his son's devotion to Vishnu (who he sees as his mortal enemy) that he decides he must kill him but each time he attempts to kill the boy, Prahlada is protected by Vishnu's mystical power. When asked, Prahlada refuses to acknowledge his father as the supreme lord of the universe and claims that Vishnu is all-pervading and omnipresent. To which Hiranyakashipu points to a nearby pillar and asks if 'his Vishnu' is in it:most unfortunate Prahlada, you have always described a supreme being other than me, a supreme being who is above everything, who is the controller of everyone, and who is all-pervading. But where is He? If He is everywhere, then why is He not present before me in this pillar?"Prahlada answers He is in pillars, and he is in the smallest twig. Hiranyakashipu, unable to control his anger, smashes the pillar with his mace, and then following a tumultuous sound, Vishnu in the form of Narasimha appears from it and in defence of Prahlada moves to attack his father. In order to kill Hiranyakashipu and not upset the boon given by Brahma, the form of Narasimha was chosen. Hiranyakashipu could not be killed by human, deva or animal, Narasimha is neither one of these, as he is a form of Vishnu incarnate as a part-human, part-animal. He comes upon Hiranyakashipu at twilight (when it is neither day nor night) on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor out), and puts the demon on his thighs (neither earth nor space). Using his sharp nails (neither animate nor inanimate) as weapons, he disembowels and kills the demon.
Even after killing Hiranyakashipu none of the present demigods were able to calm Narasimha's fury, not even Shiva. So all the gods and goddesses called his consort, the goddess Lakshmi, but she was also unable to do so. Then, at the request of Brahma, Prahlada was presented to Narasimha, and finally, he was calmed by the prayers of his devotee. Before parting, Narasimha rewards the wise Prahlada by crowning him king.

Sources : wikipedia.