Devshayani Ekadashi

19 July 2013 is Devshayani Ekadashi :

 On this day in Hinduism, Lord Vishnu is believed to sleep on this day, hence the eleventh day of Ashadh is called Devashayani Ekadashi. He is believed to wake up on the eleventh of Kartik, hence called Prabodhini Ekadashi.

The sleep of Lord Vishnu signifies a phase of complete meditation and awareness. This period is not suitable for weddings and other similar rituals as the Gods are in their sleep during this month.
This duration is perfect for meditating, listening to religious discourses and taking Holy dips in rivers. It is believed that fasting and praying during this period is very effective.

One should maintain a proper vegetarian diet to avoid any diseases as the monsoons bring along a horde of ailments.

The first four months of Chaturmas are Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwina and Kartik. From then these months are considered very fortunate for performing Japa, Puja and other rituals.
This is the most beloved period of the Gods and Japa done in this period bears 1000 times greater results. During the period of Chaturmas, Sanyasis avoid travelling and stay at one place.

A lot of insects are produced during the monsoons and movement can trample these insects under their feet. This is the period of enhancing one’s spiritual power by meditating.

Ambarish And Durvasa

Ambarish And Durvasa

King Ambarish was an atmanivedi - a humble servant of the Lord. Both he and his queen were performing great austerities. For twelve months they had fasted on every ekadashi, not even drinking water. Their fast would end on Kartik sud 12. On the morning of the twelfth, Sage Durvasa and one hundred of his disciples arrived at King Ambarish's palace. Ambarish was overjoyed. He fell at their feet and welcomed them. He said, ''Today my ekadashi fast ends, and on this day you have also graced my palace. Indeed, I am very fortunate! Please dine here today.'' Durvasa replied, ''We'll first go to the river for a bath and then return.''

Durvasa and his disciples went to the river. There is a saying, ''Buffaloes, Brahmins and spinnach, have only to see water to be delighted!'' And so Durvasa and his disciples bathed for a long time. But the sacred time for ending the fast was near. The king's Brahmins advised him, ''The muhurt is passing. It is best you eat and so end the fast.'' Ambarish said, ''I shall eat when Durvasa returns.'' The Brahmins replied, ''But it is getting late. Only a few moments are left now. If you eat afterwards you will not receive the fruits of your fast.'' Ambarish was troubled. But Brahmins are very clever.

They found an easy answer. They said, ''Eat a sanctified tulsi leaf. In this way it can be said you have ended your fast, and yet it can also be said that you haven't eaten a meal!'' On the Brahmins' advice Ambarish placed a tulsi leaf in his mouth. Just then Durvasa and his disciples arrived. They discovered that Ambarish had completed his fast in their absence. Durvasa never needs to search for anger.

It's always with him as his constant companion. He shouted. ''Ambarish, you are known as a great devotee, yet you have no idea of how to treat your guests! Why did you eat alone without us!'' Ambarish touched Durvasa's feet in apology. He said, ''Only to safeguard the muhurt have I placed a leaf of tulsi in my mouth. The banquet is ready. Come, let us dine together.''

But would Durvasa listen? No! He was the very incarnation of anger. Cursing Ambarish he cried, ''You shall have to suffer the fruits of insulting me.'' Saying this he plucked a hair from his head and transformed it into a demonness. He commanded her to beat Ambarish. Now, Ambarish was truly a great devotee of the Lord. He stood with hands joined in humility. The Lord placed his special weapon the Sudarshan Chakra - in Ambarish's protection. The Sudarshan Chakra began to spin. Its bright light burnt the demonness to ashes. It then moved towards Durvasa to burn him as well. Durvasa saw this. He became frightened and shouting ''traahi tobaa'', clenched his fists and began to run for his dear life. The Chakra chased him everywhere.

Screaming ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam!'' Durvasa went to Lord Shiva and asked that he be saved from the Sudarshan Chakra. Shiva replied, ''I cannot turn the Chakra back. It belongs to Lord Vishnu. Go to him.'' For a whole year Durvasa ran. He finally went to Lord Vishnu crying. ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam! Save me! Save me!'' He begged, ''Lord, I cannot suffer the light from your Sudarshan Chakra anymore. I'm burning. Please call the Chakra off.'' God said, ''Durvasa, once my Chakra has been thrown at a person it never returns without killing him. I have no solution.'' Durvasa began to weep.

God said to him, ''No good will be done by weeping. But yes, there is one way of saving yourself.'' ''Lord! Quick tell me.'' ''But will you be able to do it?'' ''Lord, if my life can be saved anything and everything will be done!'' said Durvasa, in a humble voice. God explained to Durvasa, ''You have insulted my devotee, Ambarish. Humbly go to him and fall at his feet. If he forgives you then the Chakra will return to Me.'' In a time of great need we may even address a donkey as 'father!' To live, Durvasa had no other option. And so after a year of battering, Durvasa went to Ambarish. From the moment Durvasa had run away, with the Chakra chasing him King Ambarish had remained standing at the place he had been insulted. He had not eaten or drunk anything. ''Paahi maam! Paahi maam!'' cried Durvasa.

He fell at King Ambarish's feet. Ambarish pulled his feet away and raised Durvasa. He said, ''King of Sages, your falling at my feet is not right.'' Durvasa replied, ''Ambarish, you are a true devotee of the Lord. I have insulted you. Please forgive me. Save me from the Sudarshan Chakra.'' King Ambarish prayed to the Sudarshan Chakra and said, ''If the love and respect I have for Durvasa at this moment are the same as they were when he first came to my palace, then, Oh Sudarshan Chakra! Please return to the Lord.'' The Sudarshan Chakra returned to Lord Vishnu at once.

Durvasa was tremendously relieved. Then both he and Ambarish together went to the banquet hall. The Lord cannot tolerate an insult thrown upon a great devotee of His. So never take fault with any devotee. Being humble before such a devotee pleases the Lord.

Happy New Year - 2013!

स्वप्न-दुस्वप्न पर डरा नहीं
भ्रमित महज हो जाता हूँ
कृष्ण कहो - कब
श्याम-वर्ण मैं पाऊँगा |

Saligram - A Holy Stone

In the Padma Purana Lord Siva declares the greatness of Saligrama Shila as follows:

Mallinga Kotibhi Drsthi Yad Phalam Pujiti
Saligrama Sila Yamtu Ekasyam Iva Tad Bhaved

The merit obtained by seeing and worshipping hundreds of thousands of My Lingams, is equivalent to that obtained by worshipping one single Salagram shila (stones).



This stone is worshipped as an iconic representation Lord Vishnu, just as Lingam is worshipped as an iconic Lord Shiva. The marks on the Shaligram are natural with the pattern often representing that of Sudarshan Chakra, the Discus of Lord Vishnu.

Shaligram is also Known as Shaligram shila . 'Shila' is usually spoken by Vaisnava devotee.'Shila' refers to  Form and Murti of God in sanskrit. Shaligram Shila is only One Scared  murti of god vishnu in Universe which is worshipped in every home and temple to please god vishnu from ancient Puranic Period.Shaligram is one of the name and incarnation of god vishnu himself for welfare of human.

If this is what Lord Shiva says, lets know where the Saligrama are found, what they are, their legend, types, Pooja and benefits etc.
Many types of Saligramas:

Saligrams are classified on the basis of its size shape, color, openings, chakras (natural carving), lines, weight etc. those popular types are as follows.

A. Lakshminarayana Saligram: Little dark in color, one mouth, four chakras and in one line.

B. Praddhyumna Saligram: Very little, one chakra on the top, and with crooked mouth.

C.Aniruddah Saligrama: Like a round ball, slightly yellow color, smooth and soft glasslike. It is believed it will brings peace and happiness.

D.Vasudeva Saligrama:  It is equivalent to worshipping Krishna himself. It is rounding, shiny, with one opening   mouth. It is surrounded by two chakras. It fulfills devotees’   wishes.

5. Sankarshana Saligrama: Two chakras facing each other. Narrow in the frontand wider at the back. For Brahmacharis, it brings knowledge.

6. Narasimha Saligrama: Worshipped with great devotion. Contains two chakrasand shape is varied. The devotee of this Saligrama becomes a sarva sangatyagi (renunciate) and a jitendria.

7. Lakshmi Narasimha Saligrama: Not a sugra as the Narasimha Saligrama. This Saligrama is thus an embodiment of pleasantness. This has a wide opening, has two chakra an also has a garland type of line .This brings to the devotees peace and solace.

8. Hayagriva Saligrama: Horse faced with two chakras. Not so appealing in appearance. Especially for gnanam (education).

9. Sudarshana Saligrama: Has an ordinary form with one Chakra.

10. Gadadhara Saligrama: Very ordinary with one chakra.

11. Madhusudana Saligrama: Dark cloud color and wheel shape. Has the sign similar to foot print of a calf. Very Holy.

12. Lakshminarayana Saligrama: One opening with a garland like line. color of dark clouds, four chakras. Very rare and special. Fulfils all desires of Bhaktas.

13. Lakshmijanardhana Saligrama: Same as above (12) but without garland shapeline.

14. Vamana Saligrama: Small in size, lighter shade of black colour, two chakras with no opening.

15. Sridhara Saligrama: Same as above(14) but with a garland like line.Brings good luck and progress to the devotees.

16. Raghunatha Saligrama: Two openings, four chakras and a sign similar tofoot print of a calf.

17. Damodara Saligrama: Huge, found commonly in temples. Has two chakras.

18. RaNa Rama Saligrama: Round, moderate size, with two chakras, baby feet sign, bow and arrow signs.

19. Rajarajeshwara Saligrama: Same shape as above (17), but with seven chakras and the sign of an umbrella(Chatri). Brings Raja Yoga and RajaSanmanam to the devotees.

20. Anantha Saligrama: Pitch black with 14 chakras. Holiest of the Saligramas. Very rare.  

मुझे रास आ गया है, तेरे दर पे सर झुकाना

मुझे रास आ गया है, तेरे दर पे सर झुकाना
तुझे मिल गई पुजारिन मुझे मिल गया ठिकाना

मुझे कौन जानता था तेरी बन्दगी से पहले
तेरी याद में बना दी मेरी जिन्दगी फसाना मुझे रास ....

मुझे इसका गम नहीं है, की बदल गया जमाना
मेरी जिन्दगी के मालिक कही तुम बदल न जानामुझे रास ....

तेरी सावरी से सूरत मेरे मन में बस गई है
ए सावरे सलोने अब और ना सताना
मुझे रास ....

मेरी आरजू येही है दम निकले तेरे दर पे
अभी सांस चल रही है कही तुम चले ना जाना
मुझे रास ....

WHAT IS LIFE?

WHAT IS LIFE? 

THEY SAY ITS FROM B TO D,

FROM BIRTH TO DEATH,

BUT WHAT'S BETWEEN B & D ?

IT'S A "C"

SO WHAT'S A "C"?

IT IS A 

CHOICE

SO LIFE IS A MATTER OF CHOICES

LIVE WELL AND IT WILL NEVER GO WRONG!

मैं तो वृन्दावन को जाऊं सखी

मैं तो वृन्दावन को जाऊं सखी,
मेरे नैना लगे बिहारी से।
घर में खाऊन रूखी सूखी,
मोहे माखन मिले बिहारी से।
मोरे नयना लगे बिहारी से॥

घर में पहनू फटे पुराने,
मोहे रेशम मिले बिहारी से।
मोरे नयना लगे बिहारी से॥
घर में होए निज कीच-कीच-बाजी,
मोहे आनंद मिले बिहारी से।
मोरे नयना लगे बिहारी से॥
घर में सास ननदिया लड़े हैं,
मोहे सत्संग मिले बिहारी से।
मोरे नयना लड़े बिहारी से॥