Sri Suktam- Key to treasure

In Hindu mythology, it is goddess Lakshmi who is the deity of wealth and prosperity. This wealth includes material as well as spiritual happiness . She is not important to humans as well as for gods also. This is evident from the mythological story in which due to curse of sage Durvaasa to Indra , goddess Lakshmi abandoned the swarga loka. This created havoc. Only after great efforts of gods she re-appear as a daughter of Sagar. Similarly, in astrology Venus is considered as natural significator of luxuries. So, Friday, which is ruled by Venus is auspicious day to worship goddess Lakshmi. In our classics there is a mention of set of shlokas in Sanskrit to worship goddess Lakshmi. This is called “Shri-Suktam”. The word “Shri” itself is an indicator auspiciousness and royalty. If one recite this mantras on Friday, then it is believe that goddess Lakshmi showers her blessings to the person. There are many variations of this mantra is available in the market. But the set of 16 mantra is more authentic. For the people whose 5th lord in their horoscope is Venus, this mantra would work as a tonic for the whole life. If a mantra is done under the influence of auspicious muhurat , then its effect multiplies by many folds. On, Diwali night, this mantra is highly recommended . It is very important that the mantra should be pronounced correctly. Even more important is the state of mind at the time of recitation. The role of “Kaal(time)” and “sthaan(place)” is the deciding factor for the outcome of mantra-saadhna.

Pitra Dev

It is often seen in the horoscope that there is a yoga of “Pitra-dosham” which is considered very deadly for the children.It is a clear indication of curse of ancestors. Also, the blessings of our ancestors are very important for the success in life. As per hindu calendar, the Krishna paksh (fortnight) of Ashwin month is very important for remembering our ancesters. During this period rituals performed for the pacification of departed souls is called as “Shradh”. After the death soul travels various planes(levels). It suffers accoding to the its deed performed on the earth. Shradh ceremony is performed to provide the solace to the soul. The last day of shradh is considered as the most important one . It is held on amavasya tithi. The pitras are believed to be the ruler of this tithi(date). Similarly offering water to souls is called “Tarpan” ceremony. As per rule the eldest son of the deceased should perform this ceremony. Otherwise spouse or brother or son-in-law are qualified to perform it. The shradh or tarpan performed on teerath is considered as best. The easiest way is to donate the food liked by the ancestors. It should be donated to Brahmin, crow and cow.Sesame seeds mixed with water is considered very sacred in the offerings. All the auspicious works are prohibited during this period. There are 6 kinds of tarpan

1) Devtarpan

2) Rishitarpan

3) Divyamanavtarpan

4) Divyapitratarpan

5) Yamtarpan

6) Manushyapitratarpan

Mantra to be recited at the time of tarpan is-

Om ye bandhava abandhva va yenya janmani bandhva |

Te sarve triptimayantu maddattenambuna swadha ||

This simple remedy is very important to ward off many hidden evils in horoscope.

Magic of 108

Zodiac is a path on which the planets travel. Entire path is divided into 27 nakshatras. Each having 4 padas. Our sages multiplied this number of nakshatras (27) by four and fixed the resultant number (108) as the required number of beads in a rosary. In astrology 1 day and 1 night together makes 1 ahoratra. A human being breathes 21600 times in an Ahoratra. Classics advice that a person tells a rosary with 108 beads at least once in a day simultaneously chanting the Lord's name, all the breaths find a purpose. If rosary is told with proper rituals, it yields hundred times more benefits. By proper rituals, it means telling of rosary at least 100 times a day. Thus it equals (108 x 100) to 10800 i.e. equal to half the number of breaths during an Ahoratra which is requirement number for human to devote his breaths in god’s name. Another view is that in Sanskrit, the language of God has 54 letters. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.It is believe that the human soul goes through 108 stages on the journey to God. In Ayurveda there are a 108 marmas in the body. They are points that can heal or kill a living being. When we say 108 mantras it acts as a Kavach (protection) to each point. If we add the number we get the total of 9.Nine is sometimes connected to Ketu, the moksa Karaka (significator of liberation), the planet that brings higher awareness, expanded vision and moksha (liberation). In the Durga Saptasati, the goddess Durga has nine forms known as the Navadurga. The number 9 is connected to the goddess Durga.In Hindu jyotish it is godess Durga who guards the prana of the body.

Somvati Amavasya

When no moon day(Amavasya) fall on Monday(somvaar) then the day is called 'Somvati Amavasya'. The most important ritual associated with this day is bathing in sacred rivers.Its importance is told by Bhishma to Yudhishter that one who baths in sacred rivers,that will be  relieved from disease. It is also  called "Rog Mukti snan".Also the Amavasya is ruled by our ancestors  and its signification increased many times when it coincides with Monday.  'Tarpan' performed on this day is considered very auspicious to get the blessings from the deceased souls.Charity done on this day is equivalent to donating thousands cows. Parikrama(revolve) around Peepal tree for 108 times is one of the important ritual. "Om Namo Bhagwatey Vasudevay" is the mantra which could be chanted while doing parikrama in a clockwise direction. Peepal tree is considered as the manifistation of "Tridev",the Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh. Somvati Amavasya is equivalent to 100 eclipse which shows the importance of this day.This day is excellent for fasting for the longevity of happy married life.

The Surya Namaskaar mantra

The method for salutaion to Lord Surya(Sun) involves 12 different postures,breathing pattern along with specific mantra associated with each posture. Following are the 12 mantra to be recited during salutations to Lord Surya. ‎


Om Mitraya namah (The friend of all)

Om Ravaye namah (Praised by all)

Om Suryaya namah (The guide of all)

Om Bhanave namah (The bestower of beauty)

Om Khagaya namah (Stimulator of the senses)

Om Pushne namah (The nourisher of all)

Om Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The creator)

Om Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease)

Om Adityaya namah (The inspirer)

Om Savitre namah (The purifier)

Om Arkaya namah (The radiant)

Om Bhaskaraya namah (The illuminator)

Even recitation of above mantra at the time of sunrise brings good health

Holashtak-Time to be Careful

Eight day prior to the festival Holi are collectively known as "Holashtak". The word 'ashtak' means 'eight'. This period commence from the lunar month of Phalgun and on ashtami tithi and it ends on Phalgun Poornima. This period of eight days is considered as highly inauspicious , specially in north India.No auspicious work is commence during this period.This period is considered is very important for Taantriks as this is the most favourable period for fulfilling their goals through 'Saadhna'.They attain special powers during this time which can be used in a desired way.At the begining of Holashtak,on day 1, the place where Holika dahan has to be performed after 8 days is cleaned with Ganga Jal.Then pyre is created specifically with a wood which are collected from the broken branches of trees.All the 16 sanskaars of hindu are not performed during this period. In case of a death, the last rites are performed only after special prayer to ward off the evil effect of Holashtak.It is believe that on day one of Holashtak, Lord Shiva burned the Kaam dev with HIS fire of anger.

Naag Devta

After the death of King Parkishit, his son Janmejaya felt to took revenge against snakes because snake Takshak had bitten his father. He arrange a Yagya. Each Day the fire of Yagya consume one snake. As a result many snakes died .This hurt a lot to the king of snakes, Vasuki. He went to his sister Jaratkaru for the help . As per Brahama only her son, Aasteek had a power to stop this Yagya. Aasteek was too a great scholar and was too young. But he agreed for the help. After assuring Vasuki, Aasteek left for the venue of the Yagya. On listening to the sweet voice of Aasteek, Janmejaya gave him permission to attend the Yagya and called him inside the premises. Janmejaya was highly impressed by the knowledge of Aasteek. He thought that he should grant the boy a wish. At the same time Janmejaya then requested to all those who were present there to ensure that his Yagya was successful and that soon Takshak (the snake who had bitten his father, Parikshit), would fall into the fires of the Yagya and die. Since it was the turn of Takshak to die so he hide himself in Indralok. Hearing this Janmejaya requested the sages and priests to chant such a mantra that even Indra would be powerless before it and would fall into the fire with Takshak. On listening this, the priests did as they were told and soon Takshak along with Indra was pulled towards the fire. Now that Janmejaya was assured that his enemy would die, he turned to Aasteek and requested him to ask for anything that he wished for. Aasteek, seeing that Takshak would soon fall into the fire, took advantage of the situation and asked Janmejaya to stop the Snake Yagya so that the snakes who were left could survive. This shocked Janmejaya but he could not refuse what he had promised. Janmejaya had to relent and stooped the Yagya .Takshak was relieved Aasteek then left to go to Vasuki, his Uncle and Jaratkaru, his mother and narrated the whole incident to them. They blessed Aasteek and asked him to ask them for a boon. Aasteek wished that anyone who chanted the three mantras given by him at least once a day, should be spared death by a snake bite. He then chanted the three Mantras called Asit, Aartiman and Suneeth. The snakes granted Aasteek his wish and it is believed that if one chants one of these mantras even once a day, he will have nothing to fear from the snakes.