Yeh waada raha!!!

Marriage is a union of two souls. A girl who spent memorable days with her parents has to make the biggest sacrifice of her life for her husband. After the marriage her “gotra” also changes. Before the commencement of “Saptapadi” ceremony bridegroom has to make the 10 promises to make sure the parents of girl that after the marriage their most precious gift of god would be in safe hands. Bridegroom makes the following 10 promises before the ceremony.
1)look after her like himself
2)Always consult her before making any decision
3)He will never show unhappiness on her failure to perform duties
4)will have full faith in spouse
5)To give all affection and love
6)To bring all income to home
7)Never criticize her in public
8)Follow courteous attitude towards her
9)To fulfill all responsibilities towards her even in extreme conditions
10)To respect her parents.
So, instead of celebrating marriage ceremony, husband should refresh his promises made by him in front of Agni.The more he remembers his promises, the more godeess "Mahalaxmi" resides at his place.

Saat Phere

Now a days it is a fashion in modern society for a person to be late. Same is the case in marriages also. Parents applies tremendous efforts on match making of horoscopes but rarely found interested in the muhurat of marriage, which holds the ultimate key. At the time of marriage , the most important ceremony is “SaptaPadi” which means seven steps. In this ceremony, the bride and groom take seven round around the pavitra agni. Even as per Hindu marriage act it is the saptapadi ceremony which grants legality to a marriage. This ceremony begins from the direction of Dhruv Tara(the Pole Star). Every round starts with the right foot first. In the first 4 rounds the groom leads the bride and in the last 3 rounds bride leads. With each step, groom recites a mantra addressed to bride. The idea behind this is to pray to Lord Vishnu, the protector of life, for his blessings in marital life. Following prayer is done in each round
1) For plentiful of pure food
2) For good physical and mental health
3) For spiritual strength
4) For happiness and harmony
5) For begetting noble children
6) For all seasons to be beneficial
7) For the understanding, loyalty and peace and fulfilling religious duties
So, it is very important that in marriage, the saptapadi should be performed with utmost care in proper muhurat .

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.

Good Morning Gods!

It takes one year for sun to travel through 12 zodiac signs. In the month of January sun enters the zodiac sign Capricorn (makar). This entry of sun in makar raashi is known as “Makar Sakranti”. This marks the beginning of northward journey of sun. From this day till next 6 months, when sun covers the 6 zodiac signs from Capricorn to Gemini, this period is known as “Uttarayan” which is considered as auspicious as the upcoming 6 months are considered as “Day” of gods where as period from suns entry to cancer sign till Capricorn sign is considered as “Night” for gods. Even Bhisham Pitamah , who had a boon , waited for sun to enter Capricorn before he leave for heaven. As per legend , the sun who is the father of Saturn had promised him to visit his house(Capricorn sign) once in a year despite having enemity between them. As per another belief Sage Bhagirath who brought river Ganga to earth for salvation of his ancestors manage to liberate them from the curse of Sage Kapil. It is a day of worship of sun god. Tarpan done on this day brings all the blessings from the ancestors. Charity done on this day has its own importance. This is the only hindu festival which is based upon the solar movement where as other festivals are based upon moon. That is why this festival coincides with English calendar.

The Jap Maala

A mala is a garland of beads used for counting the mantras recited during prayer. Generally it consists of 108 beads. As per Hinduism the number of mantras recited during meditation is very important. The mala helps in keeping the track of counting. In the mala there is one extra bead which is bigger than the rest of beads. This special bead is called “ Sumeru”. This bead act as a indicator of starting point as well as ending point. The counting should begin from the next bead to this bead in a clockwise direction. For doing prayer for more than one mala , the direction of moving the mala changes in the second round. In any case the Sumeru bead is never crossed. Make sure that the index finger is not used while recitation. There are different kinds of mala used by followers of different faiths as well as for different purposes. For example
1) The rudraksha mala is used by the disciples of Lord Shiva
2) Tulsi mala is used by the followers of Lord Vishnu
3) Kamal-gatta(Lotus seed) mala for goddess lakshmi
4) kusha mala for purification of sins
5) Putra-jeeva mala for children
6) Sankh mala for tantric kriya
7) Haldi mala- for curing jaundice
8) Vyaghra-nakh mala for removing evil eye

Til- an easy remedy

As per classics “sesame” popularly known as “Til” in northern region of India was produced from the body of sage Kashyap. It is believe that if a person offer it to God,Pittras or Brahmin he would be free from the ill effect of malefic planets. Offerings can be made in the form of Snaan,Daan,Tarpan,Havan or Food. As per mythology Saturn belongs to Kashyap Gotram.So sesame is considered as the best remedy for pacification of Shani. One should light a lamp of sesame oil in the evening. This process is called “Deep daan”. During Makar sakranti in the month of January when the sun enters the Capricorn(the zodiac sign of Saturn who is a son of Sun god), it is very auspicious to offer sesame to fire god at night. People distributes jaggery(Gud) with sesame(til) on this day. It is a symbolic representation of Sun and Saturn respectively.

Marriage of Eldest Son in Jyestha Month

The eldest child in a family is called “Jyeshtha”.The word “Jyeshtha” is also use for one of the lunar month in Hindu calendar and for the nakshatra also. In astrology it is considered highly inauspicious the marriage of eldest child in a month of Jyeshtha.At the same time jyeshtha nakshatra add fuel to fire. The three Jyeshthas-the eldest child,the month and the nakshatra constitutes the “Tri Tara Dosha”. If we examine the above rule then one can find interesting correlation between the above cause and effect relation. The 5th house of a horoscope represent the eldest child. In kaal purush horoscope the 5th house is ruled by the planet Sun. During the period of Jyeshtha month, the sun transits through the “Ardra” nakshatra. This transit is very sensitive transit.Even all the weather forecasting is based upon this transit. Jyeshtha nakshatra falls in scorpio while Ardra nakshatra falls in Gemini. This is a 6/8 relation indicating death. Now counting from “Jyeshtha nakshatra” the Ardra nakshatra is 16 which is malefic(star of death).So, this malefic transit futher intensifies when all the three clubbed together. Even in case of emergency if marriage has to be performed, do make sure that other elements of muhurat should be strong enough.

Shodash Upchaar Pooja

Hindus generally believe in “sakaar pooja” which means they need some form to pray god. For example, we all know that air is present everywhere, but still we need fan to feel it. To worship god , there are certain rules and procedure. It is believe that the 16 step pooja called “ Shodash-upchaar” pooja is the best form to worship the god. The word sodash in Sanskrit means “sixteen”. Following are the important steps in order to worship God-

Step 1 Avahan-welcome of gods
Step 2 Asana-offering of seat
Step 3 Padhya-offering water for washing feet(by sprinkling water)
Step 4 Argya-washing hand(by sprinkling water)
Step 5- Achamany-washing mouth
Step 6 Snan- water is offered for bath
Step 7- Vastram- Clothes are offered to god
Step 8- Yagyapaveet-sacred thread is offer
Step 9- Aabharnam- offer ornaments
Step 10- Gandh-offer sandalwood paste
Step 11- Pushpam-offer flowers
Step 12- Dhoopam- offer dhoop or aggarbati(incense stick)
Step 13- Deepam- lightening of lamp
Step 14- Naivadya-offering food
Step 15- Archana-reciting mantras and prayers
Step 16- Namaskaram- Salutation of god

Nirjala Ekadashi

Every 11^th tithi of the lunar month is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.It comes twice in a month. Of the total 24, the Ekadashi that falls on Jyeshtha month Shukla Paksha is the most important one.Any one who keeps fast on this day will accrue benefit of all other Ekadashi at once. This fats is called ‘ Nirjal Ekadashi Vrat’. ‘Nirjala’ means without water and this fast is observed without water and any type of food. This  is the toughest among all fasts. Once  Sage Vyasa visited Pandavas. Amongst five Pandavas, Bhima, who had a uncontrolled hunger said   all his brothers, wife Draupadi and mother Kunti observed fast on 24 Ekadasis throughout the year and asked him to do the same. But he was unable to perform the ritual because he could not bear the hunger. Sage Vyasa suggested him to observe Nirjala Ekadasi Vrat, which will accrue him the merits of keeping yearlong Ekadasi fasts. Bhima abided by his words and performed Nirjala Ekadasi Vrat.  . This is why the occasion is also known as Pandava Ekadasi or Bhimseni ekadasi.. The duration of this fast is from one sunrise to other. Charity performed on this day has manifold positive effects. Those who have kept this fast of Nirjala ekadashi have sent their 100 gone generations and 100 upcoming generations to Vaikuntha

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Brihaspati Vaar Vrat

Sage Brihaspati is the Guru of gods and represented by planet Jupiter in our solar system and Thursday in weekdays.On this day wearing of yellow colour clothes is very important to harness the positive energies of the environment.As per Shiv Puraan, Sage Brihaspati is the son of Angira rishi. He performed tapasya at the Prabhaas Kshetra and Lord Shiva granted him prestigious place in the nav grah(9 plantes) as planet Jupiter.
Even in astrology, the aspect of planet Jupiter is considered too auspicious. he is the significator planet of Dharm,children and knowledge. Fasting is begins from the sunrise and ends at the next day(after sunrise).Worshipping of banana tree is observed and yellow colored offerings are made to banana tree. Eating of banana and salt is strictly prohibited on this day.


The legend associated with thursday fast is as follows-

Once there was a King who was very devotee but his wife was exactly opposite in nature. One day a sage visited his palace for alms. At that time the king was not present.  The Queen said that she had become fed up from giving charity and she wanted to get rid off the money so that she could live happily.Sage suggested that for this she had to follow certain things which included getting up late on Thursday,not cleaning the kitchen before preparing meals,washing her hairs and clothes and to tell her husband to shave on Thursday.

 The sadhu disappeared and the queen  followed his instructions. The king’s  family became poorer and poorer. They could hardly afford meals for one time. To earn the livelihood the king went to the neighbouring country. There he started earning money by selling the wood cut from the forest to the city. One day queen had nothing to eat so she send her maid to the village where her sister lived to beg for some food.As per command the maid went to her sister’s house where she was doing Brihaspati vaar pooja when she visited. Since she was busy in pooja so she did not answered the maid’s call.Maid returned to queen and complained about her sister. At the same time the queen’s sister followed and visited queen and said that it is prohibited to speak at the time of Brihaspati pooja so that was the reason she did not reply. She also said that today is Thursday and due to her vrat , Brihaspati would surly fulfill her wises. She suggested to check her house so that perhaps she might found some pot full of grains. Queen was shocked to see one pot of grain lying on one corner of the house. From that day she started keeping Thursday fast.Over the passage of time all the wealth was restored. On the other hand King in the neighbouring city forgot to keep Thursday fast one day. In a sudden development he was charged with stealing the necklace of the queen of that city.He was sentenced to jail. In his dream Brihaspati appeared and told the reason for this mishappening. Next Thursday he kept the fast in jail and the very next day he was released by the king’s order as it was confirmed he was not the culprit. The king returned to the village and amazed to see the dramatic turn around of the financial conditions of his queen. On asking she narrated the magic of Brihaspati vaar fasting.Since then they lived happily.

Hanuman and Betel leaves

When the war between Lord Rama and King Ravana was over, then it was time for them to return to Ayodhya along with Goddess Sita. But at the time of departure Hanuman was missing who played a key role in the victory of Lord Rama. Everyone searched for Hanuman. Eventually, Sita found Hanuma in a betel leaves garden .  When Hanuman saw Sita , he bowed his head down to seek the blessings.Sita was overwhelmed with his devotion. She plucked few betel leaves and showered on hanuman in order to bless him. Since then  this tradition of offering garland of betel leaves is follows

16 Shringaar

'Adornament' means something which add beauty. Indian classics depicts 16 steps of adornament for a married woman. This ritual is generally performed on the wedding day or some festival ,but it is very significant as married woman is a representative of goddess Lakshmi for her husband who in turn is a symbolic representative of Lord Vishnu. The following 16 ornaments are used
1) Bindi
2) Sindoor
3) Teeka
4) Kajal
5) Nose Ring
6) Necklace
7) Earings
8) Mehndi
9) Bangles
10) Armlets
11) Ring
12) Choti
13) Kamarband(waistband)
14) Payal/Toe ring
15) Itra
16) Red Saree