HINDU GODS

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

RAKSHA BANDAN-RAKHI




Rakhi Festival is celebrated both in India and different parts of world with fervour and enthusiasm. The day is celebrated with sister's tying rakhi on their brother's wrist, performing arti and also praying for their long life. In turn, brothers vow to protect their sisters and come for their rescue in times of need.
It is the celebration of brothers and sisters. It is one festival that primarily The sisters tie that thread of love to their brothers amongst chanting of mantras, put roli and rice on his forehead and pray for his well being. She bestows him with gifts and blessings. The brother also wishes her a good life and pledges to take care of her. He gives her a return gift. The gift is the physical acceptance of her love, reminder of their togetherness and a symbol of his pledge. The legends and the reference in history repeated, the significance of the festival is emphasized belongs to the North and Western regions of India but celebrated throughout the country
In Northern India, Rakhi Purnima is also called Kajri Purnima or Kajri Navami, when wheat or barley is sown, and goddess Bhagwati is worshipped. In Western states, the festival is called Nariyal Purnima or the Coconut Full Moon. In Southern India, Shravan Purnima is an important religious occasion, especially for the Brahmins.
Raksha Bandhan is known by various names: Vish Tarak - the destroyer of venom, Punya Pradayak - the bestower of boons, and Pap Nashak - the destroyer of sins

Sravani is an ancient Vedic festival traditionally associated with the Brahmins on which day they change their sacred thread. Both Raksha Bandhan and Sravani are celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan (August).Rakshabandhan or Rakhi which is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Sravan (August) is a day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. It is usually a festival of the Hindus though today people from different religions participate as well.Once, Indra was confronted by the demon king - the Daitya-raaja - in a long-drawn battle. At one stage, the Daitya-raaja got better of Indra and drove him into wilderness. Indra, humbled and crest-fallen, sought the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru of Gods. The Guru told him to bide his time, prepare himself and then march against his adversary. He also indicated that the auspicious moment for sallying forth was the Shraavana Poornima. On that day, Shachee Devi, the wife of Indra, and Brihaspati tied Raakhis around Indra's right-wrist. Indra then advanced against the Daitya-raaja, vanquished him and reestablished his sovereignty.
Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts. Around mid-August, on Shravan Purnima, Once, Indra was confronted by the demon king - the Daitya-raaja - in a long-drawn battle. At one stage, the Daitya-raaja got better of Indra and drove him into wilderness. Indra, humbled and crest-fallen, sought the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru of Gods. The Guru told him to bide his time, prepare himself and then march against his adversary. He also indicated that the auspicious moment for sallying forth was the Shraavana Poornima. On that day, Shachee Devi, the wife of Indra, and Brihaspati tied Raakhis around Indra's right-wrist. Indra then advanced against the Daitya-raaja, vanquished him and reestablished his sovereignty. Hindus all over celebrate Raksha Bandhan. "Raksha" means protection, "bandhan" means bound or binding. The festival is also known as Balev.Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in different forms in different areas and it is also known by the names like rakhi, rakhri and saluno.

'Raksha (protection) Bandhan' (band) (a festival celebrated in north India) in August) signifies the sanctity of the blood relation between a brother and his sister. In the month of August every year, sisters tie raakhi (band) on the wrists of their brothers in a reaffirmation of this relationship. They wish each other's well-being and the brother vows to go to his sister's aid whenever the need may arise.
As per the traditions, the sister on this day prepares the pooja thali with diya, roli, chawal and rakhis. She worships the deities, ties Rakhi to the brother(s) and wishes for their well-being. The brother in turn acknowledges the love with a promise to be by the sisters' side through thick and thin and gives her a token gift. Raksha Bandhan tightens the bond of love between the sister and brother
Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the month of Sravan (July- August). This day symbolises love, affection and a feeling of brotherhood and sisters tie a piece of thread, called rakhi around the wrist of their brothers, praying for their long life and happiness. This tradition of tying a rakhi has been coming down through the ages, since the vedic times.

HISTORY

The festival nurtures a rich heritage of legendary traditions, some rooted back to the ages of the great epics. In the Hindu tradition the Rakshaa has indeed assumed all aspects of protection of the forces of righteousness from the forces of evil.According to the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pancha Pandyava (the five brothers belonging to the family of king Pandu), asked Sri Krishna, an incarnation of lord Vishnu, how best he could guard himself against impending evils and catastrophes in the coming year. Krishna advised him to observe the Rakshaa Ceremony. He also narrated an old incident to show how potent the Rakshaa is. It went like this.Once, Indra, the king of heaven was confronted by the demon king - the Daitya-raaja - in a long-drawn battle. At one stage, the Daitya-raaja got better of Indra and drove him into wilderness. Indra, humbled and crest-fallen, sought the advice of Brihaspati, the Guru of Gods. The Guru told him to bide his time, prepare himself and then take on the mighty demon. He also indicated that the auspicious moment for sallying forth was the Shraavana Poornima. On that day, Shachee Devi, the wife of Indra, accompanied by Brihaspati tied Raakhi around Indra's right-wrist. Indra then advanced against the Daitya-raaja, vanquished him and reestablished his sovereignty.This is how Raksha Bandhan came into being in the ages of old Hindu mythology and has transcended into the modern ages acquiring more of new and modified customs with itself. The oldest story may have roots in the days when devas (gods) and asuras (non-gods) were engaged in a fierce struggle to dominate the creation. Indra, the king of devas, was defeated several times. Indrani, his consort, then did penance and prepared a bond of protection which she tied on the wrist of Indra. With the help of its power he defeated the asuras.
Another mythological story tells how Bali, the ruler of the earth, had to give away his whole empire to God Vishnu who appeared to him as a dwarf. Raksha Bandhan is believed to mark that event as well.

In the Hindu tradition the Rakshaa has indeed assumed all aspects of protection of the forces of righteousness from the forces of evil. Once, Yudhishthira asked Sri Krishna how best he could guard himself against impending evils and catastrophes in the coming year. Krishna advised him to observe the Rakshaa Ceremony. He also narrated an old incident to show how potent the Rakshaa is.







http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhi

http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa080800a.htm
RAKSHA-BANDHAN

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

GANESH POOJA


First light the lamps.

Place the Ganesh idol or Photo frame facing the East or West. But not facing the South. Apply sandal paste and kumkum on the forehead, palms and feet and then garland with flowers.
Ōm Aim Hrīm Srīm - [4]
Om shuklambaradharam vishnum
Shashi varnam chaturbhujam,
Prasanavadanam dyayetha, sarva vignobha upashanthaye.

Guru dhyanam :

With [Mrhi Mudra] folded hand chant :

Guru brahma guru vishnu gurudevo maheshwaraha.
Guru saakshaat param brahma
Tasmai shree guravey namaha.

Nidhayey sarva vidyanaam, bhishajey bhavaroginaam.
Guravey sarva lokaanam, dakshina murthayey namah.

Ōm prajńānam brhmayam ātma brahma tattvamasi aham brahmasmi

śrī guru; parama guru; parameşti guru; divya guru śaranam

Śri śivācarya varyadhyām śankarācarya madhyamām asmadāchārya paryantām
vande guru param param. Harih Ōm
Aachamaniyam :

Ōm Aim Ka e ī La Hrīm Ātma tatvam śodhayāmi svāhā
Ōm Klīm Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hrīm Vidyā tatvam śodhayāmi svāhā
Ōm Sauh Sa Ka La Hrīm Śiva tatvam śodhayāmi svāhā
Ōm Aim Ka e ī La Hrīm; Klīm Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hrīm; Sauh Sa Ka La Hrīm Sarva tatvam śodhayāmi svāhā


Prāņāyāmah :
Ōm Bhūh..... Bhūrbhuvassuvarōm (three times)
Āsana Pūjā
Ōm asya śrī āsana mahāmantrasya prthivyā merupŗşta ŕşih sutalam candah,
Kūrmo devatā, āşane viniyogah.
Yogāsanāya namah:
Vīrāsanāya namah:
Śarāsanāya namah:
Samyōgāsanāya namah:
Ōm Hrīm ādhāra śakti kamalāsanaya namah:
Raktadvādaśa śaktyuktāya dvīpanāthaāya namah:
Bhūmadevyai namah: Harih ōm
Chanta pooja
4 - Jagadhvani Mantramāth hum phat svāhā
4 - Āgamārtham tu devānam gamanārtham tu rakşasām
4 - Kuru ghaņtāravam karōmyādau devatāhvāna lāńchanam
4 - Iti ghaņtānatham kŗtvā
Ring the bell and recite:
4 - He ghaņte susvare pīthe ghaņtādhvani vibhūşite
Vādayanti parānande ghaņtā devam prapūjayet
Pūjā to Sun / Lamp
Ōm Bhāskarāya vidmahe mahāddyutikarāya dhīmahi tanno āditya pracōdayāt.

Harih Ōm
Kalaśa Pūjā
[4]Kalaśasya mukhe vişņuh ghaņte rudrah samāśritāh, mule tatra stitō brahma madhye mātŗganah smŗtāh
Kukşo tu sāgarāh sarve saptadvīpā vasundharā

Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sāma Veda , Aphyātharvaņah
Angaiśca sahita sarve kalaśambusamāśritāh
Ayāntu śrī devī pūjārtham duritakşaya kārakāh
Gańge ca Yamune Caiva Godāvari Sarasvati
Narmade Sindhu Kāveri jale asmin sannidhim kuru

Am ām im īm um ūm aŗum aŗūm alum alūm em aim ōm oum am aha

Ka e ī La Hrīm Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hrīm Sa Ka La Hrīm

Pūjōpkaranāni dravyāni ātmanan ca tam prōkşya Hrih ōm
Sankalpam :
Mamopatha samastha, duritha kshaya dwara, shri parameshwara
preetheyartham, karishya manasya karmanaha nirvignam
parisamaptyartha aadhao vigneshwara poojam karishyey.
Ganapati Dyanam :
Ōm Ganānām tvā gaņapati gum havāmahe
Kavim Kavīnām upamaśra vastamam
Jyeştharājam brahmańām brahmaņaspata
Ā nah śrnvan ūtibhih sida sādanam
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah
:
Aavahanam (Invoking the God) - Place left palm on the centre of the chest and with the right palm touch the feet of the idol (or frame) simultaneously and chant the mantra :
Ōm Śrīm Hrīm Klīm Gloum Gam Gaņapataye
Vara varada sarva jannme vacamanaya svāha
Hsraim Hskalarīm Hasrasouh
Mahāpadmā vanantasthe Kāranānanda (pari pūrna Meru Prasthare; Vigrahe, Bhimbe, .....)
Sava bhuta hite matah ehyehi paramesvarah
Mahāhaņapataye namah:
Prana Yamam:
Om boohu, Om bhuvaha, Oghum suvaha,
Om mahaha, Om janaha, Oghum satyam, Om tat sa vithurvarenyam,
Bhargo devasya dhimahi, dheeyo yonah pracho dayathu. Om aphaha,
Jyothi rasa, amrutham brahma, bhurbhuvasuvaram
.
Aasanam - After chanting the following mantra, offer one flower or tulsi leaf :

Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Aasanam samarpayami
Paadhyam and snaanam :

Offer one spoon of water into a plate or bowl after chanting each line of following mantra :-
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Paadhyo paadhyam samarpayaami
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Hastyo ardhyam samarpayaami
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Aachamaniyam samarpayami
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Snanaan tharam aachamaniyam samarpayaami

Vastram, Upavitham and Aabharanam -

After chanting each mantra, offer akshata (rice) with flowers or tulsi leaf:
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: vastrartha akshataan samarpayaami
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: upavitaartha akshataan samarpayami
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: aabharanartha akshataan samarpayaami
Chandanam - Apply sandalpaste on the forehead of the idol (or photoframe) and chant
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Divya Parimalla gandhaan-dharayaame
Kumkum - Apply kumkum on top of the sandal paste and chant :
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Haridra kumkumam samarpayaami.
Akshata - offer some akshata (rice) and chant.
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Akshataan samarpayaami
Pushpam - offer some flowers and chant :
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Pushpaanni samarpayaami
Now you have invoked Lord Ganesh for the Pooja, and you are ready for the Pushpaanjali and naamavali (praising the Lord by his different names) After each of the following mantra offer a flower :

Om sumukhaya namaha
Om ekadantaaya namaha
Om kapilaaya namaha
Om gajakarnakaaya namaha
Om lambodaraaya namaha
Om vikataaya namaha
Om vignaraajaya namaha
Om vinayakaaya namaha
Om dhuma ketavey namaha
Om ganadyakshaaya namaha
Om faalachandraya namaha
Om gajananaaya namaha
Om vakratundaaya namaha
Om shoorpa karnaaya namaha
Om Heyrambaaya namaha
Om skandapoorvajaaya namaha
Om moola prakrutayey namaha
Om kshetra paalaya namaha
Om gurubhyo namaha
Om siddhi vinayaka swaminey namaha
Nana vidha parimala - patra - pushpani samarpayaami

Prarthana : With folded hands chant :
Vigneshwara mahabhaaga sarva loka namaskruta,
Mayarabdha midham, karma nirvignam kuru sarvadhaa.
Aabrahma lokaath, aasheyshaath aalokaa, loka parvataath,
Yey vasanthi, dvija devah, tey bhyo nityam, namostutey.
Namo namo ganeshya, namastey siva soonavey,
Avighnam kuru mey devah, namami tvam ganadhisha.


Dhoop : Light two agarbattis and show it to the Lord accompanied by the ringing of the bell and chat.
Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Dhoopamaagraapayaami

Deepam: (Optional) If you have lit a small accompanying lamp, show it to the Lord accompanied by ringing of bell. If not, just continue with agarbathi and say :

Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah: Deepam Darshayaami

Naivedyam : Keep the prasadam (coconut fruits, kheer etc.) in a plate before the Lord, put Tulsi leaves on it close your eyes and chant the mantra offering mentally the naivedyam to the Lord.

Ōm mahāgaņādhipathaye namah:
Om bhur bhuvasuvaha, tat sa vithur varenyam,
bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyoyo nah prachodayat

Parorajasi sāvadōm amŗtam mahānaivedyam parikalpayāmi Namah:

Take 2 spoonful of water on your right palm, drip the water drops around the prasadam chanting :
Deva savitah prasuva
Again 2 drops , drop as above :
Satyam tvartena parishinchaami
Take 2 drops and drop thru the palm on your right side near prasadam chanting:
Amrutah opatarana masi
Now, make gesture of offering prasadam to the Lord, chanting :
Om Pranaaya swaha
Om Apaanaya swaha
Om Vyaanaya swaha
Om Udaanaya swaha
Om Samaanaya swaha
Om brahmaney swaha
Om maha Ganapataye namahe, Kadali phaladhikam nivey dayami
Drop 2 drops of water thru right palm on right side of naivedyam saying :
Niveydanan antaram aachamaniyam samarpayami
2 drops - repeat
Madhyey Madhyey amruta paniyam samarpayaami
2 drops - repeat
Amrutaapidhaa namasi
2 drops - repeat
Hasta prakshaalanam samarpayaami
2 drops - repeat
Padha prakshaalanam samarpayaami
2 drops - repeat
Aachamaniyam samarpayaami
Then put Tulsi leaves or flowers at the feet of the Lord after chanting :

Poogi phala samaayuktam,
Naagavalli dalai yurtam
Karpoora churna sanyuktam
Tamboolam prati gruhataam
Taamboolam Samarpayaami


Light the Aarti (camphor) and show it to the Lord accompanied by ringing of the bell and the following mantra.

Raajadi rajaaya prasanna
Saahiney, namo vayam vaishravan aaya karma ney.
Samey kaamaan, kaama kaamaya mahyam,
kaameshwaro vaishravano dadhaatu
kuberaya vaishravaanaya, mahaarajaya namaha.

Take 2 spoonful of water in your right palm and let it drop in the plate in front and say :

Tat purushaya vidmahey vakratundaaya dhimahi.
Thanno dantih pracho dayat. Karpoora niraanjanam sandarisha yaami.

Pour one spoonful water in plate after each mantra :

Neeraaja naanaantaram aachamaniyam samarpayaami
Rakshaan dhaarayaami


offer flowers or Tulsi saying :

Mantra pushpam samarpayaami, sarva opachaaran samarpayaami.

With folded hands pray.

Vakratunda mahaakaya surya koti sama prabha.
Avignam kuru mey deva, sarva kaaryeshu sarvadaa.

Prostrate before the Lord and exit.

TULSI



----------------------------------------- VISHNU


----------------------------------------- TULSI MADAM
"Leaves, flowers, fruits, root, branches and the main stem and everything about tulsi is sacred; even the soil under the tulsi plant is holy." --excerpt from the Padmapurana, an ancient(5000 yr. old healing text from India).
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum = O. tenuiflorum)
(Sacred Basil, Holy basil, Tulasi)
Family: Lamiaceae
"Every home with a Tulasi plant is a place of pilgrimage, and no diseases, messengers of Yama, the God of Death, can enter it."Skandapurana 2, 4, 8, 13 Padmapurana Uttarakhanda.

Wherever the aroma of Tulasi is carried by the wind, it purifies the atmosphere and frees all animals from all baser tendencies." Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda
"Vishnu, the Lord of the Three Worlds, takes up abode in the village or the house where Tulasi is grown. In such a house no one suffers calamities like poverty, illness or separations from dear ones." Padmapurana, Uttarakhanda, 6-24-31-32

Thulasi amrudajanmaasi sadaa Dwam Kesavapriye
Kesavaarththam lunaami Dwaam varadhaa bhava shobane
Eight Names of Tulasi
Devi Maharani
1)Vrindavani
2)Vrinda
3)Visvapujita
4)­Pushpasara
5) Nandini
6)Krsna-­jivani
7)Visva-pavani
8)­Tulasi.
VRINDAVANI - One who first manifested in Vrindavan.
VRINDA - The godess of all plants and trees (even if one Tulasi plant is present in a forest, it can be called Vrindavan).
VISVAPUJITA - One whom the whole universe worships.
PUSHPASARA - The topmost of all flowers, without whom, Krsna does not like to look upon other flowers.
NANDINI - Seeing whom, gives unlimited bliss to the devotees. KRSNA-JIVANI - The life of Krsna.
VISVA-PAVANI - One who purifies the three worlds.
TULASI - One who has no comparison.
Hindus always keep Tulasi plant at home and offer water to it daily with devotion because Tulasi has been regarded by God to have a high place and it is said one who pleases ,Tulasi pleases Lord.
Either in the front, back or central courtyard of most Indian homes there is a tulsi-matham an altar bearing a tulsi plant. In the present day appartments , many maintain a potted tulsi plant. The lady of the house lights a lamp, waters the plant, worships and cirumambulayes it. The stem,leaves, seeds, and even the soil, which provides it a base are considered holy. A tulsi leaf is always placed in the food offered to the Lord. It is also offered to the Lord during poojas especially to Lord Vishnu .
Followers of Hindu traditions often keep a Tulsi plant in front of their house. On a specific day each year known as 'Kartik Shukla Dwadashi' (usually about two weeks after Diwali) there is a tradition wherein Tulasi plants will be beautifully decorated with structures made of sugarcane, mango leaves and flowers and then a puja (form of worship) is offered.
In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi.usually clay lamps lit around the Tulasi plant and the house For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying. As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestialbeing. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head. Also that all offerings would be incomplete without the tulasi leaf - hence the worship of tulasi.She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the tulasi. Tulasi is married to the Lord with all pomp and show as in any wedding. This is because according to another legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulasi leaf was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion. Thus the tulasi played the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world.

The tulasi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various ailments, including the common cold. when taken internally, can relieve gas and reduce stomach cramps and nausea, headaches, fevers, colds and anxiety.
Applied externally, (essential oil), it may be beneficial for tension, cuts, wounds, abrasions, bites and stings and as a face wash for acne. Some use it in their hair rinse for shine.
Tulsi (essential oil) is also said to be anti-spasmodic and may boost the immune system.The leaves are mosquito-repellent and soothe insect bites. They also expel worms and treat ringworm and snake bite. An infusion aids digestion and is antibacterial. Inhaling the essential oil is supposed to refresh the mind and stimulate a sense of smell that has been dulled by a viral infection. In massage oils it is a nerve tonic and eases overworked muscles. Basil should be avoided on sensitive skin and during pregnancy
http://www.horizonherbs.com/pilot.asp?pg=tulsi





Worshipping tulsi gives wealth and prosperity, continuous worship helps a girl to get a good husband also gives blessings to conceive a a baby.Tulsi symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the tulasi .
Tulasi leaf is very, very dear to Visnu. All Visnu-tattva Deities require profusely Tulasi leaves. Lord Visnu likes garland of Tulasi leaves. Tulasi leaves mixed with sandalwood pulp and placed on the lotus feet of the Lord is the topmost worship. But we must be very careful that Tulasi leaves cannot be placed on the feet of anyone else except Lord Visnu and His different forms. Tulasi leaves cannot be placed even on the lotus feet of Radharani or on the lotus feet of the Spiritual Master. It is entirely reserved for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. We can place, however, Tulasi leaves in the hands of Radharani for being placed on the lotus feet of Krsna. April 7, 1970


http://www.vrindavan-dham.com/vrinda/worshiping-tulasi.php
TULSI GAYATRI
OM Tulsayei vidmahe
Vishnu priyayei Dhimahi
Tanno Vrinda Prachodayat

TULSI MANRA
Yanmule sarvatirhaani
Yannagre sarvadevataa
Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha
Tulasi taam namaamyaham

(I bow down to the tulasi, At whose base are all the holy places, At whose top reside all the deities and In whose middle are all the Vedas)
The following sloka is to be recited while watering tulasi plant(if you have) and then offer haldi kumkum and flowers:
shriyah priye shriyaavaase nityam shriidharavallabhe
bhaktyaadattam mayaarghyam hi tulasi pratigrihyataam


The following sloka is to be recited while watering tulasi plant(if you have) and then offer haldi kumkum and flowers:
shriyah priye shriyaavaase nityam shriidharavallabhe

bhaktyaadattam mayaarghyam hi tulasi pratigrihyataam

To tulasi after reciting the following sloka:

yanmuule sarvatiirthaani yanmadhye sarvade vataah yadagre sarvave daashcha tulasitvaam nammamyaham

tulasi shriisakhi shubhe paapahaarini punyadn


namste naaradanute naaraayan amanah priye

yanmuule sarvatiirthaani yanmadhye sarvad

Evataah yadagre sarvavedaashcha tulasitvaam nammamyaham
tulasi shriisakhi shubhe paapahaarini punyade
namste naaradanute naaraaya Namanah priye

Shri Tulasi stuti(by Shri jagannaatha daasaru)
Indaavani janani vandisuve satata ja-

landharana raaNi kalyaaNi kalyaaNi tuLasinija-

mandire enage dayavaage 1
jalajaakshanamalakajjalabindu piiyuSha-

kalashadali biiLe janisidi janisi hariyinda shrii-

tulasi niinendu karesidi 2
shriitaruNivallabhana priitiviSheyaLe ninna

naa tulasi kaiya mugivenu mugive ennaya mahaa-

paatakava kaLedu poreyamma 3
tulasi ninnaDige naa talebaagi binnaipe

kalushakarmagaLa eNisade eNisade saMsaara-

jaladhiyindemma kaDehaaysu 4
nODidava durita iiDyaaDidava ninna koN-

DaaDidava ninna haripaada haripaadakamalagaLa

kuuDidava satya yendendu 5
nindisuvarella nindyaraaguvaru abhi-

vandisida janaru surarinda surarinda nararinda

vandyaraaguvaru jagadoLu 6
kaluShavarjite ninna daLagaLindali laxmi-

nilayana~NghrigaLa puujipa puujiparige paramama~N-

galada padavittu salahuvi 7
shriituLasiidEvi manmaata laalisu jaga-

nnaathaviThThalana charaNaabja charaNaabja enna hR^itpadmadali

nii tOre kR^ipeyiNda 8

Tulasi vina ya kriyate na puja
snanam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam
bhuktam na tat yat tulasi vinakrtam---Garuda Purana
Plucking Tulasi
One should be clean before touching or plucking Tulasi.
asnatva tulasim citva yah pujam kurute narah

so'paradhi bhaven nityam tat sarvam nisphalam bhavet
One who picks Tulasi without having bathed and then performs worship is an offender, and all his activities becomes useless. Vayu Purana
Tulasi should not be plucked on dvadasi.
nacchindat tulasim vipra dvadasyam vaisnavah kvacit
The Vaisnava should never pick Tulasi on dvadasi tithi. Visnu Dharmottara
One should pluck the leaves with the right hand, holding the branch in the left hand, being careful not to break the branches.
patranam cayane vipra bhagna sakha yada bhavet

tada hrdi vyatha visnor diyate tulasi pateh
karatala trayam dattva cinuyat tulasi dalam
yatha na kampate sakha tulasya divyasattama
If when picking Tulasi leaves one breaks the branches, Visnu feels pain in His heart. One should clap the hands three times before picking Tulasi and pick in such a way that the branches do not shake. Visnu Smrti
One should say:
tulasy amrta janmasi sada tva kesava priya

kesavarthe vicinvami barada bhava sobhane
tvad anga sambhavaih patraih pujayami yatha harim

tatha kuru pavitrangi kalau mala vinasini
Oh Tulasi, born from the ocean of nectar, you are eternally the dearmost of Kesava. For His worship I now pluck you. Please bestow blessings on me.
Oh Tulasi, being pure in body and the destroyer of the sins of Kali-yuga, I will worship the Lord using leaves coming from your body. You should make that worship successful.

The presence of Tulsi in a house brings much harmony and health to the family. Opens the heart and mind. Bestowing the energy of love and devotion. Lord Sri Krishna is very pleased to have a Tulsi garland or a puja by tulsi leafs. No other sacred flowers or equal to this sacred leaf.
Pouring water for a Tulsi Plant will eliminate all the sin, even brahmahatya. Drinking the water, in which some sacred tulsi leaf was soaked in, will reduce the stress.
Scientific studies are established and the results are showing the importance and the medical significance of this herb.
The juice of Tulsi leave can be used to bring down the fever.
Chewing Tulsi leaves gives a tremendous relief from cold and flu.
Goggling by the tulsi boiled water soothes the sore throat.
The juice of Tulsi with Honey, expels the kidney stone.
Tulsi reduces the Blood Cholesterol.
Chewing Tulsi leave will rescue from the mouth infections.
The paste of tulsi roots can be used as a remedy for insect bites.
Tulsi paste works well to decrease the pains. Such as headache.
Drops of Krishnatulsi leave juice in eyes will soothes the sour eyes.
In any point of view, growing a Tulsi plant at the home will be very helpful. Being as a indoor plant, a tulsi plant can be kept in a small pot in the kitchen window or at the balcony or in the center hall. The tulsi plant acts as a purifying agent in house. If you are a devotee of Sri Krishna, you should prepare a garden of this sacred plant in your courtyard. http://www.hknet.org.nz/sstp-12.html


TULASI
THE HOLY POWER TULSI
Tulsi Benefits
What is tulsi?

FASTING


Fasting is one of the best ways of getting closer to God. Spiritual fasting is a great method of purifying the soul, and coming closer to God.One of the best and most popular methods of holistic healing is fasting, which has been propounded by almost all religions as being extremely beneficial both for the body and the soul.Spiritual fasting re-births and regenerates our spiritual willpower by filling our inner knowing with the direct experience of new physical, emotional and spiritual strength. Spiritual fasting cleans the body-mind and feeds the spirit, allowing our physical bodies to better extract the Divine cosmic energy from our normal biochemical energy sources .Hindus fast in various ways.
A simple fast may consist of merely avoiding certain foods for a day or more, such as when vegetarians avoid tamasic or rajasic foods or when nonvegetarians abstain from fish, fowl and meats.
A moderate fast would involve avoiding heavier foods, or taking only juices, teas and other liquids. Such fasts are sometimes observed only during the day, and a normal meal is permitted after sunset.
Serious fasting, which is done under supervision, involves taking only water for a number of days and requires a cessation of most external activities.For Hindus, fasts are a form and part of prayer and worship and the word upvas means "being near God".
Diseases develop due to the accumulation of toxins in the digestive system. By cleaning this regularly, we keep healthy and we can do this if we fast and cleanse our system. A complete fast is good for heath.


Karwa Chauth is the observance among Hindu women who go on a day-long fast to pray for the long lives of their husbands.

MONDAY FASTING;


Somvar vrat or Somavar vratam this fasting observance on every monday
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped on the day.

TUESDAY FASTING;Tueaday fasting obervanc every Tuesday for Lord Hanuman and goddess Durga.


THURSDAY FASTING;Thursday fasting obervan every Thuraday for Lord Vishnu and GURU-GOD


FRYDAY FASTING;Fryday day fastind obervan every fryday for Lord Vishnu and Venus God.


SATURDAY FASTING ;Saturday fasting obervan every saturday for Shani-God.


SUNDAY FASTING ;Sunday fasting obervan every sunday for Sun god



Main fasting mostly obervan on day of certain days like ,Sivarathri vratam,,Janmashtami or Ram Navami,Ekadasi,Vralakhmi vratam,Mangala gowri vratam,vaikunda Ekadasi,Navarathree (9 day fasting)Sasti vratam (6 day)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting



Sunday, July 06, 2008

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES

NAVAGRAHA TEMPLES AT A GLANCE

Suryanarkoil ---------------------SUN

Thingaloor -----------------------MOON

Vaidheeshwaran Koil -------------MARS

Thiruvenkaadu -----------------MERCURY

Alangudi ------------------------JUPITER

Kanjanoor------------------------VENUS

Thirunallar ----------------------SATURN

Thirunageshwaram -------------RAHU

Keezha Perumpallam-----------KETHU
Sun ,Moon ,Mars, Mercury ,Jupiter ,Venus, Saturn ,Rahu ,Kethu. All above temples are located in Tanjore district, Tamil Nadu, India.