Dussehra (Vijayadashami)

Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Dashami (Tenth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Ashwin).

Origin and meaning: One origin of the word Dussehra is from 'dashhara'. 'Dash' means ten and 'hara' means defeated. Nine days prior to Dussehra, that is in the nine days of Navratra, all the ten directions are charged with the energy of the Goddess, meaning they are under Her control. That is, there is control over the dikbhav (Deities of all the ten directions) gan (assistants of Deities), in all the ten directions or victory is established over all these directions.

Synonyms:
In the context of victory, this day is known as Dassera, Dussehra, Vijayadashami etc.
This day follows Durga-navratra. Hence, it is also regarded as the concluding day of Navratra.

History:
Lord Ram's ancestor, King Raghu of Ayodhya, performed the Vishwajit-yadnya. He donated all his wealth and retired to a hut. Then, Sage Kautsa appeared before him and asked for an offering of fourteen crore gold coins. King Raghu prepared to attack Lord Kuber, the Deity of wealth, to obtain these gold coins. Lord Kuber showered gold coins on the Apta (Mountain Ebony) and Shami (Indian Mesquite) trees. King Raghu accepted only fourteen crore gold coins and his subjects were given the rest.
(Sage Kautsa accepted the gold coins he had asked for and King Raghu distributed the rest amongst his subjects. This is the true Hindu culture! What a contrast to today's politicians and people who crave for wealth and worldly pleasures! - Compilers)

Lord Ram set out on this very day to defeat Ravan. Lord Ram killed Ravan on this day and was victorious. Because of the indications of these historic events, this day came to be known as Vijayadashmi.

On completion of their exile period the Pandavs performed puja of Shakti (the Energy Principle). They took back their weapons, which were kept in the Shami tree and subsequently defeated the Kaurav army. This eventful day was also the same.

In Maharashtra, there is a custom of presenting leaves of the Apta tree, symbolising gold, to family members and friends on Dussehra day. This custom too has histori­cal significance. During any military expedition, the brave Marathas would invade and plunder the enemy's territory and return home with the booty in the form of ornaments and gold coins. These victorious, brave soldiers would be welcomed home at the doorstep by their wives or sisters, who performed their Arti (waving of lit lamps). Then, they would offer one of the orna­ments from the booty to the wife or sister in the platter of the Arti. After entering the house, the booty would be placed before the Deities in the temple in the house. Then, obeisance would be paid to God and elders to seek their blessings. These customs are now observed in the form of distribution of leaves of the Apta tree, which symbolise gold.

Importance: This festival is one amongst the three and a half muhurts (auspicious moments).

Method of celebration: Four rituals namely, Simollanghan (crossing the border), Shami-puja (worship of the Shami tree), Aparajita-puja (worship of the Deity Aparajita) and Shastra-puja (worship of instru­ments) should be performed on this day.

Simollanghan (Crossing the border): In this ritual, the border of the village is crossed in the north-east direction in the third prahar (third part) of the day, which is in the afternoon. This march is stopped near a Shami or an Apta tree.

Shami-puja (Worship of the Shami tree): Prayers are offered to the Shami tree by reciting verses which mean the following: The Shami tree cleanses sins. Its thorns are reddish in colour. The Shami tree considers Lord Ram its favourite and one that holds the arrows of Arjun. "O Shami, Lord Ram has worshipped you. In due course I will be embarking on a victory march. Make it pleasant and free from obstacles for me."

Worship of the Apta tree (or Ashmantak): The Apta tree is worshipped with verses which mean the following: "O great Apta tree, you are the one who removes major defects. Unite me with my friends and destroy my foes."

Then rice, a betel-nut and a gold coin (copper coin as a variant) are placed near the roots of the tree. After circumam­bulating the tree, some mud from its base and some of its leaves are brought home.

Offering the leaves of Apta as gold: Not the leaves of the Shami tree, but those of the Apta are offered as gold to God and given to friends. Conventionally, the young should gift gold to the elderly.

Aparajita-puja (Worship of the Deity Aparajita): At the site where the Shami tree is worshipped, an ashtadal (eight petals) is drawn on the ground and an Idol of the Deity Aparajita is placed on it and worshipped. She is prayed to with a mantra, which means the following: "O Deity Aparajita, You who adorn a variety of necklaces, a glittering golden girdle and bless your devotees instantly, bestow victory upon me."

In some places, Aparajita-puja is also performed before leaving for Simollanghan.

Shastra-puja (Worship of weapons and instruments): On this day Kings, their soldiers and the feudal lords clean their weapons, arrange them in a row and worship them. Farmers and artisans too worship their respective implements or instruments. Some also perform this ritual on the day of navami during Navratra. The pen and books are like weapons for students; therefore students worship them. The objective in this worship is to see the form of God in the respective objects, meaning, trying to establish oneness with God.
(Ref: Sanatan's Holy text - 'Holy Festivals, Religious Festivals and Vowed Religious Observances'. Obtain your copy today, from the Sanatan centre nearest to you or write to us at sanatanvoice@gmail.com)

Dussehra Message

Message from H.H. Dr. Athavale, Founder, Sanatan Sanstha

Ashwin Shukla Dashmi (9th October 2008)

Hindus, arise! Become pro-active to work for Dharma and the Nation!
When the capital New Delhi was rocked by bomb blasts, the Home Minister of the country was changing his clothes for public functions!

This happened first when he went to meet the victims of bomb blasts, then when he addressed the press conference and finally for another function. There is an old saying - "Nero fiddled, while Rome burnt." During the French Revolution, when people did not have anything to eat, the Queen said, "If they do not have bread, let them eat cake!" The common attitude here with the behaviour of our Home Minister is that they have no concern for the people.

The bomb blasts are acts of Jihadi terrorists. But when there is a small agitation by Hindus, the Congress leaders launch a tirade against them and speak the language of stringent action. However, when there is Jihadi terrorism or a murder of a Hindu leader like Swami Lakshman-anand who oppose conversions by the missionaries, the Congress leaders do not go beyond uttering a few words of protest. Take the recent Amarnath issue. Even after 61 years of Independence, the Hindus have to face severe hard-ships during their pilgrimages and on the other hand the Government provides concessions to Muslims for the Haj pilgrimage and also increases the subsidy. One can learn a lot from this.

During the Amarnath land issue, it became amply clear how the Muslims and their followers were nurturing anti-Bharat and anti-Hindu attitude. It is only when Hindus had to resort to a massive agitation that the Government agreed to give the land temporarily during the period of the pilgrimage. This point is also worth noting.

The Ganesh festival ended recently. It was observed that more importance was attached to things other than religious. As is the yearly ritual, the issue of concern for environmental pollution again cropped up. The environmentalists advocated that there should either be no immersion or it should be done in an artificial manner because pollution takes place due to the Idol made of plaster of Paris. They did not insist that the idol should be made of clay only. They are not bothered about the pollution of water, air, noise etc. being created by factories, vehicles, sirens etc. throughout the year and the apathy of the Government machinery to stem the pollution. And why will they be bothered about it?

Their main concern is not pollution, but to finish Hindu Dharma. The leaders either show step-motherly attitude towards Hindus or dangle a carrot before them. The heretics are working overtime to create newer ideas to finish Hindu Dharma. On the flip side, what are the Hindus doing about this? They do not seem to be doing anything at all! More than the serene religiousness, what they want in religious functions is sophisticated behaviour, fame, display of wealth etc. On this background, efforts of Hindu Organisations also seem inadequate, when compared with the adversities.

Under these circumstances, one can understand what will happen to this Nation and Dharma. These are signs of an impending anarchy of alarming proportions. The power of demonic energies is increasing day-by-day.

With the ensuing Vijayadashami it will be wrong for us to think that our work is over once we applied turmeric and vermilion and offer flowers to the weapons (during the worship of weapons). What is needed today is to awaken the warrior radiance, courage to retaliate and the spirit to fight against injustice and to become pro-active for action. The doubts nurtured by Arjun still exist in the minds of many. The Lord has given us the message through Gita, that we should discard these doubts and be prepared to protect those who are doing good deeds and teach a lesson to the evil-doers. So Hindus! Arise! Awaken! Be pro-active for the sake of our Dharma and the Nation!
- H.H. Dr. Jayant Athavale, Founder, Sanatan Sanstha

Diwali

Kartik Shukla Pratipada (29th October 2008)

Origin and meaning
The word Diwali has originated from Deep-avali, which in turn is formed as deep (lamp) + avali (row). Deepavali is thus a row of lamps. During Diwali, lamps are lit everywhere.

Days included: It is celebrated on four consecutive days of Dhantrayodashi (thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin), Narak Chaturdashi (fourteenth day), Lakshmi-puja (new moon day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin) and Balipratipada (first day of the bright fort­night of Kartik). Some exclude Dhantray-odashi and consider only the remaining three days as Diwali. Since Vasubaras and Bhaubij respectively precede and follow Diwali, they are included in it; yet, they are separate Holy festivals.

History: When Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after completing 14 years in exile, His subjects celebrated by lighting lamps.

Lord Ram

To progress spiritually, we need to traverse from the embodied soul to the enlightened soul, that is, we need to imbibe all the qualities of the Lord. Just as a droplet of water tinged with oil cannot blend with water, a devotee of Ram cannot merge into Ram without acquiring all His attributes. (See Lord Ram's sattvik picture drawn by Sanatan's seekers here.)During the celebration of festivals, worship the Deities to imbibe their qualities.

Spiritual meaning of Diwali

By killing the demon Narkasur, Lord Krushna freed people from an attitude of indulgence in worldly pleasures, jealousy, unrighteousness and negative attitudes and made them happy by giving thoughts of God (Divine thoughts), which is what 'Diwali' is about. We have been celebrating Diwali year after year merely as a custom. Today the festival has lost its true meaning. If after comprehending this hidden meaning our knowledge is kindled, then the ignorance in the form of darkness will reduce. Also, the domination by people with demoniacal tendencies of enjoying worldly pleasures and indulging in unrighteous attitudes, over the righteous, will reduce.

Ashwin Krushna Trayodashi
Dhantrayodashi: This is also known as Dhanteras. Business-men worship their treasuries on this day. A commercial year comprises the period between two successive festivals of Diwali. Account books for the New Year are begun on this day.

Spiritual meaning: Wealth, due to which our life progresses smoothly, is worshipped. Here 'wealth' means pure wealth. In the Srisukta the Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sun are termed as pure wealth. Only that which has a real meaning is Lakshmi! Else, adversity occurs due to wealth that is ill-gotten.

It is a practice to buy a gold coin on the day of Dhantrayo-dashi, so that there is prosperity throughout the year. Actually the accounts for the year should be submitted on the day of Lakshmi-puja, which falls two days later.

If the wealth available till Dhantrayodashi is utilised for serving God, then (since it is utilised in service unto Truth) it continues to exist with us in the form of Goddess Lakshmi.

Wealth (that is money) should be earned slowly and steadily through hard work and truthfulness. The scriptures recommend that at least 1/6th of the earnings should be offered unto God. - H.H. Parashram Madhav Pande Maharaj (Resident Saint at Sanatan Ashram, Devad, Panvel.)

Worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber!

Goddess Lakshmi is the Deity of wealth, whereas Lord Kuber is the treasurer. Several people possess the art of earning money; but since they do not know how to save it, they incur unnecessary expenses and are not able to save. More important than earning money is saving it, guarding it and spending it at the right place. Kuber is the Deity who teaches the art of saving money, as He Himself is the treasurer. Therefore, on Lakshmi-puja, the worship of Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber is recommended. All people celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and splendour.

Balipratipada

(Kartik Shukla Pratipada - 29th Oct. 08)

This is the day to remember King Bali. Though he was born a demon, due to his merits he received the grace of Lord Vaman. King Bali served his subjects harbouring an attitude that he was serving God. He was generous and his attitude was sattva predominant. One who performs duty unto the Absolute Truth with such fearlessness, does not have to fear death. Even Lord Yama becomes his friend and brother.

Through His Incarnation as Lord Vaman on this day, God has shown that He can go to any extent and even serve the one who sacrifices everything for His sake. God transformed King Bali's life and uplifted him, as he was generous and sacrificed everything unto Him. King Bali drove away the thoughts of getting engrossed in worldly pleasures (that are complementary to demonic attitude) from the minds of his subjects. In their place he sowed an attitude of sacrifice, thoughts about God and thus gave them a life of happiness and prosperity. - H.H. Parashram Madhav Pande Maharaj

Commit no Inauspicious deed on the Auspicious occasion of Diwali!

1. As a gesture of love, boxes of sweets are presented to relatives and friends. Sometimes these boxes carry pictures or names of Deities on their cover. These boxes are later thrown away.

2. During the Diwali season, lottery tickets with pictures and names of Deities printed on them are sold in large numbers. Many crumple and discard these tickets once their use is over.

As per the science of Spirituality, wherever the name or form of the Deity exists, the Deity Principle exists, that is the Deity is present in the subtle form. Hence, actions like the ones mentioned above amount to denigration of Deities and leads to incurring their wrath. To prevent this:
1. Avoid indulgence in such unrighteous acts!
2. Educate others on this topic!
3. Condemn those who indulge in such acts intentionally and boycott their products!
4. Complain to the Police about your religious sentiments being hurt!

A festival to follow and thereby retain religious practices!
For the young and old, expressing joy during Diwali has become synonymous with lighting expensive fire-crackers. However, is it really necessary to indulge in this act, which attracts demoniacal energies and makes the atmosphere tamasik (tama predominant)? Joy during Diwali can be multiplied if we celebrate it as advised by our Dharma-shastras (Hindu Scriptures).

The ill effects of lighting fire-crackers!
At the physical level: Becoming deaf due to the high decibels of sound, deaths in the factories due to explosions etc.

At the materialistic level: Fire-crackers like rockets can burn grass huts, clothes etc.

At the economic level: It is a sin to burn crores of rupees in this way, when the Nation is in debt.

At the spiritual level: Devotional songs, Artis or sattvik sounds attract Divine energies and Deities, whereas fire-crackers and tamasik modern music attract demoniacal energies. The tama component in the demoniacal energies affects human beings and they also become tama predominant.

Inspire your children and others to celebrate Diwali according to the underlying science. In this manner you can contribute to maintaining the sanctity of such occasions!

What Rangoli to draw during Diwali?

On Diwali, rangolis are drawn in the courtyard and at the entrance of the house. Here, the rangoli has been drawn with the help of 11 dots and 12 lines. [Details on the importance of rangoli, its features, the benefits of drawing designs related to different Deity Principles etc. are provided in Sanatan's Holy text - 'Sattvik Rangolis: A manifest medium (yantra) to activate the God Principle'].

Of Nationalism and Religion!

Bodh