Saturday, May 15, 2010

Akshya trithiya 2010


It is well known that Indians believe passionately in the theory of muhurts
or auspicious times to perform sacraments, to make major purchases or
to begin new ventures. Inspite of modern technology and changing
lifeviews, this dedication to auspicious time is a prominent feature
of Indian life.
Akshaya tritiya, the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh, is considered
one of the four most sacred days of the vear, when the Sun and Moon are
in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which
happens only once every year. Every year, Akshaya tritiya falls between
April 14th and May 14th This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on May 16th 2010
on sunday.
The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes - hence beginnings
made or valuables bought on this day are considered certain to bring luck
and success. All over India people celebrate weddings, plan new business
ventures, long journeys and other events on this day. Like Diwali, Dussera
and Gudi Padva. Akshava Tritiva is reserved for buying gold, platinum,silver and
other assets. As the Sun, the lord of the planets and the Moon the lord of
creativity(sense) are exalted,the day is considered to be an auspicious
day in India.If the tritiya day falls on a wednesday or Friday when moon
is in Rohini or 4th constellation, the day becomes specially sacred.

Akshaya Tritiya, also known as "Akha Teej", is traditionally the birthday
of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Puranas
tell how he reclaimed land from the sea along the west coast of India
by his valour. Even today Goa and the Konkan are called Parshurama
Kshetra. He then settled 96 selected families there, called Shahanavkuli
Brahmins, who are said to have created the cultural heritage of this nart
of India. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers,
make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha
& Devi Lakshmi on this day.
The day also marks the beginning of the "SatyaYug" or the Golden Age
- the first of the four Yugas. In the "Puranas", the holy Hindu scriptures,
there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya Vedavyas
along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata.
Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended to earth on this day.
It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life.
Many luminaries were born during this period:
Basaveshwara born on May 4,Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya
on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16.
Story:Whatever one does for devotees, and for Krsna that person will get
more benefit and it is eternal benefit and never lost. He said one story of
a Brahmana: there was a brahmana who had a very good wife and was
poor. Whatever little money he got would get spent somehow. Also he
did not have children. So under the strong request of his wife he went
to Vasishta muni to know the reason for his suffering. Vasishta muni told
him that in his previous life he was very rich and also had many children.
But he was very stingy, he was not even spending for his own children.
This is the reason for his being poor, also without children. Then that
brahmana asked Vasishta muni why he got a good wife. So that Muni
replied that somehow with some reason, he observed that the vrata
of Vaishaka month for the last 5 days. So he got a good wife and also
the brahmana birth. Then the muni advised him to follow at least the
last 7 days left of Vaishaka month, with devotion to Lord Krsna.Since
that brahmana observed the vrata of Vaishaka month for that at least
the left out 7 days, he got sons, he became rich, ultimately he got
Love of Godhead and went back to the spiritual world!It is important
to hear such a story/pastimes as this so that at least by hearing this,
we engage ourselves in the service of Guru,and lord Krsna.
The various homams that can be performed on that day are
1. Akshaya Tritiya Special homa homam - For the well being of
your family.
2 . Shatru shanti homa - To safeguard from ill effects and enemies.
3 . Visit Lord Balaji & Ashtalakshmi temple.

Most Panchangs in North India except for Mithila Panchang has termed Akshay Tritiya 2010 as inauspicious - it is not good for marriages and other auspicious events.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Thulasi Stotram [Tamil]


Thulasi Stotram [Tamil]
Prayer to Thulasi
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Thulasi or the holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum / Ocimum sanctum) is possibly the holiest plant to the Hindus. They consider the plant as the consort of Vishnu. Without fail, most of the Hindu homes would maintain a Thulasi plant. This great prayer is a very popular prayer written in Tamil.]

Thulasiyamma. Thiruve, kalyaniamma,
Velli kizhamai thannil vilangukindra mathave,
Chevvai kizhamai chezhikka vanda chendiruve,
Thayare undan thal inayil naan paninden. 1

Oh mother Thulasi, Oh Goddess Lakshmi, Oh mother who does good,
Oh mother who shines brightly on Fridays,
Oh goddess Lakshmi who has come to make Tuesdays better,
Oh mother, I am bowing my head at your feet.

Pachai pasumayulla Thulasi namasthe,
Parimalikkum moola kozhunde namasthe,
Arpa pirappai thavirppay, namasthe,
Ashta aisvaryam alippay namasthe. 2

Salutations to Thulasi who looks exuberant in green colour,
Salutations to the original leaf which gives out scent,
Please avoid debased future lives for me, Salutations,
Please grant me eight types of wealth, salutations.

Hariyudaya devi azhagi, namasthe,
Adaintharkku inbam alippay, namasthe,
Vana malai yenum maruve, namasthe.
Vaikunda vasiyudan magizhvay, namasthe. 3

Oh pretty one who is wife of Lord Vishnu, salutations,
Please give happiness to those who reach you, salutations,
Oh plant, who is called the forest garland, salutations,
Please be happy with lord who lives in Vaikunta, salutations.

Anbudane nalla arum Thulasi kondu vandu,
Mannil mel nattu magizhndu, neeruthi,
Muthathil thaan valarthu, muthu pol, kolamittu,
Chengavi chuthum ittu, thiruvilakkum yethi vaithu, 4

Pazhangaludan thengayum, thambulam thattil vaithu,
Pushapangalai chorindu, poojitha pergalukku,
Yenna payan yendru, hrishikesan thaan ketka,
Mangalamana Thulasi magizhndu uraippal. 5

When Lord Vishnu asked, what will result to those,
Who bring the good sacred Thulasi plant,
Plant it in soil happily, pour water to it,
Grow it in one’s courtyard, decorate with pearl like Rangoli,
Decorate it further on all sides by red soil, light a lamp,
Place before it in a plate plantains, coconut and betel leaf,
And offer lots of flowers, the holy Thulasi happily replied.

Mangalami yennai vaithu magizhndu upasithavargal,
Thee vinyai pokki, chiranda palan naan alippen,
Arum piniyai neeki, ashta aiswaryam naan alippen,
Daridrathai neeki chelvathai naan koduppen, 6

Puthran illavathavarku puthira bhagayamalippen,
Kannigaikal poojai cheydhal, nalla kanavarai kootuvippen,
Grahasthargal poojai cheydhal keerthiyudan vazha vaippen,
Mumukshukkal poojai cheydhal moksha padam koduppen. 7

For those who serve and pray me with happiness and holiness,
I would remove their bad fate and bless them with good results,
I would remove their illness and bless them with eight types of wealth,
I would remove their poverty and give them wealth,
For those who do not have sons, I would bless them with sons,
If maids worship me, I would bless them with good husbands,
If family people worship me, I would make them live with great fame,
If those who have forsaken the world worship me, I would bless them with salvation,

Kodi karaam pasuvai kandrudane kondu vanthu,
Kombukku pon amaithu, kulambukku velli ketti,
Gangai karai thanile, Grahana punya kalathil,
Val uruvi anthanarkku maha danam cheydha palan, 8

Nan alippen sathiyam yendru nayagiyum chollalume,
Appadiyeyakavendru Thirumal arikkai ittar,
Ippadiye anbudane yethi thozhuthavargal,
Arpudamai vazhnthiduvar para devi than arulal. 9

When the Goddess told that she will give same effect as,
Giving away to Brahmins in the shores of Ganges river,
During the eclipse, one billion cows under lactation,
Along with its calf, tying the horns of each with gold plate,
And tying each of their hooves with silver plate,
Then Lord Vishnu said 'let it happen like that',
And so those who worship the goddess this way,
Would lead a wonderful life, by her grace.

The 108 names (mantras) of Tulsi


Tulsi Mula Mantra

Vrindaayai Thulasee Devyai,
Priyaayai KesavyasyaCha,
Kesavaarthe sinomi
Dhwaam Varadhaa bhava sarvatha

The 108 names (mantras) of Tulsi
OM shri tulasyai namah
OM nandinyai namah
OM devyai namah
OM shik hinyai namah
OM dharinyai namah
OM dhatryai namah
OM savitryai namah
OM satya sandhayai namah
OM kala harinyai namah
OM gauryai namah
OM deva gitayai namah
OM draviyasyai namah
OM padminyai namah
OM sitayai namah
OM rukminyai namah
OM priya bhuushan ayai namah
OM shreyasyai namah
OM shri matyai namah
OM man yayai namah
OM gauryai namah
OM gautam architayai namah
OM treta yai namah
OM tripatha gayai namah
OM tripad ayai namah
OM trai murtyai namah
OM jagat rayayai namah
OM tra sinyai namah
OM gat rayai namah
OM gatri yayai namah
OM garbha varinyai namah
OM shobhanayai namah
OM samayai namah
OM dvira dayai namah
OM aradyai namah
OM yagya vidyayai namah
OM maha vidyayai namah
OM guhya vidyayai namah
OM kamaxyai namah
OM kulayai namah
OM shriyai namah
OM bhuumyai namah
OM bhavitryai namah
OM savitryai namah
OM sarva veda vidam varayai namah
OM shankhinyai namah
OM chakrinyai namah
OM char inyai namah
OM chapal exanayai namah
OM pitam barayai namah
OM prota somayai namah
OM saurasayai namah
OM axinyai namah
OM ambayai namah
OM sarasvatyai namah
OM sam shrayayai namah
OM sarva devatyai namah
OM vishva shrayayai namah
OM sugandhinyai namah
OM suvas anayai namah
OM vara dayai namah
OM sush ronyai namah
OM chandra bhagayai namah
OM yamuna priyayai namah
OM kaveryai namah
OM manikar nikayai namah
OM archinyai namah
OM stha yinyai namah
OM dana pradayai namah
OM dhana vatyai namah
OM sochyam anasayai namah
OM shu chinyai namah
OM shreya syai namah
OM priti chin texanyai namah
OM vibhuutyai namah
OM akrityai namah
OM avir bhutyai namah
OM prabhavinyai namah
OM gandhinyai namah
OM svarginyai namah
OM gadayai namah
OM vedyayai namah
OM prabhayai namah
OM sarasyai namah
OM sara siva sayai namah
OM sarasvatyai namah
OM shara vatyai namah
OM rasinyai namah
OM kalinyai namah
OM shreyo vatyai namah
OM yamayai namah
OM brahma priyayai namah
OM shyama sundarayai namah
OM ratna ruupinyai namah
OM shama nidhinyai namah
OM shata nandayai namah
OM shata dyutaye namah
OM shiti kanthayai namah
OM prayayai namah
OM dhatryai namah
OM shri vrinda vanyai namah
OM krishnayai namah
OM bhakta vatsalayai namah
OM gopika kridayai namah
OM harayai namah
OM amrita rupinyai namah
OM bhuumyai namah
OM shri krishna kantayai namah
OM shri tulasyai namah

Gomatha Stuti


Gomatha Stuti
[Prayer to Mother Cow]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Kamadhenu is an all wish satisfying cow of heavens. This prayer (according to the last sloka) is addressed by Indra to Kamadhenu. It has been adapted as a prayer to the cow by all Hindus.]

Namo devyai Maha devyai,
Surabyai cha namo nama.
Gavam Bheeja swaroopaya,
Namasthe Jagad Ambike. 1

Salutations to the mother of the world,
Who lives as a seed in all cows,
Salutations to that goddess,
Who is a great goddess,
And who is the wish yielding cow.

Namo radha priyayai cha
Padmamsaya namo nama,
Nama Krishna priyayai cha
Gavam mathre namo nama. 2

Salutations to the pet of Radha,
Salutations to the essence of lotus,
Salutations to the daring of Krishna,
Salutations to the mother of all cows.

Kalpa vruksha swaroopayai,
Sarvesham sathatham pare,
Ksheeradayai, dhanadayai,
Budhidayai namo nama. 3

Salutations to her who gives milk,
Riches and intelligence,
Who is the form of wish giving tree,
And Who is greater than everything.

Shubhayai subhadarayai
gopradhayai namo nama
Yasodhayai kerthidhayai,
Dharmadhayai namo nama. 4

Salutations to her who gives good,
ho takes care of us,
And who gives us cows.
Salutations to her who blesses us with Dharma,
And Who gives us fame and victory.

Stotra shravana mathrena,
Dushta, hrushta jagatprasu,
Mahendraya varam dhatwa,
Go lokam saa yayaou puna. 5

As soon as she who destroys bad ones,
Heard this prayer of the king of devas,
She gave him all boons,
And went to the abode of cows.

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