Month: June 2016

  • Why Navagraha Puja is Conducted?

    What science and astrology state about nine planets?

    As its name defines, Navagraha stands for nine planets. Science terminology identifies planets as celestial bodies.

    Indian mythology and astrology personify these celestial bodies as Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budh, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu. As mythology goes, the rage of Lord Shiva gave rise to these planets. It also confirms that they cast influence on human life. Observe a lunatic or mad on the full moon night. He is its epitome. He observes maximum fits on that day and his blood goes thin.

    Astrology is an architectural science. It vets the positive impact of the planets and five elements (earth, fire, air, water and sky) on the humans. Therefore, it fights with the environmental destructors to restore cosmic energy there.

    Astrological aspect

    Each planet exerts its impact on every human. All celestial bodies govern us. They rule over our karmas, desires and results. Their influence is known as ‘Dasa’. The natal chart or horoscope displays dasa of each planet on every being. Malefic planets cast an evil eye upon a being while benefic planets induce prosperity, health and wealth in life.

    Negative impact of malefic planets can disrupt career, wealth, health and personal life. Navagraha Puja is observed to reduce or remove such negative impacts of malefic planets.

    Significance of Navagraha Puja

    As per mythology, Lord Vishnu called Navagraha Puja as an easiest way to meet all four purusharths. These purusharths hide the objective of one’s life via dharma (religion), artha (material), kaam (fulfillment of desires) and moksha (salvation).

    Advantages of Navagraha Puja

    • Fades away the negative impact of malefic planets and strengthens benefic planets.
    • Removes hurdles in personal as well as professional life
    • Bestows good health, wealth, prosperity, harmony and success
    • Dispels negative impacts of vastu defects
    • Blesses salvation

    Holy ritual of Navagraha Puja:

    • Kalasha Sthapana
    • Panchang Sthapana
    • 64 Yogini Pujan
    • Shetrapal Pujan
    • Swasti Vachan
    • Sankalpa
    • Ganesh Pujan and anointment
    • Navagraha Pujan
    • Chanting 108 planetary mantras
    • Invocation of deity in Kalash (pot)
    • Chanting beej mantra of nine planets
    • Navagraha yantra pujan
    • Shanti daan (donation for peace)
    • Yagna
    • Aarti
    • Pushpanjali
    • Brahmin bhojan (feating brahmins

  • Why and How Griha Pravesh Is Conducted?

    What astrology says about Griha Pravesh?

    Bricks, pillars and beams can construct a house but only love and happiness transform it in a home.
    It’s true seen as well as unseen forces share space with human beings on this earth. Astrology, the architectural science, has vivid mention of positive and negative energies. Both energies exist. The latter energy casts evil spell. It hampers growth, prosperity and career. Wealth and heath decline just because of negative forces. Therefore, cleansing must be done before occupying a place.

    Cleansing implies decontamination. Griha Pravesh or house warming has potential to drive away negative energies as per Rig Veda. For it, positive forces are invoked to kick away evil forces.

    How Griha Parvesh is performed?

    The prospective inhabitant deploys an adept priest. He conducts this pious ceremony at the dwelling place on an auspicious date. The place can be a newly built architecture or a revamped house. Astrology recommends ritualistic cleansing of every living place before making it shelter.

    The couple should put on clean new cloths on this day. It should sit at the makeshift fireplace beside the priest. Before boiling the milk, Ganpati Homam is done at the place in the early morning on the house warming day. Milk is boiled in new utensil and spilled on the stove. Its pious smoke permeates the place. This holy smoke dispels negative vibes. Then, the conch shell is blown to kill the germs in the air.

    Stepping the right leg in first by the lady of the house is followed thereafter. A copper Kalasha (pot) filled with Ganges water is kept at the pooja place. Alternatively, a clay pot can be used. But a copper coin should be kept inside. It should be marked with Swastik using turmeric. Un-husked betel nut should be dropped in the water. The, 5 mango leaves entice its top with the un-husked coconut at the middle.

    Betel nut aromatizes water reducing copper ions in the water. Mango leaves keep the evil spirits at bay. These also symbolize fertility. This is why their festoon is also hung at the door.
    With the incense sticks are lighted to worship almighty and take blessings of the lord. Subsequently, camphor, sandalwood, mango branches along with other herbs and spices are burnt to ashes in the fire.
    Milk and rice are boiled in the vessel. Both signify purity and long life. The vessel should be overflown which indicates inflow of wealth.

    Then, the earth is dug till a 15m at the doorstep to bury some pieces of silver, gold, bronze, iron and copper coins. The conch is put as the seal of the dig. Bring in a cow & its worshipping completes this auspicious ceremony.

  • Why Goddess Saraswati is Worshipped on Vasant Panchami?

    Who is Goddess Saraswathi?

    Goddess Saraswati is the spouse of Lord Brahma as per Rig Veda and Hindu mythology. She bestows knowledge music, arts, wisdom and learning. This is why she is revered across the globe, especially in Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bali and Myanmar.

    It is believed that this deity blessed the earth with music, art and creativity to end boredom. Her beautiful idol is dressed in ivory white saree. She often appears seated on lotus flower. She personifies purity and enrichment.

    Why she is worshipped on Vasant Panchami?

    The 5th day of spring season in India is observed as Vasant Panchmi. It is the festival of flowers, blossoms, harvest and happiness. The entire nature revives with its onset.

    Vasant Panchami is a festival of Hindus. The masters bless their disciples to trigger new semester in education. They begin their day by worshipping the goddess. Teachers gift their student stationery items and books.

    People cook yellow food; dress up in yellow cloths and dedicate yellow flowers at the feet of this goddess. But before that, her idol is embellished with white saree with yellow border. White colour symbolizes purity, prosperity and love. This is why this colour complies with her attributes.

    The goddess’ statue is anointed with turmeric and vermillion (Kumkum). With mango leaves, dry rice, coconut, betel leaves & nuts, banana, fruits, banana leaf, ghee, camphor incense stick and jaggery, she is worshipped. Afterwards, soaked rice, jaggery and cardamom are mixed well to prepare Thullu Maavu.Subsequently, all books, learning items and laptops and other accessories are also anointed.

    Apart from this festival, she is worshipped on the ninth day of Navratri. Her devotees worship their tools for conducting Ayudh Pooja (worshipping of tools). The books and tools are kept untouched.
    Her beej mantra “Om Shreem Bhreem Saraswataye Namah” is chanted while revering her. This ritual is followed by teaching first lesson to the students.