Apara Ekaadasi on May 16, 2012

The Holy Apara Ekadasi for this year (2012) is to be observed on May 16, 2012 throughout the world, except by those living in Hawaii region of U.S. Those living in Hawaii should observe this on May 15, 2012 itself.

Significance of this Apara Ekaadasi:

This Ekadasi is specifically recommended for those who are suffering from pangs of anxiety arising out of past short-comings in performing one's rightful duties (out of negligence or other pressing practical circumstances). If you have committed some major sins knowingly or unknowingly and are suffering from remorse for those sinful activities, and want to be freed from the psychological pangs now, observance of this Ekadasi will help. This Ekaadasi can free one from sins like Brahmahati (that can cause depressive tendencies and may even lead to more serious psychological disturbances as a consequence of one's sins), Gohatya and other major sins.

Apara Ekaadasi punya is equivalent to all the following meritorious religious activities taken together!....

1) Bathing in the Holy Pushkara thrice a day, everyday throughout the lunar month of Kaarthika;

2) Having Maagha snaana at Holy Prayaag.

3) Performing Seva to Lord Shiva at Vaaranaasi kshetra during shiva Raatri;

4) Gaya shraddam for one's ancestors;

5) Bathing in the Holy Gautami River during Jupiter's transit into Simha rashi;

6) Having Shri Kedaarnaath darshan.

7) Having Badrinaath darshan during the kumba maasa (sun in kumbha raashi)

8) Taking a bath in Kurukshetra during solar eclipse and donating cows, elephants, and gold in charity to worthy Brahmins.

9) Donating a pregnant cow, along with gold and fertile land.

Method of observing Ekaadasi vratham:

Try to limit intake of food slowly starting from the previous day (dasami) itself. Avoid consuming honey, onion, garlic, and such ritually impure items on dasami day (the day before ekaadasi fast) itself and also prepare yourself mentally too by meditating on Lord Hari.

On the day of Ekaadasi fast, you must get up early in the morning, take a bath, and with full intent maintain the fast. Ideally, the fast should be complete - avoiding even drinking water. However, if this is not possible, you may water-down the intensity of the fast like - a fruit-only fast, juice-only fast, milk-only fast, or whatever depending on your health condition. On Ekaadasi day, pulses and grains should be strictly avoided (especially Rice). This Ekaadasi is mandatory for all believers with good health between the ages 7 and 70. (Pregnant women, old aged persons, and ailing persons are exempt these; even women in their monthly periods can fast on ekaadasi and meditate on Lord Hari silently without chanting mantras!)

On the night of Ekaadasi fast, it is recommended to keep a whole night vigil - listening to Lord's wonderful leelaas from various scriptures, or reading Bhagavat Gitaa, or simply chanting Lord's names like Hari, Raam, Krishna, Hare Ramakrishna, etc.

On Dwaadasi - the day after the fast, the fast should be broken within 2 hours 24 mins. after sunrise at your place, at an auspicious time. Those who have maintained a full fast (without even water) can break the fast by just consuming Tulsi teertham (Tulsi-soaked water). Others can break fast by eating fruits.

On Dwaadasi thithi, tamarind and chillies should be avoided while cooking. Lemon can be used instead of Tamarind; pepper can be used instead of chillies to flavour the food-items.

It is good to consume Amla on dwaadasi thithi as this endears one to Lord Krishna.

One who maintains this fast of Apara Ekaadasi will win fame and reknown besides cutting off the roots of all negative karmaas.

May all our members undertake this Holy Fast and relieve themselves of all negative karmaas.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Jupiter transit from May 17, 2012 to May 31, 2013

Dear Members:

Jupiter enters Sidereal Taurus sign (Rishabha rashi) on May 17, 2012.

The effects of this transit are auspicious for those born with Moon sign in sidereal signs Aries, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, and Capricorn. (Mesha, Kataka, Kanya, Vrischika, and Makara rashis).

The transit is inauspicious for those born with Moon sign in sidereal signs of Taurus, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, Aquarius, and Pisces (Rishabha, Mithuna, Simha, Thula, Dhanus, Kumbha, and Meena rashis).

We are planning elaborate austerities on the day of Jupiter transit which include Guru peyarchi homams (comprising of Medha Dakshinamoorthi homam, Lakshmi Hayagreeva homam, Dhanvantari homam, Brahma Gayathri homam, Brihaspati moola mantra homam, Brihaspati Gayathri homam), Brihaspati Kavacham recital, and Brihaspati Moola mantra recital.  Those natives whose rashis are under tough transit as indicated above may take part in the austerities to reduce the impact of the transit influences.  Others may also take part in these if they are interested just for punya optionally. Those who are interested may click on the links below to take part in the austerities as sponsors.....

Sponsorship options for Guru peyarchi remedies

Guru peyarchi homams$15.00 USD Brihaspati kavacham recital$5.00 USD Brihaspati Moola mantra recital$5.00 USD Sponsorship of all the austerities$20.00 USD

Name, nakshatra, rashi, gothra

After selecting the austerities you wish to sponsor from the link above, kindly send the name, star, rashi, and gothra details to my email-id : dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in for inclusion of your names in the homam/ japa sankalpam.

Kindly note that we won't be sending the homam ash/ prasadam to anyone by post due to ritual purity reasons.Taking sankalpam on your behalf here is deemed as in-absentia participiation in the austerities.


For detailed reading on the effects of the transit for all the 12 signs, you may refer the following link:


Jupiter transit effects based on its entry into Sidereal Taurus 2012
Best regards,

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

Chitra Pournami - May 5/ May 6, 2012

Dear members:

The auspicious Chitra Pournami vrattam (Chitragupta pooja)  falls on May 5/ May 6 this year.

Those in the U.S. and other nations of American continents, and those living in the U.K.  should observe this on May 5, 2012.  Persons living in other regions of the world should observe this on May 6, 2012.

Please note that those who perform monthly Pournami pooja or Sathyanaaraayana vratam should perform that on May 5, 2012 evening - throughout the world. The different in dates is applicable only for observance of Chitrapournami austerities.

Austerities in connection with Chitrapournami/ chitragupta pooja:


It is customary to eat curd rice (preferably curd of buffalo!) without salt on that day and to fast without eating anything else. In any case, avoiding salt in food items throughout the day is recommended on that day, if possible.

Special worship is done in Honour of Lord ChitraGupta - the Divine Accountant - who keeps an account of our karmas, and appeals for forgiveness for our shortcomings are raised on this day. Those who can afford a visit, should pay a visit to Kanchipuram Chitra Gupta temple -an ancient one which is very ancient and powerful.

In Madurai Meenakshi amman temple, DevEndr Pooja is done on Chitra Pournami day (it is believed that it is on this day Indra came across a Golden Lotus in a pond with which He worshipped Lord Shiva of the temple; the temple tank of Madurai Meenaakshi amman temple is called Golden Lotus tank still). So, paying a visit to Shri Meenaakshi SundarEshwara temple today is also auspicious and can relieve one of the sins such as insult to Gurus (In fact, Indra did the pooja on Chitra Pournami to propitiate Lord Shiva and get remedied from burden of sins that He committed in the absence of His Guru Brihaspati, who was incognito for some period following an argument with Indra).


Chitra Gupta can be easily pleased by uttering the following names:

"Om Chitraaya namah"
"Om Chitraguptaaya namah"
"Om Karma saakshine namah"
"Om nirdoshaaya namah"
"Om Kaarunya roopine namah"
"Om Dharmaraaja parivaarakaaya namah"

While reciting these names, Chitra Gupta should be meditated upon as a short human form attired in traditional Indian attire with a turban, shining ear rings, and having a bunch of palm leaf scrolls and a pen for writing karmic accounts. His consort is Goddess Karnaambikai.

Mantra for praising and saluting Shri Chitragupta

"Chitragupta namastubhyam lEkaaksharadaayakam
LEkanii katinii hasta chitragupta namOastutE"


The day should be spent by giving contributions to charities, doing meritorious deeds as per one's convenience, and spending the day in contemplation and introspection with the firm affirmation to reduce performance of sinful activities in the coming year.

Performance of this Chitra Pournami vrattam is a powerful remedy for afflictions of ketu in the horoscope. So, those under ketu dasa/ bhukti or those suffering from marital difficulties or delay in progeny caused by affliction of ketu in horoscopes can benefit much by this Chitra Pournami vratta and Chitragupta poojaa.

May our members celebrate this Holy Day and get relief from burden of sins.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

Narasimha Jayanthi - May 4/ May 5, 2012

This post is about Shri Narasimha Jayanthi this year which falls on May 4/ May 5, 2012.

It is to be observed on May 4, 2012 in India and other countries to the West of India (including Gulf countries, U.K, U.S., Canada, etc.).  Counties to the east of India should observe this on May 5, 2012.

Even in India, some Vaishnava sampradaayas observe this on May 5, 2012.

Lord Narasimha is a Ugra Form of Lord Mahaa Vishnu, but His Ugra Form is fearsome only for those who are demonaic in nature and transgress the line of Dharma. For His devotees, He is the Shantha Narasimha - the Graceful Lakshmi Narasimha with Devi Lakshmi seated on His lap and His child Devotee Shri Bhakta Prahlaada worshipping Him.Worship of Lord Narasimha makes a person brave and adventurous. Mere sight of a Narasimha Upaasakaa is enough to drive away most minor goblins, and doshas. The Revered Aachaarya of Sringeri (now of Revered memory) - Shri Ugra Narasimha Bharati was a living example of what siddhi of Narasimha Upaasanaa can confer on a living soul. The mere presence of the Aacharya has driven away disturbing elementals from haunted houses.

For householders who are in the grips of debts, Runa Vimochana Narasimha sthothram is a panacea to the trouble. Chanting it once every day can be an antidote against falling into a debt trap. Those who are already facing severe debt crises, can try chanting it 8 times, 18 times, or 32 times, or even 108 times to get immediate relief during critical periods. This is one of the mantras that can give speedy relief from debts and improvement in financial condition (even if the horoscope indicates disastrous financial prospects for a native, this sthothra can change the Fate).

Another powerful hymn on Shri Narasimha is "Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Karaavalamba sthothram" - requesting His Helping Hand during critical periods.The Sahasranaamam of Shri Lakshmi Narasimhar is a wonderful composition vested with poetic beauty of a Divine degree. You can almost Feel the vibes as you keep chanting certain portions of it.Those who can recite these shothras can do so and become recipients of His Grace. Others may simply chant "Jaya Jaya Simhaa....Jaya Narasimhaa" with devotion as many times as possible. (Paaraayanam group members please note that the Runa Vimochana sthothram is already in our Files section which you may listen to on that day; I will try to upload the file on Shri Narasimha Karaavalambham also if possible). After the recitals, offering of Paanagam (mixture of water, Gur, cardomom) can be placed in the prayer altar which can then be consumed by everyone after the pooja.

Visit to Divya kshetras like Sholingar (called Kadigaachalam), Ahobhilam, Mangalagiri, Mattapalli Narasimhar temple, etc. on this day will be very auspicious.Lord Narasimha is varaprasaadhi. According to one traditional legend, when the demon Hiranyakasipu queried his son Bhakta Prahlaada about Shri Hari's abode, the child replied that He is everywhere. But, even before the child answered thus, Lord Vishnu was so anxious to prove His Devotee as correct that He pervaded the Whole Universe with his tejas so that He can appear at momen't notice wherever the child shows his hands (after all, the child could have shown any place as per his whim and fancy; the Lord wanted to prove him correct without the least delay!). It is well-known that when Hiranyakasipu pointed at a pillar and asked if Hari is there, Prahlaada boldly said yes. When Hiranyakasipu kicked the pillar, Lord Narasimha manifested immediately and put an end to the demon.It may just be a poetic exaggeration about Lord Vishnu being "anxious" about which place His devotee will show as His abode and from which He should manifest immediately, thereby He pervading the Whole Universe with His tejas....... (afterall the Omniscient Lord need not take special efforts to be everywhere....HE IS ALREADY EVERYWHERE!). The point to be noted about this is that it gives a hint about the "attitude" of this Ugra Narasimha.....He is ever ready to extend a helping hand to His devotees at moment's notice and to grant them boons.

May He with the Lion Face who manifested in a pillar on the expressed confidence of His child Devotee at moment's notice be with us and protect us from all perils - at the very moment when we seek His Assistance.

Blessed be.Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI

KSHINAMOORTHI Astrological and Remedial consultant dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Mohini Ekaadasi, May 2, 2012

Dear Members:

The auspicious Mohini Ekaadasi falls on May 2, 2012.  It is to be observed on the same date throughout the world.

This is a fast that is believed to give relief from sufferings arising out of our sins of previous births.

May our members observe this fast as per their abilities and become recipients of Divine Grace.




  Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI 
Astrological and Remedial consultant
 dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in