Padmini Ekaadasi - August 27/ August 28,2012

Dear Members:

Padmini Ekaadasi is the shukla paksha ekaadashi of adhika month.  It happens only during the adhika maasaas - that have extra Full Moon night on the same calendar month (as per Indian traditional calendars).

It falls on August 27, 2012 and is to be observed on the same day throughout the world except by those living in Fiji and New Zealand who must observe it on August 28, 2012.

The glory of the Padmini Ekaadasi can be read in the following link:

http://www.harekrishnablog.com/index.php/festival-a-reports/71-glories-of-ekadashi/1173-padmini-ekadashi.html

If skipping a few meals and one night's sleep in Honour of our Lord can be helpful in reducing our karmic burden, the fortunate ones who are blessed with the Wisdom by God's Grace will surely do so.....and I am sure that there are many such fortunate ones among my blog readers:) 



May our members observe this auspicious fast and become recipients of God's Grace.

Blessed be.
Pandit R DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

Aja Ekaadasi (Annadaa ekaadasi) August 2012

Dear Members:

Aja/ Annadaa ekaadasi is a powerful fasting day.

The schedule of observance of this fast for different places in the World is as follows:

1) For those living in places observing  Hawaii standard time, August 12, 2012

2) For rest of the world, August 13, 2012.

Glory of this Aja Ekaadasi

The glory of this Aja Ekaadasi has been explained in Brahma- Vaivarta Puraanaa in a discussion between King Yudhishtra and Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna narrates the legend of King Harischandra, who though a great king of the Surya dynasty, fell from fortune (due to a test of dharma kept by Sage Viswamitra), and lived a miserable existence as a keeper of crematorium - separated from his virtous wife and loving son who even died due to circumstances.

One day King Harischandra came across Sage Gautama and thought "Lord Brahma has created Brahmins just to help others" (i.e. they can suggest powerful remedies to help negotiate vagaries of Fate). He payed his obeisances to the great sage and narrated his tale of woe and requested a remedy to come out of his sorry state of affairs.

Sage Gautama recommended observance of this Aja Ekaadasi Fast which is reputed to absolve one of the karmic effects of sinful activities of the past. King Harischandra duly observed the fast and was reunited with his relatives and also got back his Kingship. After his demise from this Earth, he ascended to Higher Spiritual Regions with all his relatives by the power of this fast.
Lord Krishna says that even those who hear of the glory of this fast or read about this with devotion will get merit equivalent to that obtained by Aswamedha sacrifice!

My notes: This is a shuddha ekaadasi, i.e. it is preferable to fast completely if possible (even avoiding water and fruits/ milk), and keep awake throughout the night. Please note that a full fast is not to be followed by pregnant ladies observing this ritual, or by ailing patients. They should subsist on fruits and milk, and as per shastras they will enjoy the full merit of a full fast due to their special condition.

Observance of this fast rigorously even without other accompanying rituals like Vishu pooja is very powerful. Just chant the name "Om HrishikEshaaya namah" with devotion throughout the day whenever you have time between your regular activities. This has the potential to remove the troubles that we are facing in this existence due to the effect of our past sins, and help us to enjoy peaceful existence.

May our members observe this fast and become freed from the clutches of negative karma, and enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives in a spiritual way.

Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI

Aadi Krithigai on August 10, 2012

Dear Members:
The auspicious Aadi Krittigai festival falls on August 10, 2012 this year. Krittigai star is auspicious for worship of Lord Skanda (also affectionately called Murugan, Kaartikeyan, kumaran, velavan, etc.) - because of the boon given by Mother Goddess to the Six Divine Damsels (the Divine Beings of the vedic constellation Krittika) who nurtured Lord Skanda in His Infant Form till the time came for His Enacting the purpose of His Incarnation - that of annihilating Soorapadman. Krittigai star in the solar month of Cancer (Aadi month) is considered even more auspicious than the Krittigai star day on other months.

This is the festival celebrated in Honour of the Divine Son(Lord Skanda) in the month that is auspicious for worship of the Divine in Her Mother Form - Aadi!

You may worship Lord Skanda by reciting Kanda Shasti kavacham, Thirumurugaarrupadai, Kandar Anobhooti, Skanda Sahasranaamam, Kandar Alankaaram, or whatever Divine Work on Lord Skanda you are familiar with. If nothing of the above list is convenient for you, just remember Him - of unparalleled handsome appearance (any wonder that He is Handsome and captivating? He is afterall the nephew of ManaMohana - Lord Vishnu who can mesmerize everyone with His charms!) and recite any of His names - whatever appeals to you - Murugaa, Skandaa, Kumaraa, VElavaa, Aiyaa, Aandi, Kartikeya, saravanabhava, the list is endless:)
Worship of Divine in the Form of Skanda can bless you with courage, wisdom, wealth, and ultimately salvation. May His Grace help you to remember Him on Aadi Krithigai day that is auspicious for meditating upon Him.

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

Krishna Janmashtami/ Gokulashtami festivities went on well today - August 9, 2012

Dear Members:

Sri Krishna Janmaashtami also known as Gokulaashtami is one of the most widely celebrated Avatar days in Sanaatanic vedic traditions. Smaarthas celebrate the Gokulashtami (here Ashtami is the deciding factor for the celebration), while Sri Vaishnavaas celebrate it as Sri Jayanthi where the star Rohini is the deciding factor. The typical consideration is the operation of the deciding factors described above at the time of midnight - though some take the evening time for reckoning. So, there could be some differences in the dates on which Lord Krishna's birthday is celebrated by followers of different sects of Sanaatana Dharma - like Smaartas, Shri Vaishnavas (Pancharaatra and Vaikaanasa aagamic celebrations sometimes differ even among shri vaishnavas). In spite of all these minor differences, it is the spirit of the day and celebration that is of spiritual significance to all bhaktaas.

Lord Krishna's avatar leelas are a live example of a karma yogic path - complete detachment from the results and perfect performance of one's duties as per one's station in life. Remembrance of how He playfully enacted various leelas and in the process decimated demonaic forces in various garbs is sure to inspire us to achieve great things in life. He taught us the efficacy of "effortless perfection". His Bhagavad Geeta is a magnum opus that can be a friend, philosopher, guide, counsellor, all rolled into one - it carries the essence of the whole Upanishadic Wisdom.

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The following are some of the charities/ meritorious religious deeds that you can do on this day to get His Grace......

• Those who follow religious traditions in the family will perform a sampradaayic pooja to Shri Krishna on the above days as per their traditions.



• Recital of Gopika Geetam, Gopala Hrudayam, portions of Bhagavad Geeta, etc. will be auspicious on this day.



• Those who are initiated into Gopala mantra may recite it number of times today praying for Universal Welfare (for propogation of Dharmic principles and for subjugation of evil forces in various forms).



• Do what you can to promote the welfare of cows in your locality (by contributing what little you can to organizations that are involved in providing shelter to aged cows), as this is sure to bring His Grace to you.



• Offer respects to children - if possible, try to bring happiness to at least one child in a destitute home.



• Try to honour scholars who are involved in propogating the doctrine of Bhagavat Geeta or other vedic principles of living. If possible try to donate copies of the Holy Bhagavad Geeta to some children or aspirants thereby contributing to the spread of the Doctrine.



• Try to contribute at least some amount to vedic scholars who are involved in performing various homams/ yagnas throughout the year for the welfare of the Universe (the donation can be to any scholar who in your opinion is performing such acts in your locality, or to any respectable Pandit anywhere in the world).



• Try to select one slokha from Bhagavad Geeta and let that verse be your guiding principle in all activities throughout the year (This is putting philosophy in action and is sure to win you His Grace).

You need not worry if you are currently not in an economically sound position to grant liberally to charities or scholars. Lord Krishna was satisfied beyond words on the soulful offering of just "aval" (flattened puffed rice) from His poor friend KusElaa! What you offer does not matter to Him....it only matters whether you are offering it with Devotion. Recital of kusEla Charitra from Srimad Bhaagavatam is sure to bring prosperity to you.




Our paaraayanam group members may listen to audio recitals on Shri Krishna or Naaraayana from our group - listening to hymns is as efficacious as actual recital of the hymns. Especially, the hymn "Naaraayanam Bhaje....." and "Guruvaayurappan Pancharatnam" are very powerful hymns that can be found in our files section.




Sri Krishna Paadaaravindam sadaa smaraamii


Krishnam VandE Jagat Gurum.


Blessed be.


Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.