Guru Poornima today!

Dear All:



Guru Poornima is observed today.

Guru Poornima is an auspicious day when we offer our respects to the Guru Paramparaa - the unbroken line of Gurus beginning from Lord Sadashivaa Himself to our individual Gurus. [Vaishnavas might remember the Guru Parampara beginning from Shriman Naarayanan Himself, followed by Devarishi Narada, and down the lineage to their own Gurus].,


Sanyaasis of aamnaaya mutts offer Vyaasa pooja on this occasion.  Remembering our mentors whoever guided our lives in ever-so-small ways, or did poojas on our behalf for our welfare with gratitude is the recommended activity today. Small offerings out of gratitude may be offered to family preceptors or people who have offered guidance to you in some way in the previous year if you can afford such offerings.

We are planning to do special austerities in this connection, and will pray for Universal Welfare.

Those who are initiated into Moola mantras of Shri Veda Vyaasa, Gorakhnaath, Sage Agasthya, Shri Medha Dakshinamoorthi, Shri Hayagreeva, Dattatreya, Hanumaan, Skanda, etc. can meditate on those Gurus with those mantra recitals.  Others may simply remember whomever they consider as their Gurus with devotion and gratitude today.

May Guru's Grace show us the light with which we can trace our way forward in our lives.

Best regards to everyone,

Blessed be.
Pandit R DAKSHINA MOORTHI.

Lunar eclipse on July 27/ July 28, 2018

Dear All:

There is a lunar eclipse on July 27/ July 28, 2018.  It is named Blood-Moon eclipse because Moon will give a red-hue during this eclipse.

In India, the partial phase of the eclipse will begin at 11:54 p.m. on July 27th, totality of the eclipse is around 1 a.m. on July 28th - maximum of eclipse is at 1:51 a.m. on July 28th; totality of eclipse ends at 2:43 a.m,, and the partial phase of the eclipse also ends at 3:49 a.m. on July 28th. (All timings are given in IST).

This eclipse is also visible over much of Europe, most parts of Asia, Australia, Africa, Southern parts of North America, entire South America, Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Ocean territories, and Antarctica. You may refer to astronomical dispatches related to your region to understand the nature of the eclipse phenomenon and visibility in your region.

For performing eclipse related austerities, the duration of the eclipse may be considered to be between 11:54 p.m. on July 27th and 3:49 a.m. on July 28th.

STARS THAT ARE AFFLICTED: Those born in the stars Poorvaashaada (Pooraadam), Uttaraashaada (Uttiraadam), Sravana (Tiruvonam), Krittika, Uttaraphalguni (Uttiram), Hastam, Rohini, and Dhanishta (Avittam) and living in areas of visibility of the eclipse must ideally perform eclipse remedies to avoid malefic impact of this eclipse on their charts.  You may get in touch with vedic pandits in your area or approach trusted spiritual persons whomsoever you consult regularly for spiritual remedies in this regard.

REMEDY DONE AT OUR PLACE: For close clients of mine whose stars are afflicted by the eclipse, I do the eclipse-remedial chant personally and do the other austerties in this regard during the eclipse.  The recommended offering for the same is Rs.375 (rupees three hundred and seventy five only) PER person whose star is afflicted by the eclipse.

ALTERNATIVE REMEDY FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE A PERSONAL SPIRITUAL MENTOR/ ACCESS TO VEDIC PANDITS:

Those who don't have personal spiritual mentors or knowledgeable vedic pandits to help them in the performance may do this remedy:  Donate 1/10th of your body-weight of good quality rice (like if you are 50kg. in weight, donate 5 kg. of good qualitiy rice) AND 1/100th of your body-weight ghee (like if you are 50kg in weight, donate half kg. of ghee) to any charitable organization or temple on July 28th (i.e. the next day after the eclipse has ended).

Even those stars are not directly impacted by the eclipse can gain by performing austerities during the duration of the eclipse; per mantra shastra principles, any mantra recited during the duration of the eclipse becomes "siddh" and gives intense positive results.  My personal experience is that I have mastered most of the rare works that are in my command in spiritual realm only during major eclipses, and can vouch for the fact that learning activities are very productive during eclipse periods.

This lunar eclipse is a significant one in that its duration is very long (due to the fact that on the day of the eclipse Moon is farther away from the earth and so the angular distance it has to cover to come out of the earth's shadow is more - which means that we get more time to perform austerities and attract occult energies!).

PRECAUTIONS DURING THE ECLIPSE (not applicable to those living in regions where the eclipse is not visible).

a) Try to finish off your last meal before the eclipse about 6 hours prior to the onset of the partial phase; for those in India, ideally finish off your supper by 6 p.m. IST and don't have any solid food after that time (infants, nursing mothers, pregnant ladies, and very old persons may be exempt this; but it is generally preferable to avoid having heavy food in our system when the eclipse is on).  Limit even liquids/ water after 8 p.m. IST.

b) Those who wish to perform austerities or indulge in occult/ metaphysical/ spiritual experiments must take bath once during the onset of the partial-phase (11:54 a.m. IST on July 27th) and again another bath after the eclipse ends (3:49 a.m.IST on July 28th).

c) Pregnant ladies must avoid venturing out during the duration of the eclipse (this is per traditions - the same traditions that have given us wisdom regarding many occult/ spiritual things that are left untouched and unexplainable by current levels of scientific knowledge - so there must be something in this!; I am not even getting into the argument of what will happen if they venture out! Each one to their own wisdom/ discretion - and my guideline is for those who wish to benefit by traditional views on this matter where it is said that avoiding exposure to the outer atmosphere or the eclipsed Moon's rays is recommended for the welfare of the child in the womb).

d) Avoid negative thoughts or unnecessary brooding during the eclipse.  You may indulge in healthy introspection even if you don't wish to chant mantras or perform intense austerities.....BUT, don't cultivate guilt feelings/ unnecessary hang-overs...be a neutral observer and evaluator of events in your life to make the best of this period.  Of course, those who wish to chant mantras or strengthen protective shields in occult matters will benefit most during this period.  Countless are the persons who have got siddhi of their mantras during eclipses; so for spiritual persons or those inclined to occult experiments, this is a "must not miss" period.

e) Those who have lost parents may offer tarpanam in Honour of ancestors during this period.  Shastras say that the merits of offering tarpanam to parents during eclipse are infinite.

May our members derive the best benefits of this celestial phenomenon.

Best regards,

Blessed be.

Pandit R DAKSHINA MOORTHI 

DEVASAYANI EKAADASI 2018 (July 22nd/ July 23rd)

This is about Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi (also known as Padma Ekaadasi, Hari Sayani ekaadasi, Aashaadi ekaadasi).


Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi falls on the bright fortnight of the month Aashaada. It is also known as Vishnu sayani ekaadasiIt is believed that after this Ekaadasi, Lord Vishnu goes to sleep along with the demi-gods (Yoga Nidra - not merely the senseless sleep of us mortals; the Lord's sleep is Yoga Nidra - a yogic trance where His Will is still active!) till He wakes up on Prabhodini Ekaadasi after 4 months.

SCHEDULE FOR OBSERVATION OF THIS FAST FOR DIFFERENT PLACES ON THE GLOBE

Sarva Ekaadasi for those living in India and all other countries of the world - except countries of North and South American continents is to be observed on July 23, 2018.

Smaartha Ekaadasi for those living in USA, Canada, and other countries of North and South American continents in the MDT and CDT time-zones - July 22, 2018.  Vaishnava Ekaadasi for people in these time-zones is on July 23, 2018.

Sarva Ekaadasi for those living in USA, Canada, and other countries of North and South American continents and living in places falling under the  EDT time-zone - July 23, 2018.

Sarva Ekaadasi for those living in places falling under the  PST, and Hawaii time zones - July 22,


Observance of this ekaadasi should be mainly for getting the Grace of Lord Vishnu. We should not fast on this day with any material gains in mind . Material gains like abundance and happiness of mind will follow automatically; but we are not supposed to make a sankalpa to this effect according to established traditions. We have seen that the other ekaadasis can also be observed with material gains like birth of child, or gain of fame or other material ends as sankalpa - but not this sayana ekaadasi. This ekaadasi automatically removes residual sins committed unknowingly.

To illustrate this effect, there is the legend of a great famine during the rein of the Great Surya Vamsha king Maandaata who was known for his righteousness. There was a minor sin in the kingdom due to transgression of a natural law of dharma which had resulted in famine in the kingdom. On the advice of Sage Aangirasa, the King instructed all his subjects (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyaas, and Sudras - i.e. all castes) to observe this ekaadasi fast on Sayana Ekaadasi for obtaining the Grace of Lord Vishnu. Due to the observance, the kingdom was relieved from the grips of pestilence.


Those who cannot afford to observe a full fast may fast by just avoiding rice and grains, and by consuming uncooked fruits/ vegetables or by drinking fruit juices or milk. But, please observe this important fast in some form and meditate on Lord Hari on this day with the pure intent of becoming recipients of His Grace.


Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant

www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

YOGINI EKAADASI 2018

Dear members:

Yogini Ekaadasi falls on July 9, 2018 this year; it is to be observed on the same day throughout the world.

Note: Yogini Ekaadasi is the krishna paksha ekaadashi falling in the lunar month of Aashaada (Pournimaadhi lunar month and not the amaavasyaadhi month pattern) . I am using the term Aashaada krishna ekaadashi based on the Pournimaadhi month reckoning because that is the system that has been used in the Brahma Vaivarta Puraana legend that I am going to give to explain the significance of this ekaadashi.

Significance of the Yogini Ekaadashi

Yogini Ekaadashi has the potential to nullify the effects of sinful karmas of the previous incarnations that might be manifesting as diseases or curses in our present incarnation.

In Brahma Vaivarta Puraana, there is the legend of a yaksha Hemamaali that was narrated by Lord Krishna to the King Yudhishtra to explain the glory of Yogini Ekaadashi. (I am giving a liberal translation of the original legend from the purana just to bring out the significance of the yoginii ekaadashi; those who are interested may refer the original text in Brahma Vaivarta Puraana).

Hemamaali was an attendant of the Yaksha-Raaja Kubera who failed to bring flowers to Shiva Pooja of the king at the right moment and instead was frolicking with his beautiful wife. Due to the curse of the Yaksha King Kuberaa for this sin, Hemamaali took birth as a human being and was afflicted with leprosy and suffered innumerable difficulties. But, he was constantly meditating or chanting Lord Shiva's names and due to that effect, he got memories of his previous birth and the sin he had committed then.

Once, he came across the ashram of Sage Maarkandeya in the course of his wanderings. On seeing the radiant and Meritorious sage, Hemamaali prostrated to him from a distance. The sage enquired kindly about his condition; Hemamaali explained the reason for his disease without hiding anything. Sage Maarkandeya appreciated the frankness of Hemamaali and suggested this wonderful fast. Hemamaali observed this fast with all devotion and got relief from his leprosy and also was reinstated back in to the Yaksha world. He went on to live happily as before with his beautiful wife again!

Apart from the above benefit,strict observance of Yogini Ekaadasi (I think strict observance must mean that the fast should be in the nirjalaa form - without drinking even water) will give merit that is equivalent to that accruing out of feeding eighty-eight thousand pious Brahmins!!!! -( end of the version from Brahma vaivarta puraanaa).

It must be noted that Ekaadashi can be even observed as Kaamya vrattam (fast with the aim of getting some punya or achievement) though it is a mandatory vrattam. So, those who wish to have the punya equivalent of feeding 88,000 brahmins can fast fully in the Nirjalaa form. Those who are observing it only as a pure religious duty in Honour of Our Lord have the option of fasting in a relaxed manner (it is another matter that most devotees - including this writer - observe all ekaadashis in the nirjalaa form as far as feasible). Those opting for the relaxed form of the fast can take milk, and fruits. Avoid grains and beans alone apart from the other prohibited food like onions, garlic, etc.

Observance of the Yogini Ekaadasi(even in its relaxed forms) can be a powerful remedy for overcoming all karmic ailments (if astrologers had suggested that your ailments are karmic in nature and if physicians have been unable to cure your ailments, observance of this ekaadasi fast religiously can help).

Elsewhere, it is mentioned that observance of Yogini Ekaadasi will be proper remedy to get freedom from the karma that arises out of cutting an Aswattha tree (Pipal tree). So, if you have had occasion to uproot an aswatta tree due to any reason (like government officials being required to supervise removal of a tree for widening roads) and are worried about the karmic implications of the act done in the course of secular duties/ practical necessities, you may observe this fast as karmic redemption.

As always, please let me reiterate that this fast is not mandatory for those who are ailing and cannot fast due to medical complications, lactating mothers, pregnant women, and those in the ages below 7 or above 70 years. So, those falling in these categories, please avoid straining your physical body - which is the Temple of God who resides in His amsa as your own soul - unnecessarily.  The real meaning of "Upa Vaasa" is to "live near God" - which is an allegorical way of saying "be in remembrance of God."  So, if your physical situation does not permit you to fast on ekaadasi day, just spend the day in Lord Hari's Remembrance and the Ocean of Mercy will credit you with punya phala due for an upavaasaa.  If mere abstinence from food is meritorious, hibernating animals and poor who go without food due to poverty must get liberation!  Obviously it is not so...the idea of "fasting" is to sacrifice our basic urge towards feeding ourselves in honour of Divine and living in Divine Contemplation (mentally near God/ Divine Concepts) on fasting days....only then, fasts are efficacious; the physical "fasting" has its own benefits of course - but the attitude behind the fast is equally important.  So, even those who are not physically in a position to observe the physical fast may derive benefit out of the vrata day by Divine Contemplation and by living with the right attitude on this day.

May our members benefit by observance of this wonderful vrat and be recipients of Lord Shri Hari's Grace.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.
ASTROLOGICAL AND REMEDIAL CONSULTANT