Parama Ekadasi - October 12/ October 13, 2020

Dear Members:

The ekaadasi that falls on the krishna paksha of the athika maasa is called Parama Ekaadasi.  It is to be observed on October 12, 2020 by those living in the U.S., Canada, and other countries of the American continents, and those living in Spain, U.K., and Portugal.  (Those living in other parts of Europe except the countries of Europe explicitly  mentioned here will also observe the fast only on October 13, 2020 with those living in rest of the world).

It is to be observed on October 13, 2020 by those living in rest of the world (including India).

Observing this fast is believed to enable one to overcome the karmic effects that might cause poverty, and such a person becomes rich (even if their charts show Daridrya dosha), and after their time on this plane is over, they will pass over to Shri Vishnu's Abode at Vaikuntha.

PARAMA EKADASHI VRATA KATHA

Once in a city called Kampilya there lived a Brahmin called Sumedha with his chaste wife.  Though they were poor, the couple did their best to entertain guests at their house (serving Athithis!).  They would feed the guest first and if required they would starve later - after the guests had partaken food (i.e. if the food was enough only for the guests, they would forego their share of the food and entertain the guests!). Once Sumedha told his wife that they must possibly go to another city in search of better means of living as the poverty here was unbearable.

But his wife told him that getting riches in this birth depends on the karma of previous birth, and possibly they must have done some sin in the past to endure this poverty; So, it might be best to remain in the same city and do as many good deeds as possible within their means.  Sumedha agreed and they stayed on, doing their best as before.

Once Sage Koundinya visited the city and arrived as athithi (unannounced guest) to Sumedhas' house.  He and his wife treated the sage well and the sage was pleased with the hospitality; He instructed the couple to wish for a boon from him.  Both husband and wife prayed to him to show the way to become wealthy so that they can do better service.

Sage Koundinya was pleased and he instructed them about observing Parama Ekaadashi vrata which has the potency to remove poverty from the lives of the persons who observe it, and also remove the taints of sins of previous lives completely.

The couple - Sumedha and his wife observed the vrat, and became wealthy; they continued their good service and enjoyed life, and at the end of their lives attained Vaikuntha.

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Among the beneficiaries who have attained grandeur by the power of this vrata is Kubera - the Yaksha King who became so rich that He could lend money even to Lord Venkateshwara!

May our members observe this wonderful fast and remove taints of poverty from their lives and also get relief from past life sins completely.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI. 

Sharada Navarathri 2020

There are 6 Navarathris in Honour of Divine Mother of our Universe - one for each Rithu (season), and this navarathri falling in the sharad rithu is the most important one as it is the one recommended for householders.  So, it is sometimes called "Mahaa Navaraathri."

Navarathri schedule for different parts of the world.

Navaraathri austerities begin from October 17, 2020.


Durga Pooja should be observed on October 23, 2020 for those living in most parts of the world including India. It is to be observed on October 24, 2020 by those living in South East Asian countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, etc.), and those living in Australia, New zealand and Japan. (Many observe Durga Ashtami on October 24, 2020 in India too per panchanga indications; BUT, since Ashtami begins on morning of October 23rd itself, and operates for major part of the day on October 23rd, and operates only for a short duration on morning of October 24th, we will be observing Durga Ashtami on October 23rd only - per the dictum

Mahaa Navami (Saraswathy pooja) is to be observed on October 24, 2020 by those living in most parts of the world including India.  (Many observe Mahaa Navami on October 25, 2020 in India too; BUT since Navami begins in the morning hours of October 24, 2020 itself and operates for a major portion of the day on October 24, 2020, we are observing it only on October 24th though many panchangs recommend observing Saraswathy pooja/ Maha Navami on October 25th).

Those living in South East Asian countries (described above), Far East Asian countries (like Japan, Eastern parts of China, North and South Korea, Mongolia, Japan, etc.) and those living in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania countries like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, etc. must observe the Navami fast on October 24th..BUT must offer the Navami Bali Dhaan (if offering is done per Navarathri scheme) on October 25th.

Some persons living in these regions (in exception given above) may observe both Maha Navami and Durga Ashtami on October 24th.

Vijaya Dasami should be celebrated on October 25, 2020 in all parts of the world. (even those who observe Navami Bali dhaan on October 25th need to observe Vijaya Dasami on October 25, 2020 only - throughout the world). - But as indicated for Durga Ashtami and Navami, some - even in India - observe Vijaya Dasami on October 26th.....But, since Dasami operates only for a short duration on October 26th in India, it will be ideal to observe Vijaya Dasami only on October 25th though many vaakya panchangs have a different view on it and say Vijaya Dasami is on October 26th.

Durga Visarjan should be done on October 26th.

Methods of celebrating Navaraathri.

It is traditional to keep "Kolu" - an arrangement of dolls during Navaraathri. This is to signify that Our Divine Mother resides as Inner Soul in all Forms. Some people make the arrangement in such a way that the various steps of the kolu represent the Order of Evolution - like keeping invertebrates and such other forms of lives in the bottom step, keeping dolls representing human life in the middle of the kolu steps, and keeping dolls representing Divine Legends, Dasa Avataars, etc. on the top most step of the kolu arrangement. It is traditional to keep 5 rows (to represent Five Elements of Life), 9 rows (to represent the Nine Forms of Divine Mother), 11 rows (to represent the 11 forms of Lord Rudra), 13 rows (one in Honour of each chapter of Durga Sapta Sati), or 15 Rows (one in Honour of each syllable of Shri Vidhya panchadasaakshari mantra) as per one's convenience; traditionally, people avoid arranging the kolu in 7 rows for sentimental reasons (there is a belief that such an arrangement in 7 rows might affect financial prospects).

I request all our members to perform simple worships as per their convenience during the Navarathri period and become recipients of Divine Grace. This is a period when we Celebrate our Universal Mother - so, that joy should be there in our minds when we observe this austerity (we should not be unnecessarily tensed or make this too complicated with too many taboos! One does not think of protocols when approaching one's mother - but just go with the moment with unbounded joy and affection; such should be our attitude when we worship Our Universal Mother during this period - assuming we are all Her Children and we are invoking Her Presence in our homes - celebrating this with affectionate respect and joy).

Recital of Lalitha Sahasranaamam, Dasa Mahaa vidhya sthothrams, simple Devi sthothrams, Abhiraami Andhaadhi, Lalitha Anubooti, Soundarya Lahiri, Dugra Sthothram, Chandi Path (Durga Saptasathi), etc. can be auspicious during this period.

During this period, we should consider all women as Forms of Divine Mother and treat them with courtesy and respect. One who observes the Navarathri austerities intensely, but insults women knowingly/ unknowingly does not get the benefit of the austerities. Remember this, and treat women (including those in your own family) with affection and respect [Ideally that should be the case always! Because Shastras say that where virtuous women are honoured, Divine Grace visits even in an uninvited manner! This is the reason why women should take special care to safeguard their basic dignity, be affectionate and gentle in dealings with family members, avoid letting corrupting thoughts/ behaviour patterns enter their life styles, etc. in an attempt to maintain their Divine nature that is intrinsic to them; All higher forms of lives spring from the feminine gender of the species, and a virtuous woman is a living Form of the Universal Mother - and can be a source of happiness and Grace to herself and to everyone who is blessed enough to move with her).

Those who have Tulsi plant in their houses, can offer prostrations to that Divine Plant and pray for prosperity and Divine Grace in its vicinity. (All the Holy Rivers are in subtle forms in the roots of the tulsi plant; All Divine Forms are manifest in the middle portion of the Tulsi plant, and All Vedas and Holy Scriptures are manifest in the tips of the Tulsi plant, as said in the Puranas).

Offering Go-Poojaa (prayers to Cow visualized as embodiment of all Divinities) on Fridays and Tuesdays of Navarathri period can give unlimited merit.

It is also auspicious to read a small portion of Divine Legends that depict how the Gracious and Kind Mother Manifested in Angry Forms to annihilate all enemies to peaceful life on Earth every night during this navaraathri period, and invoke such Manifestation of Power in our lives also to annihilate all our enemies (both intrinsic like anger, greed, laziness, and ignorance within us, and our external enemies/ unruly elements who try to disturb peaceful and gentle citizens in the society unnecessarily).

Recital of Chandi Paaraayanam is a powerful remedy not merely for our families but for ensuring peace in the land where we live in. In fact, if austere persons of Faith keep reciting the Chandi Path and Shri Rudram regularly, and if there are many of them in a land, shastras proclaim that the elements of nature's Fury like floods, pestilence, droughts, etc. will never harm that land and prosperity will rein in that land. So, it is partly our duty as Universal Citizens to offer special worship to Divine Mother during this period and pray for relief to all the distressed souls who have been harassed much by natural calamities in various parts of the world, and also pray for peace throughout the world in these troublesome days where you can never read a newspaper without coming across some inauspicious event/ mishap in one corner or other of the earth.

SPECIAL WORSHIPS AT MY PLACE DURING NAVARATHRI.

As usual special worships will be done in this regard at my residence (Bangalore).

The part-sponsorship of each day's austerities (beginning from early morning till night.....Ganapathy homam, Laghu chandi homam, Full recital of Devi Mahaatmyam, Lalitha Sahasranaamam, Soundarya Lahiri sthothras, Dasa Mahaa Vidhya japams, Select sthothrams on Devi, etc.) is Rs.5000 (rupees five thousand only) for one day's part-sponsorship. Those who wish to be part-sponsors for more than one day's rituals are also welcome to do so.

Mahaa chandi homam is planned on October 25, 2020.

The part-sponsorship for this Mahaa chandi homam on October 25, 2020 is Rs.30000 (rupees thirty thousand only) - all costs inclusive - including cost of gold coin, silver coin, silk saree, rare herbs, and other pooja articles to be offered in the Mahaa Poornaahuti.

If you wish to be part-sponsor of the austerities of the entire period - right from October 17, 2020 till October 25, 2020,  the suggested offering is Rs.75000 (Rupees seventy five thousand only).

*Please note that we will not be shipping any prasad or pooja article by post to any participant.  Due to current corona induced restrictions, anyone who wishes to be a part-sponsor of these has to avail it in-absentia only; our taking your name in the sankalpam is deemed in-absentia participation, and the karmic effects of the performance will accrue to you by that though you don't actually receive the physical prasadams or are not able to come in person.**

Those who wish to participate in these austerities may write to me through my email-id: dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in (or dakshinastrologer@rediffmail.com) with the subject line "Part-sponsorship of Navarathri homams."

Members of our group who have already availed such services in the past and know my bank account details through which they made remittances earlier may directly make the remittance in favour of that icici account as earlier, and keep me informed through email.


Even those who are unable to offer sponsorships for these rituals need not feel let down; prayers are offered for Universal Welfare at the end of each day's austerities, in addition to the prayer for specific special sponsors, and the prayer for Universal Welfare covers everyone - including you!

May Divine Mother Bless us all.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in