Guru Poornima 2021

Dear All:



Guru Poornima is to be observed on July 23, 2021 in countries to the West of Asia (USA, Canada, UK, countries in the African continent, etc.).  Those living in middle-east countries, India, and countries to the east of India must observe this on July 24, 2021

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].,

Please note that those who do Pournami poojas every month must offer the Devi Pooja on the night of July 23, 2021 throughout the world because for this - the consideration is that Pournami must be operating on the night of the relevant day....for Vyaasa Pooja, the consideration is that Pournami must operate in the morning hours of the day...hence the difference in dates for Guru Pooja for different places.


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.

Deva Sayani Ekaadasi 2021

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 of observance of the fast for people living in different parts of the world:

a) Those living in places of North  American continent falling in the timezones to the West of  EST/ EDT time-zone and observing Smaartha traditions must observe this on July 19, 2021.

b) Those living in places of North American continent falling in the timezones to the West of EST/ EDT time-zone  and observing Shri Vaishnava traditions must observe this on July 20, 2021.

c) Those living in all countries of South American continent must observe this on July 20, 2021.

d) Those living in all other places of the earth - including India must observe this on July 20, 2021 (as Sarva Ekaadasi - common to both Vaishnava and Smaartha traditions).



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.

Let us hope by the combined punya of all spiritual persons observing this fast, the world will be free off the restrictive influence of the current pandemic.


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 2021

Dear members:

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.

Yogini Ekaadasi falls on July 5, 2021 this year.  It is to be observed on the same day throughout the world as Sarva Ekaadasi (common to people following Smaartha and Vaishnava traditions).

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

www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi