Panguni Uttiram - 2024

(The photo depicting Goddess Meenaakshi's marriage with Lord Shiva in His form as Kalyaana SundarEshwara; see Lord Vishnu gifting His Sister Meenakshi in marriage to Lord Shiva as per traditional shastraic injunctions). 

Panguni Uttiram Festival is to be observed on March 25, 2024. It is the day of Divine Wedding between Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwara (Lord Shiva in His wedding form). This is also the wedding day of Lord Skanda with Deivanai (the daughter of Celestial King Indra). So, it is auspicious to offer special prayers to Lord shiva or Lord Skanda on this day praying for our welfare. This is an auspicious day for praying for harmony in the family, goodwill and affection between couples, and for marriage of unmarried natives.

Also, this is considered to be the Jayanthi day of Lord Aiyappan (Dharma Shastaa's Kaliyuga avatar).

 For those in to advanced yogic practices, this is good for Kundalini Jaagran. This is an excellent day for initiation into Bhoota Shuddhi under expert guidance for removal of karmic blockages. May we offer our special prayers on this day so that Dharmaic Union as in the case of Shiva-Paarvati marriage materializes in our lives while at the same time, the undesirable elements of unqualified lust/ passion, and Ego (where we start taking credit for the good things that materialize due to Divine Grace with little effort from our side) are exorcised from our lives. 

 Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

www.kasamba.com/psychic/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Aamalaki Ekaadasi 2024

Dear Members:

The auspicious Aamalaki Ekaadasi is to be observed on March 20/ March 21, 2024 this year.

SCHEDULE OF THE EKAADASI FAST FOR DIFFERENT PLACES ON EARTH

a) Those living in all countries of North and South America, Europe, and Africa should observe this on March 20, 2024.

b) Those living in middle-East Asian countries, India and its neighbouring countries, and those living in south-east Asian countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Siam, etc.) must observe this on March 20, 2024.

c) Those living in Philippines, North and South Korea, and Mongolia and observing Smaartha traditions must observe this on March 20, 2024.

d) Those living in the above regions (marked in C above) and observing Vaishnav traditions mukst observe this on March 21, 2024.

e) Those living in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Japan and countries of Oceania region must observe this on March 21, 2024.

This fast is known to eradicate all great sins and bestow great destiny, and hence it is also observed as Paapanaasini Ekaadasi. Puranaas speak of how a hunter who witnessed the performance of this fast and night-long prayers under the Amla tree (Indian gooseberry tree) by a king and his retinue in the forest, was blessed to be born as a king named VasUratha in his next life. Such is the glory of this vrata - the mere witnessing of which confers great merit!

Once that person (the hunter born as King VasUratha in next birth) lost his way in the forest and being exhausted fell asleep under a tree. Tribesmen who were his enemies tried to kill him in that unconscious state; but none of their weapons could harm the sleeping king. Then, a beautiful maiden with Divine Powers manifested from the sleeping king's body and slayed all the tribesmen. On waking up, the King was wondering how this could have happened and who could have saved him thus from his sworn enemies. Then a voice from the sky said 'You ask who helped you. Well, who is that person who alone can help anyone is distress? He is none other than Sri Keshava, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He who saves all who take shelter of Him without any selfish motive.'

Such is the greatness of the Aamalaki Ekaadasi. This was narrated by Sage Vasishta to the Surya vamsa king Maandaatha.

On this day it is customary to worship the avatar Lord Parasuraama and Aamla tree (those who have such trees may perform the worship under the tree; others can just meditate on that tree and Lord Parasuraamaa).

picture of Lord Parasuraama courtesy: www.scienceofhinduisim.blogspot.com

(I - Pt. Dakshinamoorthi - the writer of this article - am not aware of any copyright restrictions with regard to use of this image, but I guess using this for informative purposes and illustrative purposes must be alright with attribution of the image to the original source from which the image has been taken).

Prayers to Lord Parashuraama:

'Oh Lord ParashurAma, Oh son of RenukA, Oh all-pleasing one, Oh liberator of the worlds, kindly come beneath this holy Amalakii tree and accept our humble obeisances.'

Prayer to Aamalakii tree: (Aamalakii tree is Indian Goosberry tree)

'Oh Amalakii, Oh offspring of Lord BrahmA, you can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Please accept our respectful obeisances and these humble gifts. O Amalakii, you are actually the form of Brahman, and you were once worshiped by Lord RAmachandra Himself. Whoever circumambulates you is therefore immediately freed of all his sins.'

May our members observe this fast and become recipients of Divine Grace.

Best regards,

Blessed be.
Pandit R DAKSHINA MOORTHI.

Karadaiyaan Nonbu/ Savithri Nonbu 2024

Kaamaakshi amman

(image courtesy: www.hindugallery.com)

This is regarding an important austerity - Kaaradayaan nOnbu on March 14, 2024. This is to be observed between 11:45 a.m. and 12:46 p.m. and (highly auspicious to tie the nonbu charadu - the sanctified thread of the pooja - at 12:46 p.m. IST - the exact time of Meena Sankraanthi). Others living around the world must observe the vratam at the time corresponding to the above given time(i.e. between 11:45 a.m. I.S.T. and 12:46 p.m. IST, on March 14, 2024 per India time,  what would be your local time at your place; observe the vrata at that time). This is because, this is one vrata that is to be observed at the time when Sun is about to leave sidereal Aquarius and enters sidereal Pisces (the vrata should begin at the time when Sun is still in sidereal Aquarius). So, it is to be observed at the same moment throughout the world (so the times will be different based on the local time zone - still it is at the same instant everywhere unlike other festivals that will be celebrated on different times based on local astronomical variables).

It is an auspicious day for women to pray for the welfare and longevity of their husbands. It is by the power of this observance that the legendary Saavitri got the spiritual power to win back the life of Satyaavaan - her husband who was cursed with a short life. May our women members observe the austerity as per their family traditions for the welfare of their husbands.

It is customary for ladies to offer Mangala Gowri pooja and then tie the Holy Pooja thread on self praying for husband's longevity, and for happy marital life. The offering is "kaara adai" (a special flour delicacy made with rice flour, jaggery, and kaaraamani - a red colour dried bean), and fresh butter; women pray saying "I am offering this kaara adai and unmelted butter to Thee; please ensure that my husband never separates from me," and then tie the Holy thread on their selves.

Unmarried women can also observe this vrata praying for the boon of good marital life and speedy settlement of marriage with a good spouse.

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

dakshinastrologer@yahoo.co.in

Maha Shivarathri 2024

(Picture courtesy: www.hinduyuva.org)

Mahaa ShivaRaatri falls on March 8, 2024 this year.

This is a very glorious day for our Lord.  It is said that one who keeps awake on this night and worships the Lord will never find himself/ herself in hell. Lord Shiva is Ashutosh (one who is easily pleased)....offering even plain water with devotion will please Him and the bounties that He will offer back can never be counted.Those who can chant Rudram/ chamakam, Shiva Sahasranaamam, Rudrasooktham, or other shaiva upanishads like Kata Rudra Upanishad,Rudra Hrudayham, Dakshinamoorthi Upanishad, etc. may do so to please the Lord. Even if you are unable to do so, you may simply chant "shiva shiva" throughout the day whenever possible and become recipients of His Grace.

Those who have Sakata yoga or such other destabilizing yogas in their charts may benefit by offering either a Rudrabhisheka or performance of Pasupata homam (Paasupata homam is done using the rarely known Pashupataastra mantra with the help of advanced Shiva upaasakas - normal shastris may not be aware of this rare mantra - only those who have studied Dhanurveda portions as part of their upavedic instructions - especially those of Baudhaayana sutra and Aghoris/ Pashupata sects of Shiva upaasakas are usually adept at this Pasupataastra mantra which is very powerful and helps in reducing the impact of lot of doshas. Rudra Abhishekam can be done by any priest as it is widely known and anyone who has had vedic instructions will be definitely thorough with this performance)

The Merit that will accrue out of a proper Shiva pooja done throughout the day and especially in all prahars (Yaamams) of the night can never be described adequately. Puranas describe how even an unlettered and rough hunter got Salvation by unwitting observance of the Holy Shiva Rathri and by offering Bilva patra by accident to a Shiva Linga on that night. Do what simple pooja you can with heart-felt Love - to Him Who drank Poison so that the Universe will be saved from its effects and so that other demigods may consume Nectar.

He is the Medha Dakshinamoorthi who kindles our Intellect as JagatGuru....He is the Mrityunjaya who conqured Death.....He is the Neelakanta - with Poison in His Throat which He willingly consumed to save the Universe.......He is the Vaidyanaatha who can Heal all our ailments.....He is the Three-Eyed One - the third Eye of whom is of Agni tatwa that burns all the sins of his devotees......

If He had gifted a thousand heads with 1000 intelligent brains and 1000 proficient tongues....even then they will not be sufficient to describe even a miniscule portion of His Glory. May His Grace Guide us all and may His Blessings Fill our life.

Sarvam shivaarpanamasthu. Shiva shiva shiva.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

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

Vijaya Ekaadasi 2024

The auspicious Vijaya Ekaadashi is to be observed on March 6, 2024  by those living in US, Canada, and other countries of North and South American continents, all countries of Europe, and all countries of African continent.

Those living in middle-east Asian countries (Gulf countries), Russia, China, India, and all countries to the east of India and observing Smaartha traditions must observe this on March 6, 2024.

Those living in the above mentioned placed including India, and observing Vaishnava traditions must observe this on March 7, 2024.

For those living in Japan, North and South Korea, extreme eastern parts of China, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Australia, Gauna Ekaadasi is to be observed on March 7, 2024 (those who are in the ascetic way and living in these places must observe the fast on March 7, 2024 EVEN if they belong to Smartha traditions; those in family life and observing smaartha traditions in these places must observe this on March 6, 2024).  Ascetics and intense upaasakas living in far east Asian countries (Japan, North/ South Korea, etc.),  Australia, New zealand, and countries of Oceania region may observe both March 6th and March 7th as fasting days - if their physical condition permits and they feel motivated to observe fast on two days; if they observe only one day's fast, they may choose the day based on indications given above.

This ekaadashi - as the name implies - gives success in all ventures. Puranas say that Lord Ramachandra observed this ekaadashi on the instructions of the sage Bagadalbhya, and gained the power to cross the ocean with his army of vanaras, and to defeat the mighty demon Raavana.

(My note: It is not as if Lord Vishnu manifest as Shri Raama did not possess the Divine Powers to cross the ocean or to defeat Ravana; it is only that He was acting as a normal human being in that Incarnation and hence avoided manifesting His Divine Maaya and Yogic powers; moreover, He - The Maryaada Purusha - Ideal Being, observed the vrattam just as an example to all of us!)

The skanda purana details the manner in which Shri Ramachandra Murthi observed the Vijaya Ekaadashi fast along with His commanders on the specific instructions of Sage Bakadalbhya.....

A kalasha is to be made ready for worship on the day before the ekaadashi. A pot of clay, copper, silver, or gold is to be filled with water; the opening of the pot covered with mango leaves, and above that, in the concave portion, pomogrenate, barley crop, and coconut are to be placed; the kalash is to be placed on a mound of seven grains and decorated with sandalwood paste and garlands. Above this, a golden image of Lord Narayana is to be placed, and duly worshipped all night (on the night before ekaadashi fast). The next day morning, again special prayers are to be offered; night vigil is to be maintained near the kalash on the ekaadashi night also. At dawn-break on Dwaadashi day, the kalash is to be taken to a sea-shore or river bank, and it is to be donated to a vedic expert.

Now-a-days many of those rituals might be difficult for us to observe in modern life (especially maintaining two continuous nights without sleep, and finding a suitable vedic expert in river bank to donate the kalash with the golden idol!). But, nevertheless, observance of this fast with devotion in a manner that is convenient to us will definitely help us to gain victory life.

Lord Krishna says that observance of this ekaadashi can give merit that is equivalent to merit obtained by performance of Aswamedha sacrifice!

A suggested austerity on this day:  Since Lord Ramachandra observed this vratam per Skanda Puranam and gained the means/ strategy to cross the ocean, it would be auspicious to recite Sundara Kaandam or other chapters of Shrimad Ramayana or do a Raama Parivaara homam - if possible on this day if you are surrounded by obstacles and are seeking Divine Intervention to solve your issues that seem insurmountable by human effort.

If by God's Grace your life situation is smooth enough, still recital of Sundara Kaandam or Samkshepa Raamaayanam or Raama Pattabhishekam can help in crossing the Samsaara Saagara (Ocean of mundane existence) and attain Salvation.  Afterall our worldly life here is only in preparation for our Grand Union with the Universal Being, and for that crossing the ocean of Maaya that is keeping us away from our real Inner Potential is to be transcended, and worship of Shri Raama by reciting Raamayana chapters is one of the recommended ways for that process!

May our members observe this to the best of their abilities and become recipients of Divine Grace.

Blessed be.

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