Panguni Uttiram on March 19, 2011

(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 19, 2011 all over the world. 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.

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.

Holi festival is also to be celebrated on the same day.

On this Holy Pournami day, remember to light a lamp/ candle in memory of those who perished in the recent catastrophe in Japan and some weeks earlier in New Zealand. Also pray for protection from further calamities for all regions around the world.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI
www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Amalaki Ekaadasi 2011

Dear Members:

The auspicious Aamalaki Ekaadasi falls on March 16, 2011 for all parts of the world except U.S.A., Canada, and other countries of the American continent. The fast is to be observed on March 15, 2011 by those living the American continents (both North and South America).

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 am not aware of any copyright restrictions with regard to use of this image, but I guess using this for informative purposes and illustrative puroses must be alright).

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.

Blessed be.

Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Kaaradaiyaan NOnbu and Shadseeti punya kaalam on March 14/ March 15, 2011

Kaamaakshi amman

(image courtesy: www.hindugallery.com)

This is regarding an important austerity - Kaaradayaan nOnbu on March 14, 2011/March 15, 2011. This is to be observed on the night of March 14, 2011 or early hours of March 15, 2011 (preferably after midnight during the early hours of March 15, 2011) by those living in India.

The best time to observe this nonbu is between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. IST on March 15, 2011 (i.e. after midnight of March 14, 2011) for those in India. Please note that as this is to be observed at the junction of sidereal solar months of Aquarius and Pisces, it is to be observed just 2 hours prior to actual entry of Sun into sidereal Pisces i.e. at 4:30 a.m. IST on March 15, 2011 - which is 5:30 hours East time from GMT on March 15, 2011 (you may calculate the respective local time at your place based on this, and calculate the time when this is to be observed at your place).

It is an auspicious day for women to pray for the welfare and longevityof 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 familytraditions 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.

Shadsheethi punya kaalam is to be observed on March 14, 2011 by those living in European countries and countries of the American continents. It is to be observed on March 15, 2011 by those living in rest of the world. This is an auspicious day for beginning new japa recitations, for charitable donations (Even if you are donating to secular charities with a good intent, it is still better to donate on this day to reap manifold karmic benefits; I am writing this because I have seen many people donate a portion of their salaries to charities; if this monthly donation can be done on such auspicious days like this shadsheethi punya kaalam, it will be good for them from a karmic point of view).

May our members become recipients of Divine Grace and Dharma Devataa by observing these auspicious spiritual rituals to the extent possible.

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi