Guru Poornima on July 14/ 15, 2011

Image courtesy: en.wikipedia.org

Dear Members:

This is about Guru Poornima observance for the year 2011.

1) For those living in USA, Canada, West Indies, and other countries in the American continent (to the West of Atlantic Ocean), Guru Poornima must be observed on July 14, 2011.

2) Guru Poornima is to be observed on July 15, 2011 those living in all other countries to the East of Atlantic ocean (all European countries, African countries, Middle East Asia, India, Myanmar, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, etc.).

Please note those who observe Pournami Pooja/ SatyaNaaraayana vrat on Full Moon nights should observe those austerities on July 14, 2011 only - all over the world (the difference is because for Pournami Pooja, the Pournami thithi should be in operation for an appreciable time in the evening of the day concerned).

This Guru Poornima is an auspicious day to Honour one's Gurus (either Deeksha Gurus or vidhyaa Gurus) or Guru Paramparaa in general. Honouring scholars of religious knowledge to the extent of one's capacity, donating copies of Puraanas to pious persons, donating for the cause of vedic education, honouring pious individuals who are adhering to dharmic way of life (like wearing tuft, reciting holy works regularly, and adhering to restrictions to diet so that their tapasya for the welfare of the Universe is not deficient in any way) etc. are some of the meritorious deeds you can do on that day.

Generally Guru Paramparaa is meditated from Lord Naaraayana Himself, Sage Vyaasa, down to one's respective Gurus. In mantra traditions, the Guru Paramparaa is from Lord Medha Dakshinamoorthi, Lord Hayagreeva, Sage Agasthya, Sage Vyaasa, Aadi Shankara, 18 Mahaa Siddhas, down to one's own Guru lineage.

Vyaasa Pooja is done on this day even by ascetics (in fact for ascertaining the seniority of sanyaasis, the no. if vyaasa Poojas done by the sage is the factor; this does not apply to Aamnaaya Gurus/ Peetaadhipathis who are considered JagatGurus and hence considered senior to others by Accepted Protocols). Students of astrology and other vedic subjects should meditate on Sage Veda Vyaasa who compiled vast compedium of vedic knowledge into various branches for the ease of learning of we-people of the kali yuga. As our memory and intelligence are traditionally considered to be less when compared to those of persons who lived in the earlier yugas, Sage Vyaasa in accordance with Divine Will classified the vedas into 4 so that we can master at least one veda each and the vast compendium of knowledge of oral traditions of the past were codified into Puraanaas for our easy understanding! If you have a copy of any Puraana or Mahabharata with you, kindly recite at least some verses from them on that day in Honour of the Great Maharishi Vyaasa.

Those who cannot do elaborate poojas for Shri Vyaasaa as per tradition can recite this (which is in the Prelude portion to Shri Vishnu Sahasranaamam)...

vyaasam vasishtha naptaaram shakteh pautramakalmasham
paraasharaatmajam vande shukataatam taponidhim

(Meaning: We Salute Shri Vyaasa who is the Great Grandson of Sage Vasishta, the Grandson of Sage Shakti, the Son of Sage Paraasharaa, and the Father of Sage Sukhaa!)

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

Sayana Ekaadasi on July 10/ July 11, 2011

This is about Sarva Sayana Ekaadasi (also known as Padma Ekaadasi) which is to be observed on July 11, 2011 throughout the world except regions in the U.S. and Canada that follow Hawaii time, PST, and MST. Vaishnava ekaadasi for these regions also - except Hawaii is to be observed only July 11, 2011.

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.


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.

On a different note, this year the chaturmaasya vrata sankalpam should be made on July 11, 2011 throughout the world- austerities involving next 4 months - which is observed rigorously by ascetics and nominally by householders as ordained in Dharma shastras (it is traditional for householders to abstain from some variety of food during each month of the chaturmaasya period as an austerity; learn the nuances of this from vedic experts in your area).

Blessed be.

Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI
Astrological and Remedial consultant

www.liveperson.com/pandit-dakshinamoorthi

Sudarshana Jayanthi on July 9, 2011

Image courtesy: www.4krsna.wordpress.com

Dear Members:

Sudarshana Jayanthi falls on July 9, 2011 this year.

You may meditate on the hexagonal profile of Shri Sudarshana and recite slokhas like Sudarshanaashtakam (by Swaami Desikan), Sudarshana Sahasranaamam, Sudarshana Kavacham, etc. on that day and become recipients of Lord Sudarshana's Grace who is the manifest power of Lord Naaraayanaa. It is generally believed that it is the yogic power of Lord Yoga Narasimhaa that is the Driving Force behind the great power of Lord Sudarshana - the "jwaalaa" in the Lord Sudarshana's profile is derived from the energy of Lord Jwaala Narasimhar. Lord Sudarshana has been shri Hari's trusted weapon of choice while annihilating demonaic forces during His various incarnations. Prayers to Lord Sudarshana can give protection from malefic planetary influences that may predispose one to dangers, give relief from troubles from elementals/ black-magic influences, and bless the devotee with charming/ handsome appearance, sharp intellect, courage, and success.


Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINAMOORTHI.