Padmini Ekaadasi - August 27/ August 28,2012

Dear Members:

Padmini Ekaadasi is the shukla paksha ekaadashi of adhika month.  It happens only during the adhika maasaas - that have extra Full Moon night on the same calendar month (as per Indian traditional calendars).

It falls on August 27, 2012 and is to be observed on the same day throughout the world except by those living in Fiji and New Zealand who must observe it on August 28, 2012.

The glory of the Padmini Ekaadasi can be read in the following link:

http://www.harekrishnablog.com/index.php/festival-a-reports/71-glories-of-ekadashi/1173-padmini-ekadashi.html

If skipping a few meals and one night's sleep in Honour of our Lord can be helpful in reducing our karmic burden, the fortunate ones who are blessed with the Wisdom by God's Grace will surely do so.....and I am sure that there are many such fortunate ones among my blog readers:) 



May our members observe this auspicious fast and become recipients of God's Grace.

Blessed be.
Pandit R DAKSHINAMOORTHI.

Aja Ekaadasi (Annadaa ekaadasi) August 2012

Dear Members:

Aja/ Annadaa ekaadasi is a powerful fasting day.

The schedule of observance of this fast for different places in the World is as follows:

1) For those living in places observing  Hawaii standard time, August 12, 2012

2) For rest of the world, August 13, 2012.

Glory of this Aja Ekaadasi

The glory of this Aja Ekaadasi has been explained in Brahma- Vaivarta Puraanaa in a discussion between King Yudhishtra and Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna narrates the legend of King Harischandra, who though a great king of the Surya dynasty, fell from fortune (due to a test of dharma kept by Sage Viswamitra), and lived a miserable existence as a keeper of crematorium - separated from his virtous wife and loving son who even died due to circumstances.

One day King Harischandra came across Sage Gautama and thought "Lord Brahma has created Brahmins just to help others" (i.e. they can suggest powerful remedies to help negotiate vagaries of Fate). He payed his obeisances to the great sage and narrated his tale of woe and requested a remedy to come out of his sorry state of affairs.

Sage Gautama recommended observance of this Aja Ekaadasi Fast which is reputed to absolve one of the karmic effects of sinful activities of the past. King Harischandra duly observed the fast and was reunited with his relatives and also got back his Kingship. After his demise from this Earth, he ascended to Higher Spiritual Regions with all his relatives by the power of this fast.
Lord Krishna says that even those who hear of the glory of this fast or read about this with devotion will get merit equivalent to that obtained by Aswamedha sacrifice!

My notes: This is a shuddha ekaadasi, i.e. it is preferable to fast completely if possible (even avoiding water and fruits/ milk), and keep awake throughout the night. Please note that a full fast is not to be followed by pregnant ladies observing this ritual, or by ailing patients. They should subsist on fruits and milk, and as per shastras they will enjoy the full merit of a full fast due to their special condition.

Observance of this fast rigorously even without other accompanying rituals like Vishu pooja is very powerful. Just chant the name "Om HrishikEshaaya namah" with devotion throughout the day whenever you have time between your regular activities. This has the potential to remove the troubles that we are facing in this existence due to the effect of our past sins, and help us to enjoy peaceful existence.

May our members observe this fast and become freed from the clutches of negative karma, and enjoy peaceful and prosperous lives in a spiritual way.

Blessed be.
Pandit R.DAKSHINAMOORTHI

Aadi Krithigai on August 10, 2012

Dear Members:
The auspicious Aadi Krittigai festival falls on August 10, 2012 this year. Krittigai star is auspicious for worship of Lord Skanda (also affectionately called Murugan, Kaartikeyan, kumaran, velavan, etc.) - because of the boon given by Mother Goddess to the Six Divine Damsels (the Divine Beings of the vedic constellation Krittika) who nurtured Lord Skanda in His Infant Form till the time came for His Enacting the purpose of His Incarnation - that of annihilating Soorapadman. Krittigai star in the solar month of Cancer (Aadi month) is considered even more auspicious than the Krittigai star day on other months.

This is the festival celebrated in Honour of the Divine Son(Lord Skanda) in the month that is auspicious for worship of the Divine in Her Mother Form - Aadi!

You may worship Lord Skanda by reciting Kanda Shasti kavacham, Thirumurugaarrupadai, Kandar Anobhooti, Skanda Sahasranaamam, Kandar Alankaaram, or whatever Divine Work on Lord Skanda you are familiar with. If nothing of the above list is convenient for you, just remember Him - of unparalleled handsome appearance (any wonder that He is Handsome and captivating? He is afterall the nephew of ManaMohana - Lord Vishnu who can mesmerize everyone with His charms!) and recite any of His names - whatever appeals to you - Murugaa, Skandaa, Kumaraa, VElavaa, Aiyaa, Aandi, Kartikeya, saravanabhava, the list is endless:)
Worship of Divine in the Form of Skanda can bless you with courage, wisdom, wealth, and ultimately salvation. May His Grace help you to remember Him on Aadi Krithigai day that is auspicious for meditating upon Him.

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