DEAR PRESIDENT,
HAPPY HAPPY DIWALI TO ALL AND MAY WE SHARE MANY MANY MORE TOGETHER WITH OUR
DEAR INTERNATIONAL YOGA FEDERATION PRESIDENT!!!!!!
SWAMI SURYANANDA SARASWTI (YOGACARYA AMADIO BIANCHI)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maitreya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <internationalyogafederation@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2005 12:53 PM
Subject: International Yoga Federation (World Yoga Community) News Swami
Maitreya Happy Patanjali Jayanthi- Happy Diwali
> Blessed yogis of World wide Yoga Community:
>
> Happy Patanjali Jayanthi and International Day of Yoga
>
> I want to wish all of you: Happy Diwalli
>
> Om Namo Patajanli
>
> Swami Maitreyananda (Yogacharya Dr. Estevez-Griego)
> President of International Yoga Federation
>
> (On the end of October is celebrated as Patanjali Jayanthi, Birth
anniversary of Patanjali)
> The Patanjali Jayanthi is the International Day of Yoga
>
> _________Info fromInternational Yoga Federation________
>
>
> The first day of Diwali:
> The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari
Triodasi also called Dhan Theras .It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of
Krishna Paksh (the dark forthnight) of the month of Kartik. On this day,
Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic medicine (medicine
which promotes healthy long life) for mankind.
> This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. On this day at
sunset,Hindus should bathe and offer a lighted deeya with Prasad (sweets
offered at worship time) to Yama Raj (the Lord of Death) and pray for
protection from untimely death.
> This offering should be made near a Tulsie tree (the Holy Basil) or any
other sacred tree that one might have in their yard. If there is no sacred
tree, a clean place in the front yard will suffice.
>
> The second day of Diwali:
> The second day of Diwali is called Narak Chaturdasi. It is the fourteenth
lunar day (thithi) of the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik and the eve
of Diwali. On this day Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur and made
the world free from fear. On this day, we should massage our bodies with oil
to relieve it of tiredness, bathe and rest so that we can celebrate Diwali
with vigour and devotion.
> On this night, Yama Deeya should NOT be lit. The Shastras (Laws of Dharma)
declares that Yama Deeya should be offered on Triodasi night with Prasad.
> The misconception that Yama Deeya should be offered on the night before
Diwali came about some years ago when the fourteenth lunar day (Chaturdasi)
was of a very short duration and caused Triodasi to extend into the night
before Diwali. Some people mistook it to mean that because Yama Deeya was
lit on that night, that it should always be lit on the night before Diwali.
> This is absolutely not true. It is advisable that one consults with a
learned Pandit or Hindu Astrologer for proper guidance on this matter.
>
> The third day of Diwali: Actual Diwali
>
>
>
> This is the day when worship unto Mother Lakshmi is performed. Hindus
cleanse themselves and join with their families and their Pandit (priest)
and they worship the divine Goddess Lakshmi to achieve the blessings of
wealth and prosperity, the triumph of good over evil and light over
darkness.
>
> The fourth day of Diwali.
>
> On this day, Goverdhan Pooja is performed. Many thousands of years ago,
Lord Krishna caused the people of Vraja to perform Goverdhan Pooja. From
then on, every year Hindus worship Goverdhan to honour that first Pooja done
by the people of Vraja.
> It is written in the Ramayan that when the bridge was being built by the
Vanar army, Hanuman (a divine loyal servant of Lord Rama possessing enormous
strength) was bringing a mountain as material to help with the construction
of the bridge. The call was given that enough materials was already
obtained. Hanuman placed the mountain down before He could have reached the
construction site. Due to lack of time, He could not have returned the
mountain to its original place.
> The deity presiding over this mountain spoke to Hanuman asking of His
reason for leaving the mountain there. Hanuman replied that the mountain
should remain there until the age of Dwapar when Lord Rama incarnates as
Lord Krishna in the form of man. He, Lord Krishna will shower His grace on
the mountain and will instruct that the mountain be worshiped not only in
that age but but in ages to come. This deity whom Hanuman spoke to was none
other than Goverdhan (an incarnation of Lord Krishna),who manifested Himself
in the form of the mountain.
> To fulfill this decree, Goverdhan Pooja was performed and is continued to
be performed today.
>
> The fifth day of Diwali.
>
> The fifth day of the diwali is called Bhratri Dooj. This is the day after
Goverdhan Pooja is performed and normally two days after Diwali day.
> It is a day dedicated to sisters. We have heard about Raksha Bandhan
(brothers day). Well this is sisters day.
> Many moons ago,in the Vedic era, Yama (Yamraj, the Lord of death) visited
His sister Yamuna on this day. He gave his sister a Vardhan (a boon) that
whosoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins. They will
achieve Moksha or final emancipation.
> >From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to enquire of
their welfare.
> This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.
>
> This is also known as Bhai fota among Bengalis. Bhai fota is an event
especially among Bengalis when the sister prays for her brother's safety,
success and well being.
>
> This is perhaps the most well-known of the Indian festivals: it is
celebrated throughout India, as well as in Indian communities throughout the
diaspora. It usually takes place eighteen days after Dusshera. It is
colloquially known as the "festival of lights", for the common practice is
to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home, in
courtyards, verandahs, and gardens, as well as on roof-tops and outer walls.
In urban areas, especially, candles are substituted for diyas; and among the
nouveau riche, neon lights are made to substitute for candles. The
celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of
sweets and the explosion of fireworks. As with other Indian festivals,
Diwali signifies many different things to people across the country. In
north India, Diwali celebrates Rama's homecoming, that is his return to
Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his coronation as king; in Gujarat,
the festival honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is
associated with the goddess Kali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of
life, and accordingly it is common to wear new clothes on the day of the
festival; similarly, it heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of
the sowing season
>
> Diwali, Lighting The Lamps
> { Introduction to Diwali }
>
> Every Year On the dark nights if Diwali the sound of firecrackers
announces the celebration of the favourite festival of Indians. Homes are
decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit to
create a world of fantasy. Of all the festivals celebrated in India, Diwali
is by far the most glamorous and important. Enthusiastically enjoyed by
people of every religion, its magical and radiant touch creates an
atmosphere of joy and festivity. Diwali Celebrations in India are similar to
Christmas celebrations in the USA.
> { Origin of Diwali }
>
> The ancient story of how Diwali evolved into such a widely celebrated
festival is different in various regions and states of India. In the north,
particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and the surrounding
areas, Diwali is the day when King Rama's coronation was celebrated in
Ayodhya after his epic war with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka. By order of
the royal families of Ayodhya and Mithila, the kingdom of which Sita was
princess, the cities and far-flung boundaries of these kingdoms were lit up
with rows of lamps, glittering on dark nights to welcome home the divine
king Rama and his queen Sita after 14 years of exile, ending with an
across-the-seas war in which the whole of the kingdom of Lanka was
destroyed.
> { How Diwali is celebrated all across India }
>
> { The first day : Dhana Teras }
>
> The first day of Diwali is Dhanatrayodashi or Dhanteras. Doorways are hung
with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis are drawn with different
coloured powders to welcome guests. The traditional motifs are often linked
with auspicious symbols of good luck. Oil diyas are arranged in and around
the house. Because of these flickering lamps, the festival has acquired its
name : Dipawali or Diwali meaning `a rows of lamps'. On this day, people buy
something for the house or some jewellery for the women of the house. It is
auspicious to be buy something metallic, esp silver.
>
> { The second day : Kali Chaudas }
>
> The next day or Kali Chaudas is also called Chhoti Diwali.
> { The third day : Diwali }
>
> On the dark new moon night, the entrances to all homes are lit up and
decorated with rangoli patterns to welcome Lakshmi, the radiant consort of
Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and lustre. Lakshmi Puja is performed on
this day. Diwali is the last day of financial year in traditional Hindu
business and businessmen perform Chopda Pujan on this day on the new books
of accounts.
>
> The day ends with a mega cracker bursting sessions. For 5-6 hours, every
family burns fire crackers worth thousands of ruppees. Poplular fire
crackers are sparkling pots, bombs, rockets etc.
>
>
> { The fourth day : New Year day or Bestavarsh }
>
> The day after the Lakshmi Puja, most families celebrate the new year by
dressing in new clothes, wearing jewellery and visiting family members and
business colleagues to give them sweets, dry fruits and gifts. Among the
business communities of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra,
Diwali is the festival when the new
> business year begins. All business establishments and families perform
muharat pujan or veneration of their books. Stock brokers do mahurat trading
or symbolic auspicious business deals to i iwali : Time to shop or start new
ventures }
>
>
> Diwali, one of the longest festivals in the Hindu year, is a time when
everything in India comes to a standstill except family life, feasting and
shopping. Diwali is considered auspicious for shopping, inaugurations of new
homes, business deals or for starting any new ventures and projects.
> { Diwali in Krishna Temples }
>
> In many Krishna temples, Diwali is celebrated as a day of feeding and
venerating cows. In Nathdwar, for instance, there is a day-long feast for
cattle called Annakoot. The reason for this special place given to the cow
lies deep in the religious consciousness of Indians.The sacredness of the
cow goes back to the myth of the churning of the cosmic ocean by the gods.
Of the 14 `jewels' which the ocean gave to the gods, Kamadhenu ,the
celestial cow, was one. She was venerated as the mother of the universe. The
celestial cow is also called Surabhi or Nandini, the giver of joy and
plenty. A cow is the constant companion of Krishna.
> { Diwali in South India }
>
> In the south, Diwali has two more legends connected with it. The first
legend again concerns the victory of good over evil. Narakasura the demon of
hell, challenged Krishna to battle. After a fierce fight lasting two days,
the demon was killed at dawn on Narakachaturdashi.To commemorate this event,
people in peninsular India wake before sunrise and make imitation blood by
mixing kumkum or vermillion with oil. After crushing underfoot a bitter
fruit as a symbol of the demon, they apply the `blood' triumphantly on their
foreheads. They then have ritual oil baths, annointing themselves with
sandalwood paste. Visits to temples for prayers are followed by large family
breakfasts of fruits and a variety of sweets. The second legend is about
King Bali, the benevolent demon king of the netherworld. He was so powerful
that he became a threat to the power of celestial deities and their
kingdoms. Intimidated by his expanding empire and taking advantage of his
well-known generosity, they sent Vishnu as the dwarf mendicant Vamana, to
dilute Bali's power. Vamana shrewdly asked the king for land that would
cover three steps as he walked. The king happily granted this gift. Having
tricked Bali, Vishnu revealed himself in the full glory of his godhood. He
covered the heaven in his first step and the earth in his second. Realizing
that he was pitted against the mighty Vishnu, Bali surrendered and offered
his own head inviting Vishnu to step on it. Vishnu pushed him into the
nether world with his foot. In return Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge
to light up the dark underworld. He also gave him a blessing that he would
return to his people once a year to light millions of lamps from this one
lamp so that on the dark new moon light of Diwali, the blinding darkness of
ignorance , greed, jealousy, lust, anger ego, and laziness would be
dispelled and the radiance of knowledge, wisdom and friendship prevail. Each
year on Diwali day , even today, one lamp lights another and like a flame
burning steadily on a windless night, brings a message of peace and harmony
to the world .
> { Diwali : Time to rejoice and enjoy }
>
> Whatever may be the fables and legends behind the celebrations of Diwali,
all people exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy jewellery at this
festive time. Card parties are held in many homes. Diwali has become
commercialised as the biggest annual consumer spree because every family
shops for sweets, gifts and fireworks. However, in all this frenzy of
shopping and eating, the steady, burning lamp is a constant symbol of an
illuminated mind .
>
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