Happy Diwali and The Five Days of Deepavali

Happy Diwali, one of my friends at work greeted me this morning. Happy Diwali to you too, it is Diwali today?  I asked him, thinking of my past memories of Diwali in India. No, actually today is Dhan Teras, tomorrow is Chota Diwali and day after i,e 19th Oct  is the actual Diwali day" my friend replied.

So how many days, Diwali is celebrated and what is the significance of each day? I tried to recollect my thought and after quick surfing of the net, came up with the following.

Diwali or Deepawali, means a row of lamps. The custom of decorating the houses with row of lamps, candles or electric bulbs these days originated from the times of yore. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama Chandra back to the kingdom by decorating their houses with lamps. It’s a time of celebration, joy, marks victory of good over evil like, Lord Rama killing Ravana.

But, this is only one day. What about the rest of the four days? Read on...

 

Diwali Lamps

Diwali Crackers

The First Day of Diwali: -

Called as Dhan Teras or Dhanvantari Tryodasi, this is the day when Lord Dhanvantari an avatar of Lord Vishnu appeared from churning of the Ocean, carrying a pot of Amruta or the celestial Elixir of life and Ayurvedic medicine for mankind. This day marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations. At sunset, Hindus bathe and offer oil lamps along with sanctified food to Yamaraja, the Lord of Death, and pray for protection from untimely death.

The Second Day of Diwali:-

Also, called as the Chota Diwali or Naraka Chaturdasi. On this day Lord Krishna along with his queen Satyabhama fought and killed the demon Narakasura, liberating the 16,000 princesses the demon held as captive.

The Third Day - the Actual Diwali day:-

Commonly known as the Hindu New Year, especially for the business man, merchants etc. New, Accounts and ledger books are marked with sacred symbol of AUM or Swastika with turmeric, placed alongside the photos of Ganesh and Lakshmi Devi and worshipped. Basically, new Account books are started on this day. The goddess Lakshmi is worshipped to receive blessings of wealth, prosperity. This also the day in Treta Yuga Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, having successfully rescued Sita and killing the demon Ravana asura.

The Fourth Day of Diwali:-

This is the day when Govardhana Puja is celebrated in Vrindavan, Mathura, by Vaishnava’s all around India and world. Govardhana Puja is worship of the great mountain Goverdhana, a harvest festival which was started around five thousand years ago by Lord Krishna. 

It is also called Vishwakarma Day, when workman, tradies worship their instruments, arms and machinery.Hmm. can’t remember but, I think this was the day my grandfather used to take out his revolver (which was licensed of course) and worship it, fire one bullet in the air and put is back somewhere hidden safe.

The Fifth Day of Diwali:-

Diwali Cracker

Called as Bhratri Dooj is a day dedicated to sisters. Just like Raksha Bandhan,a brother's day, this is a sister's day. It is mentioned in the puranas that after twelve years, Yamaraja the Lord of Death, visited His sister river Yamuna Devi on this day. He gave Yamuna a boon that whoever visits her on this day shall be liberated from all sins; they will achieve moksha, liberation. From then on, brothers visit their sisters on this day to inquire about their welfare, and many faithful bathe in the holy waters of the Yamuna River. Thus, this day is known for the sister's praying for their brother's safety, success and well-being.

This day marks the end of the five days of Diwali celebrations.

OK, all that I can remember about Diwali in India, when I was a kid is burning the fire crackers, sparklers, rockets etc. Some temporary shops would be setup a week or ten day before the festival. Myself with friends would visit these shops every day, buying some stuff with our pocket money until the Big day, when accompanied by my father would visit the shop and make the big sale that includes all the varieties of toy crackers, sparklers, rockets, flower pots to be burnt on the Diwali day as a part of celebration.

I know, its a waste of money, not safe for environment, pets etc, but compared to what is being done today, it was still on a low scale and not so much hype and also, not so costly.

Orissa Surrounds, Pearls and Diamonds at the Beach

Sand Art at Bhubaneshwar Airport

As we started to walk out of the Bhubaneshwar Airport, we saw an impressive Welcome sand art / Sculpture. As we boarded the taxi to our destination – Jagannath Puri, I took some random snaps of the country side which is quite interesting, green with crops of rice and coconut trees. Once, we are there our primary mode of transport was an Auto – Rickshaw. The kids enjoyed the ride and no need to have the seat belts, enjoying the fresh air blowing into the Auto. We travelled to few nearby places like Sakshi Gopal, Alarnath and an amazing, wonderful beach by Auto-Rickshaw.

Who kept this road divider here?

Agriculture at Puri Outskirts

Puri Outski

Puri Outskirts - On our way to Alarnath

Sharing the Road

Pearls at the Puri Beac

Precious Stones

Diamonds are for Real @  Puri Beach

Sunset at  at Puri Beach

Had an interesting shopping encounter at the beach. I had one person came up to me offering to sell me some of the pure and rare pearls. He even showed me some tests to show that they are genuine. Took a lighter and started burning the pearls with the fire. ‘Look Sir, they are real and pure, otherwise if they are plastic, they would easily be burnt’- said the enigmatic Pearl Seller. How much are they, I asked. He said something like, 100 rupees each. I know that he is trying to cheat us but, I was curious to ask him, what else he got. Anything else you have? I asked him. And, this time he took out from a Box, some shining white stones. ‘These are real diamonds which in the shops are normally sold for few thousands of rupees. I am going to sell them only for 1000 rupees each (something like that, I can’t remember the exact price he quoted)’ he said. Again, he gave a demonstration of their worth by putting them in a cloth. Keeping them on a 2-rupee coin and hitting it with a stone. And, he opened the cloth. Lo behold, the Diamonds are intact and the poor 2-rupee coin had holes in it.

Suddenly, I remembered the words of Srila Prabhupad to a reporter.

"Yes. Of course, to search out a guru is very nice, but if you want a cheap guru, or if you want to be cheated, then you will find many cheating gurus. But if you are sincere, you will find a sincere guru. Because people want everything very cheaply, they are cheated. We ask our students to refrain from illicit sex, meat eating, gambling, and intoxication. People think that this is all very difficult—a botheration. But if someone else says, “You may do whatever nonsense you like, simply take my mantra,” then people will like him. The point is that people want to be cheated, and therefore cheaters come. No one wants to undergo any austerity. Human life is meant for austerity, but no one is prepared to undergo austerity. Consequently, cheaters come and say, “No austerity. Whatever you like, you do. Simply pay me and I’ll give you some mantra and you’ll become God in six months.” 

All this is going on. If you want to be cheated like this, the cheaters will come".

Suppose, you go to an iron shop and ask for Gold, he will give you a lump of iron and says, this is Gold. And, the person gets cheated. Firstly, you need to be sincere, ready to undergo the austerities required for spirituality, learn and get the knowledge about what is real and fake etc.

Anyway, if this person is genuine and having all the original Pearls and Diamonds, why would he be selling them like peanuts in a beach, going to person to person.

Anyway, our business transaction got disturbed by my two kids who are excitedly shouting, “Camel, Camel”. I thanked the future millionaire for his courtesy and showing all his wealth and moved on to take the kids to the Camel ride. I then confirmed the same with my Auto Driver that, all those are fake, hard plastic and Glass pieces. By the way, the beach was beautiful, stayed for a while and had great fun.Running parallel by the Marine Drive, beach at Puri is an interesting place to be. I was told that, we can visit a fishing village along the coast and also a row of food stalls, Hotels etc.

Words of Caution, “Don’t get cheated in life”.
P.S: My visit to India in Jan 2017.

Sri Jagannath Puri Yatra – House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Getting down from the Auto-Rickshaw, I tried refreshing my memory and tried to remember the place I visited about five years ago. I followed the directions of the Auto driver to go to the house of Sarvamauma Bhattachary, the greatest Advitist Philosopher who had the famous discussion about the impersonalist philosophy with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Five hundred years ago, he was the greatest scholar and the head priest of King Prataparudra kingdom.

House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Wall Paintings - House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Wall Paintings - House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Place Where Lord Chaitanya was seated - House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Temple - House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

Temple Door - Temple - House of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya

History tells that, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Jagannath Puri temple for the first time and while taking darshan of Lord Jagannatha, evoked deep ecstatic symptoms and he fell into a trance. Lord Chaitanya fell down in the temple and the temple guards could not comprehend the highest feelings of love and devotion he was experiencing and considering this to be show of some sort, wanted to throw him out of the temple.  

Sarvabauma Bhattachary who was present there, immediately took noticed of the effulgent, golden complexioned young sanyasi. Because, he was well versed with the scriptures and noted that the ecstatic, uncommon symptoms displayed by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are not ordinary. He made all the checks like, feeling the life symptoms, pulse etc. and could see that all the life symptoms like, breathing, heart beat are suspended and could only see a slight movement of cotton placed near the nostrils of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, ordered the temple guards to carry the young sanyasi to his home through an underground tunnel from the temple to his home.

After, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu regained his consciousness and after exchange of pleasantries, Sarvabhauma Bhattachary started explaining the Vedanta philosophy continuously for seven days. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, listened without asking any question or saying single word. Finally, frustrated Sarvabhauma asked Chaitanya, if he is able to comprehend what he is speaking. What followed was a wonderful discourse and explanation of Vedanta sutra by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu where he showed the fallacy and convoluted interpretations of Vedanta sutras by Sarvabhauma. Chaitanya explained that the Vedanta sutras originally given by Veda Vyasa are themselves very clear and showed how they are being misinterpreted.

Finally, he spoke the famous Atmarama a verse from Srimad Bhagavatham,

atmaramas ca munayo

nirgrantha apy urukrame

kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim

ittham-bhuta-guno harih

"Those who are self-satisfied and unattracted by external material desires are also attracted to the loving service of Sri Krsna, whose qualities are transcendental and whose activities are wonderful. Hari, the Personality of Godhead, is called Krishna because He has such transcendentally attractive features"

While, Sarvabhauma explained this verse in 9 different ways, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu explained the verse in 18 different ways.

Finally, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu showed him the four-handed form and then appeared in the form of Krishna.

Coming back to my visit, I proceeded towards the house of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. The front portion of the house is demolished and grounded. Apparently, they are rebuilding it. We went inside paid our respects to the deities in the small temple. Few, steps away was the place where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was sitting at that time and the entrance to the underground tunnel. I remained there for few moments reminiscing the amazing pastime of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And, took some pictures of the place with old paintings on the wall, which remain as a testimony to the history.

P.S: This was during my visit last to India and Jagannath Puri, which was in Jan 2017. Sorry, for posting this late. There will be few more coming up. Stay tuned.

Magical Effect of Darshan

The word darshan is a Sanskrit word with its other variants like, Darshana or darshanam means, to see or glimpse which is an auspicious sight like a deity in the temple or that of a saintly person, a picture etc.

Lord Rama

Somehow, remembered this story I read long time ago and the power of taking the darshana or the holy sight of a deity in the temple or that of a saintly person. It is said that and also, we experience that as soon as darshan is taken, it completely transforms your consciousness, bad ideas to the good ideas. Purifies our consciousness, elevates our mood to the mode of goodness, so that we start feeling sober, Happy. That’s why in Vedic tradition, everywhere in the houses, we may not have deities, but at least we have pictures. In every corner, in every room, we have some pictures. So always unknowingly we see the pictures, darshan. Darshan is always there. I remember my childhood days, there used to be so many pictures of Lord Krishna, Rama everywhere in my Grandfathers house. I still remember them, one I like the most was baby Krishna holding a morsel of butter in his hand and that of Lord Rama with Lakshmana, Sita devi and Hanuman.

So, the story is that of Ravana who had abducted Sitaji. And he was trying to explain to her that “Ram is a pauper; I am the richest person. I can make you very happy. So please marry me”. She didn’t agree. Eventually he was completely tired. So, when we have some problems, we go to our brother always, to tell him that I have this problem. That’s why brother’s relationships are very auspicious, because we can tell that living entity what our trouble is, and he will sympathize and try to help us. So,Ravana had a brother Kubhakarana. So, he went to his brother. He said, “Brother, what to do.” Bother was sleeping. Kubhakarana, who was tricked by demigods to ask for a boon that for six months he would be sleeping and for six months he will be awake. So, that was his sleeping period. So Ravana had to, play big drums to wake him up.

Eventually Kumbhakarana opened his eyes,and said “Oh aah yes…”

And Ravana said, “I am in trouble.”

“What trouble, you are always in trouble. Let me sleep.” He was not able to wake up. Eventually, somehow or the other, Ravana continued and woke him up. He Kubhakarana said: “What’s the trouble now, tell me.”

Ravana said: “I am trying to explain to Sita and she does not agree with me to marry. What to do I don’t know.” Kumbhakarana showed him the way. That “You are already mystic”, he said, “You have so many mystic powers. You can take any form. So better take Ram’s form, and then Sita will agree. If she sees Ram is here, there is no question of disagreement.”

And, Ravana said: “You are correct. I tried to do it many times, but whenever I became Ram and see myself transformed as Rama, Sita appears to me as my mother.” 

So, this is the thing. Our inauspicious tendencies are completely dragged out by taking the darshan or even just by thinking about the Supreme Lord. 

Why do we need go to Temple, when we say that God is everywhere?

ISKCON Temple Melbourne

Why do we turn on a Fan when air is everywhere? Because, even though air is present everywhere, you cannot feel its presence everywhere. Especially, when it is a hot or humid day, we need that air to be blown so that we get relief. Similarly, water is everywhere but, when we feel thirsty, to quench the thirst, we take water stored in a water filter or tap or something. Though, God is everywhere and within ourselves as Paramatma (Super Soul), we go to Mandir or temple to see him physically with our eyes. The personal aspect of deity form of God is something where everyone feels personally reciprocated. Depending on the level of our faith and surrender, God reciprocates. That is why, while some see the God in the temple as an Idol made of stone or metal, others perceive him as a person. They understand that since God is all powerful and can manifest through any form he likes, even though he is form is completely spiritual, because of his mercy and the love and devotion of a devotee, he agrees to manifest in the deity form and accepts the services and gives his blessings. But, even though a deity is made out of a material substance like a stone, metal etc, when the deity is installed as per the prescribed methods of Vedic scriptures like Pancharatrika Vidhi, he comes and resides in the deity form. Just like an iron rod, kept in the fire after a while becomes as good as a fire, the deity made up of material substance becomes spiritual. One more important point to note is that, manifestation of a deity is a mercy form that enables a devotee to offer their services. Surely, the Supreme Lord is completely spiritual full of Sat, Chit and Ananda that is eternity, knowledge and bliss. So, why doesn’t the deity when sometimes apparently, disrespected by some hooligans keep quiet and does not respond. That is some paranormal activity like, the Deity form doesn’t break up or shower thunderbolts on the miscreants? Because, God does not bother responding to those people and no way affected and he simply withdraws himself from the deity form. Then, we also see so many instances of deities responding to the devotee’s request like, the deity of Sakshi Gopal of Vrindavan walked all the way to Orrisa to give a witness statement to his devotee.

ISKCON Temple Melbourne

ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham: as they surrender unto Me—I reward accordingly. (Bhagavad Gita 4:11)

Then, the other aspects come into picture like, the way a temple is built, as per vasthu shastra, generally temples have this Yantras or the Copper and Brass plates with Bija Akshara or the sacred sounds inscribed on them and they are worshipped for number of days with certain mantras and finally, they are installed just below the deity in the temples. So, the whole idea is, as soon as one enters a temple which is a power house of spiritual, positive vibrations will immediately give solace to the troubled hearts of the people. Ultimately, it is the love and devotion of a devotees which makes certain temples special and so to say powerful, because that is what Lord actually see and expects from someone as he says in Bhagavad Gita 9.11

" patram puspam phalam toyam

yo me bhaktya prayacchati

tad aham bhakty-upahrtam

asnami prayatatmanah. If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit a water, I will accept it.

(P.S:My answer to someones question on Quora)
Another P.S: “I love you when you bow in your mosque, kneel in your temple, pray in your church. For you and I are sons of one religion, and it is the spirit.” ― Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

YOLO-You live only once? By Devamrita Swami

One life is all you get? Just as the baby has a future, the child has a future, the adult has a future, the old person has a future, and similarly the deceased person also has a future. Our not remembering our past life or having no perception of a future life is no proof that there is no life after this one. The bhakti yoga texts inform us that the hallmark of a real human civilisation is to understand that the spirit soul does not perish and that we should have the concern - what will my next body be?

Devamrita Swami

Here is a short,eloquent talk by Devamrita Swami. YOLO stands for You only live once, a completely wrong notion that crept into the modern generation.Watch this and you will love it.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1418204581589106&id=108896615853249

Lessons from a Taxi Driver

“That’s it my friend. I lost everything and took me a lot to get back to normal. I still love my family but, now with matters related to business and money, I don’t take their advice”, declared the cheerful, happy looking African brother driving the Taxi.

This is the story of a Taxi driver I met recently. I was on my way to the Melbourne Airport and here are some excerpts of our talk.

He is in his early thirty’s and told me that he came to Australia about 7 years ago. He worked hard, did lot of odd jobs, drove taxi and earned some hard bucks. He took the advice of his family members and relatives and invested in a business. Unfortunately,

It turned out to be a wrong choice and he literally lost everything.

“It’s not that they wanted me to cheat me, lose my money or something but, they simply don’t know the proper details. They heard from someone in a gathering or dinner and believed the words and passed on the message. In fact forced me to do it. It’s like one blind man leading the other blind and we both fell in the ditch”.Hahaha, he laughed heartily.

I looked at him with admiration and empathy. I appreciated his courage and strength that he had in overcoming the disaster. What is more impressive is that, he is not being resentful, fretting, fuming or cursing anyone.

Who is a Guru

I started thinking. Yes, there could be so many people trying to give us advice on so many things based on their own experiences and situations they came across in life.”Atmavan Manyatae Jagat –“Everyone looks at the world with their own eyes and their own way. Basing on their nature, temperament they perceive things differently. It’s as if, if one has a color film on his eyes say, yellow – the whole world looks yellow to them. Do this, do that, I know it did wonders etc. So, it is so important to take advice from right people and right sources. If you want to invest in shares, real estate or stock market, you do your own research, learn about the subject and then approach the people who are right and qualified people in that field. But, then there are so many people in the market, out there claiming to be experts, authentic and genuine? We need to use our intelligence, find out what qualifications so and so person has, what is his affiliation or firm that he is working with, what about the other subject matter books, magazines talk about this subject. And, does it all match up? Like, our own research through books, qualifications of the person, the organisation that he is associated with and then, the personal behavior or the qualities the person exhibits in real life. And, it becomes even more important in and matters related to spiritual life. It is said that spiritual life is compared to walking on a razors edge. We cannot do it whimsically and because, someone else your friend is doing it. It’s interesting that, same things that needs to be looked at while dealing with matters like investing in a business etc. It’s called the three point check of spiritual life – Guru, Sadhu and Shastra.

The most important step in spiritual life is taking shelter of a Spiritual Master who is coming in a line of bonafide discipilic succession. What this means is that someone who is claiming to be a Guru is a genuine and has qualifications like, always engaged in the service of God, who speaks from the Vedic scriptures and words of other spiritual Masters above him. If he speaks anything different, they need to be reconciled with the words of Vedic scriptures and other Gurus above him called as Sadhus.

 I have some interesting feedback of why or how someone follow or accepted a certain Guru. Because, lives in Himalayas for six months in a year, because he speaks very logically, because of his attire so on. As stated in Bhagavad Gita,4.34

tad viddhi pranipatena

pariprasnena sevaya

upadeksyanti te jnanam

jnaninas tattva-darsinah . Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.

        “Hi Mate, which terminal you need to go to”? The words of my taxi driver friend brought me back to the senses. I took my luggage hurriedly, paid the fare and with real feelings in my heart, thanked the driver for the drive and sharing his story. For the last 30 mins or so, we talked about so many things starting from, weather, footy, cricket, stock market, real estate etc. but, out of all the things, I last conversation about taking advice from the right people, right source touched my heart. Ultimately, we are accountable for our actions and the results that come.

It is said that, there are three types of people.

One who learns by hearing – considered first class.

One who learns by experience – considered second class.

One who does not learn even after experiencing – the Third class. I guess, I am a mix of all these classes, sometimes first, second and third.