| FESTIVALS |
THEEMITHI |
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| Theemithi
or the fire walking ceremony is performed honouring Draupadi,
the wife of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Yudhisthira,
the eldest of the Pandavas was challenged to a game of dice
by Duryadhana, the Chief of the Kauravas. In desperation he
staked Draupadi and lost. Duryadhana dragged Draupadi and
attempted to undress her but was saved by Lord Krishna.
As the Pandavas and
Draupadi lost to the Kauravas, they had to spend twelve years
in exile and the thirteenth in hiding. During the thirteenth
year, they hid themselves in the court of Virata. Draupadi
became a maidservant to Queen Sudeshana and there she was
seen by the Queen's brother, Kichaka. He tried to seduce the
virtuous Draupadi but was saved by Bhima.
These two incidents
reveal how Draupadi, the virtuous woman, was insulted. Her
sexual purity was called into question and is then affirmed
in a walk through fire from which she emerges unharmed. Fire
walking is regarded as a test of purity of Draupadi's devotees.
It is said that if a devotee is not pure, he will fail the
test and be burnt. Purity would mean that of the body and
of the mind. Devotees undergo strict fasting to prepare themselves
for this festival.
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KARTHIGAI
DEEPAM
Hindus celebrate Karthigai Deepam on the full moon day of
the month of Karthigai (November - December) which falls on
the ascension of the Kritigai star. This is the day when a
light on the top of Tiruvannamalai is unveiled.
Once, Mother Parvati engaged herself in deep penance, meditating
upon Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before Mother Parvati
as Jyothi Swarupa during the month of Karthigai, on a full
moon day and on Krithigai. She was taken back by the Lord
to His side, and made His Ardhangini once more, that is. She
occupied half of the body of the Lord. |
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light on the hill tells us that the Self or Lord Shiva is
self-effulgent. Constant recitation of "Harohara"
is heard when devotees see the light which is known as Thiruvannamalai
Deepam. This means that he who sees the light that is burning
eternally through constant meditation attains immortality.
Light here denotes knowledge of the Supreme and is this that
leads one to immortality. One should eventually bum one's
desires in the fire of knowledge and attain full illumination.
People light rows of earthen lamps in front of their houses
on the evening of Kartigai Deepam and worship the Lord. |
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VAIKUNDA
EKADASHI
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| Vaikunta
Ekadashi falls in the month of Margaseersha (December - January).
This day is observed by strict fasting for Lord Vishnu. Some
would take fruits and milk while others would not take even
water. Actually, fasting is done on all Ekadashis, that is,
the 11th day of the lunar fortnight, twice a month. On this
day, devotees fast and stay awake the whole night. During
this time, they perform Hari-Nam Japa, have Hari Kirtans and
meditate upon Him.
Devotees do not take
any rice on this day and this is observed strictly. There
is a story behind this practice. The sweat that fell down
from the head of Lord Brahma assumed the form of a demon and
said to the Lord, "O Lord! Now give me an abode to dwell."
Lord Brahma replied,
O demon! Go and dwell in the rice particles eaten by men on
Ekadashi day and become worms in their stomach."
The mind is purified
through fasting. Fasting controls the senses and the senses
are used to see the Lord, hear His name and taste prasad.
Devotion for the Lord is cultivated and increases over time.
More time is spent in Sadhana. Moreover, fasting is good for
our health as we rest our internal organs. It is said in the
scriptures that our sins are destroyed and we would be free
from the cycle of births and deaths if we have constant and
intense devotion for Him. There was a demon, Mura who oppressed
the Devas. The Devas went to Lord Hari who sent Yoga Maya
to kill Mura. Yoga Maya killed Mura. It was then that the
Lord told her that those who observe Ekadashi will be freed
from all sins.
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HANUMAN JAYANTHI
By Sundari Poobalan
The birth of Sri Hanuman is celebrated as Hanuman Jayanthi.
Hanuman was an ideal embodiment of Karma Yoga and Bhakthi
Yoga. He was a virtuous hero. He had good knowledge of the
four Vedas and other scriptures but he never boasted of his
bravery and intelligence. He worked only to serve Sri Rama.
He was so selfless that he welcomed death if it came while
serving Sri Rama. He was a messenger, warrior and servant
of Sri Rama. All his actions were offerings onto Lord Rama
and the karma-phala was his prasad. Sri Rama was greatly indebted
to Sri Hanuman for helping him find Sita in Lanka.
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| Sri
Rama said to Hanuman, "How can I repay my debt of gratitude
to you? I will give you the boon of everlasting life. All
will honour and worship you like myself. Your idol will be
placed at the door of my temple and you will be worshipped
and honoured first. Whenever my stories are recited or glories
sung, your glory will be sung before mine."
On this day, we should
read the Sri Hanuman Chalisa and spend the whole day in chanting
Sri Rama's name. Hanuman himself pleased the Lord by simply
chanting His name. Hanuman told Sri Rama that he was able
to cross the ocean because of the power and glory of the Lord's
name. He humbly said he burnt Lanka by the Lord's grace. This
was the humble nature of the great devotee who submitted himself
to the Lord.
When Sita asked Hanuman
if he keeps Lord Rama within himself, Hanuman immediately
tore open his heart and there revealed Lord Rama and Sita.
We should worship the great devotee of the Lord, follow his
path of devotion and always have the Lord in our heart.
Om Sri Hanumate Namah.
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