SOLAR ECLIPS ON 18/19 MARCH 2007

The first solar eclipse of 2007 takes place March 18-19 and will treat selected skywatchers in parts of Asia.
The alignment between the Sun, Earth and Moon is not, however, exact enough to produce a total eclipse; the Moon’s apparent position in the sky relative to the Sun will be displaced somewhat to the north. So only the southern portion of the Moon’s outer shadow (the penumbra) will touch the Earth, while the dark, narrow cone of the umbra completely misses the Earth and swings 288 miles (463 kilometers) above the Ural Mountains of western Russia. Only flying to that height would you be able to see the Sun totally obscured by the Moon.



The partial eclipse will be visible from much of Asia, with the exceptions of the Philippines, Indonesia and most of Japan’s Honshu Island. See the table below for specific local circumstances.

The penumbral shadow first touches Earth in the Bay of Bengal, just off of the Coromandel Coast of India at 00:38 GMT. It then sweeps up in a north-northeast direction, covering most of Asia by 02:00 GMT. The point of greatest eclipse occurs at 02:32 UT over Russia’s Perm Region, about 320 km. (200 miles) north of the Capital of Perm and not far from the town of Krasnovishersk (known for geological prospecting, discovery and exploitation of alluvial diamond deposits).

Hardy observers who are up at dawn in this part of Russia (the Sun rises around 7:30 a.m. local time) will witness—should weather conditions permit—a striking sunrise eclipse with 87.4-percent of the Sun’s diameter hidden by the passing New Moon. The Sun will emerge dramatically from beyond the eastern horizon resembling a delicate crescent with its cusps pointed up and tilted slightly to the right.

How Solar Eclipses Occur

The penumbra will continue to pass over the Arctic, and in the process crosses the International Date Line going eastbound; as a consequence the local date of the eclipse falls back a day, to March 18. As it slides off the Earth’s surface it ends up brushing northern and central Alaska, producing a small bite out of the Sun’s upper right limb right around local sunset.
So here is an oddity: an eclipse that ends on the day before it starts!
The eclipse ends when the penumbra leaves the Earth along the sunset terminator in the Arctic Ocean north of Point Barrow, at 04:25 GMT. Local circumstances of the eclipse, which have been computed for twelve specific localities, can be found in the table below.
Place Time Zone First Contact Maximum Eclipse Mag./Alt. Last Contact

Rawalpindi UT + 5 hr. (6:13 a.m.) 6:44.3 a.m. .659/5.4º 7:39.9 a.m. Perm UT + 5 hr. (7:21 .m.) 7:26.1 a.m..873/0.6º 8:22.3 a.m.

Calcutta UT + 5½ hr. 6:11.7 a.m. 6:59.6 a.m..427/16.3º 7:51.2 a.m.

New Delhi UT + 5½ hr. (6:28 a.m.) 7:06.7 a.m..573/7.5º 8:00.8 a.m.
Colombo UT + 6 hr. (6:44 a.m.) 7:08.0 a.m..092/3.0º 7:31.3 a.m.
Dhaka UT + 6 hr. 6:43.2 a.m. 7:32.4 a.m..441/18.5º 8:25.5 a.m.
Bangkok UT + 7 hr. 7:46.5 a.m. 8:21.0 a.m..166/26.7º 8:57.2 a.m.
Ulan BatorUT + 8 hr. 9:26.3 a.m.10:27.0 a.m..615/30.2º11:30.7 a.m.
PekingUT + 8 hr. 9:26.3 a.m.0:22.4 a.m..486/40.6º1:20.9 a.m.

TaipeiUT + 8 hr. 9:25.7 a.m. 9:58.6 a.m. .108/49.7º10:32.4 a.m.
SeoulUT + 9 hr. 10:47.5 a.m.11:31.3 a.m..196/48.5º12:16.0 p.m.
FairbanksAKST* 6:32.5 p.m. 6:55.3 p.m..087/0.6º(7:00 p.m))

Mag. = Magnitude: That fraction of the Sun’s diameter that is covered by the Moon at maximum eclipse.
Times given correspond to the local time zone observed at each location. All times are for the calendar date of March 19, except those for Fairbanks which are in italic and are valid for the previous day (March 18). If First Contact occurs when the Sun is below the horizon, then the time of local sunrise is given in parenthesis instead; the eclipse will already be in progress at that time. For Fairbanks, double parenthesis under the time of Last Contact is for the time of local sunset; the eclipse will still be in progress at that time.

KATHA OF GRAHAN ECLIPSES

When the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore, nectar came out of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady, deluded the demons and distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised himself as a god. The sun and the moon pointed this out to Mohini who immediately slashed off the demon’s head. Since the nectar had by then already reached up to the neck, he did not die. Thus the head came to be known as Rahu and the body as Ketu. To avenge this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu periodically eclipse the sun and the moon. In Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu are known as two invisible planets. They are enemies of the Sun and the Moon, who at certain times of the year (during conjunction or opposition) swallow the Sun or the Moon causing either a solar or a lunar eclipse. In Sanskrit this is known as grahanam, which is literally "a seizing." It is thought that the sun and the moon suffer a lot when demons 'Rahu' and 'Ketu' seize them and start swallowing them slowly as a snake swallows a frog. If the eclipse lasted too long they might die ! Thus for the early release of the sun and the moon from an eclipse nothing could be done except praying to the gods and goddesses. Therefore, the holy and noble minded men of the past introduced these rites and rituals for the well-being of the sun and moon, for good of themselves and for the good of all inhabitants of this world.Do’s and Don’ts for Eclipse The eclipse Vrata should be observed if any part of the eclipse is visible from the country that you are residing in

.BEFORE ECLIPSE:

Wash clothes used for puja and others, your house, temple should be cleaned. Bed, Blankets, etc. are to be dusted or exposed to sunlight. During the eclipse all cooked food becomes impure and not fit to be eaten afterwards. Food made by mixing flour and water should not be eaten, do not keep drinking water in a pot. Any food, cloths or any items stored in a place can be made pure by putting a holy grass (Dabro). Putting a grass this way avoids any item being impure.One should not take food during the eclipse. When the eclipse begins the food should by then have been digested. One should take food only after seeing the sun or the moon free from the eclipse. When the clear sun or the moon is not seen before sunset or sunrise, in the case of the solar and lunar eclipse respectively, food can be taken only after the sun or the moon is seen the next day. Gautama in Parashar Madhava explains the fasts to be observed, ‘All except the young, the old and the ill should stop eating four Prahars (12 hours) before a solar eclipse commences and three Prahars (9 hours) before a lunar eclipse commences. The young, the old and the ill should stop eating one Prahar (3 hours) before an eclipse.’AFTER ECLIPSEAfter Eclipse is over, do not touch clothes before taking bath. So, before eclipse begins, put aside clothes/towel but this should be clean and unworn cloths. to be used after your bath. Clothes which are unclean or have been worn or touched are impure and to be washed after the eclipse. Prepare the place for worship during eclipse, do not use cotton sheets to sit on, such sheets should be dusted and put away. Put aside other activities and plan to spend time doing Dhun/Kirtan.

DURING ECLIPSE

During the eclipse, Lord has said in the Shikshapatri:Whenever an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon takes place, all my disciples shall immediately suspend all work and after purifying themselves shall chant the Mantra of Shree Krishna. Shloka 86Prepare the asan to sit on and lit a diva and sit peacefully in a middles of the house or a room and then chant kirtan, jap or read scriptures. Spend your time doing Dhun/Kirtan, reading/listening scriptures etc. Those who do Japa at the time of the eclipse derive great benefits. For example if you do 1 mara during the eclipse, it has the same fruits as doing 100 maras on a normal day. The effect of Japa and Sankirtan during the eclipse contributes towards relieving the suffering of humanity and also of the planets. These people receive the blessings of the gods. They attain perfection quickly. The little intellect cannot understand many things in this universe. Hence, have faith in the words of sages. Ignorance has eclipsed Self-knowledge. However, this eclipse will disappear. You will shine in your own glory. This is the spiritual significance of the eclipse.How to do JapChant within your heart – this is more rewardingChant mumering – medium rewardingChant loudly – less rewarding Pray to god to protect us from the vices like lust, and anger.. Pregnant women should not see the sun or the moon during the time of the eclipse. If they do the child born may have some kind of defect. He may be born deaf, dumb or blind. Householders are forbidden from sexual intercourse on the day of the eclipse, for the same reasonEven science says that during eclipse lots of germs are produced which has adverse effects on the human body. It is recommended to avoid sleep during the eclipse and one should engage in religious activities as then the fruits 100 times more rewarding.

AFTER ECLIPSE:

When the eclipse is over, they shall take a bath with clothes worn at that time. Householders shall give alms to the poor according to their means and ascetics shall worship God. Shloka 87Take bath/shower with all clothes and then only touch/wear clean clothes. As mentioned earlier, you have prepared this cloths Grihasth (Householders) should donate for good causes, Tyagi (Saints) should do puja of God. Prepare food for God, offer Him food and take the prasad. After taking bath/shower only, one should touch God or do the normal activities such as cookingYAH SAB JANKARI DENE ME KUCH GALTI HO TO PUJYA GURUDEV AUR AAP SAB SE MAFI CHAHATA HAU

HARI OM

Naresh Motwani

HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLOURS

Holi and Dhuleti
( Festival of Colour )

Amongst India's innumerable festivals, Holi ranks as the most colourful. It celebrates the arrival of spring and death of demoness Holika, it is a celebration of joy and hope. Holi provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life enjoy themselves. In a tight knit community, it also provided a good excuse for letting off some steam and settling old scores, without causing physical injury.
Holi continues to be celebrated with great vigour through out India. Countless Hindi films have brought the vibrant colours of the festival to the screen. Indians all over the world eagerly await the Festival of Colours, as bonfires are lit to banish the cold dark nights of winter and usher in warmer spring.

Dhuleti, day after Holi, is the actual festival of colours, when everything in sight is covered in a riot of colours.
Twin towns of Nandagow ( where Lord Krishna grew up ) and Barsana ( where Shri Radha grew up ), near Mathura, are the epicentre of the celebrations. Lord Krishna, while growing up in Vraj, popularised the festival with his ingenious pranks. Gopies of Vraj responded with equal enthusiasm and the festivities have continued ever since. Role reversal, feminism etc. are accepted customs for the duration of the festival! Men and women of Vraj clash in a colourful display of battle of the sexes.
Celebrations start a week earlier than rest of India. Men of Nandagow raid Barsana with hopes of raising their flag over Shri Radhikaji's temple. They receive a thunderous welcome as the women of Barsana greet them with long wooden sticks. The men are soundly beaten as they attempt to rush through town to reach the relative safety of Shri Radhikaji's temple. Men are well padded as they are not allowed to retaliate. In this mock battle the men try their best not to be captured. Unlucky captives can be forcefully lead away, thrashed and dressed in female attire before being made to dance!!
Rush through Barsana is far more lethal than running with the bulls in Spain, at least you don't have to marry them one day!

Famous poets like Surdas, Nand-das, Kumbhan-das and others, have written beautifully as to how Lord Krishna was similarly received and forced to wear a sari, forced to wear make-up and made to dance before being released by the gopies of Vraj.
The next day, men of Barsana reciprocate by invading Nandagow. Clouds of pink and white powder mark the frenzy of activity taking place in it's narrow streets. A naturally occurring orange-red dye, Kesudo, is used to drench all participants. Today, the women of Nadagow beat the invaders from Barsana. It is a colourful site. In the interest of tourisum and safety, the state tourist board has set up excellent vantage points for the public. A large open ground, on the outskirts of the town is specially set aside for the most magnificent display of the festivities.

The next day, the temples in Vrindavan celebrate the festival with great guesto. The renowned temple of Bakai-Bihari, the beloved lord of the 15th century saint Haridas, is at the centre of the festivities. Clouds of pink and white descend upon the pilgrims, as the Lord of Vrindavan plays holi with all his beloved visitors.
The festival moves on to other parts of Vraj. Soon enough, it is Dhulati and entire India celebrates the joys of spring as the "festival of colour".

Gulal-Kund in Vraj is a beautiful little lake, set in a delightful groves near the mountain Goverdhan, in the Mathura district. Here the festival is commemorated on a more regular basis. Pilgrims who visit the holy land of Vraj, can see the re-enactments of Holi throughout the year at this lake. Local boys, acting in the Krishna-Lila drama troupes re-enact the scenes of holi for the pilgrims.
Royal courts all over North India refined the festival in to an art form of its own. Rajput warriors of the Rajasthani courts used to show off their equestrian skills during the festival. Rajput men would ride their steeds through the white and pink clouds of colour, throwing colour powders on each other. Even the members of the royal families were not immune from being drenched by colour. The entire court would be drenched in saffron water and an orange-red dye of the "kasuda" flowers.

Pushti-Marga temples, spread throughout North and Western States of India, celebrate the festival in a way reminiscent of rajput courts. The Deity, and the laity, are liberally sprinkled with perfumes, saffron water, kesudo, and covered in sandalwood aswell as the white and pink powder, abil and gulal. Joyous celebration is accompanied by classical music, poetry and folk songs appropriate for the occasion. Deity's white clothes' are soon transformed into a mass of colour as gold and silver syringes spray colourful water on all participants.
The celebrations officially usher in the pleasant season of love, spring. In the Pushti-Marga temples, the festivities last for almost a month. Beginning on the day of Vasant-Panchami, the festivals last till the day after Holi. This helps prolong the season of joy.

Poem :- The weather is most pleasant and the spring flowers are in full bloom. Skies are clear, days are warm and nights are pleasantly cool. What more could you ask for, except to be covered in the "ranga" (colour) of your beloved!

LUNAR ESCLIPS MARCH 2007

The first of two total lunar eclipses in 2007 is unique in that it is partly visible from every continent around the world. The eclipse occurs at the descending node, 3.2 days before apogee and 1.9 days after the Moon occults Saturn (northern and eastern Europe). During the eclipse, the Moon is in southern Leo, about 13º east of the 1.3-magnitude star Regulus (alpha Leo). The Moon's orbital trajectory takes it through the northern half of Earth's umbral shadow. Although the eclipse is not central, the total phase still lasts 73 minutes. The timings of the major phases of the eclipse are listed below.Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 20:18:11 UT Partial Eclipse Begins: 21:30:22 UT Total Eclipse Begins: 22:44:13 UT Greatest Eclipse: 23:20:56 UT Total Eclipse Ends: 23:57:37 UT Partial Eclipse Ends: 01:11:28 UT Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 02:23:44 UT



Here are the official timings as published by NASA (converted to Eastern Standard Time). The terminology is explained below.
Penumbral Eclipse Begins:
3:18 PM
Partial Eclipse Begins:
4:30 PM
Total Eclipse Begins:
5:44 PM
Greatest Eclipse:
6:21 PM
Total Eclipse Ends:
6:57 PM
Partial Eclipse Ends:
8:11 PM
Penumbral Eclipse Ends:
9:23 PM



At the instant of greatest eclipse (23:21 UT) the Moon will lie in the zenith for observers in Nigeria and Cameroon. At this time, the umbral magnitude peaks at 1.2331 as the Moon's southern limb passes 2.4 arc-minutes north of the shadow's central axis. In contrast, the Moon's northern limb will lie 6.9 arc-minutes from the northern edge of the umbra and 32.2 arc-minutes from the shadow centre. Thus the northern sections of the Moon will appear much brighter than the southern part, which lies deeper in the shadow. Since the Moon samples a large range of umbral depths during totality, its appearance will change dramatically with time. It is not possible to predict the exact brightness distribution in the umbra, so observers are encouraged to estimate the Danjon value at different times during totality Note that it may also be necessary to assign different Danjon values to different portions of the Moon (i.e. north vs. south).


During totality, the spring constellations will be well placed for viewing so a number of bright stars can be used for magnitude comparisons. Spica (mv = +0.98) is 40º southeast of the eclipsed Moon, while Arcturus (mv = -0.05) is 49º to the northeast. Alphard or Alpha Hya (mv = +1.99) is 28º to the southwest and Procyon (mv = -0.05) is 50º to the west. Saturn shines at magnitude +0.8 about 24º northwest of the Moon near the western border of Leo.

The entire event will be visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia. In eastern Asia, moonset occurs during various stages of the eclipse. For example, the Moon sets while in total eclipse from central China and southeast Asia. Western Australia catches part of the initial partial phases but the Moon sets before totality. Observers in eastern North and South America will find the Moon already partially or totality eclipsed at moonrise. From western North America, only the final penumbral phases are visible.

KATHA OF GRAHAN ECLIPSES

When the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean in days of yore, nectar came out of it. Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, a charming lady, deluded the demons and distributed the nectar only among the gods. But Rahu had disguised himself as a god. The sun and the moon pointed this out to Mohini who immediately slashed off the demon’s head. Since the nectar had by then already reached up to the neck, he did not die. Thus the head came to be known as Rahu and the body as Ketu. To avenge this betrayal, Rahu and Ketu periodically eclipse the sun and the moon. In Hindu astrology Rahu and Ketu are known as two invisible planets. They are enemies of the Sun and the Moon, who at certain times of the year (during conjunction or opposition) swallow the Sun or the Moon causing either a solar or a lunar eclipse. In Sanskrit this is known as grahanam, which is literally "a seizing." It is thought that the sun and the moon suffer a lot when demons 'Rahu' and 'Ketu' seize them and start swallowing them slowly as a snake swallows a frog. If the eclipse lasted too long they might die ! Thus for the early release of the sun and the moon from an eclipse nothing could be done except praying to the gods and goddesses. Therefore, the holy and noble minded men of the past introduced these rites and rituals for the well-being of the sun and moon, for good of themselves and for the good of all inhabitants of this world.Do’s and Don’ts for Eclipse The eclipse Vrata should be observed if any part of the eclipse is visible from the country that you are residing in.

BEFORE ECLIPSE:

Wash clothes used for puja and others, your house, temple should be cleaned. Bed, Blankets, etc. are to be dusted or exposed to sunlight. During the eclipse all cooked food becomes impure and not fit to be eaten afterwards. Food made by mixing flour and water should not be eaten, do not keep drinking water in a pot. Any food, cloths or any items stored in a place can be made pure by putting a holy grass (Dabro). Putting a grass this way avoids any item being impure.One should not take food during the eclipse. When the eclipse begins the food should by then have been digested. One should take food only after seeing the sun or the moon free from the eclipse. When the clear sun or the moon is not seen before sunset or sunrise, in the case of the solar and lunar eclipse respectively, food can be taken only after the sun or the moon is seen the next day. Gautama in Parashar Madhava explains the fasts to be observed, ‘All except the young, the old and the ill should stop eating four Prahars (12 hours) before a solar eclipse commences and three Prahars (9 hours) before a lunar eclipse commences. The young, the old and the ill should stop eating one Prahar (3 hours) before an eclipse.’

AFTER ECLIPSE

After Eclipse is over, do not touch clothes before taking bath. So, before eclipse begins, put aside clothes/towel but this should be clean and unworn cloths. to be used after your bath. Clothes which are unclean or have been worn or touched are impure and to be washed after the eclipse. Prepare the place for worship during eclipse, do not use cotton sheets to sit on, such sheets should be dusted and put away. Put aside other activities and plan to spend time doing Dhun/Kirtan.DURING ECLIPSEDuring the eclipse, Lord has said in the Shikshapatri:Whenever an eclipse of the Sun or the Moon takes place, all my disciples shall immediately suspend all work and after purifying themselves shall chant the Mantra of Shree Krishna. Shloka 86Prepare the asan to sit on and lit a diva and sit peacefully in a middles of the house or a room and then chant kirtan, jap or read scriptures. Spend your time doing Dhun/Kirtan, reading/listening scriptures etc. Those who do Japa at the time of the eclipse derive great benefits. For example if you do 1 mara during the eclipse, it has the same fruits as doing 100 maras on a normal day. The effect of Japa and Sankirtan during the eclipse contributes towards relieving the suffering of humanity and also of the planets. These people receive the blessings of the gods. They attain perfection quickly. The little intellect cannot understand many things in this universe. Hence, have faith in the words of sages. Ignorance has eclipsed Self-knowledge. However, this eclipse will disappear. You will shine in your own glory. This is the spiritual significance of the eclipse.How to do JapChant within your heart – this is more rewardingChant mumering – medium rewardingChant loudly – less rewarding Pray to god to protect us from the vices like lust, and anger.. Pregnant women should not see the sun or the moon during the time of the eclipse. If they do the child born may have some kind of defect. He may be born deaf, dumb or blind. Householders are forbidden from sexual intercourse on the day of the eclipse, for the same reasonEven science says that during eclipse lots of germs are produced which has adverse effects on the human body. It is recommended to avoid sleep during the eclipse and one should engage in religious activities as then the fruits 100 times more rewarding.

AFTER ECLIPSE:

When the eclipse is over, they shall take a bath with clothes worn at that time. Householders shall give alms to the poor according to their means and ascetics shall worship God. Shloka 87Take bath/shower with all clothes and then only touch/wear clean clothes. As mentioned earlier, you have prepared this cloths Grihasth (Householders) should donate for good causes, Tyagi (Saints) should do puja of God. Prepare food for God, offer Him food and take the prasad. After taking bath/shower only, one should touch God or do the normal activities such as cooking

YAH SAB JANKARI DENE ME KUCH GALTI HO TO PUJYA GURUDEV AUR AAP SAB SE MAFI CHAHATA HAU

HARI OM

Naresh Motwani

Vijya Ekadashi

Vijya Ekadashi

King Yudhistir enquires to Shree Kirshna, “O Prabhu, please enlighten me with the importance of keeping the vrat of Vijya Ekadashi.” Lord Shree Krishna replies, “O King, Brahma has explained to Naradji in detail the greatness of Vijya Ekadashi.” “Vijay” means victory. One who performs this vrat with full vigour achieves victory in whatever task is undertaken. Lord Shree Ram attained victory over King Ravan due to the strict adherence of the vrat of this Ekadashi.While Lord Shree Ram, Sitaji and Laxman graced the forest for 14 years, the King of Lanka, King Ravan abducted Sitaji. Lord Shree Ram became very upset and eventually they both went in search for Sitaji.

They made friends with King Sugriv, the leader of the ape army and together with Hanumanji arrived at the coastal banks of the ocean to reach Lanka. Lord Shree Rama wondered and asked, “O Laxman, How could we cross this enormous ocean? Its near impossible!” Laxmanji replied, “O Prabhu, You are the Lord of all the deva’s. You have all the answers to all questions in this universe, yet O Prabhu, You still ask me! But I know someone who can help us to cross this ocean. Nearby on the banks of the ocean is an ashram of Bakdalab Rishi. He is very knowledgeable and will definitely find a solution to our problem.”They all went to the nearby ashram of Bakdalb Rishi. The Rishi recognised in an instant that the Lord himself has pardoned him with his divine darshan.

He received the Lord well with due respect and poojan. The Lord expressed his reason to arrive at the ashram and asked for a solution of crossing the ocean to reach Lanka. The Rishi replied, “O Prabhu, I can explain a vrat, which after due completion with full respect and poojan, O Lord Ram, You will achieve victory over the King of Lanka.” The Rishi explained, “on the day of Maha Vadi Ekadashi also known as Vijya Ekadashi, You will have to purify yourself and perform poojan to Supreme Almighty Lord Shree Narayan, using chandan, flowers, dhoop etc. Sit yourself in front of God and devote yourself for the whole day and night with constant bhajans and chanting the divine blissful name of God. On the next day, you must pay due respects to Brahmins by giving food and donations.”When the day of Vijya Ekadashi arrived, Lord Shree Rama followed the rituals of the vrat.

After performing this vrat, all problems that were encountered in the battle, had an instant solution. And due to this vrat, Lord Shree Ram achieved victory over King Ravan.O King Yudhistir, one who performs this vrat of Ekadashi achieves victory in this life and the life beyond. This Ekadashi is the remover of all sins and the giver of ultimate salvation.

SAFLA EKADASHI

Safala Ekadashi

Safala Ekadashi takes place on Maghshar Vad 11. In Brahmand Puran, Shree Krishna says to Yudhistir, “By following the vratt of Ekadashi, I become easily pleased compared to someone spending thousands of money on performing yagnas and other festivals”.The main deity for Safala Ekadashi is Shree Narayan and poojan of Shree Narayan on this day yields great benediction. That devotee becomes the dearest of all to the Almighty God.The greatness of Safala Ekadashi is encapsulated by the tale of King Maahismat, the ruler of a city named Champavati. He had an elder son called Lumpak. Though the King been very religious, Prince Lumpak was a great sinner and carried out malicious and cruel acts to the subjects of the city. Due to this behaviour the King disowned him and exiled him from his kingdom. The prince left the kingdom and lived in a nearby forest. But he still continued his vicious harassments by stealing and killing many people.After many months, the month of Maghshar arrived and it was the eleventh day. In this month, the weather changes and it becomes very cold. Trembling with cold, the prince sat down under a banyan tree. The prince had nothing to cover over his body and became very sick and nearly fell unconscious. During the day, he collected some fruits from nearby trees but could not eat them due to the horrifying sickness. At night he could not sleep and quietly sat down under the tree. With no one to look after him, he waited for the night to pass, looking forward for the morning to arrive. He unknowingly fasted and kept awake in the night (jagran) on this day.On the next early morning, a divine stallion arrived at the banyan tree and a heavenly voice called for the prince and said, “O Prince, due to the vratt which you have followed on Safala Ekadashi, Lord Narayan is pleased and has showered His blessings on you. Go to your father, the King of Champavati, and he will grant you his Kingdom”.Riding on the stallion, the prince instantly regained his health and princely looks. His mind transformed from evil to good; his thinking and acts became divine; he became the choicest devotee of God. Upon arrival at the palace, the King saw a vivid change in Prince Lumpak and learnt of him becoming a devotee of God. The pleased King enthroned the prince with his Kingdom. King Lumpak from that day onwards followed every Ekadashi with full faith an honour.If one follows the vratt, fasts and stays awake the night (jagran) on Safala Ekadashi, one becomes very close and dearest to God. God delivers, answers the prayers and grants all the wishes of the devotee. Even performing the vratt of Ekadashi unknowingly bestows great benediction in this life and the next.

GURU TEGH BAHADUR

Martyrdom



True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering
said Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib


Jagat Jalanda Rakh LaiApni Kirpa DhaarJit Duaray UbhreyTite Laihu Ubaar
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (853)
This is Sri Guru Amar Das Ji’s prayer to the Lord for the deliverence of the world and means:
“O Lord, the world is on fire,save it by showering your grace.Save it by whichever way it can be saved.”
Guru means Enlightener and Jagat Guru means the Enlightener of the world. Whenever Jagat Guru incarnates, the purpose is two-fold, to establish the Glory of God and to restore the Glory of Man.
Jagat Guru prays for the redemption of the whole of mankind. His prayer is not confined to a single community, a nation or a country. It knows no man-made barriers of colour, caste, and creed and geographical limitations. It is universal and all-embracing.
Sri Guru Arjan, Humility Incarnate, compiles a Holy Scripture, eternally aglow with all Celestial Harmonies and totally free from all Cruel Diversities, for Universal Redemption.
The Third Nanak, Sri Guru Amar Das Ji beseeches the Almighty to save the World on Fire. Then the Fifth Nanak, in the Form of Guru Arjan Sits On Fire And Through His Grace Saves The World.
Then again arose a holy demand of a supreme sacrifice by a great Maha Purash. And the Divine Child (Guru Gobind Singh) the Tenth Nanak says:
“There is no Greater Maha Purash Than Guru Tegh Bahadur”
And so Nanak The Ninth sets out for the Greatest “Balidaan” of All Times.
When the Almighty manifests himself in human form, he takes the whole human race in His loving Embrace. This God like warmth of the Divine Incarnate flows out to the whole creation and yearns for universal welfare and redemption. This Nectar of Grace and Love flowed from the Beneficient, All Loving Guru Tegh Bahadur (Guru Nanak - The Ninth) to 500 Pandits of Kashmir and through them to a whole religion, a whole nation.
Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib's sacrifice for the pandits of Kashmir has to be viewed in this background and context. He, being the Jagat Guru, belongs to all, the whole universe. The love and mercy of a Prophet, a Messiah, a Jagat Guru is impartial, it knows no difference. It showers like rain on all alike. When Pandits of Kashmir, subjected to untold persecution and tyranny, approached Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib for protection, the most compassionate Sri Guru had shown an unexampled mercy characteristic of the House of Guru Nanak.

Jo Saran Awey Tis Kanth Lawey,Eh Birad Swamy Sanda


Sri Guru Granth Sahib (544)




This is Sri Guru Amar Das Ji’s prayer to the Lord for the deliverence of the world and means:




“Whosoever seeks the shelter of the Lord, Lord clasps him to his bosom.
That is the unique way, the great attribute of the Lord.”

Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib at that time said, “Supreme Sacrifice by a `Mahan Pursh’ was the need of the hour”. The Divine Child (Guru Gobind Singh) had then said, “There is no greater `Mahan Pursh’ than Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.”
It is out of compassion, out of love for suffering humanity that God Himself incarnates in the world. The intensity of this compassion, the uniqueness of this Love-force flowing from the Saviour to His suffering children, was witnessed, with awe and reverence, by suffering humanity, in the form of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.
Satguru is love personified- an ocean of mercy and compassion and whosoever enters into His Holy presence for protection and shelter, into the orbit of His grace, never returns empty handed or disappointed. No sooner does a yearning soul take one step towards the Lotus Feet of the Saviour Satguru than the all Merciful Satguru takes crores of compassionate steps to protect and save it. The All Merciful Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib provided a healing touch to suffering humanity, but in what a soul-stirring, unique and splendid manner. ‘Daya’ (mercy or compassion) is one of the greatest attributes of God and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib demonstrated that attribute compatible with the Eternal Glory of Guru Nanak.
Real feeling of love means total sacrifice for the sake of the beloved. Love of God expresses itself in taking upon him self the sufferings of His Children, His Creation. God is love and Love is God. He is altogether compassionate and Merciful. It is in this context that the great sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib surpasses all imagination. With regard to the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib says that such a wondrous feat has never been performed by anyone.
Tegh Bahadur Si Kirya Kari Na Kinhoo Aan
A worldly mother takes upon herself all the sufferings and inconveniences to make her children comfortable. God is loved as father and mother and is addressed in many holy hymns as such. All beings are His children. The Ninth Guru Nanak, a true manifestation of God, demonstrates the divine climax of God’s love for His children. For God there is no discrimination between His children on the basis of faith, belief or religion. With equity, the Great Guru accepts all of them and saves them. He had incarnated for the sake of love for the children of God. And He alleviates these sufferings and redeems them with such a grandiose and examplary excellence.
In the House of Guru Nanak, the whole of the global community constitutes one family and all members of this family are lovable children of the one and only lovable God.
Grace emanates and radiates out to all alike from God and from His true manifestations. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib filled the sinking hearts of the people with nectar of this Grace and delivered them.
What a unique and marvellous way to restore the ‘Glory of Man’ in all its manifold aspects.
Whenever the Divine dwells in a human form, He manifests the Eternal Glory of God and the Agony of Man. Sri Guru Arjan Sahib and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib demonstrated this twin aspect in a most glorious, soul-stirring, and over-whelming manner. They gave supreme sacrifice to neutralize the suffering and agony of man.
Glory of God and Glory of Man are two aspects of His divine Sport. He indulges in this sport in every age. Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib was rejoicing in His own sacred game. It was His very nature to scatter heavenly and celestial essence and joy. In his life here he played the most dreadful game of human agony and glorified and divinised the whole phenomenon of human suffering. All this for the deliverence and future peace of the children of God.
Jagat Guru- The World Teacher and Enlightener-Himself sets the highest precedent of feeling blissful in agony, of rapturous samadhi in most painful postures, of the Cross, while seated on fire with cruel showers of burning sand pouring on Head, while being brutally beheaded in public. The World Teacher trod this unique path to cast new moulds and set new standards for true aspirants to follow. The Jagat Guru Himself leads and guides on this golden path to the Beloved Lord. Such is the Doctrine and Concept of True Divine Love, of ‘Prema’, in the House of Guru Nanak.
Having blazed examples of supreme sacrifice they blessed their most beloved disciples with the boon of suffering. With their own illustrious examples they drove home the point that seeking Divinity is not a rosy path. They taught their loved ones to exult in treading bare footed upon the sharp blade of swords, led them to a spiritual state of mind in which the most dreadful suffering begins to introxicate a devotee; to a stage that opens up the vistas of His Ethereal Glory and to a sublime death which bestows eternal life.

“True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering”


said Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib

His beloved devotees - Bhai Mati Das, Bhai Sati Das and Bhai Dyala spurned all lucrative offers of wealth, power and status and sacrificed everything worldly for the pleasure of their Beloved Satguru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. They embraced martyrdom one after the other, radiating the divine glory of Guru Nanak which is bestowed upon a chosen few, blessed few. Love of a true devotee with his beloved Satguru, when sublimated, purified and perfected goes out to the Satguru in miraculous ways.
Divine lovers of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib were martyred in the very holy presence of their beloved Satguru. These love-smitten Sikhs of the Guru sailed in an ocean of Bliss despite being brutally tortured to death, because for them one spark of Love and Grace from the Loving and Holy glance of their beloved Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib was more precious than all the Kingdoms of the earth and heaven.

GURU NANAK JAYANTI

Guru Nanak Dev

The founder of the Sikh faith, was born in the month of Kartik (October/November), and his birthday is known as Guru Nanak Jayanti. He was born in 1469 A.D. at Tolevandi some 30 miles from Lahore. The anniversaries of Sikh Guru's are known as Gurpurabs (festivals) and are celebrated with devotion and dedication.

GurPurabs mark the culmination of Prabhat Pheris, the early morning procession that start from the gurdwaras (Sikh temples) and then go around localities singing 'shabads' (hymns). The celebrations also include the three-day Akhand path, during which the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously, from beginning to end without a break. On the day of the festival, the Granth Sahib is also carried in a procession on a float, decorated with flowers, throughout a village or city. Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyares, head the procession carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Local bands playing religious music form a special part of the procession.

Free sweets and langar or community lunches are also offered to everyone irrespective of religious faith. Men, women, and children, participate in this karseva as service to the community, cook food and distribute it in the 'Guru ka Langar', with the traditional 'Karah Prasad'.

Sikhs also visit gurdwaras where special programs are arranged and kirtans (religious songs) are sung. Houses and gurdwaras are lit up to add to the festivities. Guru Nanak Dev's life served as a beacon light for his age. He was a great seer, saint and mystic. He was a prolific poet and a unique singer of God's laudation. A prophet of peace, love, truth and renaissance, he was centuries ahead of his times. His universal message is as fresh and true even today as it was in the past and Sikhs all over the world, practice what Guru Nanak Dev preached, to reaffirm their beliefs in the teachings of their founder.
Past

The son of a Kshatriya (warrior) family, he studied Hinduism and Islam. He got married but then he abandoned his family and became an ascetic. Wandering for many years he came under the influence of both Hindus and Muslims (especially Sufi). The Muslim teacher Kabir (died in 1398) made a deep impression on Guru Nanak. He began preaching, "There is no Hindu, there is no Mussulman".

The Sikhs

Guru Nanak was succeeded by nine other Gurus. Guru Arjun (1563-1606) the fifth Guru, compiled the "Granth Sahib" (Noble Book) and the tenth Guru, Govind Singh, gave it its final form. The two books are also known as "Adi Granth" (Initial Book), and "Dasam Granth" (Book of the Tenth Guru).

The Sikh temple is called "Gurudwara" (Gum's Gate). A copy of the Granth is kept in every Gurudwara. After the Tenth Guru, the Granth is worshipped as the mystic personality of the Gurus.

The main shrine of the Sikhs is the Golden Temple of Amritsar, in Punjab, where Sikhism has a real hold. The Temple foundations were Laid by the Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das (1534-1581).

In 1699 Guru Govind Singh introduced the Initiation Rite, drinking sugared water ("amrt"), and abolished caste distinctions. Sikhs were to be distinguished by their name, always with the suffix Singh (lion), and by the five K's: unshorn hair and beard ("kes"), comb in the hair ("kangh"), steel bangle on the right wrist ("kara"), short drawers ("kacch") and steel dagger ("kirpan").

Guru Govind Singh was also responsible for giving the Sikh Religion a marked military character. The soldier-saint became the ideal of the Khalsa or Sikh fraternity. "When all other means have failed, it is righteous to draw the sword", was one of the basic principles of Guru Govind Singh.

Adi Granth The Adi Granth teaches:

"There is one God, Eternal Truth is His Name; Maker of all things, fearing nothing and at enmity with nothing; Timeless is His Image; Not begotten, being of His own being; By the grace of the Guru made known to men. As he was in the beginning, the Truth; So throughout the ages He ever has been, the Truth; So even now he is the Truth Immanent; So for ever and ever, He shall be Truth Eternal."

These words express the basic belief of Sikhs. Idolatry is forbidden. True worship consists in singing God's praises and in meditating on His Name. To realise Him speculation is useless, and so are also all pilgrimages, and ascetical practices like fasting and celibacy.
God is the Supreme Guru, "Satnam, Wah Guru" (The True Name, The Wondrous Teacher). The Ten Gurus are reverenced because God spoke through them. Nanak had no other Guru but God. His followers, however, reach God through Guru Nanak and the other nine. When the line ended, the God-given "Word of the Gum", remained embodied in the Granth and the temporal function of the Guru was bestowed on the Khalsa.

Gian Dhian Kichh Karam Na Jana
Sar Na Jana TeriSabb Tey Vada Satgur NanakJin Kal Rakhi Meri
Sri Guru Granth Sahib (750)

I know no Gian (Divine Knowledge), Dhian (Meditation) and Karma philosophy (virtuous deeds). I do not know your true greatness. But I know one thing that my Satguru (True Guru) Nanak is the Greatest of all who has protected me in this Dark Age.
A true lover is not concerned with the intricacies of wisdom, of meditation, and subtleties of karma philosopy. He is not concerned with Gian Yoga, Dhian Yoga and Karma Yoga. Intense faith in the Supremacy of his beloved, Sri Guru Nanak Sahib Constitutes his true devotion. Love of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib is his Supreme devotion and concern. Grace and majesty of the Lord Guru Nanak reigns supreme in his humble heart. This is an earnest expression of his very soul, a deep prayer from his very heart to the Lotus Feet of his beloved Lord Guru Nanak. Having discarded all intellectualism, he has fallen head-long at the holy feet of Sri Guru Nanak Sahib