Rama Navami

Rama Navami is a festival commemorating the birth of Sri Rama, an incarnation of Sri Vishnu. It is celebrated on the ninth day (Navami) of the Chaitra month of the Hindu lunar year. (1st April for 2012).

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Lord Rama incarnated to save his devotees from the tyrant, Ravana, and he is worshipped as an epitome of an ideal man. One who is good and true and the one who is ideal in every regard - a perfect son, an ideal brother, a wonderful husband, a great father and mighty king. He is not simply thought of as a hero, but as someone who is the true representation of a flawless man. It is believed that listening to the story of Rama cleanses the soul.

Meditating on the noble Rama and chanting his name is believed to ease the pains of life and lead one to moksha, or liberation. Devotees fast on this day seeking perfection as human beings, offer puja and also sing bhajans praising the deeds of Lord Rama, his loyal brother Lakshman, his devoted wife Sita and Rama's greatest devotee Hanuman. For our 2010 Celebration, Swamiji told stories about Lord Rama and talked about the significance of chanting Ram-Naam or the name of Lord Rama.

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Moments with Swami Vishwananda

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Special moments from Maha Shivaratri 2012 with Sri Swami Vishwananda:

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More pictures on flickr

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You will find more pictures from Maha Shivaratri

HERE

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Review of Shivaratri

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Here at Shree Peetha Nilaya we are nearly back to the daily routine.

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The Shivaratri night was great! Our biggest gratitude to Sri Swami Vishwananda!

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With his grace he gave many people the possibility to observe the birth of a lingam! - deeply touching, isn't it?

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Important request:

There were many registrations - and with this number of people the temple was already full to the brim. But - nearly double the amount of people registered came, wich was a bit too much.

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We seriously and kindly need to ask you:

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Please don't come without registration!

(its so easy: registration@bhaktimarga.org)

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Otherwise, in the future, due to organisational reasons we cannot let you in and have to send you back home.

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Thanks to all of you that were willing to follow our "rotating system", so it was possible for everybody to sit in the front part of the room for one round! Thank you!

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Most of all thanks to Swamiji for your Divine Grace and magnanimity being with us!

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Om Namah Shivaya

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Lingam emerges from Swami Vishwananda

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On YouTube you can watch the appearance of one of the 17 Lingams Swami Vishwananda gave birth to: .

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Swami Vishwananda gives the Lingams to People

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Swami Vishwananda has materialized about 16 Lingams during the night of Maha Shivaratri and the day before.

The exact amount is unknown, because sometimes he materializes a lingam for somebody in a private moment.

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Yesterday night, during the evening prayer he gave the lingams to the person for whom it was meant to be.

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This was very fascinating, Lingam by Lingam: He had one of the Lingams in his hand, felt where the Lingam wants to go and was looking over the crowd of people. Sometimes he closed his eyes. Then he pointed out a special person he found and asked him to come to take the Lingam.

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Swami VishwaAnashuyananda helped him with bringing the right person to the front.

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Later Swami Vishwananda asked all the new Lingam-owners to come in front and he explained what to do with it and which purpose their Lingam has.

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It was a terrific ending of Shivaratri 2012!

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Shivaratri 2012

Soon we will be celebrating Maha-Shivaratri - the most important feastday for Lord Shiva in the Hindu Tradition.

By Swami's presence we will be able to get a glimpse into the divine worlds "behind the curtains". Just be open-

(Programme)

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We found a nice picture depicting the attributes of Lord Shiva:

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There will be a little booklet with explanations and stories about Shiva (in english and in german) available in our shop for Maha Shivaratri.

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Thanks Meera Dasi for the picture!

Lakshmi Kubera Prayer by Swami Vishwananda

On Monday night Swami Vishwananda performed a ceremony for Lakshmi-Kubera.

Swami Vishwananda said: In the Hindu tradition, Kubera is regarded as the god of wealth. Lord Kubera is also known as the god of yakshas (savage beings). Kubera is always remembered with the goddess of fortune, Lakshmi. Chanting of the Kubera Mantra blesses the worshipper with money and prosperity by drawing new avenues and sources of income and wealth. The Mantra of Kubera helps to increase the flow of funds and the ability to accumulate wealth.

One Kubera Mantra is as follows:

"Om Yakshyaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaaya Dhanadhanyadi Padayeh

Dhana-Dhanya Samreeddhing Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha"

Meaning of the prayer: Kubera, the lord of yakshas, bless us with wealth and prosperity. One who worships lord Kubera and Lakshmi can never fall short of money and material comforts. The special puja of Kubera is performed on Dusshera, Dhan triyodasi and Deepawali, asking for prosperity and blessings.

Krishna's Birthday

21. - 22. August

Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami also known as Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna was born in the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnashtmi. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. These days correspond to the August and September months on the Gregorian calendar.

Sri Krishna is considered as the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu's, (one of three major Hindu Gods) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations. It is said that his remembrance true heart brings extreme joy and pleasure because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.

Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made on this day. Among these are laddus (yellu oonde), chakli, cheedai, payasam (kheer), and so on. In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, is given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.

Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all. Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.

The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviour and profounder of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kansa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over. He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.

Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.

The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees. The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor. Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.

Tomorrow begins the Gayatri Yagna with Swami Vishwananda

In Springen Swami Vishwananda will perform the Gayatri Yagna from

Friday 24th June to Sunday 26th June

Happy Diwali !

This man has not a easy job this night:

A little Youtube Video:
How to celebrate Diwali

6th night Navaratri: Katyayani

Katyayani

The sixth form of Mother Durga is known as ‘Katyayani’, who is worshipped on the six day of Navaratri. The legend behind her name goes thus: Once upon a time, there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. Kata was very famous and renowned in the lineage of saints. He underwent long austerities and penance in order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga.

"...singing and dancing for Ma"

Swami Vishwa Anashuyananda writes:

„Last night was such a wonderful experience singing and dancing for Ma. It felt that in the atmosphere there was much joy and happiness from all the people present. It is such a joy to sing, dance and be part of Navaratri and have Ma’s darshan. It is the greatest blessing to be able to share this with guests that come to visit and share this joy, happiness, dancing and love of the Divine with them. So all you people out there who will come for Navaratri this year be prepared to sing, dance and rock yourselves this year. Enjoy the joy! Jai Ma“

Anashuya

4th night Navaratri: Kushmanda

Kushmanda is the fourth form of the mother goddess and is worshipped on the fourth day of Navaratri. The meaning of the name ‘Ku-shm-anda’ is as follows: ‘Ku’ = a little; ‘ushma’ = ‘warmth’; ‘anda’ = ‘the cosmic egg’. So she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc., in her hands, and she rides a lion.

3rd Night Navaratri: Chandra Ghanta

Chantra Ghanta , the third facet of Goddess Durga is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri, for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a ‘chandra’ or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a ‘ghanta’ or bell. That is why she is called ‘Chandraghanta’. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

2nd Night Navaratri: Bramacharini

She is worshipped on the second day of Navaratri and is the second form of Mother Goddess. Bharmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durga with great powers and divine grace. She holds a rosary in her right hand and a water utensil in her left hand. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation – Moksha

1st night Navaratri: Shailaputri

Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas. Her worship takes place on the first day of Navaratri – the nine divine nights. The embodiment of the power of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, she rides a bull and carries a trident and a lotus in her two hands.