WORKING WITH SINCERITY

 Working with sincerity

A traveller once visited a temple that was still being constructed.

He had come from abroad, so he was curious about the activity there.

He saw a sculptor sculpting an idol of God.

This was something that he had never seen before, so he went closer to the sculptor.

He noticed a similar idol lying nearby and, not understanding why there was another one, he asked the sculptor, “Are you doing this as you need two similar idols?”

“No,” said the sculptor, continuing his work. “We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage.

”The gentleman examined the one discarded and found no apparent damage.

“What is the issue ?” he asked.

“The nose of the idol has a minor flaw” replied the sculptor, while continuing his work.

The gentleman asked where it was to be installed.

The sculptor replied that it was to be installed on a pillar twenty feet high.

“As it is so far away, who will notice?” the gentleman asked.

Stopping his work, the sculptor looked up at the gentleman, smiled, and said, “I know it and my Creator knows it!”

Working for oneself with sincerity is the best way to pursue anything, be it a hobby or a profession.

 

Festivals

 

Bhau beej / Bhai dooj

Diwali festivities end with Bhau beej or Bhai Dooj; the day when sisters pray for long & happy lives of their brothers. Bhai Dooj is also called as Yama Dwitiya or Bhai Tika. Brothers and sisters share their love for each other with an Aarti, meal and gifts. This is the second day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month.

There are two main stories behind celebrating Bhau beej / Bhai dooj

1) The first one is, the God of Death, Yama Dev visited his sister Yami (Yamuna river) who was overjoyed and welcomed Him by performing Aarti and Tika ceremony. Moved by Yami's affection and love, He declared any brother who would visit his sister, and receive Aarti/Tilak on this day should not fear death.

2) Another popular belief is that Shri Krishna (after demon Narakasura's death) returned victoriously and visited His sister Subhadra on the second day of Kartik month. Subhadra, who was overjoyed upon seeing her brother, welcomed Him by performing the Aarti ceremony and applying Tika. She had showered Shri Krishna with flowers and then offered Him sweets. Sisters perform similar traditional ceremonies, even today.

Festivals

 Govardhan Pooja / Bali Pratipada / Padava

After Diwali, the first day of Shukla Paksha(forth night leading to full moon) of Kartik month(of Hindu calendar) is celebrated as Govardhan Puja or Bali Pratipada or Padava.

Govardhan Puja is celebrated as the day Shri Krishna defeated Indra’s ego asking people to worship the nature.

Legend behind Govardhan Pooja: Govardhan is a small hillock situated at Braj near Mathura. People of Gokul used to worship and prepare a sacrifice to please Indra Dev, as they believed that it was he who sends rains for their welfare. It had been a ritual for many years. People believed that if they do not perform this puja, Indra Dev would get angry and there will be no rain which will lead to scarcity of grains and fodder.

Bhagwan Krishna told everyone not to follow the rituals blindly. He explained them that it was Govardhan mountain and not Indra Dev who helps bringing rain and hence they should worship Govardhan. People got convinced and performed the Puja for Govardhan. This made Indra Dev furious. He vented his anger upon the villagers. He unleashed heavy rains and villagers had to face heavy floods as a result of his anger.

Bhagwan Krishna came forward to ensure the safety of the villagers and cattle. After performing Puja and offering prayers to Govardhan, Shri Krishna lifted the mountain on the little finger of His left hand so that everybody could take shelter under the hill. He lifted the hill for seven days and seven nights. 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢. Indra accepted Him as a supreme power. Since then, Govardhan Puja came into existence.

This day is also observed as Bali Pratipada as King Bali was defeated by Bhagwan Vishnu in His Vaman avatar on this day by sending him to Patal Lok(hell) by keeping his third step on his head.

One more significance of the day is that it is celebrated as Padva or Polyancha san(in Marathi). On this day, the farmer worships with devotion the bulls he uses to plough the field and expresses his gratitude towards them for helping him in his work. He decorates them and feeds them with sweet pancakes and prays for their good health.

 

Festivals

 𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑳𝑫𝑹𝑬𝑵'𝑺 𝑫𝑰𝑾𝑨𝑳𝑰 𝑲𝑰𝑳𝑳𝑨 (𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑻)

Maharashtra has a glorious history and rich culture. Forts are Maharashtra’s pride and are the greatest historical treasures of Maharashtra. Most of these forts were built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & that is why they are also known as 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 in Marathi.

They were mainly built with the material as stones and in a way that they stay indestructible. They offered a great deal of safety and remained ineradicable even after so many decades.

Children in the region of North Karnataka and Maharashtra indulge in the pursuit of constructing mud forts during the Diwali season as a mark of tribute and respect to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

 Fort making also needs quite a lot of preparation in terms of the proportion of soil and water needed, consistency of mixture, other supporting materials needed. The period before and after Diwali is the time kids of all ages in the Maharashtra and Karnataka region spend hours together in building these forts in their homes or in any open space available – in mud.

A member of the group convinces his parents to use the garage or a corner of the garden to build this structure. Then begin a series of hectic parlays with the other members of the group and work is distributed. The common materials used include mud, cement, plastic paper, hay, black clay tiles, paints, discarded gunny bags, cardboard, and stones. This forms the basic structure.

Mud is filled in small bags and brought to the ‘site’. Then it is cleaned and sieved for any stones. The ‘fort’ premise is marked with chalk. Stones are laid to give shape to the hills and covered with gunny bag cloth. Mud mixed with water is applied on this to plaster it and give a surreal natural texture. Mustard seeds are then sown on this ‘hill’ to stand for trees which grow in an about 2 to 3 days. A pedestal is made in the specially carved sanctum for the King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The black roof tiles when erected vertically make for excellent bastions. The ramparts and roads are laid with bare hands using mud and strengthening with hay mixed in it. A tiny moat is also dug and lined with plastic to hold the water. The different parts of this fort include the hill, roads, ramparts, moat, gardens, a lake (again lined with a plastic sheet), zoo, houses, buildings, etc. At times, a small bridge is also built with some tin sheet.

Various accessories and figurines required to complete the mud fort are available at the local markets. Coveted items include the colorful statue of Shivaji in various sizes, his soldiers, also called Mavalas, the popular warrior Bajiprabhu Deshpande, men and women, animals, bullock carts, etc. Ready-made fort bastions and the main structure are also available in many cities, but most kids prefer to make it themselves.

 

Once ready, the entire structure gets a whitewash at requisite places. Roads are decorated with sawdust or sand and the ‘lakes’ get their share of the swans and the crocodiles. Children also grow grass on their forts to give it a look of forest.

At various residential areas, one can come across these mud forts, replete with the scaled down citadels, bastions, ramparts and moats with tanks and soldiers guarding the precincts and every conceivable idea in place to safeguard the fort and upheld the reputation of this ‘kingdom’. These mud forts are on display right from Diwali to almost a month after that and have enthusiastic visitors appreciating the creation.

 It is a worthwhile mission that provides key life lessons in history, engineering, safety measures, eye for detail, strategy and team work.

Festival

 Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights

 It symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". There are several legends associated with the celebration of Diwali.

The Goddess of wealth, Lakshmi Mata incarnated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Kartik month during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), hence the association of Diwali with Lakshmi.

On this day, Bhagwan Vishnu in his fifth incarnation as Vaman Avtara rescued Lakshmi Mata from the prison of King Bali and this is another reason for worshipping Lakshmi Mata on Diwali.

On the day preceding Diwali, Shri Krishna with the help of his wife Satyabhama, killed the demon king Narakasur and rescued 16,100 women from his captivity. The celebration of this freedom went on for two days including the Diwali day as a victory festival.

According to Mahabharata, it was Kartik Amavasya when the Pandavas appeared from their 12 years of banishment as a result of their defeat in the hands of the Kauravas at the game of dice (gambling). The people of Hastinapur who loved the Pandavas celebrated the day by lighting the earthen lamps.

According to Ramayana, it was the new moon day of Kartik when Shri Ram, Sita and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana and conquering Lanka. The citizens of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with the earthen lamps and illuminated it like never before.

Festivals

 

                 Narak chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali

 In Dwaper yuga there was a fierce evil demon named Narkasura who presided over the land known as Pragjyotishpura (Guwahati).

Naraka was the son of the Earth Goddess Bhudevi (Bhumi) and Bhagwan Vishnu in His Varaha avatar.

In the company of an Asura named Banasura, Narakasur became very evil.

Narakasur did great penance and pleased Brahma Dev, who ultimately granted him the boon that only his mother could kill him. This greatly pleased Naraksur, as he thought no mother would kill her child.

Maddened with power, he brought all the kingdoms on earth under his control.

His next target was Swargaloka.

Even the mighty Indra could not withstand the assault of Narakasur and had to flee.

Narakasur thus became the Lord of both the heavens and the earth. Addicted to power, he stole the earrings of Aditi, the heavenly mother Goddess and kidnapped 16,100 princesses who belonged to all the kingdoms he defeated.

Aditi (mother of Gods) who was a relative of Shri Krishna’s wife Satyabhama, approached Satyabhama for help.

When Satyabhama heard of Narakasur's ill treatment for women and his behaviour with Aditi, she was enraged.

Satyabhama approached Shri Krishna for permission to wage a war against Narakasur.

As promised to the Devas and Aditi, Shri Krishna attacked the great fortress of Narakasur, riding on His Garuda(eagle) with wife Satyabhama. 

𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐚, 𝐍a𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫’𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐬 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 ‘𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢' (𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐚).

In desperation, Narakasur launched his great weapon, Sataghni (a thunderbolt) on Shri Krishna but it made no impact on Him.

Finally Naraksur, attacked Shri Krishna with a divine weapon, Shakti, which hit Him in the chest, rendering him unconscious.

In a fit of rage, Satyabhama, who was an Avatar of Bhudevi fired a fiery arrow at Narakasur, which hit him in the chest, killing him. 

After the death of Narkasura Lord krishna released all the prisoners and told them that they were free to return their homes, the imprisoned women gathered together and told to the Lord

"Our families will no longer accept us because we have been captives for years in the realm of Demons therefore, oh Lord of the universe we ask you to accept us, defend us and save us from the life of ignominy.”

These 16100 princesses begged Lord Krishna to accept them because no one else would marry them if he did not accept them, they would end their lives. All these things considered lord Krishna to accept all women as his legal married wives, so that they could live an honourable life and no one would dare to exploit them.

So lord Krishna married them to restore their honour and raise their status in society.

𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚r𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐮𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐢 𝐃𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐢.

In Goa, Narakasur effigies are made in advance and burnt on Narakchaturdashi before midnight to commemorate victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasur also called Sri Krishna Vijayotsav.

Festivals

 Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi

Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi falls on the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Ashwin month. Special Puja and rituals are observed on the day.

Dhanteras is the day chosen by many people to make investments in gold or silver. A new utensil or gold or silver is bought for the house on Dhanteras. Some people also make it a point to make an investment on the day as it is believed that investments made on this day will reap benefits.

This day is a celebration aimed at increasing wealth and prosperity. Dhanteras engages themes of cleansing, renewal, and the securing of auspiciousness.

For those who have business, Dhanteras is the day when new account books are bought and kept ready for the Lakshmi Puja on Diwali.

Diyas, clay Murtis of Shri Ganesh and Mata Lakshmi, earthen katoris, toys and whole lot of other items needed for Diwali are purchased on this day. Most people also wait for the day to purchase and give away Diwali gifts.

Houses are decorated and special rangolis are drawn on the floor. Small foot prints are made in the houses. Some people also perform Lakshmi Puja on the day.

Interestingly, a girl child born on Dhanteras day is considered as the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi into the house and is considered lucky by certain communities. When girls born on Dhanteras get married and leave for her husband’s home, she leaves her footprints on a plate covered with Kumkum, this is to ensure that Goddess Lakshmi does not leave the house.

The day is also dedicated to God Dhanvantri, the Hindu God of medicine, as this day  commemorates His creation and therefore special Dhanvantari Puja is held on this day. It is also celebrated as National Ayurveda Day. Lord Dhanvantari, according to Hindu traditions, emerged during Samudra Manthan, holding a Kalasha full of Amrit (an Ayurvedic herbal mix bestowing immortality) in one hand and the sacred text about Ayurveda in the other hand. He is considered to be the Vaidya of Gods.

Lighting of lamps for Yama (God of death) called Yama Deepdan is observed in some places.

On this night, the lights are put in the sky lamps (Akash kandil), at the base of a Tulsi in the form of diyas and also in front of the doorways of homes. This light is an offering to Yama, the Host of Death, to avert untimely death during the time of the Diwali festival.

An ancient legend ascribes the occasion to an interesting story about the 16-year-old son of King Hima. His horoscope predicted his death by snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage. 

On that particular day, his newly-wed wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid out all her ornaments and many gold and silver coins in a heap at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit many lamps. Then she narrated stories and sang songs to keep her husband from falling asleep; the next day, when Yama, the god of Death arrived at the prince's doorstep in the guise of a serpent, his eyes were dazzled and blinded by the brilliance of the lamps and the jewellery. 

Yama could not enter the Prince's chamber, so he climbed on top of the heap of gold coins and sat there the entire night listening to the stories and songs. 

In the morning, he silently went away. Thus, the young prince was saved from the clutches of death by the cleverness of his new bride, and the day came to be celebrated as Dhanteras.