Devotion to One Ideal Need Not Mean Hatred of Others

Devotion to one ideal need not mean hatred of others. In fact, that will be sheer fanaticism, which is not even remotely related to real devotion. A true devotee steers clear of this evil and, by his true devotion and acceptance of all faiths as true, stands out from a subscriber to a creed or a believer in a faith.

A devotee does not nurse grievances against anyone. He tries to cultivate forbearance.

A devotee is not afflicted by others, nor is he a source of affliction to others. The Gita uses the word udvega, which means affliction, disturbance or perturbation. Learning to offer his pleasure and pain to the object of his love, God, a devotee is not unduly perturbed in any situation. Again, since he does not take sides in an issue, having no axe to grind himself, he is never a cause of perturbation in others. Of course, if some people do not understand him he does not lose his sleepover it. Instead of trying to be good and pleasing to everyone, he tries to keep his mind on God.

Source - Prabhudha Bharata Editorial December 2013 – page 13 -14

Today’s Hindu Calendar – March 10, 2014 – Tithi, Vrat, Good Time, Nakshatra, Rashi and Festival

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on March 10, 2014 (Today) – Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in all places. It is is Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon till 11:26 AM on March 10. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the light phase of moon. All time based on India Standard Time.

Nakshatra – Ardra or Thiruvathira or Arudhara Nakshatra the entire day and till 12:21 AM on March 11.

Rashi or Moon Sign – Mithuna Rasi

Festivals, Vrat and Auspicious days – 

Kali Yuga Year – 5115

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Falgun month in North India - Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.

Vijayanama Samvatsar/ Shalivahana Saka 1935 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Phalgun Month in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the waxing phase of moon in Phalgun Month in Phalgun Month in Gujarat.

26th day of Massi Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. (Vijaya Year)

26th day of Kumbha Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. (Kolla Varsham 1189)

25th day of Phalgun Month in Calendars followed in Assam and Bengal. (Bengali Year 1420)

Bad Period on March 10, 2014

Rahukalam – 8:08 AM to 9:40 AM

Yamagandam – 11:06 AM to 12:35 AM

Gulikai – 2:04 PM to 3:32 PM

Durmuhurtham – 12:59 PM to 1:47 PM

Durmuhurtham – 3:21 PM to 4:11 PM

Varjyam – 5:52 AM to 7:39 AM

Good Time on March 10, 2014

Abhijita Muhurta – 12:10 PM to 1:04 PM

Amirta Kalam – 12:07 PM to 1:59 PM

Yog – Aayushman (Good Yog) till 12:09 AM. Then onward it is Saubhagya (Good Yog).

Karana – Kaulava (Good) till 10:11 AM. Then onward it is Taitila (Good) till 11:26 PM. Then onward it is Garaja (Good).

Rest all hours that are not part of Bad Period are Good time. When bad period overlaps into good period, that much time of bad period should be eliminated from good period.

Gudi Padwa 2014 Date – Marathi New Year 2014

Gudi Padwa is the Hindu New Year in Marathi culture as per traditional lunar calendar followed in Maharashtra. Gudi Padwa 2014 Date is March 31. It is observed mainly in Maharashtra, Goa and parts of Karnataka. As per traditional Marathi calendar, this New Year is the Jaya Nama Samvatsar and the Shri Shalivahan Shak 1936 begins on the day. The first month in the Marathi calendar is Chaitra and Gudi Padwa is observed on Chaitra 1 or the first day of Chaitra. The most important event on the day is the hoisting of the Gudhi (victory flags) in front of the homes.

There numerous reasons for observing Gudi Padwa - the most important legends are the defeat of Shakas by Shaliavahan and some people observe it to commemorate the victories of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Gudi Hoisting

The most important event on the day is the hoisting of flags on a bamboo staff. The flag hoisted on Maharashtrian New Year is made of green or yellow colored silk cloth. A bright garlanded goblet is hung on top of the flag pole. Neem leaves, mango leaves, garland of red flowers and gaohi (sweet) are hung on the Gudhi. Rangoli is drawn near the Gudi or in front of the house.

Gudi Padwa Offerings

Offering made of neem leaves and neem flowers and jaggery is distributed on the day. The offering consists of neem leaves and neem flowers, soaked dal, cumin seeds, honey or jaggery and asafetida. The offering symbolically indicates that life is filled with joy and sorrow.

Auspicious Day

Gudi Padva is one of the most auspicious days in the Marathi Hindu Calendar and is considered ideal for starting new ventures and investment. It is believed that every moment on the Gudhi Padwa day is auspicious. The day also heralds the arrival of the spring season.

Farmers make it a point to plough the field on the Gudhi Padva day and they believe it will help in having a good harvest in the ensuing agricultural season.

Pure Consciousness Resides in Every Being – Upanishads

Like butter hidden in milk, pure consciousness resides in every being. It ought to be constantly churned out by the churning rod of the mind. (Amritabindu Upanishad, 20)

As oil is in the sesame seed, butter in curd, water in flowing waves, and fire in wood, so is the Atman in oneself. It is to be discovered by one who searches for it through truth and tapasya. (Brahma Upanishad, 17)

Just as a disc covered with mud shines as full of light when washed well, similarly the embodied being, seeing the reality that the Atman is, becomes non-dual, self-fulfilled, and free from sorrow.  (Shvetashvatara Upanishad, 2.14)

He by whom the space between heaven and earth, as well as heaven and earth, are enveloped; he because of whom the sun burns with heat and gives light; and he whom the sages bind in the space within their hearts (through meditation), in that Imperishable one all creatures abide. (Mahanarayana Upanishad, 1.3)

Today’s Hindu Calendar – March 9, 2014 – Tithi, Vrat, Good Time, Nakshatra, Rashi and Festival

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on March 9, 2014 (Today) – Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in all places. It is is Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon till 9:50 AM on March 9. Then onward it is Shukla Paksha Navami Tithi or the ninth day during the light phase of moon. All time based on India Standard Time.

Nakshatra – Mrigasira or Makayiram Nakshatra till 10:04 PM. Then onward it is Ardra Nakshatram.

Rashi or Moon Sign – Vrishabha Rashi till 9:07 AM. Then onward it is Mithuna Rasi

Festivals, Vrat and Auspicious days – Holashtak begins in North India

Kali Yuga Year – 5115

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Falgun month in North India - Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.

Vijayanama Samvatsar/ Shalivahana Saka 1935 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Phalgun Month in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Phalgun Shukla Paksha Ashtami Tithi or the eighth day during the waxing phase of moon in Phalgun Month in Phalgun Month in Gujarat.

25th day of Massi Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. (Vijaya Year)

25th day of Kumbha Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. (Kolla Varsham 1189)

24th day of Phalgun Month in Calendars followed in Assam and Bengal. (Bengali Year 1420)

Bad Period on March 9, 2014

Rahukalam – 5:01 PM to 6:31 PM

Yamagandam – 12:36 PM to 2:07 PM

Gulikai – 3:33 PM to 5:01 PM

Durmuhurtham – 4:55 PM to 5:47 PM

Varjyam – 12:06 AM to 1:54 AM

Good Time on March 9, 2014

Abhijita Muhurta – 12:11 PM to 1:04 PM

Amirta Kalam – 10:42 AM to 12:34 PM

Yog – Priti (Good Yog) till 11:26 AM. Then onward it is Aayushman (Good Yog).

Karana – Bava (Good) till 7:55 AM. Then onward it is Balava (Good) till 9:02 PM. Then onward it is Kaulava (Good).

Rest all hours that are not part of Bad Period are Good time. When bad period overlaps into good period, that much time of bad period should be eliminated from good period.

Dhulandi 2014 – Holi Dhulandi Festival in 2014

Dhulandi is the second day of Holi celebrations and people play with Holi colors on the festival day. Dhulandi 2014 date is March 17. The first day evening of Holi celebrations is dedicated to the burning of huge bonfires at night, which symbolizes the death of Demon Holika, and is known as Holika Dahan. The next day on Holi Dhulandi, people throw colored powder and colored water on each other.

There are numerous legends for celebrating Dhulandi, the most popular belief is that people celebrate the victory of good over evil on the day. Another popular belief is that the celebrations herald the arrival of spring season by taking inspiration from the myriads of colors in nature’s bounty.

It is also believed that the season in which Dhulandi is celebrated sees numerous weather changes and this result in skin diseases and other viral attacks. So the playing of Dhulandi using Natural colors extracted from medicinal herbs was a method used by ancient Indians to fight the common diseases occurring during the season. They used to make Dhulandi Holi colors from Neem, Kum Kum, Haldi, Bilva and other medicinal herbs.

Another major highlight of Dhulandi is the drinking of a special drink called thandai, which is consumed along with bhang.

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Tips to protect your skin during Holi

Your anxieties and fears are veiling Him from you – Swami Chinmayananda

The Lord is ever with you. Your anxieties and fears are veiling Him from you. He is so near to you that you cannot see Him. You are in Him - with Him - at Him.
You are He alone!

Vedanta is the art of living, and can be pursued under all circumstances at all places whether it be in you house or in a factory or in the rice-field.

From time to time, take a Close and Honest look at yourself... It Pays!

Never complain about the number of hours you have put in, to do a job. Your nobility must estimate how much of you was put into each hour of your daily work.
Swami Chinmayananda