Hindu Blog

Varuthini Ekadasi

Varuthini Ekadashi is observed during the waning phase of moon in March/April. In 2014, the date Varuthini Ekadasi is April 25. It is believed that observing Varuthini Ekadasi will make a person fortunate, prosperous and helps in redemption of sins and in attaining moksha. The greatness of this Ekadasi fasting was narrated to Yudhishtira (the eldest of Pandavas) by Lord Krishna and is mentioned in the Bhavishyottara Purana.

It is believed that by observing Varuthini Ekadashi one can attain the result of performing different types of charities. All the regular fasting rules attached to Ekadasi are observed during Varuthini Ekadasi.

Ekadasi fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in a traditional Hindu calendar

Knowledge from Bhagavad Gita

Giving up all desires born of the will, withdrawing the senses from every direction by strength of mind, attain tranquility little by little with the help of the buddhi armed with fortitude. Once the mind is established in the Atman, one should not think of anything else. Whenever the fickle and unquiet mind strays, withdraw it and restore it to the control of the Atman alone. (Bhagavad Gita – 6.24 – 6)

The unreal has no existence, the Real never ceases to be this truth about the nature of both is know by those who perceive the real nature of things. (Gita 2.16)

Constancy in Self-knowledge and an insight into the object of true Knowledge, that is, God – this is declared to be knowledge; what is contrary to this is called ignorance. (Gita 13.1)

He that sees one God existing everywhere cannot injure another who is his own Self, and so attains the highest goal. (Gita 13.28)

Today’s Hindu Calendar – April 24, 2014 – Tithi, Vrat, Good Time, Nakshatra, Rashi and Festival

Tithi in Hindu Calendar on April 24, 2014 (Today) – Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Hindu calendar and Panchang in all places. It is Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon till 7:11 PM on April 24. Then onward it is Krishna Paksha Ekadasi Tithi or the eleventh day during the waning phase of moon. All time based on India Standard Time.

Nakshatra – Dhanishta or Sravishta or Avittam Nakshatra till 1:20 PM. Then onward it is Shathabisha or Sadayam or Chathayam Nakshatram.

Rashi or Moon Sign – Makar Rasi till 2:09 AM. Then onward it is Kumbha Rashi.

Festivals, Vrat and Auspicious days –

Kali Yuga Year – 5116

Vikram Samvant 2071 – Vaishakh Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Vaishakh month in North India - Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.

Jayanama Samvatsar/ Shalivahana Saka 1936 – Chaitra Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Chaitra month in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa.

Vikram Samvant 2070 – Chaitra Krishna Paksha Dasami Tithi or the tenth day during the waning phase of moon in Chaitra month in Gujarat.

11th day of Chithirai Masam in Tamil Calendar followed in Tamil Nadu. (Jaya Year)

11th day of Meda Masam in Malayalam Calendar in Kerala. (Kolla Varsham 1189)

10th day of Baishakh Month in Calendars followed in Assam and Bengal. (Bengali Year 1421)

Bad Period on April 24, 2014

Rahukalam – 2:01 PM to 3:35 PM

Yamagandam – 6:00 AM to 7:34 AM

Gulikai –9:13 AM to 10:47 AM

Durmuhurtham – 10:16 AM to 11:07 AM

Durmuhurtham – 3:23 PM to 4:16 PM

Varjyam – 8:23 PM to 9:57 PM

Good Time on April 24, 2014

Abhijita Muhurta – 11:58 AM to 12:51 PM

Amirta Kalam – 3:50 AM to 5:26 AM

Yog – Shukla (Good Yog) till 6:54 PM. Then onward it is Brahma (Good Yog).

Karana – Vanija (Good) till 8:49 AM. Then onward it is Vishti or Bhadra (Bad) till 7:43 PM. Then onward it is Bava (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.

Somvati Amavasya April 2014 date and time – Somavati Amavasi – No moon day on Monday, April 28, 2014

Somvati Amavasi, or Somavati Amavasya, is the no moon day that falls on a Monday or Somvar. Somvati Amavasya April 2014 date is April 28. Somvati Tithi time is from 12:01 PM on April 28. Please note that the Amavasya is marked on April 29 but the tithi starts on April 28. Shradh should be performed on the morning of April 29.

Monday is considered to be the day to worship Shiva as per Hindu Astrology.

Amavas falling on Monday is considered one of the auspicious days to propitiate Shiva.

What to do on Somvati Amavasya?

Take holy dip in holy rivers, ponds, lakes and other sacred water bodies.

Offer prayers to Ganesha and Shiva.

Do Annadanam or food donation to poor children and elderly.

Somvar Vrat – fasting dedicated to Shiva on Somvar (Monday) is highly auspicious. One meal without salt or opt for fruit diet. Fast is from sunrise to sunset. It is believed that by observing Somvar Vrat one will get good life partner.

Sound of Shankh – Why Conch or Shankh Is Blown In Hindu Homes during Pujas?

Shankadvani is the sound made using conch or shankh during pujas, rituals and other auspicious occasions in Hindu homes. But why is conch blown during pujas and other rituals. Presence of Shankh in home suggests prosperity.

Every evening a family member must blow the conch while performing pujas and prayers. Conch is associated with Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. It is also considered a holy item and is present in a Hindu home and is worshipped like a deity.

The sound of Shankh is used announce auspiciousness. It is also a welcome signal to the gods. It is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits the home from where the sound of the Shankh is heard. This is one reason why some communities equate Shankh to Goddess Lakshmi.

Conch is blown during child birth, nuptial ceremonies, annaprashna and upanayana.

The sound of Shankh is the sound of auspiciousness, hope and positive signal.

Vamana Avatar Temple at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu - Ulagalanda Perumal temple Dedicated to Vishnu

Vamana Avatar is the fifth incarnation of Vishnu and temples dedicated to Vaman Avatar are very rare. One such rare Vamana Avatar temple is the Ulagalanda Perumal temple at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. The Vamana murti worshipped in the temple is 35 feet – with left leg lifted high and the right leg resting on the head of King Bali.

Ulagalanda Perumal temple is one the 108 Divya Desham Temples.

The main murti worshipped in the temple is made of sand and lime. Two fingers of the left hand and one finger of the right hand is in raised position – as if stating I have measured with two steps the sky and earth and where should I put my third step. (You can read story of Vamana Incarnation here)

The Utsava murtis (processional deities) of Vishnu along with his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are found in the main shrine.

Apart from the Vamana murti, the temple is also home to three are other murtis of Vishnu. Each of these four murtis are counted as a separate Divya Desham.

The murti worshipped in the temple is also known as Trivikrama, Ulagalanda Perumal and Peragathan.

The temple is located very near to the Kanchipuram Bus Station and is near to the famous Kamakshi Amman Temple.

Simplicity is the secret of true beauty – Sadhu Vaswani

Let your thoughts dwell on the invisible, for thoughts are internal forces.

Simplicity is the secret of true beauty.

To defend the weak, to guard those that are below us in the scale of evolution, is to grow in the nobility and strength of life.

Stand up with faith in Him who leads us on, out of storm into calm, out of darkness into Light!

Every day, man must be, for some time at least, alone with God.
Sadhu Vaswani

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