Shasti Vratam or Upvaas is an important fast dedicated to Lord Muruga or Kartikeya. There are two Shastis in a Hindu lunar month. One Shasthi after Amavasya and another after Purnima (Pournami). The Shasti coming after Amavasya (new moon night) is the one meant for fasting. In simple terms, the Shasti coming during the increasing or growing phase of the moon. Lord Muruga is also known as Subramanian or Skanda or Kanda.
How to observe Shasti Vratam?
The Shasti fasting begins with sunrise. The fast is broken on the next day morning after praying to Lord Surya (Sun God).
Most people observing the fast make it a point to visit
It is a complete fast in many places. But this might not be quite possible for many people due to job, health and other reasons. So many people take some sort of vegetarian food on this day – this is usually a single meal in the afternoon or night.
Many people opt for a fruit diet on the day. Some avoid solid food.
In several Kerala Muruga temples, many devotees eat a single rice meal at
The method of fasting differs from region to region. But all non-vegetarian food is avoided on the day.
Devotees listen to stories related to Skanda and reading of Skanda Purana. Another activity during the day is the reciting of Kanta Shasti Kavasam.
You may also like to read
How to observe Skanda Shasti Fasting
10 comments:
I was surprised to hear from a Scholar on DD Telugu TV in a program called "DHARMA SANDHEALLU" (or Doubts on Religion) that ordinary mortals should not pronounce or speak the Word " O M ". The " O M " it seems, is to be used by highly enlightened persons or saints. Is this true ? Can some wise person tell me the truth.
That is absolute nonsense. One should not listen to such ignorance. All the aspects of Hinduism are for all people to discuss and think and decide and follow.
@ Dr. Rao
The person who said that of course is the most unenlightened one. For according to Shri Krishna in the Gita, the wise soul does not differentiate between a brahmin or a dog. We are all made of the same consciousness. The word OM is universal (A.U.M). It purifies you. Pronounce it with all doubts thus cleared, with a clear mind
Whatevr the Scholar told on DD telugu is right.But u should understand their words properly.OM should not be pronounced whenever or whereever.We should be clean by all means to chant that.We should have the respect for that word.
@Anonymous!
It can be pronounced whenever and wherever, because it is the word that sustains this whole universe. It is the beginning and end of the universe. How can it then be bound by time and location? It is hence said in every hindu ceremony (during naming of a child, during marriage, during death - funeral also).
Understand!
i think what anonymous means is that om can't be used in non-religious situations. for instance when you're using the toilet it wouldn't make sense to say OM. when a flesh eater is taking the life of an animal away in a slaughter house it wouldn't make sense to say OM, etc. etc. these types of activities are not in the same league as birth, death rites, and doing pujas.
No that doesn't look like what Mr. anonymous meant. He meant that only a group of or pack of so called enlightened peoples can pronounce it.
"OM" is the main word used in every mantras and if we cannot chant "OM" then how to chant mantras.The whole universe is covered by the sound "OM".Since such is the case where should we go? In this Kaliyugam where can we find ENLIGHTENED PEOPLE? That is why God said that Pooja and if possible meditation is sufficient enought in this Yugam.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
i agree to the the point that we are not suppose to use the term 'OM', its true that it can only be used by the highly enlightened people or the saints. Wherein, as someone said in the above comments - where can we find enlightened people in this kaliyugam, that's right. We are all a bunch of corrupted people who are not pure enough SPIRITUALLY, to use the word OM in our mantras or during meditation or yoga. Hence, the word 'OM' should be replaced with the word 'NAMO'. Trust me, i have experienced the difference while meditating.
Use 'NAMO' in place of 'OM' in all the mantras and sayings. Trust me i have experienced the difference during mediation. 'OM' is suppose to be used only by the highly enlightened people and saints. Wherein all of us in this Kaliyugam are just a bunch of corrupted individuals. We are spiritually pure enough to use the term 'OM'. hence, 'NAMO' is the right word.
Post a Comment
All comments are moderated and will appear only after approval. If you like to contact me - hindublog@gmail.com.