Chitra Pournami, or Chithirai Poornima, is Tamil ritual observed on the full moon day in the month of Chithirai (April – May). In 2023, the date of Chitirai Pournami is May 5. It is marked on April 16 in Malaysia (Teluk Intan), and Singapore. Chithirai Pournami is dedicated to Chitragupta, the keeper of deeds in the house of Yama, the Hindu god of death and to Indira, the leader of the Devas. People perform holy bath in rivers and sacred ponds on to wash sins away. Special pujas are offered at important temples in Tamil Nadu on the day. Devendra Puja or Indra Puja is held on the day at Madurai Meenakshi Temple . Chitragupta Puja on Chithirai Pournami Another important legend associated with Chitra Poornima, involves Lord Indra, the king of Gods, and his Guru Brihaspati. Once Indra and Brihaspati had an altercation, and the Guru stopped advising his pupil. Without the sound counsel of his Guru, Indra committed numerous sins. Finally, when Brihaspati relented and

Today, Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand is the home of Lord Vishnu. But there is a story in the Puranas which indicate that Badrinath was the home of Shiva and it was usurped by Vishnu. During Satya Yuga, Lord Shiva used to live with Mata Parvati at Badrinath. Bhagavan Vishnu who was searching for a spot to meditate on earth was impressed by the region, which was covered by berry plant. Badri means berry. Now, Bhagavan Vishnu faced a dilemma – how to get the place which was occupied by Lord Shiva. Srihari Vishnu then took the form of a young boy and appeared in Badrinath. He started crying loudly. Mata Parvati was disturbed by the loud wailing of the boy and went in search of the boy. Soon she found the boy who was crying in deep jungle. Maa Parvati wondered what the boy was doing in the dense forest. She was also puzzled as to what happened to the mother and father of the boy. The boy did not give any answer to the questions of Maa Parvati. He simply kept crying. M

Kanninum Siruthambu is the composition of Madhura Kavi, a 17th century poet whose real name was Narayana Dikshita. A Vedic scholar, he earned the name Madhura Kavi (sweet poet) due to his melodious voice. Once he went on a pilgrimage to important pilgrim centers in India and this changed his life. He then became the disciple of Saint Nammalvar. He saw no difference between Narayana (Lord Vishnu) and his Guru. For him Saint Nammalvar was Narayana. He looked upon his Guru as his savior, sole refuge, and sure redeemer. When Alvars sang the glories of the Supreme Truth, Madhura Kavi glorified his Guru. Kanninum Siruthambu is dedicated to Saint Nammalvar. Kanninum Siruthambu Contains 11 verses. First verse explains why he saw god in his Acharya. The second verse states that he feels satiated when he surrenders at his Guru’s feet and sings his praise. The third verse sings the glory of the Guru and compares him with the Supreme Truth. He sees the attributes of

In chapter VI, Shloka 6.29 to 6.32, of Bhagavad Gita it is clearly stated that the knowledge of the self, devotion of god and loving service of god through living beings are one and the same. With the heart concentrated by Yoga, with eye of evenness for all situations, he beholds the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self. (6.29) He who sees Me in all the beings and sees all the beings in Me, he never gets separated from Me, nor do I become separated from him. (6.30) He who being established in unity, worships Me who am dwelling in all beings, whatever his way of life, that Yogi abides in Me. (6.31) He who judges the pleasure and pain of all living beings by the same standards that he applies to himself is considered as the highest Yogi. (6.32) Whatever we do, we should not discriminate. All paths lead to the Supreme Truth. What stops us is ego, anger, frustration, desires and attachment. One should not be obsessed even with one's spiritu