Kanchi Mahaswamigal (Paramacharyal) message on Deepavali

Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal
68th Shankaracharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
May 9, 1907 to January 8,1994

Shruti Smriti puranam alayam karunalayam
Namami Bhagavadpadam Shankaram Lokashankaram

    

There are many festivals in India. Some festivals are celebrated in certain regions, like Holi in Northern India, Onam in Kerala. However, Deepavali is the only festival that is celebrated all over India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, by everyone without distinction of class and creed. Everyone celebrates with lights, crackers and sweets.  Although almanac differs between regions, (suryamanam or chandramanam), Deepavali is celebrated on the same day by all. Why Deepavali is so special?

In ancient Assam, in the city of Prakjothisham, there was a king, Bowman also known as Narakasura.  He was powerful and has obtained many boons by his tapas. He was misusing his power and troubling every citizen who feared him and wished his elimination to get peace.  Mahavishnu destroyed his prowess and gave peace to everyone. When Narakasura died his mother Boomadevi, who like all mothers should have been grief stricken. However, she was happy because Narakasura had darshan of Mahavishnu and got enlightenment. Narakasura got moksham by darshan of Mahavishnu which many cannot get by doing hard penance for years. 

There is Puranam written for every month; like Chaitra mahatmiam, Vaishaka mahatmium. In Tula mahatmium there are 30 chapters that can be read on all 30 days of the Tula month (masam).  In this work, in the chapter related to Deepavali it is mentioned “Thaile Lakshmi - Jale Ganga”.  It says that on deepavali day, before sun rise, wherever one take oil bath in hot water he gets the same punya as taking bath in Ganga.  Every one without exception should take this oil bath, emphasize Tula Puranam.

In ancient Indian system 1 kala is of 6 nazigai and 1 nazigai is 24 minutes. herefore 1 kala is 144 minutes; that is 2h-24 m. Every day time is divided into five periods, namely:

Udaya kala -from suryodaya to 8h-24m; Sangava kala – from 8h-24m to 10h-48m;

Madhyana kala- from 10h-48m to 1h-12m; Aparaana kala – 1h-12m to 3h-36m;

Sandhya kala- 3h-36m to 6h. 

Dharma shastras prescribe various karmas and the kala for doing that karma. It is sin to take oil bath before sun rise. However during Deepavali we do; because it is an exception owing to the boon granted to Bhuma Devi who prayed to Mahavishnu that his son Narakasura’s death must be celebrated by taking oil bath in usha kala and they should get punyam for doing this.

His mother prayed “Oh lord! My son is dead but all other people are happy by is death.  I am grieved by lose of my beloved son, but Lokashemam is more important than my personal grief. Let this day be celebrated every year with pomp and fair, let every one take oil bath, wear new clothes, eat sweets and be happy,  and Mahlakshmi’s grace be showed on them”.  It is also believed that Narakasura himself prayed thus before his death. He specifically prayed that those who take oil hot water bath before dawn should get same punyam one gets by bathing in river Ganga, and should have full grace (anugraham) of Mahalakshmi.

The lesson to be learnt is that the Mother set aside her own grief for the sake of welfare of all other species. Both mother and Narakasura wished welfare of the world than their own welfare.

If TRUTH is held as the highest goal (Lakshya) and if even that goal is dedicated to Eswara (Eswararpanam) one will get Eswara’s blessings (anughraha) very soon. 

We all continuously oscillate between happiness and sorrow.  Instead of exaggerating and thinking about our own happy and sad experiences, if our action can bring a little bit of comfort and happiness to some one else we must pray and do that work. This attitude alone is the best. This is the core meaning of festivals like Deepavali. Instead of brooding that “I have problem, I have sorrow” let us pray that entire universe should be happy. Let us pray Sarve jana sukhino bavanthu, Samastha loka sukhino bavanthu. 

  

Paramacharyal emphasized that on Deepavali day everyone should give sweets, new clothes to people in hospitals, anath ashram and needy persons to the extent one can afford. 

Total commitment to our action is possible only when the itch of selfish desire is absent and therefore the action is honest.

Extracted from: Aacharya swamigal Chennai upanyasangal, 1957-58 recorded by Sri Anandan, published by Ki.Va.jagannathan, Kalaimagal publication.

Akshaya Tritiya – A day for charity and sharing of all wealth.

Akshaya Tritiya, one of the most sacred days of the year, is the third day of the bright-half of the lunar month (Sukhla Paksha) of Vaisakha month.  This year Akshaya Tritiya falls on May 12 The word "Akshaya" means “ never diminishing”. As per the hindu faith belief, all ventures initiated on this auspicious day ensures success, sustained growth, and prosperity.
Therefore, new business ventures, and ventures involving sharing such as teaching arts (eg: music and dance) are initiated on Akshaya Tritiya. ”. Vedic smritis proclaim  that charity on this day brings multifold blessings   and therefore everyone must share what one has

According to Hindu astrology and almanac . Gudi Padva, Akshay Tritiya Dashahara (Vijaya dasami), and half day of Bali Pratipada (third day of Deepavali ; from Madhyam to Pradosh Kal).are best muhurts and every second is auspicious

We find evidence in “Bhavishyothara Purana that, performing havans, chanting mantras, observing penance, bathing in holy river, charity, offering rice for pleasing ancestors on Akshaya Tritiya, yield results that never get lost.

Brahmanandapuranam recommends worshipping, on thus day, Lord Shiva, his abode Kailash, Goddess Ganga, Bhageeratha and taking a holy bath in the river Ganga. Further performing homa (havan) to Lord Vishnu and devas is also recommended.

Fasts are kept on this day and pujas are performed. In charity, fan, rice, salt, ghee, sugar, vegetables,tamarind, fruit, clothes, are given. Vishnu is worshipped on this day. Tulsi water is sprinkled in the nearby area of the idol while performing aarti.

The following events that happened underscore the importance of Akshaya Tritiya:

1.      Akshaya Tritiya is considered to be the day when Goddess Madhura Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar were married. Hence, couples who get married on this day are blessed with gracefulness and bright prospects. The effects of holy acts committed on this day are believed to continue throughout the year.

2.      In Mahabharath Lord Krishna told Yudhishtir that all kinds of charity and worships done on Akshay Tritiya never diminish. Therefore our saints and monks named it Akshay Tritiya.

3.      Hayagreevar an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of Vedas and Lord of knowledge  also took avatar on Akshay Tritiya.

4.      Annapurani, who feeds the hungry also fed Siva on this day. Siva disguised himself as a beggar (for Bikshandi) and approached Annapurani for food. Siva the lord of the Universe was begging, symbolically, for every soul to free them from pangs of samsara.

5.      According to Mahabharatha, the "Akshaya bowl" which creates unlimited food was given to the great king Yudhishtira by “Sun God” on this day.. This event happened at the Thirumanthurai temple

6.      Sage Adi Sankaracharya brought down a shower of gold gooseberries on this day by rendering “Kanakadara stotram”

7.      Veda Vyasa on this day, started dictating the epic  Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha, god of wisdom and remover of obstacles.

8.       It is also traditionally observed as the birthday of Lord Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of God Vishnu. The Puranic scriptures speak about how he reclaimed the land from the sea, that is now known as Kerala. regions.  Even today, Kerala. Goa and Konkan these regions are referred to as Parusurama Kshetra.  

9.      In Orissa on Akshay Tritiya farmers start to plough their land and commence construction of chariots for Rath Yatra.

10.   In Bengal, on the day of the Akshay Tritiiya, "HalKhata" - a ceremony to start the new audit book is performed - with the worship of Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi. Bengalis perform many rites and rituals on this day.

11.   This day is also most auspicious day for the Jat farming community. Early morning, a male member of Jat family goes to field with shovel.  All the animals and birds encountered on the way to the field indicate omen and predictions for rains and crops.

12.    Kubera, the treasurer of the Devas, is the richest deva. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to Goddess Lakshmi,  on Akshya Tritya  day. So, on this day Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshipped along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolizing Kubera. Mythologically speaking, Kubera, received his wealth on this day from Siva. It is on this day Lord Siva blessed Goddess Lakshmi with wealth. In fact Lord Siva made Kubera as Lord of wealth and Lakshmi as Goddess of wealth

13.   Positive vibrations of lord Brahmaji and SriVishnu entered into the Earth from Paradise. So the purity of the Earth is enhanced by 10 percent on Akshaya Tritiya. So prayer on Akshaya Tritiya is answered immediately. The charity of the day never diminishes. Due to the impact of fast on Akshaya Tritiya virtues of a man increases in multiple folds. 

14.    Badrinath Temple doors open on this day.

15.   Mahadev, a poor trader, was a theist, virtuous and pious man was ignored by his wife and relatives. He was also suffering from diseases due to his old age. But he was not deterred from his dharma and charity. He on Akshaya Tritiya day followed the procedure of the fast. He took holy dip in the Ganga followed by offering to forefathers and deities. He also donated laddus of coconut, wheat, barley, watch, kalash, hand-fan, umbrella, rice, lentils, salt, Ghee, sugar, clothes, vegetables, tamarind, fruits, sattu, cucumber, watermelon and alms. And due to the impact of his fast he became the king of Kushavati Nagari. This story was narrated by Shri Krishna to King Yudishtra and further said “Dear King! Akshaya Tritiya is a very sacred date. One who bathe before afternoon, and do jap, tap, havan, pitru-tarpan and charity topoor and children on this day get imperishable virtues”.

There is temple in a place called Arasar Koil. About 70 KMS from Chennai (15 kms from Chengalpet in Tamil Nadu). It is here that Lord Ganesha gifted the Gold Akshaya bowl Garuda. He is known as “Akshaya Patra Vinayaka”. Garuda worshiped Lakshmi who reside in this temple as Sundara Maha Lakshmi. Garuda while worshiping Lord Surya Narayana (the Sun God) offered food to the deity in this golden

Akshaya bowl. All the above incidences happened in Arasar Koil temple only in the previous Yugas,

In this temple, Lord Ganesha is in front of Goddess Mahalakshmi's Sanctum and is known as Akshaya Vinayakar. He is also known as Sri Lakshmi Ganapathy. Since it was Lord Siva who on this day bestowed Kubera as the Lord and Lakshmi as the Goddess of wealth, worshiping Lord Siva on this day and chanting the mantra, “Om Namah Sivaaya” will bring in abundance and prosperity in one’s life.

We must positively understand that feeding the poor is the most important charitable act. Donating clothes, foot wares (sandals), caps, umbrellas, books, stationery for poor children are highly recommended. Poojas and charity acts will yield good results on this special 3rd moon day.

Buying of Gold and Jewelry items is certainly not listed in the Vedic scripts. Sadly purity, piety dharmic acts have been commercialized.

Certainly  Akshaya Tritiya day is not a day for investing in Gold.

The concept of Time in Indian Cosmology

            

The concept of Time in Indian Cosmology

1 Nimisha	Time taken to pronounce one matra (letter)	0.213 sec
15 Nimisha	1  Kaashta	3.2 sec
30 Kaashta	1 Kaala	96 seconds
15 Kaala	1 Naazika	0.4 hours = 24 minutes
30 Kaala (2 Nazika)	1 Muhurtha	1 .25 Muhurtham = 1hour 30 Muhurtham = 24 hours
60 Nazikai (30 Muhutam)	1 Day (day and Night) 1 Hour = 0.4 Nazikai	2.5 Nazikai = 1 hour 60 Nazikai = 24 hours
1 Kaashta	18 times blinking eye lid	18 sec
10 Kaashtas	1 Kshanam	180 sec (2 minutes)
12 Kshanam	1 Nazikai	24 minutes
60 Nazikai	One day	1440 minutes (24 hours)
1 month	Period of Sun travelling from one zodiac to another Total 12 Zodiacs so 12 months. Mesha, Rishaba, Mithuna, Kataka, Simha, Kanya Tula, Vrichika, Danu, Makara, Kumba, Meena	Julian calendar 30 days or 31 days
Thithi	Each day is called a Thithi; there are 15 Thithi in one Paksha (15 days) Prathama, Dvitheya, Tritiya, Chaturti, Panchami, Shasti, Sapthami, Ashtami, Navami, Dasami, Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Triyodasi, Chaturdasi, Amavasya or Poornima. Thithi is position of Moon with respect to Sun
Paksha	1.     Full moon (poornima) to New moon (Amavasya) Krishna Paksha =Pitru Night 2.     New moon to Full moon = Shukla Paksha = Pitru Day
2 months	1 Ritu Mesha,+ Rishaba  = Vasantha Mithuna + Kataka  = Grishma Simha + Kanya      = Varsha Tula + Vrichika      = Sharad Danu + Makara     = Hemant Kumba + Meena   = Sishira
Deva  calendar	6 months= Sun position from Tropic of Cancer to Tropic of Capricorn = Uttarayanam = 1 Deva Day 6 months= Sun position from Tropic of Capricon to Tropic of Cancer = Dakshinayanam = 1 Deva Night  Human I year  is equal to ONE Deva Day
Yuga	Kaliyuga = 1200 Deva years = 4,32,000 human years Dwapara Youga = 2400 Deva years = 8,64,000 HY Thretha Yuga  = 3600 Deva years= 12,96,000 HY Grita Yuga =  4800 Deva years= 17,28,000 HY Total of 4 yuga that is Chatur Yuga = 43,20,000 HY
Brahma,s time	1000 Chatur yuga = 1 brahma day 1000 Chatur yuga = 1 brahma night 8,64,00,00,000 =864 crores HY = one brahma day 1 brahma years = 864 *365 HY = 3,15,360 crore HY
Brahma age (known as one Para) Half Para is known as Parardham	100 brahma years = 3,15,36,000 crore HY Also known as 7 Kalpam 1.     Matsya kalpa, 2.     Koorma kalpa, 3.     Lakshmi kalpa, 4.     Sweta varaaha kalpa, 5.     Shiva kalpa, 6.     Bhrahma kalpa, 7.     Vishnu kalpa	315360 Billion H years We are in second half of the Para. We say Divithye Pararthe We are in Sweta varaaha Kalpa
Manvanthara	71+3/7 Chatur Yug	30,85,71,429 HY
1 Kalpa	14 Manvanthara They are: 1.      Swayambhuva, 2.     Sawosisha, 3.     Audhama, 4.     Thaamasa, 5.     Raivatha, 6.     Sakshusha, 7.     Vaivasvata, 8.     Savarni, 9.     Daaksha savarni, 10.  Bhramha savarni, 11.  Dharma Savarni, 12.  Rudra savarni, 13.  Rouchya    14.  Bowdhya	We are in Vaivasvata Manvanthara, In 28th Kaliyuga
1 yamam	3 hours = 7.5 Nazikai
5 Nazikai	1 Usha
2.5 Nazikai	1 Pradosh	1  hour

The reference point here is the moment of commencement of creation of the Universe by Bhrahma. When we say 'dviteeya paraardhe', which Bhrahma are we referring to? How many Bhrahmas have preceded the current one? This specification is not specified vedic mantras. Since the whole process is cyclical,with one Bhrahma commencing when another completes, and with this process repeating forever, there may not  be any significance in stating the position of Bhrahma.  This cyclical nature of time as believed in Indian Cosmology and therefore refers to time as 'Aanaadhi' - without a or end. In a cyclical concept of time every starting point will have to be an ending point. If time is postulated as being linear and unidirectional there will have to be an absolute starting point for time.

One must get up in the morning at 25 Nazikai from Sun Set (4 AM in the morning)