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The Auspicious Ganesha Chaturthi

 

As the legend goes, Ganesha was beheaded by Shiva when he was on duty under the command of Parvati. The vehement protest and anger by Parvati was the cause of resurrection of Lord Ganesha but with the head of an elephant. One of the first animation films made in India “Bal Ganesha” has made the deity popular among the children also and the children also know the Beej Mantra “Om Gung Ganapathaye Namah”.

 

The elephant headed God, the son of Shiva and Parvati was awarded the first right of worship after his resurrection with the head of an elephant. Therefore, Lord Ganesha has a presence in the “Panchayatan Puja” which consists of the five deities Bramha, Vishnu, Mahesh, Durga and Ganesha. Therefore, every Hindu begins his work in the name of Lord Ganesha by chanting “Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah”. Lord Ganesha is worshipped by Hindus as a supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

 

He is considered a terminator of evils. He is known by various names some examples are Dhoomraketu, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila, Vigneshwara etc. He rides on Musak (mouse) which represents ego.

 

Special Significance of Ganesha Chaturthi Puja and Time of Puja:

 

Lord Ganesha is worshiped everyday and for starting every new work. But, there is a special significance of doing his Puja on the Ganesha Chaturthi day. This year Ganesha Chaturthi falls on 23^rd August 2009 and the auspicious time for starting his puja is after 10:00 AM in the morning.

 

The Ganesha Chaturthi day is considered the birthday of the Lord. It is believed that the Lord remains on this earth on this particular day to bestow his presence for all his devotees. This particular day is called Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi in Sanskrit, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. It is called Chavath in Konkani.

 

This Puja is celebrated as a big community festival in Maharastra, Goa, Karnataka, Andhara Pradesh, parts of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and western Madhya Pradesh. It is the most important festival of the Konkan belt in India.

 

The Puja begins on Ganesha Chaturthi day and extends for about 10 days up to Anant Chaturdasi. This festival is observed in the lunar month of Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Chathurthi as per the Hindu Calendar. The corresponding months as per English Calendar may be August or September.

 

The immersion of the idol generally takes place after 10 days which becomes the most important community event in the states named above.

 

Benefit of doing the Puja apart from doing the daily Puja:

 

The daily Puja of the lord is performed in every household in the Hindu family which is done as a matter of devotion and routine. The presence of Ganesha is solicited on the occasion of marriages and the invitation cards are generally printed with the following Ganesha Mantra.

 

“Vakratund Mahakaya, Suryakoti Samaprabhah

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva, Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada”

 

But, the worship of Ganesha becomes a community event during the Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations. The worship of Ganesha was started as a non-community event by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was the great Maratha ruler. Shivaji Maharaj was always in conflict with Mughal emperors and he wanted to unite the Hindus with the help of Ganesha Puja to promote culture and nationalism. Therefore, Ganesha Puja became important in the Peshwa Empire ruled by Marathas.

 

The Puja transformed into a community event due to the efforts of Lokmanya Tilak (a freedom fighter). Tilak was conscious of the fact that Lord Ganesha had a universal appeal among the Hindus. Ganesha was recognized as a God for everybody. He popularized Ganesha Chaturthi Puja as a Community Puja. His objective was also promotion of nationalistic feelings in masses. This festival was also used as a tool to bridge the gap between Brahmins and Non Brahmins.

 

Tilak wanted to spread the message of freedom struggle through organizations of Ganesha Chaturthi festivals. Another objective was to defy the British rulers who had banned public assemblies. The occasion of Puja was utilized for public assemblies and mass communications and gave Indians a feeling of unity and revived their patriotic spirit and faith.

 

India is free today. But, it is a country of great diversities. Unity is absolutely necessary in this environment of diversity. The country must learn to behave unitedly at the time of strains and stresses. It is necessary to safeguard our freedom. The objective of Lokmanya Tilak is still relevant. In addition Lord Ganesha remains present amongst us on Ganesha Chaturthi day. Therefore, the worship of Ganesha on this particular day is very significant.

 

Astrological significance of Ganesha Puja in the year 2009

 

In Vedic astrology it is said that for an affliction caused by Ketu the best deity to be propitiated is Lord Ganesha. In the year 2009, Ketu is playing a negative role which has manifested in the rise of Swine Flu. (Please refer to our earlier article “Astrological Aspects of Swine Flu”).

 

The occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi on 23^rd August 2009 is a chance to do grah-shanti of Ketu by mass worship of Lord Ganesha. Maharastra has the highest number of Swine Flu deaths. Therefore, Ganesha Chaturthi should be celebrated with faith and devotion in Maharastra and other parts of India where this disease is spreading.

 

Written By: Anand Sagar Pathak

Dated: 17^th August 2009

Astrological Aspects of Swine Flu

The outbreak of Swine Flu from May 2009 has become a serious concern for the world and the UNO has also sounded a world-wide alert. The first death of a girl child in Pune suffering from the attack of the disease has unnerved the entire country and people are in real scare.

 

Swine influenza is also known as swine flu, hog flu or H1N1 flu. The transmission of the virus from pigs to humans in not common but if it occurs it is called “zoonotic swine flu”. The main symptoms of the influenza are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

 

The spread of the disease at this particular time can be explained by astrological methods. The main angle of discussion is through the Kaal Purusha as shown in the diagram below.

 

The Kaal Purusha is the manifestation of time which has been shown in personified form with reference to Lord Vishnu. In the above picture we can see that the Cancer sign (Karka rashi) represents the chest and the heart region of the Kaal Purusha. Human disease connected with the chest areas may be cold and cough and other symptoms found in influenza. The relationship of these symptoms is with the process of breathing which is the main function of lungs.

 

Cancer rashi signifies lungs as shown in the picture. Therefore, breath related disease in human beings can be related to Cancer rashi. This rashi is under constant affliction due to the transit of Ketu into this rashi from 30th April 2008. This affliction was enhanced manifolds due to the Total Solar Eclipse of Sun by Ketu in this rashi on 22nd July 2009.

The lord of Cancer rashi is Moon. Its element is water which is the most important constituent of body fluids. The Moon rules over rainy season. According to Ayurveda, Kapha is one of the Tridoshas which is produced by the combination of water and earth. Kapha increases anabolism and moon represents Kapha element. Cough and Cold are main symptom of swine flu.

 

The first case of swine flu in 2009 was reported on 2nd May in Canada and it spread to many countries thereafter. Its intensity has increased rapidly in the season ruled by Moon (rainy season). The second enhancement in the intensity was after the Total Solar Eclipse due to conjunction of Sun and Ketu in Cancer rashi on 22nd July 2009. In India this disease has acquired appreciable proportions after the solar eclipse.

 

Ketu means foreign land and foreigners as per Vedic astrology. Before the solar eclipse, swine flu was not a threat in India but, it was already a threat in Mexico and other countries. The disease has come into India from outside the country through human carriers. Swine flu has still not acquired serious proportions in India but “prevention is better than cure”. India’s rashi as per Independence Day horoscope is Cancer (Karka) and swine flu is connected with this rashi.

 

Ketu in medical astrology is a nightmare for doctors. Ketu, not only makes diagnosis of disease very difficult, it also keeps on testing doctors with new diseases. One who masters Ketu will master the art of healing and diagnosis.

As per the transit of planets, swine flu will continue to remain a menace till Ketu remains in the Cancer rashi. Ketu will transit out of Cancer on 18th November 2009. It is expected that swine flu will be restrained after this date.

India was already suffering from floods and droughts due to the Medini effect of Total Solar Eclipse. This disease has slowly entered into the country as the third Medini effect. It must not be allowed to take an epidemic form for which total medical screening of passengers coming from abroad is absolutely necessary. In addition, person to person transmission within the country has to be prevented.

Written by: Anand Sagar Pathak

Astrologer
Dated: 8th August 2009

The Mysterious Rahu and Shooting of Ravana

The killing of Mahout by elephant on the sets of Ravana on 29th July 2009 (As reported by media on 30th July 2009):-

 

Here we are presenting the angle of Rahu in this tragic happening.

 

The shooting party on the set of Ravana would like to forget the horrifying incidence which found them stranded in a jungle for more than 12 hours surviving on bread and eggs. Andavan the Mahout was not lucky enough to survive. He was crushed to death by the rampaging elephant. The elephant was to be utilized for the shooting of the film and was trained for this purpose. It went berserk and became the cause of death.

Vedic astrology has emphasized that Rahu represents serpents. It also connects wild life to Rahu. Lal Kitab which is a recent inclusion to astrology classics (written originally in Urdu) has specified many other roles of Rahu. It addresses Rahu as an elephant also. The book tells us that an elephant represented by benefic Rahu is a source of power and wealth to its master. However, a mad elephant that tramples over the master and works havoc all around is represented by malefic Rahu.

 

A crosscheck of horoscopes of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan the main casts of the film will help us understand if the happening had any connection with the mysterious role of Rahu. Was the elephant an agent of Rahu?

 

Aishwarya Rai was born on 1st November 1973 when Virgo was rising in the eastern horizon. Rahu is placed in the 4th house with natal Moon. She is currently running the operational dasa of Rahu / Rahu till September 2009. To be more precise she is currently running the operational dasa of Rahu / Rahu / Mars which shows the dominant influence of Rahu in her horoscope at present. The pratyantar dasa of Mars (placed in the 8th house) signifies danger to her spouse. In Vedic astrology 8th house is considered the Suhag Sthan (house of spouse) in woman horoscopy.

 

Abhishek Bachchan was born on 5th February 1976. The lagna rising at the time of birth is Libra. Rahu is placed in lagna. Lal Kitab suggests that placement of benefic Rahu in the lagna confers kingly status to a person. However, it also suggests that Rahu placed in lagna, if not benefic, can cause safety and health concerns. Lagna is the most important house in the horoscope. Hence, placement of Rahu in lagna makes Rahu quite dominant.

Rahu is functional malefic both for Aishwarya and Abhishek because it is placed in their 4th house and the lagna respectively. The best placement of Rahu is in 3rd house, 6th house and the 11th house. Hence, both of them need to thank God and their Sadguru in guiding them to their safety. Was the Mahout the scapegoat to safeguard the celebrity couple? Only God knows.

 

Can these incidents be predicted in advance? Astrologers of yesteryears like Varahmihir could predict that son of Vikramaditya will be killed by Varaha (wild boar). The king took all precautions to save his son and made a fortress in which there was no chance of any wild boar to enter. Varahmihir insisted that the death cannot be stopped by any human intervention. Only great Rishis like Vasishta could reverse the karma of the Prince.

On the predicted day the prince died of accident from a falling royal emblem made of iron which had an artificial boar attached to its top. This was the reason why Mihir got the title of Varahmihir. (Rao, Suryanarian, 1987, 3rd edition, Life of Varaha Mihira)

Written by: Anand Sagar Pathak

Astrologer
Dated: 6th August 2009

Why Do We Do Puja?

The English equivalents of ‘Puja’ are homage, reverence, worship, respect, etc. The system of Puja relates to religions, deities and God. In some religions there is an elaborate system of rituals for Puja while in some religions there is a simple method of prayer.

 

All the major religions of the world originated in Asia. South Asia is the birth place of four major religions- Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. All these religions originated in India. Christianity and Islam originated in South- west Asia for which Jerusalem, Mecca and Madina are important places. In all these religions, the concept of God exists. Only Sikhism concentrates on Gurus. But, the system of Puja and prayers is associated with all the religions.

 

This system is visible in today’s world. Almost all the religions except Hinduism evolved during the last 2,600 years. Hinduism is the oldest religion of the world and its history is about 4,000 years long but Hinduism also developed after the 1st agricultural revolution which took place about 10,000 years ago and the intervening period was Vedic period in India during which such Puja systems had not taken roots.

 

In order to understand the purpose of Puja we will have to go back in the early stages of human civilizations when man was a jungle dweller and without shelter, because, the system of reverence to some unknown power started emerging in that period. This will define the causes also which drive human beings to perform Puja.

a) The Puja system emerged to get protection of unknown powers, from natural calamities, hazards and disasters in the early period:-

 

In the initial stages man was a food gatherer, hunter, fisher and shelter-less living in jungle in small groups. There was no concept of God in that period. The small groups of people lived in isolation. However, they saw the impact of natural calamity on their lives. They experienced the impact of wild fires, thunderbolts, storms, heavy rains, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and they began fearing such phenomenon.

 

In order to protect themselves from such events, they must have visualized the role of an unknown superpower and started showing reverence to such powers. This culminated in the Vedic period in ancient India when elaborate system of worship of Fire God (Agni Dev), Wind God (Vayu Dev), Water God (Varun Dev), Sun God (Surya Dev), Thunderbolt God (Indra dev) began.

 

In addition to such deities a system of reverence was also invented to get protection from every element of the environment of the earth. Trees, soil, rivers, hills, animals, reptiles, birds, all became objects of reverence in the Vedic period. We may call it “Animism” which was the system of Puja up to the Vedic period.

b) The rise of Sakam Puja (worship with expectation of reward):-

 

Since Hinduism developed from Vedic religion, there is a multiplicity of God’s and Goddesses in the Hindu religion. There are 100’s of Puja systems associated with deities. There is a multiplicity of religious books. The concept of “Tridev” (Trinity namely Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh) developed in the early stages of Hinduism.

The system of worship was designed to please a particular deity for obtaining some blessings and rewards. This Puja is for fulfillment of human desires, wants, freedom from sufferings, for off-springs, for marriage, rise in status and position, for health, wealth, and other desires.

 

The ancient kings organized “Aswa-medha Yagya” for enlarging their kingdoms and empires. According to Ramayana even Raja Ram took recourse to this yagya and the horse of the yagya was caught by his children Lav and Kush which triggered a war between father and sons. Yagya is an elaborate system of Puja which is practised even today with a particular purpose.

 

However, this type of Puja is medium quality Puja, because it is done for material rewards. Lord Krishna in Shrimad Bhagwat Gita said as follows:-

“Antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa medhasam
devan deva yajo yanti mad bhakta yanti mam api”

(Chapter VII, Verse 23)

Translation: Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but my devotees ultimately reach my supreme planet.

c) System of Nishkam Puja (worship without attachment to expectations):-

The Hinduism continued to transform through the ages and became more scientific. It came to be regarded as a religion associated with fundamental doctrine of Karma. This thought emerged during the battle of Mahabharata when Lord Krishna began counseling Arjun. The same preaching is found in Shrimad Bhagwat Gita.

 

According to Hindu doctrine, all beings have souls and there is a process of reincarnation after death. These souls are arranged in a hierarchy. The fundamental point is to move upward in the hierarchy and then escape from the eternal cycle of birth and death through union with the Brahma. The principle of reincarnation of soul is the cornerstone of Hinduism and every soul should try to attain salvation (Nirvana, Mukti, Moksha) through spiritual practises. This should be the supreme purpose behind Puja.

 

For this Lord Krishna showed the paths of “Karma Yoga” (adherence to duty while remaining detached from reward), “Gyan Yoga” (knowledge of the absolute) and “Bhakti Yoga” (spiritual practise of fostering loving devotion to God). Lord Krishna said in Bhagwat Gita:-

“a-brahma bhuvanal lokah punar avartino rjuna
mam upetya tu kaunteya punar janma na vidyate”

(Chapter VIII, Verse 16)

Translation: From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one, who attains to my abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.

d) Rise of Sadguru Puja (worship of ascendant masters):-

Sadgurus (ascendant masters) are incarnations of God himself who live amidst us to guide us in our endeavor to reach to God. Lord Krishna in Bhagwat said that “Saints are incarnations of God”. Sadgurus are known by different names in different religions. Hindus call them “Paramhansa” Muslims call them “Qutub” and Christians call them “the ascendant masters”. They have incarnated in almost all religions. Some prominent names are “Jesus Christ”, “Moses”, “Gautum Buddha”, “Lord Mahavir”, “Aadi Sankracharya”, and “Prophet Mohammad”. The most recent incarnations of Sadgurus go by the name of “Ram Krishna Paramhansa”, Shri Sai Nath of Shirdi”, “Guru Nanak” etc.

 

The Sadguru guides his disciple to attain God for which Guru Bhakti (devotion to Guru) is the most important requirement. Therefore, the disciples are duty bound to keep their Guru in high reverence.

 

The life of the modern man has become very complex. He cannot follow the elaborate Puja systems and rituals followed by his ancestors. There is shortage of time and in these difficult moments; the only recourse left to human beings is to keep faith in Sadguru who guides them to spiritual betterment. Hence, worship of Sadguru is the most important Puja in today’s world.

Written By: Anand Sagar Pathak

Astrologer
Dated: 3rd August 2009