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About Srimati Vrinda-devi

Vrinda-vana

"The word 'vana' means forest. Vrindavana is the name given to the forest where Srimati Vrinda-devi (Tulasi-devi), grows profusely." (CC Madhya 17.l93p.) Another name of Tulasi is Vrinda-devi (one who awards residence in Vrindavana). Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says: krpa kori koro tare vrindavana vasi, "Dear Tulasi, please bestow your mercy upon me, so that I may forever reside in Vrindavana."

The Vrindavana forest is named after Vrinda-devi, who performed penances here for 60,000 years. She was born as the daughter of Emperor Kedera, a very pious king that attained Goloka Vrindavana. His daughter Vrinda-devi, after sanctifying the forest by her penance, also attained Goloka. Ever since, the forest has been known as Vrindavana. Pleased by Vrinda-devi's austerities Lord Vishnu granted a boon to the Vrindavana forest: "Any penances performed here will quickly fructify and bear excellent results." Later Tulasi-devi, daughter of King Kusadhvaja, performed penances here and attained perfection. Tulasi's second name is Vrinda.

Tulasi Is Dear To Sri Krsna

God has specifically said that among plants, He is the Tulasi (DS chap. 7). Tulasi, Yamuna River and Govardhana Hill are eternally present in the spiritual world. They appear in this world to benefit the living entities by giving love of Godhead. The goddess of fortune is sometimes envious of the Tulasi leaves which are placed at the lotus feet of the Lord, for they remain fixed there and do not move, whereas Laksmiji, although stationed by the chest of the Lord, sometimes has to go to satisfy Her numerous devotees. But the Tulasi leaves never forsake their position, and the Lord therefore appreciates the service of Tulasi more than the service of Laksmi-devi.

The Glories of Tulasi-devi

In the Padma Purana there are thirty chapters describing Tulasi's appearance. Her glorious attributes are recounted throughout the Vedic literature. "Just by looking at Tulasi, all of one's sins are removed. Just by touching Her, one's body becomes purified. All diseases are removed by praying to Her. Fear of death is destroyed by watering Her. Just by planting or transplanting Her, one achieves realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Her leaves at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, Tulasi will award liberation and devotion to Lord Sri Krsna." (SKP)

Sri Krsna is very fond of Tulasi, also called Maharani. Vayu Purana states: "The Supreme Lord Hari does not accept anyone's worship without Tulasi." The poet Candrasekhara says that Krsna does not care for even one of fifty-six offerings or thirty-six curries if they are offered without a Tulasi leaf. "All the places of pilgrimage on this planet and in the millions of universes, take shelter in a Tulasi leaf." (PP) "Sri Krsna who is very affectionate toward His devotee, sells Himself to devotee who offers merely a Tulasi leaf and a palmful of water."(CT)

Tulasi And Chanting Japa

"The process of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra with a vow before the Tulasi plant has such strong spiritual potency, that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong." (CC Antya 3.lOOp.)

A Prayer

On Srimati Tulasi-devi's appearance day (the full moon day in Kartik month), Sri Krsna Himself worships Her with the mantra: krsna-jivani, nandini, puspasara, tulasi, visvapavani, visvapujita, vrnda, vrndavani.

Tulasi is the life of Krsna and She gives unlimited bliss to the devotees. She is the best of all the flowers and Her presence is required on any garland to be worn by Krsna. She is one who has no comparison. Tulasi purifies the three worlds and is worshiped all over the universe. Tulasi is the goddess of all plants and trees and She first manifested in Vrindavana." (PP) One who remembers this mantra will very quickly attain devotion for Sri Krsna.

Srimati Vrinda-devi

"Krsna's attractive features are also described by Vrinda, the gopi after whom Vrindavana was named. (NOD chap. 26) Vrinda-devi is an expansion of Srimati Radharani and Her partial expansion is Tulasi in Vaikuntha. Vrinda-devi is a very intimate associate and girlfriend of Srimati Radharani. Krsna expands as Narayana to marry Tulasi in one of His pastimes." (SVMP)

Vrnda-devi has a beautiful complexion the color of molten gold. She wears blue garments and is decorated with pearls and flowers. Her father is Candrabhanu and Her mother is Phullara-devi. Her husband is Mahipala and Her sister is Manjari-devi. She always remains in Vrindavana, immersed in love for Radha and Krsna and yearning to both arrange for Their meeting and taste the nectar of assisting in Their transcendental pastimes. (Sri Sri Radha-Krsna-ganoddesa-dipika)

The Arranger

As the embodiment of the lila-shakti (pastime potency) Vrinda-devi is the organizer of all the transcendental pastimes of Sri Sri Radhika-Krsnacandra. Vrinda keeps many storerooms throughout the forests of Vrindavana. She is always busy, along with Her maidservant and forest goddesses, working to bring the pastimes of Radha-Govinda to complete fulfillment.

"According to the Goswamis, Vrinda-devi has a very unique and elevated position in Sri Sri Radha-Krsna's pastimes. She arranges the secret and intimate meetings and is a very close associate of Srimati Radhika." (SVMP) "There are twelve enchanting sporting groves in Vrindavana. Under the instructions of Paurnamasi (personified Yogamaya) Vrinda-devi makes all arrangements for the union of Radha and Krsna, because She is in charge of the forest." (CS)

The Expert Services of Vrinda-devi

Vrinda-devi is responsible for waking up Radha and Krsna while they are resting in the forest kunjas (groves). She hurries the Divine Couple to Their homes in Nandgaon and Yavat before the sunrise and Their superiors detect Their absence. On Radha's behalf Vrinda-devi delivers love notes and hand-made gifts, flower earrings and garlands to Sri Krsna. Vrinda arranges all the paraphernalia used in Radha-Krsna's pastime. She provides all the swings, musical instruments, water-syringes and colour for squirting, clothing, ornaments and a variety of food and drinks.

Together with Her many maidservants, Vrinda-devi, using artistic craftsmanship, tastefully decorates the groves and bowers where Radha and Krsna sport. She engages two expert female parrots to act as spies on the path to alert of the approach of the two spoil-sports, Jatila (Radha's mother-in-law) and Chandravali (Radha's rival). When Radha reaches the rendezvous place, Vrinda personally escorts Her to meet Shyamasundara.

During the night rasa dance Vrinda-devi distributes a variety of percussion, stringed and wind instruments to the gopis. Their expert playing creates a celestial concert of scintillating sensations. To relieve the fatigue of the rasa performers Vrinda presents pleasingly prepared plates of delicious forest fruits and golden pots of refreshing honey-nectar.

"Filled with a great flood of love and decorating the ever blossoming groves of Vrindavana with many fragrant flowers, Vrinda-devi creates a festive atmosphere for Sri Sri Radha-Krsna to engage in transcendental pastimes with Their dear friends. Let me surrender to Vrinda-devi." (VVS)

The Marriage of Vrinda-devi

"Vrindavana is the land of Vrinda-devi, for She is the queen of all the properties, the proprietor of Vrindavana. In one pastime She offered all of Her kingdom of Vrindavana to the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani. Hence, Sri Radha became known as Vrindavanesvari (the queen of Vrindavana) and Lord Krsna is the actual king.

Appreciating Vrinda-devi's kindness in making wonderful arrangements for Her loving pastimes with Krsna, Srimati Radhika once summoned Lalita-sakhi and Visakha-sakhi and made a plan to reciprocate with Vrinda-devi. Radha and Her friends fashioned a beautiful throne big enough for two people to sit on. Visakha then sat Krsna beside Vrinda-devi. Playing the role of a priest, Lalita-sakhi began chanting the mantras for invoking marriage. Sri Radha personally exchanged the flower garlands between Krsna and Vrinda-devi, and so this wonderful "wedding ceremony" was performed." (SVMP)

The Mercy of Srimati Vrinda-devi

"Vrindavana is completely under Vrinda-devi's grace." (SKP) Without the mercy of Vrinda-devi it is not possible to enter into the confidential pastimes of Radha and Krsna, not even as a listener in an audience. By the mercy of Vrinda-devi even the impossible can become possible. Even being allowed to enter Sri Vraja Mandala indicates that one has received the grace of Vrinda-devi." (SVMP)

Until recently in Vrindavana Vrinda-devi was worshiped in two places: Kamyavana and Vrinda-kunda. A third deity has appeared to receive wonderful service from the sincere devotees at the Rupa-Sanatana Gaudiya Math Mandir in Seva Kunja, Vrindavana. Whenever one takes the auspicious darsan of Vrinda-devi, he should beg for the mercy to eternally reside in Sri Vraja-dhama as a servant of the servant of the maidservants of Srimati Radhika-Krsnacandra.

Sri Vrindavana Sevamrita

Quoting Prahlada Maharaja, Srila Prabhupada advises that "If one is seeking peace of mind he should free himself from all contamination of family life and take shelter of the Supreme Godhead by going to the forest. To the Gaudiya Vaisnava," Prabhupada explains, "this forest is the forest of Vrinda, or Vrindavana. If one takes shelter of Vrindavana under Vrindavanesvari, Srimati Radharani, certainly all the problems of his life are solved very easily." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.8.24 Purport)

How to take shelter of Krishna in Vrindavana has been demonstrated by Srimati Radharani Herself and the Garga-samhita has recorded the story for our edification.

One time, desiring to know what kind of worship would please Krishna, Srimati Radhika approached Her friend Candranana, the best of the knowers of religion. After reflecting for a moment Candranana informed Srimati Radhika that Lord Krishna's association could be achieved through serving Tulasi in nine ways:

• 1) gazing at Her
• 2) touching Her
• 3) remembering Her
• 4) glorifying Her
• 5) bowing down before Her
• 6) offering prayers to Her
• 7) planting Her

• 8) watering Her and worshiping Her

The astounding results of serving Tulasi in such ways include guaranteed residence in Lord Krishna's transcendental abode for as many ancestors and descendants as there are branches, sub-branches, seeds, flowers and leaves on the Tulasi a person has planted. Candranana also informed Srimati Radhika that by offering Lord Krishna a single Tulasi leaf one attains the result of offering Him every flower and leaf that exists and that a person who worships Krishna with offerings of Tulasi leaves is not touched by sin. Candranana further said that Yamaraja's servants will never enter a home in the midst of a Tulasi forest.

The Importance of Worshiping Tulasi-devi

All the famous acaryas in our disciplic succession emphasize the importance of worshiping Tulasi. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, the spiritual master of our Srila Prabhupada, commented that "Srimati Tulasi Maharani is our spiritual master. She is the queen of Sri Vrindavana Dhama. It is only by Her mercy that one can be qualified to enter in Sri Vrindavana Dhama. We wear Tulasi Maharani around our neck, knowing that She is very dear to Lord Krishna. By our allegiance to Her, we chant the name of Lord Hari."

In his poem titled Sri Sankalpa-kalpadruma,
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has prayed:

vrindavana-sthira-caran paripalayitri
vande tayo rasikayor ati-saubhagena
adhyasi tat kuru krpam ganana yathaiva
sri-radhika-parijanesu mamapi siddhet

O Vrinda-devi, O protectress of the moving and non-moving living entities in Vrindavana, you are wealthy in the mercy of the Divine Couple who enjoy pastimes in Vraja. Please be merciful to me. Please place me among Sri Radha’s associates.

he sri-tulasy uru-krpa-dyu-tarangini tvam
yan murdhni me carana-pankajam adadhasvam
yac caham apy apibam ambu manak tadiyam
tan me manasy udayam eti manoratho’yam

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, O celestial Ganges river of mercy, it is because I once placed my head at your lotus feet and drank some drops of water that washed your lotus feet, that these desires have risen in my heart.

kvaham parah sata-nikaty-anuviddha-cetah
sankalpa esa sahasa kva su-durlabhe’rthe
eka kalpaiva tava mam ajahaty upadhi-
sunyeva mantum adadhaty agater gatir me

O Srimati Tulasi-devi, how low I am, my heart pierced by hundreds of offenses! How exalted and difficult to attain is my aspiration! Your causeless mercy is my only hope. It is by Your mercy that I, who am so fallen, can have these desires in my thoughts.

The Caitanya Bhagavata states that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's disciples would keep a Tulasi tree beside Him. The Lord would sit, taking darshan of Srimati Tulasi Maharani and chant His prescribed number of rounds. "Just as a fish cannot live when taken out of water, so I cannot remain alive in separation of Tulasi Maharani," Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to say.

In his Sri Sri Radha-Krishna-Ganoddesha-Dipika, Srila Rupa Gosvami describes Vrinda-devi as the best of Krishna's gopi messengers. The gopi messengers expertly know the geography of Vrindavana and they intimately know each grove and garden there. They are also learned in the science of gardening.

All the gopi messengers are filled with great love for Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, but among them, Vrinda-devi is the best. She has a beautiful complexion, like molten gold, wears blue garments, and is decorated with pearls and flowers. Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami has explained in VRAJA VILASA STAVA that "Vrinda-devi is the transcendental orchestrator of Radha-Krishna's pastimes. She decorates the pastime groves and creates a festive atmosphere to enhance the divine couple's pleasure." She is expert at arranging the meeting of Radha and Krishna, and She knows the best places for the Divine Couple’s rendez-vous. Flowers, creepers, vines and trees are under Her supervision, and all the birds and animals in Vrindavana carry out Her orders. Her chief disciple, the yellow parrot Daksa, resides upon Her left hand. From there he sends the other one hundred thousand parrot disciples flying all over Vraja to deliver Vrinda-devi's messages or warnings of unforeseen events.

Nandagram, the eternal residence of Nanda Maharaja, is built on Nandisvara Hill. Vrinda-devi's place, Vrinda-kunda, is at the foot of Nandisvara Hill, near Pavana Sarovara, where Srimati Radharani comes every morning to cook Krishna's breakfast. Meanwhile, Krishna and Balarama milk the cows, and Paurnamasi, the guru of Vraja, meets Vrinda-devi at Her place to plan the Divine Couple's pleasure pastimes for that day. For each of the eight-fold daily pastimes of Radha and Krishna Vrinda-devi makes elaborate arrangements for an appropriate forest spot and specific trees, creepers, fruits, flowers, birds and other animals. She personally selects the various color combinations, fragrances, songs and musical instruments to be offered for the pleasure of Radha and Krishna; and She decides who, among the unlimited number of gopis and manjaris, will assist Lalita and Visakha offer sandalwood pulp, serve refreshments, play musical instruments, fan the Divine Couple with camaras, and offer pan, betel nuts and spices on a jeweled tray. Every single detail of each and every one of Radha and Krishna's eight fold daily pastimes--which peacocks will dance, which bumble bees will hum, which parrots and kokilas will sing, which breezes will blow--is engineered by Vrinda-devi.

After Krishna and Balarama finish Their morning meal, They go to to the forests of Vrindavana to tend Their cows with Their cowherd boyfriends, while Srimati Radharani and Her associates walk back to Her home in Yavat. On the way Srimati Radhika stops at Vrinda-kunda and secretly meets Krishna there, at the spot named Gupta-kunda. (Gupta means secret.) Since Gupta-kunda is the first daily meeting place of Radha and Krishna, the residents of Vrindavana refer to that place as a "Yoga-pitha," or a center of eternal pastimes.

From dawn to sunrise, Vrinda-devi lovingly engages in the service of the Divine Couple. It is She who prepares Their bed of flowers at night, She who wakes Them up and sends Them to Their respective homes before sunrise. Her love for Them is unlimited.

Another famous and respected gopi messenger in Vraja is Vira-devi. She can be very bold and arrogant, but She can also speak sweet and flattering words, as Vrinda-devi does. Her complexion is dark and She wears splendid white garments and various jewels and flower garlands. Vira-devi resides at the corner of Gupta-kunda behind Vrinda-kunda. By the mercy of Her follower Sri Madhava dasa Baba, Vrinda-kunda and Gupta-kunda were rediscovered less than fifty years ago and subsequently handed over to the care of ISKCON.

Quotation: Chaitanya Charitamrita Madhya Lila chapter 24 Verse 261

tulasi-parikrama kara, tulasi-sevana
nirantara krsna-nama kariha kirtana

tulasi-parikrama kara-circumambulate the Tulasi plant; tulasi-sevana-just supply water to the root of Tulasi-devi; nirantara-continuously; krsna-nama-the holy name of Krsna; kariha-just perform; kirtana-chanting.

After planting the Tulasi tree before your house, you should daily circumambulate that Tulasi plant, serve Her by giving Her water and other things, and continuously chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

Quotation by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti:
Tulasi, although exalted in many ways, is not normally considered an especially fragrant plant. However, early in the morning Tulasi emits a transcendental fragrance that ordinary people cannot perceive but that transcendental personalities fully appreciate. The bees who are privileged to swarm about the flower garlands worn by the Supreme Personality of Godhead certainly appreciate this fragrance, and Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti quotes from the Bhagavatam (3.15.19) to the effect that the most fragrant plants in Vaikuntha also appreciate the special qualifications of Tulasi-devi.

The Glories of Tulasi-devi

(from the "Pancaratra Pradipa", a manual on Deity Worship, authorized by the GBC body of ISKCON)

As quoted from Vedic scripture in the Vaisnava work " Nectar of Devotion "(Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu) by Srila Rupa Gosvami:

"Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto the Tulasi tree, which can immediately vanquish volumes of sinful activities. Simply by seeing or touching this tree, one can become relieved from all distresses and diseases. Simply by offering obeisances to and pouring water on the Tulasi tree, one can become freed from the fear of being sent to the court of Yamaraja.
If someone sows a Tulasi tree somewhere, certainly he becomes devoted to Lord Krishna. And when the Tulasi leaves are offered in devotion at the lotus feet of Krishna, there is the full development of love of Godhead." (from the Skanda Purana, as quoted by Srila Rupa Gosvami)

Tulasi is glorified throughout the Puranas and Pancaratra: It was for the spiritual upliftment of the souls in the material world that Lord Visnu created Tulasi as the ocean of milk was being churned. Tulasi is more dear to the Lord than Laksmi, for Tulasi-devi undertook extreme austerities and worshiped the Lord with love in order to have Him as Her husband, and the Lord fulfilled Her wish.

"There is no better recipient of charity than a vipra, no better gift than cows, no better tirtha than the Ganga, and no better leaf than a Tulasi leaf. Whatever one can obtain by offering the Lord all types of flowers and leaves may be attained by simply offering Him one Tulasi leaf. An offering of flowers made of gold, jewels, and pearls is not equal to an offering of Tulasi leaves."

"By offering the Lord Tulasi leaves, a devotee is released from sins accumulated for one koti (ten million) lifetimes. When a devotee offers Tulasi to the Lord's head, all the devotee's unmentionable and undetected sins are destroyed. By sprinkling the Lord's house with water using a Tulasi leaf, one is freed from all great sins. A person who has Tulasi leaves in his mouth or on his head or body when he dies is guaranteed not to suffer in hell."

The Benefits of Rendering Service To Srimati Tulasi-devi

nirmita tvam pura devair arcita tvam surasuraih
tulasi hara me papam pujam grhna namostute

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/101 from Skanda Purana)

Oh Tulasi, you previously appeared in this world due to the demigods. The demigods and demons together worship you. Please remove all of my sins. I pay my obeisances unto you.

NOTE: Anyone who has received initiation in the Vaishnava mantras is obliged to engage in regular worship of the Deity, including offering all he eats to the Lord. When devotees make such food offerings, they should remember to place Tulasi leaves or flowers on them because Lord Vishnu does not accept any food without Tulasi. Tulasi is most beloved of Lord Krishna and thus Her leaves and flowers are also most dear to Him. The term varknarcavatara meaning the Lord's incarnation meant for accepting worship (arcavatara) in the form of a tree (varkna) is applied to Tulasi-devi. Her leaves and flowers are therefore prescribed as an essential part of the worship of the Lord's other arcavatara, i.e., the deity form of the Lord in the temple. These regulations are found in all the scriptural texts that describe the procedures by which one is to worship such deity forms of the Lord."
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, Gaudiya Bhasya.

ya drsta nikhila agha sangha samani sprsta vapuh pavani
roganam abhivandita nirasini siktantaka trasini
pratya satti vidhayini bhagavatah krsnasya samropita
nyasta taccarane vimukti phalada tasyai namah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/104 from Skanda Purana, Avanti khanda)

Just by looking at you (Tulasi), all sins become removed. Just by touching you, one's body becomes pure. By praying to Her, all diseases practically become removed. If one waters Her or makes Her wet, the fear of Yamaraja (death personified) is destroyed. Just by planting or transplanting, one achieves nearness to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If someone offers Tulasi at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna, She awards liberation and devotion to Him, therefore I pay my humble obeisances to such a wonderful Tulasi-devi.

pradaksinam bhramitva ye namaskurvanti nityasah
na tesam duritam kincid aksinam avasisyate

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/111 from Agastya samhita)

If someone daily goes around Tulasi and pays obeisances to Her, there is no more sin to be destroyed in him.

hitva tirtha-sahasrani sarvan api siloccayan
tulasi kanane nityam kalau tisthati kesavah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/116 from Skanda Purana)

In Kali-yuga, Lord Sri Kesava, after giving up thousands of places of pilgrimage and holy days, He resides in the forest of Tulasi-devi.

drstva sprstva tatha dhyata kirtita namita srta
ropita sevita nityam pujita tulasi subha
navadha tulasim nityam ye bhajanti dine dine
yuga koti sahasrani te vasanti harer grhe

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/126,127 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Any person who daily sees Tulasi, touches Tulasi, chants Tulasi's prayers, meditates on Tulasi, pays obeisances to Her, hears about Her, transplants, waters and worships Her, he achieves all auspiciousness. Any person who does these nine kinds of service goes to the abode of the Supreme Lord Hari and remains there eternally.

snane dane tatha dhyane prasane kesava arcane
tulasi dahate papam ropane kirtane kalau

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/132 from Skanda Purana, Avanti khanda)

In Kali-yuga Tulasi-devi burns up all of a person's sins who bathes Her, gives Her in charity, meditates on Her, eats Her leaves, worships Lord Sri Kesava with Her, transplants Her or sings Her glories.

tulasy alankrta ye ye tulasi nama japakah
tulasi vana palaye te tyajya durato bhatah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/133 from Skanda Purana, Kasi khanda, Yamaraja instructs his messengers)

Oh messengers, anybody who is decorated with Tulasi wood or chants Her name, always protects a Tulasi forest, you should give up bringing such persons to my abode.

darsanam narmadayas tu ganga snanam visam vara
tulasi dala samsparsah samam etat trayam smrtam
ropanat palanat sekad darsanat sparsanat nrnam
tulasi dahate papam vaca manah kaya sancitam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/139,140 from Padma Purana)

Oh best of the Vaisyas, seeing Narmada, taking bath in the Ganges, and touching Tulasi leaves are equally meritorious. If somebody plants, protects, waters, sees or touches Tulasi, then that person's sins acquired by body, mind and words are burnt into ashes.

yad grhe tulasi bhati raksabhir jalasecanaih
tad grham yama dutas ca durato varjayanti hi

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/145 from Padma Purana, Kartika mahatmya)

In any house where Tulasi Maharani is very carefully protected and watered, the messengers of Yamaraja give up that house from a distance.

visnos trailokya nathasya ramasya janakatmaja
priya tathaiva tulasi sarva lokaika pavani

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/151 from Agastya samhita)

As the daughter of Janaka, Sri Sitadevi, is very dear to Lord Rama, the master of the three worlds, similarly, Tulasi-devi, who purifies all of the planets, is very dear to Him.

tulasi vapita yena punyarame vane grhe
paksindra tena satyoktam lokah sapta pratisthitah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/157 from Garuda Purana)

Oh king of the birds (Garuda), anyone who has planted a garden of Tulasi, either in the forest or in the house, I truthfully say that he has won the seven planetary systems.

sansara-papa vicchedi ganga nama prakirtitam
tatha tulasya bhaktis ca hari kirti pravaktari

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/161 from Brhan Naradiya Purana)

As by chanting the name of Ganges, one becomes free from all kinds of worldly sins, if someone chants the name of Tulasi or chants the glories of Lord Hari with devotion, he gets the same merit.

trnani tulasi mulat yavantyapahinoti vai
tavattir brahma hatya hi chinaty eva nasamsayah

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/165 from Brhan Naradiya Purana, conversation between Yamaraja and Bhagiratha)

Anybody who removes the straw or dirt from the root of a Tulasi-devi, as many as he has removed, that many sinful reactions of killing brahmanas will be removed from him without a doubt.

durlabha tulasi seva durlabha sungatih satam
durlabha hari bhaktis ca sansararnava-patinam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/170 from Brhan Naradiya Purana)

Those people who have fallen in the midst of this material world, among them worship of Tulasi is very rare, the association of real saintly persons is very rare, and real devotion to Lord Hari is also very rare.

yasmin grhe dvija srestha tulasimula mrttika
sarvada tisthate dehe devata na sa manusa
tulasi mrttika yatra kastham patran ca vesmani
tisthate muni sardula niscalam vaisnava padam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/183,186 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Oh best among the brahmanas, in anybody's house or on his body, if the mud from Tulasi is available, they are not just men, but they are equal to the demigods. Oh best among the sages, in anyone's house, if there is the clay of Tulasi, Tulasi wood, and Tulasi leaves available, that house is certainly a place of Lord Visnu.

tulasi mula sambhuta hari bhakta padodbhava
gangodbhava ca mrllekha nayaty acyuta rupatam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/189)

Any person who puts on tilaka from the mud or clay from the root of Tulasi, mud from the lotus feet of Sri Vaisnava, and mud from the Ganges is said to be equal to the form of Lord Sri Visnu.

patram puspam phalam kastham tvat sakha-pallavankuram
tulasi sambhavam mulam pavanam mrttikady api

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/191 from Prahlada samhita and Visnu dharmottara)

Leaves of Tulasi, flowers of Tulasi, fruits of Tulasi, branches of Tulasi, bark of Tulasi, sprout of Tulasi, blossom or bud of Tulasi, and clay of Tulasi are all completely purified.

yah kuryat tulasi kasthair aksa malam surupinim
kantha malam ca yatnena krtam tasyaksayam bhavet

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/199 from Skanda Purana, Agastya samhita, conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

Any person who makes a beautiful japamala or neck beads out of Tulasi wood and uses them, if he does not perform any worship to Lord Sri Visnu, all of his activities become unlimitedly resultful.

yasya nabhi sthitam patram mukhe sirasi karnayoh
tulasi sambhavam nityam tirthais tasya makhais ca kim

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/200 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Lord Brahma and Narada Muni)

If anyone daily has Tulasi leaves on his navel, in his mouth, on his head, or on both of his ears, what is the use of him going to the places of pilgrimage in this world?

yah kascit vaisnavo loke mithyacaro'py anasrami
punati sakalan lokan sirasa tulasim vahan

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/202 from Skanda Purana)

If any Vaisnava in this world becomes a liar or becomes degraded from his own asrama, if he has a Tulasi leaf on his head, he can alone purify the three worlds.

Srila Sanatana Gosvami gives his Digdarsani-tika commentary on this verse, stating that if Vaisnavas wear articles which have been offered to the Supreme Lord, then one may question how a Vaisnava can wear something which has not been offered to the Supreme Lord. In answer to this, it can be stated that only a lying or cheating "Vaisnava" can do such a thing because they are all hypocrites and not real Vaisnavas.

bhaksitam lubdhakenapi patram tulasi sambhavam
pascad distantam apanno bhasmi bhutam kalevaram
sita sitam yatha niram sarva papa ksayavaham
tatha ca tulasi patram prasitam sarva kamadam

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/213,214 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Vasistha and King Mandhata)

Even if a most sinful hunter eats a Tulasi leaf and dies afterwards, whatever sins he has in his body turn into ashes. As whitish and blackish water (Ganges and Yamuna water) remove all kinds of sins, in the very same way white (green) and black Tulasis removes all kinds of sins, and if he eats these leaves (after offering them to Lord Krsna), all of his desires are perfectly achieved.

krtva papa sahasrani purve vayasi manavah
tulasi bhaksanan mucyet srutam etat pura hareh

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/218 from Skanda Purana, conversation between Vasistha and King Mandhata)

If any person in his young age commits thousands of sins but later on eats a Tulasi leaf, he becomes free from all sins. This narration was heard previously near Lord Sri Hari.

kim citram asyah patitam tulasya
dalam jalam va patitam punite
lagnadi bhala sthalam alavala
mrtsnapi krtsna agha vinasanaya
srimat tulasyah patrasya mahatmyam yadyapi drsam
tathapi vaisnavas tan na grahyam krsnarpanam vina

(Hari Bhakti Vilasa 9/226,227)

What can I say about the wonderful glories of Tulasi? Her fallen leaves, Her rotten leaves and Her water, even if fallen (mixed with Her mud?) is purifying. If even a minute quantity of the mud which has emanated from the Tulasi root has been placed on one's head, all of one's sins are removed. Although Tulasi is so glorious (and Her leaves are so purifying), still Vaisnavas never eat Tulasi leaves without first offering them to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.

shanmarga iraivan temple hawaii spatika lingam

Significance of 108

The Indian Subcontinent rosary or set of mantra counting has 108 beads. 108 has been a sacred number in the Indian Subcontinent for a very long time. This number is explained in many different ways.

The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 may be the product of a precise mathematical operation (e.g. 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3 power 3 = 108) which was thought to have special numerological significance.

Powers of 1, 2, and 3 in math: 1 to 1st power=1; 2 to 2nd power=4 (2x2); 3 to 3rd power=27 (3x3x3). 1x4x27=108

Sanskrit alphabet: There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.

Sri Yantra: On the Sri Yantra there are marmas where three lines intersect, and there are 54 such intersections. Each intersections has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti qualities. 54 x 2 equals 108. Thus, there are 108 points that define the Sri Yantra as well as the human body.

9 times 12: Both of these numbers have been said to have spiritual significance in many traditions. 9 times 12 is 108. Also, 1 plus 8 equals 9. That 9 times 12 equals 108.

Heart Chakra: The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization.

Marmas: Marmas or marmastanas are like energy intersections called chakras, except have fewer energy lines converging to form them. There are said to be 108 marmas in the subtle body.

Time: Some say there are 108 feelings, with 36 related to the past, 36 related to the present, and 36 related to the future.

Astrology: There are 12 constellations, and 9 arc segments called namshas or chandrakalas. 9 times 12 equals 108. Chandra is moon, and kalas are the divisions within a whole.

Planets and Houses: In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 times 9 equals 108.

Gopis of Krishna: In the Krishna tradition, there were said to be 108 gopis or maid servants of Krishna.

1, 0, and 8: 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.

Sun and Earth: The diameter of the sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth.

Numerical scale: The 1 of 108, and the 8 of 108, when added together equals 9, which is the number of the numerical scale, i.e. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, etc., where 0 is not a number.

Smaller divisions: The number 108 is divided, such as in half, third, quarter, or twelfth, so that some malas have 54, 36, 27, or 9 beads.

Islam: The number 108 is used in Islam to refer to God.

Jain: In the Jain religion, 108 are the combined virtues of five categories of holy ones, including 12, 8, 36, 25, and 27 virtues respectively.

Sikh: The Sikh tradition has a mala of 108 knots tied in a string of wool, rather than beads.

Chinese: The Chinese Buddhists and Taoists use a 108 bead mala, which is called su-chu, and has three dividing beads, so the mala is divided into three parts of 36 each.

Stages of the soul: Said that Atman, the human soul or center goes through 108 stages on the journey.

Meru: This is a larger bead, not part of the 108. It is not tied in the sequence of the other beads. It is the quiding bead, the one that marks the beginning and end of the mala.

Dance: There are 108 forms of dance in the Indian traditions.

Pythagorean: The nine is the limit of all numbers, all others existing and coming from the same. ie: 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers.

We have listed below 108 Upanishads as per the list contained in the Muktikopanishad . We have arranged them in four categories according to the particular Veda to which each of them belong.

Rigveda(10): Aitareya , Atmabodha, Kaushitaki, Mudgala, Nirvana, Nadabindu, Akshamaya, Tripura, Bahvruka, Saubhagyalakshmi.

Yajurveda(50): Katha, Taittiriya , Isavasya , Brihadaranyaka, Akshi, Ekakshara, Garbha, Prnagnihotra, Svetasvatara, Sariraka, Sukarahasya, Skanda, Sarvasara, Adhyatma, Niralamba, Paingala, Mantrika, Muktika, Subala, Avadhuta, Katharudra, Brahma, Jabala, Turiyatita, Paramahamsa, Bhikshuka, Yajnavalkya, Satyayani, Amrtanada, Amrtabindu, Kshurika, Tejobindu, Dhyanabindu, Brahmavidya, YogakundalinI, Yogatattva, Yogasikha, Varaha, Advayataraka, Trisikhibrahmana, mandalabrahmana, Hamsa, Kalisantaraaa, Narayana, Tarasara, Kalagnirudra, Dakshinamurti, Pancabrahma, Rudrahrdaya, SarasvatIrahasya.

SamaVeda(16): Kena, Chandogya, Mahat, Maitrayani, Vajrasuci, Savitri, Aruneya, Kundika, Maitreyi, Samnyasa, Jabaladarsana, Yogacudaman, Avyakta, Vasudevai, Jabali, Rudrakshajabala.

Atharvaveda(32): Prasna , Mandukya, Mundaka, Atma, Surya, Narada-Parivrajakas, Parabrahma, Paramahamsa-Parivrajakas, Pasupatha-Brahma, Mahavakya, Sandilya, Krishna, Garuda, Gopalatapani, Tripadavibhuti-mahnarayana, Dattatreya, Kaivalya, NrsimhatapanI, Ramatapani, Ramarahasya, HayagrIva, Atharvasikha, Atharvasira, Ganapati, Brhajjabala, Bhasmajabala, Sarabha, Annapurna, TripuratapanI, Devi, Bhavana, SIta.

What is a Mantra and How Does It Work ?

Mantras are powerful sounds. Mantras are the ones that have when chanted produce great effects. These are chanted repeatedly and that is called Japa. Japa is a key part of Hindu prayer.

Mantras are very rich in their meaning. While doing japa one can meditate on the mantra and its meaning. As the mind dwell more and more into that, the mantra conditions the mind and takes up to the higher states and forms the path to the great liberation - eternal bliss !

What makes mantras so special as compared to the normal words ? Mantras are not human composed. One may wonder how can that be possible. Especially given that there are sages associated with the mantras ! The point to be noted is that these sages are not composers of these mantras, as we normaly compose the sentences; they are not the inventors, but they are the discoverers of the mantra. They get to know the mantras in a state in which these words do not emanate from their thoughts, but they are just passive audience to it. Those who go deep in meditation and realize God may be able to get a feel of this situation.

To be such a discoverer, even though they are just passive hearers, needs great amount of qualification. Only the perfect one can unchangedly reproduce the mantra heard. The only one that is absolutely perfect is God. All other discoverers reproduce that mantra only as pure as their closeness to perfection.

veda samhitAs are full of mantras and hence have been preserved for ages in their pure form by utilizing the various techniques like patha, krama, jaTa, gaNa pATas, that ensure that the chanter clearly gets the correct letters and even the correct level of sound for each letter (svara). The chanters are advised to chant the mantras only after getting the right pronunciation of it, so that the mantras are presered against deterioration with time. There would be gurus who initiate the disciple in a mantra. guru ensures that the disciple got the mantra right, so that the person can chant independently as well as initiate others in that mantra. Ensuring this preservation vedas were passed only through the tradition of guru and disciples and was never written down till very recent past. (It is really amazing to note that without being written down the vedas have been preserved in pure form across the land by these techniques. Though the texts are freely available now for anybody to read, it would be important to ensure that these mantras are properly learnt and then chanted. This way the treasure that as been preserved so carefully over multiple milleniums do not deteriorate due to indifference.)

It is to be noted that many of the hymns of thirumuRai are known to have great powers of mantras that are practiced even today.

While there are plenty of mantras available, there are a few that are chanted with high esteem by the shaivas. Definitely those are highly powerful ones that can lead the chanter on the great path to mukti (liberation). praNava, paNJchAkashra, gAyatri to name a few. For shaivites the Holy Five Syllables (paNJchAkshara) with or without combined with the praNava is the ultimate mantra.

Definition # 1: Mantras are energy-based sounds.

Saying any word produces an actual physical vibration. Over time, if we know what the effect of that vibration is, then the word may come to have meaning associated with the effect of saying that vibration or word. This is one level of energy basis for words.

Another level is intent. If the actual physical vibration is coupled with a mental intention, the vibration then contains an additional mental component which influences the result of saying it. The sound is the carrier wave and the intent is overlaid upon the wave form, just as a colored gel influences the appearance and effect of a white light.

In either instance, the word is based upon energy. Nowhere is this idea more true than for Sanskrit mantra. For although there is a general meaning which comes to be associated with mantras, the only lasting definition is the result or effect of saying the mantra.

Definition #2: Mantras create thought-energy waves.

The human consciousness is really a collection of states of consciousness which distributively exist throughout the physical and subtle bodies. Each organ has a primitive consciousness of its own. That primitive consciousness allows it to perform functions specific to it. Then come the various systems. The cardio-vascular system, the reproductive system and other systems have various organs or body parts working at slightly different stages of a single process. Like the organs, there is a primitive consciousness also associated with each system. And these are just within the physical body. Similar functions and states of consciousness exist within the subtle body as well. So individual organ consciousness is overlaid by system consciousness, overlaid again by subtle body counterparts and consciousness, and so ad infinitum.

The ego with its self-defined "I" ness assumes a pre-eminent state among the subtle din of random, semi-conscious thoughts which pulse through our organism. And of course, our organism can "pick up" the vibration of other organisms nearby. The result is that there are myriad vibrations riding in and through the subconscious mind at any given time.

Mantras start a powerful vibration which corresponds to both a specific spiritual energy frequency and a state of consciousness in seed form. Over time, the mantra process begins to override all of the other smaller vibrations, which eventually become absorbed by the mantra. After a length of time which varies from individual to individual, the great wave of the mantra stills all other vibrations. Ultimately, the mantra produces a state where the organism vibrates at the rate completely in tune with the energy and spiritual state represented by and contained within the mantra.

At this point, a change of state occurs in the organism. The organism becomes subtly different. Just as a laser is light which is coherent in a new way, the person who becomes one with the state produced by the mantra is also coherent in a way which did not exist prior to the conscious undertaking of repetition of the mantra.

Definition #3: Mantras are tools of power and tools for power.

They are formidable. They are ancient. They work. The word "mantra" is derived from two Sanskrit words. The first is "manas" or "mind," which provides the "man" syllable. The second syllable is drawn from the Sanskrit word "trai" meaning to "protect" or to "free from." Therefore, the word mantra in its most literal sense means "to free from the mind." Mantra is, at its core, a tool used by the mind which eventually frees one from the vagaries of the mind.

But the journey from mantra to freedom is a wondrous one. The mind expands, deepens and widens and eventually dips into the essence of cosmic existence. On its journey, the mind comes to understand much about the essence of the vibration of things. And knowledge, as we all know, is power. In the case of mantra, this power is tangible and wieldable.

Statements About Mantra

Mantras have close, approximate one-to-one direct language-based translation.

If we warn a young child that it should not touch a hot stove, we try to explain that it will burn the child. However, language is insufficient to convey the experience. Only the act of touching the stove and being burned will adequately define the words "hot" and "burn" in the context of "stove." Essentially, there is no real direct translation of the experience of being burned.

Similarly, there is no word which is the exact equivalent of the experience of sticking one's finger into an electrical socket. When we stick our hand into the socket, only then do we have a context for the word "shock." But shock is really a definition of the result of the action of sticking our hand into the socket.

It is the same with mantras. The only true definition is the experience which it ultimately creates in the sayer. Over thousands of years, many sayers have had common experiences and passed them on to the next generation. Through this tradition, a context of experiential definition has been created.

Definitions of mantras are oriented toward either the results of repeating the mantra or of the intentions of the original framers and testers of the mantra.

In Sanskrit, sounds which have no direct translation but which contain great power which can be "grown" from it are called "seed mantras." Seed in Sanskrit is called "Bijam" in the singular and "Bija" in the plural form.

Let's take an example. The mantra "Shrim" or Shreem is the seed sound for the principle of abundance (Lakshmi, in the Hindu Pantheon.) If one says "shrim" a hundred times, a certain increase in the potentiality of the sayer to accumulate abundance is achieved. If one says "shrim" a thousand times or a million, the result is correspondingly greater.

But abundance can take many forms. There is prosperity, to be sure, but there is also peace as abundance, health as wealth, friends as wealth, enough food to eat as wealth, and a host of other kinds and types of abundance which may vary from individual to individual and culture to culture. It is at this point that the intention of the sayer begins to influence the degree of the kind of capacity for accumulating wealth which may accrue.

Mantras have been tested and/or verified by their original framers or users.

Each mantra is associated with an actual sage or historical person who once lived. Although the oral tradition predates written speech by centuries, those earliest oral records annotated on palm leaves discussed earlier clearly designate a specific sage as the "seer" of the mantra. This means that the mantra was probably arrived at through some form of meditation or intuition and subsequently tested by the person who first encountered it.

Sanskrit mantras are composed of letters which correspond to certain petals or spokes of chakras in the subtle body.

As discussed earlier, there is a direct relationship between the mantra sound, either vocalized or subvocalized, and the chakras located throughout the body.

Mantras are energy which can be likened to fire.

You can use fire either to cook your lunch or to burn down the forest. It is the same fire. Similarly, mantra can bring a positive and beneficial result, or it can produce an energy meltdown when misused or practiced without some guidance. There are certain mantra formulas which are so exact, so specific and so powerful that they must be learned and practiced under careful supervision by a qualified guru.

Fortunately, most of the mantras widely used in our portal and certainly those contained in this chapter are perfectly safe to use on a daily basis, even with some intensity.

Mantra energizes prana.

"Prana" is a Sanskrit term for a form of life energy which can be transferred from individual to individual. Prana may or may not produce an instant dramatic effect upon transfer. There can be heat or coolness as a result of the transfer.

Some healers operate through transfer of prana. A massage therapist can transfer prana with beneficial effect. Even self-healing can be accomplished by concentrating prana in certain organs, the result of which can be a clearing of the difficulty or condition. For instance, by saying a certain mantra while visualizing an internal organ bathed in light, the specific power of the mantra can become concentrated there with great beneficial effect.

Mantras eventually quiet the mind.

At a deep level, subconscious mind is a collective consciousness of all the forms of primitive consciousnesses which exist throughout the physical and subtle bodies. The dedicated use of mantra can dig into subconscious crystallized thoughts stored in the organs and glands and transform these bodily parts into repositories of peace.

Some of you may be interested or even fascinated by the discipline of mantra, but feel somewhat overwhelmed by the array of mantras and disciplines, astotaras and pujas you find in here. If so, then this chapter will be of use to you. It contains some simple mantras and their common application. They have been compiled from vedas and upanishads, drawn from the various headings of the deities or principles involved. These mantras address various life issues which we all face from time to time.

Krishna Janmashtami Festival and Rituals

Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu Religion. This day Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. This year this auspicious day falls on the 14^th of August 2009. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanthi or simply Janmashtami. In Mumbai and Pune this festival is also referred to as Dahi Handi. This festival is observed on the eighth day, Ashtami tithi, of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. It is believed that Krishna was born on Wednesday,the eighth day of second fortnight in the month of Shravana in Mathura around 3228 BC in Dwapur Yug. The main objective of Lord Krishna's birth was to re-establish righteousness and to restore peace on Mother Earth from the demons.

On the day of Krishna Janmashtami Hindu houses are beautifully decorated by women and sweets like Shrikhand, Pedhas, Kheer and other special recipes are made and offered to the lord. Many Devotees fast for the entire day and break it after the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight. Some people do not take even water during the time. People also make child footprint marks using some flour mixed with water in the entire house and sing bhajans, chant Shri Krishna Mantras, the 108 names of Lord Krishna and Bhagavatam. Plays depicting the various events in the life of Lord Krishna are also part of the festival. Krishna is worshipped and prayed on the entire day and offerings of butter, sweets and flowers are made. The worship concludes with Aarti at midnight and the ritual of the murti of the Lord is rocked in a beautifully decorated cradle.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami is the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna.

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The Story of Lord Krishnas Birth

The city of Mathura was ruled by King Ugrasen. He had a son named Kansa and a daughter Devki. Kansa jailed his father and forcefully became the king of Mathura. Kansa married off his sister to Vasudev who was one of the officers in is army. On the day of wedding Kansa heard a heavenly prediction that the eighth son of Devki will be born to kill him he decided to kill his sister also. But on Vasudev’s pleading he imprisons both of them on condition that they will handover all their children to Kansa. Kansa killed all the six new born babies of Devki and Vasudev but the seventh child Balram was saved by divine intervention as the child was transferred from Devki’s womb to that of Rohini's. When Krishna, the eighth son of Devki and Vasudev, was born as if by a sheer miracle, all the soldiers guarding the couple fell asleep and the gates of the dungeon flew open themselves and Vasudev smuggled the child in a basket to his friend Nand in Gokul. On the way he had to cross River Yamuna and it was raining heavily but the five headed serpent Sheshnag protected the child with its fangs. After putting the child near Yashoda who had that time given birth to a girl child Vasudev returned with the girl child to the dungeon. On hearing the news of the eighth born child, Kansa rushed to kill the girl. He held the child by her legs and just as he was about to bang her against the wall, the girl vanished into thin air and told Kansa that his slayer had been born and was safe. Krishna grew up as Yashoda and Nand’s son in Gokul and later killed his maternal uncle Kansa, freeing all the people of Mathura from his tyranny. He also liberated his parents from prison and reinstated Ugrasen as the King of Mathura. Lord Krishna also later played an important role in the Mahabharata War.

Maha Shivarathri Festival

Maha Shivaratri means "The Night of Shiva". This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated throughout India by those belonging to Hindu Religion. This festival is particularly popular in Uttar Pradesh. Maha Shivratri falls every year on the 13^th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha or Phalguna in the Hindu Calender which falls on the night before the day of the new moon. Most of the ceremonies take place during the night. On this day, fasting and night vigil (jaagaran) are observed. Some Hindus observe a strict fast on the day by even avoiding water (nirjala vrat). The Shiva Lingam is worshipped throughout the night. Mantras and Hymns to please Lord Shiva are chanted. It includes the shiva panchakshari mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" , "Shiva Mahimna Stotra" of Pushpadanta and Ravana's "Shiva Tandava Stotra" are sung with great devotion. In North India and Nepal people consume Bhang on this day. Most of the Shiva Temples expecially the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Bhagwan Shankar are crowded by devotees on this day.

It is believed that who utters the names of Shiva during Shivratri with utmost devotion is freed from all sins and liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. The Symbol of Lord Shiva, is the Shiva Lingam, it is a form to represent the formless and it is worshiped with great splendour during Maha Shivaratri. During Maha Shivaratri day the Shivalinga is washed with holy water after which the Ekadasha Rudrabishekam is performed. The ingredients used are milk, honey, ghee, curds, coconut water, sugar, flowers and bael leaves. On this day three horizontal stripes of holy ash applied to the forehead by worshippers of Lord Shiva representing the three eyes of shiva symbolizing spiritual knowledge, purity and penance. This day is also considered an auspicious day for wearing Rudraksha Beads, Lord Shivas holy bead and gift to the mankind.

There is a legend associated with the Maha Shivarathri. Once Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma argued over who is the strongest and supreme of all. Lord Shiva challenged both of them and appeared as a flaming Linga and challenged them to measure the gigantic Linga. Neither Lord Vishnu nor Brahma could measure the Shivlinga. Then Lord Shiva came out of the Linga and declared himself the most powerful. After that he manifested himself as "Shivalinga" to make the mankind aware of the presence of Eternal Time. It is also believed that it is on the day of Maha Shivrathri that the Shiva-Parvati marriage took place. This night also marks the night when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav', the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

Lord Narasimha is the fourth incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu who incarnated to kill Demon Hiranyakashyap and to save his devotee Prahlada. Read the Story of Lord Narasimha by clicking the Link

Narasimha Bija mantra

Om Kshraum

Chanting this Bija Mantra is said to removes all sorrows and fears.

Narasimha Maha Mantra

Om Hrim Ksraum ugram viram maha-vishnum
jvalantam sarvato mukham
nrisimham bhishanam bhadram
mrityur mrityum namamy aham

Meaning:

"I bow down to Lord Narasimha who is ferocious and heroic like Lord Vishnu. He is burning from every side. He is terrific, auspicious and the death of death personified."

Narasimha Gayatri Mantra

Om Vajranakhaya Vidmahe

Tiksnadamstraya Dhimahi

Tanno Narasimhah Pracodayat

Meaning:

Om let us meditate the half-man and half-lion form of the Lord Narasimha. May this great God with his nails pierce our ignorance and with his fierce sharp tooth destroy the demon of darkness and illuminate our mind and understanding.

Lord Ganesha , son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is worshipped by Hindus as the god of beginnings, knowledge, wisdom, intellect and remover of obstacles. One always starts any prayer, ritual or occasion by worshipping the Beloved Elephant God. Lord Ganesh blessings are also sought before starting any new venture. Lord Ganesha is also referred to as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vighneshawar and Pillaiyar.

One of my favourite Prayers of Shri Ganesha is

"Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Sama Prabha

Nirvighnam kuru mey Deva

Sarva kaaryeshu Sarvadaa"

Meaning

O Lord Ganesha who has a large body, curved trunk and brightness of a million suns, please remove all obstacles in my work always.

Ganesha Mantras are full of energy and power of Lord Ganesha and these mantras when chanted with genuine devotion removes obstacles and troubles in life and blesses with success and prosperity. Ganesh Mantras are also referred to as Siddhi Mantras and can remove depression, confusion, jealousy and fear from our minds.

Some Ganesh Mantras

"Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah"

"Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah"

"Aum Vakratundaya Hum"

"Aum Kshipra Prasadaya Namah"

"Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam ganapataye vara varada sarva janamme vashamanaya svaha"

"Aum Ekadantaya namah"

"Aum sumukhaya Namah"

"Aum kapilaya Namah"

"Aum gajakarnikaya namah"

"Aum lambodaraya namah"

"Aum Gajananam Bhootganadhisevitam,
Kapitthya Jamboo Phalcharu Bhakshanam
Umasutam Shokvinashkarakam
Namami Vighneshwara Padapankajam".

Ganesh Gayatri Mantra

"Aum Ekadantaya Vidmahe

Vakratundaya Dheemahi

Tanno Danti Prachodayat."

Ashtavinayaka Temples

There are 8 Temples in Maharashtra which is known collectively as Ashta Vinayaka Temples and it is said that every hindu should visit these temples atleast once in life time. The Pilgrimage to these temples is known as Ashtavinayaka Mandir Yatra. The 8 Temples of Ganapati are

Shri Mayureshwar Temple, Morgaon
Shri Siddhi Vinayaka Mandir, Siddhatek
Shri Ballaleshwar Temple, Pali
Shri Varada Vinayaka, Mahad
Shri Chinthamani Vinayaka Temple, Theur
Shri Girijatmaj Temple, Lenyadri
Shri Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar
Shri Mahaganapati Temple, Ranjangaon

The Mahamrityunjay Mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva is a centuries old technique of connecting one to pure consciousness and bliss. Lord Shiva, the third member of the Hindu Trinity ( The Trinity comprises of Lord Brahma who is the creater, Lord MahaVishnu who is the preserver and Lord Shiva the destroyer), is said to be the Lord of great mercy and compassion. Lord Shiva's destruction is not negative but nourishing and constructive. Lord Shiva's destruction builds and transforms life and energy for the welfare of the world. 'Mrityunjay' is another name for Lord Shiva. It is said to be Lord Shiva's moksha mantra. The Maha Mrityunjay is a mantra that is said to rejuvenate, bestow health, wealth, a long life, peace, prosperity, satisfaction, immortality and contentment. Mahamrityunjay Mantra is a Mantra to conquer death and connects us to our own inner divinity. This Mantra is also referred to as 'Tryambakam mantra' and 'Rudra Mantra'.

The Mantra

"Om Tryambhakam Yajamahe
Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan
Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat"

Meaning of the Mantra

"We worship the Three-eyed One who is fragrant, immensely merciful & and who is the Protector of the devotees. May he liberate us from death for the sake of immortality, Even as the cucumber is severed from bondage to the creeper."

By chanting this Mahamrityunjay Mantra, divine vibrations are generated which wards off all the negative vibrations and evil forces and create a powerful protective shield. And it is said to protect the one who chants against accidents and misfortunes of every kind. It is also said to have a powerful healing of diseases declared incurable even by the doctors. This is the Mantra to conquer death and connects us to our own inner divinity. This Mantra will grant you best health and preserve you from all kinds of misfortunes, dangers and accidents. Even if there is an earthquake that tears the ground beneath you into pieces, no danger can approach you. You will be protected wherever you are. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra chanting helps to please Saturn.

Meditate on the meaning of this Mantra while you repeat it. Direct all your inner attention to the wonderful, all-seeing and all-pervading Divinity as a radiant light. Feel the light in front of you, behind you, above you, below you, all around you and inside you. God is in our eyes, our soul and wherever we look God is there before us. This mantra should be chanted facing the East or North direction and chanted preferably using a Rudraksha rosary 108 times regularly starting on a Monday in a divine atmosphere.

Laghu Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Laghu Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is the short form of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. This Mantra is also known as Pandashakshri Mantra. The mantra is given below.

'Om Joom Sah Mam palay palay sah joom om'

If you are chanting this mantra for someone else then replace the word 'mam' with the name of the person for whom you are chanting the mantra.