Dussehra

Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi is a very popular Hindu Festival, celebrated with éclat throughout the country. It is observed on the tenth day of the bright half of Ashvina (September-October). It is a ten-day celebration, during which Ramlila, which is based on the epic story of the Ramayana, is staged at various places in most of the cities and towns in northern India with elaborate rituals. During its performance the Ramayana is constantly recited accompanied by music. It presents a fine blending of music, dance, mime and poetry before an enthusiastic and religious audience sharing every event of the story with the actors.

Struggle between the forces of good and evil, and the eventual victory of good over the evil, is the basic theme of Ramayana. Rama symbolizes the best in humanity and Ravana the evil force. Dussehra in Sanskrit also means "taking away ten sins." The ten heads of Ravana, represents these ten sins and Rama destroys them. Ravana adducted Sita with the help of another demon named Maricha. Ravana kept Sita in the Ashoka Grove and persisted in making Sita his wife, but Sita always thought of her husband Rama. Rama sent his messengers to Ravana and urged him to return Sita. But the evil Ravana refused to do so. Rama set off for Lanka with Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada, Jambvan and hundreds of other mighty monkeys. Ravana's younger brother Vibhishana, a noble soul and devotee of God, however, took refuge with Rama. Rama built a causeway in the sea to carry him and his forces across the water. Dussehra : Killing of RavanaRama, along with his young brother Lakshmana, killed all the demons and their king Ravana and regained Sita.Finally they returned to Ayodhya in Vimana Pushpaka. On this occasion huge effigies stuffed with brilliant fireworks are raised at various open grounds and set fire to by Rama. The effigies belong to Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and son Mehgnatha. This marks the culmination and termination of the celebrations. Elaborate and gay processions depicting various scenes of the Ramayana in the form of tableaus are taken out through bazaars and main streets. Apart from all this, Ramlila is also performed as a dance-drama by professional troupes. Dussehra festival held at Mysore, is one of India's most colorful phenomena. The spectacular procession taken out on this day is a veritable extravaganza. The colorful Dussehra fair and festival of Kulu is also very famous. Among the Ramalilas, the one staged at Varanasi under the patronage of the local Raja deserves mention. On this auspicious day Lord Rama is worshipped, prayed and meditated upon to obtain his blessings and favour. In old days the kings generally marched their forces on this day against their enemies, the day when Rama routed Ravana.

About Karva Chauth Festival

A married woman who observes this vrat is called ‘Saubhagyavati’ (joyous and happy state of wifehood). "Let the offerings of this Karwa (Karak (gift bring long life to my husband and may my saubhagya be everlasting". And express such desire that ‘May my death precede that of my husband so that I can enter the chitaa (funeral pyre) as a bride (not as a widow). This katha (narrative) first took place between Siva and parvati. Siva told Parvati about the significance of Karwa Vrat. In Dwapar Yuga, Draupadi asked Lord Krishna about the vrat of Karwa Chauth. Thereafter, the very first time this vrat was observed in the town of Shukraprastha by Veeravati, the daughter of Vedsharma and Leelavati. Ever since this vrat has been observed by married women till the present day.
The fast of Karwa Chauth is of particular importance to Hindu women as they believe it ensures the well-being, prosperity and longevity of their husbands. Thus Karwa Chauth started as a festival to celebrate the friendship (relationship) between the once-brides and their god-friends (god-sisters). Karwa Chauth has become more of a community festival Karwa Chauth is one such occasion when most married Hindu women in North India seek the blessings of God for their husband's long life. Karwa Chauth is observed on the fourth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin, which is also called Kartik according to some calendars. Karwa Chauth falls about nine days before Diwali. It is the most important fast observed by Hindu women of North India. On this day married Hindu women offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, and a long life of their husbands. Though it is a day marked with neither food nor water, this festival is quite popular among the newly weds. A few days before the festival, markets are full of items needed for the festival. The preparations for this festival start a week in advance. The day of Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly amongst the entire North Indian community settled either in India and other parts of the world. The most important aspect of this day is that a dawn to dusk fast is undertaken by the North Indian ladies and seeing the moon they finally break the fast. The fast is unique perhaps because nowhere in the world does a wife go without food or water just to pray for the longevity and well-being of her husband.
The festival of Karwa Chauth provides an opportunity for all married women to get close to their in-laws. Possessing a tremendous social and cultural significance, this festival is celebrated by keeping fast, applying henna and exchange of gifts. Mother-in-laws buy 'sargi' for their daughter-in-laws. This 'sargi' consists of various types of sweetmeats, and sometime clothes. All these items are supposed to bring good luck to the women. There is great festivity on this day
Early in the morning they prepare food and have it before sunrise. The morning passes by in other festive activities like decorating hand and feet with heena, decorating the pooja thali and meeting friends and relatives. Read more.....

Tav-Prasad Savaiye

 

Tav-Prasad Savaiye is a short hymn of 10 stanzas. It is a part of Guru Gobind Singh ji's classic composition 'Akal Ustat' which means 'The praise of God'. In the last line of the 9th stanza, Gobind Singh has declared that 'only those who love sincerely and honestly, realise God'. This Bani appears in the Dasam Granth on pages 13 to 15.

Below is the English transliteration and translation:

• Ik Oangkar waheguru ji ki fateh.
• God is One, Wonderful Preceptor God is always victorious

• patsahi 10
• composed by the 10th Guru

• tav prasad saviaye
• By God’s blessings - Name of the Hymn Swaiye

• Sravag sudh samuh sidhan ke dekh phirio ghar Jog jati ke.
• Groups of monks, saints, jogis, and jatti’s of Jain and budha’s sects and their schools have been studied

• Sur surardan sudh sudhadik sant samuh anek mati ke.
• Groups of undaunted brave men, gods, demons, and all other sects of saints have been studied.

• Sare hi des ko dekh rahio mat kou na dekhiat pran pati ke.
• All the ideoligies of all the countries have been also studied but the Lord of souls is still unseen.

• Siri bhagwan ki bhai kripa hu te ek rati bin ek rati ke.
• All such are of no use if there is no faith in God and the blessing and grace of God is not achieved.(1)

• Mate matang jare jar sang anup utang surang savare.
• If invaluable elephants of very large size, decorated with most costly ornaments of gold, are being possessed.

• Kot turang kurang se kudat paun ko gaun ke jat nivare.
• If the fleet of millions of galloping horses have the speed faster than wind, are being possessed.

• Bhari bhujan ke bhup bhali bidh niavat sis na jat bichare.
• If innumerable kings have very strong arms, are loyal and they bow their heads.

• Ete bhae tu kaha bhae bhupat ant ko nange hi pane padhare.
• If such transcendent emperors exist that does not matter as everyone has to depart nakedly.(2)

• Jit pherai sabh des disan ko bajat dhol mridang nagare.
• If all the countries are conquered and various kinds of big drums are beaten.

• Gunjat gur gajan ke sundar hinsat hi hayraj hajare.
• If herds of millions of decorated elephants trumpet and millions of galloping horses are neighing.

• Bhut bhavikh bhavan ke bhupat kaun ganai nahi jat bichare.
• Such emperors of the past, present, and future cannot be counted.

• Siri pat siri bhagvan bhaje bin ant kao ant ke dham sidhare.
• Without adorning God, even such emperors must go to hell in the end.(3)

• Tirath nan daya dam dan su sanjam nem anek bisekhai.
• If baths may be taken at places of pilgrimage, all acts of kindness and mercy may be practiced and may types of performances for self continence with charities are performed.

• Beyd puraan kateb kuran jamin jaman saban ke pekhai.
• If the vedas, puranas, the quran and all other holy books of the world are studied.

• Paun ahar jati jat dhar sabai su bichar hajark dekhai.
• If subsisting upon air may be practiced and many other such performances be performed.

• Siri Bhagvan bhaje bin bhupat ek rati bin ek na lekhai.
• In spite of all this, all such performances are useless without recitation and adoration of God.(4)

• Sudh sipah durant dubah su saj sanah durjan dalainge.
• If the tested indefatiguable and unconquerable soldiers, wearings tabards, have the power to crush enemies.

• Bhari guman bhare man mai kar parbat pankh hale na halainge.
• If they are confident that the mountain may move from its position by acquiring wings but their steps cannot turn back upon the battle field.

• Tor areen maror mavasan mate matangan man malainge.
• If they crush the strong enemies by cutting their necks and demolish the pride of the frantic elephants.

• Siri pat siri bhagvan kripa bin tiag jahan nidan chalainge.
• They will depart from this world empty handed without the blessing of the Lord of the Universe.(5)

• Bir apar bade bariar ab chareh sar ki dhar bhachhaya.
• Numerous indefatiguable and brave soldiers have the courage and strength to face the attack of swords and other arms.

• Torath des malind mavasan mate gajan ke man malayya.
• Many countries are conquered and the revolting foes are being crushed along with the frantic elephants.

• Gare garan ko toranhar su batan hin chak char lavayya.
• Strong forts may be seized and the whole world may be conquered merely by a single threat.

• Sahib siri sabh ko sirnaik jachak anek su ek divayya.
• God is the only donor and supreme. Lord of all who are beggers before Him.(6)

• Danav dev phanind nisachar bhut bhavik bhavan japainge.
• The demons, the gods, king of cobras, ghosts, spirits have been reciting God’s Name since the past and they will recite in the future.Read more....

Asa Di Var

Asa Di Var is a collection of 24 pauris or stanzas written by Guru Nanak Devji (Sri Guru Granth Sahib, page 462-475). The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev ji wrote the first 9 together on one occasion and later wrote 15 more stanzas on a different occasion. These two parts were then compiled together by the 5th Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji in 1604 AD.

When Guru Arjan Dev ji was compiling the Holy Granth, he added a few Sloks of Guru Nanak and in some cases Guru Angad Dev ji, the second Guru of the Sikhs. These Sloks are tied together in a way that they relate to the same theme as highlighted in the pauri. In its present form, the Asa Di War contains a few more shabads recited by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru.

The Asa Di War kirtan is recited in the early morning hours in a very melodious way and style as mentioned by Guru Arjan Dev Ji called "Tunde Asraje Ki Dhuni" after the name of the contemporary brave and pious king Asraj. One of the hands of the king was amputated, so he was called Tunda meaning crippled. The deeds and the ode of this king was sung by the bards in that typical fashion which then was extremely popular and melodious and was therefore adopted to performing Asa Di War.

Ardas

The Ardas is a Sikh prayers that is a done before performing or after undertaking any significant task; after reciting the daily Banis (prayers); or completion of a service like the Paath, kirtan (hymn-singing) program or any other religious program. In Sikhism, these prayers are also said before and after eating. Though these prayers vary by sect, all observe them as an important rite of the day. The prayer is a plea to God to support and help the devotee with whatever he or she is about to undertake or has done. The Ardas is usually always done standing up with folded hands. The beginning of the Ardas is strictly set by the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. When it comes to conclusion of this prayer, the devotee uses word like "Waheguru please bless me in the task that I am about to undertake" when starting a new task or "Akal Purakh, having completed the hymn-singing, we ask for your continued blessings so that we can continue with your memory and remember you at all times", etc.

Origins The word "Ardās" is derived from Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, supplication, prayer, petition or an address to a superior authority. Ardās is a unique prayer based on the fact that it is one of the few well-known prayers in the Sikh religion that was not written in its entirety by the Gurus. The Ardās cannot be found within the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib because it is a continually changing devotional text that has evolved over time in order for it to encompass the feats, accomplishments, and feelings of all generations of Sikhs within its lines. Taking the various derivation of the word Ardās into account, the basic purpose of this prayer is an appeal to Waheguru for his protection and care, as well as being a plea for the welfare and prosperity of all mankind, and a means for the Sikhs to thank Waheguru for all that he has done.

Meaning The Ardas is said as a reflection on everything it took for the Divine to create the pure Shabad Guru on earth and to remember all that the Sikh endured to protect it and ensure it landed in the hands of the future generation. It encompasses many Sikh and Humanistic values, such as peace and understanding, as well as faith and perseverance.READ MORE...

Shri Guru Amardas Ji

Name: Shri Guru Amardas Ji
Date of Birth: May 5, 1479 A.D.
Place of Birth: Village Basarke in Dist. Amritsar
Father: Bhai Tej Bhan
Mother: Mata Sulakhani
Mahal (Wife): Bibi Mansa Devi
Sons: Baba Mohan, Baba Mohari
Daughters: Bibi Dani, Bibi Bhani
Accession to Gurugaddi: 1552 A.D. at Khachir Sahib.
Bani: Total number of hymns 869 in 17 Ragas
City Founded: Goindval on the banks of river Bias in 1552 A.D.
Succession to Gurugaddi: Guru Sahib nominated Bhai Jetha, his son-in law, with the name of Guru Ram Das, as the fourth Guru of the Sikhs.
Date of Eternal Rest: September 1, 1574 A.D.
Place of Eternal Rest: Goindval, Dist. Amritsar.

Guru Amardas Sahib, the Third Nanak was born at village Basarke Gillan in Amritsar district on Vaisakh Sudi 14th, (8th Jeth), Samvat 1536 (5th May 1479). (Some chronicles mention the month of April 1479). His father Tej Bhan Bhalla and mother Bakht Kaur (also reffered as Sulakhani and Lakhmi Devi) were orhtodox Hindus and used to pay annual visits to the Ganges river at Haridwar. Guru Amadas Sahib was married to Mata Mansa Devi ji and had four childern: two daughters; Bibi Dani ji and Bibi Bhani ji (she was married to Guru Ramdass Sahib), and two sons; Mohan ji and Mohri ji.

Once Guru Amardas Sahib heard some hyms of Guru Nanak Sahib from Bibi Amro Ji, the daughter of Guru Angad Sahib. He became too much impressed and immediately went to see Guru Angad Sahib at Khadur Sahib. Under the impact of the teachings of Guru Angad Sahib, Guru Amardas Sahib adopted him as his spiritual guide (Guru). Then he started living at Khadur Sahib. He used to rise early in the morning, bring water from the Bias River for Guru's bath and fetch wood from the Jungle for 'Guru ka Langar'.

Guru Angad Sahib appointed Guru Amardas Sahib as third Nanak in March 1552 at the age of 73. This was a result of his services and devotion to Guru Angad Sahib and his teachings. He established his headquarters at newly built town Goindwal. There he propagated the Sikh faith in a very planned manner. He divided the Sikh Sangat area into 22 preaching centres. (Manjis), each under the charge of a devout Sikh.He himself visited and sent Sikh missionaries to different parts of India to spread Sikhism.Read more...

Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji

Name: Shri Guru Angad Dev ji
Date of Birth: March 31, 1504 A.D.
Place of Birth: Matte di Sarae, Dist. Ferozepur (Punjab - India)
Father: Bhai Pheru Mall
Mother: Mata Daya Kaur
Mahal (Wife): Bibi Khivi
Sons: Baba Dasua, Baba Datu
Daughters: Bibi Amarso, Bibi Anokhi
Year of Gurgadi: 1539 A.D. at Kartarpur on the banks of river Ravi.
Bani: Total number of hymns 63, in Salokas.
Succession to Gurugaddi: Guru Angad Dev nominated Amar Das as the third Guru of the Sikhs
Date of Eternal Rest: March 29, 1552 A.D.
Place of Eternal Rest: Khadur Sahib in Panjab

Guru Angad Dev Ji's given name was Bhai Lehana Ji. He was born on 31st March 1504 in the serai of village Matta, district Firozpur to Pheru Mal Khatri and Mata Sabhrayi. His father belonged to a trading family and was a follower of Mata Vaishno Devi. Under his influence Bhai Lehana too became a follower of Vaishno Devi. Later they left the village and shifted residence to Khadoor Sahib. There he married Kheevi, the daughter of Devi Chand Khatri, commenced his marital life and started running a shop for living. They had four children, two sons Dasu and Datu and two daughters Amro and Anokhi. One day Bhai Lehana was returning after visiting Devi?s temple when he overheard Bhai Jodha reciting utterances of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He decided to meet Guru Nanak Ji. Later during a visit to Kartarpur he met Guru Nanak Ji and imbibed his utterances. From that moment he realised that this was where he belonged. He served Guru Ji for seven years continuously. Guru Nanak too was much impressed by his dedication yet continued to test him and his own sons Lakhmi Das and Sri Chand. Every time it was Bhai Lehana who passed the test and the sons who failed.

Before his death Guru Nanak transformed Bhai Lehana into Guru Angad Dev Ji and bequeathed the guru?s seat to him. Once Emperor Humayun came to Guru Ji to seek his blessings after his defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Like in the case of Guru Nanak Ji, whosoever came in contact with Guru Angad Dev went away as an exemplary human being. For example people like Malooka Jatt, Chaudhary Bakhtawar and many others. There was a sadhu called Shivnath in village Khadoor who promised the people rainfall through his supernatural powers. Since Guru Angad Dev Ji did not believe in this kind of mumbo-jumbo Shivnath asked the villagers to banish him. However there was still no rainfall.Read More.....