Vinay Patrika: Shri Ram Stuti [46]

Raag Ramkali

Forever, Chant the Name of Lord Ram

sadaa

raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, raam japu, moodh man, baar baaram |

sakal saubhagya-sukh-khaani jiya jaani shath, maani vishvaas vad vedsaaram ||1||

koshalendra nav-neelkanjaabhatanu, madan-ripu-kanjhridi-chanchareekam |

jaankeeravan sukhbhavan bhuvnaaikaprabhu, samar-bhanjan, param kaaruneekam ||2||

danuj-van-dhoomdhuj, peen aajaanubhuj, dandd-kodanddvar chand banam |

arunakar charann mukh nayan raajeev, gun-achan, bahu mayan-shobha-nidhaanam ||3||

vaasnaavrind-kaairav-divaakar, kaam-krodh-mad-kanj-kaanan-tusshaaram |

lobh ati mat naagendra panchaananam bhakthit harann sansaar-bhaaram ||4||

keshavam, kalesham, kesh-vandit pad-dvandva mandaakinee-moolbhootam |

sarvdaanand-sandoh, mohaapaham, ghor-sansar-paathodhi-potam ||4||

shok-sandeh-paathodpatlaanilam, paap-parvat-kathin-kulishroopam |

santjan-kaamdhuk-dhenu, vishraamprad, naam kali-kalush-bhanjan anoopam ||6||

dharam-kalpadrumaaraam, haridhaam-pathi sanbalam, moolmidmev ekam |

bhakti-vairaagya-vigyaan-sham-daan-dam, naam aadheen saadhan anekam ||7||

ten taptam, hutam, datmevaakhilam, ten sarv kritam karmjaalam |

yen shriraamnaamaamritam paankritmanishamnavadhyamavlokya kaalam ||8||

shavpach, khal, bhill, yavnaadi harilokgat, naambal vipul mati mal na parsee |

tyaagi sab aas santraas, bhavpaas, asi nisit harinaam japu daastulsee ||9||

The Name of Shri Ram is the Essence of the Vedas

O foolish heart of mine ! Repeatedly and forever just do japa (chant) of the name of Shri Ram; he is the reservoir of absolute good fortune plus joy, and He is very the essence of the Vedas, grasping this fact mentally and having implicit faith, always say Shri Ram ||1||

Shri Ram's Hue is Like The Fresh Blue Lotus

The bodily lustre of Shri Ramchandra ji, the king of Kosala, is like a fresh blue lotus; He is the black bee who is attracted to the lotus of Lord Shiva's heart. He dallies with Janaki (title of Sita), is the repository of happiness, is the sole Supreme God of the entire universe, is the destroyer of the wicked in battle, and is supremely compassionate ||2||

Shri Ram is a Blazing Fire for Demons

He is like a blazing fire for the forest of demons. He is holding the beatiful bow and raging arrows in his sturdy and muscular arms which extend upto his knees. His hands, feet, face and eyes are lovingly tender like the red lotus. He is a reservoir of virtues and a repository of the beauty of several Kamdevs (god of love) ||3||

Shri Ram Annihilates Demons for the Well-Being of Bhaktas

He is the veritable sun in destroying lotus clusters of various passions and the frost for destroying lotus forests of lust, anger and intoxication. He is a lion, the king of the jungle, for the extremely exhilirated gajraaj (leader of a herd of elephants) of greed, and he annihilates the burden of the world by killing demons for the well-being of bhaktas ||4||

Shri Ram is Keshava who Helps us Cross the Mundane Ocean

The one who name is Keshav (a title of Vishnu/Krishna), the one who gets rid of anguish, whose sacred pair of feet are adulated by Lord Brahma and Shiva. He is a source of the sacred river Ganges, is forever abounding with delight, is the destructor of delusion and the Ship which helps us cross the terrifying ocean of existence||5||

The Name of Shri Ram is Like the Kamadhenu for Saints

Shri Ram is like the wind for piercing through gathered clouds of sorrow and anxiety, and is like the vajra ( thunderbolt of Indra which becomes also an emblem of Krishna) for shattering the tough mountain of sins. The one whose excellent name gives the desired fruit to saints like the Kamdhenu (the cow of plenty, a fabulous cow produced at the churning of the ocean and supposed to yield whatever is requested of her), bestows peace and has no equivalent in destroying the grave sins of Kaliyuga (age of spiritual darkness)||6||

Shri Ram's Name is The Basis of Kalpavrikshas

This Shri Ram Naam is the basic essence of a garden of kalpavrikshas (one of the fabulous trees of Indra's or Krishna's paradise, that grants all desiress) of religion, the path which leads to travellers heading for the abode of God, and all the means and siddhis (having supernatural powers because of being perfected & sanctified as if by penance). Several sources of getting moksha or salvation like bhakti (religious devotion), asceticism,spiritual knowledge, sensual restraint, self-control and charity are all dependent on chanting the name of Ram||7||

Relish the Nectar of Shri Ram's Name

The one who constantly relishes the innocent nectar of Shri Ram Naam daily, on seeing this fearsome age of Kali-has done all the tapas (religious austerities), has performed all yagyas (sacrificial offerings), has donated the whole of one's possessions and done all the Vedic karmas (actions) as per conventional norms ||8||

Chanting the Name of Shri Ram Releases us from This Material World

Several idlers, evil-doers, bhils(tribals of central India) and yavanis (Greeks) reached the supreme abode of Shri Hari (Vishnu) just by the vehement energy of chanting the name of Lord Ram. Destructive thoughts were not able to even touch their intelligence. O Tulsidas! Discarding all hope and fear, forever chant the name of Shri Ram-Naam which is just like a sharp sword for slashing the bondage of this material world||9||

Vinay Patrika: Shri Ram Stuti [45]

Raag Gauri

Shri Ram's Pitambar Flashes Like Lightning on His Dark-Hued Body

shriramchandra kripaalu bhaju man harann bhavbhay darunnam |

navkanj-lochan, kanj-mukh, kar-kanj, pad kanjaarunnam ||1||

kandarp agnnit amit chhavi, navneel neerad sundaram |

pat peet maanhu tadhit ruchi shuchi naaumi janak sutaavaram ||2||

bhaju deenbandhu dinesh daanav-daaitya-vansh nikandanam |

raghunand aanandkand koshalchand dashrath-nandanam ||3||

sir mukut kundal tilak chaaru udaaru ang vibhooshannam |

aajaanubhuj shar-chaap-dhar, sangraam-jit-khardooshannam ||4||

iti vadati tulseedaas shankar-shesh-muni-man-ranjanam |

mam hriday kanj nivaas kuru, kaamaadi khal-dal-ganjnam ||5||

The Merciful Shri Ramchandra ji

O heart of mine! Sing devotional hymns for the merciful Shri Ramchandra ji. He is the one who dispels the terrifying fear of the worldly cycle of birth and death, His eyes are like freshly budding lotuses;

Shri Ram is Likened to a Red Lotus

His face, hands and feet are similar to a red lotus||1||

Shri Ram, the Husband of Janaki

The lustre of His beauty surpasses innumerable Kamdevs put together. His body is lovely-hued like a fresh, blue water-laden cloud,the pitambar or yellow sash seems to flash like lightning on His body which is like the condensed cloud. I respectfully salute such an embodiment of purity, Shri Ram ji who is the husband of Janaki||2||

Shri Ram, the Darling Son of Dashratha

O heart of mine! Worship Shri Ram, the darling son of Dashratha. A friend of the poor, brilliant like the sun, the one who destroys the races of demons and fiends by their very roots, is a source of bliss and is so like the pristine moon in the sky of the Kosal Kingdom ||3||

Shri Ram Decked in Finery

The one on whose head rests the bejewelled crown, kundals (large ear-rings) adorn his ears, a beautiful tilak (sectarian mark) is made on His forehead, and lovely ornaments decki every limb of His; whose long arms extend upto His knees, who bears a bow and arrow; and has triumphed over *Khar-Dushan in battle ||4||

Shri Ram Makes Lord Shiva Joyous

Tulsidas prays that the same Shri Raghunath ji who delights the minds of Lord Shiva, *Adishesha and sages, and annihilates foes like lust,anger and greed, should forever dwell in the lotus of his heart||5||

Shri Ram Kills Khar-Dushan

*Khar-Dushan: In their 14th year of exile, demoness Surpanakha, widowed sister of Ravana, came to Panchavati. She was infatuated by Ram and asked him to marry her. Ram refused since he was married to Sita and asked her to approach Laxman instead. When Lakshmana also refused, enraged Surpanaka rushed to kill Sita. Lakshama intervened and cut off her nose. Bleeding, Surpanaka ran to her brother, Khar-Dushan and narrated the incident. Khar-Dushan headed towards Panchavati and attacked Ram but was killed in the battle.

Lord Vishnu Resting on Adisesha

*Adisesha: In Hindu Vedic tradition, Adishesha (Sheshanaag) is the king of all nagas and one of the primal beings of creation. In the Puranas, Shesha is said to hold all planets of the Universe on his hoods and constantly sing the glories of Vishnu from his mouths. It is said that when Adi-Shesha uncoils the time moves and creation takes place. When he coils back, the universe ceases to exist.

Vinay Patrika: Shri Sita Stuti [42]

Raag Kedaara

Lord Ram with Wife Sita

kabhun samay sudhi dhaaybee, meree maatu jaankee |

jan kahaai naam leit haaun, kiye pan chaatak jyon, pyaas prem-paankee ||1||

saral kahaaee prakriti aapu jaaniae karuna-nidhaankee |

nijgun, arikrit anhitau, daas-dosh surti chit rahat na diye daankee ||2||

baani bisaaranseel haai maanad amaankee |

tulseedaas na bisaariye, man karam bachan jaake, sapanehun gati na aankee ||3||

Ma Janaki with Shri Ramchandra ji

O Mother Janaki ! Finding an opportunity, remind Shri Ramchandra ji of me, at some point of time. I am called his daas (devotee), chant only His name,

The Pied Crest Cuckoo

and like a papiha (pied crested cuckoo supposed to live only on rain-drops) I have taken a vow for Him, I am ardently thirsting for the rain of His sweet love falling in the autumn asterism svati.||1||

Lord Ram, the Reservoir of Compassion

You very well know that the nature of Ram ji, a treasury of compassion, is very simple; He just does not remember His own guna or virtuousness, the harm caused by a foe, the offence of a devotee and the gifts He has liberally given away in charity ||2||

Goswami Tulsidas

He has a trait of forgetting; He gives honour to a person who is not respected anywhere; but forgets even this fact! O Mother ! You tell Him not to forget Tulsidas because he does not have the support of anyone else by way of heart, vow, and karmas (action with its fruit and implications of merit) even in his dreams ||3||

Vinay Patrika: Shri Sita Stuti [41]

Raag Kedaara

Ma Sita with Luv & Kush

kabhunk amb, avsar paai |

meriaau sudhi dhyaaibee, kacchu karun-katha chalaai ||1||

deen, sab angheen, ccheen, maleen, aghee aghaai |

naam laae bharaae udar ek prabhu-daasee-daas kahaai ||2||

boojhihaain 'so haae kaun,' kahibee naam dasaa janaai |

sunat raam kripaaluke meree bigriaau bani jaai ||3||

jaankee jagjanani jaankee kiye bachan sahaai |

taraae tulseedaas bhav tav naath-gun-gan gaai ||4||

Jaga Janani Sita with Shri Ram

O Mother of the world ! If you ever get a chance then somewhat abandoning talk of compassion, remind Shri Ramchandra ji of me (my purpose will be achieved by just this)||1||

The Sacred Tulsi, Attends to the Needs of Lord Ram

Actually say that an extremely needy person, deprived of all means, dejected (in mind), weak and an absolute sinner, feeds himself by being called the servitor of your daasi (tulsi, the sacred basil plant who attends to your needs; devotees of Lord Ram honour Tulsi as Sita) and repeatedly chanting your name||2||

Goswami Tulsidas Asks Ma Sita to Reveal His Miserable State to Lord Ram

If the Lord showers his grace on this statement and asks who is he, then tell him my name and my state. In case the merciful Ramchandra ji just listens to this truth, my wretched condition will be rectified||3||

Tulsidas Sings the Glories of Shri Ram

O Janki ji, mother of the world! If you help this daas (servitor) in this manner by merely giving your word, then Tulsidas will certainly cross over the ocean of mundane existence, by singing the glories of your svami (Shri Ram)||4||

Ma Sita is an Incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi

Janki ji: A title of Sita who is an incarnation of goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is an embodiment of God's divine feminine energy or shakti, the feminine manifestation of cosmic energy which purifies, empowers and uplifts the individual. Due to her motherly feelings and being the consort of Vishnu or Narayan (Supreme Being), she is revered as Mother of the Universe.

Vinay Patrika: Shatrughan Stuti [40]

Raag Dhanaashree

Shatrughana, the Younger Brother of Lakshmana

jayati jaya shatru-kari-kesree shatruhan,

shatrutam-tuhinahar kirannketoo |

dev mahidev-mahi-dhenu-sevak sujan-

siddhi-muni-sakal-kalyaann-hetoo ||1||

jayati savaargsundar sumitraa-suvan,

bhuvan-vikhyaat-bhartaanugaamee |

varmchamaarsi-dhanu-baann-tunneer-dhar

shatru-sankat-samay yatprannaamee ||2||

jayati lavannaambunidhi-kumbhsambhav mahaa-

danuj-durjandavan, durithaaree |

lakshmannaanuj, bharat-raam-seetaa-charann-

rennu-bhooshit-bhaal-tilakdhaaree ||3||

jayati shrutikeerti-vallabh sudurlabh sulabh

namat narmad bhuktimuktidaataa |

daastulsee charann-sharann seedat vibho,

paahi deenaart-santaap-haataa ||4||

Shri Shatrughan Bravely Triumphs Over Enemies

Glory be to Shri Shatrughana who is like a brave lion in utterly defeating the elephants of enemies. Glory be to the one who is the veritable sun in destroying the darkness and mist of foes, the one who attends to the needs of gods, brahmans, earth and cows, and the one who brings about the well-being of virtuous people, siddhas (perfected or sanctified as by penance) and sages or ascetics ||1||

Shatrughana, the Son of Sumitra ji

I make obeisance to that Shatrughan ji, all of whose limbs are beautiful, who is the son of Sumitra ji, the one following the command of world-renowned Bharat ji; the one who is wearing an armour, sword-shield, bow-arrow and quiver, and gets rid of the sufferings which are given to us by opponents ||2||

Sage Agastya Drinking the Ocean

Glory be to Shatrughan ji who is equivalent to Agastya in crossing the ocean of *Lavanyasura, killing several powerful devious demons and expiating our sins.

Shatrughana Adulates Lord Ram & Sita, Bharat & Lakshman

He is the younger brother of Lakshman ji and applies the splendid tilak (sectarian mark) of the dust of the lotus feet of Bharat ji, Shri Ram & Sita ji, on his forehead ||3||

Shri Shatrughan Marries Shrutikirti ji

Glory be to such a Shatrughana who is the husband of Shrutikirti ji, difficult to attain by the wicked and easily attainable by those who serve him, grants us joys, bhoga or worldly pleasure and mukti or salvation, the instant we bow to him. O God!

Goswami Tulsidas

This Tulsidas is bearing sorrow even after having sought the refuge of Your feet. O Alleviator of the suffering of the needy and distressed! Protect him (that is Tulsidas)||4||

*Lavanasura: In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lavanasura was a demon who was killed by Shatrughana, the youngest brother of Lord Rama. Whereas the story about Agastya goes that once the Kalakeyas (a clan of Asuras) had taken refuge in the Cosmic Ocean, so that it was difficult for the Devas to vanquish them, due to which they went to Sage Agastya for help. After hearing the Devas, the sage drank the entire ocean water and held it within him, until the demons were destroyed.

Spiritual Calendar, April 2011

All the dates given below are as per the Banke Bihari Panchang of Vrindavan.

Shri Banke Bihari ji of Vrindavan

3rd April, 2011: Chaitra Amavasya is the No Moon day in the month of Chaitra as per the Hindu calendar. On the following day, the Vaishakh Month begins. Many devotees throng to Sri Banke Bihariji temple particularly as the New Year and Navratras are about to start. Chaitra Amavasya is auspicious for Pinda daan and Pitru Tarpan. After bathing donate crop, cow, gold and clothes and feed the Brahmans according to your capacity. By doing so one gets the blessings of one's ancestors.

3^rd April, 2011: Celebration of highly revered Dharam Bahenji 's birthday

Shri Dharam Bahen ji

at Vrindavan. Dharam Bahenji was a famed saint of Vrindavan who was born on 2nd April, 1927 and left for Golok (the abode of Lord Krishna) on 25th May, 2001.

Right from the age of six she used to fluently chant the Bhagavad Gita and at the tender age of eleven wrote the renowned play 'Giridhar Ki Meera,' a beautiful composition on Meera, the bhakti poet-saint of Rajasthan.

She was a teacher in Delhi ( BA , Prabhakar ) but after meeting Saint Ushaji in 1950, she shifted to Ambala. This was pre-destined because from 1954 onwards, the arrival of Sakha ji (a siddha from Golok) had become a regular practice.

Saint Usha ji & Sushila Bahen ji

Hence the trio of Ushaji-Susheelaji-Dharamji used to relish the lilas or playfull dalliances of Lord Krishna, as friends.

Only when Usha ji renounced the world for settling in Vrindavan on 17th November, 1959, Dharam ji joined her job in Delhi. In fact, her divine experiences with Thakurji reveal that a sort of Vallabhacharya -Tulsidas- Surdas Bhakti-Yuga was re-enacted in Bobo's era as well. When great devotees of Krishna are born they generally come together as a parikar or divine group so that the time on earth is not wasted in worldly affairs but spent in singing the glories of the Lord. For example we had Bhai Poddarji-Radha Baba-Sethji of Gorakhpur.

4th April, 2011: The Chaitra Navratas Begin and the new Panchang is read before Sri Banke Bihari ji in Vrindavan.

Ma Durga, the Divine Feminine Energy or Shakti

In Hindu mythology Durga is Shakti, the divine feminine energy. According to a legend, Lord Brahma granted a boon to Mahishasur, the buffalo demon. Armed with infinite power, the asura created havoc in the universe, and no one could dare defeat him. Equipped with unprecedented might he started terrorizing the deities. One fine day he ventured to Heaven or Swargaloka to kill Indra, the King of the Gods. Greatly distressed, Indra and other deities entreated Lord Shiva for help. Lord Shiva along with Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma, released their energies. The shaktis of the gods flashed forth and fused together, bringing to life a magnificent Goddess resplendent with many arms.

Acclaimed as Durga, she was ravishingly beautiful and deadly. The armed Durga rode a Lion and fought a fiercely bloody battle with Mahishasur, raging for nine days and nights. Finally on the tenth day, Durga trampled him under her foot and Mahishasur was killed, saving the universe from his reign of terror. The Goddess’s triumph because of her innate divinity symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Navratri is Celebrated Twice a Year

As per astrological predictions there are two major solar influences each year. One is the Dakshinayana period when the Sun crosses the Equator moving towards the southern hemisphere, heralding the start of winter. The second is the Uttarayana period when the Sun crosses the Equator moving towards the northern hemisphere, indicating the onset of summer. These two periods are cited as the sacred time for worshipping the Mother Goddess and celebrating Navratras. Ram Navratri is celebrated in the Chaitra Month) and the Durga Navratri in the first nine days of the light half of the month Ashvin.

4^th April, 2011: Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa Ushers in the New Year

Gudi Padwa is mainly celebrated in Maharashtra on the first day of Chaitra (March-April). The Marathi name for Chaitra Shukla Pratipada it marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year,according to the lunisolar Hindu calendar. People get up early in the morning, clean up their houses, have ablutions and wear festive new clothes. Women decorate their houses with Rangoli. A silk banner is raised and worshipped and thereafter greetings and sweets are exchanged.

6^th April, 2011: Matsya Jayanti

Lord Vishnu Incarnates as Matsya Avatara

or the appearance day of Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu is observed on the third day of the waxing phase of the moon of Chaitra (March – April). The very first incarnation in the Hindu pantheon, the Matsya Avatara epitomizes the various incarnations of Vishnu that follow. Preserving all life forms in a boat during the deluge, the incarnation establishes the concept of Manus for each Great Yuga coupled with the task of recovering the lost Vedas.

During the deluge that night the Matsya Avatar kept the boat afloat and narrated the contents recorded in the Matsya Purana to Satyavrata preparing him for his role as the next Manu. The liberated Vedas were restored to Brahma so that he could resume the function of creation at the proper time. Consequently Lord Vishnu saved his true devotees from dissolution in the Matsya incarnation.

There is only one temple in India dedicated to Lord Matsya – Nagalapuram Veda Narayana Swamy Temple near Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Matsya and the idol has the head and torso of Lord Vishnu and golden human-like feet.

6^th April,2011: Skanda Chhathi

Lord Skanda or Murugan

is the sixth day after purnima (Full Moon) or Amavasya (No Moon) in the Hindu calendar. Skanda is a Hindu god also known as Karikeya or Murugan. Shashti Vratham is an auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Subramanya or Murugan. Devotees fast on Shashti day and worship Murugan with shodashopachara puja.

There are two Shashtis in a month and devotees of Skanda observe partial or full fast on the Shashti occurring after the new moon (Amavasya).

6^th April,2011: Shri Ramanujacharya Jayanti

Shri Ramanuj Acharya

He is hailed as one of the four main Acharyas of Sanatan Dharma, the famous South Indian philosopher who advocated that bhakti or devotional worship of Lord Vishnu in any form is the ideal method to attain salvation or moksha. Moving away from the Advaita principles, Ramanuja amalgamated philosophy of Upanishads, Brahma Sutras and gave the Bhakti Tradition a strong intellectual basis.

7 April, 2011: Vinayak Chaturthi Vrat

Vinayak Chaturthi Vrata

known as Ganesh Damnak Chaturthi. The fast is observed to please Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is called the Vighanharta and a puja begins with worship of Lord Ganesha.

The Legend of Ganesh Damnak Chaturthi Fast

A tale recounts how the Gods decided to choose their leader between the brothers-Kartikeya and Ganesh. Whoever took three rounds of the earth first, would be acclaimed with the position. Kartikeya seated on a peacock, his vehicle, soon enough set out for the mission. Ganesh was given a mooshak or rat, which moved swiftly. He made obeisance to his parents and circumambulating them three times, completed the test before Kartikeya. He reasoned, "My parents pervade the entire universe and going around them, is more valuable than going round the earth." All present were amazed at Ganesha's logic and he was renowned as Ganadhipati or leader, now famed as Ganapati.

9th April, 2011: Yamuna Jayanti Mahotsav

Shri Yamuna Maharani

Yamuna Jayanti is dedicated to the Yamuna River and it is also known as Yamuna Chhath, observed mainly in Mathura. It is observed on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon) in Chaitra (March – April). Special pujas are offered on the banks of the Yamuna River on this particular day. On Yamuna Jayanti, Yamuna ji is believed to have appeared on earth in the form of a river.

Invariably people visit banks of the Yamuna River and do puja. Taking a sip of water , they chant” Yamuna Maiya Ki Jai.” Shri Yamuna is known to fulfil all our desires not of this material world but for attaining Lord Krishna.She grants fruition when we long to attend to Krishna's needs, sight His lilas and relish His rasa or religious rapture,making us reach the heights of elation and ecstasy.

11April, 2011: Shri Durga Maha Ashtmi Vrat

Shri Durga Ashtami

On the 8th day of this colourful festival, yagna or religious sacrifice and homa or holy fire is performed. Pure ghee, kheer and sesame seeds are offered to Goddess Durga. Many people in north India celebrated the 8th day as ashtami when nine young girls symbolizing Navdurge are fed with halwa, puri and kale chane.

11^th April to 13^th April, 2011: Sai Baba Utsav at Shirdi

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi

The Utsav observed in Chaitra Month attracts thousands of devotees to the Saibaba Temple at Shirdi. Special pujas and programs are held during the three days. The festival also marks the end of the Chaitra Navratri.

12 April,2011: Shri Ram Naumi

Shri Ram Naumi

We celebrate the festival on the ninth day of the new moon in the month of Chaitia to mark the birth of Lord Ram and his three brothers, Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan.Although this festival is primarily to remember Lord Ram on his birthday, in some parts of India devotees also mark the nine days of Ram Naumi as Nao Ratri (nine nights).

Lord Ram’s father Raja Dashrath was the king of Ayodhya. He had three wives: Kaushalya, Kakai and Sumitra – and all three Queens could not bear any children to succeed the beloved King.In Ayodhya during the Treta Yugha there was never a shortage of anything but King Dashrath longed for a successor to his rule.

Lord Ram was born at sharp midday on the ninth day of the bright side of the month of Chaitra. (In contrast Lord Krishna was born at midnight in the dark side of the month of Bhadrapath – around August of every year)

Tulsidaas, the great narrator who wrote the Ramayana noted that Lord Vishnu came to earth for the protection of four living beings:

Brahmans

Devis and devtas

Gao mata (holy cow)

Saints (sants & rishis).

Lord Vishnu agreed to incarnate to destroy the demon king, Ravan, and allow the brahmans and saints to worship freely again. It was after all the devis and devtas together with Mother earth (in the form of a holy cow) went to Lord Vishnu that he agreed to transcend on earth.

Shri Ananddass Baba, a Great Devotee of Shri Hanuman

Sri Ramnaumi Bhandara is also organised at the ashram of Ananddass Baba who was a great Hanumana devotee and the deities (Lord Ram-Sita & family) whom he served have a new dress each Sri Ramnaumi. Thereafter Sri Ram Kirtan is held in the evening again.

12^th April, 2011: Monthly Sri Hari Kirtan

Shri Hari Kirtan

and the akhand Ramyana Path at Santosh Bahenji's place.

14April, 2011: Kamada Ekadashi Vrata

Lord Vishnu

expiates all the sins including Brahma Hathya.The legend or the Vrat Katha of Kamada Ekadasi is mentioned in the Varaha Purana as a conversation between Lord Krishna and King Yudhistira.

Once, a Gandharva called Lalita was married to a beautiful woman. After his marriage, he was unable to do his regular tasks with dedication because of attraction towards his wife. Pundarika, the King of Gandharvas, therefore cursed him to become a cannibal. Gandharva with his wife wandered to many holy places to get rid of the curse.

While they were passing by a hermitage, they met a Sage and asked for a remedy to get rid of this curse. That Sage advised them to perform the religious observances associated with Kamada Ekadashi. He suggested that the sole remedy was Ekadasi fasting. As suggested by the Sage, the Gandharva couple observed the Kamada Ekadasi fast and got rid of the Gandharvas curse.

14^th April, 2011:Phool Bangla Utsav Of Shri Bankey Bihari Ji

Shri Radha Raman ji in a Phool Bangla of Vrindavan

Maharaj begins in Vrindavan. Phool Bangla Utsav in Vrindavan is a festival celebrated for many days, starting from Chaitra Shukla Ekadasi up to Haryali Amavasya (Shravan Amavasya). In Vrindavan, during this festival of flowers, Lord Shri Banke Bihariji is adorned with leaves and blossoms of summer. The leaves of Vatvriksha (Banyan) are strung as garlands and ornaments for Bihariji. Phool Bangla is the decorated home to seat Lord Bihariji and every devotee longs to view this ethereal scene at least once in his lifetime.

15 April,2011: Bengali New Year begins

Pohela Boishakh Ushers in the Bengali New Year

The Bengali calendar is closely tied with the Hindu Vedic solar calendar, based on the Surya Siddhanta. The Bengali calendar commences in mid-April of the Gregorian year. In Kolkata, Pohela Boishakh (and indeed the entire month of Boishakh) is considered to be an auspicious time for marriages. These days people wear new clothes and go about socialising. Choitro, the last month of the previous year, is the month of hectic activities and frantic purchases.

Pohela Boishakh is the day for cultural programmes. Prayers are offered for the well-being and prosperity of the family. Young ladies clad in white saris with red borders and men clad in dhuti and kurta take part in the Probhat Pheri processions early in the morning to welcome the first day of the year.

This day being auspicious, new businesses and new ventures are started.Pohela Boishakh is the beginning of all business activities in Bengal. The Bengali Hindu traders purchase new accounting book. Long queues of devotees are seen in front of the Kalighat temple from late night to receive the blessings of the almighty.

On Pohela Boishakh various fairs are held in West Bengal.

15^th April, 2011: Shiva Pradosh Vrat

Lord Shiva Pradosh

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings one's desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment. Generally people observe the Pradosha Vrata on every trayodashi tithi (13th lunar day falling in Krishna and Shukla Pakshas) in the evening. Please offer plain water and bel patra to Lord Shiva. The bel patra or leaf of the wood-apple tree represents the three eyes of lord Shiva and the three gunas.

18^th April, 2011- Chaitra Poornima

Chaitra Purnima

is sacred for taking a dip in holy rivers and doing charity. Full Moon in April 2011 is known as Chaitra Purnima in Hindu Calendar. Purnima April 2011 date is April 18, Monday.

Chaitra Purnima marks the end of Chaitra Mahina in North Indian Hindi calendar. Purnima time in India – begins at 12 noon on 17 April and ends on 18 April at 8.14 am. 17 April 2011 is observed as Hanuman Jayanti Upvaas.

Chitragupta Puja is also celebrated on Chaitra Purnima in some North Indian castes.

18^th April, 2011: Shri Hanuman Jayanti

Shri Hanuman Jayanti

is an important festival of Hindus and celebrates the birth of Lord Hanuman during the month of Chaitra.Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India either alone or together with Sri Rama. Hanuman is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. A symbol of strength and energy, He is the living embodiment of Ram-Nam, a great devotee and an exceptional celibate. He did what others could not do-crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the city of Lanka and bringing the sanjeevini herb for restoring Lakshmana to life again.

On Hanuman Jayanti people read the Hanuman Chalisa, fast and spend the whole day chanting the name of Ram. The devotees visit temples and apply a tilak of sindoor to their foreheads from Hanuman's idol as a symbol of good luck.

21^st April, 2011: Shri Ganesh Sankashta Chaturthi Vrat

Sankashta Ganesh Chaturthi

Sankashta Ganesh Chaturthi is observed on the Chavithi day during Krishna Paksha in every Hindu month. The legend of Sankashta Ganesh Chaturthi is associated with King Shursen, Lord Indra and sage Bhushundi:

Once God Indra's Vimana (plane) returning home from sage Bhushundi (a great devotee of Lord Ganesha), was flying above king Shursens kingdom. One person who had sinned in his life saw that plane in the sky and it landed on the ground. Surprised by the radiance, the king went to see the plane.

The king was much pleased and saluted God Indra and asked the reason for landing of the plane. God Indra told him that a sinner from your kingdom looked at the plane, due to his sins the plane landed on the ground. King Shursen asked Lord Indra how the plane could start again.

Lord Indra told him that today is Panchami, yesterday was Chaturthi. If a person, who fasted yesterday, gives his virtue to me the plane would start.Right then the some soldiers saw a woman who had died recently being taken away by Ganesh-Duta (a soldier of Lord Ganesha). They asked him that how they could take such a sinner to Ganesh Loka.

Ganesh-Duta replied that yesterday she had slept the entire night and not eaten anything. She woke up late night after moon-rise and ate some food. Unknowingly she had kept the Sankashti Chaturthi fast and died today.

The soldier also said that a person, who does Sankashti Chaturthi at least once in life-time, goes to Ganesh loka or Swananda loka after death. Soldiers requested Ganesh-Duta to give that womans body to them but he refused. The wind which blew from the dead womans body suffused the place where Indra's plane had stopped and the air turned virtuous. Those who keep the Sankashti Chaturthi fast even once in their lives are said to go to Ganesh Loka.

25 April, 2011: Sheetala Ashtami

Shri Sheetala Mata

is an auspicious day dedicated to Goddess Sheetala in the month of Chaitra (March-April) as per the traditional calendar followed in North India.Its Vrat is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in Chaitra month and helps in curing diseases. Sheetala Mata is popular as the goddess of chicken pox and small pox.Many people of rural India believe that by revering the goddess on this day there will be immunity all around and children will be safeguarded from hazardous epidemics.

It is mainly celebrated in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and some other North Indian states.

28th April,2011: Varuthini Ekadashi

Lord Vishnu

is observed on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha or waning phase of the moon in Chaitra/Vaisakha month. It is believed that observing Varuthini Ekadasi makes a person fortunate, prosperous, expiates his sins and helps in attaining moksha. The greatness of fasting on this Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira (the eldest of the Pandavas) by Lord Krishna and is mentioned in the Bhavishyottara Purana.

To get the merits of Varudhini Ekadasi, on Dashami, the day before Ekadashi, devotees avoid consuming onions, spinach and some more foods. On Dwadasi, the day after Ekadasi, devotees avoid the eatables as they did on the Dashami day.

On Varuthini Ekadasi, devotees spend time reciting Holy Scriptures such as the Bhagavada Puraram and do jagaran or keep awake during the night. During Ekadashi people avoid cutting their hair, shaving and taking an oil bath.

28^th April,2011: Sri Vallabhacharya Jayanti

Shri Vallabhacharya

Shri Vallabhacharya is one of the five main Acharyas of the Hindu Religion. (The other four being Shankaracharya, Shri Ramanujacharya, Shri Madhavacharya and Shri Nimbarkacharya.) He propagated the philosophy of Shuddhadvaita and founded the Pushtimarg, a sect of the Hindi religion around 1500 AD. Shri Vallabh with his unopposed arguments proved that God is purely non-dualistic or Shuddhadwait.

During the second pilgrimage, Lord Krishna appeared as Shrinathji in front of him and ordered him to propagate the pushti kind of devotion among the chosen ones and bring them back in their original state to Golok-dham.

Lord Shrinathji assured him that with brahamasambandha, (relationship with God) whichever soul gains entry into the Pushti Marg, its impurities will refrain from obstructing the soul's relation with the Divine and the soul will be eligible to pursue His bhakti.

30 April, 2011: Shani Pradosh Vrat

Lord Shiva

an auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is observed on the thirteenth day of every fortnight (Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu calendar. Shivalinga puja at the time of pradosha time and fasting are the main rituals of Pradosham.

In all Pradosha vratas, Shani Pradosha which falls on a Saturday and Soma Pradosham on a Monday are important days.