GUKESH: YOUNG INDIAN PRODIGY

THE YOUNGEST GM IN 
INDIAN CHESS HISTORY

https://sg.news.yahoo.com - Tamil Nadu (one of the most well known and important states in India) is famous for, among others, Rajinikanth and chess. Now, when the two names somehow combine what do you get? Well, a Chess Grandmaster, who at 12 years, 7 months and 17 days, is the youngest Grandmaster India has ever produced. Welcome to the world of D Gukesh, who scored the needed GM points at the Delhi Open on Tuesday to become India’s youngest GM, beating the previous record of Tamil Nadu’s Praggnnanandhaa (who got to his GM norm at 12 years, 10 months and 13 days).
For the record, Gukesh is the second youngest in the world to become the GM (he missed the Sergey Karajakin record by just 19 days). Gukesh is India’s 59th GM.

From India’s first International Master Manuel Aaron, who grew up in Tamil Nadu, to Vishwanathan Anand, former World Champion and India’s first GM in 1988, and to Gukesh now, Tamil Nadu is keeping its image as the chess capital of India alive. Gukesh got his first IM norm in October 2017 and his Elo rating was 2323. From then to Jan 15, 2019, it has been a never-ending sequence of events. In 16 months flat, Gukesh achieved 3 IM norms, 3 GM norms and his Elo rating is now at 2500. It has been a spectacular rise. 
Gukesh’s coach Vishnu Prasanna himself says that the lad has a strong mental ability to handle pressure. He is always willing to learn and stays curious, he adds. Both his parents are smart and empathetic enough to not push him too hard, and let his talent go waste for want to encouragement. In that sense, like Gukesh, they too are making the right moves.

The origin of Chess is not easy to date and there is a clear difference between the Modern Chess and the ols game which historians and the ancient texts record. But one thing is clear, Chess is very old and was always related in some way to royalty. In Europe, during the Late Middle Ages, thanks to the Indo-Arab influence, chess became part of the life of the aristocracy of the main European kingdoms, and in that way the game begins to be practiced by kings, counts, marquises and other members of the aristocracy. In chapter 68 of "Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead," Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada tells us that in Dvaraka, Krishna resided with His sixteen thousand queens, and each possessed his own palace. Even during His childhood, the Lord is fond of playing chess and He has fun with the cowherd boys and girls in the forests of Vrindavan. In the "Nectar of Devotion" Chapter 42, Srila Prabhupada explains that "...Krishna played with His intimate friends sometimes by fighting or wrestling with their arms, sometimes by playing ball and sometimes by playing chess." It has been proven that this game develops attention, intelligence, strategic planning and mental lucidity. In many countries. In many countries, Chess integrates the curricula of the official education of children since it facilitates the learning of other subjects. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

[...] Being inquisitive as to how Kṛṣṇa was managing His household affairs with so many wives, the great sage Nārada desired to see these pastimes and so set out to visit Kṛṣṇa's different homes. [...] After departing from the palace of Rukmiṇī, Nāradajī wanted to see the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa's internal potency, yogamāyā; thus he entered the palace of another queen. There he saw Lord Kṛṣṇa engaged in playing chess, along with His dear wife and Uddhava. The Lord immediately got up from His seat and invited Nārada Muni to sit on His personal seat. [...] He therefore told Nārada, "My dear sage, [...] what reception can We offer you, and what can We possibly give you? Yet, since Your Holiness is a brāhmaṇa, it is Our duty to offer you something as far as possible. Therefore, I beg your pleasure to order Me. What can I do for you?".

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
“Krishna Book” - Chapter 68 
Bhaktivedanta VedaBase
http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://vrindaportal.com/
http://vrindanews.com/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

SURGERY TO INCREASE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE

“EL CHAPO” UNDERWENT OPERATION
TO ENHANCE SEXUAL PERFORMANCE

https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com - Joaquin “Chapo” Guzman, 58, underwent a drug dealer operation in the genitals to improve sexual performance, a few weeks before holding a secret meeting in the Mexican jungle with actress Kate del Castillo and actor Sean Penn while a fugitive, according to reports. 
CNN in Spanish revealed that information on its website based on the testimony of "an official from the Mexican government" not identified and pointed out that the surgery took place in a hospital in the state of Baja California in northwestern Mexico . Apparently the doctors put “implant” to “increase blood circulation in the area and thereby improve sexual performance leader of the Sinaloa Cartel,” indicating the channel, which does not offer more details.

Experts say that women were “weakness” of “El Chapo”, in his life he had seven known partners, with whom he fathered 18 children. 
According to the Mexican government, the boss had an "almost obsessive interest" in Del Castillo, apparently emerged following she wrote him an open letter in 2012 via Twitter asking him to use his power to do good and be a “hero”.  After that he sent her some flowers and from there they held a secret communication-from September, thanks to a cell phone that the boss bought the actress with some messages of affection.  These messages were broadcast by Mexican media had access to them through the intelligence services. Some of the texts that the actress, were “I moved too much to tell me you take care of me.”

A new revelation in the saga of recently recaptured Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman shows that he suffered from erectile dysfunction and had recently undergone surgery for it. “What's new about this? That Guzman has a weakness for women? He has 18 children, he's married to a woman 30 years younger than him,” said Alejandro Hope, a security analyst in Mexico City. At the end, the most wanted drug lord was held in a sex motel room. Saying “Lord” to these people, it is proof of how sick our society is. The true Lord is God, the Lord is Krishna, the Lord is Jehova, the Lord is Allah. True Lords are Shiva, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad. This “drug lord” wanted to avoid the natural effects of aging. Lord Krishna himself says in chapter 11 verse 32 of the Bhagavad Gita, “Time I am, the great destroyer of the worlds.” He is the true God, the one who is the annihilator, the killer of all. When there is creation, He develops all from their original state, and at the time of annihilation He devours them. Time does not spare any person, whether in the case of a billionaire “lord” of drugs or a penniless and homeless drug addict. This man, hated by many but respected and admired by others, is unable to accept the passage of time and he does not respect the stages of his own body. Men fear him but he fears to look ridiculous against women by their erection problems and low sexual performance - a limitation that naturally comes when one reaches a certain age and it should be tolerated as part of this human life. It is in vain artificially fight against the current of time. Each person should accept his age and act on it. Like winter and summer, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, every stage of life has its reason for being and all of this has been planned by the Supreme Lord, so we must accept everything as His mercy. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The society of human being is naturally divided into eight by orders and statuses of life — the four divisions of occupation and four divisions of cultural advancement. The intelligent class, the administrative class, the productive class and the laborer class are the four divisions of occupation. And the student life, the householder's life, retired life and renounced life are the four statuses of cultural advancement towards the path of spiritual realization. Out of these, the renounced order of life, or the order of sannyāsa, is considered the highest of all, and a sannyāsī is constitutionally the spiritual master for all the orders and divisions. [...]  The human life is meant for attaining eternal and unlimited happiness by spiritual realization.

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
Śrīmad Bhāgavatam - Canto 1 - Creation
Chapter 3: Krishna Is the Source of All Incarnations - Verse 13

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

PRODUCTS OF MAGIC AND SPIRITUAL RITUALS

STORE IN PENNSYLVANIA SELLS
SPIRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS PRODUCTS

http://thetimes-tribune.com - (USA) Colorful rosary beads dangled above an assortment of African canes, near a bookshelf stocked with everything from witchcraft books to holy water. Spiritual candles lined wood shelves beneath a row of saint statues, led by St. Michael the Archangel pointing his sword at Satan. About two months since Centro Espiritual Botanica Santa Ana opened in a small South Scranton shop, store officials continue to add the variety of spiritual and religious products that have drawn consumers from across the region to its other location in Stroudsburg. 
“We have a lot of customers that used to travel from up here to go down to Stroudsburg because they didn’t have one here,” said Geisa Ceballos, owner of the store at 612 Cedar Ave., via a translator.

“With this type of business, you have to be knowledgeable, you have to be able to communicate with the spirits.” Though it’s still relatively new, the store offers products that represent dozens of different religions and practices. A pink Buddha candle sits just two rows beneath a “21 Division” candle. Some candles are used to get rid of bad spirits, while others are meant to attract love. A Roman Catholic cross hangs on the wall, across the room from a Santa Muerte statue. Nearby, a stack of books tackles topics ranging from voodoo to crafting spells. 
“As a botanica we have to sell everything, from baths to candles to incense — anything that has to do with religions,” she said. “Different cultures have their different saints and different beliefs. We need to offer it all.”

This article is about a spiritual and religious shop in Scranton city (Pennsylvania, USA). This is just an example, because there are many similar to it. This shops, sometimes called "Botanica" or "Yerberia", sell everywhere lot of metaphysical items for santeria and voodoo, occult and pagan rituals, witchcraft and wiccan ceremonies. It is assumed that these products, some of which are somewhat expensive, can remove negative energies that cause spiritual disturbances, depression, negative thinking & feelings, hopelessness, anger, resentment, unhealthy relationships. These shops announce their spiritual products saying: "Remove a jinx that someone has put on you or a loved one. Need more love in your life? Looking for more money to come your way? Try these products and build your fortune." In order to achieve this goal, they offer a variety of things, from altar tools and supplies, ritual and saint candles, tarot cards and crystal balls, runes, metaphysical and self-help books, aromatherapy products, bulk herbs, incense, t-shirts, bumper stickers, celtic cloaks, statuary, swords, CDs of spiritual music, jewelry, sabbat cards, and all kind of rocks. There are many studies and ancient practices that demonstrate the desire of man to control his destiny without giving up their materialistic desires and embark on different processes, such as the occult, magic, witchcraft, voodoo, witchcraft, macumba, camdombe, etc., speak transcendental and spiritual, but in reality are only different forms of materialism, though subtle, they still will keep us anchored into the ocean of happiness and distress in this wheel of birth and death. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

One of the biggest problems of superficial men is that they confuse the occultism with transcendence. As the occultism try to handle areas of life that are subtle - usually invisible to our eyes - but the invisible has nothing to do with the transcendental and spiritual. The Vedic cosmology divides the existence of every being in their physical existence, which is composed of the body made of earth, water, fire, air and ether, and another part that is the subtle astral body set up by the mind, intelligence and false ego. Beyond the subtle body is our spiritual soul, which is transcendental in nature and can - after being freed from illusion - leave the confines of the gross and subtle bodies, and receive by grace of God a spiritual body in the world eternal God. That is called the perfection of yoga, and is the only area where the pure love manifests.

Śrīla Bhakti Aloka Paramadvaiti Mahārāja :
“Occultism”
http://gurumaharaj.net/
http://bhaktipedia.org/espanol/index.php?n=sabidurias_vedicas.ocultismo
http://www.sabiduriavedica.org/c39-espiritualidad/ocultismo/

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

BOY BELIEVES HE WAS A WOMAN IN PAST LIFE

BOY, 5: GOD TOLD ME I LIVED 
A PAST LIFE AS A BLACK WOMAN

http://english.alarabiya.net - A five year-old boy in the U.S. city of Cincinnati believes he a 30-year-old African American woman, who died in a 1993 fire, in a past life, Fox8 news channel reported last week. It started out with Luke Ruehlman, then two, calling things around the house “Pam” which was followed by making references to “when he was a girl.” “He used to say: ‘When I was a girl, I had black hair,’ or he would say, ‘I used to have earrings like that when I was a girl,’” Erika, Luke’s mother, said adding that he has stopped mentioning Pam.
Luke revealed his belief that he was Pam when his mother confronted him about who she is. According to the mother, the boy recounted a process of reincarnation in which he was “pushed back down to earth” in the form of a new born.

“Well, I used to be [Pam], but I died. I went up to heaven, and I saw God, and he pushed me back down and when I woke up, I was a baby and you named me Luke,” the boy was quoted as saying. In an episode of paranormal investigative show “The Ghost Inside My Child,” Luke is shown several photos of African-American women in their 30s. Pamela Robinson, the woman Erika believes her son Luke was speaking of, was one of them. Luke appears to have been able to identify Pamela Robinson using knowledge his mother said he would not have been able to acquire on his own. 
After the incident, Erika reached out to the Robinson family in a bid to find out more about the woman her son claims to have been. She found out that both her son and Pamela shared an affinity for artist Stevie Wonder and playing the keyboard.

This article is about an five year old American boy, called Luke, who claims he is the reincarnated spirit of Pam, a 30-year-old woman. The young boy has spooked his mother after recalling unsettling details of how his past life ended when he died jumping from a burning building. Luke's mother Erika says that her son started talking about his “past life” when he was only two. The story was investigated by the TV show 'The Ghost Inside My Child', who put Erika in touch with Pamela Robinson's family who said that Luke's personality and music interests are very similar to their late daughter. And since contacting Robinson’s family, Erika has reportedly also uncovered coincidences between her son and the late Chicagoan’s favorite things: Stevie Wonder's music and the piano. “It’s a positive [message] of unification, of love,” Luke's mother says. She believes that the message of Luke should be made public, because "we should not define the soul based on a race or a genre," she says. She also states that they did not receive money for the TV documentary and her intent is for this story of unification to be shared with others because it's a positive one. Our spiritual masters have taught us that soul incarnates through different forms (samsara or reincarnation); it takes another birth in a material body to continue with material experiences or the pursuit of satisfying material desires. The understanding of reincarnation is not complete without understanding the law of karma. The concept of reincarnation and karma are joined, so the reactions to our desires and actions cause ultimately suffering because they attach us more and more into the continued cycle of birth and death. In this sense, the Vedic literature offers complete spiritual information on the science of life after death, karma and reincarnation. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Hindus are known to believe in the idea of reincarnation. A common misconception is that reincarnation only refers to the idea that a sinful person comes back in their next life as a rat or a tiger or some lower animal. Reincarnation actually means the soul accepts a material body and that after death, the current body is discarded and the soul enters a new one. [...] The soul is eternal, but our material bodies aren’t. We have accepted our current bodies due to our past karma. Birth, death, old age, and disease are guaranteed for the body. At the time of death, we give up our present body and accept a new one based on our karma. [...] The most important thing to understand about reincarnation is that it can be stopped. Lord Krishna tells us that thinking of Him at the time of death will stop the perpetual cycle of birth and death. 

Krishna'sMercy.org - Jai Shri Krishna :
“Reincarnation” - Posted on April 04, 2009
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/48/Reincarnation.aspx

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

FAMILY OF 10 MISSED DOOMED FLIGHT, SAVED

FAMILY OF 10 MISSED 
DOOMED FLIGHT BY MINUTES

(USA Today) - Some 162 passengers and crew are missing and presumed lost on AirAsia Flight 8501, but the total would be a lot higher if the airline hadn't changed the departure time to two hours earlier than originally scheduled. Christianawati was one of 10 members of an extended family - including her 7-month-old son and another infant - booked on the flight who missed it by minutes after they missed emails and phone calls from the airline earlier this month to inform them of the time change to 5:35 a.m., the Sydney Morning Herald reports. 
Her husband and brother-in-law arrived in time to see latecomers race for the plane yesterday morning, but they decided to wait for the rest of the group to arrive in a second car.

While the group was still trying to negotiate a later flight with airline staff, they were informed the plane had disappeared. "We felt completely limp, the whole family," Christianawati says. "It was like we'd lost our spirit." "I just remember those people who we saw running to the last call," her husband says. "I hope they find them." There were a total of 26 no-shows for the flight from Surabaya to Singapore, reports Bloomberg, including a 10-year-old boy whose parents canceled a family trip because his grandfather was ill. The boy "was very upset when we said that we couldn't go after all," his mother says. "When we told him the plane was missing, he didn't believe us until we showed him the tickets."

These days, different news speak not only of a family, but three families saved from death by "miracle". A sick grandfather, a missed call and an unopened email kept three Indonesian families from making it onto the AirAsia flight that vanished last Sunday. The Airbus 320-200, flying from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore, was carrying 155 passengers and seven crew when it disappeared. The aircraft's disappearance has echoes of the Malaysia Airlines flight 370 mystery which dropped off the radar in March while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Former beauty queen Anggi Mahesti said she was part of a group of 10 who missed the plane on Sunday because they were not aware of a change in its departure time. “At first, we were angry with AirAsia and our travel agent,” Ms Mahesti, 27, said. They were planning to take a later flight to Singapore when news of the missing plane broke. “An airport official told my husband it was a Christmas gift from God to our family,” she added. “We decided not to fly after that because we were scared and didn’t want to tempt fate.” By reading this news, one must think deeply. Was it a "miracle", or is it a matter of "cause and effect"? , The disappearance of the aircraft occurred on Sunday, then on Monday, on the other side of the world, at least 427 people were evacuated from a Greece-to-Italy ferry, as a result 10 or more people were dead and it was unclear whether there were more missing, and today, we learned that at least 35 people are dead, and 43 are injured  in a stampede during New Year's celebrations in China. So, we are surrounded by events in which people – despite being in the same place and time – some died and others remain alive. Therefore it is not easy to deliver an opinion on these matters lightly. We know there is a law called Karma and no one dies or the day before or the day after what you or what higher authorities have arranged according to our actions. Nevertheless, we also know that the mercy of God acts and some receive His grace, even without cause.  (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

“Whatever is done by the Lord is for good,” the prime minister told the King, “If Hari protects, nobody can kill him and if Hari wants to kill then nobody can protect him,” he added.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja : 
“Golden Saying” 
“God is Gracing Us in All Circumstances” - Feb 10, 2003 - 
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math

 

“It is stated, māre krishna rākhe ke, rākhe krishna māre ke:  If Krishna protects someone, no one can kill him, and if Krishna wants to kill someone, no one can save him. ...  Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is omnipotent, and if He wants to kill someone, no one can save that person. Similarly, if He wants to save someone, no one can kill him.” 

Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda : 

“Śrīmad Bhāgavatam” 11.1.4 - “Krishna Book” - Chapter 72 - 

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

2014 DUSSEHRA

TODAY, 03 OCTOBER 2014,
DUSSEHRA OR VIJAYADASHAMI

www.calendarlabs.com - Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, is a major Indian festival celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls in the month of September or October. The day culminates a 9 day fasting period of Navratri in the Hindu culture. The day also coincides with immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga. The day is celebrated to commemorate the killing of demon Ravana by Lord Rama. The day also celebrates the killing of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga.
Dussehra celebration spreads the message of the victory of good over sin. It is believed that the celebration of Dussehra started in the 17th century, when the king of Mysore ordered the celebration of the day on a grand scale.

Ever since, the day is celebrated with great fervor and energy. There are a lot of mythological tales associated with the day. According to Ramayana, demon Ravana was killed by Lord Rama on this day as revenge against the cruel act of kidnapping Goddess Sita by the former. Mythology also has it that Goddess Durga killed demon Mahishasura after a long spell of cruelty and oppression by Mahishasura. Largely, the day is celebrated to commemorate the prevalence of good over evil. The day is celebrated on a large scale in India as well as in Bangladesh. 
The most famous Dussehra celebrations in India are those in the city of Mysore. Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped on this day and a grand procession of her idol is taken out across the city. Major buildings are decorated with lights and color across the city.

Today, Friday, 03 October 2014,  is Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami). The Vijayadashami or Dussehra festival is of a tremendous cultural significance in India and it is celebrated with gaiety and love. In Nepal, Dussehra or Dasara is celebrated as Dashain.  After Navaratri, the tenth and final day is Vijayadashami, the day of victory. Vijayadashami or Dussehra festival is celebrated as victory of Lord Rama over Demon Ravana and also triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo Demon Mahishasura. There are also other events that mark the celebrations on this day, such as the end of the exile period of Pandavas and their coming back to their kingdom.Other famous Dussehra celebrations in India take place in Kolkata and Orissa, where the festival is preceded by week long celebrations. People visit the Pooja Pandals wearing new clothes, prepare traditional food at home and celebrate the festival with their friends and families. In most other parts of India, plays are organized across cities depicting the story of Ramayana which culminates in the killing of Ravana on this day. Statues of Ravana are burnt everywhere in India on Dussehra and in Delhi, the event is attended by political dignitaries in the Ramlila Maidan, which is a large ground traditionally used for staging the annual Ramlila. In short, it  is a celebration of the victory of good over evil, and when people burn in a huge bonfire the effigy of Ravana, the ten-headed demon, it also represents the destruction of the false ego and the process by which we can purify ourselves of the ten sins, meaning the sins committed by the ten active senses (the senses of perception and organs of action). (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Dussehra Vijaydashtmi is one of the most important Hindu festivals; it celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over wicked Ravana. In many places large effigies of Ravana are burned to symbolize the ultimate victory of goodness over evil. It follows another festival of nine nights of worship of goddess Navratri, culminating in victory on the tenth day. (Vijay means victory, and dashtmi is tenth day.)  [...] The philosophical and symbolic concept of Navaratri points out that the demon Mahishasura is our own ego within, and the goddess to destroy is the all-powerful Shakti of spiritual internal meditation, through which the energy is moved from the lower chakras of violence, lust, and greed to the higher chakras of goodness, knowledge, and charity.

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 54: “Hindu Festivals”
http://hinduismpath.com/

 

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

COLOURS FOR NAVRATRI

9 SPECIAL COLOURS
FOR 9 DAYS OF NAVRATRI

www.boldsky.com - Navratri is a festival that last nine days during which we worship Goddess Durga in nine different forms. Each of the Navdurga avatars has their own significance and style of worshipping. Also, the colours for Navratri are designated to each of these nine Devis of Navratri. Navdurga avatars are all parts of Goddess Durga. However, these Devis are worshipped separately because each of them has a particular significance and 'vidhi' or procedure for their puja is different. The Goddess is dressed in a particular colour but it is not necessary that her devotees must be dressed in the same colour. 
For example, Goddess Chandraghanta wears orange but her devotees must wear white on the third day of Navratri. If you want to please the Goddess Durga, then wear the right colours on the respective days. First Day: Yellow Colour - The first day of Navratri is called the 'pratipada'. On this day, Devi Shailapurti Mata who is the first Devi of the Navdurga is worshipped.

Second Day: Green Colour - The second day of the Navratri is called the Dwitiya. Green is the colour of nature and Devi Bramhacharini commands that her devotees be decked up in green. Third Day: Grey Colour - Devi Chandraghanta is the Goddess of peace and serenity. She is dressed in white and her devotees should wear grey on the tritiya of Navratri. Fourth Day: Orange Colour - Goddess Kushmunda is worshipped. She is dressed in red and her devotees must wear read. Fifth Day: White Colour - Skandamata is worshipped on this day. She slays all demons and you must wear white to please this goddess. Sixth Day: Red Colour - Katyayani is worshipped, you must wear red coloured clothes in her honour. 
Seventh Day: Blue Colour - Mata Kaalratri is worshipped on this day. Her devotee must wear blue coloured clothes so that she protects them from evil. Eighth Day: Pink Colour - Mata Saraswati is worshipped. One must wear pink on this special day of the Navratri. Ninth Day: Purple Colour - On the last day of the Navratri, Diddhidatri Mata is commemorated. Her devotees must be dressed in purple to attain 'siddhi' on this holy day.

In 2014, Navratri started on September 25 and lasts until October 3. Nava means nine and ratri means nights. Navratri is the Hindu festival of nine nights dedicated to the glorification of Shakti, the feminine form of the Divine. During this time, the supreme cosmic power is worshipped in the female aspect in the form of the three main goddesses of Hinduism - Parvati (Durga), Lakshmi and Saraswati. During these nine nights, the mother goddess is worshipped in nine different forms. Navratri colours increase the happiness that is related to the festival and there are nine colours for nine days of Navratri. Ms Anwesha, editor in Boldsky and author of this article, explains the colours are very special and each of them must be worn on the stipulated day. This year the Navratri colours for the nine days are as follows: September 25: Yellow. September 26: Green. September 27: Grey. September 28: Orange. September 29: White. September 30: Red. October 1: Royal Blue. October 2: Pink. October 3: Purple.  Navratri culminates on the 10th day with the festivities of Vijayadasham, also known as Dusshera. Our spiritual masters have taught us that in Navratri, Durga, due to her destructive aspect, is worshiped in the first place as She destroys the anarthas or unwanted barriers that hold us back from our true spiritual potential. She reduces the evil tendencies in the mind, and relieve us of our destructive desires of lust, passion, greed, anger, etc. Without removing these obstacles, the spiritual unfoldment cannot take place. Then we should worship Lakshmi as She gives us the true wealth: Virtue or good qualities, such as love, goodness, compassion, forgiveness, cooperation, nonviolence, devotion, purity, and the like. After that, we worship Sarasvati, because She gives us the intelligence, knowledge and wisdom by which spiritual realization is possible. She represents the highest knowledge of the Self. The celebrations of Navaratri are held at night because it represents our overcoming the ignorance of the mode of darkness, the night of tamoguna. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Navaratri is a nine-day festival, followed by the tenth day of victory, vijayadasmi. This festival is celebrated in honor of three most important Hindu goddesses. Only the combined force of all three divine deities, manifested as the female form Mahishasura Mardini, was able to destroy the powerful demon Mahishasura. During the first three days, goddess Shakti, in her aspect as Parvati, is worshipped as the personification of power and vanquisher of evil. During the next three days, she is worshipped in the form of Lakshmi, signifying wealth and beauty. In the last three days, she is worshipped as Saraswati, signifying knowledge. Hence, the three most important qualities - power, wealth, and wisdom - are represented as the female form of goddess Shakti. [...] In this festival of Navratri, devotees dance and pray to the goddess to triumph over the demon of ego (Mahishasura). In the defeat of their own ego, they finally emerge victorious!

Dr. Hiro Badlani :
“Hinduism - Path of the Ancient Wisdom”
Chapter 54: “Hindu Festivals”
http://hinduismpath.com/

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar

THE JEWISH NEW YEAR 2014

ROSH HASHANAH 2014 - HOW IS THE JEWISH
NEW YEAR TRADITIONALLY CELEBRATED?

www.ibtimes.co.uk - Today marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the first of the High Holy Days which in occur in the early autumn of the northern hemisphere. There are a number of ways the festival is celebrated. “We celebrate with our clients in the traditional Jewish ways, dipping apple in honey, eating honey cake, enjoying a festive meal, lighting candles for the festival, hearing the Shofar and giving them the opportunity to go to a synagogue service if they'd like to. 
For many Rosh Hashanah is a special time of year to share with family. Some of our clients live alone with few family networks so we work hard to make them feel part of our wide reaching Jewish Care family,” says Simon Morris, chief executive of Jewish Care, the UK's largest social welfare organisation.

Shofar - A shofar is an ancient musical instrument made from a horn, traditionally from a ram. It is played in Jewish synagogue services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Wearing white - When attending the synagogue, white or light colours are traditionally worn to symbolise new beginnings and it represents purity and renewal. 
Observing Tashlich - Tashlich, meaning "casting off", is the process of going to a flowing body of water and emptying your pockets. Apples dipped in honey - One of the most popular and well-known customs on Rosh Hashanah is dipping sliced apple into honey, an age-old tradition to express home for a sweet new year. Candle lighting - Candles are lit to bring in the Jewish holidays with warmth and light. As Jewish days begin with the setting sun, a lit candle is believed to create a sacred space. 

Yesterday, at sundown on Wednesday (Sept. 24) began Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important festivals in the Jewish calendar. If you are Jewish, it’s the time of year to do some serious soul-searching. On this day, Jews ask how they could have lived up to their better selves during the previous year, and for forgiveness from God and those they have wronged. The first day of the 48-hour celebration is called Tishrei, and is believed to be an anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve. As regards the traditional ways to celebrate it, the shofar is mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and in rabbinic literature, and it is sounded just before, during and after the Musaf prayer on Rosh Hashanah. As regards Tashlich the book of Micah, says: "You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." In modern times, many throw breadcrumbs, and Tashlich is normally observed on the first day of Rosh Hashanah to symbolise casting off your sins. According to Jewish mythology, the apple represents the Shekhinah – the feminine aspect of God. As regards the candles, the number of them depends on preference and tradition and some light one candle for each member of the family. Our spiritual masters have shown many similarities between Hindu and Jewish Traditions. During the first Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit, held in New Delhi in 2007, Mr. Oded Weiner, Director General of the Rabbinate of Israel, said: "It is not surprising that there is little difference between the words “Hodim,” Hindus, and Yehodim, Jews. The words are nearly identical, separated just by the letter “yod,” the “y”. This is significant in itself because the “yod” is the tiniest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. These two letters, “yod” (Y) and “heh,” (H) spell God in the Hebrew language (YHVH - yod-heh-vav-heh). It is all really quite profound." (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Shalom to acharyas, and revered guests. I shall speak on similarities in our traditions. [...] Both our religions are revealed. Hinduism does not have a beginning. It was never started. Dharma was always there. The Vedas are not books, they are revealed facts by Rishis: Rsayastu mantradrstarah, not mantra-kartarah. Rishis are the seers of the mantras, not its authors. Vedas are revealed. Similarly Moses did not create the Holy Books. They were revealed. God is the source of both the Jewish and Hindu traditions. Moses did not create the religion. Similarly in our tradition we say even Rama or Krsna didn’t create the religion. We have four Vedas, you have five Holy Books. We have smritis, you have midrash. [...] You keep Kosher, we have what is called “achara” - both refer to strict codes about internal and external purity. We are pure in our food habits. We do not mix certain types of food, or eat old food. We purify ourselves before going to the temple. During the menstrual period, both Jewish and Hindu women abstain from worship.

HH Mahamandaleswar Sri Swami :
Gurusharananandaji Karsni Peeth of Mathura
“Similarities Between Hindu and Jewish Traditions”
First Hindu-Jewish Leadership Summit - New Delhi - 2007
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/editorials/05-08/editorials2960.htm

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/

2014 VAMANA JAYANTI

TOMORROW IS VAMANA JAYANTI 
BIRTH DAY OF VAMANA INCARNATION

http://astrobix.com - Vamana Jayanti is celebrated every year on Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month.  Lord Vamana is one of the significant forms of Lord Vishnu. It is the fifth avatar or incarnation of Vishnu. As per the legends, King Bali performed austerities and became more powerful than Devas. He would be able to conquer heaven in this battle once he completes his 100 yagnas; therefore, Indra Deva went to Lord Vishnu and asked for his help. 
In order to protect Devas from the wrath of Asuras, Lord Vishnu incarnated into Lord Vamana and took birth from the womb of Aditi, wife of Saint Kashyapa. Lord Vamana adopted the form of Brahmachari. Soon after he grew up, Vamana went to see King Bali  on the day of his 100th Ashwamedh Yagna (in order to prevent it from taking place).

King Bali asked Brahmin Vamana to ask for anything he desires. Vamana asked for three paces of land that he could measure from his own feet. Since he had made a promise, he could not deny it and had to fulfill the Brahmins wish. Vamana took the first step, encompassing the whole earth, and the second covered the heavens. In this way, he conquered two of the three worlds. There was no place to keep the third step on, and then Bali offered his head to Vamana. Vamana accepted it and placed his last step on Bali’s head.
Lord Vishnu was pleased by the integrity of Bali of fulfilling his promise. He blessed Bali with one desire. Bali asked Lord Vishnu to be present in front of Him day and night, so that he is able to worship him. To keep his promise and to fulfill Bali’s desire Lord Vishnu had to become his gatekeeper.

Tomorrow, 6th September 2014 (Saturday) is Vamana Jayanti (also known as Vaman Dwadashi ). It is the birth anniversary of Lord Vishnu. Vamana was the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu during Treta Yuga. Special Puja is organized in Lord Vishnu temples on the occasion of Vamana Jayanti. This is one of fabulous religious days of Hindu religion in India and celebrated each of years with great joy and enthusiasm in northern parts and southern parts of India. People performs various types of religious acts regarding to the importance of this day. People from various communities offer worship to lord Vishnu on this day and performs various type of ritual acts to make happy the Supreme power of world. They offer pooja fruits, flowers and prasad to lord Vishnu at various temples. On this day devotees worship Shri Hari early in the morning with proper rituals. Donating  rice, curd etc is considered to be auspicious on this day. In the evening, the devotees should listen to Vamana Katha along with the family members and distribute prasad among everyone. Devotees should observe fast and perform puja with proper rituals to please Lord Vamana and to get all wishes fulfilled. This Vedic story shows us that no one owns anything in this material world, even if we conquer planetary systems, there will come a time when we will be forced to abandon all wealth and position and surrender our pride at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

The fifth among the Dasavatara is Sri Vamana-avatara. There are innumerable lila-avataras. Among them are twenty-five chief lila-avataras of which Sri Vamanadeva is the eighteenth. [...] The Deity of the month of Ashadha is Sri Vamanadeva. Vaishnavas wear holy marks of twelve hari-mandiras (temples of the Lord in the form of markings known as tilaka) on different parts of the upper body. Among them, the hari-mandira on the left side of the abdomen is fixed for the Presiding Deity Vamanadeva. [...] In the 8th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Srila Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa Muni has given detailed accounts of Lord Vamanadeva’s pastime of appearance, the capturing of the three planetary systems from Bali Maharaja (on the pretext of asking for only three steps of land) and the eventual awarding of the Sutala planet to Bali. [...] Sri Sukadeva Gosvami has mentioned the pastime of Bali and Vamanadeva, which took place during the reign of Savarni Manu of the eighth manvantara.

Śrīla Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Mahārāja :
“Dasavatara - The Ten Manifestations of God”
Chapter 5: “Sri Vamana-avatara”
Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math - www.sreecgmath.org

 

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/