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/