Holi celebration is the victory of the Fire (Agni devta) who destroyed the evil in the form of Holika. This festival is known as Dolpurnima or Phagwah.
Holi is celebrated on March 28, 2002. This festival celebrates the victory of the devtas of the gods over the demon who sometimes take over the world, spreading sinful action.
On Thursday night, (the night before Holi) the forces of fire becomes very powerful to burn anything that is evil in nature. On this night a fire ritual known as a Havan Ritual, when performed can grant you victory over all negative occurrences happening presently in you life. This is the best time for this type of ritual which should be performed outside of a building or home. After the night of Holi, Havan or fire ritual is not effective for the purpose of puja of any sort or marriage ceremonies, as the fire will loose its power to bless the world for twelve days after that night. Agni, Lord of Fire, after destroying the evil, (that is after Hoika is burnt), leaves for underground and stays there for twelve days, as such this is the period not to perform any Hawan Ritual, since the fire will not be effective.
HOW TO PERFORM THE HAVAN RITUAL ON THE NIGHT OF HOLI
An area of land outside the building (in the front) representing a havan kund is dug. The dimension should be 18" square by 9" deep. A small Castor Oil plant is planted in the center of the kund. Bundles of dry sticks are placed around it. Using ghee (clarified butter), perfume, and colored powders, havan mantras are recited while feeding the fire with various items as ghee (clarified butter), dried sticks, and havan samagree. The Castor Oil plant signifies the beginning
of spring and the end of winter.
If desirable mantras are recited while feeding the fire on this night of Holi, the effects are great, and the desire is achieved successfully.
The victory of good over evil is celebrated by sprinkling of water, abeer, and powder on each other, and sharing sweetmeat such as goja, poularie, gulgulla, sugarcake, barfie and more. Click here for recipe
HERE ARE SOME MANTRAS WHICH CAN BE USED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSE
For success in marriage, for children, and a good family life:
Om Namo Bhagavao Arahoo Ajiya Jinaassa Sijjao Me
Bhavao Mahavae Mahaavidhya Ajia Aparaajia anihaya
Mahabale Log Saare Ta Ta Ta Swaha
For a woman who is desirous of getting pregnant:
Om Bhamaya Bhoomi Puthraya Mama Garbha Dehi Dehi
Sthira Sthira Maachala Maachala
Om Kraam Kreem Krown
Om Phat Swaha
For help in a job interview:
Om Arha Nama
Om Sreem Theen Hum Phat Swaha
For help with alcoholic problem:
Om Arha Nama Jhreem Theem
Hum Phat Swaha
To prevent ghost from affecting you:
Om Kram Kreem Krown Ksha
Hara Phat Swaha
For love life:
Om Haring Kumar Aye Nama Swaha
Om Haring Mohini Swaha
THE FESTIVAL OF HOLI IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOLLOWING STORY: (Summary)
The story of Holika, the sister of the evil king Hiranyakashipu. The evil father, having failed in various other ways to make his son Prahalad denounce Lord Narayana (Vishnu), asked his sister, Holika to take Prahalad in her lap and enter a blazing fire. Holika, who had a boon to remain untouched by fire, obeyed her brother. But Holika's boon ended by this act against the Lord's devotee and was herself burnt to ashes and Prahalad was unharmed.
THE FESTIVAL OF HOLI- THE STORY OF PRAHALAD
Hiranyakashypu was the king of the asuras. Hiranyakashypu's brother had been slain by Vishnu for terrorizing gods and goddesses. Hiranyakashypu wanted to destroy Vishnu and to keep other Gods under his control, so he set out to kill all those who worship Lord Vishnu, but the Gods protected Lord Vishnu's devotees.
Hiranyakashypu tried to match his powers with Vishnu's to take over the three worlds. He began to perform penance and tapasya. As he was so occupied his city and palace was destroyed by the Gods. The wife of Hiranyakashiapu, the queen, was expecting a baby, and was sent to Sage Narada's hermitage. She lived there and learned from the Sage about Lord Vishnu, as she was pregnant, the knowledge was passed on to the unborn child, who was named Prahalad.
The queen learnt that Vishnu is the Lord, and that he is present in everything, and is everywhere.
Brahma accepted the austerities of Hiranyakashypu allow him to ask for a boon of his choice. Hiranyakashypu, greedy as he was, wish that his death may not be caused by man or beast, with a weapon or without a weapon, during day or night, indoors or outdoors, on earth or in the sky. The boon was granted.
Hiranyakashypu, now believing himself to be the strongest, and more powerful as a result of the boon, reorganized his followers, and became more hostile to Lord Vishnu and his devotees, claiming that he was the Lord to be worshipped since he felt that he cannot die.
Prahalad was growing up and still had the knowledge that Vishnu is the Lord and one should renounce the material world and surrender to Lord Vishnu. When Prahalad told this to his father, Hiranyakashypu told Prahalad's Guru (teacher) to guard him closely, because he felt that the devotees of Vishnu were influencing Prahalad. As time passed, Prahalad's Guru thought it was time that Prahalad met his father. The king asked his son, what had he learnt from his Guru. Prahalad said to his father, that the most worthwhile thing for anyone to do is be a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hirnaykashypu was very angry, and thought his son was cursed, he asked Prahalad who taught him that. Prahalad in his calm, told his father that Lord Vishnu reveals himself to all who are devoted to him.
Hearing this again, Hiranyakashypu was angry, and ordered Prahalad be killed. The followers of Hiranyakashypu started attacking Prahalad as he was meditating on Lord Vishnu, but their weapons could not touch Prahalad. Most deadly snakes were let loose on Prahalad, but their fangs turned impotent. Even elephants could not trample him. Inspite of all attempts to destroy Prahalad, he untouched, for he was protected. Holika, the wicked sister of Hiranyakashypu, and aunt of Prahalad had a boon to brave fire without being burnt. The king ordered Prahalad be burnt to death and that his sister, Holika must sit in the fire, with Prahalad on her laps. The fire was set and Holika was burnt to ashes, Prahalad walked out of the fire alive and unharmed.
Prahalad was again sent to his Guru. The Guru tried this time to enchant Prahalad interested in wealth and physical pleasures. Prahalad thought that wealth and physical pleasures cannot bring happiness, instead will lead to destruction. The Guru gave up, when Prahalad insisted that Vishnu is the Lord and creator of all beings and is present everywhere, and in everything. Prahalad again told this to his father. Hiranyakashypu was very angry and asked where was Vishnu, if he is everywhere why is he not there, in the Pillar, and if he is not there, Prahalad's head will be cut off with the sword, so Prahalad should let Vishnu, protect him. As Hiranyakashypu was striking the Pillar with his sword, Lord Vishnu, in the form of Nara-Simha (half man, half lion) emerged from the Pillar. He was neither beast nor man, it was the twilight hour, (neither day or night). Nara-Simba carried Hiranyakashypu to the threshold of the court-room which was neither indoors nor outdoors. While holding Hiranyakashypu on his lap, (which was neither on the earth or in the sky) Hiranyakashypu died (not with or without a weapon). Prahalad was thereafter initiated as king. He ruled wisely for many years.
Thus the religious significance the victory of good over evil.
Taken from : http://www.swamiram.com/lj_articles/holy.html
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