Somvaar Amavasya 18 th December

Transcription

1 Somvaar Amavasya 18 th December When new moon falls on a Monday this become a very important day to remove Ancestral curses. This day is called Somvaar Amavasya (No/New Moon Monday). Most in their janma kundali (birth chart) show that they are affected by some type of Ancestral curse/s, some from a few percent to 100% due to various placements of the planets in their birth chart. This of course can be scoffed off by skeptics but I have learnt that we never question the great sage Parashara Muni who is known as the father of Vedic Astrology. Parashara Muni is the father of Srila Vyasadeva the compiler of the Vedas, Puranas,Upanishads, Itihasa's etc al. The significance of Somvati Amavasya was explained by Bhismadeva to Maharaja Yudhishthira in the Mahabharata. Maharaja Bhismadeva expounds that who ever takes a dip in the important rivers on this day would be prosperous, free of diseases and would be free from grief and sorrow. Also by taking a dip in the holy rivers the soul of ancestors will rest in peace. A married woman takes a holy dip for a happy family life and for the long life of her husband. Somavar Amavasya Vrata (fasting) is observed for a long and happy married life. Baths and donations (charity) performed on Somvati Amavasya have a special significance. Staying Maun (silent) is very fruitful on this day. According to Srila Vyasadeva, staying Maun and performing baths and donation give virtues similar to donating thousands of cows. Additionally, those that are observing this fast and circumambulating 108 times around the sacred Peepal tree and offers puja to Lord Vishnu and the tree. Married women keep daylong fast or eat a single meal and worship the Peepal tree. Women too take holy dips for the sake of a prosperous married life. They pray for the long life of their husbands and children. After circumambulating and worshiping the Peepal tree, donations are made according to one's capabilities. Somvati Amavasya is a rare occurrence and is considered to be a highly auspicious day. It is said that worshiping Lord Shiva on Somvati Amavasya gives immense benefits. It is considered as an important day to reduce effects of Shani Dosha (the malefic effects of the planet Saturn) and perform Pitra Tarpan (water libations to one's ancestors). The dark night of Amavasya gradually changes into a pleasant bright morning. Similarly the dark phase or struggles of your life will result into a bright and happy future. This day signifies that after every dark phase comes the ray of light. All pain and grief you are going through will also come to an end. Moon grows from Amavasya i.e. no moon day to full moon day and make a beautiful appearance on Purnima. It signifies spiritual growth against all odds. Just like moon we should try grow as a beautiful soul.

2 Somvati Amavasya puja Rituals Worship Lord Shiva for peace and progress in life. Married women should worship Lord Shiva for long life of their husbands. Perform Annadaan or Brahman Bhoj (feeding Brahmins). Observe Maun (silence) or speak as little as possible. Worship Lord Shani to get relief from Shani dosha. Perform Tailabhishekam (oil bathing) of Shani-deva at the nearest Shani temple to you. Perform 108 Parikarma (circumambulation) of the sacred Peepal tree. Take a dip in the Ganges or elsewhere in the world a bucket of water and add Ganga water in the bucket and pray to the Supreme Lord. Perform Pitra Tarpan (water libations to one's ancestors) and provide and gift peace to your ancestors soul. Donate as per your ability and serve the needy. Devote maximum time in Japa and meditation. Somvati Amavasya also helps you to attain spiritual advancement. Somavati Amavasya Vrat katha:- A moneylender had seven sons and one daughter. He married off all his sons. But, the daughter was yet not married. A monk used to come everyday to his house and asked for alms. In return, he gave blessings to them. He used to bless the daughter-in-law with happy married life but he never gave blessing of marriage to the daughter of the house. Once the daughter mentioned this to her mother. Her mother felt sad and next day, she inquired from the monk about this. The sadhu gave no answer and went away. Upon seeing this, the mother got worried. Her mother immediately called the Pandit and asked him to see the Kundali of her daughter. He said that the girl s destiny is to become a widow. The mother got upset and asked for a remedy. He said the girl to go the island Singhal, where lived a washer women. The girl needed to ask for the Sindoor from that lady and wear on her forehead. Moreover, by observing the fast of Somvati Amavasya, the inauspicious Yoga can be removed. Hearing this, mother requested her sons to go with their sister. But only the youngest son agreed to go with her. Both of them left and reached the seashore. They started thinking, how to cross it. They sat under a tree on which a vulture had a nest. Whenever the female vulture gave birth to a baby, a snake used to eat that baby. That day, the vulture and his wife was out when a snake came and their children started shouting. The daughter of moneylender understood and killed the snake. When the

3 vulture and his wife returned, they were happy to see their children alive and then helped the girl to go to the house of washerwomen. The girl secretly served the washer women for many months. The lady was pleased and applied Sindoor on her forehead. Then, the girl left for her home without drinking water. On the way, she circumambulated a Peepal tree and then, she then drank the water. She worshiped the Peepal tree and observed the fast of Somvati Amavasya. This way her inauspicious Yogas were canceled and thereafter she became fortunate. Those who are suffering Sarpa Dosh (Naga Dosh) perform remedial pujas to Lord Shani like fasting saltless on Saturday, chant Hanumanji s Chalisa, or chanting Shanidev s mantra Om sham shanaish-charaaya namah The Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Mantra below can be recited 3 or 9 or 11 or 21 or best 108 times daily to be relieved of the Sarpa Dosha. 'Anantho Vasukee Seshaha Padmanaa-bhascha Kamba-laha Sankha-paalo Dhaatha-raas-traha Taksha-ka Kaaliyas-thatha Ethaani Nava-naa-maani Nagaa-naam cha Mahaathma-naam Saayam-kaale pateth nityam praatha-kaale' The Peepal Tree Prayers The Peepal Names in Different Languages:- Binomial name - Ficus religiosa English - The Sacred Fig or Bo-Tree. Hindi - Pipal (sometimes transliterated as: peepal, peepul, pippala...). Sanskrit - Ashvattha, Vriksha. Tamil - Arasa maram. Telegu Raagi. Malayalam Arayal. Please inquire from your local temple if they have a Peepal tree in the temple yard. The Peepal tree is a very large tree. Its bark is light grey, smooth and peels in patches. Its heart-shaped leaves have long, tapering tips. The slightest breeze makes them rustle. The fruit is purple when ripe. The Brahma Purana

4 and the Padma Purana, relate how once, when the demons defeated the Devas, Lord Vishnu hid in the Peepal. Therefore spontaneous worship to Lord Vishnu can be offered to a Peepal without needing the Lord s image or temple. The Skanda Purana also considers the Peepal a symbol of Lord Vishnu. The Devas are said to hold their councils under this tree and so it is associated with spiritual understanding. The Peepal is also closely linked to Lord Krishna. In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord says: "Among trees, I am the ashvattha." The Peepal tree has been worshiped since long in Hindu society. Generally women in every family have offered prayers to the Peepal tree due to its benevolent and blessing qualities. The Peepal tree also has many astrological connotations. The tree is closely linked with the planet Jupiter. Jupiter being the most rewarding planet in Vedic astrology, its presence is always regarded as both rewarding as well as graceful. Similarly, when Jupiter is afflicted in a horoscope, then a worship of the Peepal tree is recommended. This is one unique remedy that does not require a recommendation. Simple Peepal tree worship turns a strong Jupiter into an auspicious one and a weak Jupiter into a stronger one. Ayurvedic Significance:- Ayurveda is the ancient medical practice of India. It is known to heal a vast majority of diseases. The Peepal is considered quite useful within the realms of Ayurveda. The bark of the Peepal tree yields tannin whereas its leaves, when heated, are quite useful in treating wounds. This does add to the importance of the tree, hence the worshiping. The Peepal tree is Lord Vishnu s abode. The greatness of the worship of this tree lies in the fact that whosoever worships the Peepal tree, gets a reward equal to worshiping Lord Vishnu. Peepal tree worship alone has the tendency to overcome all planetary afflictions. There are various ways to worship the Peepal tree. The simplest method is to offer jal (water) at its roots every morning. It is never advisable to offer jal during the afternoon or evening time. Another way is to light a ghee diya/lamp during evening time. It is worth understanding that the peepal is scientifically a tree that breathes and lives like other plants and trees. Any worship associated with a living entity is far more rewarding and fruitful than worshiping idol(s). So, in a sense, worshiping the Peepal tree yields quicker and better results than any other form of worship. Another interesting facet of the Peepal tree is that it grows wild. No one plants a Peepal tree. It is advisable that a Peepal tree should not be removed/cut unless absolutely necessary. Peepal tree worship is recommended for all ascendants (Lagna) in one's birth chart. Jupiter s placement in the eighth house in one's chart is considered very awkward and it should be worshiped very uniquely to gain results. Natives with Jupiter placed in the eighth house should offer a mix of milk and water to a Peepal tree during evening.

5 Worshipping a Peepal tree is known to provide the following results: Stability in thoughts and actions Logical thinking Timely Marriage (removes obstacles in marriage) Child birth (as Jupiter is the significator for children) A religious/charitable bent in life Uninterrupted flow of income Multiple sources of income Propitiation of Lord Vishnu Grants wisdom with advancing age Saturday worshiping:- One of the many kathas surrounding Peepal tree exhibits the importance of worshiping the tree on a Saturday. According to Brahma Purana; Ashvattha and Peepala were demons who possessed magical powers. They d pursue people to touch the tree so as to kill them. But both of them were killed by Lord Shani which signifies the importance of Saturday. Pray to the Peepal tree and Lord Vishnu that whatever your ancestors from the male and female linage did sinful to please forgive them and release that burden on yourself and your family.. Offer one jeneo (Brahmin thread) to the Peepal tree and one to Lord Vishnu (this you do in your mind or you can take a small picture of Lord Vishnu to the temple). Then do 108 Parikrama s (circumambulation) of the Peepal tree, with each Parikrama offer a sweet to Peepal tree. While doing Parikrama continuously chant the mantra OM NAMO BHAGAWATE VAASUDEWAAYA". After doing Parikrama again pray to Peepal tree and Lord Vishnu and seek forgiveness. Also a white cotton string is wrapped around the tree as you walk 108 times. Mother Lakshmi- Mother Lakshmi resides under the tree every Saturday. Therefore, women pray to this tree and wish to be granted with a child. Also a red thread or a red cloth is tied on its branches hoping to have their wishes granted. Shree Hanumanji- Shree Hanuman used to sit upon this tree and witnessed the hardships faced by Mother Sita. Also, the Peepal tree used to provide shelter to Sitadevi and, therefore, the tree is considered to have a special place in the heart of Shree Hanumanji. Brahma Purana- Lord Vishnu s appearance took place under a Peepal tree as well which makes it a symbol of Lord Vishnu. With such imperative role to render within Hinduism, Peepal trees are considered as a god-like figure. The Trimurti coherence Lord's Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva used to hold their councils under this tree. This has led to deeper faiths within the Peepal tree.

6 Ancestors- Hinduism teaches us to respect our ancestors (Pitar). And the ancestor s soul resides in this tree. This leads Hindus to respect and worship this tree throughout the year. Apart from the various reasons, there are some scientific reasons as well. Let us have a look at them: Largest Oxygen Provider- Peepal is considered to be the largest oxygen provider, along with Neem and Tulsi. It is widely known at several places that these trees release oxygen even at night. They can uptake CO{-2} during the night as well. Kills Bacteria- Researchers have also proved that the interacting flow of wind as well as the sound, with peepal leaves, kills infection bacteria slowly. Cures Speech Irregularities- If you lick honey placed on a peepal leaf, your speech irregularities will be cured. There is a scientific reason behind every Hindu belief. DISCLAIMER:- Do note that Dipika is not affiliated to any Hindu group or organization. We at Dipika choose to remain an independent repository of spiritual advice. We appreciate that there are variances between organisations and humbly request that if our views differ from yours that you respect our decision not to conform to the prescripts of your particular organisation. We remain committed to spiritual advice which is based on scripture. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this article. We pray that this article will assist you in some way and we also pray that it helps you to appreciate the beauty and remarkable foresight of our ancient Hindu culture. We wish to educate all readers and demystify the path of Hinduism (Sanatan Dharma). Please feel free to share these articles with friends and family who do not have direct access to our website or articles. If you use the articles in any form including blogs and/or as part of other articles kindly credit our website as a source. We hope that the articles serve as a reference to you and your family when you need clarification of certain topics. Jai Hind... Jai Mata Di. _/\_

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