Somvati Amavasya & Amritsiddhiyog..22nd june'09

Somvati Amavasya or no moon day falling on Monday creates such an auspicious moment that Ganga, Pushkar & the divine cosmos along with all the revered pilgrimages on this earth shower their exceptional spiritual benediction on the being who performs worship, japa, meditation on this auspicious day. The significance of this day is considered equivalent to the auspiciousness of ‘the Solar Eclipse.’ Taking a holy dip, performance of charitable acts and Shraddha (giving oblations in the name of manes) on this day is considered to be perennial & everlasting. Observance of vow of silence followed by a holy dip in the sacred waters bestows the being with the meritorious effect equivalent to that of giving a thousand cows in donation. It is ordained to worship and circumambulate Lord Vishnu & the sacred Pipal tree. Prior to the sacred ambulation, the following prayer is done:
O Sacred Tree! From the root, you’re the symbol of Lord Brahma, from the trunk, you’re the epitome of Lord Vishnu and the forehead is veritable representation of Lord Siva. My salutations to you! I humbly pray for the acceptance of my reverential worship and eradication of my sins. My offer my deferential salutations to the pious tree whose mere gaze eradicates the being’s physical ailments, a simple touch extirpates the sins and the blissful patronage provides long life to the doer!
Out of the said number of one hundred and eight, eight circumambulations are done by enwrapping the Pipal tree with raw thread. One hundred and eight pieces of fruits are kept aside; later on these are distributed to the Brahmins. Such a practice helps in the longevity of progeny. P.S. When the ‘Mriga Nakshtra’ falls on Monday, it is acclaimed as ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’ Luckily, this time on Somvati Amavasya, this auspicious confluence is occurring. On 22nd June, from dawn till 11.45 P.M, it is the pious confluence of ‘Amritsiddhiyog.’

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)

Sage Narada, the Possessor of Divine Virtues..

Once Lord Krishna worshipped Sage Narada in Mahi-sagara-sangam. There king Ugrasena asked Him: “O Lord of the world, Sri Krishna! Why is Sage Narada exceedingly fond of you?”
Lord Krishna said: “O King! I always eulogize Narada of divine vision by means of the hymn pronounced by Mahendra. Listen to it, O King:
‘I bow down to that Narada who has been born from the lap of Brahma, who has no arrogance due to learning or good conduct, but whose learning and good conduct are well-known. I bow down to that Narada who has none of these defects – absence of interest, anger, fickleness and fear. He is composed and free from (habitual) procrastination. I pay obeisance to that Narada who does not change his word (once uttered) either due to lust or to covetousness and who is conversant with the principles and goal of spiritual endeavour, who is forbearing, powerful and straightforward, who has conquered his sense organs and who speaks the truth.
‘I bow down to that Narada who is full-grown and venerable in respect of splendour, fame, intellect, prudence, humility, birth and penance, whose conduct and dress are pleasing and whose diet, behaviour, eyes and utterances are good, who is tirelessly engaged in altruism, who has no sin, who is enthusiastically engaged in bringing good to others, who always abides by the duties enjoined in the Vedas, Smritis and Puranas and who is free from (i.e. is above) either pleasure or displeasure, who is uninterested in food stuffs and other things, who is learned, who is never idle, who is a Brahmana of vast learning and whose narratives are charming, who has never erred before in respect of wealth, anger and love and by whom these defects have been eliminated, who is devoid of the defect of infatuation and fascination, who has unwavering devotion to God and Bhagawat Dharma, whose moral policies are supreme and who is of a reserved disposition, who is never contaminated by contacts, who is eloquent and who has no prolonged doubts, who never finds faults with any scriptural text, whose life is a personification of penance, who never spends his time without recollecting God and who always keeps his mind under control.
‘I salute that Narada who puts in great efforts, who exerts his intelligence, who is never satiated with concentration and meditation and who never errs in his efforts, who does not become elated by the acquisition of wealth, who does not become dejected on account of non-acquisition, who is richly endowed with all good qualities, who is efficient, pure and unafraid, who knows the proper occasions and is conversant with good policies.’
“Everyday I recite this hymn of Narada, O King. Therefore, the excellent sage has great love for me. If any other person too remains pure and repeats this prayer everyday, he will ree long attract great favour of the celestial sage.”
Through this eulogy of the celestial sage Narada, the Lord presents the ideal virtues of devotees. Such is the glory of a devotee that he is eulogized by God Himself. One who remembers the virtues of the Lord’s devotees, becomes dear to them and imbibes their virtues as well. Recollecting and talking about a devotee and his virtues purifies the heart and brings good to the world.
Naradji, who has the good of all living beings in his mind, helps those who are desirous of progressing on the path of God. It is impossible to assess how many and in what manner beings have been transported by him to the Lord’s pious feet. He is ever engaged in guiding the devotees and inquisitive seekers and in the good of saintly souls who desire to attain liberation in life. Our crores of obeisances at His feet!

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)

Useless Pride..

A rich man was pedantically showing his huge mansion and meticulously pruned garden to a Mahatma while boastfully indulging in self-display and self-acclaim. Furthering his conceited conversation, the wealthy man said, ‘This house is matchless in the Asian continent.’
Viewing the world map, the Mahatma promptly enquired, ‘What is this?’
‘The earth.’
“Can you show me Asia in it?”
The rich man pointed towards Asia in the map.
Then the Mahatma asked for the location of India and thereafter of Mumbai, which was visibly no bigger than a small dot on the map.
The Mahatma enquired, ‘Can the map exhibit your mansion also?’
The rich man replied, ‘No great sire, it can’t be seen in this map.’
The Mahatma replied, ‘Then your pride is unmistakably vain।’

Excerpts from Param Pujya Asaram ji Bapu’s satsang.. Read more in Rishi Prasad magazine..To get rishi prasad’s one/five year or life long membership you may contact at Shri yog Vedant Samiti, Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram, Amdabad (079-275050-11) Delhi (011-25729338, 25764161) Mumbai- (022-26864143-44)