Komatha - The Sacred Cow Slokam

This prayer is addressed by Lord Indra to Kamadhenu. It has been adapted as a prayer to the cow by all Hindus.

Komatha

Namo devyai Maha devyai,

Surabyai cha namo nama.

Gavam Bheeja swaroopaya,

Namasthe Jagad Ambike.

Namo radha priyayai cha

Padmamsaya namo nama,

Nama Krishna priyayai cha

Gavam mathre namo nama.

Kalpa vruksha swaroopayai,

Sarvesham sathatham pare,

Ksheeradayai, dhanadayai,

Budhidayai namo nama.

Shubhayai subhadarayai

gopradhayai namo nama

Yasodhayai kerthidhayai,

Dharmadhayai namo nama.

Stotra shravana mathrena,

Dushta, hrushta jagatprasu,

Mahendraya varam dhatwa,

Go lokam saa yayaou puna.

Komatha Puja

Komatha - Sacred cow with her calf named 'Nandhini'

Komatha also called as 'Kamadhenu' is an all wish satisfying cow of Heaven. Worshipping Her along with Her calf named 'Nandhini' is very auspicious.  The importance and divinity of Komatha and Nandhini can be known from the story of Sage, 'Viswamitra'.

Vishwamitra was the king in his early life and was known as Kaushika, the descendent of kusha dynasty. One of the four sons of Kusha was Kushanubha, who performed the sacrifice called `Puthrakameshti` and had a son named Gadhi. Kaushika or Vishwamitra was the son of King Gadhi. Kaushika enthroned his father`s kingdom after his father Gadhi. He was an expert ruler. Kaushik was very popular among his subjects. Once he had a tour in his kingdom, listening to the complaints of his subjects and advising them the probable remedies.

Once, Vishwamitra and his soldiers took shelter in the Ashram of Rishi Vasishta. Vasishta took well care of his large army and fed them well. Vishwamitra was surprised how it was possible for a sage to take care and made all arrangements to feed such a large army.Vishwamitra wanted to know the mystery from Vasishta. Vashita replied that he had a divine calf Nandini, gifted by Indra. Nandini was the daughter of Indra`s cow Kamdhenu. She provided Vasishta with all that he needed.

Kaushika was overwhelmed to know the truth. He decided to possess that cow as he thought that a humble sage like Vasishta did not need it much. Vishwamitra expressed his desire to sage Vasishta. Vasishta refused the proposal in a polite but steadfast manner. The king was extremely angry. He insulted Brahmarishi Vasishta with coarse words. Vishwamitra ordered his army to seize the cow and drive it to his kingdom. Vasishta to encounter them created an army of fierce warrior with his yogic power. They fought the army of Vishwamitra and defeated them. Kaushika was imprisoned in the war and presented before Vasishta but the Brahmarishi forgave him and released him with words of advice.

This incident made a deep impression on King Kaushika. He realized that power gained by penances is much greater than the physical power of a king. He resolved to be a greater Rishi than Sage Vasishta and renounced his kingdom. Kaushika then took the name Vishwamitra. After severe austerity and overcoming many hardships Vishwamitra won the title of Brahmarishi by Vashita himself.

Thus Komatha as the name says She plays the role of a mother giving enlightment of Truth, Wisdom and Prosperity. One who adores and does puja is granted all the desires and has the blessings of the three main Goddesses Lakshmi, Durga and Saraswathy.

 

For Gomatha Pooja you can buy a small silver cow with a calf and then every day morning and evening keep it on a plate outside the front door and wash it with water and do abhishekam with milk and keep Turmeric and kumkum. Put a small flower garland and gave arti and bring it inside and kept it in the pooja room.

The various parts of the body of the cow in which the deities, the revered sages, the various elements, are believed to dwell are given as follows:

1. Two Horns of the Cow The Creator 'Brahma' 
2. The Head of the Cow The Deity 'Indra' 
3. Forehead of the Cow The Deity 'Agni 
4. Collar of the Cow The Deity 'Yama' 
5. Brain of the Cow The Deity 'Moon' 
6. Upper Jaw of the Cow The Highest world Dyuloka 
7. Lower Jaw of the Cow The Earth 
8. The Tongue The Lightening 
9. The Teeth The Deity 'Marut' 
10. The Throat The 'Revatee' Constellation 
11. The Shoulder The 'Kritka' Constellation 
12. Bones of the Shoulder The Summer Season 
13. All the Organs of the Cow The Deity 'Vaayu' 
14. The Heaven The World to which cow, belongs 
15. The BackBone The Deity 'Rudra' 
16. In the Chest The Eagle 
17. Is the Power & Strength Of the Cow The Space 
18. Hunch of the Cow The Sage Vrihashpati 
19. In the bones of the Chest The Stanza by the name of Vrihatee 
20. The Back Angels & Fairies 
21. Bones of the Ribs The Hostesses of the Angels & Fairies. 
22. The Shoulders The Deity 'Varuna' and Friend 
23. The Forelegs The Sage 'Tvashta & the sage 'Aryama' 
24. The Hindlegs The Destroyer 'Lord Mahadeva' 
25. The Backside of the Cow The wife of the Deity 'Indra' 
26. The Tail The Deity 'Vaayu' 
27. The Hairs of the Body The Sage 'Pawamana' 
28. The Buttock The Caste 'Brahmin' & The caste'Kshatriya' 
29. Lies in the Thighs The Strength of the Cow. 
30. Bones of the Knees The Deity Sun and the Creator 
31. The Calf of the Cow The Celestial Beings 'Gandharva' 
32. In the Smaller Bones The Celestial Beings 'Apsara' 
33. Hooves of the Cow The Mother of the Sun, God, 'Aditi' 
34. In the Heart 'The Mind '
35. In the Liver of the Cow 'The Intelligence '
36. The Nerve By the Name Of 'Puritat' The Religious Vow 'Vrata' 
37. The Belly 'The Hunger '
38. In the Intestines 'Goddess Sarswati' 
39. In the internal part of the intestines 'The Mountains'
40. In the Ovum 'The sorrow (Manyu) '
41. In the sense Organs 'The Subjects & the People (Praja)'
42. In the Ovary 'The River'
43. In the Breasts The Deity 'Varuna' 
44. In the cells of the Breasts which produce milk 'The Thundering clouds '
45. In the Skin The 'All-Pervasive power' 
46. In the hairs of the Body,Of the cow 'The Various Medicines' 
47. The Anus 'The heavenly & Celestial Beings 'Devagana' '
48. In the Intestine 'The Man'
49. In the Stomach The Celestial being 'Yaksha' 
50. In the Kidney 'The Anger'
51. In the Blood The Demon 'Rakshasha' 
52. The Appearance of The Cow 'The Constellation'
53. In the Stomach 'The Other living beings'
54. Is the Grossness 'The sky '
55. In the Bone-Marrow 'The Death '
56. Is Like Fire 'The Posture while sitting'
57. Is the Deity 'Ashwinee Kumar The posture while getting up 
58. The Deity 'Indra' The Posture while standing and facing East 
59. The Lord of Death 'Yamaraja' The Posture while standing and facing South 
60. The Creator 'Brahma' The Posture while standing and facing west 
61. The Sun God The Posture while standing & facing North 
62. The Deity Moon The Cow while Grazing 
63. The Friend The Cow while looking 
64. Pure Joy The Posture of the Cow while turning it back

Also, it is very auspicious to lend any eatables like fruits to Komatha to get the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi especially on Fridays.

Kamadenu or Komatha Sloka to chant during puja.

Legends about Diwali

Krishna killing Narakasura :- According to Hindu mythology, there was a demon Narakaasura, the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam. Power attained due to sincere meditation made the demon king arrogant and he became dangerous to his subjects and even to the Devas. He ruled with a reign of terror, abducted 16,000 daughters of the gods, and stole the earrings of Aditi, mother of the Gods. Narkasura was believed to be a demon of filth, covered in dirt. He was giant who was often good but at times, behaved very badly. He used to kidnap beautiful young women and force them to live with him. The Devas asked Lord Krishna for help, and after a mighty battle he killed the demon, freed the girls and recovered the earrings First, Krishna had to fight with a five-headed monster that guarded the demon's home. Krishna granted Narakasur one last request, because of the good deeds he had done. Narkasura hoped that his death might bring joy to others. So, before being killed, he cried, " Let this day be celebrated as a day of feasting in the World!" Krishna granted his request and the women were freed. After his victory Krishna returned very early in the morning and was bathed and massaged with scented oils. Taking an early morning bath with oil is still a Deepavali tradition.For Hindus, this Diwali story is a reminder that good can defeat evil.

Lakshmi Puja :- It is also believed that Goddess Lakshmi manifested herself on the day when the demons and deities were churning the ocean together to find out the 'drink of immortality' - the divine honey. 

Goddess Lakshmi

 Thus Diwali festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the Goddess of Wealth and thus doing Lakshmi puja came into existence.

Vamana avathar :- One more interesting Diwali legend is of King Bali. He was a generous ruler but also very ambitious. He performed a Yagna (fire sacrifice). His Yagna was a grand success. So Vishnu came to earth in the form of a dwarf ( incarnated as Vamana) dressed as priest to check King Bali's power.


Vamana avatar and King Bali

When the priest reached King Bali's court, he asked him to ask for anything he wanted. The priest said "You are the ruler of the three worlds: the Earth, the world above the skies and the underworld. Would you give me the space that I could cover with three strides?" King Bali laughed. This request seemed strange to all the courtiers, but king Bali granted it. Surely a dwarf could not cover much ground, thought the King, who agreed to dwarf's request. Once the request was granted to him, the priest, who was none but Visnu in disguise, submerged the entire world (Mrityu-loka) with one step, with the second he submerged heaven (Swarga-loka) and for the third step; there was no respectable place to put his foot down and so he asked the bewildered Bali for some respectable place to this foot so that the boon could be fulfilled. Left with no alternative, the noble but exasperated King Bali offered his head for the purpose. To his surprise, the priest not only lost no time in placing his foot over King Bali's head, but also thrust Bali into the nether worlds (Patala-loka) which as per Hindu cosmogony is hell and lies below the surface of the earth.

Victory of King Rama :- The other legend is the celebration to comemorate the return of King Rama, the ancient idol of the heroic ages, the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king to Ayodhya after killing Ravana in Srilanka. Rama, . After ten days of fierce war with Ravana, the victorious Rama, Laxmana and Sita preapared to return to Ayodhya. There was joyous shouts of Victory to Rama, Veer Hanuman ki Jai - Victory to Hanuman. Gods from the Heaven poured flowers and garlands to celebrate and show their pleasure.

Govardhan Puja :- This festival is aso acommemoration of the lifting of Mount Govardhan by Lord Krishna. As per Vishnu-Puran the people of Gokul used to celebrate a festival in honor of Lord Indra and worshiped him after the end of every monsoon season but one particular year the young Krishna stopped them from offering prayers to Lord Indra who in terrific anger sent a deluge to submerge Gokul. People were afraid that the downpour was a result of their neglect of Indra. But Krishna assured them that no harm would befall them. He lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger and sheltered men and beasts from the rain. This gave him the epithet Govardhandhari. After this, Indra ( Devendra) accepted the supremacy of Krishna.

Krishna lifting Govardhan mountain

Kali killing Demons :- It is a myth that on this day Kali Ma gave darshan along with 64 yoginees (saints) after killing  Shambhu and Nishambhu  - the demons. After slaughtering the demons her krodh or anger was not still extinguished. So she did a very fierceful dance that the earth faced a severe shake. To stop her from dancing, her pathi (husband) Lord shiva, himself laid under her feet. Once her feet fell on Him, she realised her and calmed down. This day also marks this legend.

Kali matha on Lord Shiva

Though the myths are different all end with the moral : "Victory of Good over Evil" .

Diwali in India

Diwali is celebrated as Moni Diwali, Dhanteras, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Govardhan Puja, Maha Nisa in a splendour way.

Moni Diwali

Its a belief in northern India that on the day of Diwali Goddess Lakshmi will stay at their house. So on new moon day of thula month (aippasi month in Tamil that comes in October last- November first week), they keep a deepam or diya(lantern) in prayer room that will be lit for 24 hrs. They collect the smoke due to that diya and use it as kajal for the year long. Such a occassion is considered to be Diwali.

Dhanteras

In Bihar, the celebration of Diwali starts two days before the actual Diwali as dhanteras, celebrated in honor of Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods. He is believed to have emerged with a pot of amrita (Divine Honey) during the samudra manthan. On this festival, new kitchen utensils are bought and kept at the place of worship. The buying of utensils, according to one theory, relates to the myth of Dhanvantari emerging from the ocean with a pot in his hand. People bathe early in the morning and observe a fast, which is broken only after sunset with sweetmeals, puri and other delicacies.

Songs in honor of the deities are sung and aarti is performed. Oil or ghee diyas are also lit. The gods are offered kheel, batashe and khilone and various sweetmeals. After the puja, the diyas are placed in and around the house: on the doorway, near the Tulasi plant, in the backyard, in every room and at the back and front gates. After this, crackers are burst, and people meet friends and neighbors to exchange good wishes and sweets.

In villages of Bihar, people worship Goddess Kali on this day. Eating unripe coconut and taking a beetle is considered auspicious. In chota nagpur, the men circumbulate their village with basket full of paddy and grass.

Maha Nisa

In West Bengal, it is Kali Puja which makes the festival unique. Kali is generally a goddess to be feared rather than venerated. Diwali is celebrated as 'Maha Nisa' with great enthusiasm and it is a time for gaiety and feasting. It is a myth that on this day Kali Ma gave darshan along with 64 yoginees (saints) after killing  Shambhu and Nishambhu  - the demons. The houses are decorated and lit with diyas. Two or even four plantain leaves decorate the entry to the house or property, with a row of diyas at the doorstep. The entire family gathers around for Lakshmi puja in the evening.

In Rajasthan

On Diwali day, house all over Rajasthan glow with twinkle of innumerable diyas, candles and electric lights.  Women of the neighborhood gather and prepare sweets like Mawa Kachori, Til Ke Laddo, Gonth ke Laddu, Piste ke Launj, Moti Pak, Pheeni, Sohan Papdi, Besan Barfi, Jalebi, and Shakarpara. The unique thing about this festival in Rajasthan is that people do prayer and offerings to cat as they believe that cat is a form of Goddess Lakshmi.

In Gujarat

In Gujarat, Diwali is the worship of Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi on this day emerges to bring prosperity to the world. The celebration lasts for five days, which starts with Dhanteras. The fourth day, or the day of Govardhan Puja is Gujrati's New Year's Day. Lakshmi is believed to visit the homes that are well lit. So, families decorate their houses with light, flowers and paper chains. Business comes to a halt on Dhanteras, two days before Diwali, and doesn't resume until Labh Pancham, the fifth day of the new year. For traders and businessmen, this is the time for a vacation.

Diwali - as by various religions

Diwali is a nocturnal celebration embraced by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains across the country.

Diwali by Jains

Jains celebrate Deepavali in the name of Paryusana Parva. The day is the jubilation to commemorate the salvation or Moksha attained by the founder and guru Lord Mahavira also called as Vardhamana at Khattiya-kundapura, near Vaishali. On the religious occasion of Diwali on Oct. 15, 527 BCE, in Pavapuri, Lord Mahavira received his enlightenment to spirituality or obtained Kevala Gyana on Vishakha Shukla 10 at the Jambhraka village on the banks of Rijukula river at the age of 42.

There are regular ceremonies in the temple and discourses of Kalpa Sutra (one of the sacred books) in the Upashraya during this time. On the third day of the Paryusana Parva the Kalpa Sutra receives a very special reverence and may be carried in the procession. On the fifth day, at a special ceremony, the auspicious dreams of Mahavira's mother, queen Trishala, are demonstrated. Listening to the Kalpa Sutra, taking active steps to prevent the animal killing, asking and offering forgiveness to all living beings, visiting the neighborhood temples, etc. are some of the important activities during this time.The final day of Paryusana is the most important of all. On this day those who have observed the fasts are specially honored. This is also the day when Jains ask for forgiveness to the family, friends and foes alike for any acts they might have committed towards them in the previous year. Therefore this annual occasion of the repentance and forgiveness is very important.

Diwali by Sikhs

Sikhs worship Diwali as the religious freedom for Sikhs and this is why Diwali is called the Light Festival. To commemorate the release of their sixth Guru Hargobind Ji from the captivity of Emperor Jahengir, Gwalior, Sikh Diwali is recalled throughout India and in many countries. It is believed that Guru's Mother was full of happiness that her son was released she ordered food and sweets and gave them to everyone. Also in 1577 the foundation stone of The Golden Temple was laid on Diwali. On this day, the worshippers float multi-coloured light candles on the water at the Golden Temple. The gurdwara, hold a grand fireworks display.

Diwali by Budhists

Buddhists especially Newar Buddhists celebrate Diwali in their quiet way. They chant the mantras and remember Emperor Ashoka who converted to Buddhism on this day. Hence the Buddhists also know the festival as Ashok Vijayadashami. Their temples and monasteries are well decorated during this time and the Buddha is worshiped with full honors.

Traditional functions in Temples on Diwali

Annapoorna Temple, Varanasi :- A highlight of this temple is that every year, the day before Diwali, a golden idol of Annapurna is opened for darshan. This idol can be seen only on that one day, and it is indeed a great sight! Annapurna sits in the middle with her trademark bowl and ladle. On her left is Lakshmi (Sridevi- the goddess of wealth) and on her right is Bhudevi (the goddess of the earth). All these idols are of pure Gold, and are beautiful to look at. In front of them stands Shiva, made of silver, asking for alms. The temple also witnesses Laddu chariot carrying the Idol of Annaporrani Ma on the same day. "Annakoot vaibav" along with gubera pooja also takes place on the same day.

Golden Idol of Annapoorani Matha

Sri ranganathasamy Temple, Tiruchirapalli :- 'Jaali alankar' takes place for the main deity - Perumal' on this day. Offering two bags of 1000 one rupee coins to God along with Mangala Isai is referred as Jaali alankar. Those who witness this function is believed to have a ever prosperous life.

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  Sri Ranganathaswamy

Mathura temple, Gujarat :- In temples specially in Mathura and Nathadwara, this day is observed as Annakoot meaning mountain of food. Pious people keep awake the whole night and cook fifty-six or 108 different types of food for the bhog (the offering of food) to Krishna. The deities are given milkbath, dressed in shining attires with ornaments of dazzling diamonds, pearls, rubies and other precious stones. After the prayers and traditional worship innumerable varieties of delicious sweets are ceremoniously raised in the form of a mountain before the deities as "Bhog" and then the devotees approach the Mountain of Food and take Prasad from it.

Krishna, Radha in mathura