About Us

'Bhakti Marg' is the path of devotion to God and surrender at his feet for a moral life of love. I have started a pilgrimage of devotion via this blog. 'Bhakti' doesn't mean to sit at a place and always chant the Almighty's name.

We are born in this world or sent to this world to lead a disciplined moral life. And that is our Duty. We have to commit ourselves on our duties for our wellness and the devotion or Bhakti is the additional power that we should equip along with us always to go in the right path.

I herewith present you the known and simple way of devotion through slokas and informations about dieties. In the name of Shirdi Saibaba I am trying to present the gist of Hinduism on my way. Hinduism is a wonderful path of leading a disciplined, moral and healthy life. The customs that are followed in Hinduism, though undergone blindly in the name of God, each custom uphold a scientific reason that paves way for a healthy life.  

For example, the posture hindus are encouraged to sit to do prayer is an significant Yogic posture or Asana which open the energy channels, chakras and psychic centers of the body. Asanas purify and strengthen the body and control and focus the mind. Another example is that the devotion procedure starts with a lamp lighting. The lamp is lit either wih coconut oil, sesame oil, ghee or lotus oil and then the prayer starts. The moral behind is the lamp lit ignites an aroma from the oil that spreads the hall which forms the basis for Aromatherapy. 

I hope that through Hindu Spirit all are benefitted by attaining real wisdom and spiritual calmness in this busy and mechanical world.

Regards,
Hamsamalini Chandrasekaran,
www.momstimes.com
chamsmalini@gmail.com

Ganesa Sthothram for Children

Sadhaa Baalaroopaapi Vighnaadhrihanthree Mahaadhanthivakthraapi Panchaasyamaanyaa

Vidheendhraadhimrugya Ganesaabhidhaana Vidhaththaam Sriyam kaapi Kalyaanamoorthihi ||

Why do we wear marks (tilak, bindi, chandan, kumkum, bhasma and the like) on the forehead?

The mark on forehead invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one’s caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped.

In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of the other three divisions. Also Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan mark on forehead of the shape of "U,” Shiva worshippers applied holy ash in the form three horizontal lines, Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum and so on. The mark on forehead cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra in the language of Yoga.

The mark on forehead is applied with the prayer - "May I remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. May I be righteous in my deeds.” Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful attitude the mark on another reminds us of our resolve.

The mark on forehead is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The mark on forehead cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic reusable "stick bindis" is not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.

Of all the marks, bhasma or holy ash is something special. But why?

The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the Yagna(sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma.

Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.

The word bhasma means, "that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered.” Bha implied bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma implies smaranam ("to remember"). The application of bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called vibhuti (which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her.

Yagna (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants) signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of the mind, which results from such actions.

Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide wait for none.

Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe).

Tryambakam yajaamahe

Sugandhim pushtivardhanam

Urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan

Mrytyor muksheeyamaa amrutaat

"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our lives. May He free us from the shackles of sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem."

It has immense health benefits also as per Ayurvedic terms if it is a real bhasma obtained from yagna, where Gold, ornaments and many herbs are incinerated.

Information on Sarees offered to Dieties

Every diety in Hindu mythology is prayed and done poojas for some specific purpose like Goddess Durga is prayed to be blessed with power, Goddess Lakshmi for wealth while Goddess saraswathi for education. Specifications are observed in their offerings also inorder to get her entire blessings.

So is the colors of sarees offered to dieties during abishekam.

1. Sree Durga - 100% red coloured saree is preferred.
2. Sree Lakshmi - 60% yellow and 40% red coloured saree.
3. Sree Mahasaraswathi -60% white + 40% red.
4. Sree Saraswathi - 100% white.
5. Sree Mahakali - 80% purple + 20% red.
6. Sree Kali  - 100% purple

Hindu calendar 2011

January 2011
Pakshik Surya Grahan – 4th
Bhogi – 14th
Makar Sankranti – 15th
Kanuma – 16th
Thai Pusam - 20th
Thyagaraja Aradhana – 23rd

February 2011
Basant Panchami Saraswati Puja – 8th
Ratha Saptami – 10th
Bhishmashtami – 11th
Bhishma Ekadasi – 14th

March 2011
Maha Shivaratri – 2rd
Holi festival – 20th

April 2011
Ugadi 2011 – 4th– Telugu New Year and Kannada New Year 2011-
2012
Gudi Padwa – 4th– Marathi New Year
Sri Rama Navami – 12th
Chithirai Vishu – Puthandu – Tamil New Year 2011-2012 – 14th
Vishu – 14th
Pohela Baisakh - Bengali New Year 2011-2012 – 15th
Bohag Bihu – Assamese New Year 2011-2012 – 15th

May 2011
Akshaya Tritiya – 6 th– Akhateej
Hanuman Jayanthi in Vaishakh Month – 27th

June 2011
Nirjala Ekadashi – 12th
Vat Savitri Vrata – 15th– Snan Purnima in Puri Jagannath Temple

July 2011
Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra – 3th
Ashadi Ekadashi – 11th– Shayani Ekadasi
Pandharpur Palki Yatra – 11th
Guru Purnima – 15th
Ashad Amavasya – 30th

August 2011
Naga Panchami – 4th
Varalakshmi Vratham – 12th
Rakshabandhan – 13th– Rakhi Festival – Kajli Purnima – Narali Purnima
Upakarma or Avani Avittam – 13th
Sri Krishna Janmashtami – 21th– Gokulashtami

September 2011
Ganesh Chaturthi – 1th– Vinayaka Chavithi
Rishi Panchami – 2th
Parivartini Ekadasi – 8th
Mahalaya Paksha starts – 13th – Pitru paksha or Shraddh paksha
Mahalaya Amavasya – 27th
Navratri 2011 begins – 28th– Durga Navratri Puja starts (Kalasha
Sthapana)

October 2011
Durga Puja 2011 starts – 2nd
Maha Navami – 5th
Dasara – 6th– Vijaya Dashami
Kojagari Purnima Lakshmi Puja – 11th
Diwali 2011 – 26th– Deepavali
Gujarati New Year – 27th– Bestu Varsh or Nutan Varsh

November 2011
Utthana Ekadashi – 6th
Kartik Purnima – 10th– Tripurari Purnima

December 2011
Gita Jayanti – 6th
Datta Jayanti – 10th