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Though this blog is targeted mostly for domestic & overseas Sindhi & Hindu Community fraternity, but many communities from other cultural backgrounds also seem to be interested in these aspects as cited below.
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Teejri Ji Katha - 13th August 2014
Who observes Teejri and why is this observed?
What is the story behind Teejri?
According to holy books the Goddess Parvati fasted and prayed fervently for the great Lord Shiva to become her spouse. Touched by her devotion, he took her for his wife. Goddess Parvati, in gratitude, sent her emissary to preach and disseminate this religious fasting among mortal women, promising prosperity and longevity with their family. Thus was born the festival of Teej.
1silver thali (plate)
diya (lamp)
matches
oil to power your diya
cotton wool for wick
teaspoon
fresh flowers
fruit
earth and/or grass
milk
plain water
silver or gold coins
atto (four)
little katori (bowl)
sindoor/ kum kum (vermilion)
agarbatti (incense sticks)
cotton sheet
two chairs
Mithai (Indian sweets)
A TYPICAL DAY ON THE FESTIVAL OF TEEJ
3 - 4am, before dawn, eat something, toast & tea, or a little sweet mithai. The day ahead will mean no substantial food so it is important to eat something at this time.
Have a bath or shower. You can go back to sleep.
12 o'clock pooja can be done as late as 7pm, Many women sing Om Jai Jagdish aarti. You need to have prepared your usual pooja thali and lit agarbattis (atleast two) or a diya. After this eat some fruit and little mithai. You can drink sherbet (sugared rose water). Some women are very strict with the fast and do not eat nor drink.
No more food after this. Keep your fast.
Mehndi can be applied on hands and feet. If you are conscious of your appearance than apply a very small design but make a little effort.
Have another bath or shower in the early evening.
Prepare your thali (plate offering) with grass and earth. Take some flour and put it into the katori adding some kum kum, coins (do not use copper) sugared water and agarbatti. Add any symbol that evokes God. It could be a miniature symbol of Lord Ganesh for example.
To do this you can simply take cotton sheet and tie this between two chairs.
You now rock the swing three times and recite:
'Teejri re teejri tu lodde pehnje raaj bhag sa,
ma lodyo pehnje suhaaga bhag sa'
Translation of this means:
'Oh Teejri festival may you enjoy with your husband & clan and so I may too share the same luck with my husband'
Teej ji Katha is now read by eldest female of the house. A very rough English translation from Sindhi has been given too.
. S T O R Y .
Lakshmichand nale hikro seth dhani ain Dharmatma ho
(Once upon a time there was a rich and pious man called Lakshmichand )
( He had one daughter and two sons)
(He had got his daughter married in a far away land)
(Both his sons were still young)
(Mr. Lakshimchand wished to do Yagna, and so a brahman was called to find out an auspicious day. He then sent both his sons to fetch his daughter)
(Both brothers reached their sister's house with the intention to take her with them, but she had kept the Teejri fast)
chadi kare pehnje bhen khe thali dekhare chayo "Dis, chand nikto tai"
(Unaware of the significance of Teejri, one of the brother climbed a
tree and showed his sister a thali (a round metal plate) and told her "See the moon is out"
Vrat je bang thiar je kare, Rupwanti jo murs gehri nind me hali viyo.
(Rupwanti, thinking that the thali was the moon, offered her prayers
and had her dinner, thus breaking her fast. Since the fast was wrongly
broken, her husband fell into a very deep slumber, { coma }
Jade Rupwanti khe kuch bhi samjame kona piyo ache,
Unan je bhauran una khe sabh sach budayo.
(Rupwanti couldn't understand what was going on, hencr her brothers confessed to her
what they had done
(Rupwanti laid her husband on her lap and for a whole year kept praying and taking care of her husband )
(The following year, during the month of Sawan (sometime August), she kept the Teejri fast, and at night offered the moon her prayers and unboiled milk with sugar)
achanak chango bhalo thi viyo
(When she fed her husband the remaining milk, he suddenly woke up and became well)
Padando ya budandho, hunanju sabh manokamnaun sidh sakar
Thindiyun.
(Whenever a lover, with a clean and true heart, keeps Teejri's fast and
reads or listens Teejri mata's story, all his/her wishes will be fulfilled)
Can you See the Moon?
Place on your thali a steel glass, with a mixture of milk
Place another glass which contains water
Add money to the thali (no copper coins) you can light an agarbatti too
Offer to Chandrama
Aaon jo goryan lotiyo kheer bhare"
(for you I will offer you a jug of milk)
Hope above helps............
GAYATRI ANUSTHAN - A MUST DO DURING NAVRATRIS
Chaitra Navratri starts from Cheti Chand 21st MAR Till 27th MAR 2015
Ashwin Navratri starts from 25th SEP Till Durga Ashtami on 02nd OCT 2014
Inexhaustible Source of Spiritual Energy - Gayatri Mantra Jap
The scriptures prescribe that Gayatri should be worshipped thrice daily during Trikal Sandhaya in the morning, at noon and in the evening. It is all the more beneficial if Jap, worship, meditation and contemplation of Gayatri is done even more intensively. But for specific purposes, when more energy is required to be generated, specific performance which is known as Anusthan is done. When long journey is proposed to be undertaken, special food and adequate money are kept for being used in transit. Anusthan, similarly is like journey expenses. When this energy capital is accumulated, Sadhak’s journey through life, whether in mundane or spiritual pursuit, becomes easier and smoother.
When a tiger pounces upon a deer or a cat attacks a mouse or a heron attacks a fish, they pause for a moment, stop breathing, move back a little, and sharpen all their inner faculties and then charge suddenly on their prey. An athlete in high or long jump, stops for a moment, moves back a little and then leaps up or forward. A wrestler also takes a counter-move and suddenly changes his strategy. A marksman has also to do the same thing before shooting. In Anusthan, same thing has to be done on spiritual level. If any calamity has to be averted or some success achieved it is done by performance of Anusthan.
The baby cries ‘ma-ma’ and loving conversation between him and his mother goes on throughout the day, But when due to some emergency the child cries loudly and bitterly his mother abandons all work, rushes and attends to the child. Anushtan is such an emergency call of Sadhak which has specific force and magnetism in it. The Sadhak, thereby, attracts within him, the extraordinary energy of Gayatri.
When human endeavour fails, there is no way out to avert a crisis. Darkness prevails all-around, the future appears grimly dark, circumstances become menacingly adverse. In such a plight, it is but natural to become nervous. The intellect of such a worried and dejected person does not work properly. A pigeon caught in a net is entrapped more and more when it flutters to get out of it. On such occasions, the name of God is the only strength. Draupadi, Narsi, Prahlad etc. had to call upon Divine help in a state of utter helplessness. When human efforts fail, the entire situation is changed by divine intervention. The intense dark night of calamity suddenly disappears with the out-break of Light and a person is able to see the right path. Anusthan erupts in the heart in the form of light which enlightens the path.
Extra-ordinary relief is obtained by Gayatri Anusthan in worldly difficulties, mental disturbance and internal restlessness. No doubt, Gayatri does not literally give the Sadhak a golden treasure. But it is also true that by its influence fundamental positive changes take place in human attitude and mentality which make it possible to find appropriate solutions to difficulties. Appropriate intelligence, wisdom and far-sightedness are intuitively revealed to the Sadhak to enable him to surmount the special difficulties and challenges faced by him. Some irrelevant way ward thoughts, desires and cravings overpower a person having a confused mind on account of which he remains unhappy for no reason. Gayatri Sadhana cleanses the mind in such a way that things which formerly appeared to be crucially important appear to be insubstantial and trivial. Such internal changes take place by Anushtan on account of which an unhappy, worried and harassed person suddenly finds himself uplifted into a state of peace, harmony and joy.
Jap of 1,25,000 Mantras is known as Anusthan. There are certain conditions for a thing to attain maturity. Pulse, vegetables, bricks, glass etc. require to be heated upto a particular temperature. Fruits take their own time to ripen. Eggs need specific time for hatching. A baby takes its due time in mother’s womb before birth. Premature action in all such matters results in complications and failure. In Anusthan, performance of Jap of 1,25,000 Mantras in the prescribed period culminates in desired fulfilment.
Procedure of Anusthan
Anusthan can be started in any month. Panchmi, Ekadshi, Poornmasi are considered auspicious days to begin. The attributes of Durga, Saraswati and Lakshyami are prominent on Panchami, Ekadashi and Pooranmasi respectively. There is no bar of Shukla or Krishna paksha, although Shukla-paksha is considered more auspicious.
During Anusthan, Gayatri should be invoked before starting and reverently bidden to leave at the end of worship daily. In this process, sentiments and prayer play the key role. The presence of divine, kindhearted, affectionate Universal Mother Gayatri should be invoked by praying in Sanskrit or in one’s own mother tongue. It should be believed that accepting the prayer, the Mother has been kind enough to appear. At the time of Visarjan (leaving), the divine all powerful Mother should be prayed to in Sanskrit or in one’s own language to kindly leave and it should be believed that, accepting the prayer, She has left.
There is reference in several books that Yagya (offering in sacrificial fire) of one-tenth of total amount of Jap and Tarpan of one-tenth of Yagya should be performed and one-tenth proportion of Tarpan should be devoted to feeding Brahmans. But this rule applies to Anusthan done by Tantrik method only. In Anushtan performed according to the way of Vedik Yog system Tarpan is not necessary. But at the end of Anusthan, Yagya of at least 108 Ahuti offerings in sacrificial fire has to be performed although more can be done if it is convenient. Similarly, at least three Brahmans should be fed. No limit has been prescribed for offering money in charity. It may be done according to Sadhak’s resources and faith.
In Nirakar worship Bhagwati Gayatri should be installed as Shakti on an altar decorated with beautiful flowers. In Sakar worship a beautiful picture or image of Bhagwati may be installed on such an altar decorated with flowers. Some Sadhaks invoke Bhagwati in the spark of incense-stick or in the pointed flame of the lighted lamp kept on the altar and feel the presence of their adorable Deity. At the time of Visarjan, the idol/picture should be made to sleep and should be removed and immersed in some river, tank or holy place. Half-burnt incense-sticks or wick of the lamp should be extinguished and should also be immersed along with the flowers. Half-burnt wick should not be used the next day.
Five articles have mainly been considered esential and auspicious in Gayatri worship. Incense should be burnt, lamp should be lighted, naivedya (sweet offering) should be offered, sandal-wood paste should be applied and rice should be scattered. If Gayatri has been installed in the form of a lighted lamp, a water pot should be kept as fifth article of worship.
The Sadhak should sit in the morning on clean, ground on a carpet of Kush, facing the East, and keep a pot of water close by. The lamp should remain lighted and incense should burn throughout the Jap. If the lamp is extinguished, it should be relighted by placing a new wick in it. The Ghrit remaining in the lamp can be used again.
Jap should be started immediately after installation and worship of Gayatri on the altar. This should be the daily routine. Mind should be steady and full of devotion during Jap. Whenever it goes astray, it should be reined in, brought under control and concentration practised. By this method power of concentration will develop day by day.
The system of completing Jap of 1,25,000 Mantras in forty days is in vogue since ancient times. But a weak person or those who are not habituated by earlier practice may complete it within two months. The number of daily Jap of twenty rosaries or malas (of 108 Mantras each) should be done daily. To facilitate counting of rosaries or malas, small tablets of chalk clay wetted with Ganga water should be kept at one place. Jap should be closed when all the tablets are collected at the other end. There are no chances of error if such a system is adopted.
The Mantra of invoking the Gayatri is as follows :-
Aayatu Verde Devi Trakshyare Brahmavadhini
Gayatri Chandsam Matrabrahmayone Namostute
Aayatu Verde Devi Trakshyare Brahmavadhini
Gayatri Chandsam Matrabrahmayone Namostute
The Mantra of Visarjan is as under :-
Uttame Shikhare Devi Bhumyam Parvatamurdhani
Brahmane Bhyohuyanugyatam Gachchadevi Yathasukham
Uttame Shikhare Devi Bhumyam Parvatamurdhani
Brahmane Bhyohuyanugyatam Gachchadevi Yathasukham
At the end of Anusthan, Yagya should be performed, money should be offered in charity and Brahmbhoj done according to one’s resources. For Brahmbhoj only such Brahmans are invited who are real Brahmans and are devoted to God. Money given in charity or food served to undeserving persons goes waste.
Gayatri Sadhana in Nav Durga
Although, winter, summer and rains have been described to be three seasons, strictly speaking there are only two seasons, namely winter and summer. The period of conjunction when one season ends and the other starts is known as Nav-Durga.
The time when day and night meet is known as morning or evening twilight (Sandhya-kal) and this is considered to be an important period. Taking of food, sleeping, indulging in sex, commencing journey and similar other works are, forbidden at the time of sunrise and sunset. This time has to be utilized in meditation, worship, Sadhana etc. for which it is best suited and yields wonderful results with minimum effort. The meeting period of summer and winter is an auspicious period like morning and evening twilight. As the story goes in Purans, seasons become menstruous during these nine days of Nav-Durga. Just as all precautions are taken in respect of food, rest, behaviour etc. during the period of menstruation, similarly, precautions have to be taken during these periods of Nav-Durga.
Physicians know it well that there is great impact on the body due to change in seasons in the month of Ashwin and Chaitra and several persons catch fever, influenza, small-pox, diarrhoea, dejection etc. The hospitals remain flooded with patients these days. Vaidyas who deal in Ayurvedic medicine and naturopathy consider this period of Asvin and Chaitra most suitable for stimulating vomiting, purgation, perspiration and similar other acts for purification of the body. Both Nav-durgas are followed by important festivals of Dashehra and Ramnavami. Goddess Durga manifested herself at the end of Asvin Nav-Durga. Bhagwan Ram incarnated at the end of Chaitra Nav- Durga.
Apparently this period of change of season appears to be harmful because most of the people suffer from one ailment or the other. But in fact this is not so. The immune system of the body tries to set right all defects and diseases which develop on account of transgressions committed during the previous six months in food and daily routine. The process of self-purification manifests itself in the form of cough, cold, fever etc. If the body gets an opportunity to cleanse itself by observing fast and taking limited balanced diet and the mind remains engrossed in Jap and worship, physical and mental impurities can be easily thrown out and health fully restored. This small Anusthan of Gayatri is, therefore, extremely useful from health point of view also. Nav-Durga falls in Shukla paksha from Pratipada to Navmi in Ashwin and Chaitra. This is the time best suited for Gayatri Sadhana. Jap of twenty-four thousand Mantras should be performed and fast should be observed during these days. This mini Sadhana is as useful as a big Anusthan.
Food consisting of cereals at one time and milk and fruits or milk or fruits should be taken at the other time. Those who can afford to remain on the diet of fruits and milk or milk alone can do so if their health permits. The Sadhak should get up early and sit for Sadhana in the small hours of the morning (Brahma-muhurt) after finishing daily routine like bath etc. in the manner already prescribed. Twentyfour thousand Japas are to be performed in nine days. This can be done by performing jap of 27 rosaries daily, which would take three to four hours. If it appears to be strenuous to complete Jap in one sitting, a major portion of it should be finished in the morning and balance in the evening. Havan or Yagya of 108 Mantras should be performed on the last day. Offering of money in charity and feeding of brahmans should also be done as mentioned earlier.
This small Anusthan of nine days should be performed by the Sadhak himself in both the Nav-durgas every year. If for some reason it is not possible for a person to do it himself, it can be got accomplished by some competent capable Brahman. Sadhana done during these days proves to be extremely useful for getting rid of anxieties, fulfilling desires and developing spiritual power.
This small Anusthan can also be done at any time besides Nav-Durga. Anusthan of 1,25,000 Jap in forty days is a complete Anusthan and the smaller one of nine days is its one-fifth part, which should be done according to convenience and need. The wealth of Tap, devout austerity, should be amassed in as large a measure as may be possible. Gayatri Mantra in Miniature Form
Just as small Anusthan of nine days has been prescribed for those who are unable to perform full Anusthan of 1,25,000 Mantras in forty days, similarly, uneducated women or children who are unable to remember full Gayatri Mantra of twentyfour letters can perform Jap of abridged Gayatri Mantra known as Panchakshari Mantra. It consists of Pranav and three Vyahritis, namely , Om bhoor bhuvaha swaha. Just as the seed of all the Vedas is Gayatri Mantra, so also the origin of Gayatri Mantra is Panchakshari Mantra consisting of Pranav and Vyahritis. This small Mantra is extremely useful for the convenience of lay persons.
May all get benefited from this small anushtan and prosper in their life and achieve all that is desired. Hari Om
