Failure doesn’t mean – you’ll never make it, it means – it will take a little longer.

SB 10.20.24 — The clouds, impelled by the winds, released their nectarean water for the benefit of all living beings, just as kings / peoplw, instructed by their brāhmaṇa priests, dispense charity to the citizens / others.

Navratri, the word is formed using two words ‘Nava’ and ‘Ratri’. Nava means nine and Ratri means nights hence Navratri literally means nine nights. During the festival of Navratri, Maa Durga is worshipped and revered in Her various forms for ten days and nine nights. In 2014 the Navratri Festival will be celebrated from 25^th Septemberto 3^rd October, 2014. Navratri is celebrated with much gusto in the Hindu calendar month of Ashwin which is around September-October as per the Gregorian calendar. Although Navratri is celebrated multiple times during the year but the Navratri celebrated on the onset of winter in the month of Ashwin is considered as most important one and auspicious to perform Navratri Puja.

This Navratri is also known as Maha-Navratri or Sharad Navratri. The onset of winter and the nine nights of Navratri are considered as most auspicious period to perform devotional sadhanas, worship Goddess Durga and perform Navratri Puja. The nine manifestations of Goddess Durga are worshipped each day of Navratri these incarnations are Goddess Shailputri, Brahmcharni, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. Worshipping the nine Goddess is the primary ritual of any Navratri Puja.

• First 3 days (1^st– 3^rd day of Navratri): The first three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power, on the first day barley seeds are sown in a mud pot and the pot is kept on the Puja Altar. • Second 3 days (4^th – 6^th day of Navratri): The second three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. • Third 3 days (7^th – 9^th day of Navratri): The next three days of the nine days are dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge and learning

 

Navaratri the 9 divine nights of blessings

 

Navaratri is the worship of the three divine goddesses, Saraswati (Goddess of learning and speech), Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth and prosperity), and Durga (Goddess of strength and courage). It is also said to be the battle that occurred between Goddess Chaamundeshwari and the asura (demon), Mahishaasura. The battle lasted 9 days and 9 nights. Finally, on the tenth day, Goddess Chaamundeshwari killed Mahishaasura. This day is known as Vijayadasami. Vijayadasami means the 10th day of victory. During the Navaratri or the Nine Nights, the whole of India adores the Mother and wor¬ships Her with great devotion. On the first three nights, Durga or the Destructive Aspect of the Mother is worshipped. On the succeeding three nights, it is the Creative Aspect or Lakshmi that is adored. And, on the last three nights, the knowledge aspect, or Sarasvati is invoked. The tenth is the Vijaya Dasami Day or the Day of Victory. There is a special significance in this arrangement. When the Devi is worshipped by a devotee, She first destroys the evil propensities that lurk in his mind; then She implants therein, the Daivi Sampat or the divine qualities conducive to spiritual unfoldment; then She bestows true knowledge on him; lastly the aspirant attains liberation or victory over Samsara. Navaratri is the most suitable occasion in the year to perform intense Sadhana. These nine days are most sacred. Just imagine the tremendous wave of spiritual vibration, which should sweep the land when millions of people, all over the world repeat the names of the Mother and sing Her glories! All the Devas are ever present in their subtle forms, where the names of Mother are uttered. They would bless you and help you on. You will receive valuable assistance from unknown sources, from the Rishis and Siddhas, if you do intense Sadhana during these nine days. Following are 9 forms of Mother Durga wellknown as Navadurga which are to be worshiped each day with their divine mantra on the occasion of Navaratri. 1)    Shri Shaila Putri Devi Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI SHAILAPUTRI DURGAAYE NAMAHA 2)    Shri Brahamacharini Devi     Mantra:- OM HREEM  SHRI BRAHAMACHARINI DURGAAYE NAMAHA 3)    Shri Chandra Ghanta Devi     Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI CHANDRA GHANTA DURGAAYE NAMAHA 4)    Shri Kushmanda Devi     Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI KUSHMANDA DURGAAYE NAMAHA 5)    Shri Skanda Mata Devi (Mother of Skanda/Kumara/Shanmukh/Karthik)     Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI SKANDA MATA DURGAAYE NAMAHA 6)     Shri Katyayani Devi Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI KATYAYANI DURGAAYE NAMAHA 7)     Shri KAALA RATRI DEVI (Shubhamkari)     Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI KAALA RATRI  DURGAAYE NAMAHA 8)     Shri Maha Gauri Devi Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI MAHA GAURI DURGAAYE NAMAHA SARAVA MANGALA MANGALYE SHIVE SARVARTHA SADHIKE SHARANYEI TRYMBAKE GAURI NARAYANI NAMOSTHUTE 9)     Shri Siddhidatri Devi Mantra:- OM HREEM SHRI SIDDHIDATRI DURGAAYE NAMAHA Chant daily 108 times above mantra for each form of Mother Durga Devi ,in addition chant her ,most divine bija mantra “OM HREEM DUM DURGAAYEI NAMAHA” These 9 divine nights are very powerful,peoples who are interested to do any sadhana’s to get siddhi,power and wealth than these 9 nights are very much suitable as these nights contains very powerfull vibrations. Worship Divine Mother in all her 9 forms and gets the boons.As everybody knows that Mother has no limit for boons and when her childs asks she will shower with all the boons which we never imagined.Remember these lines from Durga Sapthshati

 

SB 10.20.23 — When Indra sent forth his rains, the floodwaters broke through the irrigation dikes in the agricultural fields, just as in the Kali-yuga the atheists’ false theories break down the boundaries of Vedic injunctions.

The fruit of contentment is happiness. When there is happiness all questions finish.

SB 10.20.22 — The cranes continued dwelling on the shores of the lakes, although the shores were agitated during the rainy season, just as materialistic persons with contaminated minds always remain at home, despite the many disturbances there.

Just as the highest tower needs a deep foundation, so too our higher thinking is based on going deep within.

Indira Ekadashi occurs during the waning phase of moon in the month of Ashwin (September – October) in traditional North Indian calendar. In 2015, Indira Ekadasi is on October 8. The importance of Indira Ekadasi is described in the Brahmavaivarta Purana and was described by Lord Krishna to Yudhisthira. It is believed that observing this Ekadasi will help in removing the sins committed by oneself and one’s forefathers. The Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksh Shradh period in North India. Ekadashi fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Legend has it that King Indrasena on Narada Muni’s advice observed Indira Ekadasi and saved his father from the remorse of sins committed during earthly life.

Indira Ekadasi falls during the Pitru Paksh Shradh period inNorth India.

Prayers and rituals are performed in the name of forefathers and dead relatives on the day before Indira Ekadasi. A single meal is only eaten on the day before Ekadashi. A complete fast is observed on the Indira Ekadashi day by staunch devotees. In the afternoon on the Ekadasi day, some people perform rituals dedicated to the dead.

The fasting of Indira Ekadasi ends on the next day and is broken by having food with family members.

Source – http://www.hindu-blog.com/2008/09/indira-ekadasi.html

Yudhishthira Maharaj said, “Oh Madhusudana, Oh killer of the Madhu demon, what is the name of the Ekadasi that occurs during the dark fortnight (krishna paksha) of the month of Ashwin (September-October)? Please describe its glories to me.”

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna then replied, “This Holy day is called Indira Ekadasi. If a person fasts on this day, all his sins are eradicated and his forefathers who have fallen into hell are liberated. Oh best of kings, one who simply hears about this sacred Ekadasi achieves the great merit earned by performing a horse sacrifice.

In the Satya-yuga there lived a king named Indrasena, who was so powerful that he destroyed all his enemies. His kingdom was called Mahishmati-puri. The glorious and highly religious King Indrasena took good care of his subjects, and therefore he was rich in gold, grains, sons, and grandsons. He was greatly devoted to Lord Sri Vishnu as well. He especially enjoyed chanting My name, calling out ‘Govinda! Govinda!’. In this way King Indrasena systematically dedicated himself to pure spiritual life and spent much time meditating on the Absolute Truth.

One day, as King Indrasena happily and peacefully presided over his assembly, the perfect orator, Sri Narada Muni, was seen descending. White as a conch, shining like the moon, like a jasmine flower, like a lightening bolt, Narada Muni descending from the sky. He is decorated with matted locks of reddish hair. The king offered Devarishi Narada, the saint among the devas (demigods), great respect by greeting him with joined palms, inviting him into the palace, offering him a comfortable seat, washing his feet, and speaking sweat words of welcome. Then Narada Muni said to Maharaj Indrasena, ‘Oh king, are the seven limbs of your kingdom prospering?’

The seven limbs of a king’s domain being; the king’s well being himself, his ministers, his treasury, his military forces, his allies, the brahmanas, the sacrifices performed in his kingdom, and the needs of the king’s subjects. ‘Is your mind absorbed in thinking of how you can properly perform your occupational duty? Are you becoming more and more devoted and dedicated to the service of the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu?’

“The king replied, ‘By your kind grace, Oh greatest of sages, everything is quite well. Today, just by your presence all the sacrifices in my kingdom are successful ! Please show me mercy and explain the reason for your kind visit here.’

“Sri Narada, the sage among the devas, then said, ‘Oh lion among kings, listen to my astonishing words. When I descended from Brahmaloka to Yamaloka, Lord Yamaraja praised me very graciously and offered me an excellent seat. As I glorified his truthfulness and wonderful service to the Supreme Lord, I noticed your father in Yamaraja’s assembly. Though he had been very religious, because he broke an Ekadasi fast prematurely, he had to go to the Yamaloka. Your father gave me a message for you. He said, “In Mahishmati lives a king named Indrasena. Please tell him about my situation here – that because of my past sinful deeds I have somehow been forced to reside in Yamaraja’s kingdom. Please give him this message from me: ‘Oh son, kindly observe the coming Indira Ekadasi and give much in charity so I can go upward to heaven.’ “

Philosophically we can understand that every living entity is an individual, and individually everyone has to practice Krishna consciousness to traverse back to home, back to Godhead. As stated in Garuda Purana, someone who is suffering in hell cannot practice Krishna consciousness, because this requires some mental peace, which the reactionary tortures of hell make impossible. If a relative of a sinner suffering in hell gives some charity in the name of the sinner, he can leave hell and enter the heavenly planets. But if the sinner’s relative observes this Ekadasi fast for his suffering kinsman, the kinsman goes directly to the spiritual world, as stated in this narration based on Brahma-vaivarta Puranam.

“Narada continued, ‘Just to deliver this message, Oh king, have I come to you. You should help your father by observing the fast of Indira Ekadasi. By the merit you gain, your father will go to heaven.’ “King Indrasena asked, ‘Oh great Naradji, please be merciful and tell me specifically how to observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi, and also tell me during what month and on what day it occurs.’

“Narada Muni replied, ‘Oh king, please listen as I describe to you the full process of observing the Indira Ekadasi.

1. This Ekadasi occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.

2. On the Dashami tithi, the day before Ekadasi, rise early in the morning, take bath, and then do some service for God with full faith.

3. At noon, bathe again in running water and then offer oblations to your forefathers with faith and devotion.

4. Be sure not to eat more than once on this day and at night sleep on the floor.

5. “When you awaken on Ekadasii morning, cleanse your mouth and teeth thoroughly and then with deep devotion for the Lord take this sacred vow: ‘Today I shall fast completely and give up all kinds of sense enjoyment. Oh lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, Oh infallible one, please give me shelter at Your lotus feet.”

6. At noon, stand before the sacred form of the Sri Shaligram Shila and worship Him faithfully, following all the rules and regulations; then offer oblations of ghee into the sacred fire, and tarpana directed to help your forefathers.

7. Next, feed qualified Brahmins (obviously non-grain prasadams) and offer them some charity according to your means.

8. Now take the food pindas you offered to your forefathers, smell it, and then offer it to a cow. Next, worship Lord Hrishikesha with incense and flowers, and finally, remain awake all night near the Deity of Lord Sri Keshava.

9. “Early in the morning of the next day, Dvadasi tithi, worship Sri Hari with great devotion and invite Brahmin devotees to a sumptuous feast.

10. Then feed you relatives, and finally take your meal in silence.

Oh king, if you strictly observe a fast on Indira Ekadasi in this way, with controlled senses, your father will surely be elevated to the abode of lord Vishnu.’ After saying this, Devarishi Narada immediately disappeared from the scene to bless someone else with his presence.

“King Indrasena followed the great saint’s instructions perfectly, observing the fast in the association of his relatives and servants. As he broke his fast on the Dvadasi tithi, flowers fell from the sky. The merit that Indrasena maharaj earned by observing this fast released his father from the kingdom of Yamaraja and caused him to attain a completely spiritual body. Indeed, Indrasena saw him rising to the abode of Lord Hari on the back of Garuda Vahan. Indrasena himself was able to rule his kingdom without any obstacles, and in time when he handed over the kingdom to his son, he also went to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha.

“Oh Yudhishthira, these are the glories of the Indira Ekadasi, which occurs during the dark fortnight of the month of Ashwin.

Whoever hears or reads this narration certainly enjoys life in this world, is freed of all reactions to his past sins, and at the time of death returns home, back to Godhead, where he lives eternally.”

Thus ends the narration of the glories of Ashwin-krishna Ekadasii, or Indira Ekadasi, taken from the Brahma-vaivarta Purana.

Anger spoils the beauty of the soul, introversion regains it.