Everybody is right from their own stand point … hence the need for tolerance.

SB 4.11.25 — The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates this material world, maintains it, and annihilates it in due course of time, but because He is transcendental to such activities, He is never affected by ego in such action or by the modes of material nature.

SB 4.11.26 — The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supersoul of all living entities. He is the controller and maintainer of everyone; through the agency of His external energy, He creates, maintains and annihilates everyone.

To create harmony I have to co-operate with everyone. Through co-operation there is success. For this, I have to have the firm determination to keep working with love. Keep doing everything with love.

In MahaShiv Puran on Narad’s request Brahmaji said-

“During the period of Mahapralaya (Final annihilation) nothing exist, except Shiva. The power which Shiva manifested from his own self came to be known as Ambika. This Ambika is understood to be the cause of the whole world as well as the Nature. Lord Shiva then created a Shivaloka, which is known as Kashi. It is the abode of Shiva and Parvati. A man who makes a pilgrimages of Kashi attains salvation.

The habit of telling myself off subtly shapes a nature of sorrow. Instead, let me talk to myself gently and with patience as one would do to a child.

Shattila Ekadasi, or Shatthila Ekadashi, is observed during the waning phase of moon in the month of January/February. The importance of Sattila Ekadasi was narrated to Yudhishtira by Lord Krishna and is found in the Bhavisyotara Purana. In 2015, the date of Shattila Ekadasi is January 16. Ekadashi Fasting is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is observed on the 11th day of waning and waxing phase of moon in traditional Hindu calendar.

The name of the Ekadashi is Sat-Tila as it is believed that donating Til (Sesame) seeds on this day will help in redeeming sins. It is also considered highly auspicious to take bath in water mixed with til (sesame seeds) and offer oblations to dead ancestors with water mixed with sesame seeds.

It must be noted that Sat-tila Ekadasi takes place in North India during winter season and Sesame seeds is considered to be highly beneficial during the period.

All the normal rules associated with Ekadasi fasting are observed on the day. Food made of rice and grains are avoided. Some people do consume some sesame seeds on the day.

 

source – http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/01/shattila-ekadashi-sat-tila-ekadasi.html

EKADASHI – begins tomorrow 16th January 2015

It is a common practice in most hindu households to observe fast on ekadashi. What is special about this day?

Ekadasi in Sanskrit means eleven. ‘Eka’ means “one” and ‘dasi’ is the feminine form of the word “dasa”, which means “ten”. Ekadasi is thus the eleventh day of both the dark and light fortnight of each month. On these special days, devotees fast from grains and beans and make an extra effort to be in service to the Divine.

There is a beautiful story about the origin of Ekadasi fasting. Once, in the Satya-yuga (the golden age) Lord Narayana was enagaged in battle with a demon called Mura. Feeling tired, the Lord decided to rest from the long battle. However, mura wanted to kill the Lord while he was sleeping. Suddenly from the body of the Lord manifested a young girl, who slayed the demon, Mura. This girl was the Mahasakti…. Pleased, Narayana gave her the name Ekadasi( as she appeared on the eleventh day of the waning moon). He also granted her the boon that anyone who fasts on Ekadasi will become free from sin and attain His transcendental abode.

There are certain rules regarding fasting on this day. For eg., one must strictly avoid eating grains and beans on Ekadasi. Fasting generally means completely abstaining from both food and drink. If this is difficult, one may eat a single nongrain meal once in the afternoon or in the evening.

According to scriptures, one who observes fasting on Ekadasi is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities and advances in spiritual life. These sacred fasting days greatly help any sincere soul achieve, even within this present lifetime, liberation from the cycle of birth and death, it is said… therefore, Ekadasi gives one a real taste of renunciation, thus helping one give up trying to enjoy illusory sense gratification of this material world.

Both western and ayurvedic medicine recommend fasting to maintain and improve health. Indeed modern medial experts and ancient sages agree that fasting benefits one, both physically and mentally. Even from the economic point of view, two such fasting days in a month will save tons of food.

The basic principle is not just to fast, but to increase one’s faith and love for the Divine. The real reason for observing fasting on ekadasi is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Divine.

Devotees can choose to observe fasting without water, with only water, with only fruits, with one time latex food according to their will and body power. However it should be decided before starting the fast.

Dates for Ekadashi

16           January (Friday)  – Shattila Ekadashi

30           January (Friday) – Jaya Ekadashi

15           February (Sunday) -Vijaya Ekadashi

01           March (Sunday)- Amalaki Ekadashi

16           March (Monday) -Papmochani Ekadashi

30           March (Monday) – Kamada Ekadashi

14           April (Tuesday) – Varuthini Ekadashi

15           April (Wednesday) – Varuthini Ekadashi

29           April (Wednesday) – Mohini Ekadashi

14           May (Thursday) – Apara Ekadashi

29           May (Friday) – Nirjala Ekadashi

12           June  (Friday) – Yogini Ekadashi

28           June (Sunday) – Padmini Ekadashi

11           July (Saturday) – Parama Ekadashi

12           July (Sunday) – Parama Ekadashi

27           July (Monday) – Devshayani Ekadashi

10           August  (Monday) – Kamika Ekadashi

25           August  (Tuesday) – Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

26           August  (Wednesday) – Shravana Putrada Ekadashi

08           September (Tuesday)  – Aja Ekadashi

24           September (Thursday) – Parsva Ekadashi

08           October (Thursday) – Indira Ekadashi

23           October (Friday) – Papankusha Ekadashi

07           November (Saturday) – Rama Ekadashi

22           November (Sunday) – Devutthana Ekadashi

06           December (Sunday) – Utpanna Ekadashi

21           December (Monday) – Mokshada Ekadashi

Source: Rishimukh

Makara Sankranti is a Hindu festival celebrated in almost all parts of India and Nepal in a myriad of cultural forms. It is a harvest festival. It is the Hindi/Indo-Aryan languages name for Makara Sankranthi (still used in southern areas as the official name).

Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Makara rashi (Capricorn) on its celestial path. The day is also believed to mark the arrival of spring in India and is a traditional event. Makara Sankranti is a solar event making one of the few Indian festivals which fall on the same date in the Gregorian calendar every year: 14 January, with some exceptions when the festival is celebrated on 13 or 15 January.

Silence, happiness, love and blessings are important aspects. Happiness leads to good health. It is only you who can give this medicine to yourself. Some bring illness to themselves through anger, greed, unfullfilled desires, expectations, suppression of feelings and relationships not based on true love. Look in your heart, you will know where your illness comes from. There are three ingredients for a long and healthy life: live with attention but without worry; use time in a worthwhile way; keep your thoughts pure, positive and filled with strength.

srimad bhagavatam quote:

SB 3.32.33 A single object is appreciated differently by different senses due to its having different qualities. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is one, but according to different scriptural injunctions He appears to be different