"Sabka Malik Ek"- God is One

It must have been Sai's grace that we could plan our pilgrimage and have his darshans. We had been to Mumbai before, but this time we could get a chance to see other parts of Maharashtra. We drove by the side of the beautiful mountain range getting acquainted with some of the marathi culture through the semi-urban and rural markets in between our journey from Mumbai to Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Nasik and Trayambkeshwar. The historical monuments, temples and pilgrims gave a combined pleasure and experience of the ancient architecture, faith and religion. History, mythology and spiritualism all start unfolding in front of us with streaks of belief to strengthen it.

It was in late December where Northern part of India starts getting quite chilly with temperatures going down to about 40-50 deg F. While in the west, where we were heading, mostly one can do away with sweaters. Temperature takes a dip only in early mornings or late evenings. From Mumbai Airport we hired a cab straight to Shirdi, breaking our journey only at a midway resort to have our meals and stretch our legs. Shirdi is a place where stay should never be problem with so many hotels, resorts or lodging in and around there. Our place of lodging was quite convenient and comfortable-the Sai Baba International Hotel. The biggest advantage was that it is right in front of the temple. We could cover the entire shirdi dham- the temple/samadhi sthal, chhavdi and dwarkamayi at ease with a night break in between at the hotel. We were lucky to get the darshan on a thursday evening. Thursdays are extremely crowded as there are more number of devotees to pay visit, and also there is a 'Palki Procession' (palanquin) from Chhavdi to the main temple. It was a beautiful and spellbinding sight, the devotees, the drum beats, the dance, the procession which truly makes the moments worthwhile; taking you away from self for a while and making you forget any of the pinches. The only pinch there though was that there are no separate queue/ pass service for old/physically not-so-fit people. And of course if you are in split groups forget that you can contact each other in the premises. You have to keep in mind that cellphones are not permitted inside and the booths in the premises permit only local calls. So better to fix up a point of meeting back. By 10 PM the darshans close and the grill doors of Dwarkamai also close. So we decided there, the next morning. With the peace and pleasure of mind we retired to bed after digging into the south indian food (faster service as compared to if one orders north indian).

Next morning, took a chance to visit the temple again. There were queues for all the places. A little time consuming but well managed. Dwarkamai dhuni and Chavadi are specially interesting to visit as Baba spent a lot of his lifetime there. Dhuni is all time ablaze and one likes its warmth. Devotees collect 'vibhuti' as baba's blessing. Devotees offer sweets and sanguine red roses to Baba, which are available around the entrance gates. We could cover all the darshans comfortably in about 2 and half hours. Jai Sai Nath!

After feeding (sorta brunch) ourselves, we checked out from the Hotel and headed straight to Shani Shingnapur (probably a four hour drive from Shirdi). There is a common area for parking and where all the male devotees are supposed to wear nothing but a piece of a saffron clothing (unstitched of course). Take a shower and then only proceed for Puja. Females can accompany and get the darshan from a distance but males are only supposed to do the offerings. Going by hearsay probably one feels that it is a small temple with the deity 'Shani' represented by a standing vertical piece of rock. But the temple is huge; and all the devotees following a code of conduct, makes it all quite spectacular and interesting experience. Code of Conduct- yes for sure! Saturn is the planet of strict discipline and adherence.


Time to move to the city of vineyards of India- Nasik! (hoping that we are a little forgiven by lord Saturn now! ;). However, maintaining to be in our lines we quenched our thirst with the pure nectar of sugarcanes. I could still swirl my tongue around my lips and feel its freshness and sweetness. The best part is that it is all extra virgin, to be squeezed out in front of you with the traditional bull-mill. Surprisingly there were no flies around. Such a neat place with no filth or dirt- totally natural and hygienic!

Last day of our trip- and we were in the lap of the river Godavari; commonly referred as Ganga by the localities there. About 30 kms away from Nashik, there is Trayambkeswar- shiva temple with one of his twelve swayumbhoo (self-emerged) jyotirlingas. There are two tales about the place to be called as Trayabkeshwar (or Triyambkeswar)- one that the Jyotirling has three pinds (parts) to represent the three deities- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The other, that the temple was built by King Trimbak. Whatever it is, the temple carved in black stone weathered for over about 400 years is a beautiful architectural marvel! There is a never-ending queue here again, so it’s better if one calls a Pundit for Puja. We performed a Rudri paath, got the darshans and then just immersed ourselves into the ancient beauty withstanding centuries and all the changing and modern times.

Kushavarta is pond close to the Trayambkeshwar temple. There are again various legends for the place but the belief is to take a dip in the holy water. Moving on from there we went to see other places in and around Panchvati (Nashik). There is a Kala Ram temple. The other not-to-miss temple is Sita Gufa (caves where Sita and Ram spent their time of exile and did Shiva worship). The cave's small size (diameter) depth, twists and turns is quite exciting! It was nice to be at the banks of Godavari, except the scorching Sun above and the reducing levels of the river. A very small drive from there and there is Panchvati Kutir (now a temple) where Sita and Ram spent their exile time. Closeby is Lakshman Temple where they say, Lakshman (Ram's brother) had cut Shoorpnakha's (Demon King Ravan's sister) nose (nashika) who had come to charm both the princes to marry her. That's why the name Nashik!! It's may be hard to believe what hindu myhtology says, but when ancient history opens up so many chapters in front of you, one gets to think and keep going up with the continual faith.

Pandavleni, a worthwhile experience to see.. What stands in front of you is a big mountain rock with about tweleve big and small caves made in it. Each one beautifully carved from inside and the exterior of entrance. Unfortunately there is not much written about the place anywhere and no one to tell! Unlike, what generally people may relate to, they were not the caves where Pandavs spent their exile but the caves were built by a King Pandu to spread the Buddha culture. All the carvings in the caves are mighty big Buddha sculptures mostly. We could capture the sunset by the side of the mountains and the valley; had fun hearing the echoing voices… and soon we were back on the plains. If someone advises you to miss Pandavleni for some other attraction and talks about smell etc. there, take the advise as WRONG! It is totally a fun place or at least to break the monotony of darshans.

On the way back to our hotel (Panchvati) we decided to visit the famous Muktidham temple. Well, nice huge temple with all deities and Gods residing their in the white marbles. Good to catch hindu religion (mostly) at a glance!

What one should not miss to bundle from Nashik are- canejuice, grapes, figs, raisins and of course the famous chiwda (beaten rice snack).

It was a sumptuous journey, but did raise the appetite for the Alloras!

Important Links:
www.nashik.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nashik_District
www.travel-library.com/hotels/asia/india/nashik/
www.shirdihotels.net

Vedic Astro- Basics

Basics of Astrology

What is in a Birth Chart?
• There are 12 houses and 12 zodiac signs
• The 12 zodiac signs are based on Monthly calendar (base is Hindu calendar)
• Each sign is allocated a number starting from Aries as 1 and Pisces as 12 in a chart
• The 12 signs rule different parts of a body (Kaalpurush) & thus 12 different houses in a chart
• Each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet
• There are 7+2=9 planets (2 are Rahu-Ketu or shadow planets or Dragon’s head
and tail).
• The base of 7 weekdays is also based on Hindu planet lordship and each is ruled by a planet
• Except Sun and Moon all planets have dual lordships.
• Rahu-Ketu do not own any sign and give the results of the houses or the sign they occupy
• The houses are FIXED in any chart and the upper middle house (the 1st/ upper rhombus in the center) is counted as I (East direction/Rising)then move anti-clockwise count the one falling on immediate left as triangle II, just next triangle the III, again a rhombus in the center IV, the next triangle below is V……………this way come to the right of the House I, now this house is XII
• While counting the houses the house where you start from is always included
• The occupancy of signs and planets is the VARIABLE in any chart and thus deciding about the destiny or life
• However once occupying the Ascendant, the following signs follow in the same order always. Like if Ascendant occupier 5 (means Leo), then II house will have 6 (Virgo). III will have 7 (Libra). Therefore many attributes of people with same Ascendant can be called as common
• But rest all is the interplay of planets where do they exalt, fall (debilitate) and the house
• Each house has many significations or manifestations through it, to the self and to the people related.
• The sign owning the Moon becomes the Moon sign, the signing owning the Sun (or before) becomes the Sunsign and the sign which is in the house I becomes the Ascendant


Houses

Each of the houses has the first manifestation of the Kaal purush to rule the body parts.




Houses
(Bhav) Natural
belonging Natural Ruler Key Attribute Other Attributes
I Aries Mars TANU
Shareer
(lagna/ ascendant/rising sign)
(Physical appearance to the world) Head, Body, The rashi which comes in this house decides the main characteristics of the native. His outlook towards the world and his physical appearance.

II Taurus Venus DHAN/ARTH/ KUTUMB
Acculumated wealth Speech, Throat, Right Eye, Primary Education

III Gemini Mercury BHRATRU
(siblings-younger) Chest(Upper Thoracic), Hands, Communication, Younger brother or sister, Relationship with them

IV Cancer Moon MOTHER
Vehicle, Property Heart, Mother & relationship with her, Fixed assets, Materialistic comforts

V Leo Sun PUTRA
creativity, intelligence, fertility Love, Romance, playfulness, child (1st)

VI Virgo Mercury RANDHRA
(Rog/ Shatru) Workplace, Health/ Illness, Enemies, Maternal uncle/aunt

VII Libra Venus BHARYA/SPOUSE
(Partnership/ association) Marriage/Relationship/Business partnership

VIII Scorpio Mars MRITYU/GUPT
(secret/mystery/ hidden/reproductive organs) Hidden matters, Legacy, Insurance, wife's income,

IX Sagittarius Jupiter BHAGYA
Father/Fortune/Guru Higher Education, Travel, Religion

X Capricorn Saturn KARM/KARYA
Profession/career Public image made through karma (profession)

XI Aquarius Saturn LAABH
(Gains, Income, friends, elder siblings) Being 2nd from 10th this is wealth through profession

XII Pisces Jupiter VYAY/ MOKSHA
Losses/ Expenses Bed comforts, Foreign lands, confinement







Now understanding of each house in a Horoscope is derived by:

1. The primary significator or the naturally assigned lordships of house/planets in a horoscope; like Venus is the natural assigned ruler of House VII (Libra), therefore position of Venus always plays a role in Marriage or representing spouse). Likewise Saturn rules the X house of profession, so its placement plays an important role for career/profession. Likewise Moon represents mother. Sun- children, Jupiter-father/guru/bhagya thus Jupiter is also seen for spouse in case of women and likewise Venus is seen for wives in case of Men.

2. But major manifestation is through the Rashi (zodiac signs). The ruling sign to give the zodiac characteristics to the house viz. Libra would be love and harmony, Virgo would be critical, Scorpio about being secretive but all this pertaining to that particular house. Thus, the Lord (ruler of the sign) Planet of that House will impart its characteristics to the results of that house

3. The placement of the Ruling Planets or Lords of the rashis. The House belongs to the planet who’s Rashi (zodiac) comes to occupy that house. Say if its 3 in House X, this means the House X of career or profession belongs to Mercury. Therefore, Mercury’s position plays a very important part to decide about career here.

4. The role of dispositor i.e. if Lord of House X is Mercury and we see that Mercury is placed in House I in sign 6 (means Virgo). Therefore, the dispositor (house lord) here is Mercury again indicating a good career. But say if it gets placed in no. 12 (Pisces) in House VII. Here Mercury falls (neecha) and establishes difficulties in career. Also that VII represents spouse, so it could be professional gains through him. The ruler of Pisces is Jupiter therefore for Mercury the dispositor here is Jupiter. So Jupiter’s strength will also play an important role here (its placement in a house and sign)


5. But final outcome will combine the result planet/s posited in that house (pertaining to its attribute and its natural lordship) will impart its characteristics. And the results come based on the relationship of the posited planet and the sign. In some signs the planets are exalted, in some they fall (debilitate), in their own houses they will be swastha (healthy) and in some they will damage. This contribute to the strength of planets and is also a deep calculation of their degrees of rise and fall.

6. Further, the Aspects of different planets (planet placed right before 7 houses aspect it).All planets aspect 7th house from itself, Saturn aspects 3 and 10 also. Jupiter aspects 5 & 9 also and Mars 4& 8 also.


7. Other than this the important role is also through Conjunctions (yuti). Eg. Planets close to Sun (placed in the same house or close) get combust. Mercury tends to play the role of the planet it conjuncts with. Conjucntions with malefics or unfriendly planets play role in damaging the planet and giving malefic results and likewise benefics give benefic results. Those conjunct planets are carrying lordship of which house, will signify the results of that house again. Eg. Lord of career house and lord of gains if are conjunct in the house of wealth, this would result in enormous wealth through profession

8. These expression come to fruition with the Dashas (Vimshottari Dasha system as per Vedic astrology) which are layered as-

• Mahadasha (MD) (longest period of a planet like 6-7 years of Sun/Mars/Moon to 19-20 years of Saturn/Venus)
• Antardahsa (bhukti) or the subperiod of 1 to 2.5 years of each planet in the main MD
• Pratayantardasha- a few(1-2) months allocated to each planet within the prtayandarsha
• And then two other small sub-sub periods, so mostly to observe major manifestation the 3 layers are seen

9. Finally it is the Transit (gochar) which is said to contribute 25% results to the main MD and pratyantardashas. Transit of Saturn (2.5 years in one sign), Jupiter (1 year in one sign) and Rahu-Ketu (1.5 yrs in one sign) are given most of the weight age as they move slow and thus can attribute maximum results in a particular sign or a House. Rest all are fast moving planets like Mars would spend 45 days in a sign and rest all about a month in a sign. While considering transits in any house, a planet is observed to see its implications pertaining to that house as well as also its distance from Moon (affects on our Mind to deal with the situation)


Malefics and Benefics
The general benefics are Jupiter, Venus, Moon, Mercury
The general malefics are Saturn, Mars, Sun, Rahu, Ketu



Functional Malefic Planets

With the System’s approach it is very simple to identify the Malefic planets i.e. the planets which are the Lords of the rashis placed in Dushtsthan or Bad houses (Trik)VI, VIII & XII are the Functional Malefics. As the planets (except Sun & Moon) have dual Lordships, so one sign of the two is identified as the Mooltrikona sign, to bring major significations of that house and rashi

Mars’s mooltrikona is Aries (1) and if it falls in VI, VIII, XII houses, its Lord Mars becomes a Functional Malefic
Likewise, Libra (7) for Venus
Virgo (6) for Mercury
Saggitarius (9) for
Cancer (4) for Moon & Leo (5) for Sun are said to have been spared to give any blemish of bad houses (according to Parashar)


The other category of bad houses is III, VII & XI

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Spread Health, Spread Happiness


May the supreme powers of the universe be kind and bless all with health, happiness and longevity. ‘Purna Swasthya’ and ‘Purnaayu’ are the most cherishable blessings for anyone born. A person with a healthy body and a healthy mind can conquer challenges of life with much ease and make life ‘Sampoorna’. In the Dhammapada, Lord Buddha states health as the greatest acquisition; health as the supreme possession.

We hear so much about patience, serenity, spirituality, karma and curbing our ever-soaring desires. Yet in our day-to-day lives we cheer materialism, acquisition and ostentations letting our lives malaised. Embracing competition, we invite chaos and commotion. Running after the banal, trivial and mortal goals we are losing focus from the fulcrum of our lives. Life is beautiful with so many facets, but being victims to the fast-paced modernization, securing our present and future, we are probably living only one facet- running after our aspirations. Unfortunately, our aspirations are mis-directional and never-ending. Our appearance to the world is overshadowing our existence in the world. Status, position, power are considered the measures of success. ‘You have it and you must flash it’ has become the way of life. These sow the seeds of envy, pride, rage, frustration leading to stress, anxiety, fear and depression. Even the most placid people get pulled into this vicious circle for survival, with the fear of being left as laggards.

Preserve the Equlibrium

Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita has said, “If one affects the natural balance and harmony present in his body and sleeps, eats, works, excessively, he will fail to preserve the equilibrium of the metabolic functions. Due to which one will get sick. Cure to re-establish the balances is achieved by living life like a yogi. “He who is temperate in his habits of eating, sleeping, working and recreation can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga."

Swastha Shareer’ and a ‘Swastha Man’ should be the prime goals for any person to obtain ‘Sarv-Sukh’ of a life.

Soubhagyam-Arogyam

OM

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam kurumudev sarvkarye shubh sarvada

OM

Kan kan kesh Jata Mukh Mani
Manak Moti Awarnam
Gajneel Gajendra Ganadhipati
Mum Tushtavinayak hastmukham



OM

Dehi Soubhagyam Arogyam dehi me Param Sukham
Roopam dehi Jayam dehi Yasho dehi Dwisho jahi

O Goddess grace me with me good luck and disease-free life, give me the divine (utmost) pleasure. Bestow me with good looks, eulogies and popularity; and take away all the malice. Amen

(Goddess Durga-Shakti prayer)

OM

Shantakaram Bhujhangshayanam, Padmanabham Suresham
Vishwadharam Gagansadrusham Meghavarnam Shubhangam
Lakshmikantam Kamalnayanam Yogibhirdyanagamyam
Vandevishnu bhavbhay harnam sarvlokaiknatham

(Lord Vishnu Prayer)

OM

Namastey Asto Mahamaye Shripeethey surpujeetey
Shankhachakragada hastey MahaLakhsmi Namostutey

(Goddess Lakshmi prayer)


Saraswati Mahabhagey Varde Kaamrupini
Vishwaroopi Vishalaskhi de vidya Parameshwari

(Goddess Saraswati Prayer)


OM

Bhurbhuvah swah tatsaviturvarenyam
Bhargodevasya dhimahi dhiyoyonah prachodayat


OM

Om Namo Bhagavate
Maha Sudharshana Vasudevaya Dhanvantaraye;
Amrutha Kalash Hasthaaya,
Sarva Bhaya Vinasaya
Sarva Roga Nivaranaya
Thri Lokya Pathaye
Thri Lokya Nithaye
Sri Maha Vishnu Swarupa
Sri Dhanvantri Swarupa
Sri Sri Sri Aoushata;
chakra Narayana Swaha!

(Mantra for Lord Dhanwantri)