shopping-guide for Diwali
As it's 5 am now on Chhoti - Diwali ( 20th Oct ) , shortly you will be leaving for Diwali-pooja shopping . Sometimes family members discover right at pooja-time that one or 2 pooja-items are missing. I feel in order to avoid last-minute rush , we can have a check-list in advance of following things so that this most important Festival of Indians is celebrated more joyously ---
i) First , of course , is to have in the home good images of Goddess Laxmi-Saraswati-Lord Ganesha. Many households prefer Laxmiji's image in sitting posture with elephants pouring water over Her . Though markets are full of readymade Diwali-poojan photos , many mothers involve their kids also in making Diwali chart with images of Lord Vishnu-Rama-Krishna -Shiva -Hanumaanji also alongwith trio of Maa Laxmi-Saraswati-Ganeshji. This is their unique way of telling them of Indian culture & ethos . In fact , much of India's spiritual heritage is due to mothers' contribution only
Mother of Great warrior Shivaji used to tell him bravery stories in childhood that made lasting impact on him. In cultural ethos , we call it as giving good " Samskars " to kids. Worshipping Lord Vishnu alongwith Goddess Laxmi is also part of this heritage as no spouse feels happy if Her Divine Consort is left behind www.humnri.com/HumZ/Articles/Article.aspx?number=7647. Similarly , home's serving deity or Thakurji should also be offered sweets , other pooja items . Otherwise , that will amount to selfish way of worshipping Laxmiji just for wealth but ignoring home's Chief or Presiding Deity !!! And without Lord Ganesha's worship , no poojan becomes fruitful www.humnri.com/HumZ/Articles/Article.aspx?number=13773
ii ) While everybody offers sweets , seasonal fruits , dry-fruits to Maa Laxmi , Saints feel that pomegranate ( ANAAR ) must be offered to Her . Garland is better than flowers but agarbatti, dhoop etc should be in keeping with breathing trouble / asthmatic patients in the family. Many daughters-in-laws in their over enthusiasm ignore this old-age problem of their in-laws and actually invite their wrath . Shame on such " worshippers" as mere custom/ ritual cannot be at the cost of happiness of elders in the family !
Now the real question how much to spend on Diwali ? An interesting paradox can be experienced here many middle-class families overspend on diwali thereby coming under debt. On the other hand , many rich people show same miser tendency of the year on diwali too and would spend bare minimum & that too only after children , wives pamper them. Both approaches are extreme . Particularly , well-off Seths must show magnanimity on Diwali & distribute free sweets , Diyas amongst poor children. Actually , Diwali is the signal that winter is about to start so distribution of blankets etc amongst needy families should be given preference over unnecessary spending over crackers , pomp and show on Diwali. Gitaji also says who consume more than required are actually thieves verses 12-13 of Chapter III of GITAJI
www.humnri.com/HumZ/Articles/Article.aspx?number=13655
i) First , of course , is to have in the home good images of Goddess Laxmi-Saraswati-Lord Ganesha. Many households prefer Laxmiji's image in sitting posture with elephants pouring water over Her . Though markets are full of readymade Diwali-poojan photos , many mothers involve their kids also in making Diwali chart with images of Lord Vishnu-Rama-Krishna -Shiva -Hanumaanji also alongwith trio of Maa Laxmi-Saraswati-Ganeshji. This is their unique way of telling them of Indian culture & ethos . In fact , much of India's spiritual heritage is due to mothers' contribution only
Mother of Great warrior Shivaji used to tell him bravery stories in childhood that made lasting impact on him. In cultural ethos , we call it as giving good " Samskars " to kids. Worshipping Lord Vishnu alongwith Goddess Laxmi is also part of this heritage as no spouse feels happy if Her Divine Consort is left behind www.humnri.com/HumZ/Articles
ii ) While everybody offers sweets , seasonal fruits , dry-fruits to Maa Laxmi , Saints feel that pomegranate ( ANAAR ) must be offered to Her . Garland is better than flowers but agarbatti, dhoop etc should be in keeping with breathing trouble / asthmatic patients in the family. Many daughters-in-laws in their over enthusiasm ignore this old-age problem of their in-laws and actually invite their wrath . Shame on such " worshippers" as mere custom/ ritual cannot be at the cost of happiness of elders in the family !
Now the real question how much to spend on Diwali ? An interesting paradox can be experienced here many middle-class families overspend on diwali thereby coming under debt. On the other hand , many rich people show same miser tendency of the year on diwali too and would spend bare minimum & that too only after children , wives pamper them. Both approaches are extreme . Particularly , well-off Seths must show magnanimity on Diwali & distribute free sweets , Diyas amongst poor children. Actually , Diwali is the signal that winter is about to start so distribution of blankets etc amongst needy families should be given preference over unnecessary spending over crackers , pomp and show on Diwali. Gitaji also says who consume more than required are actually thieves verses 12-13 of Chapter III of GITAJI
www.humnri.com/HumZ/Articles
It 's a matter of great pride & satisfaction that all NRIs do celebrate Diwali , festival of Lights , with great enthusiasm & vigour outside India. As this year Diwali is on 21st Oct , they are requested to chant 3 Sri Vishnu sahastranaams preceded/followed by 21 Sri Hanumaanji Chalisas on Diwali day before 12 noon before any breakfast please.
Why so ? Different reasons are there. While Sri Hanumaan Chalisa is in celebration of arrival of Sri Ramji to Ayodhya, Lord Vishnu is to be worshipped before His Divine Consort (goddess of wealth Sri Laxmiji) enters your home in night on Diwali Day. A wife feels happy ONLY if her husband is respected & revered. Otherwise, Sri Laxmiji may get KUPIT or angry !!! In Laxmi-poojan in evening also ,try to choose a picture in which Sri Vishnuji accompanies her .
Sri Ganeshji (during start of Srishti itself, God blessed & ordered that he must always be worshipped first so this honour is observed since TIMES IMMEMORIAL -- his incarnation as son of Lord Shiva-Parvatiji came much later ! ) & Saraswatiji (Goddess of wisdom ) must also form part of Laxmi-poojan so that wealth you acquire is permanent & blissful.
So, it's Diwali time ! While you celebrate Diwali, learn more about the festival at
www.hindunet.com
It is the most comprehensive Diwali site with stories, recipes, puja, shlokas, and bhajans just for Diwali.
A Special page is also uploaded on the occasion of "Diwali" a Festival Of Light, with articles on its Spiritual Significance.
www.divyajivan.org/Diwali/
Why so ? Different reasons are there. While Sri Hanumaan Chalisa is in celebration of arrival of Sri Ramji to Ayodhya, Lord Vishnu is to be worshipped before His Divine Consort (goddess of wealth Sri Laxmiji) enters your home in night on Diwali Day. A wife feels happy ONLY if her husband is respected & revered. Otherwise, Sri Laxmiji may get KUPIT or angry !!! In Laxmi-poojan in evening also ,try to choose a picture in which Sri Vishnuji accompanies her .
Sri Ganeshji (during start of Srishti itself, God blessed & ordered that he must always be worshipped first so this honour is observed since TIMES IMMEMORIAL -- his incarnation as son of Lord Shiva-Parvatiji came much later ! ) & Saraswatiji (Goddess of wisdom ) must also form part of Laxmi-poojan so that wealth you acquire is permanent & blissful.
So, it's Diwali time ! While you celebrate Diwali, learn more about the festival at
www.hindunet.com
It is the most comprehensive Diwali site with stories, recipes, puja, shlokas, and bhajans just for Diwali.
A Special page is also uploaded on the occasion of "Diwali" a Festival Of Light, with articles on its Spiritual Significance.
www.divyajivan.org/Diwali/
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