elixir
Beginning of Festive Season: Dhanteras
The festive season of 5 days for Hindus comes with happiness and surprises every year. This is the perfect time of celebrations and receiving the positive energies from the Universe. Devotes invoke the Gods and Goddesses during this period, to receive that extra share of blessings and happiness in Diwali season. This festive period begins with ‘Dhanteras’, which is celebrated on the 13th lunar day of the Krishna paksha of the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar.
Dhanteras is also known as Dhanvantari Trayodashi as it is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari or Father of Ayurveda. It is believed that during the Samundra manthan when a huge battle was going on for the divine nectar or ‘amrit’; He emerged carrying a pot of elixir. Thus from this day the festival of Dhanteras was named after the divine doctor.
Story of Yama Deepam:
On the day of Dhanteras the female members of the house are observed lighting a ghee lamp outside their home, during evening. The reason for this ritual traces back to the tale of 16 year old Prince (son of King Hima). It was forecasted that the prince will die on the fourth day of his wedding, due to which the King tried to abstain his son from girls.
Still the prince decided to marry one day and told his wife about the prediction. His wife dedicatedly planned to save his husband from the death. She laid out all her ornaments and created heaps of gold and silver coins at the entrance of the sleeping chamber and lit lamps all over the place. She also sang the beautiful hymns all night to keep the prince awake. As the Lord Yama arrived, disguised as a serpent, his eyes were blinded by the bright dazzle of gold. When he tried to enter after climbing the heap he was mesmerized by the hymns and went away. This plan saved his husband from the danger and from then on the ladies begin to light lamps to glorify Lord Yama (God of death).
Thus this is the day to appease Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber by performing their puja and receiving heaps of blessings in return. This day is also marked by the purchase of valuable ornaments, gold, silver and utensils which are also kept during the puja.
Hope this festival brings tons of happiness and prosperity for all 🙂
The Serene Ambrosial Hours: Brahma Muhurtham
‘Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise’, a renowned saying is apt for the proper functioning of our body, mind and soul. An empty or distressed mind is the abode of evil energies and in today’s time the irregular living patterns have captivated the human peace and tied them in the dungeons of stress. A man once said, “Jeevan mei uthne ki nahi, jaagne ki avashyakta hai” meaning ‘It is more important to be awakened rather than getting up’. So the perfect moment to attain that state of awareness is during the rosy red hue of the ambrosial hours.
What is Brahma Muhurat?
The serene, calm and peaceful nectar time to experience the oneness with this supreme energy is known as Brahma Muhurat. One muhurat consists of 48 minutes i.e. 30 muhurats every day. Thus Brahma muhurat is said to be the second last muhurat before sunrise i.e. exactly 1 hour 36 minutes before sunrise which is generally between 4:00 am to 6:00 am. This period of dawn is essential for spiritual and learning activities as ‘Brahma’ means knowledge and ‘muhurat’ means perfect timing.
Significance of Brahma Muhurat:
We don’t need a special thanksgiving day in a year to appreciate the wonders of Almighty but live each day as one. Brahma muhurat is the suitable time to feel the beauty of nature and bring peace and freshness to the numerous flooding thoughts.
- The Sattvika content becomes dominant and imbibes within us by distracting us from the Rajas and Tamas gunas.
- The flow of Shushmana nadi increases and meditation further activates it.
- The concentration level reaches its peak and emits worries and tiredness.
- One is able to reach a higher state of consciousness which is in turn the awareness about the conscious state.
- According to Bhagavad Geeta, one whose ahara vihara is correct, whose activities and lifestyle is perfect and who sleeps and gets up perfectly will be free from all miseries.
- The morning powerful energies helps to get rid of 5 moral evils- Kaam(Lust), Krodh(Rage), Lobh(Greed), Moh(Attachment) & Ahankaar(Ego).
- According to Atharvaveda, a person who gets up in early morning will be free from diseases.
Modern Scientific Review:
- Brahma muhurat is considered as the rejuvenating time for the human body as the cardiac rhythm of sleeping and waking are regulated.
- The hormone ‘Melatonin’ is secreted more in darkness, especially during this period which helps to regulate the sexual function of the body.
- The dusk period is Vata dominating period and Vata dosha is helpful in promoting body movements both internal and external which helps in easy evacuation of bowel.
- Waking up early helps to resolve foetid smell in mouth, constipation, indigestion, laziness, and so many other body issues.
- To witness the sunrise, is a healthy act that showers essential vitamins and begins our peaceful day.
- The five layers of the atmosphere emit maximum energy at this time due to the cooling effect of the atmosphere, and help us to be more energetic.
“O traveller get up; it is dawn-it is not right that you continue sleeping. One who awakes, he
finds, One who is asleep, he loses. Get up and open your eyes from slumber and meditate on
your Master.”- Kabir Ji
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Shubhpuja.com 