Mahalaya Amavasya
By
Sri Swami Sivananda
The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.
The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal coil, ascended to the higher worlds and the great charity he had done here was returned to him hundredfold. But, it was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any food-charity! He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up for this deficiency.
For fourteen days, he fed Brahmins and the poor, and offered oblations of water. On his return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha. Due to the grace of the god of death, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.
Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. Life depends upon food. You cannot preach religion to empty stomachs. This human body is the most important vehicle for realising God. How precious must food be which keeps the body fit for Yoga! The gift of food is the greatest gift. Therefore, give food in plenty, not only during the Mahalaya fortnight but all through the year.
Om Tat Sat Brahmaparnamastu
By
Sri Swami Sivananda
The dark fortnight of Aswayuja (September-October) is known as the Mahalaya Paksha or the fortnight specially sacred for offering oblations to the departed ancestors. The last day of this period, the new moon day, is considered as the most important day in the year for performing obsequies and rites.
The renowned hero of the Mahabharata, Karna, when he left the mortal coil, ascended to the higher worlds and the great charity he had done here was returned to him hundredfold. But, it was all gold and silver; there was no food, as he had not done any food-charity! He prayed to the god of death. So, he was sent back to earth for fourteen days, to make up for this deficiency.
For fourteen days, he fed Brahmins and the poor, and offered oblations of water. On his return to the higher regions, he had food in plenty. It is these fourteen days that are commemorated in the Mahalaya Paksha. Due to the grace of the god of death, it has been ordained that offerings made during this period benefit all the departed souls, whether they are connected to you or not.
Charity in the form of food is important during this observance. Life depends upon food. You cannot preach religion to empty stomachs. This human body is the most important vehicle for realising God. How precious must food be which keeps the body fit for Yoga! The gift of food is the greatest gift. Therefore, give food in plenty, not only during the Mahalaya fortnight but all through the year.
Om Tat Sat Brahmaparnamastu
The best remembered during the Mahalaya is the All India Radio broadcasting the Chandi patt at 4.30am in the morning the same trend still continues, all the other radio stations in India get connected to AIR calcutta for Chandi Patt. With the advent of FM broadcast we are not sure if the same is still popular with AIR. As most of us are away from our home towns here is a web address where you can listen to the Chandi patt, hope you will enjoy the recitation. The mahalaya ammavassya is on the 29th Sep08 Monday.
The web address is http://www.bangalinet.com/mahalaya.htm
http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/
In the second web site please scroll down and you will find Chandi Patt in two parts and you click on the link and listen to the chanting. Another web site where we can have the chandi patt is it take litle time to hear the audio wait patiently. http://hinduism.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hinduism&cdn=religion&tm=13&gps=74_27_1436_665&f=22&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ganguly.de/durgapuja/mahalaya1.html
The web address is http://www.bangalinet.com/mahalaya.htm
http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/
In the second web site please scroll down and you will find Chandi Patt in two parts and you click on the link and listen to the chanting. Another web site where we can have the chandi patt is it take litle time to hear the audio wait patiently. http://hinduism.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hinduism&cdn=religion&tm=13&gps=74_27_1436_665&f=22&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.ganguly.de/durgapuja/mahalaya1.html
1 comment:
I was able to log into Washington Bangla Radio at about 4:10 am ET and listen to chandi paat. I was late by a few minutes but was able to listen to sections where Shri Bhadra describes how Goddess Durga is is given different weapons and power by the other Gods and then her final triumph over Mahisasur.
I think among Bengali the AIR version is still popular. In fact Washington Bangla is going to air a lie feed from Kolkata AIR at 4 am India time (Monday)
with regards,
Bhuvani
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