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VINAYAKAR CHATURTHI
Three basic sounds – a, u, m – form the origin of all sounds. The three combined constitute Aum, called pranava. Vedas say Aum emanated from Brahman, the supreme soul of the universe. Science acknowledges that it is from sound that all earthly forms are born. It is as the symbol of pranava that Vinayaka began to be worshipped. Vinayaka Chaturthi occurs on Bhadrapada sukla chaturthi in Avani (August-September). Ancient texts have it that to a king of Magadha and his asura wife called Vibutha was born a son with the head of an elephant and the body of an asura. His parents named him Gajamukhasura. He grew up, married a girl called Vichitrakanti, and ruled tyrannically over a kingdom with Mathangapura for its capital. Doing penance to Lord Shiva, he secured a boon that no immortal or mortal or ghost or weapon could kill him. And, in the arrogance that he could be killed by none, he harassed Devas and humans. To end that harassment Vinayaka was born as Uma Devi’s son, with a form that combined those of Devas, humans and animals. Wielding his right tusk as a weapon, he fought Gajamukhasura. Strong because of his boon, the demon transformed himself into a mouse and continued to fight. Vinayaka vanquished him and, imparting him spiritual instruction, took the mouse-demon for his mount. From Vinayaka’s breaking off one tusk of his to use as a weapon, he acquired the name Ekadanta. His birth was in sukla paksha chaturthi on a soma vasara (Monday) with Visaka star and simha lagna. It is this day each year we celebrate as Vinayaka Chaturthi. From its chandra mana calculation the festival is referred to as Bhadrapada Sukla Chaturthi. Like the chaturthi in moon’s waxing phase, the chaturthi in the waning phase is celebrated as Sankataharana Chaturthi. The chief element of the celebration is the shaping of Vinayaka idol out of clay, offering it worship, and then immersing it in a pond or river or the sea. Unlike other deities, Vinayaka requires no temple. He can be worshipped on a riverbank, or under a tree, or in a niche in the wall. Angaraka (Mars), one of the navagrahas, worshipped Vinayaka on a Masi (February-March) chaturthi in moon’s waning phase and derived immense benefit. A Sankataharana Chaturthi occurring on a Tuesday is therefore especially auspicious for worshipping Vinayaka. May we worship him to our benefit.
GOKULASHTAMI
Krishna was born in a prison on a krishna paksha ashtami in Sravana month (August-September). His birthday is therefore called Janmashtami. As he was born under the star Rohini the day is known also as Sri Jayanthi. This was an incarnation in which the Lord mingled with everyone from childhood, performing a variety of miracles. This was also the incarnation in which the Lord bestowed Bhagavad Gita on Arjuna. Hence on this day the people of India worship Krishna with ardor. He took for his birth ashtami thithi although this thithi is generally not regarded auspicious. People pray to Krishna on this day that he save them from demons afflicting everyday life just as he slew Pootana, Sakatasura and Trunavardhana in his childhood exploits; that he protect them the way he lifted Govardhanagiri to shelter Gokulam; that he vanquish their foes in the manner he danced on the serpent Kalinga to its death; and that he protect women just as he protected Panchali’s virtue. They pray, too, that everyone adhere to the path laid down by Bhagavad Gita to bring about a world of amity. And they offer him milk, butter and sweets that he had especially favored in his boyhood. In temples on this day, the Krishna idol is decked elaborately and taken out in procession. In front of his shrine, youths engage in ancient sports like vazhukku maram and uriyadi. Let us worship Krishna who gave us Gita.
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