One day a well-known college professor, who was a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, said to the Swami: “You are talking of service, charity, and doing good to the world; these, after all, belong to the domain of Maya. Vedanta says, that the goal of man is the attainment of Mukti, Liberation, through breaking the chain of Maya. What is the use of preaching about things, which keep one’s mind on mundane matters?”

The Swami replied: “Is not the idea of Mukti in the domain of Maya? Does not Vedanta teach that the Atman is ever free? Why should It, then, strive for Mukti?” 🕉

He said on another occasion: “When I used to roam about all over India, practising spiritual disciplines. I passed day after day in caves absorbed in meditation. Many a time I decided to starve myself to death, because I could not attain Mukti. Now I have no desire for Mukti. I do not care for it, as long as a single individual in the Universe remains in bondage”. 🕉

(Swami Nikhilananda “Swami Vivekananda – A Biography)

Bound souls, worldly people, are like silkworms. They could come out of their cocoons if they wished, but they have built their own homes and maya does not allow them to escape. And it all ends with death.
Liberated souls are not under the control of ‘lust and greed’. Some clever silkworms cut their cocoons and come out. But they are very few.

• Sri Ramakrishna

Slow poisoning 🌹🌹

The way we are can give us beauty and meaning every day, and yet it seems we are living in a world of decreasing meaning. Our modern systems strive for perfection – for progress and efficiency – yet there is less and less happiness.

And the situation is worse in modern cultures all over the world where so many people are seemingly dissatisfied even when they have acquired most things to keep them happy. Perhaps a society that provides superficial comfort produces conditions that do not develop people or cause them to turn an inward gaze or to question notions of their meaning and existence. It is important that we must look inside better not to follow model of superficial consumerism in today’s world it brings happiness for a time being but cannot give you peace of mind.🌹

Tryambakeshwar Temples

Ahalya’s husband, Gautama was doing Tapas or penance on the Dakshina Mountain. It did not rain there for a hundred years and the land was drying up and life forms disappearing. Seeing these conditions of drought, the residents, the saints, and all the birds and animals fled from there. Saint Gautam did a great Mangalik tapas through Pranayama for six long months. Varuna, the deva of rains, was pleased and appeared before Gautama, who in turn asked for water. At the behest of Varuna, Gautam dug a hole on his land. With the help of Varuna’s miraculous power, it filled with water. Varuna said, “Due to the power of your penance, this hole would be an unending source of water “Akshya”. It will become famous by your name. It will augment all holy rituals like Yagna, Dana, Tapa, Homa Shraadha, and worship of Gods. After this water was thus acquired, the saints started making preparations for the Yagna and the production of “Breehika”.

Once when the disciples of Gautama went to fetch some water, from that waterhole, just then some of the saints wives were also there for the same purpose. They insisted on taking water first. The disciples of Gautama called Gautama’s wife. She intervened and allowed her husband’s disciples to fetch water. The wives of the Rishis felt insulted at this and complained to their husbands and while doing so added a few lies here and there. The great saints at once started the worship of Ganesha in sheer scheme of vendetta. When Ganesha appeared before them and granted some boons, they asked for the power of being able to insult and chase away Gautama, as an undesirable person from there. Ganesha understood that Gautama was very helpful by nature, tried to persuade the saints from getting their way. He knew that, but for Gautama’s efforts, the saints would be craving for even a drop of water. But the saints would have none of it. Reluctantly, Ganesha had to accmodate to the request of the adamant Rishis, but warned them to be ready to face the consequences of angering a great saint like Gautama.

One day, when Gautama went to get some “Breehi”, he saw a thin, starving cow there. Just when he lifted a little twig to shoo away the cow, the cow fell dead. The other Rishis caught the opportunity and accused Gautama of slaying a cow “Gohatya”. They insulted him and said that he must leave that place immediately in order to save it from the aftermath of Gohatya. Gautama became very sad and left feeling greatly depressed.

Gautama wanted to absolve himself of the sin of Gohatya “Cow slaughter”. He thus resorted to the method of Tapas recommended by great saints. He began the difficult task of bringing Ganga water with the power of his Tapas, take bath with that water and chant Shiva mantras a crore times and worship the Parthiva Linga. Shiva was pleased and told him that he is indeed a pure soul and a great Mahatma. A great injustice was done to him, Shiva told him that he could ask for some boons. Gautama asked for Ganga, which would be of great help to the humanity. Shiva gave Ganga to Gautama, in the form of Tatwarupa Avishishta Jal. After taking the water, Gautama requested Shiva to absolve him of the sin of cow slaughter. Shiva purified Gautama and wanted to go back to His abode after that. But Gautama told the Lord to remain on the earth till the end of Kaliyuga. Ganga prayed to him and requested him to stay on the earth, along with his consort Parvati. For the welfare of the world, Lord Shiva granted Ganga her wish.

Ganga wanted to know from Lord Shiva, how people will know about her greatness. The Rishis said that until Brihaspati stays on the Simha Rashi (Leo), we will stay here on your banks and will take a holy dip in your waters thrice a day before taking the Darshan of Shiva. Only by doing so, would we able to wash our sins. On hearing this Lord Shiva and Ganga stayed there. Ganga has also come to be known as Gautami and the Linga came to be known as Tryambaka.

The river which gave away cows as Go-Daan became Godavari. Ganga who came on the request of Gautama became Gautam Ganga. That was the auspicious time of Brahmagiri, the time in between, when the Kurmavatar was over and before the assumption of Varahavatar, the Sanghiparva. The planet Guru (Jupiter) was in the sign of Simha (Leo), Magha Shuddha Dashami, Thursday afternoon, when Gautami Ganga was born. The area of Brahmagiri too looks like the Lingamurthy. From the tip, the water of Gautami Ganga flows.

ASTROLOGY IS THE EYE OF WISDOM-1
KN RAO

(English translation of an article of K.N.Rao in Hindi about his Jyotish guru, Yogi Bhaskarananda)
K.N. Rao

It was in 1941 that my mother had taught me astrology. But in 1969 a Yogi had explained to me that astrology was the eye of wisdom.

Passing through narrow streets of a fort like locality on the scooter of Natu Bhai I had my first darshan (glimpse) of my astrology guru, Yogi Bhaskaranand.

I neither knew that he was an astrologer nor that he wrote and spoke extremely beautiful English. I had gone to have a darshan of a Yogi about whom Natu Bhai had given an entirely description; it was as though Jesus Christ had reappeared on this earth of ours. A Christian bishop had suddenly stopped on the road once after seeing.

Natu Bhai had not told me that his locks of hairs were golden, soft like butter, and curly. I remembered the reaction of Bernard Shaw who after seeing the hair of Rabindranath Tagore had wished if only he too had such hair. My eyes instead of getting riveted on his lustrous face were invariably above it. Physical beauty has rarely attracted me. But it was a divine sight. His widow sister used to serve him. Only two souls lived in that mansion like house in which perhaps the rays of the sun could never reach. Not hot in summer, not cold in winter. Was a cave of the Himalaya lifted and placed in a narrow street of Ahmadabad?-

My name being Rao (not a name from the Hindi speaking area) it was natural that he began conversation in English. Being a Gujarati himself he spoke haltingly in Hindi. But like a torrential flow was his literary and beautiful English. Using difficult words had become natural with him for two reasons: he had done B.A.(Hons) in English literature and was so steeped in the writings of Sri Aurobindo that long sentences had become a habit with him.

What was it in him that left an impression on me ? His exquisite conversational ability or mature spiritual wisdom? For 40 years he had done sadhana, scriptural studies and astrology in the caves of the Himalayas. He hailed from a prosperous family and was a baal brahmchari (a celibate from childhood).

Once, when during the course of conversation in our small group, he started his discussion of a horoscope, I, as though, was irritated. My mother was my first jyotisha guru but when I saw other astrologers I found them dogmatic, half-educated, uncouth and fear-arousing cheats. Even today that is my impression. Descending from metaphysical heights, he came to discussing astrology, which has been described as apara vidya. I was surprised and my reaction did not remain unnoticed by him.

Source : journal of astrology

SUCCESS AND 11TH HOUSE

A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her. David Brinkley

We live in the world of success worshippers. In Kalyuga the predominant tendency of all ambitious people is to succeed and succeed ONLY. The end is important for them, whatever may be the means adopted to achieve success. The importance of 11th House cannot be over emphasised in Kalyug where the only barometer of success is money! 11th House is the house of gains, of recognition and awards.

As per Brihat Parashar Hora Shastra, an auspicious 11th house makes a person happy at all times. 11th house indicates the fructification of efforts of a person. A person is doomed to a lifetime of struggle and very limited gains if the 11th house does not show promise. The pivot around which success revolves in a horoscope is 11th lord and the 11th house. When we assess the horoscope of successful people, we find that all of them have a strong 11th House and 9th house (11th from 11th house).

Assessment of Success in a Horoscope

After assessing the strength of Lagna, promise of other bhavas in the horoscope and various yogas present in the horoscope, we assess the potential to succeed by the following:

1. See the placement of 11th Lord.

— 11th lord in Kendra or Trikona is good

— 11th lord in own house is good

— Exalted 11th lord is excellent

–11th lord in 6th house or 8th house is not good

1. Number of planets connected to the 11th house

Do not fail to notice a concentration of planets in the 11th house or associated with the 11th lord. The more the number of planets connected to the 11th house/lord, the more is the possibility of material success of that person.

How do we count the number of planets connected to the 11th house/lord? Let’s do it in the horoscope of famous American builder Kirk Kerkorian. The 11th house has sign Gemini. See the planets placed in the 11th house. Venus and Ketu are placed there. Now see the planets aspecting the 11th house. In this horoscope, Moon and Rahu are aspecting the 11 house. Now see the number of planets connected to the lord of the 11th House – Mercury (Conjunction, aspect, exchange). In this horoscope, Mercury is placed in the 10th house and is conjunct with Sun, Jupiter, and Mars. So we find that 8 planets are connected to the 11th house and 11th lord. This clearly foretells great success for the person as most dashas of his life will have a connection with 11th house. However, such a person can be very greedy and may devote all his energies in accumulating material things, money, and wealth.

1. Confirmation from Navamsha (D-9)

Confirm the position of the 11th house and the 11th lord from Navamsha (D-9). As you can see from the table below, the promise of D1 is confirmed in D9 for successful people.

1. Number of Ashtakvarga points between 10th house and 11th house

The Ashtakvarga points of 10th and 11th houses from Lagna, Moon and Sun indicate how much a person will be rewarded for his efforts. If the points of 11th house are more than the 10th house the person will be suitably rewarded for his efforts.

1. Connection between the 11th lord and the 2nd lord

The connection between 11th house (earning) and the 2nd house (wealth) shows the capacity to retain the money earned. See if the 2nd and 11th lords are connected, in kendras from each other or in exchange.

1. Raj Yogas and Dhan Yogas

Make full analysis of Raj Yogas and Dhan Yogas present in
the horoscope.

1. Dasha Sequence

The dasha sequence at the right time in life is the key to achieving success and acclaim.

Shri K.N. Rao always emphasizes that in the changing times, what is given in the astrological classics even if not interpolated have to be interpreted liberally and not literally.

Some other interesting points about the 11th house/lord-

Relation between Lagna and 11th house

The 11th Lord is neutral or enemy of the Lagna lord for each sign.

Exaltation and Debilitation For each Lagna, the house where 11th lord exalts and debilitates indicates the inclinations of that lagna. For Gemini and Pisces Lagna, 11th Lord exalts in the 8th house. (examples are Einstein and Morarji Desai). For Aquarius Lagna, the 11th Lord exalts in the 6th house indicating success after struggle (example is Amitabh Bachchan). For Aries and Libra Lagna it exalts in the 7th house of spouse and partnership. For Cancer and Virgo Lagna it exalts in the 9th house of father and luck. In case of Leo and Aquarius Lagna, 2nd and 11th lords are the same.

–It is a trishadhaya house with 3rd house and 6th house. It is the strongest among the trik houses.

–It is a part of Kaam Trikona with 3rd house and 7th house. The strongest of Kaam trikona also.

There is a saying – Control your desires or they will control you. The 11th house is the house of your desires and without controlling the 11th house significations; one cannot begin on the spiritual path. Hence the 11th house is the biggest stumbling block to salvation. The last barrier! For those leading a spiritual life the 11th house, being the strongest of the Kaam trikona is bondage and bad for salvation
SOURCE :SHREE KRISHNA OM JYOTISH VIDYA (fb page)

AUSPICIOUSNESS OF SHRAVAN /SAWAN MONTH (17 July – 15 August 2019 North India ) (2 Aug- 30 Aug 2019 South & West India)

The month of Shravan is considered very auspicious for worshipping Lord Shiva. It is holiest months in Hindu Calendar. Each day of SAWAN is regarded as very pious. Special prayers and rituals are performed in Shiva temples. It is believed that the worship of Shiva during Shrawan month is 108 times more powerful than worshipping during normal days. It is believed that those who observe Sawan Somwar vrat will have their desires fulfilled and will have all their prayers answered by the Shiva.

According to the Legend, the “Samudra Manthan” or churning of oceans took place in the month of Shravan. During the Manthan, the ocean produced lots of valuables such as gemstones, Goddesses, riches, cows, bows, the Moon, conch etc. which were taken up by gods and demons. Fourteen different gems emerged from the ocean which were divided between them. When the Ocean produced the deadliest poison called Halahala, all of them cringed back as it was too dangerous and Would have destroyed the universe. It was Shiva who decided to drink it to save the world. Maa Parvati at once held His throat so that the poison wouldn’t go down, subsequently turning his throat blue. Hence Shiva is attributed to the name NEELKANTHA . To reduce the poison’s impact, Shiva wore the crescent moon on his head. To lessen the effect of the poison the Gods and Devas started offering the water from the Holy Ganges to Lord Shiva. Thence forth performing Abhishek on Shivalingam with gangajal became a ritual.

Each day during this month is auspicious for worshipping Shiva. Each day is sacred. Pooja, Aradhna, mantra siddhi and other spiritual practices if done properly then no doubt devotee will achieve success.

Wear Rudraksh, and also use a Rudraksh mala for Japa. Offer Bhibhuti to Shiva and apply some on your forehead. Make offerings of Bilva leaves, panchamrit (milk, yoghurt, clarified butter, honey and jaggery) on SHIVALINGAM . Recite SHIVA CHALISA and do Aarti. Chant SHIVA PANCHAKSHRI MANTRA & MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA to get the blessings of BHOLENATH !.
SHIVA

Spirituality is a practice that brings relief, communication, and transformation… The practices of breathing, walking, concentration, and understanding can help you greatly in dealing with your emotions, in listening to and embracing your suffering, and in helping you to recognize and embrace the suffering of another person. If we have this capacity, then we can develop a real and lasting spiritual intimacy with ourselves and with others.

• Thich Nhat Hanh, in “How to Love”.

“Be true, be sincere, and friendship will steadily grow. I remember a discussion with Master about sincerity.
I had said, “Sincerity is everything.”
“No,” he responded, “sincerity plus thoughtfulness is everything.” He went on: “Suppose you are sitting in the parlor in your home, and there is a beautiful new carpet on the floor. It is raining outside. A friend you haven’t seen in many years flings open the door and rushes into the room to greet you.”
“That is all right,” I said. But Master had yet to make his point. “You were sincerely happy to see each other,” he said, “but wouldn’t you have liked it better if he had been thoughtful enough to take off his muddy boots before he came in and ruined the carpet?”
I had to agree he was right.
No matter how well you think of someone, or how close you are to that person, it is important to sweeten that relationship with good manners and thoughtfulness. Then friendship becomes truly wonderful and enduring. Familiarity that leads you to be inconsiderate is very harmful to friendship.
Sincerity is one of the things I prize most. Do not mix with people who flatter you, for someday such friendships will be torn asunder; you will find that you have wasted your time on them. Always beware of flattery. It is good to encourage others with wholehearted praise and appreciation, but the insincerity of flattery is a poison that destroys the soul of both the giver and the receiver. If anyone prefers flattery to love, he doesn’t deserve friendship. Those who give love do not give flattery. And those who give flattery do not give love.”
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— Paramahansa Yogananda —
— “JOURNEY TO SELF-REALIZATION “….pag – 134 —
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“Whatever comes in life, just take it joyfully, impersonally, as you would a motion picture. Life is entertaining when we do not take it too seriously.
A good laugh is an excellent remedy for human ills. .
This my master [Swami Sri Yukteswar] taught me. In the beginning of my training in his hermitage, I went about with a solemn face, never smiling.
One day Master pointedly remarked, “What is this? Are you attending a funeral ceremony? Don’t you know that finding God is the funeral of all sorrows? Then why so glum? Don’t take this life too seriously.”
He taught me that one must be mentally above every crucifixion of earthly experience in order to find complete happiness in God.”
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— Paramahansa Yogananda —
— (Man’s Eternal Quest, p127) —
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