Saturday, October 29, 2011
3:30 pm to 11 pm
The Community House
415 West Eight Street
Hinsdale, IL 60521

We invite you and your family to the annual Konkani Diwali celebration for a fun filled evening with Aarti, Potluck Konkani Dinner and Entertainment.

Those wishing to participate in the cultural program should submit their names and program details to Geetha Prabhu by November 9th, 2011.

Fast forward onto adult experiences. At my female cousin’s wedding in California over a decade ago, the priest, a software engineer (moonlighting as a Bhatmam on weekends) went that extra mile to explain in detail the significance of every ritual during the ceremony. During the kanyadaan (giving away of the bride), I vividly recall myself and a few other ladies being moved to the point of weeping; partially reliving our own bridal angst but more importantly, speaking from a personal perspective, understanding in simple layman’s language what everything really signified.

A somber and interesting function, Punarprathistapan (resurrection) of the Moolnaga was held in our native place, Bantwal early last year. The Moolnaga is a series of Nagas (serpents) carved on black stones as seen in our traditional temples. Some hoodless Naga carvings found in the wilderness of Bantwal, led to superstitions of invoking negative spirits. The Mallya Moolnaga apparently was lost/overlooked, for several generations and excavated after much efforts three years ago. Certain rituals and poojas that are supposed to be performed regularly connected with Moolnaga had been neglected for several decades. The property where the Nagas nestled ended up with the government who in turn gave it to some landless laborers. Wild shrubs and foliage sprung around and slaughter of animals and liquor consumption on the sacred site by the laborers is believed to have angered the Moolnaga, leading to several Nagadoshas (sins of omission) which affected many in the extended Mallya clan.

Having ascertained from spiritual leaders of the Mahalsa temple in Goa–the ruling deity of the Mallyas, including the Swamijis, that the afflictions and problems in some of the Mallya clan was due to the lost and angered Moolnaga, the search for the authentic Moolnaga was undertaken. Once located, the labourers were persuaded to sell the land in order to build a small temple around the Naga deities, and all hoodless carvings were thus restored and resurrected. As for the congregation, well, there was solace in the belief that the serpents had been appeased and the hope that future generations would not have to face the wrath that their forefathers did.

Pictures of the Naga pratishtha provided by Deepti & Vivek Mallya, Boisar, Maharashtra
The white murthys are the newly carved ones, while the grey ones are the original excavated nagas.
Click to view slideshow.

Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011, 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Venue: Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple
1145 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL

For more details and to RSVP, please send email to: shobhasbasti@yahoo.com

MANGALORE: President Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest at the Vishwa Konkani Ekta Divas (World Konkani Unity Day) being organized as part of the maiden Vishw Konkani Sanskrutik Mahamell ( First World Konkani Cultural Convention) here on December 9. The convention per se featuring over 1,500 artists from 75 troupes from around the world will be held at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar near here from November 25.

Eric Ozario, gurkaar of Mandd Sobhann, the premier Konkani cultural organization told reporters here on Tuesday that the convention will be spread over a period of 25 days and end on December 19. It will showcase to the world, the beauty and variety of Konkani culture and strive to enhance the ‘swabhimaan’ of every Konkani.

See an earlier post for a brief background on Ganapati.

During aarti on the last (5th) day.

Read more; additional Ganapati pics!

shri ramachandracharanau manasa smaraami
shri ramachandracharanau vachasa gruNaami
shri ramachandracharanau SHirasa namaami
shri ramachandracharanau SHaranam prapadhyae

On Rama’s feet I meditate
With words I praise
With lowered head I pray
At Rama’s feet I seek refuge!

Rama.
During times of cosmic crisis, Vishnu as Preserver and Caretaker of the Universe adopts various avataars or earthly forms, to save Creation from calamity, and rid humankind of suffering. Rama as a model human, is one of Vishnu’s most popular avataars. Rama is revered as a devoted son, faithful husband and a righteous king. To fulfill his father’s promise, he willingly accepts exile and wanders forests for many years. When his wife Sita is abducted, Rama enlists birds, monkeys and other animals to track her to Lanka – kingdom of the villainous Ravana. After a prolonged battle, Rama slays Ravana and saves the world from terror and torture. Rama’s victory is celebrated during the Vijaya Dashami festival, and culminates in the burning of Ravana in effigy.

During festivals, devotees raise their voice to Rama. Temples ring to countless chants of his name. Uniquely, the mere recitation of Rama’s name is said to bring ananda or bliss.

The reason for this can be traced to the Mahabharata, when Bhisma bestows on the victorious Yudhishtra, the Vishnu Sahasranaam (Thousand names of Vishnu). Noting the long sermon, Devi Parvati asks her beloved Shiva, how an ordinary person can attain the same benefits as reciting the Vishnu Sahasranaam. Shiva assures her that uttering but once the name of Shri Rama is equal to chanting the name of any other God, a thousand times. With these invaluable words from Shiva, mankind has been blessed with an easy path to happiness.

In the Rama Raksha Stotra – hymn asking Rama for protection, which millions of devotees recite with fervor everyday, the opening verse affirms that reciting even a single word from the life of Rama is able to destroy the greatest of our sins. Mahatma Gandhi also urged followers to recite the blessed name of Rama. Prophetically, “Hey Ram” were the last words from his dying lips.

Included above is verse 29 from the Rama Raksha Stotra, which resonates well with the theme of bhakti for Rama. As Sant Tyagaraja has written, simply by asking the virtuous Rama to shower his blessing and compassion assures us of experiencing ananda.

Hanuman visits Sita in Ashokvan (Ashoka gardens) Lanka where she is held captive by Ravana. (stone carving stored in the Hampi Museum)

May the Lights
Guide you to
Lead an Inspiring Life.

Wishing you Good Health, and
Success in the New Year!

Happy Deepavali!
M&A

(now lets light some firecrackers!)

And what a great occasion for a family reunion! For four days we reveled in family panchadika (chit-chat), gorged on a wide variety of indian dishes (no dish was repeated over four days!) and the reception had a teeth chattering, gut expanding array of 28 desserts!

Of course, on returning to gray skies and cafeteria goop we are clinically depressed. I want my masala dosa and south indian kaapi for breakfast!

So, here are a few pics.

During one of the pre-wedding services, the women in the house are getting ready to bless the bride. The priests says: ashta putra sowbhagyavati bhava and translates it: May you be a blessed mother of eight children. My cousin sister lets out a hearty laugh!


During the actual blessing!

During the Raas garba on the night before the wedding, the couple are treated to dance performances. Then everyone joins in and the dancing went on till the early hours of the morning.

During the wedding services, the couple search for a ring in a pot of colored water! Apparently whoever finds the ring, dominates the relationship. Well, the priest had put two rings and each found one!

At the end of the service, after satisfying everyone with photographs, the bride steps out of the mantap.

Wishing you all a Wonderful Dassara

M&A
(murthy of Kamakshi, a form of Durga Devi at the Ramnathi Devasthan in Ponda, Goa.)

Notes excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007

Durga Devi
Devi, Goddess, is the oldest Hindu deity. Clay figurines from the 6th and 5th millennium BCE, attests to her antiquity. Today, Devi is worshipped in all corners of India in various forms, such as Bhu Devi – the earth Goddess; the demure Parvati – beloved consort of Shiva; devoted Sita – Rama’s dearest; and Kali – the ruthless avenger. Durga is the ferocious manifestation of Devi and is revered for slaying the tyrannical buffalo demon Mahisasura, liberating heaven from his clutches and restoring order and discipline in the Universe.

In a popular legend from the Devi Mahatmyam – Glory of Devi, the demon Mahisasura defeated Indra, King of Gods, in battle and conquered heaven. The dejected Indra and his retinue of demi-gods wandered earth as mere mortals, and begged Vishnu and Shiva to end Mahisasura’s tyranny. From the intense anger and focus of the united Gods emerged brilliant rays of light, which combined to bring forth the goddess Durga. Each God contributed their choicest weapons to her. Shiva presented her with a trident, Vishnu his discus. Agni the Fire God, presented his spear and Surya the Sun God illumined the pores of her skin, casting a luminous aura around Durga.

Endowed with an assortment of weapons, and the arms and the strength to wield them, Devi challenges the asura army. With blood curdling roars and a defiant laugh, she demoralizes the demon army and systematically decimates them. When Mahisasura attacks her, she destroys his weapons and captures him with her noose. Devi then traps him under her feet and skewers his neck with her spear; when the human form of Mahisasura emerges, she grasps his hair and decapitates him.

The slaying of Mahisasura is commonly depicted in Durga artwork:. Devi posing calmly on the battlefield, with the demon trapped beneath her feet. The red clothing denotes the spilt blood and alludes to her fertility. Durga thus represents the all-compassionate and fertile woman, yet relentless in battle against evil, energetically defending righteousness against injustice. She is simultaneously approachable and displays motherly love and concern for her devotees. Her close association with the earth and its regenerative ability endears her to even the common laborers and farm workers, making the annual Durga puja and festival, widely popular in India’s rural communities.

Notes are excerpted from my book, Prarthana: A Book of Hindu Psalms;
© Arun Shanbhag 2007