Celebration of Life
History of the world, to the chroniclers from Christian and middle eastern lands, commences from what is contained in their books of religious following.
But, historians, as anthropologists, scientists and social scientists, agree with the ones who control libraries of archives containing ancient manuscripts, artifacts, sculptures, statues, paintings and archaeological items of the post-paleontologist era of Man on Planet Earth ,that ancient civilizations existed , of Indian culture ,before the Mesopotamians, Inca and other civilizations evidenced by virtue of these scientific discoveries. As corroborated by these Collections of historical evidence.
They all do not dispute the recorded fact of huge shiploads of spices, condiments, silk, works of art, precious stones and many other rarest of rare products of both Nature and Man, being smuggled out of Indian continent.
There is geographical study which establishes fact of a continental drift that before the age of icebergs breaking continents away from a single huge land-mass from the Himalayas, Australia was a portion of the great Indian continent.
Suffice it to say here that India existed before the buccaneers, the explorers, the Pirates, the plunderers and those adventurer-soldier races from Caucasian region. And, elsewhere. Desert-lands knew not of greenery, afforestation, river beds and fruits other than perhaps, the dates prior to the great crude-oil finds in the 1950s.
It is against this backdrop of worked history that one examines the life of freedom, plentiful supply and abundant existence which was enjoyed by inhabitants if the Indian continent.
In course of time, across the Yugas as we all know demarcation of time on this planet as being apportioned between the Satya Yuga, The Treta Yuga, Dwaparayuga and the Kali Yuga, and beyond the epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagwad Geeta, we had a land that enjoyed life as a boon.
It was a constant celebration, across the seasons of Mother Nature. And, a life of righteousness, virtuosity and social interdependence via the joint Hindu family system, was prescribed as a code of conduct. Dharma, in one word.
Dharma ensured that each and every person discharged his or her duties and functions in the told assigned by customary laws. So, behavioral aspects ensured the worship of Universe in all it’s facets. And, every occasion in life was one to rejoice.
For, after all the span of birth as an evolved human being, one aimed at merging oneself with the Supreme Soul, or, the Paramathma or Bhagwaan. A loose, closest interpretation of which, in the English language, would be God!
One of the most Auspicious periods of the calendar year was the Dassera, a ten-days duration which, this year, commences from October 1st and the tenth day ,a day of victory or ‘Vijayadasami’ heralds victory of good over evil forces.
The beauty of India being it’s diversity and just as all the various languages spoken across the length and breadth of the Indian sub-continent speak different tongues, yet, they all acknowledge the concept of worship of Mother Nature in all her various forms.
Starting from being the provider of vegetables, fruits and all forms of sustenance of life to giver of monetary wealth to prowess of education to tools, machinery, technology to the embodiment of all spirituality and blessing all who partake of their respective joyous offerings, in the name of prasad (offerings to Almighty ), the festive period marks celebration of community ,society, family and individuals as key units of existence as well good governance of mankind by humanity .
There are few regions who do not offer much of ritual worship but spend the duration dancing away in rural attire, seeking to draw energy from a collective participation in dance-forms.
One, also utilizes the occasion to distribute clothes, food, possessions and exchange gifts as goodwill but since four decades, there has been a marked deterioration in the traditional values of this great ancient culture of India and one notices bribes being given away for illegal gratification to bureaucrats and politicians. Likewise, cine artistes have been designated Demi-gods in place of the haloed place of worship various Goddesses’ temples all over the nation.
Yes. Communism is dead in lands it originated, in countries where natural resources were scarce . And, where cultures segregated and isolated haves from the have-nots. But, it has afflicted few people in saddles of power in great Indian land of Mahakali and a chaotic description of the great ten days festival is to be found on the ubiquitous Google and other such search-engines. Tourism centers, Culture departments and official websites little seem to care over the distortion, aberration and wanton destruction of the Truth .
Hence, a chance to describe the significance is not forfeited.
Spread the cheer. Share the joy. See all revel. As one Human race.
But, what is the beneficial effect of right worship of Mother Universe during this astronomical transition of planets and stellar configuration ?
Why must one wake up early by three a.m. daily, take a head bath and offer certain specific mantras in worship of the Divine Force of Mother Universe in forms as –
Day one: Shahkambari Devi.
Day two: Annapoorna Devi.
Day three: Gayatri Devi.
Day four: Saraswathi Devi.
Day five: BalaTripuraSundari Devi.
Day six: DhanyaLakshmi.
Day seven: ŁakshmiDevi.
Day eight: Sri Kanaka Durga Devi.
Day nine: Sri Lalitha Parameswari.
Day ten: Raja Rajeswari Devi.
Why do others have variants of the avatars of the AshtaL akshmis as the presiding deity of worship? Does this alter the results fetched?
Is a ritualistic worship of Mother Universe as a form of thanksgiving more result-oriented than dancing away the blues of a monsoon and summer gone by?
Here comes the need to delve deeper into the state of consciousness and purpose of one’s existence on Earth, in whichever position ,strata of society and capacity in a family-unit..
By no means is this an attempt to persuade non-believers or vast majority of disbelievers into following the traditional customary worship of Nature, the Hindu way and by no extension of thought is it a foray into the secrets of this time-tested, marvelous pathway to re-energize oneself for a whole year ahead through rigorous fasting, prayers with mantras and meditative contemplation.
For, the latter requires enormous blessing to grasp, perceive, receive the fruits of such a disciplined lifestyle.
And, the former is a fruitless effort that many have seemingly attempted in the past..
Nevertheless, it is urged that ostentatious prancing be confined to private precincts and a wider readership faithfully adhere to the most enjoyable, if testing, regimen of continuous fasting, meditation and community worship of the Almighty, Mother Universe, in all Her majestic, incomparable forms.
And, those that celebrate this festival of Life religiously, with steadfast faith in grace of the Almighty Universal Nature, do ensure you partake of food with as many unknown members in the society you live in, as is possible, keeping constraints of purse-strings and energy in view, on the eleventh day, to gave a spill-over effect of goodwill, blessings and harmony in the works around.
Of course, there are several ways to celebrate life’s endowments. What we pick and choose characterizes our psyche. The end-results are as intangible or in-transient.
And yes, idolatry is taboo? Is that the moot-question?
No, idolatry is by no means a sacrilege in this age of selfies.
Stay blessed, All…!!!
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Jai Mata Di