|| Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram ||

Kali Chaudas

Kali Chaudas falls on the 14th Day of the dark half month of Aaso, (last month of the Hindu calendar year). The term kali is referred to as evil. Kali Chaudas is part of the 5 part festival usually spread over 3/4 days during Diwali/ New year's time.

On this day it is said that evil forces are at its most strongest. Therefore poojan is carried out to Lord Hanuman. Through pure love and devotion of His characteristics and past times Lord Hanuman is the deva that is worshiped in the event of trouble by evil spirits. Through countless past times of Ramayana and during the early years of Swaminarayan Bhagwan, Lord Hanuman has defeated numerous powerful demons. He is immortally a protective guardian for the Sanatan Dharm.

Shreeji Maharaj has written in Shikshapatri Shlok 127, “The Acharyas shall perform worship of Ganapati on the fourth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada and that of Hanuman on the fourteenth day of the dark half of the month of Ashwin.”

|| Ishakrushnachaturdashyaam Karyacha Cha Hanumataha ||

The day renowned for victory and therefore known as ‘Isha’ isNarakchaturdashi or Kali Chaudasha.

Shatanand Swami describes in detail in the Satsangi Jivan Prakaran 4 Adhyay 57 and Shikshapatri Bhasya Shlok 127 the poojan to be carried out on Kali Chaudas. One should perform poojan of Hanumanji, the great ambassador of Lord Shree Rama. He is eternal, greatest amongst the monkey clan and an ekantika bhaktas (pure devotees) of Lord Ram. He should be worshipped with oil, sindhoor (vermilion powder), fragranced flowers and aakada (swallow wort plant). Lord Shree Ramachandra Himself signified the importance by proclaiming to Hanumanji, that those who worship Him on this day will never go to hell, they will never be at harm from evil and become ever so dear to me.’

Also on this day, Lord Shree Krishna defeated the evil demon Narkaasur. Narkaasur had imprisoned sixteen thousand and one hundred gopis and took away all their valuables. Lord Shree Krishna battled with the demon Narakasur and axed his head with His sudarshan chakra (discus). He returned all the valuables and to restore their pride and dignity, He married the 16,100 maidens and protected them in Dwarika. Thus this day is also referred to as Narak Chaturdashi.

|| Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram || || Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram ||

References:

Satsangi Jivan – Prakaran 4 – Adhyay 57 Shikshapatri Bhasya - Shlok 127 Shree Krishna Chalisa

|| Shree Swaminarayano Vijaytetram ||