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Home , Bhadra, Cheti Chand, Holi, Kubera, Kusha (Ramayana), Nyepi

Dharma kÉqÉïxÉlSåzÉ a quarterly newsletter of Bharatiya Mandir, Middletown, NY

AÉ lÉÉå pÉSìÉÈ ¢üiÉuÉÉå rÉliÉÑ ÌuɵÉiÉÈ| Let noble thoughts come to us from everywhere. 1.89.1 n

lÉqÉxiÉå xÉÑpÉÉÌwÉiÉÉ Subhaashitaa

Á – . With the and grace of the In this section, we present a quotation and its Supreme Lord (mÉUqÉÉiqÉÉ), we are proud to present this interpretation/meaning. issue of Sandesh. xÉuÉïSìurÉåwÉÑ ÌuɱæuÉ SìurÉqÉÉWÒûUlÉѨÉqÉqÉç | This season, the winter has been very fierce so far. AWûÉrÉïiuÉÉSlÉbrÉïiuÉÉS¤ÉrÉiuÉÉŠ xÉuÉïSÉ || The snow has been relentless, and the brutal cold from the Arctic, including the breakdown of the polar vortex, has made people’s lives miserable for weeks at sarva-dravyeshu-vidyaiva-dravya-maahu-ranuttamam| a stretch. ahaaryatvaad-anarghyatvaad-akshayatvaacca-sarvada ||

In anticipation of and good weather, we will be Among all assets education is the most supreme. It celebrating , the of colors on March 16. cannot ever be stolen, it is always priceless, and it People will greet each other with a multitude of colors never perishes. – red, green, blue, yellow, orange, purple, and pink, and the air will be filled with the mixture of all these Other assets and property, whether land, money, gold, colors. That is such a wonderful sight to behold!! grains, or other wealth, can always be stolen by other people. Property can decrease in value, and sometimes We will invite the in the form of Yugadi, wealth and other property can be destroyed. Education , , Baisakhi, , , and knowledge, on the other hand, never die. They are and Thapna. Following that, we will celebrate Sri always priceless, and can never be stolen by anyone. Navami, the birthday of our Lord Sri Rama. One should always strive to earn this asset called Later on, in May we will be celebrating the 15th education. anniversary of Bharatiya Mandir. Contributed by Dr. Narasim Banavara In this issue, I write about Maryada Sri Rama and about Yugadi. Dr. Padma Sundaram writes xÉÉD mÉëåUhÉÉ Baba’s Teachings about Lord , the Lord and guardian of wealth and treasure. Ms. Akshani Patel writes about the colorful festival of Holi. In this section, we present a teaching of Sri Sai Baba.

We hope that readers will continue to enjoy reading Sri Sai Baba spoke thus – “When your mind these articles and gain some insight into our Sanatana matures and attains fruition, it easily becomes free of Dharma. Let us all pray to the Paramaatma (mÉUqÉÉiqÉÉ) to all qualities. It becomes placid, calm, and pure. It shower His blessings upon all His children!! effortlessly merges in the one and only Atma. Each Sincerely, person has the unique chance to taste the inner peace Your Editorial Board that such a mind can grant, but, unfortunately, most Web: www.bharatiyamandir.org are strangers to the unshakeable joy and equanimity Email: [email protected] that is their birthright. Meditation is the only island of refuge in the ocean of life for all beings tossed on the Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-1 waves of desire, doubt, dread, and despair. This vanquish the and establish Dharma on Vedantic truth must be present in the mind, even earth. To help Him in this venture, His three brothers while one is engaged in the mundane material were incarnated and born as well. They were world!” – Sathya Sai Vahini. (sɤqÉhÉ from the great serpent Adi AÉÌSzÉåwÉ on whom Lord reclines), (pÉUiÉ Contributed by Dr. Vijaya Dasari from the Shankha zÉ„¡û or conch of Lord Vishnu) and

Shatrughna (zÉiÉ×blÉ from the Chakra cÉ¢ü or discus of ¥ÉÉlÉÌuÉWûÉU JnanaVihara Lord Vishnu). Bharata was born to Queen and Lakshmana and were born as twins to In this section, we present articles on , Queen . , , , and related philosophy. The children grew up in the royal household Maryada Purushottama Sri Rama filled with a mixture of qÉrÉÉïSÉ mÉÑÂwÉÉå¨ÉqÉ ´ÉÏ UÉqÉ love, happiness and discipline. They were Sri Rama (´ÉÏ UÉqÉ) is the seventh avatara of Lord trained by Vishnu on this earth. He incarnated to rid the earth of Vashishta in all the Rakshasas such as and and Vedas, philosophies, the their associates and to establish Dharma in the world. sciences, religion, and The great epic (UÉqÉÉrÉhÉ) composed by Sage military sciences and (qÉWûÌwÉï uÉÉsqÉÏÌMü) in Sanskrit extols the life, arts. They grew up to be pursuits, adventures and virtues of Lord Rama. The experts in all the arts, same epic was recomposed in the Avadhi language as sciences and warfare, Sri Rama Charit Manas (´ÉÏ UÉqÉcÉËUiÉqÉÉlÉxÉ) by Sant especially in archery. Tulasidas. Another important composition in the Sanskrit language is Sri (´ÉÏ Once Sage Vishwamitra arrived at the palace of King AkrÉÉiqÉ UÉqÉÉrÉhÉ) attributed to Sage Veda . This and requested that the king send Rama with him in order to vanquish the Rakshasas who version is steeped more into philosophy than the were impeding the (rituals sacrifices) that the previous two versions. in the forest were performing. King Dasharatha

sent Rama and Lakshmana with the sage. In the Brief Story of Sri Rama: forest, Rama killed scores of the terrible Rakshasas

who were killing the pious sages. After that, he Sri Rama was born as the eldest son of Queen AWûsrÉÉ and King Dasharatha of in the revived ( ) who had been cursed by her solar lineage ( Vamsha xÉÔrÉïuÉÇzÉ) of . husband Sage Gautama to assume the form of a rock.

He was born on Navami (ninth day) of Shukla Later, Sage Vishwamitra took the princes to , Paksha (bright half) of month of . the kingdom of King . The king was holding a That day is celebrated all over (and the world) as Sri . Swayamvara (xuÉrÉÇuÉU) for his foster-daughter , the incarnation of . The challenge was King Dasharatha performed the Putra Kameshti to string the bow of Lord , which only Sri Rama (mÉѧÉMüÉqÉå̹rÉ¥É). From the blazing sacrificial fire came a could perform. Sri Rama won the Swayamvara challenge and married Sita. with Payasa (mÉÉrÉxÉ – porridge) and gave it to King Dasharatha. The king distributed the Payasa King Janaka happily performed the marriage of his among his three wives Kausalya, Sumitra and daughter Sita with Lord Rama. He also gave his other Kaikeyi, who bore him four sons. Lord Vishnu had daughter in marriage to Lakshmana. His ordained that He would be born as Sri Rama to brother’s daughters and Shrutakeerti were Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-2 given in marriage to Bharata and Shatrughna Bharata came to know of these events, he rushed respectively. King Janaka performed all the marriages home from his uncle’s kingdom where he was visiting according to scripture. at the time these events took place. He was mortified to find out that his mother had been the sole cause for On the way back to the misfortune that had befallen them all. After Ayodhya from Mithila, performing the last rites for his father King Lord Rama encountered Dasharatha, he rushed to the forest where Sri Rama Sage , the was staying and implored Sri Rama to return to sixth incarnation of Lord Ayodhya and accept his rightful place as king. Sri Vishnu. Parashurama did Rama flatly refused Bharata’s request stating that he not recognize the new must fulfill the promise given to his father at all costs. incarnation and proceeded to insult Sri Sri Rama, accompanied by Sita and Lakshmana, spent Rama and challenge him. several years in the forest visiting with sages and Instead, Sri Rama vanquishing Rakshasas who were troubling the sages. defeated Parashurama and proved his strength by stringing a new bow belonging to Lord Vishnu. The In the fourteenth year of exile, Sita was kidnapped by sage accepted defeat and offered all of his powers the king Ravana. He took her to and from his meditation to Sri Rama as he realized that Sri kept her in the Ashoka Vana (AzÉÉåMüuÉlÉ) garden. Sri Rama was the new incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rama went searching for his wife, and in the process vanquished several Rakshasas. He also made new Lord Rama entered Ayodhya with his bride Sita and friends in Sugreeva, king of the monkeys and got a his family. They stayed there happily for some time. new prime devotee in . When ordered by Meanwhile, King Dasharatha planned to install Sri Sugreeva to go and look for Sita, Hanuman crossed Rama as the crown prince (Yuvaraja rÉÑuÉUÉeÉ). The the sea at Rameshwaram and found Sita . Sri entire population of the state was happy except Queen Rama led the monkey and bear armies into Lanka, Kaikeyi whose mind was poisoned by her maid where he defeated and killed the evil Ravana, . Queen Kaikeyi devised a plan to stop the Kumbhakarna and the coronation of Sri Rama as Yuvaraja. Rakshasas who were responsible for troubling King Dasharatha had once given Queen Kaikeyi two and killing pious people boons. The queen proceeded to encash those two and who were responsible boons. With the first boon she demanded that her son for impeding Dharma. He Bharata be made crown prince in Sri Rama’s place, then installed Ravana’s and with the second boon she demanded that Sri brother Vibheeshana as Rama be exiled for fourteen years. the king of Lanka. Vibheeshana, in spite of King Dasharatha was left speechless. He had his being a Rakshasa, was a hopes and his whole life pinned on Sri Rama but, at good and pious man and a the same time, he could not break a promise that he devotee of Sri Rama. had given to his queen. He pleaded with her not to demand the two boons, but Queen Kaikeyi was After the war was complete, Sri Rama ordered that adamant. Sita Devi be brought to his presence. When Sita arrived, Sri Rama disowned her stating that since she Lord Rama was informed of this incident and he had been in Ravana’s household, she no longer was immediately set off for the forest without a moment’s his wife and he had fought the war only to uphold and hesitation. Sita and Lakshmana followed him protect Dharma. Sita requested Lakshmana to prepare everywhere he went. Heartbroken and unable to bear the separation from his son, King Dasharatha breathed a pyre into which she jumped stating that if she was his last with Queen Kausalya by his side. Once pure and chaste, the fire would not harm even a hair on her body. When she jumped into the fire, Lord Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-3 appeared with Sita and proved to Lord Rama At a time when it was normal for kings to have and the world that Sita was indeed pure and chaste. multiple queens, Sri Rama declared that he would Sita thus passed the fire test observe the Eka Patni (LMümɦÉÏuÉëiÉ), meaning that (AÎalÉmÉUϤÉÉ). Rama then he would have only one wife – Sita Devi. He never happily accepted Sita and broke his promise. they returned to Ayodhya. Sri Rama did not look at another woman with any

desire arising in his mind or heart. He considered all Upon his return, Rama was other women as his own mother. That is why no crowned king of Ayodhya. devotees ever consider Sri Rama as their husband like He ruled for several they consider Sri , who is the next incarnation thousand years. But he had of Lord Vishnu. Devotees can consider Sri Rama to to banish a pregnant Sita to the forest in response to be their father, but never their husband. Even when some persons speaking ill of her and casting doubts Sri Rama banished Sita into the forest, he kept a on her chastity. Staying in the forest at the hermitage golden image of her while performing the Yajna of Sage Valmiki, Sita bore twin sons and . since, according to the rules of scripture, a couple has to perform the Yajna together. Once, Sri Rama performed the Ashvamedha Yajna (AµÉqÉåkÉrÉ¥É). As part of the process, the sacrificial Contrary to what many people believe, Sri Rama did horse was let loose to run across kingdoms. Lava and not disrespect his wife Sita when he asked her to Kusha tied up the horse and thus challenged Lord undergo the Agni Pariksha (fire test AÎalÉmÉUϤÉÉ). He Rama to war. When Rama came with his forces to never doubted his wife’s chastity. She resided in his vanquish the perpetrators, he was defeated. Sage heart throughout and he pined for her day and night. Valmiki then revealed to Rama the fact that Lava and Since Lord Rama knew that Ravana would kidnap Kusha were his children. Lord Rama was overjoyed, Sita, he had Sita live inside the fire with Agni’s wife but then Sita, who did not want to go back to Rama, Swaha Devi while he installed a fake (illusory) Sita prayed to Mother Earth to come and take her. The (qÉÉrÉÉxÉÏiÉÉ) in his . Ravana kidnapped the fake earth opened up and Devi (Mother Earth) appeared and took Sita away as everyone present Sita. After the war, Rama had to get back the real Sita there watched in awe. without revealing the details to everyone. So, he pretended to disown Sita and made her enter the fire so that Lord Agni could bring back the real Sita and Maryada Purushottama Sri Rama: offer her back to Lord Rama. In fact, the fake Sita, Sri Rama is referred who in reality was named (uÉåSÉuÉiÉÏ), to as Maryada requested Lord Rama to marry her in her Sita form. Purushottama (qÉrÉÉïSÉ Even Sita Devi agreed to it. But Lord Rama said that mÉÑÂwÉÉå¨ÉqÉ) – the Perfect the real Sita was his one and only wife, and since Man, the Lord of Vedavati had performed this unusual sacrifice for him Virtue, the Ideal Man. and Sita, he would marry her in another incarnation as He is not called Lord Venkateshwara (´ÉÏ uÉ僡ûOåûµÉU). Later, Vedavati Purushottama just would be born as Padmavati (mÉ©ÉuÉiÉÏ) and would because He is Lord marry Lord Venkateshwara. Vishnu’s incarnation. Sri Rama personified Sri Rama always kept his word. He never went back perfection and all on any promise he made to anyone. He did not wait characteristics an for his father King Dasharatha to spell out the two ideal person would boons that he had given Queen Kaikeyi. Lord Rama aspire for. Sri Rama fulfilled all his obligations and took it upon himself as a son to protect his father’s never crossed the line of Dharma (Maryada). word and proceeded to the forest without any delay or hesitation. Even after King Dasharatha died and

Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-4 Bharata implored Sri Rama to return to Ayodhya, Sri People celebrate the New Year as Yugadi (in Rama refused stating that once he had given his word, and Andhra Pradesh), Puthandu (in Tamil he was bound to follow it, irrespective of what Nadu), Vishu (in ), Gudi Padva (in happened. Sri Rama never crossed the Maryada ), Thapna (in ), Cheti Chand (in (limit) of Dharma. He always sought to protect it. ), Baisakhi (in ), There are many other examples that illustrate this fact. (in Manipur), and (in and ).

Sri Rama did not look at a person’s status or wealth in Yugadi is associated with the arrival of the Spring order to become friends with the person. Among his season (uÉxÉliÉ GiÉÑ), when young, tender, and green closest friends were Nishaada Guha (a hunter), shoots are budding forth from all trees and new buds Sugreeva (a monkey), Vibheeshana (a Rakshasa), are eager to bloom into beautiful flowers, signaling Jambavaan (a bear), etc. Hanuman, the monkey, is his God’s splendor all over. greatest devotee and friend. Sri Rama treated everyone, men and women, with equal respect and Yugadi is celebrated with much fanfare and pomp by adoration and without any bias or discrimination. all over the world. Families get together to celebrate the advent For all his ideals and virtues, and for how he of the New Year and conducted himself in his incarnation and established the Spring. People tie and protected Dharma, Sri Rama is Maryada fresh leaves Purushottama. If every human being can follow Sri and neem (lÉÏqÉ - Rama’s life and adopt some of his virtues, then this ) world would definitely become Rama Rajya. leaves on the front door of the house, Sources: Sri Valmiki Ramayana, Sri Adhyatma signifying Ramayana auspiciousness. They decorate the front of the house This article has appeared in an earlier issue of with beautiful (U…¡ûÉåsÉÏ - ornate patterns with Dharma Sandesh. white and color chalk powder).

Contributed by Dr. Narasim Banavara The day usually begins with a ritual oil bath (AprÉgeÉlÉ xlÉÉlÉ) followed by and prayers. That is followed Yugadi (rÉÑaÉÉÌS) by a ritual partaking of a special mixture of neem buds or flowers and jaggery with a prayer. The concept Yugadi (rÉÑaÉÉÌS also spelled ) is the New Year’s behind the mixture of bitter neem buds and sweet Day for the people in the Deccan (Sanskrit: dakshin jaggery is that life brings both sad and happy (SͤÉhÉ) = south) region of India. In Sanskrit, the term moments, and one should accept both equally and impartially. Yugadi = Yuga (era/year) + adi (beginning), marking

the beginning of a new year. Sometimes, the mixture also includes unripe mango

(tanginess representing surprise), tamarind juice (sour The Hindu is a lunisolar calendar. People taste representing following the lunar calendar (Chaandramaana disgust), green chili or cÉÉlSìqÉÉlÉ) celebrate Yugadi on the first day of Chaitra pepper (hot taste (cÉæ§É) – Chaitra Shukla Prathama (cÉæ§É zÉÑYsÉ mÉëjÉqÉ). representing anger), and Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu year salt (saltiness (occurring in March-). People following the representing fear). Life solar calendar (Souramaana xÉÉæUqÉÉlÉ) celebrate is a mixture of all these Yugadi when the Sun enters the zodiac of Mesha (qÉåwÉ six types of experiences, - Aries). In 2014, Chaandramaana Yugadi falls on and one should accept March 31 and Souramaana Yugadi falls on . all experiences (happiness, sadness, surprise, disgust, anger, and fear) together and with equanimity. Only Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-5 when we accept everything in equilibrium can we ever In Vishnudharmottara Purana (ÌuÉwhÉÑkÉqÉÉåï¨ÉU mÉÑUÉhÉ), be happy. It is especially important for all people to Kubera is described as the embodiment of (AjÉï remember this lesson as they begin their New Year. - wealth, prosperity and glory). Kubera is said have

Lunch on Yugadi is an elaborate spread of various the complexion of lotus leaves. He is adorned in mouth-watering dishes. In the afternoons, many golden clothes and ornaments symbolizing his wealth. children fly kites and have a great time. He has one yellow eye. He wears armor and a necklace down to his big belly. In the evenings, people gather again to pray to the Lord and listen to an elderly person or a priest recite The Puranas further describe that his face is inclined the Panchangam (mÉgcÉÉ…¡ûqÉç - religious almanac), to the left, sporting a beard, mustache and two small tusks that protrude from his mouth (this represents his which presents a general forecast for the New Year. powers to bestow boons as well as punish). His wife

Riddhi is on his left lap representing the journey of May Paramaatma bless all people with happiness and life. Kubera has four arms, and holds a (mace) good health in the New Year!! and in his left hands. In his right hands, he

holds the standards bearing a lion representing Artha Sources: www.wikipedia.com; (wealth) and a club called Shibika (ÍzÉÌoÉMüÉ Kubera’s http://www.karnataka.com/festivals/ugadi/ weapon). The nidhi (ÌlÉÍkÉ treasures) Padma and Contributed by Dr. Narasim Banavara Shankha stand in human form beside him, with their heads emerging from the Lotus and the Conch Lord Kubera (UÉeÉÉ MÑüoÉåU) respectively.

Kubera (MÑüoÉåU), also called Kuvera, the Lord of riches Background and Parentage: The exact origin of Kubera’s name is unknown. In Sanskrit, Kuvera and treasures, is a demi-. He occupies means “deformed or monstrous or ill-shaped.” Kuvera a less conspicuous position in . is also split as Ku (meaning Earth) and Vera (meaning In the Vedic era books he has been described as the hero). Another theory suggests that it might have Chief of Spirits. In the later Puranas and epics come from the root verb Kumba meaning to Ramayana and , he is described as the “conceal.” Lord of wealth, the Dikpala (ÌSYmÉÉsÉ regent) of the North, and (sÉÉåMümÉÉsÉ protector of the earth). Kubera is the son of Sage (meaning Fame). He is depicted in the Puranas as . He performed Hence, he is called Vaishravana (uÉæ´ÉuÉhÉ - sometimes penance and appeased Lord , who granted translated as Son of Fame). It is said that once Kubera Kubera the status of the Lord. looked at Lord Shiva and Goddess with jealousy. So Parvati cursed him that he would lose In the Vedic scriptures, both his eyes. Then Kubera fell at Lord Shiva’s feet Kubera has been and asked for His . He said that he had no described as a dwarf bad intentions in his heart when he looked at Devi with a big belly, Parvati. Lord Shiva requested Parvati to take her curse carrying a pot of gold back. So Devi Parvati gave him a deformed eye and or money bag and a turned it yellow so that he would always remember club. In the Puranas, he the incident. From then Kubera got the name is depicted as a Ekakshipingala (LMüÉͤÉÌmÉ…¡ûsÉ - one who has one dwarf with a large yellow eye). belly, fair complexion, with three legs, three heads, four arms, eight teeth and According to the Ramayana, Kubera did severe one yellow eye. He holds a mace, or penance to please Lord Brahma. As a result he was money bag in one hand. He may also carry jewelry given the riches of the world, equality with the and a mongoose with him. and the Pushpaka (mÉÑwmÉMü ÌuÉqÉÉlÉ - flying

Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-6 chariot). He was also given the golden city of Lanka. Dhanadaa (kÉlÉSÉ-Giver of wealth). Related to his Kubera ruled that city well and lived there happily. subjects, he is called Yaksharaja (rɤÉUÉeÉ-King of the

Yakshas or nature-spirits), Rakshasadipathi Meanwhile, Kubera’s father Sage Vishravas married a (UɤÉxÉÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉ-Lord of the Rakshasas), Guhyakadipa demon princess Kaikasi. Through her he had three sons – Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibheeshana, and (aÉѽMüÉÍkÉmÉ-Lord of the – semi-divine a daughter named . beings), Kinnararaja (ÌMü³ÉUUÉeÉ-King of the Kinnaras – beings that are half-man and half-horse), and Nara- Ravana drove Kubera out of his kingdom Lanka and Raja (lÉUUÉeÉ-King of men). seized his Pushpaka Vimana. Then Kubera moved to the city of Alakapuri (AsÉMüÉmÉÑUÏ) in the Gandhamadana The Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas give (aÉlkÉqÉÉSlÉ) mountains in the near Mount Kubera Godhood and the status of Lord of the riches. Kailash (MæüsÉÉxÉmÉuÉïiÉ). Lord Brahma requested He has been described as the richest Deva. At the Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, to build that city same time he became the Lokapala (World Protector) for Kubera with all splendor and beauty. The city is and the Dikpala (guardian/regent) of the North. also called Prabha and Vasudhara. Worship: Kubera is worshipped by all people as the The epics state that Kubera has a magnificent court treasurer of the world. It is said that even Lord where he entertains the Devas (Gods), Rakshasas, Venkateshwara (Lord Vishnu) borrowed money from Kinnaras, , and even Lord Shiva and Devi Lord Kubera during his marriage to Devi . Parvati. That is why devotees go to His abode in Kubera married (ÌiÉÂmÉÌiÉ) and donate money in the donation box (meaning auspicious), (Hundi) so that Lord Venkateshwara can repay the daughter of the Kubera. demon Mura. He had a son Nalakubera and a During Deepavali / , Lord Kubera is daughter worshipped along with Devi MahaLakshmi, usually with her. on the day. The Kubera reads as follows — According to the rɤÉUÉeÉÉrÉ ÌuÉ©Wåû uÉæ´ÉuÉhÉÉrÉ kÉÏqÉÌWû iɳÉÉå MÑüoÉåUÈ mÉëcÉÉåSrÉÉiÉç | Mahabharata, Kubera’s wife is called Yakshi or Yaksharaajaaya Vidmahe, Vaishravanaaya Dhimahi, Charvi, and they had two Tanno Kuberah Prachodayat | sons. The two sons were very handsome, but were We meditate on Kubera, King of Yakshas and son of very egotistical. They Vishravas. May that God of wealth inspire and once insulted Sage . The two men were bathing illuminate us. This Mantra is recited to gain Kubera’s in the nude with their wives ignoring the Sage. Even blessings in attaining Prosperity and Wealth. after their wives apologized to the Sage, the two sons neglected the Sage. He got angry and cursed them to References: Wikipedia. become trees. When they fell at his feet and begged Williams, George Mason (2003), Kubera: Handbook forgiveness, Sage Narada said that only Lord Krishna of Hindu Mythology. would grant them salvation. They stayed as trees till Kubera – Encyclopedia Britannica (online) Lord Krishna, in his infant form, uprooted the trees Kubera – Lord of Riches: Hinduism Gods and and granted them salvation. , by Subhamoy Das —Vedic and Puranic, W.J Wilkins Kubera has been called by several other names.He is 1900, London W. Thacker & Co. known as the Rajadhiraja (UÉeÉÉÍkÉUÉeÉ-King of Kings), Dhanadhipati (kÉlÉÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉ-Lord of Wealth), and Contributed by Dr. Padma Sundaram

Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-7 Holi (WûÉåsÉÏ) another as they sing traditional dhuns (songs) and dance to the rhythm of the (drum). Holi hai! The time of year has finally came, when colors speak louder than Holi is more than just words, children playfully sweets, colors, and splash their friends with wishes. It has a deeply powder and water balloons, rooted concept – the and towns are filled with concept of unity, music and dancing. friendship, and the willingness to forgive and forget the past and let the Holi brings together Indians all present take over. Holi is a festival that is celebrated over the world in celebration around the world. It is when people forgive one of forgiveness and the ultimate another and start the year with a clean slate. It is a victory of good over evil. Holi time when love and happiness are so powerful that has a meaning that is deeper than what is seen to the evil has no chance of victory. Holi is a festival that is eye. It reaches new dimensions of spirit and culture. It filled with magic and hope. is a time of year to create new bonds, reach out to others, and forget about mistakes we made in the past. Contributed by Ms. Akshani Patel

Before all the fun and games begin a symbolic tradition must occur first. On the day before Holi, Some Upcoming Special Mandir Events people gather at important crossroads and light Holi / Dhuleti / Sunday, March 16 that can be seen from miles away. The Dahan Yugadi / Gudi Padwa / Monday, March 31 ceremony, called (WûÉåÍsÉMüÉ SWûlÉ), is used Cheti Chand / Thapna to praise the beloved Agni, the God of Fire. As the Mata ki Chowki Saturday, April 5 story goes, a Rakshasa named Hiranyakashyap

(ÌWûUhrÉMüzrÉmÉ) or (ÌWûUhrÉMüÍzÉmÉÑ), who Sri Rama Navami Tuesday, April 8 considered himself to be the ruler of the Gods, wanted everybody to worship him. To his displeasure, his Tamil New Year Monday, April 14 own son, Prahlad (mÉë¿èÉS) began to worship Lord (Puthandu) / Vishu / Vishnu. No amount of instruction or punishment was Baisakhi able to waive Prahlad away from worshipping Lord Sri Tuesday, April 15 Vishnu. Bharatiya Mandir 15th Sunday, May 4 Finally, deciding to get rid of his son, Hiranyakshyap Anniversary Celebrations asked his sister, Holika, to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap, for she had a boon to enter fire Mrs. Arati and Mr. Jateen Parekh have generously unharmed. Legend has it that Prahlad was saved for sponsored the printing of copies of this issue of his extreme devotion to the Lord while Holika paid Dharma Sandesh. Devotees may note that all the the price for her sinister desire. The tradition of writing of the content and the editing of the newsletter burning Holika or 'Holika dahan' comes from this are strictly voluntary. legend. Our quarterly newsletter is called “Dharma After a long night of and folktales, children Sandesh” (kÉqÉïxÉlSåzÉ). “Dharma”, in simple wake up early the next morning to celebrate a holiday terms, refers to righteousness, conduct, a sense of in which they can play with two things they love most duty, virtue, and the ultimate truth. “Sandesh” – colored powder and their friends. With many stores means a message or news. So, Dharma Sandesh and offices closed, excitement quickly fills the air. refers to a message of Dharma. Children spray one another with their pichkaris while Dharma Sandesh Newsletter Editorial Board: the women and the elderly smear colors on one Dr. Narasim Banavara Dr. Padma Sundaram

Dharma Sandesh Volume 5 Issue 4 Mar2014-May2014 Page-8