Jyothish Shastra or Hindu Astrology is based on an elaborate calculation of the position of nine planets or navgrahas. Depending upon where these planets are located at the time of a person birth Hindu believe that the possibilities and potentialities of a man life and energies are determined well in advance. Classical Vedic astrology uses the seven visible planets Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon) Mangal (Mars) Budha (Mercury) Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus) and Shani (Saturn). The other two Rahu and Ketu are also fabled as planets, the former as a planet with a head and no body and the latter as a planet with a body and no head.
Each of these nine planets exerts and influence in our lives which is called ‘Dasha’ and it can be known from one horoscope. In casting a horoscope the heavens are commonly represented by a circle divided into 12 intersections, house. Each of these house is assigned several departments of human life such as wealth or marriage. The planet that falls within a particular house is said to influence matters pertaining to that house. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. If one known the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise with its help one should be able to find out how it would take shape how one would fare in it.
Why Do a Navagraha Puja? Navagraha puja is an extremely useful and beneficial puja, since its worship soothes and heals all the difficult energies of that planet in our life and also encourages the positive energies from that same planet to flow toward us. This puja is recommended for all particularly those whose planets are detrimental or malefic as per horoscope (Dasha). Thus the favour of all the Grahas must be conciliated before every auspicious event to accomplish it successfully. Chanting the Navagraha Mantras everyday with devotion enables one to overcome one adversities and achieve happiness in life. The Navagrahas are the custodians of our overall well being and influence our destiny.
The highlight of the albums in the Navagraha Puja series is the shodashopchar Puja (‘Shodas’-sixteen, ‘upchar-rituals) i.e. 16 ritual puja for each graha. These being – Avahanam, Asanam, Padhyam, Arghyam, Achamanam, Panchamrut snanam, snanam, Yagnopavitam, Vastram, Gandham, Pushpani, Dhupam, Deepam, Vaivedyam, Niranjanam, Namaskaram. One could also do panchopchar (5 ritual) Dashopchar (10 ritual) or an Ashtatrinshad upchar (38 ritual) to worship the Grahas. The albums also include some rituals from the Ashtatrinshad upchar vidhi such as abhishekam ang-pujan, nam-pujan, namavali (chanting the 108 names of the Graha) etc. and also included certain important mantras specific to each graha.
In Vedic astrology Mars is know as Mangal, Agaraka and Kuja. These names in Sanskrit mean, “auspicious burning coal and the fair one”. Mars is the son of mother earth and is considered the senapati or warrior in the graha mandal’
Kuja is a karaka or indicator of brother and siblings, assertion aggressiveness, soldiers and military endeavors, mechanical ability, engineers and surgeons, commanders and ruler, accident violence and war ambition strength arguments and conflict passion and desire. He is the great planet of energy. He relates to our passions our emotional and vital capacity for self projection.
The ideal day to worship him is Tuesday. He is particularly beneficial planet for cancer or Leo ascendants. A prayer to this planet frees one from debts, poverty and illness affection the skin. It is consider to bless one with Shuha (benevolent) effects grant wealth properties cures one of diseases, eliminates, enemies, a prayer to Angaraka can restore loss of eyesight.
On the positive side a strong mangal is necessary to give us the energy independence will and self confidence to carry out our endeavors qualities it shares with the sun.
On the negative side this same aggression brings about competition, argument conflict it is also said to lead to bad health and differences with friends and relatives.
Colour — Orange Crimson, Nature - Harsh, Stone — Coral, Metal — Steel, Day of worship —Tuesday, Direction ruled — South.
Steps for Mangal Puja To do a `puja', what one needs most is devotion. `Puja' can be as elaborate or as simple as one desires. Even the `puja' materials can be exhaustive or absolutely minimum as one would like to have. Shri Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita says "Whoever offers me leaves, flowers, fruits, water, etc. with love and devotion, I accept" (Chapter 9, shloka 26).
Preparing for the Puja 1. Make the `sthaapan' ready — place the `puja bajoth' (`chowki' or a wooden stand) in a manner such that the deities face east. You should sit facing the `sthaapan'.
2. Cover the `Bajoth' with a White cloth.
3.Now Place three tarbhanas (any small size metal plate) one in the center (for te presiding deity - prithvi Devi). one on the right hand side (for ganesh) and one on the left (for Mangal)
4. Next place a beetle leaf in each `-tarbhana' and place the respective idols/pictures on each beetle leaf If one does not have the idol/picture, then place a -beetle nut (`sopari) on each, beetle leaf, the beetle nut representing indicative of the respective deities.
5. Keep the following puja items heady - `Aasan'-(carpet), chandan', 'kumkum', ',abir (white powder), 'haridra churna' (haldi), gulal’, red flowers (ideally red karen), leaves specific-to the deities i.e. `Durva' fen-Ganesh and kher leave , for Mangal , akshtan for prithvi devi; 'kesar','panchamrut (a mixture of milk, ghee, honey, sugar and curd), certain 'Puja' utensils (`tarbhana; ,`panchpatra', "`achamani-- a metal spoon used in puja, `kalash', 'Katori, `thali; `aarti, bell, etc of brass/copper/silver as per one's choice), 'dhupam' (a form of 'incense),, ',deepam' (light) and `naivedhyam' (cut fruits/dry fruits/sweets of milk like laddoos.
Items for Daan (Charity) Coral, masur dal’, wheat, jiggery, gold, copper, red cloth, red flower, of Karen red sandal wood, ghee in a copper vessel, kesar (saffron) kastury’, copper should be given as donation to a Brahmin to appease the bad and inauspicious effects of Mangal.
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, an outstanding artiste of the famed Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, represents the new generation of young veterans worthy of wearing the mantle of the old maestros.
Born in a family with strong musical traditions, Ashwini completed Sangeet Vishaiad of `Gandharva Mahavidyalaya' at the young age of 16 and won the President's Gold Medal at the All India Radio Music Competition in 1977. After grasping the rudiments of Hindustani Classical music under Pt. Narayaprao Datar, she began to imbibe all the traditional aspects of stylized Jaipur-Gayaki under the strict tutelage of her mother, mentor and Guru, the renowned vocalist Smt: Manik Bhide, herself a student of many years of the living legend Ganasaraswati Smt. Kishori Amonkar. Currently, Ashwini is also receiving valuable guidance from another senior stalwart of the renowned Gharana; Pt. Ratnakar Pai.
Although a classical vocalist by temperament and training, Ashwini is equally at ease with lighter varieties like the Thumri and Bhajan. Ashwini's devotion repertoire is also well acclaimed, be it the works of Saint Poets of Northern India or the Abhang rendition of Marathi Saint Poets of the Warkari Sampradaya. Add to this, her fluency in Sanskrit that enriches her repertoire further.
Ashwini has featured regularly in almost all the prestigious concerts both in India and abroad. Her recorded music albums are available under all the prestigious labels like Sony Music, Navras Records, Saregama HMV, Times music, Music Today among others.
Ashwini, who lives 'in Mumbai, holds a Masters degree in Microbiology and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Bombay.
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