Dev Diwali

Pran C. Arjan Dhanak (Editor)

The full moon day in Kartik month, the first month after Diwali, brings in the festival of Dev Diwali. The full moon day of the Kartik month, ‘poonam’ is called the Dev-Diwali. The day signifies the return of Visnu Bhagwaan back to Devlok from patallok after spending Chaturmas with King Baliraja. Lamps are lit under the moonlit sky and a family feast celebrates the end of the Diwali fortnight.

Tulshi Vivah

On this day the marriage of the Tulsi (a sacred plant amongst Hindus) with the Shaligram, symbolising Lord Vishnu, is celebrated in every Hindu home in Gujarat. All devout Hindu worship the Tulsi plant with flowers and milk assuming Lord Krishna to be present on it on this auspicious day. Full ritual marriage ceremony is performed between the Tulsi and the Salagram (Deity of Narayan, Vishnu Bhagwan).

Tulsi (Vrinda) was married to demon king Jalandhar. She prayed to Lord Vishnu that her demon husband would be protected, with the result that no God was able to harm him. However on the request of the other Gods, Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and stayed with the unsuspecting Tulsi. When the truth emerged after Jalandhar's death, Vrinda cursed Vishnu and turned him to stone (Shaligram) and collapsed. From her body emerged the tulsi plant. That is why Vishnu pooja is considered incomplete without Tulsi leaves. Krishna in form of Shaligram is a very auspicious celebration, importance of Tulsi plant, tulsi leaves in prashad, tulsi pan. Tulsi vivah is celebrated on the next day of Kartik Agiaras and Tulsi Vivah festival is from Kartik Ekadashi to Poonam.

Tulsi symbolises Goddess Laksmi, the consort of Vishnu Bhagwan. The belief is that, one who performs this ceremony of giving away Tulsi considering them to be one's own daughters, gets the credit as making a Kanyadan which is regarded as an extremely worthy act in Hindu religion. This sacred ceremonial day marks the auspicious opening of the annual marriage season of the Hindus.

Story of Ajaamil: Shree Mad Bhaagwat: Chapter 6

Kanchan Zala, Toronto, Canada

Ajaamil was a brahmin, who lived with his wife in a small town. Both were of bad character.Ajaamil used to kill anilmals, steal, gamble, and supported his family by all fraudulent means. His son’s name was Narayan.

When Ajaamil was on his death bed, Yamraaj send his Yamdut(servants) to get his soul to take him to Narak(hell) because he had done bad things all his life. Ajaamil saw the Yamdut and got scared and stared shouting “Narayan, Narayan, Narayan”. He was of course calling his son whose name was Narayan.

Right away Vishnu Bhagwaan sent his Devdut(servants) to get his soul because unknowingly, Ajaamil had chanted Narayan, which is another name for Vishnu Bhagwaan.

Moral: Pray and remember Him by chanting His Name in everything we do – be it getting ready, eating, walking, playing or going to bed. God Himself will sure save us and no one, not even the mightiest evil can do anything. So what are you waiting for? Embrace the values, principles, and lessons taught by Hinduism and enjoy a happy life!