Monday 12th October is Mahalaya. The Bengali Hindu families will have people get up early in the morning, and switch on the radio.
Birendra Krishna Bhadra and his Agomoni r gaan.
For generations Bengalis have grown up on this.
Popularity of the Agomoni songs and Birendra Kirshna Bhadra's narration was great. It is said that in 1976, Mahalaya was conducted over All India Radio by Uttam Kumar. The songs were different. People did not like it and AIR went back to Birendra Krishna Bhadra.
What is Mahalaya?
The placement of the two fortnights in the Hindu month of Ashvin, the dark fortnight (Krishnapaksha), known in this case as the Pitrpaksha, and the lighter fortnight (Shuklapaksha), known as the Devipaksha, marks the particularly significant moment of Mahalaya.
Nature is given a female form. This is the Mother who is taking care of us all. In the month of Ashwin, right after Devipaksha ends, Winter sets in. Mother Nature undergoes a major change and that is what is commemorated by this festival to celebrate Goddess Shakti, who is an embodiment of Nature itself. Between September and October, the length of the day is almost equal to the length of the night. It constitutes as a scientific proof that Navratri is celebrated exactly at the break of winter, when the weather is pleasant.
It is said, Navratri used to be celebrated only at the break of summer earlier. But when Lord Ram had a war with Ravan, He did not want to wait another 6 months to take the blessings of Maa Durga. So He started the tradition of celebrating Navratri just before winter. He did a Durga Puja before He left for Lanka and returned victorious.
Mahalaya as we call it Bengal is also known as PitraPaksha. This day falls on a no moon day or Amvavasya and is also called the Mahalaya Amavasya. It is a tradition in India to offer food to their ancestors in this time. It is believed that if this is not done, then soul of the person will remain unsatisfied after death.
There is also a story in mythology about King Karna who did not offer any food to his ancestors while he was alive so when he died and was transported to heaven, despite his other good karmas he was not offered any food
There is another story which relates the mahalaya festival to Goddess Durga. The mahalaya is said to be the time period when the Goddess Durga killed the asuras. In Bengal, Durga starts her journey to visit her parents along with her children. She starts on Mahalaya and reaches on Sashti (Sixth day evening) when is greeted. This is also why we were told not to look at the Durga Idols before Sashti.
As the weather is good and pleasant, people celebrate and worship nature. Goddess Durga is worshipped.
Why Worship the Mother Goddess? Why Durga?
We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. "Why mother; why not father?", you may ask. Let me just say that we believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God. Just as a child finds all these qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as mother. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute.
The legend refers to the fundamental truth about Dharma that men alone cannot ensure the order and regularity of the worlds and fight with evil. They need the help and support of women to perform their duties, uphold the Dharma and stay on the path of righteousness. This holds true not only in case of men but also in case of gods. As heads of their households, men may manage the affairs of their families, but certain difficulties in life, cannot be overcome by their power and intelligence alone. Hence, they have to consult their wives and resolve them together. The same holds true with regard to sexual desire, which is symbolically represented by Mahishasura. Only women can help them to live righteously by conquering it
Goddess Durga symbolizes the divine forces (positive energy) known as divine shakti (feminine energy/ power) that is used against the negative forces of evil and wickedness. She protects her devotees from evil powers and safeguards them. It is believed that Goddess Durga is the combined form of powers of Goddesses Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. The part of Markandeya Purana that is Bengal is referred to as Chandi, has sections dedicated to Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati and not to a Durga.
Who is Durga? Durgama in Sanskrit means difficult to reach. So probably the goddess who is tough to reach is Durga. Or the Goddess, whose worship destroys all tough paths is Durga. Not sure.
It is also believed that Goddess Durga was created by the Gods as a warrior goddess to protect good people (devas) for fighting the demon, Mahishasur.. Her divine shakti contains the combined energies of all the gods in the form of weapons and emblems (mudras).
\The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun.
Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.
Durga is depicted as having eight or ten hands.
These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.
Like Shiva, Durga is also referred to as "Trayambake" meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).
The lion represents power, will and determination.
The conch shell in Durga's hand symbolizes the 'Pranava' or the mystic word 'Om', which indicates her holding on to God in the form of sound.
The bow and arrows represent energy. By holding both the bow and arrows in one hand "Mother Durga" is indicating her control over both aspects of energy - potential and kinetic.
The thunderbolt signifies firmness. The devotee of Durga must be firm like thunderbolt in one's convictions. Like the thunderbolt that can break anything against which it strikes, without being affected itself, the devotee needs to attack a challenge without losing his confidence.
The lotus in Durga's hand is not in fully bloomed, It symbolizing certainty of success but not finality. The lotus in Sanskrit is called "pankaja" which means born of mud. Thus, lotus stands for the continuous evolution of the spiritual quality of devotees amidst the worldly mud of lust and greed.
The "Sudarshan-Chakra" or beautiful discus, which spins around the index finger of the Goddess, while not touching it, signifies that the entire world is subservient to the will of Durga and is at her command. She uses this unfailing weapon to destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.
The sword that Durga holds in one of her hands symbolizes knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword. Knowledge which is free from all doubts, is symbolized by the shine of the sword.
Durga's trident or "trishul" is a symbol of three qualities - Satwa (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity) - and she is remover of all the three types of miseries - physical, mental and spiritual.
Devi Durga stands on a lion in a fearless pose of "Abhay Mudra", signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The universal mother seems to be saying to all her devotees: "Surrender all actions and duties onto me and I shall release thee from all fears".
Mahisha means buffalo. The buffalo represents brute power and vile human nature. With his two horns, Mahisha personifies the evil hidden in creation. In some respects he is like the Devil in Christianity, who is also shown in the imagery with horns. Thus, the battle between Durga and Mahishasura (the buffalo demon) is symbolic of the battle between good and evil, which takes place at many levels in both the macrocosm and microcosm.
It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. In other words, you can say that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.
The legend refers to the fundamental truth about Dharma that men alone cannot ensure the order and regularity of the worlds and fight with evil. They need the help and support of women to perform their duties, uphold the Dharma and stay on the path of righteousness. This holds true not only in case of men but also in case of gods. As heads of their households, men may manage the affairs of their families, but certain difficulties in life, cannot be overcome by their power and intelligence alone. Hence, they have to consult their wives and resolve them together. The same holds true with regard to brute desires, which is symbolically represented by Mahishasura. Only women can help them to live righteously by conquering it.
In Bengali Durga Puja, we also worship Nature. What we depict as Ganesha's wife , the banana wife, is actually the Nava Patrika or the nine forms of Durga. Nava means Nine and Patrika means Leaves. Nine different types of leaves are collected and worshiped.
Banana with stem and leaves or plantain symbolically represents Brahmani.
Taro or Colacassia or Arvi or Kochu leaves. This represents Kali.
Turmeric represents Durga.
Jayanti represents Karttiki. This tree is helpful in fixing the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Wood apple or Bilva represents Shivaa, the female form of Shiva.
Pomegranate, locally known as dalimba, represents Raktadantika.
Ashoka represents Sokarahita.
Maan Kochu (no idea what the English word is), represents Chamunda.
Rice paddy represents Lakshmi.
Durga the name can also mean : "Du" represents the four devils of poverty, sufferings, famine and evil habits. "R" refers to diseases. "Ga" is the destroyer of sins, of injustice, of irreligion, of cruelty, and of laziness. Her entire name means 'invincible'.
Shiva is a very popular well worshiped God. Ravana in Ramayana worshipped him. Arjuna worshipped him in Mahabaharat. As iconography goes, Durga, the supreme female force became the female force of the supreme male force , Shiva.
Ine Bengal we have Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartikeya depicted as Durga's children.
Ganesha is the formless Divinity - encapsulated in a magnificent form, for the benefit of the devotee.
Gan means group. The universe is a group of atoms and different energies. This universe would be in chaos if there was no supreme law governing these diverse groups of entities.
The Lord of all these groups of atoms and energies is Ganesha.
He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe.
The mouse as the Lord's mode of transport magnifies the challenge that a spiritual person faces when trying to communicate the knowledge of the infinite Self through the finite equipments of body, mind and intellect. Atman cannot be touched with the body, felt through emotion or understood with the intellect. One can only become It through spiritual practice.
Kartikeya is an embodiment of perfection, a brave leader of god's forces, and a war god, who was created to destroy the demons, representing the negative tendencies in human beings.
The peacock represents the destroyer of harmful habits and the conqueror of sensual desires. The symbolism of Kartikeya thus points to the ways and means of reaching perfection in life.
Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual
The Owl is a bird that sleeps during the day and prowls through the night. This is because it can only see in the dark, and goes blind in the day. This partial blindness in the creature is actually indicative of a sadhaka's (seeker) tendency of going toward the pursuit of secular instead of spiritual wealth.
The owl, in the Bhagavad Gita, is likened to an enlightened sthita prajna (the one who remains unwavering to any situation, whether it be happy or sad). Goddess Lakshmi is also said to be the mistress of spiritual wisdom.
By keeping the owl as her vehicle, she teaches us to open our eyes to the light of the wisdom residing within us. This Karunamayi (compassionate One) Mother, hence, symbolically keeps ignorance under her control.
The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.
The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in Her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect in order to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati uses the swan as Her carrier. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
This completes my write up on Durga. Time for celebrations. Welcome the Mother. Celebrate and Rejoice with the Mother.
BOLO DURGA MAI KI - JAI
Birendra Krishna Bhadra and his Agomoni r gaan.
For generations Bengalis have grown up on this.
Popularity of the Agomoni songs and Birendra Kirshna Bhadra's narration was great. It is said that in 1976, Mahalaya was conducted over All India Radio by Uttam Kumar. The songs were different. People did not like it and AIR went back to Birendra Krishna Bhadra.
What is Mahalaya?
The placement of the two fortnights in the Hindu month of Ashvin, the dark fortnight (Krishnapaksha), known in this case as the Pitrpaksha, and the lighter fortnight (Shuklapaksha), known as the Devipaksha, marks the particularly significant moment of Mahalaya.
Nature is given a female form. This is the Mother who is taking care of us all. In the month of Ashwin, right after Devipaksha ends, Winter sets in. Mother Nature undergoes a major change and that is what is commemorated by this festival to celebrate Goddess Shakti, who is an embodiment of Nature itself. Between September and October, the length of the day is almost equal to the length of the night. It constitutes as a scientific proof that Navratri is celebrated exactly at the break of winter, when the weather is pleasant.
It is said, Navratri used to be celebrated only at the break of summer earlier. But when Lord Ram had a war with Ravan, He did not want to wait another 6 months to take the blessings of Maa Durga. So He started the tradition of celebrating Navratri just before winter. He did a Durga Puja before He left for Lanka and returned victorious.
Mahalaya as we call it Bengal is also known as PitraPaksha. This day falls on a no moon day or Amvavasya and is also called the Mahalaya Amavasya. It is a tradition in India to offer food to their ancestors in this time. It is believed that if this is not done, then soul of the person will remain unsatisfied after death.
There is also a story in mythology about King Karna who did not offer any food to his ancestors while he was alive so when he died and was transported to heaven, despite his other good karmas he was not offered any food
There is another story which relates the mahalaya festival to Goddess Durga. The mahalaya is said to be the time period when the Goddess Durga killed the asuras. In Bengal, Durga starts her journey to visit her parents along with her children. She starts on Mahalaya and reaches on Sashti (Sixth day evening) when is greeted. This is also why we were told not to look at the Durga Idols before Sashti.
As the weather is good and pleasant, people celebrate and worship nature. Goddess Durga is worshipped.
Why Worship the Mother Goddess? Why Durga?
We think this energy is only a form of the Divine Mother, who is the mother of all, and all of us are her children. "Why mother; why not father?", you may ask. Let me just say that we believe that God's glory, his cosmic energy, his greatness and supremacy can best be depicted as the motherhood aspect of God. Just as a child finds all these qualities in his or her mother, similarly, all of us look upon God as mother. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion in the world, which gives so much importance to the mother aspect of God because we believe that mother is the creative aspect of the absolute.
The legend refers to the fundamental truth about Dharma that men alone cannot ensure the order and regularity of the worlds and fight with evil. They need the help and support of women to perform their duties, uphold the Dharma and stay on the path of righteousness. This holds true not only in case of men but also in case of gods. As heads of their households, men may manage the affairs of their families, but certain difficulties in life, cannot be overcome by their power and intelligence alone. Hence, they have to consult their wives and resolve them together. The same holds true with regard to sexual desire, which is symbolically represented by Mahishasura. Only women can help them to live righteously by conquering it
Goddess Durga symbolizes the divine forces (positive energy) known as divine shakti (feminine energy/ power) that is used against the negative forces of evil and wickedness. She protects her devotees from evil powers and safeguards them. It is believed that Goddess Durga is the combined form of powers of Goddesses Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati. The part of Markandeya Purana that is Bengal is referred to as Chandi, has sections dedicated to Lakshmi, Kali and Saraswati and not to a Durga.
Who is Durga? Durgama in Sanskrit means difficult to reach. So probably the goddess who is tough to reach is Durga. Or the Goddess, whose worship destroys all tough paths is Durga. Not sure.
It is also believed that Goddess Durga was created by the Gods as a warrior goddess to protect good people (devas) for fighting the demon, Mahishasur.. Her divine shakti contains the combined energies of all the gods in the form of weapons and emblems (mudras).
\The word "Durga" in Sanskrit means a fort, or a place which is difficult to overrun.
Another meaning of "Durga" is "Durgatinashini," which literally translates into "the one who eliminates sufferings." Thus, Hindus believe that goddess Durga protects her devotees from the evils of the world and at the same time removes their miseries.
Durga is depicted as having eight or ten hands.
These represent eight quadrants or ten directions in Hinduism. This suggests that she protects the devotees from all directions.
Like Shiva, Durga is also referred to as "Trayambake" meaning the three eyed Goddess. The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).
The lion represents power, will and determination.
The conch shell in Durga's hand symbolizes the 'Pranava' or the mystic word 'Om', which indicates her holding on to God in the form of sound.
The bow and arrows represent energy. By holding both the bow and arrows in one hand "Mother Durga" is indicating her control over both aspects of energy - potential and kinetic.
The thunderbolt signifies firmness. The devotee of Durga must be firm like thunderbolt in one's convictions. Like the thunderbolt that can break anything against which it strikes, without being affected itself, the devotee needs to attack a challenge without losing his confidence.
The lotus in Durga's hand is not in fully bloomed, It symbolizing certainty of success but not finality. The lotus in Sanskrit is called "pankaja" which means born of mud. Thus, lotus stands for the continuous evolution of the spiritual quality of devotees amidst the worldly mud of lust and greed.
The "Sudarshan-Chakra" or beautiful discus, which spins around the index finger of the Goddess, while not touching it, signifies that the entire world is subservient to the will of Durga and is at her command. She uses this unfailing weapon to destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.
The sword that Durga holds in one of her hands symbolizes knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword. Knowledge which is free from all doubts, is symbolized by the shine of the sword.
Durga's trident or "trishul" is a symbol of three qualities - Satwa (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity) - and she is remover of all the three types of miseries - physical, mental and spiritual.
Devi Durga stands on a lion in a fearless pose of "Abhay Mudra", signifying assurance of freedom from fear. The universal mother seems to be saying to all her devotees: "Surrender all actions and duties onto me and I shall release thee from all fears".
Mahisha means buffalo. The buffalo represents brute power and vile human nature. With his two horns, Mahisha personifies the evil hidden in creation. In some respects he is like the Devil in Christianity, who is also shown in the imagery with horns. Thus, the battle between Durga and Mahishasura (the buffalo demon) is symbolic of the battle between good and evil, which takes place at many levels in both the macrocosm and microcosm.
It is this energy, which helps God to proceed with the work of creation, preservation and destruction. In other words, you can say that God is motionless, absolutely changeless, and the Divine Mother Durga, does everything. Truly speaking, our worship of Shakti re-confirms the scientific theory that energy is imperishable. It cannot be created or destroyed. It is always there.
The legend refers to the fundamental truth about Dharma that men alone cannot ensure the order and regularity of the worlds and fight with evil. They need the help and support of women to perform their duties, uphold the Dharma and stay on the path of righteousness. This holds true not only in case of men but also in case of gods. As heads of their households, men may manage the affairs of their families, but certain difficulties in life, cannot be overcome by their power and intelligence alone. Hence, they have to consult their wives and resolve them together. The same holds true with regard to brute desires, which is symbolically represented by Mahishasura. Only women can help them to live righteously by conquering it.
In Bengali Durga Puja, we also worship Nature. What we depict as Ganesha's wife , the banana wife, is actually the Nava Patrika or the nine forms of Durga. Nava means Nine and Patrika means Leaves. Nine different types of leaves are collected and worshiped.
Banana with stem and leaves or plantain symbolically represents Brahmani.
Taro or Colacassia or Arvi or Kochu leaves. This represents Kali.
Turmeric represents Durga.
Jayanti represents Karttiki. This tree is helpful in fixing the nitrogen in the atmosphere.
Wood apple or Bilva represents Shivaa, the female form of Shiva.
Pomegranate, locally known as dalimba, represents Raktadantika.
Ashoka represents Sokarahita.
Maan Kochu (no idea what the English word is), represents Chamunda.
Rice paddy represents Lakshmi.
Durga the name can also mean : "Du" represents the four devils of poverty, sufferings, famine and evil habits. "R" refers to diseases. "Ga" is the destroyer of sins, of injustice, of irreligion, of cruelty, and of laziness. Her entire name means 'invincible'.
Shiva is a very popular well worshiped God. Ravana in Ramayana worshipped him. Arjuna worshipped him in Mahabaharat. As iconography goes, Durga, the supreme female force became the female force of the supreme male force , Shiva.
Ine Bengal we have Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartikeya depicted as Durga's children.
Ganesha is the formless Divinity - encapsulated in a magnificent form, for the benefit of the devotee.
Gan means group. The universe is a group of atoms and different energies. This universe would be in chaos if there was no supreme law governing these diverse groups of entities.
The Lord of all these groups of atoms and energies is Ganesha.
He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe.
The mouse as the Lord's mode of transport magnifies the challenge that a spiritual person faces when trying to communicate the knowledge of the infinite Self through the finite equipments of body, mind and intellect. Atman cannot be touched with the body, felt through emotion or understood with the intellect. One can only become It through spiritual practice.
Kartikeya is an embodiment of perfection, a brave leader of god's forces, and a war god, who was created to destroy the demons, representing the negative tendencies in human beings.
The peacock represents the destroyer of harmful habits and the conqueror of sensual desires. The symbolism of Kartikeya thus points to the ways and means of reaching perfection in life.
Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual
The Owl is a bird that sleeps during the day and prowls through the night. This is because it can only see in the dark, and goes blind in the day. This partial blindness in the creature is actually indicative of a sadhaka's (seeker) tendency of going toward the pursuit of secular instead of spiritual wealth.
The owl, in the Bhagavad Gita, is likened to an enlightened sthita prajna (the one who remains unwavering to any situation, whether it be happy or sad). Goddess Lakshmi is also said to be the mistress of spiritual wisdom.
By keeping the owl as her vehicle, she teaches us to open our eyes to the light of the wisdom residing within us. This Karunamayi (compassionate One) Mother, hence, symbolically keeps ignorance under her control.
The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.
The Goddess is shown playing a musical instrument that is held in Her front hands, which denote mind and intellect. This symbol conveys that the seeker must tune his mind and intellect in order to live in perfect harmony with the world. Such harmonious living enables the individual to utilize acquired knowledge for the welfare of all mankind.
A swan is said to have a sensitive beak that enables it to distinguish pure milk from a mixture of milk and water. A swan, therefore, symbolizes the power of discrimination, or the ability to discriminate between right and wrong or good and bad. Saraswati uses the swan as Her carrier. This indicates that one must acquire and apply knowledge with discrimination for the good of mankind. Knowledge that is dominated by ego can destroy the world.
This completes my write up on Durga. Time for celebrations. Welcome the Mother. Celebrate and Rejoice with the Mother.
BOLO DURGA MAI KI - JAI
This is huge source of Knowledge ...I can't remember all these but I love reading this.
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