Wedding

Drupada sent a messanger to the Pandavas. He had invited them and his daughter to his palace for a feast after the swayamvara. Pandavas left for the palace in the chariots that had been brought for them. Drupada to test the Pandavas kept in his house articles of agriculture, weapons and scriptures along with food and drink. He wanted the Pandavas to disclose their identifty to him. Kunti and Draupdi went into the inner part of the palace.  The ladies there bathed and decorrated both Kunti and Draupadi. The Pandavas sat on the provided seats like kings. The king then asked the Pandavas to tell who they really were.

Yudhistira then introduced all. Drupada then wanted to know how they had escaped the house of lac. Yudhistira was then told that Arjuna needed to get ready and wed Draupadi as per scriptures. Yudhistira said the princess needed to marry all five of them and walk around the fire with all five of them.

The sage Vyasa then came there and told Drupada not to worry. Draupdi was to marry and have husbands.

Yudhistira then said he had heard of a lady called Jatila who had married seven sages.

Vyasa then told Drupada that once Yama, God of death, let off killing humans. People started increasing on the planet. The Gods then went to Brahma and asked him to do something and maintain the balance. Yama, Brahma said, was busy in a sacrifice. Once that was over, he would resume his duties. The Gods then went to Yama. Indra sawa  golden lotus floating in the river. He wanted to know where it was going and followed it. He saw a woman washing herself in the river. She was glowing like fire, and was weeping. Her tears were falling in the water and becoming golden lotuses. Indra asked her who who she and why was crying. The woman told Indra to follow her. He soon saw a handsome young man and a young woman playing dice. They were engrossed in their game and did not care about Indra. Indra was angry at being ignored. The young man was actually Shiva. He cast a glance at Indra, and Indra froze. When the game was over, Shiva told the weeping woman to get Indra there. At a touch of the weeping woman, Indra fell on the earth. Indra was then told by Shiva, that he along with other Gods would be born on earth as Pandavas. The weeping woman, who was foutune, would also be born as the common wife of all. Indra then went to Vishnu who then told him that he would be born as sons of Devaki and Rohini.

Vyasa said it was told that Draupdi would be a common wife and that so one could deny that. Vyasa also told Drupada, how in a previuous birth, Draupdi had been given a boon of five husbands by Shiva.

Vyasa then addressed the Pandavas and said this was an auspicious day for marriage. Preparations started for the wedding. Draupdi was bathed and draped in beautiful clothes and jewels. People who came to see the wedding were dazzled by her beauty.

Drupada's palace was decorated with lights and flowers.

The pandavas were bathed and dressed in expensive robes. They, accompanied by their priest, Dhaumya, entered the wedding hall. Dhaumya lit the holy fire. Draupadi walked around the fire with each of the brothers. Drupada then gave great expensive gifts to the Pandavas. Krishna also sent them many gifts.

Vidura conveyed this message to Dhritarashtra, and the king after consultation his near ones, let Pandavas rule over the barren land of Khandavapratha.

Tulsi Vivah - Jalandhar, Brinda and Salagram

The Tulsi plant is to be found growing in the courtyard many houses,  worshipped every day. All Hindus, venerate it , even if  they do not actually worship it. No gardener will cut or uproot it, but the leaves may be plucked by day (not after dark) for offerings.
The day set apart for its special worship is the day of, or following, the close of Vishnu's four months'
sleep, when he is married to the Tusli plant. Here is the legend of Brinda and Tulsi
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Brinda, wife of Jalandhara, was renowned for her beauty and virtue, the latter being so great that it gave power to her husband, insomuch that Siva, who wished to kill him, could not obtain the mastery over him. Finding his only hope of overcoming the husband was to destroy the wife's virtue, Siva persuaded Vishnu to betray her, which he was only able to compass by going to her in the likeness of her husband.
When she found she had been deceived, Brinda built a pyre and immolated herself upon it. Jalandhara was also killed by Siva. But Vishnu had fallen in love with Vrinda, and was so much distressed at her death that he refused to be comforted until the gods planted a tulasi shrub, and summoned her spirit into it. Since then she is believed to come into the shrub every evening, for the night, leaving it in the morning. This is the reason why the leaves must not be plucked after sunset. On the day preceding that of the festival (which may be celebrated on any day between the eleventh and the fifteenth, though usually on the twelfth) the area where the plant is,  is cleaned and painted and garlanded, while fruit and flowers and all things  necessary for the ceremony are made ready. On the wedding day a fast is kept till evening, when, having bathed and assumed white garments, the  priest brings some emblem of Vishnu to the plant. This may be an image of Vishnu, Balarama, or Krishna, but is frequently is the salagrama stone .
Both the emblem and the plant are washed with warm water and the five amrita (a mixture of milk,
curds, ghee, honey and water). Men's clothing, a sacred cord, and sandal paste are offered to Vishnu, and turmeric, red vermillion, the marriage neck-thread,  to Brinda, with mantras. Then, as in actual marriages, a shawl is held between the two, the officiating priest repeats mantras, and, at a signal, the shawl is dropped and rice showered upon the pair.
The Vishnu emblem is made to touch the plant, a lamp is waved round them for luck, and the marriage is complete. The priest receives a wedding fee and a feast is held. This festival is observed chiefly, but not entirely, by women.

The salagrama is a black stone found in the river Gandaki in Nepal, sometimes pierced with holes, believed to be the work of a legendary worm known as Vajakita. Some say the real stone should be an ammonite, others that it may merely bear the impression of one.
It is sacred to Vishnu, as he is believed to live in it.  It takes the place of a Vishriu image at the will of the worshipper, and is frequently used in the marriage with the tulasi plant .
Some say only Brinda's hair only which became that plant, her body became the river
Gandaki, which gives the connection between the plant and the stone.

Deepawali - Day Three of Diwali

There are legends of Deepawali, Legends assocaiated with Kali killing Raktabija, Kali's birth, birth of Lakshmi, marriage of Lakshmi and so on.

Marriage of Lakshmi - Frpm the eighth canto of Shrimad Bhagwad Puran


Goddess Ramaa (Rama or Ramah) appeared , who was the goddess of wealth. Her appearance was a splendour of a thousand bolts of lightning.  Men, gods, and demons at once paid her their worshipful tributes for they knew that a pleased goddess brought mountains of gold and fortune to the devotees. They sought her Grace and glance, for she sparkled with heavenly comeliness, youth, noble conduct, and beautiful complexion. Though she was young, she was mother goddess. Every one of them showered gifts on her, for her grace assured humongous returns. Indra brought her the most beautiful throne.  Ganges was not far behind; she brought what is most sacred to all—that is herself in gold jar for her ablutions. Mother Earth was competing with others and brought herbs for her ablutions.  The cows were thumping and chomping grass to get her out of the way quickly, because they were impatient to get an audience with mother goddess. They brought the most precious products necessary for sacrifice: milk, curds, ghee , cow dung and urine. Spring moved in front of the line with grace, beauty and vernal colours and gave Her leaves, buds, flowers and fruits—a basket of cheer and smiles. The Rishis brought what they knew best: procedures, protocols, rules, injunctions, regulations, and rites that She should  follow in her ablutions. The  Gandharvas (celestial  musicians) next in line saw their chance to goad the Rishis out of their way with their musical instruments, started singing and dancing before their time and drummed the Rishis out of the audience hall; the mother goddess received them with enchanting smiles. The Apsaras came along dancing and singing and enjoyed a second-time audience with Rama. Suddenly there were flashes, the earth shook, the musicians were thrown off balance, thunderclaps came from sky, and yes, clouds were paying respects to the gracious goddess. Drums , conches, flutes and lutes made a tumultuous entry.  Earth was wobbling and spinning with tremors and wondered when they will stop the racket. Then came the lumbering elephants; they were the guardians of the four quarters. The Brahmanas knew it was time to chant the hymns. The elephants drew up the sacred Ganges water into their trunks and bathed Sri (Rama) who held a lotus in one of her hands. The ocean from which she emerged gave her two yellow silk shawls, the color and material that Vishnu liked most. Varuna, the god of water, gave her Vaijayanti, a garland of flowers, swarming with drunk bees, some of which were literally drowning in the nectar. Visvakarma, a Lord of created beings and divine architect of the universe gave her many beautiful rare ornaments.  Sarasvati, the goddess of learning and speech gave her a necklace of pearls. Brahma, the creator, gave her a lotus flower; the Nagas, the serpent-demons, chose a pair of earrings for gifting her.

   A swarm of black bees came out of nowhere and buzzed around a wreath of lotus flowers in the hand of Sri. Her face showed no weariness; it lit up with a smile playing on her lips, earrings caressing her tender cheeks. She moved about like a vine in the gentle wind. There was a gentle and sweet aroma in the air, there was no mistaking it was sandal paste, soon the aroma was becoming more intense and there it was painted on the breasts of Sri, which were round and symmetrical embracing each other gently. There was saffron too keeping company with the sandal paste. Her torso soon tapered into a slender waist which moved like a vine in the wind. As she passed in a motionless grace, her anklets jingled and she moved like a shining golden creeper among the Ghandharvas, Yakshas, Asuras, Siddhas, poets, and gods with the splendor of lightning, eyeing them all the time all around without giving a clue that their every being was scrutinized and put to test. She was looking for a consort who was free from any blemish, who is eternal, and whose virtues are beyond reproach.

Thoughts and emotions were jostling in her mind; externally she was cool as the fresh spring water. This ascetic, what a laugh, has no control over his anger. Look at this sage; he is wise, though it (his wisdom) is not free from attachment.   Her choice was Lord Vishnu. He grants Mukti; his virtues are eternal; he is beyond the gunas: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas; everyone desires him, but he is disinterested.  Lakshmi  placed a wreath of newly blossomed lotuses, swarming with inebriated black bees, on the shoulders of the Lord and stood by his side with utmost charm, beauty, poise, bashfulness, and divinity, casting glance on the Lord and waiting for his approval. Her eyes bloomed with smiles; the smile of the lotus blossoms, which were one of his favourites, was no match for divine and bashful smiles of Lakshmi. She was the Mother of the three worlds and the treasure house of riches, seeking the bosom of the Lord of the three worlds. Was this match made in heaven?  Just by casting benign glances the Mother of creation protected the three worlds and their kings.  Soon after garlanding Him, Mahalakshmi took her abode on the chest of Paramatma as all Devas were looking.

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Many Buddhists in India mark anniversary of the Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism around the time of Diwali. Followers of Jainism believe this to be the day Mahavira attained Nirvana.  at Pavapuri (present day Bihar) on Oct. 15, 527 BCE.

Bandi Chhorh Divas is something that the Sikhs celebrate. On this day, the sixth Sikh Guru (Guru Har Gobind) returned from detention in the Gwalior Fort.

Gurudwara Bandi Chor is built at the place where the Guru stayed during his detention. Jahangir advised Wazir Khan to bring Guru Hargobind in his court at Delhi with great honour. Jahangir had realised that he was wrong for allowing the torture and killing of Guru Arjan Dev , who had not committed any crime or offence. Wanting to exonerate himself of any guilt in the death he indicted the crime on Chandu Shah and other officers. So in order to show his innocence he wanted to meet Guru Hargobind. On meeting with the Emperor, the Guru wasted no time in telling Jahangir that there was no such thing as a bad convergance of the stars.
The Sikhs celebrate this day as Bandi Chhorr Divas i.e., "the day of release of detainees". So in the evening, illuminations are done with "Deeye" (earthen oil lamps), candles and fireworks.
The celebrations are held both in the Gurdwaras and in homes.

Its ending of warm season and beginning of winter. Nature sets itself to darkness representing situations of challenges in life that is neither in your control and  not conducive. This is the time Deepawali is celebrated by lighting lots of lamps symbolizing inner awareness and bliss enlightening our lives with brightness of wisdom.
It is every individuals journey from darkness, ignorance towards brightness, wisdom.
Our prayers for a prosperous and healthy Deepawali for all of you who are so close to us helping in our journey towards Wisdom.

In each legend, myth and story of Deepawali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil; and it is with each Deepawali and the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that this simple truth finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity. During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, joy, togetherness and hope. Diwali is celebrated around the globe. Outside India, it is more than a Hindu festival, it's a celebration of South-Asian identities. If you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, shut your eyes, withdraw the senses, concentrate on this supreme light and illuminate the soul.