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UTTANA DWADASI (Thulasi festival) - Significance

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Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi known as Prabhodini Ekaadasi marks the last day of sacred Chaturmaasya Vratha. Lord Vishnu who enters into Yoganidra (Hari Sayani) on the day of Aashaada Sukla Ekaadasi; will change His direction (Parivarthini) on the day of Bhaadrapada Sukla Ekaadasi; gets consciousness (Prabhodini) on the day of Karthika Sukla Ekaadasi and gets up (Uttana) from His Yoganidra on the day of Karthika Sukla Dwaadasi (Uttana). Chaaturmaasam is the period when Lord SriManNarayana enters into Yoga-Nidra. It doesn't mean that He sleeps like mortals. Guruh gurutamo dhaamah satyah satya-paraakramah Nimisho-a-nimishah sragvee vaachaspatir-udaaradhiih Sri Vishnu Sahasranama stothram (sloka #23) describes Lord Vishnu as Animishah, the one who is ever awake, ever alert, and ever vigilant; the one who keeps a continuous vigil on his devotees. Uttana Dwaadasi is also known as Ksheeraabdhi Dwaadasi as this day marks the beginning of Ksheera Saagara Mathana. This day ...

PRALAYA - THE DELUGE (Concept & Significance)

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What is Pralaya? Doomsday known in Hindu terminology as Pralaya is a Sanskrit word. Pra means conspicuous; prominent; notorious; great; noticeable; unique and Laya means destruction; deluge; dissolution; death; annihilation; Pralaya means destruction of the world. On an individual plane Pralaya means death and on mundane surface it is death and destruction of both living and non living things. Pralaya very much co-terminates with the concept of eternal Time that refers to the end of world after a cycle of ages. It cannot occur as and when one wants it. It has separate arithmetic known as Kaala Ganana (reckoning of time) and will happen accordingly at a specific time set by the Kaala Niyaamaka; the governing lord and Presiding Deity of the eternal time Lord Sri ManNaaryaana; the divine law maker and law giver. Time is controlled by Kaalapurusha; the presiding Deity of eternal Time, Lord Vishnu the Kaala. He is creator of Time and also one who causes repetition of Ti...