HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS
By
SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA
Sri Swami SivanandaFounder of The Divine Life Society
SERVE, LOVE, GIVE,PURIFY, MEDITATE,REALIZESo SaysSri Swami Sivananda
A DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY PUBLICATION
Eighth Edition: 1997(4,000 Copies)World Wide Web (WWW) Edition: 2000WWW site: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/
This WWW reprint is for free distribution
© The Divine Life Trust Society
ISBN 81-7052-039-8
Published By
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETYP.O. S
HIVANANDANAGAR
—
249 192Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh,Himalayas, India.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
THE HINDUS are a profoundly religious people. Their goal of life is Self-realisation or theattainment of God-consciousness. A religion of some kind they must have—a religion which willstir the depths of the heart and give room for the exercise of faith, devotion and love.All Hindu festivals have a deep spiritual import or high religious significance. All greatHindu festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them. In every festival there isbathing in the morning before sunrise in the river or tank or well. Every individual will have to dosome Japa, prayer, Kirtan, recitation of Sanskrit verses and meditation.Man gets tired on account of hard work or monotonous actions. He wants some change orvariety. He wants relaxation. He wants something to cheer him up. These festivals make himcheerful and happy, and give him rest and peace.InthisbookGurudevhasexplainedthesignificanceandthephilosophyofmanyofourfastsand festivals. In two aspects of these observances, he has always allowed the greatest freedom: (1)inthedeterminationofthedatesofthefestival,which,ashehasexplainedonpage53,vary,and(2)in the traditional ways of celebrating them. For instance, in South India during the Durga Puja theyhave the Kolu when various idols and toys are arranged in colourful galleries before which, everyevening,girlssitandsing.Again,insomeplacesthereisfire-walkingwithouttheKavadi(seepage109), held in honour of Draupadi Amman who was born of fire; or in Ceylon, according to YogiSatchidananda of Ceylon, in honour of Kannaki Amman. Gurudev never disturbs anyone’s goodbeliefs and customs.The way in which the most important festivals are observed at the Sivananda Ashram,Rishikesh, in India is also given in this volume. If we have no precedent, we can as well adopt that.On the particular day, it would be even enough to read the chapter relating to that day, to remindourselves of the spirit of the occasion.Gurudev observes in his Ashram not only the festivals of the Hindus but those of theChristians and the Muslims, too: an example for us to copy. In his eyes, there are no distinctions.The New Year’s Day according to the English calendar has the same significance to him as theTamil or the Telugu New Year’s Day. Hence, when he talks of the Telugu New Year’s Day in thisbook, it can well be read Tamil New Year’s Day or Gujarati New Year’s Day.
—The Divine Life Society
iii
Search History:
Result 00 of 00
00 results for result for
p.
Mrityunjaya Mantra Meaning in Telugu
2.7K
Reads
65
Readcasts
205
Embed Views
Get Scribd Mobile
To get Scribd mobile enter your number and we'll send you a link to the Scribd app for iPhone & Android.We've sent a link to the Scribd app. If you didn't receive it, try again.
We'll never share your phone number.
Recommended
More From This User
Notes
Load more
