Bhagya and Karma : The Vicious Circle of Maya

Bhagya-Vaad and Karma-Vaad : These are the two conflicting views which people always have. The bhagyavaadi people say that everything is pre decided and will happen as per our luck, the second cult say that everything is in our hand, what we do , is what happens.


Actually , both the philosophies talk about the same truth, ironically people will not understand this easily.


The Hindu philosophy of karma and bhagya goes like this:
=> When one takes birth, he is assigned a portion of the karma stock he has accumulated in his previous births.This assigned portion is called "Prarabdh Karma", which we call as bhagya, luck, destiny. The person takes birth in a family , his health, wealth, wisdom, happiness and problems, all are as per this assigned karma stock called "Prarabdh".
=> The complete stock of karmas which one has accumlated so far is called, "Sanchit Karma". Prarabdh is a portion taken out from this Sanchit Karma and allocated to a particular birth.
=> The good/bad deeds which one does in the current birth are known as "Kriyamaan Karma".


(*)Kabeer has very well explained this in the following doha:
"Prarabdh pahile bana, peeche bana sareer ; kabeer achambha hai yahi, man nahin bandhe dheer"
 Meaning: Prarabhdha is decided , before we take birth, this is the strange reality of this world, but still our mind does not undertand this and is always impatient about the future.


Now the two most common questions which arise are:


1)If everything has to happen as per "Prarabdh Karma" then what are we doing here?
Yes, everything happens as per prarabdha karma, but the Kriyaaman karmas also have their effects and role to play. 

(*)Kabeer explains it like this:

"Keenhe bina upaye kachu, Dev kabhu naa det ; Khet beej bove nahin, to kyun jamen khet "

Meaning: Without one's endeavour, even the gods do not give anything. Why would a field yield, if no seeds have been sown in it.

2)Can pujas/rituals/remedies and/or our present karma help us in evading past karamas?


Astrological/Tantrik/Relgious texts do mention about pujas, rituals , fasts and remedial measures to reduce the karmic influences of prarabdh karma. Yes, they help us reduce karmic influences, but it is like creating positive energy to counter-act the negative energy of our bad deeds. The karmic energy of bad deeds do not reduce, they are intact; it is only that we create some positive energy to help us .


It is like, if you are destined to be hurt by a sword, You will surely get hurt, but at the same time in case you have done some positive karma/remedies you would get some one who would look after for you and help you till you heal.


Also our present karmas can help us. Example, if  a person is destined to be poor, he will be poor. But if he does a lot of hard work to earn money, he can get a little more than what he was supposed to get, since the present karmas also count. The only thing is that Kriyaaman Karma take their time to give effects, just as, we sow a seed today, but we have to wait for years to get the fruits. So it is more of the prarabdh karma which has hold on us, then the kriyaaman karma.

(*)Kabeer explains it better:

"Likha mite nahin karm ka, guru kar bhaj hari naam ; seedhe maarg nit chale, daya dharm visraam"

Meaning: Fruits of our karmas can not be averted, so it is advised to be in the shelter of Guru and always chant the name of God, while doing good deeds and following the path pf dharma and mercy.

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Here I would give the example of Shree RaamKrishna Paramhansa, he was a sidh tantrik and his followers considered him to be an incarnation of God.He has been the most famous devotee of Maa Kali. 
He died due to throat cancer, and was unable to talk , eat and drink in his last days.
During this time, he was asked by his devotees that, you are a sidha, Maa Kali talks to you, (it is believed that Maa used to appear to RamKrishna Paramhans, and accept the kheer as offering from him daily) why don't you ask her to cure this cancer. We all can not see you in this state. 
On this, he laughed and told his devotees that, yes Kali can cure this throat cancer for me, but this is my Karma, If I don't bear it now, I will have to take birth again, just to finish this off. So , I choose to suffer and finish up this karmic debt of mine, so that I can attain Moksha.
****************************************************************************************


=> In a nutshell, It is only our Karma which is responsible for each and everything which happens to us, whether it is sanchit karma, prarabdh karma aur kriyaaman karma. It is a vicious circle of good and bad deeds which becomes a vicious circle of suffering and happiness. So Hindu dharma teaches us to be humble, do good deeds, help the weak, never be proud of your power and misuse it to insult/trouble the weak, and always remeber to chant God's name. This is the geeta saar of all shastras.

Faith on Astrologers

Faith on astrologers:

"Yadrishi bhavana yasya siddhir bhavati tadrishi”

The scriptures say that the type of results one attains depends on the thoughts/faith one has while approaching the Daivagya(astrologer), teerath sthal(pilgrim), devta(God), vaidya(doctor), mantra and aushadi(medicine).

So one must approach for astrological consultation only if  he/she has complete faith in astrology, rituals, remedies and the astrologer.

जानें ग्रह कब देते हैं अशुभ फल?

सूर्य- जब जातक किसी भी प्रकार का टैक्स चुराता है एवं किसी भी जीव की आत्मा को कष्ट देता है। तब सूर्य अशुभ फल देता है। 

चंद्र- जब जातक सम्मानजनक स्त्रियों को कष्ट देता हैं। जैसे- माता, नानी, दादी, सास एवं इनके समान वाली स्त्रियों को कष्ट देता है तब चंद्र अशुभ फल देता है। धोखे से किसी से कोई वस्तु लेने पर भी चंद्रमा अशुभ फल देता है।

मंगल- जब जातक अपने भाई से झगड़ा क

रें, भाई के साथ धोखा करें। अपनी पत्नी के भाई का अपमान करें, तो भी मंगल अशुभ फल देता है।

बुध- जब जातक अपनी बहन, बेटी अथवा बुआ को कष्ट देता है, साली एवं मौसी को कष्ट देता है। जब जातक हिजड़े को कष्ट देता है, तो भी बुध अशुभ फल देता है।

गुरु- जब जातक पिता, दादा, नाना को कष्ट देता है अथवा इनके समान पद वाले व्यक्ति को कष्ट देता है। साधु-संतों को कष्ट देने से भी गुरु अशुभ फल देता है।

शुक्र- जब जातक जीवनसाथी को कष्ट देता है। घर में गंदे एवं फटे वस्त्र रखने एवं पहनने पर भी शुक्र अशुभ फल देता है।

शनि- जब जातक ताऊ, चाचा को कष्ट देता है, मजदूर की पूरी मजदूरी नहीं देता है। घर या दुकान के नौकरों को गाली देता है। शराब, मांस खाने पर भी शनि अशुभ फल देता है। कुछ लोग मकान या दुकान किराए से लेते फिर बाद में खाली नहीं करते या खाली करने के लिए पैसे मंगाते है, तो शनि अशुभ फल देता है।

राहु- जब जातक बड़े भाई को कष्ट देता है या अपमान करता है। ननिहाल पक्ष का अपमान करने पर एवं सपेरे का दिल दुखाने पर भी राहु कष्ट देता है।

केतु- जब जातक भतीजे, भांजे को कष्ट देता है या उनका हक छीनता है। कुत्ते को मारने या किसी के द्वारा मरवाने पर, मंदिर की ध्वजा तोड़ने पर केतु अशुभ फल देता है। किसी की झूठी गवाही देने पर भी राहु-केतु अशुभ फल देते हैं।

अत: नवग्रहों का अनुकूल फल पाने के लिए मनुष्य को अपना जीवन व्यवस्थित जीना चाहिए, किसी का दिल नहीं दुखाना चाहिए। न ही किसी के साथ छल-कपट करना चाहिए।

चार वेद छ: शास्त्र में बात मिली हैं दोए | सुख दीने सुख होत है दुःख दीने दुःख होए ||

कर्मों की गति... 

"गंगा-पुत्र" भीष्म... ने ऐसा कौन सा पाप किया था कि उन्हें शर-शैया का अपार असहनीय कष्ट भुगतना पडा ??? 

भीष्म जब शर-शैया पर थे, तो भगवान् श्री कृष्ण उनसे मिलने आये... 
शर शैया पर पड़े भीष्म ने कहा, " मैं अपने पिछले एक सौ ज

न्मों को देख सकता हूँ... मुझे स्मरण नहीं आता कि मैने कोई ऐसा पाप किया हो कि मुझे शर शैया पर सोने का कष्ट भोगना पड़ रहा है" ?

भगवान् श्री कृष्ण मुस्कराये और बोले, " पितामह, आप ने एक और जन्म पीछे जा कर देखा होता, तो आप को अपने प्रश्न का उत्तर मिल जाता... अपने १०१ वें जन्म पूर्व में भी आप एक राजकुमार थे और एक बार शिकार के समय, एक सांप को उसकी पूंछ से पकड़ कर आप ने जो फेंका था, वो कांटो पर जा कर गिरा और मर गया | उस पाप के फलस्वरूप तुम्हें यह शर शैया प्राप्त हुई है |"

भीष्म का प्रश्न था, " इस पाप का फल १०१ वर्ष बाद आज क्यों ? पहले किसी जन्म में क्यों नहीं मिला "?

भगवान् श्री कृष्ण ने उत्तर दिया, " आपके ये समस्त जन्म शुभ कर्मों से युक्त थे... अतः कहीं उस पाप को भोगने का कारण नहीं बना... अवसर नहीं मिला... वह पाप शुभ कर्मों के प्रभाव से दबा रहा |"

भीष्म ने पुन: प्रश्न किया, " प्रभु ! तो इस जन्म में मैने ऐसा क्या किया" ?

प्रभु मुस्कराये और बोले, " पितामह ! इस जन्म में आपने अपने अहंकार स्वरुप अपने वचन में फंसकर दुष्ट कौरवों का अन्न खाया... और जानते हुए भी द्रोपदी को सभा में अपमानित करने वालों का विरोध करना तो दूर, अपितु शांत रहे... इस कारण इस जन्म में आपके पूर्व के उस पाप के फल को अवसर प्राप्त हुआ |"

कर्मों की गति बड़ी विचित्र और अटल है... व्यक्ति को प्रत्येक शुभ-अशुभ कर्मों का फल... कभी न कभी भुगतना ही पड़ता है... यही इस प्रकृति का अटल नियम विधान है...

अत: हमें प्रत्येक क्षण अपने देहिक और मानसिक... दोनों प्रकार के... कर्मों का... भली-भाँती बड़ी सावधानी से अध्ययन करते रहना चाहिए... क्यूंकि वर्तमान ही भविष्य का अतीत है.

Planets and their importance

Graha Rajyam Prayachhanti, Graha Rajyam Haranti Cha, Grahaeè Vyapatam Sakalam Jagat


Meaning: Planets not only grant and snatch away Kingdoms but are also responsible for existence of this whole Universe.

Astrology and Astrologers

The astrology principles given by our ancient seers are 100% true but we astrologers have our limitations & are not 100% accurate - in spite of all our studies, experience and poojas. Therefore one should use astrology as an additional guide but don't ever totally depend on predictions.

The Jist of Lal Kitab and Astrology

                                                              Bimari ka bagair dawai bhi ilaj hai,
                                                magar maut ka koi ilaj nahin;
                                                duniyavi hisab kitab hai,
                                                koi dawa-ae-khudai nahin.

This is the opening line of the world famous Lal Kitab( A book on astrology based on the experience of a very knowledgeable and learned astrologer. This book was written in Urdu.)


Meaning: The author of Lal Kitab says that diseases( as in problems in life) have solutions through astrology, but death(Destiny) has no cure. Further, he says that astrology is basically like a balance sheet of your karmas , it is not a miracle or some super power(God) which can change anything and everything.


In a nutshell, astrology is a guide which can show you the way in advance , but can not change your fate. But, yes it can help you reduce your suffering through its powerful remedies.

Sankata Devi : Om Namo Sankate Kasht Haarini Mata

                                 Om Namo Sankate Kasht Haarini Mata


About Sankata Devi: She is one of the Matrikas ( Matrikas are feminine powers who helped Devi in fighting the demons Shumbh and Nishumbh). Also known as Vikat MAtrika(Fierce Matrika). She is believd to protect her devotees from dangers and remove obstacles. In her dhyaan mantras, she is said to have 10 hands.She is one of the many forms of the Devi Maa.


Sankata Devi Temple: There is one and only one temple in India dedicated to Sankata Devi. And this temple is in Varansi, UP. I have been fortunate enough to Visit it twice till date. In the temple, there is a big 4-5 feet tall idol of Shree Sankata Devi, on her right is an idol of Hanuman ji and on her left there is an idol of Bhairav ji. There is a big Shivlingam in the temple premises and also there is a Banyan tree in the temple courtyard, which enshrines idols of Ganesh and Hanuman ji along with some Shivlingams. Fridays are special for worshiping Sankata Devi and there is lot of rush on Fridays in this temple.


Astrological Significance of Sankata Devi:


There is a Yogini Dasha concept in Astrology. It is a cycle of 8 yoginis. The cycle is as below:

Name of Yogini	Ruling  Planet	No. of  years in Dasha
Mangala	Moon	One year
Pingala	Sun	Two years
Dhanya	Jupiter	Three years
Bharamari	Mars	Four  years
Bhadrika	Mercury	Five years
Ulka	Saturn	Six years
Siddha	Venus	Seven years
Sankataa	Rahu	Eight years

This Sankata dasha is ruled by the planet Rahu.
Devi Sankata should be worshiped during the Sankata Yogini  periods and subperiods.My experience tells me that also in the following Vimshottari periods-subperiods, Sankata devi should be worshipped to remove obstacles and dangers:
          Rahu-Moon
          Rahu-Venus

          Ketu-Moon

          Ketu-Venus

About Sankata Mata Vrat:     Vrat for Devi Sankata is kept on Fridays. One can keep it for 7/11/16/21/31 Fridays. How to keep the fast depends on your own will. You can do naktbhukt vrat(eating only at night), ek bhukt vrat(eating once in the whole day), Nirahar Vrat( not eating at all) or Nirjal vrat(not eating or drinking anything throughout the day) as per your own inclinations and willpower.


Sankata Devi Eight Names:

सङ्कटा प्रथमं नाम द्वितीयं विजया तथा |

तृतीयं कामदा प्रोक्तं चतुर्थं दुःखहारिणी ||
शर्वाणी पञ्चमं नाम षष्ठं कात्यायनी तथा |

सप्तमं भीमनयना सर्वरोगहराऽष्टमम् ||
नामाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं त्रिसन्ध्यं श्रद्धयान्वितः |

यः पठेत्पाठयेद्वापि नरो मुच्येत सङ्कटात्||

The eight names separately are as follows:

1) संकटा

2) विजया

3) कामदा

4) दुखहारिणी

5) शर्वाणी

6) कात्यायनी

7)भीमनयना

8) सर्वरोगहरा

Best to read them thrice a day in the three sandhyas ( Morning, afternoon and evening). Especially on Fridays.

Recite them 21,27,108 times once/twice/thrice a day daily or weekly on Fridays to appease Devi Sankata.




            Om Namo Sankate Kasht Haarini Mata

The Vedic Aspect of Devi - Devya-Atharv-Sheersh

           Namami Twam Maha Devim, Maha Bhaya Vinashinim |
           Maha Durg Prashmanim, Maha Karaunyaa Roopinim   ||

The Vedic praise to Devi , known as DevyaAtharvSheersh is recited on the ocasion of Vedic Praan pratistha of Devi Idols and yantras.
The formless and Omnipresent form of Devi has been very well described in this text. 
I would quote a small portion of it here. The Sanskrit text is somewhat like this:


Yasya Swaroopam Bhramaadyo Naa Jaananti, Tasmaad Uchyate Agyeyaa |
Yasya Anto Naa Labhayte, Tasmaad Uchyate Anantaa ||
Yasya Lakshyam Naa Uplakshyate, Tasmaad Uchyate Alakshyaa |
Yasya Jananam Naa Uplabhyate, Tasmaad Uchyate Ajaa ||                                      
Ekev Sarvatr Vartate, Tasmaad Uchyate Ekaa |
Ekev Vishwaroopini, Tasmaad Uchyate Nekaa ||
Atah, Evochyate Agyeyaa, Anantaa, Alakshyaa, Ajaa, Ekaa, Neketi ||


Meaning:

Even the Gods like Bhrama etc also do not understand her form, So she is called Agyeya;
She is the one whose End can not be reached, So she is called Anantaa;
Her motive is not known, so she is known as Alakshyaa;
Her birth is not known, therefore she is called as Ajaa;
She alone exists everywhere, so the Vedas call her Ekaa;
She alone is seen in the form of this whole world, so she is called Neka.

Sai Nath - Shraddha and Saboori

Shri Shirdi Sai Baba 

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi descended on the earth to lead mankind to the realm of eternity. As the divine mother He gave his immense love and as the divine father He gave direction to our search for truth.  His mission was to make people conscious of their divine nature. The people who follow His teachings and preaching are indeed blessed souls. The cardinal principles of Sai Path are 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi'.  Sai Baba explicitly asked for these two qualities in His devotees by giving his self-experiential instance that his 'Murshid' or Master asked from him only two pice - one Shraddha and other the Saburi.

Shraddha 

'Shraddha' in a Sanskrit word, which has no equivalent in English, at best it can be understood as, faith with love and reverence. Such faith or trust is generated out of conviction, which may not be the result of any rational belief or intellectual wisdom, but a spiritual inspiration.  Baba sowed the seeds of spiritual inspiration in the hearts of people who knew of him.  This Divine inspiration was so instant and profound that they automatically took refuge in Him.

Baba reiterated that steadfast love in God as the gateway to eternity.  He used the instance of mother tortoise to illustrate this point.  The mother - tortoise may be on the other side of the river, whereas her children are on the far side.  She does not transfer food and water to her children by way of her loving glances.  Yet, her loving looks are enough to protect the children. Similarly, people who lovingly look at God get His reciprocity.  God's looks offer peace, protection and prosperity for His children.  Baba's teaching, both direct and indirect explicate the significance of 'Shraddha'.  Baba reiterates the spiritual guidance of Shri Krishna to Arjun - "Who-so ever offer to Me with love or devotion, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, that offering of pure love is readily accepted by Me".

Saburi 

'Saburi'; is patience and perseverance.  Saburi is a quality needed throughout the path to reach the goal.  This quality must be ingrained in a seeker from day one, least he looses his stride and leaves the path half way.  As a hunter waits patiently and motionlessly for his target a devotee too has to wait patiently for attaining his goal.  There are many trying situations in life.  A test may come in the form of frustration, distress, agony, illness, mishaps, prolonged wait or a loss.  In such moments we should seek support from the Master and hold on him.

If patience means anything it should last till the end, and faith will see us through every turmoil of life.

Ref: http://www.shirdibaba.org/aboutsai/ss.htm