Guru Nanak Dev Ji Birth Anniversary

About Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh guru , was born in 1469 in Talwandi. His father was Mehta Kalu and his mother was Mata Tripta. His older sister was Bibi Nanaki. From birth, Guru Ji was seen as a special figure and was God himself in a human form. As the founder of a new religion, Guru Nanak set down strong foundations for his successors and his followers. 

One of the most important beliefs of Sikhism that Guru Nanak Dev Ji set down is that it's necessary to help the needy and the poor. Guru Ji was always ready to help the poor and he served food to them. In fact, Guru Ji often invited the needy and the poor into his house. Another example of Guru Ji helping the poor and the needy occurred while he was a storekeeper. Guru Nanak Dev Ji used to spend a large part of his wages in order to feed the poor and the hungry.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji also taught us that there is one God and he is the Truth and Ultimate Reality. To emphasize this point, Guru Ji said, "There is neither Hindu nor Muslim." In God's eyes, the labels of Hindu, Muslim, Jew, Christian, etc. don't mean anything. Guru Ji also taught that God has created the universe and he is everywhere. In order to spread these messages, Guru Nanak Dev Ji took four long journeys. On these journeys, Guru Ji got many followers and was able to relate his message to many people.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that all human beings regardless of skin color, wealth, caste, and gender are created equal. When Guru Ji left this world at the age of 70, in 1539, he had laid down the foundations for a great religion.

Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji or Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the founder of Sikhism and so his birthday is of special importance to every Sikh. Usually his birthday known as Guru Nanak Jayanti falls in November but as per the lunar Indian Calendar, every year his birthday date keeps on changing. To start with the celebrations, Prabhat Pheris are held many days before the birthday date of Guru Sahib. Prabhat means morning and Pheris, which is derived from Pheras means rounds. In Prabhat Pheris Sikhs gathers at one place early morning at Gurdwara and start singing hymns. The whole procession then moves towards the home that has invited them for religious mean. After the complete pheri, Prasad is distributed among the Sangat. Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday celebrations last for three days and instigate with Akhand Path. On the second day, a procession led by Panj Piare is organized that passes through main roads and streets. The Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib is the main attraction that is decorated with flowers. Passersby pay obeisance to Guru Granth Sahib. Devotees also chant hymns and Sikhs play “Gatka” a kind of Sikh martial art in the procession. On the third day, i.e. on the birthday-date, Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) is recited at 4-5 AM. Then the hymns from Guru Granth Sahib are read which are followed by Katha, recitation of poems and lectures on the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The whole celebrations are performed till 2:00 pm which is followed by Ardas and Guru ka Langar. 

At some Gurdwaras, even the night prayers are done in which path of Rehras Sahib is recited followed by late night kirtan.

Dev Uthani Ekadashi Vrat Katha In Hindi/English

About  Dev Uthani(Prabodhini) Ekadashi Vrat

Dev Uthani Ekadashi Vrat Katha In Hindi/English, Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat, देवउठनी एकादशी पूजन, तुलसी मंत्र, तुलसी विवाह आरती, तुलसी विवाह की कथा, Tulsi vivah in Hindi, tulsi puja, tulsi pooja, देवउठनी एकादशी

Dev Uthani Ekadashi Vrat is one of the most important and sacred Ekadashis in Hinduism. It is also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi .Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat  or Dev Uthani Ekadashi Vrat is observed on the eleventh day during the Shukla Paksha or waxing phase of moon in Kartik Month as per traditional Hindu Lunar Calendar.  

On Utthana Ekadasi Vrat day, an image of Lord Vishnu is drawn on the ground. Lamps are lit around it and fruits and vegetables are offered to this fresh image.In some regions the image is covered with a big brass plate symbolizing that He is sleeping. Bhajans dedicated to Lord Vishnu is sung and he is asked to shed his sleep and wake up and bless people.To wake the Lord, children light mustard torches at night and make lot of noise.

On Dev Prabodhini Ekadashi Vrat day some people observe strict fasting and do not even drink water.In most other regions all the usual rituals associated with Ekadasi fasting are followed.Those observing partial fasting eat fruits and avoid grains and rice.

देवउठनी एकादशी पूजन : सरल प्रामाणिक विधि  

10 और 11 नवंबर 2016 को देवउठनी एकादशी का पर्व है। इस दिन जगत के पालनकर्ता भगवान श्री विष्णु अपनी शयन निद्रा से जाग्रत होंगे और सृष्टि का कार्यभार पुन: संभालेंगे । इसी तरह भगवान आशुतोष शिव पुन: कैलाश की यात्रा पर निकल पड़ेंगे। आइए जानें कैसे करें व्रत-पूजन :-  

* देवउठनी एकादशी के दिन व्रत करने वाली महिलाएं प्रातःकाल में स्नानादि से निवृत्त होकर आंगन में चौक बनाएं।

 

* पश्चात भगवान विष्णु के चरणों को कलात्मक रूप से अंकित करें।

 

* फिर दिन की तेज धूप में विष्णु के चरणों को ढंक दें।

 

* देवउठनी एकादशी को रात्रि के समय सुभाषित स्त्रोत पाठ, भगवत कथा और पुराणादि का श्रवण और भजन आदि का गायन करें।

 

* घंटा, शंख, मृदंग, नगाड़े और वीणा बजाएं।

 

* विविध प्रकार के खेल-कूद, लीला और नाच आदि के साथ इस मंत्र का उच्चारण करते हुए भगवान को जगाएं : -

 

'उत्तिष्ठ गोविन्द त्यज निद्रां जगत्पतये।

त्वयि सुप्ते जगन्नाथ जगत्‌ सुप्तं भवेदिदम्‌॥'

'उत्थिते चेष्टते सर्वमुत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ माधव।

गतामेघा वियच्चैव निर्मलं निर्मलादिशः॥'

'शारदानि च पुष्पाणि गृहाण मम केशव।'

 

इसके बाद विधिवत पूजा करें।  

कैसे करें व्रत-पूजन :-

 

* पूजन के लिए भगवान का मन्दिर अथवा सिंहासन को विभिन्न प्रकार के लता पत्र, फल, पुष्प और वंदनबार आदि से सजाएं।

 

* आंगन में देवोत्थान का चित्र बनाएं, तत्पश्चात फल, पकवान, सिंघाड़े, गन्ने आदि चढ़ाकर ढंक दें तथा दीपक जलाएं।

 

* विष्णु पूजा या पंचदेव पूजा विधान अथवा रामार्चनचन्द्रिका आदि के अनुसार श्रद्धापूर्वक पूजन तथा दीपक, कपूर आदि से आरती करें।

 

* इसके बाद इस मंत्र से पुष्पांजलि अर्पित करें : -  

'यज्ञेन यज्ञमयजन्त देवास्तानि धर्माणि प्रथमान्यासन।

तेह नाकं महिमानः सचन्त यत्र पूर्वे साध्याः सन्तिदेवाः॥'

 

पश्चात इस मंत्र से प्रार्थना करें : -

 

'इयं तु द्वादशी देव प्रबोधाय विनिर्मिता।

त्वयैव सर्वलोकानां हितार्थ शेषशायिना॥'

इदं व्रतं मया देव कृतं प्रीत्यै तव प्रभो।

न्यूनं सम्पूर्णतां यातु त्वत्प्रसादाज्जनार्दन॥'  

साथ ही प्रह्लाद, नारद, पाराशर, पुण्डरीक, व्यास, अम्बरीष,शुक, शौनक और भीष्मादि भक्तों का स्मरण करके चरणामृत, पंचामृत व प्रसाद वितरित करें। तत्पश्चात एक रथ में भगवान को विराजमान कर स्वयं उसे खींचें तथा नगर, ग्राम या गलियों में भ्रमण कराएं।  

(शास्त्रानुसार जिस समय वामन भगवान तीन पद भूमि लेकर विदा हुए थे, उस समय दैत्यराज बलि ने वामनजी को रथ में विराजमान कर स्वयं उसे चलाया था। 

ऐसा करने से 'समुत्थिते ततो विष्णौ क्रियाः सर्वाः प्रवर्तयेत्‌' के अनुसार भगवान विष्णु योग निद्रा को त्याग कर सभी प्रकार की क्रिया करने में प्रवृत्त हो जाते हैं)। अंत में कथा श्रवण कर प्रसाद का वितरण करें।   

How To Observe Dev Uthani Ekadashi Vrat 

Legends state that the consort of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi was unsatisfied with the way Lord Vishnu slept. Sometimes, he remained awakened for days and sometimes, he slept continuously for several days. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi visited Lord Vishnu and complained about his indiscipline followed. She also informed him that several lords, such as Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Devas and Saints, are forced to wait for many days in order to meet him. Hence, they returned disappointed without having Lord Vishnu's Darshan. Furthermore, this neutral situation of Lord Vishnu is highly taken advantage of by the demons. They make the most of this opportunity in causing pain to human beings, thereby leading to the spread of Adharma on earth. After patiently listening to Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu replied that he would soon come up with a solution. Meanwhile, the Devas and Saints visit Lord Vishnu and inform him about the robbery of the Vedas by a Demon named Sankhyayan. The demon had committed this act in order to deprive the human beings about the knowledge of the Vedas and spread Adharma all around. On hearing this, Lord Vishnu promised the sages that he would get back the Vedas. After fighting for several days with Demon Sankhyayan, he was successful in getting the Vedas back. He returned the Vedas to Goddess Lakshmi, Devas and Saints. Additionally, he insisted on continuing with a long sleep but only for four months. This sleep started from Ashadha Shuddha Ekadashi until Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi, which is also known as Prabodhini Ekadashi or Dev Uthani Ekadashi. Various pujas and prayers are carried on this day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The important Pandarpur Yatra also takes place on this day in Lord Vitthal Temple. The most popular Tulsi Vivah Festival and Shaligram Puja rituals also commence on Prabodhini Ekadashi in some regions while in other communities, they take place on the day after Ekadashi. By observing the Prabodhini Ekadashi vrat, devotees believe that they would be able to get rid off their sins and attain salvation, or Moksha. At some places, devotees observe a complete fast, that is, they do not eat anything or even drink water on this day.