religion

Dice, Deficiency, Diet & Divinity – Annapoorna Jayanti

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नित्यानन्दकरी वराभयकरी सौन्दर्य रत्नाकरी
निर्धूताखिल घोर पावनकरी प्रत्यक्ष माहेश्वरी ।
प्रालेयाचल वंश पावनकरी काशीपुराधीश्वरी
भिक्षां देहि कृपावलम्बनकरी मातान्नपूर्णेश्वरी 

O! Maa Annapoorneshwari! renderer of the support of compassion, the bestower of eternal happiness, the donor of gifts and protection, the ocean of beauty, the destroyer of all sins and purifier, the great goddess, the purifier of the family of Himavan, and the great deity of Kasi, grant us alms.

Maataannapoorneshwari

Bharat is a land that celebrates everything and everyone in the creation. Our Puranas ensured the significance of being grateful for everything that we possess and not possess. The celestial drama surrounding the importance of sustenance & nourishment culminates in the joyous observance of Annapoorna Jayanti, celebrated each year on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Margashirsha. Agrahayana or Margashirsha is the ninth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and the name of the month is derived from the position of the Moon near the Mrigashīrsha nakshatra (star) on the full moon day. This day honors the embodiment of nourishment, Goddess Annapoorna, a compassionate manifestation of Parvati. Her very name, derived from ‘Anna’ (food) and ‘Poorna’ (full or complete), defines her role as the divine provider.

The story begins with a playful, yet consequential, game of dice between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Fueled by excitement, their friendly wager escalated until Shiva, repeatedly losing, eventually gambled away every possession, even his symbolic trident and the serpent that adorned him. Humiliated and destitute, Shiva sought the counsel of Lord Vishnu. Following Vishnu’s advice, Shiva returned to the game and, to Parvati’s astonishment, won everything back.

Shiva-Parvati Playing Dice

Suspicion turned into accusation. Parvati, disbelieving her husband’s sudden reversal of fortune, called him a cheat. The ensuing argument prompted Vishnu to reveal that the course of the game was a matter of divine will, an illusion (maya), orchestrating their moves. Shiva seized upon this revelation, dismissing all worldly possessions, including the very food that sustains life, as mere maya. This assertion deeply angered Parvati. To her, equating food with illusion was to dismiss her divine presence. To demonstrate the fundamental error in his cosmic view, the Goddess vanished from the world, adopting her form as Annapoorna.

Her disappearance brought about an immediate and catastrophic change. Nature itself came to a standstill: the seasons ceased, the land grew barren, and a devastating famine swept across the universe. Gods, demons, and humans alike suffered crippling hunger, their desperate prayers echoing through the void.

Seeing her own children suffer, compassion welled up in the heart of Parvati and she came to the earth, in Varanasi (Kashi), and set up a kitchen where she served all those who came to her for nourishment. Seeing this, Shiva took the form of a mendicant and went to her asking for alms. Parvati recognised Shiva and was happy to see her Lord. Lord Shiva finally grasped the depth of his error—that the physical body and the spirit it housed required nourishment, and that without Shakti (the feminine power, Parvati), he was incomplete. Humbled, he appeared before Annapoorna with a skull for a begging bowl and accepted alms from her hands.

Art of Living‘s Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji says, “The dancer and the dance cannot be separated, so also the creator and his creation”. Shiva lovingly told Parvati, “This world and you are verily a part of me. The world is as illusory as the dance, neither real nor unreal. One does not try to understand a dance—you simply rejoice in it”. Anna refers to ‘food’, poorna is ‘fullness’. When you eat food, you can immediately experience contentment and fullness at the gross level. Similarly, anna daana, meaning offering of food, brings contentment in the other person who receives the offering. These glimpses of fullness and contentment can be expressed through other actions as well. Whenever you taste that contentment, it takes you to a higher state of consciousness. An unfulfilled person cannot reach the higher states.

It was on the auspicious full moon day of Margashirsha that the Goddess returned to bestow her life-giving presence upon the world. Thus, Annapoorna Jayanti is observed on this day to eternally honor the deity who ensures humanity is never deprived of food.

As the divine steward of nourishment, Mother Annapoorna is traditionally depicted holding a golden ladle and a jeweled bowl overflowing with rice, seated on a majestic throne. This image is a perpetual reminder of her bountiful grace and the sacredness of sustenance.

On this special day, devotees observe rituals that emphasize purity and gratitude. The kitchen, the heart of the home’s sustenance, is meticulously cleaned and sanctified with Ganga water. Special worship is offered to the domestic stove, and devotees honor both Shiva and Annapoorna, knowing that their combined blessings ensure the perpetual flow of food and water in the household. Cooking without onion or garlic and performing acts like Annaabhishekam (offering rice to the sustainer of life) are revered ways to connect with the divine mother’s abundant energy.

अन्नपूर्णे सदापूर्णे शङ्करप्राणवल्लभे ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं भिक्षां देहि च पार्वति||

Bow down to Mother Annapoorna, you the Eternally Complete (with the gift of Food and Blessings), You Who are the Beloved of Shankara, O Mother Parvati, Please grant me the Alms of Your Grace, to awaken within me Spiritual Knowledge and Freedom from all Worldly Desires.

Rituals & Vidhana

  • Devotees may observe a full or partial Upavasa (Fasting).
  • Many follow a simple diet that includes fruits, milk and light meals.
  • Upavasa is observed with a calm mind and positive thoughts.
  • Upavasa is broken after evening prayers.
  • Upavasa on this day is believed to purify the mind and bring spiritual clarity.

Puja Vidhana

  • Clean the Puja Area
  • Install the moorti or photograph of Goddess Annapoorna on a wooden Peetha.
  • Light a Lamp with Ghee or Sesame Oil
  • Offer Arghya (water) in a copper or silver vessel.
  • Apply turmeric, kumkum and sandalwood paste on Devi’s Moorti.
  • OfferFresh flowers, rice, wheat and fruits as Naivedya
  • Prepare Prasada – simple vegetarian food such as rice, dal, vegetables or sweet dishes.
  • Chant Annapurna Ashtakam, Annapurna Stotra.
  • Perform Aarti
  • Distribute Prasada
Adishaktyatmaka Shree Annapoorneshwari Amma Temple, Horanadu, Karnataka

Skill Development – The Bharateeya Way

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Sanatana Dharma, often referred to as the eternal way or eternal order, indeed stands out for its non-prescriptive and inclusive nature. Unlike many organized religions that have rigid doctrines or mandatory practices, Sanatana Dharma emphasizes:

  • Personal spiritual exploration rather than compulsory rituals or dogmas
  • Diversity of paths—Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and Raja (meditation)—all considered valid.
  • No central authority or single scripture, allowing for a wide range and freedom of interpretations and practices.
  • Cultural Pluralism & Respect for individual choice, making it adaptable across cultures and eras.

This flexibility is what has allowed it to evolve organically over millennia while remaining deeply rooted in timeless principles like Dharma (righteous living), Satya (truth), and Ahimsa (non-violence).

Sanatana Way and Skill Development

Pic Courtesy: Google Gemini AI

Integrating Sanatana Dharma’s cultural ethos into skill development can offer a deeply enriching and values-based approach to learning. Its non-mandatory, inclusive, and philosophical nature can be woven into modern skill-building programs:

  1. Value-Based Learning Framework
    Sanatana Dharma emphasizes Dharma (duty/ethics), which can be translated into:
    • Workplace ethics
    • Responsibility and integrity
    • Respect for diversity and collaboration
    This can be embedded into soft skills training, leadership development, and vocational education.
  1. Multiple Paths to growth and bliss
    Just as Sanatana Dharma offers many paths to spiritual growth (Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, Raja), skill development can:
    • Encourage customized learning paths (hands-on, theoretical, experiential)
    • Support self-paced and mentor-guided models
    • Recognize different intelligences and talents
  1. Inner Development as Core Competency
    Skills are not just external. Drawing from yogic and meditative traditions:
    • Include mindfulness, focus, and emotional regulation in training
    • Promote self-awareness and resilience
    • Use storytelling from epics to teach decision-making and leadership
  1. Cultural Literacy and Contextual Learning
    Sanatana Dharma is deeply rooted in local traditions and languages:
    • Use regional examples and metaphors in training
    • Encourage learning in mother tongue where possible
    • Celebrate local craftsmanship and traditional knowledge systems
  1. Non-Coercive, Lifelong Learning
    The tradition respects individual choice and lifelong inquiry:
    • Design non-mandatory, modular courses
    • Promote learning as a journey, not a race
    • Encourage reflection and dialogue over rote learning

It may also be the worth revisiting Gurukul System of Education in Modern times. There could be many flaws and fallacies but definitely a lot more of it is good especially, the aspect that emphasizes holistic development through close teacher-student relationships, experiential learning, and values-based education. Some key positive elements that will hold our modern Skill Development system in good stead

Pic Courtesy: Google Gemini AI
  1. Residential Learning:
    • Students (shishyas) lived with their teacher (guru) in the guru’s home or ashram.
    • This fostered a deep bond and allowed for continuous learning beyond formal lessons.
    • They not just learn lessons from their teachers, but imbibe their persona
  2. Holistic Curriculum:
    • Included subjects like Vedas, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, warfare, music, and medicine.
    • Emphasized physical, mental, and spiritual development.
  3. Value-Based Education:
    • Focused on discipline, humility, respect, and self-reliance.
    • Students learned through observation, practice, and moral guidance.
  4. Personalized Instruction:
    • Education was tailored to the student’s aptitude and interests.
    • Gurus mentored students individually, ensuring deep understanding.
  5. Integration with Nature:
    • Learning often took place in natural surroundings, promoting environmental awareness and simplicity.

One of the organisations that has evolved but maintained a great degree of these methods and process is Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF), a 66 year old Technical Skill Development Institution. Their philosophy (unstated but practiced by default) – Teach Trainees how to learn, not lessons by rote has made the Institution an unique one of its kind.

Cannot help but mention this – Much thanks to Late Dr Reguraj, who was an institution by himself and the one known popularly as the Guru of Skill Development in India who guided this organisation for 57 long years. Though starting as an employee in 1967 as Marketing Engineer for the Tools and Dies that was produced, he became synonymous with NTTF and his contribution in establishing a value based, hands-on training system transforming 16-18 year old youth into world beaters was immense and it is not just NTTF, but the entire nation that will remain indebted to.

Many other traversed this journey with him with matchable passion towards the Mission of Transforming Youth by Technical Skilling – to name some (with whom I had the fortune of being associated along with Dr Reguraj) Shri Rajagopalan, Shri Venugopal, Shri Arul Selvan, Shri Anil Kumar and many others – mainly the Trainers and other support staff who lived, breathed and worked with the missionary zeal

Amar Akabar Anthonisation of Sabarimala Pilgrimage

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Veluthachan or Arthunkal Church Myth

The priest holding the sacred ‘mala’ removed by the Ayyappa devotees at Arthunkal Basilica.
Photo: OnManorama
Original Content at: https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/travel-news/2018/06/30/why-ayyappa-devotees-visit-arthunkal-basilica.html

A Cursory glance at the article shows how mythical and impossible this part is woven into the Pilgrimage circuit. Pseudo Secularization of Sabarimala by portraying Vavar or Jaicomo Fenicio known as Veluthachan (Foreigner Priest), when both of them were not Contemporaries, to exaggerate separated by yugas, as Bhagawan Ayyappa’s friends, and surreptitiously including into Sabarimala circuit caused what I call Cultural Contamination. Traditions then went for a toss. Until today the advocate for Veluthachan, Rahul Easwar has not been able to explain the significance of removing the Mala after Pilgrimage in Arthunkal Church in Arthunkal.

With Bhagawan Ayyappa’s blessings I have completed 63 Pilgrimage (by 2024) and never once went to Arthunkal. We remove the mala after we return to the starting place, where Irumudi Kettu was performed (Details in my article linked below) and break coconut on the same stone. The practice includes lighting a lamp to the stone on which the Coconut is broken during departure, every morning and evening by the family members. All conditions, reverence that is accorded to the Swamis on Vrat is accorded to this stone. This stone represents the entire group of pilgrims that have embarked on pilgrimage and the pilgrimage is considered over once they return and break a coconut on the same stone and remove the mala.

Sabarimala Pilgrimage – Kettunira or Palli Kattu

But we have Fake Apostles like Rahul Easwar of that reality show’s infamous dance fame. He dared “Hindus with spine to create any issues in Vavar Mosque or Arthunkal Church, then you will see reaction of “Good” Hindus”

This part of article hereon is primarily based on “X” thread by https://x.com/DarkNghtUvacha. All credits to him for this Factual expose of the Sickularisation of Out and out Hindu Pilgrimage. Corrected typos and used high resolution pictures for brevity

“Vavar being Abrahamic” myth emerged from a stage play by nawab Rajamanickam Pillai. Whatever you see in the video is mob behavior without any basis. Not just Vavar (Muslim), Sabarimala devotees have to visit Arthunkal Basilica also.

Seculars have converted a Hindu deity into Amar Akbar Anthony script. Okay, let’s look at how this myth became a reality.

The Pamphlet announcing the Play by Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai

In the early 1940s, Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai, a well-known dramatist, visited Alapuzha, and a devotee asked him to adapt Ayyappa’s biography into a play. Though first hesitant, the dramatist who heard the deity’s account was touched enough to not only create the play “Swamy Ayyappa” but also trekked the holy hill of Sabarimala himself. Without any verification, he heard all folk stories and infused them into his script.

Nawab Rajamanickam Pillai
Courtesy: The Hindu Archives

He wanted an interval bang in the middle of the play and created this Muslim Pirate Vavar character (an enemy from the other religion becoming a bhakta), fighting with Ayyappa and becoming his devotee. This was so powerful that it stayed etched in the minds of the audiences. And this led to devotees visiting the Vavar mosque at Erumeli as practice. Hence this became a myth where people like sheep followed this script, not the actual puja vidhanam.

Mythical episode of Vavar becoming Devotee of Bhagawan Ayyappa after his defeat

You can watch the video by Shri Arvind Subramaniam (busting myth based on Bhootanatha Upakhyanam)

Further Evidence:

Sri Maha Shasthu Pooja Kalpam, written in Kollam Year 1114 (1938 AD). This significant book, authored by “Yogi Baladandayudhapani Swamikal” also says the same: It is a common misconception that Vapuran is a Muslim. This misconception likely arises because of the Vavar mosque in Erumeli. However, Vapuran is, in fact, a Shiva Bhuta, a guardian deity, and a parivara devata (companion deity) of Bhagawan Ayyappa.

Okay this is the last twist : Secular Hindus calling masjid/mosque don’t even know that one should not offer prayers to Allah where graves are present So whatever is happening in Kadapa or Vavar mosque is invalidated by Islam itself.