Hari Aum Sadhakas!
Next week we’ll celebrate Kartika Deepam – a festival that commemorates the victory of Lord Shiva over the three demons known as Tripurasuras. This is one of the oldest festivals celebrated in South Bharat. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Kartika according to the Indian calendar. This year, it falls on Tuesday, 6th December.
Even though this festival is celebrated across Bharat, it is given more importance in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
The Hindu way of life
The month of Kartika is considered to be the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. The day of Kartika Purnima is so auspicious that any religious activity done on this day gives manifold benefits. It is claimed that performing puja, dana (giving of charity) or snana (taking baths in sacred rivers) on this day is equivalent to performing a hundred Ashvamedha Yagas.
Kartika Deepam is basically a festival of lamps. The illuminated lamp is considered as a symbol of enlightenment. Hence, many of our Hindu festivals make use of lighted lamps. It is believed to remove the forces of evil and lead to prosperity and joy. On this day thousands of little lamps are lit in front of all houses in South Bharat.
Reflection of the week
“The dazzling light of a thousand suns will fade into insignificance in the blazing glory of the Light Divine.”
For your everyday practice
Recite this mantra when you light an oil lamp at the altar.
“Shubham karoti kalyanam, arogyam, dhanasampatha,
Shatrubuddhi vinasaaya, deepor jyoti namostute.”
“I bow to this lamp. May it give us auspiciousness, health and wealth,
May it remove all enmity from our hearts.”
For your health and well-being
Gut microbiome diversity.
One way to better gut health is to eat as many different types of produce as possible. This includes all spices, vegetables, grains, herbs, and fruits. Try to eat up to 40 unique varieties a week, as all these various foods provide different types of fuel to the microorganisms in your gut, thereby supporting their diversity and balance.
By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
From Vanamali Mataji’s desk
Kartika Deepam is also known as Dev Diwali. It is claimed that the gods take a dip in all the sacred rivers on this day so those who take a bath in sacred waters on this day will get their blessings. This auspicious bath is called Kartik Snan and the most important places to take the ritual bath or snan are Varanasi and Prayag Raj. The snan is done at sunrise or moonrise.
On the night of the full moon in the month of Kartika, a huge bonfire is lit on top of the hill of Arunachala which can be seen for miles around. It is believed that the small lamps lit during the Kartika festival are miniature replicas of the Kartika Deepam in Thiruvannamalai. It can be seen from miles afar. This represents the column of fire by which Shiva appeared on this day in ancient times on the hill of Arunachala.
Important dates this week
Kartika Deepam on Tuesday, 6th December
Full Moon on Thursday, 8th December
That’s all for now. What would you like to see more of? Let us know! Thank you very much for reading.
At your service,
The Adiveda Team