Uttarayanam 2024
The Adiveda Weekly #79
Hari Aum Sadhakas
Let us delve into the celestial rhythms that shape our existence in the cosmos. In this week's blog, we explore the phenomenon of Uttarayanam 2024, a celestial journey that unfolds in the dance of the sun and the earth. Join us as we unravel the ancient wisdom woven into the fabric of our culture, connecting the dots between the scientific intricacies of our solar system and the traditions that guide our spiritual practices. Journey with us through the changing seasons, rituals, and the profound impact the sun's energy has on our minds and bodies during this auspicious time. Let the cosmic symphony guide us as we navigate the subtle interplay between nature and our conscious lives. Welcome to a week of enlightenment, as we peer into the cosmic tapestry of Uttarayanam.
-Adiveda Team
The full blog for this week:
The Sanatana Dharma
The rishis who were the founders of the Sanatana Dharma were experts at camouflaging dry, scientific truths with imaginative stories. They knew that the only way to teach science to the masses was to put it in the form of stories. These stories were woven into the very structure of our culture so that even a small child could appreciate it. So, they said that one human year is the equivalent of one divine day of the gods. The six months of Uttarayanam is their daytime and the six months of Dakshinayanam is their night. So now that Dakshinayanam is coming to a close, the gods are just waking up after their sleep, so it’s very auspicious to awaken them with hymns and pujas and other spiritual practices.
Reflection of the Week
The six months of Uttarayanam are divided into three ritus or seasons, though actually it starts with the last bit of winter also. Phalguna (Vasanta), Spring, mid-January to mid-March, Greeshma (summer), mid-March to mid-May, Varsha, Monsoon, mid-May to mid-July. Each season is marked with a variety of rituals and festivals to allow us to sync our energies with that of the sun. All these benefit us both physically and spiritually. This is the period when the sun’s energies come into prominence and Dakshinayana is the time when the moon’s energies are more dominating.
Ayurvedic health tip of the week
Interestingly, in our culture, even diet and yogic practices were adapted to these seasons. Each season dictates the type of food eaten in different parts of the country. Heavy, greasy food, and foods which create heat are eaten in winter. Watery vegetables to hydrate and pungent and salty foods which induce sweating are eaten to cool the body in summer. Periodic fasting also helps the body to adapt to the changes in the sun’s energies. So we have two Navaratris one during Uttarayanam and one during Dakshinayanam which gives us an opportunity to fast.
Mantra of the Week
Important dates this week
Saphala Ekadashi January 7, 2024
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda January 12, 2024
Lohri January 13, 2024
Pongal January 14, 2024
Books by Mataji:
Hindu Way of Life Volume 1 & 2
We started the Adiveda newsletter to expand further on the teachings written in the The Hindu Way of life Volume 1 and Volume 2. These books shed light given to us by our great rishis was the only way by which we could help all people to free themselves from the burden of a stress-filled life. These wonderful books are available for purchase and can be delivered worldwide.
If you are interested in purchasing copies of any of Mataji’s books, please email: Vanamaliashram@gmail.com
Announcements
Vanamali Mataji in Egypt
In October 2023, Vanamali Mataji was invited by the Ananda College in California, USA to join a tour to Egypt.
Spanning over the course of eleven days, Vanamali Mataji has visited various places and temples along the Nile. She is sharing Her experiences in a series of 14 videos. Videos will release every Wednesday.
If you have missed the first video, you can watch it in full on YouTube or see a snippet on Vanamali Mataji’s Instagram @vanamalikrishna.
We hope you enjoy experiencing Egypt through the eyes of Vanamali Mataji.
Bhagavad Gita Discourse
Vanamali Mataji’s long-awaited Bhagavad Gita Discourse is now available as an online offering. She takes us on a journey of understanding this guidebook and how it can help us live a life in harmony amidst all the battles we are fighting on a daily basis.
Have you ever wondered why Krishna and Arjuna are having an exchange on a battlefield? Or why their exchange is called a “Song Celestial”? Or what its significance is? What is Jnana Yoga? Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga? How can we be better humans when life seems to throw us a curveball? Join Vanamali Mataji as She gives answers to all these questions by introducing the most generous gift to humanity - the Bhagavad Gita.
For anyone interested in receiving the recordings on a weekly basis, please contact vanamalibhagavadgita@gmail.com
The sessions were professionally recorded and are made available on a donation basis. However much the contribution, it serves to honor the efforts of filming.
Click here for the Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita on YouTube!
Where to connect with Mataji
Mataji will host Live Question and Answer on her Instagram page
…. EVERY Sunday at 11am IST!
Vanamali Matajis Youtube
At your service,
The Adiveda Team