The fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu; truthfulness; easy way to detox
The Adiveda Weekly #16
Hari Aum Sadhakas!
The festival of Onam is the most important celebration in the state of Kerala in South India. Like all Hindu festivals, it has both a historical and spiritual basis. It is celebrated immediately after the monsoons, in the Kerala month known as Chingam (August/September). This year, it falls on 8th September.
The Hindu way of life
Lord Vishnu is the harmoniser in the Hindu Trinity made up of Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the harmoniser and Shiva, the destroyer. Vishnu is supposed to have taken ten incarnations to uplift the world and free it from the thraldom of adharma or unrighteousness. The festival of Onam is celebrated to honour the fifth incarnation of Vishnu known as Vamana and to show the greatness of the king Mahabali who kept his promise even though he knew that great harm might come to him. Every year, the festival is a fulfilment of the promise made by Vamana to help the people of the land of Kerala, provided the rulers kept their promises to their citizens like Mahabali did.
Reflection of the week
“When the rulers of a land become corrupt, the land is bound to suffer. Kerala is an unfortunate example of this.”
For your everyday practice
Satyameva Jayate! – Truth alone shall prevail.
Truth is an armour that no evil can penetrate. However much one tries to stamp out Truth, it shall not be overcome. Let us practise truthful speech.
For your health and well-being
An easy way to detox.
Sweating! One of the ways in which the body gets rid of toxins, heavy metals, and other unwanted substances inside it, is through sweating. For those of us who barely sweat, this could hence be a barrier to experiencing better health. If you have access to a sauna, a weekly sauna of around 20-30 minutes (unless otherwise contraindicated) is a great way to regularly sweat and help your body to detox. If a sauna is not easily accessible to you, exercising and building up a good sweat, with a shower immediately afterwards, is another way to support your body’s detoxification pathways (although not as effective as a sauna). How often do you sweat?
By Dr. Poorna Menon, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
From Vanamali Mataji’s desk
Lord Vishnu took on the avatara of Vamana or the dwarf. He came in order to put down the pride of the asura king, Mahabali, who had subdued the heavens and had declared himself to be the emperor of all the three worlds. However, since Mahabali was also a Vishnu devotee, the Lord decided to reduce his pride and give him a glorious opportunity to become the greatest of bhaktas! Actually he is supposed to be the grandson of the great asura devotee of Lord Vishnu called Prahlada!
The Lord took the form of a small Brahmin boy who had just been initiated into the Gayatri Mantra. The boy was supposed to go to three houses and beg for food – take biksha. He went to the yajnashala of Mahabali and asked him for three steps of land. Mahabali who was intoxicated with the power of wealth, laughed in scorn at this miserable request and told the boy to ask for anything he wanted since there was nothing in the whole world that he could not give!
The child smiled his mysterious smile and said, “One who is not satisfied with what he requires will never be satisfied with anything!”
The king condescendingly told him to measure it. At this time Vamana grew to his colossal proportions and with his first step he measured the whole earth and with his next he measured the whole of the heavenly regions.
Then in a thunderous voice he boomed, “Where is the third step that you promised me Oh Mahabali!”
Without turning a hair Mahabali whispered, “Oh Lord if you will only return to your original size, you can place your little foot on my head and thus enable me to keep my promise of giving you three steps of land.”
Vamana promptly returned to his original size and placed his sacred foot on the bowed head of the great king who was determined to keep his promise despite all odds.
Important dates this week
Ekadashi on Wednesday, 7th September
Onam on Thursday, 8th September
Ganesh Visarjan on Friday, 9th September
Mahalaya Paksha on Sunday, 11th September
Full Moon on Sunday, 11th September
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