Dashavatara: An Introduction

[Guest guest]

I have been on this mailing list for a while now but have never formally

introduced myself.

 

My name is Ashwin Sairam and I am an undergraduate student at Mcgill

University in Montreal, Canada.

 

I would like to introduce a new idea:

 

We celebrated "Dashavatara" on Dec 25, with my family and many friends

at our Middletown temple in Ct. To bring you up-to-speed with the concept of

Dashavatara, it is observed in order to provide us, the Hindus, in this

country an opportunity of a religious setting during a time when most other

people are in a festive mood celebrating a religious occasion relevant to

their respective faiths. Back home we could perhaps find a number of religious

things to do depending on which part of the country we find ourselves in.

Here, it is possible that most of us are at a loss to find something of

relevance to do except a blind exchange of gifts to satisfy our material

needs. There is a need to find a theme that all of us can relate to

irrespective of which part of India we come from.

 

Since Bhagavadgita is universally accepted by all of us, it is understandable

that the same forms the basis of this celebration. The event is actually

inspired by the following stanza from the holy Bhagavadgita:

 

"Paritranaya Sadhunam Vinashayata Dushkritam, Dharma Samsthapanarthaya

Sambhavami Yuge Yuge", meaning:

 

Celebrate the promise that " Whenever righteousness declines and

unrighteousness increases, God incarnates on this earth again and again to

vanquish the wicked and protect the virtuous".

 

I think that I have said enough. If you like the idea, please feel

free to share it with your friends. May your home be filled with merriment and

joy throughout the holidays and in the coming year !

 

If you would like more information on how to celebrate Dashavatara or how it

was thought up please email me.

 

Ashwin Sairam <asaira

[Guest guest]

I have heard about the Dashavatara festival

as a replacement for Christmas. My only

concern is this: when there are so many

beautiful traditional festivals in the Vaishnava

sampradaaya in the December-January month of

Margazhi, why do we need to concoct a new one?

 

After all, Vaikuntha Ekadasi, one of the most

special days in the year, falls in this month

as does the Thiruppaavai festival, as well

as aazhvaar moksham, etc. It is my opinion

that we should concentrate on observing these

days to the best of our ability before we

invent a new festival.

 

Mani