deepavali

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viji <viji123 >> Preparing To Welcome The Goddess

(Deepavali)Preparing to welcome the goddess Vasthu Sastra> DEEPAVALI, the

Festival of Light, brings joy, happiness and prosperity to> every Hindu home.

It is on this auspicious day - on Nov 11 this year -that the goddess of wealth,

Devi Mahalakshmi, is said to visit people's homes. To show respect to the

goddess, it is important that the home be prepared properly.According to Vasthu

Sastra, homeowners should begin preparing their homesat least two weeks before

the festival. This is because a house that is notwell kept will not receive any

blessings from the goddess of wealth - andsuch places will not receive positive

energy.The first thing to do is ensure the house is not damaged and that its

ceiling and roof tiles are in good condition, and that there are no leaking

pipes or cracks in the walls. Such defects should be remedied immediately.A

leaking pipe, for instance, indicates that the breadwinner's income andfame is

diminishing and cracks in the south-eastern, southern, eastern, north-western,

north-eastern or eastern walls will bring hardship andhealth problems.A kolam

at the front door would enhance the merry-making of Deepavali.After repairing

the faults, the homeowner should make sure cobwebs, dirtand dust are removed

from the walls, ceilings and corners of the house. Aspider web is a sign of

difficult times and a likelihood of the head of the house running into

debts.Next, remove broken and unwanted items. These include all disused,

crackedor wrecked items, like mirrors, shoes, furniture, toys, and old

clothes.They contribute negative energy and they do not benefit the occupants

ofthe house in any way. Clear out all clutter from under beds, and from

allrooms and the kitchen as that, too, can cause an accumulation of

negativeenergy.Fused bulbs and broken door and cupboard handles should be

replaced.A fresh coat of paint would be a good idea, especially if the colours

onthe walls have faded or the walls have graffiti on them.> Also ensure the

main gate of the house is in presentable condition, not> rusty or with peeling

paintwork, as such conditions would radiate a> depressing force.>> The main

door of the house, which is regarded as the "face" of theproperty,> should not

be tarnished or dented as such flaws could hinder the usheringin> of cosmic

energies, thus affecting joy and prosperity.>> New curtains and upholstery are

recommended to uplift the ambiance of the> house.> On Deepavali eve, homeowners

should welcome the triumph of good over evilby> cleaning their homes. The entire

house must be scrubbed and washed> thoroughly with water, which is the cleansing

agent of Vasthu.>> Following this, draw the kolam (rice flour pattern)

portraying devotional> themes on the sidewalk and doorstep of the house to

further enhance the> merry-making mood. The traditional art signifies beauty,

gratitude and> sacrifice in every facet of our lives.>> Deepavali is

represented by fire, which is one of the five elements,> according to Vasthu

Sastra, and the most powerful carrier of our messages> and prayers to the

cosmic forces. Of all the elements - ether, air, water,> earth and light - the

most significant is light, and fire is light. The> flame of the lamp has two

significant qualities: it banishes darkness, and> its continuous upward

movement denotes the path to wisdom and divinity.>> On Deepavali morning, it is

recommended the homeowners wake up early and> take an oil bath - not a symbolic

one, but a thorough one. The purpose isto> remove impurities externally and

tone muscles and nerves to receivepositive> energies.>> After the bath, put on

new clothes and tie 11 mango leaves over the main> doorway of the house. In

Vasthu, mango leaves are viewed as sacred because> they attract positive energy

and can ward off the evil eye. The leavesalso> have the power to prevent the bad

intentions or thoughts of any visitor> impinging on the house. However, once the

green leaves have dried up, they> no longer serve the purpose so they must be

replaced with fresh ones.>> The essence of Deepavali is to light up the house

with oil lampsthroughout> the day to protect the property against darkness and

evil - in Vasthu,light> signifies goodness.> Celebrants should wear cheerful

colours on this special day and shouldavoid> grey or black because such colours

dampen the festive mood.>> Deepavali greeting cards and festive decorations can

be hung in the living> area to further enhance the festive mood.>> Homeowners

should remember that whenever they create beauty, they areasking> the goddess

Devi Mahalakshmi to bestow her blessings. She is the goddessof> auspicious

wealth and manifest beauty and everything in our visiblereality> is a

manifestation of her.>> Before the first meal is served on Deepavali day, it is

vital theoccupants> of a property perform prayers and seek forgiveness from

their elders. And> when treating guests to a sumptuous feast, the homeowner

should not forget> to conclude proceedings with traditional sweets so that

guests return with> sweet memories.>>> T. Selva, The Star's Maritime Editor,

has spent years researching this> ancient Indian science of construction,

better known as 'Indian fengshui'.> He is a student of 7th generation Vasthu

Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from> Chennai, India. He can be contacted at

tselvas (AT) thestar (DOT) com.my.