RE: [world-vedic] A Hindu Answer to Christmas

[Guest guest]

Thank youf or your informative December "Hindu" festival. My concern is that

it seems to suggest that we have a problem with honor Christ much like other

more sectarian religions may feel during Christmas time. Hindu's do not or

should not have any problem with worshiping Christ for we accept all

representatives of God unlike everyother religionwhich can only accept their

own. Just a thought.

 

Raghunatha Anudasa

 

 

Ronald Landry [webhawks]

Friday, December 22, 2000 7:06 AM

vediculture

[world-vedic] A Hindu Answer to Christmas

 

 

http://about.beliefnet.com/index/index_10003.html

A Hindu Answer to Christmas

 

Forget the tree, wreaths, and especially Santa. With the five-day

festival of Pancha Ganapati, there's no reason for Hindus to feel left

out of year-end merriment.

 

http://about.beliefnet.com/story/59/story_5965_1.html

A Hindu Answer to the December Dilemma

 

Like Kwanzaa, the five-day festival of Pancha Ganapati provides a

meaningful alternative to Christmas.

 

By Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Excerpted with permission from Hinduism Today.

 

"Daddy, why don't we have Christmas?" That question was heard in so

many Hindu homes we visited that, some years ago in cooperation with

scholars and elders, an alternative for Christmas was conceived. It's

interesting that in 1966 the Afro-American community created Kwanzaa, a

social, Black-identity, earth-based festival celebrated each year from

December 26 to January 1. Our own Pancha Ganapati is a festival to the

five-faced elephant God. It is five days of gift-giving and festivities

within the home, especially for the children. There is no need for a

tree (eco-advocates appreciate this), nor wreaths, nor a Santa. Lord

Ganesha does it all in five days of merriment and mirth.

 

Those who have taken up this home festival from December 21 through the

25 have enjoyed it year after year. It can include outings, picnics,

feasts, exchange of cards and gifts with relatives, friends and business

associates. Each day a tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to

Pancha Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Chants,

songs and bhajanas are sung in His praise. After puja, sweets are shared

as prasada. Each day gifts are given to the children, who place them

before Pancha Ganapati to open only on the fifth day. Greeting cards are

exchanged, always offering Hindu wisdom or verse from scripture.

 

During each of the five days the entire family focuses upon a different

sadhana. Because of the importance of this festival as a new beginning

and mending of all mistakes of the past, a festive shrine is created in

the main living room of the home. At the center is placed a large wooden

or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If this is not

available, a large picture of Lord Ganesha will do. Each morning the

children dress or decorate Ganesha anew in a different color: golden

yellow on December 21, then ruby red, royal blue, emerald green and

finally brilliant orange. These are the colors of His five powers, or

shaktis, adored by all.

 

Day One: The sadhana for the first day is to create a vibration of love

and harmony among the immediate family. The day begins early as all work

to design and decorate the shrine with traditional symbols, rangoli,

lamps and more. After a grand puja invoking the spirit of Pancha

Ganapati, the family sits together to share their love. If strained

relationships have arisen during the year, they make amends for misdeeds

performed, insults misspoken, mental pain and injuries caused and

suffered. Gifts are then exchanged and placed unopened before Pancha

Ganapati.

 

Day Two: The second day is devoted to creating a vibration of love and

harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends, giving gifts and

offering apologies to clear up any misunderstandings. Those living far

off are written to or called, forgiveness is sought and tensions

released.

 

Day Three: On the third day the family works to create a vibration of

love and harmony among business associates, casual merchants and even

the public. This is the day for presenting gifts and showing

appreciation to merchants, customers, employers and employees. The

sadhana today is to settle debts and disputes.

 

Day Four: The sadhana for day four is to draw forth the vibration of

joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and the dance. Family,

relatives and friends gather for satsanga to share and enjoy everyone's

artistic gifts. Then all sit together before Ganesha, Patron of Arts and

Guardian of Culture, discussing Hindu Dharma and making plans to bring

more of cultural refinements into the home.

 

Day Five: The sadhana for the final day is to bring forth love and

harmony within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas well performed

during the first four days, everyone is now intensely aware of Ganesha's

grace and their love for Him is overflowing. On this day the entire

family experiences an outpouring of fondness and tranquility from the

God Himself. His blessings fill the home and hearts of everyone within

it, inspiring them anew for the coming year. This exchange of affection

between all members of the family and the Lord is invoked and

perpetuated through the day by performing five special pujas. These

pujas to Pancha Ganapati solicit help from His devas in the home and

establish the patterns for improvement in family life.

 

The overflowing love felt today will inspire generosity in the year to

come, bringing abundance and good fortune. The first puja is at 6 am,

after which each one present gives verbal testimony about prayers

answered during the past year. Hearing testimony strengthens the faith

of everyone. Then vows of sacrifice can be verbally made to improve the

quality of life, such as giving up smoking or other harmful habits. The

second puja is at 9 am, the third at noon, and the fourth at 3 pm. The

last puja, held at 6 pm, is the long-awaited time. The five sadhanas

have been completed. Peace, love and harmony among everyone has been

restored. After the puja and before the great feast that follows,

Panchamukha Ganapati gives His final darshana and prasada to one and

all. Gifts are distributed and joyously opened. Happy children. Happy

parents. Happy God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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