[Fwd: aanai pandigai / kAttikai deepotsavam]

[Guest guest]

Sri Mani Varadarajan shared this very nice posting in another e-mail list of

how he and his family celebrate kArthikai. To me, his article paints a very

nice description of the blend of the rich traditions and philosophical

understanding that makes the religions of India in general, and

SriVaishnavism in particular, so appealing. I am taking the liberty of

sharing it with all of you.

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mohan

 

mani wrote:

 

> Dear Friends,

>

> I would like to wish all of you a joyous kArttikai deepotsavam.

> On this full moon day, when the kRttikA nakshatra is present,

> we observe a second festival of lights to celebrate the supreme

> Light who resides resplendently within our heart. The Vedanta

> describes His effulgence as the 'param-jyOti' (supreme Light),

> 'jyotishAm jyOti' (Light of lights), the Original Light of whom

> the lights of the sun and moon are mere reflections.

>

> This Supreme Light shines within all of us --

> 'antar-jyOtir ameyam ekam amRtam kRshNAkhyam ... param-aushadham'

> (That boundless, immortal, unique effulgence known as Krishna

> shines within --

> drink that divine medicine which bestows complete liberation)

> declares the author of the Mukunda Mala.

>

> 'antar-jyOtiH kimapi yaminAm' --

> (The indescribable inner effulgence perceived by the yogins) --

> exclaims Sri Vedanta Desika in amazement.

>

> So celebrated by the ancient seers, this Blissful, Boundless

> Light present within is celebrated externally today. This day

> has such a profound significance that it stands alongside

> SrI jayantI, SrI rAma navamI, and SrI narasimha jayantI and

> the month of mArgazhi as one of those few days when a 'visesha-

> ArAdhanam' (special worship) is traditionally performed.

>

> In some regions, particulary Karnataka, the kArttikai deepotsava

> is also known as 'Anai paNDigai' ( " Elephant Festival " , or Anai

> habba in Kannada). This is to celebrate the avatAra of Gaja Lakshmi.

> On the day she took form, the celestial divine elephants performed a

> tirumanjanam (ceremonial bath) for her. We therefore remember her

> today. There are also some other elephant-related stories that

> are mentioned in this context, and I invite other members to share

> what they know.

>

> What follows is a brief description of how the kArttikai deepotsava

> and Anai paNDigai are celebrated in my family. The pUja for Gaja

> Lakshmi is conducted in the morning and the Deepa for Vishnu is

> celebrated in the evening. In the morning, you take two elephant

> sculptures -- traditionally the elephants were made out of clay

> specially for this occasion -- and place them alongside an idol

> of (Gaja) Lakshmi and Narayana. Decorate them with flowers,

> thirumaN, etc. You can offer some whatever sweets or delicacies

> have been prepared to Lakshmi-Narayana along with the elephants.

> On the morning of the next day (some do it on the third day), some

> thayir-sAdam (yogurt rice) is tied to their tummies and sealed with

> a leaf (you can stuff the elephants with them if they are made of

> clay). The clay elephants are then immersed in a river or tank

> (visarjana).

>

> On the evening of kArttikai, the deepotsava is celebrated.

> There are many details which vary from family to family and

> tradition to tradition, but generally the following is observed.

> The first deepam (oil lamp) lit is the paramAtman Vishnu Himself.

> You should light a lamp thinking of Him, and then that lamp should

> be used to light lamps everywhere inside the house, in the backyard,

> everywhere. Lamps should also be lit on the threshold of the house,

> traditionally with clay lamps. All lights in the house should be on

> for some time that evening. I am told that my grandfather was very

> particular about this -- Light, Light, Light everywhere -- there

> should be no darkness.

>

> Then ArAdhanam is performed and stotras, particularly Sri

> Vishnu Sahasranamam are recited, and during the mangaLArati

> a small piece of cotton cloth is soaked in ney (ghee) and

> is lit in front of the Lord. You can wind the cloth on a stick

> and unroll it as it burns. The ash is worn as " raksha " .

>

> I request other members to share their memories of this festival.

>

> May we all seek to know that Effulgent Light resident within

> our hearts!

>

> aDiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

> Mani

>

> -----------------------------

> - SrImate rAmAnujAya namaH -

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>