Thursday 30 June 2016

WHY MALA HAS 108 BEADS? SIGNIFICANCE OF 108 BEADS IN A MALA



Introduction
Mala denote a “garland of beads” which is used for counting the mantra repetitions in mediation. It is also known as Japa Mala and the process of repeating mantra is called “Japa”.  A  Japa Mala consists of 108 beads plus 1 (for guru bead) with a knot between the beads. The number 108 has several meanings and interpretations. For years it has been considered a sacred number in many religions and in yoga also.

Why Mala has 108 beads
Today I am going to discuss the significance of 108 beads in a mala. There are many thinkers who have tried to explain the reason for having 108 beads in a mala in different ways and their explanation range from attributing it to 27 constellations and 4 padas (parts) of each constellation thus deriving number 108 (27x4) or there are 12 zodiac houses and 9 planets which guides us to arriving at number 108 (12x9). Some says there are 108 upanishads while some say there are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, Shiva and Shakti (54x2=108).
For me, 108 beads represent the entire universe. This is due to the reason that 108 is a multiple of number 9 and when you total the numbers in 108 it comes to 9 (1+0+8=9). 9 is a mystic number. The number 108 is derived from number 9. The universe consists of three factors, time, space and causation. There are three gunas prevalent in universe known as sattva, rajas and tamas. The universe is constituted of the three functions - creation, preservation and destruction. If we total all these components, we come to derivation of 9 which is also attained when we total all the numbers in 108. Number 9 is a universal number and signifies completion and salvation. All the multiples of number 9 add up to 9 when each digit is separately added. This shows yet another characteristic of Number 9. Number 9 is the number that has the potential to absorb everything. All vices and good deeds are absorbed in it.
Having 108 beads in mala shows the number of techniques of meditation available with a devotee. These 108 beads representing techniques of mediation represent an essential part of the entire universe. Whenever we count these beads, we are remembering the presence of deity who is the Universal self in every part of the universe and by each cycle of repetition, we are covering the entire universe through feeling and touching the presence of deity of the mantra in it. The 109th bead is knotted to the mala which is known by different names like Sumeru Bead, Meru Bead or Guru Bead. This bead is never crossed when doing the mantras using mala. Instead the mala is turned around so that the next round of counting starts with 108th bead. This bead symbolizes that Master is the force beyond the universe and is crucial in attaining spiritual objectives of the student.  
If we interpret number 108 from a numerological perspective, number 1 represents Sun which is the symbolism of start of the day, i.e. birth and number 8 represents Saturn which is the symbolism of sunset, i.e. death and number 0 is infinity which is the universal self that does not change with life or birth.  The ultimate goal of human life for which we have attained human body is to come out of this cycle of birth and death. By contemplating the mantra of our deity through using mala, we try to associate our self with the universal force which is eternal, unchanging and which can help us in getting out of this cyclical nature of birth and death.
What String and Knot of Mala denote?
The string of the mala is symbolic of whole Universe which is manifested by God. It holds and supports the beads which show that there is an invisible force that supports or sustains every part and every being of the universe. The circular arrangement of beads in the mala is a representation of cyclical nature of universe without an end or a beginning. In this cyclical nature of birth and death, the universal self is the only unchanging principle.
If you have seen a rudraksha or any other mala, you must have noticed that a knot is kept between the beads. There is a scientific reason for this also. Knot is kept between the beads to ensure that they should not touch each other so as to avoid the distraction that may be caused due to frictional sound of bead during meditation.  Knot signifies the divine link present between all beings of this universe. It reminds us that all of us are strung in the thread of the Universal Self like the beads are strung by thread in the mala.

Choosing the right type of Mala and importance of energization of mala
There are many different types of mala that are used for different deities. For example, for worshipping Lord Vishnu, use of Tulsi (holy basil) mala is recommended. For Maa Lakshmi, lotus seed mala/sphatik (crystal) mala is recommended. For worshipping Maa Durga, Red Sandalwood mala is recommended. For worshipping Lord Shiva, Rudraksha mala is recommended. In my opinion, Rudraksha mala is best to do mantra chanting for any deity. An important aspect is that this mala should be properly energized and then it would enhance its effects many times.
Precautions for using Mala
There are many people who use to wear the same mala which they are using for meditation purpose. This should not be done due to the reason that spiritual energy is stored in the mala when we chant mantras or meditate using this mala. So if you want to wear mala also, then you should have one separate mala which is used for wearing only.
It is also important that you should not exchange the mala you wear or use for mantras with anyone else because when you use a mala, a special bonding gets developed between you and your mala. It carries your positive aura and that is why it should not be shared with anyone.
When you are not using mala, keep it inside a cloth bag at a sacred place to show respect and gratitude towards the mala as it is going to be a guiding force in your spiritual journey. You can contact us for getting all types of energized mala.  


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Hari Om Tat Sat

Acharya Vikas Malhotra

Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC)

lalkitabastro.com


 


Saturday 18 June 2016

Lal Kitab Mantra to remove obstructions in Love Marriage




Mantras are mystic sounds which produce certain type of energies. When we repeatedly utter a Mantra we are tuning to a particular frequency and this frequency establishes a contact with the cosmic energy and drags it into our body and surroundings. Thus we can balance the energies and also increase the level of a certain type of energy, which promote certain actions and events. In this post, I am sharing some effective mantras that can be used to solemnize your marriage with your loved one. These mantras will remove all obstacles in your marriage but it is necessary that you do the chanting of mantras with full devotion and in the manner suggested in this post. The benefit of mantras is that they can be done easily at your home without the involvement of any other person.
For predicting love marriage, it is necessary that 5th, 7th and 9th house of the horoscope should be seen along with strength of planets like Venus, Moon and Mars. If there are afflictions on these houses or these planets are weak, then mantra remedies are suggested in combination with other astrological remedies to materialize marriage.
I am giving you three mantras for Venus, Mars and Moon here which can be chanted by both boy as well as girl for finding partner of their own choice.
VENUS MANTRA - “Om dram dreem droum sah Shukraya namah”
The above mantra will make the Venus strong and both boy and girl will develop positive attraction for each other.
MARS MANTRA - “Om Kram Kreem Kraum saha Bhaumaye Namah”
The above mantra will give you courage to express your love to your partner as well as parents and will make it possible for you to achieve Manglik Karya of solemnizing marriage.
MOON MANTRA - “Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah”
It will remove negative thoughts from your mind and will lead to success in your love marriage.
The above mantras are to be recited (at least 108 times) with an Energized (Abhimantrit) Rudraksha Mala. This mala should be energized with the objective of helping you to solemnize your love marriage. You can contact our Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC) for getting energized rudraksha mala.
Additional mantra for Boy
If a boy is in love and is not able to convert his love into a marriage, he should chant following mantra
“Patni Manorama Dehi Manovritanusarinim
Tarinim Durgsansar Sagarasya Kulodbhavam ”
The chant of this Mantra (108 times) should be done on all Fridays in the evening using an energized Sphatik mala.  You can contact our Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC) for getting energized Sphatik mala.
Additional mantra for Girl
If a girl is in love with someone and there are numerous obstacles in getting married to the person, then she should chant,
“Hey Gauri! Shankarardhangi Twam Shankaram Priya
Tatha Maam Kuru Kalyani Kantkantam Sudurlabham”.
The chant of this Mantra (108 times) should be done on all Mondays in the morning using an energized Rudraksha mala. 

Acharya Vikas Malhotra
Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC)
lalkitabastro.com

Thursday 16 June 2016

HAPPY NIRJALA EKADASHI 2016

Introduction of this festival

Nirjala Ekadashi is the most important and significant Ekadashis out of all twenty four Ekadashis in a year. Nirjala means without water and Nirjala Ekadashi fasting is observed without water and any type of food. Nirjala Ekadashi Vratam is the toughest among all Ekadashi fasting due to strict fasting rules. Devotees abstain not only from food but also from water while observing Nirjala Ekadashi Vrat.

Benefits of this ekadashi

Devotees who are unable to observe all twenty fours Ekadashi fasting in a year should observe single Nirjala Ekadashi fasting as fasting on Nirjala Ekadashi brings all benefits of twenty four Ekadashi fasting in a year.

Legend associated with Nirjala Ekadashi

Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Pandava Ekadashi and Bhimseni or Bhima Ekadashi due to one legend associated with Nirjala Ekadashi. Bhimsen, the second Pandava brother and voracious eater, was not able to control his desire of having food and was not able observe Ekadashi fasting. Except Bhima, all Pandava brothers and Draupadi used to observe all Ekadashi fasting. Bhima, being upset due to his weak determination and doing a dishonor to Lord Vishnu, met Maharishi Vyasa to find some solution. Sage Vyasa advised Bhima to observe single Nirjala Ekadasi fasting to compensate for not observing all Ekadashi fasting in a year. Due to this legend Nirjala Ekadashi is also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi or Pandava Ekadashi.

How Nirjala Ekadashi should be celebrated

I am sharing here some of the very simple remedies that can be done by all to celebrate Nirjala Ekadashi. I understand that each and every person is not able to keep fast or be without water but do not worry. What matters is your devotion, sincerity and trust in God. The word “Upavas” means residing near yourself, when you are at your center. There you find that God is already near you, residing in you, breathing along with you. So I am against all those traditional pundits, astrologers and so called saints who exploit you for their own sake. In my view, whatever you offer to God with devotion, love and sincerity, He accepts it. So if you are not able to do fast on this day, do not worry. I am giving you tried and tested ways through which you can offer your prayers to Lord Hari.
1. First of all offer Puja to Lord Vishnu and seek His grace. For this purpose, you can bath the idol of Lord Vishnu if you have at your place with Panchamrit or if you have Shaligram in your house, you can bath it with Panchmrit consisting of water, milk, curd, ghee and honey/sugar. I believe that when Lord Hari puts His blessings on an individual, then he gets the chance to establish Shaligram at his house. Soon I will update my website with an article that highlights thousands of benefits of having Shaligram in your house. There are many people who have established Laddu Gopal in their house, then you can dress them in new clothes.
2. Suppose you do not have any idols or Shaligram in your house, then you can offer your prayer to Lord Hari by visualizing His picture or by seeing His picture. I am also sharing a good picture in this post and if you do not have any picture you can offer prayers to this one also. You can offer flowers, incense, water, lamps and a hand fan to Lord Hari or alternatively you can give these articles in temple. If possible you can worship Lord Vishnu by using Durva grass.
3. Most important you listen to Lord Hari bhajans or chant Mahamantra “Hare Krishna Hare Rama”, the whole mantra is given below for your reference.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare !
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare !!
Chanting Hare Krishna gets you out of the endless cycle of birth and death.
It is the most effective means of self-realization in the present Age of Quarrel. Nothing else works nearly as well. Chanting Hare Krishna cleanses the heart of all illusions and misunderstandings. By chanting Hare Krishna, you become free from all anxieties.
4. You should avoid having rice on this day as eating rice is prohibited on Ekadashi. I will discuss in detail the scientific significance of not eating rice and other grains on this day in one of my future posts but at present my schedule is very hectic so I am not able to deal with this subject here in detail but surely I will spare some time and will discuss with you why we should not have rice and other grains on Ekadashi.
5. The celebration of this Ekadashi would not be complete unless and until you donate some amount according to your capacity to nearby temple or poor people. For this day, I would suggest you a very simple remedy which will bestow thousands of benefits to you. What you can do is that you can take small pet bottles of lemon water/frooti/flavored milk or you can prepare sweet milk with Rooh Afza at your home and serve it to people especially poor people. It will give you tremendous satisfaction and above all you will see that you are able to quench the thirst of poor people with your hard earned money. Serving people is a mode of serving God.


HAPPY EKADASHI TO ALL OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
Acharya Vikas Malhotra
Lal Kitab Astro Centre (LKAC)
lalkitabastro.com