क्यों देखते हैं करवाचौथ पर छलनी से चांद

करवाचौथ व्रत का नियम है कि विवाहित स्त्रियों को सोलह ऋंगार करके गौरी, गणेश और भगवान शिव सहित करवा माता की पूजा करनी चाहिए। इस व्रत में करवा माता की कथा सुनना भी आवश्यक है। व्रत के नियम के अनुसार व्रती को पूरे दिन निर्जल व्रत रखना होता है। शाम में चांद को देखने के बाद पति के हाथों से जल ग्रहण करके व्रत खोला जाता है।

किसी कारणवश पति के पास नहीं होने पर पति की तस्वीर को देखकर और उनका ध्यान करके भी व्रत खोला जाता है। लेकिन इस पूरे व्रत में छलनी का विशेष महत्व है। अमीर हो या गरीब हर वर्ग की महिलाएं इस व्रत में छलनी जरूर खरीदती हैं। शाम ढलने पर इसी छलनी की ओट से चांद देखकर व्रत पूरा होता है।

करवाचौथ व्रत में छलनी का महत्व इसलिए है क्योंकि छलनी के कारण ही एक पतिव्रता स्त्री का व्रत टूटा था। करवाचौथ की कथा के अनुसार भावुकता में आकर भाईयों ने अपनी बहन को छल से चांद की जगह छलनी की ओट से दिया दिखाकर भोजन करवा दिया। झूठा चांद देखकर भोजन करने के कारण पतिव्रता स्त्री को अपना पति खोना पड़ा। इसके बाद पूरे वर्ष उस स्त्री ने चतुर्थी तिथि का व्रत रखा। पुनः करवाचौथ को छलनी से वास्तविक चांद देखने के बाद पतिव्रता स्त्री को पति प्राप्त हुआ। 

छलनी का एक अर्थ छल करने वाला होता है। इसलिए महिलाएं स्वयं अपने हाथ में छलनी लेकर चांद देखती है ताकि कोई अन्य उसे झूठा चांद दिखाकर व्रत भंग न करे। करवा चौथ में छलनी लेकर चांद को देखना यह भी सीखाता है कि पतिव्रत का पालन करते हुए किसी प्रकार का छल उसे प्रतिव्रत से डिगा न सके।

करवा चौथ की जितनी भी कथाएं हैं उन सभी कथाओं में भाई द्वारा छलनी से झूठे चांद को दिखाने का वर्णन मिलता है। उस घटना को याद करने के लिए भी महिलाएं करवाचौथ का व्रत छलनी से चांद देखकर ही खोलती हैं।

Navratan Singh Mathura  

Karva Chauth – Celebrating Women By kajmani On October 13, 2011 · 6 Comments · In festivals, traditions

Karva Chauth – Celebrating Women

By kajmani On October 13, 2011 · 6 Comments · In festivals, traditions

Karva Chauth is celebrated on the fourth day (-chauth) of the waning moon (the period after Sharad Poornima) in the Hindu month of Kartik. In 2011, it will be celebrated on 15th October, ten days before Diwali. The festival originated as an occasion for celebrating friendships and camaraderie among women. Over the years, it has evolved into a day for women to keep a day-long fast and pray to Goddess Parvati for the health and longevity of their husbands. (Benefits of fasting)

Lord Shiva blesses Parvati!

On a typical Karva Chauth morning, women wake up before sunrise, and eat a meal called sargi, which consists of dry fruits (like almonds, pistachios and raisins) and milk-based sweets given to them by their mother-in-laws. In the afternoon, the parents of newly-married women send a gift in the form of baya to their daughter’s mother-in-law. This gift can be in the form of clothes, money, or traditionally, simple sweets.

The Marriage of Shiva and Parvati

According to the Puranas, Parvati (also known as Uma) was born to the king of the mountains, Parvatarajan. The sole purpose of her creation was to be united with Shiva in marriage. Lord Shiva had resolved not to get married after the death of his first wife (Sati), but the celestials feared that the whole universe would be destroyed if Shiva continued his deep meditation for hundreds of years. The Puranas state that Parvati had to perform great penance and austerities in order to distract Shiva as he sat on Mount Kailash in a deep state of meditation. The tradition of Karva Chauth is perhaps a small form of homage to Goddess Parvati and her determination to raise Lord Shiva from his deep trance.
The spiritual significance of this ‘marriage’ is the union of the ‘activating energy’ or shakti of the female form with the dormant or ‘potential energy’ of the male form. Another interpretation of this ‘marriage’ is that it is the act of meditation (shakti) which releases the manifest spiritual energy of the seeker (sometimes referred to as the awakening of the chakras). The term Shiva-Shakti is often used to reference the inseparable nature of Shiva and Shakti.

Traditional Karva Chauth Celebrations

The women of the community gather in the evening at a temple or a chosen household and celebrate the festival with singing of bhajans and traditional songs. A pot of water, called karva, is placed next to an image of Goddess Parvati for the purpose of the prayers or puja. Women will wear their finest clothes and jewelry for the occasion.

Women gather to celebrate Karva Chauth (Image courtesy Tribune India)

In recent years, the cosmetics and make-up industry markets heavily to women in the days coming up to this occasion. Beauty parlors are heavily booked as women treat themselves to make-up and hair-dressing appointments. In essence, it is a day of rest, relaxation, camaraderie and building relationships for women.
The festival concludes in the evening with the much anticipated sighting of the moon in the night sky. The fast is usually broken after the women pay homage to the moon while viewing it from behind a veil or sieve. According to the Upanisads, the moon is the provider of all food and nourishment – so, it is logical that the fasting women would acknowledge the moon before eating or drinking anything to mark the completion of the fast. A sumptuous meal usually follows, which indeed is a tradition for all hindu festivals and occasions!

Parvati Mantra and prayers for Karva Chauth

Sarva-mangal-maangalye, Shive Sarvaarth-saadhike

Sharanye-triyambake Gauri, Naaraayani Namo-stute

सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके |
शरण्येत्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणी नमोsस्तुते ||

May Paarvati brings good fortune and prosperity (-mangal-maangalye) to all (-sarva) her devotees. May she forever (-sarvaarth) accompanying Lord Shiva (-saadhike). May she give us refuge (-sharanye) in the protection of the three-eyed one (-triyambake). O beautiful and fair-colored one (-gauri), the consort of naaraayan (-naarayani), we bow to you (namo-stute) repeatedly.

Audio – Sarva Mangal Maangalye (edited extract)

This article was originally published Oct 4 2009, Oct 25 2010. Republished Oct 13 2011 with additions/corrections.

Tell us about your Karva Chauth traditions by clicking on the Leave a Comment link below. Thank you for reading and sharing.

• क्यों व्यर्थ की चिंता करते हो? किससे व्यर्थ डरते हो? कौन तुम्हें मार सक्ता है? अात्मा ना पैदा होती है, न मरती है।
• जो हुअा, वह अच्छा हुअा, जो हो रहा है, वह अच्छा हो रहा है, जो होगा, वह भी अच्छा ही होगा। तुम भूत का पश्चाताप न करो। भविष्य की चिन्ता न करो। वर्तमान चल रहा है।
• तुम्हारा क्या गया, जो तुम रोते हो? तुम क्या लाए थे, जो तुमने खो दिया? तुमने क्या पैदा किया था, जो नाश हो गया? न तुम कुछ लेकर अाए, जो लिया यहीं से लिया। जो दिया, यहीं पर दिया। जो लिया, इसी (भगवान) से लिया। जो दिया, इसी को दिया।
• खाली हाथ अाए अौर खाली हाथ चले। जो अाज तुम्हारा है, कल अौर किसी का था, परसों किसी अौर का होगा। तुम इसे अपना समझ कर मग्न हो रहे हो। बस यही प्रसन्नता तुम्हारे दु:खों का कारण है।
• परिवर्तन संसार का नियम है। जिसे तुम मृत्यु समझते हो, वही तो जीवन है। एक क्षण में तुम करोड़ों के स्वामी बन जाते हो, दूसरे ही क्षण में तुम दरिद्र हो जाते हो। मेरा-तेरा, छोटा-बड़ा, अपना-पराया, मन से मिटा दो, फिर सब तुम्हारा है, तुम सबके हो।
• न यह शरीर तुम्हारा है, न तुम शरीर के हो। यह अग्नि, जल, वायु, पृथ्वी, अाकाश से बना है अौर इसी में मिल जायेगा। परन्तु अात्मा स्थिर है - फिर तुम क्या हो?
• तुम अपने अापको भगवान के अर्पित करो। यही सबसे उत्तम सहारा है। जो इसके सहारे को जानता है वह भय, चिन्ता, शोक से सर्वदा मुक्त है।
• जो कुछ भी तू करता है, उसे भगवान के अर्पण करता चल। ऐसा करने से सदा जीवन-मुक्त का अानंन्द अनुभव करेगा।

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In Maharashtra

Jay Bharat Seva Sangh (Lower Parel) forming human tower to break the Dahi handi

Govinda Pathaks forming human tower to break the Dahi handi

See also: Govinda sport

Janmaashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi, is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. The handi is a clay pot filled with buttermilk that is positioned at a convenient height prior to the event. The topmost person on the human pyramid tries to break the handi by hitting it with a blunt object. Mostly nariyal (coconut) is preferred being a sign of purity, truth etc. in Hinduism. When that happens the buttermilk is spilled over the entire group, symbolizing their achievement through unity. Handis are set up around the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda Pathaks, travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.
Many such Govinda Pathaks compete with each other, especially for the handis that dole out hefty rewards. The event, in recent times, has gathered a political flavor, and it is common for political parties and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees.
Some of the most famous handis are at Dadar, Lower Parel, Worli, Mazgaon, Lalbaug, Thane and Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.^[3]
Cash and gifts are offered for Govinda troops to participate; for over 4,000 handis in Mumbai, 2,000 Govinda troops compete for the prizes.

In Manipur

Janmaashtami, popularly known in Manipur as Krishna Janma, is a significant festival celebrated at two temples in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. The first festival is at the Govindaji temple and the second is at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple. Devotees of Lord Krishna gather mostly at the ISKCON temple.

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

In Karnataka, Madhwas , Iyengars and Srivaishnavas, and Smarthas make elaborate preparations for the festival. The idol of Lord Krishna is placed in a decorated mantapa. Bhakshanam , that are specially prepared for the festival, are offered to Lord Krishna along with fruits and are considered to be his favourites. In some parts of Karnataka, chakli, avalakki and bellada panaka are prepared especially for the festival. Hand made avalakki is prepared in memory of Krishna's friend Sudhama. Legend has it that Sudhama had once offered avalakki to Krishna, as it was considered to be one of his favourite snacks. Gamaka vachana and other devotional activities are held in the evening.
=== Among Vadakalai Iyengars – The Pancaratra tradition is followed by Shri Ahobila Mutt, Munitraya tradition by Srirangam Srimadh Andavan Ashramam along with some other acharya purusha families, and the Mannar tradition is followed by Sri Parakala Mutt. It is named after one mannAr svAmi of unknown date who is the first extant authority arguing for this calculation. The tozhappar tradition is named after Sri Vaidika Sarvabhauma Swami, also known as Kidambi Thozhappar, who wrote a detailed text establishing the reasoning behind his tradition.^[4]
The Thenkalai iyengars adhere to the Vaikhanasa tradition.

In North India

In Uttar Pradesh where the lord was born in Mathura, his play ground Gokul and Vrindavan become more crowded and celebrations go up to a week. In Gujarat where the city Dwarka has Dwarkadhish temple celebrates it with pomp and joy.In Jammu,kite flying is an important part of the celebration on his day.^[5]
In the eastern state of Orissa, around Puri and West Bengal in Nabadwip, people celebrate it with fasting and doing puja at midnight. Purana Pravachana from Bhagavata Purana are done from the 10th Skandha which deals with pastimes of Lord Krishna. The next day is called Nanda Utsav or the joyous celebration of Nanda Maharaj and Yashoda Maharaani. On that day people break their fast and offer various cooked sweets during the early hour.

Outside India

An image of Bala Krishna displayed during Janmashtami celebrations at a Swaminarayan Temple in London

Krishna Janmashtami is considered as Appearance of Lord Krishna, and the first ever elected government official in the world to issue Proclamations for celebrating Janmashtami is credited as Janet Napolitano ^[6][7][8] followed by others^[9][10][11]

Janmastami vow

Sri Krishna taught us Karma Yoga. He strongly dictated in Gita that a man is bound to get the fruits of his actions. If he has done good actions/deeds throughout his life, he will get good results. The real meaning of Janamashtami vow is to become Karamyogi like Krishna. One should always follow the right path and never tolerate injustice. Karma yoga is action (karma) performed without expectations or thought of reward. This selfless service of karma yoga is the path by which the mind is most quickly purified and its limits transcended. The karma yogi works hard, both physically and mentally. He seeks to eliminate the ego and its attachments, to serve humanity without expecting rewards, and to see unity in diversity . This enables him to tune to the one underlying divine essence that dwells within all beings. Karma yoga is most suitable for people who have an active temperament. It involves working in the world and giving of oneself in a selfless way. The real essence is to become a selfless Karamyogi.
All advices and sermons Sri Krishna laid down in Gita, every word that he uttered, whether he was talking of Yoga or of stable genius (sthitaprajna), wisdom, always gave inspiration to fight and propelled them against the injustice. The perishability of the body, immortality of the soul, concentration of the mind, and undisturbed equanimity, calm and peaceful disposition of mind – all was to be described and explained in detail by Krishna so that Arjun, caught in the bewitching trap and completely at his wit's end should pick up his arms and pounce upon injustice, otherwise all these utterances were unnecessary right at the beginning of the war of Mahabharata, certainly not so important as to attract the attention of a magnanimous personality like Krishna.
"Dear devotees of Krishna, let us take a pledge today, let us make a resolution that we will not allow even advertently any blemish to defame the noble life of that spotless, innocent, virtuous and realized soul. Let us follow the footsteps of the ideals of great people." Following are the words of Krishna

yad yad acarati shresthasthat devetaro janah

sa yat pramam kurute lokas tadanuvartate

This is thus the preaching of life and the simple solution of finding happiness, peace and prosperity in life.^[12]

Street Plays

Every year for the past few years, several thousand teams of youth perform street plays on occasion of Janmashtami worldwide. These are youth inspired by Pandurang Shastri Athavale, of the Swadhyay Pariwar, to take the message of Krishna. Parallel to the work that Lord Krishna has done by spreading positive, strong values and thoughts in soceity, these youth want to take the powerful thoughts of the Gita in society through the medium of a play around the week of Janmashtami.