Dhanteras & Diwali : 25-27 Oct 2019 :: 2-4 Nov 2020
Greetings of Love and Light
DHANTERAS
The celebrations of Diwali start 2 days before with Dhanteras. Dhan = Wealth. Teras = The thirteenth day of waning Moon. Thus, it literally means Wealthy Thirteenth. Why? Because the Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi incarnated on Earth on this day because of the “Churning of the Ocean (Sagar-Manthan)”. Sagar-Manthan is one of the most important legends of Indian Mythology.
On Dhanteras, as a result of the sagar-manthan, Devi Lakshmi was born and Lord Dhanvantri (The God associated with Indian Medical Science of Ayurveda) appeared with an “Amrit Kalash – Ambrosia Vessel”????. Now, after all these years, the commoners forgot all about Sagar-Manthan and Amrita. All left is the ritual of buying gold, representing Lakshmi; and utensils, representing the kalash/vessel. This is how we forget the real meaning and symbolism of ancient mythology and festivals. All that is left are the empty rituals without the accompanying purpose. Only through the light of “Gnosis” we can once again know and understand the real meaning and symbolism of ancient mythology and festivals.
Thus, Dhanteras is associated with both Prosperity & Immortality. May you have the wisdom to practice ‘Tithing’ – the Secret of Prosperity. And also have the humility and patience to learn the Secret of Immortality taught in the advanced GOD YOGA level – “Brahm Gyan”.
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NARAKA CHATURDASHI
Now, there is one day between Dhanteras and Diwali known as Naraka Chaturdashi or Naraka Nivaran Chaturdashi. Naraka = Hell. Nivaran = Solution. Chaturdashi = Fourteenth day of waning Moon.
The legend associated with this day:
Narakasura a demon king ruled Pragjyotishyapur (modern day Assam). Through tapa and penance he earned a boon from Lord Brahma that he could only be killed by a woman. Armed with the boon, Narakasura attacked all the kingdoms on earth. He was so ferocious in his strength and power that the other kings did not even have a chance. All of them went under the rule of Narakasura. Soon Narakasura was the ruler of all the kingdoms on earth.
Narakasura soon eyed the heavens. Indra, the Lord of the Devas was no match for Narakasura. Narakasura fell upon the heavens and Indra and the other Devas crumbled and fled from there. Narakasura became more and more wicked. He became arrogant….He captured 16,000 women in the heavens and imprisoned them in his palace.
It was left to Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama to fight and kill Narakasura on this day.
Naraka-Chaturdashi reminds the Spiritual Seeker to abolish laziness and evil which create hell in our life so that light can shine in our lives.
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DIWALI
Diwali is of course mainly associated with the coming back of Lord Rama, the hero of ancient Indian text “Ramayana” back to his homeland Ayodhaya after a 14 years exile which his stepmother asked from his father Dhashratha as a boon. And this comeback happened after a great battle with Lanka King Ravana in which Lord Rama vanquished Ravana and freed his wife Sita from Ravana’s captivity. Thus, Diwali is a celebration of coming back of Lord Rama to Ayodhaya by lighting your houses and streets. Now, this is the exoteric aspect of Diwali.
There is an esoteric aspect as Rama is the Spirit (Atman) and Diwali, the festival of lights celebrates the coming back of one’s Spirit (Light) back to his or her body symbolized by Ayodhaya.
Thus, while for the commoners Diwali is associated with cleaning their houses, giving & receiving gifts, and decorating and lighting their homes; for businesses Diwali is the best season to make money (good for economy too); yet for the spiritual seekers, Diwali is an annual reminder.
Yes, the city is full of lights. Our neighborhood is lighted too. And of course, our houses are decorated with light bulbs, candles and beautiful decorations.
In all this wonderful festivities, have you wondered how enlightened is your inner house? Has your RAM (Your Atma, Your Spirit) returned to your Ayodhya (your physical body)?
If your own temple, your Ayodhya (your body) is bereft of your own RAM (Your Atma, Your Spirit), then all these festivities are just superficial.
Your RAM (Your Atma, Your Spirit) has not returned back? You haven’t yet killed your Ravanas (your egos)!
Where is your RAM (Your Atma, Your Spirit) ? When will you kill your Ravanas (your egos)? When will you get back your SITA (Your Divine Soul) from the clutches of your Ravanas (your egos)?
Alas, it is so easy to get identified with the outer happenings. And every year we mechanically follow the crowds.
Wake up. Be awake!
Start working for your own Diwali. So that your temple (your body) may be filled with infinite light.
We pray this Diwali that may all of you work hard on killing your Ravanas (your egos) and getting back your own SITA (your Divine Soul), so that your RAM (Your Atma, Your Spirit) comes back to your Ayodhya (your body).
May Lord Rama guide you and give you strength to move forward on the spiritual path.
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For Jains, Diwali is the Nirvan Day of their 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana on Diwali.
And we wish so you may.
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And of course, Diwali is associated with Lakshmi Puja. Worshipping the Goddess of Wealth, the Son – Lord Vishnu’s consort Lakshmi. Because, on Diwali night Goddess Lakshmi married Lord Vishnu.
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There is one another legend associated with Diwali which is described in Indian Vedas.
Katha Upanishad: Nachiketa and Yama
Vājashravasa, desiring a gift from the gods, started an offering to donate all his possessions. But Nachiketa, his son, noticed that Vajashravasa was donating only the cows that were old, barren, blind, or lame; not such as might buy the worshiper a place in heaven. Nachiketa wanting the best for his father’s rite, asked: “I too am yours, to which god will you offer me?”. After being pestered thus, Vājashravasa answered in a fit of anger, “I give you to Death (Yama)”.
So Nachiketa went to Yama’s home, but the god was out, and he waited three days without any food or water. When Yama returned, he was sorry to see that a Brahmin guest had been waiting so long without food and water. In Indian culture guests are believed to be equal to god and causing trouble to god is a great sin. To compensate his mistake, Yama told Nachiketa, “You have waited in my house for three days without hospitality, therefore ask three boons from me”. Nachiketa first asked for peace with his father. Yama agreed. Next, Nachiketa wished to learn the sacred fire sacrifice, which also Yama elaborated. For his third boon, Nachiketa wanted to learn the mystery of what comes after death.
Yama was reluctant on this question. He asked Nachiketa to ask for some other boon, and offered many material gains.
But Nachiketa replied that material things will last only till tomorrow. He who has encountered Death personally, how can he desire wealth? No other boon would do. Yama was secretly pleased with this disciple, and elaborated on the nature of the true Self, which persists beyond death.
On Diwali day Nachiketa came back from the abode of Death God Yama to his earthly abode.
Nachiketa means “The fire that gives the unquenchable thirst for enlightenment”.
We pray that your “Nachiketa” awakens and keep burning inside you till you achieve enlightenment.
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New Age: Gnostic New Year :: 4th Feb
The Age of Aquarius began on February 4, 1962. On that day there occurred a very interesting astronomical (and astrological) event. The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with the sun, the earth, and the moon, were all found in the constellation of Aquarius. In addition, a solar and lunar eclipse occurred which was visible in some parts of the world. The cosmic event that transpired on that day is extremely rare. Such a congregation of planets occurs only once every 2160 years, moving from one constellation to the next. Each time it happens it marks the beginning of a new era, or New Age, for humanity. February 4, 1962 marked the end of the Age of Pisces and the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. It signifies that the “Pralaya” is knocking on our planet’s door because the new can only sprout when the old will end. Whosoever will use these Revolutionary energies of this new age of Aquarius and make an Inner Revolution by following the teachings of the Kalkiya Avatar, the 5th Manu, Master Samael Aun Weor will be able to save himself or herself from involuting into hell for 25000 years. Because coming of the new age means that those who die now will not get another human body. This human race has finished its quota of 108 human lives. So, wake up and make an Inner Revolution before it’s too late.
Aquarius is the sign of revolution. That is why in every turn of the zodiac belt, when our solar system comes under the sign of Aquarius, a new “Human Race” is initiated. Our solar system completes one turn of the whole zodiac belt in 25920 years. So an era of Aquarius would last for 2160 years from 4th Feb, 1962.
Only highly developed spiritual initiates will be selected to start the new 6th human race – Koradi. The rest of humanity will perish and face the second death, an involution. Although we have not been specifically told about who will be selected but I feel only Buddhas would pass.
Valentine Day : The Day of LOVE :: 14th Feb
Let’s celebrate LOVE.
To all the couples:
A toast of LOVE. Feel it, taste it, do not waste it.
To the singles:
A toast of LOVE. Find it, noose it, do not lose it.
Some moan, nobody loves me. Sorry dear, for me that is irrelevant. What is important is: “Am I in love?”
Am I in love?
Oh yeah, I am in love, head over heels. I am in love with God, with Krishna, Christ, Samael, with Gnosis, with my Mission, with CFEL Sangha, with my wife Monika and daughter Aparna. I am in love.
What does your heart say, when you ask: “Am I in love?”
Are you in love?
Guru Purnima : Day of Gratitude ~ Be Grateful :: 5 July 2020 ::: 24 July 2021
Guru Purnima is an Indian festival dedicated to one’s spiritual teacher or guru. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Ashadha (June–July). The occasion is used to pay one’s respects to one’s spiritual teacher and express one’s gratitude to one’s guru.
That is why in CFEL, we celebrate this day as the DAY OF GRATITUDE
Gautama Buddha gave His first sermon on this day at Sarnath, India.
In the yogic tradition, the day is celebrated as the occasion when Lord Shiva, the Holy Spirit first appeared on earth as the Adi Guru, the first spiritual teacher. Lord Shiva or the Holy Spirit is our very own Divine Father who is our Inner Guru. That is why He is known as the first spiritual teacher or the Adi Guru.
Eid al-Adha : 31 July 2020 :: 20 July 2021
Eid al-Adha (Bakr-Id) ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, also called the “Sacrifice Feast”, is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Abraham could slaughter his son, God stopped him and provided a male goat to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this, an animal is sacrificed and divided into three parts: one third of the share is given to the poor and needy; another third is given to relatives, friends and neighbors; and the remaining third is retained by the family.
Eid al-Adha is the latter of the two Eid holidays, the former being Eid al-Fitr. The word “Eid” appears once in Al-Ma’ida, the fifth sura of the Quran, with the meaning “solemn festival”.
One of the main trials of Abraham’s life was to face the command of God to sacrifice his dearest possession, his son. The son is not named in the Quran, but Muslims believe it to be Ishmael, though it is mentioned as Isaac in the Bible. Upon hearing this command, Abraham prepared to submit to will of God. During this preparation, Shaitan (the Devil) tempted Abraham and his family by trying to dissuade them from carrying out God’s commandment, and Abraham drove Satan away by throwing pebbles at him. In commemoration of their rejection of Satan, stones are thrown at symbolic pillars during the Stoning of the Devil during Hajj rites.
When Abraham attempted to cut his throat, he was astonished to see that his son was unharmed and instead, he found a ram which was slaughtered. Abraham had passed the test by his willingness to carry out God’s command.
This story is known as the Akedah in Judaism (Binding of Isaac) and originates in the Torah, the first book of Moses (Genesis, Ch. 22).
Abraham had shown that his love for God superseded all others: that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dearest to him in submission to God’s command. Muslims commemorate this ultimate act of sacrifice every year during Eid al-Adha. While Abraham was prepared to make an ultimate sacrifice, God ultimately prevents the sacrifice.
According to Islamic tradition, the valley of Mecca (in present-day Saudi Arabia) was a dry, rocky, and uninhabited place. God instructed Abraham to bring Hagar (Hājar), his Arabian (Adnan) wife, and Ishmael to Arabia from the land of Canaan.
As Abraham was preparing for his return journey back to Canaan, Hagar asked him, “Did God order you to leave us here? Or are you leaving us here to die?” Abraham did not even look back. He just nodded, afraid that he would be too sad and that he would disobey God. Hagar said, “Then God will not waste us; you can go”. Though Abraham had left a large quantity of food and water with Hagar and Ishmael, the supplies quickly ran out, and within a few days the two began to feel the pangs of hunger and dehydration.
Hagar ran up and down between two hills, Safa and Marwa, seven times, in her desperate quest for water. Exhausted, she finally collapsed beside her baby Ishmael and prayed to God for deliverance. Miraculously, a spring of water gushed forth from the earth at the feet of baby Ishmael. Other accounts have the angel Jibra’il, striking the earth and causing the spring to flow in abundance. With this secure water supply, known as the Zamzam Well, they were not only able to provide for their own needs, but were also able to trade water with passing nomads for food and supplies.
Years later, Abraham was instructed by God to return from Canaan to build a place of worship adjacent to Hagar’s well (the Zamzam Well). Abraham and Ishmael constructed a stone and mortar structure – known as the Kaaba – which was to be the gathering place for all who wished to strengthen their faith in God. As the years passed, Ishmael was blessed with nubuwwah (prophethood) and gave the nomads of the desert his message of submission to God. After many centuries, Mecca became a thriving desert city and a major center for trade, thanks to its reliable water source, the Zamzam Well.
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