Diwali
Every question on the site tagged Diwali, each answered from a timestamped source rather than a summary written from memory.
Computed for New Delhi. Sunrise decides which tithi a day belongs to, so these can differ elsewhere.
The festival of lights marking Goddess Lakshmi's worship and Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya.
97 notes from our sourcesNotes from our sources
Should metal Ganesha and Lakshmi idols be replaced and immersed every year at Diwali?
No — a permanent metal idol of Ganesha or Lakshmi should never be immersed; only clay idols bought specifically for Diwali are meant for annual immersion, while the metal idol stays on the altar and is simply dressed in new garments each year.
Times when the Kalika Kavach becomes vajra-like: grahan, Diwali, Mahashivratri, Sharadiya Ashtami night and sandhi puja
The speaker says that whenever there is a Grahan, or Diwali, or Mahashivratri, or the Ashtami night of Sharadiya Navratri — the time of Bhagavati Kalika's manifestation — and the time of the sandhi puja, if you light 108 lamps as deep-dan and recite this Kavach then, the kavach becomes like a vajra: most ugra and amogh, and when used it gives immediate effect.
Black magic never strikes suddenly: it takes hold where worship has lapsed
The speaker says no Abhichara ever lands on a person "with a jolt", out of nowhere. It only appears sudden for those who have done no worship, path or special anushthan for a long time — a lamp once on Diwali, a little incense in Navratri, and nothing more. Where auspicious energy is not present in proper measure, he says, that is where the trouble comes.
When Milan is most often sent: Navratri, Diwali, Amavasya and Purnima
The speaker says that if you ask your elders, or anyone who has suffered it, you will hear that when Milan is sent repeatedly on a household in this region, it comes especially around Navratri, around Diwali, and at Amavasya and Poornima: some familiar voice invokes a member from outside the house by name — "arre, suno" — calling him by his own name. That, he says, is the first stage.
Diwali-night deepdan for the Kuldevi and the major mahashaktis: when to do it and what it gives
The speaker says that in the holy month of Kartik, and especially in the Mahanisha Kaal of Diwali or else in the evening (Pradosha) time, one should offer a Deepdaan to the major devi-devatas together with one's own Kuldevi, kul devatas and Kul Shakti, in a coconut-shell lamp with a 108-strand wick. He says this earns great punya, destroys many misfortunes, protects from Akala Mrityu, and frees the household from its many troubles and from dukh-daridra (sorrow and poverty). He says the kul shaktis become nourished and satisfied by it and bring welfare in every way, and he asks that this vidhi be done every year on Diwali evening or night.
Setting up the karma-sakshi lamp and the coconut-shell lamp for the Diwali deepdan
The speaker says the first step is to light one lamp as the Karma Sakshi lamp, set on flowers. Then five leaves are arranged and decorated with flowers, and the coconut lamp is placed on them. For the lamp, a dried coconut kernel (gari) is cut through the middle with a good knife, carefully so the hand is not cut; he says it is best if a man of the house does the cutting, since a coconut cut by a man is considered better.
Making the 108-strand kalava wick for a coconut deepdan lamp
The speaker says the wick is made from Kalava (moli), which has three strands, so 36 lengths of it give 108 wicks. He winds the thread around 18 times, keeping it a little long, folds the bundle in the middle to make 36, and braids the whole thing into one long wick that counts as 108 wicks. Cutting that braid through the middle and evening the ends gives two 108-wick wicks, enough for two lamps; each wick is laid in its coconut lamp, and five such lamps are prepared.
Precaution: the deepdan wick thread must be cotton, never silk
The speaker says the Kalava (moli) thread bought for the wick must always be the cotton kind, and one must never buy silk thread. He says to buy the big bundle of cotton moli of good quality, since making five wicks for the Diwali deepdan uses a good amount of it.
Why a coconut shell is used as the lamp for the Diwali deepdan, and which oil to burn in it
The speaker says the coconut shell is used as the lamp because it is Diwali, and when a dry fruit burns together with some oil it sends a special kind of positive energy into the surroundings. He says using only the coconut shell as the lamp increases Shri Tattva, makes the household devi-devatas nourished and satisfied, and is able to stop many kinds of Abhichara tantra and negative forces. He has used Til (sesame) oil in the lamps and says pure ghee can be used instead.
Sankalp for the Diwali deepdan to the Kuldevi and kul devatas
The speaker says that after the lamps are ready, the next step is Sankalpa. Flowers and water are taken in the hand, and the sankalp is spoken in whichever vidhi one knows — Sanskrit if one knows Sanskrit, Hindi if one knows Hindi — stating that one is resolving to offer this Deepdaan for the pleasure of all the deities together with one's own kul devi-devatas.
The five deities of the Diwali deepdan lamps and the order of flower and dhoop offerings
The speaker says a flower is offered beside each lamp in the name of the deity it will be lit for: the first lamp for Lakshmi-Ganesh, the second for Lakshmi-Narayan, the third for the Kuldevi and the Kula Bhairava, the fourth for whichever Shakti Peeth is nearest to one's home, and the last for the Shiv parivar. He says Dhoop is then shown separately in the name of each of the five, in the same order.
Lighting the five Diwali deepdan lamps from the karma-sakshi lamp
The speaker says every lamp is lit from the Karma Sakshi lamp only. While lighting each one, he says, one may keep repeating that deity's name, or read a deep-prajwalan (lamp-lighting) mantra, or a sooktam — the Tantrokta Devisuktam — or sing any auspicious sukta or stuti of that devi-devata, and one should light the lamp while meditating on and remembering the deity it belongs to. All five are lit one by one in the same fixed order: Lakshmi-Ganesh, Lakshmi-Narayan, the kul devi-devata and kul bhairav, the nearest Shakti Peeth, and the Shiv parivar.
Pushpanjali and threefold water offering to each lit Diwali deepdan lamp
The speaker says that after all the lamps are lit, a Pushpanjali is given behind each lamp — a little flower is offered — and water is given three times with an achamani spoon. This is done for every lamp, taking each one's name-mantra, for example "kul devi namah, kul devataya namah, pushpanjali samarpayami, tadupurant achamaniyam jalam samarpayami"; or, he says, one may simply say it in plain Hindi and give everyone the flower and the three spoons of water.
Times of year when marana prayoga bears most fruit
The speaker says that many of the deaths around Holi and within a day or so of Diwali are unexpected deaths, because that is the time when such prayogas bear the most fruit. He also says marana is at its peak on Tara Chaturdashi: in the Bengal region, whatever marana prayogas are to be done happen then, and even big people, traders and businessmen with mutual enmity, get them done at that time.
Where should the Swarnakarshan Bhairav potli from Diwali be kept?
The potli of Swarnakarshan Bhairav ji made at Diwali may either be hung near the main door of the house or kept in the puja sthan; it may be established at either of these two places. And its mala you may wear daily after doing japa on it. Those who have not obtained a tantrokta mala for the mantra of Mahabhairav, or who could not take one, or have nothing at all — for them too, doing japa on that mala and wearing it is most excellent.
Why is the five-day Diwali mahaparva called extremely important?
The five-day Diwali mahaparva, beginning the next day. The speaker calls the subject extremely important, because those on whom these five nights of the Mahakal Ratri have a negative effect know what the consequences are.
Which parva kalas should never be allowed to pass empty?
There are certain parva kalas in the year that should never be let go empty, and among them Diwali is the foremost.
Which two festivals see the most tantric strikes?
Holi and Diwali, says the speaker, are the two parva kalas in which the greatest attempt is made to strike tantrically by using the most degraded vidyas. At such times, cases of akal mrityu — accidental death or the like, as at the time of an eclipse — almost always have an abhicharik presence somewhere in them.
What is the first duty during the Diwali period?
First of all, the speaker says, arrangements should be made for the protection of oneself and one's family. That is the very first duty, and it is for this reason that he always says a protective anushthan should certainly be done and kept in one's life.
What is special about the five nights of Diwali even for someone who has done nothing?
Assuming you have done no anushthan for protection, no kavach, nothing at all, and that abhichar is already present — even then, in these five nights of Diwali the shakti, the energy, whether negative or positive, remains present at its highest level. It is for this reason that it is said that siddhi is obtained quickly in this period.
A south-facing house may turn the lamp's mouth outward through these five days; on other days they are placed facing each other, east and west.
If the house is south-facing — that is, as soon as we step out of the house the southern direction falls before us — then, asked whether the lamp's mouth should be turned that way or not, the speaker says do it. In these five days there is no difficulty; it can be turned outward. On the remaining days place them facing each other, which makes them east and west.
Bhagavati Mahakali is the fiercest energy present now, this being one of the foremost kalpas in which she manifested — a chief time like the sandhi kaal itself.
The ishta devi of tantra who is present at this time — the fiercest energy present now — is Bhagavati Mahakali, the speaker says, because among the different kalpas in which Bhagavati manifested at different times for the slaying of different daityas, this too is one of the foremost such times. Just as the sandhi kaal in which Bhagavati manifested is her chief time, so also this is a chief time.
Which deities is the householder already worshipping at Diwali?
At the time of Diwali the pujan of Lakshmi and Ganpati ji is being done, and the pujan of Kuber ji is being done. The speaker says separate videos have been put up for Kuber ji's pujan and shared again and again — do not leave out Kuber ji's pujan.
Which act is foremost among all Diwali prayogas?
Deepdaan is the foremost — do as much deepdaan as you can; there is nothing beyond it. However much deepdaan there is in Diwali, whether you do the deepdaan of amla, of lemon or of coconut, that much is the most excellent fruit you are going to obtain.
When should Kamakhya Kavach and the amla prayoga be done on Diwali day?
Asked whether the sadhana of Kamakhya Kavach can be done on the day of Diwali and how the amla prayoga and the japa of the Kamakhya Kavach are to be done together on that day, the speaker says it is a matter of your own time — when and for how long you will do it. After the evening pujan and the rest is complete, the whole matter of siddhi at night — whichever kavach you are doing siddhi of, whichever mantra you are doing siddhi of — all of that you have to do in the nisha kaal, from ten o'clock, or from nine o'clock, until one or two o'clock at night.
On which night must a sadhak stay awake all night?
On the Monday night, when the mahanisha pujan takes place — no sadhak or sadhika should sleep on that night; they should stay awake all night. Sleep and rest during the day so that sleep does not come at night. Do your japa and tapa at night, complete the prasaran you have to do, do the havan in the last prahar, bathe again in brahma muhurta by 4:30 or 5:00, do the morning pujan and arti, and only then rest. On that morning the broom is also not to be used.
What is the vidhi of Bhairav pujan on the day of Diwali?
Asked to be told the vidhi of Bhairav pujan on the day of Diwali, the speaker says the whole vidhi of Bhairav pujan that is prevalent, the one that is generally given, is the same one; deep daan in it will be special.
How should Bhagavati Mahasaraswati be worshipped on the morning of Diwali?
Asked how the pujan of Bhagavati Mahasaraswati should be done on the morning of Diwali, the speaker says the pujan of all of them will take place at night, in the maharatri kaal itself. If you wish to do something separately in the early morning, that is a different matter.
What should be done if there is no vigrah of Lakshmi in the house?
The speaker says he has written and said many times: keep in the house, from this Diwali, a vigrah or a beautiful picture of Bhagavati Lakshmi, the shakti who is the complete Shri form endowed with the Shri tattva. And if even then there is no wish for it, then do the pujan of the form of the Devi that you already keep, endowed with the Shri tattva. There is no difficulty.
Why is Kamakhya fully awake at Narak Chaturdashi?
Addressing all the mothers and sisters who will be in their period at the time of Diwali, the speaker tells them to look plainly at this period: Narak Chaturdashi, the slaying of Narakasura, and where Narakasura's connection lies. Hear the story again — how Bhagavan Shri Hari Narayana, in the avatar of Krishna ji, performed the slaying at this time, and in what manner the slaying of Narakasura took place through his shakti. So the Chaturdashi is related to Narakasura, and the name Narak Chaturdashi was given from that; and Bhagavati Kamakhya remains fully awake at this time, because she is the ishta shakti of tantra.
Should a woman worry about being unable to do the puja on Chaturdashi or Amavasya?
If you are in such a state on Chaturdashi especially, or in such a state on the Amavasya of Diwali, then do not keep this doubt in the mind and do not worry that you are unable to do puja; there is no difficulty. Someone or other in the house will do the pujan of all the devi-devatas. You have to do nothing: wear your red cloth and the rest, sit on your asan, and comfortably do 108 of the Kamakhya Kavach — and take it into your life.
A coconut cut like the Kalika Yogini khappar can carry the lamp instead, though whether it gives a result of this level cannot be said.
One alternative may be taken, the speaker says, but whether a result of this level will be obtained from it or not cannot be said. As with the khappar you fill in the Kalika Yogini practice, in the same way you can cut a coconut and light a lamp in that as well. That kind of deep daan is to be done in Diwali in any case, so you can light such a lamp and sit with it.
What should a sadhak eat during the five days of Diwali?
Tomorrow is your Dhanteras from the madhyanh kaal, the speaker says. Since in the five days of Diwali the pujan of the evening period has special importance, sadhaks — especially those who are going to do sadhana — should take phalahar during the day. After the evening pujan is complete by eight or nine o'clock, they should take one meal. He adds that he is telling everything from his side but that listeners should act according to the convenience of their own body, and that he is not saying it must be done rigidly by the letter.
Should one stay on fruit for all five days?
It is not that people should now stay on fruit for the whole five days; that too would be wrong, the speaker says. The evening pujan means that one meal is to be taken at night. But on the day of the Diwali mahanisha — this time the Monday — whichever year you are listening in, on the day on which the Diwali mahanisha pujan will take place, you should keep a full fast and stay on phalahar, as much as the body supports.
What should be brought into the house on Dhanteras but not used?
There is a custom of bringing a broom on that day, the speaker says: a broom should be brought, but it should not be used. Nor is the old broom to be removed — the new broom is to be brought, and it too is not to be used. You may certainly bring it; it is a symbol of comfort. Mor pankh, if it can be had, may also be brought, and green coriander may be brought.
When may the nisha kaal pujan begin?
From tomorrow you will begin the pujan of the nisha kaal. For the nisha kaal pujan you can begin from the sandhya kaal itself; it is not that you have to do it from twelve or one o'clock. If you are going to begin a paath, or whatever japa you are going to begin, you can do it from tomorrow.
Where is a lamp lit because it is Narak Chaturdashi?
And on that same day, since it is Narak Chaturdashi, a lamp should also be lit at the place where you throw the waste matter and rubbish of your house. But there an old lamp is always burned; a new lamp should not be lit there.
What is the order of the day on Diwali itself?
After that comes Diwali, on which you have to fast the whole way from morning to the mahanisha, and to do your pujan at whatever times are convenient for you. For the morning pujan, worship Bhagavati Lakshmi especially in the sthir lagna that is obtained. After that do your sadhana, whatever japa and tapa are to be done, and in the mahanisha, after one or one-thirty or as is convenient, your havan will then take place, and the ratri jagaran.
To the claim that a havan on Diwali night brings bhoot, pret and rakshasas: salutations — and everyone should perform havan on this maharatri.
Now some divine soul may take avatar and put a video on YouTube saying that doing a havan on the night of Diwali will bring bhoot and pret and rakshasas, and that it should not be done. To them, says the speaker, salutations — and salutations to you as well. According to him, everyone should perform havan and the rest on this maharatri.
Why is the Diwali mahanisha not an ordinary night?
This is not an ordinary day, the speaker says; it is the pujan of the mahanisha. This is the very time when the divine forms of Jagadamba — whether the protective form or the wealth-bestowing form — are all fully present. If you go to sleep at that very time and do nothing, then what is the benefit? There is no need to be so frightened.
The whole anushthan, running to the Wednesday, is set out in writing on the grihasthapujansamagri site, in the group, and in the video description.
The Diwali anushthan that is now to begin will run from tomorrow through to the Wednesday, and everything is set out in writing on the grihasthapujansamagri site and in the group. The speaker says to read it and, if one wishes to take part according to one's convenience, to give the details; the whole subject is written in this video's description as well.
Worshipping these forms opens the way to obtaining a great deal — and where a vigrah exists, the mala is placed on it.
By performing the pujan of all these, the speaker says, the way opens for you to obtain a great deal. It is not necessary, but if there is a vigrah, then put it on them.
Which nights bring energies down to the earth?
The speaker says it is universally known that on Shravan Purnima, on the night of Diwali or on the night of Sharad Purnima, all the energies there are — upadevas and devatas alike — certainly make their arrival on the earth loka.
What example does he give of night worship being the norm?
It is night-time puja alone that has the importance, the speaker says. In the region of Bengal, tomorrow's Lakhi puja — Lakshmi ji being corrupted there into Lakhi — will be night-time puja alone, done house by house; a maximum of people do it, in ninety-eight houses out of a hundred, with perhaps two having some compulsion of their own. In the remaining regions, Lakshmi puja falls on the night of Diwali, in the sulos bela.
One or two hours of puja is said to carry Lakshmi's grace through the whole year, repeated at Diwali
This will be a one or two hour puja, the speaker says, but the grace of Bhagavati Lakshmi will go on being obtained by you for the whole year. He prescribes it for the greatest of debts, where no way out is being found. And if you perform this same prayoga again during the five-day Diwali festival, running from Dhanteras up to the Dwitiya tithi, then it is exceedingly excellent.
Must the whole family do it on all five days?
Do it with the family on any one day, there is no difficulty if everyone cannot do it every single day, the speaker says — but let one person do the five days there as well. Then the grace of Bhagavati certainly comes about, because Bhagavati is archan-priya; archana is exceedingly dear to her. She will bestow grace and find a way out; how she will find it, he says, is her own matter — our work is only to do her archan, and this is not a very expensive thing either.
What is the remedy when a three-month-old child's atma is present in a house?
Asked about a remedy for the atma of a three-month-old child being present in the house, and about a donation at a Kali temple on the day of Diwali or Kali Chaudas that had been described a year earlier, the speaker replies that that video is available on the channel — watch it and do it.
The forms go up on the website at Dhanteras, for the five-day anushthan that follows
At the time of Dhanteras they will put everything up on the website, the speaker says, so at that time all of you should tell everyone who needs it; fill it in there and everyone will certainly get it. At that time there will be a five-day anushthan too, so it will be even better. Just now only a one-day one is going to take place, and it will be done at that same time.
Which nights of Kartik matter for tantric anushthans?
He says the five-day maharatri for tantric anushthans, which they know by the name of the ati ugra ratris, falls in Kartik, and the festival of Diwali is among them. Preparation for all of it has to begin now.
Seven or eight sadhaks have already sent in experiences of the Kalika Yogini path
He says that of the Hanuman Chalisa and of the Kalika Yogini so much experience is coming in that up to now seven to eight people have sent theirs, and for the maximum of them it has been a voice arriving with such grandeur, and a fully direct sense that yes, someone is there. The mantra is awakened and the mantra is also a sabar mantra, and above all it was the time of Diwali and then the grahan on top of it, for those who did the path and the sadhana of Bhagavati Kalika's Yogini this time.
Should I take up a new sadhana this Diwali?
He asks listeners to think once before beginning any new sadhana. Whatever prayoga you performed last year, whatever anushthan you have been carrying since last year — Kalika Yogini, for those who are doing it — his request is that you repeat that same sadhana again.
If I am doing Kalika Yogini, what do I do for the five days?
If you are doing Kalika Yogini you will do that same one principally, but along with it you must do the Dhanteras pujan. The five-day anushthan — minimum, from Trayodashi to Dooj, or Dwadashi to Pratipada — is to be done of Bhagavati Kalika herself.
Which tithi does the Diwali cycle begin with?
It begins from Dwadashi, and first of all the importance is of the Dosha vyapini Dwadashi. Of the five festivals of this Diwali, the principal pujan is otherwise reckoned by seeing sthir lagna and so on, but it is held that the fruit of the pujan is obtained properly only according to the tithi that stands at evening.
Which day should I follow when two tithis are given?
His common request is that you follow whichever tithi is accepted on whichever day in your own region. Ordinarily, however, the Dwadashi is being obtained in the evening on 9 November — it is Govatsa Dwadashi.
On which days is the coconut deep daan compulsory, and what is yam tarpan?
On Chaudas and on Amavasya — these two days at least — do the deep daan well, of five gadis each; that is two and a half coconuts each, so five coconuts will cover the two days. These two days it must certainly be done; deep daan must certainly, certainly happen. Then there is also the vidhi of yam tarpan, in which the tarpan of Yamraj is done.
What is the first pujan on Chaturdashi?
Chaturdashi is the third day; the Pradosh vyapini Chaturdashi falls on 11 November, and the Chaudas pujan is to be done on that day. In the Chaudas pujan the very first pujan of the evening is of Hanuman ji. According to the southern mantra and according to the kalpa bhed, this day is held to be Hanuman Jayanti — the south holds Hanuman ji's jayanti on Kartik Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi rather than on Chaitra Purnima. So everyone should certainly do the pujan of Hanuman ji that day.
What is done at home on the evening of Chaturdashi?
After the temple, at the evening time do the pujan of Hanuman ji at home; if you wish to do havan and the like, keep an upvas and do the havan in the evening, and you may eat after the havan. There is no full necessity of keeping such an upvas — if you have not been keeping one, do not keep it for the first time this year, because an upvas will have to be kept for the Diwali pujan the next day. Before Hanuman ji at home, five lamps of ghee must certainly be given as deep daan, separately for him; and on the day of Chaturdashi fourteen lamps should be lit together and arranged at different places in the house.
Is the havan compulsory on Diwali night?
Havan you must certainly do on this day — you should certainly do the havan on the night of Amavasya. And on the day of Diwali, if you have been keeping an upvas from before, then keep it; if you have not been keeping one, then after doing the night-time pujan you should certainly eat food. This year do not begin an upvas newly, he repeats — not in this samvat; begin it after the next Chaitra Navratri.
How is the tilak of the chaukhat done?
In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar this is called chaukhat ko tikna; the tilak of the chaukhat is done. When the pujan happens on the evening of Diwali, at that same time orange sindoor, narangi sindoor, is kept in a bowl, and ghee and the like is mixed into it — after the pujan, or the ghee taken out from the five ghee lamps that burn in the names of the chief devi-devatas and the kula devi-devatas is mixed into it. With this, a tilak is done five times on the chief chaukhat, and then the tilak of every chaukhat and every door in the house is done.
What happens if the chaukhat tilak is not done?
Very often you will find this too, he says: from not doing the tilak and the rest, injury to the foot begins on that day; people do get hurt. Take it as a kidvanti even so, but it should be done. If you will believe, then it is belief; otherwise consider it superstition, a kidvanti, whatever, and go wherever you wish, Europe or America, no problem. But it should be done. Everyone should certainly do the pujan of the dahleez, of your own chaukhat, on the night of Amavasya, as the Dehli Vinayak pujan. And if unfortunately there is no woman in the house, then one should do this pujan oneself.
What daan should be done across the five days?
For doing daan and punya in these five days, do panchbali: certainly have the cow fed, the dog, the ants; certainly have the crow fed; and for the sake of any human being — people come to ask — put out grain of food for them, and give it if anyone comes; you may give cooked food too, or if the wish is that we will give wealth, you may give them wealth as well. These five days you should do daan especially, he says, and you may do separate seva for the gau mata as well.
What is the totka the gamblers do with lamps?
A question had come, so he says he will discuss it. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar villages, on Chhoti Diwali, the day of Chaturdashi especially, a lamp is kindled in the place where rubbish is thrown; people call it the ghoora-par ka Diwali. When a person takes out a lamp and keeps it in front of the house or anywhere, people who gamble steal the lamp that belongs to a rich man's house — and it is also so that rich people sit and guard their lamps so that no one steals them, because it is said that if that lamp is stolen, the Lakshmi of their house is stolen. Afterwards, if people take that lamp and gamble, they will be victorious.
A great deal of utara is left at such places, and the lamp carries it home
Save yourself from doing totkas of this kind, he says; there is great cleverness in it. What goes wrong is this: in the ghoora-par ki Diwali, whether Lakshmi ji came or did not come, somebody may have done an utara and set it down and gone away — and you carried off that very lamp. Whether the gambler will win or not is not known, but the whole alaay-balaay of that person's house will go along with you. Do not fall into this whirl, he says, and do not think that we did it last year and won, so let us do it this year too.
How is daridrata driven out of the house?
There are two or three ways of taking the daridrata out of one's house. In some places it is done on Chaturdashi itself; in some places it is done on the day of Pratipada — in which the soop is beaten and daridrata, alakshmi, is driven out of the house. In villages especially everyone does it; in the cities he does not know whether it still happens now. Along with all this a great many totkas are also done.
Can the Lakshmi Ashtak be perfected in one night of Diwali?
Absolutely do it, he says. If you want to do it in one night, then in one night — what vidhan is there to describe further? Only a hundred and eight readings can be done in one night; what more than that will you do?
On which day should the havan of a five-day Ashtottar Shatnam anushthan be done?
On the night of Diwali there is an anushthan, so certainly do a havan; for the rest, you may also do it on the last day. The reason for a havan in the mahanisha kaal on the night of Diwali is that on that day the arrival of Bhagavati Lakshmi in the house, and of all the chief dev shaktis of the house, certainly happens; so on that day pujan and havan should all be done as well as possible. And if an anushthan is running and it is of five days, then do it on the last day too — that is better still.
Is chaukhat pujan done from inside or outside the house?
Asked whether the chaukhat pujan is to be done from inside the house or standing outside, noting that in many videos it is shown being done from outside but that if one wants Lakshmi ji's footprints on the chaukhat — he answers that the chaukhat pujan you can do from outside and also from inside. What you are speaking of, the tikna of the chaukhat, you can do according to your own way, because a tilak has to be done to every chaukhat. So outside and inside, according to your own way, you can do it.
Is it right to take a bank loan on Dhanteras?
Aditya ji, if you are taking a loan from a bank, then this is not our income — this is our taking on a debt, he says. So taking on a debt on the day of Dhanteras would, in his view, not be fitting; because on this day we want the attainment of Lakshmi, something with stability, whereas we are taking a debt which has then to be repaid, and with interest too. What we take increases on the day of Dhanteras, so this is a debt, and the debt will increase. In his view you should not take it on the day of Dhanteras: either take it earlier, or take it after the five-day festival of Diwali — or, if there is some such issue that there is a possibility of cancellation later, then he will not say so.
Should the family celebrate Diwali when there has been a death?
Told of a death of a maternal uncle's son, on account of which the family is not keeping Diwali and not keeping the festival, he says: then leave it, do not take part in the anushthan this time. In such a way pujan too is happening for the maternal uncle's son, so do not stop the pujan of the devatas in Diwali; do not keep the festival. At least do the deepotsav in an ordinary way — kindle lamps at the chief places for the sake of the devatas. Do not burst crackers, do not decorate the house if it is very much a festival matter for you; but the pujan should not be abandoned, the pujan of Diwali too. Do the pujan of Diwali. The anushthan you may do in your own house. His own view is that this time you people should just leave it, if you are observing the rule to that extent.
Like the nights of Holika and Diwali, this time works in both directions at once: special pujan is done, and attacks by enemies also multiply.
That they work in both directions at once. On the night of Holika and the night of Diwali we perform special pujan and path, and around that very same time attacks by enemies are also made in greater number. In exactly the same way, this Chaturdashi and Amavasya of Bhadrapada is extremely awake for all these things, and people perform prayogas.
As the day before Diwali is Kali Chaudas, these Bhadon nights are Tara Chaudas and Kaushiki Amavasya, also called Aghor Chaturdashi and Aghor Amavasya.
As we call the day before Diwali Kali Chaudas, in that same way these two nights of Bhadon are renowned by the name of Tara Chaudas. They are also famed as Kaushiki Amavasya, and by the names Aghor Chaturdashi, Aghor Navratra and Aghor Amavasya.
Tara Chaturdashi and Kaushiki Amavasya rank with the night of Diwali and with a Chandra or Surya grahan.
As the night of Diwali has its greatness, as a Chandra grahan and a Surya grahan have theirs, in that very same way this Tara Chaturdashi and Kaushiki Amavasya also carries great importance. So in this time you should certainly do japa and such work — a new anushthan if you wish to take one up, and otherwise a repetition of whatever anushthan you have done before.
Are the local goddesses given a pua bhog forms of the kuldevi?
Asked about a household where, besides Bhramari and Mahishasura Mardini, a bhog of pua is given at Diwali and Holi, and when a child is in the womb, to the outer Baharali, to the shakti of the chowk and crossroads, and to Basanti Mata — and whether these devis are forms of the kuldevi — the speaker says that this is a thing that goes by region, and it should be done according to what is in prachalan there.
When can the Kalika Yogini sadhana be done?
The speaker says the most important night is Kali Chaudas — the Chaturdashi night before Diwali — and Diwali itself, though the sadhana begins from Dhanteras. In any other month, begin on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami and complete it on Amavasya; repeat it often, ideally all twelve months. At Diwali do at least five or eleven days starting from Dhanteras or Chaturdashi. It can also be done in all four navratris, including the gupt ones and Shakambhari Navratri — but not Aghor Navratri, which he says is not for householders — and in the month of Shravan.
Start day, hour and lamps of the main Kalika Yogini puja
The speaker says the main puja begins from Ashtami, or at Diwali from the Chaturdashi (Chaudas) night before Diwali. It is done any time after 6 pm, and best after 10 pm. The first day's puja needs a coconut lamp, whose making he leaves for a separate demonstration; once the 11-day or 9-day sadhana is complete, a new brass lamp is bought and one brass lamp is lit every day thereafter.
How is a masanic shakti perfected in a single night?
She will be perfected by you in one night, he says. You were taken on the night of Deepavali into the masan; on a burning pyre a dhaar of daaru was applied and a piece of meat was dropped; there she became manifest. Vachan, vaacha and everything else were done. And the bhog was told: give this daaru and this bhog on every Amavasya and she will do your work; whenever you want work done, keep giving this bhog.
A death falling on Holi, Diwali or a Purnima changes what becomes of him
So the matter is this, he says: if such a boy dies an untimely death, but by chance his death occurred in some special parva kaal — Holi, Diwali, suppose a Purnima, Kartik Purnima and so on — and you are a sadhak.
How is something fed to a victim in a tantra prayoga?
Asked how to restore a body that has become stiffened and weak at a young age from tantra and illness, and how kayakalp is done, the speaker explains that when a disease attaches to the body through tantra, the first thing is that something has been fed — and the feeding is not done just once. It is done at some special nakshatra, at some special time: as in Durga Puja, at the time of visarjan, when the kalash and so on leave the house for visarjan, if something has been fed at that time on the pretext of sweets. Or after the dahan of Holika — he says he made at least ten videos at the time of Holika explaining each thing clearly. Or if something has been fed on the night of Diwali, calling it a sweet, calling it prasad, then it becomes very difficult.
The Tantrokta night periods for Anushthan before an ancestral object
The Nishadhi Kaal nights held to be Tantrokta: Diwali night, Holika night, Raksha Bandhan night, the Bhadrapada Amavasya, the Chaitra Amavasya — and the eclipse period. Perform even one night's Anushthan there and something will be experienced without fail.
How is the Chaukhat worshipped, and when?
Wash it with Gangajal; mix the orange sindoor with ghee; then, remembering the Kuldevi first and reciting an auspicious mantra, the Kulvadhu of the house applies five tilaks in an upward direction. This is done at Holi, Diwali, Navratri and Vijayadashami — Diwali without fail.
When should a murti be bought at all?
A new murti is never to be taken. In whichever year you bring a solid murti, a murti of metal, let their seva-puja be done by vidhi vidhan; then that murti will never go, nor are you to buy a new murti. He says repeatedly that at Diwali one should not buy a murti of Lakshmi and Ganesh — you are not to bring it. Bring a fine solid, beautiful one once, in one year, and never remove it.
What should be done with an item that cannot be kept in the pujan place?
He tells the listener Uma Sut to have it made and then keep it locked. If it is not to be kept in the pujan place, then do the pujan only in the parva kala; for the rest, shut it in your almirah — there is no problem in that, it is consecrated, there is no difficulty. When you do the annual pujan of the year, at Diwali and Navratri, then keep it in the pujan place; at other times keep it as saubhagya.
Why should one have the shringar of one's aradhya done?
Besides this, the speaker says, one should have the shringar of one's aradhya done in a temple at the time of Diwali or at the time of Panchami. It is said that when you do the shringar of your aradhya, they do the shringar of your life; shaman of a great many doshas occurs by having shringar done.
By what names is this Amavasya known in Bengal?
The whole region of Bengal and Bangladesh knows it by the names Tara Chaturdashi, Aghor Amavasya, Aghor Chaturdashi and the like. And take it as settled, he says, that as the pujan of Bhagavati Kalika is done through the whole Bengal region on the night of Diwali, so on the Bhadrapada Amavasya and on the night of the Chaturdashi, whatever pujan-paath there is related to Bhagavati Tara takes place on this very night.
Where should the Kartik deepdaan be done, and how often?
Deepdaan must certainly happen at both times, morning and evening; the evening deepdaan is absolutely obligatory. It should be, roughly, a small daily form of what is done at Diwali — near Hanuman ji's dhwaja and near Tulsi ji. One who protects and serves Tulsi ji in the month of Kartik is held to be the equal of Vishnu ji himself, and every man and woman should certainly do Tulsi seva in this month.
What are the essentials of Kartik that must not be missed?
The speaker says to keep in mind that the first thing is the morning bath and the second is deepdaan, and these must absolutely not be missed; besides these, do whatever japa and havan you can. He notes that the five-night, that is five-day, festival of Diwali is coming, in which Bhagwati Kalika and Chandika along with many forms of Bhagwati manifest, and which is the prakatya kaal of Bhagwati Kamala.
May a Durga or Bhairav yantra be made within the five days of Diwali?
Asked, with reference to what he had said in a video about the peeth yantra and about doing it on a good day, whether a yantra of Durga ji and Bhairav ji may be had made within the five days of Diwali, the speaker answers: absolutely, have it made. On an auspicious day you can certainly do it.
May a sahasrarchan be done with khil, and when does a month begin?
Asked about khil, that is puffed rice, for the five days of Diwali, the speaker says you may certainly do the sahasrarchan and the like with khil. To another questioner he says that where you are, begin when it begins for you: your people follow the Amavasyanta reckoning while we follow the Purnimanta, after the Purnima — for us the month ends at Purnima and the new month begins from the day after.
May the Ashtalakshmi mala mantra be done in the five days of Diwali?
The speaker says the Radha Kripa Kataksha and Tulsi Vandana may absolutely be done, and that the Ashtalakshmi mala mantra may be done in the five days of Diwali, 1100 paths being completed in five days. But if you wish to do the Ashtalakshmi mala mantra, first send it so that it can be seen which one you will do — whether you are doing it according to a Yamala granth or according to the Tilak or by which authority. That should be looked at, because when you read the mantra and the phalashruti you will understand the reason; if it is done without knowing the whole subject, difficulty follows.
What preparation is needed for the Diwali sadhana?
Asked what preparation should be made for the Diwali sadhana and whether it is up to Ashtami or Navami, the speaker says the five-day sadhana for Diwali will run from Dhanteras up to Bhai Dooj. On the day of Navami as far as possible, or on the Dashami, the subjects will be discussed — up to the Dashami of the Krishna Paksha; the Ekadashi and Dwadashi, two days, will be in hand. For the rest he will keep posting messages in the group and will come live and discuss further if possible.
Why do such sadhaks want to take a household shakti away?
Because within these shaktis there is capacity, the speaker says: many kinds of upadeva-category shaktis run under them, obey their word and seek their refuge. So people wish to take shaktis of this kind away and keep them at their own place, and for this they perform various kinds of tantric prayogas — everyone has his own vidya. He then says that for protection from these vidyas, at all the tantric parvas — whether the mahanisha of the Ashtami that has just passed, or the mahanisha of Diwali that is coming —
What ordinary observance is owed to the gram devata?
One should go for the ordinary pujan: one should go at the time of Holi, one should go at the time of Diwali and place a lamp there, and when a wedding or other auspicious mangalik work takes place in the house, an invitation should certainly be given there. The mistake people make here is not giving it. What will happen if we do not give it? Difficulty arises there, and afterwards there is much trouble; so this mistake you should not make. Bhairav ji has some form — his seva and puja should never be abandoned.
On which days is the mantra worship performed?
The night of Mahashivratri; the night of Chaitra Shukla Ashtami and Navami; the Chaturdashi of Diwali; Bhagavan Dattatreya's Jayanti on the Purnima. Sharad Purnima and Magh Purnima are also accepted. And Guru Purnima, the seventh, is the most distinctive of all.
Tantrokta Mahalakshmi kalash: what it is and when it is made
The speaker presents a set of tantrokta samagri for making a tantrokta Lakshmi Kalash, also called a dhan-lakshmi or dhanada Lakshmi potli, a Prayoga for the night of Sharad Purnima, Dhanteras or Diwali. It can also be made to please the Lakshmi of one's own kula. Sixteen items go into it because sixteen is very dear to Bhagavati Lakshmi: Shodashi is sixteen, Kamala is sixteen, and the Shri Suktam too has sixteen suktas.
Starting tithis, duration and time of day for the Kali kavach anushthan
The speaker lists the start points: Amavasya, Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi, Krishna Paksha Ashtami, or in a pinch any Saturday or Tuesday of either paksha. In Navratri, Pratipada to Navami (or Dashami, with havan on Dashami night); if fasting through Navratri, japa till Ashtami, havan on Navami, then resume. Around Diwali in Kartik, begin from the Pradosh a day before Dhanteras and continue till the day after Govardhan Puja or till Akshay Navami, or from Kartik Krishna Ashtami till Chaturdashi night; starting on Dhanteras or Chaturdashi night is possible but leaves limited time, with havan on the same day. As an anushthan it should run at least 7, 9 or 11 days, and the time should be night — after sunset — or before sunrise.
What is said of yantra archan done on a mountain peak on the nights of Holi and Diwali?
Against a whole year of effort: if on this night of Holi, or the night of Diwali, one goes to the peak of a mountain and performs yantra archan and avaran pujan, the shaktis being pleased grant kripa at once to those whom we take as our aim and make our sankalp for. The kripa of the Vidyadhars especially is obtained swiftly.
On which nights are tantra prayogas such as utara typically laid out?
The night of Diwali, the night of Holi, the night of Ashtami.
No notes match "".