spyDEE108

spydee108: Happy Ramnavami to All! God Bless ALL! May Bhagvan...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:16:47 -0700

Happy Ramnavami to All! God Bless ALL! May Bhagvan Shree RAM bring you Happiness, Joy, Love 4 ALL, Honesty, Family togetherness, Hope, Peace & Humbleness to You and Your Loved Ones! Jai Hind. Shree RamChandr Bhagvan Ki Jai. Siapati RajaRam Ki Jai!

Happy Ramnavami To All!

Lord Rama is considered Maryada Purushottam.

Characteristics : Morality, Virtue, Ideal son, Ideal king, Humble, Peace Seeking King of the World!

Other Names : Shri Ram, Ramachandra, Maryada Purushottama

Principal Scripture : Ramayana

Consort : Sita mata

Mula Mantra : Om Sri Ramaya Namah

Rama Gayatri Mantra : Aum Dasarathaye Vidmahe
Sitavallabhaya Dheemahi
Tanno Ramah Prachodayat

Lord Rama is known as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rama, the perfect avatar of the Supreme Protector Vishnu, has always been popular among the Hindu deities. Rama is the symbol of courtesy and virtue, a man of values and morals. Ramachandra is Maryada Purushottama, which means the perfect man. Lord Rama is considered to have taken birth on the earth to destroy the evil forces of the age.

Lord Rama, in the words of Swami Vivekananda, is “the embodiment of truth, of morality, the ideal son, the ideal husband, and above all, the ideal king”. Rama is widely accepted to be an actual historical figure - a “tribal hero of ancient India” - whose deeds form the great Hindu epic of Ramayana or The Romance of Rama, written by the ancient Sanskrit poet Valmiki. According to the Hindus belief, Rama lived in the Treta Yug. Although historians are of the conviction that Rama was not particularly deified until the 11th century AD. Tulsidas’ wonderful version of the Sanskrit epic “Ramayana” into “Ramcharitmanas” greatly enhanced the popularity of Rama as a Hindu god and gave rise to various devotional groups.

Virtues of Rama
Shri Rama was a paragon of virtues. Rama was not only kind and affectionate but generous and considerate of feelings for all around him. Lord Rama had a marvelous physique and captivating manners. Shri Ram had a magnanimous personality. He was extremely noble, generous, chivalrous and fearless. He was very simple and absolutely free from flamboyance.

Lord Rama is considered as a son unequalled in the world, and resembled Dasaratha in each and every aspect of good qualities. He never spoke a lie throughout his life. He always offered respect to the scholars and the elders, people loved him and he adored the people. His body was transcendental and outstanding. He was eloquent, attractive and adjustable to circumstances. He knew the heart of each and every human being on the earth (being omniscient). He had all the conceivable qualities of a king’s son and was dear to the people as their own hearts.

Lord Rama was endowed with incredible transcendental qualities. The earth personified adored him, who was possessor of such virtues, who was indomitable, who was brave, and who was the unequalled Lord of all. To put succinctly, Sri Rama’s life was a life of holy compliance, of stainless purity, of matchless simplicity, praiseworthy contentment, commendable self-sacrifice and remarkable renunciation.

Legend of Lord Rama
As per the widespread legends, Lord Rama is considered as the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who took an Avatar to annihilate the demon king Ravana. Rama is known for his stainless personality and matchless simplicity. Shri Ram is one of the popular gods of Hindu religion.

Names of Lord Rama
Lord Rama is the one of the commonly worshipped gods of the Hindu religion. Shri Ram is recognized as the seventh incarnation (Avatar) of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Universe. Lord Ram is known for his virtues. Ram is the great lord of Hanuman, the ultimate disciple. Sri Ram is also known as Maryada Purushottam Ram because he is the epitome of righteousness.

Thanks to: http://www.iloveindia.com/spirituality/gods/rama/index.html

Happy Shree RAM NAVAMI

saradambrosio: Varanasi, India.

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:02:19 -0800

saradambrosio:

Varanasi, India.

Julio’s Pizza 11651 Artesia Ave Artesia‎ CA‎ 90701 United...

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 13:32:52 -0800

Julio’s Pizza
11651 Artesia Ave
Artesia‎ CA‎ 90701
United States

SuperBowl XLVII Party.
Come root on Your Team & Have a Great Time Along with it! #piccollage #SuperBowl #Sunday #49ers #Ravens Fun Times

This game’s in the refrigerator: the door is closed, the...

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 18:46:21 -0800

This game’s in the refrigerator: the door is closed, the lights are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter’s getting hard, and the Jell-O’s jigglin’! GAME OVER. Bye Bye PattyRiots & Brady’s Bunch. Love It. Thank You #God for making My #Sunday. #nfl #afcChampionship #game. Congratulation Ravens & Ray Lewis & Co. #ravens

Happy Birthday Jesus! Wishing Everyone Very Merry Christmas to...

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 10:13:19 -0800

Happy Birthday Jesus! Wishing Everyone Very Merry Christmas to You & Your Loved Ones. Happy Holidays. Enjoy & Br Safe! May The Spirit of Holidays fill your Lives with Loves, Peace, Hope & Love!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

One of the Best Man Made Marvel for the Ages. #salute &...

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:36:24 -0800

One of the Best Man Made Marvel for the Ages. #salute & #thanks to the Designers & Creators of the Pyramids. one of Most Amazing Marvel & Monument for All Ages. 3 #Planets Balanced on #Giza #Pyramids on #December 3 2012

#Planetary #alignment that will take place #Dec #3, #2012 is dead-on alignment with the Pyramids at Giza. Please SHARE this #Rare #Opportunity!!!

PLANETS INLINE: #MERCURY / #VENUS / #SATURN. Picture taken from Google+ Yes I Know That. More @ http://yesiknowthat.com/

Celebration of DIWALI. “Dipawali” ‘Festival of...

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:35:17 -0800

Celebration of DIWALI. “Dipawali” ‘Festival of Lights’ One of the Most Important Festivals in INDIA “the Country of Festivals” It also is One of the Most Important Holiday in All of SouthEast Asia as it is a National Holiday in India,[1]Nepal, Sri Lanka,

Wishing All Very Happy DhanTeras. Let the Festivities of #Diwali...

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:22:28 -0800

Wishing All Very Happy DhanTeras. Let the Festivities of #Diwali & The Holiday Season Kick Start in Style By Getting the Blessing of MAA LAXMI. Honoring Her on This Very Auspicious Day, Thanking Her & Praying to Her to Always Blessing Family & Friends wit

Happy Election Day! Today we re-elect #BarackObama as our...

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 08:04:22 -0800

Happy Election Day! Today we re-elect #BarackObama as our #President. Good Luck Mr. President! Happy #Election #Day! #USA #obama2012 #vote

Mailed My Vote in. Little Late but I Voted. :-). #obama2012...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:35:07 -0800

Mailed My Vote in. Little Late but I Voted. :-). #obama2012 #obama #15 on My Ballot is for Mr. President & Good Luck to Mr.President. I hope You stay My President. #election Day! #USA #politics not a Fan of it But a Necessary Ideal in Society. Barack Hussein Obama is My President & I’m a Proud #Democrat

Think Before YOU Donate & Choose the Right One!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:07:41 -0700

Subject: Donations Things you should know

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS:

As you open your pockets to do a good thing and make yourself feel good, please keep the following facts in mind:

——————————————

The American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans’ salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses

MARCH OF DIMES
It is called the March of Dimes because only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.

The United Way
President Brian Gallagher receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF
CEO Caryl M. Stern receives $1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.

Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

GOODWILL
CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year. Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business. You donate to his business and then he sells the items for PROFIT.

He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy. $0.00 goes to help anyone! Stop giving to this man.

——————————————

Instead, give it to ANY OF THE FOLLOWING —

GO “GREEN” AND PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE IT WILL DO SOME GOOD:

The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.

96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Military Order of Purple Hearts
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary. Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

Make a Wish: For children’s last wishes. 100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.

St. Jude Research Hospital

100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can not afford to pay.

Ronald McDonald Houses

All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital. 100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.

Lions Club International

100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND, BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKING IS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).

Please share this with everyone you can.

Go LAKERS! Opening Night :-) <3 #Lakers!!!!!!! #NBA ...

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:55:08 -0700

Go LAKERS! Opening Night :-) <3 #Lakers!!!!!!!
#NBA #piccollage

Hats of to These Kids & Salute the Parents $ Family. Saw...

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 09:20:32 -0700

Hats of to These Kids & Salute the Parents $ Family. Saw this @ Little India, Pioneer, CA Corner of
#Pioneer blvd & #186th St. #India #Pakistan We need more people like these from both Countries. #Peace #Love #Hope #Togetherness #Hugs #High #Fives #Kisses #California #Artesia #Amazing #Salute #Hats-Off #Jai_Ho

Meaning of Dussehra - Vijayadashami Also called Dashain,...

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:36:59 -0700

Meaning of Dussehra - Vijayadashami

Also called Dashain, Dussehra, Dashahara, Dashera
Observed by Hindus

Significance Celebrating victory of Shakti over Mahishasura, of Lord Rama over Ravana, and of Durga over demons like Madhu-Kaitav, Chanda-Munda and Shumbha- Nishumbha; that is victory of good over evil.

This day marks the end of Durga Puja so people immerse the idols and go to each others’ house and exchange gifts and sweets.
Observances Putting tika on forehead, prayers, religious rituals like burning an effigy of Ravana (see puja, prasad)

Vijayadashami (Bengali: বিজয়াদশমী, Kannada: ವಿಜಯದಶಮಿ, Malayalam: വിജയദശമി, Marathi: विजयादशमी, Nepali: विजया दशमी, Oriya: ବିଜୟାଦଶମୀ, Tamil: விஜயதசமி, Telugu: విజయదశమి, Konkani: दसरो, Punjabi: ਦਸੇਰਾ) also known as Dashahara, Dussehra, Dashain (in Nepal), Navratri or Durgotsav is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated in various forms, across India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

The name Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit Dasha-hara literally means remover of ten referring to Lord Rama’s defeat of the ten-headed demon king Ravana[1]. The day also marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demons Mahishasur. The name Vijayadashami is also derived from the Sanskrit words “Vijaya-dashmi” literally meaning the victory on the dashmi (Dashmi being the tenth lunar day of the Hindu calendar month).

Significance

As the name suggests Vijayadashmi or Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Ashwin according to the Hindu lunisolar calendar which corresponds to September or October of the Gregorian calendar. The first nine days are celebrated as Maha Navratri(Devnagari: नवरात्रि, ‘nine nights’) or Sharada Navratri (the most important Navratri) and culminates on the tenth day as Dasara.

In India, the harvest season begins at this time and so the Mother Goddess is invoked to start the new harvest season and reactivate the vigor and fertility of the soil. This is done through religious performances and rituals which are thought to invoke cosmic forces that rejuvenate the soil. Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dasara through social gatherings and food offerings to the gods at home and in temples throughout Nepal and India.

Victory of God Rama over Ravana

See also: Ramayana, Shri Rama, and Ravana

Effigy of Ravana burns
On this day in the Treta Yug, Rama, also called Shri Ram, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, killed the great demon Ravana who had abducted Rama’s wife Sita to his kingdom of Lanka. Rama, his brother Lakshmana, their follower Hanuman and an army of monkeys fought a great battle to rescue Sita. The entire narrative is recorded in the epic Ramayana, a Hindu scripture.

Rama had performed “Chandi Homa” and invoked the blessings of Durga, who blessed Rama with secret knowledge of the way to kill Ravana. On the day of Ashvin Shukla Dashami, Rama’s party found Sita and defeated Ravana. Thus it is termed as Vijaya Dashami. Based on the inferences from Valmiki’s Ramayana, Kalidas’s Raghuvans, Tulsidas’s Ram Charit Manas, and Keshavdas’s Ram Chandra Yas Chandrika as well as common perception in India, Rama, Sita, and of Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya on the 30th day of Ashvin (19–20 days after Vijayadashmi). To mark the return of Lord Rama, in the evening, the residents of Ayodhya lit their city with millions of earthen lamps (called Deepak). Since then, this day is celebrated in India as Deepawali or Diwali.

Many people perform “Aditya Homa” as a “Shanti Yagna” and recite Sundara Kanda of Srimad Ramayana for 5 days. These Yagna performances are thought to create powerful agents in the atmosphere surrounding the house that will keep the household environment clean and healthy. These rituals are intended to rid the household of the ten bad qualities, which are represented by 10 heads of Ravana as follows:

Kama vasana (Lust)
Krodha (Anger)
Moha (Delusion)
Lobha (Greed)
Mada (Over Pride)
Matsara (Jealousy)
Manas (Mind)
Buddhi (Intellect)
Chitta (Will)
Ahankara (Ego).
Some householders perform Yagnas thrice daily along with Sandhya Vandana, which is also called Aahavaneeya Agni, Grahapatya Agni or Dakshina Agni. In addition, the Aditya Homa is performed with the Maha Surya Mantras and the Aruna Prapathaka of the Yajurveda. These mantras are believed to keep the heart, brain and digestive functions in balance in the absence of adequate sunlight in the winter months.

Victory of Durga Mata over Mahishasura

Main article: Mahishasura
See also: Maa Durga

Durga Puja at Bagbazar Sarbajanin, North Kolkata.
Some of the demons, or Asuras, were very powerful and ambitious and continually tried to defeat the Devas, or Gods, and capture Heaven. One Asura, Mahishasura, in the form of a buffalo, grew very powerful and created havoc on the earth. Under his leadership, the Asuras defeated the Devas. The world was crushed under Mahishasura’s tyranny, the Devas joined their energies into Shakti, a single mass of incandescent energy, to kill Mahishasura.

A very powerful band of lightning emerged from the mouths of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and a young, beautiful female virgin with ten hands appeared. All the Gods gave their special weapons to her. This Shakti coalesced to form the goddess Durga. Riding on a lion, who assisted her, Durga fought Mahishasura. The battle raged for nine days and nights. Finally on the tenth day of Ashvin shukla paksha, Mahishasura was defeated and killed by Durga.

Hence Dasha-Hara is also known as Navratri or Durgotsav and is a celebration of Durga’s victory. Durga, as Consort of Lord Shiva, represents two forms of female energy - one mild and protective and the other fierce and destructive.

Homecoming of Durga Maata

Main article: Maa Durga
Daksha, the Lord of the Earth, and his wife Prasuti, had a daughter called Sati. As a child, Sati started worshipping Lord Shiva as her would-be-husband. Lord Shiva was pleased with the Sati’s worship of him and married her. Daksha was against their marriage but could not prevent it. Daksha arranged a yagna to which everyone except Lord Shiva was invited. Sati, feeling ashamed of her father’s behaviour and shocked by the attitude meted towards her husband, killed herself. Lord Shiva was anguished when he discovered this. He lifted Sati’s body on his shoulders and started dancing madly. As the supreme power was dancing with wrath, the world was on the verge of destruction.

Then Lord Narayana came forward as a saviour and used his Chakra to cut Sati’s body into pieces. Those pieces fell from the shoulders of the dancing Shiva and scattered throughout the Indian subcontinent. Shiva was pacified when the last piece fell from his shoulder. Lord Narayana revived Sati. The places where the pieces of Sati fell are known as the “Shakti Piths” or energy pits. Kalighat in Kolkata, Kamakshya near Guwahati and Vaishnav Devi in Jammu are three of these places.

In her next birth, Sati was born as Parvati or Shaila-Putri (First form of Durga), the daughter of Himalaya. Lord Narayana asked Shiva to forgive Daksha. Ever since, peace was restored and Durga with her children Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kartikeya, Ganesh and her two sakhis - Jaya and Vijaya visit her parents each year during the season of Sharatkal or autumn, when Durga-Puja is celebrated.

End of Agyatawas of Pandavas

See also: Pandavas
In the age of Dvapara Yuga, Pandavas - the five acknowledged sons of Pandu (Sanskrit: पांडु), by his two wives Kunti and Madri - lost to Kauravas in a game of dice, and both spent twelve years of Vanawas, or exile to the forest, followed by one year of Agnyatawas. The brothers hid their weapons in a hole in a Shami tree before entering the Kingdom of Virat to complete the final year of Agnyatawas. After that year, on Vijayadashmi, they recovered the weapons, declared their true identities and defeated Kauravas, who had attacked King Virat to steal his cattle. Since that day, Shami trees and weapons have been worshipped and the exchange of Shami leaves on Vijayadashmi has been a symbol of good will and victory. This is also called Shami/Jammi Puja.

Kautsa’s Guru Dakshina

Kautsa, the young son of a Brahmin called Devdatt, lived in the city of Paithan. After completing his education with Rishi Varatantu, he insisted on his guru accepting Guru Dakshina, a present. The guru said, “Kautsa, to give dakshina in return for learning wisdom is not appropriate. Graduation of the disciple makes the guru happy, and that is the real Guru Dakshina.”

Kautsa was not satisfied. He still felt it was his duty to give his guru something. The guru said, “All right, if you insist on giving me dakshina, then give me 140 million gold coins, 10 million for each of the 14 sciences I have taught you.”

Kautsa went to King Raghu. Raghuraja was an ancestor of Lord Rama, famous for his generosity. But just at that time he had spent all his money on the Brahmins, after performing the Vishvajit sacrifice. Raghuraja asked Kautsa to return in three days. Raghuraja immediately left to get the gold coins from Indra. Indra summoned Kuber, the god of wealth. Indra told Kuber, “Make rain full of gold coins, fall on the Shanu and Aapati trees around Raghuraja’s city of Ayodhya.”

The rain of gold coins began to fall. King Raghu gave all the coins to Kautsa, and Kautsa hastened to offer the coins to Varatantu Rishi. Guru had asked only 140 millions, so he gave the rest back to Kautsa. Kautsa was not interested in money, considering honour to be more valuable than wealth. He asked the king to take the remaining gold coins back. But the king refused, as kings do not take back the daan (gift).

Finally Kautsa distributed the gold coins to the people of Ayodhya on the day of Ashvin shukla dashami. In remembrance of this event, there has been a custom of plucking the leaves of the Aapati tree, and then people present these leaves to one another as gold.

#Navratri Celebration in Style. Tent put up @ #Radha #Krishna...

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:25:29 -0700

#Navratri Celebration in Style. Tent put up @ #Radha #Krishna #Mandir #Norwalk, #CA for #Raas-Garba (રાસ-ગરબા)! Live Band Playing, Lots of Room to do #Garba & #Raas! Glad to see Garba back @ the Old Stomping Ground :-) <3 #hindu #indian #NRI #California #So.Cal #piccollage

#Raas - Garba. Radha Krishna Mandir. Glad to see this place...

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:14:40 -0700

#Raas - Garba. Radha Krishna Mandir. Glad to see this place having Garba back. Best place to do Garba during #Navratri. #hindu #amazing #place (at Radha Krishna temple)

One of Best #MNF game. By far the Best ComeBack down 24-0 @...

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:29:35 -0700

One of Best #MNF game. By far the Best ComeBack down 24-0 @ HalfTime & Coming Back Winning 35-24 Amazing performance for Defense & By Manning & Co. Tied 3-3 for Division Lead going into Bye Week. #Broncos #NFL #ESPN #ComeBacks #Manning #Amazing #Monday #Night #Football. Love it. Overall a Great Monday Evening & Monday Night Football. Broncos shock the Chargers in SD. (Taken with Instagram)

#Obama2012 #TeamObamaBiden #Re-Elect_PresidentObama #usa...

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:19:51 -0700

#Obama2012 #TeamObamaBiden #Re-Elect_PresidentObama #usa #politics #vote #obama #TeamObama (Taken with Instagram)

Sree #Padmanabhaswamy temple is a #Hindu #temple dedicated to...

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 09:12:16 -0700

Sree #Padmanabhaswamy temple is a #Hindu #temple dedicated to #Lord #Vishnu located in Thiruvananthapuram, #Kerala #India. Got the picture from #facebook page of Awesome pictures of nature & Gods. Like the page if you’d like some amazing snaps of nature and Gods from all around the World. #SIMPLYHDR (Taken with Instagram)

#BAPU #Father of the #Nation #India #True_Hero #Apostle of...

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:08:51 -0700

#BAPU #Father of the #Nation #India #True_Hero #Apostle of #Peace #Great_HumanBeing #IDOL #Love You & #Miss You!!!!! Proud to be Born in the Same State as Great BAPU!!!!! Garvi #Gujarat need more like Him in Today’s World. An eye for an eye will Leave the World Blind!!!!!!! Jai Ho! Jai Hind!!!!!!! #SIMPLYHDR (Taken with Instagram)