Transcendence

Because the First Poet, Valmiki, wrote the First Poem, Ramayana, during this Holy Month of Kataka.

Today Sun entered Zero Degree Sidereal Cancer, Nirayana Kataka, thus initiating the Southern Solstice or Dakshinayana. Amongst the two Solstices, Southern is considered medium and Northern highly auspicious. Ayane Uttare Sreshta Madhyamam Dakshinayanam. According to Electional Astrology, installation of the Idol or Prathishta in temples are done during Uttarayana. .

Millions throng to river banks like Thiru Navaya and places like Thiru Nelli to do Tharpanam to departed ancestors on this highly auspicious day. In all families, there will be verbal clashes. Father vs Mother vs Son vs Daughter. We may have hurt our parents, either consciously or unconsciously. Our children may also hurt us ! When our children hurt us, know that it is Karma working ! We are getting our wages ! So Tharpana is a great spiritual and psychological exercise and we pray for forgiveness from our departed parents, Samasthaparadham Kshamashva ! We invoke the Seven Sacred Rivers and pray for forgiveness. Ganga cha Yamuna chaiva Godavari  Saraswati Narmada Sindhu  Kaveree  Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru  We also pray for forgiveness from the Lord, Samasthaparadham Kshamasva Akhilesha !

As Karkitadaka or Cancer starts today, as the Sun traverses sidereal Cancer, a medicinal porridge called Karkataka Kanji is fancied heavily by Ayurvedists. This is the rainy season in Kerala and no agri work can be done due to the heavy rains lashing the state. So the Ayurvedic physicians took this month for revitalisation and rejuvenation.  The constituents of Karkitaka Kanji are Bala, Attibala, Urinnigi, Thiruthalli, Navarra Rice, jeerakam 3 et al.

As the Eternal People, we have to fight two wars - the internal and the external. The external war refers to fighting Anti National Forces, the Breaking India Forces or the AHindutva Forces. The internal war is the war wherein we fight our six enemies or Ari Shad Varga - lust, anger, pride, delusion, jealousy and greed, Kama, Krodha, Mada, Moha, Matsarya and Lobha. This inner war was symbolised as Mahabharata and Ramayana. Duryodhana is emblematic of Kama and Dussasana, Krodha ! Let us then surrender to the Universal Will and work hard to win both the battles !

There is a legend surrounding Guruvayur's premier poet, Poonthanam. Once the poet was travelling thorough the forest, when robbers waylaid him. He prayed to the Lord to save him. Then lo and behold, the Commander in Chief of the King's Army, Mangat Achan, suddenly appeared there on horseback, wielding the sword. The frightened robbers ran away ! Poontanam gave his ring to the Commander in Chief as a token of gratitude. Next day, the priest at the Guruvayur Temple had a strange dream. The Lord told him that a ring is there on the Deity's finger at the sanctum sanctorum and "please give this to Poonthanam". The poet went into raptures when he saw the ring on the Deity's finger ! Mangat achante Veshavum Ketti Shishta Rakshkkai Bhavan Chance is perhaps the pseudonym of the Lord when He does not wish to sign !

Even though Power Cut or Load Shedding has been lifted in Kerala from today onwards, the monsoon scenario looks grim. Rains are only 73% this year. Last year it recorded 187%. Scope for alarm and despondency, as Agri and Industry will be adversely affected. We are praying for more rains Swasthi Prajabhyam Paripalayantham Nyayena Margena Maheem Maheesa Go Brahmanebhya Shubhamasthu nithyam Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu May the Four Noble Professions Be happy throughout ! May the whole world Be happy ! Kale Varshe thu parjanya Prithvee Sasya Salinee May rains grace us May the land become fertile !