Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali: A Twin Celebration of Light and Purity

 

The festivals of Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali hold a special place in the hearts of many. These vibrant celebrations bring communities together, spreading joy and spirituality across the land. As the full moon brightens the sky, devotees engage in rituals that signify purity and light. Let’s explore these twin celebrations and uncover their deeper meanings.

The Significance of Kartik Purnima

Kartik Purnima occurs on the full moon night in the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls between October and November. This day is steeped in richness and festivity. People believe that taking a holy dip in rivers during this time washes away sins.

Key Points:

• It marks the end of the month of Kartik.

• Devotees celebrate with prayers and rituals.

• Many observe fasts to purify the body and soul.

The Spiritual Importance of Dev Diwali

Dev Diwali, also known as the "Diwali of the Gods," takes place fifteen days after the main Diwali festival. This special day honors the gods and is marked by lighting oil lamps—representing the triumph of light over darkness.

Important Aspects:

• It is believed that on this day, the gods descended to Earth.

• Devotees illuminate their homes and temples with diyas (oil lamps).

• Bathing in sacred waters is a vital practice on this day.

A Harmonious Blend of Celebrations

Both Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali revolve around the themes of light and purity. While Kartik Purnima focuses on community gatherings and personal reflection, Dev Diwali emphasizes divine worship and gratitude.

Understanding Kartik Purnima: A Harvest Moon Festival

The full moon of Kartik not only signifies spiritual renewal but also ushers in the harvest season. Families come together to celebrate the bounties of nature.

Rituals and Traditions Associated with Kartik Purnima

• Ganga Snan: Taking a sacred bath in rivers.

• Lighting Lamps: Homes are adorned with small clay lamps.

• Offerings: Devotees prepare special sweets and offer them to the deities.

Regional Variations in Kartik Purnima Celebrations

Celebrations differ by region. In some states, like Maharashtra, devotees indulge in elaborate feasts, while in Varanasi, the focus is on river rituals.

The Auspicious Timing of Kartik Purnima

The timing of this festival is crucial. It is believed that the full moon night enhances spiritual energy, making prayers more effective.

Dev Diwali: The Festival of Lights for the Gods

Dev Diwali’s essence lies in its divine significance. The day mirrors the popular Diwali festival but is unique in its focus on deities.

The Mythology Behind Dev Diwali

Legend states that the gods rejoiced on this day after the victory over the demon king, Mahishasura. Lighting lamps signifies their return.

The Significance of Bathing Sacred Rivers

Bathing in sacred rivers, especially the Ganges, is common. It is believed this cleanses impurities, granting blessings.

Unique Rituals Performed During Dev Diwali

• Ceremonial Pujas: Special prayers offered to deities.

• Community Feasts: Families share food with neighbors and the needy.

• Decorations: Homes are decorated with flowers and rangoli.

The Intertwined Significance of Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali

Both festivals embody shared values, emphasizing light’s power to overcome darkness.

Shared Symbolism of Light and Purity

Both occasions symbolize purity and the divine light overcoming evil. Devotees reflect on personal growth during these festal times.

The Spiritual Union of the Two Festivals

The festivals create a spiritual synergy, where the energy of light uplifts the individual and the community.

Overlapping Rituals and Practices

Many rituals are performed in tandem between these festivals, fostering a sense of connection among practitioners.

Celebrating Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali: A Practical Guide

Joining in the celebrations can enrich your experience and deepen your connection to these traditions.

Participating in Religious Ceremonies

Join in local ceremonies; they can be found at temples or community centers. Your participation adds to the collective joy.

Engaging in Charitable Activities

Consider helping those in need. Simple acts like sharing food can amplify the spirit of these festivals.

Planning a Festive Gathering at Home

Host friends and family to share in the festivities. Prepare traditional sweets or light lamps together, making lasting memories.

The Lasting Impact: Reflecting on Light and Renewal

Both Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali encourage us to incorporate spirituality into daily life.

Incorporating Spiritual Practices into Daily Life

Regular meditation, prayer, or gratitude journaling can enhance your spiritual journey.

Embracing the Message of Purity and Illumination

Make a conscious effort to promote purity in thoughts and actions. This can lead to a more fulfilling life.

The Enduring Legacy of Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali

Ultimately, these festivals remind us of a timeless message: that light and purity can triumph over darkness.

Celebrating Kartik Purnima and Dev Diwali invites us all to reflect on our paths and inspire others to join in the dance of light. Embrace these vibrant festivals and let their essence illuminate your life!

Moon sign and its effects on us

 Moon is officially in charge of the element, water and rules over the tides of the sea/ocean. Moon is the ruler of the plants and vegetable kingdom. The Moon symbolizes the mind and accordingly, it indicates a person's thinking, feelings, health, emotional self, person’s inner self, instincts, habits, and automatic reactions and other mental processes. It gives spontaneous nature, youth, love of poetry, music, taste, attractive looks and sensuality. Its influence makes one moody, emotional and sensitive.

The connection between the Moon and living being has been since pre-historic times. Therefore, the Moon was and still is the focus of many people in various cultures across the globe, but in particular among poets and writers as they found it romantic piece or symbol of love, which looked at it and wrote about what they saw, what they felt and what they imagined. The Moon is the ruler of the sign Cancer. It is most powerful, or glorious, in Taurus, and fallen or incapacitated in Scorpio. Jupiter, Sun and Mars are the Moon's natural friends.

The power of the Moon has the most instantaneous effect because it changes signs so frequently. The Moon magnetizes a different astrological sign’s energy field every two and a half days. This means that it travels through all of the 12 signs of the zodiac during its lunar cycle. Think about the sign of people Sun was in at the time of their birth. This means that if the person inherited the attitudes of Taurus when he/she were born, when Sun was in the sign of Taurus.

Since signs are attitudes, person has the tendency to be efficient, organized, seek perfection, and like to be of service. Each month, when the Moon passes through Taurus, it will energize Taurus tendencies. Taurus, nit-picking attitudes will be very strong during the Moon's two and a half day journey through the sign of Taurus. This means that everyone with specific manners is stimulated by the Moon at some time during each month. Throughout the month the moon goes through different phases, all of which can be determined by looking into the sky on a clear night. The important thing to keep in mind as far as fish and fishing is concerned is when there is a full and/or new moon. Fish are much more active during these two phases of the moon, sounds exciting.

The moon plays an important role in astrology and astrological phenomena. The position and phase of the moon influences the other aspects of astrology, including sun signs and planetary movements. In fact, the moon influences other aspects of astrology as a whole. For centuries the full moon can affect people's consciousness and behavior. Many people may feel wakeful at night with energy streaming through their body for the three days before full moon.

Each of the planets, and the sun and moon, has an influence on people feelings, emotions and consciousness. The moon affects emotions because the moon influences water; just as the moon causes the tides, it exerts a pull on the watery components of body, and person feel this as emotions as the body is made up of 70% to 80% of water. In India, people give much importance to Moon sign over the Sun sign, in fact, a Vedic astrologer or "Jyotisha" in India can tell what Moon sign natives are born under often from their first name alone! In Vedic astrology the zodiac is divided into 27 different moon nakshatras or constellations instead of the 12 divisions we have in western astrology. Since each nakshatra is ruled by a different deity (god or goddess) many parents in India name their children after the deity associated with their child's moon sign!

Moon is beneficial to those born in ascending moon cycle and unfortunate to those born in descending moon sign. A strong Moon in the chart will indicate a happy mental state, good mother, opportunities for travel over water and success in businesses. A powerful Moon gives emotional strength, makes for good relations and love for others. However, if the Moon is weak in the chart, it leads to mental apprehension, emotional instability and an inability to relate well to others. This makes one unfriendly and unable to share intimacy, or takes away contentment or peace of mind. The individual becomes moody with an unclear mind.

Depending on how severely afflicted it is, there may be a tendency towards neurosis, hysteria or insanity. It also indicates ill health of the mother, or difficulties in social advancement. It represents interaction with the public, or public businesses, water, liquids and the tides of the sea, over which it rules. The Moon also possesses dominance over the waters and liquids within person bodies.

The Moon is also responsible for growth, fertility and conception. It influences childbirth and memory. Moon sign do affect health: Physically an afflicted, debilitated, or otherwise ill-disposed Moon may indicate anemia, lack of body fluids or body weight, constipation and dryness of the skin. It can cause colds, fevers, bronchitis, intestinal problems, or even susceptibility to cancer. Organs, such as the lungs and kidneys may also be weak and there may be menstrual or infertility problems in women.

In the birth chart, the Moon and its aspects reveal a great deal about personal patterns with food and weight, the information that can help to get better handle on the issue. For each of the twelve Moon signs, people will explore common eating patterns: what are the real eating about, may be affecting people’s eating habit, and, if people need to cut back, what else would prove satisfying. If people already have birth chart, can identify people’s Moon sign. The Moon signs in astrology will help to give another look into people’s life. People should follow the signs in astrology so can also follow others Moon sign horoscope to know what is coming up for them.

The Moon is said to have three faces, the crescent represents a young woman, and the full moon represents the mother and the dark moon the witch. All witch craft is practiced during the dark moon (amavasya) phase, mainly during the winters. In India, Diwali is the night when black magic is at its powerful best. Epilepsy, madness and emotional instability are most pronounced during the full moon. The full moon is also worshiped for its powers to restore fertility in crops and in the drought times water was offered to the moon.

Channel of cosmic power

 The puranas and other mythology books describing Great Cosmic Power, spirit into demonstration says that in the Beginning only the Sun (as the Creator of the Universe) was the master of the sky. He was worshipped and adored by all beings. The sages (rishis) begged the mighty Sun (Surya) to create more worlds and offered him soma, a sacred plant (or the divine nectar) as sacrifice.

Then Surya used his power in order to manifest the worlds (lokas or bhuvanas). This Supreme Energy thus assumed a shape of its own as the splendid manifestation of the Great Cosmic Power Bhuvaneshwari, Governess of all worlds or Mistress of the three worlds or in other words, the earth or the physical dimension, the atmosphere or the astral dimension and the sky or the heavenly dimension. It is also said that this form of the Supreme Energy, Shakti was not manifested until the moment of creation.


Other writings speak of Lokas (the worlds) as the divisions of the universe representing the delicate worlds corresponding to the consciousness level of the beings inhabiting them. Generally here we are talking about a division into three fundamental worlds, Triloka, or the Sky, the Earth and the Infernal world or in other words the Divine, the Intermediary and the Inferior world. 

Another classifying mentions the seven higher worlds: Bhur Loka – the Earth; Bhuvar Loka – the space between the Earth and the Sun, the realm of the sages; Svar Loka –Indra’s sky; Mahar Loka – the realm of the great saints; Jnana Loka – country of Brahma’s sons; Tatar Loka – residence of the Vairaja class (Vira-s) and Satya Loka or Brahma Loka –Brahma’s residence that once reached generates liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth. Seven inferior worlds correspond to these seven higher worlds called Patala. 

Samhita and Vedanta philosophical schools also mention eight Loka or higher and inferior regions: 1. Brahma Loka, the world of the supreme gods; 2. Pitri Loka, the realm of the sages; 3. Soma Loka, the realm of the world and planets; 4. Indra Loka, the world of the inferior deities; 5. Gandharva Loka, the realm of the celestial spirits; 6. Rakshasa Loka, the relam of raksha-s; 7. Zaksha Loka, Zaksha’s realm; 8. Pisacha Loka, the realm of demons and devils.


The cosmic power of a living being which keeps on flowing in the form of craving and lust is to be preserved inside the internal discipline of living being. Like the interior subtlest nature, the cosmic power is to be thrown back into the internal discipline and stopped for moving towards unconscious mind and sense organs of the living being. 

There after the power is to be fully awakened in the internal discipline. The force of craving and lust of unconscious mind is to be pulled up in the coil of one’s own internal discipline. The discharge and dissemination of cosmic power is to be stopped.


In the beginning of the Universe there was only “Word”. A universal cycle of existence begins with a divine utterance of a word, an idea brought forth by different religions, for instance, for the Hindus this creative word was AUM; for the Greeks a Logos and so on. A word is composed of letters; and each letter, in the cosmological type of symbolism, stands for a particular cosmic power. 

Astrology can be considered as an expression of such an ancient tradition, for the birth-chart of an individual is the sacred name, the "word in the beginning," the individual mantra of this individual born at a particular time and a particular place on the globe. These sounds correspond to certain positions of the Moon in the 360-degree Zodiac. There are 108 different Vedic Sounds (4 per star). Usually, if the person's birth date is unknown, then this method of determining the transit influences is used.  


The power of creation and procreation acquire strength of cosmic power. Brahmacharya is atonement with the power of creation and procreation. It is the state where any can seek and find and know the absolute illumined Truth of anything upon which they wish to focus their attention. 

It is the space where divine Unconditional Love for all divine souls and all life ever created by God is part of the natural ambiance.  And it is the space in which the divine Cosmic Power of God, the All That Is, is available for those in Oneness to create Peace, Truth, Love, Harmony, Abundance, and Perfection here on Earth.


A disciple of meditation is to avoid circulated of power of creation and procreation in order to promote power of strength of cosmic power. He is to be connubial to chastity in thought, word and deed. A disciple of meditation is enjoyed upon to preserve chastity through the practice and cultivation of various yogic exercises and disciplines. 

The cultivation and disciplining of the virtue of power of creation and procreation augments, enhances and promotes strength of cosmic power. The keeping and maintenance of character like that of the chastity, equivalent to the practice of power of creation and procreation.


At the moment of a child’s first breath, the basic rhythm of his total organism — blood circulation, breathing, and probably some sort of rhythm of nerve electricity (prana in Sanskrit) is set by some mysterious power, the creative power that emanates from the entire solar system. 


The birth-chart remains as a fundamental name, throughout the life cycle as an unchanging formula which represents the true individuality of this particular human being. The birth-chart is a word of which the planets are the letters. It may be said to be the resonance of the newborn organism to the powerful vibrations of the cosmic word and the acceptance by this organism of its particular place and function in the universe. 

The positions of the planets (Sun and Moon included) change constantly and continuously throughout the life of the individual human being, and these changes will have a finite impact upon his development. In every moment in time, a different arrangement of all matter takes place in the universe; and that arrangement is never repeated again ever, simply because time never wait for anyone.


Cosmologies cover many of the same concerns also addressed by religious cosmology and philosophical cosmology, such as the origin, purpose, and destiny of the universe and of consciousness and the nature of existence. For this reason it is sometimes difficult to distinguish where religion or philosophy end and esotericism or occultism begins. However, mysterious cosmology is distinguished from religion in its more sophisticated construction and reliance on intellectual understanding rather than faith, and from philosophy in its emphasis on techniques of psycho-spiritual transformation.

Examples of mysterious cosmologies can be found in Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Tantra (especially Kashmir Shaivism), Kabbalah, Sufism, the teachings of Jacob Boehme, The Urantia Book, the Sant Mat/Surat Shabda Yoga tradition, Theosophy, Anthroposophy, The Cosmic Tradition of Max Theon and his wife, Max Heindel (The Rosicrucian Cosmo-Conception), elements of the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, Meher Baba, the Fourth Way propounded by Gurdjieff and Ouspensky, PaGaian Cosmology and many current New Age teachings.

Astrology and Horoscope for believers

 Astrology has played a major role in society since the beginning of civilization. Astrology influences almost every part of the world. Astrology's history is a long one, and common belief is that its origins lie with the Greeks.

 Astrology gives an update and provides facts on present and future. Future can be as revealed by horoscope and interpreted by an astrologer. To satisfy curiosity of a person, astrology suggests unique remedial measures to solve chronic and critical human problems in day-to-day life. Analyzing horoscope, expert tries to suggest instant effective remedies in solving all kinds of human troubles and tensions, without inflicting harm on anybody i.e. these remedies are completely self-defensive against the evils created by the planets without causing injury in anyway to anyone concerned.


Astrology and concept of eclipses - myth or science


In India, many people believe in astrology but there are many non-believers. The non-believers and the positivists who claim that astrology is counterfeit and that it exploits the fear and insecurity of people. The believers of astrology and the astrologers defend the stance that astrology is an accurate science.

In early primitive age, calculating astrological principles was the concept that every living being has capacity to move, whereas lifeless thing cannot move. This religious viewpoint leads sages to classify planets (Sun, Moon, Mars etc.) as deities. In those days, only sages, Brahmins and kings had permission to study religious scriptures. Thus after extended observation of the sky they (sages) developed the skill to predict solar and lunar eclipses, which was the result of seizing the Sun and Moon by an imaginary shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. They (sages) were able to predict the time and duration of eclipses.

Sages have prepared a clever way to offer donations etc. to get the innocent people free from the clutches of Rahu and Ketu, which is adopted by the masses in current world. According to sages the fate of his or her were pre-decided before birth and according to his or her deeds. When sages were able to predict the fate of deities like Sun and Moon then why they could not predict the fate of person and so on in modern age. In early ages, sages were perfect with predictions but in modern scenario, some of the sages and astrologers read the scriptures written by great sages and give wrong predictions and advice to get money from the innocent people. We can find very nominal percentage of astrologers, who can predict 100% and do not charge extra money from the innocent people.   

Nowadays there are two types of group. One group belongs to astrologers who always try to support astrology due to their business circumstances, whereas other group tries to raise some reasonable questions against astrology.

Day three of Navratri – Chandraghanta

Here we all are celebrating the third day of Navratri. We must be enjoying the fabulous days and night of beautiful weather of celebration.

Goddess Durga’s third form is known as Chandraghanta or Shakti. Chandra stands for moon and Ghanta is associated with the bell.

This name Chandraghanta does uncovers and locates its elucidation and enlightens in the half-circular moon on the temple of the Goddess that look a lot resembles to a bell.

 In this form if described well enough with full devotion and respect, she has three eyes and has ten hands. Each of her hand does possess ten diverse weapons. She is seated on lion and is worshipped on the third day of the Navratri celebration.

Her shade and tone is golden and her look is forever spreads a peaceful, quiet and everlasting peace all round. She is extraordinary and unparalleled image of courage and valor. The appalling and terrible sound of her bell terrifies all the evil and demon. Worship of this deity helps to eradicate and destroy the sorrow, hazards and dangers in ones life.