Bihar has begun a move to revive 391 Buniyadi Vidyalayas (also known as basic schools) that were built in accordance with Mahatma Gandhi's concept of providing elementary holistic education to every child.

PATNA :-

The schools were meant to provide education that connected seamlessly with lives of children. Training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving was also part of the pedagogy in these schools. Here, teachers were also expected to have skills in different crafts.

Now, the government will run 122 'model' schools in the already existing basic schools to give them a new lease of life.

"After the central government approved 122 model schools, the state government has decided to run them in the basic schools set up on Gandhian principles," Biihar Education Minister P.K. Shahi told.

Shahi said decades of neglect had caused the standard of the basic schools to drop.

He hoped that setting up of model schools within basic schools would revive Gandhi's dream education system.

Gandhi aimed at the creation of small, self-reliant communities through training children in qualities of heart, head and hand. He wanted to bridge the separation between education and work.

While traditional systems of education in India and the schools set up under the colonial government emphasised literacy and numeracy, Gandhi wanted 'Nai Talim' (new education) to create industrious and intelligent individuals who were adept at working with their hands.

An official in the education department said although Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had been advocating the revival of Gandhian schools for seven years, no effort was taken until recently.

Nitish Kumar set up a three-member committee last year to come up with concrete plans to revive these schools. It submitted its report recently, and the chief minister expressed shock that of the 391 Buniyadi Vidyalayas, hardly any was functional.

There were plans to revive the basic schools that were also part of the Common School System the government wanted to implement. But this too has remained on paper.

Amarjeet Sinha, principal secretary, education department, said the government would revive the schools in earnest.

"We will appoint teachers in all basic schools. A decision has been taken to appoint five teachers in each such school," he said.

Officials admit that scores of basic schools have not even one teacher; many of the schools are grossly understaffed, and many are being run by volunteers.

"The shortage of teachers has badly affected the quality of education in these schools," 

District officials in Champaran district said the 'Mahatma ke school' (schools of the Mahatma), as known locally, have been struggling for survival.

Apart from the dearth of staff in many schools, even the land meant for the schools has been encroached, ..
.

The first Buniyadi Vidyalaya was set up by Gandhi in 1939 in Brindavan in Bihar's West Champaran district.

The schools were meant to provide education that connected seamlessly with the lives of children. Training in spinning, carpentry, farming and weaving were also part of the pedagogy in these schools. Teachers were also expected to be skilled in different crafts.

The whole learning process too was differently envisaged, as Gandhi believed teachers were not mere instructors but would also learn while interacting with students.

Successive state governments have been unable to match Gandhi's vision, and the institution has been allowed to languish.

No effort was made by the union government either to keep the institution alive.

A few years ago, the Supreme Court took serious note of the plight of basic schools in West Champaran.

The court then issued a notice to the union government, the state government, West Champaran district administration and National Human Rights Commission to ensure proper functioning of the schools and preserve Gandhian heritage.

"SUPER 30" students of BIHAR can now study in University of Tokyo

Mathematician and Super-30 founder Anand Kumar with Hiroshi Yoshino,
 Director, University of Tokyo, during a meeting in Patna



University of Tokyo

PATNA :-

The novel initiative of Super 30, a pioneering coaching institute that grooms poor children from Bihar for admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) every year, has inspired the Japanese universities to launch a similar programme for underprivileged students from across the world. 

Christened Global 30, the programme will be launched by the University of Tokyo and 12 other universities in collaboration with the Japanese government and the Cooperative Grocer Chain Japan, a network of supermarket chain, from the next academic year. 

At least one student of Super 30 will also be enrolled and provided full scholarship under the programme.

 The highly acclaimed 'Super 30' educational programme which trains students from economically backward sections for the IIT-JEE, today entered into an agreement with University of Tokyo which would sponsor study of its students in Japan.

The pact was reached here during a meeting between Anand Kumar, the founder of Super 30, and Yoshino Hiroshi, Director, The University of Tokyo.

The sponsorship will start with admission of Indian students from October 2013, Yoshino told .

"University of Tokyo is reaching an understanding with the Patna-based mathematical group (Super 30) because of its remarkable performance of training economically poor students to qualify in top institutions like IIT," he said.

Yoshino said the Japanese government broadcast corporation (NHK) ran a programme on Super 30 under the heading "Indian shock" to highlight the success of the mathematical club.

The Tokyo University director said the engagement with Super 30 was part of Japanese government programme "Global 30" to increase flow of Indian students there.

"Presently, out of 1.4 lakh foreign students annually coming to Japan, India's contribution is only 600. Japan wishes to increase (its) number of foreign students to three lakh by 2020 which can be achieved by raising flow of students from India, particularly in the field of science and technology," he said.

Kumar said the offer from Tokyo university was encouraging.

"This will open avenues for our students in the foreign country," he said.

'Super 30' is an initiative of mathematician Anand Kumar in Bihar which trains 30 poor students every year for IIT-JEE out of which a majority have so far succeeded in the test.

 About University of Tokyo :-

The University of Tokyo and Todai

The University of Tokyo is commonly known as "Todai" in Japan, an abbreviation of the Japanese characters that make up the Japanese name of the University. The full Japanese name of the University is the four characters that spell out Tokyo Daigaku. Taking the first character of Tokyo (our home city) and the first character of Daigaku (which means university), gives Todai. The abbreviation UT is no longer used for several reasons. First, to avoid confusion with other excellent overseas universities that use that abbreviation. Second, to create a single brand image and identity across the University, both visually and among all  members, irrespective of language. Third, and perhaps most importantly, because even in this global age Todai is a Japanese university.

International Activities

International activities at the University of Tokyo are intended to ensure that the university is able to thrive in the face of competition from universities within Japan and around the globe, while at the same time benefiting the international community as a whole through collaboration with the world's leading institutions aiming at creating new knowledge for humankind. The construction of an internationally attractive environment for education and research is in part founded on relationships with other universities.

 The University of Tokyo India Office

Location

Unit No.603 Prestige Meridian-1, No.29, M.G.Road, Bangalore, 560001 India
Tel: ＋91-80-4150-8509
Email: yoshino.hiroshi[at]mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Staff

Director: Mr. Hiroshi Yoshino
Secretary to the Director: Ms. Shivani Gopalkrishna

Purpose of Activities

1. Promote university-level exchange and cooperation with top-class universities and research institutions in India
2. Assist excellent Indian students in studying at the University of Tokyo and other universities in Japan.
3. Promote cooperation with Academia, Industry and Government in India.
4. Support the activities of the University of Tokyo alumni organisation in India.

The India Office is equipped with a TV conference system, linking up with the University of Tokyo administration offices in Japan.  For inquiries or a request to use the services of the India Office, please contact the International Exchange Group, International Affairs Department.

Contact details

International Exchange Group, International Affairs Department

Tel: 03-5841-1062
E-mail: g30-ut[at]ml.adm.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Sudha Milk Taste of Bihar will now sell in Delhi and Kolkata "Two tankers will be sent from Samastipur to Delhi while two tankers from Barauni will carry milk to Kolkata every day,"

PATNA: Sudha, the taste of Bihar, is all set to go national. Having spurred a white revolution in the hitherto backward state of Bihar, Sudha milk will now sell in Delhi and Kolkata.

"It's a proud moment for Bihar as for the first time any of the state's milk federations has been able to transgress the state boundaries by its sheer genuineness and purity. In fact, every Bihari should be proud of Sudha in the same was as every Gujarati is proud of Amul," said Bihar State Co-operative Milk Producers' Federation (COMPFED)'s managing director Arunish Chawla.

COMPFED created history on July 14 when its daily procurement of milk crossed the seven-lakh-litres-a-day mark. The procurement will soon go up to over 9 lakh litres per day, a proud Chawla said.
But the history was not made in a day. Over the years since 1983 several milk unions have joined hands to script the success story of COMPFED, which sells all its milk products under the brand name of Sudha. In the process, theirs have become one of the best examples of cooperative achievement in a developing economy.
There are currently eight milk unions and three marketing dairies which add to the federation's total procurement per day. They are Barauni Milk Union known as Deshratna Rajendra Prasad Milk Union, Visha-Pataliputra Milk Union with its headquarters at Patna, Samastipur-based Mithila Milk Union, Muzaffarpur-based Tirhut Milk Union, Bhagalpur's Vikramshila Milk Union, Ara's Shahabad Milk Union, Gaya's Magadh Dairy Project and Kosi Dairy Project headquartered at Purnia.

COMPFED has three marketing dairies at Jamshedpur, Ranchi and Bokaro. These three procure milk from various milk unions and even their local resources.

With surplus milk at its disposal, COMPFED has signed an agreement with the Delhi Milk Scheme run by Mother Dairy and Amul in Kolkata to supply 30,000 litres of milk each to the two metros every day later from this month. This supply, however, will be marketed there under the brand names of Mother Dairy and Amul.

Maa Chandraghanta is the third Shakti of Maa Durga is worshiped on the third day of Navrti Pooja. Those who worship Devi Chandraghanta get eternal strength and be blessed by Devi Maa to be happy through out one’s life.

Maa Chandraghanta is one Who establishes justice and wears crescent moon on Her head. Because of this bell shaped mark of moon which is present on the fore head of Maa Chandraghanta, Maa is known as Chandraghanta. The colour of her body is golden, she rides on lion who descrides “dharma”, possesses ten hands and three eyes, eight of Her hands display weapons while the remaining two are respectively in the mudras of gestures of boon giving and stopping harm. Devi Maa is posed as to be ready for war. “Chandra Ghanta”  meaning supreme bliss and knowledge, showering peace and serenity, like cool breeze in a moonlit night. By her blessings all the hindrances coming in way of a person are removed. Her pleasant looks clears all sorrows and sadness of her devotees. Her roaring voice alerts and makes the Demons to tremble.

In Durga Pooja the third day of Navratri is very important in Navaratri. This day the mind of the sadhak enters Manipura Cakra. At this stage by the grace of Maa Chandraghanta he becomes capable of seeing unearthly and divine things. He smells the divine fragrance and many types of divine sound become audible to him. On this day and in this stage of discipline the sadhak is required to be most careful.

By the grace of Mother Chandraghanta all sins of the sadhak (striver) are burnt up and obstacles removed. Her worship is instantly fruitful. She is always in a gesture as if ready to proceed for the battlefield and thus she removes the difficulties of devotees very promptly. Her vehicle is lion and so her worshiper becomes valorous and fearless like a lion. The sound of her bell always protects her devotees from evil spirits. As soon as the sadhak invokes her, her bell immediately becomes active and starts ringing to protect the devotee under her shelter.

 Even though she keeps her always busy in killing and suppressing the wicked, yet to her devotees and worshipers she looks most serene, gentle and peaceful. A very good quality that is developed in her devotees who worship her, is-the striver cultivates bravery and fearlessness accompanied by serenity and humility. His face, eyes and the entire body gets effulgent. His voice becomes divinely sweet. Wherever the devotee worshiper of mother Chandraghanta go, they disperse peace and blessings among the people. From the body of such a striver there always takes place an invisible radiation of divinely lighted atoms. This divine action is beyond the perceiving capacity of physical eyes but the striver himself and his associates go on experiencing this fact every now and then. By purifying his mind, words, deeds and body through prescribed manner we should worship the mother Chandraghanta and take shelter under her feet. Through worshiping her we can get rid of all worldly sorrows, and attain the supreme goal spontaneously. We should always try to advance on the path of spiritual discipline by contemplating on the sacred image of the mother. Contemplating on her, we can attain the mundane perfection and ultimate good in the other world.

नवरात्र का दूसरा दिन भगवती ब्रह्मचारिणी की आराधना से सर्व सिद्धि प्राप्त होती है।

मां दुर्गा के श्लोक
प्रथमं शैलपुत्री च द्वितीयम्‌ ब्रह्मचारिणी।
तृतीयं चंद्रघण्टेति कुष्मांडेति चतुर्थकं॥
पंचमं स्कंदमातेति, षष्टम कात्यायनीति च।
सप्तमं कालरात्रीति, महागौरीति चाष्टमं॥
नवमं सिद्धिदात्री च नवदुर्गा प्रकीर्तिताः॥


दधाना करपद्माभ्यामक्षमालाकमण्डलू।
देवी प्रसीदतु मयि ब्रह्मचारिण्यनुत्तमा॥ 

 मां दुर्गा की नवशक्ति का दूसरा स्वरूप ब्रह्मचारिणी का है। भगवान शंकर को पति रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए घोर तपस्या की थी। इस कठिन तपस्या के कारण इस देवी को तपश्चारिणी अर्थात्‌ ब्रह्मचारिणी नाम से अभिहित किया।

यहां ब्रह्म का अर्थ तपस्या से है। मां दुर्गा का यह स्वरूप भक्तों और सिद्धों को अनंत फल देने वाला है। इनकी उपासना से तप, त्याग, वैराग्य, सदाचार और संयम की वृद्धि होती है। 

 ब्रह्मचारिणी का अर्थ तप की चारिणी यानी तप का आचरण करने वाली। देवी का यह रूप पूर्ण ज्योतिर्मय और अत्यंत भव्य है। इस देवी के दाएं हाथ में जप की माला है और बाएं हाथ में यह कमण्डल धारण किए हैं।

पूर्व जन्म में इस देवी ने हिमालय के घर पुत्री रूप में जन्म लिया था और नारदजी के उपदेश से भगवान शंकर को पति रूप में प्राप्त करने के लिए घोर तपस्या की थी। इस कठिन तपस्या के कारण इन्हें तपश्चारिणी अर्थात्‌ ब्रह्मचारिणी नाम से अभिहित किया गया। एक हजार वर्ष तक इन्होंने केवल फल-फूल खाकर बिताए और सौ वर्षों तक केवल जमीन पर रहकर शाक पर निर्वाह किया।

कुछ दिनों तक कठिन उपवास रखे और खुले आकाश के नीचे वर्षा और धूप के घोर कष्ट सहे। तीन हजार वर्षों तक टूटे हुए बिल्व पत्र खाए और भगवान शंकर की आराधना करती रहीं। इसके बाद तो उन्होंने सूखे बिल्व पत्र खाना भी छोड़ दिए। कई हजार वर्षों तक निर्जल और निराहार रह कर तपस्या करती रहीं। पत्तों को खाना छोड़ देने के कारण ही इनका नाम अपर्णा नाम पड़ गया।

कठिन तपस्या के कारण देवी का शरीर एकदम क्षीण हो गया। देवता, ऋषि, सिद्धगण, मुनि सभी ने ब्रह्मचारिणी की तपस्या को अभूतपूर्व पुण्य कृत्य बताया, सराहना की और कहा- हे देवी आज तक किसी ने इस तरह की कठोर तपस्या नहीं की। यह तुम्हीं से ही संभव थी। तुम्हारी मनोकामना परिपूर्ण होगी और भगवान चंद्रमौलि शिवजी तुम्हें पति रूप में प्राप्त होंगे। अब तपस्या छोड़कर घर लौट जाओ। जल्द ही तुम्हारे पिता तुम्हें बुलाने आ रहे हैं।

दुर्गा पूजा के दूसरे दिन देवी के इसी स्वरूप की उपासना की जाती है। इस देवी की कथा का सार यह है कि जीवन के कठिन संघर्षों में भी मन विचलित नहीं होना चाहिए। मां ब्रह्मचारिणी देवी की कृपा से सर्व सिद्धि प्राप्त होती है।

 नवरात्र के  दूसरे दिन भगवती मां ब्रह्मचारिणी की पूजा, अर्चना का विधान है। 

साधक एवं योगी इस दिन अपने मन को भगवती मां के श्री चरणों मे एकाग्रचित करके स्वाधिष्ठान चक्र में स्थित करते हैं और मां की कृपा प्राप्त करते हैं। ब्रह्म शब्द का तात्पर्य (तपस्या)। ब्रह्मचारिणी का तात्पर्य तप का आचरण करने वाली ब्रह्म-चारिणी देवी का स्वरूप ज्योतिर्मय एवं महान है। मां के दाहिने हाथ में जप माला एवं बायें हाथ में कमंडल सुशोभित रहता है। अपने पूर्व जन्म में वे हिमालय (पर्वतराज) के घर कन्या रूप में प्रकट हुई थीं। तब इन्होंने देवर्षि नारद जी के उपदेशानुसार कठिन तपस्या करके भगवान शंकर को अपने पति के रू प में प्राप्त किया था। माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी की उपासना से मनोरथ सिद्धि, विजय एवं नीरोगता की प्राप्ति होती है तथा मां के निर्मल स्वरूप के दर्शन प्राप्त होते हैं। प्रेम युक्त  की गयी भक्ति  से साधक  का सर्व प्रकार से दु:ख-दारिद्र का विनाश एवं सुख-सौभाग्य की प्राप्ति होती है। 

 

नवरात्र का दूसरा दिन भगवती ब्रह्मचारिणी की आराधना का दिन है। श्रध्दालु भक्त व साधक अनेक प्रकार से भगवती की अनुकम्पा प्राप्त करने के लिए व्रत-अनुष्ठान व साधना करते हैं। कुंडलिनी जागरण के साधक इस दिन स्वाधिष्ठान चक्र को जाग्रत करने की साधना करते हैं। वे गुरु कृपा से प्राप्त ज्ञान विधि का प्रयोग कर कुंडलिनी शक्ति को जाग्रत करते हुए इसे जाग्रत कर शास्त्रोक्त फल प्राप्त कर अपने जीवन को सफल बनाना चाहते हैं। जगदम्बा भगवती के उपासक श्रध्दा भाव से उनके ब्रह्मचारिणी स्वरूप की पूजा कर उनके आशीर्वाद से अपने जीवन को कृतार्थ करते हैं। 

साधना विधान - मां ब्रह्मचारिणी की प्रतिमा या तस्वीर को लकड़ी के पट्टे पर लाल कपड़ा बिछाकर स्थापित करें और उस पर हल्दी से रंगे हुए पीले चावल की ढेरी लगाकर उसके ऊपर हकीक पत्थर की 108 मनकों की माला रखें। परिवार या व्यक्ति  विशेष के आरोग्य के लिए एवं अन्य मनोकामनाओं की पूर्ति हेतु मनोकामना गुटिका रखकर हाथ में लाल पुष्प लेकर मां ब्रह्मचारिणी का ध्यान करें। 

मनोकामना गुटिका पर पुष्पांजलि अर्पित कर उसका पंचोपचार विधि से पूजन करें। तदुपरान्त दूध से निर्मित नैवेद्य मां ब्रह्मचारिणी को अर्पित करें। देशी घी से दीप प्रावलित रहे। हकीक  की माला से 108 बार मंत्र का जाप करें - 'ॐ ब्रं ब्रह्मचारिण्यै नम:' मन्त्र पूर्ण होने पर मां से अपने अभीष्ट के  लिए पूर्ण भक्ति  भाव से प्रार्थना करें। तदुपरान्त मां की आरती करें तथा कीर्तन करें। 

नवरात्र का दूसरा दिन माँ ब्रह्मचारिणी का- इस दिन पूजन करके भगवती जगदम्बा को चीनी का भोग लगावे और ब्राह्मण को दे दें। यों करने से मनुष्य दीर्घायु होता है।

Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja: History And Significance

Mahalaya announces the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs. 

 Mahalaya is the day when many throng to the banks of river Ganga, to offer prayers to their dead relatives and forefathers. The ritual is known as 'Torpon'.

One man who'll always be remembered for making Mahalaya memorable in every Bengali household is Birendra Krishna Bhadra, the magical voice behind the "Mahisasura Mardini." The legendary narrator recites the holy verses and tells the story of the descent of Durga to earth, in his inimitable style.

In a sonorous, reverberating voice Birendra Bhadra renders the Mahalaya recital for two thrilling hours, mesmerizing every household with the divine aura of his narration, as the Bengalis submerge their souls in quiet moments of prayer. 

 Pitri-Paksha: It is also known as Shola Shraddha or sixteen Shraddhas or food offerings. According to numerous Puranas of Hindu, during this period a shraddha performance by son is compulsory to make sure the ancestors soul goes to heaven. This is in Bengali called "Torpon". This shraddha is performed during the pre-dawn or dawn time in the river.The son remembers his ancestors by propitiation and food offerings and also takes holy dips in the river. This performance is also known by Pinda Dana. This day is very significant for Bengalis.

Devi Paksha: Devi Paksha means the Goddess Period. Actually Devi Durga comes to earth seven days before the main puja takes place. From Mahalaya day the four day grand Durga Puja countdown begins.In Hindu tradition from New Moon to Full Moon of Bhadra the fifteen days period is known for Goddess Period or Devi Paksha. In this period Hindus believe the best time to do any sacred work. In northern India the nine day following the new moon of bhadra is called Navaratri.

According to Purana on this day Lord Rama worshipped Devi Durga before departing for Lanka to rescue Devi Sita from demon Ravana. Traditionally Durga Puja used to performed in spring time by King Suratha. That is why it is also known as Basanti Puja. But Lord Rama worshipped Devi Durga in autumn state that is why it is also known as Untimely Worshipping or Akaal 'Bodhan'.
Akaal Bodhan because the time Lord Rama worshipped Devi Durga at the time God and goddess were in awakened state.

On the last new moon day just before the Mahalaya, the idols or Durga Protima colored specially the eyes are shaped which is called "Chakshu Daana".

Another dimension can also be found to describe Mahalaya period. The legendary philanthropist of Mahabharata period, Karna use to donate gold and other wealth to people. He was so charitable that he was also called as Data Karna. When he died, due to his good work done in the earth he got back those in thousand fold in heaven. Karna's soul was hungry by then and asked for food but he was served by gold and silver. He gets frustrated and asked the god of death Yama the reason. Yama replied throughout his whole life he had donated gold and silver only but never donated food to anyone even to his ancestors. Karna being afraid replied to Yama that, he was unaware of his ancestors. He was then sent back to earth by Yama for 14 days, where Karna fed the poor people and made offer to his ancestors. After 14 day period ends he returned back to heaven and was served by huge amount of food. So these 14 days are honored as Mahalaya Period.

Mahalaya-The Akaashvani Connection:

In the Mahalaya day at the Pre-dawn time Devi Mahatyam or Mahisasura Mardini recitation is aired every year by All India Radio in the magical voice of Great Birndra Krishna Bhadra. The way he depicted the story of Devi Durga in this recitation in one word just irreplaceable. Without listening Birendra Krishna Bhadra Durga Puja celebration in Bengal and for Bengalis is incomplete.

"Jago oooooo Tumi Jagoooo" How mesmerizing one. Just thrilled.

 Significance :-

The new moon day known as the Mahalaya Amavasya is the beginning of Dussehra. It is a special day dedicated to making an offering to express our gratitude to all the previous generations of people who have contributed to our life.

Scientists say that human beings and their ancestors have existed on this planet for 20 million years. That is a lot of time. All these hundreds of thousands of generations that lived on this planet before us have given us something or the other. The language that we speak, the way we sit, our clothes, our buildings – almost everything that we know today has come to us from generations before us.

When only animals existed on this planet, it was all about survival, eating, sleeping, reproduction and dying one day. Then slowly, this animal which knew only survival, started evolving. From being horizontal, it started standing up; the brain started growing, and this animal’s ability to do things suddenly started multiplying. The significant thing about being human is that we can use tools. This simple ability of using tools, we multiplied or made it grow into technologies. The day an ape picked up a thighbone of an animal and started fighting with that bone instead of with just his hands; when, apart from his own body, he had the necessary intelligence to start using tools to make his life, in some way that was the beginning of human life on the planet.

 Now, human beings started structuring lives so that we could live a little better than animals. Shelters came up, buildings came up, clothes came – so many things happened on this planet because of human beings. From simple things like making fire to discovering the wheel and innumerable other things, this legacy has been passed on from generation to generation. 

 We are who we are today only because of all the things that have been given to us. Let us say, human beings had never worn clothes, and suppose you were the first person who had to stitch a shirt, it would not be easy; it would take many years to figure out how to stitch a shirt.

We have taken all the things that we have today for granted. But without the generations that came before us, firstly we would not exist here; secondly, without their contribution we would not have all the things that we have today. So instead of taking them for granted, today is a day when we express our gratitude to all of them.  It is done as a ritual to pay homage to one’s dead parents, but is actually an expression of gratitude for all those generations of ancestors who lived before us.

During this time, in the Indian subcontinent, new crops would have just begun to bear yield. So their first produce is offered to the ancestors as a mark of respect and thankfulness, by way of pinda, before the whole population breaks into celebration in the form of other festivals like Navaratri, Vijayadashami and Diwali.

नवरात्री दुर्गा पूजा पहले तिथि – माता शैलपुत्री की पूजा

मां दुर्गा शक्ति की उपासना का पर्व शारदीय नवरात्र प्रतिपदा से नवमी तक सनातन काल से मनाया जाता रहा है. आदि-शक्ति के हर रूप की नवरात्र के नौ दिनों में पूजा की जाती है. अत: इसे नवरात्र के नाम भी जाना जाता है. सभी देवता, राक्षस, मनुष्य इनकी कृपा-दृष्टि के लिए लालायित रहते हैं. यह हिन्दू समाज का एक महत्वपूर्ण त्यौहार है जिसका धार्मिक, आध्यात्मिक, नैतिक व सांसारिक इन चारों ही दृष्टिकोण से काफी महत्व है.

 दुर्गा पूजा का त्यौहार वर्ष में दो बार आता है, एक चैत्र मास में और दूसरा आश्विन मास में (Chaitra Durga Puja  Ashwin Masa durga Pooja). चैत्र माह में देवी दुर्गा की पूजा बड़े ही धूम धाम से की जाती है लेकिन आश्विन मास का विशेष महत्व है. दुर्गा सप्तशती में भी आश्विन माह के शारदीय नवरात्रों की महिमा का विशेष बखान किया गया है. दोनों मासों में दुर्गा पूजा का विधान एक जैसा ही है, दोनों ही प्रतिपदा से दशमी तिथि तक मनायी जाती है.

वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चन्दार्धकृतशेखराम।
वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्री यशस्विनीम्।।

 शैलपुत्री – नवरात्री प्रथम दिन

नवरात्र पूजन के प्रथम दिन मां शैलपुत्री जी का पूजन होता है. शैलराज हिमालय की कन्या होने के कारण इन्हें शैलपुत्री कहा गया है, माँ शैलपुत्री दाहिने हाथ में त्रिशूल और बाएँ हाथ में कमल का पुष्प लिए अपने वाहन वृषभ पर विराजमान होतीं हैं. नवरात्र के इस प्रथम दिन की उपासना में साधक अपने मन को ‘मूलाधार’ चक्र में स्थित करते हैं, शैलपुत्री का पूजन करने से ‘मूलाधार चक्र’ जागृत होता है और यहीं से योग साधना आरंभ होती है जिससे अनेक प्रकार की शक्तियां प्राप्त होती हैं.

मंत्र :वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चन्दार्धकृतशेखराम्। वृषारूढां शूलधरां शैलपुत्रीं यशस्विनीम्।

 कलश स्थापना:

नवरात्रा का प्रारम्भ आश्विन शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा तिथि को कलश स्थापना के साथ होता है. कलश को हिन्दु विधानों में मंगलमूर्ति गणेश का स्वरूप माना जाता है अत: सबसे पहले कलश की स्थान की जाती है. कलश स्थापना के लिए भूमि को सिक्त यानी शुद्ध किया जाता है. भूमि की शुद्धि के लिए गाय के गोबर और गंगा-जल से भूमि को लिपा जाता है. 

शैलपुत्री  पूजा विधि:

शारदीय नवरात्र पर कलश स्थापना के साथ ही माँ दुर्गा की पूजा शुरू की जाती है. पहले दिन माँ दुर्गा के पहले स्वरूप शैलपुत्री की पूजा होती है. दुर्गा को मातृ शक्ति यानी स्नेह, करूणा और ममता का स्वरूप मानकर हम पूजते हैं .अत: इनकी पूजा में सभी तीर्थों, नदियों, समुद्रों, नवग्रहों, दिक्पालों, दिशाओं, नगर देवता, ग्राम देवता सहित सभी योगिनियों को भी आमंत्रित किया जाता और और कलश में उन्हें विराजने हेतु प्रार्थना सहित उनका आहवान किया जाता है. कलश में सप्तमृतिका यानी सात प्रकार की मिट्टी, सुपारी, मुद्रा सादर भेट किया जाता है और पंच प्रकार के पल्लव से कलश को सुशोभित किया जाता है.

इस कलश के नीचे सात प्रकार के अनाज और जौ बोये जाते हैं जिन्हें दशमी तिथि को काटा जाता है और इससे सभी देवी-देवता की पूजा होती है. इसे जयन्ती (Jayanti) कहते हैं जिसे इस मंत्र के साथ अर्पित किया जाता है

 “जयन्ती मंगला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी, दुर्गा क्षमा शिवा धात्री स्वाहा, स्वधा नामोस्तुते”.

 इसी मंत्र से पुरोहित यजमान के परिवार के सभी सदस्यों के सिर पर जयंती डालकर सुख, 

सम्पत्ति एवं आरोग्य का आर्शीवाद देते हैं।

कलश स्थापना के पश्चात देवी का आह्वान किया जाता है कि ‘हे मां दुर्गा हमने आपका स्वरूप जैसा सुना है उसी रूप में आपकी प्रतिमा बनवायी है आप उसमें प्रवेश कर हमारी पूजा अर्चना को स्वीकार करें’.

देवी दुर्गा की प्रतिमा पूजा स्थल पर बीच में स्थापित की जाती है और उनके दोनों तरफ यानी दायीं ओर देवी महालक्ष्मी, गणेश और विजया नामक योगिनी की प्रतिमा रहती है और बायीं ओर कार्तिकेय, देवी महासरस्वती और जया नामक योगिनी रहती है तथा भगवान भोले नाथ की भी पूजा की जाती है. प्रथम पूजन के दिन “शैलपुत्री” के रूप में भगवती दुर्गा दुर्गतिनाशिनी की पूजा फूल, अक्षत, रोली, चंदन से होती हैं.

शैलपुत्री की ध्यान :

वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चन्द्रर्धकृत शेखराम्।
वृशारूढ़ा शूलधरां शैलपुत्री यशस्वनीम्॥

पूणेन्दु निभां गौरी मूलाधार स्थितां प्रथम दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां रत्नाकिरीटा नामालंकार भूषिता॥

प्रफुल्ल वंदना पल्लवाधरां कातंकपोलां तुग कुचाम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां स्नेमुखी क्षीणमध्यां नितम्बनीम्॥

शैलपुत्री की स्तोत्र पाठ:

प्रथम दुर्गा त्वंहिभवसागर: तारणीम्।
धन ऐश्वर्यदायिनी शैलपुत्री प्रणमाभ्यम्॥
त्रिलोजननी त्वंहि परमानंद प्रदीयमान्।
सौभाग्यरोग्य दायनी शैलपुत्री प्रणमाभ्यहम्॥
चराचरेश्वरी त्वंहिमहामोह: विनाशिन।
मुक्तिभुक्ति दायनीं शैलपुत्री प्रमनाम्यहम्॥

शैलपुत्री की कवच :

ओमकार: मेंशिर: पातुमूलाधार निवासिनी।
हींकार: पातु ललाटे बीजरूपा महेश्वरी॥
श्रींकारपातुवदने लावाण्या महेश्वरी ।
हुंकार पातु हदयं तारिणी शक्ति स्वघृत।
फट्कार पात सर्वागे सर्व सिद्धि फलप्रदा॥

 

मां दुर्गा की पहली स्वरूपा और शैलराज हिमालय की पुत्री शैलपुत्री के पूजा के साथ ही दुर्गा पूजा आरम्भ हो जाता है. नवरात्र पूजन के प्रथम दिन कलश स्थापना के साथ इनकी ही पूजा और उपासना की जाती है. माता शैलपुत्री का वाहन वृषभ है, उनके दाहिने हाथ में त्रिशूल और बाएं हाथ में कमल का पुष्प रहता है. नवरात्र के इस प्रथम दिन की उपासना में योगी अपने मन को 'मूलाधार' चक्र में स्थित करते हैं और यहीं से उनकी योग साधना प्रारंभ होता है. पौराणिक कथानुसार मां शैलपुत्री अपने पूर्व जन्म में प्रजापति दक्ष के घर कन्या रूप में उत्पन्न हुई थी. उस समय माता का नाम सती था और इनका विवाह भगवान् शंकर से हुआ था. एक बार प्रजापति दक्ष ने यज्ञ आरम्भ किया और सभी देवताओं को आमंत्रित किया परन्तु भगवान शिव को आमंत्रण नहीं दिया. अपने मां और बहनों से मिलने को आतुर मां सती बिना निमंत्रण के ही जब पिता के घर पहुंची तो उन्हें वहां अपने और भोलेनाथ के प्रति तिरस्कार से भरा भाव मिला. मां सती इस अपमान को सहन नहीं कर सकी और वहीं योगाग्नि द्वारा खुद को जलाकर भस्म कर दिया और अगले जन्म में शैलराज हिमालय के घर पुत्री रूप में जन्म लिया. शैलराज हिमालय के घर जन्म लेने के कारण मां दुर्गा के इस प्रथम स्वरुप को शैल पुत्री कहा जाता है.

नवरात्री में दुर्गा की दुर्गा सप्तशती पाठ किया जाता हैं ||   दुर्गा सप्तशती पाठ विधि

इस प्रकार दुर्गा पूजा की शुरूआत हो जाती है प्रतिदिन संध्या काल में देवी की आरती होती है.

आरती में “जय अम्बे गौरी”- दुर्गा आरती  गीत भक्त जन गाते हैं ||

दुर्गा सप्तशती पाठ विधि:-

नवरात्र घट स्थापना (ऐच्छिक):- 

नवरात्र का श्रीगणेश शुक्ल पतिपदा को प्रात:काल के शुभमहूर्त में घट स्थापना से होता है। घट स्थापना हेतु मिट्टी अथवा साधना के अनुकूल धातु का कलश लेकर उसमे पूर्ण रूप से जल एवं गंगाजल भर कर कलश के उपर (मुँह पर) नारियल(छिलका युक्त) को लाल वस्त्र/चुनरी से लपेट कर अशोक वृक्ष या आम के पाँच पत्तो सहित रखना चाहिए। पवित्र मिट्टी में जौ के दाने तथा जल मिलाकर वेदिका का निर्माण के पश्चात उसके उपर कलश स्थापित करें। स्थापित घट पर वरूण देव का आह्वान कर पूजन सम्पन्न करना चाहिए। फिर रोली से स्वास्तिक बनाकर अक्षत एवं पुष्प अर्पण करना चाहिए।

कुल्हड़ में जौ बोना(ऐच्छिक):-
 

नवरात्र के अवसर पर नवरात्रि करने वाले व्यक्ति विशेष शुद्ध मिट्टी मे, मिट्टी के किसी पात्र में जौ बो देते है। दो दिनो के बाद उसमे अंकुर फुट जाते है। यह काफी शुभ मानी जाती है।

मूर्ति या तसवीर स्थापना(ऐच्छिक):-

  माँ दुर्गा, श्री राम, श्री कृष्ण अथवा हनुमान जी की मूर्ती या तसवीर को लकड़ी की चौकी पर लाल अथवा पीले वस्त्र(अपनी सुविधानुसार) के उपर स्थापित करना चाहिए। जल से स्नान के बाद, मौली चढ़ाते हुए, रोली अक्षत(बिना टूटा हुआ चावल), धूप दीप एवं नैवेध से पूजा अर्चना करना चाहिए।

अखण्ड ज्योति(ऐच्छिक):-
 

नवरात्र के दौरान लगातार नौ दिनो तक अखण्ड ज्योति प्रज्जवलित की जाती है। किंतु यह आपकी इच्छा एवं सुविधा पर है। आप केवल पूजा के दौरान ही सिर्फ दीपक जला सकते है।

आसन:-
 

लाल अथवा सफेद आसन पूरब की ओर बैठकर नवरात्रि करने वाले विशेष को पूजा, मंत्र जप, हवन एवं अनुष्ठान करना चाहिए।

नवरात्र पाठ:-

माँ दुर्गा  की  साधना के लिए  श्री दुर्गा सप्तशती का पूर्ण पाठ अर्गला, कवच, कीलक सहित करना चाहिए। श्री राम के उपासक को ‘राम रक्षा स्त्रोत’, श्री कृष्ण के उपासक को ‘भगवद गीता’ एवं हनुमान उपासक को‘सुन्दरकाण्ड’ आदि का पाठ करना चाहिए।

भोगप्रसाद:- प्रतिदिन देवी एवं देवताओं को श्रद्धा अनुसार विशेष अन्य खाद्द्य पदार्थो के अलावा हलुए का भोग जरूर चढ़ाना चाहिए।

कुलदेवी का पूजन:- हर परिवार मे मान्यता अनुसार जो भी कुलदेवी है उनका श्रद्धा-भक्ति के साथ पूजा अर्चना करना चाहिए।

विसर्जन:- विजयादशमी के दिन समस्त पूजा हवन इत्यादि सामग्री को किसी नदी या जलाशय में विसर्जन करना चाहिए।

पूजा सामग्री:- कुंकुम, सिन्दुर, सुपारी, चावल, पुष्प, इलायची, लौग, पान, दुध, घी, शहद, बिल्वपत्र, यज्ञोपवीत, चन्दन, इत्र, चौकी, फल, दीप, नैवैध(मिठाई), नारियल आदि।

मंत्र सहित पूजा विधि:- स्वयं को शुद्ध करने के लिए बायें हाथ मे जल लेकर, उसे दाहिने हाथ से ढ़क लें। मंत्रोच्चारण के साथ जल को सिर तथा शरीर पर छिड़क लें। 

“ॐ अपवित्र: पवित्रो वा सर्वावस्थां गतोsपिवा।
य: स्मरेत पुंडरीकाक्षं स: बाह्य अभ्यंतर: शुचि॥
ॐ पुनातु पुण्डरीकाक्ष: पुनातु पुण्डरीकाक्ष पुनातु॥“

आचमन:- तीन बार वाणी, मन व अंत:करण की शुद्धि के लिए चम्मच से जल का आचमन करें। हर एक मंत्र के साथ एक आचमन किया जाना चाहिए।

ॐ अमृतोपस्तरणमसि स्वाहा। 
ॐ अमृताविधानमसि स्वाहा।
ॐ सत्यं यश: श्रीमंयी श्री: श्रयतां स्वाहा।

प्राणायाम:- श्वास को धीमी गति से भीतर गहरी खींचकर थोड़ा रोकना एवं पुन: धीरे-धीरे निकालना प्राणायाम कहलाता है। श्वास खीचते समय यह भावना करे किं प्राण शक्ति एवं श्रेष्ठता सॉस के द्वारा आ रही है एवं छोड़ते समय यह भावना करे की समस्त दुर्गण-दुष्प्रवृतियां, बुरे विचार, श्वास के साथ बाहर निकल रहे है। प्राणायाम निम्न मंत्र के उच्चारण के उपरान्त करें:

ॐ भू: ॐ भुव: ॐ स्व: ॐ मह:।
ॐ जन: ॐ तप: ॐ सत्यम।
ॐ तत्सवितुर्ररेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमही धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात।
ॐ आपोज्योतिरसोअमृतं बह्मभुर्भुव स्व: ॐ।

गणपति पूजन:- लकड़ी के पट्टे या चौकी पर सफेद वस्त्र बिछाकर उस पर एक थाली रखें। इस थाली में कुंकुम से स्वस्तिक का चिन्ह बनाकर उस पर पुष्प आसन लगाकर गण अपति की प्रतिमा या फोटो(तस्वीर) स्थापित कर दें या सुपारी पर लाल मौली बांधकर गणेश के रूप में स्थापित करना चाहिए। अब अक्षत, लाल पुष्प(गुलाब), दूर्वा(दुवी) एवं नेवैध गणेश जी पर चढ़ाना चाहिए। जल छोड़ने के पश्चात निम्न मंत्र का 21 बार जप करना चाहिए:-

“ॐ गं गणपतये नम:”

मंत्रोच्चारण के पश्चात अपनी मनोकामना पूर्ती हेतु निम्न मंत्र से प्रार्थना करें:-

विध्नेश्वराय वरदाय सुरप्रियाय।
लम्बोदराय सकलाय जगद्विताय॥
नागाननाय श्रुति यज्ञ विभूषिताय।
गौरी सुताय गण नाथ नमो नमस्ते॥
भक्तार्त्तिनाशन पराय गणेश्वराय।
सर्वेश्वराय शुभदाय सुरेश्वराय॥
विद्याधराय विकटाय च वामनाय।
भक्त प्रसन्न वरदाय नमो नमस्ते॥

संकल्प:- दाहिने हाथ मे जल, कुंकुम, पुष्प, चावल साथ मे ले

“ॐ विष्णु र्विष्णु: श्रीमद्भगवतो विष्णोराज्ञाया प्रवर्तमानस्य, अद्य, श्रीबह्मणो द्वितीय प्ररार्द्धे श्वेत वाराहकल्पे जम्बूदीपे भरत खण्डे आर्यावर्तैक देशान्तर्गते, मासानां मासोत्तमेमासे (अमुक) मासे (अमुक) पक्षे (अमुक) तिथौ (अमुक) वासरे (अपने गोत्र का उच्चारण करें) गोत्रोत्पन्न: (अपने नाम का उच्चारण करें) नामा: अहं (सपरिवार/सपत्नीक) सत्प्रवृतिसंवर्धानाय, लोककल्याणाय, आत्मकल्याण्य, ………..(अपनी कामना का उच्चारण करें) कामना सिद्दयर्थे दुर्गा पूजन विद्यानाम तथा साधनाम करिष्ये।“

जल को भूमि पर छोड़ दे। अगर कलश स्थापित करना चाहते है तो अब इसी चौकी पर स्वास्तिक बनाकर बाये हाथ की ओर कोने में कलश(जलयुक्त) स्थापित करें। स्वास्तिक पर कुकंम, अक्षत, पुष्प आदि अर्पित करते हुए कलश स्थापित करें। इस कलश में एक सुपारी कुछ सिक्के, दूब, हल्दी की एक गांठ डालकर, एक नारियल पर स्वस्तिक बनाकर उसके उपर लाल वस्त्र लपेटकर मौली बॉधने के बाद कलश पर स्थापित कर दें। जल का छींटा देकर, कुंकम, अक्षत, पुष्प आदि से नारियल की पूजा करे। वरूण देव को स्मरण कर प्रणाम करे। फिर पुरब, पश्चिम, उत्तर एवं दक्षिण में(कलश मे) बिन्दी लगाए।

दुर्गा सप्तशती मंत्र :

शारदीय नवरात्र आदिशक्ति की पूजा-उपासना का महापर्व होता है, नवरात्र में पूजा के अवसर पर दुर्गासप्तशती का पाठ श्रवण करने से देवी अत्यन्त प्रसन्न होती हैं. सप्तशती का पाठ करने पर उसका सम्पूर्ण फल प्राप्त होता है. श्रीदुर्गासप्तशती, भगवती दुर्गा का ही स्वरूप है. इस पुस्तक का पाठ करने से पूर्व इस मंत्र द्वारा पंचोपचारपूजन करें-

नमोदेव्यैमहादेव्यैशिवायैसततंनम:। नम: प्रकृत्यैभद्रायैनियता:प्रणता:स्मताम्॥

यदि  दुर्गासप्तशती का पाठ करने में असमर्थ हों तो सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा को पढें. इन सात श्लोकों में सप्तशती का संपूर्ण सार समाहित होता है.

अथ सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा

शिव उवाच :

देवि त्वं भक्तसुलभे सर्वकार्यविधायिनी ।

कलौ कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थमुपायं ब्रूहि यत्नतः ॥

देव्युवाच :

श्रृणु देव प्रवक्ष्यामि कलौ सर्वेष्ट्साधनम् ।

मया तवैव स्नेहेनाप्यम्बास्तुतिः प्रकाश्यते ॥

विनियोग :

ॐ अस्य श्रीदुर्गासप्तश्लोकीस्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य नारायण ॠषिः, अनुष्टुप

छन्दः, श्रीमहाकाली-महालक्ष्मी-महासरस्वत्यो देवताः, श्री दुर्गाप्रीत्यथं

सप्तश्लोकी दुर्गापाठे विनियोगः ।

1 – ॐ ज्ञानिनामपि चेतांसि देवी भगवती हि सा ।

    बलादाकृष्य मोहाय महामाया प्रयच्छति ॥ १ ॥

2 – दुर्गे स्मृता हरसि भीतिमशेषजन्तोः

    स्वस्थैः स्मृता मतिमतीव शुभां ददासि ।

    दारिद्र्यदुःखभयहारिणि का त्वदन्या

    सर्वोपकारकरणाय सदार्द्रचित्ता ॥ २ ॥

3 – सर्वमङ्गलमाङ्गल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थसाधिके ।

    शरण्ये त्र्यंम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोस्तु ते ॥ ३ ॥

 4 – शरणागतदीनार्तपरित्राणे ।

    सर्वस्यार्तिहरे देवि नारायणि नमोस्तु ते ॥ ४ ॥

 5 – सर्वस्वरुपे सर्वेशे सर्वशक्तिसमन्विते ।

    भयेभ्यस्त्राहि नो देवि दुर्गे देवि नमोस्तु ते ॥ ५ ॥

6 – रोगानशेषानपहंसि तुष्टा

    रुष्टा तु कामान् सकलानभीष्टान् ।

    त्वामाश्रितानां न विपन्नराणां

7 – त्वामाश्रिता ह्याश्रयतां प्र्यन्ति ॥ ६ ॥

    सर्वबाधाप्रश्मनं त्रैलोक्यस्याखिलेश्र्वरि ।

    एवमेव त्वया कार्यमस्मद्वैरिविनाशनम् ॥ ७ ॥

     ॥ इति श्रीसप्तश्लोकी दुर्गा सम्पूर्ण ॥

नवरात्रके प्रथम दिन कलश (घट) की स्थापना के समय देवी का आवाहन इस प्रकार करें. भक्त प्राय: पूरे नवरात्र उपवास रखते हैं. सम्पूर्ण नवरात्रव्रत के पालन में असमर्थ लोगों के लिए सप्तरात्र,पंचरात्र,युग्मरात्रऔर एकरात्रव्रत का विधान भी है. प्रतिपदा से सप्तमी तक उपवास रखने से सप्तरात्र-व्रत का अनुष्ठान होता है. अष्टमी के दिन माता को हलुवा और चने का भोग लगाकर कुंवारी कन्याओं को खिलाते हैं तथा अन्त में स्वयं प्रसाद ग्रहण करके व्रत का पारण (पूर्ण) करते हैं.

नवरात्रके नौ दिन साधना करने वाले साधक प्रतिपदा तिथि के दिन शैलपुत्री की, द्वितीया में ब्रह्मचारिणी, तृतीया में चंद्रघण्टा, चतुर्थी में कूष्माण्डा, पंचमी में स्कन्दमाता, षष्ठी में कात्यायनी, सप्तमी में कालरात्रि, अष्टमी में महागौरी तथा नवमी में सिद्धिदात्री की पूजा करते हैं. तथा दुर्गा जी के 108 नामों को मंत्र रूप में उसका अधिकाधिक जप करें.

अब एक दूसरी स्वच्छ थाली में स्वस्तिक बनाकर उस पर पुष्प का आसन लगाकर दुर्गा प्रतिमा या तस्वीर या यंत्र को स्थापित करें। अब निम्न प्रकार दुर्गा पूजन करे:-

स्नानार्थ जलं समर्पयामि (जल से स्नान कराए) स्नानान्ते पुनराचमनीयं जल समर्पयामि (जल चढ़ाए)

दुग्ध स्नानं समर्पयामि (दुध से स्नान कराए)

दधि स्नानं समर्पयामि (दही से स्नान कराए)

घृतस्नानं समर्पयामि (घी से स्नान कराए)

मधुस्नानं समर्पयामि (शहद से स्नान कराए)

शर्करा स्नानं समर्पयामि (शक्कर से स्नान कराए)

पंचामृत स्नानं समर्पयामि (पंचामृत से स्नान कराए)

गन्धोदक स्नानं समर्पयामि (चन्दन एवं इत्र से सुवासित जल से स्नान करावे)

शुद्धोदक स्नानं समर्पयामि (जल से पुन: स्नान कराए)

यज्ञोपवीतं समर्पयामि (यज्ञोपवीत चढ़ाए)

चन्दनं समर्पयामि (चंदन चढ़ाए)

कुकंम समर्पयामि (कुकंम चढ़ाए)

सुन्दूरं समर्पयामि (सिन्दुर चढ़ाए)

बिल्वपत्रै समर्पयामि (विल्व पत्र चढ़ाए)

पुष्पमाला समर्पयामि (पुष्पमाला चढ़ाए)

धूपमाघ्रापयामि (धूप दिखाए)

दीपं दर्शयामि (दीपक दिखाए व हाथ धो लें)

नैवेध निवेद्यामि (नेवैध चढ़ाए(निवेदित) करे)

ऋतु फलानि समर्पयामि (फल जो इस ऋतु में उपलब्ध हो चढ़ाए)

ताम्बूलं समर्पयामि (लौंग, इलायची एवं सुपारी युक्त पान चढ़ाए)

दक्षिणा समर्पयामि (दक्षिणा चढ़ाए)

इसके बाद कर्पूर अथवा रूई की बाती जलाकर आरती करे।

आरती के नियम:- प्रत्येक व्यक्ति जानकारी के अभाव में अपनी मन मर्जी आरती उतारता रहता है। विशेष ध्यान देने योग्य बात है कि देवताओं के सम्मुख चौदह बार आरती उतारना चाहिए। चार बार चरणो पर से, दो बार नाभि पर से, एकबार मुख पर से तथा सात बार पूरे शरीर पर से। आरती की बत्तियाँ 1, 5, 7 अर्थात विषम संख्या में ही बत्तियाँ बनाकर आरती की जानी चाहिए।

दुर्गा जी की आरती:-  दुर्गा आरती (DURGA DEVI AARTHI FULL)

प्रदक्षिणा:-

“यानि कानि च पापानी जन्मान्तर कृतानि च।
तानी सर्वानि नश्यन्तु प्रदक्षिणपदे पदे॥
प्रदक्षिणा समर्पयामि।“

प्रदक्षिणा करें (अगर स्थान न हो तो आसन पर खड़े-खड़े ही स्थान पर घूमे)

क्षमा प्रार्थना:- पुष्प सर्मपित कर देवी को निम्न मंत्र से प्रणाम करे। 

“नमो दैव्यै महादेव्यै शिवायै सततं नम:।
नम: प्रकृतयै भद्रायै नियता: प्रणता: स्मताम॥
या देवी सर्व भूतेषु मातृरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:॥

ततपश्चात देवी से क्षमा प्रार्थना करे कि जाने अनजाने में कोई गलती या न्यूनता-अधिकता यदि पूजा में हो गई हो तो वे क्षमा करें। इस पूजन के पश्चात अपने संकल्प मे कहे हुए मनोकामना सिद्धि हेतु निम्न मंत्र का यथाशक्ति श्रद्धा अनुसार 9 दिन तक जप करें:-

”ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चामुण्डायै विच्चे॥“

इस मंत्र के बाद दुर्गा सप्तशती के सभी अध्यायो का पाठ 9 दिन मे पूर्ण करें।

नवरात्री की समाप्ति पर यदि कलश स्थापना की हो तो इसके जल को सारे घर मे छिड़क दें। इस प्रकार पूजा सम्पन्न होती है। यदि कोई व्यक्ति विशेष उपरांकित विधि का पालन करने मे असमर्थ है तो नवरात्रि के दौरान दुर्गा चालीसा का पाठ करें।

दुर्गा सप्तशती की महिमा

मार्कण्डेय पुराण में ब्रह्माजी ने मनुष्यों की रक्षा के लिए परमगोपनीय, कल्याणकारी देवी कवच के पाठ आर देवी के नौ रूपों की आराधना का विधान बताया है, जिन्हें नव दुर्गा कहा जाता है। आश्विन शुक्ल पक्ष की प्रतिपदा से महानवमी तक देवी के इन रूपों की साधना उपासना से वांछित फल की प्राप्ति होती है।

श्री दुर्गा सप्तशती का पाठ मनोरथ सिद्धि के लिए किया जाता है, क्योंकि यह कर्म, भक्ति एवं ज्ञान की त्रिवेणी है। यह श्री मार्कण्डेय पुराण का अंश है। यह देवी माहात्म्य धर्म, अर्थ, काम एवं मोक्ष चारों पुरुषार्थों को प्रदान करने में सक्षम है। सप्तशती में कुछ ऐसे भी स्तोत्र एवं मंत्र हैं, जिनके विधिवत्‌ पाठ से वांछित फल की प्राप्ति होती है।

सर्वकल्याण के लिए -

सर्व मंगल मांगल्ये शिवे सर्वार्थ साधिके।
शरण्येत्र्यम्बके गौरि नारायणि नमोऽस्तुते॥

बाधा मुक्ति एवं धन-पुत्रादि प्राप्ति के लिए

सर्वाबाधा विनिर्मुक्तो धन-धान्य सुतान्वितः।
मनुष्यो मत्प्रसादेन भविष्यति न संशय॥

आरोग्य एवं सौभाग्य प्राप्ति के लिए

देहि सौभाग्यमारोग्यं देहि मे परमं सुखम्‌।
रूपं देहि जयं देहि यशो देहि द्विषोजहि॥

Navratra: Theme of "Durga Puja" 2012 in Patna,Bihar has prepared a laser show on 'corruption'.Anna Hazare shouting slogans against corruption.There will be moving cartoons of Gandhi's three monkeys and a wife beating her drunken husband.

PATNA:-BIHAR

This year “Kalash Sthapna” for Durga Pooja is scheduled to start from 16th October, 2012. Vijaya Dashmi is on 24th October. Preparation for Durga Pooja / Dusshera in Bihar has started. All the famous Pooja Samiti of Patna as well as other towns are busy in Goddess Durga  Idol making and arranging the pandals. All the Pandals Team of Patna are busy to decide what theme they should opt for their Pandals and decoration. Some of them opt any historic temple other opt for famous forts.
कलश स्तापना मुहूर्त
नवरात्री का कलश स्तापना मुहूर्त जो निचे दिया हुआ है वो आचार्य इन्दु प्रकाश जी द्वारा निकला गया है .. उनकी इस गणाना  में होरा , चाघडिया और दिन के राहुकाल की समाप्ति तीनों चीजों को ध्यान में रखते हुए अभिजीत मुहूर्त के अन्दर समय का शोधन किया गया है ..

शहर	सूर्योदय	कलश स्तापना मुहूर्त
Koklatta	05:31:20	11:24 to 11:40
Mumbai	06:32:08	12:27 to 12:43
Chandigarh	06:21:13	12:11 to 12:27
Bhopal	06:15:31	12:08 to 12:24
Lucknow	06:03:27	11:54 to 12:10
Ahemedabad	06:34:37	12:28 to 12:44
Patna	05:45:40	11:37 to 11:53
Nagpur	06:07:38	12:01 to 12:17

Dates for Durga Puja Celebrations, 2012

Mahalaya	15th October 2012	Monday
Panchmi	19th October 2012	Friday
Shashthi	20th October 2012	Saturday
Saptami	21st October 2012	Sunday
Mahaa-Ashtami	22nd October 2012	Monday
Mahaa-Nabami	23rd October 2012	Tuesday
Dashami - Vijya	24th October 2012	Wednesday
Lakshmi Puja	29th October 2012	Monday
Kali Puja	13th November 2012	Tuesday

Artists are invited from outside state to give the best look to Durga  Idol. Most of them are from Jharkhand and West Bengal. Besides, lighting is also one of the main attraction during Dusshera / Durga Pooja.

This year it is said that Maa Durga is coming on Horse and she will leave on Elephant after the pooja. This is good sign as per the pandits. As per the calculation of Pandits Navratra Pooja would be of 8 days. According to pandits the Shashthi Date is missing so on the ninth day Vijayadashmi would take place.

 Dussehra and the current events and colourful lights cover the city skyline. This Durga Puja will be no different as organizers have decided to make corruption and inflation their main themes in pandals.
"Through high-tech lighting systems we are trying to show Anna Hazare fighting corruption, a farmer committing suicide due to inflation, a common man suffering because of mean politicians, latest fuel price hike and shortage of cylinders," said Rajesh Singh, president, Shri Krishnapuri Durga Puja Samiti. He also claimed to have the longest lighting arrangement in the city - from AN College to Karlo showroom.

Durga Puja Samiti, Boring Road, is creating cartoons which will move with the help of machines and lights. The one is about a corrupt monster being killed by 'Bharat Mata' while another is about Anna Hazare shouting slogans against corruption. There will be moving cartoons of Gandhi's three monkeys and a wife beating her drunken husband. "We are spending around Rs1 lakh on lighting," said Umesh Singh, president of the Samiti. "We are placing 80 poles using LD, mercury and various kinds of lights to give 15 different effects. Besides, we will also illuminate 10 main buildings in the area with Chinese lights," Singh said.

To attract the devotees, Durga Puja Samiti, Rukanpura has prepared a laser show on 'corruption'. "We would also be lighting the road from the flyover to Jagdeo path," said Subhash Kumar, member of the samiti.
"We have designed a 10-minute show where all the idols would move with the help of machines. In the show, Maa Durga is coming from sky to save a child praying her to save his life from a monster. She comes and throws a fireball on the monster killing him instantly," said Upender Singh, president, Shri Shri Durga Puja Samiti, Shekhpura Durga Ashram. There would be real fireballs and the show would be performed after every 30 minutes in the evening.

"A laser and sound show of Maa Durga blessing all the visitors would be the major attraction at our pandal," said Kedar Nath Singh, treasurer, Durga Puja Samiti, Khajpura Shiv Mandir which is spending over Rs1 lakh on lighting the road between Ashiana Mor and Kishore Palace at Jagdeo Path.

Shri Bharat Mandir Vikas Parishad, Nuruddinganj, Patna City, famous for its 'chalti-firti-bolti' (mobile and talking) Devi, is narrating four tales through lights, sound and moving idols. "We are showing 'Shiv vivah', 'Mata Parvati ki vidai', Lord Shiv imparting knowledge of Tantra-vidya to Parvati and Shiv soothing the anger of Maa Kali," said Shyam Babu Prasad, president of the samiti. Idol of Bharat Mata would be the centre of attraction.

Lighting the road between Kotwali and Frazer Road, Durga Puja Samiti, Dak Bungalow, has chosen 'spirituality' as its theme. Sanjeev Prasad 'Tony', president of the samiti said, "Electricians from Chandan Nagar (West Bengal) are creating scenes with LD lights showing people worship Maa Durga, Sai Baba and Maa Kali. There will also be a scene of zoo and circus through lights and machines to attract kids."

Kharvela-A great king of Kalinga who ruled twenty- one centuries ago. Coming to the throne when the state was in distress, he brought confidence and self-respect to the people. And he refused to join hands with a foreign army against an Indian prince.

 
Long, Long ago, about 2300 years ago.

Kalinga and Magadha were two powerful states. These neighboring states were at constant war with each other for nearly a century. Kalinga had suffered defeat and was waiting for the right time to teach Magadha a lesson. War had broken out again between them.

Just at that time the King of Kalinga learnt disturbing news, a Greek King had come from beyond India and was marching towards Magadha.

The Magadha had defeated and humiliated the Kalingas a hundred years before. Suppose the King of Kalinga had welcomed this attack; suppose he had thought - 'Let this new enemy defeat the King of Magadha, my desire for revenge will be satisfied' – that would have been natural. He could have thought: 'These people of Magadha insulted us a hundred years ago; let them suffer now.'
But the King of Kalinga thought differently. 'This enemy who is now attacking Magadha is an outsider; he comes here to loot. He is as much my enemy as of Magadha.'

Those who had been at war for over a century joined hands in this hour of great danger. The outsider who had come to plunder was driven away.
If only the later kings of India had shown the foresight and wisdom which the King of Kalinga showed twenty-three centuries ago; if only they had sunk their differences when the Muslims and the British attacked our country ; if only they had fought unitedly shoulder to shoulder, considering themselves as sons of the same soil ; India need not have suffered in slavery.

The king who had acted with such farsightedness and wisdom even in those early days was King Kharavela.

 But, Why The War?

During this period in the history of India there were many independent states - Anga, Magadha, Kalinga, Shatavahana, Chola, Pandya, Uttarapatha and many others. They were even at war with one another. Any king who became powerful attacked other states and became their master. When a second king became powerful, he conquered the first state. A weak state was attacked again and again.

Magadha was then being ruled by kings of the Nanda dynasty. The Nandas were very strong and powerful. They attacked Kalinga, south of Magadha, and defeated it. The King of Kalinga paid huge tributes and subsidies to the king of Magadha. But that did not satisfy the king of Magadha.

There was in the state of Kalinga, the idol of Sheethalanatha Jina. It was considered very sacred by the people of Kalinga. The Jains worshipped it. The king of Magadha invaded the capital and carried away this holy idol. This hurt the feelings of the Kalingas. They felt it a great humiliation.But what could they do? Weak and helpless, they had to keep quiet, swallowing the insult.

 Ashoka -- Kalinga

Later there was a great change in the conditions of Magadha. The rule of the Nandas ended; the reign of Chandragupta Maurya started. During this period Kalinga had become free. She now took every opportunity to make Magadha feel her strength. Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, became the king of the state after his father's death. After Bindusara's death, Ashoka, his son, ascended the throne. (It was this Ashoka, who later came to be called 'Ashoka the great' and who has won a great place in our history.)

Ashoka was already the ruler of a vast empire.But Kalinga, his southern neighbor, was still free. his, he could not bear. Eight years after he became king, he decided to attack this state. And he was determined to cripple Kalinga forever.

Compared to Magadha, Kalinga was a small state. But the Kalingas were a freedom-loving people, with a great sense of self-respect. They fought fearlessly for their freedom. But before Ashoka's mighty army it all proved useless.Kalinga became subordinate to Ashoka.

One of the stone edicts of Ashoka describes this terrible war as follow, "Eight years after he became king,Ashoka,known as 'Devanampriya' (the favorite of the Gods) conquer Kalinga. He took one hundred and fifty thousand persons as prisoners; another hundred thousand were killed; the injured were countless."
Ashoka saw with his own eyes the horror of the war. He could not bear the sight of the death, destruction and suffering that the war had wrought.

Blood flowed like a stream. The battlefield was full of the dead bodies of men and animals. The cry of the wounded and the dying was unbearable. His heart melted. I shall not fight again," he decided. He embraced Buddhism, which lays stress on non-violence.Free Once AgainWith the death of Ashoka, total disorder set in his kingdom. His sons and grand sons began to quarrel among themselves. Gradually, the power and influence of Magadha grew less. Ashoka hadappointed Sardars to be in charge of different parts of the empire. They took advantage of the weakness of the ruler and declared themselves independent.They established petty states of their own.

After the conquest of Kalinga, Ashoka had appointed a Sardar of Chedi as its administrator. This Sardar declared 'himself independent; so the rule of the Chedi Dynasty started in Kalinga. This ruler's son was Mahameghavahana. After his death, Mahameghavahana came to the throne. It was during his time that the people of Kalinga suffered very badly. This was not because of the King's misrule, but because of Nature's fury. A severe storm raged for long bringing about death and destruction. Houses were razed to the ground. The formidable walls of the royal fort were destroyed. Its main gate crumbled. Water flowed into the city from tanks and lakes. Huge cracks appeared at several places in the canal which supplied water to the capital. People grew panicky.

How to get over this misery was the one question that worried the mind of one and all. The Dravidian Kings of the South had joined hands to defend themselves from Magadha when that state was powerful. Now they started troubling the Kalingas. So the people of Kalinga were miserable. Their cup of misery was full. It was not surprising if they had preferred death to this misery and dishonor.The Prince - A New Hope For The State It was 209 BC News spread in the capital that a son was born to the king, Mahameghavahana. The Prince was born at an auspicious moment. This brought some comfort to the people. It was the practice in those days to consult eminent astrologers when a child was born in the palace, to prepare his horoscope and give their opinion about the child's future. So King Mahameghavahana invited the most famous astrologers. They looked at the bright features of the baby, read his horoscope and were delighted. Their eyes gleamed with joy. They said, "This new born babe brings fame to his dynasty. He will become as great as the famous and just ancestor, the saintly king, Vasu. He will become a great hero and extend his kingdom by his mighty conquests. Bright days will soon dawn for Kalinga."

The subjects were overjoyed. 'May he live long' they all prayed.Young Kharavela The Prince was named Kharavela. He had a well-built sturdy body with a bright brown complexion and an attractive personality. Even as a boy, he exhibited great skill and ability in every game, all was always the first. His fame spread a over the state. Everyone praised his virtues and ability.

Mahameghavahana rejoiced at the lively activities of the young Prince during his reign the state had regained its freedom. But the king was not quite happy because he had not been able to improve the lot of the people. The storm had caused terrible destruction. The utter defeat suffered by Kalinga, the hands of Ashoka had sapped all their courage and confidence. They looked lifeless. They had lost the confidence to face enemies. The miserable plight of the people had mad the king sad and depressed. He naturally believed that the birth of the bright and promising son was a God-sent boon. He believed that the boy would raise the country from its misery and bring back its prosperity. He wanted to train the young boy for his later responsibilities. So eminent scholars were appointed to teach the boy the art of administration as well as economics and other subjects. At the same time expert teachers were appointed to teach him the use of different weapons. As he grew older the use of different weapons became his study, his hobby and his recreation. Healthy, strong and sturdy, quick and active by nature, and greatly interested in the practice of arms, he soon came to be known as a great soldier. His teachers were also proud and happy that the Prince who was given to their care had shaped so well.As Kharavela grew up to be manly and strong, the peoples' faces grew brighter. A new hope kindled in them.They decided to work for the progress of the country under his able leadership.

One auspicious day Kharavela was made the Crown Prince (Yuvaraja). He began to take active part in the administration. He was just fifteen or sixteen then. He continued as Yuvaraja for about nine years. After the death of his father, Mahameghavahana, he became the king of his country. Maharaja KharavelaThere was much to do for the young king, soon after he ascended the throne.

The storm had razed the fort to the ground; this had to be rebuilt. Courage and confidence had to be infused in his subjects and a strong army had to be built up, so that he could prove his strength. The much adored and sacred idol of Sheethalanatha Jina, which the Magadhas still retained, had to be recovered at any cost. It was a question of prestige. The king and many of his subjects were Jains- But Jainism Was growing weaker. It had to be made strong again.Towards A New Era During the very first year of his rule, Kharavela took up the work of rebuilding the fort. It was his firm belief that the capital should first be strong, Prosperous, beautiful and attractive achieved this object within a few months of his becoming king. The task that was before him was stupendous. He had to rebuild the city where most of the houses had collapsed; he had to see that the tanks and wells were repaired; he had to bring back loveliness to the parks and gardens that had been destroyed.

All these were difficult tasks. They also cost much money. There were not one or two but ever so many things to be done because the state had suffered for years. It had to recover from the terrible suffering caused by the enemies and by Nature.

Huge sums of money were spent on this reconstruction. The fort became strong again. The tanks and lakes were full. Green grass and colorful flowers and trees and fruits of many kinds made the parks bright and attractive once again.

All these improvements cost much money. But Kharavela did not collect a single pie for them from his subjects. It would not have been wrong if he had imposed taxes on them. Nor would they have grudged paying the taxes. Yet he paid for all these works from his treasury, without imposing any taxes.What a joy and surprise to the people! Within a year of his coming to the throne, Kharavela had captured the hearts of his people.

In the second year of his rule he desired to extend his power and show his might beyond the borders of his kingdom. There was, towards the west of Kalinga, a king named Shathakarni.

He had earned a name as a very great warrior. Already his kingdom had extended upto the eastern borders of Kalinga. How much had Kalinga suffered from one powerful neighbor, Magadha!

How could Kharavela forget it? So he decided to impress on others the might of Kalinga. He marched against Shathakarni. The army reached the banks of the river Krishnaveni (Vynaganga). Kharavela attacked Rishikanagar, a city situated where the river Krishna joins the river Moosi, and captured it. This attack brought Kharavela not only much fame but also sufficient wealth.

Returning home, Kharavela celebrated this victory in a grand way. The people of Kalinga were overjoyed at this victory. Wrestling contests, dance, music and drama delighted the people.

The celebrations went on for a year. All these years they had tasted only unhappiness. They had become meek and timid; they had lost confidence in themselves. They always feared defeat and their heads were bowed in shame. In short, they appeared lifeless. Now their courage had revived. "We are in no way inferior to others; we have defeated the famous warrior Shathakarni" - so they thought. They were proud of their valor and this pride was quite justified, for Shathakarni was  no ordinary king. He had earned a name as a great hero. He had performed the great Rajasuya and Ashwamedha sacrifices. These had spread his fame far and wide. Kalinga had subdued to such a warrior. So now the people could hold their heads high and live in self-respect. Many of them willingly came forward to join the army. They considered it their good fortune to be soldiers in Kharavela's army and to fight for him.A ChallengeWhile the king was engaged in the victory celebrations momentous news reached him.

Vidyadharadhivasa was a holy place in Kalinga. Kharavela's ancestors had bestowed much care on it. Two petty Sardars, Rathika and Bhojaka by name ruled over two small provinces on the western borders of Kalinga. They made bold to attack Vidyadharadhivasa and desecrate it.

This news enraged the king. At once he decided to teach the petty chieftains a lesson. He went with his army and attacked them suddenly. Poor fellows, they must have been under the false impression that the Kalinga soldiers weak and easily defeated, as in the olden days. They had not felt the heat of Kharavela's anger. Now they felt it.' They were routed completely by the mighty Kalinga army. The Sardars fell at Kharavela's feet and meekly surrendered to him all the emblems of their kingship including the crown. They begged for mercy. Kharavela was not only strong, but he was also generous enough to pardon those who surrendered to him and to treat them with honour. The Sardars were, pardoned. Never again did they make bold even to glance at Kalinga.A King Who Loved His Subjects Having taught a lesson to Rathika and Bhojaka, Kharavela returned home and turned his attention to the welfare of his subjects. The capital was near the sea; yet it suffered periodically from want of drinking water. During the reign of the Nandas, the problem of drinking water had been solved by means of a canal, named Thanasuliavata. But that was two hundred and fifty years before; and both time and the terrible storm that raged for long during Mahamega- vahana's rule had damaged the canal. It had fallen into disuse. The canal had to be repaired; otherwise there could be no certainty of supply of drinking water. Therefore much money was spent torepair the canal. And once again, Kharavela did not collect any money from the people. The expenditure was met out of his own funds. To relieve the people of their poverty, he, on the other hand, waived all the taxes. The precious gems and wealth offered by the vanquished Rathika and Bhojaka as tributes had filled the state treasury.

 

If there is to be a king, he must be one like Kharavela ; We are indeed very fortunate' - so praised the happy subjects of Kalinga. His fame spread to the neighboring states too.A Plunderer From Outside Seven years had by now passed since Kharavela became the king. His achievements during this period were by no means small. He had brought the kingdom power and plenty. His subjects had regained their happiness, peace and self-respect. Other states had come to look upon Kalinga with fear and respect. And yet he was not satisfied. That very year the younger queen Vajiragharavathi gave birth to a son. Even the birth of a son did not make Kharavela quite happy. Of course, he was glad his dynasty would continue but one sorrow haunted him. 'Should I not wipe off the shame and humiliation inflicted on Kalinga by the Magadhas? And what a humiliation! The much adored and holy idol of Sheetha- lanatha Jina is still retained by them. How can I have peace until it is recovered? So he pined. This task of getting back this idol was a very very difficult one. It was not an easy task to attack and defeat Magadha. It was not possible to lay siege to the capital of Magadha, Rajagriha, straight away. It was well protected by a fort to the south of it called Gorathagiri. This was a natural hill fortress. (This hill is in the Gaya District of Bihar now.) This had to be seized before the capital could be attacked. That was indeed both difficult and dangerous. But Kharavela was a mighty hero his soldiers were prepared to fight till their last breath, if necessary. For, they all considered it their sacred duty to defeat the Magadhas and bring back the idol of Sheethalanatha Jina. It was also their life's mission. With this grim determination they captured Gorathagiri, reached the capital Rajagriha and laid siege to it.

When Kharavela was engaged in this attack, spies came to him and made a report: "Your Highness, Demetrius, a King of Greece, is also marching with a huge army to attack Magadha."
It was a very serious and disturbing piece of news. The defeat of Magadha was, of course, absolutely necessary, if the Kalingas were to get back their sacred idol. Otherwise would the Magadhas return it? No. True, Kalinga was now stronger than Magadha, but it was not easy to inflict a total defeat on Magadha. That would mean a great strain on Kharavela's army and a heavy loss.
'What should be done now? thought Kharavela to himself. 'Alone, I can defeat Magadha; if Demetrius joins me, there is no doubt that the task becomes doubly easy. But who is this Demetrius? Is he one of us, my countryman? No, never! He is after all a robber who has come to loot our country. A dacoit. Shall I join hands with him? The King of Magadha is one of as. It is my duty now to drive out this Demetrius, a foreigner. Let me deal with Magadha later.' Taking the decision after deep deliberation, he withdrew his attack on Rajagriha and sent his army westwards to check Demetrius.
As soon as Demetrius heard that Kharavela's army was marching against him, he ordered his army to withdraw. He had already come to know of Kharavela's prowess. He had miscalculated and misjudged Kharavela. Earlier when he heard that Kharavela was about to attack on Magadha he had thought, 'if Kharavela attacks Magadha from the south and I attack from the west at the same time, victory is easy. We may share the spoils.' But he did not understand that Kharavela was as patriotic as he was heroic; and that he could distinguish between a brother and a stranger. Alarmed at the turn of events, Demeritus ran away.And thereafter no Greek King dared look at India. That was the first and last time that they crossed the Ganga and reached the East.

When Kharavela returned home from this conquest, he celebrated this event with generous gifts of money, precious gems, elephants and horses to Brahmins. He got houses built for them. Though he was a Jain he did not hate other religions. He made all his subjects, irrespective of caste of creed, happy. 

Kharavela had done much to improve the lot of his subjects. He now turned his attention towards his palace. It had suffered serious damage, having been long exposed to the storm. A rive, Prachee, flowed across the capital. Kharavela began the construction of a new capital on the two banks of the river. It cost thirty-eight lakh coins of the day. We can well imagine the splendor of the palace. As a result of his mighty conquests, the king had earned the title 'Mahavijaya' (the great conqueror) and so as a symbol of this great victory the new palace was named 'Mahavijaya'. By his own personal example he had shown that a ruler's first concern was the welfare of his subjects and that his own comfort and happiness should come next. He become famous and began to shine not only as a powerful ruler but also as an ideal king.The Dravida Kings

The tenth year of his reign commenced. He started with his very huge army on mighty conquests. First, he proceeded northwards, defeated one prince after another and collected from them huge tributes.

The Dravidian Kings had often disturbed Kalinga in the south. They often joined hands to inflict pinpricks on Kalinga. On hearing the news that the King of Kalinga had gone northwards on his conquests, they considered it the most favorable moment to attack Kalinga and started the attack.

This news reached Kharavela. Kharavela, who had for a long time been thinking of teaching these Dravida Kings a good lesson, returned to the south with lightning speed. The Dravidian forces used a seaport, Pithunda, as their headquarters. Kharavela made a sudden attack on this port. This was most unexpected. The Dravidian army had assumed that Kharavela was far away and therefore it was quite safe.

The counter attack was as severe as it was sudden. The Dravidan Kings were utterly defeated- Pithunda was totally destroyed. The King’s anger was so great that he got the whole port town ploughed by donkeys. Not satisfied with this he attacked the Kings of Dravida themselves and shattered their confederation. They fled to their capitals to save their lives. The Return of The Holy IdolAgain Kharavela moved to the north to continue and complete the unfinished task. He marched on Uttarapatha, the capital of Takshashila and annexed it. His army then marched towards Magadha.

This news reached Brihaspathimitra, the king of Magadha. He knew Kharavela’s valor and rage, and began to tremble with fear. The news spread among the people of Magadha, too. They knew Kharavela well as a man of extraordinary prowess; a warrior who had not been frightened by the fame of Shathakarni and had, in fact, humbled him; they knew Kharavela as the great hero who had driven backDemetrius, the Greek King who had dreamt of conquering the world and who had entered India and looted several parts of this country as he pleased. Moreover, they had heard not only of his prowess but also of his terrible rage. They trembled as they remembered the fate of Pithunda, which had been razed to the ground.

So the news of his invasion created panic among the people of Magadha. They realized that they had no choice and had to surrender. The king and his subjects unanimously decided this was the right course. There could be now two opinions at all on this question.
They knew full well why Kharavela was so angry with Magadha. Their ancestors had brought the idol of Sheethalanatha Jina from Kalinga. Kharavela and his people considered this as a great humiliation. It was evident to the people of Magadha that unless this humiliation was wiped out, Kharavela’s anger would not subside. Therefore it was decided to hand over the idol to the king, Kharavela, with all honor. They rightly thought that such a course of action would satisfy him and besides, earn his friendship.
Brihaspathimitra sent word to Kharavela that he wished to meet him. Kharavela agreed to this. Brihaspathimitra went to Kharavela with all his ministers and generals. He said to Kharavela, "Kalinga and Magadha have been opposed to each other for quite a long time. As a result, the people of both the states have suffered seriously. Soldiers have died in large numbers. Let us stop this human sacrifice and the destruction of crops and cattle. We, of Magadha, know the fault of ours. Our forefathers brought the holy idol from Kalinga. What we did is wrong. You and your subjects have naturally been displeased and unhappy. Please be magnanimous and forgive us. Forget the past errors. Let us live in friendship and peace."
Kharavela was a terror to his enemies on the battlefield. But he was also generous. It was not his desire to wage war unnecessarily. He did not love to make war. So he was happy at the suggestion of Brihaspathimitra, and accepted the holy idol.
The fire that had been burning in the hearts of the Kalingas, ever since the Nandas carried their idol away was now put out.
At the same time, the King of Anga, situated to the east of Magadha, also wished to avoid war with Kalinga. He, too, surrendered to Kharavela and offered him tributes and gifts.
Kharavela returned to his country with the idol of Sheethalanatha. Hundreds of sculptors started building a splendid temple for their deity. The deity was duly installed. All over the land there was great rejoicing. Kharavela's praise was on everyone's lips. He had wiped out the disgrace that had for long stuck to them. The banner of his fame flew high. His ancestors had not been able to achieve all this. He had not used his power only to extend his kingdom or to extract huge subsidies from the defeated. He had dedicated all his might to the welfare and happiness of his people. He had used it to uphold the honour of Kalinga and to end the disgrace inflicted on his people. The people, who had the good fortune of having Kharavela as their king, were in every way happy.
Again Kharavela turned his attention to the South. Unless the King of Pandya, a state situated at the southernmost part of India, was defeated, the power of the Kings of Dravida would not diminish. Kharavela defeated the Pandya King in a battle. The defeated king offered the victor countless gems and ornaments as tributes. Kharavela now became an emperor.
The Kalingas, who had Kharavela for their rulers were indeed blessed. What was once a- small, humble, poor and disgraced state had now become a strong, powerful and vast empire. It now extended from Takshashila and Nepal in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. Kharavela's fame spread across the length and breadth of India. This was indeed a golden age in the history of Kalinga.
Kharavela's mighty conquests spread his fame far and wide. What the astrologers had foretold when he was but a tender baby had literally come true.
The name his parents had chosen for him was fully justified. 'Kharavela' means' the swift moving wind', 'the storm incarnate'. Soon after coming to the throne, he moved with his mighty army with astonishing swiftness. And his enemies who had witnessed this must have felt that he was the God of Wind himself.
Kharavela who had now earned the status of an emperor thought of strengthening Jainism. It was about to disappear. From the time Emperor Ashoka had embraced Buddhism, the power and influence of Buddhism rose everywhere in India.
Kharavela convned a great conference of all Jain Sanyasis (hermits) of Kumariparvatha; this place had been made sacred by the touch of the hole feet of Mahavira Jina. Over three thousand and five hundred Jain Sanyasis attended the conference. They were all treated with great hospitality befitting the king. Huts (Ashramas) were put up on the hills for them. The Agamas were sacred to the Jains; but these holy books had been lost. These learned sanyasis were requested to reconstruct those volumes, and they were given all the facilities they needed. Once again bright days dawned for Jainism. But Kharavela respected the other religions. He did not trouble the followers of other religions in any way. 

Such was Kharavela! A great hero, one who looked upon all religions alike, one who kept his subject perfectly happy, one who lifted his kingdom from the depths of hellish misery to the heights of sublime glory and happiness; one who had the wisdom to distinguish between his own countryman and a foreigner; a great conqueror, an emperor and champion of Jainism.His Family

What a misfortune not many details about him are available. It is not known how this mighty monarch spent his last days. Nor do we know who the great lady was, who gave birth to so great a son.

At least it is our good fortune that something is known about his wives and children. His first queen was Sindhula, a princess of Simhapatha. She was a generous as Kharavela. She worked hard to re-establish Jainism. She took interest to get monasteries built for Jain Sanyasis. She got cave dwellings specially constructed for the use of Jain hermits. Under her patronage, many Jain Sanyasis become missionaries to spread Jainism.

Mention has been already made of his other queen; named Vajiragharavathi who in the seventh year of Kharavela's reign gave birth to the heir apparent to his throne. His name was Koodepa. He was also strong and virtuous. The Stone Edicts Sing His Glory

Near Bhuvaneshwar there is a cave known as 'Hathigumpha' (the Elephant Cave). There is a stone edict in this cave. This is the only stone edict, which reveals some facts about Kharavela. The writing is in Prakrit. The last sentence may be translated into English as follows

'The very wealthy king, Kharavela, does good; he is a prosperous king, a king of the Sanyasis, a just king; one with extraordinary virtues and one whorespects all religions; he revived all temples and places of worship; he is the master of an army which cannot be defeated; he is a king who protected the wheel of justice (Dharma) and prospered, one who was born in the family of Rajarshi Vasu and was a great conqueror.'

Author -  D.N.Shanbhag