Dudh Pauna: Sharad Purnima special By Pratibha Jani

Published on September 21, 2020October 2, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayersLeave a comment

Dudh Pauna: Sharad Purnima special By Pratibha Jani

Sharad purnima brings back again so many good memories in my childhood. Sharad purnima is also know as Kojagiri Purnima. Many families also enjoy raas garbaa (Traditional gujrati folk dances) as it is considered to have been enjoyed by Lord Krishna and his consort Radha and the gopikas as an all nite dance party.

Two greatest memories are that my Dad used to love the full moon and always wanted to take us up to the terrace of the building to lie down in the full moon at night. And It si also my Mom’s Birthday.

So we used to take the “Dudh Pauna” (Link sugar and flat flaked rice known as poha or pauna.) This recipe is very common and popular part of annual ritual in gujarati families.

We are supposed to eat this Dudh Pauna. after offering it to god and allowing it to sit in the rays of the full moon for a few minutes. The rays of the full moon (indirect rays of the sun) falling on the recipe are to be then consumed by the family members as prasad.

White cool peaceful is to be consumed by your mind body and soul on this nite. This particular recipe is symbolic of the very same. In short summary of the entire ritual.

Most families used to eat this as supper for the night. We of course also would eat a lot of other fun crispy food with it. Like deep fried bhajiyas etc.

Basically whatever you like. Anyway, so as I remember the good happy childhood sharad ponam nites with my parents and siblings, days, I am sharing this simple quick easy yet healthy and filling soup/porridgy/ recipe especially mant for Sharad Purnima or sharad poonam nite. Hope you all enjoy with your near and dear and loved ones and look at the moon with love joy happiness and peace in your heart. Ask for all things good in your life and those around you.

Dudh Pauna (flaked pounded rice porridge) – Sharad Purnima special

Ingredients:

1 cup thin flat pounded rice flakes (poha or pauna)
2 cups luke warm milk
Saakar or khadi saakar (rock sugar/sugar candy) to taste – about one/two table spoon
garnish almonds,pistachios,cardammom as an optional but best all white.

Set aside for a few minutes so all ingredients mix well together. sugar will melt. Now offer to the full moon and there after enjoy the prasad with your dear and near ones. It is also said that best to offer in a silver bowl if possible or in a stainless steel. In case none of these are available plain clear glass is just fine. Tip: some times some brand of pauna (thick or thin) soak a little more milk than others . In that case just add a little more milk if gets too thick. Usual consistency is the one you/r family like the best.

Happy Sharad Poonam/ Kojagiri

Purnima to all. This also marks the beginning of our special snacks for Guess let us get ready for Yep!!! Diwali.

Ingredients for puja prasad porridge- siro satyanarayan puja

Sarva pitru Shraddha

Published on September 14, 2020August 25, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayersLeave a comment

Sarva Pitru Shraddha is and can be performed by all for the ancestors who passed on Amavasya, Poornima, on both sides of the family and for those ancestors whose Tithi (Indian calender dates) you do not remember.

So say for example you remember one or two people’s dates for shraddha but you do not know or do not remember your great grand parents dates of passing, then the last day of shraddha which is know as sarva pittru shraddha is to be used to cook and feed the pancha maha bhoot so all the ancestors can come together just like a big party for the ancestors and enjoy the day at your place. Give you/us blessings for Health,wealth,happiness,peace, progeny and prosperity etc. Remember to cook with lot of love whatever you can and offer.

Until next time. Please shre and pass it on to he next generation.

Platter placement for pitrupaksha days (shraddha) days.

Published on September 1, 2020August 25, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayersLeave a comment

http://pratibhajanisvegetarianrecipes.com/2013/09/platter-placement-n-cooking-tips-for-shraddha-dayspitrupaksha/

Just a simple basic video of some tips for following the days of shraddha /poonam and amavasya shraddha,and platter placement for the panch maha bhoot (the birds/animals etc) for our ancestors. This video includes some small snips of a couple recipes I use for my platter but the main purpose of this video is to show the placement of the recipes for the shraddha platter. So the recipes are not in detail. Those videos will follow later in the posts. Please follow your family customs if you have/know them. Follow this video if you are looking to learn or do not know or remember your family customs for he shraddha platter.

Hope this helps.

IMPORTANT RECIPE TIPS FOR PITRUPAKSHA.

Published on September 1, 2020August 25, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayersLeave a comment

IMPORTANT RECIPE TIPS FOR PITRUPAKSHA.

Typically and traditionally, we are supposed to cook the recipes on the day that was dear to our ancestors. SO cook what ever was the favorite recipe for the person youare cooking for. That said, we have whole series of the most commonly used/popularly cooked recipes for shraddha /pitrupaksha on the blog that you can also use to cook. Here we have a series of 7 videos to cook an entire gujrati meal platter. Remember to cook after shower in the morning and try to place your plate before noon time out on the deck backyard or feed the crows, cows,dog and birds before 11.30 or 12 noon.

For placing the plate on the deck for the birds, here’s how the placement works.

At the bottom place the rice then spread daal and shaak on top of this place the pieces of puri, bhajia/dhokla etc and at the end pour the dudhpaak, or rus or any other dessert you ahve cooked/made. Now last but not the least place small amount of chutney /pickle and place the plate on the terrace, deck or backyard of your home. First put a few drops of water on the floor where u r about to place the plate. then mentally invite the ancestors for the feast and ask for their blessings. Next place the plate on the area and circle a few drops of water around the plate. Bow your head and imagine the ancestors are accepting the invitation and coming to enjoy the feast in the form of crows/birds/squirrels etc. and slowly leave the spot so the birds can enjoy the food. Now enjoy the meal with your family in the house. Later in the evening when the plate is empty bring it in.

Thaali(Plate) Western Indian Vegetarian Meal platter

Typically we have one sweet, one farsaan and puri, and daal bhaat shaak. Add pickles, chutneys according to whatever was the person’s favorite. It needs to be customized according to your family and the person you are cooking for.

Most importantly it involves cooking Dudhpaak, Kadhi, Puri, and daal bhaat shaak and bhajia. Feel free to add any other recipes for your ancestors. and use andy and all recipes you wish from the blog as well. Here is the meal platter link http://pratibhajanisvegetarianrecipes.com/cooking-a-gujrati-mealplatter/

Shraddha Paksha(Pitrupaksha)

Published on September 1, 2020August 25, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayers1 Comment

Shraddha Paksha(Pitrupaksha) Pitru shraddha. (The day for remembering our ancestors)

In Hindu culture, Once a year, every year, comes Shraddha Paksha. (The Ancestors’ forthnight). The time to pay respects, perform some religious ceremony and remember our ancestors – Known as Pitrtus, honor their wisdom, sacrifices and their being that have helped us come into this world and be what we are today. On the day of their particular shraddha day, It is believed that if we cook their favorite food and offer to the Pancha maha bhoot- birds/crows, cows, dogs, give some to children, the temple priest, the poor etc, the ancestors will be fully satisfied where ever they are for the next one year and will have a happy and fulfilling life no matter where they are at this time. They will shower blessings of happiness, health and prosperity upon us and our family of future generations. Starting tomorrow, for the next 15 days, in Hindu calendar we offer prayers, respects to the dearly departed ancestors of our family. They have done a lot for us during their life time and this is a special day in one year when we remember them all, each on their specific day or departing from this world and from us.

In my family we typically sing the following prayer/s of

Maa Baap Ne bhulsho nahin (gujrati)
Parmaatmae Aatma ne Shanti saachi aapjo (giujrati)
Chapter 12 Bhagwad Gita
Chapter 15 Bhagwad Gita

In respect to our ancestors, I am posting these small prayers in audio/video in gujrati to remember them. Recitation of the bhagwad gita chapter 12 and 15 are also considered to be very beneficial for the ancestors as it helps them in achieving peace and happiness in their abode/next life cycle. Cook their favorite food on this day and feed all you can and after offering to all, enjoy the meal with your family.

In case you do not remember which day they passed, the last day is a good day to offer your food and prayers. It is know as Sarva Pitru shraddha. (The day for all the ancestors) Sarva pirtushraddha

108 names of Lord Ganesh and Ganesh visarjanश्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शतनामावलि

Published on August 31, 2020October 2, 2020 by sanskritchantsnprayers2 Comments

108 names of Lord Ganesh and Ganesh visarjanश्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शतनामावलि

when the ten days of the special Ganesh chaturthi festival comes to a close on the fourteenth day of the month known as Anant Chaturdashi (Anand chaudas). On the blog I have posted the shlokas, chalisa, and aarti now here I am posting the 108 names as well. Recite these along with the other prayers to conclude the festival as we joyfully immerse the idols in the ocean we believe that Lord ganesh goes back to his heavenly abode and will at the same time accept our invitation to return to our homes again next year. Follow the order of shlokas,prayers,chalisa,108 names and then Aarti.

After the 108 names, and at the end of this post are a few simple steps to follow for Ganesh Visarjan if you are doing it at your homes. Please remember immersions are only done for statues/idols/images of Ganesh that are brought specifically on the day of ganesh chaturthi for this event.(Usually made of clay). The regular statues,images of Lord Ganesh that are in our homes are NOT to be immersed.They stay.

Here are the Ashtottara Shatanamavali श्री गणेश अष्टोत्तर शतनामावलि of Lord Ganesh:

ॐ गजाननाय नमः।
ॐ गणाध्यक्षाय नमः।
ॐ विघ्नाराजाय नमः।
ॐ विनायकाय नमः।
ॐ द्वैमातुराय नमः।
ॐ द्विमुखाय नमः।
ॐ प्रमुखाय नमः।
ॐ सुमुखाय नमः।
ॐ कृतिनॆ नमः।
ॐ सुप्रदीपाय नमः।
ॐ सुखनिधयॆ नमः।
ॐ सुराध्यक्षाय नमः।
ॐ सुरारिघ्नाय नमः।
ॐ महागणपतयॆ नमः।
ॐ मान्याय नमः।
ॐ महाकालाय नमः।
ॐ महाबलाय नमः।
ॐ हॆरम्बाय नमः।
ॐ लम्बजठरायै नमः।
ॐ ह्रस्व ग्रीवाय नमः।
ॐ महॊदराय नमः।
ॐ मदॊत्कटाय नमः।
ॐ महावीराय नमः।
ॐ मन्त्रिणॆ नमः।
ॐ मङ्गल स्वराय नमः।
ॐ प्रमधाय नमः।
ॐ प्रथमाय नमः।
ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः।
ॐ विघ्नकर्त्रॆ नमः।
ॐ विघ्नहन्त्रॆ नमः।
ॐ विश्व नॆत्रॆ नमः।
ॐ विराट्पतयॆ नमः।
ॐ श्रीपतयॆ नमः।
ॐ वाक्पतयॆ नमः।
ॐ शृङ्गारिणॆ नमः।
ॐ अश्रितवत्सलाय नमः।
ॐ शिवप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ शीघ्रकारिणॆ नमः।
ॐ शाश्वताय नमः।
ॐ बल नमः।
ॐ बलॊत्थिताय नमः।
ॐ भवात्मजाय नमः।
ॐ पुराण पुरुषाय नमः।
ॐ पूष्णॆ नमः।
ॐ पुष्करॊत्षिप्त वारिणॆ नमः।
ॐ अग्रगण्याय नमः।
ॐ अग्रपूज्याय नमः।
ॐ अग्रगामिनॆ नमः।
ॐ मन्त्रकृतॆ नमः।
ॐ चामीकरप्रभाय नमः।
ॐ सर्वाय नमः।
ॐ सर्वॊपास्याय नमः।
ॐ सर्व कर्त्रॆ नमः।
ॐ सर्वनॆत्रॆ नमः।
ॐ सर्वसिद्धिप्रदाय नमः।
ॐ सिद्धयॆ नमः।
ॐ पञ्चहस्ताय नमः।
ॐ पार्वतीनन्दनाय नमः।
ॐ प्रभवॆ नमः।
ॐ कुमारगुरवॆ नमः।
ॐ अक्षॊभ्याय नमः।
ॐ कुञ्जरासुर भञ्जनाय नमः।
ॐ प्रमॊदाय नमः।
ॐ मॊदकप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ कान्तिमतॆ नमः।
ॐ धृतिमतॆ नमः।
ॐ कामिनॆ नमः।
ॐ कपित्थपनसप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ ब्रह्मचारिणॆ नमः।
ॐ ब्रह्मरूपिणॆ नमः।
ॐ ब्रह्मविद्यादि दानभुवॆ नमः।
ॐ जिष्णवॆ नमः।
ॐ विष्णुप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ भक्त जीविताय नमः।
ॐ जितमन्मधाय नमः।
ॐ ऐश्वर्यकारणाय नमः।
ॐ ज्यायसॆ नमः।
ॐ यक्षकिन्नेर सॆविताय नमः।
ॐ गङ्गा सुताय नमः।
ॐ गणाधीशाय नमः।
ॐ गम्भीर निनदाय नमः।
ॐ वटवॆ नमः।
ॐ अभीष्टवरदाय नमः।
ॐ ज्यॊतिषॆ नमः।
ॐ भक्तनिधयॆ नमः।
ॐ भावगम्याय नमः।
ॐ मङ्गलप्रदाय नमः।
ॐ अव्यक्ताय नमः।
ॐ अप्राकृत पराक्रमाय नमः।
ॐ सत्यधर्मिणॆ नमः।
ॐ सखयॆ नमः।
ॐ सरसाम्बुनिधयॆ नमः।
ॐ महॆशाय नमः।
ॐ दिव्याङ्गाय नमः।
ॐ मणिकिङ्किणी मॆखालाय नमः।
ॐ समस्त दॆवता मूर्तयॆ नमः।
ॐ सहिष्णवॆ नमः।
ॐ सततॊत्थिताय नमः।
ॐ विघातकारिणॆ नमः।
ॐ विश्वग्दृशॆ नमः।
ॐ विश्वरक्षाकृतॆ नमः।
ॐ कल्याणगुरवॆ नमः।
ॐ उन्मत्तवॆषाय नमः।
ॐ अपराजितॆ नमः।
ॐ समस्त जगदाधाराय नमः।
ॐ सर्वैश्वर्यप्रदाय नमः।
ॐ आक्रान्त चिद चित्प्रभवॆ नमः।
ॐ श्री विघ्नॆश्वराय नमः।

हरिः ॐ गं गणपतये नमः. इति श्री गणेशाय अष्टोत्तर नमः हरि ॐ शतनामावलि समाप्तः

Hari om Gum Ganapataye namah. Iti shri ganeshay ashttottara namah. Hari On shatanamavali .

Steps to follow For Ganesh visarjan: श्री गणेश विसर्जन

In case you cannot follow these steps due to lack of availability of items or time, that’s ok. Just close your eyes and have an intention and do manas pooja (Mentally) offer these to lord Ganesh and

recite the prayers,chalisa,shlokas,108 names and conclude with aarti.