Maryada Mahotsav - 143rd - (06) The Auspiciousness Factor

Tuesday the 23rd Jan 2007 was first day of three days long 143rd Maryada Mahotsav festivities.

Dear Readers, presence of auspicious signs have a very positive and strong psychological effect on most people’s mind and this positive effect not only inspires but often propels people towards success of the task at hand. Different cultures / societies consider different outwardly symbols as auspicious. A water filled pot, a coconut, a colorful banner, blowing sound from a conch shell, chanting of some mantras, recital of devotional songs and particular form of music etc. have been considered auspicious by Indians since times immemorial.

TUESDAYs are generally considered auspicious days in India for various historical reasons. Tuesday’s hindi translation – MANGALWAR - literally means and signifies auspiciousness. (Bhikshu Swami, founding acharya of terapanth left his gross body for heavenly abode on a Tuesday.)

5th day of bright half of Indian month Magh is considered very auspicious for all practical purposes. Many people choose this date for enrolling a child to school for the first time, for solemnizing the marriage, for starting/moving in a new house and even for taking diksha (initiation in to monkhood). The so-called superstitious Indians do not even check the almanac and do not feel need to consult the astrologer if they wish to start something auspicious on this day. This day is considered as onset of spring season. Accordingly it is celebrated as spring festival in most parts of India.

A question easily begs a common person – what is most auspicious object/sign or date?? To find a clear and shall I say a meaningful answer, perhaps it will be useful to walk back some 2500 years. Abhaykumar, son of King Shrenik, was also his chief minister. He was a really intelligent person. So much so that even today, on Diwali day, people pray and wish to reach the intelligence level attained by Abhaykumar. Once, Lord Mahaveer came visiting his capital. Everyone was naturally very happy. The capital city wore the look of a bride. It was well decorated with flowers, festoons and flags. Auspicious signs and symbols were placed/seen in all nooks and corners of the city. When Abhaykumar went to pay his obeisance to Lord Mahaveer, he noticed some of those auspicious signs and the same question came in the mind of intelligent Abhaykumar - what is most auspicious of all?? In his wisdom, Abhaykumar decided to ask the question directly to Lord Mahaveer so that the answer would not leave any doubt and the answer would therefore not raise any further questions. Lord Mahaveer replied. “Religion – having non violence, self restraint and penance as it’s main ingredients is the most auspicious element”. Surely, the people who follow aforesaid religion are also considered as most auspicious.

Dear Readers, January the 23rd was a wonderful combination of Tuesday and 5th day of bright half of Magh.

With the auspicious presence of His Holiness Acharyashri Mahaprajanji, Yuvacharyshri, Sadhvi Pramukhashri and appx. 450 Munishris/Sadhvishris/Samanijis, all life long followers of religion in true sense, Maryada Mahotsav town of Gangasahar had all the good things going for it.

Factually speaking, at times most of us experience situations when we and our closest friends or relatives act and behave with each other as strangers. But a metamorphosis seemed to have taken place in Gangasahar on this misty morning. The place was like a melting pot; full of men and monks who have come from far and near. In spite of outward unfamiliarity, everyone was so close and dear. The spirit of co-operation, togetherness and affinity was visible and experienced everywhere. The air was filled with positive energy freely flowing from physical presence of all the monks and nuns. This brought out the feeling of friendship and resultant fragrance to our fore.

This correspondent started the day in pre dawn hours and went for darshan of Sadhvipramukhashriji. Wanting to be sure about the direction of Shantiniketan, where Pramukhashriji was staying, he asked for some clarification to an elderly lady who was passing by on the same street. Dear readers, she was not content with giving me the necessary directions. She insisted and kind-heartedly walked with me all the way to the place. That is the level of co-operation people were offering and getting in Gangasahar.

Local newspapers not only prominently carried the Maryada Mahotsav stories and photographs but also published maps and routes showing transport and parking arrangements.

Maryada Mahotsav related programmes were scheduled to commence soon after mid-day in the large courtyard at Acharya Tulsi Samadhi Sthal. His Holiness Acharyashri Mahaprajnaji (and indeed all other components of Ahimsa Yatra) left Terapanth Bhawan at 1130 am.

I will cover that in my next report.