PANCHANG & MUHURAT” Basics about the Vedic Days - PART 2. ~ VAAR Understanding the energies of the Lords of the Days and using the knowledge for personal benefit in everyday life.

VAISHNAV SANGH U.K. Presentation prepared by Rajan D. Pitamber 12/Dec/10 SYNOPSIS: theme of talk and basic points to be covered: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• What are the Vaishnava scriptural references about TIME? • What is TIME astronomically and why important astrologically? • How ancient rishis perceived time and what they concluded? • Quality versus Quantity and conception of Muhurat by Vedic sages? • Relevance of Muhurat and understanding its benefits for mundane life? • CHOGADHIA system of Muhurat in daily practice. • PANCHANG - The 5 "limbs of time" given in Vedic scriptures. • The 1st limb being Day of the Week – The 2nd limb being the Tithi •

We shall explore in detail these most commonly known components of Panchang, yet little understood!

• What secrets do Puraanic scriptures reveal about the origins of Vaars, who are actually eternal deities governing different aspects of our everyday existence on this earthly plain?

• How can we structure and schedule our daily life appropriately to be in tune with our Karmic destiny and reap maximum benefit?

• Finally…. why should we all bother to learn about this mysterious knowledge? Isn't seva, jaapa or meditation enough?!

Vedas say that with knowledge of Time (“panchang”) the person becomes free from all sins and gains moksha

Introduction – VAAR & TIME references from scriptures

• Purânas - stories that have been told to make the philosophy of yoga and self-realization accessible and pleasant. Lord Krishna is the one who said "I am the time" three times in the Bhagavad Gîtâ. Thus relating to time is relating to Him.

__________________________________________ • In keeping respect with the Time of the Lord we automatically keep respect for

Him and win His grace (kripa), because He clearly identifies Himself with that Time. – KAAL PURUSH

Shreemad Bhagvat S.B. 6.1: 42

• The divinity of the sun, the fire, the sky, the air, the gods, the moon, the evening, the day and the night, the directions, the water and the land; all these are Dharma personified verily thus bearing witness to the embodied living entity.

• S.B. 2.5:11

• From the light of the radiating world [called brahmajyoti] I do manifest just like the sun and the fire, as well as the moon as also the firmament with its planets among the stars.

S.B. 3.7:33

• How are the periodical offerings of respect regulated, o brahmin, to the created of the forefathers and how are the time durations determined to the planets, the stars and luminaries?

S.B. 3.11: 11-13 • The aggregate of such a 'day' and 'night' is called an ancestral [traditional and

solar] month with two of them forming a season of which there are six [resp. 'cold' or hentanta, 'dew' or shirshira, 'spring' or vasanta, 'warm' or grishma, 'rainy' or varsha and 'autumn' or sarad, counted from the 22 of dec.] according the movement of the sun going through the southern and the northern sky

• This movement of the sun is said to form one day of the demigods and is called a vatsara [a tropical year] of twelve months. The duration of life of the human being is estimated to be of a great many of those

The planets, the heavenly bodies [like the moon] and the stars all rotate along with the atoms in the universe completing their orbits as a conclusion of years in the Almighty [or cyclic] of the eternal of time.

Jyotisha, Time and Panchang Panchang/Muhurat – IMPORTANCE OF TIMING

• Whether it's in the telling of a joke or striking a business deal, there's nothing more important than timing. What you do is important but when you do it is just as important.

• Ancient sages saw a relationship between movement of planets and happenings in the lives of human beings. There are time periods which are particularly effective and there are those which are disadvantageous.

• Panchang – 5 limbs of the Hindu calendar, for measurement of time. Vedas say that with knowledge of Panchang the person becomes free from all sins:

1. Vara - prolongs life -strength, agni tattva 2. Tithi - brings prosperity, wealth -fulfilment of desires, jala 3. Karana - success in all actions -accomplishment, prithvi 4. Nakshatra- removes sins -disposition of mind, mana, vayu 5. Yoga - immunity from diseases -co-operation, sambandha

• Time marches on steadily, softly and relentlessly. Man sees his future becoming the present and his present rolling into an endless abyss of the past. The present is forever contemplating plans and carrying out endless manoeuvers to brighten the future. It is here that Jyotisha [Panchang & Muhurat] steps in – it prepares one to match steps with the strides of time.

• Each day of the week reflects the characteristics of the Lord who rules the day. Thus each day has its own speciality. By knowing these specialities we can structure our daily schedule appropriately for maximum effect.

• Just as timing is important in the material world, it's important in Spirituality too. The efficacy of one's spiritual practices can be increased greatly by timing it according to rules. One who wants to transcend time must know the connection between timing and karma completely.

Introduction: to VAAR

• What is Time? .... How ancient rishis perceived time and what they concluded? • TIME => Quantity vs. Quality ~ Science vs. Rishis • VAAR => Turn, rotation, go round • AHORATRA => Day and night = Hora >>Divya+Ratri

Ancient measurements of TIME given by Rishis:

• 1 Kashta(3.2 sec); 15 Kashtas = 1 Laghu; 15 Laghu's = 1 Ghadi(24 minutes); • 2 Ghadi's = 1 Muhurta; 7.5 Ghadi's = 1 Yama(Prahara); 4 Yama's = 1 Day

time(12 hours); 8 Yama's = 1 Ahoratra(24 Hours); One of the most peculiar qualities of time is the fact that it is measured by motion and it also becomes evident through motion.

Introduction: to VAAR weekday order Puraanic story

• Mahadeva, the physician created 1st day for good health. SUNDAY • Next he created Maya the giver of prosperity. MONDAY • Next was birth of Kumar which occurred with mishaps. TUESDAY • Vishnu’s Wednesday for protection. • Next for longevity Thursday. • Indra for Friday enjoyments,, anand. • And Yama for prevention of early death. SATURDAY

Weekday Order: In astrological theory, not only the days of the week, but the hours of the day are dominated by the seven luminaries. If the first hour of a day is dominated by Saturn, then the second hour is dominated by Jupiter, the third by Mars , and so on with the Sun, Venus , Mercury, and the Moon. The "astrological planets" are ordered by their sidereal revolution periods. The approximate periods are: Saturn (10760 days), Jupiter (4333 days), Mars (687 days), Sun (i.e. Earth; 365 days), Venus (225 days), Mercury (88 days), Moon (27 days).

Weekday Order: In astrological theory the hours of the day are dominated by the seven luminaries. If the first hour of a day is dominated by Saturn, then the second hour is dominated By Jupiter, the third by Mars , and so on with the Sun, Venus , Mercury, and the Moon.

Sunrise to Sunset

Hora Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

6 AM 1 Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat

7 2 Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup

8 3 Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar

9 4 Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun

10 5 Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven

11 6 Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer

Noon 7 Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon

1 PM 8 Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat

2 9 Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup

3 10 Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar

4 11 Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun

5 12 Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven

6 13 Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer

7 14 Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon

8 15 Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat

9 16 Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup

10 17 Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar

11 18 Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun

M.N 19 Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven

1 AM 20 Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer

2 21 Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon

3 22 Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup Ven Sat

4 23 Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar Mer Jup

5 24 Mer Jup Ven Sat Sun Mon Mar

Nature + Attribute of VAARS Gentle Days - Soumaya Friday, Thursday, Wednesday, and Monday are considered as the ‘gentle’ days in Panchang. Cruel Days - Krur Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday are considered as harsh krur days for some activities. e.g. For education point of view, Thursday is considered good in Panchang; for business point of view Wednesday is considered good; for debates and confrontation Tuesday is better. Planet / Vaar Guna (attribute)

Sun (Sunday) Satva

Moon (Monday) Satva

Mars (Tuesday) Tamas

Mercury (Wednesday) Rajas

Jupiter (Thursday) Satva

Venus (Friday) Rajas

Saturn (Saturday) Tamas

Vaara = VaaSara

• The word Vaasara implies an abode for the God of fire (Agni). Similarly, a weekday/Vaara is a resting place for the Agni, and all the functions of the weekdays arise from this principle.

• Agni is also named Vahni, which refers to his task to ‘transport’ the prayers to the Deva, and likewise transport the blessing back to the worshipper. Agni therefore rules over the third eye.

‘Vaasa’: = staying , remaining, abiding, dwelling, residence, living in. ‘Ra’: = Agni/fire. Days:- SundaySurya (the Sun) MondaySoma (the Moon) TuesdayMangala (Mars) Wednesday Budha (Mercury) Thursday Guru (Jupiter) Friday Shukra (Venus) Saturday Shani (Saturn) Sanskrit

• भानवुासरम ् Bhaanu Vāsaram

• ◌ुवासरम ् Indu Vāsaram

• भौमवासरम ् Bhauma Vāsaram

• सौमय्वासरम ् Saumya Vāsaram

• गु वासरम Guru Vāsaram

• भगृवुासरम ◌्Bhrgu Vāsaram

• ि थरवासरम ् Sthira Vāsaram Hindi

• र ववार Ravivār

• सोमवार Somavār

• मंगलवार Mangalavār

• बधुवार Budhavār

• गु वार Guruvār

• शक्ुरवार Shukravār

• श नवार Shanivār

Vaar related to Vishnu Avataars Planet / Vaar Vishnu Avataar

Sun (Sunday) RAM (suryavansh, raghupati, noon birth)

Moon (Monday) KRISHNA (chandravansh, midnight birth)

Mars (Tuesday) NARSIMHA (avesha avataar, aggression)

Mercury (Wednesday) BUDDHA (intelligent)

Jupiter (Thursday) VAMAN (magnanimous)

Venus (Friday) PARSHURAM (avesh avataar, bhrama-kshatriya)

Saturn (Saturday) KURMA (forbearance, patience)

1st Day = SURYA / Ravivaar - significations

Sanskrit Name Literal meaning Rank Relation Deity

Surya-(narayan), Ravi, Bhanu, Aaditya,Bhaskar Mitra, Martanda

A god, Prajapati, Guide, Nourisher, Friend

King, Ruler CEO

Father Ram, Shiva, Agni

Sanskrit Name Governance Places Direction Colour

Pushan, Arka Hiranyagarbha, Mariche, Savitre

Aatma, Health

Temples, Palaces

East Dark Red, Copper Burgundy Pink

“At the time of Pralaya (Destruction) the universe plunged into darkness and was flooded with water, when all of a sudden the Sun God with his brilliant rays appeared in the Universe.He created all the planets and the 12 months.” Saravali Chapter 3, Slokas 1-2

Material Body Diseases Food Flower

Copper, Ruby, Gold

Bone system, Eyes

Fevers, eyes, heart /blood circulation, hair loss, dental, bone disorders

Wheat, almond, saffron, nutmeg, cardamom, Jaggery

Japa Kusuma, Red Lotus Hibiscus, any dark red flower

Riding a single-wheeled chariot with 7 horses driven by Aruna (dawn). The entire kala-chakra, or wheel of time, is established on the wheel of the sun-god's chariot. This wheel is known as Samvatsara. SURYA NAMASKAR – 12 Names:

Om Mitraya namah (The friend of all) Ravaye namah (Praised by all) Suryaya namah (The guide of all) Bhanave namah (The bestower of beauty) Khagaya namah (Stimulator of the senses) Pushne namah (The nourisher of all) Hiranyagarbhaya namah (The creator) Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease) Adityaya namah (The inspirer) Savitre namah (The purifier) Arkaya namah (The radiant) Bhaskaraya namah (The illuminator)

SURYA / Ravivaar - Mythology

• 7 Horses represent the 7 musical notes Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, and 7 colours of white light, 7 Chakras, 7 Sapta Rishis…

• Son of Marichi (Rishi Kashyap) and Mother Aditi – children of Brahma's creation

• Hence the name Aaditya – born to protect creation and vanquish the demons • Brother of Garuda • Son-in-law of Vishvakarma • Husband of (Usha/Sandhya) and Chhaya • Father of Manu, Yama and Yami (Yamunaji) • Father of Shani, Tapti, Savarni Manu • Father of Ashvini kumars, Karna(son of Kunti)

SURYA-Narayana / Lord of Brilliance The sun-god, who controls the affairs of the entire Universe, especially in regard to heat, light, seasonal changes, is considered an expansion of Narayana. He represents the three Vedas -- Rg, Yajur and Sama -- and therefore he is known as Trayimaya, the form of Lord Narayana. Sometimes he is also called Surya-Narayana.

• The sun-god, who is Narayana, or Vishnu, the soul of all the worlds, is situated in outer space between the upper and lower portions of the universe.

• Passing through twelve months on the wheel of time, the sun comes in touch with twelve different signs of the zodiac and assumes twelve different names according to those signs.

• The aggregate of those twelve months is called a samvatsara, or an entire year. (SB 5.22.5)

PURPORT Sri Isopanishad, Verse16: The sun and its rays are one and the same qualitatively. Similarly, the Lord and the living entities are one and the same in quality. The sun is one, but the molecules of the sun's rays are innumerable. The sun's rays constitute part of the sun, and the sun and its rays conjointly constitute the complete sun. Within the sun itself resides the sun-god, and similarly within the supreme spiritual planet, Goloka Vrindavana, from which the brahmajyoti effulgence is emanating, the Lord Krishna enjoys His eternal pastimes, as verified in the Brahma-samhita (5.29)

SURYA / Ravivaar – Mythology

• Lord Sun as an inexhaustable source of energy. Sun worship in India dates back to ancient times. It is the source of Power. In whose presence all living being get life. There are many temples represents Lord Sun as presiding deity in all over world.

• **NB the 5 original sampradyas : Sun,Shiva,Shakti,Ganapati,Vishnu)

• Famous Sun Temples: KONARK, MODHERA, SURYANARKOIL; Dakshinaarka Sun temple at Gaya is associated with the rites for making offerings to ancestors.

• The Vedas are full of hymns describing the celestial body as the source and

sustainer of all life on earth. The origin of the worship of the Sun in India is thus several centuries old.

• References to sun worship are found in the puranas. The Ramayana speaks of

Sage Agastya initiating Rama into sun worship through the Aditya Hridaya Mantra.

• Samba the son of Krishna was cured of leprosy by his worship of the sun god. It

is still believed by many that sun worship offered at several of the sun temples all over India, is a cure for leprosy and other skin ailments, blindness and infertility.

Marichaye namah (Destroyer of disease) Dhanvantari = Surya-Narayan carrying pot of nectar, medicine Famous Sun Temples in India to do Puja for Health: - KONARK Orissa, MODHERA Gujarat, SURYANARKOIL Tamil Nadu That the brahmajyoti is Krishna's effulgence is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita (14.27) as well as the Brahma-samhita (5.40):

SURYA’s daughter YAMUNA / KALINDI Yamuna is the giver of “Ashta Siddhi”. Yamuna makes a human being enable ...... [1] To get Body to worship God. [2] To watch God’s action. [3] To feel God’s action. [4] To get Sarvatam Bhav Siddhi. [5] To remain and have God’s blessing even during bad days. [6] To get Divine Sight. [7] To feel the pleasure of God’s blessings. [8] To feel God’s presence even in bad time. Shri Yamunaji helps Vaishnavs to reach Shrinathji. Shri Yamunaji speaks to Shrinathji on the devotees’ behalf, and on hearing Her advice He accepts the bhakta as his own and liberates him from this world.

• 1. Sakshatsevapuyogidehapti • 2. Tallilaavlokan • 3. Tadrasanubhav • 4. Sarvatmabhav • 5. Bhagvadvanshikanatva • 6. Bhagvttpriyatvabhagvattatparyagyatva • 7. Bhaktidatattva • 8. Bhagvadrasposhkatva

SUNDAY / Ravivaar – PRACTICAL GUIDANCE / What to Do

1. Celebrations and community efforts. It is the day to offer prayers of gratitude.

2. Indians have traditionally undertaken activities such as grinding grains and seeds on Sundays.

3. An excellent day to undertake journeys

4. Sunday is also an extremely conducive day on which to resolve old disputes.

5. Sunday, being a day for celebration, is the most suitable day to feed and

entertain friends and family.

6. Pink and maroon colours are best suited for this day. Keeping maroon and pink flowers at home on Sundays will yield good results.

7. If one wears pink or maroon clothes on Sundays one can make friends

easily and will enhance one's personality.

8. Sunday is not considered a favourable day for entering a new house, undertaking any kind of heavy activities, or for quarrelling.

9. Great day for Pujas, Havans, Satsangs, Seva, Gaining Knowledge

10. Serving one’s father, or any fatherly figure will bring great benefits in higher education, eyesight problems

11. Fast on Sunday for peace, Can feed wheat and jaggery to a cow. Feeding kheer of jaggery to a Brahman or a poor person also reduces the malefic effects of Sun.

12. Surya Namaskar in early morning to get a relief from health issues

13. It is also important to donate wheat to appease the Sun god. 14. If cow with a calf, jaggery, copper, gold and red coloured clothes are

donated, they ward off the malefic influence of the Lord.

15. Surya favours dark red clothes, red sandal powder and red flowers. - Donation will only give good results when done on auspicious time and to deserving people. You should donate products of Sun on Sunday noon to a person who is 40 – 50 years old.

Ram Bhagvan was Suryavanshi. - This means that Sun god was his ancestor

Here is the lineage in chronological order.

1. Brahma created 10 Prajapatis , one of whom was Marichi. 2. Kashyapa is the son of Marichi and Kala. Kashyapa is regarded as the father of humanity.

His sons from Aditi, the sky goddess, and the daughter of Daksha Prajapati are called Adityas (Sons of Aditi), they were, Aṃśa, Aryaman, Bhaga, Dhūti, Mitra, Pūṣan, Śakra, Savitṛ, Tvaṣṭṛ, Varuṇa, Viṣṇu, and Vivasvat or Vivasvan .

3. Vivasvan or Vaivasvata (one of the sons of Lord Sun) – the Sun God, progenitor of the clan. His parents were the sage Kashyapa, father of all beings, and Aditi, Aditi’s 12 sons, the Adityas, are the sun deities, and both Vivaswan and Aditya mean sun. Therefore another name for Vivaswan is Surya or the Sun, hence the name, Suryavansha. Vivaswan’s sons include Shrraaddev and Shanishchar.

4. Manu or Vaivasvata Manu – the King of all mankind and the first human being. (According to Hindu belief there are 14 Manvantaras; in each, Manu rules. Vaivasvata Manu was the seventh Manu . Manu is referred to as a Rajan (King) in the Shatapatha Brahmana scripture. He had nine sons, Vena, Dhrishnu, Narishyan, Nabhaga, Ikshvaku, Karusha, Saryati, Prishadhru, Nabhagarishta and one daughter, Ila, who was married to Budha of the Lunar Dynasty). He left the kingdom to the eldest male of the next generation, Ikshvaku, who was actually the son of Manu’s brother Shraaddev.

5. Ikshvaku – the first prominent monarch of this dynasty, giving the dynasty its another name the Ikshvaku dynasty.

6. Vikukshi – He is said to have eaten the meat of a rabbit at the time of Shraddha and was known as Shasad. (Some records claim him to be grandson of Ikshvaku.) His son was Kakuthsa or Puranjay.

7. Kakutstha or Puranjaya – He was a brave king and fought in the Devasur Sangram. His original name was Puranjaya. But after he annihilated Asuras (demons) (or “Ahuras” ie Persians)while sitting on the hump (Kukud) of a bull, he was known as Kakuthstha, which means seated on the hump. His dynasty was also known as Kakuthstha after him.

8. Anena or Anaranya 9. Prithu 10. Vishvagashva 11. Ardra or Chandra 12. Yuvanashva I 13. Shravast – He founded the town of Shravasti near Kosala. 14. Vrihadashva 15. Kuvalashva – He killed a Rakshasa named Dhundh. It is said that Dhundhar region and the

Dhund river are named after Dhund. Eighteen of Kuvalashva’s sons died in the battle with Dhund. Thereafter, Kuvalashva was called “Dhundhumara”.

16. Dridhashva 17. Pramod 18. Haryashva I

19. Nikumbh 20. Santashva 21. Krishasva 22. Prasenjit I – His daughter Renuka was married to sage Jamdgni. She was mother of

Parashurama. 23. Yuvanashva II – He was married to Gori, daughter of the Chandravanshi king Matinaar. 24. Mandhata – He became a famous and Chakravarti (ideal universal ruler) king. He defeated most

of the other kings of his time. He married Bindumati, a daughter of the Chandravanshi king. 25. Ambarisha – Great devotee of Vishnu. 26. Purukutsa & Harita – Purukutsa performed the Ashwamedha Yajna (horse sacrifice). He

married Nagkanya “Narmada”. He helped Nagas in their war against the Gandharvas. Harithasa gotra linage starts from here.

27. Traddasyu 28. Sambhoot 29. Anaranya II 30. Trashdashva 31. Haryashva II 32. Vasuman 33. Tridhanva 34. Tryyaruna Satyavrata or Trishanku – His original name was Satyavrata, but he committed three

(tri) sins, and hence got the name Trishanku. First, while he was a prince, he misbehaved and was temporarily exiled from the kingdom. Next, he killed the milch cow of his preceptor Vasishta. His third sin was that he used the unsanctified meat of his kill as food. Trishanku also had a desire to ascend to heaven in his mortal body. After Vashistha refused him this boon, since it is against nature to ascend into heaven as a mortal, the sage Vishwamitra, Vashistha’s rival, created another heaven for him, called “Trishanku’s Heaven”, and located in mid-air. His sons were Dhundumara, and Harishchandra, who was borh of the princess of “Kaikaya” named “Satyaraksha”.

35. Harishchandra – He is known for his honesty, truth and devotion to duty or Dharma. 36. Rohitashva – He was the son of Harishchandra. He founded town of Rohtas Garh in Rohtas

district, Bihar and Rohtak, originally Rohitakaul, meaning from the Kul (family) of Rohit 37. Harit 38. Chanchu 39. Vijay 40. Ruruk 41. Vrika 42. Bahu or Asit – He was attacked and defeated by another clan of Kshatriyas. After this, he left

Ayodhya and went to the Himalaya mountains to live as an ascetic with his queens. At that time Yadavi queen was pregnant with Sagara.

43. Sagara – He recaptured Ayodhya from the “Haihaya” and “Taljanghi” Kshtriyas. He then attempted to perform the horse sacrifice, Ashwamedha Yajna. However, the sacrificial horse was stolen by the god Indra on the south eastern shores of the ocean, which was at that time an empty bed with no water in it. At least sixty of Sagara’s sons died attempting to recover the horse, also causing great destruction by their reckless search. Puranic legends say the number of his sons was 60 thousand.

44. Asmanja – Sagara’s surviving son was not made king due to his bad conduct. 45. Anshuman – He was the grandson of Sagara, and his successor as king. He did penance in an

attempt to bring the holy river Ganges to earth, that she might wash away the sins of his ancestors.

46. Dileepa I – He also tried to bring Ganges to earth, but also failed. 47. Bhagiratha – Sagara’s great-grandson, after strenuous penances, at last succeeded in

bringing Ganga down from heaven. When she flowed over the remains of his ancestors, their souls were redeemed, and the ocean was refilled. Ganga also bears the name “Bhagirathi”, in honour of his deed.

48. Shrut 49. Nabhag 50. Ambarish – According to Buddhist legends, he went to Tapovana to be a renunciant but after a

public outcry returned and ruled for some time. 51. Sindhu Dweep 52. Pratayu 53. Shrutuparna 54. Sarvakama 55. Sudaas 56. Saudas or Mitrasah – He performed the Ashwamedha Yajna, but as the rituals were concluding

a Rakshasa tricked him into serving human meat to Brahmin,s including Rishi Vashishta. He

was then cursed by the Brahmins. He wanted to curse them back, but his wife prevented him. He spent twelve years in exile in the forest.

57. Sarvakama II 58. Ananaranya III 59. Nighna 60. Raghu I 61. Duliduh 62. Khatwang Dileepa 63. Raghu II or Dirghbahu – He was a famous king, who conquered most of India. The great epic

Raghuvamsa describes his victories. After him the Sun dynasty was also known as the dynasty of Raghu as Raghav (Raghuvanshi).

64. Aja 65. Dasaratha 66. Rama – He is considered the seventh Avatar of the god Vishnu. He is worshiped by every

Hindu. Many Hindus include his name in either their first or last name. Rama’s story before he became king of Ayodhya is recounted in the Ramayana. After he ascended the throne, he performed the Ashwamedha Yajna. Bharata, his younger brother, won the country of Gandhara and settled there.

67. Lava and Kusha – They were the twin sons of Rama and his wife Sita. Lava ruled south Kosala while Kusha ruled north Kosala, including Ayodhya. Kusha married “Nagkanya” “Kumuddhati”, sister of Kumuda. After Kusha the following kings of the solar dynasty ruled Ayodhya:

Finally….…… why should we all bother to learn about this mysterious knowledge? Isn't seva, jaapa mantra or meditation enough?! Well the answer lies within ourselves – do we really sincerely want ONLY spiritual liberation, or do we hanker after material desires and pursuits, even a tiny bit?? For the true Yogi and spiritual aspirant there is no need for anything! But when we are bound to Earthly life the rules are fixed (for all) whether we want them or not or whether we believe it or not. **********************************************************************

JAI SHRI KRISHNA