Auspicious Day

The Anagha vratha can be performed on Margasira bahula ashtami or on any bahula ashtami of any month.The most important day for this worship is the Margasira Krsna paksa Astami – the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Margasirsa (falling in December). In case one cannot perform on the eighth day of the dark fortnight it may be done in the other fortnight, or on any day of the month. It is compulsory that one must perform the puja at least once in a year.

Analysis

Etymologically, the word Agha means that which comes to the experience of the doer (kartaaram anghaati iti agham. Aghi gatow). He who thinks that he is the doer, will experience pain and pleasure. According to vedantic view, even the worldly pleasure is in fact pain. Thus, one who thinks oneself to be the doer is always suffering. That energy which removes the feeling of doership is Anagha.

According to another etymology, Agha means that which causes sufferings to remain for ever. (Na jahaati duhkham it agham. O haak tyaage) Sorrow is caused by poverty, disease, fear of enemies, greed , ignorance etc.. That which removes sorrow by bestowing prosperity, health, affection, contentment, wisdom etc., is Anagha.

Because all these in mind, Lord Dattatreya called her as Anagha. Those sages who could comprehend this could see her as the manifestation of energy and could attain positive benefits. The demons who could not comprehend the reality only saw her as a dancer and therefore were annihilated.

Dattatreya is popularly known as a Yati(Ascetic) and an Avadhoota(one who has shaken off himself from worldly feeling and obligation). How then can he have a consort? – is one of the frequently asked questions. This question will not arise in the minds of those who have read the Datta Purana. Only those who consider Anagha to be a separate entity will raise the question “how can Dattatreya have a spouse?” Only when we realise that Anagha is the manifestation of His own energy, we will understand that His ascetic nature will not be disturbed when Anagha is seated next to Him.

By worshipping only Dattatreya, absolute knowledge of the self will set in. On the other hand, by worshipping Dattatreya along with Anagha, even the worldly difficulties will be removed and eventually Atma Jnana will set in. In Kaliyuga, human beings can achieve wisdom only in an unhurried pace. Therefore Lord Dattatreya himself preached the method of worshipping Anagha.

The story of the thousand-armed Kartaveeryarjuna in Datta Darshana is highly symbolic. He was one of the favourite disciples of Lord Dattatreya. Dattatreya Himself taught him the method of performing Anaghashtami pooja. Kartaveerya got his boons on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Margashira. Lord Dattatreya has himself marked this day to be auspicious for conducting the Anaghashtami Pooja. He has further ordained that this pooja be performed every month on the eighth day of the dark fortnight.

Niyamas..(Dos &Don’ts)

The  basic rules (niyamAs) and vishaya(information ) to be followed/known for Anagha vratham:

1. There is no age restriction for ladies who are doing this AnaghA vratham.
2. On the vrathA-day one must take a head bath(shirah: snAnam)
3. One must not sleep during daytime.
4. One must finish the vratha by 12:00 P.M. and one must fast from morning(upavAsa means staying(living= vasa) near God.So during upavAsa one can drink water and do a likhitha japA like “Om DattatreyAya namaha” or “Sri Datta. However, if fasting is not possible,a light beverage or mini refreshment is ok, however please try to maintain the purity of the bhava).
5. One must try to avoid three makaras–Madhya( wine/intoxicating drinks ),Mamsa( meat),Mithuna( sex).
6. Every year during Margashira masa during krishna pakshami ashtami or krishnAshtami( preferably the former),one must do the vrathA.Thereafter, every ashtami one must do the vrathA,this brings untold benefits.
7. If ashtami is not possible then friday or thursday one can observe this vratha.
8. Atleast one time per year,if done if faith,the vrathA brings solace.
9. If there is any kAmyA desire to be fulfilled,this vrathA has to be done for 5 weeks on thursday or friday.(If there is a “periods” problem,one can postpone the vrathA for the next week.)
10. On the last week one must dole out dakshina-thAmbUlA to punyasthree( suvAsinis) and also give a vrathA book(or computer printed pages of the vrathA) to the suvasinis.This will be the udhyapanam(ending of the vratha).

 

Foreword-anagha vratha

In your homes., draw a similar lotus of eight petals on a metal sheet or a wooden plank. You may use rice flour, turmeric and kumkum for the drawing. In each petal, place a kalasa (vessel), a beteel nut, a beetel leaf or a Tulasi leaf, Invoke the deities as per the details given in the book.

Further, prepare twines of yellow, red and white colors. Each twine may be about eight inches long. Tie a knot in the middle of the twines. Keep the twines in the centre of the lotus at the feet of the Anagha couple.

At the end of the worship, wear the twine around your right wrist. Also you can pass on the method of worship to your dear ones by offering one twine each to them. You may have a stock of two or more twines for further use. When you tie the twine around your right wrist, utter the following prayer:

 

 

 

“Brahma Visnu Mahesana rupin triguna nayaka; Trai varnika namastubhyam Tora Deva Anaghatsmaka”.

 

Meaning: Oh! Anagha Deva! You are Bramha, Visnu and Siva – the three in one. You excel the three qualities Tamas, Rajas and Sattva symbolized by the three colors!

You may offer fruits, pancha karjaya or even the normal food as offering to Anaghaswami (vegetarian only!) youth who are aspiring for a decent match, men and women pestered by domestic problems and any distressed persons – are sure to get quick beneficial results by worshipping Anagha Devi with firm faith and deep devotion. All can perform this puja.

By doing this vratha, one can get relief from all your sins. You will deserve the grace of Guru Datta. One can achieve progress in the physical and spiritual aspects of life.

May the sacred graces of sri guru  residing in Girinar pervade its influence throughout the world as the jasmine flower spreads its fragrance throughout the room from a remote corner.

Click  the link below for anagha vratha book in Telugu language (downloadable pdf format)

 

Anagha Vratha(Telugu)

 

click below for Anagha pooja video

ADAU BRAHMA MADHYE VISHNUR ANTHE DEVAH SADAASIVAH!!

MOORTHITHRAYA SWAROOPAAYA DATTATREYA NAMOSTHUTHE!!

SREE ANAGHA SAMETHA ANAGHA SWAMY KATAAKSHA SIDDHIRASTHU!!!