Decoding the auspicious practice of 'Vrat'

Man is a treasure of many hidden powers. But due to external appearances and pressures of the outside world, many of these powers remain debilitated. Consequently, he is constantly is surrounded by either some illnesses or troubles in life. In order to get rid of these troubles in life, add to the balance books of his good deeds and/ or in his quest to attain salvation, man takes help of 'vrat' or fasting.

There are a number of benefits of this practice called 'vrat'. A systematic and careful practice of keeping a 'vrat' ensures that a person comes face to face with many uplifting and energising spiritual and metaphysical experiences. By doing this, he not only gets entitled to a number of worldly and spiritual gains, but also gets the energy to face the struggles and challenges of life with a renewed zest and confidence.

This practice of 'vrat' purifies the human soul. Man becomes wiser and there is a definitive escalation in his will-power. His thoughts get purified and he can even achieve atonement and penance from God. Such a person tends to become more inclined towards religion, spirituality and mythology, and many other similar changes take place for good. One may enjoy his/her professional as well as personal life with more vigour by religiously doing 'Vrat'.

However, one needs to make sure that all the important regulations of fasting are taken well into consideration, to obtain maximum benefit out of the 'vrat'.
Measures/ regulations to be kept in mind and follow while observing a 'vrat':

• 'Vrat' is incomplete without taking an oath, or keeping in mind a definite resolution. Thus, it is important to have a clear-cut reason and time period for the 'vrat'. Taking an oath about this is crucial before you begin a 'vrat'.
  
• Do consider an auspicious time or 'muhurat' before you observe or plan to observe the 'vrat'; this would help in completion of the 'vrat' without any hurdles or obstacles.
  
• Avoid anger and criticism on the day of 'vrat'. Also, compulsorily practice celibacy on this day or during this time period.
  
• It is advisable to take/ seek blessings of your elders of the family, parents and Guruji.
  
• Practice 'vrat' as per the ancient wisdom or scriptures. You cannot make adjustments as per your requirements, even if necessary.
  
• In case of a birth or death in the family, one will have to begin the entire 'vrat' all over again.
  
• Do not count the day when a woman starts menstruating if she is already observing the 'vrat'. Do observe a fast, but don't worship God on that particular day.
  
• To achieve fruitful results after observing the 'vrat', one needs to finish the 'vrat' systematically, following the ancient wisdom of scriptures.
  
• It becomes mandatory to practice forgiveness, truth, mercy, charity, and spirituality during the period of the 'vrat'.
  
• If there is no fixed deity for a particular 'vrat', then you can remember and worship your chosen deity.
  
• Do not forget to remember your ancestors on the day of 'vrat'. This way, you will be able to get their blessings, and will be able to accomplish the motive of your 'vrat', swiftly, perfectly and successfully.
  
• In case you experience any hurdles or obstacles in your 'vrat', first of all atone for the inadvertent mistakes that you may have made in your 'vrat'. After that, you may begin the 'vrat'.
  
• The relation of fast and 'vrat' is like that of a body and soul; both compliment each other, and none can exist alone. So, it is important to observe fast on the day of 'vrat'.
  
• Keep your diet simple, pure, light and nutritious on the day of 'vrat', this will make you feel healthy and light. Avoid food that contains onion, garlic, egg, flesh and alcohol. Also don't consume food which is stale, heavy, fried & oily or any food, which may lead to constipation.

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Pandit Lokesh Jagirdar
Celebrity Astrologer
The Ganeshaspeaks Team

What has Cupid in-store for the new brides?

Aries:
All the Rams for whom the wedding bells are soon-to-ring this year will surely gain a lot from their marriage, feels Ganesha. But because Nodes are in square with your sun sign, you may have to fly across seven seas and settle there. This may make you homesick initially. Also, since Saturn's hard transit is likely to happen soon, you may have to face some teething problems at the marital front.


Taurus:
Bulls may have to fight it out really hard for good compatibility with their partners, if they are getting married this year. Still, you may need a little time to know and understand each other, and make the relationship work. Give it its due! Ganesha advises you to be calm and patient; love and care will act as healing balms to soothe ruffled feathers of your spouse.
 

Gemini:
Anything you take up may seem challenging initially, but applying the right formula may soon help you find solutions to any of your problems. Similarly, the initial downpour of responsibilities may create confusion for you. Just follow your instincts and do your duty. Stop being judgemental, and stay away from uncalled for discussions. As Ganesha says, unconditional love sans arguments is the perfect recipe for a happy marriage!


Cancer:
Life is not a bed of roses, and that's what you realise during the first year of your marriage. You may face some difficulties due to adverse transit of Nodes. Learn to adjust, and let go of petty issues, which may take an ugly turn, if not handled prudently. Don't bog down your beloved with a whirlpool of over-powering emotions. Adjusting as per the now changed domestic environment may take a little time, but will come to you eventually. According to Ganesha, patience is the key to all life's locks.


Leo:
As you begin a new chapter of your life this year, you may face some financial problems, initially. However, few years down the line you may realise that it was a blessing in disguise, and you and your spouse have been able to save a good amount of money. Relationships are fragile, and come with an invisible note of 'handle with care', especially when egos are at work. Keep the special surprise element alive in your married life by inviting friends and throwing parties, every now and then.


Virgo:
It's important for you to know that honeymoon period is meant to be brief. It can't continue forever. Enjoy it while it lasts, but then understand that life will have to be dealt with more seriously. According to Ganesha, you will have to be more organised and plan for the future. Implementing a flexible approach towards new people, and places will make things easier for you. Life can be happier, if you apply the correct formula, which lies in adjustment and compromise.  


Libra:
Physical and material comforts shall be on the cards, if you are planning to get married this year, predicts Ganesha. Both of you may share a sizzling chemistry in bed. Besides great compatibility, you may even share common ideas like buying a dream house or relocating to a better place, post marriage. Yet, within three years of happy and healthy married life, you may feel a deep need of rejuvenating your love life; this may invite some important decision like extending a family.


Scorpio:
Ganesha advises you to avoid dominating your partner; this may only make a good marriage go bad.  Reserve power plays only for the boardrooms! At home, instead, try to understand your spouse's needs and support him. Think twice before taking up anything new. Give a warm welcome to guests or family members; this may improve your equations with the near and dear ones. There may be some delay in childbirth; be patient.


Sagittarius:
You may often feel that marriage is a bond, which has nearly cut your wings of freedom. Despite this nagging feeling, you may have a strong emotional and physical bonding with your partner. Soon after the marriage, you may see a new member in your family, playing and babbling in your lap. Great wisdom comes with great experiences, and you may exactly follow this idea to overcome the challenges of life.


Capricorn:
Spending quality time with your partner and heart to heart communication are the vital components of a happy and healthy marriage. They not only nurture this bond, but also give you a serene state of mind. Let your spouse know that you value your relationship, and are happy to spare time for him. It is also important for you to realise that every relation comes with responsibilities, so do not treat it as a burden. According to Ganesha, managing these duties and responsibilities have a joy of their own. Enjoy the lovely transition from being single to married!


Aquarius:
The Water-Bearers will have to act with extra caution, especially while dealing with their partners. Disillusioned and lost is how you may feel sometimes. No two individuals are same, and there are chances of differences. However, it can be sorted out gracefully by speaking up rather than playing the blame game. As Ganesha says, try and put yourself in your partner's shoes to view the situation objectively. Marriages are celebrated as two people come together; let the world know that you are happy to be with each other!


Pisces:
All you Fishes who are tying the knot this year, may feel that you are sacrificing a lot for your family. At the same time you may also feel that your compromises and adjustments for the sake of the family are going unnoticed. Materialistic needs like gifts and gold are a part of marriage,and you'll be loaded with them, but your emotional demands or needs may remain unfulfilled. Be calm and patient. Try to understand your partner's nature and needs, after which you may find it easier to come to terms with the changes in life.


With Ganesha's Grace,
Bhavesh N. Pattni
The GaneshaSpeaks Team

Know how the 5th and the 7th House influence love affairs

In a Horoscope, the 5th House deals with emotions and the 7th House is concerned with marriages. If there is a relation between the 5th and the 7th House or the Lords of 5th and 7th House, the person is emotionally attached or bonded with someone. In this article, I will give few instances of the Yogas, which result in love affairs or emotional bonding between two individuals.

• If the Lord of the 5th House and the Lord of the 7th House exchange their Houses, it may result in love affair.
• If the Lord of the 5th and the 7th House are in mutual conjunction or are aspecting each other, it gives rise to a love relationship.
• Saturn is a natural Karaka of illegitimate relations. If Saturn alone is sitting in the 5th House, it creates a relation between the 5th and the 7th House by its third aspect.
• If Jupiter being the owner of the 5th House is aspecting the 7th House or being the owner of the 7th House aspecting the 5th House, that too creates a relation between the 5th House and the 7th House which may result in love affair.
• In case the Lord of the 7th House is placed in the 7th House, a person has a charming and a magnetic personality that attracts many people.

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Sukhwinder Sharma
Celebrity astrologer
The Ganeshaspeaks Team

Is the delay in your daughter's marriage giving you sleepless nights?

In today's era, one of the major issues parents are facing is delay in marriage of their daughters.

According to a belief in the Indian society, if you get your daughter married, you pay all your debts. There was a time when elders in a family got their daughters married at a tender age of 12 and 15. But times have changed. The age of 25 is considered appropriate for girls to get married. The prime reasons for the delay are education, career etc. 21st century girls are more ambitious. Today, girls and boys have an equal right to education. Girls now explore all the careers that only boys used to explore. Even parents have become broad minded. They now allow and encourage their daughters to complete their choice of education. This may be considered as one of the reasons for delay in a girl's marriage.

Here, I will discuss the Yogas, which result in delay of a woman's marriage.

7th House is considered as the House of marriage according to Parashar. If the 7th House or the Lord of the 7th House is afflicted, combust, retrograde or in Rahu Ketu axis, there is likely to be a delay in marriage.

Delay in marriage is likely in the following three circumstances:

(1) Retrograde Planet: If the 7th House, Lord of the 7th House, 2nd House or Lord of the 2nd House is retrograde or placed with a retrograde planet, there may be delay in marriage.
(2) 7th House or Lord of the 7th House connected with 6th, 8th or 12th House or Lord of the 12th House or placed in their Nakshatra.
(3) Afflicted 4th, 8th and 12th House from Moon.

Case Study

(1) Lagna and 7th House are in Rahu Ketu axis.
(2) Lord of the 7th House, Saturn is retrograde and in its debilitated sign.
(3) From Moon, Jupiter, the Lord of the 7th House is placed with Mercury, the Lord of the 12th House. This also results in a delayed marriage.

Click here to ask a question to our celebrity astrologer.

Sukhwinder Sharma
Celebrity astrologer
The Ganeshaspeaks Team

Marital Bliss - Does it seem faraway?

Physical beauty or attractiveness, commendable educational qualifications, a prolific occupation, good social standing and generous material possessions could all be just the right ingredients for a person to be able to attract love or marriage proposals. Yet many such people too fail to get married or achieve marital bliss. If this or a related issue ails you or your mental peace, this article could guide and enlighten you with certain aspects of astrology that could be significant in delays, denials and frustration in marriage.

* The first aspect that has to be considered is the Ascendant - this relates to one's basic strength and disposition towards partnering.
* The karak for marriage is Venus - its placement and strength in the natal chart indicates how one loves and relates with others.
* Jupiter is the karak for children, support and fortune - its placement and strength determines if one would bear children (which implies marriage).
* 5th House indicates whether one is likely to have a love marriage stemming from romance.
* As per vedic astrology principles, 7th House, ruler of the 7th House and planets and Rashis in the 7th House indicate the type of marriage and type of partner one would incidentally have. It also gives indications of the characteristics of one's partner.
* Moon and the 4th House indicates how important and crucial the role softer emotions would play in one's marriage and internal stability of home.
* Mercury, the planet of communication indicates how well and clearly the partners would communicate both their desires and aspirations to each other, thereby making the home and hearth blissful.
* Mars, Scorpio, Aries, 1st and the 8th House denote passion, sexual vitality and action, basically all that is essential to keep the wheels of marriage oiled.
* Conjunction of Saturn and Mars augur harmful or negative aspects of passion, which could lead to the destruction of marriage.
* Conjunction of Mars and Venus denotes sexual attraction between partners, passion, violence or conflict when afflicted.
* Conjunction of Venus and Saturn indicates a marriage only by duty and thus implies a restrictive bond where there is not much joy and harmony in marriage.
* Venus and the 12th House symbolize sexual pleasure within marriage and out of the marriage.

All of these aspects determine how well or ill disposed one's stars are towards one's marriage or making one's marriage a bliss.

As someone so rightly said, 'Marriages are made in heaven and celebrated on earth!'. God and societal norms have their way of bringing together two completely disparate individuals through marriage. In fact, God sanctifies humans through marriage as by putting two people who are like sharp, jagged pieces of glass next to each other in consistent nearness, he helps them wear away the edges of selfishness, narcissism, self-consciousness, false idealism, anger, and other undesirable traits. In a marriage, people begin to live less for themselves as individuals, and more for the relations they create in a life long partnering of not just two individuals but two families and even more. This is also an evolutionary process for both the partners.

Most marriages follow the usual cycle wherein individuals fall in love, get married, have children and raise a family. Over the years, their love deepens, the bond strengthens, but the feeling of marital satisfaction waxes and wanes like the changing face of moon. During the "bad times," there is more arguing and blaming, less sharing and touching, fewer moments of joy and appreciation. But many, thankfully, weather the storms, and some 50 percent of them do stay married.

What most couples do not realize is that there are things they can do, efforts they can put in to ensure better times than worse, to make riding out the storms smoother and easier by taking recourse to astrology even if the marriage itself initially had not been solemnized with a recourse to astrology.

A sad truth is that all marriages encounter problems and even teething troubles that cause conflict and long lasting strain on the lovely relationship. Among the most common problems could be the following:

* Money - There never seems to be enough, or if there is, one person is upset about how the other spends it.
* Sex - Many times the foundation of the relationship. It is the reason for which a close to 45 percent of couples seek marriage counseling. Usually, one partner desires sex more often and on different terms than the other.
* Work - Partners may have different role expectations about who does what within and outside of the home, and hence the conflict.
* Children - Couples may disagree over how to raise and discipline children and matters relating to children could cause major clashes.

Astrology can try and isolate the conditions that would make relationships thrive even in the worst of the cases.

There could be identifiable and specific reasons such as Shani in the first House which is also the Lord of the 7th House indicating and forbearing a delay in marriage.

Also, Venus, the karak of love occupying the 8th House in Navamsha in one's astrological chart could cause a delay in marriage.

Using Vimshottari Dasa system, it could be found when one would be under the influence of "home" and its interpretation could signify that a near accurate approximation of the time of the marriage could be done. Also, predictions like the characteristics of one's life partner and the level of luck that one would have after the marriage could be made quite accurately.

All your doubts related to the issues of love, relationships, courtship, marriage, and luck after marriage etc. shall be answered in the column 'Ask a question' at Ganeshaspeaks.com.

In the service of Ganesha,
Jyothisha Ratna R.Sakuntala