Indian Newslink 15th June 2016 Digital Edition

JUNE 15, 2016
18 COMMUNITYLINK
Staff Reporter
info@indiannewslink.co.nz
The next three occurrences
of Pradosham will be
on June 18, July 2 and
July 17, 2016. All Hindu
Temples will have information
on this day.
A number of websites dedicated
to Hinduism also feature the
days of Pradosham.
Pradosham takes place during
the two phases of the Moon
(waxing and waning).
When Pradosham Vratam
falls on a Saturday, it is known
as ‘Shani Pradosham’ or ‘Sani
Pradosham Vratam’.
According to Hindu Astrology
and Horoscope, Lord Shani is believed
to create problems for
people in life. Hindu scripts say
that the adverse effects of Lord
Shani can be minimised by observing
Vratam and offering
prayers on Shani Pradosham.
High Sanctity
The importance of observing
Pradosham is described in
Pradosham ‘Mahatmayam’ from
Shiva Purana and hence Shiva
Ramadan denotes social cohesion and spiritual uplift
Dr Anwar Ghani
Muslims around the
world are currently
experiencing
the Holy Month of
Ramadan.
This is the Ninth month on
the Islamic lunar calendar during
which the Holy Book of
Quran was revealed to Prophet
Mohammad (Peace Be Upon
Him) through Angel Gabriel
(Jibreel).
Muslims look forward to this
blessed month and prepare
themselves to reap maximum
reward by improving their
spirituality and good deeds.
They abstain from actions,
thoughts or general conduct
which are forbidden or bad for
the humanity.
For followers of Islam, it is a
time for extra worship and reflection
on own-self.
This month is also about improving
patience with one another,
expressing kindness
towards others, perseverance
in doing good to family, friends,
neighbours and specially looking
after the weak and the vulnerable
in the society.
Divine Gift
Ramadan is gift from God to
The Propitious Day to offer Obeisance to Lord Shiva
devotees observe ‘Pradosham
Pooja’ with high sanctity.
Pradosham indicates the meeting
of the Sun and the Moon in
a horizontal line during their
movement on their Axis.
Occurring between 430 pm
and 6 pm on Thrayodashi (13th
day of the Lunar month), the
Pradosham time is propitious to
pray Lord Shiva and invoke His
blessings. Among all the Poojas
performed, the ‘Pradosham
Pooja’ is considered more
auspicious.
It is believed that during
Pradosham, all Gods and universal
beings come down to Earth
and attend the worship.
The Significance
According to Hindu Puranas,
the Gods (Devas) and the
Demons (Asuras) were stirring
the milky ocean to extract
‘Amrita’ (Nectar), with
Vasuki (the Serpent King) as a
rope. Vasuki, undergoing severe
scratches due to the churning,
emitted a powerful poison capable
of destroying the world. The
helpless celestials appealed to
Devout Hindus dedicate ‘Pradosham’ (‘Pradosh,’ ‘Pradosha Vrata’ or
‘Pradosham Vratam’) to Lord Shiva.
It occurs twice a month falling on the 13th day of each Lunar fortnight as
per the traditional Hindu Lunar calendar.
Pradosham sanctifies Lunar Movement
The Holy Quran was revealed to the world during the Holy Month of Ramadan
Muslims in particular and humanity in
general to focus on positivity, sharing and
caring within the family and society at
large. W
This month has been bestowed to improve
social cohesion and inclusiveness in
its purest form. Sharing food and showing
kindness to others are the basic elements
of improving social cohesion. Respecting
others, regardless of their social, political,
religious and financial status are building
blocks of social cohesion.
New Zealander Muslims have done well
to bond within themselves. However, there
is potential for improvement through wider
sharing of the spirit of Ramadan with
fellow Kiwis. This will in turn lift societal
understanding about each other.
In my native country of India, and in
many other Islamic and secular countries,
Muslims and non-Muslims promote brotherhood
during Ramadan by inviting each
other to break the fast. As the saying goes,
if you break the bread together you will develop
greater understanding and appreciation
about one and other.
Easy in Winter
Fasting from dawn to dusk during winter
months in New Zealand is easy.
We hardly feel the fasting hours because
days are short and the temperature is cool.
Fasting in tropical countries can be highly
demanding with soaring temperatures
(more than 45 degrees Celsius during
Summer months) and days longer days (16-
18 hours).
It can be particularly harsh for people
who have to work in that intense heat to
Lord Shiva to save them. He swallowed the
poison but Goddess Parvathi stopped the
poison in Lord’s throat, which turned blue.
Lord Shiva is therefore known as ‘Thiru
Neelakantan’ or ‘Neelakantan’ (the one
with Blue Throat).
Lord Shiva swallowed the poison
on a Saturday and this is called Shani
Pradosham.
Shani Pradosham is classified into
‘Utthama Shani Pradosham,’ ‘Mathima
Shani Pradosham,’ and ‘Athama Shani
Pradosham.’
Utthama Sani Pradosham occurs during
the Tamil month of ‘Chittirai’ (April-May),
‘Vaikasi’ (May-June), ‘Ayppasi’ (October-
November) and ‘Karthigai’ (November-
December) during the waxing period.
‘Mathima Sani Pradosham’ occurs during
the above Tamil months of during
waning period of the Moon.
All other Shani Pradoshams come under
‘Athama Shani Pradosham.’
Maha Pradosham
‘Maha Pradosham’ is an annual observance
during February-March (Magha in
Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam,
and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha
Shearwater.
Pradosham Pooja is conducted regularly
in all Shiva Temples.
earn their livelihood while keeping the fast.
There are many who fast every day because
they don’t have much to eat due to
poverty, war, climatic disasters or other
calamities.
The Holy Month has been prescribed for
every able adult Muslim to experience hunger
and think of social cohesion not only at
a local or national level but also on a global
level about all human beings.
Allah’s Order
Ramadan has been declared sacred in the
Holy Quran wherein Allah says:
“O, you who believe, fasting is prescribed
on you as it was prescribed to those before
you so that you may become pious.” (Chapter
2, Verse 183).
“The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number
of days, but who so among you if sick or
on a journey, shall fast the same number of
other days; and for those who are able to fast
only with great difficulty, is expiation - the
feeding of a poor man. And who so does well
of his own accord it is better for him. And
fasting is good for you, if you only knew”.
(Quran: Chapter 2, Verse 185).
May Allah Almighty accept our fasts and all
the good deeds. May He bless New Zealand
with peace and prosperity and help in creating
a most cohesive society living in harmony
with each other.
Dr Anwar Ghani is a thought leader on
strengthening communities. Since 2010 he
has been listed in the List of Top 500 Most
Influential Muslim Leaders of the world.
He is the Immediate Past President of the
Federation of Islamic Associations of New
Zealand (FIANZ).
He will write a regular Column in Indian
Newslink.