Niladevi, Nappinnai, and Vakula Devi- Who are They

Nila is on the left side of Vishnu 

 Nila (Niladevi) and Nappinna (Nappinnai) are the same goddess, a consort of the Hindu deity Vishnu in the form of Sri Krishna. Nila is a Sanskrit name, whereas Nappinai is a Tamil name used for the same goddess.

Nila Devi

Nila Devi is a Hindu goddess, one of the three primary consorts of Vishnu, alongside Sridevi and Bhudevi. Nila is primarily revered in South Indian Vaishnavism.

Nila is a Sanskrit word that translates to " blue. She is referred to as the Blue Goddess, the Goddess of Sky, representing senses and the Tamas guna.

There is this Sanskrit hymn which starts like this:
Nilatungastana giritati supta mudbhodhya krishnam..., sung by Andal while awakening Sri Krishna in Tiruppavai. Krishna was sleeping on her breast when Andal came to wake him up in the early hours of a morning during her Tiruppavai ritual (which incident establishes Nila as one of his beloved consorts).

Narayan (Vishnu), in his Supreme aspect, is depicted seated on the serpent Shesha with Sridevi on his right and Bhudevi and Niladevi on his left.

Nappinnai

Nappinnai is the name used for Nila Devi in Tamil literature and by the AzhvArs (saints). In her mortal avatar during the time of Krishna, she was a cowherd girl and the daughter of Kumbhaka (brother of Yashoda). Krishna married her by taming seven bulls, according to some stories.

It is believed that Niladevi took the avatar of Nappinnai, the daughter of Kumbagan/Kumbhaka. Krishna won Nappinnai's hand after conquering the seven ferocious bulls of her father as a condition for the marriage. Kumbhaka wanted to ascertain whether Krishna could protect his daughter throughout her life. 

Nappinnai's brother is Sudama. He is the Kuchela of the Kuchelopaakhyaan. It tells the story of Sudama, a father of 21 children, reeling under poverty. His wife advises him to visit his childhood friend Krishna and seek help. He takes some beaten rice (poha) as a gift for Krishna, but hesitates to offer it, as Krishna was a rich person who served food on golden plates. But, Krishna, who can foresee everything, eats the beaten rice. Thereafter, when Sudama returns home, he finds his home transformed into a golden bungalow.  

Andal, a South Indian saintess who sang Tiruppavai Paasurams, considering herself a gopika, mentioned Nappinnai in Paasurams 16 and 17. This mention is believed to identify Nappinnai as Radha.

 In her Nachhiyar ThirumoLi, Andal mentions the three nachiyars (consorts) as Ponmangai (Sridevi), Nilamangai (Bhudevi), and Pulamangai (Niladevi). 

In the name Nilamangai, nilam refers to the land or Earth. The "i" is short-pronounced. 

But in the name Niladevi, the 'i ' is pronounced longer as NeelaadEvi, who is considered to be the goddess of senses. It is Niladevi who keeps his mind stable by offering him her bliss.

This establishes that Nappinnai, NiLadEvi, and Radha are the same Goddess.

Vakula Devi

VakuLaa Devi is entirely distinct from Nappinna or Niladevi. I used to confuse her with Nila.

Vakula Devi is the foster-mother of the Hindu god Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu. 

As per the legend of Tirumala, the mention of Vakula Devi dates back to the Dwapara Yuga. In the legend, Yashoda, the foster-mother of Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, complained to him that she could not witness his wedding with Rukmini, an avatara of Lakshmi. To this, Krishna replied that he would ensure she would get the opportunity to see his marriage to a form of Lakshmi in his next incarnation during the Kali Yuga.

In the Kali Yuga, Vishnu has taken the form of Venkateshwara, and Yashoda was reborn as Vakula Devi, the foster-mother of Venkateshwara. She took care of him in the hills and, as promised by the god, she arranged her foster-son's wedding with Padmavati, the foster-daughter of Akasha Raja and Dharani Rani, who was a form of Lakshmi. 

Surya Ashtakam - Hymns for Worship of Sun God

Surya Ashtakam is a composition of 8 hymns for the worship of the Sun God. The hymns glorify the Sun God's virtues and his importance. He is described as the transcendental source of light and energy that provides and sustains life in the universe. Worshipping him will provide you with knowledge, strength, and energy, and protect you from diseases. 

The sun is the source of our life and energy. For this reason, he is worshipped and adored throughout the ages. Sandhyavandanam is a ritual practised by all our ancestors and sages. Throughout our Epics, there have been incidents of his worship performed by even the Paramatma's incarnations, such as Sri Rama, Krishna, and others.

So, it is natural that we humans should adore and worship him to obtain his blessings for our health and sustenance.

Prelude to Suryashtakam

DhyEya ssadaa savitr mandala madhyavartee

NArAyaNa sarasijaasana sannivishtah 

Keyooravaan makara kundalavaan kireetee 

Haaree HiraNmaya vapuhu dhrita Shanka chakra ||

Meaning:

Concentrating on the central point of you, which is believed to be the abode of Lord Srimannarayan sitting on a lotus, bearing armlets, earrings, a crown, a conch, and the Sudarshana wheel, in his golden hue, O Sun! I pray to thee.  

Suryashtakam with Meanings

AadidEva namastubhyam

Praseeda mama Bhaaskaraha

Diwaakara namastubhyam

Prabhaakara namOstutE || (1)

Meaning:

O Primeordial God, known as Bhaskar, I bow to thee. Please grace me.

O Diwaakar, I salute you. I prostrate to you, O Prabhakar!

Bhaskara means provider of light and wisdom. Diwakar provides the daylight. Prabhakar means provider of glow.

saptaasva rathamaaroodham

prachandam kashyapaatmajam

svEta padma dharam dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (2)

I offer salutes to you who rides on a chariot drawn by seven horses. who are ferocious due to the heat and the blinding glow, who are the offspring of Kashyapa Maharshi, who bear a white lotus.

LOhitam rathamaaroodham

sarvalOka pitaamaham

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (3)

Meaning:

I salute you, who rides on a chariot that glows reddish with emeralds and jewels, who is the grandfather (ancestor) of the whole universe, and who destroys and removes the greatest sins and evils from the world.

traiguNyam cha mahaa sooram

Brahma Vishnu MahEsvaram

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (4)

Meaning:

You are the greatest warrior, an embodiment of the three qualities of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas. You are Brahma, Vishnu, and Parameswar. You are the destroyer of all sins. I salute Thee.

Brumhitam tEjasaam punjam

vaayuraakaasha mEvacha

priyamcha sarvalOkaanaam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (5)

Meaning:

Spreading the bright and powerful rays all through the air and sky, you are the beloved of all lokas. I salute you, O Sun God.

Bandhooka Pushpa Samkaasham

haara kundala bhooshitam

Ekachakra dharam dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (6)

Meaning:

O Sun! You are bright red-hued like a Bandhooka flower. You are adorned with garlands and earrings. You bear a Wheel in your hands. I salute you, O Surya Narayan.

Tam Suryam lOka kartaaram

mahaatEja pradeepanam

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (7)

Meaning:

You, O Sun God, are the creator of the Universe, the spreader of brilliant heat and light. You, who destroys even the greatest of sins, I offer my salutations to Thee.

Tam Suryam jagataam naatham

jnaana praakaashya mOkshadam

mahaapaapa haram dEvam

tam Suryam praNamaamyaham || (8)

Meaning:

O Surya! You are the Lord of this Universe, the provider of Knowledge, light, and liberation. I salute Thee, who can evaporate the greatest of sins.

Phala Shruti

Suryaashtakam paThE nnityam

graha peedaa praNaashanam

aputrO labhatE putram

daridrO dhanavaan bhavEt ||

Meaning:

Whoever recites this Suryashtakam will be released from the troubles of the Grahas (the planetary effects). Childless will beget children, the poor will beget riches.

stree taila madhu maamsaani

yE tyajanti ravEr dinE

na vyaadhi shOka daaridryam

Surya lOkam cha gachhati ||

Meaning:

Whoever refrains from women, alcohol, and meat on Sundays will not suffer from diseases, sadness, or want. They will reach the Sun's abode at the end.

itihi Suryaashtakam sampoorNam ||

Om naMo shri Surya nAraayaNaaya namaha |

Om namO shri Lakshmi nArAyaNaaya namaha ||

Sankata Nashak Ganesha Stotram - Sankashtahara Chaturthi

Sankata Naashan Ganesh Stotram was recited by Narada Maharshi, as per the Narada Puran. The hymns refer to the twelve names of Ganesha, each embodying significant qualities. 

I believe this recitation was performed by Narada to appease Vighneswara after Narada bathed in a river to rid himself of a curse, possibly the Alakananda River in Badrinath or the Narayana Lake at the site of Saraswati's merger into the sea in Gujarat. Though I am not certain whether my belief is true.

Whatever the context, this stotram was offered by Narada Muni to us to obtain the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Devotees observing Sankashtahara Chaturthi consider this stotram as one of the most effective means to obtain his grace and blessings by observing the fast on that day.

Sankata Nashak Ganesha Stotram

PraNamya sirasaa dEvam Gouriputram vinaayakam

bhaktaavaasam smarEn nityam aayuh kaamaartha siddhayE || (1)

Meaning:

I offer my salutations to Lord Ganesha, the son of Mother Gauri and known as Vinaayak (short form of Vighna Naayak), with my head bowed. I worship him daily to obtain the blessings of long life and other fruits of requirements.

Prathamam vakratundam cha Ekadantam dviteeyakam

triteeyam krishna pingaaksham gajavaktram chaturthakam || (2)

Meaning:

First of all, you have a twisted/curved trunk/snout, which signifies your adaptability to circumstances.

Second, you are single-tusked, which refers to your quick wit ( he broke one of his tusks to use it as a pen while writing the Mahabharat)

Thirdly, your eyes are dark red (or golden wheat-hued), which signifies your sharp vision and intelligence.

Your fourth identity is an elephant countenance (the front portion of his face) that signifies your magnanimous nature/generosity, and cleverness.

LambOdaram panchamam cha sashtam vikatamEva cha

saptamam vighnaraajam dhoomra varNam tathaashtamam || (3)

Meaning:

The fifth quality of Ganesha is a large stomach, which refers to his ability to engross the whole universe within him, and the largeness of his qualities.

Sixth is Vikatam, referring to the seriousness and ferocity of his nature.

Seventh, he is Vighnaraj, the King of Obstacles. It specifies his control over obstacles and hindrances.

His eighth speciality is his smoky/ashy hue, wherein he appears in his four shoulders to control ego and arrogance. 

navamam phaalachandram cha dashamam tu vinaayakam

Ekaadasham GaNapatim dvaadasham tu Gajaananam || (4)

Meaning:

Ninth is Phaalachandraa. His face glows like moonlight attributing to his glowing personality, as well as his superb position.

Tenth is that He is Vinayak, without any superior above him. It denotes his empowerment.

Eleventh, He is GaNapati, the Lord of GaNAs. All beings are under his control, assisting Him to protect his devotees from any kind of obstacles or problems.

Twelve, He is Gajaanan. He bears an elephant face. This attribute points to his huge form, Strength, Valor, and Rule.

Phalashruthi

dvaadashaitaani naamaani trisandhyam yah pathEnnaraha

na cha vighna bhayam tasya sarvasiddhi kaarakam prabhO (5)

Meaning:

These are the twelve names of Ganesha that showcase his unique features and qualities. Whoever recites these twelve names, thrice a day, does not suffer from fear or obstacles. They succeed in their endeavors with his grace.

Vidyaarthi labhatE vidyaan dhanaarthi labhatE dhanam

putraarthi labhatE putraan mOkshaarthi labhatE gatim (6)

Meaning:

Those who seek education obtain Education/Knowledge. Those seeking wealth possess wealth. Seekers of children obtain children, and seekers of Moksha/Liberation are granted thus.

JapEt gaNapati stotram shadbhirmaasai phalam labhEt

samvatsarENa siddhimcha labhatE naatra sanshayah (7)

Meaning:

Reciting this stotram for six months grants all the fruits of life.

If one renders such service for a full year, they earn enlightenment and superior powers.

There is no doubt in these results.

AshtabhyO braahmaNebhyascha likhitvaa yah samarpayEt

tasya vidyaa bhavEt sarvaa GaNeshasya prasaadatah (8)

Meaning:

If you write these lyrics in your handwriting and distribute them to eight brahmins, you will be graced with complete knowledge and everything blessed by Ganesha.

Ganesh Puja Hymns With Meanings

It is a belief that before starting your daily puja, or embarking on any new ventures, the Lord of Angels, Vighneswara, is to be worshiped for unhindered completion of the task.

Wednesdays are normally considered the day of the week for worshiping Ganesha. So, I recite some of the hymns on this day to appease him.

I am sharing some of the hymns with their meanings, as per my knowledge, for Ganesha worship in this post.

 

 

Vakratunda mahaakaaya suryakOti samaprabhah,

nirvighnam kurumE dEva sarva kaaryEshu sarvadaa (1)

O Lord of all gaNaas (divine attendants), Ganesha! One whose snout is curled like a trumpet, whose body is huge and large, and whose glow equals the radiance of one crore Suns! Please remove all obstacles in my life at all times.

Suklambaradharam Vishnum, shashivarNam, chaturbhujam,

prasanna vadanam, dhyaayEt sarva vighnOpashAntayE (2)

I worship you, who wears pure white clothes, who is spread throughout the whole universe, whose hue resembles the Moon, who is four-armed, whose face is pleasing, to get rid of all obstacles from my life.

gajavaktram, surashrEstam, karNachAmara bhooshitam,

paashAmkusha dharam dEvam, vandEham gaNa nAyakam (3)

I prostrate before him whose face is that of an elephant, who is great among the angels, whose ears resemble the chAmaras (fans made of a specific leaf), who bears the paasha and ankusha (the noose and goad), and who is the leader of all gaNas. 

agajAnana padmArkam, gajAnanam, aharnisham,

anEkadantam bhaktAnAm, Ekadantam upAsmahE (4)

I worship that single-tusked Ganesha, who bears the face of an elephant protected by the lotus-like rays emanating from Maa Gouri's countenance; that elephant-faced gajaanan who protects his devotees (who possess multi-tusks) throughout days and nights.

VighneswarAya, varadAya, surapriyAya,

lambOdarAya, sakalAya, jagat jitAya |

naagAnanAya, shruti yajna vibhooshitAya,

GouriisutAya, gaNa naatha, namOstu tE || (5)

O Lord, Vighneshwar! One who bestows boons, who is dearer to the angels, and has a large stomach, who possesses all virtues, O, winner and dearer of the whole universe! I salute you whose face bears a snake-shaped snout; you are adorned with Vedas and yajnas; O son of Mother Gouri and lord of all gaNas (please protect me).

Chhath Puja - Kartika Chhath Festival - Chhati Maiya Ritual

women performing Chhath Puja 
(image provided by Gemini)

 What is Chhath

Chhath Puja is a ritual observed by women on the sixth day after Deepavali. It is also known as Surya Shashti. Surya Shasthi means the sixth-day ritual observed in veneration of the Sun God.

In the year 2025, the main Chhath Puja is celebrated on 27 October. It is done on the 3rd day.

Chhath Puja is actually a 4-day-long ritual, observed strictly by the devotees. The main Puja is done on the third day without taking any food.

People worship the Sun God along with his consort, known as Chhathi Maiya, by fasting and bathing in rivers or nearby water bodies. The sun is the God of Energy, light, heat, and is the source of life on Earth. So, it is a form of gratitude and devotion shown to Him through fasting and worship.

The four parts of the worship are given the following names and are done on four consecutive days/tithis.

The Four Tithis and parts of the worship are: 

Kartika Shukla Chaturthi Tithi: Nahaay-Khaay (Bathe and Eat)

Kartika Shukla Panchami Tithi: Lohanda-Kharna (Lohanda is a deep iron bowl or pan in which food is cooked. Kharna refers to strictness and purity. It is a kind of tool used to prepare the body for the next stage of a 36-hour fast) 

Kartika Shukla Shashti Tithi: Sandhya Arghya

Kartika Shukla Saptami Tithi: Suryodaya and Usha Arghya

How to Do Chhath Puja

As mentioned earlier, there are four stages in the Chhath Puja ritual. I am discussing them one by one.

Day One- Nahaay-Khaay

The devotees wake up early in the morning, clean their homes and surroundings, and take a holy bath. They wear clean and pure clothes. The home and the puja area should be consecrated with Ganga jal or water purified by reciting the slokam "gangEcha, yamunEchhaiva, gOdaavari, saraswati. narmada sindhu kAvEri jalsmin sannidhim kuru." Then, a vegetarian meal is prepared with rice. Bengal gram lentils, and green vegetables such as bottle gourd. This food is cooked in Ghee and water, and offered to the deity (Sun) in the afternoon as Naivedyam. It is then consumed by the devotee performing the ritual as the sole meal for the day.

Day Two- Lohanda/Kharna

On the second day, after taking a bath, some devotees may abstain from drinking water as an austerity before consuming the prasadam. A sweet food known as Rasiyav or Kheer is prepared as naivedyam for the God. It is cooked in a pot made of tin. The ingredients for rasia are rice, milk, and jaggery. This food is offered to Surya Bhagawan in the evening and thereafter consumed with rotis. After this food, most devotees prefer to observe a 36-hour fast, even foregoing water. If you can't go without water, you may drink it or any fruit juices.

Day Three- Sandhya Arghya and Kosi Bharai

The third is the most important part of this ritual. After taking the holy bath, the entire day is spent in worship, bhajan kirtans, and preparing food for the evening offering. It is a way of distracting the mind from stress and strain caused by the fasting done by devotees. 

It is better to invite people from your neighbourhood to participate in these rituals. Performing the rituals as a group is the best way to uplift your spirits. It could be a shared happiness and satisfaction. 

The main receipes cooked for the offering are thekua or khajuria sweets/cookies, rice laddus known as kasar, puri, etc. These varieties are cooked wearing pure clothes, and employing pure ingredients.

In the evening, the devotees carry these food items in the baskets to a riverbed nearby or any waterbody. Arghyam is offered to the Sun, before sunset, along with his consort Sandhya Devi (also known as the Chhathi Maiya). You may offer Ganga jal if available, or collect the water from the riverbeds and pour it down facing the Sun, uttering chants. Offer flowers, dhoop, and aarti. Thereafter, offer the food items as Naivedyam.

After the arghyam is done, return to your home and worship your deity. A ritual known as Kosi Bharai is performed. A sacred open space is decorated by erecting a canopy supported by sugar canes to form a mandap. Under this mandap, 12 to 24 oil lamps are lighted. A clay elephant, an earthen pot, and fruits are placed to create an atmosphere of sacred ambience. Offerings of food and fruits are made to those lamps. The participants listen to the vrat katha (the story of the Chhath ritual performed by angels and other epic personalities) and sing Chhath songs throughout the entire night, maintaining a complete fast for more than 30 hours.

Day Four - Usha Arghya and Chhath Samaapan

On the fourth day of the ritual, the devotees go to the river banks by 4 AM, take a bath, and offer the Arghya to the rising sun. The sun may not be visible, but you will witness the purple/red skies and offer the arghya along with fruits and other offerings. They sing the Chhathi Maiya songs and conclude the ritual by eating food.