Yesterday (FRdiday) was varalakshmi pooja and today was (is)  ‘avani-avattam.

Varalakshmi Pooja is a prayer to the 9 forms of Goddess Lakshmi – Dhana, Dhairya, Arogya…..etc. At our house it is a completely women festival – with my daughter making the arrangements, my mother and wife making the goodies, and both of them doing the pooja. The men have no work except to eat…

This time however it was a little different – I said all the mantras – well about 90% with concentration and 10% without! Then of course ate the goodies…

Today was (is) avani avattam. An annual membership of the Brahmin club. Did the ‘Kamoka Rishi’ japam. Funny if you read the mantras you realise that you are seeking forgiveness for all the sins you committed – knowingly, unknowingly, and those which you abetted (this is really amazing is it not?), then you say thanks to vedas, upanishads and the rivers of India. Then you change your sacred thread.

In a short time from now I will start getting phone calls from my Jain friends saying ‘Michhami Dukdam’ – which is the Jain way of saying the same thing  – Please forgive me….sins committed, knowingly, unknowingly, …..etc

Some coincidence that Ramzaan does similar things…

3 religions,  3 ways of doing the same thing – crush your ego by seeking forgiveness.

So here is an apology to all my friends, foes, colleagues, daughters, sisters, mother, aunts, uncles, brothers, nieces, customers, readers, people who comment, those who read the comments, those who comment, those who do not comment………….etc. etc………..

I think it is simple to do, and once in a year is not tough anyway…so I do it.