Skip to main content

What is the significance of Mauli/Kalava?


What is the significance of Mauli/Kalava?
A red thread known as Mauli or Kalava or Charadu is tied on wrist by Hindus before the beginning of a religious ceremony. The thread is tied on the right hand by males and on the left hand by females. The thread is tied to invoke the blessings of the Hindu deities especially of the particular deity to whom the puja is dedicated.

There is also a popular belief that the sanctified red thread with blessing of the deity protects a person from diseases, enemies and other dangers.

By tying 'Mauli/Kalava' it is said that blessings of Trideva - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and Tridevis - Saraswati, Lakshmi and Durga are received. From the blessings of Brahma we get fame, from the blessings of Vishnu we get defending power from evil and by the blessings of Shiva we get the power to destroy our own bad and negative qualities. By the blessings of Saraswati we get knowledge, by the blessings of Lakshmi we get wealth and from Durga we get power.

In ancient times it is said that God Vaman tied 'Raksha Sootra' (defending thread) in the form of 'Mauli', for the immortality of great chertiest demon king Bali. Since then custom of tying 'Mauli' is continued. It is also said in 'Shastras' that :

Yen baddho bali raja danvedro mahabalah|
Ten tvamanubadhnaami rakshe maachala maachala||

The literal meaning of mauli is 'above all'. Here the reference is to the head that stands high. With the moon perched on top of Shiva's head he is referred to as Chandramauli.

The thread can also be called a raksha or rakhi, and is put on the brother by the sister to show the sister’s familial love. The knots in the thread are said to hold the love of the sister when she tied the knot. Thus, the brother wears the rakhi as a sign of his sister’s love and wishes for protection. In other arrangements, the knots tied in the rakhi as the red strings are given to guests or tied around their wrists before a special ceremony or reception is also considered to hold the goodwill of those who offer it.

----------------------------------

Please sign up for weekly updates atwww.SanskritiMagazine.com if you still haven't! It Won't take more than 5 seconds.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Maharana Pratap : Valour and Unbreakable determination personified

Maharana Pratap ( Source of image: rajputras.blogspot.in ) Contents Introduction of Maharana Pratap Childhood of Maharana Pratap Maharana Pratap's Coronation Unbreakable oath to free 'Motherland' by Maharana Pratap Battle of Haldiighat: Supreme fighter 'Maharana Pratap.' Severe destiny of Maharana Pratap Devotion of Bhamashah towards Maharana Pratap Last Wish of Maharana Pratap Introduction of Maharana Pratap   Maharana Pratap is a name worth remembering to begin one’s day with. His name is engraved with gold among the list of valiant kings who protected the Nation, Dharma, Culture and Freedom of this country by sacrificing his life! This is a holy remembrance of his valor! Who does not know the name of the great king of Mewar, Maharana Pratap Singh? In the history of India, this name has always proved to be motivating for qualities like valor, bravery, sacrifice and martyrdom. Many brave warriors like Bappa Rawal, Rana Hamir, Ra...

5 Ways How Modi Enhances Women Entrepreneurship in Gujarat

Bangalore: Nurtured with evergreen simplicity, the women of Gujarat have flourished with decades of hard work and dedication. Lijjat Papad  (a handmade thin, crisp circular shaped Indian food, served as an accompaniment in Indian meals) is a unique example of which a small group of women have given their time to make a worthy organization of trust and productivity. Narendra Modi the Chief Minister of Gujarat recently spoke at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), citing examples of entrepreneurial roles played by women. In his talk, he has expressed deep appreciation for the great wonders women have made since years together. Let us take a look at power of entrepreneurship according to Modi that has existed in the History of Gujarat as listed out by Economic Times. #5 Handicrafts The state of Gujarat is blessed with rich traditional handicrafts. Right from needle works to tie and dye (Bandhini), Gujarat celebrates a wide variety of famous han...

The concept of 33 koti devata in Hinduism!

The concept of 33 koti devata in Hinduism: The Vedas refer to not 33 crore Devatas but 33 types (Koti in Sanskrit) of Devatas. They are explained in Shatpath Brahman and many other scriptures very clearly. "Yasya Trayastrinshad Devaa Ange Sarve Samaahitaa, Skamma Tam Bruhi Katamah Swideva Sah”. ~(Atharva Veda 10-7-13) Which means: with God’s influence, these thirty-three (supporting devta) sustain the world. In Brhadaranyaka Upanishad while discussing Brahman, Yajnavalkya is asked how many gods are there. He says that there are three hundred and three and three thousand and three gods. When the question is repeated? He says, thirty three. When the question is again repeated he says, six. Finally, after several repetitions he says ONE. (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 1) The number 33 comes from the number of Vedic gods explained by Yajnavalkya in Brhadaranyaka Upanishad – the eight Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the twelve Adityas, Indra and Prajapati. (Chapter I, hymn 9, verse 2...