DEVI MAHATMYA

According to Devi Mahatmya, the text manifesting the greatness of goddess Durga, Aadi Shakti or the original source of power has manifested herself in three different forms such as Mahakali, Mahalaxmi, and Mahasaraswoti. These forms are said to symbolize three basic qualities of Shakti, such as Tamasic, Rajasic and Satwic respectively, meaning destructive, preservative and creative powers. Kali, Laxmi and Saraswati are the female consorts of Shiva, Vishnu and Bramha respectively, and these goddesses are always inseparable from their respective Lords or spouses. As a matter of fact, they are all one, though in different forms. It is interesting to note that Hindu philosophy always strives(???) for diversity in unity. However, diversity is never accepted as diverse entities but only as the means to reach perfect unity, so to say, the ultimate reality. Also see Dasain.

BADA DASAIN

Dasain (also called Dusshera) occupies a place of eminence among the various Hindu festivals. It is even regarded as the most important of all Hindu festivals. Therefore, It is also popularly known as Bada Dasain, (bada meaning big) given the greatness of the occasion for the entire Hindu community. The beginning of this festival is marked by the ceremonial setting of holy water jars in Nepalese homes on the first day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin (around the months of October). The ceremonial water jar, locally known as Kalasha, symbolizes the worship of Devi Durga. The entire chain of celebration of Dasain last ten days which is the reason why this festival is given the name ‘Dasain’ (Dus is the count for ten). However, this celebration picks up the real ceremonial airs only from the eighth day that lasts until the tenth day, also known as Vijaya Dashami Day or the victory day (Vijaya meaning victory). One of the fascinating features of the festival is the animal sacrifice. The day set for the animal sacrifice is the Mahastami, which is the eighth day of the celebrations. Thousands of animals are sacrificed on this day. The point of time prescribed for animal sacrifice in the holy scriptures is the mid-night of Mahastami which is termed as  Maha Kaal Ratri, literally, the great dark night. Sacrificing so many animals to different gods and goddesses for the celebration of Dasain may sound very strange and primitive, but the myths that form the backdrop of this practice are interesting to study and brood over.

AWADHI

 Indo-Aryan dialect spoken by approximately 400,000 people in Western Nepal (or two per cent of Nepal) living in the districts of Kapilbastu of Lumbini zone, and Banke and Bardiya districts of Bheri zone. There are several alternative names of this language because of their diverse geographical locations and social contacts as well as its multiple and diverse dialects and communication systems.

AVALOKITESWAR

Avalokiteswar is a popular and widely worshipped deity in Nepal as the God providing reprieve, he is believed to be available whenever his devotees want his help. In other words, he is like a God on call who is always quick to come to help. In-spite of being a God from the Buddhist pantheon, it is interesting to note that he is popular not only among the Buddhists but among the Hindus as well. The countless number of his statues scattered in and around the Kathmandu Valley demonstrate his popularity. This deity is said to have 108 different forms. Some of the most widely worshipped Awalokiteswaras are Adinath Avalokiteswar, Bungan Avalokiteswar, (Rato Machhendra), Seto Padmanpani Avalokiteswar.

One reasons for his popularity is the concept of Karuna, meaning compassion. Introduced under Mahayana Buddhism, this theory of Karuna is an effective wonder drug that heals the worries of the depressed. He is generally regarded as the most public service-minded god who is said to have fully dedicated himself to the tremendous task of liberating the suffering souls of the world. (Also see Adinath Lokeswar.)

ATMA

The Sanskrit word for Soul. In Hinduism, Atma or soul is the real entity (of the person), manifested in the form of life and that the physical existence is simply the visible person or a kind of external cover to it. As it has originated from Bramhah or the eternity, the Atma never perishes. What we know or perceive as death is simply the end of the body or the visible form or cover of the Atma. The ultimate aim of each and every Atma is to get united with the Bramhah or the eternity itself which is attained by practicing one or the other methods prescribed in multiple religious texts, tenets, treatises and schools of Hindu philosophy, in all cases, by keeping the Atma unaffected, untouched or immune to worldly desires, motives and emotions of all kinds.

ATHPARIYA

Athpariya is the language spoken by the Rai community of 500,000. The Rais inhabit mainly the Eastern districts Dhankuta, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur and Sunsari. The Athpariya language is rooted in the Sino-Tibetan or Tibeto-Burman group of languages.

ATHARVA VEDA

Atharva Veda is one of the four divine scriptures of Hindu pantheon. For further details see Vedas.

ASWINS

The twin sons of the Sun God. Aswins or Aswini Kumars are the Vedic Gods who ride in a golden vahana or car drawn by horses or birds are forerunners of dawn. Handsome, young and bright, Aswins are the personifications of twilight. Many myths are woven around them and their personifications are interpreted in many ways. Some say they are heaven and earth. Yet others say they are day and night.

ASWIN

Aswin is the sixth month according to Nepalese official calendar year known as Bickram Sambat (Please also see Bikram Sambat).  This month approximately coincides the period starting from Mid-September to Mid-October.

ASURA

Asuras are also considered a kind of demons. The subjects of Ravana, the ten-headed demon or Rakshasa king of Lanka, believed to be present Sri Lanka during the time of the great epic Ramayana were known as Asuras..