Summary

Lalitha Brahma describes her annual tradition of building a new habit during the cold month of Dhanur Masam by engaging with the spiritual practice of chanting Thiruppavai, which has led to personal growth and the development of self-motivation techniques.

Abstract

Lalitha Brahma has established a personal tradition of adopting a new habit each year during the auspicious and cold Dhanur Masam, which corresponds to December 15 to January 14. This practice involves early morning worship and chanting of Thiruppavai, a series of 30 verses in praise of Lord Vishnu. Over the years, she has engaged in various activities such as creating new Rangoli designs, listening to auspicious chants, taking virtual temple tours, and learning to chant the verses herself. These activities have contributed to her mental and emotional well-being by releasing feel-good hormones and have led to increased self-esteem and a sense of contribution to her overall peace and prosperity. Last year, she shared her temple visit experiences online, impacting lives worldwide, and this year, she has embarked on learning and recording the chanting of Thiruppavai, making her journey accessible through her podcast.

Opinions

The author believes in the spiritual and emotional benefits of early morning worship during Dhanur Masam.
She values the impact of consistent practice, such as making Rangoli, on raising self-esteem and releasing feel-good hormones.
Lalitha emphasizes the importance of sharing her spiritual experiences, like virtual temple tours, as a means of positive influence and minimal effort, high impact activity.
She considers learning and chanting Thiruppavai as a significant personal achievement and a way to inspire others through her podcast.
The author appreciates the beauty of nature and acknowledges other writers who have expressed it in their works.
Lalitha encourages readers to subscribe to her stories and connect with her podcast, showing her commitment to sharing her journey and supporting other writers.

I Build One Habit Every Year During This Cold Month

Pasuram 1 Thiruppavai My Learning Experience

Thiruppavai is chanted early in the morning between 5 am and 7 am during bitter cold ( in the USA) Dhanur Masam or month/Margazhi month (December 15 to January 14).

"Worship of Lord Vishnu during the morning hours in Dhanur Masam is considered highly auspicious. Vishnu Sahasranama is chanted during the period. Other important mantras chanted are those dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi."

You can learn more here:

Dhanurmas 2022 - 2023 - Dhanur Month - Importance of Dhanurmasam - The Holiness of Dhanur Masam

Dhanurmasa, Dhanur Month, which falls from mid-December to mid-January is considered as Shooonya Masam or Kharmas…

www.hindu-blog.com

I believe in worshiping during the early morning hours this month.

The question I ask myself every year is " How can I be self-motivated to get up early in the morning?"

A couple of years back the answer was:

"Lalitha just make one new Rangoli or kolam a day and listen to the auspicious “Tiruppavai and Tiruvembavai” chanting."

I did that and got into the habit of making Rangoli consistently ( Habit 1). It truly raised my self-esteem and helped me with a consistent flow of "feel good hormones" like Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins, and Oxytocin, you name it ( LOL). Here is an article for you to read about these hormones.

Feel-good hormones: How they affect your mind, mood and body - Harvard Health

One group of hormones are nicknamed the "feel-good hormones" because of the happy and, sometimes, euphoric feelings…

www.health.harvard.edu

I could feel that I am contributing to my overall well-being, peace, and prosperity.

Last year when I asked the same question, the answer was: "Lalitha, you just take your listeners and readers on a Virtual tour to the temple while you are watching the rituals ( Habit 2) associated with chanting Tiruppavai in the morning. That is a good deed and would be a HIME ( High Impact Minimal Effort) activity. It will impact lives worldwide.

This year I asked the same question

The answer is:

"Lalitha, learn one pasuram of Tiruppavai a day, boldly record a slow chanting of your voice and just let it go."

I honored that and I just googled "Slow chanting of Tiruppavai"

I got several links. I chose a video with a Tamil script that struck the chords of my inspiration to learn on the spot. No judging and no paralysis by analysis.

Here is the final product. Pasuram 1 of Tiruppavai.

‎Lalitha's Morning Musings: Pasuram 1 Thiruppavai My Learning Experience on Apple Podcasts

Thiruppavai is chanted during Dhanur Masam or month/margazhi month. "Worship of Lord Vishnu during the morning hours in…

podcasts.apple.com

Thank you for listening and being a part of my 30-Day Tiruppavai Pasurams learning journey ( building Habit 3). May you be blessed with abundance, peace, and excellent health.

I would like to give a Shout Out to these writers for expressing Mother Nature’s beauty in their own beautiful brilliant words through the following articles :

Shubha Apte Soaking Up A Stunning Sunset.

Dr. Preeti Singh’s The Leaves That Steal Your Heart

Aakash Dahal Sunsets by the River

PS: Please subscribe to my stories by email for the best chance to catch my original works! Your membership fee directly supports Lalitha Brahma and other writers. You’ll also get full access to every story on Medium. Become a member Visit Lalitha Brahma’s profile. You can connect with my voice in Lalitha’s Morning Musings Podcast here. Here is yet another way I can help.