Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations
Moving turmeric Ganesha image to north after puja
(Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Jul 17,2008, p28)
Que: After the Ganapati Puja is finished, they say that the turmeric image of Ganesha should be moved to north. Why?
Ans: Only that?
• During marriage, the bridegroom should sit facing north.
• During the ancestor worship, we should sit facing only north.
• While doing 'shubha kArya' (auspicious rites) the three-stringed holy thread should hang from the left shoulder (that faces north).
• During a 'yajna', the related things should be kept at north.
• After praying, "I worship the devas for my elevation", the remaining 'akShata' and 'darbha' grass held in the hand should be dropped at north.
• After finishing worship, one should raise and move towards north.
• The 'paradeshi kola payaNam' (pretended travel of the bridegroom disguised as a mendicant) during marriage should be towards north.
• The 'Achamanam' should be done facing north.
• GayA is located in the north; so during ancestral rites, this sacred place would be kept in mind and the 'kartA' would take a few steps towards north.
• While serving food, the placing of items should end at north.
• While we lie down we should stretch our legs towards north; by this our hygiene would be guarded.
• The Vedas should be chanted sitting one leg crossed over the other, and the leg at the top should face north, says the ShAstra.
Thus, there are many instances of giving important to the direction North!
The sacred place kAshi (VaraNasi) and the Meru Mountain are in the north. It is the PurAnic saying that Meru is located North of the whole world. The device that indicates direction always has its pointer towards north, in whatever direction one turns it. Thus it is only North that introduces the other directions!
That our acts relating to our progress should be concluded in north is the teaching of our Dharma ShAstra. Therefore, in order that our progress continues, it is significant that we move the Ganesha image towards north after the puja is finished.
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Can death be sensed earlier?
(Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Jul 17,2008, p29)
Que: Can 'maraNam' be sensed earlier?
Ans: BhIShmar embraced 'maraNam' the way he wanted it to happen. He postponed dying until the time of UttarAyaNam. Dasharatha knew that Sri Rama's separation would give him death. King ParIkShit also knew that as soon as those seven days were over, his death would happen.
Death is certain for one that is born. Vedas bless us to live for a hundred years. JyotiSham (astrology) gives us a life span of 120 years. Dharma ShAstra tells us the way to conquer 'maraNam'.
Adi Sankara says, "Don't suffer getting stuck in the swirl of death and birth; listen, I shall tell you a way out of it." Even the Creator has a limit to his life says the PurANas. The seed sprouts, grows, flowers, bears raw and ripe fruits, withers and dies. This state is there for man too. 'maraNam' is the matured stage of growth; it is a compulsion of time.
Ayurveda indicates the pointers to death that can be sensed behorehand. JyotiSham determines the time of death. The diseases that crop up in our body too would indicate us the possible time of our death. One who is bedridden (for the last time) would realize the separation of each and every atom from his body; this would be followed by the separation of the soul. Some specific dreams, things appearing distorted, wailing saying the names of forefathers, seeing something else instead of a specific thing--such incidents are indicators that death is nearby, says Ayurveda. It introduced a chapter called 'ariShTAdhyaya' for this purpose.
We should act with the thought 'I have no death, I am siranjIvi (immortal)'. Then our mind would give up its 'chAnchalyaM' (unsteadiness), concentrate on the act and make us excel says the Dharma ShAstra.
So, don't keep thinking about death. Let it come when it may, forget it.
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Happenings with a reason are not omens
(Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Jul 17,2008, p31)
Que: One evening I went to the Nemilichcheri Sri AgattIshvara temple. There, when I was having darshan of Sri MahA Ganapati, the sandal paste stuck to his forehead came off and dropped to the floor. Is this a good 'shakunam' (omen)?
Ans: The sandal paste that was stuck in the morning could have come off and dropped down. It is a mistake to view this as a 'shakunam'. If the drop of the sandal paste was not seen by your eyes your mind would not have been confused.
Happenings with a reason cannot be considered as 'shakunam'. In the month of KArtigai we would light a lamp at the threshold. If the fame goes off when the wind blows, would we call it a 'shakunam'? The flame should go off when the wind blows heavily! It is possible that the 'prasAdam' we get, slips and falls to the ground in the rush of people. In the same way, the 'nivedanam' could drop to the floor when we take it out from the stove. When a coconut is broken for puja, it might slip from our hands and fall down. We should not include in 'shakunas' such things that happen due to lack of care.
You are going out; coming over to the entrance of your house you look up and see a GarudA bird flying. That is 'shakunam'! Thus, what happens unexpectedly is a 'shakunam'. Therefore be at peace without confusing your mind by imagining worthless things.
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रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥
To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.
--viShNu purANam
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