Page 7 of 7 FirstFirst ... 34567
Results 61 to 62 of 62

Thread: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

  1. #61
    Join Date
    August 2006
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,162
    Rep Power
    1915

    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Is the 'audumbara' tree there on earth now?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 1,2008, p37)

    Que: Is the 'audumbara' tree mentioned in the PurANAs there on earth now?

    Ans: Only the country fig tree (Ficus racemosa) is called the 'audumbara' tree. This tree is commonly found everywhere; while its raw fruits are visible, its flower is not commonly seen. Ayurveda explains the medicinal features of this tree. The spoon made of the wood of the 'audumbara' tree is used to pour ghee in the Vedic fire oblations. The fig tree has the distinction of having been introduced by the Vedas.

    Note:
    1. The term 'audumbarAya', meaning 'very strong and mighty' is an attribute applied to Yama, the god of death, in the 'yama vandanam' part of the 'sandhyA vandanam'.

    2. In Ayurveda, the "audumbara bhasma" is used to maintain the good effects of planet Venus. If Venus is placed well in the horoscope, it leads to attractiveness, grace, elegance and long life. The use of the "audumbara bhasma" makes an individual refined with humanitarian qualities.

    When Venus is ill-placed in the horoscope, it leads to vanity, corruption, lack of taste and refinement and ageing and the "audumbara bhasma" is used to remove these effects of Venus. (http://www.religiousportal.com/SacredHerbs.html)

    3. The five trees 'bilva' (wood-apple, Aegle marmelose), 'shamI' (vanni, Acacia ferruginea), 'ashvattha' (peepal, Ficus religiosa), 'nimba' (margosa/neem, Azadirachta indica) and 'audumbara' (country fig, Ficus racemosa) are known as the 'panchavaTI' trees. In another version, the 'panchavaTI' trees refer to 'banyan, fig, gooseberry (amla/nelli), bhilva and ashoka' trees.

    4. Indian villages used to have a large, round, raised platform built around the 'panchavaTI' trees where religious and other village meetings were held. These trees purified the air people who sit under them breathed. The 'panchavaTI' trees have been a source of inspiration for our sages.

    5. Legends tell us that Lord Dattatreya dwells in this tree and thus it is regarded as a sacred tree.

    6. Wikipedia has detailed articles on these trees.

    *********

    Women and 'anga pradakShiNa'
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 1,2008, p37)

    Que: Can women do 'anga pradakShiNa' in temples?

    Ans: They can. Except for the bodily features there is no difference between men and women.

    'jyotiSham' when it gives the 'phala' (results), first gives them for men and then says, "all these 'phala' are also applicable for women', and then proceeds to give specific 'phala' for women.

    So far as worldly actions go, there is no distinction between men and women in the Dharma ShAstras. Both PrahlAda and MIrA are known for their devotion. PurANAs say that even animals like the elephant and snake who lack the sixth sense can approach God. It is the mind that determines the action of 'bhakti'. There is information that both KaNNappa NAyanAr and ShabarI first tasted the food items they offered to God. Thus, when devotion is high, gender differences disappear.

    Nevertheless, since the nature of womanliness is being soft and tender, the society of those days hesitated to included them in hard tasks. During a journey, the husband would carry the heavy luggage while the wife would carry light and easy things such as the 'water-monkey' (portable water vessel with a lid, 'kUjA' in Tamil). While hard tasks like ploughing, cutting wood, digging wells would be vested with men, easy tasks such as planting the saplings, carrying bricks, sand and cement mixture would be allotted to women. Such distinction is only an expression of benevolence!

    Same way with prayers, which might assume different forms reflected by peoples' preferences. However, there won't be any difference in their 'phala'. We should select our methods of worship and prayer based on hygiene and the Dharma ShAstras and not to establish any right of equality.

    Our culture is one that adores femininity. Therefore it would be elegant to insist on and compete for tasks and thinks that heighten the state of femininity.

    *********
    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

  2. #62
    Join Date
    August 2006
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,162
    Rep Power
    1915

    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.

    *********

    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.

    *********

    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.

    *********
    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

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 2 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 2 guests)

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •