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Thread: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

  1. #51
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    bhakti: body or mind related?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Mar 26,2009, p39)

    Que: Is bhakti mere body related? Or is it mind related? (Some of the acts of devotees such as) Piercing the tongue or skin in other body part, walking over embers, and shaving off the head in the name of offering hair are all only body related?

    Ans: Thinking of God in the mind and getting immersed in that thought is bhakti. The mind will obtain an alAti Anandam (distinctive joy) in reaching God.

    But then the attachment to God would only express itself through body parts. Hands offer flowers in archanA (worship); legs lead to a temple; (lips chant a mantra or sing a bhajan; eyes shed tears in momentary relaization; devotion courses down the body in ripples of ecstasy). Therefore, only the body carries out the wishes and orders of the mind.

    We declare in prayer 'My body, wealth and soul all dedicated to you'! Acts such as walking over embers and shaving off the head only express the thoughts of the mind in action. The devotee's wishes related to his devotion to God would never be loathsome.

    *********

    shravaNa vratam: what and how?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Mar 26,2009, p41)

    Que: What is shravaNa vratam? How to observe this vow?

    Ans: The TiruvONam NakShatram is called shravaNam. Its devatA is VishNu says the Veda ('shroNo nakShatram viShNur devatA').

    Therefore, it is best to worship VishNu on the day of this NakShatram. The TiruvONam that falls in the month of AvaNi (ShravaNa) on the day of DvAdashi during the waxing fortnight is of great visheSham (distinction)! This day is known as 'ShravaNa DvAdashi'.

    On this auspicious day, if VasudevA is worshipped by fasting and prayers all the shortcomings in us would be removed. (GaruDa Puranam, ch.141). GaruDa Puranam explains the procedure for this worship.

    Therefore, observe the ShravaNa Vratam with its simple precepts, worship VasudevA and reap the benefits.

    *********

    Moving to a new house in the month of Ani
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Mar 26,2009, p41)

    Que: Moving to a new house in the month of Ani (JyeShTa, Jun-Jul) is said to be wrong? Any parihAram for this?

    Ans: If you are moving to a rented house, you can very well do it in the month of Ani. If you are moving to your own house, try to avoid Ani.

    People who move to their newly built home conduct a ceremony called 'GRuhaprevesham' and then move on an auspicious day, computed based on the tithi, vAram, nakShatram etc. and time. Only that is best and would bring in prosperity.

    People moving on transfer to another place or moving to a house in another town or village, in view of the economical factors, need not consider Ani as unsuitable for moving to the new house.

    *********

    mantra: Distinction of 'shrIm' in a mantra
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Mar 26,2009, p41)

    Que: What is the distinction of the 'shrIm' in a mantra?

    Ans: 'shrI' means LakShmi. This term has additional meanings such as kaLai (liveliness), wealth, 'bilvam', fame, lotus flower and so on. Vedas refer to the eternal fame of their kaLai (liveliness) as 'shrI'. The Dharma Shastra underscores that the title ShrI should be added before the names of Devas, Gurujis, elders and the MUrtis residing in temples.

    'shrI' has the power to make whatever it joins to and whatever related to its holder, prosperous. This is the very purpose of adding the title SrimAn, Srimati or Tiru., Tirumati in Tamil to personal names! Wealth indicates not just money but all the types of wealth and prosperity obtainable in life! What is joined with 'shrI' would flourish with all the prosperity.

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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

  2. #52
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    flowers: pavaLamalli (pArijAta, coral-jasmine)
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Jan 10,2009, p37)

    Que: Some people say that the pavaLamalli (pArijAta) flower should only be picked from the ground not plucked directly from the plant. Is that so?

    Ans: The flowers can be plucked from the plant as well as gathered from the ground where they fall.

    Considering the difficulty of plucking flowers that are small, people usually shake the plant to let the flowers fall to the ground and then pick them up. There is nothing wrong in picking them from the ground.

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    Festivals: why nine days for AmbaaL alone?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Oct 14,2008, p36)

    Que: We stop with just a day's celebration for the festivals relating to the TrimUrtis doing the three tasks; whereas for AmbaaL alone we celebrate her festival for nine days, why?

    Ans: A group of nine Asuras--Madhu, KaiTabha, MahiShAsura, DhUmralochana, Chandan, MunDan, Sumbha, Nisumbha, RaktabIja--once took control and harassed the inhabitants of the three worlds.

    The Asuras could not be defeated by anyone--the 33 crores of Devas, DigbAlakas, Indra or even by the TrimUrtis. The Devas had a serious discussion about liberating the worlds from the clutches of the Asuras.

    IshvarA (Shiva) woke up from his meditation. He separated the tejas that was his Shakti from his body. The Devas contributed their own tejas to it. The combined shakti of them all became a great source of light. The name of that great light was Durga. The shakti when it was hidden in masculinity wasn't much helpful, so the Devas wanted it come out on its own in a feminine form.

    The rise of Durga signifies that in the ultimate, there is no difference between man and woman and that the hidden power inside them should be used for productive tasks. In addition to their power, the Deva's weapons too reached AmbaaL. In short, AmbaaL was a combined form of the Devas, as the Devi Mahatmyam elaborates.

    As Brahma's power was joined to her, she became BrAhmI. The name Maheshvari indicates MaheshA's (Shiva's) power in her. In the same way, she has the powers of Murugap Peruman, VishNu and Indra, as indicated by her names KaumArI, VaishNavI, VarAhI (aMsa of VarahamUrti, VishNu's avatar) and IndrANi.

    It is customary to celebrate the death of an enemy in a war with kutUhalam (interest). Devi destroyed all the nine Asuras who were the enemies of the three worlds! So we celebrate her victory for nine days. She was one who acted for the welfare of the people and accomplished it.

    The pUraNa mahatvam (full splendour) of a great light will be accentuated at night. It is a feast for the eyes to have darshan of her at night. For an enlightened, delightful life it is best to worship her who is full of light. SUrya (sun) gives light only during day, whereas she gives her light in darkness too. SUrya can't remove the darkness of ignorance that is dense in the mind; Devi can do it. Thus we can understand her speciality that is different from the other gods.

    Fear should be gone from the peoples' minds. Poverty shouldn't embrace them. Ignorance should be removed and the light of knowledge shine. So for a happy life she dispenses power, wealth and knowledge to everyone.

    She is the Mother of the world. Adi Sankara would say that the heart of a mother wouldn't distinguish between her children, though the children might themselves be partial.

    Just thinking about her would remove the fear of death. It is not necessary to decorate her feet and worship her; just thinking about her in mind would do to get her grace.

    To face difficulties in life, the fear must go. She was one who destroyed those who terrified the three worlds. Once the fear is gone, she would foster our thoughts and guide them to good knowledge. She would also ensure that poverty does not strike the people. MarkaNdeya Purana adores her as, "o, Durga maa, you remove the fear by just remembering your name and give good intellect to healthy people; there is nobody other than you who removes poverty, unhappiness, and fear and always ready to help all." ('durge samRutA harasi'--Durga Saptasati, MarkaNdeya Purana 17).

    Therefore, three days for the form of Durga who removes fear; three for Lakshmi who removes poverty; and three for Sarasvati who grants knowledge. Thus it is a distinction to celebrate and worship AmbaaL for nine days. Something said thrice is deemed to be fulfilled. Vedas would say 'aum shAnti' thrice; similarly, the tradition of having nine days to worship AmbaaL is meaningful.

    Links:
    http://dalsabzi.tripod.com/Wisdom_Sc...atri_katha.htm
    http://divinenotes.blogspot.com/2008...ite-house.html

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    Daily prArthanA and worship with saMkalpam
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Jan 10,2009, p39)

    Que: When worshipping gods daily, can the prArthanA be done with a saMkalpam?

    Ans: Gods can be prayed to and worshipped with a saMkalpam. The thought that appears in mind, comes out in words and excels in action. That which does not appear in mind would never come in words! The Veda says, "Words express what the mind thinks, and the senses practise it."--note 1. The mind will plan and decide about what task to be done by whom and how; and we would act accordingly!

    The saMkalpam is a combination of four things: who takes it, what time, what purpose and what form of action. Dharma Shastra says that doing something without these four wouldn't get the desired effect. What the mind wishes should be included in the saMkalpam. Even if there is no wish, the saMkalpam should indicate, "to please God" (such as 'parameshvara prItyartam').

    A karma has its phala (fruit). If the fruit is not desired, it should be offered to Bhagavan. The tradition of offering the fruits of our karmas is still in vogue. ('mayA anuSTitamidam karma aum tat sat brahmArpaNam'--note 2). Therefore, pray with a saMkalpam).

    Note:
    *1. This seems to be a quote from the nRUsiMhatApinI upaniShad:

    yanmanasa dhyAyati, tadvAcha vadati |
    yadvAcha vadati, tatkarmaNa karoti |
    yat karmaNa karoti, tadbhisampadyate ||

    "As a man thinks in his mind, so is his speech; as he speaks, so does he conduct himself; as is his conduct, so does he become."

    Links:
    http://www.akhandjyoti.org/?Akhand-J...adPersonality/
    http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/archi...il/029955.html

    *2. I can't trace the source of this mantra. Members may please help.

    *********
    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

  3. #53
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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    mantra: mantra one quarter, mati three quarters?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Oct 14,2008, p39)

    Que: Our elders would say, "mantras one quarter, only mati (determination) form three quarters (of our accomplishments)". If that be so, how to believe the mantras?

    Ans: The medicine, doctor, patient and the nurse/compounder/pharmacist--only the combined effect and efforts of all these four factors cure the disease of a patient.

    The doctor has to select the medicine for the disease. Although it might be the best medicine, he should prescribe the right time and dosage for it. (The nurse/compounder/pharmacist should administer/customize the medication.) The patient should take the medicine given. If one of these four factors is in error, the cure would not be accomplished. Of these four, the doctor is the most important. If all the other three factors are one-fourth, the doctor is three-fourths.--It is thus Ayurveda describes the importance of the doctor and his responsibility.

    The vAchakam (saying) you mention is one such. If mantras form a quarter of an effort, our intelligent action should form three-fourths. Then that effort will be successful. One that helps the efforts is the mantra!

    A person uses own thoughts to get clarity of the lessons learnt from a teacher; also consults friends to clear doubts; in due course, the study is completed when the experience in life too joins the efforts of learning. So if the teacher's share in imparting knowledge is one quarter, the other three quarters are from one's own efforts. Can we say then that the teacher is not necessary?

    The mantras are necessary; also the sharpness of intelligence and the intensity of efforts! The mind that chants the mantra stands focussed on one thing, so our efforts would excel by it!

    Prahlada's mind ruminated on NarAyaNa nAmam. His practice that was blended in God's initiative gave the results. It was only the quarter share of mantra that motivated him to act; focussed his mind without creating other digressive thoughts; thereby the three-fourths of his efforts excelled!

    Although good luck may be seen in one's horoscope, it wouldn't arrive on its own. Luck is only a quarter share; to make it happen the three-fourth share of efforts are needed.

    Only a seed becomes a tree, but the land has to be thoroughly ploughed, the seed and plant watered and there must be sunlight for the growth of the plant. If the seed is a quarter share the other factors are three quarters.

    The fruits contained in a mantra is like the ghee in milk, oil in the sesame seed. So the mantra is one-fourth and our efforts to derive its fruits three-fourths!

    Therefore one should understand that the saying "mantras one quarter, only mati three quarters' only explains that the fruits of the mantras are obtained to the extent of our efforts.

    *********

    Beliefs: Sighting the drumstick tree on getting up
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Oct 14,2008, p41)

    Que: Some people say that the drumstick tree should not be sighted when getting up from bed in the morning?

    Ans: The drumstick (horse-radish) tree is mostly planted at a distance from the house, in a place which is not normally sighted readily, with an eye on health factors.

    The drumstick raw fruit is needed, and also the problems that arise out of growing the tree must be avoided. Brown caterpillars with woolen hair infest the tree and cause skin irritations if they come in contact with it. So our ancestors acted with caution and wisdom!

    Despite these precautions, if one happens to sight the drumstick tree as the first thing on getting up in the morning, there would be nothing wrong with that.

    Look at the palms of both of your hands when you get up in the morning. After this, you might look at anything else. Don't get confused with baseless tidings.

    *********

    dharma: atithi bhojanam: feeding before eating
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 09,2009, p36)

    Que: "One should have the meal only after giving atithi bhojanam (food to guests)." Many sages including Kanchi Paramacharya have said it. Is it possible to implement this in today's circumstances?

    Ans: The Veda that recommends feeding a guest goes a step further and says, "One who takes food without feeding others takes only sin." ("kevalAkobhavati kevalAti").

    'atithi upachAram' (service to guests) is the tradition of our Bharat. It is the advice of the Vedas that the natural wealths are common to all beings, so the share one gets of them also belongs to other beings, and therefore one should share them, such as feeding a guest before taking a meal.

    The growth of civilization today does not impede the arrival of guests. If a guest knows that he/she would get food, the person would surely visit the house! Large crowds can be seen in place where annadAnam is held. There would be no dearth of guests in places like Dharmasthala. ("bhojana syAdaro rasaH").

    In case an atithi is not found--the Dharma Shastra has a solution for that too. Before adding rice to boiling water for cooking it, drop a small portion of it into the fire that cooks the rice. This would amount to feeding Agni, the pratinidhi (representative) of the Devas. After the rice is cooked, give some annam to the crows, considering the crow as the representative of living beings, and this would get merits.

    If there is no traditional oven, no traditional method of cooking the rice and no crow would arrive--in such a predicament, pray God with all your heart pleading that the circumstances prevent you from doing your dharma; and the fruits of having given atithi bhojanam would be obtained.

    *********
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Temples: Night abhiShekam, PerumAL temple, Malaysia
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 09,2009, p37)

    Que: I am a resident of Malaysia. In the PerumAL Kovil here, abhiShekas are performed at night. Is this correct?

    Ans: There might be changes in the services to God depending on Agama, Dharma Shastra, Sthala PurANa, historical events, SampradAyam (tradition) and local customs. In certain temples there would be no abhiShekam at all to the deity made of wood. In certain other temples, abhiShekam may not be given the preference but done only on visheSha (special) days. There are temples where the abhiShekam is done only in the morning.

    Contrary to the regulations, in certain temples, the abhiSheka ArAdhana is done according to the wishes of the devotees too.

    Some temples have become commercial centres due to changes in the social thinking. They install a hundi, collect money and perform visheSha pUjas, special ArAdhanas and thereby increase their economy giving employment to many people. Once it becomes commercial, it is natural that their affairs do have a change. So, there is nothing wrong in performing abhiShekam at night!

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    Rearing elephants in temples
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 09,2009, p39)

    Que: Are there any special reasons for rearing elephants in temples?

    Ans: AlayAs are not sanctuaries for animals and birds! But then in order that milk is available without any hitch for deity abhiShekam, cows are reared in temples. Similarly, to take the deity on procession during festival times, some temples rear elephants.

    Where elephants are readily available for festive processions, it is not necessary to rear them in temples. It would then be best to hire an elephant instead of creating a burden in the temple administration by rearing it in the temple.

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    Dreams: Seeing birds and animals
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 09,2009, p39)

    Que: I had a dream in which a kite (eagle) entered my house. Is it good or not to see birds and animals in dreams?

    Que: I had a dream wherein I saw nine tigers entering my house. Seeing tigers in certain numbers, what could it indicate? What could be the fruits of such dreams?

    Ans: Dreams are not reality. They come and go like streaks of lighning!

    'Dreams are an indication of deficiency in health' opines the Ayurveda. According to psychology, dreams are expressions of a weary mind. The Dharma Shastra (Svapna Shastra) says that dreams are indicative of things to happen in future. According to JyotiSha (astrology), dreams mark the beginning of the action of karma.

    That which is not there can't creating anything real; sat cannot grow from asat; and a shadow cannot become the object!

    Take bath at dawn and pray to God. The opposite effects would move away. Thinking about the dream attributing some reality to it could cause problems.

    When the body takes rest, the mind should also sleep. If the mind sleeps too, there would be no dreams. Find out ways for it and peace would be certain to obtain!

    *********
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Spiritual benefits of the darbha grass
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 09,2009, p41)

    Que: We perform the yajnas wearing kUrcham, pavitram made of the darbha grass. What is the speciality?

    Ans: When practising the Dharma Shastra, darbha (pavitram) should be worn on the hand. 'pavitram' means purity! So the darbha grass by nature is pure. So the Veda says that pavitram stands for the darbha grass. (pavitram vai darbhAH).

    When doing japam and dAnam, we should remain darbhapANi. Just as water will not stick to a lotus leaf, so would not pApam stick to the person wearing darbha, says the Dharma Shastra. (vibhyate nasapApena padma patra mivAmpasA). The invisible rAkShasas who try to prevent our doing japam and yajnam would run away from seeing the darbha. In the ArAdhana of ancestors, to drive away the evil forces, it is customary to wipe the floor where the meal is served, with darbha grass.

    Like shUlam of God Shankara, chakram of God VishNu, Shastra recommends the weapon pavitram for people doing their dhArmic duties. With just a glance at the darbha grass, it is said, that the evil forces such as bhUta, pishAcha and brahmarAkshas would run away! So the darbha must be worn for purity as well as to remove hurdles. We call the finger that wears the darbha, pavitra viral (the finger of purity).

    To minimize the AkarShaNa shakti of bhUmi it is customary to sit on an Asana made of darbha. This seat also minimizes any ill effects from the AkAsha. (darbheshu AsanaH). The darbha is also used to purify the items used in a ritual. Although agni by itself is pure, darbha further strengthens its purity.

    On the kumbha, the seat of devatas, the kUrcham would be there. The arghyam offered to the pitrus is also linked with the kUrcham. The purity of substances is heighted when they are linked with darbha. The darbha grass does not conduct electricity, and is also more powerful. We know the story of how a missle of darbha grass that Sri Rama threw at KAkAsura, drove him away running all the way back! The Purana says, "A snake licked the ghee that fell on darbha; and the darbha grass punished it by cutting its tongue into a wedge." Varahamitra says the place where darbha grass grows is good for digging a well for water. To sum up, darbha is Nature's gift to us! Read the Dharma Shastras to learn about its greatness: and you will be impressed!

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    Temple puja timings: how they are decided
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 24,2009, p36)

    Que: Seven kAla pUjas are said to be performed for Chidambaram Sri NatarAja? How are the puja timings decided?

    Ans: In temples, (usually) four kAla pUjas are performed: in the morning, noon, sunset time and midnight. There are temples that stop with just the morning (one kAla) puja!

    There are eight yAmas in a day of 24 hours: four during daytime and four during nighttime, each yAma being of 3 hours. The udayAstamayana (sunrise, sunset) worships are done during the time of four yAmas of the day. On festive days like the ShivarAtri, four kAla pUjas will be held during the four yAmas of the night.

    On the vrata (fasting) days of RuShi panchami, pradoSham, four kAla pujas will be held.

    The worship timings in temples are determined based on the Agama and tradition. Even among these temples, there are some whose puja timings are different. Chidambaram Sri NatarAja temple is one such. We can also welcome temples that have special traditional distinctions that are different from the general regulations.

    Worships are also held, diving the time between sunrise and sunset into five parts as prAtaH (morning), sangavaH (forenoon), madhyAnaH (noon), aparAnnaH (afternoon), and sAyam (evening).

    In the month of MArgazhi, early morning visheSha pUjas will be held. Distinctive night worship is done during days that include annAbhiShekam, ArudrA darshanam, vaikuNTha ekAdashi, shrI kRuShNa jayanti. The uchchi kAla (noon time) worship is held during Sri RamaNavami. The festive times are usually decided as recommended by the Agamas.

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    Sri Sathyanarayana Puja: kalasha tIrtham
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 24,2009, p37)

    Que: Can the kalasha tIrtham (water from the pitcher) offering during Sri Sathyanarayana Puja in places such as a MaTham, be sprinkled in our homes too?

    Ans: Yes, very well. But it is best to do Sri Sathyanarayana Puja at home. It would be appropriate to sprinkle the tIrtham in the home where the puja is held.

    It is not as proper to have the Puja at one place and the sprinkling at another. Develop the eligibility to perform the Puja at your own house. Is it not better to perform the Puja at home than watch it performed in a Matham? If the Puja is done at home, the prosperity would swell and the aishvaryam (wealth) would flourish!

    *********
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Broken image in a temple sanctum
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 24,2009, p37)

    Que: The mUlavar amman vigraham (image of the main deity, Mother) in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple is shithila (damaged). So they do puja to a panchaloka vigraham in its place. Is this alright?

    Ans: If an image in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple is bhinna (broken), that defect should be rectified and kumbAbhiShekam conducted.

    There is sannidhyam (divine presence) in the panchaloka vigraham too. So, it is not wrong to keep it in the sanctum and do puja to it. But then it is not also proper to leave the damaged image of the main deity as it is and do puja to the subsituted panchaloka vigraham.

    The main image should be kept in a pAlAlayam (temporary shelter during renovation of a shrine), its damage rectified, kumbAbhiShekam performed and thereby the sannidhyam restored to the image. Until such time, puja can be performed to the panchaloka vigraham. The rectification/replacement of the main image should not be delayed for years inordinately. A ShivAcharya should be approached and his recommendations implemented for best results.

    *********

    Do Shiva's sportive plays reduce his yogic status?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 24,2009, p39)

    Que: God Shiva is one who is always immersed in yoga. The Purana says that he burnt Manmathan (god of love). If that be the case, we can't accept his ordinary human acts as narrated in some Puranic incidents? Is the IshA one who can't control his mind?

    Ans: Those who take on the role of a character of a play won't express their true nature in their acts. Once a person lets go the play, he would not become an actor in his real life.

    When Shiva was an actor, he carried loose earth for the wages of pudding. When he was svayam (his own nature), he consumed the AlakAla poison and saved the world. Sri Krishna tended the cows when he was an actor; when he was his own Self, he blessed us with the Gita.

    Sriman Narayana when he appeared as Sri Rama, was immersed in sorrow when Sita was separated from him. Sri Krishna born in the Yadava Kulam submitted to his foster mother YashodhA; and took on the insults of SishupAla. Tbus, God's nature differs according to the role he plays in the drama of life.

    Since God has something that the ordinary man does not have, He can act in whatever way that pleases him. This is not a shortcoming in him, only distinction!

    *********

    Home puja: women's chores
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Apr 24,2009, p41)

    Que: Is it right for women to grind sandal paste and ring the bell in a home puja?

    Ans: Women have priority in the chores of service to God. These chores would give them Atma lAbham (spiritual gain). Women naturally possess the quality of doing the chores without kopa-tApam (anger and heat). Women in these days are given priority in doing certain services and their related chores: we find that their role is more in the care of diseased persons and in baby-sitting the children.

    Grinding the sandal paste and ringing the bell are the tasks of the person who performs the puja. If that person can't do these things, and women volunteer for them, it would be courteous to welcome them do those tasks.

    *********
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    hariḥ oṁ
    ~~~~~~

    Namast saidevo,

    Can you be so kind as to add information on the 3 debts a brahmin ( and or others) are born with? i.e. to discharge their debt to their father ( pitṛ or ancestors ) , the seer-s ( or teachers) and the devatā.

    It may be in this string, yet I did not see it.

    praṇām
    यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
    yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
    because you are identical with śiva

    _

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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Namaste Yajvan.

    Debts to PitRus are covered under various posts in the form of questions and answers, but not all the three debts. Since the topic is large, I have opened a new thread:

    Hindu SamskAra Regulations: Three Debts of the Twice-Born
    http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=4027

    Thank you for the motivation and please feel free to add what I have left out, with your usual explanations of the roots of Sanskrit terms and phrases.
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Home puja: what is upAsanam?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Sep 28,2008, p90)

    Que: Some people are known as devi upAsakA, Anjaneya upAsaka; what is upAsanam? How to obtain upAsakam?

    Ans: upAsanam is worshipping a specific deity by body, mind and words, after being attracted by the deity's form and then treating that sacred form as Parabrahman. In other words, upAsanam is worship of a specific god-form with united mind, that worship being born of faith in the form.

    Deiva UpAsanam would help us perfect our birth. Sages would describe it as a path to liberation. Yes, the upAsakA becomes fit for God's grace, being immersed in the feeling that whatever happens is God's will.

    Tantra ShAstra is the basis for upAsanas. It describes the way to worship and the mantra for a specific deity. One can become a upAsakA by getting upadesham from a suitable guru, of the mUla mantra of the specific deity one desires to worship.

    *********

    Eating Siamese twins bananas
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Sep 28,2008, p90)

    Que: Can we eat the twin banana fruits that are joined like the Siamese twins?

    Ans: Do we ignore any twin children born like the Siamese twins? No! So, eating Siamese twins bananas is no harm.

    Not everyone has twins for children, only some have. It would be difficult to rear the twins if they are born joined to each. Based on this fact, the saying that eating Siamese twins bananas could get you similar twins for children has cropped up in the villages.

    There is another saying among the rustics: if a woman wears flowers worn by another woman, she would get only a married man for husband. Dharma ShAstras have no sanction for such news and beliefs.

    Some people are born with joined fingers; some have six fingers. These are considered as signs of luck or misfortune. In the same way, people born with squint eyes are ridiculted by some and praised by some others. There are no individual effects for such changes that happen at birth. It's the same with the twin bananas, so there is no need to avoid eating them; or seek them out to eat!

    *********

    Home puja: using flower petals for archanA
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 30,2008, p27)

    Que: Can flowers be torn into their petals and the archanA to pictures of deities done with those petals?

    Ans: The archanA should be done with the thought, 'this flower is soft, so is your sacred feet, and my heart is also soft. I offer my soft heart that has a mixture of desire and devotion, to your feet.' If the mind is immersed in devotion, it won't indulge in such unnecessary research.

    Anyway, the flowers like sAmandhi (chamomile), shangkha puShpam (conch-shaped blue/white flower), techchi, pArijAtam (coral flower) should be used in full, without tearing them into petals. But there is nothing wrong in converting large flowers like the lotus, chemparutthi (large, red flowers), and the tAzhampU (screw pine flower).

    When flowers are in shortage, one would think of using their petals. However, in such circumstances, the akShata can be used for archanA. If the akShata falls short, one can use kumkumam. Even if that falls short, one may just do the archanA, chanting Bhagavan's name. Thus, it is not necessary to create an artificial shortage of an archanA item and use it improperly.

    *********
    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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    Re: Hindu SamskAra Regulations

    Early morning kolam and lamps
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 16,2008, p20)

    Que: I worship God by getting up daily at early morning, taking bath, drawing a 'kolam' at the threshold of the home, light two 'ahal lamps' over it, also light a 'kutthu viLakku' at the home puja spot and worship God. Some people say that I should not light a lamp when some of the household people are still sleeping. Is that so?

    Ans: Nothing wrong in your doing your duty. When doing duty, ignore such objections.

    Early morning is not the time for sleeping; and those who sleep then are at fault, so it is they who must correct their wrong habit. Ayurveda says that one should avoid sleeping in the early morning for continued good health. So you continue your duty and let them correct their wrong habit.

    *********

    Physical disabilities God's punishment?
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 16,2008, p22)

    Que: Is sharIra UnaM (bodily disability) a punishment by God?

    Ans: God is paripUrNan, one who is supremely complete in all aspects and respects. He won't give anyone any handicap. It is only our bad karma that gets us the punishment due.

    Ayurveda says that any deficiency in the parents' shukraM, shroNitaM (sperm, egg) could be the reason for the child's handicap.

    The opinion of the Dharma Shastra is that the bad karmic acts performed in earlier births fructify in the current birth as handicaps.

    The book karma vibhAgaM says that a specific karmic act is the reason for a specific bodily deficiency. Sinful acts would rule over body parts and make us suffer the misery, says the Veda.

    Our acts are the reason for our misery. It is the same with handicap. Children with good sight are born to blind parents and healthy children with no handicap are born to a parent with a handicap. The child of a dump person would talk very well! Thus, even if a person is handicapped, his semen/egg could be healthy, resulting in good and healthy progeny.

    *********

    Home puja: Divine horoscopes and Vastu portrait
    (Sri Seshadrinatha SastrigaL, Sakthi Vikatan dated Aug 16,2008, p23)

    Que: Can the divine horoscopes of Sri Rama and Sri KrishNa and the portrait of Vastu Bhagavan be kept in the puja room?

    Ans: There would be horoscopes only for people with a birth and death. The horoscope helps to know the karma done in the previous birth.

    Sri Rama and Sri KrishNa are avatars of God. They don't need any horoscopes. They planned and pre-arranged the happenings in their lives and went through them accordingly. To compute a horoscope for these gods and give predictions based on them are against the 'jyotiSha shAstra'. A horoscope should not be changed into a puja article.

    There is no necessity to worship Vastu Bhagavan, keeping him in the puja room. This is because he is present on the very earth we walk through. When we pray to the land in the morning we include him in our prayer, since he is merged with the earth.

    *********
    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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