INTRODUCING E-MAILS OF DISCOURSES ON HINDU CULTURE POSTED ON
HINDU REFLECTIONS
(DISCOURSES BY N.R. SRINIVASAN,
BRENTWOOD, TN, USA , MARaCH 2018)
National Geographical Magazine suggests that the urge to worship
sparked civilization. It means Religion preceded civilization. This news is no
sensation to Hindus who are grown with the spiritual thinking of Sanatana
Dharma, the Eternal Tradition. To a Hindu everything about life started with
the spiritual urge as learned from Upanishads.
Religion and philosophy have been the basis of Hindu culture
from the time of Rigveda. Our Rishis gave their due consideration to all other aspects
of life that contribute to the attainment of peace and joy. These include
social values, organizational aspects of society, political institutions including judiciary,
economics and financial management, sound educational system, chemical,
biological and health sciences, fine arts like music, dance, drama, painting and
sculpture, development of weaponry and defense system etc. Though the subject
is very vast an attempt has been made on a panoramic study and view of ancient
and medieval culture of Hindus in a series of discourses.
Swami
Chinmayananda says: “When a group of people live together for a long time in a
particular geographical area, living
certain values, the special individuality or fragrance that emanates from that
group is said to be their culture.” Culture is the behavior of the community
and not of the individual. When a certain individual behaves in a particular
way, we say “that is his or her nature”. Promotion of Culture calls for
collective action. Man’s control of
nature external is called civilization. This internal control of nature is
called culture.
Hindu
culture is founded on the wisdom of Vedas and Upanishads and that provided
enduring foundation upon which this most ancient civilization was built. The great religious and spiritual masters
of India have time and again revived
their glorious culture. Unlike European
culture Hindus continue to cherish and live with their culture
wherever they are located. Today there are more than 400 Hindu Temples in USA
besides many cultural and social organizations for a population little more
than 2 million. These temples play the role of cultural centers in a foreign
soil.
If
we want Hinduism to flourish in a foreign soil we have to promote Hindu
Culture. If cultural values deteriorate Hinduism will have its swan’s song. Present day Hindu culture has its origin in
Vedic culture of Purusharthas (human values)—Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha and
therefore withstood all machinations and temptations wherever it lives. An in-depth study and practice of Hindu Culture is not only
important but also imperative for our future generation if we want Hinduism to
flourish in a migrant country like USA
where many cultures of migrants and
Natives have vanished caught in materialism.
Hinduism is a way of
life. Every important event in Hindu
life has to be sanctified through religious observance. This ritualistic
sanctification or sacrament is called Samskara. There are ten such Samskaaras.
Today because of changed times and altered life styles only few of these are
strictly followed. Under special
circumstances such lapses are condoned in Hindu culture.
A unique feature of the
Hindu culture is its rejuvenating capacity.
Customs which are obsolete and anachronistic have either been dropped or
have faded away for example human sacrifice, animal sacrifice, severe penance, sati customs have their origin in the Puranic
period, or the Muslim invasion period, and do not have any Vedic origins, like
wearing marks on the forehead, ringing the bell, or Aarathi etc. Hindu culture tailors itself constantly to take
the best of the modern technological age without losing its roots. Caste system
has almost vanished among Hindu Americans, though thrives and fight with each
other in India politically encouraged. Hindu marriages in USA are based on
universal binding force of love and each partner is free to practice the
religion he or she loves.
Hindu
Reflections has posted many interesting topics on the subject that has been
sent to the HR Forum with attractive introductions through E-mails. These introductory E-mails are reproduced
here for the benefit of those who are not on my mailing list and for those who
have joined the forum recently and hence missed some in the past. These are
very useful for a quick glance through for those who are otherwise busy,
However they can go through my classified list ad pick their topic of interest
for a detailed study.
CONTENTS
1. Complex Caste System of Hindus in India
2. Hindu Education System through the Ages
3. Administration, Economics, Healthcare System and Judicial
System Promoted by Vedic
Culture
4. Hindu Diet Codes, Scriptural Sanctions and Ethics
5. Origin and Growth of
Hindu Fine Arts; Rangoli and Kolam
6. Early Vedic Literature
7. Women in Hindu Society
through the Ages
8. Hindu Temples and Temple Worship
9. Hindu Samskaras
10. Amazing Numbers beyond Count from Hindu Scriptures
11. Grand Parents Memories are Cherished History
12. Hindu Traditions and Customs
13. Hindu Temples
14. One Hindu Complex for Many Traditions Overseas
15. Upanayana is Vedic Mandated Ceremony for All
16. What is in a name, Kris or Chris; don’t be Sure, I it may
Prove Costly!
17. Spiritual Vitamins for Healthy Brain
18. Vivaaha--Hindu Braahma Sacred Matrimony
19. Hindu Views on Child Birth Concept and Nisheka Sacrament
20. Hindu Samskaras Performed by Parents for Children
21. Teacher’s Day
22. Maangalya Dhaaranam and Sumangali Kriya in Hindu Wedding
23. Marriage culture in Ancient Hindu Society
24. Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah
25. Prologue to Sandhyavandanam Rituals of Hindus
26. Future of Hindu American’s Religious Identity is Hard to
Predict?
27. New Year Message from Hindu Reflections
28. Asvini Twins in Vedic Culture of Lithuania
29. The Legend of Tulasi
30. Hindu Women in the
Realm of Religion
31. Interfaith Harmony
32. Panchkarmas of Panchratra Tradition
33. Hindus can’t Claim Sanskrit Their Own and of Vedic Origin
34. Modern Science in Hindu Scriptures—Mostly Accurate, Minim
Wrong
1.
COMPLEX CASTE SYSTEM OF HINDUS IN INDIA
The present day caste system is man-made and has Puraanic
origin. Lord Krishna as the spokesman reflects the opinion of Upanishads as
follows:" The Concept of four Varnas based on aptitude and
vocation of human society was created by me. Though I am the author of this concept
of division and aptitude, know that I am not responsible for its implementation" Lord
Krishna says "Chaturvarnyah" meaning Concept and not
Chatur Varanaah, four Varnas in the sloka in Saskrit. The
difference is obvious.
Vedas created four Varnas among the divines based on aptitude
and vocation allotted to govern the universe. They were all divines. As
early as Tretayuga we see four Varnas are in operation among humans as
Dasaratha is a Kshatriya and Sambhuka was a Soodra. Dasaratha's council of
minister-priests who were Brahmins by vocation had some who were not Brahmins
by birth. Some families propagated the priest profession in their progeny and
some moved away. Similarly Vidura was a Brahmin though a Soodra Krishna was a
Kshatriya though a soodra; Satyavati was a Kshatriya though a fisher
woman; Drona, Kripa and a Aswatthaama were all Kshatriyas though born to
Brahmin parents. Therefore Manu says "Janmanaa Jaayate soodrah"
--everybody is born a soodra being a product of the Divine Mother Earth who is
Soodra among divines and have to earn their vocational status by practice
introducing the concept of Dwija--twice born for Brahmins, Kshatriyas and
Vaisyas except those who do not wish to improve but carry on serving
others for livelihood as born.
People in due course deviated from these Saastric injunctions
and made Varna their birth-right having failed to propagate their desired
vocation in their pro-genies. Deviating from the four Varnas they created more
than 50 Jaatis as more professions grew with specialization or aptitude. They
all became birth-right whether the family members continued in their profession
or not. Jaatees were firmly cemented to the names as sur-names.
During British Times trade and governance was taken over by the
British and key positions were occupied by them and indirectly Kshatriya and
Vaisya base vocations went to the background. Meanwhile due to hatred and
domination a vast number of out-castes multiplied. Large majority who
were reading Vedas and practicing priesthood became greedy, left their
divine pursuits, forgot Dharma, concentrated on material pursuits by
quickly changing from Apara Vidya to Prara Vidya to make a fast buck. British
needed them to rule a big country coming from a small island and also some of
them who excelled them in intelligence to rule the country and increase trade
and commerce to enrich their coffers. Poor vast majority and unemployed of the
service class hated the sudden rise of affluent. Filthy rich hid
their gold and held on to the large agricultural land exploited the poor
labor. There was therefore three classes among the serving class--Brahmins;
Non-Brahmins and the Out-castes which everyone in service had to declare.
With the dawn of Independence in the name of equality these
castes have even multiplied and Government of India instead of
trying to eradicate Caste system are encouraging it directly by
listing all scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and even among
Non-Brahmins higher caste group and lower caste groups for their favorite
goodies to hold on to political power. In their effort to raise the educational,
cultural and economic levels of Hindus from the so called lower castes up to
the level of the so called highest caste Brahmins, Brahmins however poor
and educationally backward are pulled down to the level of the
culturally disadvantage lowest caste. They are scared that this
downtrodden group among the so-called Brahmins may come up again and dominate
as in British days given an opportunity and also they are not significant in
numbers in democratic set-up to support the ruling tribes; never
The so-called Brahmin community is deprived of this privilege in a
Caste infested system. Hence the system is very complex and cannot be easily
done away with.
It is unfortunate that Caste system continues even among
the elites of the Hindu society though feeble, among those migrated to
greener pastures, bound by their traditions. There is another group developing
as Neo-Hindus who are married into other cultures and want to identify
with Hindus. You see them visibly in countries like Trinidad. By and large all
continue with their sur-names like Iyer, Iyengar, Rao, Guptas, Chaterjees, Seth
etc. which gives ample clue as to their caste base and prejudice. Why not avoid
them?
Please go through the blog Hindu Reflections
<nrsrini.blogspot.com> for a detailed discourse on “Prologue on Complex
Hindu Caste System” and “Complex Caste System of Hindus”
(September 2011)
2. HINDU EDUCATION SYSTEM THROUGH THE AGES
Up to the Medieval Period of the Indian History, the role model
for the student was his Guru or teacher. The teacher imparted both secular and
spiritual education. The teacher looked upon his students as his own children.
The relationship between the teacher and student was not based on money. After
graduation the students gave gifts to the teacher as a token of their respect
and gratitude.
These traditions are no longer followed in the modern India.
Foreign rule and the changing world to materialism have brought in radical
changes in the Hindu system of education. Education is now a State
subject or more commercialized or politicized and purely secular. It is a
big business and stepping stone for a political career or gaining fame as a
public figure for the promoters. Some promoters also are religious heads but
they are bound by State regulations. Yet they try to promote spiritual
education to a limited extent for those studying in their institutions.
Spiritual education is unheard of except in the case of the
scanty few religiously devoted or for those who wish to make priesthood as
their career whose number is almost negligible or nil considering the vast
population. Still people go to temples and observe rituals based on the
Vedic tradition and also chant some Vedic Mantras as well as later composed
hymns mechanically as a natural habit in the Hindu Way of life. Hindu Aagamas
have taken adequate care to load as much as Vedic Mantras as possible in
worship and other Hindu rituals without explaining the meaning or significance.
Our Rishis with their wisdom of Vedas were blessed with the
vision of science which was responsible for many discoveries during the ancient
and medieval period. These were the fore runners for the modern science.
It will be interesting to review the contributions of our ancient scholars and
Rishis to the field of Science and Technology which constituted Aparavidaya.
Rishis were also deeply concerned with the human sufferings from diseases and
wished for longevity of life. Their knowledge of Life Science crystallized into
a sound system of medicine called Ayurveda which included surgery. Ayurveda was
considered as a sub-branch of Veda and was designated as Veda for Longevity.
(Aaayu=longivtity; Veda=knowledge). It is customary to bless with the
words:"Aaayushmaann Bhacva", meaning have a long life!
Please visit the
BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for the above discourse, and also Early and Medieval Hindus' Contribution
to Science and Technology as well as “Ayurveda,
Knowledge of Longevity of Life” discourses delivered by me some years
back.
(September 2011)
3. ADMINISTRATION, ECONOMICS, HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM AND JUSTICE
SYSTEM PROMOTED BY VEDIC CULTURE
It is amazing how our ancient sages like Janaka, Valmiki,
Vedavyasa and others elegntly harmonized civilization with spiritual culture
when they administered or guided the great ancient kingdoms of their
times. The records left behind in Purans show how deep was their knowledge
in the field of administration, justice, economics and health care management.
Ancient books like, Manu's Neetisaastra, Chankya's Arthasaastra surprises
every one as to their vast knowledge and practicality in meeting the needs of
those days within the frame work of Sanaatana Dharma. At the
same time sages had also sound knowledge of Life sciences which helped the
society in its healthcare management programs. All these programs had to be
backed up by good financial management in which field also they did not
lag behind. I wonder whether at any time they felt the pain of deficit budget!
Everyone was a Bill Gates in those days in magnanimity if not in riches!
It is therefore natural to be curious to find out what was the
system of government in the past? How was justice administered? What was there
taxation policy? How did they take care of the health of the nation? What was
there source of financing? How could they focus on spiritual
evolution while concentrating on the material prosperity for the people?
How could they maintain Varna Dharma as stipulated in scriptures and maintain
order in society and all round peace and prosperity? How did they face intruding
foreign invasion and evil forces? How did they welcome new entrants into
the fold of Sanaatana Dharma and other issues?
Towards the end of the medieval period all these were
completely replaced by so called modern advanced systems by the foreign
rulers and they struggled hard with it to their last days as to how
to compromise with different cultures, rule peacefully, and at the same time
increase their personal assets. India has made considerable
progress after independence to improve its role amid civilizations of the world
but it’s much valued culture of the past is progressively declining. It is
here they forgot the good message left behind by our wise sages and
administrators. It would be interesting to look back and get an idea
about these aspects of ancient and medieval cultures. Please visit Blog: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
the discourse on the above topic.
(September 2011)
4. HINDU DIET CODES, SCRIPTURAL SANCTIONS AND ETHICS
Swami Vivekananda once remarked: “In India religion has entered into
the cooking pot”. He should have based his statement on the persistent argument
that is going on for and against non-vegetarianism. The scriptures of Vaishanva
and Saiva traditions (sampradayas) prescribe strictly vegetarian food for their
religious followers. Those belonging to Sakta tradition are allowed to eat
meat, fish and even consecrated wine. Still animal sacrifices are going on
in isolated celebrated Hindu Temples in the Northan and Eastern parts of India.
Hindus harbor strong and negative feelings and even hatred towards those
who eat other kinds of food than what they eat, be it their own or foreigners.
This seems to be one of the major cause for the segregation policy calling
some Hindus Untouchables or Pariyas or Mlecchas (Harijans) who do not abide by
the self-imposed diet code by the society. Scriptures mention of wide variety
of meat consumed by the people in ancient times (PleasE refer Ramayana of
Valmiki where Bharata and his army were welcomed with variety of meats; Sage
Agastya was fed by lamb meat during shraaddha ceremony by Vaataapi).
It is worth repeating translation of one of Meera Bhajans here:
Had it
been possible for one to see God by eating fruits and roots?
Why
haven’t the bats and monkeys seen Him?
Had it
been possible for one to know God by taking baths in holy waters?
Why
haven’t the fish known Him?
Had it been possible for one to find God by eating vegetables and leaves?
Had it been possible for one to find God by eating vegetables and leaves?
Why
haven’t the deer and goats found Him?
Had it
been possible for men to see God by renouncing their wives?
Why
haven’t the eunuchs seen Him?
Without
the love of God, says Meeraa, none can ever have God-vision.
So according to Hindu Sadhus (saints), primary importance should
be given to the love of God, and right kind of food should be given secondary
importance to lead a religious life though right kind of food is
important for spiritual way of life. Bhagavadgeetaa focuses on three kinds of
food—Saatvic, Raajasic and Taamasic. Satvic food makes one gentle and good.
Raajasic food makes one egoistic and reactive. Taamasic food makes one dull and
indifferent.
Please visit the Blog Hindu Reflections: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a detailed discourse on the above subject.
(October 2011)
5. ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF FINE ARTS OF HINDUS AND RANGOLI AND KOLAM
Hindus strongly believe that every art sprang from Eternal
Tradition. They list around 64 such arts. Hindu Fine Arts by and large have not
only maintained their original fervor but also made
considerable improvements thanks to the significant contributions by great
musician saints. Considerable improvement have also been made in
improving the quality of musical instruments with innovation and also adapting
suitably Western instruments thanks to the great scientific
development in acoustics. Modern Visual Art Techniques have helped
Theatricals. Music has brought unity and harmony among musicians with no class,
creed or religious distinctions. Origin of the art of Kolam is traced back to
Vedic days and is also linked to Sakta form of worship in which very many
geometric figures are used as in Srichakra of Sri Lalita. Yajna Vedis are also
based on geometrical configurations from which the art of Kolam has drawn
considerable help.
Please visit BLOG; <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
these interesting discourses: “Origin and Growth of Hindu Fine Arts” and
“Rangoli and Kolam”.
(October 2011)
6. EARLY VEDIC LITERATURE
We are finding difficult even to study and understand one small
Upanishad which gives a panoramic view of the Wisdom of Vedas. Imagine what efforts
would be needed to study all the existing Shrutis and Smritis. What would have
happened if all the Vedic Literature had been preserved and brought into hard
copies. We understand most of it had been lost! They did not have computer in
those days except the genius human computers of Rishis. We miss them today!
Even Ganesha did not take the plunge to make hard copies of all Vedas but
confined to Mahabharata only with his one broken tusk! Probably he needed more
tusks of Panchmukhee Ganesha or more!
Even Sankara could study only 11 of the Upanishads. They too
needed further explanation by Aanadagiri. Ramanuja wisely avoided commenting on
them. He confined to his Vedaantrasangraha. Madhva could comment only on ten
ancient Upanishads though lived long. He too needed help from Raghavendra for
further elucidation. Some confined to Easaavasya Upanishad only like the
scholarly Vedanta Desika. Ranga Ramanuja (circa 1600 A.D.) has completed the
work by commenting on all the major Upanishads to project the Vishitaadvaita
philosophy including Mahaa Naaraayan Upanishad which we are studying now. He
too could not go beyond twelve.
You should at least know what is now existing and what is
available to those who can know them only through the medium of
English? I quite often amused how some people claim themselves as experts
and talk so authoritatively on Vedas and criticize too with no knowledge
in Sanskrit also. We sometimes meet them in our Vedanta Class too! Today I have
posted my discourse on EARLY VEDIC LITERATURE. I hope you will find some
time to get to know these sources at least which contain the Wisdom of
Vedas and realize how abundant the available knowledge is! Please visit
the Blog <nrsrini.blogspot.com>.
(September 2011)
7. WOMEN IN HINDU SOCIETY
THROUGH THE AGES
Hindu culture presents a paradoxical status regarding women in
Hindu Society which often attracts criticism from the Western World. This was
so in the past and the present too.
Women were seen as the fountain-head of temptation (I do not
mean Biblical Eve), hurdle in the path of spiritual progress to be rejected by
those who sought spiritual emancipation. We are all familiar with the spiritual
struggle of sage Viswamitra. Many holy men avoid even casual contact with woman
lest they be tempted. Swami Narayana holy men even to-day believe in
this.
We welcome a new bride with all respect, pomp and show. She is
almost seen as diminutive duplicate of the Goddess or as queen (Bahuraani).
Rituals like Yajna (fire sacrifices) and most of the Hindu Samskaras cannot be
performed by the husband without her participation. She is glorified as Sahadharmini
and Sowbhagyavati. (one who equally shares all dharmas and one who is the
deliverer of all good and auspicious things). Faith-fullness of a woman
to her husband is given too much importance and carried even beyond his demise
for the living widow. Even when her husband is dead and gone she is
expected to remain faithful to his memories. Even in the recent past her
killing on the funeral pyre of her husband (sahagamana) was glorified
and she was venerated as Sati Mahaaraani. Thanks to Governmental intervention
this cruel practice of Sati has been put to an end.
Though the sacred of a woman has been well acknowledged in
Devi worship exclusive to Hinduism still prevailing, though other
religions have forgotten about lady veneration as Goddess, we find that every
attempt is made to curtail her freedom in Hindu s Society. She is denied the
right to make decisions, the right to own property and the right to educate
herself like her male siblings. Till recently women were hidden behind the
veils, locked in the courtyard trapped within thresholds, smothered by the
alleged divinity of chaste wives and loving matriarchs. We hear about them
occasionally now and then still.
A riot may start if the chastity of a Hindu woman or girl is
known to have been forcibly violated. Imperfection in society is measured
by evils. Western Society is neither better nor more perfect.
But even today in Nair community in India mother is the "Head of the
House". We now and then hear about child marriage though stopped as early
as 1929. Devadasi system is completely eradicated though prostitution continues
clandestinely as in every human society. We also hear every now and then of
venerated woman saints like Amritaanandamayi of Kerala who is too well known in
USA. We hear more often about woman President, Chief minister, ministers,
judges, business executives, politicians, lawyers and doctors in
Hindu society than in the so called more advanced and cultured societies.
It shocks a Hindu that American Constitution still reads "All men are
equal" and not "All Men and Women or people are equal". These
paradoxes make Hinduism unique and interesting kindling curiosity. This
therefore makes an interesting subject of study of Hindu culture.
Please visit my BLOG: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for on interesting study on the
subject titled "Women in Hindu Society Through the Ages".
(November 2011)
8.
HINDU TEMPLES AND TEMPLE WORSHIP
A vision of temple in India evokes among Hindus feeling of
reverence, sanctity and spirituality as Temple symbolizes as the abode of
Gods and a place of worship. For migrant Hindus here Temples also serve as
Hindu Cultural Centers. Temples here have also developed a composite view
on Siva-Vishnu-Devi worship absorbing the concept of Panchayatana Pooja of
Sankara, a composite pooja for his Shanmata deities at one place. In India
Temple has moved away from its original social, economic and cultural reach
of the society. In the earlier days it wielded political power also with
the direct participation of ruling kings.
Krishna Vasudeva belonging to the Yadu Clan founded the
Bhagavata School, a devotional school of Hindu Religion. He was known as
Bhagavaan and was fore-runner of Lord Krishna. He was affectionately called
Bhagavan and probably the author of Bhagavadgita (Kalpataru Research Academy,
Sankar Math) which later got the deft touches of Vedavyaasa and made Lord
Krishna the spokesman. This school brought Bhaktimaarga to the fore-front
pushing back Japayoga and Vedic Sacrificial form of worship about which I have
spoken earlier. As a center of worship the temple is mainly a
product of Puranic Trdition. Hindu pantheon of gods have their origin
mainly in the Puranas of Vaishanva and Saiva Traditons. The
Brahminical form of worship which still maintains a small part of Vedic
Sacrifice today in its rituals, gradually absorbed beliefs and practices
of folk tradition. Vithoba and Kandobha of Maharashtra, Murugan of hill
tribes of the South, Ganesha a god venerated by farmers, Mother Goddess
Kaali in Bengal, Bhagavati of Kerala, Mariamman of Tamil Nadu are all
from folk and village traditions which later got absorbed into the Vedic
Tradition, some even glorified as Brahman, the Supreme Principle. Buddhism had
also its influence on Hindu Temple Tradition. Some believe temple as
direct descendant of Buddhist Stoopa which in turn might
have evolved from the funeral mound as you could witness today in Toda Tribe
practice in Nilgiris. Buddha is also absorbed as an Avatar of Vishnu by many.
The divine aspects of awe-inspiring rich Hindu Temple architecture is based on Hindu
Scripture of Vaastu Saastra. Its origin goes back to Pre-Christian era. We in
America Have introduced the concept of Americanization of Hindu Temple worship
Introducing Mother'd day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. May be
in due course we may add Valentine's Day to honor the deities Kaama and Rati.
Here we need not have to wait for Aagam Saastra authority and the founding
fathers of temples can bend the priesats to our needs. Thus we are able to
add Americanization to Sanskritization and Vernacularization of Hindu Temple
worships prevailing in India. Buddha, Mahaveer, Swami Narayan,
Saibaba have graced the Hindu Temples here with individual sanctum
sanctorum. In due course we may have Christ too and celebrate Christmas in tune
with the National Culture as Easa (shortened form of Easvara). We have adopted
Kris for Krishna already. What remains is the Halloween and Independence
Day. May be Independence Day could be dedicated to Aindra-Maata (Statue
of Liberty), parallel to Bhaarat-maata of Vande Maataram fame, and worshiped
too as we live in Aindrakanda according to American-Hindu concept,
which we declare in our religious resolves (Sankalpas).
Of late host of neo-deities have been consecrated in
temples in India and also individual temples built where the
neo-deities could not be accommodated in regular temples-- Azhwars and Nainmars
of Tamil Nadu, Swami Narayan, Ramanuja, Sankara, Aandaal, Raghavendra, Sai baba
and even Bharat Mata (in the holy city of Haridwar), a creation of Bankim
Chandra Chatterjee of Vande Maataram. We have thus lost count of number
of gods in Hindu worship! This trend is also seen in Hindu worship
wherever Hindus have migrated.
9. HINDU SAMSKARAS
It seems
there were no hard and fast rules of Samskaras and follow-up during Vedic
period. Hymns now used in the rituals of marriage, conception, and funeral are
found in Rig Veda besides others that are generally recited during all rituals.
Taittatareeya Aranyaka contains mantras for cremation.
It is
reasonable to conclude rituals and ceremonies were developed, amplified and
codified and given an institutional bias with the development of civilization
or needs of the time for giving stability to the society. The rituals constituting
the Braahmana portion of Vedas received systematic treatment in
Kalpa Sutras which are exegetical texts of the Vedas. The needs for them
arose because short manuals were required by the priests as an aid for
their daily performance.
Among
these texts, those that deal with Vedic sacrifices are called Srauta Sutraas
and those that deal with Vedic domestic rituals are called Grihya sutras.
Upakarma belongs to this category. To-days Samskaras contain both rituals and
ceremonies. They also contain both religious and secular
ceremonies. If we really understand the meaning of the mantras of the
ritualistic part it will be clear that over a period it compartmentalized to
meet the specific needs of a narrow community when castes and jatis mutiplied. In earlier times there were as many as 40 Samsakaaras. Today, because of the changed times and
altered life-styles, not all the samskaaras are strictly followed.
Ritualistic
sanctification is called Samskaara in Sanskrit. There are several Samskaaras
being sanctified through religious
observances in a Hindu’s life. These are: 1) Marriage; 2) The consummation of
marriage; 3) Prayers for the well-being of a pregnant woman; 4) The birth of a
child; 5) Naming of the Baby; 6) The baby’s first hair-cut; 8) Introduction of
the child to his studies; 9) Upanayana or the sacred thread ceremony; 10) The
returning home ceremony after a student
completes his education; 11) The funeral for the departed; 12) The post funeral
honoring the departed—Shraaddha ceremony; 13) Building a new home; 14) Entering
a new home; 15) Spiritual initiation; 16) The attainment of puberty of girls
and others.
Please
visit the Blog Hindu reflections <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
for discourses on; 1) Hindu Samskaaras;
2) Hindu Baby Shower; 3) Hindu Naming
ceremony; 4) Upanayana Samskaara; 5) Hindu Rites for the Deceased Parents and
Ancestors; and 6) Prologue on Upaakarma Rites
*(September
2011)
Hindu Baby Shower (Sept 2011); Upanayana
(Sept. 2011); Hindu Rites for the Deceased Parents and ancestors (Sept 2011);
Namakaranam Ritual--Hindu Naming Ceremony (March 2014); Vivaaham—Hindu
Braahma Sacred Matrimony (June 2014); Hindu views on Conception and Childbirth,
and Nisheka Samskara (July 2014);Maangalya
Dhaaranam and Sumangali Kriya in Hindu Wedding (September 2014);What
do we learn from the Institution of Marriage in Hindu Ancient Culture?
(September 2014);
Hindu Samskaaras performed by
Parents on their children (July 2014); What is Pancha Samskaara? (August
2015)
*10.
AMAZING NUMBERS BEYOND COUNT FROM ANCIENT HINDU SCRIPTURES
Some time back you got my e-mail on
"Visualizing Divinity in Numbers".
Philosophers like Pythagoras and others thought about numbers the same
way. Dr. Albert Einstein said once:
"We owe a lot to Hindus, who taught us how to count, without which no
worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made. I have made the Geetaa as
the main source of my inspiration and guide for the purpose of scientific
investigation and formation of my theories". He was referring to Hindu
scriptures mainly Vedas. Max Mueller, Oppenheimer and Einstein had all good
working knowledge of Sanskrit and were deep into our Vedas and other
scriptures. Oppenheimer quoted the Sloka
from Bhagavadgeetaa when he exploded the nuclear bomb (Divisoorya
sahasrasya). The column of fire as the
source of Linga, a domelike (Poornam) configuration which is kept cool by
constant trickle of water symbolizing Ganga
(here Sakti controls Prakriti) should have inspired Oppenheimer as to
nuclear energy and heavy water Deuterium.
Max Mueller quoted the first mantra of Rigveda "Agnimeele purohitam
| Yajnasya deva mritvijam| hotaaram ratnadhaatamam ||" for Thomas Alva
Edison which the HMV Gramophone Company
recorded as the first recording when it started its gramophone record
production. This mantra extols the Supreme Principle and represents the number
"O" (Nirguna Brahman) which is Poornam that is extolled again in the
famous Vedic Mantra "Poornamadah Poornamidam". Linga is poornam (0) which we call as soonyam
in mathematics. If we look to continuous
flow of soonyam in succession to the right side of 1 (symbolizing saguna
Brahman), that leads to infinity which is ever growing
and never ending. That leads to Brahman (who is infinitesimal) which word is
derived from Sanskrit root "Brih”
to grow or ever expanding. In circum-ambulation
(pradakshinam) we always look to our right side for we have the goal to approach Nirguna Brahman through Saguna
Brahman which is seen in visible form as an icon. That is why the idol is always to your right
side during this act. The Mantra from
BAU and sloka from Geetaa referred above are quoted in my discourses explaining
their meanings in several discourses which
may be referred by those interested.
The highest power in mathematics in use
today perhaps stops at 10 raised to the power of 30 ("D"
Greek Deca). The following slokas arefrom ancient astronomy texts give an idea
of numbers as multiples of ten known today, each of which is ten times the one
immediately preceding it:
" Ekam dasa satam
asmaat sahasram-ayutam tatah
param laksham | prayutam
kotim atha arbuda vrinde
kharvam nikharvam cha |Tasmaan Mahaasarojam sankum saritampatim tvantam |
madhyam
paraardham ahur yathottaram dasagunam tathaa jneyam ||
“Eka dasa sahasraayuta-laksha-kotyah kramasah | arbudamabja
kharva nikharva mahaapadma sankavastasmaat| jaladhisyaantam Madhya
praraardhamiti dasagunottamsajaa | Sankhyaayaa sthaanaanaamvyavahaaraartham
kritaa poorve || [These numbers have been formulated for
commercial transactions]
We are all familiar with the number
Paraardham quoted in our religious resolutions (Sankalpa when you do any worship).
This is ten raised to the power of seventeen.
We are in dwiteeya (second) Paraardha in Svetavaraha Kalpa, Kaliyugaa,
first quarter. Much earlier to 100 B.C.E. Hindu scriptures quoted figures
raised to the power of 53 called Tallakshanam. Ramayana (Aadikaavya, first
literary composition in the world) in Kishindakaanda Chapter 29 talks about
some of these numbers while Sugreeva mentions about the number of monkeys in
the army under several leaders. The numbers Sanku and
Mahapadmam are mentioned here in this
context. It is therefore reasonable to believe that Aryabhatta only
rediscovered and did not invent the number 0 referred in scriptures as soonyam
or poornam but glorified it. Systematic
way of counting beyond the capability of modern computers existed much earlier
to Ramayana period and the numbers were used liberally in ancient
scriptures. Purusha sookata the earliest
Rigvedic text mentions about Ten (atyatishthat dasa-angulam), the starting
point of the concept of zero and the decimal system.
The following numbers are mentioned in
Hindu astronomy. The figure in brackets
refers to the number raised to the power of ten. These are: Dasa (10^1); Sata (10^2);
Sahasra (10^3); Dasa Sahasra (10^4); Laksha (10^5); Dasa Laksha (10^6); Koti (10^7); Ayuta (10^9);
Niyuta (10^11); Kankara (10^13); Vivara (10^16); Paraardha (10^17); Nivahata (10^19);
utsangah (10^21); Bahula (10^23); Naagaballah (10^25); Titlamba (10^27);
Vyvasthaangaprajnapat (10^29); Hetuhalla (10^31); Karahuhu (10^33); Sampaata
Lambah (10^37); Gananaagati (10^39); Niravadya (10^41); Mudraabalam (10^43);
Saraabalam (10^45); Vishamagnagatih (10^47); Sarvajnah (10^49);Vibhutangaama (10^51);
Tallkshana (10^53). Valmiki Ramayana also repeats the same names in
Ayodhyakaanda, Chapter 28, but their values are at variance.
11. GRANDPARENTS MEMORIES ARE CHERISHED HISTORY
No poison can kill a positive thinker
and medicine can cure a negative thinker.
Happiness is a choice, not a result –
nothing will make you happy until you choose to be happy.
When diet is wrong, medicine is of no
use, when diet is correct, medicine is of no need.
When you burn with the fire of anger, smoke
gets in your eyes.
The fragrance of flowers spreads only
in the direction of the wind, but the goodness of a person spreads in all
directionsation humans start without wealth (this may include spiritual wealth
too) and possibly without education. The greatest opportunity for those in this
generation is to work hard to educate and build wealth. This is partially true
to me in life as well as other Hindu migrants too. This process started for me partially in India
itself.
Along this struggle we do not change
our values of lifestyle. Like all parents we want better life for our children
so that the second generation is well educated and has a choice about careers.
This is the main reason why I migrated though I could have completed the
process in India itself. Born just before few years of Independence my life
took the same path as the country in my struggles. The second generation will
become lawyers, engineers and doctors mostly and they will be enjoying cultural
activities too.
The off springs see the sacrifices
their parents made, and they know their parents want them have a brighter,
better and easier life. So they adjust their lifestyle accordingly the family
fortune plateaus in the second generation.
Then third generation, raised with all
spoils of wealth, does not witness the amount of work and sacrifice it took to
build the wealth. So, the third generation goes to work in shirt sleeves
again.
This proverb is true to all cultures
because it is essentially based on universal human nature. The rich get richer
they say. It is true, for it is easier to make money if you start with money.
But people with money tend to acquire expensive hobbies and lifestyles to the
utter neglect of spiritual evolution. This can be a huge drag on their
financial resources and human values.
First generation is motivated by need
and a desire for a better life. This is very true in the case of migrants. The
third generation that is born into a family that is enjoying a wonderful
life-style has less motivation to create wealth or spiritually progress; they
desire to spoil the child a disservice to younger generation.
To successfully preserve wealth, a
family must form a social compact amongst its members reflecting its shared
values and each successive generation must reaffirm and readopt that social
impact. The lesson of the shirtsleeves proverb is that all generation needs to
be connected to the family, family values and spiritual values.
Families need to come together on a
regular basis and be reminded of who are they, where they come from, how they
are unique and how those benefits can benefit them and future generations of
the family. It is therefore necessary
to tell your children of your family stories as to how its wealth was created;
what was the motive force that created the wealth by its generation; the mental
peace to enjoy it; and, how it benefited the society?
12. HINDU TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
Hindu traditions and customs are often
misunderstood as superstitions. Superstitions fade away with a sense of understanding and time. Many
Hindu traditions have withstood the test of times. Some traditions like Sati,
animal sacrifice, untouchability, treatment of widows in Hindu Society,
polygamy, child marriage etc. have become almost obsolete or being dropped. It
is this adaptability that has won the admiration of many cultures of the world to
recognize Hindu culture as one of the world's oldest cultures. Almost every
Hindu culture has scientific, logical,
historical, social and spiritual significance, either all of it or at least
some of it. Many of you would have gone through the discourses “Hindu
Traditional Practices for Temple Visit" and "Abhivadanam, Gotras and
Charan Spars". In these an attempt
has been made to collect all such popular traditions and customs that have
withstood the test of time. They are an integral part of a Hindu's daily
routine called Nitya Karmas and also his goal oriented specific duties called
Naimittika Karmas. I have pleasure in
presenting to you to-day a discourse titled: "Some Random Thoughts on Age-old
Hindu Traditions" in addition to
the most popular traditions as Hindu
temple is a constellation of symbolism
as could be learnt from my discourse "Symbolism in Hindu
Temples and Popular Deities". Hindu Temple is an image that is at once
relevant to human aspirations and persistent in human thoughts and actions. The
details of temple architecture, which prescribe the rites of installation and
rituals of worship indicate the real
value of the shrine. At the same time
every conscientious Hindu realizes:"The
ritualists have their God in the
fire; but the wise folk find the Supreme in their own heart. It is the dull-witted one that seeks God in
an icon". Those who have higher understanding see God in everything. A
devotee as he enters the temple pays his obeisance at the flag post touching
the Mother Earth and paying his obeisance by prostration. Thus he pays his first reverence to the
element Earth. A t the sight of the waving lamp during worship he pays his obeisance
to the element of fire. As he receives the holy water with reverence he pays
his obeisance to the element of water.
When he circumambulates he feels the presence of Air and pays his obeisance to
element Air, looking at the icon to his right all the time while focusing his
thoughts on the Supreme Principle that started life with five elements. As he
walks out, he sits for a while
looking at the Kalasa (cupola) of the tower pointing towards the sky and
beyond paying his obeisance to the fifth
element vast Space. So devotees thoughts are filled with awe, inspiration and
reverence from the time he enters the temple and leaves the premises. His mind has therefore is preoccupied and
there is no place for any other thought. Therefore the serenity prevails in his
mind unaffected by external disturbances. An outside critic who enters the
temple fascinated by the magnificent temple and the prejudiced idea about the
icon refuses to criticize as he
approaches the sanctum sanctorum while he merges with the deeply absorbed crowd; His wild
criticism turns into great admiration and
his thoughts rises to spiritual heights once he understand these
symbolism. Thus Hindu Temple worship is in essence the worship of Supreme
Principle and his five elements with which
he administers the entire Universe in a
systematic manner as previously discussed. Please visit the Blog Hindu
Reflections for all these interesting discourses on Hindu culture.
(February 2012: October 2012)
13. HINDU TEMPLES
Hindu temple is a constellation of
symbolism as could be learnt from the discourse "Symbolism in Hindu
Temples and Popular Deities" posted on the Blog Hindu Reflections. Hindu
Temple is an image that is at once relevant to human aspirations and persistent
in human thoughts and actions. The details of temple architecture, which
prescribe the rites of installation and rituals of worship, indicate the real
value of the shrine. At the same time every conscientious Hindu realizes:
"The rituality have their God in the fire; but the wise folk find the
Supreme in their own heart. It is the
dull-witted one that seeks God in an icon. Those who have higher understanding
see God in everything”. A devotee as he enters the temple pays his obeisance at
the flag post touching the Mother Earth and paying his obeisance by
prostration. Thus he pays his first
reverence to the element Earth. At the sight of the waving lamp during worship
he pays his obeisance to the element of fire. As he receives the holy water
with reverence he pays his obeisance to the element of water. When he
circum-ambulates he feels the presence of Air and pays his obeisance to element
Air, looking at the icon to his right all the time while focusing his thoughts
on the Supreme Principle that started life with five elements. As he walks out,
he sits for a while looking at the Kalasa (cupola) of the tower pointing towards the sky and beyond
paying his obeisance to the fifth element vast Space. So devotees’ thoughts are
filled with awe, inspiration and reverence from the time he enters the temple
and leaves the premises. His mind has
therefore is preoccupied and there is no place for any other thought. Therefore
the serenity prevails in his mind unaffected by external disturbances. An
outside critic who enters the temple fascinated by the magnificent temple and
the prejudiced idea about the icon
refuses to criticize as he approaches the sanctum sanctorum while he
merges with the deeply absorbed crowd;
His wild criticism turns into great admiration and his thoughts rises to spiritual heights once
he understand these symbolism. Thus Hindu
temple worship is in essence the worship of Supreme Principle and his
five elements with which he administers the entire Universe in a systematic
manner.
Please visit Hindu Reflections: <nrsrini.blogspot.com>
for detailed discourses on: “Divine
Character of Hindu Temples in Concept and Design”; “Symbolism of Hindu Temples
and Popular Deities”; “Linga and Saalagraama”.
(February 2012)
14. ONE HINDU TEMPLE-COMPLEX FOR MANY TRADITIONS OVERSEAS
Unlike Hindus in India, Hindu Americans flock to one
temple-complex to fulfill their religious aspirations grown with their family
traditions, which differ widely from region to region in India, even on
their specific festival and ritualistic worship days; they are living
amid majority who follow Christianity a founded religion which never understood
Hinduism based on Eternal Tradition (Sanatana Dharma) or want to do so,
but for a handful who are spiritually inclined and are seeking guidance from
Hinduism resorting to Yoga and meditation. Even among Hindus who are
disgruntled or dissatisfied have moved out from the majority to set up
their own traditional temples like Swami Naaraayan Temple, Saibaba Temple,
Kaali Temple, Aiyappan Temple, Hare Krishna Temple etc., however
uneconomical they may be to run and how limited the crowd may be, for they are
rich and affluent. Even within temple-complex some groups not satisfied
with the main mass worship have forced their own traditional worship on the
same day of main worship as seen in Jagannatha sanctums with
liberal donation. In Hindu-complexes the will of the founding fathers or the
trustees prevail with the motto take it or leave it, though temple is
registered as public place of worship and non-profit organization. Sometimes we
point at Christianity showing their different churches, leanings and different
mass worships; yet they laugh at us as viewing us confused and
misdirected. Jesus thoughtfully said: "Father they know not what they
do, forgive them". Of late they too are awakening to have
one broad based mass to suit all drawn from different church beliefs. It
is true Neo-Buddhists, Arya Samajists, Jains, Christian-Hindu mixed faith
families and even some non-traditional Sikhs (not panje-pyaare)
want to visit Hindu Temple-Complexes. Thus both vertical disintegration and
horizontal expansion is taking place within migrated Indian community who
have taken foreign citizenship and yet want to hold on to ethnic and
cultural identity. This is easier with others like Chinese or Japanese
migrants than Hindus where their God is faith based.
It Is high time in the interest of future generation we
recognize these problems early, and follow the examples of Hindu temples run
within Ramakrishna Math complexes or as practiced from some Hindu groups
who have lost touch with India over generations like the Fiji Hindu Temples
where the focus is more towards the Universal Oneness of Sanatana
Dharma and spiritual goals in practice than complex detail oriented
ritualistic approach with no focus on spiritual thought. Keeping
this in view I have prepared a draft as attached above whose objective is
clear--to focus on One Mass Worship, Universal Oneness and spiritual
focus to evolve ourselves within our scriptural sanctions sticking to the
dictum Vedokhilam Dharmamoolam--Vedas are our final
authority. We in USA enjoy religious freedom and are not controlled by
bureaucracy with government interference like the Hindu Religious endowment
Boards or constantly bugged by minority of a secular State who are given
more attention than major religion as experienced in India. So these
thoughts are essential for Hindu settlers here but they are equally
important to Hindus in India being a majority how to make the much needed
reform to make it a casteless and blind faith free society and to realize
Universal Oneness and Supreme Principle (Tadekam). Caste and blind-faith have
crept into Hindu culture over a long period. Migrants overseas are led to
a caste-less society indirectly without their knowing or feeling the pinch
and many traditions are also fast vanishing. In the bargain we should not be
drawn to other non-dharma based traditions.
Please visit Hindu Reflections: <nrsrini.blogspot.com> for
a detailed discourse on “One Hindu Temple-complex
for Many Hindu Traditions Overseas”
(June 2013)
15. UPANAYANA IS VEDIC
MANDATED CEREMONY FOR ALL
You may have had a chance to go through
my discourses on Sandhyaavandana. These mantras are initiated during Upanayana
ceremony. Therefore only who have undergone Upanayana and are religious are
interested in them. Many of you may be wondering as to the origin of Upanayanaa
ceremony in which a student is initiated into Gayatree mantra. Why out of all
the mantras in Vedas Gaayatree mantra is chosen for this ceremony? It is
because of the mandate from Vedas (Mahaanaaraayana Upanishad) as is evident
from the following Mantra which introduces Gaayatree mantra about which we
talked about. Gayatree mantra is in glorification of the Creator pleading for
invigorating our intelligence which I believe we all need.
Ojoeci sahoeci balamaci bhraajoeci devaanaam dhaamanaamaaci
visvamaci visvaayuh sarvamaci sarvaayuh abhibhooroem gaayatreem aavaahayaami
saavitreem aavaahayaami sarasvateem aavaahayaami chchandarshoen aavaahayaami
sriyam aavaahayaami gaayatriyaa gaaytree chchandoe visvaamitra rishih savitaa
devataagnirmukham brahmaa siroe vishnu-hridaya rudrah sikhaa prithavee yonih
praana-apaana-vyaana-udaana-samaanaa sapraanaa svetavarnaa
saankhyaayana-sagoetraa gaayatree chatur-vimsati aksharaa tripadaa shatkukshih
panchaseersha Upanayane viniyoegah ||
"Oh Gayatree! Thou art the essence
of strength! Thou art patience, or the subduing power.Thou art the abode of
gods and their names. Thou art the insentient universe. Thou art the full span
of life or the Lord of all. Thou art
every living thing. Thou art the life span of all. Thou art the vanquisher of
all that is hostile to us. Thou art the Truth denoted by the Pranava (OM). I
invoke Gayatree. I invoke Saavitree. I
invoke Sarasvatee. I invoke the rishis and the Divines. I invoke the splendour of all the gods. For
Gayatree mantra the meter is gayatree, the rishi is Viswaamitra and the Deity
is Savitar. Fire represents the mouth; the four faced Brahma the head; Vishnu,
the heart; Rudra, the crown hair; Earth, the source; the in-breath (praana),
the out-brath (apaana), the diffused breath (vyaana), the up-breath (udaana)
and the middle-breath (samaana), the Breath (Praana). Gaayatree is fair in hue
and is of the same family as Paramaatman (Supreme Principle) attained by the
Saankhyaasa--the illumined sages. The
deity Gaayatree has twenty-four syllables, comprised in three feet, six sheaths
or cavities and five heads; It is employed in Upanayana, or initiation into
Vedic studentship".
The Vedas are represented as a lake or
saras which gives the waters of life and hence Gaaytree as the essence of the
Vedas is called Sarasvatee. Traditionly Gaayatree is the name given to that
Deity in the forenoon. Saavitree is the
name given for the deity in the mid-day,
and Sarasvatee in the evening. Gaayatree
is explained as that which protects the person who chants it from the various
sins (gaayantam traayate). The epithet Saavitree is given because it represents
Savitar, who illumines the creation: and Sarasvatee because in that aspect it
expresses the world in the shape of speech. These three are also represented as
Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra as well as red, white and black. Gayatree mantra has three feet of eight
syllables each, six sheaths or auxiliaries to the Vedas (Vedangas) which
protects the Vedas represented by
Gaayatree like a sheath, five heads consisting of four Vedas and Itihaasa and
Puraanas known as the fifth Veda. These details are recited before an
individual is initiated into studentship and Gayatree mantra is inducted.
Gaayatree is employed during the
performance of Japa, homa and Dhyaana.
Praanaayaama is invariably included in all worships and Samskaaras done
by all chanting Gaayatree mantra. Unless one is purified by the practice of
Praanaayaama, one is not ready for Japa. Thus Gaayatree mantra is chanted by
all even though Sandhyaavandana is practiced by only the so called Brahmin boys
today and that too very few regularly. It may not be out of place to mention
here Kshatriyas and Vaisyas also can undergo Upanayana samskaara. Soodras being
field workers or hard labor did not find time for Vedic studies and hence did not like initiation into
Upanayana. But, Azhwars(saints) who belong to this class of society underwent
Upanayana to study Vedas. So traditionally Soodras did not undergo Upanayana
ceremony, hence it became a taboo later.
In Kerala certain groups of girls also undergo Upanayana--Namboodri
Brahmin girls, out of free will.
Upanayana for girls has taken place in Hindu Temples in USA also though
few and far between. Vedas mention many celebrated female Vedic scholars of
highest caliber who had gone through Upanayana Samskaara. Many Azhwars and Nayanmars
of recent past who had their
births in lower castes as well as others like Narayana Guru of Kerala studied
Vedas and were profound scholars.
Sandhyaavandana is essentially repentance for
the past sins and meditation on Supreme principle which every spiritual seeker
practices on regular basis. From the above Vedic mantra it is clear that
Upanayanam is for all irrespective of caste, creed or sex for being initiated
into Vedic studentship; any individual could be initiated into this studentship
by orthodox religious rituals as is practiced by Brahmin caste today in social
circles or spiritual induction by a Guru as followed by Hare Krishna gurus
to-day, for everyone needs exposure to spirituality. Present day religious
followers may disagree as they are not fully exposed to Vedas or try to
interpret Vedas in their own fashion. You can decide yourself as to whom to
follow--religious gurus or spiritual gurus on such issues. It should not be forgotten that Vedokhilam
dharmamoolam--Vedas are the final authority in deciding on all such dhaarmic
acts.
(September 2011)
*16. WHAT IS IN A NAME, CHRIS OR KRIS, DON’T BE SO SURE, IT
MAY PROVE COSTLY?
If we glance through the Chennai
telephone directory around 40% lists
Subhramanyan and another 30% Srinivasan as subscribers. This is because
Hindus want to name their new born after popular deities. Many Hindus from the
North believe these two popular names are surnames just as my name SRINIVASAN
is conjectured by many North Indians. USA made it my surname also donated it to my son, daughter in law
and grand-children. I have learnt recently American courts can make mother's
name as first name and father's name as surname
from the court ruling cited below.
Child support magistrate Lu Ann Ballew ordered that baby Messiah Deshawn Martin be renamed Martin Deshawn McCullough which used his
mother' name as his first name and his father's surname name as his last name. Probably she is right as we
are sure of our mother for our birth and so mother gets priority over
father. Another judge reversed Ballew's
ruling In the Messiah case, and she faces s disciplinary action from the
Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct over religious bias.
In this regard Hindus in India enjoy
greater freedom. One of the famous
Beedi (country cigarette) in Karnataka is named after Lord Ganesha liberally
portraying his figure of reverence on Beedi packet. Another famous brand snuff
is called Ambal Mookuthul in Tamil Nadu portraying Goddess Lakshmi. Hindutva
people and courts are ignorant or silent on them. One argument may be they are the proper names
of promoters because as late as 1950 invariably Hindus liked to name their
child after a God so that it would indirectly help Nama-japa like the famous
puraanic story of Ajameela who by calling his son Narayana at his death bed
attained salvation; even Narayana was
pleased with the mistaken identity and intention; he was happy he was
remembered. When DMK came to power there
was an unconventional ruling to refrain from the practice of naming their
children after God and also avoid Sanskrit
meaning names. Now we have many fancy names in Tamil Nadu--Anbukkarasi
(Princess of love); Mathiazhagan (intellectually beautiful); Ilayaraja ( Young
prince); Roja malar (budding rose); Ten mozhi (honey voice) etc. Other Hindus are following suit to create
fashionable and fanciful names. Their
Father of their movement however did
not change divine name Ramaswamy for he needed success for his rebellion
too. To me it looks safer for Hindu
Americans to go by the direction of DMK and avoid the name of God and also
have mother's surname to be safe from
being sued in America for using God's name for naming. Many Americans are fine
with babies named Messiah, Christ or any other religious name their parents
like at present. Who knows what legal
implication comes in the future? Messiah means Savior, Deliverer, the one who
will restore God's Kingdom. It was a title held by Jesus Christ. Now he has
been elevated to the position of Gods like Saibaba, Swami Narayan and Andal.
Many others are in the waiting list.
Mahatma Gandhi missed the bus.
There is a threat still which says
"Judges should be allowed to change the name parents give their children
if there are religious applications to those names that some people may find
offensive". This threat may come from within for Hindu Americans or even
from Inter-racially married couples conflicting with each other. Why not avoid to find a name like Santosh,
Anand, Raja, Ulhas etc. My elaborate discourse on Naming Ceremony of a baby
in Hinduism may then need a revision?
*17. SPIRITUAL VITAMINS FOR HEALTHY BRAIN
You should be wondering why my
discourses are too long and brain taxing packed with too many details. Can it
not be made simpler and shorter? Yes it can!
But I have concern for your health uppermost in my mind. One thing
is, my discourses are research guides for those interested and
contain as much information as possible
that I collect on the subject. The other
thing is I have deep concern for your
health in mind. There are five tips to keep your brain healthy according to
neurosurgeon Dr. Chris Taleghani. These are Stimulation, Safety (like using
helmets), Source (energy source like glucose), Sleep, and Stress ( stress
damages the brain).
I contribute to Stimulation through the long and
packed information loaded E-mails and
discourses which demands your
concentration and time. Most people don't know the human mental decline begins
before age forty. Just like your body your brain needs exercise. The unused
parts of the brain will actually stop working
if not properly exercised. Try to mentally stimulate yourself everyday
by doing things like reading, playing bridge or chess, cubes or doing puzzle.
Challenging the brain allows new pathways to form when neurons die-off in
middle and old-age. Light reading does
not provide good exercise. My E-mails and discourses will. That is why I send
such E-mails and discourses and often remind you also to the point of your
annoyance.
Why am I so involved in my present task? I am neither
genius nor Vedantin. I am 84. I need brain exercise. So I do. While I do that why can't I share
and serve others too and do joint exercise?
I find while I sleep my brain is busy working, repairing it and boosting
my immune system. During REM sleep, my
brain consolidates information learned during the day. So I start my one
finger typing E-mail as soon as I get up buying wrath from
everybody in the household and also annoy you dispatching the same in your busy
early hours which you store often
and forget as you do not have the luxury of time like me. Your concentration is
more on physical exercise than brain exercise. I do that too.
Poor sleep, or less sleep, can lead to
fatigue, mood disorders, memory concerns, and immune suppression.
You may now know why I continue sending
such E-mails and discourses: your
healthy brain as an active participant is my deep concern. My E-mails and discourses are better stimulants for proper brain exercise if you do not know chess
or play bridge. In the process you
get spiritually enlightened or elevated also. When you study deep and exercise
you are inclined to send comments also to give exercise to my brain. To some serious habitual readers my E-mails
are quite sufficient as a stimulant and they do not have to go through the
discourse. As participants we live in a
mutual admiration society. Let us help each other!
This Saturday you will find some
intensive brain exercise material for reading as you will not find the same
elsewhere. The topic will be "Is it St Valentine's Day or Kamadeva Day for
Hindus to worship?" Please think seriously about it as I have seen American Hindus freely exchange
greetings and also celebrate Valentine's
Day in Prasadam halls. Why to curb their enthusiasm? It will please our inter-racially married
couples and their children too. Why not take the Day to sanctum above and make
it a Special Religious Events Day? We
need not worry about the delicate subject. Kama, one of the Purusharthas with
right approach should be our goal in life! You have more justification than any
other American Holiday celebrated in the temple to make it special for Hindu
Americans if you go through my discourse
which has all references to our holy scriptures.
18. VIVAAHA--HINDU BRAAHMA SACRED MATRIMONY
Traditionally Hindus do not believe in
any courtship before marriage. Belief among them is that love develops
gradually after marriage and not before. The tradition of arranged
marriages is breaking down with American Hindus and falling in love
and marrying has become common due to most of the marriages take
place as inter-caste and inter-racial marriages. Hindu--Sikh
and Hind--jain weddings are common. Muslim-Hindu and Buddhist-Hindu weddings
are few and far between. Interracial weddings are quite frequent between
Christian and Hindu partners in USA. It is this Inter-racial marriage between a
Hindu and Christian that goes for the grand and
colorful Hindu wedding as well as majestic walking down the aisle of a
Christian wedding. Often both traditional marriages are celebrated on different
days to please the partners. Such couples settle down and decide on their
religious, spiritual or atheist pursuits in their wedded life later.
Hindu weddings differ from tradition to
tradition and also it depends on their castetradition wherever they
are settled. Hindu American weddings mostly take place in a temple. The
ceremony is performed before a fire lit in a special metal vessel. Usually
a Hindu priest conducts the wedding ceremony by reciting hymns from the
scriptures written in Sanskrit. As a part of the ceremony the bride and groom
exchange rings and the groom presents the bride with saris. The
bride and groom garland each other and the couple walk around the fire
three times at the end of the ceremony. Among some castes, the
couple walks around the fire seven times. Hindu marriage consists of five
important ceremonies--Vaagddaana (verbal contract); Kanyaa sampradaana (giving
away the daughter); Varana (welcoming the bride and bridegroom); paanigrahana
(ritualistic holding of each other's hand) and Tripadi or Saptapadi (the
three or seven steps walking round the sacred fire ritual).
Hindu arranged marriage works well because
Hindus believe that the union of marriage is predetermined and is a form of
Karma. Statistics show there is not even one percent of divorce among Hindus.
It also works because Hindus by tradition try very hard not to break a wed-lock.
In Hindu marriages the union is not between a boy and a girl, but between two
families. The girl is given in marriage to a family and not to a boy.
Acceptance and adjustment of inter-caste and inter-racial weddings is more
natural between the families in America than in yet conservative
India where caste -system has increased manifold politically nurtured.
Traditional concepts are fast changing influenced by other cultures overseas
where Hindus are settled and to some extent even in India.
The present discourse conveys the
meaning of many Vedic mantras chanted and slokas
recited as ideal footsteps for wedded life inspired by the divine
weddings from Puranas containing meanings of resolutions and promises made by
the bride and bridegroom to serve the two families and the society as useful
citizens and to preserve Hindu Dharma life-long, from various Hindu
proven ancient traditions that have withstood the test of times.
This is not a priest's guide for conducting marriages as per different
traditions of Hindus in India. A uniform code of practice to conduct
Hindu marriages in America is slowly developing for marriages conducted in
temples keeping to essentials from all ancient traditions (this in
turn often depends on the temple priest) to suit inter-racial and inter-caste
marriages between a man and a woman. Homosexual weddings do not fall within the
scope of Hindu Religious marriages. Braahma type of marriage out of
several types of marriages prevalent in Hindu Society is the only one
recognized legally for official marriage registration in India as
well as USA. The present discourse deals with the same as practiced in
different Hindu traditions.
We have here something to learn from
Western culture. There is an elaborate marriage rehearsal before the
actual wedding takes place to convey the meaning of Holy Matrimony to the
families in Western practice. This is more needed for Hindu Americans
uprooted from their culture and living in a multicultural and multi-traditional
society. Hindu Marriages are packed with Mantras in Sanskrit
language and the wedding is conducted in that divine language. The priest tries
very hard to explain at least the meaning of selected mantras and
procedures during the ceremony which neither registers with the bride
and bridegroom and their busy running around parents nor the large noisy
audience. It is therefore necessary that the head priest meets the parents of
both sides prior to actual ceremony and explain all the
mantras and procedures so that their minds are set to follow the actual
proceedings purposefully with meaning and understanding. Usually a
pamphlet describing the procedure (not all mantras) is distributed to all which
is scarcely glanced through. Once the wedding is over nobody takes any
pain to understand the meaning of these mantras and procedures except it
remains with the priest. This rehearsal is essential as marriages are conducted
in hurry keeping to the time schedule to tie the knot. Otherwise it becomes a
formality with no meaning. It is easier for temple authorities to organize
the same in USA because marriages are mostly conducted in temples
in standardized fashion to propagate the culture. It is hoped my discourse as
attached if circulated to prospective couple and their parents in advance
would make the ceremony more meaningful and educate the couple with the
wisdom of Vedas instead of mechanically performing the ritual without
understanding the wisdom contained therein. It is a compendium of worldly
wisdom to lead a happy life together.
19. HINDU VIEWS ON CONCEPTION AND CHILDBIRTH, AND NISHEKA
SACRAMENT
Garbhadaana leads all the sacraments
that are prescribed for a
Hindu. This Samskara of
Nisheka or Garbhaadaana
sets the stage for having a child who is desired, welcomed and accepted
as a blessing from the Lord. Marriage
brings a man and woman together and they start a new life where one compliments
the other. Hindus believe neither the
man nor the woman is complete and the main purpose of marriage is to bring good
children. There is a strong notion that if the man and wife desire a capable
child it must be planned as stipulated in Upanishads. Contrary to what many think, sexual intimacy
between couples is considered a sacred responsibility. To be blessed with good
children certain Saastric injunctions have been imposed for physical relations
between couples. Good sexual relations
have been given great importance in Grihya sootras, Upanishads, Bhagavadgeetaa
and Kaamasutras of Vatsyaana.
At the moment conception takes place,
an immortal soul enters the universe for the first time. This unique human
being is touched by the Divine and is a gift from the Creator. God places this
beautiful gift into the womb of a mother for protection. In Hindu tradition
when married couple think of a baby for the first time and desire to have
successful union to fulfill their desire they first offer their prayers to
God. A couple enters Grihastaasrama
Dharma on being married and get licensed to lead a lawful married life in the
society. Their first desire to beget a child is considered as sacred act of
charity because such a conception also
helps a soul forced to re-enter the world because of its past Karmas and
eagerly waiting for a suitable abode. This charity initiated by the husband
though interpreted as solely a charity by the husband, its religious benefits are
equally shared by the wife as well who willingly and happily co-operates as
Saha-daharmini or equal partner. After
marriage she is a silent partner who by divine grace acquires 50% benefits of
the good acts of the husband but not his bad acts. The human born of that
conception gets an entry to the world to work his or her way to elevate the
soul in her or him and reduce the burden of past Karmas if not forced to
accumulate fresh Karmas due to non-dhaarmic acts. Garbhadaana like Kanyaadaana is considered as a very important act of charity and
detailed in Upanishads.
We can find many Mantras for this
sacrament in Ekagni Kaanda of Yajurveda, Grihyasootras of Sage Aapasthamaba,
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and Kamasootra of Vaatsyaayana. This should be an eye-opener to many in
modern times as discussions go on and off
whether sex-education should be made compulsory? It was part of
curricula in Vedic studies as you see in Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Our sages were not shy to discuss about sex
life based on Dharma and its usefulness to society. In fact they felt it is a
necessary and obligatory Manavadharma (human dharma) by following
Grihastaasraam dharma which they preferred to Sanyasa or Sainthood and
seclusion. A Grihasta (married person)
could equally aspire for liberation like a Sanyaasi (recluse) resigned to life.
We find in Hindu society many religious heads who lead pious married
lives. We often hear of Guru and Guru
patnis (wife or wives of Gurus running Gurukulas or Vedic schools) during Vedic
days. Often a Guru had more than one
wife. Today however Western educated Hindus feel shy to give an open importance to this
ceremony and so it is whisked away combined with marriage ceremony with few
Vedic mantras included in Grihapravesam (entering the husband’s home by the
bride) Vedic Homas called Pravesa Homam,
Praayschitta homam (expiatory fire rituals),
Putramanta Rites (rituals for getting a son or daughter) etc., described at length in the discourse.
Garbhadana Sacrament clearly indicates
marriage is inextricably linked to the fact that man-woman couples, and only
such couples, are capable of naturally creating life together, therefore
furthering or threatening, society’s interests in responsibly creating and
rearing the next generation. Purpose of holy matrimony between man and woman is
for serving society's child-centered purposes and procreation. Puranas have
also suggested alternatives when such
holy matrimony ends without procreation as to what s http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2014/07/hindu-views-on-conception-and-child.htmlhould
be done within Sastric injunctions.
20. HINDU SAMSKARAS
FOR CHILDREN PERFORMED BY THEIR PARENTS
Most
societies have religious, cultural and social ceremonies which may be looked
upon as rites of passage that validate the growth of an individual. In Hindu
culture there are certain samskaras which the parents have to perform for the
healthy physical and psychological growth of the child. These samskaras
are performed at each turn of a child’s growth in human society. The idea
behind it is also to keep the society informed about the progress the child is
making by way of rituals and celebrations. As is normal with Hindus no
celebration takes place in Hindu homes without invoking the blessings of God.
In Hindu thinking the whole world is visualized as one
family—Vasudheka Kutumbakam. Inspired by this wisdom of Vedas
Grihyasutras codified and standardized many
sacraments. Among them those pertaining to Balyaavastha or
childhood are Jatakarma, Namakarana, Nishkramana, Annaprasana, Mundan,
Choulopanayana or Choti, Karnavedhi, Vidhyaarmabha, Rajaswala (girls) and
Upanayana. All these Samskaras are aimed at Dharma and Mokhsa the
two Purusharthas or goals prescribed for all Hindus as goal in life. Later the
child when grown has to focus on other two Purusharthas
Artha and Kaama.
Earlier
two important discourses in this category have been discussed in detail—Naamakarana and Upaanayana.
Garbahaadaana or Nisheka Samskaara is covered by a separate
detailed discourse about which people feel shy to give open expression in
Hindu Society today fearing Western criticism as we often indulge in
criticizing their love making, short married life and change of partners
as and as when desired. Garbhadaana like Kanyaadaana is considered
as very important event of human charity and detailed in
Upanishads. The present discourse deals with the rest of the Balya
Samskaaras with brief mention about Naamakarana.
The
beginning of a child’s life is an appropriate time to pray for child’s good
health, strength, longevity and emotional and intellectual growth. The miracle
of birth is thought as an event that evokes joy and wonder. Vedic tradition celebrates
the event of birth with Jaatakarma, a religious ceremony of
prayer and gratitude. Nishkramana is the child’s first
ceremonious outing. The child is taken out of the house to seek the blessings
of the Lord in the form of Sun and Moon. Annapraasana is first
introduction to solid food weaning away the child from breast-feeding of the
mother. The first morsel of food that the child eats is really the first
acceptance of Prasada (Blessed food) from God and this calls for a religious celebration. Ornamentation
is considered as important in Hindu culture. Piercing the ear and shaving
the head may entail some physical pain and anxiety and so it is an occasion to
pray to God. Chudikarana is a Vedic samskaara in which the
hair on the head of the child is cut and in a male child, a tuft called
Sikha is also kept by orthodoxy. The hair that is shaven may be offered
to God symbolizing the surrendering of one’s countless binding
desires or discarding the Rajo and Tamo gunas imbibed
while staying in mother’s womb which have to be got rid of. Vidyarambha ceremony
is performed when a child is five years old. In this ceremony prayers are
offered to the Lord in the form of deities such as Saraswati, Dakshinamoorti,
Subrahmanya and Vedavyaasa. The first word written and uttered by a child
is OM. This ceremony ends with the child seeking the blessings of elders and
the teacher. In some traditions
Rajaswala for Girls (first menstruation event) is also celebrated. The same is
also discussed in this discourse. Upanayana ceremony, the last ceremony
conducted by parents generally in Hindu Brahmin Traditions to-day has already
been discussed in detail earlier and hence not covered in this discourse.
21. TEACHER’S DAY
I grew up
in a family known for teachers dedicated to the cause of education. My sister
is an outstanding teacher and is the recipient of several awards and
appreciations including State Award for best teacher. My niece who is also a
dedicated teacher sent me the following message on the Teacher's Day in India, celebrated
on September 5.
"It
is the Supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and
Knowledge"- Albert Einstein.
Teaching
is an art. Each one of us is a teacher to oneself. But it is our
Parents and Teachers who identify our talent and show us the path towards light. They are the architects of our life. I
wholeheartedly salute my Parents, who are my first Guru on this Teacher's Day.
I owe my life to my beloved teachers, without whom I would not been what I am,
My Sisters and my brother who have inspired me all the time, My husband who
encouraged me to continue my studies and helped me to achieve and all my
well-wishers a "Happy Teacher's Day"
I too was
a teacher for 3 years only but somehow did not decide to be a
teacher by profession. But as the technical expert in my field I have added
more than 5000 skilled workers round the globe, besides adding around 200
supervisors and around 25 managers who are all reputed and well placed in some
countries (Latin America, China, Russia) of the world besides India. In a way I
can also add my ten years of involvement in the discourses you are all familiar
with to my teaching involvement. So teaching has a wider scope than merely
being called teacher based on one's profession.
It is
worth recalling here how Teacher' Day is celebrated on different days in many
countries. To me as a Hindu American it seems logical to celebrate Guru
Poornima Day in temples dedicated to the great teacher Vedavyasa, who is
also a minor incarnation of Vishnu following the religious practice in India
and the Hindu Kingdom Nepal. In
addition as Hindu Americans we can also celebrate Worlds Teacher's Day and USA
Teacher's Day in March in secular fashion as Indian Americans.
A note on
Teacher's Day given below should interest you in this regard. Your kind
attention is also drawn to my discourse on the subject delivered few years
back.
Teacher’s
Day Celebration
World Teachers' Day, held annually on October 5th since
1994, commemorates Teachers’ Organizations worldwide.
Its aim is to mobilize support for teachers and to ensure that the needs
of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.
According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a
significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed
for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development.
Education International (EI) (the global union
federation that represents education professionals worldwide) strongly believes
that World Teachers' Day should be internationally recognized and celebrated
around the world. EI also believes that the principles of the 1966 and 1997
Recommendations should be considered for implementation in all nations.
Over 100 countries observe World Teachers' Day. The
efforts of Education International and its 401 member organizations have
contributed to this widely spread recognition. Every year, EI launches a public
awareness campaign to highlight the contributions of the teaching profession.
National
Teacher Day in USA is on Tuesday during Teacher Appreciation Week, which takes
place in the first full week of May. Students
often show appreciation for their teachers with gifts or writing thank you
cards. The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day as
"a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions
they make to our lives”
The NEA
gives a history of National Teacher Day: The origins of Teacher Day are murky.
Around 1944 Wisconsin teacher Ryan Krug began corresponding with political and
education leaders about the need for a national day to honor teachers.
Woodbridge wrote to Eleanor Roosevelt who in 1953 persuaded the 81st Congress
to proclaim a National Teacher Day. NEA along with its Kansas and Indiana state
affiliates and the Dodge City (Kan.) local lobbied Congress to create a
national day celebrating teachers. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National
Teacher Day for that year only. NEA and its affiliates continued to observe
Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985, when the National PTA
established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May. The NEA
Representative Assembly then voted to make the Tuesday of that week National
Teacher Day.
As of
September 7, 1976, September 11 was also adopted as Teachers' Day in the U.S.
state of Massachusetts. Currently, Massachusetts sets the first Sunday of June
as its own Teachers' Day, annually.
The idea of celebrating Teachers' Day took
ground in many countries during the 20th century; in most cases, they celebrate
a local educator or an important milestone in education (for example, Argentina
commemorates Domingo Faustino
Sarmiento's death on September 11 since
1915, while India celebrates Dr. Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan's
birthday on September 5 since 1962. This is the primary reason why countries
celebrate this day on different dates, unlike many other International Days.
The
birth date, [5 September 1888], of the second President of India, academic
philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan, is
celebrated day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the
usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks
and remembrance. In some schools, on this day senior students take the
responsibility of teaching in order to show their appreciation for the teacher.
Another day set aside for commemorating teachers in India
and Nepal is Guru Purnima, also called 'Ashad sukla purnima'. It typically falls in
mid-July. This Year it fell on July 12.
(2014)
22.
MANGALYA DHAARANAM AND SUMANGALI KRIYA IN HINDU WEDDING
Hindu marriage symbolizes not only the wedding
between and man and woman, but it also symbolizes mutual love, care, affection,
understanding, commitment, sacrifice, companionship, dedication, and surrender
by both the partners. Each and every ritual associated with the marriage has a
meaning. One such ritual is tying of Mangalyam. All
attention and eyes of the guests gathered to partake in wedding celebrations
mainly concentrates on Mangalya Dharanam at the
auspicious time pre -determined and announced. All other sounds are silenced by
the blowing wind pipes to focus only on the sacred mantra chanted at the
auspicious time of tying the three knots and declare the holy union between a
man and a woman. It is not only the yellow thread or the gold chain that has
the significance, but also the bond between two hearts and the protection
assured by each other. The mangalyam acts as fence for the married women, who
values it as her husband. Hindu women worship their mangalyam with
sindhoor (holy vermilion red powder) and even does
“Sumangali vratas” for the long-life of their husbands in festivals like
Varalakshmi Vrata, Gowri Habba, Karuva chauth etc.
(SEPTEMBER 2014)
23. INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE IN
ANCIENT DAYS IN HINDU SOCIETY
If we go through Hindu Sacred Puranas and
History we could come across several instances of inter-varna,
inter-racial, inter-planetary weddings and also polygamy, polygyny and
polyandry weddings, divorce , remarriage , widow marriages and love-bound
alliance outside marriage respected and honored by society. Such a trend
is also slowly showing its face in spite of strong condemnation by Hindu
Orthodoxy and religious monasteries and governmental controls,
now-a-days. Indian multiple laws are also helping the Hindu society in
that direction in some aspects. This discourse is mainly based on the Great
Epics and literary sources on Hindu Ancient and Medieval culture.
In ancient and medieval Hindu Society both Kanyaavivaaha
(marriage of a pre-puberty girl arranged by parents) and Praudhavivaaha
(marriage after attaining puberty) were prevalent. The wife known as Grihani
was considered as half of the husband and was also called Saamraajini
(The queen or the lady of the house) and had an equal share in the performance
of religious rites. Inter-varna marriages were frequent particularly with
Kshatriyas. Varnas later turned into castes, also got multiplied
and were based on one's birth even though earlier not necessarily so.
Divorce and remarriages of women were allowed under very special conditions.
Formal conversions into Hinduism from alien religions do not seem to have
existed. Foreigners just adopted the Hindu way of life and were absorbed
into the society. So indirectly there was inter-racial marriage in vogue.
Even the foreign invaders like the Sakas and Hunas were gracefully
accepted as Hindus. Hinduism of to-day can be considered a stock of
different races whose individual identity has been lost. This is amply
supported by Vedanta statement Vasudeka Kutumbakam, whole world is
one family based on Sanatana Dharma. This trend is showing up and
seen in Hindu American society. Among all the marriages, Braahma marriage was
considered superior to others. Only Kshatriyas were permitted to have Gaandharva
(secret marriages by choice) and Raakshaa marriages (Buying a girl for money or
by strength). In Daiva marriage Rishis often accepted girls from other
Varnas to be their wife. Tying of the mangalasutra (the thread with an amulet,
signifying auspiciousness to the rite) seems to be a later social custom, not
mentioned in Dharmasaastras. A Swastika as a pendant for mangalasutra
for inter-racial marriages in which one partner is Hindu is ideally
suited. In case of inter-caste marriages pendant-thalis of both the partners'
tradition are ideal. If one of them is not wedded to mangalasutra by tradition the
common tiger-tooth or bindu of Devi could adore thali. Since marriage was
considered a samskara or a sacrament, it was not considered as an obstacle to
spiritual evolution. We have thus family bound saints in Hinduism (like Jeer
among Srivaishnavas)).
When a lineage came to an end without a male issue among the
ruling class Rishis were requested for help who obliged children in
union with the lady leaving behind the temporary union to
take care of the country. This was not considered adultery or illicit alliance.
When the husband died early his widow often resorted to re-marry the husband's
brother.
(SEPTEMBER 2014)
24.
THE DICTUM DHARMO RAKSHATI RAKSHITAH IS BUILT INTO HINDU CULTURE
"On 27 September 2014, Jayalalithaa
was sentenced to four years in jail and fined Rs 100 crore by the Special Court
in Bangalore. She was convicted in an 18-year-old disproportionate assets case
that was launched by Subrahmanian Swamy of
the Bharatiya Janata Party on 20
August, 1996. Jayalalithaa's close aide Sasikala Natarajan, her niece
Ilavarasi, her nephew and the chief minister's disowned foster son Sudhakaran
were also convicted. They were sentenced to four years in jail and fined Rs 10
crores each. Special Judge John Michael D'Cunha convicted her to owning assets
to the tune Rs 66.65 crores (which includes 2,000 acres of land, 30 kg of gold
and 12,000 saris) disproportionate to her known sources of income during
1991-96 when she was chief minister for the first time. The verdict was
delivered at a makeshift court in the Parappana Agrahara prison complex in the
presence of Jayalalithaa and the other accused. She has automatically been
disqualified from the post of CM and legislative assembly of Tamil Nadu and is
the first chief minister to be disqualified".
How did the so-far successful
Jaya-lalita suddenly became Jail-Lalita? If you still remember one
of my famous quotes from Neetisastra you will not be surprised why
this happened. It is a logical conclusion. As a ruler she should have
fulfilled her obligation to protect Dharma. She failed. Hence in spite of her
late realization and running to Lord Ranganatha, reforming to be Dharmic, and
her being born on Makha Nakshatra she is not saved from perennial
disgrace and punishment. This is a timely warning to all
politicians in power today as this disease is wide-spread in Indian
politics.
The popular Hindu dictum Dharmo
rakshati rakshitaha (Dharma protects those who protect it) has two
implications in its statement. The first one is easier to understand: Dharmo
rakshati, meaning that Dharma offers protection. If we choose to live a
life guided by the principles of Dharma, then we are assured of that
protection. This understanding is ingrained in our thinking from childhood as
one grows up in India.
The other part of the phrase is: rakshitaha. This part brings us into the action. Why was this coined? That we human beings need protection is understandable. But rakshithaha implies that the concept itself needs protection too. This is interesting as it conveys the need to protect the very concept whose protection we are seeking. Dharma will protect you if you protect it. Now it is an equation. Thus long ago it appears there was this recognition that we cannot simply take it for granted that Dharma will reign supreme always and that there is no danger to it. Therefore a duty is imposed on those who seek such protection from Dharma, and that duty is to take care that this wonderful governing concept of life is not in any jeopardy.
Jayalalita completely ignored the
second part and ran for the first part running to Lord Ranganatha hoping He
will redeem her. In this connection it would be interesting to go through the
message of Sumathi Agambaranathan in Tamil as given in her Blog. I have here rendered a rough translation in English for those who do not understand Tamil.
“Iron Lady behind iron bars today!
Indeed many of us did not expect this decision by the court for
we thought whatever you do you will
come out of it scotch free.
If by chance this decision was in your favor, common man would
have lost complete faith in the justice
system.
Those who are born on the star of Makha are believed to be
ruling the world and it is rather distressing to see you locked in a cage who
roared like a lioness going round.
While many others who are outside the bars are not honest
too, why then you…
But even when you open your eye of wisdom a crime committed
remains a crime and hence this punishment seems to be justified.
Your daring attitude, self-confidence, intelligence, piety,
beauty, ruling has no match and you are unique!
You were never perturbed by the severe criticism of your
opponents, overcame their challenges bringing to fruition and ruled over the
male dominated world which deserves all applause!
The way you handled single-handed managing the affairs of your
party deserves appreciation!
You could face boldly all oppositions, and had the capacity to
take political decision in the face of their challenge “What Next”
Will anybody who takes up your job have the same Charisma you exhibited?
Yet while appreciating your great
talents, we feel sorry that your illustrious long political career
has come to an abrupt end by the devil of greed
and the undesirable friends. We are I am not angry, on the other hand I
feel sad!
All astrological predictions, sooth-sayings, Unnikrishna
Panicker and even Lord Ranganatha whom you worship have let you down. These do
not seem to be the conspiracy of your enemies. It looks the entire
universe has conspired against you.
Do not worry! We are not ready for obeying the orders of another
looting gang. Because, they too will meet the same fate as this; It is not too
far off.
At this juncture we are reminded of a script in a movie:
God only tries to test good people; but he will not desert them.
He will tempt with plenty bad people; but he will suddenly drop them.
Though your era has come to an end, it is not necessary that one
should remain in politics to serve people. We pray to God to give you strength
to bear the pain and give peace! What else can be done?
Dharma protects all and Dharma is to be protected by all!”
Concluding Remarks: India
looks forward that every man will be protected by following Dharma and expects
everyone to protect Dharma also. You alone are responsible for all your Karmas;
God will not come to your rescue for your past sins.
परस्य पीडया लब्धं धर्मस्योल्लंघनेन च आत्मावमानसंप्राप्तं न धनं तत् सुखाय वै--The wealth, which is earned by
troubling others, by disobeying the “Dharma” or even by swallowing (self)
insult; does not bring happiness.
(SEPTEMBER 2014)
25. PROLOGUE
TO SANDHYAVANDANAM RITUALS OF HINDUS
Sandhyavandanam is a Nityakarma (daily ritual) prescribed by
Hindu Sastras to all who have undergone Upanayana Samskaram and therefore restricted
to those called Dwijas. It unites the three paths of Karma,
devotion and Knowledge. Upanayana Samskara and Sandhyavandana ritual procedures as is
practiced to-day and earlier described in my 3 discourses are not found in
Vedas or Upanishads as such. But all the important mantras contained in them
are found in various Upanishads and particularly in Mahanarayana Upanishad
which is otherwise known as Yajniki Upanishad as it contains almost all ritual
mantras used in Hindu worship. Also Kesavaadi Tarapana, Japa and Achamana are
based on Paanchaatra Doctrine of Bhaagavata Vaishnava Tradition which has
found favor with all later sectarian traditions, like Bhagavadgeeta. Sruti Mantras absorbed into
Sandhyavandana mantras by Smritis later were meant for all humanity and were
not restrictive in nature as in Sandhyaavanadana ritual confined to Dwijas and males only. What a pity this Important
ritual is made restrictive like Upanayana Samskaara and Upakarma Kamokarshit
Japa and Homa for annual atonement (Prayschitaa) of sins by all?
Hindu Saastras enjoin that Nityakarmas like Sandhyavandana
should be performed at specified time. If such Karmas are performed
otherwise, although they may not cause injury they certainly will
not be efficacious. The three times prescribed for Sandhyavndana are the
Sandhya times where the stars meet the rising Sun and say good bye
announcing daylight, when the Sun meets the stars and takes leave
announcing the dusk and at Noon where the Sun shines at its peak and is over
our head casting no shadow. Sandhyavandana ritual enjoins the Arghya,
throwing water upwards and offer prayer to Sun God in the morning and
Mid-day and to Agni in the twilight period in the evening should be performed
at Sandhya periods and at noon. This necessitates to start these rituals
little earlier, and wait for the
auspicious time to offer Arghya. Of course Sandhyavandana ritual contains a
provision for any omission or commission by way way of Prayaschitta
(expiation).
The morning and evening Sandhis (meeting points) are more ideal
since, practically, a person's stomach will be empty at both sunrise and
sunset, when a person takes his meals systematically and punctually every
day. An empty stomach is achieved after four hours of a solid meal. An
empty stomach is a prerequisite for Sandhyavandanam since there are at least
three sets of Praanayama (controlling of Vital forces) totaling 15 in one full
routine. A loaded stomach will interfere with Praanayama greatly resulting in
indigestion, sleepiness etc. Even the Madhyahneekam (noon) routine is done with
an empty stomach before the meal.
Sankalpa, Aachamana, Praanaayaama, Kesavaadi Japa, Gayatree
Japa, Gayatree Arghya, Kesavaadi tarpana and Abhivaadanam seem to be the
essentials in Sandhyavandana. Despite various traditions--Vaishnava, Saiva,
Smaarta and Sakta, Achamana and Kesavaadi Japa and Tarpana are followed by all
traditions in spite of being directed to Chaturvimsati concept of Pancharatra
Vaishnavism similar to Bhagavadgeeta (Yogopanishad) of Bhaktimarga
Vaishnavism venerated by all.
Regular recitation of Sandhyavandanam helps regulating the blood
pressure and the postures in which the entire practice is performed helps in
overall muscle re-juvenation. Sandhyavandana routine includes Breathing exercises
(inhaling/breathing from one nostril and releasing the carbon-di-oxide through
other nostril and alternating vice versa called Praanaayaamam, thus expanding
and enlarging one’s lungs,
and improving his blood circulation level. Because of this routine practice
every one who undergoes this sort of training learns to control his breath and
learns to control his entire body mechanism. Look at Sun at noon with
aperture caused by Yama Paasa Mudra helps in revitalizing the eye with solar energy
without burning. Gaayatree Japa also improves memory power.
(OCTOBER 2014)
26. FUTURE OF HINDU
AMERICAN”S RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IS HARD TO PREDICT
What will the Hindu Temple look like to our future generation in
another 20 or 30 years? Current statistics and analysis on spiritual future
does not tell much about future even of a few decades from now. Thirty
years ago internet revolution was inconceivable. Now it has changed the way
people approach information, community, entertainment, religion, worship and
truth. Some of my discourses through internet look like questioning many
of our current religious practices and spiritual way of thinking as I recollect
and reflect often people’s minds from the reactions I receive? It is
reasonable to think Hinduism will continue to thrive in some form or other
based on 5000 years of history of which we know though it has
increased in its complexity and confusion particularly noticed
living away from India.
Even with all orthodox religious focus in India among Hindus by
so many monasteries, Hinduism has changed a lot. Hinduism is more
a nomenclature given to a conglomeration of heterogeneous
traditions and plurality of beliefs and worship with a long history of
development from the Vedic sacrificial religion through the worship of Epic and
Puranic heroes and personal deities, cults and sects, as well as philosophical
systems rather than to a monolithic tradition or a structure based on a single
system of beliefs and worship or a single text as scripture. We have seen
in recent centuries several human beings declaring themselves to be either
Avatars or representatives of the Supreme Being or their devotees superimposing
the Avatars on their preceptors or Gurus. We may soon have multiracial resourced
Avatars with Hindu history not necessarily of Hindu origin. This will even get
more complicated in the near future with the changing pattern of Hindu American
society which may only have a cross reference to the past and reduce our future
generation to American of Hindu origin yet another change in Hinduism.
I was introduced to a fellow Hindu American referring to my
blog with its spiritual and religious content. He bluntly replied “I do not
understand all that religious/spiritual stuff; I am happy with my physical
exercise and life pursuits to enjoy life. I am not worried about
religion”. Evidently he leads a good life and seems to need no moral or
spiritual help.Only the have not or over-ambitious are worried?
Only half the trends we can identify now will have any relevance
30-40 years hence. By then we will have a new wave of Hindu Americans based on
Interfaith or influenced by atheism or Pluralism that is plaguing even
Christianity which is blaming Hinduism. Now denominations of all sorts
look embattled, facing new generations that don’t care about doctrinal disputes
and judgmental habits of the past. The other half will unfold from the
unfathomable unknown based on changed parameters. Whatever the scenario, three
questions loom for religious congregations and spiritual leaders. They
will press on us as long as human beings keep up the hunt for spiritual
answers and divine presence: 1) Is belief in God necessary for a moral
society, or can it function without God? 2) What does it mean to say Vedas are
true? 3) How is God communicating with us today? How people respond
to these questions will go far in shaping the predictably unpredictable future
of our religious life.
It's commonly accepted that science and spirituality are not
compatible. Science is considered our reliable way forward, while spirituality
often regarded as a sentimental relic of our past we can't quite let go of. So
to say it is necessary for the two to work together may seem unrealistic. For
centuries, science has led our progress; spirituality, as indicated through
participation in orthodox religion has been in steady decline. But the
unorganized, personal aspect of spirituality is the subjective pursuit of
value, reality, and understanding through individual experience or
consciousness. This aspect of spirituality has not declined. Instead, the drive
to find external solutions to global problems that have value to our interior
world is more powerful than ever. The scale of our planet's problems is too
great to be solved without an integrated approach of science and spirituality.
The power of consciousness needs the systematization of the scientific method,
and the tools of science depend on the wisdom and creativity of individual
consciousness to guide it in a meaningful direction.
More and more scientists are recognizing this need -- in part
because fundamental science has come to a place where the ultimate questions of
matter and creation cannot be understood unless consciousness is accounted for
and factored in. Consciousness may well be the common ground on which the
objective and subjective worlds are derived and united. With this vision,
scientists and spiritualists have begun to meet and discuss solutions to
global issues of health, hunger, conflict resolution, climate change, global
conflicts and economic injustice from a perspective that joins science and
spirituality. Are we ready for such a change in our religious practices?
(JANUARY 2015)
27. NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM HINDU REFLECTIONS
I
was focusing on what to write in a New Year E-mail message to
suit all of you. First of all you may be wondering why I would rush to
send a New Year greetings for January 1 while I have spoken so much
against it. I could have postponed it to Pongal Harvest/Makara Sankranti or
earlier heralded UPK on Winter Solstice Day on Dec. 22. But the material-wise
America says join the crowd; you will reach your goal somehow, as
majority dictates and rules. Though a follower of Ramanuja I drew moral support
from Sankara to decide on sending you my NEW YEAR Greetings. Sankara talked so
much on Advaita saying he and Supreme are one and yet stood before Lord
Viswanatha praying and bowing expressing his 3 mistakes in life. So, I thought
I too could make mistakes and follow him and send my greetings though
spoke against it ! In the Year 2013, 1.2 billion real trees were cut for
Christmas Celebration. So planting more trees in the coming year may be a
good message. Some say save the pig in Face book probably afraid of ISIS
than China! Christian Nativity parks diplomatically avoid Holy cow
and Muslim hated pig in Nativity display, but cow manger they would
not forget. In fact they should have made cow holy for it gave shelter to the
Lord leaving the manger empty for his arrival in the New Year message!
But they enjoy stake! Probably Mohammed enjoyed New Year eve too. So
Muslims do celebrate New Year Eve with Christians, some times even with booze
when nobody notices it. There is no Fatwa on New Year Eve celebration as
they are yet to find out January 1 is the Circumcision Day of Jesus
Christ like American Hindus who unknowingly rush to the Temple to
pay obeisance to Jesus! They all enjoy, why should I join the rare
few who want to chant Gaayatree Japa for Viswashanti World Peace on
a World Booze Day? Our Muslim musicians need booze, so also most of our
Hindu Americans! Champagne is like Somapaana(divine drink)) and is
not a booze we say like we say American cows are not holy! However my
task was made easy and my confused mind made clear by my well
wisher who sent me these novel greetings which I thought I will
send you also gratefully acknowledging as a fellow traveller on the same
flight. May I invite you to join us too! It is a safe day to
travel as ISIS and Al Qaeda are busy in boozing and dancing on New Year Eve and
would not travel or disturb us or Geetaa chanting. May be that is what prompted
our Hindu crowd to choose this day for Geetaa Chanting? New Year
eve is a novel way of keeping ISIS and Al Qaeda home unlike 1/1 or 9/11!
Do you know Pongal days are prohibited days to travel by Sastras for
Tamils? It is to keep them confined to home for food sharing and caring!
We are Hindu Americans. Sastra or no sastra safety is our concern! We have
temple everywhere but few are sacred in America too!. May be a flight to
Pittsburgh is a good idea to watch special colorful Abhishekam where
Bhakti overflows the drains to make our New Year resolution
and forget!
The Boarding on Flight 
2015 has
been announced…
2015 has
been announced…
Your luggage
should only contain the best souvenirs from 2014 ....
The bad and sad moments should be left in the garbage
....
The duration of the flight will be 12 months ....
So, tighten your seat belt ....
So, tighten your seat belt ....
The next stop-overs will be ...
Health, Love, Joy, Harmony, Well-Being and Peace ....
The captain offers you the following menu which will
be served during the flight ....
A Cocktail of Friendship
A Supreme of Health
A Gratin of Prosperity
A Bowl of Excellent News
A salad of Success
A Cake of Happiness
All accompanied by bursts of laughter ....
A Cocktail of Friendship
A Supreme of Health
A Gratin of Prosperity
A Bowl of Excellent News
A salad of Success
A Cake of Happiness
All accompanied by bursts of laughter ....
Wishing you and your family an enjoyable trip on board
of flight 2015
....
2015
....
Before 2014 Ends ....
Let Me Thank All The Good People Like You ....
Who Made 2014 Beautiful For Me ....
Thank Him or Her for inspiring me to serve you spiritually.....
Let Me Thank All The Good People Like You ....
Who Made 2014 Beautiful For Me ....
Thank Him or Her for inspiring me to serve you spiritually.....
I Pray You be Blessed With Fruitful Year Ahead ....
I Wish You All-- A Fantastic JANUARY; Lovable FEBRUARY; Marvellous MARCH; Foolish APRIL; Enjoyable MAY; Successful JUNE; Wonderful JULY; Happy AUGUST; Powerful SEPTEMBER; Tastiest OCTOBER; Beautiful NOVEMBER; Accomplishment Reviewing DECEMBER to plan ahead!
I Wish You All-- A Fantastic JANUARY; Lovable FEBRUARY; Marvellous MARCH; Foolish APRIL; Enjoyable MAY; Successful JUNE; Wonderful JULY; Happy AUGUST; Powerful SEPTEMBER; Tastiest OCTOBER; Beautiful NOVEMBER; Accomplishment Reviewing DECEMBER to plan ahead!
Have A VICTORIOUS VISIONARY YEAR ! ACT SPIRITUALLY! SERVE YOURSELF WHILE SERVING OTHERS!
28.
ASvini in AND VEDIC CULTURE OF LITHUANIA
You might
have read about the twin-brothers Aswins who are divine doctors referred in my
discourse on Ayurveda.
These are
twin deities, always described or worshiped or praised together. What exactly
they represent is a moot point. While some say that they represent the earth
and the sky, there are others who opine that they stand for night and day or
the moon and the Sun. That they are once kings who acquired extraordinary
merit, and elevated to the position of
Gods is another guess that is also hazarded tomes.
They
represent the semi darkness before dawn. They pervade this world with moisture
and light. Described as eternally young and handsome, they are the youngest of
the Gods, However their chief Characteristic is that they are constantly striving to do good to
others. They are expert physicians and surgeons and know the arts of healing, rejuvenation,
and even plastic surgery! Being supplicated, they can grant boons like
children, food, wealth, health and protection from enemies. Hence one should
never fail to provoke them during sacrifices (yajnas)
Their
brief description is as follows:
"The Ashvins or Ashwini Kumaras in Hindu
mythology, are two Vedic
gods, divine
twin horsemen in
the Rigveda,
sons of Saranyu (daughter
of Vishwakarma), a
goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in
his form as Vivasvant. They symbolize the shining of sunrise and sunset,
appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot, bringing treasures to
men and averting misfortune and sickness. They are the doctors of gods and
are devas of Ayurvedic medicine.
They are represented as humans with head of a horse. In the epic Mahabharata,
KingPandu's
wife Madri is
granted a son by each Ashvin and bears the twins Nakula and Sahadeva who,
along with the sons of Kunti, are known as the Pandavas.
They are also called Nasatya (dual nāsatyau "kind,
helpful") in the Rigveda; later, Nasatya is the name of one
twin, while the other is calledDasra ("enlightened
giving"). By popular etymology, the name nāsatya is often
incorrectly analysed as na+asatya "not
untrue"="true".
Various Indian holy books like Mahabharata, Puranas etc., relate
that Ashwini Kumar brothers, the twins, who were Raja Vaidhyas (Royal
Physicians) to Devas during Vedic times, first
prepared Chyawanprash formulatiofor Chyawan Rishi at his
Ashram on Doshi
Hill near Narnaul, Haryana, India, hence the
name Chyawanprasha. The
Ashvins can be compared with the Dioscuri (the
twins Castor and Pollux)
of Greek and Roman
mythology, and especially to the divine twins Ašvieniai of
the ancient Baltic religion".
Please
find below a detailed narration on Vedic people of Lithuania. You may spread
the message attached through your Facebook and Twitter as desired by the
authors as I do not operate any of them due to my limited working knowledge in
computers. During my long sojourn in then called USSR I had visited Lithuania
and seen such house portals with twin-head horse but did not
understand why? I knew they loved horses but why the twin head? Now
I know this just reminded their ancient ties with Vedic people.
“If you were to travel to Lithuania you might encounter some
traditional houses adorned with the motif of two horse heads. You might take
this as a simple design but it is in fact a small clue to Lithuania's deep and
ancient Vedic past.
Traditionally, the Vedic peoples of Lithuania worshipped the
Ašvieniai, the divine horse twins, related to the goddess Ūsinis. They are said
to pull the Sun Chariot through the sky. The Lithuanian people continue to
adorn their roof tops with the symbol of the divine horse twins in order to
receive protection for the household.
In India the complete Vedic tradition has been preserved. There
the divine horse twins are known as the Ashvins, the children of the Sun god
Surya, who are summoned by the goddess Ushas (morning dawn) and appear as the
morning and evening sunlight. They are often known as Nasatya (Kind, Helpful)
and Dasra (Enlightened Giving). They are practitioners of Ayurveda as the
doctors of thedevas (demigods), and it is for this reason that people adorn
their roofs with their image - so that the residing family may remain healthy.
They are most notable for granting the divine twins of King Pandu - Nakula and
Sahadev, who along with Yudhisthira, Bhima, and Arjuna made up the Pandavas of
the Mahabharata
Lithuanian is very archaic and has preserved linguistically a
great deal from Sanskrit, the original Mother Language of Europe. Below are a
few examples of the linguistic similarities:
Asva(Lithuanian)=Ashva(Sanskrit)
meaning 'horse'
Dievas (Lithuanian)=Devas (Sanskrit) meaning 'gods', 'the shining ones';
Dumas (Lithuanian)=Dhumas(Sanskrit) meaning 'smoke'
Sunus (Lithuanian)=Sunus(Sanskrit) meaning 'son'
Vyras(Lithuanian)=Viras(Sanskrit) meaning 'man'
Padas(Lithuanian)=Padas(Sanskrit) meaning 'sole of the foot'
Ugnis(Lithuanian)=Agnis(Sanskrit) meaning 'fire'
Vilkas(Lithuanian)=Vrkas(Sanskrit) meaning 'wolf'
Ratas(Lithuanian)=Rathas(Sanskrit) meaning 'carriage'
Senis(Lithuanian)=Sanas(Sanskrit) meaning 'old'
Dantis(Lithuanian)=Dantas(Sanskrit) meaning 'teeth'
Naktis(Lithuanian)=Naktis(Sanskrit) meaning 'night'
Dievas (Lithuanian)=Devas (Sanskrit) meaning 'gods', 'the shining ones';
Dumas (Lithuanian)=Dhumas(Sanskrit) meaning 'smoke'
Sunus (Lithuanian)=Sunus(Sanskrit) meaning 'son'
Vyras(Lithuanian)=Viras(Sanskrit) meaning 'man'
Padas(Lithuanian)=Padas(Sanskrit) meaning 'sole of the foot'
Ugnis(Lithuanian)=Agnis(Sanskrit) meaning 'fire'
Vilkas(Lithuanian)=Vrkas(Sanskrit) meaning 'wolf'
Ratas(Lithuanian)=Rathas(Sanskrit) meaning 'carriage'
Senis(Lithuanian)=Sanas(Sanskrit) meaning 'old'
Dantis(Lithuanian)=Dantas(Sanskrit) meaning 'teeth'
Naktis(Lithuanian)=Naktis(Sanskrit) meaning 'night'
In the Anglo-Saxon tradition also, it is said that two German brothers Hengist ("Stallion") and Horsa ("Horse") led the armies that conquered Britain. Many believe this is a continuation of the original tradition of the Vedic horse twins. Similar to Lithuania, you will find the same tradition of horse-headed gables on roofs throughout Germany in honor of Hengist and Horsa. So the next time you travel through Europe and see these horse gabled roofs, smile and realize their connection to Europe's ancient Vedic past.”
29. THE LEGEND OF TULASI IN CHRISTIANITY
Every
religious Hindu lady lights the lamp, waters the Tulasi plant, worships and
circum-ambulates as soon as she takes bath. Its stem, leaf seeds and even the
soil is considered holy. It is the choice leaf for the worship of Lord Vishnu
and his incarnations. A tulasi leaf is always placed on the food offered to the
Lord. I have already explained in detail as to why we worship tulasi while
describing the Uttaana dwadasi ritual along with the mythological story behind
it. For Hindus it is one of the most
sacred plants. In fact, it is known to
be only thing used in worship which once used, can be washed and re -used in
worship as it is regarded as self-purifying. The tulasi leaf has great
medicinal value and is used to cure ailments, including the common cold. This
ancient sacred plant used in Hindu worship had even influenced Christianity as
seen in the attached article provided by courtesy IndiaDivine.org.
I
have in the past circulated some articles in which the influence of Hinduism
can be seen in several European cultures—Worship of cow, Vedic religion in
Lithuania and Germany and Greece etc. We should not stop at taking pride in
glorifying the past but should also realize the changes that are taking place in India and particularly
overseas where Hindus are settled. More and more inter-caste marriages are
becoming popular in India breaking all caste-barriers and including marriage
into Christian faith. Marriage between partners of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism,
Sikhism and Arya samaj are not looked upon with disfavor. By their own wrong
following of their religion and violent action Muslims have moved away from the
scene except on rare occasions as seen in Cinema industry or based on individual
experiences. In USA the most preferred wedding between the couples attracted by love is
between Hinduism and Christianity. If Hinduism has to shine in its past glory
and become popular among the future generations between interfaith married
couples, we have to go back to Hinduism where we started with the
maxims.--Atmavat sarvabhooteshu, Krinvanto viswamarryam, eko viprah bahudaa
vadanti, sarvejanaah sukhino bhavantu. These
should reflect in our daily worship and acts of Dharma. Yoga,
meditation, focus on spirituality and Universal Oneness seem to be the right
methods by which we can preserve the past glory of Hinduism and make it also
attractive to all people of all religions. The alternative is to support the
Growing atheism promoted by China and Russia. People are getting fed up with
regulated faith based religions and Vedanta seems to be the Future religion as
Vivekananda once vehemently said when he placed his foot on the American soil.
30.
HINDU WOMEN IN THE REALM OF RELIGION
Released on the
occasion of International Woman's day in March 2015 with the theme
"Empowering women --empowering Humanity; Picture it" by Hindu
Reflections.
International
Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to
celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played
an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.
UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said: “To be truly trans-formative, the post-2015
agenda must prioritize gender equality and women’s empowerment. The world will
never realize 100 percent of its goals if 50 percent cannot realize
their full potential".
March
2015 marks Woman's History Month, a time to celebrate and critically
assess the ways in which women's right have and have not
progressed around the world. In the realm of religion, there is
still a lot of work has to be done as many faith
traditions continue to bar women from seeking ordination (religious order) and
fail to recognize the important role women play in the spiritual lives of their
communities.
The
stated role of women in Hinduism varies from one of equal
status with men, to one of restriction in many aspects of life. Elements which
determine the role of women in Hinduism include scriptural texts, historical
era, location, context within the family and tradition. Some see Hinduism
itself as the repressive force. Others argue that the lower status of Hindu
women is the result of culture and custom rather than religion, citing the
Vedic literature where women may be given the status of goddess, and noting their shakti (force)
without which, the status of man would be nil (Siva without Sakti is Sava). You
may kindly recall how Rama had to make an icon of his
wife, Seeta, in order to perform Asvamedha Yaaga ( Horse fire sacrifice).
In
the Vedic Era women dominated the social scene and were the virtual head of the
family; “Samraajyedhi shwashu-reshu samraajyut devrishu nanaanduh
samraajyedhi samraajyut shushravah”—May your father-in-law respect you as the
head of the household, may your brother-in-law and sister-in-law accept your
instructions and may your mother-in-law respect you as the Queen in the family
(Atharva veda). In the ritualistic worship the woman’s role was very
significant. Both husband and wife offered all the prayers jointly which
practice is continuing even today and insisted upon.
Hindu
American Woman often gets the nickname Helicopter Mother hovering around her
child watching every-step of its progress and driving it to achieve even
things which child feels impossible. In the case of parents coming from
differing religious followings, it is the Hindu Mother that prevents the child
from turning atheist though confused by the parentage and brings home the
merits of uniqueness of liberal Hinduism to her husband and children. She
succeeds in convincing her partner that Sanatana Dharma the basis
on which Hinduism is currently practiced in many ways could be followed by all
in the world as Universal Religion and Religion of the Future. In such families
the family either turns to Hinduism or become indifferent to any religious
following. Of late one does not fail to notice such families attending Hindu
American Temples in groups where Hindu temples are kept open for
all unlike the sectarian, conservative and orthodox Hindu Temples of
India.
Hindu
society is known for its famous devotional woman musicians, Bhajan
singers, temple dancers and Harikatha Kaalakshepam Pauranikas (religious
story tellers and narrators) and philosophers from time immemorial which
trend is continuing even in present days when woman prefer to be
professional workers and job seekers like men, claiming equality status.
Yet we do not find Mathaadhipatis (heads of monastic institutions) in reputed
maths and priests in temples or ritual guides (vadhyars or pandits)as far
as my knowledge goes. May be this is not feasible as women do not undergo
Upanayana samskaram and study Vedas as in the case of Brahmavadins of Vedic
days! Why woman priests are few and far between in
non-traditional liberal Hindu Temples like Hare Krishna Temples,
Saibaba Temples and Swami Narayan Temples is anybody's Guess? Please go
through the detailed discourse on the Blog. Your suggestions to improve the
same are welcome.
31. INTERFAITH HARMONY
The popular narrative in media and textbooks on the South Asian
American population is that they've only existed in the United States for a few
decades.
But such a narrative misrepresents and obscures a much longer
history, especially at the turn of the century, when several thousand Indians
settled in regions like Northern California. It's the largely untold story of
the migration of Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims from pre-partition India from the
late 19th century up until the passage of the Asian Exclusion Act (which was passed to limit Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, and
Indian migration).
Even before the act was passed, migrants from India faced
many obstacles, including systemic discrimination and outright violence. The 1907 "anti-Hindoo" riots in Bellingham, Washington, for example,
targeted mostly Sikh laborers whom whites had accused of stealing lumber jobs.
Bellingham is only about an hour north of Bothell, Washington, where a Hindu temple was recently
vandalized.
Still, in their small conclaves, the immigrants of
different faiths began to find ways to develop a community identity, in part
because they were largely shunned by whites. At the time, about two-thirds of
Indian immigrants in California at the turn of the century were Sikh, and as a
result, the Pacific Coast Khalsa Diwan Society - a Gurdwara - opened in
Stockton in 1911.
Because Hindus and Muslims in the region were still small in
number, and unable to get the approvals to build any sites of worship, the Stockton gurdwara served as a place of worship for all three
religions. While
Hindu-Sikh co-worship was common in northern India for centuries, a place for
all three groups in the United States was created by circumstance and sustained
through interfaith bonds.
Over the next three decades, the Khalsa Diwan hosted Hindu
leaders and Muslim leaders alike, including the Hindu leader Swami Yogananda,
who founded the Self-Realization Fellowship and authored the
world-renowned Autobiography of a Yogi. Moreover, it served as
a meeting ground for those seeking to build support for the Indian freedom
struggle, especially those involved with the Ghadar Party. Despite having different religions, Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus
still felt strongly connected to India and identified strongly with
Indian Nationalism.
While the Gurdwara did not permit non-Sikhs from holding
leadership positions, both Hindus and Muslims felt intimately connected to the
house of worship, attending Sikh celebrations such as Gurpurab, which
commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak. Baisakhi, a harvest festival celebrated
by Sikhs and most Punjabi Hindus, was also a community celebration at a time
when Indians were largely isolated.
Even after Muslim and Hindu populations in Stockton and other
parts of Northern California grew, they continued to come occasionally to the
Khalsa Diwan Society out of respect for the shared history of the groups. While
the India-Pakistan partition in 1947 diminished some of the interfaith
cooperation, the Gurdwara continued to keep its doors open to Hindus and
Muslims. Even the Khalistani Sikh separatist movement that began in the late 1960s in India
didn't hurt ties among the older generation of the community living in
Stockton.
Today, the legacy of Khalsa Diwan Society is a reminder that
Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities have had a longstanding history of
cooperation and collaboration in this country. In California, for instance, the
state's long overdue frameworks revision could incorporate this history in order to help normalize
understanding about the presence of the three religious groups - and their
friendship - long before post-1965 immigration became the dominant narrative
about South Asian Americans.
From a practical sense, the story of a Gurdwara built over
a century ago might even provide a model today in areas where the three faiths
continue to be small and marginalized, and where the search for both community
and safe space remains elusive.
Can Jews, Christians and Muslims coming from the same source--
Abraham and having the same God (Abrahamic Religions) can come together and
establish peace in the World and serve as examples to others? May
be Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism at least can come together!
Hi is a revealing article as a mantle for inter faith harmony
when blended can resonate symphony honoring the ancestry in prose and
poetry only blinded we are wounded by war of ideology and splitting theology
forgetting our origin from same source of one divine force divided by
following different prophets which only begets hate defining our fate which
is unrest from east to west which can only be solved by everyone
looking within to be thawed to extend hands of friendship by doing common
worship to one God .
32. PANCHAKARMAS OF PANCHARATRA TRADITION
Everyone
needs to undergo Pancha Samskaras besides the customary Samskaras, though this
is prominently seen in Srivaishanva Tradition of Ramnuja. All followers of
Vishnu follow the same. The first two samskaras are Tapa and Pundra. Some
religious groups impart Tapa by marking the recipient’s body in various
places with the symbols of Lord Vishnu’s conch, disc, club and lotus using hot
silver icon branding. Nama or
name is the third samskara. Guru or Acharya utters the name of Hari
into the ear of the faithful recipient. Fourth samskara is Mantra. It is
uttered into the ears of the recipient by the Guru. Yaga or Archa is the
fifth and final samskara. A person
without yaga has no life and he is forced to accept the results of his karma.
This is a Nityakarma (daily duty) mandated by Sastras (scriptures) for
all. Samskaras exist in all religions and in all countries.
They are all inspired by Sanatana Dharma.
During 'SamAshrayanam', a
Vaishnava e ritual the Guru initiates a
person, irrespective of caste, creed or sex, as his disciple . It is a
commitment from the disciple that he or she will live as per the wishes of
the Guru. Thus the person gets the link to the Sri Vaishnava Traditon.
During SamAshrayanam, Pancha SamskAra
(five Purifications) is performed and he or she becomes a "Sri Vaishnava".
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-is-pancha-samskara.html
32.
HINDUS CAN’T CLAIM SANSKRIT THEIR OWN AND VEDIC ORIGIN?
You
come across some sensational news from time to time some politically
motivated and some as genuine information based on fresh discovery saying
something is not Hindu and the counterclaim it is Hindu. By and
large any doctrine in religion we invariably find is from Sanatana
Dharma though Hinduism we practice today is far from Sanatana Dharma.
Hindus hold on to Vedas and Bhagavad Gita to which other religions have
not turned their thoughts though they are meant for all human beings on this
planet. Even among us very few understand them being in Sanskrit but we get
over through interpretations by many, Aagamas and several
translations. We also consider Sanskrit is ancient and Mother of all Languages
and is a Hindu heritage.
We
heard about the evidence of Vedic culture in Lithuania and Mitahrism of Rome
and now about the Mittnis of Tigris Euphretis Valley each one claiming it as as
its own culture and Hindus claiming it is all based on Vedic culture.
Hindus today claim everything as their own what comes from a Universal
Tradition of Sags as theirs which may be called Religion of Sanatana Dharma for
Humanity. The basic principles of all religions have the same
source of Sanatana Dharma; only people have moved out, brought out
a new concept of dharma as religion taking a part of it here and there
by way of group following and even its script to claim
ownership including present day Hindus. As Hindus often refer to Vedas
and Bhagavadgita (a compendium of Upanishads) more often than not this claim
apparently seems to be appropriate though not in reality. Others have found the
language and the text difficult to understand and have scant respect for
them. Truth cannot be different for each religion and so it all
converges to Hinduism. Fortunately many of the Indian languages are derived
from Sanskrit, and if not, closer to Sanskrit.
The
present excitement about these articles is due to certain political events. Indian government enthusiastically participated in the 16th World Sanskrit Conference in Bangkok
after celebrating Yoga International Day. Not only it sent
250 Sanskrit scholars but also partly funded the event; the
conference saw the participation of two senior cabinet ministers:
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who inaugurated the
conference and Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, who
attended its closing ceremony on July 2. Inexplicably, Swaraj also
announced the creation of the post of Joint Secretary for Sanskrit in the Ministry
of External Affairs. It may not be too far-fetched this is made an
issue and taken to UN to claim its origin to Hinduism and India. But
unfortunately having neglected Sanskrit for too long that had its swan's song
as a spoken language and therefore cannot be taken to UN to be its official
language.
Both Devanagari and some of the South Indian scripts are the
evolutes of Brahmi and Kharoshthi Scripts. Though memorization was the practice
in ancient days script was needed for a written language. The later Brahmi
script was the script of Ancient Malaysia. A very large number of
Malayan words are of Sanskrit origin. Soviet archaeologists
have found the remains of a giant Buddhist Cave-monastery inside the Kara-Tepee
Hill in Termez (now in Uzbekistan). Of particular interest in this
context is the discovery of inscriptions in different languages including the
Brahmi and the Kharoshti scripts. The Russian and Lithuanian languages are
very close to Sanskrit. The Thai language has many Sanskrit words, though in a
distorted form.
As far as Sanskrit (sushtu kritam samskritam) is
concerned as the name suggests it is a well-made
earliest language with grammar and Chandas (Prpsody) for the first time
based on present day evidences. It is the language of the Vedas and Vedic
people who ever they may be. It is also interesting to note Sanskrit
should have come out of a spoken dialect Prakrit which was popular in
North India even after Puranic period though historians think the other way.
Here is a quote from Vedanta Desika showing the dialect and the emerged
Literary Sanskrit.
Purisaa tunja vuhooee
acchua laccheea itthiaasannaaoe--Prakrit
Purushaas-tava vibhootih
saapi sreerbhavati tava kim punarita--Literary Grammar Sanskrit
There
are evidences today Vedic people met a well cultured society as they moved down
to Gangetic Valley and others who are also traced back to Harappa and
Mohenjadaro pre-vedic culture. It is also said Tamil Language the
fore -runner of Sanskrit existed even before the Vedas came into existence as
explained in my text “Sanskrit is Divine, Can Tamil be too?” Who knows
one day research findings may link it to the language spoken by Mitannis?
Mittani spoken language and the so called earlier Tamil may all converge
to the dialect Prakrit the fore-runner of Sanskrit Language. The author
does not give the examples of spoken language of Mittanis. His conclusions are
based on some names which sound Sanskrit which could also be
Prakrit! Vedas also need the help of Nighant to understand the
Vedic Sanskrit. Nighant is particular type of Sanskrit glossary
containing brief annotations of obscure and difficult words grouped into
thematic categories. Sanskrit language also came out with first language
dictionary in the world--Amarakosa. On the basis of these facts
available today it is safe to conclude Vedic people were the first to set
standards for a written as well as spoken language. This is
evident from Vedangas without which Vedas can't be understood. It is well
established that Panini Grammar, the earliest for any
language, equivalent of Tamil Tolkappiyam was a much earlier
literary work and also for any language. I am sure the conference
would have focused on these points. Based on this Sanskrit leads all languages
in the literary world as Mother of All Languages.
Somebody
might ask me why I should worry for all these things and what way it
benefits as followers of Sanatana Dharma. Vedas too talk about the then
prevailing culture, the society and also about grammar, prosody, Kalpa
and Nighant. Knowledge about the past is welcome as Mittu N.
Rama Prasad says in his Poetic Composition with better
convincing explanation. I am not interested in getting into a controversy
with the author of the above information or any other as to liturgical
Sanskrit but would like to bring the facts as to the origin and growth of
Sanskrit based on present day facts known to us.
http://nrsrini.blogspot.com/2015/09/is-sanskrit-language-of-tndian-or-hindu.html
34. MODERN SCIENCE
IN HINDU SCRIPTURES—MOSTLY ACCURATE, MINIM WRONG
Vedas often enlighten us and occasionally mislead us too on
Modern Science. I have been talking about the spiritual wisdom of Vedas
all the time but never talked about certain wrong statements on secular
educational thinking that have been brought to my notice by many learned
readers. I have been focusing in the past on knowing the Truth and not
the Untruth. Let me for example mention one major wrong statement contained in
Vedas that Sun goes round the Earth. For all the people of the world
but for Indian Astrologers our Sun never moves like all other stars
in our milky way. Only the planets and satellites move. Lord
Krishna says in Gita that he is a Moon among stars (nakshatra). Moon is neither
a star twinkling in the sky nor an
astrological star among 27 Nakshatrs or segments of Zodiacal sign.
Deep in Vedas
are hidden the following facts: The precision of the movements of
the heavenly bodies is something the ancients keenly observed: the spinning of
the earth on its axis gives us a day; the spinning of the moon around the earth
gives us a month (waning & waxing); the spinning of both around the sun
gives us a year. Interestingly, the moon rotates on its axis at exactly the
same rate it takes to rotate around the earth. The effect of this is to cause
the moon to appear as if standing still with the same face always pointed
towards the earth. Another interesting fact, during a total solar eclipse the
size of the Moon is exactly in proportion to block out the Sun, despite the Sun
having a diameter 400 times that of the Moon. This is due to the fact that the
distance between the Earth and the Sun is 400 times that between the Earth
and Moon. Hanuman Chaaleesaa was written by Goswami
Tulasidas in Awadhi language in the 15th century. To an
inquiring mind the poetic composition reveals the distance between the Sun and
earth had been calculated much more accurately than the 17th century scientists
even two centuries before. There are still many elements and precious
jewels of information that are being kept hidden from us. The ocean of history
is before you, dive in and dig the jewels out.
Why
some wrong things are not corrected though few and far between which are still
found in Vedas and Bhagavad Gita? These Holy Scriptures have been
never corrected like what happened in Holy Bible. Different sages we come
across in the Upanishads were great thinkers and mystics in their own thought,
who have given independent views, based on their own logic, which may not agree
with modern views, based on their own logic and experience to suit the
time. Sankara said “Brahma satyam
jaganmithyam” --Brahman alone is Truth; everything else is false. Later
philosophers said the Brahman is real and visible world is also
real as he has entered the world as its antaryamin (inner Self). Both quote
Vedas and Brahma sutras as authority. It is obvious Vedas too contain such
contradicting statements. Probably our interpretations are wrong and have their
limitations in understanding the language of Vedas. Even scientific knowledge
is not one time finding and final. Based on further research scientific
facts have been continuously revised. Yet another problem is we deify our
scriptures as holy and sacred and want to believe in each word ignoring the
time in which they came to human lime light. The Ancient Hindu
Sages had no advanced astronomical instruments; they had yoga and few had
spiritual power and divine vision.
It
is true here and there in early Vedic literature we come across wrong
scientific facts and logic. Later by yoga and meditation these sages reached
perfection and came with many amazing discoveries which are even true today. We
would be benefited if we ignore few of these absurdities but focus on the large
wisdom Vedas provide. I am not a blind worshiper of Vedas, Upanishads and
Bhagavadgeeta but I respect them and feel always benefited by the wisdom
contained in them.
Some Vedic
facts have been refined or clarified in later Sastras and Puranas. Also Vedic
Sanskrit comes out with different meanings based on interpretations from
scholars. You have an example cited in my discourse how modern value of
Precession in Bhaskaracharya’s work based on Surya siddhanta was proved false
by wrong translation of scriptural Sanskrit by a foreigner. I
do not want to say that all ancient scriptures are true and should be blindly
followed. But it is equally wrong to deride them as outdated and obscurantist
just because they could not be understood by us. We have yet to
discover the real Wonder that is India. Researches and discoveries are
going on. Unless and until ancient texts are proven false, it is suicidal to
reject them.
This discourse as
indicated includes following interesting appendices that reveal the
research work that is on the anvil and contemplated upon to find more of
the scientific facts and historic truths. Your comments are always
welcome if you know more about them:
1) Modern Value of
Precession in Bhaskaracharya’s Work based on Suryasiddhanta 2) New finds
take archaeologists closer to Krishna 3) The Date of the Mahabharata War
4) When did Kaliyuga start?
(January 2016)
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