Saturday, November 29, 2014

Why do we yawn ?



Science says it is the reaction of the body when the oxygen level goes down.

Tvashta ( a form of Sun god ) had a son called Trishiras. His mother belonged to the asura clan. Trishiras was made the priest of devas. Owing allegiance to both sides, Trishiras while offering oblations to devas also shared them clandestinely with the asuras. Indra came to know about this and beheaded him.

Agitated, Tvashta performed a soma yaga. He did not invite Indra to it. However, Indra came in and forcibly drank the soma and went away. Tvashta poured the remaining soma in Agni and chanting mantra created an asura called Vritra to kill Indra. Vritra started expanding his body and enveloping the three worlds. In the process, Agni and Soma got trapped inside Vritra's mouth.

Upon seeing the enormity of his enemy Indra approached Brahma who gave him Vajrayudha with which to kill Vritra. As Indra approached Vritra, Agni and Soma stopped him for the fear of getting themselves also killed as they were inside Vritra's body. Indra asked them come out. They wanted something in returm, Indra offered them a share of oblations during Purnamaseshti. 

They didn't know how to come out. Indra created Sheetajvara ( cold and fever / flu ) and attacked Vritra with it. Vritra fatigued with fever yawned and thus came out Agni and Sona. Together with them prana and apana also left Vritra's body. 

Hence if a yajamana who is under deeksha for yajna yawns he should chant a certain mantra immediately to restore prana and apana in his body.

Yawning helped Indra himself later on in the fight. Vritra swallowed Indra. Devas panicked and tried all ways and means to get Indra out. They struck Vritra with 'yawning' and through his gaped mouth Indra came out.

This is how yawning started.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Can you consume naivedyam offered to Gods as prasada especially Shiva ?

श्रुतिः - विष्णुनात्तमश्नन्ति विष्णुना पीतं पिबन्ति विष्णुना घ्रातं जिघ्रन्ति ।

Whatever is eaten by Vishnu is eaten, Whatever has been drunk by Vishnu is drunk and whatever has been smelled by Vishnu is smelled.

शाबलशाखा - रुद्रेणात्तमश्नन्ति रुद्रेण पीतं पिबन्ति रुद्रेण घ्रातं जिघ्रन्ति ।

Whatever is eaten by  Rudra is eaten, Whatever has been drunk by Rudra is drunk and whatever has been smelled by Rudra is smelled.

शांडिल्यः - वासोभूषणमाल्यादि गन्धं तैलं तथौषधम् । सर्वं भगवते दत्वा उपभुंज्यान्निवेदितम् ॥

Garments, ornaments, perfumes, garlands, oils, medicines - offer all these to God first and then use.

कठश्रुतिः - त्रिगुप्सातमश्नीयाद्यदि पाप्मन् शिवानर्पितं भुंक्ष्व तदैनो भुंक्ष्व मलं भुंक्ष्व विषं भुंक्ष्व क्रिमिं भुंक्ष्व अघं भुंक्ष्व अधो गच्छ गच्छ ।

Consume only what has been offered to Shiva, otherwise you are eating sin, excrement, worms and poison.

Naivedyam offered in puja at home


पद्मपुराणम् - स्वस्य देवस्य यद्दत्तं चरुकं तु न संशयः । तत्प्राशयेत्स्वयं प्राज्ञो नैवान्यस्मै प्रदापयेत् ॥


दत्तात्रेयः - ततः स्वयं तु भुंजीत शुद्धं पुत्रादिभिः सह । निवेदितं च देवाय तच्छेषं चात्मशुद्धये ॥

The naivedyam offered during puja at home should be consumed only by the members of the family and not to be shared with outsiders.

About Shiva Nirmalyam

.............. निर्माल्यं नाश्नीयान्न स्पृशेदपि ।
निर्माल्यभेदाः कथ्यन्ते षड्विधास्तेऽपि तद्यथा ॥
Nirmalyam should not be eaten , not even touched.

What is nirmalyam ?

देवद्रव्यं च देवस्वं नैवेद्यं च निवेदितम् ।
चण्डद्रव्यं च निर्माल्यं तेषां लक्षणमुच्यते ॥

Devadravyam, devaswam, naivedyam, niveditam, chandadravyam, nirmalyam - all these six are called nirmalyas.

What is devadravyam ?

वस्त्रभूषणगन्धाद्यं देवद्रव्यमिति स्मृतम् ।

Garments, ornaments and perfumes like sandal - they are called devadravyas and should not be touched by those who don't have the authority and should not be smelled by anyone.


What is devaswam ?

देवस्वं देवसंबन्धि ग्रामक्षेत्रादि गोधनम् ॥

Land, fields and cows etc. belonging to God are called devaswam. They should not be crossed or sold.

What is naivedyam ?

देवार्थं कल्पितान्नाद्यं नैवेद्यं नाम तत् पुनः ।

Rice etc. prepared to be offered to God is called naivedyam.

What  are niveditam  and Chandadravyam ?

निवेदिताख्यमुत्सृष्टं चण्डद्रव्यं च तद्गतम् ॥

Naivedyam already offered to God is called niveditam. Then it belongs to Chandeshwara and is called Chandadravya.

What is nirmalyam ?
गर्भागाराद्बहिः क्षिप्तं निर्माल्यं तन्न संस्पृशेत् ।

Garalnd, flowers etc. thrown out of the sanctum sanctorum is called nirmalyam. They should not be touched.

षड्विधं चापि निर्माल्यं नोपयुञ्ज्यात् कदाचन ॥

All the above six types of nirmalyam should not be used.

भोजराजः - षद्विधमपि निर्माल्यं न जिघ्रेन्न लङ्घयेत् नाद्यान्न विक्रीणीयात् । क्रव्यादो भवति भुक्त्वा मातङ्गो लङ्घनेऽसिद्धिराघ्राणे वृकः स्पर्शने स्त्रीत्वमथ चण्डालो विक्रये शवरः ।

Bhojaraja says - garments and ornaments meant for Gods should not be worn by others, not even touched. Perfumes and flowers meant for Gods should not be smelled. Land, fields belonging to them  should not be crossed or otherwise dealt in. Offerings meant for them should not be consumed or even smelled. After offering to Shiva, where it is meant for Chandshwara it should not be consumed. Flowers etc. after they are offered to God and taken out should not be even touched. All these constitute sin leading to inauspicious results.

व्यासः - देवासुरनरैः स्थाप्ये लिङ्गे चण्डाय शंभुना । दत्तस्तस्मै न सर्वत्र प्रसादः शिवशासनात् ॥
नाश्नीयात्स्थावरे लिङ्गे चंडाय विनिवेदितम् ॥

In the case of Shivalingas installed permanently by devas, asuras and humans Chandeshwara alone has right over naivedyam offered to Shiva. Such naivedyam should not be eaten by others.

Then what should be done with it ?

दत्तात्रेयः- निर्माल्यं नैव संरक्षेत्कूपे सर्वं च निक्षिपेत् ।

It should be disposed in well / pond etc. after offering  to Chandeshwara.

More clarity on what kind of naivedyam offered to Shiva can be consumed

आदित्यपुराण्म् - लिङ्गे स्वायम्भुवे बाणे रत्नजे रौप्यनिर्मिते । सिद्धप्रतिष्ठिते लिङ्गे चण्डभागो न विद्यते ॥

There is no share for Chandeshwara in Swayanbhu lingas, Bana lingas ( found in Narmada ) and those made of gems such as emerald or silver. Even in the case of lingas consecrated by Siddhas there is no share for Chandeshwara. Naivedyam offered to such lingas can be consumed. This should cover lingas at home.

शिवनिर्माल्यवत्सौरं चण्डे दत्तं ततोऽधिकम् ।

Nirmalyam  of Surya  should be also treated like Shiva nirmalyam.

गुरु - पुस्तक - वह्नि - यक्ष - नाग - योगीन्द्र - गण - मातृ - गौरीषु शिवनिर्माल्यवत् न​ भवति ।

These rules do not apply to nirmalyam of Guru, Granthas, Agni, Yaksha such as Kubera, Yogindra, Ganesha and Devis.

To sum it up - 

1. Prasada from public Shiva temples except when they are Swayambhu, bana linga, made of gems or silver or installed by Siddhas or of the movable type should not be eaten. The used flowers should not be touched.

2. There is no such restriction for Shiva puja at home.

3. There are no such restrictions for other deities.

4. Naivedyam offered in puja at home should not be shared with others.

5. One should not misuse devadravyam or devaswam.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Nether worlds ( Patala ) - a brief description

There are seven nether wordls as per the puranas under the earth one below the other. They are (1) Atala (2) Vitala (3) Sutala (4) Talatala (5) Rasatala (6) Mahatala and  (7) Patala. Maya the sculptor of asuras has built beautiful places and cities in these regions and they are occupied by daityas, danavas and nagas.They are also collectively called as Patala. The height of each division is ten thousand yojanas ( 1 yojana = approx. 13 km ). The ground here is white, black, red and yellow in color and is filled with rubbles, black granite and gold. These regions are supposed to be even more beautiful than svarga. The Sun shines through the day and Moon at night. There are no extreme temperatures, life is happy and contented and it is as if time does not exist there.

Under patala is Adisesha or Ananta, the tamasik form of Mahavishnu who bears the three worlds on his head. He has got thousand hoods. His consorts are Sridevi and Varunidevi. At pralaya the destructive form of Rudra called Sankarshna murthy is born out of Adisesha as fire and destroys the three worlds.

Atala - Bala the son of Maya lives here. He created ninety six forms of magic. Out of his yawning are produced adulteress women - Pumschalis, Svairinis and Kaminis.

Vitala - The river Hataki, the virile power of Mahadeva flows here. He presides over this region as Hatakeshwara.

Sutala- This is the region of Mahabali, the daitya king pushed down into the earth by Vamana to please Indra. As a penance, Vamana still guards the entrance to Sutala.

Talatala - The chief of this region is Maya the architect of the demons.

Mahatala - The snake children of Kadru live here. They are all fierce, multi hooded and short tempered. They have long lean bodies and big hoods. Takshaka, Kaliya and Kuhaka are some of them.

Rasatala - The Kalakeyas, enemies of devas have been confined to this region by Maha Vishnu after reducing their power.

Patala- This is the region of serpents. Vasuki, Sankha, Gulika, Sveta, Dhanajaya, Mahashikha, Dhritarashtra, Sankachuda, Kambala, Ashwadhara and Devadatta live here. They are long and have from five to hundred hoods. They are highly poisonous and ill tempered. The patala is illuminated by the light emanating from the gems on their hoods.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Death in Dhanishta panchakam / Vasupanchakam - harmful to kin

The five nakshatras - Dhanishta ( 3rd and 4th padas ), Satabhishak, P. Bhadrapada, U. Bhadrapada, Revati falling in Kumbha and Meena rasis are collectively called Dhanishta panchakama / Vasu panchakam.

Death in one of these nakshatras causes easy emancipation for the soul of the deceased, but harmful for the kin especially spouse, children and grandchildren. Shastra says there is danger at every step.

Special funeral procedure is performed in such cases. Five human forms made of kusha grass are placed on the dead body at specified places and ahutis offered on them along with placement of gold/silver before the body is submitted to fire. On the thirteenth day special shanti homa is performed for the safety of the kin.

If a person dies on a previous nakshatra and funeral is done during panchakam, then the special funeral vidhi should be followed, but shanti on the thirteenth day need not be done. If the death takes place during panchakam and funeral after panchakam is over, then the special vidhi for funeral need not be followed. Only the shanti on the thirteenth day need not be performed.

For the shanti to be performed, there are some variations as far as the day is concerned like some do it on the 12th day.

The following combinations are even more dangerous - 

1. Dhanista + Tuesday + Ekadashi + Vrischika lagna
2. Satabhishak + Wenesday + Dvadashi + Dhanurlagna
3. P.Bhadrapada + Thursday + Trayodashi + Makara lagna
4. U.Bhadrapada + Friday + Chaturdashi + Kumbha lagna
5. Revati + Saturday + Purnima / Amavasya + Meena lagna.

The shanti homa on the 13th day is an elaborate procedure including Mrityunjaya homa and danam.

Similarly, death during tripada nakshatras - Krittika, Punarvasu, U.Phalguni, Vishakha, U.Ashadha, P.Bhadrapada  calls for special funeral procedure.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Confusion about marriage when Brihaspati is in Simha Rasi clarified

Brihaspati transits into Simha rasi on July 15th , 2015 and will remain there upto August 11th, 2016. There is lot of confusion being spread that marriages should not be conducted during this period. The shastra position as explained in Muhurta chintamani is this.

1. Marriages should not be conducted only when Brihaspati  transits Simha navamsa in Simha Rasi. ie : - September 14th, 2015  to October 1st, 2015.

2. Marriages should be avoided only in areas lying between Ganga and Godavari rivers.

( This is only with respect to transit Guru effects. All other relevant factors should be duly considered)


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Epidemics - an Ayurvedic perspective

Cholera, Plague, Small pox, Measles, Swine flu. Bird flu, Dengue, Ebola ........

The list keeps on growing. Millions and millions have succumbed to epidemics. An epidemic by definition is the rapid spread of an infectious disease in a population within a short span of time. Modern medicine considers changes in the virulence of the infectious agent, introduction of novel settings or change in host susceptibility as the main causes of an epidemic.

Let's take a look at what Ayurveda has to say on the subject.

This is explained as conversation between Bhagawan Atreya and his disciple Agnivesha in Charaka Samhita Vimana sthanam ch.3.

Agnivesha is curious to know how men of different constitution, strength, eating habits and longevity etc. can get affected by the same disease. Atreya explains that even with these dissimilarities there are lot of things in common within inhabitants of a particular janapada ( habitat - village, city, country etc. ) and of course air, water, surroundings and time are common to them all.

Air such as that which is not in accordance with the season ( cool wind in a hot season ), stagnant air, one that makes loud sound, one that stinks - they  are all harmful to health. Contaminated water and also one in which fish etc. don't live anymore is harmful. Places where flies, reptiles, rats, mosquitoes, insects are found in excess, where the environment has changed suddenly,  where grass and creepers start growing all of a sudden, where fields have dried up - such places are harmful to health. When the seasons are not according to their real nature it turns out to be harmful. ( The text has an elaborate list of such situations and indications ).

Even when such situations exist, medicines can still protect men from diseases.

Bhagawan Atreya goes on to explain ( Here is the major difference between Modern Medicine and Ayurveda ). Truth, kindness, charity, worshiping gods and making proper offerings to them, right conduct, control over indriyas, self protection like hygiene, staying in a healthy environment, serving noble people, observance of brahmacharya ( when prescribed ) and service of brahmacharis, listening to discourses on dharma shastra by great rishis and scholars,  being in the company of satvik people and wise elders - these are all 'medicines' that protect one's life.

Agnivesha asks about how air, water etc, gets contaminated and harmful. Atreya replies, " Unrighteousness is the cause for this, and evil deed of the past is the root cause of unrighteousness. The origin of unrighteousness and evil deed is in mind that lacks discrimination and discretion. When the heads of habitats and rulers deal with their subjects crossing the boundaries of righteousness, those depending on them also become unrighteous. People who make a living out of crime and litigation encourage the spread of adharma. Thus unrighteousness first masks righteousness and eventually gods also give up on such people. In the absence of providence, seasons are disturbed, rains don't happen in time, wind doesn't blow properly, earth is polluted, water dries up, the original nature of plants and herbs are altered and diseases are born.

Lost in hate and greed men fight each other and ignore the weak. Groups of rakshas and bhutas also take advantage of the situation and attack them.

Unrighteousness causes neglect and offence to gurus, saints, elderly, rishis and the like. Curse by them not only eliminates the wrongdoers but many  innocents also perish with them.

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Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Death rites for a person missing

I am often asked this question about whether and how to do death rites for a person missing for a long time.

Here are the relevant citations from Dharma Shastra.

1. If there is no reliable news on the whereabouts of a missing person for twelve years, the death rites should be performed by making a human form with kusha grass along with Narayana Bali and the complete rites as prescribed.

2. If the missing person is own father, it should be done as soon as fifteen years are over.

3. If the person for whom death rites have been performed returns - He is bathed along with a pot filled with ghee and samskaras starting from jatakarma are performed again. There is no dosha.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Was Brahmastra a nuclear weapon ?

There are many who say that Brahmastra used by Vishwamitra, Sri Rama and Ashwathama and also divine weapons such s Pashupatastra, Agneyaastra etc. were nuclear weapons. Their destructive power is enormous, but whether nuclear science in the modern sense was behind them is doubtful.

I am quoting from Dhanurveda samhita of Vasishta Mahrshi here.

The divine arrows or astras are of seven types - 1. Brahmastram 2. Brahmadandakam  3. Brahmashira  4. Pashupatam  5. Vayavyam  6. Agneyam  7. Narasimham. They have many variations.

A regular arrow is energized ( abhimantranam ) with gayatri mantra chanted in the reverse order in  a certain way  ( daadidaantam ) 1,00,00,00,00,000 times. It  becomes the powerful Brahmastra and will destroy all enemies.

In a similar way, an arrow is energized with gayatri mantra in reverse order with pravana in front and  amuka ( name / description of the enemy ) shatrum hana hana hum phat at the end  chanting 2,00,000 times. This is Brahmadandastram. Enemies as powerful as Yama can be destroyed with this.

Arrow energized with the three padas of gayatri mantra chanted in reverse order with pranava at the beginning and shatrunme hana hana hum phat at the end chanting 3,00,000 times become Brahmashirastram. It can destroy even devas and asuras.

For Pashupatastra, daadidaanata gayatri mantra followed by pranava and shleem pashu hum phat amuka shatroon hana hana hum phat is chanted 20,00,000 times to energize arrow.

For Vayavyastra, the mantra is Om vayavyaya ya vayavyayanyorvaya ya va amuka shatrun hana hana hum phat. To be chanted 20,00,000 times and can be disastrous even to devas.

The mantra for Agneyastra is Om Anistyata hridam sivam vanashvavini hagadasharupana sada ve hadati toyati ramamaso hitva van  susedavedaya amukadeen. To be chanted 20,00,000 times.

The Narasimhastra mantra is Om vajranakhavajradamshtrayudhaya mahasimhaya hum phat to be chanted 1,00,000 times.

It is obvious that the power behind these weapons is  mantras. The shooting of the physical arrow appears to be symbolic and what really works is the mantra. In the Atharva veda, it is said that with the teeth as the bow and the tongue as the bow string when a mantra is shot like an arrow on the enemy, nothing can stop it. 

Another interesting point is the target specification.It is not geographical. Individual names or  groups can be specified. eg :- Ravana, the Kauravas. In the border areas with an enemy country where there is also presence of civilian population selective targeting must have been useful.

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