Ramaswamy Sastry

Avataras of Lord Ganesha

2012-03-01T22:23:00.000-08:00

1. Aditi, mother of all devas, after giving birth to the devas had desire to have the Sarveshvara as her son. She expressed this to her husband Kashyapa who gave her the Ganesha Panchakshari mantra. She performed tapas and Ganesha appeared before her with 10 hands and his consorts Siddhi and Buddhi. Unable to bear his brilliance Aditi fainted. When she woke up, she prayed to the Lord to assume the form of a child and be her son. Ganesha was named Mahotkata in this avatara and later on destroyed demonesses like Viraja, Jrimbha and demons like Nishachara. He also saved Kashi from peril.

2. To destroy the demon Duradasa, upon being prayed by Devas and Rishis he took avatar from the expiration of Devi Parvathi and he is called Vakratunda.

3. A clay idol worshiped by Parvathy assumes life and and in this avatara he destroys demons like Gridhrasura, Balasura and Vyomasura.

4. In Dvaparayuga, Parvathy actually conceives Ganesha from Lord Shiva and after nine months of pregnancy delivers him.

Aashoucha to be observed at the demise of a relative

2012-02-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

The relatives on the father's side are classified into two groups, Sapindas and Samanodakas.

Sapindas - Seven generations including one's own, ie:- father, paternal grandfather, paternal great grandfather, son, grandson ( son's son), great grandsons (son's son's son).

Samanodakas - three generations above and below the above.

Sapindas - 10 days

Samanodakas ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

For the male

Maternal grandfather - 3 days

Maternal grandmother - 3 days

Mother's brother - 3 days

Mother's brother's wife - 3 days

Father-in-law - - 3 days

Mother-in-law - 3 days

Mother's sister - 3 days

Father's sister - 3 days

Sister's son ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

Daughter's son ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

Daughter ( married ) - 3 days

Sister ( married) - 3 days

Son given away in adoption - 3 days

Biological father or mother ( in case of adoption) - 3 days

Daughter of a sapinda above 7 years and before marriage - 3 days

Son of a sapinda above two and a half years and below 6 years - 3 days.

Son of a sapinda or samanodaka above seven years - 3 days

Son or daughter of father's sister - one and a half days

Son or daughter of mother's brother - one and a half days

Son or daughter of mother's sister - - one and a half days

Sister's daughter - one and a half days

Brother's daughter (married) - - one and a half days

Father's brother's daughter - one and a half days

Son's daughter - - one and a half days

Daughter's daughter - one and a half days

Daughter's son ( upanayana not done) - one and a half days

Sister's son (upanayana not done ) - one and a half days

Brother, sister or daughter of step mother (Sapatnee mata ) - one day

Son or daughter of the above three - one day

Wife's brother - one day

Mother's sister's daughter - one day

Father or mother of step mother - - one day

Daughter of sapinda or samanodaka between 2 and 6 years - one day

Brother from the previous gotra ( in case of adoption) - one day

In - laws if wife and son are not there - one day

Son of a sapinda or samanodaka from 6 months to 2 years - one day

Observed by the wife alone

Wife has to observe all ashoucha obseved by the husband. The following are to be observed by the wife alone.

Father or mother - 3 days

Brother ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

Brother's son ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

Sister's son ( upanayana done ) - 3 days

Step mother - 3 days

Father's brother - One and a half days

Mother's sister - One and a half days

Mother's brother - One and a half days

Father's sister - One and a half days

Daughter's of the above four - One and a half days

Father's father - - One and a half days

Father's mother - - One and a half days

Mother's father - One and a half days

Mother's mother - One and a half days

Sister - One and a half days

Sister's daughter - One and a half days

Step mother's Son, daughter, brother or sister - 1 day

Son of the above four ( upanayana done) or daughter ( unmarried) - 1 day

Step mother's father or mother - 1 day

This is as followed by Tamil smarta brahmins. For other communities it may differ.

Nikshubhark vrata

2012-02-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

This is a vrata that can be observed by ladies desirous of a child and mutual affection between the husband and wife. This can be observed on Shashti, Saptami, Sankranti or Sunday for a period of one year. Fasting and abstinence form all modes of enjoyment should be observed throughout the day. Should visit a Surya temple (Navagraha) and make offerings and pray to both Surya and his wife Devi Nikshubha. On the last day of the vrata, formal worship of the Lord and Devi ( with pratimas made of copper, silver or gold and shodashopachara) together with brahmana bhojanam and Dampati Pujanam representing Surya and Nikshubha devi should be done.

Surya's two wives

2012-02-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

Surya had two wives. The first one, Samjna - the daughter of Visvakarma. Surya had three children in her - Manu, Yama and Yami. She found Surya's heat unbearable and left him after creating an exact replica of herself called Chhaya. Surya didn't know this. He had another three children in Chhaya - Sani, Savarnamanu and Tapati. Chhaya showed bias towards her own children. Yama, angry with this raised his legs to kick her. Chhaya cursed Yama that his legs would fall off. Yama went to his father and complained who modified the curse that only some portion of the flesh from his legs would fall off. Surya confronted Chhaya who confessed that she was not the original. Surya sent Chhaya away and brought back Samjna.

Vinayaka shanthi

2012-02-10T04:48:00.000-08:00

According to the dharma shastra, persistent obstacles are caused by a group of beings called the vinayaka grahas. A specific shanthi called Vinayaka shanthi is recommended in such cases to pacify these grahas,as described in texts such as Brahma karma samuchaya and Shanthi kusumakara .

from U.G.Krishnamurthy who said "Tell them that there is nothing to understand."

2012-02-10T04:39:00.000-08:00

Hearing that Jiddu Krishnamurti was giving a talk in Saanen, U.G. decided to attend. During the talk, Jiddu was describing his own state and U.G. thought that it referred to him (U.G.). He explained it as follows:

When I Iistened to him, something funny happened to me – a peculiar kind of feeling that he was describing my state and not his state. Why did I want to know his state? He was describing something, some movements, some awareness, some silence – "In that silence there is no mind; there is action" – all kinds of things. So, I am in that state. What the hell have I been doing these thirty or forty years, listening to all these people and struggling, wanting to understand his state or the state of somebody else, Buddha or Jesus? I am in that state. Now I am in that state. So, then I walked out of the tent and never looked back.

He continues:

Then – very strange – that question "What is that state?" transformed itself into another question "How do I know that I am in that state, the state of Buddha, the state I very much wanted and demanded from everybody? I am in that state, but how do I know?"^[10]

[edit] Calamity

The next day U.G. was again pondering the question "How do I know I am in that state?" with no answer forthcoming. He later recounted that on suddenly realizing the question had no answer, there was an unexpected physical, as well as psychological, reaction. It seemed to him like "a sudden explosion inside, blasting, as it were, every cell, every nerve and every gland in my body." Afterwards, he started experiencing what he called "the calamity", a series of bizarre physiological transformations that took place over the course of a week, affecting each one of his senses, and finally resulting in a deathlike experience. He described it this way:

I call it calamity because from the point of view of one who thinks this is something fantastic, blissful and full of beatitude, love, or ecstasy, this is physical torture; this is a calamity from that point of view. Not a calamity to me but a calamity to those who have an image that something marvelous is going to happen.^[10]

Upon the eighth day:

Then, on the eighth day I was sitting on the sofa and suddenly there was an outburst of tremendous energy – tremendous energy shaking the whole body, and along with the body, the sofa, the chalet and the whole universe, as it were – shaking, vibrating. You can't create that movement at all. It was sudden. Whether it was coming from outside or inside, from below or above, I don't know – I couldn't locate the spot; it was all over. It lasted for hours and hours. I couldn't bear it but there was nothing I could do to stop it; there was a total helplessness. This went on and on, day after day, day after day.^[10]

The energy that is operating there does not feel the limitations of the body; it is not interested; it has its own momentum. It is a very painful thing. It is not that ecstatic, blissful beatitude and all that rubbish – stuff and nonsense! – it is really a painful thing.^[10]

U.G. could not, and did not, explain the provenance of the calamity experiences. In response to questions, he maintained that it happened "in spite of" his pre-occupation with – and search for – enlightenment. He also maintained that the calamity had nothing to do with his life up to that point, or with his upbringing. Several times he described the calamity happening to him as a matter of chance, and he insisted that he could not possibly, in any way, impart that experience to anybody else.^[10]^[14]

^{ref : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U._G._Krishnamurti}

The twelve forms of Surya

2012-02-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

Indra - stays in devaloka and destroys daityas and danavas
Dhata - stays in Brahma and causes creation
Parjanya - stays in sunrays and causes rain
Pusha - stays in mantra for the welfare of beings
Tvashta - stays in plants and herbs
Aryama - stays in dwelling places and protects
Bhaga - stays on earth and mountains
Vivasvan - stays in Agni and digests food
Amshu - stays in the moon and supports the worlds
Vishnu - takes avatar to destroy evil
Varuna - stays in ocean and gives life
Mitra - stays on the banks of Chandrabhaga river

2012-02-03T20:46:00.000-08:00

Throughout the history of science "the hardest thing to define is mechanism." All sorts of workable scientific principles and techniques and many kinds of medicines are employed routinely throughout the world without there being any understanding of how they work.
- Dr. Jacob Zighelboim, M.D., Associate Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine

AND THEY WANT TO SCIENTIFICALLY PROVE THAT ASTROLOGY WORKS OR DOESN'T WORK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's a fool who wants a proof of what he can't perceive; And he's a blockhead who tries to make such a one believe.
- William Blake

Sarvatobhadramandala puja

2012-01-28T22:33:00.000-08:00

If anyone is interested in conducting a puja for general welfare, then this is a good choice. An intricate mandalam is first made, then almost all deities are invoked in it.

The deities are - Brahma, Soma, Ishana, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirruti, Varuna, Vayu, Ashtavasus, Ekadasha rudras, Dvadasha adityas, Ashvins, Pitrus with Vishvedevas, seven yakshas, Bhootanagas, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Skanda, Nandi, Shoola, Mahakala, Dakshadi seven, Durga, Vishnu, Svadha, Svaha, Mrutyu and roga, Ganapathy, Apah, Maruts, Prithivi, holy rivers, seven seas, Meru, weapons of the dikpalas, Saptarshis, Arundhati, Indrani, Koumary, Brahi, Varahi, Chamundi, Vaishnavi, Mahesvari and Vainayaki .

The deities are worshiped with Shodashopachara and ahutis are also offered in havan.

Wife on the left or right ?

2012-01-25T05:23:00.000-08:00

sarveshu dharmakaryeshu patnee dakshinato shubhaa

In all dharmic rituals the wife should sit on the right hand side of the husband.

aasheervaadebhisheke cha paadaprakshalane tatha shayane bhojane chaiva patnee uttarato bhavet

While receiving ashirvada ( blessings from brahmins ), while abhisheka is being performed ( also prokshana), while washing the feet of brahmins, while sleeping and also while having food , the wife should be on the left.

The mantra vidya of Atharva Veda

2012-01-22T21:58:00.000-08:00

The fourth Veda, Atharva Veda differs from the trayividya – Rigveda, Yajurveda and Samaveda - in that it deals mainly in application of mantras in day to day life and accomplishment of worldly goals whereas the other three Vedas centre around the concept of yajna and adhyatma.

The primary texts elaborating the prayoga (application) of Atharva Veda are five in number. They are Kausika Gruhya Sutram, Vaitana Srouta sutram, Angirasa Kalpam, Nakshatra Kalpam and Santhi kalpam.

The applications of Atharva Veda mantras can be broadly classified under the following heads. In addition to these, it is noteworthy that there are also parts dealing in adhyatma, extolling virtues of brahmacharya, atithi satkara etc. The kandam 14 is devoted entirely to marriage ceremony and the kandam 18 to funeral rites. The mantras of kandam 20 are also found in Rigveda.

Therapeutic. For treatment of fever, dysentery, excessive urination, deep ulcers, urinary block, acute constipation, diseases of the head, possession by evil spirits, jalodara, vatha, pitha and kapha vikaras, cough and other kapha vikaras, bleeding from wounds, excessive bleeding during menstruation, heart diseases, jaundice, visarpa, leucoderma, tuberculosis, leprosy, goiter, diseases arising out of alcoholism, diseases of ear, eyes, tongue, head etc., infertility (both male and female), hereditary diseases, excessive thirst, gynecological problems, various kinds of poisoning

and fractures

Other health related rituals include generation of intellect, gaining physical strength, treating baldness and getting long hair, getting strong teeth, vaajeekaranam, aid in conception, smooth labor and to avoid premature delivery.

There are also mantras for treatment of diseases of the cattle folk and horses and rituals to find out whether a disease can be cured or not.

Wishes and desires. For achieving fame, prosperity, abundance of grains, longevity, glory and brilliance, begetting a suitable husband, begetting a suitable wife, winning over the love of a woman, begetting a male child, success in debate, success in gambling, success in litigation, improvement and more profit from business

Agricultural and nature related. Changing course of rivers, to cause rains, to get water in well,pond,lake etc., to ward off rats, insects and other pests, protection from floods and good harvest.

Warfare. For success in warfare, chasing away the elephants of the enemy, to cause fear among enemy’s army, tormenting enemy’s army, to create confusion and discord among enemy’s army, driving away enemy’s arrows.

Astras such as Pashupatastra and Agneyastra are from the Atharva Veda. There are also rituals for knowing success or failure in battle.

Domestic. To remove discord and establish affection among family members, to avoid fight during partition of family property, enticement between husband and wife, to avoid fight between husband and wife, removal of anger, defeating co wife.

Abhicharika and black magic. Performing abhichara for defeating the enemy and neutralizing and sending back black magic done by the enemy. The Angirasakalpam deals extensively in this subject.

Protection. From robbers, of cattle folk from tiger and other beasts, while crossing a river by boat, from snakes, scorpion, during travel, self protection, to get back lost / stolen article, protection from evil mongers.

Sins and curses .Relief from curses, drushtidosha, from sins committed in the past, relief from varuna pasha as punishment for dishonesty, relief from nirruti pasha, relief from brahmana’s curse, removal of evil effect of bad dreams, removal of evils of jealousy.

Yajnika. In the yajna, the atharvavedi Brahma is the chairperson supervising the act and also prescribing and executing remedies in case of errors and bad omens. The mental power of the Brahma is very important in the successful completion of the yajna.

Vaitana srouta sutram is the text prescribing various applications of atharva veda mantras in the yajna. The mantras are used in procedures such as vedikaranam, agnichayanam and in yajnas like aindragnapashu, chatusharavoudana sava, ashvamedha, agrayaneshti, sakamedhaparva, rajasooya, anadutsava, ajoudanasava, vajapeya, mrugareshti, brahmasyodana sava, atimrutyusava and atiratra.

The brahma also prescribes and performs remedies for removal of obstacles in yajna

and also in situations such as when the vapa is taken away by crow or dog.

Santhis. The sutram called nakshatrakalpam prescribes thirty mahasanthis for different situations. The mahasanthi performed when bad omens (utpata) of divya, antariksha or bhouma nature are seen is called amrutha santhi. Vaisvadevi santhi is performed to resurrect a dead person. To escape from fear of fire and for achieving desires aagneyi mahasanthi is performed. To pacify adverse grahas, nakshatras, upagrahas and also for curing the diseased person bhargavi mahasanthi is performed. One desirous of brahmatejas should perform brahmee mahasanthi. For abundance of progeny, food and cattle folk and also to prevent loss of children praajaptya mahasanthi is performed. For begetting kingdom, wealth and brahmatejas barhaspatya mahasanthi is performed. Savitri mahasanthi is for attaining purity. To become exponent in chhandasastra and for brahmatejas gayatri mahasanthi is performed. One who performs abhichara and also desirous of wealth should perform angirasi mahasanthi. Those desirous of victory, strength, prosperity and desirous of causing fear among enemies should perform aindri mahasanthi. One desirous of begetting a kingdom and for pacifying evils from bad omens should perform mahendri santhi. For wealth kauberi mahasanthi is performed. Aadityaa mahasanthi is for knowledge, brilliance, wealth and longevity. For abundance of food and to ward off misfortune roudri mahasanthi is prescribed. For victory aparajita mahasanthi is performed. For relief from fear of death yaamya, of water varunee, of wind and storms vayavaya mahasanthis are performed. To prevent kula kshaya santatee mahasanthi is done. For relief from dearth of clothes tvashtree mahasanthi is performed. Kaumaree santhi is for protection of children from diseases. Nairruti santhi is for relief of person suffering from nirruti dosha. Marudganee santhi is for strength, gaandharvee to prevent loss of horses and paravatee to prevent loss of elephants. One desirous of begetting land should perform parthivee mahasanthi and for relief from fear abhaya mahasanthi is performed.

Another text associated with santhikarma is santhikalpam which describes vainayaka santhi and navagraha santhi.

In santhi karmas various mantras are grouped together into ganas such as laghugana, bruhatgana, aholingagana, salilagana and applied.

There are also rituals like vastu santhi used during gruhapravesha. Atharva veda contains hundreds of mantras useful in vastu santhi.

The samhita contains various mantras for performing remedies when bad omens such as a brahmana taking weapon, laughing of idol, dhoomaketu, raining of ghee, honey, flesh etc., pigeon or owl entering the house, when twin calves are born to cow, donkey or horse or earth quake are encountered. There are also remedies performed when touched by a crow, sudden finding of water in barren land and removal of evil arising out of evil pratigraha.

Rituals are also available for removal of obstacles, removal of obstacles in vedadhyayanam and

removal of competition

Rajakarma. The priest of the king is usually an atharvavedi adept in both santhi karma and abhicharika karma. The abhicharika karma is very important in warfare for defeating the enemies. The rajakarma includes rajyabhisheka, pushapabhisheka, and reinstatement of king in his lost kingdom

daily abhimantranam of the dress and ornaments of the king, abhimantranam of the armor of the king going to war, daily daanam and neeranjanam in the night.

The common methods employed in the prayogas are as under.

Havanam. This is the most common method of prayoga wherein the mantra devata is propitiated by offering suitable dravya in agni and the result obtained as a blessing of the devata. Thirteen dravyas such as ghee, havis, samit etc. are used and the sutram gives guidance as to the choice of the dravya.

Japaha. The mantras are merely chanted to obtain the desired result.

Upasthanam. This method is of paying obeisance with specific prayers.

Abhishechanam. This is especially used in treatment of diseases and various santhis. Abhimantranam of water in kalasha is performed with the relevant mantras and after mixing it with sampatam (remnant ghee collected after every ahuti in the havan) the patient /yajmana is bathed with it.

Mani bandhanam. In this method a mani (amulet) made out of mantra specific herbs or materials such as anjanam is tied for protection or for obtaining the desired result. Some of the manis found in atharva veda are palashamani, yavamani ,phalamani,varanamani, abhivartamani,harinamani, jangidamani,oudumbaramani and darbhamani.

Oral consumption and topical application. The medicinal herbs/materials are collected and after abhimantranam administerd orally or applied locally to the patient.

Dhoopanam. Fuming of the relevant material after abhimantranam.

Prashanam. Items such as annam and purodasha are consumed after abhimantranam with the relevant mantras.

Apart from these there are many rituals such as riding a boat, pradakshinam, throwing objects in the direction of the enemy transferring the disease to another person/creature, planting objects under the soil, sprouting of grains and daanam specified to the prayoga as elaborated in the sutras.

Clarification on arishta word in punyahavachanam

2012-01-21T05:50:00.000-08:00

While performing punyahavachanam as per Ashvalayana sutram, while seeking blessings from the brahmins, the yajamana prays -

Á A¤ÉiÉÇ cÉÉËU¹Ç cÉÉxiÉÑ

( Om, akshatam charishtam chastu )

Here, the term arishta is a little confusing. "Akshata means one that doesn't diminish.

Arishta in the ordinary sense means misery. It sounds like " let there be misery".

As per amarakosha

AËU¹Ç xÉÔÌiÉMüÉaÉÉUqÉç

( arishtam soothikaagaram)

Arishtam means the labour room ( room in which childbirth takes place ). The term arishtam implies child birth or continuance of the vamsha. That settles the confusion.

The shastra of Vedic remedies

2012-01-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

Why is man born into this world?

xuÉaÉÉï±lÉÑpÉuÉ¤ÉÏhÉ ÍzÉ¹mÉëÉcÉÏlÉMüqÉïhÉÉqÉç |

pÉÉåaÉÉrÉ eÉlÉlÉÇ lÉÚhÉÉÇ qÉÉåWûpÉÉeÉÉÇ qÉÑWÒûqÉÑïWÒûÈ ||

Every action, good or bad has a result.. One goes on performing good and bad deeds and goes on accumulating karma. At the end of the current birth, this accumulated karma( for those for which result is not already experienced), both good and bad is carried forward. Depending on the quantum of karma so accumulated, he then proceeds to worlds such as heaven, hell or pitruloka. Worlds such as heaven and hell are fast track methods where the pleasure or pain is so intense that it can be exhausted faster. The birth on earth or the earthly experience can handle only a certain amount of karma. When through intense experience in the above worlds a large portion of the karma is exhausted, a rebirth occurs to exhaust the remaining karma. In the course of the new birth, fresh action takes place and fresh karma is acquired.

What does the horoscope show?

mÉëÉYeÉlqÉÉÎeÉïiÉ mÉÑhrÉÉbÉmÉëÉoÉsrÉÉåSìåMüWåûiÉÑiÉÈ

mÉëÉUokÉxÉÇÍ¥É qÉÉlÉÑwrÉeÉÉiÉÉæ eÉÉiÉMüÍcÉliÉlÉÇ

Whatever karma in terms of punya and papa one brought forward from the previous birth into the present birth is revealed by the horoscope.

What is seen in prasna ?

MüxrÉ mÉÌ£üËUÌiÉ ¥ÉÉiÉÑÍqÉSÉlÉÏÇ mÉÔuÉïMüqÉïhÉÉqÉç

CWûÉÎeÉïiÉÇ cÉ ÌuÉ¥ÉÉiÉÑÇ MüqÉï mÉëzlÉÉå ÌuÉkÉÏrÉiÉå

To understand the result of which karma is being experienced now and also to know whether the experience is due to any deed in the present birth.

SåuÉæuÉÉï kÉqÉïSåuÉæÈ TüÍhÉÌmÉiÉ×aÉÑÂÍpÉoÉëÉï¼hÉæ: mÉëåiÉpÉÔiÉæ: mÉÏQûÉ rÉÉ xrÉÉiM×üiÉÉ xÉÉ iÉSlÉÑ pÉuÉÌiÉ rÉÉ SØapÉuÉÉ uÉÉapÉuÉÉ uÉÉ | rÉÉ xrÉÉ°ÕrÉÉå ÌuÉwÉÉåijÉÉ mÉÑlÉËUWû ËUmÉÑÍpÉrÉÉï M×üiÉÉ xÉÉ cÉ iÉÉxÉÉÇ WåûiÉÑ¶ÉÉÌmÉ ¢üqÉåhÉ mÉëÌiÉÌuÉÍkÉUÌmÉ cÉ mÉëÉåcrÉiÉå mÉ×cNûMüÉlÉÉqÉç ||

There are also 11 types of doshas associated with the present birth. They are devakopa, kuladaivakopa, sarpakopa, pitrukopa,brahmanashapa, pretabadha, bhutabadha, visha dosha, drishti dosha, vak dosha and satru badha. These doshas can be ascertained only by prasna marga.

What are the different types of experiences?

1. Experience entirely due to action or inaction in the present birth. It is important to understand that everything is not predestined. The experience may or may not have karmic connection. Someone with bad and irregular food habits lands up with intestinal problems. This has no direct link to the horoscope. An alcoholic damages his liver. His action alone is responsible. There may be a vasana (tendency) indicated in the horoscope towards alcoholism. Man has been endowed with Iccha shakti ( will power) to fight such vices. Diseases for example are classified as nija and agantuka. Nija diseases are purely of physical and mental nature and should be treated with medicines. Agantuka diseases alone have connection with karma, past or present.

The universe is in a process of evolution. At the present point of time a lot is left to the free will, skill, judgment, inclination to work hard, timely and appropriate action of man.

2. Karmic influences form the past birth. These are again subdivided into Dridham and Adridham (certain and uncertain). When the karma in the past birth is very intense, like taking somebody's life, it is bound to give its result. Others will act as influences in the present life, strong or weak. The past karma places a person in circumstances, adverse or favorable.

3. Experiences due to the eleven types of doshas described earlier and also good ones due to blessing of devatas and saintly people. These doshas may exist only for the individual or for the entire family and dependants.

What are the different types of remedies ?

Havans and poojas, prayer by oneself, fasting, abstinence, pilgrimage, reading of scriptures, charity, mantra upasana, worship at temples, wearing gemstones and yantras etc.

What is the concept behind havan ?

A havan is a small yajna.

rÉ¥ÉxiÉÑ SåuÉiÉÉlÉÑÌ¬zrÉ qÉl§ÉæSìïurÉxrÉ SÉlÉqÉç

Yajna is offering dravyas to the devatas with mantras. Why offerings are made to the devatas ? Because they are empowered to bless or destroy. When pleased, they can bless with desired results and even change the karmic influences. Yajna is creation with the divine power of a desired result which doesn't preexist or negation of something that exists.

As per meemasa, the yajna involves a five step procedure, invoking the relevant devatas depending on the desired result, making offering to the devatas, their consumption of the offering, their satisfaction and finally the devatas giving their blessing.

These are procedures to be conducted with faith and precision by qualified personnel.

What are the main points to be observed while conducting a havan ?

1. Faith and humility. You have to stretch your hand, then only the result comes.

qÉl§Éå iÉÏjÉåï Ì²eÉå SåuÉå SæuÉ¥Éå pÉåwÉeÉå aÉÑUÉæ rÉÉSØzÉÏ pÉÉuÉlÉÉ rÉxrÉ ÍxÉÎ®pÉïuÉÌiÉ iÉÉSØzÉÏ

In mantra, holy waters, in brahmins, in gods, in astrologer, in medicine and in Guru, whatever one's attitude is he gets result accordingly. While dipping in the holy ganges, if one thinks that the water is dirty and he will get some skin infection, that is what he will get. If one performs a ritual thinking that " I'm not sure whether this will work, it may be a waste of money", that will be the only result.

2. Ability, skill and sincerity of the priests. Unlike the regular household poojas and the karma kanda, performing remedial rituals would require special training and knowledge.Majority of present day priests are neither trained nor equipped for this. Doing remedial rituals is like a surgeon's job, precision is important. Just as there are good and bad doctors, good and bad lawyers there are also good and bad priests. Unfortunately, since there is no authority to ensure quality control, this field is rampant with people who are under qualified. In their eagerness to pick up the work, some of them will offer to do even what they haven't even heard of.

There was a typical case. Once, parents of a boy who had gone into severe depression after a failed love affair came to me. I suggested them to do manah parivartana sukta homa ( retrieivng the lost mind). This suktam is part of Rigveda and they were also told that only someone well versed in Rigveda will be able to do it. A few days later, I got a call from these people. They said the homa as advised has started and the panditji would like to speak to me. " Which is the mantra you have suggested to them " the panditji asked me. I said "manah parivartans suktam". "Can you please say it over phone ?" . I said " It's not possible, mantras are not supposed to be handled casually like that. Are you not a rigvedi ?". "Yes, yes, I am a Rigvedi, but I have not studied Rigveda" he said. Then he asked " What should I do now ?". I said "I don't know". " Shall I do Mrutyunjaya homa instead of what You have suggested ?". I put the phone down. The result is anybody's guess.

3. Using best quality and the right materials. Every remedial ritual has very specific materials to be used. For example, in a place where apamarga samith is to be used, if it is substituted with palasha samith, it is a major fault. One should also make sure that only the best quality materials are used because the devatas are like V.I.P.guests and they should be treated like ones.

4. Identifying the right kind of ritual and performing it the right way. This is very important. For example, after death there are preta rites and pitru rites. Narayanabali is a preta rite and Sukruta homa is a pitru rite. If knowingly or unknowingly a preta rite is performed for pitrus, it can create a big problem, even bigger than the existing one. It is like treating the Director of a company like a peon. It becomes an insult and the repercussions will have to be faced. Before doing the ritual, one should know whether the ancestors exist as pretas or pitrus.

5. Timing of the ritual. Suitable time as per astrological factors should be identified and not on any convenient day.

6. If you want to get it done cheap, don't do it. As the axiom goes " If you pay peanuts, you will get only monkeys,"

mÉÑhrÉÉlrÉlrÉÉÌlÉ MÑüuÉÏïiÉ ´É®kÉÉlÉÉå ÎeÉiÉåÎlSìrÉÈ

lÉ iuÉsmÉSÍ¤ÉhÉærÉï¥ÉærÉïeÉiÉåWû MüSÉcÉlÉ

Perform other kinds of austerities or penances. Never perform a yajna with alpa dakshina ( low dakshina ).

CÎlSìrÉÉÍhÉ rÉzÉÈ xuÉaÉïqÉÉrÉÑÈ MüÐÌiÉïÇ mÉëeÉÉÈ mÉzÉÔlÉç

WûlirÉsmÉSÍ¤ÉhÉÉå rÉ¥ÉxiÉxqÉÉ³ÉÉsmÉkÉlÉÉå rÉeÉåiÉç.

One who doesn't have sufficient money should not perform yajna because alpa dakshina will destroy his senses, name, chance of going to heaven, longevity, children and cattle folk (wealth). He should go for other forms of inexpensive remedies.

Is the result guaranteed ?

Not at all. The priest is only an intermediary between the yajamana and the devatas. Who can guarantee on behalf of the devatas ? It is entirely left to their pleasure and mercy. At best, what the priest can do is to ensure that the ritual is conducted properly. Other than the proper performance of the ritual there are many other factors like faith and conduct of of the yajamana which will influence the result. Some problems just don't get solved, no matter what you do.

In my own personal experience, 30% of problems are fully solved, 40% partially solved and another 30% have remained unsolved.

The time of fructification of result also varies, from days to months to years ........

Guruji speak

2011-07-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

" The yogi considers everyone with the same attitude . One, who is connected with the being sees friends and enemies alike. Beyond the roles they are playing, they are all part of one consciousness."

Tell this to the mother of the girl child who was gangraped in a moving car for hours together and thrown out to lie down bleeding on the pavement. To see her tormentors with this attitude and sight.

Tell this to the parents of the boy who was brutally murdered and the body cut into umpteen number of pieces. To see the murderers as part of the one consciousness.

Thank God, those javans defending the motherland in the biting chill sensitive to the slightest movement from across the border are not yogis.

Thank God, those commandos who laid down their life defending Mumbai from the terrorists were not yogis.

Thank God, our policemen and judges are not yogis. There is still some safety order and sense in the society.

What are we trying to preach and propagate ? Lawlessness ?

The neo sages who have attained the so called enlightenment in the comforts of recluse would have never faced the harsh side of human life.

Dharma calls for discretion (viveka) between good and bad . When this discretion goes there is utter lawlessness and peril of the society.

In Santi parva of Mahabharata of which the "GITA" is also SUPPOSED TO BE a part "Arjuna says, 'The rod of danda (punishment) governs all subjects and protects them. The rod of punishment is always awake even when everythingelse is asleep. The rod of punishment devised by the wise is righteousness itself.. The sinners refrain from committing sins for the fear of the rod of punishment, fear of Yama, fear of the next world or the fear of the society. In this world everything depends on the fear of punishment but for which the world would have sunk into darkness. That is the only way the cruel and the wicked can be controlled. .A person naturally pure and righteous is rare to find. People obey the law due to fear of punishment.

Benefits !!!!!!!!!! of yajna

2011-07-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

It was reported in a daily that during the Athiratra yajna conducted in April in Kerala, a team of scientists studied its impact on the environment.

It seems they found that the microbial activity in and around the venue was reduced and also germination of seeds was accelerated.

One of the scientists said that their findings will help remove the notion of superstition associated with vedic rituals and help in continuation of these rituals for the betterment of nature and the environment.

These jobs are better done by a municipal worker with a can of pesticide and various agro nutrients and fertilizers. Purpose of yajna is not to disinfect the air or to speed up germination of seeds. Let us not degrade the vedic rituals.

Yajnastu devataan uddishya mantrairdrvyasya daanam - Yajna is offering of dravya to Gods by means of mantras. It is worship. Not anything else.

Isn't it too apologetic to say that, "Look, it helps the environment, so let's continue it". You know what the scientists will say next. 'It's a very inefficient way of cleansing the air, so there is no point continuing it.

YAJNA IS RELIGION. IT IS WORSHIP OF VEDIC GODS. OFFERING TO GODS. PRAYING FOR BLESSINGS. THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED ARE RELIGIOUS AND THEOLOGICAL IN NATURE. NOT SCIENTIFIC.

Curse on the fish

2011-06-28T02:17:00.000-07:00

Krishna Yajurveda 2.2.6

Agni had three elder brothers. They perished while carrying the offering to the gods. Agni thought next is going to be me and he ran away and hid in the waters. The fish found him and informed the devas. Agni cursed the fish that you will be killed at pleasure. That is why the fish is killed at pleasure.

What is happiness ?

2011-06-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

While the advaita and yogic schools of thought are for a way of life where one stops differentiating between good and bad, heat and cold etc. and considers the world of duality as an illusion and attaining the above state as the sole goal of life and the highest form of happiness, see what Charaka has to say about happiness in human life ( Charaka Sutra 30.24)

The person not affected by any physical or mental illness ,is youthful in nature , strong and energetic , having fame, courage and valour, possessing knowledge, having healthy sense organs , having abundant wealth and various kinds of enjoyments , having achieved the results of his actions and is free to move about wherever he likes is happy.

Two types of Physicians

2011-06-20T00:51:00.000-07:00

Charaka in Sutra 29.5 says there are two types of physicians. The first type promotes prana and destroys diseases, the second types promotes diseases and destroys prana.

Vastu effects of various types of land

2011-06-13T07:13:00.000-07:00

Land/plot for construction of house is classified into 24 types.

1. Goveethi - East low, west high - prosperity for 500 years
2. Jalaveethi - East high, west low - loss of children, poverty
3. Agniveethi - South-east low, north-west high - fear from fire, poverty
4. Sarpaveethi - South - east high, North-west low - Can stay only for 100 years, loss of wealth, travel
5.Anthakaveethi - South low, North high - good for the first three years, unnatural death and loss of wealth afterwards
6.Gajaveethi - South high, North low - Good for 100 years, prosperity, charity
7. Bhutaveethi - soth-west low, North-east high - Good for the first 6 years, problems and poverty after that.
8.Dhanyaveethi - South-west high, North-east low - Good for education and prosperity for 1000 years.
9.Paithamahaveethi - High between East and South-east, Low between West and North-west - Prosperous
10.Supathaveethi - High between South and South-east, Low between North and North-west - Prosperous
11.Deerghayurveethi - High between South and South-west, Low between North and North-east - Prosperous, Vamsavridhi
12.Punyakaveethi - High between West and South-west, Low between East and North-east - Good for brahmins and spiritual activities.
13.Apathaveethi - High between West and North-west and low between East and South-east - enemity and disputes.
14. Rogadrik veethi - High between North and North-west and low between South and South-east - Diseases and ill health
15. Argalaveethi - High between North and North-east, Low between South and South-west - Committing great sins, destruction
16. Shmashanaveethi - High between East and North-east, Low between South and South-west - equivalent to graveyard, total destruction.
17. Shyenakaveethi - South-east low, other three corners high - destruction, death
18. Shvamukhaveethi - South-west low, other three corners high - poverty.
19.Bramhagnaveethi - East and North-west low, South-east, North-east and South-west high - inauspicious
20.Sthavaraveethi - South-east high, other three corners low - prosperous.
21.Sthandilyaveethi - South-west high, other three corners low - prosperous.
22.Shandoolaveethi - North-east high, other three corners low - inauspicious
23.Nimnamadyaveethi - Centre low - can not stay for long
24.Unnathanadhyaveethi - not good.

The effects may not be felt immediately. In a centre-high or east-high plot the first 10 years will be good. In a north-west high plot the first 12 years, north-high plot first 8 years, North-east high plot first 6 years, South -east high plot first 100 years will be good. Problems start only after that.

Yamala janana shanthi

2011-06-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

This is the shanthi prescribed when twins are born.

Naala Veshtana Shanthi

2011-06-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

If at the time of delivery, the umbilical cord is found wound around the child the following effects are indicated.

1. three rounds - harmful to the child
2 two rounds - harmful to the mother
3. one round - harmful to the maternal uncle
4 around the chest/waist - harmful to the father
5. around the right hand - harmful to the brother
6. around the right hand - harmful to the sister

A shanthi called Naala Veshtana Shanthi is performed to nullify these harmful effects.

Caution ! Gurus

2011-01-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

"Shishyapapam Gurorapi"

The Guru also partakes in the sins committed by the disciple.

Indiscriminate imparting of knowledge to mass audience and giving mass diksha without testing the merits and demerits of the disciples can prove dangerous to the "Guru" as well.

Oh! the priest is DEMANDING money

2011-01-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

Ref: Apastamba shrauta sutram prasna 10

In yajna, Somapravakaha is the person assigned to invite learned vedic scholars as ritviks. When he approaches the scholars they ask :

" ka ritvjaha ke yajayanti kacchinnaheenaha kachinna nyastamartvijyam KACCHITKALYANYO DAKSHINAA" - who conducts the yajna, who are other ritviks invited, is the yajna going to be without any shortfall, is the dakshina proper and abundant ?

Then only they decide whether to participate in it or not. Providing suitable and proper dakshina to the brahmanas is very important in yajna, and being the custodians of yajna, it is also the duty of the brahmanas to ensure beforehand that proper dakshina is provided.

Dakshina is considered to be consort of yajna - " yajno gandharvasthasya dakshinaapsarasaha".

This applies to learned scholars and not to " priest by day and auto driver by night" kind of purohits.

If you pay peanuts you will get only monkeys.

Atharva veda lakshanam

2011-01-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

Rudra Yamalam - ch.17

Ananda Bhairavi (Parvati) tells Ananda Bhairavi (Siva)

Atharva veda is the essence of all varnas and is associated with shaktyachara.Samaveda of tamoguna originated from Atharva veda. Yajurveda of Satvaguna originated from Samaveda and Rigveda of rajoguna originated from Yajurveda. Brahma resides within Rigveda.

In Atharva veda reside all the vedas, creatures of earth,water and sky and the maharshis.All the mahavidyas, kulavidya and other branches of knowledge reside within Atharva veda. Being the origin of everything, Atharva veda is the essence of everything. Its body comprises of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The kundalini sakti stays in Atharva veda chakra.

Never make ..............

2011-01-11T23:34:00.000-08:00

conditional offerings to gods.

Like, If I get so and so thing then I will do such and such thing for you.

First of all it is in bad taste to presume that the gods are greedy after what you are likely to offer on fulfillment of the wish and put them to test on such assumption.

Secondly, it is against the sastras.

Meemamsa puts Vigrahaha (invocation through mantras), Havisveekaraha( acceptance of the offering, tadbhojanam (its enjoyment), truptihi( satisfaction with the offering) as prerequsites for obtaining the devata's prasdaha (blessing)

Sapta svaras & Rasi/graha associated with them

2011-01-11T23:19:00.000-08:00

Sa - Shadja - Surya, Simha rasi
Ri - Shudha rushabha/chatusruthi rushabha - Chandra, Karkarasi
Ga - Sadharana gandhara/antara gandhara - Kuja, Mesha/Vrischika rasi
Ma - Shudha madhyama/prati madhyama - Budha, Mithuna/Kanya rasi
Pa - Panchama - Guru, Dhanu/Meena rasi
Dha - Shudha dhaivata/chatusruthi dhaivata - Sukra, Tula/Vrishabha rasi
Ni - Koushiki nishada/kakali nishada - Sani, Makara/Kumbha

Maya

2011-01-11T22:53:00.000-08:00

Maya is not unreal, it is part seeing/sensing, it is highly filtered part information from the whole. It is part reality. Maya is restriction imposed on the senses, five or more to accept input of a limited range. The sound waves exist in the subsonic, sonic and supersonic frequencies, but we hear only from 20Hz to 20 KHz. This restriction is maya. We think this is all that exists. Living under the illusion that what we hear, see,sense, taste and smell is all that exists is maya.

Receiving mantra deeksha from a lady

2011-01-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

Qualities of a lady who can be a Guru

sadhvee - virtuous
sadaachaara - well conducted
gurubhaktaa - worshipful of own guru
jitendriya - one who has conquered the senses
sarva mantrartha tatvajna - knowledgeable in meaning and tatva of mantras
susheelaa - affable
poojane rataa - engaged in pooja
sarvalakshana sampanna - endowed with noble signs and attributes
jaapika - engaged in chanting of mantras
padmalochana - one with eyes like lotus petal
ratnalankara samyukta - adorning gems
varnabharana bhooshita - adorning colorful ornaments
shaanta - peaceful
kuleena - of high descent
kulajaa - born in good family
chandrasya - having a moon like face
sarvavrudhiga - having all types of prosperity
anantagunasampanna - having endless virtues
rudratvadayinee - capable of conferring rudratva]
gururoopa - having the form of a guru
muktidatree - capable of giving salvation
sivajnananiroopinee - engaged in understanding sivajnana

Mantra deeksha should not be received from a widow. If the widow has a son then she can be a guru. If the mantra is of the nature of sidha mantra for the particular sadhaka, then it can be received even from a widow (having a son).

Deeksha received from a lady guru is eight times more powerful. The essential condition is that the guru should be putravatee (having son).

If deeksha is received from one's own mother, that is capable of conferring all the eight sidhis to the sadhaka.

If the sadhaka has received mantra deeksha from his own mother in dream, then he should not receive deeksha from anybody else.

The aksharadevatas of gayatri mantra

2010-10-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

There are akshara devatas for each akshara of gayatri mantra as follows

1 - Agni
2 - Ashvins
3 - Soma
4 - Vishnu
5 - Savita
6 - Pusha
7 - Marut
8 - Brihaspati
9 - Mitra
10 - Varuna
11 - Indra
12 - Visvedeva
13 - Vasus
14 - Rudras
15 - Adityas
16 - Aditi
17 - Vayu
18 - Bhumi
19 - Antariksham
20 - Dyou (svarga)
21 to 24 - Digdevatas

The five sutras of atharva veda

2010-10-28T00:38:00.000-07:00

1. Koushika grihya sutra - naarating the applications of the samhita mantras.

2. Vaitana srouta sutra - application of atharva veda mantras is yajna.

3.Nakshatra kalpa - Worship of nakshatras, nirrutikarma and thirty mahasanthis.

4. Angirasa kalpa - related to abhichar

5. Santhikalpa - Various santhis, rajyabhisheka etc.

Ashtadashavidyah ( 18 branches of knowledge)

2010-10-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, Shiksha, Vyakaranam, Chandas, Niruktam, Jyotisham,Kalpam. Meemamsa, Nyayam,Puranam,Dharmasastram, Ayurvedam, Dhanurveda, Gandharvavedam, Arthasastram

Renunciation - continues III

2010-10-16T01:29:00.000-07:00

Ref : Mahabharata.Santiparva.XII

Here Nakula says

The gods set up their sacrificial fire in Visakha-yupa. They themselves are dependent on the results of their action. The pitrus who support the faithful and the infidel alike with rains are engaged in action. Know them to be atheists who reject the ordinance of the vedas - action.

Renunciation - continued II

2010-10-16T00:59:00.000-07:00

Ref : Mahabharata.Santiparva.X

Bhima's comments on renunciation

People who are bereft of prosperity alone have propagated the wrong idea of renunciation in the guise of the vedas.It is not correct for a kshatriya to renounce worldly life.Renunciation is a life of hypocrisy and one who can support himself should never get misled into it.Such people are actually falling from their duty. Only such people who shy away from their duties and do not want to serve gods and rishis, feed sons, grandsons,dependents and guests alone escape into a life of solitude.If success in spiritual life was to come from renunciation, the the mountains and trees would have long back achieved it. One devoid of action can not be succesful.

If those who are concerned about filling their own stomach were to become succesful then animals and creatures of water would have achieved success. Every creature is emplyed in act suitable to its nature and that is how the world moves on.

Action alone can lead to success.

Renunciation - continued

2010-10-16T00:24:00.001-07:00

Ref : Mahabharata.Santiparva.XI

Conversation between Sakra and ascetics.

A group of brahmana youth out of ignorance took to forest life thinking it to be a virtue. They had abandoned their wealth and family to become ascetics. Indra out of mercy for them assumed the form a golden bird (Sakra) and advises them.

Sakra - The most difficult act is to be live by the remnants of sacrifice (hutashesha). The lives of those who offer to Gods and live by what remains is only worthy of praise and that is the highest virtue that can be achieved. You surviving on refuse are deeply stuck in a mire.

Of words mantras are the highest. The mantras control and regulate the life of brahmanas from birth to death. That is the vedic way of life. One should live in this world considering his soul as a particular God and he shall achieve success consistent with the nature of that deity. The life of the grihastha is sacred and superior and it is the field (kshetra) for success. This is the path of the rishis and enjoined by the srutis. This itself is the path of Gods and Brahma. The austerest of penances are study of vedas, worship of Gods and pitrus and service of preceptors. The highest virtue is to bear the load of domestic life. Asceticism is achieved by leading a domestic life and not by abandoning it. The householder shares with the guests and his kinsmen what remains of the sacrifice. Everything depends on him. He observes his own duties, adheres to vows, is truthful in speech, is respected and he alone achieves heaven.

Hearing these words, the ascetics abandoned the religion of renunciation saying there is nothing in it.

Meaning of the word "rasah" in veda

2010-10-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

In vedic cures, the term "rasah" is often used to mean some dravya which is to be energized with mantra and given for consumtion to the patient.

Dadhi ghritam madhoodakamiti rasah.

The rasas are curd, ghee, honey and water.

These are substances which can abosrb and retain the mantras so that when consumed they get trasferred and absorbed into the body.

Why multiple ahutis are offered in havan ?

2010-10-13T07:02:00.000-07:00

In havans such as mrutyunjaya havan multiple ahutis often in thousands are offered. Even in mantropasana the mantra is chanted not just once, but in hundreds or thousands. The principle behind this is " karmabhooyastvat phalabhooyastvam" - the more the karma the more the result.

Anumantranam and abhimantranam

2010-10-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

In vedic and mantrik cures, dravyas such as water, ghee, herbs etc. are energized with mantras and given to the patient. There are two methods of doing this.

1. Anumantranam - Doing the chanting thinking about the meaning/purpose of the mantra.

2. Abhimantranam - the above + the dravya being energized is also looked at.

Why perform nyasa before doing japa/pooja

2010-10-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Devo bhootvaa devam yajet

Become God and then worship God.

Nyasa ia the technique by which the divininty is invoked onto one's own body. In more elaborate rituals even praana pratishtaa of the deity is done on one's own body.

Classification of diseases into two types.

2010-10-05T01:24:00.000-07:00

1. Aahaarajanyaha - arising from food due to wrong food habits or contamination.Examples are complications arising oput of obesity,cholesterol, ulcer, acidity etc. Various contagious diseases and infections also fall into this category. They should be treated with medicines. The cause is purely material by nature and may not reflect in the horoscope.

2. Anyajanmapapa nimittaha - Those arising out of sins from past lives. They should be treated with vaidik karmas such as japa, havan and daanam.

Renunciation ??????

2010-10-03T07:23:00.001-07:00

Can you stop even a single cell out of the trillions in your body from working even for a moment ? and there comes the call for renunciation of action or if it doesn't work renunciation of the the fruits of action.

Renunciation - an excuse for lethargy and laziness.

Fate ????

2010-10-03T07:12:00.000-07:00

Neither veda nor astrology subscribes to the concept of fatalism.

The chief concept of veda is yajna - action with a goal. If everything is predestined then where is the scope for a goal and need of action to achieve it. It will simply come and fall on your lap.

Astrology prescribes choosing an auspcious muhurta for performing important events. It says that what arises out of the event - good or bad depends on the auspiciousness of the time of performance.

If everything is predetermined and future events can not be influenced then where is the scope for choosing an auspicious muhurta ?

Two types of devatas in yajna

2010-10-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

In yajna, two types of devatas take part and visit the yajamana's place. They are Somapas (Hutada) and Asomapas (Ahutada). Somapas are devatas like jala, vayu and surya who directly consume the dravya such as somarasa offered in agni.The second class of devatas are the brahmajnani brahmanas who consume what is not offered in agni (ahutada).

The somapa devatas are propitiated by ahutis and the asomapa devatas (in human form as learned brahmanas) are propitiated by providing suitable dakshina. Pleased by these offerings both types of devatas confer wealth and strength on the yajamana. The brahmanas who conduct the yajna are accorded equal status as that of the devatas.

source - gopatha brahmanam

2010-10-01T21:50:00.000-07:00

Adverse periods in one's life can trigger problems, but these problems do not necessarily get solved at the end of such period. The solution is dependent on the action taken.

A person may get cancer when he is running the period of a malefic as per his horoscope. It's a trigger. But, he is not naturally cured of it at the end of such period. The cure depends on treatment given and divine blessings etc.

It is not correct to believe that problems will get solved by themselves at the end of adverse periods. Problems get solved on the basis of action taken. Of course, circumstances turn favourable when good period comes, but that alone need not bring in a solution.

Don't wait under the hope that once the bad period goes everything will be fine. It may not happen. Once infected, an antibiotic is required for cure. Act now.

The wife as mother

2010-09-03T07:11:00.000-07:00

There is a popular vedic ashirvada mantra " Sumangaleeriyam vadhoom ............".
In the last stanza it says "dashaasyaam putranadhehi patimekadasham kridhi"

It means bless this woman with ten sons and let the husband be like her eleventh son. The wife transforms herself into a mother even to her husband. She looks after her husband like her own child. The mother supreme.

Science speaks vedanta

2010-09-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

From the book "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce.H.Lipton Ph.D. a renowned cell biologist.

" The universe is one indivisible dynamic whole in which energy and matter are so deeply entangled it is impossible to consider them as independent elements."

Learning procedure of Krishna Yajurveda.

2010-07-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

The procedure described below is what is generally followed in the veda pathasalas.

Vedadhyayana involves first of all learning the texts by heart (kanthastheekaranam).

1. Aksharabhyasa - learning of the grantha script.

2. In the first stage, the sub texts are learned by heart. The are -

Taittiriya brahmanam - elaborating the procedure of yajnas etc.
Aranyakam, Kathakam and Upanishad - the spiritual texts mostly dealing in
adhyatma.

This stage takes about two and a half years.

3. In the next stage which make take about two years, the brahmachari learns by heart the taittiriya samhita comprising of 2198 panchasatis ( blocks of 50 words each). They are the mantras in prose form.

4. In the next stage called pada patha the entire samhita is split word by word and learned.

5. In the next stage called krama patha, the brahmachari learns to combine the words and how svara and pada sandhis are formed. The first word of the mantra is joined to the second, second to the third etc.

1+2, 2+3, 3+4, 4+5.

6. The next stage is called jata patha the sequence is

1,2,2,1,1,2
2,3,3,2,2,3
3,4,4,3,3,4
...........

7.The final stage is ghana patha in which the sequence is

1,2,2,1,1,2,3,3,2,1,1,2,3
2,3,3,2,2,3,4,4,3,2,2,3,4

On completion of this stage the student receives the title called ghanapati which is highly respected.

Then the student moves onto learn the nuances of pronunciation and svaras through lakshnas and becomes a salakshana ghanapati. It can take upto ten years to reach this stage.

8. Further to this one can move onto specialise in

Shadangas - the six organs of the vedas
Bhashyam - meaning and commentary
Pryogas - srautha and gruhya prayogas.

To become a karmakandi purohit who does the regular household paurohitya all the above are not required. Proficiency in a few mantras ( may be about 1% of the whole)and a few months of training under an able acharya are sufficient.

The four vedas

2010-07-29T22:37:00.000-07:00

Rigveda
Contains mainly mantras in praise of various vedic deities and prayers to them.

It is divided in two ways.

8 ashtakas comprising of 64 adhyayas

OR

10 mandalas comprising of 85 anuvakas

In total there are 1028 suktams made up of 10552 mantras. A suktam is a collection of mantras on a particular subject.

Originally there were 21 branches of this veda, but now only to ie:- Bhashkala and Sakala are existing.

The sub texts of this veda are

Brahmanas ( procedural instructions) - Kaushitaki, Sangrayana and Aithareya

Aranyakas - Kaushitaki and Aithareya

Upanishads - Kaushitaki and Aithareya

Gruhya sutra - Asvalayana

Yajurveda

There are two schools of yajurveda. The shukla yajurveda and the krishna yajurveda. The main difference is that in shukla yajurveda we find mantras alone whereas krishna yajurveda is a mix of mantras and the relevant brahmana bhaga also.

Yajurveda consists mainly of procedural mantras used in yajnas and it is in prose.

The shukla yajurveda has got two main branches as of today.

1. Vajasaneyi madhyandiniya mainly found in north india 2. Kanva mostly found in Tamil Nadu.

Vajasaneyi samhita consists of 303 anuvakas made up of 1975 kandikas classifiec into 40 chapters. Kanva samhita againa has got 40 chapters divided into 328 anuvakas comprising of 2086 kandikas.

The krishna yajurveda is made up of 7 kandas divided into 44 prasnas. There are 651 anuvakas made up of 2198 panchashatis (group of fifty words).

Sub texts of shukla yajurveda

Brahmanam - Shatapatha brahmanam

Upanishad - Isha and Brihadaranyaka

Sub texts of krishna yajurveda

Brahmanam - Taittiriya brahmanam

Aranyaka - Taittiriya aranyaka

Upanishad - Taittiriya, Katha and Maitrayani

Gruhya sutra - Apastamba, Bodhayana

Samaveda

Samaveda consists of songs. Of the 1875 verses of samaveda, 1800 are from rigveda.

It consists of two parts

Purvarchika consisting of 6 chapters with 650 mantras and

Uttararchika consisting of 21 chapters with 1225 mantras.

The main branches are kauthuma and ranayaniya.

Atharva veda

Atharva veda comprises of mantras used for all worldly purposes such as healing, penances, fulfillment of wishes etc and also adhyatma.

The main branches are Saunaka and Paippalada.

Saunaka samhita consists of 5977 mantras arranged into 730 suktams in 20 chapters.

Sub texts of atharva veda

Brahmanam - Gopatha

Upanishad - Mundaka, Mandukaya.

Are the passengers part of the bus?

2010-07-27T01:38:00.000-07:00

Of course, when it jumps off the bridge and plunges down the river, they all drown together.

There are millions of micro organisms existing in our body each with life of its own. Some helpful, some harmful. Does the "self" include all of them or is minus all of them? A bacterium in the human stomach - does it identify itself as an individual prana or part of the whole called the human?

Why to prostrate before learned brahmins

2010-07-16T00:16:00.000-07:00

The mantra goes - " yavateervai devataastaa sarvaa veda vidi brahmane vasnti tasmaat brahmanebhyo veda vidbhyo dive dive namskuryaannaasleelam keertayedeta eva devataa preenati"

All devatas reside within the brahmin who knows the veda. So, by prostrating before the brahmin the devatas become happy.

The devatas exist in the form of mantras. By chanting the mantra their presence is sought. Mantras are stored in the veda vit brahmin. Therefore the devatas also reside within him.

Kari Naal / Agni nakshatra / Panchak

2010-07-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

Kari Naal

Kari Naal is generally considered to be inauspicious in Tamil Nadu. Tamil panchangams mark kari naal. If the panchangam shows it as a kari naal auspicious functions are avoided on that day.

Certain days of the solar month are considered as kari naal. It is as follows.

Mesha - 6th and 15th
Rishabha - 7th ,16th and 17th
Mithuna - 1st and 6th
Karkataka - 2nd ,10th and 20th
Simha - 2nd ,9th and 28th
Kanya -16th and 29th
Tula - 6th and 20th
Vrischika - 1st ,10th and 17th
Dhanu -6th ,9th and 11th
Makara -1st, 2nd, 3rd, 11th, and 17th
Kumbha-15th ,16th and 17th
Meena -6th, 15th and 19th

Kari naal is only a deshachara (local practice). There is no reference in any of the classical texts.

Death on a kari naal is considered to be inauspicious and special remedies are performed in such cases. It must have started like this and later on must have got modified to the present state by indiscriminate observation.

Agninakshatra

Similar is the case with agninakshatra. When surya traverses krittika nakshatra (agni nakshatra) some people consider it to be inauspicious. Sastra says " Mrit Daru Shila karmani varjayet" meaning avoid activities related to soil/mud, timber and stone. Only construction related activities need to be avoided ( may be due to the extreme heat ).

Panchak of Gujarat

Five nakshatras starting from Dhanishta are called vasu panchakam. Death on these nakshatras is considered to be inauspicious in the sastra and special remedy is prescribed. In Gujarat this period is being reckoned as inauspicious for all activities. There is no basis for this. Out of the five only purva bhadra is a varjya nakshatra for certain activities.

Beating the african beats

2010-07-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Shingari melam from kerala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyTOyn39Fwk

It's all in the mind

2010-07-12T00:46:00.000-07:00

All you have to know is what you are, how you exist.

You don't have to believe anything.

Just understand your mind; how it works,how attachment and desire arise, how ignorance arises, and where emotions come from.

It is sufficient to know the nature of all that; that alone can bring you happiness and peace.

Thus, your life can change completely; everything turns upside down.

What you once interpreted as horrible can become beautiful.

Your Mind is Your Religion ( Budha)

Uparagasanthi

2010-07-07T23:01:00.001-07:00

Uparaga (eclipse) santhi

This is the remedy to be performed if a solar or lunar eclipse falls on one’s janmarasi to ward off the evils of serious illnesses and untimely death.

Procedure

1. Anujna form brahmins

2. Ganesha pooja

3. Appointment of acharya and ritviks

4. A pratima of sarpa made of gold weighing one or half nishka ( 1 nishka = 4 g) should be placed on top of a heap of gingelly seeds in case of solar eclipse and a heap of rice in case of a lunar eclipse after purifying with panchagavya.

5. Pranapratishta should be performed on the pratima and woshipped with shodashopachara.

6. A kalasha made of brass should be placed on top paddy weighing five dronas ( 1 drona = 16 kg). Four more kalashas should be placed in the four directions.

7. The five types of soil called panchamrith ( 1. from the path of elephant 2. from the path of horse. 3. from the battleground 4. from the place where cattle is reared 5. from the gate of the king’s palace.) should be deposited in the kalashas. The skin from the bark and the tender leaves of the five trees oudumbara, vata, ashvatha, plaksha and amra called panchatvak and panchapallava respectively should be deposited in the kalashas. The nine gemstones should be deposited. Then kalashas should also be deposited with gorochan, sankha, padma, sphatika, chandana, ivory, flowers, usheera and guggulu.

8. Varuna should first be invoked onto the kalashas and worshipped with shodashopachara.

9. The other deities should be invoked using the following mantras.

Indra

rÉÉåxÉÉæ uÉeÉëkÉUÉå SåuÉ AÉÌSirÉÉlÉÉÇ mÉëpÉÑqÉïiÉÈ | xÉWûxÉëlÉrÉlÉxxÉÔrÉïaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Agni

qÉÑZÉÇ rÉxxÉuÉïSåuÉÉlÉÉÇ xÉmiÉÉÍcÉïUÍqÉiÉ±ÑìÌiÉÈ | xÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÉqÉÎalÉÈ mÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Yama

rÉÈ MüqÉïxÉÉ¤ÉÏ sÉÉåMüÉlÉÉÇ rÉqÉÉå qÉÌWûwÉuÉÉWûlÉÈ | cÉlSìxÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉÉåijÉÉÇ aÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Nirruti

U¤ÉÉåaÉhÉÉÍkÉmÉxxÉÉ¤ÉéiÉç mÉëVûrÉÉÌlÉsÉxÉÍ³ÉpÉÈ | MüUÉVûÉå ÌlÉU×ÌiÉxxÉÔrÉïaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Varuna

lÉÉaÉmÉÉzÉkÉUÉå SåuÉÉå ÌlÉirÉÇ qÉMüUuÉÉWûlÉÈ | xÉÍsÉsÉÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉxxÉÔrÉïaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Vayu

mÉëÉhÉÃmÉÉÌWûsÉÉåMüÉlÉÉÇ uÉÉrÉÑÈ M×üwhÉqÉ×aÉÌmÉërÉÈ | xÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÉÇ aÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Kubera

rÉÉåÅxÉÉæ ÌlÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉSåïuÉÈ ZÉ…ûzÉÔsÉkÉUÉå ZÉUÈ | xÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÇ MüsÉÑwÉÇ qÉå urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Ishana

rÉÉåÅxÉÉæ zÉÔsÉkÉUÉå ÂSìzzÉÇMüUÉå uÉ×wÉuÉÉWûlÉÈ | xÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉeÉÇ SÉåwÉÇ ÌuÉlÉÉzÉrÉiÉÑ xÉuÉïSÉ ||

In case of lunar eclipse use the following mantras

Indra

rÉÉåÅxÉÉæ uÉeÉëkÉUÉå SåuÉ AÉÌSirÉÉlÉÉÇ mÉëpÉÑqÉïiÉÈ | xÉWûxÉëlÉrÉlÉ¶ÉlSìaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Agni

qÉÑZÉÇ rÉxxÉuÉïSåuÉÉlÉÉÇ xÉmiÉÉÍcÉïUÍqÉiÉ±ÑìÌiÉÈ | cÉlSìÉåmÉUÉaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÉqÉÎalÉÈ mÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Yama

rÉÈ MüqÉïxÉÉ¤ÉÏ sÉÉåMüÉlÉÉÇ rÉqÉÉå qÉÌWûwÉuÉÉWûlÉÈ | cÉlSìxÉÔrÉÉåïmÉUÉaÉÉåijÉÉÇ aÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Nirruti

U¤ÉÉåaÉhÉÉÍkÉmÉxxÉÉ¤ÉéiÉç mÉëVûrÉÉÌlÉsÉxÉÍ³ÉpÉÈ | MüUÉVûÉå ÌlÉU×ÌiÉ¶ÉlSìaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Varuna

lÉÉaÉmÉÉzÉkÉUÉå SåuÉÉå ÌlÉirÉÇ qÉMüUuÉÉWûlÉÈ | xÉÍsÉsÉÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉ¶ÉlSìaÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Vayu

mÉëÉhÉÃmÉÉÌWûsÉÉåMüÉlÉÉÇ uÉÉrÉÑÈ M×üwhÉqÉ×aÉÌmÉërÉÈ | cÉlSìÉåmÉUaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÉÇ aÉëWûmÉÏQûÉÇ urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Kubera

rÉÉåÅxÉÉæ ÌlÉÍkÉmÉÌiÉSåïuÉÈ ZÉ…ûzÉÔsÉkÉUÉå ZÉUÈ | cÉlSìÉåmÉUÉaÉxÉÇpÉÔiÉÇ MüsÉÑwÉÇ qÉå urÉmÉÉåWûiÉÑ ||

Ishana

rÉÉåÅxÉÉæ zÉÔsÉkÉUÉå ÂSìzzÉÇMüUÉå uÉ×wÉuÉÉWûlÉÈ | cÉlSìÉåmÉUÉaÉeÉÇ SÉåwÉÇ ÌuÉlÉÉzÉrÉiÉÑ xÉuÉïSÉ ||

10. The above mantras should be written on a metal strip made of gold, silver or copper and tied around the head of the yajamana.

11. The yajamana with anjalimudra should pray to the dikpalas as follows taking flowers and akshata in hand

§ÉæsÉÉåYrÉå rÉÉÌlÉ pÉÔiÉÉÌlÉ cÉUÉÍhÉ xjÉÉuÉUÉÍhÉ cÉ | oÉë¼åzÉÌuÉwhÉÑrÉÑ£üÉÌlÉ iÉÉlrÉÉrÉÉliÉÑ WûUiuÉbÉqÉç ||

12. This should be followed by shodashopachara pooja of the invoked dikpalas.

13. The brahmanas should chant the following mantras.

Rudram, Chamakam, Purushasuktam, Shreesuktam, Bhusuktam, Varunasuktam, Ghritasuktam, Aghamarshanasuktam, Namobrahmane and Pranava.

14. In case of Solar eclipse havan with 108 ahutis of samit, annam and ghee should be perfoprmed with the mantra AÉ xÉirÉålÉ ........ and in case of lunar eclipse with the mantra xÉÉåqÉÉå kÉålÉÑqÉç ……

108 ahutis should also be given with ghee with the mantra lÉqÉÉå AxiÉÑ xÉmÉåïprÉÈ and 108 ahutis with gingelly seeds with the vyahrutis.

15. Abhisheka should be performed on the yajamana with the water from the kalashas at the end of the pooja chanting the navagraha mantras.

16. The sarpa pratima, kalashas and everythingelse used in the pooja should be given in daanam to the brahmanas. The band metal band tied around the head should be given in daanam to the acharya.

16. Ashirvada to be received from the brahmanas after providng suitable dakshina and bhojanam.

Facing north or east - scientific evidence

2010-07-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

A paper by S.Subramanyam, P.V.Sankernarayan and T.M.Srinivasan called "Effect of magnetic micropulsations on the biological systems - a bioenvironmental study" that appeared in Int.J.Biometeor.1985.vol 29 says -

their study showed decisive changes in the electrophysiology, neurochemistry and biochemistry when oriented to north or east. The north orientation appeared to induce inhibition of brain electrical activity and asscociated neurochemical and biochemical changes whereas the east orientation showed a response of calm blissful alertness.

http://resources.metapress.com/pdf-preview.axd?code=3288m43473051v6j&size=largest

agnidhyanam

2010-07-01T04:56:00.001-07:00

AalÉåkrÉÉïlÉqÉç

xÉmiÉWûxiÉÈ cÉiÉÑzÉ×…¡ûÈ xÉmiÉÎeÉÀûÈ Ì²zÉÏwÉïiÉÈ

Ì§ÉmÉÉiÉç mÉëxÉ³ÉuÉSlÉÈ xÉÑZÉÉxÉÏlÉÈ zÉÑÍcÉÎxqÉiÉÈ

xuÉÉWûÉÇ iÉÑ SÍ¤ÉhÉå mÉÉµÉåï SåuÉÏÇ uÉÉqÉå xuÉkÉÉÇ iÉjÉÉ

ÌoÉpÉëiÉç SÍ¤ÉhÉWûxiÉæxiÉÑ zÉÌ£üqÉ³ÉÇ xÉëÑcÉÇ xÉëÑuÉqÉç

iÉÉåqÉUÇ urÉeÉlÉÇ uÉÉqÉæÈ bÉ×iÉmÉÉ§ÉÇ cÉ kÉÉUrÉlÉç

qÉåwÉÉÃRûÉå eÉOûÉoÉ®èÈ aÉÉæUuÉhÉÉåï qÉWûÉæeÉxÉÈ

kÉÔqÉëkuÉeÉÉå sÉÉåÌWûiÉÉ¤ÉÈ xÉmiÉÉÍcÉïxÉïuÉïMüÉqÉSÈ

AÉiqÉÉÍpÉqÉÑZÉqÉÉxÉÏlÉÈ LuÉÇ krÉÉrÉåiÉç WÒûiÉÉzÉlÉqÉç.

AalÉå uÉæµÉélÉU zÉÉÎhQûsrÉaÉÉå§É qÉåwÉkuÉeÉ mÉëÉ‰ÑZÉÈ qÉqÉÉÍpÉqÉÑZÉqÉÉxÉÏlÉÉå uÉUSÉå pÉuÉ

Maya the illusion

2010-06-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

Even if it is all an illusion, there still is a director executing his storyline like in a movie.

Behaviour

2010-06-30T08:16:00.001-07:00

Behaviour is muscular contraction

Essentials of vedic yajnas

2010-06-29T01:40:00.000-07:00

Yajna is offering something to the gods with the help of mantras.

What is offered is less important. It could be purodasha the cake,

ajyam the ghee, charu the cooked grains, pashu the animal, the soma

juice, milk etc.

Yajna, yaga and ishti are synonyms.

The three varnas, brhmanas, kshatriyas and vaisyas can perform

yajnas. Sometimes bahuyajamana yajnas are jointly performed by

brahmanas and kshatriyas.

Sudras can not perform yajna. A married woman can participate in

yajna. A sudra woman even if married to a brahmana can not

participate in yajna. Cripples, eunuchs and people ignorant of veda can

not perform yajna. There are occasions where exemptions are given to

some classes of sudras to be present during the yajna such as

rathakara (charioteer).

The yajna is essentially performed by one who has finished his study

of veda and is married. If a brahmachari is performing a certain yajna

which is allowed for him, then sacred fire is not used, purodasha is

cooked on earth and not in jars and also ahutis of tongue etc. from the

animal is offered in water and not in fire.

The yajna called darsapoornmasu performed on all new moon and

full moon days is prescribed by Rigveda and yajurveda. The daily

agnihotra is prescribed by Yajurveda. Agnishtoma is prescribed by all
vedas.

Rigveda and Samaveda mantras are chanted alound. Yajurveda mantras

are murmured except when they are questions, replies,

selecting,dialogues and commands. If the particular yajurveda mantra

is also present in Rigveda or Samaveda then it is chanted aloud.

Samidheni mantras used while lighting the agni are chanted at a

volume neither high nor low.

The darsapurnamasa requires four priests, chaturmasya requires five,

pasu bandha or animal sacrifice six and agnishtoma sixteen.

The Hota priest is a Rigvedi, the udgata a samavedi, the adhvaryu a

yajurvedi and the brahma(supervisor) should know all four vedas. Even

though yajnas can be performed for kshatriyas and vaisyas, the priests

have to brahmanas in all cases.

The ceremony for laying of fire for sacrifices for the first time is called

agnyadhana. There are three fires, garhapatya the grandfather,

dakshinagni the son and aahavaniya the grandson. The agnyadhana is

done for the brahmana in spring, kshatriya in summer and vaisya in

winter.

When the term "juhoti" is used it is the adhvaryu who offers the

oblation.

The spoon used thus is called "juhu" also sruk.

If the sruk is employed elsewhere a sruva can be used in its place.

The offering is made in the aahavaniya agni.

The vessels are preserved form agnyadhana for a lifetime and burnt

with the sacrificer at his death. They are to be purified at the time of

each yajna.

The veda consists of mantra bhaga and brahmana bhaga. The

brahmana bhaga consisits of precepts, explanations and traditions.

Many of the restrictions imposed while learning and practising vedas

cease when offering sacrifices.

Sacrificial acts are accompanied by mantras. If it is said that plants are

to be cut with 14 verses, then with each verse one plant is to be cut. If

it said that one has to sprinkle three times, the mantra is said only

once and sprinkling done thrice. In acts involving repetitions such as

pounding the mantra is chanted only once. If a mantra is to be said if

one wakes up in the night, it is to be said only once and not every time

one wakes up. Similarly for crossing of the river, downpour etc. In case

of bad omen that repeats the mantra has to be chanted again only if

some time has elapsed after the first.

One sacrificial act may be accompanied by more than one mantra.

The beginning of the act and the end of the chanting of the mantra

should coincide.

In case of aghaara and dhaara the beginning of the act and the mantra

coincide.

In the instruction as to which mantra is to be chanted for the act if one

pada is mentioned it is for one mantra, if more than a pada is

mentioned it is for three mantras and if an imperfect pada of the

initial mantra is quoted it is for the whole hymn.

Hotra mantras are mantras chanted by the hota and yaajamana

mantras are mantras chanted by the yajamana.

If it is said that one should sacrifice with rice and barley it means with

rice after rice harvest and with barley after barley harvest and not both

together.

Similarly if more than one number is mentioned for the same purpose ,

for example dakshina it means any of them and not everything

together.

But in buying of soma, redemption and initiation if more than one is

mentioned that means aggregation.

After offering anything to Rudra, Rakshas, Nirrti, Pitrus or after

cutting, breaking or throwing anything or after rubbing the body, one

should touch water for purification.

All priestly acts take place on the northern part of the sacrificial

ground.

The priest should never turn his back to agni nor to the sacrificial

ground.

All utensils such as ladles should be held towards the agni (their tip

and top facing the agni).

The yajamana and his wife should sit inside of the priests. The priests

should sit sideways according to seniority.

After a sacrificial utensil such as ladle is sanctified with mantra it

should not be tossed around.

Sacrificial act meant for devas should be performed facing north or

east and with the yajnopavita over the left shoulder and under the right

hand.

Sacrificial act for the pitrus should be performed facing south and with

the yajnopavita over the right shoulder and under the left hand.

The purnamasi or full moon day should be obseved as a day of

abstinence.

If a person does not sacrifice with soma, the principal acts for him in

Amavasya are ashta kapala for agni and ekadasa or dvadasa kapala for

Indraagnee. In case of one who sacrifices with soma samnayya or

mixture of milk and curd takes the place of purodasha as the second

principal act meaning the Aindragna offering is omitted. Even if he is

not a somayaji, the aindragna is omitted if samnayya is included.

Pindapitru yajna is a pradhana act and not auxillary to amavasya.

A principal act has a name of its own such as vaisvadeva, vajapeya etc.

and it has reference specicifc to place, time or person.

Darvi homa is done with the ladle sitting and with svahakara.

For each ahuti ajyam is taken seperately.

In darvi homa idhma is not used except in agnihotra where two samits

are given.

While juhoti is done sitting, yajati is done standing.

In darvi homa one sits west of the agni either bending or not bending

the right knee.

The darvi homas are - Asruta (it is a sraavaya homa), pratysruta (when

offered with sroushat), Anuvakya (when deity is invited), Yajya

(accompanying the sacrifice), Upastarana (spreading for the

homadravya) and abhigharana (sprinkling of the homa dravya).

In ahutis the pouring out is done whene the vashatkara is pronounced

or at the end of it.

Svaha, Svadha, Vashat, Vaushat and Sraushat are the five sacrificial

injunctions.

Vashat us uttered by the hota.

When soma is offered it is poured out with upayama griheetosi.

When bricks are put together to make the vedi, the act starts with the

starting of the hymn and ends with the end of the hymn.

When the purodasha is divided into pieces "vyavartadhvam" is used

and for the last two pieces "vyavatetham".

Each piece is of the breadth of a thumb and a ladle full of the same

size in case of samnayya which is liquid.

When there are more number of charus and purodashas they are

marked for each deity with "idam" (eg:- idam agneh). This applies for

division as well.

Kapala is the jar used for cooking. When it is placed in fire for cooking

the verse dhrishtarasi... or dhruvosi ( male gender charu being male) is

pronounced.

Cleanign of the grains etc. takes place after the kapala is put on fire.

The plant in the field is called sasya, the grain with the husk is called

dhanya, the grain without the husk is called tandula and the roasted or

cooked grains is called anna.

The process of cooking is called adhisrapana and the verse is used

gharmosi.

The samidhenis or verses used in kindling the agni are fifteen in

number in darsapurnamasa and seventeen in number in wishful ishtis

and pasubandha.

The darsapurnamasa is the prakriti or nor for all ishtis. All other ishtis

are vikriti or modifications of darsapurnamasa. A sacrifice which is a

vikriti can become prakriti for another sacrifice.

It is also the norm for agnishomiya pasu or animal sacrifice and also

savaniya.

Savaniya is the norm for aikadasianas and aikadasinas are the norms

for pasuganas.

Vaisvadeva is the norm for Varunapraghasa sakamedaha and sira.

Vaisvadevika ekakapala is the norm for all ekakapalas. Ekakapala is

undivided.

Vaisvadevi amiksha is the norm for all amikshas.

Vikara (modificaion) is perceived for similarity with the prakriti (norm).
Charu is perceived as a vikara or purodasha, honey and water as that

of ajyam and amiksha as that of samnayya.

Offerings to a single deity is considered to be a vikara of agneya, two

two deities as that of agnishomeeya and multiple deities as that of

aindragna.

If there is sameness of deity and offering in prakriti and vikriti , then

offering prevails. If there is contradiction in substance and method of

preparation, then substance prevails. If there is contradiction

regarding substance then purpose prevails.

In the vikriti there are sometimes modification of mantras depending

on the sense. But in the prakriti no such modification exists.

When what is prescribed is not available then something most similar

is taken. If something very much like is not available then something a

little like can be taken provided it is not a forbidden item. The

substitute should be looked upon as the substituted If vrihi is

substituted by nivara it should be looked upon as vrihi only and as and

when vrihi becomes available that shoud be used.

If the measure of the dravya is insufficient manage with whatever is

available.

The yajamana, agni, devata, mantra, the act and any prohibition can

not be substituted.

The prakriti stops when there is a corollary, prohibition or a loss of

meaning.

Agnishtoma is the prakriti of ekaha sacrifices.

Dvadashaha is the prakriti of the aharganas.

Gavamayana is the prakriti of Samvatsarikas.

In agnishtoma, ukthya, shodasina and atiratra which are soma

sacrifices, uttara vedi is also present.

The yajamana wishes the object of his sacrifice at the beginning. If

there is wish associated with any special part if the sacrifice, then the

particular wish should be made at the beginning of the special part.

One should perform the agnihotra etc. as holy duty and not with any

special wish.

The brahmana should offer agnihotra at the the beginning and end of

the day, the darsapurnamasa at the end of each half month, the

agrayana as and when the old grains are consumed and the new grains

are taken, the chaturmasya at the end of the three seasons,

pasubandha or animal sacrifice at the solstices and soma yaga at the

end of the year.

A brahmana will not eat new grains without performing the agrayana or

will not eat meat without performing the pasubandha.

If there are fewer mantras than the number of acts, then the acts are

divided between the mantras. If there are more mantras than the

number of acts then let each act be performed with one mantra leaving

others as optional.

-based on apastamba yajna paribhasha

2010-05-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

There can not be individual development whether spiritual or material in isolation from the collective development of the society. An individual can not evolve by himself. He can only be part of the collective evolution. All information and knowledge an individual has is primarily acquired from the world around and he may process it to arrive at conclusions, but the source is always outside. Even when you search inside for an answer what you find is something stored in the past. When the world evolves the individual also evolves. He may lag behind but can not be left behind. When the singer improves his style, the orchestra also has to keep pace with him. When the orchestra improves (new technology and skills) the pressure is on the singer to improve himself. Somebody is observed to be growing rich because society recognises money. Somebody is able to exploit because there sources available to be exploited. Somebody is a respected scholar because the society appreciates knowledge. Sombody's lung capacity is irrelevant today because the society has not yet fixed a price for air. The individual is only a thread in the fabric.

When not to pluck tulasi leaves for puja

2010-05-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Forbidden days - Sunday, Tuesday, Friday
Forbidden tithis - Amavasya, Purnima, Dvadasi
Other forbidden days - Sankranthi, Vaidhruti yoga, Vyatipata yoga
Forbidden time - Sunrise, sunset, night

Leaves plucked on the previous day can be used on such occasions

Restrictions on number of murtis at home

2010-05-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

Two lingas should not be worshipped at home, also three ganapathis, two sankhas, two suryas, three devis, two chakras and two shalagramas. It can lead to unrest.

Qualities of a paramahamsa

2010-03-09T20:49:00.000-08:00

1. He is devoid of all attachments.

2. He is a yogi and wanders by foot all over the earth.

3.He is engrossed in his own self.

4. He does not have any belongings.

5. He wears koupeena, one danda and one clothe for covering himself.

6. He does not differentiate between good and bad.

7. He does not become happy when offered respect nor get angry when insulted.

8.He is silent.

9.He does not carry a vessel for alms and begs with his hand. He takes only what is sufficient for survival of the body.

Source : Vishnusmruti chapter 4, slokas 23 to 30

Heads of mutts

2010-03-09T17:31:00.000-08:00

There is a difference in the sanyasa dharma for the heads of the mutts such as sankaracharyas and various other mutts with an established parampara. They are the upholders of dharma. They have many worldly responsibilites.Their presence in the samsara is not for enjoyment but for the execution of the responsbilities entrusted to them. In their absence there will not be any interpreters of dharma and religion will disintegrate and disappear.

Sanyasa is only auxillary to their responsbilities as heads of the mutts so that their actions are selfless and pure. They are karmayogis.

Baba (un)Ltd.

2010-03-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

In an era where babahood has become a lucrative career option and when asrams are being run like corporate houses, let's look at what scriptures have to say about Gurus and Sanayasis.

Qualities of Guru (ref: Rudrayamalam)

1. Neerogi - disease free
2. Nirahankaraha - without ego or pride
3. Vikararahitaha - unperturbed by emotions
4. Mahan - magnanimous
5. Panditaha - scholar
6. Vakpatihi - eloquent
7. Sreeman - one with aiswarya
8. Sada yajnavidhanakrit - always engaged in yajnas
9. Purascharanakrit - one who has done mantra purascharana (procedure required for mantra siddhi.
10. Sidhhaha - one who has attained mantra siddhi
11. Hitahitahivarjithaha - one who does not differntaite between good and bad
12. Sarvalakshnasamyuktaha - possessor of all noble signs
13.Mahajangannadrutaha - respected by noble people
14. Pranayamadisiddhantaha - skillfull in pranayama etc.
15.Jnanee - Enlightened
16. Mounee - moderate in speech
17. Viragavan - one who posesses vairagya
18.Tapasvee - performer of tapas
19.Satyavadee - honest
20.Sada dhyanaparayanaha - perpetually engaged in meditation
21.Agamarthavishishtajnaha - well versed in the meaning of agamas
22.Nijadhamaparyanaha - engaged in own dharma
23.Bhadradabavan - generous
24.Dhritivan - stern and stable.

The disciple is told to avoid a Guru who does not posess the above qualities and also a guru who is not concerned about the welfare of others, angry and violent by nature, unstable in charecter and behaviour, unintelligent, dceitful in nature, not posseeing a peaceful nature, sinful, unhealthy, one who uses foul language, womaniser and one who is not faithful to his wife.

The disciple should also avoid a hypocrite, one who talks a lot, one who eats a lot, one who is a miser as his Guru.

The sastra clearly says that a test of the Guru on the above counts (called gurupareekshanam) should be done before accepting him as guru.

The guru also should put the disciple through intense test sometimes even lasting for years before imparting knowledge to him.

Gurus who advertise themselves through posters, banners, TV shows and all other marketing gimmicks are only selling. We have fallen to a level where disciples flock to gurus seeing their adverisements and deeksha is given against cheques and receipts.

It is fun listening to the babas who were caught red handed. The jeevatma paramatma jargon suddenly disappears and the down to earth slang surfaces saying " mujhe dusre babaon ne phasaya hai -I have been trapped by the other babas". They know they are in business and it is the competition playing foul. Otherwise why such a reaction.

Coming to sanyasa, most of these babas claim to be sanyasis or sadhus who have relinquished worldly life. Let's see what scriptures have to say about sanyasa dharma.

( Ref: Manusmruti)

1. One should enter the asrama of sanyasa after passing through the three previous stages and repaying three debts. The debt to the rishis should be repaid by learning of the vedas, that to the pitrus by procreation and that to the devas through yajnas. ( There are differnt opinions here. Jabalopanishad says one can enter sanyasa from any of the previous stages.)

2.He should not cause harm to any being movable or immovable.

3. He should not be attached to anything like food etc.

4. He should not be dependent on anyone and should move around alone.

5. He should live in the forest and enter the village only for begging.

6. He should not live in a house.

7. He should be negligent about his health.

8. His mind should be engrossed in adhyatma

9. He should not talk much.

10. He should wear the danda, kamandalu and should carry bhikshapatra.

11. He should feed on tubers.

12. He should wear only worn out clothes.

13. He should neither long for death nor desire long life.

14. He should walk looking at the ground so that no harm is caused even to insects and should drink only strained water.

15. He should not collect or amass anything.

16. He should tolerate abuses from others and should not react or insult in retaliation.

17. He should neither have friends nor enemies.

18. He should not bear grudge towards anyone.

19. He should not be attached even to his danda and kamandalu.

20. He should not try to make a living by interpretation of sastras, scholarly debates, offering advice and also means such as astrology. He should survive by begging.

21. His vessel should be made of objects such as alaboo(a vegetable) shell, bamboo, wood or clay.

22. He should collect and eat only as much as required for survival.

23. He should not accept alms offered with respect. This will lead to attachment.

24. He should not accept alms from the same person again and again. (atrismruti)

25. He should not bless anyone nor wish anyone (brihadvishnusmruti)

26. He should not keep disciples nor should he impart knowledge to others. (dakshasmruti)

27. Sanyasa is only for brahmins (vishnusmruti)

28. One who offers gold,money etc. to sanyasi, tamboolam to brahmachari and shelter to thief falls into hell. (parasarasmruti)

29. One who becomes a sanyasi and does not live like one, the king should mark his forehead with the foot of the dog and throw him out of the country. (dakshasmruti)

30. The sanyasi who involves himself in teaching of sastras or worldly matters or takes interest in good clothes and food or living in houses will not attain moksha.

Any more takers ??

Real sanyasis do exist even today. You will not find them moving around in luxury cars and giving discources before invitee audience in air conditioned asrams. They will be in the Himalayas or similar places minding their own business.

Celibacy in Hinduism

2010-03-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

Most of our Gods were married. Brahma to Saraswathi, Indra to Sachi, Siva to Parvathy, Vishnu to Lakshmi and Bhoomidevi, Ganapathy to Riddhi and Siddhi, Subramanya to Valli and Devayani, Krishna to Rukmini,Satyabhama and many more off the records, Rama to Sita, Sastha to Poorna and Pushkala, Balaji to Padmavathy.

Most of our Rishis were also married. Atri married Anasuya, Agastya married Lopamudra, Jamadagni married Renuka, Bharadvaja married Susheela, Vasishta married Arundhati, Gautama married Ahalya, Bhrigu married Khyati, Angiras married Svadha,Smriti,Sati and Sraddha, Kasyapa married Aditi, Diti, Danu,Kadru, Vinita,Surabhi,Sarmas,Muni,Khasa,Krodha Arishta and Ila, Pulastya married Preeti, Pulaha married Kshama and Kratu married Sannati.

They were all following dharma.

Brahmacharya is a word often confused with celibacy. Brahmachari means one who treads the path of knowledge (brahma also means mantra). There are four stages of life which a man has to go through. The first stage is called brahmacharya in which the focus is on acquisition of knowledge. Then he graduates into the grihasthasrama or that of the householder wherein so many duties and resposibilits including procreation are taken up by him. The third stage is vanaprastha or going to the forest for retirement after finishing his duties and finally sanyasa to attain mukti.

The student is called the brahmachari and this stage begins with the initiation ceremony called upanayana. The student is expected to observe strict discipline so that he remains focused on the path of knowledge. The brahmachari is supposed to

1. Stay in Gurukula and observe all rules.
2. Take bath every day an worship Devas, Rishis a and Pitrus and perform Samidadhana (agnikarya).
3.Avoid honey, meat, perfumes, garlands and ornaments,women and sweets, sour items.
4.Avoid harm to all beings.
5.Avoid oil bath, applying anjana, footwear, umbrella.
6.Relinquish desires, anger and greed.
7.Avoid music, dance and musical instruments.
8.Avoid gambling, debates, gossip, lying, looking at women with desire, embracing women and harm to others.
9.Sleep alone.
10.Beg for alms every day and hand it over to the teacher.
11. perform service to the teacher.
12.Show respect to the teacher and not to sit in front of him unless ordered to do so.
13.Eat inferior food and wear inferior clothes than the teacher, get up before the the teacher gets up and sleep only after he goes to sleep
14.Sit at a lower level than the teacher.

and so many more ...........Abstinence in only one among them.

These are all applicable during studentship. For the householder the rules change. The above mentioned Rishis observed brahmacharya in the first stage and later matured into the next stage.

Celibacy is a rule during brahmacharya but an exception subsequently.Even during brahmacharya while performing the daily samidadhana the brahmachari prays "mayi medham mayi prajam mayyagnistejo dadhatu" - Lord Agni, give me intellect, give me children and give me brilliance. It is not life long celibacy that is envisaged for the brahmachari.

The sages attained the highest realms of spirituality even when they were married and householders. Many of them had more than one wife and many progenies. Their spiritual content is not known to have depleted on account of that. There may be occasional stories such as those of Visvamitra and Menaka and the essence is not virtue of celibacy but breaking of a vow.

The religion considers abstinence as a rule to be followed during studentship, not necessarily a virtue to be observed lifelong.

The whole problem starts when it is made to look as if Hinduism is yoga and meditation. Yoga or to be more precise Hadha yoga is just one of the methods for spiritual growth among hundreds. In yoga, the body is the sole and whole medium for spiritual transformation, hence all this focus on the body. All bodily functions are kept strictly under control in this method including food intake, sleep, rest, postures etc. There are even concepts like reversal of the apana hence total abstinence. Yoga is individualistic, hence collecitve dharma has little role in it.
Abstinence even in thought is essential for success in yoga.

In Hindu religion procreation is a dharma to be followed by the householder whereas in yoga abstinence is a rule to be observed and any deviation an impediment in growth.

Manu smriti declares that abstinence during the first four days of the cycle and on parvas as the rule for the householder.

The media is full of discourses where the virtue of celibacy is extolled because the speakers mostly belong and have exposure only to the yoga school of thought(no offence meant). This creates confusion in the common man and he starts thinking that it is a sin to be engaging in grihastha asrama.

For hadha yogis celibacy is necessary, because they need to preserve all sorts of energies in the body and channelise them in the upliftment of kundalini sakti. Not for the ordinary religious man. Only the wrestlers and weightlifters need to develop those bulging muscles and heroes the six pack.

Somebody preaching celibacy and acting otherwise will stand exposed at some point of time.

The true self

2010-03-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Some say, peace is your true nature, calmness is your true nature, "self" undisturbed and unperturbed by thoughts and emotions is your true nature. This is called realization of the soul. Yoga (serious yoga, not the one that comes on TV) attempts to achieve chitta vritti nirodha or banning of all mental activities.

This state of calmness is what a canvas is to a painting. This thoughtless emotionless state is the plain white canvas. The colours are added to the canvas. Then it becomes lively. These colours are the thoughts and emotions. The plain canvas is lifeless. The painting is lively. It may depict love, violence, anger, anguish, anxiety, grief, beauty or anything else. Still it is lively. The plain canvas is dead.

If you scratch the colours away, you will find the plain canvas. What is so great about it ? Vedas advocated actions for spiritual growth, that too collective not individualistic. There is no silencing of the mind in the vedas. There is no banishing of thought and intellect in the vedas. Vedas knew that mankind was evolving and prescribed actions to assist this evolution.

Even Siva at dissolution does not stay in that motionless state for long. Spanda (vibration) starts within himself and he goes into the action(creation) mode again.

There is nothing so great about that "inner peace". It is just yet another state. Over glorified.

God inside

2010-03-05T17:21:00.000-08:00

Some say, if you want to find God look inside. Before looking inside, if you have not found God outside, the God you will find inside will be one who is confused, insecure, jealous, greedy and scared.

Crow and the pigeon eggs

2010-03-05T00:03:00.001-08:00

Question : I suddenly notice a crow about to feast upon the pigeon eggs hatching at my windowsill. Will I not accrue papa if I do not chase the crow away?

Answer: If you chase the crow away, it is because the prakruti/nature/god has conditioned your mind through years of sensory inputs to act that way so that the egg hatches into life.

If you allow the crow to have its meal, again it is because the prakruti/nature/god has conditioned your mind through years of sensory inputs to act that way so that the crow doesn't starve to death.

In both cases A LIFE is saved.

It is all your perception. You are looking at the life inside the egg as the poor helpless and the life inside the crow as the cruel one. Once the egg is hatched, what will it do? It will start feeding on so many other lives like insects, ants, worms etc. That is the way of nature.

Neuroplasticity and sadhana

2010-03-04T23:39:00.000-08:00

Brain has got the ability to reorganize and change its structure through new experiences. This is called neuroplasticity in medical terms. This function is predominant in the learning process. It is not only the external inputs but actions performed by the brain itself that can cause this structural reorganization. A sadhaka who undertakes spiritual sadhana such as mantrajapa or meditation is actually transforming his brain and physically restructuring it making use of this function called neuroplasticity. The purpose is to make the brain function in a different way, to process the inputs differently, to understand things differently, to handle emotions differently. With a good scheme of sadhana this is the goal and done properly this transformation occurs automatically and naturally.

Karma

2010-03-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Svargadyanubhava ksheena shishta pracheena karmanam
Bhogaya jananam nrunam mohabhajam muhurmuhuhu

Man is born again and again to enjoy or suffer the results of karma left after undergoing experiences such as heaven.

Let us say when a child is born it brings forward a total accumulated karma "A" from the previous births. Part of it will be experinced in the present birth and another part will be kept for the future births.

A -> B + C

B = karma to be experienced in the present birth
C = karma to be experienced in the future births.

Onto B are added, D - karma coming through the mother and her family and E - karma coming the father and his family.

B + D + E

Now, there is karma generated in the present birth, either through actions out of one's own free will, or karma generated while exhausting the previous karma. This may be called "F".

If the soul is heavily loaded with intense past karma, it will have no time or chance to exercise its free will. These are the cases where life looks like a straight jacket of fate and destiny. However, in most cases some free will is available to be exercised.

While B, D and E will be fully exhausted in the present life, F will be partly exhausted in the present life and the balance adds to C for the future birth.

G = part of F to be experienced in the present birth

H = part of F to be carried forward to the future birth.

Total karma to be experienced in the present birth = B + D + E + G

Karma carried forward to the future birth = C + H.

This means the present life experiences are the results of two kind of actions

B + D + E coming from the past not under one's control anymore.

G, arising out of one's action in the present birth.

That is why sastra says

Atra tu dvividham karma, prakkarma nijayatnantaha

There are two types of karma, previous karma and one generated here.

So in most cases the experiences are a mix of both, coming from the past births and those generated by one's own action here.

If a boy is not studying well, it could be due to two reasons or their combination.

Vidya pratibandha (obstacle in studies ) due to past karma or lack of effort, improper training, bad environment etc. all pertaining to the present.

It should be carefully ascertained which one. If the horoscope does not show afflictions in education coming from the past then it is clearly due problems other than past karma and should be tackled in the appropriate manner.

Going back to the next birth. the soul carries forward C + H into the next birth. The soul after death remains in a suspended state called preta avastha for some time during which some karma is exhausted but no fresh karma accrued. Further to this the meritorious ones attain pitruloka and stay there until the third generation joins in. Those souls with lot of bad karma can not attain pitruloka unless their load is lightened by prolonged suffering as pretas. The soul can not enter pitruloka with a huge load of bad karma. There is a baggage limit.

No karma is acquired in pitruloka also.

After spending time at pitruloka the soul is put on a fast track to exhaust a large part of its C + H. This takes place at the svarga or naraka through intense experiences of pleasure and pain. When the karma comes down to a level manageable through earthly experiences the soul takes rebirth.

Chandrayan finds ice on moon

2010-03-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

Prevailing scientific opinion for long has been that there probably is no water on the Moon.

In the vedas God Soma has always been associated with water. The adhidevata or presiding deity for chandra is water.

Vedic astrology considers chandra as a watery planet, also sukra. It is just a matter of time until water is discovered in venus also.

Science is like a rebel child whose first response is "No". How can these dhoti clad beings with uncut hair and beard know anything ?. This child is also intelligent. It will set out on its own fact finding mission in spite of the initial negativity. Once the fact is found it is also honest enough to come out in the open and admit it rather than being adamant with its original mistake.That is appreciable.

The sad part is that toeing the line of this rebel child, so many systems are destroyed in the process.

Yet another example from last week. Science said faith healers are frauds. Now they say that placebo effect actually alters the functioning of the brain. We hastily jumped into making law against faith healers.

Neechabhanga Rajayoga

2010-03-01T23:27:00.000-08:00

Even if a planet is debilitated in the horoscope, he is capable of conferring rajayoga on the native under certain circumstances. This situation is called neechabhanga. The conditions are :

The debilitated planet
1. aspected by the lord of that sign or
2. in a kendra from lagna or chandra

eg: In the case of Sukra in debilitation it should be aspected by Budha for the first condition. For the second condition Sukra should be in a kendra from lagna or chandra.

Lord of the debilitation sign
1. in a kendra from lagna or chandra or
2. in a kendra from the lord of the exaltation sign of the debilitated planet.

eg : for Sukra in debilitation, Budha should be in a kendra from lagna or chandra for the first condition. For the second condition Budha should be in a kendra from Guru.

Planet that is exalted in the sign where the debilitated planet is placed -
in a kendra from lagna or chandra

eg : In the case of Sukra's debilitation, Budha should be in a kendra from lagna or chandra.

Lord of the exaltation sign of the debilitated planet -
in a kendra from lagna or chandra

eg : In the case of Sukra's debilitation, Guru should be in a kendra from lagna or chandra.

Ovulation, Menstrual cycle and conception in astrology

2010-02-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

Source : Varahahora and others.

1. The ovulation and menstrual cycles are caused by moon and mars. Moon is a watery planet and Mars is fiery by nature. Their combination makes pittha the rajas (ovum).

2. When the transit moon is placed in an upachaya rasi from the chandra rasi of the woman the uterus is unclean and insemination at that time will not yield pregnancy.

3. The moon placed in a non upachaya rasi should also be aspected by mars.

4. The man should have a transit moon placed in an upachaya rasi aspected by a benefic male planet (Guru).

5. The woman must be in her rutu period (ie:- 16 days form the first day of the menstrual cycle.)

6. Pregnancy occurs under the above circumstances if there is no hindrance due to past karma and the man's and woman's reproductive health is fine. The above are the conditions for normal conception.

7. If there is a problem in ovulation or menstruation due to prarabdha karma chandra and mars should be essentially propitiated.

8. If the problem does not have its roots in past karma it should be treated with medicine.

9. This makes 3 clear points. The ovum not getting fertilized during a cycle can be due to -
1. Unfavourable positions of moon and/or mars.
2. Past karma.
3. Health grounds.

Future of homeopathy is also at threat.

2010-02-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

There was a news item in TOI that the Science and Technology committee of the British legislature has recommended withdrawl of government funding to homeopathy in U.K. The committee found out that this branch of Medicine is not "scientific" and their theory of "like cures like" is not tenable. Whatever results obtained are only due to placebo effect.

Homeopathy is widely used for treatment of infants . Can it be called placebo effect ? Infants do not understand that they are being given a medicine for placebo effect to take place.

Wait for the day the MNC pharmaceutical giants or their sponsored agents take up this issue in India also.

Rituals for non brahmins

2010-02-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

There are many texts available for performance of rituals for brahmins. The main ones are called gruhya sutras. Examples are Asvalayana sutra followed by Rigvedis, Apastamba sutra followed by Yajurvedis etc. The procedure and the veda mantras employed are narrated in these texts.

However, when it comes to the other three varnas, there is only one text that I have seen. It is called "Kritya Divakara". At the beginning of the text, the author says "yesham na kinchit viditam kathamchit kuravanti karmani nrupadikanam tesham kritekari divakarena grantho laghuh krityadivakaroyam" - For kshatriya onwards, for whom not much is known about how to perform karmas, this book is for them"

The speciality of the text is that all vedic mantras have been substituted by purana mantras which can be used by all.

Some of the main topics of this text are - Ganapatipuja, punyahavachanam, agnimukham, nandisraadham, grahayajnah, garbhadhanam, pumsavanam, seemanthonnayanam, jatakarma, namakaranam, nishkramanam, choulam, vidyarambhah, mounjeebandhanam, dattaputrapratigraham, vivaha, various jananasanthis, nakshatrasanthis, Vastusanthi, nityakarma, sradhavidhi, antyeshti, tilahoma etc.

This is probably why "scientists" are against astrology

2010-02-22T22:33:00.000-08:00

Extract from form the article by S.Carlson in the journal Experiestia 44 (1988)

"Assuming that there are between one to ten thousand full time U.S. professionals and that each of them ekes out a marginal living of $10,000 per year (many make siginificantly more), then astrology is a ten to one hundred million dollar per year Industry in the U.S. For every full time astrologer there are probably ten part timers and fifty serious students. Adding their revenues to the money made from thousands of books and tens of thousands of magazine sales, one thing becomes obvious. Astrology is big business. On realizing the size of the business and the degree to which astrologers affect their clients' life, one may become justifiably concerned."

Business take over plans ??? Kill the competition ?????

The same trick was tried with ayurveda also which failed due to the alertness of Indians.

Comments on points raised in PIL against astrology

2010-02-21T23:17:00.000-08:00

Points no.1 to 16 – pertain to the description of the respondents and the petitioners’ encounter with them.

Point no.17 – Petitioner outlines a brief history of astrology quoting from Gujarati Viswakosh and Encyclopedia Britannica. It casually mentions knowledge of rishis in mathematics, algebra and how these sciences spread upto America, Babylonia and other Mediterranean countries had developed astrology, Arabs developed astronomy, Chinese studied Indian astrology and blended it with their astronomical knowledge, astrology came to India from Greece and India added various methodologies to it and from Rome astrology went to western Europe. The petitioner concludes that by 17th century, astrology lost its intellectual viability.

There is no written history of vedic astrology. Nobody so far has made an attempt to chronologically follow the development of vedic astrology. However, the following are some important information, personalities, texts and events in vedic astrology.

1. Sage Garga in his text Gargahora has described astrology as “ svayam svayambhuva srushtam” – created by the creator Brahma himself. It is not of human but divine origin. Sage Parasara in his text Parasarahora says that he is going to explain astrology “yatha brahmamukhachrutam” – as heard from the mouth of Brahma.

2. Vedic astrology has an unbroken chain of tradition from the vedic times.

3. Eighteen Rishis – Surya, Pitamahah, Vyasa, Vasishta, Atri, Parasara, Kasyapa, Narada, Garga, Marichi, Manu, Angiras, Lomasha, Paulisha, Chyavana, Yavana, Bhrigu and Saunaka have contributed to the field of astrology and propagated the same. Each of these rishis have authored a text on Siddhanta (astronomy) and hora (horoscopy). Atreya, Asmarathya, Audulomi, Karsnajini, Kasakrintana , Jaimini, Badari and Badarayana have also been recognized as contributors to astrology.

4. The vedas contain the names of the nakshatras, months and seasons. Names of all the navagrahas find mention in the vedic corpus.Surya is described as the soul of the universe.

5. The Kausika gruhya sutra of atharva veda contains some non astrological predictive techniques as well.

6. The Hindu sastras consider jyotisha as the eye of the vedas and part and parcel of the vedic system in the absence of which the rituals ordained in the vedas and smrutis can not be performed. In the vedic times astrology was primarily and essentially used for timing rituals.

7. Vedic astrology is broadly divided into 3 branches (skandas) – (1) Siddhanta dealing with astronomy and calculations, (2)Hora dealing with horoscopy, horary astrology, electional astrology and omens called nimitta (3) Samhita dealing with omens in detail, mundane astrology and natural phenomena.

8. Two systems of predictions existed, one based on the nakshatra chakra comprising the 27/28 asterisms and the other based on the 12 zodiacal signs or rasis. It is a mix of both these which is widely followed today. Predictions were made depending on the placement of the nine grahas with reference to these chakras,

9. Archa Jyotisham is a subtext of the Rigveda, Yajusha jyotisham of yajurveda and Aatharvanajyotisham that of atharva veda.

10. “ Vedanga Jyotisha “ authored by Lagadha who lived in Kashmir around 1180 BC deals primarily in Ganita or the astronomical side of vedic astrology. It lays out rules for tracking the motions of sun and moon. There is a Rigveda recension of this text with 36 slokas and Yajurveda recension of 45 slokas. The athrvanajyotisham deals in electional astrology.

11. Among the smritis, Yajnyavalkasmriti is the first to recognize the navagrahas

Surayhsomo maheeputrah somaputro brihaspatih
Sukrah sanaischaro rahuh ketuschaite grahah smritah

In Bodhayana sutra the sloka starting with Meenameshayormesha ………….refers to the twelve zodiac signs.

12. The Jain astrological works, Suryaprajnapti and Jyotishakaranda have lot in similar with the “Vedanga Jyotisha” of Lagadha.

13. Atharvanajyotisham comprising of 162 slokas discusses the division of time, classification of nakshatras into roudra, soumya etc. , moon's strength as a basis for planetary results, tarabala, graha, ulka, vidyut, bhukampa (earthquakes) etc.

14. The following is a quote from chapter 3 of Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata (conversation between Vaisampayana and Dhritarahstra)
“Fierce dusty winds are incessantly blowing.. The earth is shaking and Rahu is moving towards the sun. Ketu has crossed chitra nakshatra. They all indicate destruction of kurus.The comet riseth is afflicting pushya nakshatra.It will cause harm to both sides.Mars is moving towards Magha and Guru towards Sravana. Sani is moving towards Bhaga and going to afflict it.Sukra is moving from Purva bhadra towards Uttara bhadra. Ketu is blazing having attacked Jyeshta nakshatra. Dhruva nakshatra is burning and moving to right.Sun and moon are afflicting Rohini. Mangala overtaken by Guru is in Sravana . The earth is covered with all crops out of season. The barley stalk has five ears and the paddy stalk hundred. Cattle folk are yielding blood when milked. A big manslaughter is going to take place. There is going to be a river of blood. Animals and birds are showing evil omens. And indicating terrible things that are going to happen. The constellation of the sapta rishis has dimmed. The planets Guru and Sani are stationary at Visakha. A strange eclipse happening on the thirteenth day of the lunar cycle indicates mass destruction. All directions look dusty and inauspicious, the clouds are fierce and there are rains at night. Rahu is afflicting Krittika nakshatra.Rishis have warned that under these circumstances the earth drinks the blood of thousands of kings.”
From the above it is clear that during Mahabharata times (1493 - 1443 BC) there was full awareness of the navagrahas including Rahu and Ketu and also the upagrhas such as Dhoomaketu. They were also aware of concepts like planetary afflictions, beneficity, maleficity, retrogression and also how to interpret omens (nimitta). The planetary positions and nimittas here are interpreted to predict mass destruction which clearly establishes that the practice of predictions based on astrology was prevalent during Mahabharata times.

Ramayana Balakanda 1.18.8 to 1.18.10 describe the planetary positions at the time of birth of Sree Rama as follows

The Moon’s (Chandra’s) Location : The nakshatra presided by Aditi (Punarvasu) in Karkata Rasi.
Location of Lagna, Guru and Budha - when the 2 lords of speech – Guru and Budha , along with Moon in the rising – ascendant Karkata Lagna.
Location of other grahas : and the five grahas heir own or exaltation houses. : Guru is exalted in Karkata.
Location of Kuja, Sukra, Sani? Kuja was in Makara, Sukra was in Meena, Sani was in Thula
This clearly establishes that even during the time of Ramayana the planetary positions were observed with the purpose of casting horoscopes,

15. There are many references to the divinity of navagrahas and planetary positions across the puranas. Chapters 55 and 56 of Narada purana are devoted entirely to fundamental and advanced concepts of vedic astrology.

16. When Gautama Buddha was born(400 BC) during his naming ceremony an astrologer called Asita predicted that he would renounce worldly life and become the founder of a new religious order. This establishes that predictive astrology existed even in BC periods.

Even though Budha denounced astrology, the Tibetan Budhists still practice astrology and magical rites for healing. Men-Tsee-Khang.org the official website of Tibetan astrology says that “The Lord Buddha Shakyamuni first taught this Kalachakra tantra on his 81st years of age (881 B.C.) at the stupa of Shri Dhanakataka or Paldern Drepung in Amravati, South India on the full moon day of 3rd month of a Metal-Dragon Year. This tantra contains information such as the natural state of the Universe, inhabitance and especially the planetary or the cosmological influence and about how comes the four seasons were clearly shown.”
17. Around 1st century BC during Saka and Suhana rule the predictive astrology further gained prominence.

18. The texts of astrology are classified as Siddhanta, Karana, Koshtaka,Misraka, Ganita, Jataka,Muhurta, Prasna,Tajika, Yatra, Vivaha, Nibandha, Kosha.

19. Some important texts in the field of horoscopy are Skanda Hora (Brahma), Laghu Prajapatya and Brihat Prajapatya (Daksha Prajapati), Vasishta Hora, Garga Hora, Kausika Hora(Visvamitra), Saunaka Hora, Parasara Hora, Surya Hora, Lomasa Samhita, Jaimini Sutam, Bhrigu Sutram, Yavanajataka, Vishnugupta Hora (Chanakya), Satyacharya Hora, Jeevasarma Hora, Srutakeerti Hora, Siddhasena hora,Maya Hora, Sphujidwaja HoraVriddha yavana Hora (Meenaraja), Saravali(Kalyanavarma), Brihatjatakam(Varahamihira), Hora Saram (Prithu Yasas), Sarvartha Chintamani (Venkatesa Daivajna), Hora Ratna (Acharya Balabhadra), Jatakaparijatam(Vaidyanatha), Chamatkara Chintamani, Kasyapa Hora, Uttara Kalamritam(Kalidasa), Suka Nadi, Deva Keralam(Achyuta), Tajaka Neelakanthi, Prasnanushtana Paddhati, Prasna Marga, Daivajna Vallabha and Kalaprkashika.

20. Important treatises on electional astrology are Brihannarad, Brihatdaivajna ranjan, Brihatjyotisar, Daivajnamaoranjan, Jnanamanjari, Jyotiprakasa, Jyotishasara, Jyotishachintamani, kalakhanda, Kalanirnayadeepika, Kalaprakashika, Madhaveeyam,Muhurtarnava, Muhurtabhaskara,Muhurtachintamani, Muhurtachudamani,Muhurtadarpanam, Muhurtadeepika, Muhurtaganapati, Muhurtakalpadruma, Muhurtamala, Muhurtamanjari, Muhurtamartanda, Muhurta muktavali, Muhurta padavi, Muhurta samgraha, Muhurta tatva, Naradeeya, Nibandha chudamani, Rajamartanda. Vivaha pradeepa, Vivaha sara and Muhurta malya.

21. Some other important texts related to mundane astrology and omens are Brahmarshi samhita, Brihaspati samhita, Brihat samhita, Parasara samhita, Garga samhita, Rishiputra samhita, Guru samhita, Kasyapa samhita, Lomasa samhita, Manava samhita, Nagarjuna samhita, Narada samhita, Shakalya samhita, Samhita siddhanta, Satya samhita, Vaikhana samhita and Vasishta samhita.

22. Yavaneswara a Greek who lived in Gujarat around 150 AD translated to sanskrit the work called Yavanajataka.

23. Sphujidwaja author or Sphujidwajahora also lived in Gujarat.

24. King Meena Raja of 3rd century AD who wrote Vriddha Yavana Hora belonged to Gujarat.

25. Srutakeerti, author of Srutakeerti hora was also a king in Gujarat.

26. Haraji the author of Manasagari also lived in Gujarat.

27. Around 400 AD panchangas based on Panchasiddhantas became popular.

28. Mahakavi Kalidasa (370 – 450 AD ) authored Uttarakalamritam an elaborate text in astrology.

29. Aryabhatta who lived in Kerala from AD476 to 523 through his text Aryabhateeya dealing mainly astronomy contributed to the growth of predictive astrology because astronomy forms the very foundation of predictive astrology..

30. Vararuchi was a north Indian scholar (one of the nine gems in Vikramaditya’s court) who later settled down in Kerala (4th century AD). He has been a great contributor in the field of astrology.

31. The ancient Indians developed astronomy only for two purposes – for timing of rituals and events like eclipses and also for predictive purposes. They did not develop astronomy with a purpose of sending space shuttles and for exploring moon and mars.

32. Tamil Nadu has its own school of astrology based on Nadi and it belongs to the Siddha tradition. Pulippani is a prominent figure in Tamil medieval astrology.

33. Kalakacharya founder of Ramala Jyotisha, Mahaveeracharya who authored Jyotishapatala, and Sridharacharya author of Jatakatilaka belonged to Karnataka.

34. Maya, Yavana, Manitha, Saktipoorva , Satyacharya, Vishnugupta, Devaswamy, Siddhasena, Jeevasena are some of the scholars who lived before the sixth century AD as they find mentions in Varahamihira’s texts.

35. Satyacharya established his own school of thought in astrology called Dhruva matham.

36. Varahamihira (500 AD) who lived in Rajasthan codified and systematized all astrological knowledge available until then and wrote texts in all three branches of astrology.The five important commentaries to Varahamihira’s Brihat jataka are Bhattotpala's commentary , Mudrakshari , Subhodini , Sripatiyam and Dasadhyayee

37. Bhaskara who lived in Kerala around 630 AD wrote Laghubhaskareeya and Mahabhaskareeya and also a commentary to Aryabhateeya called Aryabhatta tantra bhashya.

38. Bhaskara II or Changadeva who was born in 1114 AD in Maharashtra was an important astrologer in King Singhana Yadava’s court who ruled Devagiri (Deccan) of Maharashtra. Bhaskaracharya wrote two important texts called Siddhanta Siromai and Karana Kutoohala. His works were so authoritative that even Akbar and Shajahan advocated their translation into persian language.

39. Aryabhatta II who lived around 950 AD wrote Mahasiddhanta.

40. Kalyana Varma the king of Vyaghrapada (Madhya Pradesh) in the 10th century AD wrote the monumental work called Saravali.

41. Jaimini’s upadesa sutras dating back to 11th century ADifounded a school of thought in astrology called Jaimini matam. The important commentators on his work are Krishna Misra (Jyotisha phala ratnamala)Raghava Bhatta (Jataka sara sangraha) , Narasimha Suri (Jaimini sutrartha prakashika) , Somanatha (Kalpalatha) , Nrisimha Daivajna(JaimininSitra Vyakhya), Singayaraya(Jataka rajeeya), Nilakantha, Venkatesvara and Balakrishnanada Saraswati.

42. Sage Garga, his son Rishiputra and Vriddha Garga are known to have lived in Orissa.

43. King Ballala sena author of Adbhuta Samhita in the 12th century belonged to Orissa. Some other astrological scholars from Orissa are - Satananda acharya who wrote Bhaswati Karana in 1099 AD, Sri Jagannath Narayan Deb, king of Paralakhemandi who wrote Ayurdayakaumudi in 1650 AD,Tripurari Das the author of "Keraliya Dasa", Ranganath Das who wrote Utpatatarangini, Maguni Pathi author of Graha Chakra Tikka, Chakadi Nanda who authored Ratna Kaumudi and Pathani Samanta who wrote Siddhanta darpana in 1899 AD.

44. Vaidyanatha authored Jatakaparijata in the 13th century. He belonged to Andhra region.

45. Venkata Sarma author of Sarvartha Chintamani also lived in Andhra region.

46. In the Salivahana Kingdom during 16th and 17th centuries lived Nrisimha Daivajna who wrote Jatakasaradeepa, Kamalakara Bhatta who wrote Tatvaviveka, Dundiraja who wrote Jatakabharana, Ganesha Daivajna who wrote Graha Laghava, Nrisimha Daivajna and Nrisimha Ganesa Daivajna. They all belonged to the same family settled at Pathri (Parbhani dist. Of Maharashtra)

47. Mantrewara who lived in Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu wrote Phaladeepika in the 16th century.

48. Acharya Balabhadra who wrote Horaratna lived in the 18th century in Kanya Kubja.

49. Ramadeena daivajna of Kasi wrote Brihat Daivajna Ranjana a text on Electional astrology.

50. Rama Daivajna of Kashmir authored Muhurta Chitamani in the 16th century and his son Neelakantha wrote Tajaka Neelaknthi (The Tajaka system is believed to have originated in Tajikistan.

51. Muhurta Ganapati was written in Delhi during the rule of Aurangazeb in the 16th century.

52. Muthuswamy Dikshitar the famous carnatic music composer who lived from 1775 to 1835 composed the navagraha kritis in praise of the navagrahas. They are
Surya – Kriti 'Suryamurthe Namosthuthe' – Ragam Saurastram
Chandra – Kriti 'Chandram Bhaja called manasa' – Raga Asaveri
Angaraka – Kriti 'Angarakam Ashrayamyaham' – Raga Surati
Shukra – Kriti 'Sri Sukhra Bhagavantham' – Raga Pharaj
Brihaspathi – Kriti 'Brihaspathe Tarapathe' – Raga Athana
Sani – Kriti 'Divakaratanujam Shanaishcharam' – Raga YadukulaKambhoji
Budha – Kriti 'Budham Ashrayami' – Raga Nattakurahnji
Rahu – Kriti 'Smaramayaham sadarahum' – Raga Ramamanohari
Ketu – Kriti 'Mahasuram Ketumaham' – Ragam Camaram

The petitioner mentions that with the displacement of earth from the centre of the universe in the new astronomy, astrology lost its intellectual viablility and became increasingly recognised as scientifically untenable.

In the first place, vedic astrology has never considered earth as the centre of the universe. The calculations in vedic astrology involve the relative positions of the planets with respect to the earth. Vedic astrology considers moon as a graha. This is acceptable because the grahas of vedic astrology are not the planets of the solar system as envisaged by science. The whole problem lies in confusing the navagrahas with the planets of the solar system, This shows how superficial is the awareness of the criticisers of astrology of the subject. Even in western scientific astronomy the meaning of the term ‘planet’ has been changing from time to time to the extent that even today there is no universally accepted meaning to the term. The planets in vedic astrology are not the physical planets we see in the sky. There is a difference of about 22 to 23 degrees between the physical longitude of the planet and its longitude in the horoscope. This difference is called ayanamsa. The planets in astrology can be best described as karmic influences aligned with the physical planets. The graha word in Sanskrit means “one who takes hold of or control of ” and not planet as in science. The rishis would have chosen the word graha instead of gola (denoting sphere) or similar terms in sanskrit deliberately to avoid confusion with the physical astral bodies. It would be interesting to note that vedic astrology also employs an array of upagrahas or non luminous bodies like Maandi, Gulika, Yamaghanta, Parivesha, Indradhanus etc( about 14 in number) while making analysis and predictions.The two grahas Rahu and Ketu are not even physical bodies.They are points where the lunar orbit intersects the ecliptic. Why insist that only physical bodies can influence human affairs ? Only a doctor can make sense out of the sounds that hears through the stethoscope, not a layman. To allege that astrology has lost its viability and has become untenable is false. Even today, millions and millions from all walks of life believe in astrology. There has not been any real effort keeping with scientific temper and following scientific process and propriety to study vedic astrology and disprove it.

With the above points in mind, revisiting the “history of astrology” as outlined by the petitioner the following points are clear.

1. The petitioner has not made any serious effort to study the background of vedic astrology. He is not aware that vedic astrology has an unbroken chain of tradition spreading over thousands of years right from vedic times.

2. More than one thousand text books on astrology both classical and contemporary are available in print.

3. The internet is replete with thousands of informative articles by eminent scholars in astrology. They are not commercial advertisements or websites selling products, but results of research and efforts being taken in the study of this subject. Day by day astrology is developing and evolving.

4. The following is quoted from the online edition of Encyclopedia Britannica on B.V.Raman the renowned Indian astrologer.

“much-admired and respected Indian Vedic astrologer who challenged the Western scientific perception of astrology as a pseudoscience through international lectures and conferences and as editor of the monthly periodical The Astrological Magazine. In 1947 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in London .”

5. The western astrology does not have the rich literary tradition as vedic astrology nor its roots as clearly traced and established. This is not a comment on the efficacy of western astrology. Lot of serious research is taking place even in the field of western astrology. Ideally vedic astrology, western astrology, Arab astrology, Chinese astrology and Greek astrology should be treated as separate subjects.

6. Vedic astrology is based on the theory of karma whereas western astrology considers only planetary influences on human affairs. In vedic astrology planets are indicators of karmic influences. This is the fundamental difference between the two. It is very difficult to prove with the available scientific knowledge planetary influences on a physical level. The planetary positions and their combinations are not the physical causes for future incidents but pointers to future incidents .

7. Only an in depth study of Hindu religious principles can reveal the validity of astrology and it is not proper to draw conclusions after a superficial glance through some encyclopedia.

Point no.18 – pertains to prediction of Nostradamus about end of the world in 2012. Neither vedic astrology nor Hinduism subscribes to this view. The methods employed by Nostradamus definitely did not belong to the school of vedic astrology.
Charvaka whom the petitioner has described as a rationalist did not believe in life after death or religion. He propagated sensual indulgence which is evident from the following quote.(ref : Sarva darsana samgraha of Madhavacharya)

“While life remains, let a man live happily,
let him feed on butter though he runs in debt;
When once the body becomes ashes,
how can it ever return again ?”

Blasphemous statements such as the following are also attributed to Charvaka

“The three authors of the vedas were buffoons, knaves, and demons.
All the well-known formulae of the pandits, jarphari, turphari, etc.
and all the obscene rites for the queen commanded in Aswamedha,
these were invented by buffoons, and so all the various kinds of presents to the priests,
while the eating of flesh was similarly commanded by night-prowling demons.

The Agnihotra, the three Vedas, the ascetic's three staves, and smearing oneself with ashes —
Brihaspati says, these are but means of livelihood for those who have no manliness nor sense.
In this school there are four elements, earth, water, fire and air;
and from these four elements alone is intelligence produced —
just like the intoxicating power from kinwa &c, mixed together;
since in "I am fat", "I am lean", these attributes abide in the same subject,
and since fatness, &c, reside only in the body, it alone is the soul and no other,
and such phrases as "my body" are only significant metaphorically.
If a beast slain in the Jyothishtoma rite will itself go to heaven,
why then does not the sacrificer forthwith offer his own father?
If the Sraddha produces gratification to beings who are dead,
then why not give food down below to those who are standing on the house-top?
If he who departs from the body goes to another world,
how is it that he come not back again, restless for love of his kindred?
Hence it is only as a means of livelihood that Brahmans have established here
all these ceremonies for the dead, — there is no other fruit anywhere.
The three authors of the Vedas were buffoons, knaves, and demons.
All the well-known formulae of the pandits, jarphari, turphari, etc.
and all the obscene rites for the queen commanded in Aswamedha,
these were invented by buffoons, and so all the various kinds of presents to the priests,
while the eating of flesh was similarly commanded by night-prowling demons.

His school of thought has been classified as atheistic and materialistic and not recognised as one of the shaddarsanas of Hinduism. This school of thought died its natural death in the 15th century without living a trace. Evidence regarding his philosophy can only be inferred from his critics works.

It is very interesting to note that the petitioner has taken all pains to leave behind the tons of genuine Hindu scriptures starting from the vedas and extending to upanishads, itihasas, puranas, dharmasastras and shaddarsanas. He has taken the support of an atheisitc school of thought which the majority of Hindus have not even heard of to prove his point against astrology.

Hinduism has its own logic called Nyaya sastra which is very stringent and unbiased. Every serious aspect of Hinduism has been debated by nyaya sastra to the extent that even the concept of brahma and advaita have to take the test of nyaya. Anything that does not pass the scrutiny of nyaya sastra is rejected in Hinduism. This is an internal mechanism. Vedic astrology has stood this test.

Point no.19 – pertains to a TV program on past life regression. It is upto the producer of the program to justify it.. However, the petitioner states that it is based on a bogus theory and widespread belief of reincarnation. He further says that this theory is deeply rooted in Hindu religion while many religions don’t believe in at all like Christianity and Islam.

Yes that’s it. Cycle of rebirths and transmission of karma from birth to birth are fundamental concepts of Hindu religion time and again declared, described, established and emphasized in Hindu religious scriptures. It is the very foundation of Hindu dharma order and discipline. Is it constitutionally and legally right to call it a bogus theory ?Is it intended that Hindus do not have a right to believe in what their religion teaches ? Or, Hindu beliefs need to be abandoned because they are not in line with Christianity or Islam? India is a secular republic which guarantees right to freely profess practice and propagate religion under article 25(1) of the constitution.

Point no.20 – are quotes from Buddha, Albert Einstein, Curtis.D.Macdougall, Pushpa Bhargava, Francis Bacon, Svami Vivekananda, Kendrick Frazier, Nikhil Chakravarty and Thomas Paine extracted from the book “Science, non science and paranormal” by Dr.Narasimhaiah. The quotes are mainly on superstitions and astrology.

The petitioner has quoted "Bhagwan" Budha while deriding astrology. Has he not paid attention to the fact that very same Buddha advocated the theory of karma and rebirth which the petitioner has called bogus through point no.19 ? They are the fundamental concepts of Buddhism. Each religion may have different views about the principles and practices of other religions. They need not be the ultimate declarations of final truth, but just views of that religion. The Hindu does not need a Buddhist approval for practice of his religious principles.

As far as Albert Einstein’s views on God is concerned it is not alien to Hinduism to see God as universal intelligence. At the very same time, Hinduism also approves of the expression of this intelligence in various limited forms. Einstein has also called "time" a very convincing illusion. Differentiation of events into past present and future is a creation of the mind. With this view in mind how can the possibility of seeing the “future” be ruled out ? If somebody is devoid of the illusion of time, he should be capable of “seeing” the “future” events as well.

Curtis.D.MacDougall who died in 1985 had authored 3 books , “Hoaxes”, “Superstition and the Press” and “Principles of Editorial writing”. He has studied many superstitions and hoaxes that existed in the western world. He is not known to have studied Hinduism or astrology. Comments of such people who do not have any exposure to Hinduism and astrology are out of context. Making comments without proper study of the subject can not be in accordance with scientific temper.

Swami Vivekananda (Complete works of Swami Vivekananda vol.8) says -

“Excessive attention to the minutiae of astrology is one of the superstitions which has hurt the HINDUS very much.”

“ I have seen some astrologers who predicted wonderful things; but I have no reason to believe they predicted them only from the stars, or anything of that sort. In many cases it is simply mind reading. Sometimes wonderful predictions are made, but in many cases it is arrant trash.”

“It is the coward and the fool who says, "This is fate'" - so says the Sanskrit proverb. But it is the strong man who stands up and says, "I will make my fate." It is people who are getting old who talk of fate.”

“So what is the use of going to the stars or anything else in the world? My own Karma is sufficient explanation of my present state.”

Astrology is not about fatalism or weakness. Yes, over dependence on anything is weakness including pain killer and paracetamol. A strong morning tea is a weakness for someone who can not start the day without it.

Astrology shows karmic influences from one’s past life. This information can be positively utilized to align and orient one’s life. A good reading of the natal chart can reveal the inherent strengths, talents and weaknesses of the native. This can be useful while selecting the stream of education, career etc. There could be equally effective non astrological methods to achieve these.

Astrology does not advocate fatalism. The influences are classified into Dridha and Adridha ( Certain and non-certain). When influences are of the non-certain nature they can be worked upon and changed. The Dridha influences are the ones that cause death, fatal injuries beyond one’s control etc.

It is said that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Guru and mentor of Svami Vivekananda was not known to be against astrology.

It seems to me that there are only very few who are dependent and addicted to astrology. In general, astrologers are consulted on major and crucial matters. It is not possible and required to shape one’s day to day life around principles of astrology. If someone thinks so, as Svami Vivekananda suggests better take him to a doctor.

Kendrick Frazier has been quoted as suggesting that all astrological forecasts should carry a disclaimer that they are of entertainment value only. The biggest disclaimer is in the body of this petition itself. Dr.H.Narasimhaiah the author of the book from where all these quotations are taken says –

“All the conclusions of science are tentative in nature. They will be revised in the light of new data and fresh experience. This is known as the scientific attitude or scientific method of knowing truth. The true significance of science does not depend on its practical achievements, be they trivial or great, but on the technique.”

Yes, that says it all. The conclusions are only tentative. Emphasis is on technique and not on results. And we are told to discard our age old traditions and beliefs based on the tentative conclusions and the technique which does not guarantee any authentic result, that too without at least a proper scrutiny in the said scientific spirit. A small anecdote in this context.

A man answers the door bell and finds a demolition squad standing at his doorstep.

Demolition squad : We are going to demolish your house because there is something wrong.

Man : I have been living in this house all these years and I don’t find anything wrong. Everything’s fine. What’s wrong ?

Demolition squad : We are not very sure, but we will find out once we are through.

Man : Will you be able to put it all back together if you are not able to find anything wrong. ?

Demolition squad : Honestly speaking, No. ( “ A scientist is always humble and full of humility. He is honest and true to his conscience” – Dr.H.Narasimhaiah). We wouldn’t know how to do it.

Man : What if you are doing it for the wrong reason and at the end do not find anything wrong ?

Demolition squad : Our findings are only tentative in nature, they can change. However, watch and enjoy our fine techniques when we bring down your house piece by piece meticulously. The emphasis should be on the technique applied and not on the results.

The other quotes are also of similar nature. Nobody seems to have made any effort to lay hands even on an introductory text of astrology.

As far as definition of superstition is concerned, who draws the fine line between faith and superstition ? One man’s faith could be another man’s superstition, more so with religions and philosophies.

Point nos. 21 to 24 – Point no.21 is just a list of the name of the twelve zodiacal signs used in astrology.

Vide point no.22, the petitioner gives a list of failed astrological predictions, such as those by B.V.Raman, Pandit Rash Behari Das , N.K.Joglekar and Ambedkar about the electoral results of 1980 and also a list of failed predictions from an astrological conference held in Delhi in 1980. Point no 23 lists out 72 failed predictions in the last 2000 years and point no.24 is about 400 such failed predictions in the past 4800 years.

In my humble opinion, astrologers should observe self restraint and stay away from making predictions in public. The sastra itself says,

Naaprushtah kasyachit bruyat naannyayena cha pruchatah
Paramartha phala jnanam yato naiveha sidhyati

Don’t tell to someone who doesn’t ask for it, nor answer a question asked for the wrong purpose ( for testing etc). One does not get to know the truth in these cases. Astrology has a divine element in it which should be treated with respect and responsibility by the practitioner. As Sri. Bejan Daruwala noted astrologer who is also a respondent in this case has rightly said – “astrology combines three things. The position of the planets is by astronomy. Then, the synthesis between planets, dishas, signs etc is an art. And the final prediction is by ESP, intuition or the grace of Ganesha”. Astrology is not for everyone. One can live without it. It is only for those who have faith in it. There is no need to lure someone into it. There is no need to prove it to the non believer. The believers know through their own experience whether it works or not and whether it is useful or not. If they realize it is useful, they will continue with it, otherwise they will discard it.

In the Hindu culture and tradition the Guru does not advertise and go around enrolling students. The student has to go after the teacher.

Sri.B.V.Raman has always discussed his viewpoints in his journal called Astrological Magazine. This is publication read only by astrologers and astrology enthusiasts and not by the general public. It is transparent like a science journal where findings are questioned, criticized, failures analyzed and opinions formed. This is a matter of academic interest for the astrologers and Sri.B.V.Raman did not make these predictions to make money or win accolades.

If somebody makes public predictions for publicity and fails let him also face the consequences.

Now about failure of predictions, as against the few failed predictions listed out by the petitioner, there are thousands of succesful predictions made every day. No responsible astrologer will come out and discuss them in public because that involves violation of the privacy of his clients.

Weather forecasts and monsoon predictions fail, Stock market predictions fail, Economic predictions about GDP growth and Industrial growth fail, Business projections fail, Exit polls fail, medical diagnoses fail, production forecasts fail, cost estimates fail – why insist that astrological predictions alone should succeed every time ? Or are we going to ask for a blanket ban on all the above types of predictions and forecasts ?

Medicines have failed, Political theories have failed, Students have failed, Teachers have failed, Technology has failed, Researches have failed, Methods have failed, Systems have failed. Are we to ban everything that fails ?

An astrological prediction can fail for various reasons – inaccuracy of data, wrong interpretation, wrong judgement,astrologer's not able to relate to the current circumstances,wrong theoretical approaches of the astrologer etc.etc. Many tough and grey areas exist even in astrology just as in any other subject.

The hundreds of scholars who devoted their lives for development of astrology were not cheats and frauds on a money making spree as is made out by the petitioner nor were they publicity mongers. They were respected and honored citizens of their time often finding their place in a king’s court making their share of contribution for the welfare of the society.

About points nos.23 and 24 ( failed predictions in the last 2000 and 4800 years ), the predictions cited are all from the west and the methods employed are not known. The authenticity of the data itself is questionable (dating back to 4800 years ??)

Point no.25 - presents a statement by 186 scientists including 19 Nobel laureates about their objections to astrology.

The statement cautions that “ those who wish to believe in astrology should realize that there is no scientific foundation for its tenets.”
Why should everything have a scientific foundation ? Does God have a scientific foundation ? Does religion have a scientific foundation ? Do music and movies have a scientific foundation ?

As against the above given below is Quotes from the lectures of one of the greatest spiritual Gurus of our time Jagatguru Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Swamiji, the 68th Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha from 1907 to 1995 are given below. ( ref: Hindu Dharma : The Universal Way of Life, 1995, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, p.337..)

"The condition of a man corresponds to the changes in the position of the nine grahas. A human being does not enjoy happiness all the time nor does he always suffer hardships - that is, he experiences a mixture of happiness and sorrow. While he may be pushed up to a high position today, he may be thrust down to the depths tomorrow. It is not man alone that is subject to changes of fortune. Establishments too have their ups and down, so also nations."

"The sages saw a relationship between the position and movements of the planets and the destiny of man, the sorrow and happiness experienced by him. There is a branch of astrology called 'hora-skandha'. If we know the planetary position at the time of commencing a job or enterprise, with its help, we should be able to find out how it would take shape, how we would fare in it. If our horoscope is cast on the basis of the configuration of the planets at the time of our birth, our fortunes over the entire period of our life can be predicted."

"Different reasons are given for the ups and downs in a man's life, for his joys and sorrows. It is similar to finding out the different causes of the ailment he suffers from. [The physicians, mantravadins, pandits, and psychologists will give different reasons.] ... All these different causes may be valid. All of them go to create an experience. ... Many outward signs manifest themselves as the fruits of our past karma. They are all related to one another. The course of planets governing our life is in accordance with our karma. We come to know the consequences of our actions in previous births in various ways. Astrological calculations help us to find out such consequences as indicated by the heavenly bodies."

It looks like there is conflict between the views of science and that of religion. Leave it to the individual which one to take. Don’t impose. Science can declare its views, but should not try to impose it by resorting to coercionary means.
The statement says “ we can see how infinitesimally small are the gravitational and other effects produced by the distant planes and the far more distant stars.”

Are we forgetting that the phenomena of day and night are caused by the so called “infinitesimally small” influence of a “distant planet” called the sun and the tides are caused by a smaller body called moon. However, from the point of view of vedic astrology, planets do not influence, they only indicate. When the traffic signal turns red the traffic stops. It is not the signal which actually stops the traffics, but the brakes applied by the motorists. The signal doesn't stop the traffic, but there is a clear link between stopping of the traffic and the signal turning red. The link between karmic influences and planets are something similar to this, but not so simple.

The statement further says “ We believe that the time has come to challenge directly and forcefully the pretentious claims of astrological charlatans”.

Please do that for your own sake, but do not discard the scientific process, follow all the procedures that you would employ while proving of disproving any other scientific theory fully in compliance with the philosophy of science. Unsupported statements will not suffice. Declare what postulates of astrology are being challenged, study following scientific methods, show the world verifiable transparent data. Leave it to the individual whether to believe in your conclusions or not.

A piece of advice to astrologers - Why make these claims in public ? What and to whom are you trying to prove ? Do not force astrology down somebody's throat who is not interested. Astrology is strictly a private matter between the astrologer and his client. Don't make it public. Faith is the main element in seeking and giving astrological advice.

Scientists ! please understand and appreciate that there could be other ways of looking at life and not just yours. It is a free world and it is the individual's choice. Promote scientific temper if you want, but don't try to enforce. Please don't insist that everyone has to agree to your views and call those who do not agree as fools.

Point no.26 – The petitioner has quoted “ The brahmins making living on performing puja and practicing nakshatrajyotish should be excommunicated “ from Mahabharatha.
Without proper reference to the exact location of this statement in an epic running into thousands of pages it was a herculean task to identify it. However, when identified it turned out to be not in line with the content therein. It looks as if the petitioner has not referred to the original text in Sanskrit and tried to understand its context and meaning.

The author of Mahabharata is Sage Vyasa who is the great grandson of Sage Vasishta and son of Sage Parasara. All these rishis including Vyasa have been considered as the creators and developers of vedic astrology (ref: Parasara Hora). Each one has at least one textbook to his credit. How can Vyasa himself make such a statement ? It was unbelievable.

Secondly Brahmanas were a reverred lot during those times. The following quotes from the very same Mahabharata show this.

"Worship the gods through various sacrifices and provide wealth and clothes etc. to the Brahmanas. “(santi parva)

“By duly worshipping gods, serving guests, protecting all creatures, by worshipping Brahmanas, and by honesty, we shall certainly attain to desirable worlds of bliss.'" (santi parva)

'Among quadrupeds the cow is the most sacred. Of metals, gold is the best. Of speech, mantras, and of bipeds, the Brahmanas, are the foremost.” (santi parva)

“O Yudhishthira, Brahmanas conversant with Vedic texts and rites, and men of wealth, should especially be protected.” (santiparva)

“not giving dakshina to the brahmanas and their humiliation are declared to be sins by those conversant in dharma sastras"( santiparva)

“The son of Pandu gave thousand high-souled Brahmana snatakas thousand Nishkas each. “(santiparva)

“Brahmanas should be worshipped. They are gods on earth. They protect the vedas and the Sacrifices” (santiparva)

“The Brahmanas are the gods of the gods. Whatever they would say is for your benefit.” (santiparva)

“Whoever desires prosperity should make presents to brahmanas.” (santiparva)

“One should worship those learned brahmanas worhipping Gods and devoted to their duties. When they come one should stand up and touch their feet. One should make them to offer blessings by such acts." (santiparva)

“The person who offends brahmanas should be exiled.” (santiparva)

The mahabharata also ordains as follows –

“Brahmana who takes up acts that are not laid down for him, deserves no respect. If not engaged in his dharma , he should not be trusted.” (santiparva)

“Duties laid down for brahmanas are the foremost for them. If he doesn't follow them he can be punished like a sudra." (santiparva)

Now the pertinent sloka of chapter 77 (rajadharmanusasana) of santiparva reads as follows.

Aahvayakaa Devalakaa Naakshatragramayajakaaha
Etey brhmanachandaalaah mahaapathikapanchamaaha

Aahvayakaah – those brahmanas acting as messengers

Devalakaah – those braahmanas working in temples on wages
( the definition of the word devalakah is – yastu poojayatey devam vittharthee vatsaratrayam ; saiva devalako naama havyakavyabahishkritaha meaning one who does worhip of devas for money for a period of three years can no longer take part in the yajna involving havya and kavya.He is called devalakah.)
During the time of Mahabharata, idolatry was just taking roots in India. The main mode of worship was through yajnas. The noble brahmanas who were well versed in the vedas never used to approve of installation of idols in temples and worship of them. Hence, it was the not so educated brahmanas who undertook this task for money ( vetana or wages is the term used). The King was told to discriminate between the noble brahmanas who were well versed in the vedas and the devalakas who used to perform worship for money.

However, receiving dakshina and gifts in yajnas (called pratigraha) was one of the six fundamental duties of the Brahmana together with adhyayana (learning), adhyaapana(teaching), yajanaa (performing yajna for self), yaajana (performing yajna for others) and daana (gifitng to others).

The clear distinction is that while a brahmana is entitled to receive dakshina and gifts as part of vedic rituals, it was considered lowly to perform worship for wages.
The other word misinterpreted is “naakshatragraamayajakaaha”. It is not nakshatra, but naakshatra with a deergha following the syllable na. Naakshatra means someone who is not a kshatriya (Vaisyas and Sudras). Brahmanas were forbidden from performing yajnas for Vaisyas and Sudras. There was discrimination against brahmanas who still went ahead and performed yajnas for the non kshatriyas. The term naakshatrah has nothing to do with “nakshatrajyotish” as alleged by the petitioner. Graamayaajakah means one who performs yajnas for an entire village rather than an individual. This was also forbidden as the yajna was always meant to be performed for an individual called the yajamana and a village would include all the for varnas. These categories of brahmanas were considered as chandalas(lowly) and discriminated against.
This discrimination may not be relevant anymore in the changed social context, however intercommunity marriage between vedic brahmanas and archakas of temple are still not encouraged in several parts of the country (eg: Iyer and Kurukkal communities of Tamil Nadu.)

There are also comments from Jawaharlal Nehru, Shakespear and Dr.Abraham Kovoor against astrology. They have every right to express their views.

The petitioner quotes Claude Pecker as saying" North pole has six month long day and six month long night.There are no graha nakshatras in the north pole, horoscopes for people living there can not be made, still they live happily"

Why are there no graha nakshatras for north pole ? Is he talking about visibility? A horoscope for north pole can definitely be made. Do all of them live "happily"?

Point no.27 - mentions that one Prof.Silverman studied horoscopes of 2978 couples out of which 478 have taken divorce. Many of the horoscopes of couples who did not take divorce were not matching perfectly. The following points may be noted.
Prof.Bernard Silverman was a psychologist attached to the Michigan State University. He “studied” the horoscopes of 2978 couples who were “going to get married” (not ones who had been married for a considerable period of time) and 478 who were going to get divorced. He found that incompatibly signed men and women got married as frequently as compatibly signed ones."

Are we talking about compatibility factor or the sun sign statistics of these marriages ? What was the aim of the study? Did he check the actual state of compatibility among the couples against the predictions as per their horoscopes ? No. He has only concluded that incompatible men and women got married as much as compatible ones. No objections.

Moreover, the principles of compatibility that he applied were based on the 12 sun signs as per western astrology which is too broad (there is no likelihood that one – twelfth of the world population will have the same kind of life experience). This is not how a vedic astrologer would study marriage compatibility. Some important points the vedic astrologer would consider are given below –

1. Physical and mental well being in both the horoscopes as well as financial matters.
2. Psychological disposition in both the horoscopes.
3. Dina koota to understand the intensity of the relationship
4. Gana koota to understand psychological disposition
5. Yoni koota to understand latent characteristics
6. Rasi koota to understand mutual compatibility
7. Graha maitri koota to understand conjugal harmony
8. Rajju koota to understand the longevity of the relationship
9. Vedha koota to understand chances of disagreement
10. Vasya koota to understand natural adjustment
11. Mahendra koota to understand financial prospects of the couple
12. Stree deergha koota to understand mutual attraction
13. Nadi koota to understand physiological factors
14. Varna koota to understand spiritual development. Compatibility is tested on all the above factors.
15. Child birth prospects through beeja sphuta and kshetra sphuta.
16. Checking for the four harmful nakshatra charanas of Aslesha, Visakha, Jyeshta and Moola and also exceptions.
17. Checking for vihaga, tatva, vadha – vainashika and samagotra dosha
18. Checking for compatibility of malefic content in both the horoscopes – with reference to the houses 12,I,4,7 and 8 from Lagna, Chandra,Sukra and 7th lord in both Rasi and Navamsa charts.
19. Checking for concurrent malefic periods in both the horoscopes

I wonder whether Prof.Silverman has even heard of all these, forget studying charts on the basis of these.

The petitioner further states that “ Western Reserve University’s physicist Prf.Macgrave studied the horoscopes of 16634 scientists registered with American men of science and 6475 politicians listed in who is who in American politics. It didn’t prove similarities of horoscopes of scientists and politicians vis-à-vis zodiac constellations."

This sounds like - me “studying the MRI scans 13368 brain damaged persons and declaring ‘I don’t find anything wrong.” I can’t make head or tail of those pictures.

Presuming for once that the 16634 scientists and 6475 politicians had with them their accurate birth details ready including the time of birth. I wonder how many years it must have taken for Prof.Macgrave to personally contact each one of them and to collect those details. Are we again talking about the 12 sun sign based horoscopes here. A vedic astrologer does not rely on them.

To get a fair idea about a person’s professional life, at least the following factors should be studied in detail.

1. Strength of lagna and lagna lord to ascertain the overall impact of the horoscope
2. Strength of Sum, Moon and 10th lord in the rasi chart, their placement in the navamsa chart and their dispositors there.
3. Strength of the 10th house in Rasi chart and Dasamsa chart.
4. Strength and placement of the 10th lord in the Rasi and Dasamsa charts.
5. Planets in the 10th house in the Rasi and Dasamsa charts.
6. Planets aspecting the 10th house in Rasi and Dasamsa charts.
7. Planets having Rasi Drishti on the 10th house in Rasi and Dasamsa charts.
8. Planets having Argala and Virodhargala on the 10th house in the Rasi and Dasamsa charts.
9. Planets conjoining the 10th lord in Rasi and Dasamsa charts .
10. Planets aspecting the 10th lord in Rasi and Dasamsa charts
11. Planets having Rasi Drishti on the 10th lord in Rasi and Dasamsa charts
12. Planets having Argala and Virodhargala on the 10th lord in Rasi and Dasamsa charts
13. The strengths of the respective planets and house in terms of shadbala, vimsopaka bala, ashtavarga bala etc.
14. Yogas such as Raja yoga enhancing these strengths.
15. Yogas such as Shakata yoga marring these strengths.
16. Effects of various dasas, antardasas etc such as Vimsottari dasa to identify favorable and unfavorable periods.
17. Effects of transit planets.
18. Effects of annual progressed horoscopes such as tithi pravesha, nakshatra pravesha.

No wonder Prof.Macgarve could not make out anything. A Dentist was told to treat a heart patient.

The petitioner further says “ Astrology says that the men with mangal will become a great warrior and that with sukra will be handsome or a good lover. Keeping this in mind Prof.Janes Birth and James Banet studied the horoscopes of all navymen who had joined during 1962 to 1970 but no such thing was found.”

Everybody has got a Mangal and Sukra in his horoscope. I think the petitioner intends to say “a strong Mangal”. (what an irony, even this I have to point out!)

Vedic astrology does not say so. There are many significations (areas where the planet is interested in or can primarily show influences) attached to each planet. For example some of the significations of Mangal/Mars (ref ; Phaladeepika) are Mental and Physical strength, all that grows on earth, well being of siblings, cruelty, battle field, courage, enemity, kitchen fire, gold, kindred, weapons, thieves, zest, adultery, falsehood, manliness, magnanimity, wickedness, wound and injury and army command.

A person who has got a strong Mars in his horoscope can show martian attributes in areas where the planet influences. Mars is primarily a planet of energy and aggression. This is the reason to associate mars with battlefield.
A benefic strong mars associated with the houses related to career can make a person among hundreds of possibilities, a soldier, an athlete or sportsperson, a gymnast or wrestler, policeman, any of the uniformed professions, fire force professional, Karate master, forensic expert, investigator, detective, weapons designer/maker, butcher, engineer, architect, printer, real estate agent, property caretaker, restaurateur, cook, metallurgist, miner, metals trader, chemist, trader of chemicals, trader of explosives, surgeon, hemetologist,electrician, boiler technician, furnace operator, owner of gas filling stations etc. A weak mars associated with the houses of career will lead a person to take up menial jobs in the above areas. A defense person could be a general or an orderly. People who take up and fight for public causes (eg:- the petitioner in this case) will have strong martian influences in their horoscope. Mars gives the fighting spirit, courage, enthusiasm and the zeal.

A malefic mars associated with the houses of career will make a person for example a thief, fraud, hacker, gangster or a terrorist by profession.

In vedic astrology nothing works in isolation. So many different aspects are to be studied before coming to a conclusion. From the statement of the petitioner it looks as if the study was whether all the said navy men belonged to the two sun signs Aries and Scorpio owned by Mars or something similar to this. It’s not so simple. The basic premise of the study itself is wrong. Secondly you are looking for the wrong evidence. Please don’t think that horoscopes of all army men will show strong martian influence. Rahu and Ketu are also significtors of army. The horoscope of a doctor working for the navy will show more of sun’s influence than that of mars and that of signals person will show more of mercury’s influence. A person who works for the forces for a few years and later takes up some other career will show more of that influence in his horoscope.

I still feel that if the professors had undertaken a proper study with the right parameters they could have found some establishable link with mars either with respect to the nature of work or the environment in most of the cases. A sun sign approach is not going to help. Accurate birth data including time of birth is required for all the candidates.

The petitioner goes ahead to say that “The well known astronomers Rojer Kalvar and Philip Lenua collected samples of 3011 astrological predictions.90% of them proved wrong.”

I wonder whether the petitioner is actually in possession of any of the above mentioned studies or they are second hand and third hand citations. A search in Google and Yahoo search engines for the “well known astronomers Rojer Kalvar and Philip Lenua “ did not yield any result.

Anybody can come out with a statement like “ Prof.Thomas Fry the famous Physician studied 756 allopathic medicines available in the market and found that 95% are not effective.”

Point no.28 – Vide this point, the petitioner complains that Rahu and Ketu whom astrologers widely use are not even planets. They are imaginary spots or nodes in space. It is absurd on the part of astrologers to say that they have influence on the destinies of mankind.

It will not be long before we started using terms like “imaginary husband”, “imaginary wife”, “imaginary friend” to be scientifically correct because these relations are difficult to prove through a DNA test.

The petitioner is half right. Rahu and Ketu are not planets, but points in space (but not imaginary as stated). The north node where the moon’s path around earth intersects the ecliptic is called Rahu and the south node Ketu.

Vedic astrology makes use of many such derivatives – the 14 upagrahas, sahmams, points of exaltation, debilitation etc. The division of the zodiac into 12 signs of 30 degrees itself can be termed as imaginary. The astrologer makes use of many such imaginary divisions even to the extent of 3600 divisions in ardha nadi chakra. In Horary astrology even factors like environment where the question is asked, the breathing pattern of the astrologer, astrologer’s state of mind, which part of the body the querist touches when he is asking the question, the sign mounted by the querist with respect to the astrologer, the disposition of the querist and the direction he faces, his mannerisms, the way he looks(up or down or sideways) , his attire and the omens are taken into consideration before drawing conclusions about the question asked. It may sound all weird to the scientist. But, it works. The time factor in vedic astrology revolves around the dasa system (in fact 180 different systems) which may also look imaginary to the layman as they don’t conform to the Gregorian calendar that he is so much used to.

As far as influence of imaginary Rahu and Ketu are concerned, for the astrologer, the grahas are not bodies of influence, but points in space and time to which karmic influences are aligned. The maths part of astrology is highly complex. Until the invention and popularization of computers we were not able to put to use even a small percentage of the astrological knowledge base.

If it is to tell lies and cheat people nobody would take such great pains to develop, evolve, learn and practice such an elaborate and complex branch of knowledge. It takes a few years of study and the experience of reading and understanding at least a thousand horoscopes before someone develops some proficiency in this subject and of course, lot of divine grace.

The petitioner says that the astrologers first thought that Rahu and Ketu were serpents swallowing the sun and moon and changed their stand when they found that it was untenable. Sir, please don’t say that you don’t understand it is only an allegory.

The petitioner further states that the planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto do not find place in the data and chart of astrologers. Is the petitioner not aware that the scientists themselves have thrown Pluto out of their planetary system. They must be deliberate omissions as the Rashes and scholars must have found it satisfactory with whatever parameters that are used.

Why should a doctor take into account a person’s religion while treating him for fever ?

Point no. 29 - The point is about a few challenges to astrologers to make predictions and win prizes.

Astrology is not a wrestling competition to participate in and win prizes.

Point no.30 - In this point, the petitioner quotes from an article by Madhav Risbud that appeared in ‘Indian Skeptics”. He says 3 babies born at the same moment at different parts of earth will have Rahu placed in different houses of the horoscope (5, 7 and 9) and should give different results. He says to do this Rahu should know that he is in different houses simultaneously and he should know what results to give to each baby. Unless until Rahu performs this feat the Siddhant will not operate at all.

When it is mid noon in Mumbai, it will be midnight in America, sunrise elsewhere and sunset elsewhere. Does the sun need to calculate how much light he has to give at each place ? Results indicated in the horoscopes are coming out of one’s own past karma. Planets only point towards them.

The petitioner goes ahead quoting “Siddharaju Kothati” saying “ One must think why the astrologers ask money from the people for prediction. Why can’t they predict the winning numbers in the state lotteries ?”

A similar argument “ If doctors know all about health, why do they fall sick?”

This point repeats Buddha’ view on astrology which has been answered earlier.

It further says “ Bhaskaracharya, our ancient astronomer being himself a famous astrologer had lost faith in astrology after his own daughter hugged early widowhood and has written in his book Siddhanta Siromani – we have to tell the truth before the people who have blind faith on their tradition, it is impossible to believe all the statements of our ancestors without condemning the faults in them.”

Very true. The petitioner will also become an “ancient” thousand years from now. Will the world then is to accept all his views only because he is an “ancient” ?

There is a proverb in Sanskrit – Puranamityeva na cha sadhu sarvey meaning nothing is to be taken for granted only because it is ancient. Hinduism is a dynamic and evolving religion. So many theories have been propounded, evaluated, criticized, debated upon, accepted, discarded, modified and redefined. This is an ongoing process in Hinduism. A branch of study called nyaya exists only for this purpose. Dualism and Monism coexist in Hinduism. Supporters don’t go after each other’s throat or burn effigies. The don’t seek to get the other banned through a court of law. Some Hindus consider Siva as the highest God and some others Vishnu. This plurality is the essence of Hinduism. The point raised by Bhaskaracharya is the very essence of Hinduism. Manusmriti has been rewritten so many times. Polygamy and even polyandry had the support of dharma sastras at some point of time and later on rejected. Varhamihira’s 5th century text Panchasiddhantika explicitly rejects some of the earlier siddhantas saying “ they are no longer operational.” Such is the spirit of Hinduism and astrology. Vedic astrology has stood the test of time and will continue to be so for thousands of years to come.

Point no.31 - The petitioner expressed his concern that only some astrologers use Uranus, Neptune and Pluto the newly discovered planets. This point has already been raised elsewhere and answered.

Point no.32 - This point is about observations of Jayant Narlikar and Dr.M.G.K.Menon on a decision by UGC to introduce astrology courses in Universities. Dr.Menon has nothing against the concept, he only wants a cap on the turn out in terms of number. He even expressed that there is no need to throw the baby with the water.

The matter already stands settled as a PIL in the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and a subsequent SLP in the Supreme Court challenging the decision were summarily dismissed in the years 2001 & 2004 respectively. The supreme court even went to the extent of saying that astrology is a science at least in part - more than what was asked for.

Point no.33 - This point is on a news item (Mid-day, 3-2-2001) about the arrest of some “ astrologer” who predicted doomsday and created panic among people in Gujarat. Good work by the state machinery. Let the law take its course and decide on the fate of this “astrologer”. There is frequent news about bomb hoaxes and people who made those calls getting arrested subsequently. Thank God all of them are not “astrologers”. They must be either publicity mongers, sadists or mentally deranged people requiring psychiatric treatment.

Point no.34 - is about Art.51 A(h) of the constitution on fundamental duties which directs to develop scientific temper and humanism. The petitioner feels that sufficient steps have not been taken by the governments in this direction,

It’s upto the government to answer this point.

Point no.35 - It's about a personal tragedy in the family of the petitioner. In the year 1945, his sister died of rabies. When she was bitten by the dog, she was taken to an exorcist rather than a hospital.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that medical facilities are available all over the country and to every citizen. Spreading of awareness and proper health education should be taken at a faster pace.

It is shocking to realize that even though rabies vaccine was developed in the year 1885 it became freely available in India only in the 1970s and even today we are facing shortage at times. The government should take urgent steps to ensure it availability.

Already an act of law has been enacted to prevent magic remedies. The government should make sure that it is enforced. Praying for a patient and seeking divine intervention through pujas and rituals ordained by one's own religion should not be construed in the wrong way.

Point no.36 - This is the petitioner's appreciation for Indian astronomy.

Point no.37 - The petitioner complains about various advertisements carried out on Television channels and newspapers selling problem solving gadgets and also articles promoting astrology and supernatural powers.

There is no need to under estimate the intelligence of the average educated urban Indians who are the targets of these advertisements and promotions. They are the ones who build cities, run the corporates, elect governments and behind every intelligent human activity. They can not be fooled by anyone so easily. Are they not capable of looking after themselves or they need to be protected from the "bad world" like babies ?

If there is dissatisfaction at the end of the customers of these gadgets and services , they can approach the consumer forum and there are also regulatory authorities for ethical advertising and trading. The appropriate fora can be approached for remedies. The media should also show its social responsibility by curtailing the promotion of publicity mongers masquerading as "astrologers" to create sensationalism. It can also use its discretion to discourage such advertisements.

As such there is no need to stop publishing of informative articles of academic interest in astrology.

Point nos.38 to 49 - These are the last points where the petitioner points out lack of initiative and zeal on the part of government authorities in enforcing various laws such as those for prevention of magic remedies. He seeks direction from the court to the government to file affidavits in these matters.

Apart from filing of these affidavits the prayers are to

1. ban articles and advertisements promoting astrology and related subjects such as Vastu, Reiki etc.
2. To make it mandatory for operators in these areas to put a disclaimer that it is only for entertainment and is not tried and tested.

The court has to take a decision.

As a conclusion the following points are worthy of consideration.

1. Vedic astrology is part and parcel of Hindu religion and is absolutely essential for the practice of its ritualistic side.

Astrology is so important in Hindu religion that it is assigned the status of one of the six organs (shadangas) of the vedas and is called the "eye of the vedas"

The time factor of the universe in Hindu religion is explained and taught by astrology. Astrology is also called kalavidhanasastra or knowledge of time and its divisions. Time cannot be perceived by the sensory organs, so the only way to determine time was through movement like that of sun and moon.

A Hindu is duty bound to perform many rituals to guarantee his well being in future lives, a place in heaven and subsequently moksha or release from the cycle of births and deaths. It is astrology based on planetary positions which tells him when to perform these rituals. Nothing or nobody else other than the panchanga based on planetary positions can tell him when is amavasya, when is makara samkranthi, when is yugadi, when is ashtaka, when is anvashtaka, when is akshaya triteeya and the like.

Yajnas are performed as ordained in the vedas and they are dependent on appropriate timing. Astrology is what guides us through timing. Hence astrology deserves the position as an anga of vedas. (ref : Sidhanta Siromani of Sankaracharya)

At the start of of every Hindu ritual, there is a procedure called sankalpa in which the geographical location of the ritual, the time and the purpose are declared. The declaration of the time includes the yuga, year, month, tithi, vara, nakshatra, yoga, karana and the planetary positions. These are all astrological factors. It is believed that in the absence of the sankalpa, the ritual will go aimless and will not yield any result. Astrology is essential part of every Hindu ritual. To deprive the priest of astrological data is like asking the doctor to go without a stethescope. Muhurta chintamani says “ pratyaksham jyotisham sastram chandrarkou yatra sakshinou vinaitadakhilam srouta smarta karma na sidhyati “ – Astrology is a visible sastra whose witnesses are the sun and moon ; in the absence of astrology it will not be possible to perform the rituals ordained in the vedas and smrutis.

Only the horoscope tells the Hindu what kind of karma he has accrued from the past life and this will help him in taking up steps such as penances to exhaust this karma and progress in his spiritual path.

Identification of the right spiritual path for the Hindu sadhaka draws great help from astrology following principles laid down in texts such as Rudra yamala.

Hinduism advocates performance of penances for sins committed in the present and past lives. Only astrology can throw light on sins committed in the past lives.

Hinduism considers the nava grahas as divine powers and they are propitiated by offerings at the onset of every ritual. This is called graha preeti daanam. Every Hindu Gruha pravesha and every Satyanarayana pooja involves worship of the navagrahas.

Navagrahas are worshipped in navagraha temples all over India.

Hindus worship their ancestors during a 15 day period called pitrupaksha every year. The Gregorian calendar does not tell when this period is. Hindus are dependent on the panchanga based on astrology to identify this period. In the absence of astrology, Hindus will be deprived of the opportunity to perform this worship which can invite the wrath of the ancestors on account of non performance of this worship or through performance at the wrong time.

Any effort to restrict astrology will be violate article 25(1) of the constitution of India.

2. The Supreme court has already settled the matter while hearing a SLP of a similar nature in the year 2004. The present PIL is only old wine in new bottle.

3. There are already provisions in the law of the land and also various acts to handle unscrupulous elements of the society. Appropriate remedies can be sought under them.

Navagrahas and Jyotirlingas

2010-02-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

The navagrahas are associated with the jyotirlingas as follows :

Surya - Rameswaram
Chandra - Somanath
Mangala - Bhimasankar
Budha - Mallikarjuna
Guru - Kashi
Sukra - Tryambakesvar
Sani - Ujjain
Rahu - Nagesvar
Ketu - Vaidyanath

Prayer at the respective temples can be helpful in mitigation of grahapeeda.

Vedic gods

2010-02-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

The vedic gods are mainly 33 in number. This is the fact behind the concept that there are 33 crore deities in Hinduism - a crore variations for each God. The 33 Gods are -

1. Prajaapati or Brahmaa
2. Indrah

3. Dharah
4. Dhruvah
5. Somah
6. Aapah
7. Analah
8. Anilah
9. Pratyooshah
10. Prabhasah
- called the ashtavasus

11. Mrugavyadhah
12. Sarpah
13. Nirrutirmahashyah
14. Aja ekapat
15. Ahirbubhnyah
16. Pinaakee paramtapah
17. Bhuvanah
18. Eesvarah
19. Kapaalee Mahadyutih
20. Sthanuh
21. Bhago Bhagavan
- called ekaadasa rudras

22. Bhagah
23. Amshah
24. Aryamaa
25. Mitrah
26. Varunah
27. Savitaa
28. Dhaataa
29. Tvashtaa
30. Pooshaa
31. Vivasvaan Mahaabalah
32. Indrah
33. Vishnuh.
- called the dvaadasa adityaas

The pitrus also exist in the form of the above vasus, rudraas and aadityaas.

Case study - accident

2010-02-09T02:34:00.001-08:00

Birth details : 17-Mar-1979, 13:20 hrs, Mumbai

The native met with an acciddent on the 15th of January which left him with a fractured shoulder and a crushed vertebra. Lagna is mithuna. He was running the mahadasa of the 8th lord Sani, Sani antardasa, Pratyandardasa of maraka Guru placed in the second house and sookshma of 12th lord Sukra (responsible for hospitalisation and bed rest) who is placed in the eighth house. The chart also comes under the influence of ardhashtama sani in trasit.

The fact that sani is also the ninth lord responsible for protection warded off loss of life.

Supreme Court ruling on astrology

2010-01-30T00:52:00.000-08:00

In the High Court of Andhra Pradesh , a writ of mandamus was filed by one Dr.Bhargava challenging the UGC’ decision to introduce astrology as a course of study in Indian Universities in April, 2001. The court dismissed the writ on the following grounds –

Firstly, no final decision had been made and the court could not interfere in the UGC’s decision-making processes. Secondly, the judge quoted from the second edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, published in the first half of the 19th century, which was ambiguous on the scientific nature of astrology. The opinion of experts differ and change from time to time, he concluded. Being ill-equipped regarding such matters, the court would exercise “the doctrine of self-restraint” and leave the issue to the UGC expert commitee

The petitioners moved the Supreme Court after a two-member Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court comprising Justices S.B. Sinha and V.V.S Rao summarily dismissed the public interest petition filed on April 11, 2001. In its ruling on April 27, 2001, the High Court had said that astrology was a subject that required further studies. Further, invoking Article 226 of the Constitution, it ruled that in exercise of its powers, as enshrined in the Constitution, it cannot interfere with a policy decision of the UGC and, as such, the UGC (at that point of time) had not taken any final decision on the matter
In May, 2004 a Bench, comprising Justice S. Rajendra Babu and Justice G.P. Mathur, rejected the SLP which was directed against the April 2001 judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court declining to entertain a writ petition.
The petitioners, had in their writ petition questioned the decision of the UGC in according permission to the universities for starting graduate, post-graduate and research courses in jyotir vigyan.

They had contended that the guidelines issued by the UGC were totally irrational, as Vedic astrology could not be held to see the unforeseen.

They submitted that as a pseudoscience, astrology was considered to be diametrically opposed to the findings and theories of modern Western science.
The High Court dismissed the petition holding that it could not interfere in the policy decision of the Government unless it was found to be contrary to the law or made on extraneous considerations.

In their SLP, the petitioners contended that the scientific community considered the action of the respondents in starting the Vedic astrology course as a giant leap backwards, undermining whatever scientific credibility the country had so far achieved. They sought a direction to set aside the judgment and a direction to restrain the UGC and other respondents from implementing the decision to start the astrology course in Indian universities.

On behalf of the Union Government it was submitted that there was no compulsion in taking up the astrology course, which would be only an optional subject. Even in several Western countries, astrology had been included as a subject of study.
The apprehensions of the petitioners were misplaced, the Government said seeking dismissal of the appeal.

The Supreme Court Bench agreed with the Centre's contention and dismissed the SLP.
. While dismissing the appeal the following observations were made by the eminent judges :

"(Astrology)... requires study of celestial bodies, of their positions, magnitudes , motions and distances etc. Astronomy is a pure science. It was studied as a subject in ancient India and India has produced great astronomers long before anyone in the Western world studied it as a subject. Since astrology is partly based upon movement of the sun, earth, planets and other celestial bodies, it is a study of science at least to some extent"

“The precise question as to whether Jyotir Vigyan should be included as a course of study having been considered and examined by an expert body of the UGC and they having recommended for including the said course for study and award of degrees in universities, it will not be proper for this court to interfere with the aforesaid decision specially when no violation of any statutory provisions is demonstrated."

The Bench rejected the contention of counsel for the petitioners that the introduction of Jyotir Vigyan in the curricula militates against the concept of secularism inherent in the structure of the Constitution. The judges cited a case in 1971 that challenged certain provisions of the Guru Nanak University Act, which provided for the study of the teachings and life of Guru Nanak. The petition was struck down on the grounds that this could not be construed to be amounting to religious instruction.

Mahabharata on daanam

2010-01-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

No one should make a gift for the sake of acquiring fame, or from fear (of censure and the like) or unto a benefactor. A virtuous man would not make gifts unto persons living by singing and dancing or unto those that are professional jesters, or unto a person that is intoxicated, or unto one that is insane, or unto a thief, or unto a slanderer, or unto an idiot, or unto one that is pale of hue, or unto one that is defective of a limb, or unto a dwarf, or unto a wicked person, or unto one born in a low and wicked family, or unto one that has not been sanctified by the observance of vows. No gift should be made to a Brahmana destitute of knowledge of the Vedas. Gifts should be made unto him only that is a Srotriya. 1 An improper gift and an improper acceptance produce evil consequences unto both the giver and the acceptor. As a person who seeks to cross the ocean with the aid of a rock or a mass of catechu sinks along with his support, even so the giver and the acceptor (in such a case) both sink together. As a fire that is covered with wet fuel does not blaze forth, even so the acceptor of a gift who is bereft of penances and study and piety cannot confer any benefit (upon the giver). As water in a (human skull) and milk in a bag made of dog-skin become unclean in consequence of the uncleanliness of the vessels in which they are kept even so the Vedas become fruitless in a person who is not of good behaviour. One may give from compassion unto a low Brahmana who is without mantras and vows, who is ignorant of the scriptures and who harbours envy. One may, from compassion, give unto a person that is poor or afflicted or ill. But he should not give unto such a person in the belief that he would derive any (spiritual) benefit from it or that he would earn any religious merit by it. There is no doubt that a gift made to Brahmana bereft of the Vedas becomes perfectly fruitless in consequence of the fault of the recipient. As an elephant made of wood or an antelope made of leather, even so is a Brahmana that has not studied the Vedas. All the three have nothing but names. 1 As a eunuch is unproductive with women, as a cow is unproductive with a cow, as a bird lives in vain that is featherless, even so is a Brahmana that is without mantras. As grain without kernel, as a well without water, as libations poured on ashes, even so is a gift to a Brahmana void of learning. An unlearned Brahmana is an enemy (to all) and is the destroyer of the food that is presented to the gods and Pitris. A gift made to such a person goes for nothing. He is, therefore, like unto a robber (of other people's wealth). He can never succeed in acquiring regions of bliss hereafter. I have now told thee in brief, O Yudhishthira, all that was said (by Manu on that occasion). This high discourse should be listened to by all, O bull of Bharata's race.'"

Who is superior ? a householder or a sanyasi?

2010-01-26T21:51:00.001-08:00

Ref : Mahabharatha, Santhiparva

"Vyasa said, 'The words of Arjuna, O amiable Yudhishthira, are true. The highest religion, as declared by the scriptures, depends on the duties of domesticity. Thou art acquainted with all duties. Do thou then duly practise the duties prescribed for thee (viz., the duties of domesticity). A life of retirement in the woods, casting off the duties of domesticity, has not been laid down for thee. The gods, Pitris, guests, and servants, all depend (for their sustenance) upon the person leading a life of domesticity. Do thou then support all these, O lord of the earth! Birds and animals and various other creatures, O ruler of men, are supported by men leading domestic lives. He, therefore, that belongs to that mode of life is superior (to all others). A life of domesticity is the most difficult of all the four modes of life. Do thou practise that mode of life then, O Partha, which is difficult of being practised by persons of unrestrained sense."

Eating during eclipse

2010-01-17T22:28:00.000-08:00

Channels on the solar eclipse day (15 - Jan - 2010)were full of programs by the scientific community ridiculing the "superstition" that it is not good to eat during eclipse. It may be good, bad or irrelevant.

The 'scientists" said that there is no evidence that it is harmful. Has anyone really conducted a research ? That is the scientific process. Not merely making high handed arbitrary statements if the guise of science.

It would have been highly appreciated if the scientists - as is the normal case -had taken a sample of 2000 persons divided them into two groups of 1000 each, one group eating and one group not eating. All the relevant body and health parameters should have been measured and observed for at least the next 5 years before coming to a conclusion as to whether it is harmful or not to eat during eclipse.

Many religions prescribe abstinenece from food or restrictions during certain periods of time and it is part of the faith. Muslims stay away from food during day time in Holy Ramzan and christians also observe food restrictions prior to easter. Are we going to question all this scientifically?

Why should everything be "scientific" ?

2010-01-17T22:03:00.000-08:00

The important elements of scientific thought and process are
1. Well defined system 2.Experimentation 3. Observable evidence. 4. Measurable data 5. Predictable outcome.

Some of the things that are "unscientific" or beyond science's capability to predict.

1. Concept of God
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Poetry & literature
5. Adventure
6. Sports & games
7. Anger
8. Love
9. Agony
10. Frustration
11. Beauty
12. Enthusiasm
13. Fear
14. Lust
15. Greed
16. Happiness
17. Respect
18. Weather 100 years from now.
19. World population 500 years from now.
20. Rain in Mumbai in the coming monsoon.
21. India's prime minister in 2020.
22. Whether it will be a bright or cloudy day tomorrow.

and many many more ..............

Science plays role in a minuscule part of human life. Why insist that everything needs to be scientific. Because science sells and it sells exclusively for the western world. We fools dump our culture, values and tradition to make money for the west. By the time we realise this it will be too late.

Activists drag astrology to the court (published in D.N.A. Mumbai edition on 20-jan-2010, pg.4)

2010-01-17T21:57:00.000-08:00

In the context of a PIL filed in the Mumbai High Court seeking a ban on astrologers and similar practitioners, the following clarifications are made about vedic astrology.

1. Vedic astrology has a lot more to it than the weekly forecasts and claims by some unscrupulous persons about 100% accurate predictions and guaranteed results. Astrology has always been part and parcel of Hindu religion and faith. Astrology is one of the six angas (organs) of the veda, Siksha, Vyakarana, Chandas, Nirukta and Kalpa being the other five. It is called Vedasya chakshuh or eye of the veda.

2. Eighteen Rishis – Surya, Pitamahah, Vyasa, Vasishta, Atri, Parasara, Kasyapa, Narada, Garga, Marichi, Manu, Angiras, Lomasha, Paulisha, Chyavana, Yavana, Bhrigu and Saunaka are the creators of astrology and the classical texts of astrology are written by these sages. Some of these texts are Parasara Hora, Garga Hora and Yavana Hora.There are also texts from eminent scholars such as Jaimini ,Varahamihira, Mantresvara, and Kalyanavarma. Uttarakalamrita by Kalidasa is a treasure house of astrological knowledge and Naradapurana deals extensively in astrology. More than one thousand text books on astrology are in print both classical and contemporary.

3. The planets and nakshatras have been assigned divine attributes in the vedas and puranas and there are mantras and rituals meant to worship them. Astrology is a matter of faith and worship for the Hindu. There are navagraha temples all over the country and it is part of Hindu faith to recognize the divine power of the planets and worship them. While the planets themselves are treated as divine beings, there are also adhidevatas, pratyadhidevatas and abhimanadevatas as their associate deities. In Hindu religion, the planets are considered as agents responsible for fructification of one’s own past karma. Atharva veda contains mantras to predict the outcome of a battle.

4. The planets in vedic astrology are not the physical planets we see in the sky. There is a difference of about 22 to 23 degrees between the physical longitude of the planet and its longitude in the horoscope. This difference is called ayanamsa. The planets in astrology can be best described as karmic influences aligned with the physical planets. The graha word in Sanskrit means “one who takes hold of or control of ” and not planet as in science.

5. Identification of muhurtas for yajnas and rituals such as marriage is based on the tenets of astrology and the ritualistic side of Hindu religion is closely linked to astrology. In the absence of Hindu almanac based on vedic astrology the festivals in our day to day life such as Ram Navami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Gudi padwa and Makara Samkranti will disappear.

6. The Government of India publishes Rashtriya Panchanga giving the planetary positions on a daily basis which are widely used for casting horoscopes and other astrological purposes.

7. Astrology is a regular curriculum in many Universities approved by the UGC. Degrees such as B.A., M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D. or their equivalents are awarded on successful completion of the courses. Rashtriya Samskrita Samsthanam deemed university established under the Ministry of HRD offers all these courses. Sastra University - Thanjavur, PSR University – Hyderabad and Kalidas Sanskrit University – Ramtek are some of the universities offering PG level courses in astrology. In addition to this, there are many more universities having well established departments of astrology such as the eminent Banaras Hindu University and Sampurnanad Sanskrit University, Kashi. Serious research into many aspects of astrology are conducted in these universities.

8. There are widely read journals in astrology and the contributors include a wide spectrum of personalities like retired judges, scientists, doctors, technocrats, professors, bureaucrats along with professional astrologers.

9. There are many remedies prescribed by Hindu Dharmasatras, the vedic treatises and also the mantra sastras. In fact every Hindu ritual has a goal and this is the expected result of the ritual. The success depends on so many factors. The penances and rituals prescribed in texts such as Santhikusumakara depend entirely on the horoscope for arriving at the right remedy. The bona fide of the all solving yantras and gadgets is of course questionable. Indiscriminate advertising and tall claims have definitely cast a shadow upon this ancient knowledge.

10. No genuine astrologer would claim that all his predictions will come true just as even the scientific weather forecasts also at times turn out to be incorrect. No genuine priest would guarantee results. “ The sastra itself says that “phalani grahacharena soochayanti maneeshinaha. Ko vakta taratamyasya tamekam vedhasam vina “ – the scholars only indicate the future results. Who other than the creator himself can say for sure what will happen. Hindu dharmasastra and astrology are inseparable and a good astrologer is called daivajna (one who knows God). His qualities in addition to astrological knowledge are honesty, awareness , humility, vedic knowledge and devotion to the navagrahas.

11. It is not fair to insist that everything has to be scientific. That is only one way of looking at things. Is God a scientific concept? Is religion scientific? Is the entertainment industry comprising of movies, serials etc. scientific or pieces of imagination? What is scientific about poetry? It is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen to follow his religious system and faith. Even science does not promise 100% results. Does the Medical Science cure every patient? There are quacks and frauds even in the Medical profession. That does not call for a ban on the profession. It is up to the law to deal with them. The argument is that astrology is not scientifically proved. The question is “Has it been scientifically disproved, if so by what authority ?”

12. Vedic astrology has stood the test of time. It is our ancient knowledge with great social value. In the hands of genuine practitioners it is a great tool of counseling in times of distress and confusion. While cleaning the system of frauds and cheats is welcome, it should not in any way hamper the faith of millions and the true pursuit of this branch of knowledge.

Schwabe cycle and the 12 suns of the veda

2010-01-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

Schwabe cycle is the term used to describe variations in sun's magnetic activity over a cycle of duration 9 to 14 years. Is there a link between this and the 12 suns (dwadasa adityas) as mentioned in the vedas need to be explored.

A wild thought (originally spiritual, can be applied in the context of Copenhagen)

2009-12-10T00:33:00.000-08:00

Weight of earth = 6E+24 kg
Weight of entire human population ( assuming an average weight of 50 kg - infants through adults - and a world population of 6 billions ) = 3E+11 kg
Ratio ( weight of world human population : weight of earth ) = 1 : 2E+13

Weight of a centimetre long human hair = 1E-4 grams
The above ratio is like the weight of one hair against the weight of 400000 persons.

Are human affairs really capable of making an impact ?

The reply may be comparison with nuclear bomb which can destroy many times its weight.

" Neti Neti "

Tithi devatas

2009-11-28T23:53:00.000-08:00

There is deity associated with each tithi. It will be a good practice to propitiate the tithi devata while performing rituals.

Pratipada - Krupeetayoni (Agni)
2 - Brahma
3 - Sankara
4 - Ganapati
5 - Dantashooka
6 - Kartikeya
7 - Martanda (Surya)
8 - Mahesvara (Siva)
9 - Durga
10 - Dandadhara (Yama)
11 - Visvedevah
12 - Madhava
13 - Pushpeshu (Kama)
14 - Parvateenadha (Siva)
15 - Chandra

Tip to astrologers

2009-11-28T23:44:00.000-08:00

Naaprushtah kasyachit brooyannaanyayena cha prucchatah
Paramarthaphalajnanan yato naiveha sidhyati

Only humble requests deserve answers. No prediction or advice should be offered unasked for, nor to one who is skeptical or wants to test the astrologer. If the astrologer tries to answer him, he will not be able to get at the truth.

Tip to those visiting astrologer

2009-11-28T23:37:00.000-08:00

Pratah puman vihitadevagurupranamah
Panou vahankusumaratnaphalakshatamscha
Satkrutya daivavidamadaramadadhanah
Pruchhet sakrut shubhamanh shubhadingmukhah

The one desirous of asking the question should approach the daivajna (astrologer) after his morning prayers to guru and god carrying flowers, fruits,akshata,dakshina etc and after presenting them should ask the relevant question once in a humble manner with clear mind and facing an auspicious direction.

Are you wearing a harmful gemstone?

2009-11-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

For each lagna there are adverse gemstones as given below.

Mesha - Emerald, Diamond
Rishabha - Pearl, Coral, Yellow Sapphire
Mithuna - Ruby, Pearl, Coral, Yellow sapphire
Kataka - Emerald, Diamond, Blue Sapphire
Simha - Diamond, Blue Sapphire
Kanya - Ruby, Coral, Yellow Sapphire
Tula - Ruby, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire
Vrischika - Diamond, Emerald
Dhanus - Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire
Makara - Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire
Kumbha - Ruby, Coral, Pearl
Meena - Emerald, Diamond, Blue Sapphire.

Ekadasi

2009-09-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

The names of the 24 ekadasis.

1. Kamada ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of chaitra masa
2. Papamochini ekadas- - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of Chaitramasa. Worship of Vishnu will release one from sins.
3. Mohini ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of vaisakha masa.
4. Varoothini ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi vaisakha masa. Observance of vrata brings in prosperity. Dana shoulld be perfromed to brahmins.
5. Nirjala ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of jyeshta masa. If vrata is observed wihout even deinking water it leads to long life and salvation.
6. Apara ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of jyeshta masa. Observing this vrata releases on efrom brahmahatya dosha.
7. Shayanaikadasi - Suklapakha ekadasi of ashada masa. Gives attainment of all desires.
8. Yogini ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of ashada masa. The poor should be fed on this day.
9. Putrada ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of Sravana masa. Feeding brahmins and danam on this day provides progeny.
10. Kamika ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of sravana masa. Relief from brahmahatya papa.
11. Parivartanaikadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of bhadrapada masa. Vrata confers blessings of Vishnu and Lakshmi.
12. Ajapada ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of bhadrapada masa. Result is release from sins.
13. Pasankusa ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of asvina masa. Vrata releases one from sins.
14. Indira ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of asvina masa. Vrata gives mukti to pitrus.
15. Utthana ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of kartika masa. Tulasipuja is also performed on this day. Vrata generates punya.
16. Prabodhinee ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of kartika masa.
17. Mokshada ekadasi - also called vaikunda ekadasi.Suklapaksha ekadasi of margasirsha masa. Enter and exit Vishnu temple through different doors. Leads to moksha.
18. Utpathi ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of margasirsha masa. Obsevance of vrata confers one with blessings of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.
19. Punyada ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of pousha masa. Good for obtaining punya and progeny.
20. Saphala ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of pousha masa. For attainment of all desires.
21. Jaya ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of magha masa. For prosperity and wefare of the family.
22. Shattila ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of magha masa. Abhisheka to Vishnu is perfromed with panchamruta mixed with til. Result is attainment of vaikunda.
23. Amalakee ekadasi - Suklapaksha ekadasi of phalguna masa. Vrata destroys enemies.
24. Vijaya ekadasi - Krishnapaksha ekadasi of phalguna masa.

Vinayaka chaturthi

2009-08-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

While Siva was away destroying Tripura, Parvati spent time in fear inside a cave. Devi was apprehensive about the outcome of the fight. Finally, she came out and started roaming through the dense jungle calling out for her husband and father. She cried out to Siva "Why don't you understand my state ? I can't live without you." A fisherman who saw this went and reported the matter to Himavan, Parvati's father. Himavan set out to find his daughter.

Himavan found Parvati and tried to console her. " Devi, you are omnipotent and omnipresent. The fact is that you have not been separated from Siva. Still, I will reunite you with him. " Parvati accompanied Himavan home. She was still worried about not finding Siva. Himavan instructed Parvati to worship Ganesa to get back her consort. "Devas like Indra, Rishis like Narada and the Trimurtis became competent to achieve their tasks after worshipping Vighneswara. Brahma obtained his power to create, Vishnu obtained his power to sustain and Siva obtained his power to dissolve as a result of the worship of Ganesa. It is only with the blessing of Ganesa that Sesha is able to bear the load of earth.The lord who is beyond the grasp of the mind and beyond words should be worshipped as gajamukha. Follow the upasanakrama of Ganesa as I am about to tell you and you will achieve your desire." said Himavan.

Parvati expressed her gratitude to her father and learned from him the method of worshipping Ganesa in the form of a parthiva (made of clay) murthi.

Veda on verbal abuse

2009-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Atharva veda, kanda 7, suktam 43

Shivasta eka .......
The meaning of the suktam is - Some are praises and some abuses, the wise one does not discriminate and accepts both equally. Only one quarter of the speech is passed on and three quarters remain with the speaker.

Speech has four components - para, pashyanti, madhyama and vaikhari. Para originates from muladhara and develops through pashyanti and madhyama stages into vaikahari, the spoken and heard speech. When a person abuses, only one quarter that is the vaikhari is passed on to the victim. Three quarters remain within the abuser himself. The abuser is harmed three times more than the victim. Feel sorry for the abuser.

Naming the newborn

2009-08-04T06:45:00.000-07:00

There are two systems of naming the newborn as per Indian tradition. One is based on the charanakshar where choice is limited to a single syllable. In the other system, all alphabets favourable to the Janmarasi have been identified as given below. The name can start with any of the following alphabets. First, ascertain the janmarasi ( rasi in which moon is posited at the time of birth ) from the horoscope. Then based on the janmarasi, identify the first alphabet of the names from the information below.

Mesha , Mithuna, Simha, Tula, Dhanus, Kumbha rasis - अ , आ, इ, ई, श, ॠ, स, ओ, औ, ळ, क, ख, गा, घ, ङ,ट, ठ, ड, ढ, ण, प, फ, ब, भ, म
Rishabha, Kataka, Kanya, Vrischika, Makara, Meena rasis - उ, ऊ, ऋ, ष, ए, ऐ, ह, अं, अः, क्ष, च, छ, ज, झ, ञ, त, थ, द, ध, न, य, र, ल, व

Vakya panchanga vs. Drig ganita panchanga

2009-08-04T00:49:00.000-07:00

Drig Ganita Panchanga is based on the physical positions of the planets as observed in the sky ( after applying the constant called ayanamsa ).
Vakya panchanga is based on vakyas (sentences / formulae ) to arrive at the positions of the planets.
Surya siddhanta says that even when formulae are employed to calculate planetary positions, corrections shall be applied by observing the sky on a periodic basis. This is called bija sanskar.
The last correction was done centuries ago. Drig ganita depends on modern astronomical data as those provided by observatories and NASA etc. If you calculate as per vakya panchanga the position of a planet and look in the sky, you will not find that planet at that longitude.

Sage parasasra vide the following sloka clearly emphasizes the use of drig ganita for predictive purposes.
yasmin kale yataha kheta yanti drigganitaikatam
tata eva sphutaha karyaha dikkalou cha sphtou vida

Significance of Upakarma

2009-08-03T21:15:00.000-07:00

Upakarma is performed every year by brahmins. Similar to the summer vacation in mainstream studies, a vedic student is also entitled to his share of holidays and vacations. The students are supposed to stop learning new mantras on the purnima of the month of pousha (falling mostly in the middle of January ) and restart on the purnima in the month of sravana. In between they can revise the earlier lessons of vedas and sastras.

The recommencement of new lessons is marked by upakarma on sravanapurnima. Nowadays, this practice of taking a break has been discontinued even in vedic schools. Any new lesson learned during the off period is likely to generate desire and anger in the student. Hence kamokarsheet japa is performed as a penance.
The performer performs all his nityakarmas like sandhyavandanam, Samidhadhanam/ oupasanam upto brahmayajnam. Then he performs the upakarma maha sankalpa to assert that he is restarting the studies.

At the end of the sanklapa he takes bath and changes the holy thread. The holy thread is normally changed at the commencement of any auspicious occasion or at the end of inauspicious periods or as and and when it is found broken or dirty.

Then the chief rishis of yajurveda called kandarshis (kanda means chapter) are propitiated by offering them tarpana and a homa is performed to offer them ahutis of ghee.

Then the student sits in front of his guru and restarts learning of the veda by chanting the initial portions of the four vedas, sastras, sutras etc.

Then the homa is completed.

On the next day gayatri mantra is chanted 1008 times to compensate for any inadvertant omission of gayatri japa during the past one year.

Photo of Sri Dhanvantari

2009-07-31T21:10:00.000-07:00

Drawn by Sri.K.K.Raman, Mumbai

Sri Dhanvantari is the presiding deity of Ayurveda

Fight between Yama and the rest of devas

2009-07-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

Krishna Yajurveda Kanda 2, prasna 1, anuvaka 4

devashcha vai yamaschsminlolespardhanta sa yamo devanamindriyam veeryamyuvata tadyamasya yamatvam te deva amanyanta yamo idamabhoodyadvayagum sma iti te prajapatimupadhavntsa etou prajapatiratmana ukshavashou niramimeeta te deva vaishnavaruneem vashaamaalabhantaindramukshanam tam varunaenaiva grahayitva vishnuna yajnena pranudantaindrenaivaasyendriyamavrunjata
The devas and Yama fought over this world; Yama the power and strength of the devas. That is why he is called yama. The gods realzed that 'Yama has captured their position.They approached prajapati. Pajapati created from his body the bull and the barren cow .Devas sacrificed the barren cow to Vishnu and Varuna, and the bull to Indra. This caused yama to be seized by Varuna and Vishnu. Thus he was driven away.